Feb 272014
 

THE PASSOVER and THE HOLY COMMUNION

What is a Passover or Pesah?
A Passover is a Jewish festival that commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and is marked chiefly by the Seder ritual and the eating of matzoth. It begins on the 14th day of Nisan and is celebrated for eight days by Orthodox and Conservative Jews outside of Israel and for seven days by Reform Jews and Jews in Israel.

In Nissan 14 BC , The Passover was Inaugurated:

Jehovah God Said,
“‘And they must eat the flesh on this night. They should eat it roasted with fire and with unfermented cakes along with bitter greens.
9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled, cooked in water, but roast with fire, its head together with its shanks and its interior parts. 10 And YOU must not leave any of it over till morning, but what is left over of it till morning YOU should burn with fire.
11 And in this way YOU should eat it, with YOUR hips girded, sandals on YOUR feet and YOUR staff in YOUR hand; and YOU must eat it in haste.
It is Jehovah’s passover.
12 And I must pass through the land of Egypt on this night and strike every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from man to beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I shall execute judgments. I am Jehovah. 13 And the blood must serve as YOUR sign upon the houses where YOU are; and I must see the blood and pass over YOU, and the plague will not come on YOU as a ruination when I strike at the land of Egypt.
14 “‘And this day must serve as a memorial for YOU, and YOU must celebrate it as a festival to Jehovah throughout YOUR generations. As a statute to time indefinite YOU should celebrate it.
15 Seven days YOU are to eat unfermented cakes. Yes, on the first day YOU are to take away sourdough from YOUR houses, because anyone eating what is leavened, from the first day down to the seventh, that soul must be cut off from Israel.
16 And on the first day there is to take place for YOU a holy convention, and on the seventh day a holy convention. No work is to be done on them. Only what every soul needs to eat, that alone may be done for YOU”.(Exodus 12:8-15)

What is a Passover?

When was it Inaugurated or Started?

What are some of the recipe for the Passover?

How many times was the Passover celebrated?

Holy Communion and The New Covenant:

Jesus Launched a New Covenant.

“As they continued eating, Jesus took a loaf and, after saying a blessing, he broke it and, giving it to the disciples, he said: “TAKE, eat. This means my body.” 27 Also, he took a cup and, having given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: “Drink out of it, all of YOU; 28 for this means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell YOU, I will by no means drink henceforth any of this product of the vine until that day when I drink it new with YOU in the kingdom of my Father.”(Mathew 26:26-29)

Luke reported:
“Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” 20 Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf.”(Luke 22:19)

What is the difference between the Passover and the New Covenant?

Why is the new covenants better than the old covenant?

Jesus further said,
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if ANYONE eats of this bread he will live forever; and, for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the WORLD. “Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have NO LIFE in yourselves.
He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day; for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I in union with him. Just as the living Father sent me forth and I live because of the Father, he also that feeds on me, even that one will live because of me.”(John 6:51-57)

Why is it important that all believers should per take of the symbolic body and blood of Jesus?

What might be the consequences of Rejecting Jesus blood and body?

What is the average age of Jesus disciples that per took of his body?

How Often Should We partake of Jesus Body?

Apostle Paul remind Christians about the Memorial when he wrote in
1 Corinthians 11:23-25b-26 “Keep doing this, as often as YOU drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.”

How many times should we eat this Holy Communion in view of Apostle Paul letter to the Corinthian Congregation?

What must individual do before eating and drinking the Lord body?

Then Is the eating of the emblem, the symbolic body of Jesus for every body?

What is the consequence of disregarding this warning of Apostle Paul to do self examination before eating and drinking the Lord body?

Last Comment:

As we have learn from the Inauguration of PassOver in Nisan 14, Bc on Jewish Calendar, the Passover were to be done as a yearly memorial of when God’s executional Angels Passover the Jewish houses and destroy the first born Child of every living being of Egyptians.

