Archive for January, 2009
01.30.09
Posted in Religion & More at 7:06 pm by admin
Divorce and Remarriage
Ray Stark
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This is a subject that has caused much heartache, spiritual shipwreck and tragic loss of ministry potential. I am not speaking of the heartache of broken homes and broken dreams which are the inevitable results of a failed marriage, but rather the legalistic and unbiblical attitudes which bring lifelong guilt and bondage to many believers as a result of not rightly dividing the New Testament teaching on this subject.
As the church of Jesus Christ our mandate is to set the captives free, not put heavier chains on them and then kick them off the dock and into the deep waters of discouragement and despair. Hopefully the following paper will bring freedom and peace to many who read it.
NOTE: As we study this subject please keep in mind that Jesus was talking to Jews under the Old Covenant and Paul is writing to the Church under the New Covenant. When you take this into account you find no discrepancy between the teachings of Jesus and those of Paul.
JESUS ON DIVORCE & REMARRIAGE
“What does Moses (The Law) say?” (Mark. 10:1-12)
Mark 10:1 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Under the Law Remarriage is Legitimate in Some Cases
Remarriage is permissible under the law when divorce is the result of sexual immorality. (Matt 19:3-9 also see Matt 5:31,32)
Matt 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
NOTE: For believers, sexual infidelity should be grounds for forgiveness and reconciliation, not an excuse for divorce. Moses made his concession because of the hardness of their hearts.
Please keep in mind that Jesus is teaching Jews under the law of Moses in the scriptures quoted above. We need to look at the writings of Paul on the subject in order to find out what the teaching to the church is on the subject of divorce and remarriage.
PAUL’S TEACHING ON DIVORCE
In 1 Corinthians the seventh chapter Paul give us the New Testament teaching on divorce and remarriage. He is apparently in answering questions the Corinthian church sent to him asking for a definitive doctrinal teaching on the subject.
1 Cor 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Note: In vs 10 Paul emphatically states that what he is about to write concerning the married believers is a direct command from Jesus Christ Himself, “I command, yet not I, but the Lord”. He is not going to disagree with Jesus in the following teaching, he is going to deliver the command the Lord gave Him for the church. First he states unequivocally that it is not the will of God for either husband or wife to give up on their marriage and seek divorce.
Depart: 5563 cwrizw chorizo kho-rid’-zo AV-depart 8, separate 3, put asunder 2; 13
Mark 10:9″What therefore God joined together let not man put asunder”
Paul makes it very clear that Christian couples should expend every effort to make their marriage work and even if they divorce they should keep the door open for restoration by avoiding remarriage. It is probably good to note at this point that there is nothing mentioned here about fornication or adultery either as the cause of divorce or as a legitimate reason to reason to remarry. Neither is there any curse mentioned for remarriage.
Paul now moves on to the case of a believer married to an unbeliever. Keep in mind that there were no believers in Corinth before Paul founded the church there so there were probably quite a few instances in which one member of an existing marriage relationship became a believer and their spouse remained unsaved. This is not talking about a believer making the decision to marry an unbeliever as so often happens nowadays. Paul covers that in his “be not unequally yoked” teaching in 1 Cor 6:14.
1 Cor 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
Paul uses the same terminology here as he does speaking of the liberty to remarry without reference to sin that comes after the death of a spouse.
Rom 7: 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
1 Cor 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
PAUL ON REMARRIAGE
In vs 27 Paul finally gets around to the subject of remarriage after covering the various marriage and divorce scenarios in the church. His definitive command to every believer is “If you are married, don’t look for a divorce. If you are divorced, it would be better to remain single but if you remarry you have not sinned.”
1 Cor 7:27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
NOTE: Divorce is an awful thing, and is to be avoided at all cost. It is not however, the unforgivable sin. Nor does divorce and remarriage constitute ongoing adultery. The Blood of Christ cleanses from ALL sin and ALL unrighteousness.
