You shall Know the Truth!: November 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Seven Common Lies being Taught in Churches, Lie #7

October 28, 2008 by LizAnn

Lie #7 If you have been baptized you are saved

Baptism is deffinately something we should observe.

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptiezed of thee, and comest thou to me? And, Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” Matthew 3: 15 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38

But baptism does not insure us salvation. We must first repent just as Peter stated in the scripture above. When John the Baptist fist began baptizing to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord, he had to deal with some that were insincere, wanting only to observe the form of baptism to keep up their reputation before men. But their religion was just a show and not from a humble heart of true repentance.

” In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Matthew 3: 1-2

“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits meet for repentance: And think not within yourselves, We have Abraham to our Father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unt othe root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3: 5-10

The “meet for repentance” was for the religious leaders to admit and confess their sins. Because they were of the blood line of Abraham, they believed they were so special that they were accepted of God on the basis of who they were, and they had become hypocrites in their living unrighteous lives yet putting on a pious air to be seen of men.

True salvation is manifested in a born again experience- “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3: 3 and in a new and living way-“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5: 17

In the book of Acts, we read about a man who both believed and was baptized, yet he was not saved because his heart was not changed.

“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. And when Simon saw through the laying on of hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this manner: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity:” Acts 8: 13, 18-23

By these scriptures it is plain to see that just because one believes and is baptized does not insure them a place in heaven. One must have their heart right by seeing, admitting, and confessing their sins to God and imploring his forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ, with a heart that is ready to turn away from their sins.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John1: 8-9

We must forsake our own way and our own thoughts.

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 55: 7-8

And we must be willing to live a holy life that glorifies the LORD Jesus Christ.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12: 1-2

Then and only then, when one meets the conditions from a true and humble heart, all the beautiful promises of God’s holy word are his, and that one can truly know without a doubt that he has a place prepared for him in the beautiful Kingdom of God.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my fathers house their are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14: 1-3

Precious soul, you have now had revealed to you by the living word of God, seven lies that are being taught in churches. The Bible tells us that “no lie is of the truth” 1 John 2:21 Jesus taught us that in order to be truly free we must know the truth- “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”John 8: 32

What should you do if you are currently attending a church that has lies mixed into its teachings?

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye seperate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6: 17-18 “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

It is dangerous to your soul to stay where you know God’s word is not pure.

“But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1: 8

I would like to extend an invitation to the Church of God in Carmichael, where the truth is both preached and lived!

Seven Common Lies Being Taught in Churches, Lie #6

October 18, 2008 by LizAnn

All churches are God’s church

Satan was once in heaven

An anti- Christ is coming

Jesus is coming back here

Once you are saved, you will always be saved

We are all sinners

Baptism washes your sins away

Lie #6 – We are all sinners

There is a partial truth in this statement. We are all born with a sinful nature, and all have need of salvation at an age when we can discern right from wrong.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.“ Romans 3: 23

But once we have been saved, we are born again and changed in a moment from a sinner to a saint.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 And God has promised to keep us free from all sin- “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin; if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.“ John 8: 34, 36

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?” “Being made then free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6: 1, 18

Sinners are of the devil, not of God: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifested (made known) and the children of the devil:” 1John 3: 8-10

Furthermore, a sinner has no inheritance in the Kingdom of God:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lasciviousness, idolatory, whitchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkeness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in times past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdon of God.” Galatians 5: 19-20

“be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.“ Galatian 6:7

Dear precious soul, can you look upon these beautiful words of God and still say that Jesus does not have the power to save us and keep us free from sin?

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his, And let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2Timothy 2: 19

Seven Common Lies # 5 Once Saved You Will Always be Saved…

October 10, 2008 by LizAnn

Once saved you will always be saved, no matter what you do.

Indeed this is a very dangerous lie and will prove the destruction of many a soul.

“Many will say Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? and in the name have cast out devils? And in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me; ye that work iniquity.”Matthew 7: 22-23

Here we have many people, not just s few, that the Lord said are religious. They prophesy, meaning they teach God’s word, they cast devils out of people, they do good works, BUT… they sin. There is no such thing as a sinning Christian. If someone professes to be a Christian, yet still willingly sins, they are deceiving themselves. No matter how much work a person does for God, nor how much money is give for his cause, it is all a stinch to God if he or she continues in their sin. Why? Because God paid the ultimate sacrifice that we might be set free from sin. He does not expect any less from us. If our works could get us to heaven, then Jesus died in vain.