Similarly, Jesus Inaugurated the New Covenant with his blood on Nisan 14 CE for all believers to eat and drink the symbolic flesh and blood which he uses to reconciled us back to God and to grant us everlasting life. These New Covenant give us the privilege to become God’s children. Apostle Paul says, as often as we eat the body of Christ we are remembering and proclaiming his dead until he arrives. That shows those who choose to do it annually or four times in a year commit no sin. The bottom line is, it must be eating by all believers.
Therefore, we should examine ourselves and make sure we are fit to eat and drink the emblem of Jesus body.(John 6: 41-58)

What is the most important thing about Holy Communion or Jesus Memorial?

Why should we not judge those who eat it more than one time in a year?

If Jesus arrives in 1914 as some religion organization make us to believe, the memorial suppose to have stopped in 1914 based on I Corinthian 11:25B?

Feb 192014
 

WHAT IS A CULT?

A cult is any group that sets itself up as the supreme authority between God and Man.

Cults claim the following.

1- The Bible is seen as an insufficient guide for spiritual
truth. Cult members are told to use the cult’s literature
for the proper understanding of God’s truth.

2- Group leaders are seen as God’s “channel of communication”
to man. They equate loyalty to the group as loyalty to God.

3- They foster a “we/they” mentality to the world, claiming
that only inside the group can one find truth and ultimate
salvation, and that outside the group is “Satan’s world.”

4- Doubt and criticism of the group or leaders are disallowed.

5- They often claim that “independent thinking” is evidence of
“pride,” and is seen as questioning God and His arrangement
for life.

6- Adherents dispense personal identity for the group mold and
take on the personality and characteristics of the
totalistic environment of the cult.

How can you tell if a religion is a destructive mind control cult or just a religion?

There are all sorts of different beliefs out there and they all have their pluses and minuses. Just because you or I don’t agree with the teaching of a particular group or religion doesn’t mean that they are a destructive cult.

Being a little “wacky” in your beliefs doesn’t make you a mindless cult follower.

Everyone should have the right to believe or disbelieve as the case may be. My view of God may be completely different from yours and that is perfectly okay! What I’m trying to say is this: Mind Control Cults is dangerous to one spiritual, emotional and educational development.

MIND CONTROL CULT

The following is a list of twenty-two cult characteristics that will enable anyone to determine in five minutes what is and isn’t a cult

If the leader or leaders write their own material and claim that it is from God or “inspired by God” or “from the mouth of God” then they are a cult.

If the leadership tells you that you can’t read anything written by any other church or religion and only can read what they write then it is a cult.

If you are forbidden to speak to or read anything written by someone who has left the group for reasons of conscience or belief then it is most definitely a cult.

If the leadership has to write its own version of the Bible and call it “improved” or “more accurate” and the use of that “translation” is unique to that religion then it is most definitely a cult.

If personal choice and independent thought is considered to be “evil” then it is most definitely a cult.

If asking difficult questions is discouraged then it is most definitely a cult.

If, when finding a particular question difficult or impossible to answer you are told to just “have faith” or “wait on the Lord” then you are probably in a cult.

If it is forbidden to disagree either privately or openly with the leadership on any point then it is most definitely a cult.

If you are encouraged to sever ties with anyone not affiliated with your religion then it is most definitely a cult.

If the group actively solicits membership it is probably a cult.

If an interested person is only given enough information to pique their interest but not enough information to scare them away then it is most definitely a cult.

If you are told to teach just “the good stuff” during the initial phase of a person “studying” with you then you are most definitely in a cult.

If there are aspects of your teaching that are purposely kept hidden until the student is very far along in the indoctrination process then you are most definitely in a cult.

If the members are instructed to be especially nice to new visitors then it is probably a cult.
If the leadership teaches that they are the only ones with “the truth” and that everyone else is deceived then you are in a cult.

If the members are encouraged to turn other members in for infractions then it is 100% most definitely a cult.
If you are given a litany of rules and regulations to follow then you are most definitely in a cult.