—————————————————————– ————— http://www.celebratingjesus.org copyright 2003 Ray and Sharon Stark
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01.28.09
Posted in Shopping & More at 8:55 am by admin
If you should be surveying the market for a great bargain on fridges and freezers browsing on-line could be an awesome tactic to not waste time and money. Do not waste your precious time looking all around several high-street outlets in a quest for the choicest deals – all you have to do is simply log on and a whole world of fridges is waiting for you on the web. Looking for fridges, look no further.
Still, with legions on line stores how do you know which store shall save your cash on fridges while still guaranteeing you acquire a quality item. As a rule of thumb if you acquire your new appliance from an outlet on your high street then you certainly should not in reality have many qualms at all about purchasing your items from their website, furthermore, as you all realise you should routinely pick up much better value prices on the internet.
Quickly scanning a good buyers guide is always the optimal place to begin When you are scanning for fridges – buyers guides are often crammed with a wealth of data and effectively bring up points you might well not have considered on your own. These issues have within them; energy consumption, extra features and total capacity among additional things.
Do not choose to consistently go with the ‘cheapest price’ – very ofttimes the initial cost you note on a site might not include value added tax or home delivery charges and once you reach the card payment stage you conceivably might often be paying a great deal more than you first imagined.
When do you require it by? Not all on-line shops offer swift home delivery and if your current fridge has recently stopped working you possibly might well not desire to wait four weeks for your brand new fridge So consistently find out what your estimated home delivery date will be.
Check the return policy – fridges are a difficult item to purchase; sometimes they appear fantastic in the showroom or on a web-site but when you get it home you realise it doesn’t complement your kitchen at all. Therefore, you should always be careful.
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01.27.09
Posted in Relationships Parlor at 2:47 am by admin
12 Months before the Wedding
When choosing the flowers for your big day, enquire with a selection of florists at least 12 months in advance of the wedding day. All good florists book up quickly. You may get lucky and there is a cancellation – not so lucky for someone else though! Ask friends what florist they used for their wedding. Personal recommendations are usually the best indicator of how good a florists work will be.
Ask for a one to one consultation. Expect the appointment to last about one hour; much shorter and the florist is not giving you a thorough service.
If possible take a photograph of the wedding dress along with you, or at the very least have a detailed description of the dress. The florist needs to know where any special detail is on the dress so as not to cover it with flowers.
Try and take swatches of attendant’s fabric with you. Your flowers should complement the outfits, not match.
Let the florist know what budget you have in mind so they can work to it.
Together with your florist you will work out the design and quantity of wedding flowers you desire.
After your initial consultation a quotation and a booking form should be sent out to you.
6 Months before the Wedding
Have another bridal consultation. You will need to take a sample of fabric for your dress and the bridesmaid’s dresses. This allows the florist to work out what flowers and in what combination best suit your unique wedding outfits.
Any decent florist will show you samples of all the flowers in your bouquet so you will know what to expect in the finished article.
The bridesmaid’s bouquets tend to be half the size of the brides or of a complementary design. At the moment (summer 2006), wrist designs are very popular.
The boutonniere for the groom is usually designed with a selection of flowers used in the bridal flowers.
The best man and the bride and grooms fathers tend to have a smaller version of the grooms boutonniere.
For the mothers, suggest the flowers are attached with a magnet. This will avoid getting pin marks in their outfits.
Most florists hire out vases for the table centre wedding flowers. An alternative would be to buy the ones you prefer (Ikea and Tesco seem to be popular shops for wedding vases!).
3 Weeks before the Wedding
Confirm the date and time of the wedding with your florist. Ensure that gift bouquets are ordered for the mothers. Your florist should provide two deliveries – one for the bride and one for the groom.
The Wedding Day
If your florist does not suggest it, ask for advice on how best to hold your flowers in order for them to look their best in the wedding photographs.
If you have a tied bouquet, let the hotel to place it in a vase for you.
Enjoy your special day!
