Sabbath vs. Sunday Worship

"Justin Martyr stated, "We all gather on the day of the sun" (recalling both the creation of light and the resurrection); he stated that Sabbath was enjoined as a sign to Israel because of Israel's sinfulness, no longer needed after Christ came without sin." Wikipedia "Sabbath in Chrisitianity"
What was predicted in Ezekiel?
And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Ezekiel 8:16
What will the Little Horn of Daniel do?
.........and think to change times and laws: Daniel 7:25
For example, the Council of Laodicea (canon 29) states Christians must not Judaize by resting on Sabbath but must work that day and then if possible rest on the Lord's Day and any found to be Judaizers are anathema from Christ. Wikipedia
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work,... Exodus 20:8,10

Above, NOT Below

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

The Catholic Mass and why Protestants find it offensive

"Christ becomes wholly and really present under the forms of bread and wine, and He is offered to God by the Catholic priest for the remission of sins, by means of eating the Host (Christ's body) and drinking the Wine (Christ's blood). This doctrine is strongly reflected in that part of the Pre-Vatican II Tridentine Mass called the Offertory, where the Priest offers the bread (the Host or "hostia", meaning "victim") with the following prayer: "Receive...almighty and everlasting God, this spotless Host, which I thine unworthy servant now offer unto thee... for my countless sins, wickedness and neglect; and for all those here present, as also for all the faithful in Christ, both the quick and the dead, that it may set forward their salvation and mine, unto life everlasting. Amen." He likewise offers the wine using similar language." Wikipedia

The human Priest cannot 1) Offer up our Lord as a sacrifice-He already did that Himself on the Cross. 2) He cannot intervene on our behalf-your salvation is between you & God alone 3) The "quick and the dead" means the living and the dead.

During the Reformation Luther opposed the Mass because - "What he objects to is the claim that Christ is at our disposal to be made into an object that can be presented to God in order to gain his favors. It is that which damages both the sovereignty of Christ and the complete character of his work on the cross." Issues,etc. Luther and the Mass

We already have a High Priest in Heaven ministering on our behalf. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Hebrews 4:14 We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Hebrews 8:1

NO HUMAN CAN OFFER UP A SACRIFICE FOR US

Reserved in Heaven for YOU

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:4

Ask God to do this

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23,24

Holy Spirit

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13

Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: Hebrews 3:7,8

The Cross

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

Speak the truth about your neighbors

These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. Zechariah 8:16,17

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Ephesians 4:25

Good will toward men

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13,14

The word shall stand FOREVER

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:7,8

Many armies have marched around the world. Kingdoms have risen and fallen. But the Word of God endures around the globe.

Circle of the Earth

Bible said earth was a circle while many thought the earth was flat and straight....

It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: Isaiah 40:22

Paul says Practice What You Preach

And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? Romans 2:19-23

Our heart is responsible

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

It isn't primarily our genes, parents, surrounding environment or other things that make us bad. It is OUR own heart. We are NOT good people who sometimes do bad things---we are bad people who sometimes do good things.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Mark 7:21-23

Hearken unto Him

The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; Deuteronomy 18:15

....and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5

A Pattern of God's Judicial Proceedings?

A Pattern of God's Judicial Procedure?--Sin/Investigation/Judgement

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him,

1) Where art thou?

2) Who told thee that thou wast naked?

3) Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? Genesis 3:9,11

God announces the Verdict: Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Genesis 3:16,17

*******************************************

And the LORD said unto Cain,

1) Where is Abel thy brother?

2) What hast thou done? Genesis 4:9,10

God announces the Verdict: And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; Genesis 4:11

His way is in the Sanctuary

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Psalms 77:13

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Psalms 96:6

City of David

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? John 7:42

Paul quoting from Luke?

Paul was already quoting from Luke as Scripture....

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 Timothy 5:18

....... for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. Luke 10:7

Steps to Christ (book)

1) God's Love For Man - "Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love". p. 1

2) The Sinners Need of Christ - "Such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart. It is not in harmony with God, and finds no joy in communion with Him. The sinner could not be happy in God's presence;...Could he be permitted to enter heaven, it would have no joy for him". p. 7

3) Repentance - "Many are asking the same question as did the multitude on the Day of Pentecost, when convicted of sin, they cried out "What shall we do?" The first word of Peter's answer was "Repent".....Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it." p.14

4) Confession - "The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity". p. 24

5) Consecration - "The government of God is not, as satan would make it appear, founded upon a blind submission. ...It appeals to the intellect and the conscience. Come now and let us reason together is the Creator's invitation". p. 27

6) Faith & Acceptance - "Do not wait to feel that you are whole, but say, I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised". p. 33

7) The Test of Discipleship - "We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be recieved by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith". p. 41

8) Growing Up Into Christ - "All that Christ was to His disciples, He desires to be to His children today". p. 51

9) The Work and the Life - "Strength comes by exercise; activity is the very condition of life. Those who endeavor to maintain Christian life by passively accepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, and doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eating without working. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always results in degeneration and decay". p. 55

10) A Knowledge of God - "But htere is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep meaning". p. 62

11) The Privilege of Prayer - "Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him". p. 64

12) What to do with Doubt - "....the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God's word are not welcome to the proud and sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority". p.79

13) Rejoicing in the Lord - "....there is joy in heaven in the presence of God and the holy angels over one soul redeemed". p. 90

A Quote to Summarize the whole Book- "Many will be lost while hoping to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not choose to be Christians". p. 31

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

The Wicked-sound familiar?