If your schedule is booked with group activities to the point that you have little or no time to yourself then you are most definitely in a cult.
If you are told to have little or nothing to do with anyone, including close friends and family members, who choose to leave the group, then you are most definitely in a cult.

If your leadership is nameless, mysterious, aloof, unapproachable, unaccountable or otherwise “nebulous” then you are most definitely in a cult.
If your leadership doesn’t have to report their income to you or the government then you are most definitely in a cult.

If higher education is considered evil and strongly discouraged by the leadership then you are most definitely in a cult.

How many of the above characteristics hit your religion? If it was more than five then you are probably in danger of being in a cult. If you answered yes to ten or more than you are most definitely in a mind control cult.

Doug Shields is an activist against religious oppression, control and manipulation. He has many years of experience dealing with this issue because he was an active Jehovah’s Witness himself for over twenty-three years. Doug has been privileged to help elders, ministerial servants, full time pioneers and even a circuit overseer to find the strength and determination to finally face the real truth and leave the organization.

Feb 122014
 

The Deity of Jesus

Divine character or nature, especially that of the Supreme Being; divinity of Jesus

Jesus A reflection of God the Father, YHWH or Yahweh.

“God, who long ago spoke on many occasions and in many ways to our forefathers by means of the prophets, 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things.
Xxxxxx
3 He is the reflection of [his] glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power; and after he had made a purification for our sins he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in lofty places. 4 So he has become better than the angels, to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs”
(Hebrew 1:1-4).

Genesis 1:1
In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Colossians 1:15-17
16 because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist, 18 and he is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that he might become the one who is first in all things

Who created the heavens and Earth?

Who created all living things?

For whom were all things created?

“Therefore I said to YOU, YOU will die in YOUR sins. For if YOU do not believe that I am [he], YOU will die in YOUR sins.”
(John 8:24. And Deuteronomy 32:39)

Who is the I am HE?

Who is the I am HE? In Deuteronomy 32:39

Deuteronomy. 32:39

SEE now that I—I am he
And there are no gods together with me.
I put to death, and I make alive.
I have severely wounded, and I—I will heal,
And there is no one snatching out of my hand.

“I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11 KJV) and (Luke 2:11)

Mark 13:5 So Jesus started to say to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU. 6 Many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will mislead many.

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then he asked them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: (John 18:5-8 KJV)

Is Jesus as one True God?

Exodus 3:13-15

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. (Exodus 3:13-15 KJV)

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:9, 58 KJV)

Who is the I AM?

What Name did God says will be endure for ever?

Did God call himself Jehovah?

Act 4:12
12 Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”

Which name is above every other name that people can use to get salvation?

Zaharias 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10 KJV)

John 19:37
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. (John 19:37 KJV)

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:7, 8 KJV)

Who is the person pierced in John 19:37 And Zechariah 12:10.?

Who is almighty in Revelation 7:8?

Isaiah 9:6

Who is Mighty God?

Isaiah 43:11
11 I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.”

Luke 2:11
11 because there was born to YOU today a Savior, who is Christ [the] Lord, in David’s city.

John 4:42
42 and they began to say to the woman: “We do not believe any longer on account of your talk; for we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man is for a certainty the savior of the world.

Titus 2:13
13 while we wait for the happy hope and glorious manifestation of the great God and of [the] Savior of us, Christ Jesus,

John 20:28
28 In answer Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!”

Who is a savior in Isaiah 43:11?

How do we reconcile both Isaiah 43:11 and Luke 2:11?

Is Jesus the same as Yahweh?

John 10:30 I and the Father are one.”

What does Jesus mean when he says me and my father is one?