Sasha Fenby is NDSF qualified head florist at Forget Me Not florists. Sasha regularly demonstrates her art throughout the UK and has taught floristry since 1999. You can send flowers via Sasha to the UK and worldwide by visiting her website http://www.WeLoveFlowers.co.uk.
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01.26.09
Posted in Software Stuff at 2:00 pm by admin
Internet explorer has been the dominate browser since as long as I can remember. Despite the warnings of its security flaws, it always seemed to work. However I believe its finally met its match.
Firefox has plenty of improvements and ease of use that make it a fast growing rival to the king. The feature that most stands out to this user is tabbed browsing. It is much more convenient to jump from tab to tab than to have lots of open windows. Especially if you like to have a lot of windows open at once. What I love is the security.
In IE, for me at least, certain web sites will not remove from history. I like my history to be clean at the start of each day. Right now my IE has web sites that are there even if I delete history, off-line files, and cookies. Firefox removes history and other data cleanly. I get a fresh start everyday. Firefox also has a feature to disable flash. Which can come in handy on highly “flashy” sites that distract you away from the content.
Firefox is proving to be a better browser. It will be interesting to see what IE conters with in IE 7.
Matt Christensen
Computer Programmer
http://www.mattchristensen.net
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Posted in Uncategorized at 8:32 am by admin
Many a gambler has asked me “Why should I benefit from this Full Tilt Poker rakeback? I just play in online poker websites if I have a bonus.” Even So what if you take the chance to be a career poker gambler? There are too many poker players in the poker world that are very dissapointed at not using rakeback offers but today all of them have now signed up for every leading poker website and skins. Do not become one of them.
If you are a person that stakes below one or two dollars and just gambles if you are clearing bonuses, you are experiencing in most cases around one hundred percent rake back considering the bonus on your stake. One leading web site lately shut down betters who logged into their site entirely to gamble this way. No one knows for sure whether this will perhaps initiate a trend. Should this occur then instantly a poker rake back will be very critical. Rakeback Offers
Some day you may just hit top form and then grow extremely wealthy, if it has not happened by now. I was injured in an accident then internet poker came along whilst recovering and never regretted it. That’s a couple of years back and believe me I have not once had to work since because of internet poker and naturally rake back. Thinking beforehand is as always a good idea. Believe it an investment fund, even if you do not think rake back is for you at present it for sure could be a great idea soon, there’s no way you can lose. Should you be thinking about trying out any new web site you absolutely must check out rakeback.
The Rakeback Professionals agency is happy to have so many reputable affiliates. Opting in can be as uncomplicated as surfing to any The gamblers’ interest service Rakeback Professionals affiliate web site or as pain free as e-mailing. Every affiliate will get everybody up and running in no time. You will be ready to play straightaway. If you sign up with a partner thru Rakeback Professionals you can rest easy as this partner has been screened and also agrees to authorize The Rakeback Professionals web site to mediate whatever dispute which might come up. Since we invariably evaluate all our associates, we have had almost no concerns and in addition we will always work at once to correct every concern for the peace of mind of any players.
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01.25.09
Posted in Shopping & More at 3:01 am by admin
In 1924, famous cardiologist Paul Dudley White claimed that “Exercise can’t hurt a healthy heart.” Over the years, several poorly-controlled studies have shown that ultra-endurance events, such a running a marathon, might impaired heart function. Now a study from Northwestern University shows that Dr. White is still correct (Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, February 2006). The authors tested 45 patients before they ran the Chicago Marathon and re-tested them one month after the race. They demonstrated that the race had not caused any abnormalities in heart function.