And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Zephaniah 1:12

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalms 10:4

Zephaniah 3 (Prophetic Points)

*In Revelation the Chrisitan Churches are "Babylon" (a city) which refers to their many denominations of false doctrines. Babel means confusion and Babylon means city of confusion. Here, Zephaniah refers to it as a polluted city too. Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! Zephaniah 3:1
*Here was her downfall- She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. Zephaniah 3:2
*3 Points about her leaders- 1) Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: 2) her priests have polluted the sanctuary, 3) they have done violence to the law. Zephaniah 3:4 (1) They can't be trusted 2) the have polluted by bringing in false doctrines & 3) They have violated at least part of HIS Law-think about the 4th commandment as an example)
*And what about the "Remanant"? The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; Zephaniah 3:13 ( 1) They do no "iniquity" (sin) as a group, and what is sin? (iniquity), It is transgression of His Law. So they must keep His Law-all of it. And 2) They have the Truth-since they, as a group, don't "lie".)
*His Promise- The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Wonderful, Counsellor

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: Luke 1:32

One way not to decieve yourself

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

DNA proves we are of one blood

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; Acts 17:26

As Filthy Rags

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

The PROMISE

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Isaiah 64:4

Write it in your heart

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deuteronomy 6:5,6 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:3

Those in the Church who mind earthly things...

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Philippians 3:18,19

The Peace that Passeth Undersatnding

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Beware of the theories and philosiphies of this world

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

God wasn't Joking

God wasn't joking when He kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden for sin... So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Genesis 3:24

Similarity between the character of Balaam and Judas

Balaam and Judas both tried to serve God and the world.

*Balaam claimed to believe in the true God and to serve Him.

*Judas believed in Christ and was a follower of His.

Balaam and Judas both had great light given to them.

Balaam and Judas both cherished a sin that deforemed their character.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4

*Balaam wanted to gain the riches offered by the king of Moab

*Judas hoped for riches in an earthly kingdom he thought Christ would set up

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 2 Peter 2:15

*Balaam betrayed the people of God by attempting to "curse" them

*Judas betrayed the Christ Himself

He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. John 6:71

Balaam

Notice that Balaam, who claimed to be a magician and was on his way to "curse" the children of Israel on behalf of the king of Moab, didn't have the power to even slay his own donkey!!!

And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the donkey, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. Numbers 22:28,29

Thy Word

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105

Where are the "Population 3" Stars?

Population 1 and 2 stars are supposed to have the heavier elements (according the the Big Bang Theory) because they absorbed them from explosions of Population 3 stars which formed them by nuclear fusion in their cores. But some Population 3 stars, which are supposed to last longer than they have so far supposedly existed, have not been found. (They should contain only the three lighter elements-helium, hydrogen and trace amounts of lithium). Where are the Population 3 stars? Unless of course-the Big bang is wrong!!!!!!

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Psalms 147:4

Don't be a Hypocrite

You can't fit your sins into your Christian life-it won't fit. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. Isaiah 28:20 -Don't be a Hypocrite- Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Jeremiah 7:9,10

He Bids Us-ENTER

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Luke 13:24 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13,14 "Man is allotted a part in this great struggle for everlasting life; he must respond to the working of the Holy Spirit." Testimonies for the Church vol. 8 p. 65

The great moral powers of the soul

"The great moral powers of the soul are faith, hope and love." Testimonies for the Church vol. 3 p.187 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 "It is through the exercise of faith, hope and love that we come nearer and nearer to the standard of perfect holiness." Testimonies for the Church vol. 3 p.188

Spain?

During the days of the Spanish conquest of the new world, many Spainards used this verse to apply to them spreading Christianity to the American continent. (Tarshish is Spain). Pesonally, I don't believe this is what this verse means-but what does it mean?

Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Isaiah 60:9

Behemoth---Dinosaur?

Was the "Behemoth" in the book of Job a reference to a dinosaur? Some believe the worldwide dragon stories are really about dinosaurs who once roamed the earth. For a Creationist it makes sense-for dinosaurs too may have been brought onto the ark and survived the flood only to be eventually hunted to extinction (as other animals in more recent times have been).

Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. Job 40:15-18

Paul's advice for prayer

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

Example of Esau

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:15-17

YOU are here.....

God knows where YOU are....

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26

The End watches for you-a WARNING

The WARNING-Beware An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come. Ezekiel 7:6 The Whole Earth is to be affected Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land. Ezekiel 7:2 No more pity Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Ezkeiel 7:3,4 $$$Money won't save you$$$ They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: Ezekiel 7:19 Mourning won't do any good But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity. All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water. Ezekiel 7:16,17 There will be no peace Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none. Ezekiel 7:25 Their spiritual leaders will fail them Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients. Ezekiel 7:26

The Lion of Judah

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. Revelation 5:5

Daniel read the scriptures.....

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Daniel 9:2

His mission during His 1st Advent (Christmas)

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

He will not return alone

When He returns...He will not be alone.... When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Matthew 25:31

The "Christmas" yet to come

The "Christmas" yet to come, (the 2nd Advent), our Lord will not be born in a stable-like barn, but rather, will come in clouds of majesty and glory. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mark 13:26