John 10:7-9, 28
My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 And I give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Newspaper Article

“…Jesus’ friends and enemies were staggered again and again by what he said and did. He would be walking down the road, seemingly like any other man, then turn and say something like, ‘Before Abraham was, I am.’ Or, ‘If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.’ Or, very calmly, after being accused of blasphemy, he would say, ‘The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ To the dead he might simply say, ‘Come forth,’ or, ‘Rise up.’ And they would obey. To the storms on the sea he would say, ‘Be still.’ And to a loaf of bread he would say, ‘Become a thousand meals.’ And it was done immediately.”

“We saw it with our own eyes: Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father….We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice.” (2 Peter 1: 16, 17 The Message )

John 5:23-24
23 in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Most truly I say to YOU, He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life.

The fact is, Jesus carries divine nature of God. Is like identical twins. It is difficult to know the difference between God And Jesus. He bears the qualities and the name of God. The Bible call him God and his disciples recognize him as God. He himself said, if you see me, you have seen my father. Me and my father are one.

For example, if our creator is Jesus and everything in Heaven and on earth is created by him and for Him. If He will gives us everlasting life and His father commands us to worship him, who is me and you, not worship and honour him?

No wonder some people think that Jesus in the almighty God.

Feb 122014
 

DONATIONS and OFFERINGS

What is God’s View On Vow, Donations and Offering

VOW or PLEDGE TO GOD

What is a Vow?
A vow is a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment: to God, marriage vows; a vow of secrecy. A solemn promise made to a God or saint committing oneself to an act, service, or condition.

“In case you vow a vow to Jehovah your God, you must not be slow about paying it, because Jehovah your God will without fail require it of you, and it would indeed become a sin on your part.
23 The utterance of your lips you should keep, and you must do just as you have vowed to Jehovah your God as a voluntary offering that you spoke of with your mouth”Deuteronomy 23:21, 23).

“When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay”. (Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5 ESV)

“In the case of the vow of a widow or a divorced woman, everything that she has bound upon her soul will stand against her.
10 “However, if it is in the house of her husband that she has vowed or has bound an abstinence vow upon her soul by an oath, 11 and her husband has heard it and has kept silent toward her, he has not forbidden her; and all her vows must stand or any abstinence vow that she has bound upon her soul will stand. 12 But if her husband has totally annulled them on the day of his hearing any expression of her lips as her vows or as an abstinence vow of her soul, they will not stand. Her husband has annulled them, and Jehovah will forgive her. 13 Any vow or any oath of an abstinence vow to afflict the soul, her husband should establish it or her husband should annul it. 14 But if her husband absolutely keeps silent toward her from day to day, he has also established all her vows or all her abstinence vows that are upon her. He has established them because he kept silent toward her on the day of his hearing them. 15 And if he totally annuls them after his hearing them, he also actually bears her error.(Number 30:9-15).

What is a vow?

How does view vow?

What happens to a married woman’s vow if her husband disapprove?

What happens if the husband keep quiet?

What is donation?
Donation is an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution.

What is offering?
An offering is a contribution given to or through the church for a particular purpose, as at a religious service.

What is a restitution?
A restitution is a reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification.

“And when Moses had called them and every man of learning, to whom the Lord had given wisdom, and who, of their own accord, had offered themselves in order to accomplish this work, he handed over to them all the donations of the sons of Israel. And while they were pursuing this work, the people offered what they had vowed each day, in the morning. The artisans were compelled by this to go to Moses and to say, “The people offer more than is needed.” (Exodus 36:2-5 CPDV)

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. But if the man has no next of kin to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for wrong shall go to the Lord for the priest, in addition to the ram of atonement with which atonement is made for him. And every contribution, all the holy donations of the people of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his. Each one shall keep his holy donations: whatever anyone gives to the priest shall be his.” (Numbers 5:5-10 ESV)

What is an offering?

What is restitution?

What is holy donation?

How Does the Temple Expense Paid?