This does not mean that everyone can go out and run a marathon. People who have damaged hearts can die from over-exertion. If you are a middle-aged person who is thinking about starting a vigorous exercise program, you should get a stress test, an electrocardiogram done while you are exercising vigorously. Tests done while a person is at rest often do not pick up blockages in the arteries leading to the heart. If your stress test shows warning signs, you may need further tests. If you pass your stress test, the odds are strong that you can start your exercise program safely. Once you have your doctor’s approval, begin your exercise program gradually to build up the strength of your skeletal muscles and your heart over several months. Then you will be ready to start serious training for your marathon or other endurance event.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition at http://www.drmirkin.com/email/newssign.asp
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01.23.09
Posted in Religion & More at 9:59 pm by admin
A Christian friend came over asking that several of us pray for her. Despite doing all the “right” Christian things, she had been entertaining doubts about her faith.
In the course of our prayer, as I was reminding her of what Scripture says about how God sees her, in a gruff tone of voice, with furrowed brow, she scolded me, speaking in the third person, “She doesn’t deserve it! She doesn’t deserve it!” In a couple of hours, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, she was free from demonic bondage with a total change of countenance and has, since then, moved forward with marriage and ministry.
On an Easter Sunday morning, as I was attending a Baptist church service, a man sat praying, head bowed, as the congregation headed for the exits. I approached him and asked if I might pray. He ignored me. I laid my hand on his shoulder to pray. The moment I touched him, he bolted upright, began swaying like a cobra about to strike, and started growling as he pointed, “I hate him! I hate her! I hate this church!”
My attempts to minister were interrupted by well-meaning people asking if he needed medication or asking if they should call an ambulance. When the man became unable to open his mouth to speak, I commanded the spirit to release his tongue. Instantly, he was able to understand me then and speak intelligibly in response to me. I told him I was available for further ministry by the Holy Spirit but it was obvious there was no faith present to deliver him at that moment. I made him aware that, until he got help, this WAS his Christian life and he WOULD experience these manifestations again. I left only to be bombarded with questions throughout the week by those who were there.
The young man, it turned out, was a much-beloved seminarian.
Last week, as a group of us were praying, the Holy Spirit showed me a vision of a new attendee standing with tears in her eyes, in the middle of a Civil War battlefield, dressed in a Confederate soldier’s uniform, looking at her spouse, dressed in Union blue. As I shared this vision after our prayer time, the woman buried her face in her hands and cried. Her close friend nudged me and whispered, “You read her mail.”
On another occasion, a Christian business woman contacted me requesting prayer over one of her many facilities across Texas. This particular facility was not prospering at all and she could not help but consider closing its doors. That particular location had an openly lesbian manager which attracted openly gay employees. I went on a Thursday night with ateam. She met us there. We prayed and, within ten days, the facility’s numbers were improving already. The lesbian manager couldn’t understand it. In a memo I saw, she wrote, “We must be living right.” A week ago, the manager resigned as did several of the most blatantly gay employees.
I could write many personal encounters like these, moments when the Holy Spirit took control, flushed out an unsuspecting demon, healed, delivered, set free or came through with a vision, word of wisdom or word of knowledge. He is no respecter of persons; the gifts He has shared with me, He wants to share with you.
Question is, are you willing? Do you desire more?
WE ARE SPIRIT BEINGS HAVING AN EARTHLY EXPERIENCE. WE ARE ALIENS.
We have no permanent citizenship in this world. Though we are citizens of the United States, the reality is that, as a Christian, our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20). As the book of Hebrews says, “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come” (Heb. 13:14) For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. (1 Chron 29;15)
WE ARE ENAGED IN A SPIRITUAL WAR – a term not found in Scripture, but the concept is taught. Mankind is caught in the midst of a spiritual war with the holy God and His angels on one side and the evil Satan and his demons on the other.
(2 Cor 10:3-5) “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
(Eph 6:11-12) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
(Rev 12:7-8) And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
IF WE RESIST THE DEVIL, HE WILL FLEE
(James 4: 7) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO RESIST SATAN ON OUR OWN
(Jude 9) But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
TO RESIST THE DEVIL, WE MUST PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
(Eph 6:10-12) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Jesus’ own mission statement: “He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to them that are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isa 61:1,2)
GOD ALLOWS TEMPTATIONS, BUT ALWAYS PROVIDES AN ESCAPE
(1 Cor 10:13) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
SATAN KNOWS THE SCRIPTURES AND TRIES TO MISUSE THEM
As described in Matt 4:3-10 and Luke 4:3-12, during the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Satan quoted Him Scripture several times. Jesus replied each time with additional Scriptures refuting Satan’s attempts to take things out of context or only use part of a section.