We won’t buy goods or grain on the Sabbath or on any other sacred day, not even from foreigners. Every seven years we will let our fields rest, and we will cancel all debts. Once a year we will each donate a small amount of silver to the temple of our God. This is to pay for the sacred bread, as well as for the daily sacrifices and special sacrifices such as those offered on the Sabbath and during the New Moon Festival and the other festivals. It will also pay for the sacrifices to forgive our sins and for all expenses connected with the worship of God in the temple. (Nehemiah 10:31-33 CEVUK00)

“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,10Accept donations and offerings from these [as representatives of the] exiles, from Heldai, from Tobijah, and from Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon; and come the same day and go to the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah”.(Zechariah 6:9-10, AMP)

He reported, “We have done everything that you commanded. We have taken the money that was kept in the Temple and handed it over to the workmen and their supervisors.” (2 Chronicles 34:16, 17 GNB)

How does the church expense paid for in the first century?

Name some expenses associated with our service to God?

Donation For the Passover/ Holy Communion

On behalf of the laypeople, Josiah donated from his personal holdings thirty thousand lambs and young goats, and three thousand bulls, all for the Passover offerings. His officials also provided spontaneous gift offerings for the people, the priests, and the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the ones in charge of God’s temple, gave two thousand six hundred Passover lambs and three hundred bulls for the priests. Conaniah and his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, along with Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, provided the Levites with five thousand lambs and five hundred bulls as Passover sacrifices. (2 Chronicles 35:7-9 CEB)

Beside money what else can people donate to the church?

Donations to the Poor Jesus advice.

“Sell what you possess and give donations to the poor; provide yourselves with purses and handbags that do not grow old, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.(Luke 12:33-34 ,AMP)

And Cornelius said, This is now the fourth day since about this time I was observing the ninth hour (three o’clock in the afternoon) of prayer in my lodging place; [suddenly] a man stood before me in dazzling apparel, And he said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and harkened to, and your donations to the poor have been known and preserved before God [so that He heeds and is about to help you]. (Acts 10:30, 31 AMP)

How do we know that God show interest in our donation?

What does Jesus says we should do to assist the poor?

THE TITHE

What is a tithe?
A tithe is a the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.

“Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings.9You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation. 10Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.(Malachi 3:8-10, AMP)

“BEHOLD, then, how great this man was to whom Abraham, the family head, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. 5 True, the men from the sons of Le´vi who receive their priestly office have a commandment to collect tithes from the people according to the Law, that is, from their brothers, even if these have issued from the loins of Abraham; 6 but the man who did not trace his genealogy from them took tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now without any dispute, the less is blessed by the greater. 8 And in the one case it is men who are dying that receive tithes, but in the other case it is someone of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 And, if I may use the expression, through Abraham even Le´vi who receives tithes has paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his forefather when Mel·chiz´e·dek met him”(Hebrew 7:4-9)

“And we shall bring the first and best of our coarse meal, our contributions, the fruit of all kinds of trees, of new wine, and of oil to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God. And we shall bring the tithes from our ground to the Levites, for they, the Levites, collect the tithes in all our rural towns.38And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when [they] receive tithes, and [they] shall bring one-tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the storehouse”(8Nehemiah 10:37-38 (AMP)

What is a tithe?

How does God feel if we fail to pay our Tithe?

What does God promise us if we faithfully pay our tithes?

What should we do if our tithe is been misuse by our Pastors?

Comment:
Tithes is like taxes we pay to the Government. How the government use our taxes is up to them. Similarly, tithe is a flat tax rate of 10% paid to expand the Lord’s work.
It is the responsibility of our religious leader to utilize the tithe wisely but if not, they will render account to God and Jesus. We should not be their judge.

The Widow’s Offering:

“As Jesus sat near the temple treasury, he watched the people as they dropped in their money. Many rich men dropped in a lot of money; then a poor widow came along and dropped in two little copper coins, worth about a penny. He called his disciples together and said to them, “I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than all the others. For the others put in what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had — she gave all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44 GNB)(Luke 21:1-4 GNB)

Why did Jesus say about the widow’s contribution?

[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Prov. 22:9.]

What is the difference between giving grudgingly and giving generously?

What kind of giving will God bless?

“And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever”.(Ps. 112:9)

Who will God bless forever?

How long will God bless every generous giver?

God Blesses those who Give Generously.
(2 Corinthians 6:6-15)

“But as to this, he that sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
God, moreover, is able to make all his undeserved kindness abound toward YOU, that, while YOU always have full self-sufficiency in everything, YOU may have plenty for every good work.

9 (Just as it is written: “He has distributed widely, he has given to the poor ones, his righteousness continues forever.” 10 Now he that abundantly supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating will supply and multiply the seed for YOU to sow and will increase the products of YOUR righteousness.)

11 In everything YOU are being enriched for every sort of generosity, which produces through us an expression of thanks to God; 12 because the ministry of this public service is not only to supply abundantly the wants of the holy ones but also to be rich with many expressions of thanks to God.

13 Through the proof that this ministry gives, they glorify God because YOU are submissive to the good news about the Christ, as YOU publicly declare YOU are, and because YOU are generous in YOUR contribution to them and to all; 14 and with supplication for YOU they long for YOU because of the surpassing undeserved kindness of God upon YOU. Thanks be to God for his indescribable free gift.
(2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

How does those who give generously feel about giving their resources for God?

How does GOD reward them?

The Poor, the Widow and the Orphans

“The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world”(James 1:27)

What is the definition of Widows?
A woman who has lost her husband by death and has not remarried.

“Show respect for widows who really are all alone. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties towards their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God. A widow who is all alone, with no one to take care of her, has placed her hope in God and continues to pray and ask him for his help night and day. But a widow who gives herself to pleasure has already died, even though she lives. Give them these instructions, so that no one will find fault with them. But if anyone does not take care of his relatives, especially the members of his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Do not add any widow to the list of widows unless she is over sixty years of age. In addition, she must have been married only once and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for fellow-Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good. But do not include younger widows in the list; because when their desires make them want to marry, they turn away from Christ, and so become guilty of breaking their earlier promise to him. They also learn to waste their time in going round from house to house; but even worse, they learn to be gossips and busybodies, talking of things they should not. So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us. But if any Christian woman has widows in her family, she must take care of them and not put the burden on the church, so that it may take care of the widows who are all alone.
The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching”.
(1 Timothy 5:3-14, 16, 17 GNB)

How many kinds of widow do we have?

Who are the actual widows and what is their age?

“Now in those days when the disciples were increasing, the Greek-speaking Jews began complaining against the Hebrew-speaking Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

So the Twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said: “It is not right for us to leave the word of God to distribute food to tables. 3 So, brothers, select for yourselves seven reputable men from among you, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary matter; 4 but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 What they said was pleasing to the whole multitude, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and holy spirit, as well as Philip, Proch′o·rus, Ni·ca′nor, Ti′mon, Par′me·nas, and Nic·o·la′us, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 They brought them to the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them”(Acts 6:1-6)

What problem arose in the first century congregation?

How was the problems solved?

“For there will always be poor people in the land. That is why I am commanding you, ‘You should generously open up your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land”(Deuteronomy 15:11)

“Some people spend their money freely and still grow richer. Others are cautious, and yet grow poorer. Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped”(Proverbs 11:24, 25 GNB).

When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back” (Proverbs 19:17 GNB).

If you give your resources to the Church and to the poor who are you lending to?

Have you seen anyone who is generous and become poor because of that?

Have you see a true servant of God and yet poor?

” I have exhibited to YOU in all things that by thus laboring YOU must assist those who are weak, and must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving”(Act 20:35)

May all us experience the happiness that result as we give generously..

Feb 092014
 

STOP JUDGING OTHERS.

ONLY JESUS WAS THE APPOINTED JUDGE.