(Matt 28:19-20, Lk 9:1-2 and 10:1-3).
Too many American Christians have become passive and fearful. Others are satisfied to merely acknowledge the right things and attend church services and activities. This type of lifestyle is quite different from that which Jesus requires of His followers.
We must preach and teach about the kingdom of God, focus on the doctrine of Christ, heal the sick and set the captives free.
Why is the Holy Spirit referred to as being “holy”?(HOLY: Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.) Distinguishes Him from EVIL spirits.
SAD FACTS REGARDING THE CHURCH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
A majority (61%) agree that the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God’s presence or power but is not a living entity. (2001)
Among the segments of the population more likely than others to deny the existence of the Holy Spirit as a living entity are Catholics (73%), non-Christians (68%), and non-whites (68%). (2001)
A majority of all born again Christians reject the existence of the Holy Spirit (52%). (2001)
WHY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT IMPORTANT?
There is no subject more important in Christianity than that of the Holy Spirit. Unless this is properly understood, a large portion of the Bible, and especially the NT, remains unintelligible. On the other hand, a just view of it will do more than a knowledge of any other particular topic to give harmony, clearness, and consistency to what may be learned to all other matters presented in the Word of God.
Despite the importance of knowing the Holy Spirit and His place in the life of a Christian, there is much confusion and superstition in the minds of many people about the Holy Spirit
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
1. A person with characteristics
2. NOT, merely an “influence”, or “impersonal force” that emanates from God.
3. We should regard the Holy Spirit as a “He”, not an “it”!
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PERSONALITY
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS…
1. He “expressly says” that some will depart from the faith – 1 Tim 4:1
2. The Spirit spoke and gave directions to Philip – Acts 8:29
3. He spoke to Peter and gave him charge concerning the Gentiles – Acts 10:19-20
4. He spoke to the brethren at Antioch concerning Paul and Barnabas – Acts 13:1-4
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES…
1. He was to teach the apostles all things – Jn 14:26
2. Please note that Jesus consistently refers to the Holy Spirit as “He”, not “it” (implying a personal being, not an impersonal force) – Jn 14:16-17
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS…
1. He was to testify of Jesus – Jn 15:26-27
2. Just as the apostles (who were “personal beings”) would bear witness, so also the Holy Spirit
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES, HEARS, SPEAKS, TELLS…
1. He would carry on and complete the work started by Jesus – Jn 16:12-13
2. Jesus consistently refers to the Holy Spirit as “He”
The Holy Spirit is a real person who came to reside within Jesus Christ’s true followers after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 2). Jesus told His apostles…
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (Jn 14:16-18)
The Holy Spirit is not a vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He is a person equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. He is considered to be the third member of the Godhead. Jesus said to His apostles…
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are equally ascribed to the Holy Spirit. When a person becomes born again by believing and receiving Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12-13; Jn 3:3-21), God resides in that person through the Holy Spirit (1Cor 3:16).
E. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PRIMARY ROLE
1. He bears “witness” of Jesus Christ and tells people’s hearts about the truth of Jesus Christ. (Jn 15:26, 16:14).
2. He acts as a Christian’s teacher/guide (1Cor. 2:9-14).
3. He reveals God’s will and God’s truth to a Christian. Jesus told His disciples…
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (Jn 14:26)
“When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (Jn 16:13)
4. The Holy Spirit was given to live inside those who believe in Jesus, in order to produce God’s character in the life of a believer. In a way that we cannot do on our own, the Holy Spirit will build into our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Rather than trying to be loving, patient, kind, God asks us to rely on Him to produce these qualities in our lives. Thus Christians are told to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25) and be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18).
5. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to perform ministerial duties that promote spiritual growth among Christians (Rom 12; 1Cor 12; Eph 4).
6. The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians as well. He convicts people’s hearts of God’s truth concerning how sinful we are — needing God’s forgiveness; how righteous Jesus is — He died in our place, for our sins; and God’s eventual judgment of the world and those who do not know Him (Jn 16:8-11). The Holy Spirit tugs on our hearts and minds, asking us to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life.
F. THE HOLY SPIRIT FORBIDS…
1. He prevented Paul and his companions from going into certain areas of Asia – Acts 16:6-7 This He did by “forbidding” them, and “not permitting” them, despite their initial efforts
G. THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES…
1. The “Spirit Himself (note Paul’s use of the personal pronoun) makes intercession for us” – Rom 8:26
2. Just as Christ “also makes intercession for us” – Rom 8:34 [All these works of the Holy Spirit manifest personality]
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT POSSESSES PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
A. HE HAS A MIND…
1. “the mind of the Spirit” – Rom 8:27 This suggests thinking on His own.
B. HE HAS KNOWLEDGE…
1. He “knows the things of God” – 1 Cor 2:11 just as the “spirit of man” (a personal being) knows certain things. He has intellect.
C. HE POSSESSES AFFECTION…
1. Paul speaks of “the love of the Spirit” – Rom 15:30 When have you known of an “impersonal force” that could love? He has emotion.
D. HE HAS A WILL…
1. “the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” – 1 Cor 12:11 It was the Holy Spirit Who decided what person received which gift. Again, these are all characteristics of a being possessing intelligence and personality.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT SUFFERS PERSONAL SLIGHTS AND INJURIES
A. HE CAN BE GRIEVED…
1. “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” – Eph 4:30 He can be made sorrowful through our willful neglect
B. HE CAN BE BLASPHEMED…
1. That is, to be spoken evil of, as in attributing His deeds to the works of Satan, the “unpardonable sin” – Matt 12:31-32
C. HE CAN BE INSULTED…
1. One who has “trampled the Son of God underfoot” has also “insulted the Spirit of grace” – Heb 10:29 This is done by sinning “willfully” – Heb 10:26
D. HE CAN BE LIED TO…
1. As Ananias and his wife Sapphira were guilty of doing. Acts 5:3: “…why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?”
E. HE CAN BE RESISTED…
1. As Stephen charged the Jewish leaders of doing – Acts 7:51 This they did by resisting the message and persecuting the messengers who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Acts 7: 52-53
In my opinion, much too great an emphasis has been placed on the gift of tongues – so much so that an ungodly caste system of the haves and have-not’s has developed in some groups – despite the promise of Scripture that you shall receive POWER (NOT tongues) when the Spirit comes upon you; power to be a witness (literally, a martyr). Request my study entitled “Speaking of speaking in tongues.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Michael is founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). His eMail broadcasts, known as “Your Town for Jesus” (SEARCH it!) are reaching tens of thousands WEEKLY. He ministers by way of email and Instant Message, too. Write him at team1min@aol.com if you’d like to SUBSCRIBE to receive his messages directly.
Michael’s mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Michael is the author of numerous booklets on a variey of subjects that will interest the thinking Christian. Since 1999, he has written and broadcast hundreds of inspirational articles and a dozen booklets, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God’s people.