“For the Father judges no one at all, but he has committed all the judging to the Son, 30 I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent.”( John 5:22,30 )

“Because he has set a day in which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has furnished a guarantee to all men in that he has resurrected him from the dead.” ( Act 17:31)

Why was Jesus appointed to judge the world?

First Remove the Timber in your own eyes.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV)

“Quit speaking against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks against law and judges law. Now if you judge law, you are, not a doer of law, but a judge. 12 One there is that is lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But you, who are you to be judging [your] neighbour?”(James 4:11-12)

Why should we not judge our neighbours?

“Is there anyone suffering evil among YOU? Let him carry on prayer. Is there anyone in good spirits? Let him sing psalms. Is there anyone sick among YOU? Let him call the older men of the congregation to [him], and let them pray over him, greasing [him] with oil in the name of Jehovah. And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him”.

“Therefore openly confess YOUR sins to one another and pray for one another, that YOU may get healed. A righteous man’s supplication, when it is at work, has much force. E·li´jah was a man with feelings like ours, and yet in prayer he prayed for it not to rain; and it did not rain upon the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the land put forth its fruit”(James 5: 13-18)

What does James Comparing sins to?

Why Did Apostle James not support shunning of sinners?

What does Apostle James recommend to assist sinners to come to repentance?

Judgement of a Prostitute

They said to him:
“Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the Law Moses prescribed for us to stone such sort of women. What, really, do you say?” 6 Of course, they were saying this to put him to the test, in order to have something with which to accuse him. But Jesus bent down and began to write with his finger in the ground. 7 When they persisted in asking him, he straightened up and said to them: “Let the one of YOU that is sinless be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And bending over again he kept on writing in the ground. 9 But those who heard this began going out, one by one, starting with the older men, and he was left alone, and the woman that was in their midst. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her: “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said: “No one, sir.” Jesus said: “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way; from now on practice sin no more.”
(John 8:4-11)

Did Jesus condone prostitution by not condemning the acts of prostitution?

Why did Jesus refuse to condemn her?

“You must not go around among your people for the sake of slandering. You must not stand up against your fellow’s blood. I am Jehovah. “‘You must not hate your brother in your heart. You should by all means reprove your associate, that you may not bear sin along with him. You must not take vengeance nor have a grudge against the sons of your people; and you must love your fellow as yourself. I am Jehovah”( Leviticus 19:16-18).

The Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela said, “grudge is a poison that you keep within yourself, hoping it will kill your enemies”. when the Journalists asked him, why do you appoint those who imprisoned you for 27years to Ministerial position in your government?

Why should we as Jesus Witnesses avoid an act of revenge?

Why is slandering an act of murder?

Why should Christians should not harbour grudges against anyone?

Don’t judge People About FOOD or SPECIAL DAY

“Welcome the [man] having weaknesses in [his] faith, but not to make decisions on inward questionings. One [man] has faith to eat everything, but the [man] who is weak eats vegetables. Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating, and let the one not eating not judge the one eating, for God has welcomed that one. Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand.
One [man] judges one day as above another; another [man] judges one day as all others; let each [man] be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day observes (Birthday) it to Jehovah. Also, he who eats, eats to Jehovah, for he gives thanks to God; and he who does not eat does not eat to Jehovah, and yet gives thanks to God. None of us, in fact, lives with regard to himself only, and no one dies with regard to himself only; for both if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. Therefore both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah. For to this end Christ died and came to life again, that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written: “‘As I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘to me every knee will bend down, and every tongue will make open acknowledgment to God.’” 12 So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God”(Roman 14: 1-10, 22-23 ).

Mercy is superior to the judgement

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment”(James 2:10-13 NKJV).

ONLY JESUS CAN JUDGE YOU.

“For the Father judges no one at all, but he has committed all the judging to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Most truly I say to YOU, He that hears my word and believes him that I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent”(John 5:22-24, 30).

Holy Men Can Settle Dispute.

“Does anyone of YOU that has a case against the other dare to go to court before unrighteous men, and not before the holy ones? 2 Or do YOU not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by YOU, are YOU unfit to try very trivial matters? 3 Do YOU not know that we shall judge angels? Why, then, not matters of this life? 4 If, then, YOU do have matters of this life to be tried, is it the men looked down upon in the congregation that YOU put in as judges? 5 I am speaking to move YOU to shame. Is it true that there is not one wise man among YOU that will be able to judge between his brothers, 6 but brother goes to court with brother, and that before unbelievers? Really, then, it means altogether a defeat for YOU that YOU are having lawsuits with one another. Why do YOU not rather let yourselves be wronged? Why do YOU not rather let yourselves be defrauded? 8 To the contrary, YOU wrong and defraud, and YOUR brothers at that”(1 Corinthian 6:1-9).

What is difference between settling dispute and Christians and Judging them?

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.
For God sent forth his Son into the world, not for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him(John 3:16-17)

Jesus corrected Misquote.

“Upon turning about Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus used to love following, the one who at the evening meal had also leaned back upon his breast and said: “Lord, who is the one betraying you?” 21 Accordingly, when he caught sight of him, Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this [man do]?” 22 Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?”(John 21:20-23)

Self-Righteous People

“But he spoke this illustration also to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and who considered the rest as nothing: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, ‘O God, I thank you I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire.’ 13 But the tax collector standing at a distance was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward, but kept beating his breast, saying, ‘O God, be gracious to me a sinner.’ 14 I tell YOU, This man went down to his home proved more righteous than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted.”(Luke 18:9 -14)

“Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, they have dug up your altars, and I alone am left, and they are looking for my soul.” 4 Yet, what does the divine pronouncement say to him? “I have left seven thousand men over for myself, [men] who have not bent the knee to Ba´al.” 5 In this way, therefore, at the present season also a remnant has turned up according to a choosing due to undeserved kindness. 6 Now if it is by undeserved kindness, it is no longer due to works; otherwise, the undeserved kindness no longer proves to be undeserved kindness.(Roman 11:3)

John said to him: “Teacher, we saw a certain man expelling demons by the use of your name and we tried to prevent him, because he was not accompanying us.” 39 But Jesus said: “Do not try to prevent him, for there is no one that will do a powerful work on the basis of my name that will quickly be able to revile me; 40 for he that is not against us is for us.(Mark 9:38-40)

Bases on the above Scriptures, judgemental doctrines and shunning that destroy families has no place in God’s arrangement. It is an inspired expression of errors.

Why do some religion established a Judicial Committee or a Star Chambers in violation of Jesus command in the following Scriptures(Matthew 7:1-3, John 5:22-25,30, James 2:10-13)?

Additional reading

Luke 18: 9-14. And 18-20 only God is good Jesus said.

Feb 092014
 

Marry Only In The Lord or
Marry Only Your Church Members Which?

The Apostle Paul Counsel believers to marry only in The Lord, when he wrote,
“A wife is bound to her husband by law as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in The Lord”(1 Corinthians 7:39, AMP)

Before one can answer the above question correctly, there are other questions to be considered.

Who are in The Lord?

Every believers in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his resurrection can be said to be in The Lord( 1 Corinthian 12:3, Mark 9:38-40)

Does this counsel be limited to one religion or organization?

NO! If any religion organization limit the application of this counsel to their faith, then it becomes a cultish interpretation of the Bible. When Apostle Paul was writing the letter to the Corinthians Congregation, all these religion was not in existence, Hence, it could not be limited to a particular religion. Therefore, the counsel was more applicable to all Christians who believe that
JESUS is LORD(1Corinthian 12:3).

My personal opinion is that one will fare better in a relationship based on LOVE and COMPATIBILITY and FAITH(in the LORD). Many people are said to be in the truth but the truth is not in them. It is better to marry any believers from any religion based on the LOVE of The Lord.

Additional reading are(Act 5:14 ,Act 18:8, Ephesians 1:15)