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Posted in The Lawyers Way at 8:13 pm by admin
An intentional tort reform is when a person intends to intentionally do something that is wrong to another person. The plaintiff in an intentional tort case needs to prove that the defendant was in a mental state of mind that they intentionally wanted to cause injury to the plaintiff. Examples of intentional torts include: assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of and emotional stress. Here is an example of an intentional tort, if a woman attacks another woman in a grocery store and injures her then that would be defined as an intentional tort. The plaintiff needs to prove that the defendant knew that there was a very good possibly that the plaintiff would end up being harmed by their actions. Many magazines and newspapers have been defendants in intentional torts cases, especially tabloid newspapers. Slander and liable are also forms of intentional torts. Tabloid newspapers often print newspapers featuring news stories about people or celebrities that are untrue. If a tabloid newspaper intentional tries to spread lies about people or celebrities then reputations can be ruined which can cost people and celebrities money. This is why it is so important for people in the media to back up their sources because if they print something that is inaccurate then they could face litigation. Intentional tort laws are to help dissuade people from intentionally trying to bring physical, emotional, and psychological harm to others. It is very easy to avoid getting an intentional tort suit filed against you, simply just do not intentionally harm someone.
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Posted in Religion & More at 12:54 am by admin
In the United States, the month of December is the Christmas Season, not the Holiday Season. To the best of my knowledge there is only one holiday in December recognized by our government. December 25 was made a legal holiday in order to celebrate the birth of Christ. There are no other legal holidays during the month of December. Chanukah, Hannukah, or Hanukah is a celebration and, some say, a Jewish Holiday but it is not a legal holiday. Kwanza is a celebration and not a legal holiday. Christmas Eve is not a day and New Years Eve is not a day. We don’t call the month of May, the Holiday Season, even though that’s when Memorial Day is celebrated. On Martin Luther King Day we don’t have holiday parades, we have Martin Luther King Day parades. We don’t say happy holiday on the Fourth Of July, we say Happy Independence day or Happy Fourth Of July. Why then, do some people insist that we say happy holiday and holiday season when we are celebrating Christmas?
I’ll tell you why. It is because the organized religion of atheism (Yes atheism, is an organized religion, it is a religion of non belief.) is waging war against Christianity as the first battle in a war against all other religions. If they can defeat Christianity in this country of Christians, then they can defeat all religions that believe in a God or higher power.
I am a Christian. I don’t, however, know for sure, if Christ is the son of God or if he was a teacher or what. I do know, that I believe in the teachings ascribed to him. I do know, that even though we are humans and therefore can not and do not always follow all of those teachings, that if we all tried to live by those teachings of love and kindness, the whole world would be a better place. I also know that, I want Christ to be the Son of God because then it would mean that God did and does care about us and that there may very well be a Heaven.
I disagree with the director of special projects for the American Family Association when he says, “Christmas is not a holiday” and that calling Christmas a holiday “devalues our nation’s most holy day.” Christmas is a holiday. In fact, I consider Christmas and the Fourth Of July to be this country’s two most important and happiest holidays. The Fourth Of July celebrates the birth of our nation and Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. Workers are given Christmas Day off with pay, school children are given several days off for Christmas vacation. Offices hold Christmas parties. Families get together, listen to Christmas music, stuff themselves with food and give each other gifts. Marines collect “Toys For Tots”. The Salvation Army puts out it’s kettles and collects money which is used to help needy people all year long. Many family members who have been feuding all year round get together and forgive each other. Christmas is a holiday of love and forgiveness.
Christmas is a holiday that everyone, not just Christians, should celebrate. Almost no one denies that Christ did exist at one time. The controversy is, whether or not he is the son of God. Putting that controversy aside, Christ preached or taught “peace on earth and goodwill towards men”. If people bemoan the fact that John Lennon died because he was a fighter for peace, how can they not celebrate the fact that Christ was born? Christ was arguably the original teacher of peace, forgiveness and goodness. He lived and died promoting peace. He not only promoted peace, he lived peace. He not only taught forgiveness, he lived forgiveness. Christ set an example that has lived for over two thousand years. If Martin Luther King can have a holiday, if Presidents, Veterans, labor and others can have their own holidays, why shouldn’t Christ have a holiday.
A note to other religions: You should support Christmas. If you allow the atheists to kill off Christmas, it could be your religion that they go after next. There is a war being fought today. I’m not talking about the war in Iraq. I’m talking about the war against religion being brought by atheists and certain hard line fanatics on the far left. Right now, they are winning the war because religious groups are not fighting back in a cohesive manner. If religious groups don’t help each other, someday they will all cease to exist and the United States will become another Soviet Union. Taking away our right to participate in religion and to celebrate our religion is a first step in taking away our other freedoms.
One of the main reasons that the United States was able to become so great is that, contrary to what the atheists and some others tell you, we are not a secular country. Our whole method of government and our laws come in large part from our forefathers religious beliefs.
It may not seem so, but I am not agaisnt all atheists. They have a right to believe in non belief and I support that right. I am just against the activists that are trying to force their non beliefs down my throat. I am willing to leave them alone if they are willing to leave me and mine alone. The problem is that they won’t leave us alone. They don’t want to allow us to believe as we wish. They want us to believe as they do. They don’t believe in Christmas so they want to take Christmas away from us.
One final note to all you major retailers who want to sell me gifts for me to give as Christmas presents, if you won’t acknowledge the Christmas Season in your advertising and in your stores, then don’t expect me to shop in your stores. If you insist in saying holiday season and happy holidays instead of Christmas Season and Merry Christmas, then I will insist in not dealing with you. For the time being, at least, you are free to do as you wish and I’m free do as I wish. My wish is to boycott you, not only during the Christmas Season but for a long time to come. Heck, I’m still boycotting everything French and I’ve been boycotting Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine since the Vietnam War.
David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and currently publishes several internet directories including www.resourcesforattorneys.com a legal and lifestyle resources directory for attorneys, lawyers and the internet public. For more lifestyle information see lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com, the Lifestyle directory from Resources For Attorneys.
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01.19.09
Posted in Religion & More at 8:27 pm by admin
God’s goodness and mercy in your life will always be part of a larger picture.
When Jesus used Peter and John to heal the crippled beggar in Acts 3, it had several powerful effects.
The first of which, obviously, was a man received freedom from an incredibly painful, life-long ordeal. This is just another portrait of the compassionate nature of our God, to touch us and heal us where we hurt the most.
But secondly, this miracle had a residual effect for the kingdom of God. Others were touched by God’s kindness and mercy in this man’s life.
When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him (Acts 3:9).
We don’t know precisely how long this man had sat crippled outside the temple gate, but the word does tell us he was there every day. That means many people knew of this man’s condition and former way of life.
We may not have walked out of a wheelchair, or been healed of a life-long sickness or ordeal, but there is not one of us who hasn’t been greatly touched by him in some way. In itself, the fact he has saved us from our lost, sinful state is a miracle.
I know we are all immensely grateful for God’s love, mercy and goodness in our lives. Where would we be without it? But God wants that goodness to not only flow to us, but through us as well.
I don’t know about you, but when people look at my life, I want them to clearly see his hand moving there. Just like in the case of this crippled man, I want them to say, “There is something different about him today.” I want his touch in my life to bring glory and praise to Jesus.
Isn’t that what we all should aspire to?
After God performed this miracle, Peter announced to the onlookers:
Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus (Act 3: 12b-13).
The truth is, everything God does for us is part of a larger plan. God’s ultimate goal in everything is to exalt his son and touch others through us. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Cor. 1:4)
Did he heal you of a broken heart? Be on the lookout for the broken heart he wants you to help heal.
Did he bring you through a painful sickness or a season of doubt? Keep an eye open for the sick and doubting around you.
Did he save you, wipe away your sins and set your feet on solid ground? You are literally surrounded with people to reach out to.
This week, I encourage each of us to examine how God’s touch in our life should touch others.
That is my desire today, and I hope it is yours. Let’s concentrate on letting others know about his goodness and mercy in our lives, and always give the credit where credit is due.
That is the only way this Christian life will appear appealing to those who haven’t met him yet. And, spreading his goodness and love around is why we are here.
About the Author
John Tyler is a Houston-based writer and public relations professional who publishes an online column on Christian living. Be Transformed! Vist http://www.JohnTylerMinistries.com
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