“Wash you, make you clean: put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well… Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.“ Isaiah 1:16, 18

“Jesus answered them, Verily, Verily, (truly, truly) I say unto you, whosoever commiteth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8: 34-36

“Well”, some say, “our salvation is secure, once we are saved, if we are truly saved, we are secure for heaven. You cannot lose your salvation.

“Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confindence stedfast unto theend;“ Hebrews 3: 12-14

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them agian to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6: 4-6

We need no other scriptures to prove this, although many more could be inserted here. These are very plain. No special interpretation needed here. The first example given, he is direclty addressing the brethren (this letter is to the church) You cannot “partake of the Holy Ghost” if you have not been saved first. They are then warned not to depart from God and be deceived by sin again. The latter example shows very clear a saved and holy ghost filled individual, and then talks of this individual falling away. Not only is this a backslidden individual, but for someone to lay claim on salvation and still live a sinful life, that is openly shaming our Lord Jesus Christ who “did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.”

Seven Lies of Satan Being taught in Churches, Lie #4

September 19, 2008 by LizAnn

Lie #4- Jesus is coming back to this earth and will establish a Kingdom here and will reign 1000 years and then Satan will be loosed again.

Once again we have scriptures in the Bible, particulary in Revelations, that talk about Jesus setting up his Kingdom and Satan being loosed for 1000 years. But again, these all have spiritual implications and these prophecies have already been fullfilled.

Jesus is coming soon, and we need to be ready. In 1 Thessalonians we are told what will happen when the Lord Jesus Christ returns; “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (go before) then which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with him in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.“ The Lord is not coming to this earth, but we are going to meet him in the air and be with him forevermore. This scripture also does not support the idea that Satan will be loosed from his prison after a thousand years to try and take more souls because this scripture promises us that we will “ever be with the Lord.”

Let’s take a look at a couple more scriptures to help us solidify this truth. “But the day of the Lord will come as a theif in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt away with a fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for a new earth, wherein dwelleth righeousness.“ 2 Peter 3: 10-13 The earth and heavens, or sky under which we now live, is going to beburned up, not over. It will be dissolved. When you dissolve something you eliminate it. Jesus is not going to set up an earthly Kingdom. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is already here. It came when Jesus came the fist time. In John 18:36 Jesus tells us “My Kingdom is not of this world.” This tells us two things. The Kingdom of God is already established, and it is not of this world. How can we say that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to come back to this earth and set up a Kingdom here when the Bible plainly tells us that this earth is going to be dissolved; destroyed? Somebody has interpreted the Bible in a very false way.

Jesus’ Kingdom has already come and He is already reigning in the lives of those people who have been saved from sin by his precious blood. Again in John 14: 2-3 Jesus says, “In my Fathers house there are many mansions(dwellings). If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am ye may be also.” You see Jesus has a place prepared for his subjects and he is going to take us there to our new home. It will not be here on this earth.

Seven Lies of Satan, Lie #3

September 12, 2008 by LizAnn

An Anti-Christ will Arise and Take Over the World

Over the centuries, since Christ set up his church, the enemy has worked his most powerful deception on the souls of humanity in the form of counterfeit religion. Jesus warned us implicitly that in the last days the deception would be so great that even the very elect, the saved and sanctified, would be deceived if possible. Jesus left us with a huge warning that wasn’t placed there lightly, but to help us understand that we must stay close to God and read and study his word. “…Take heed, that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many…And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many…For there shall arise false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if possible, they shall decieve the very elect.” Matt 24: 4,5,11,24

Throughout the years since Christ set up his church, we have seen scores of tyranical leadership and thousands, perhaps millions, of saints have been martyred by these beastly, usually religious men and women. In every age people have pointed to different ones as being the “Anti-Christ” that is going to take over the world. Hitler was among them. Many believed he was the “Anti-Christ” and for them, he had taken over their world. The way things are going in our time, we may face evil men overtaking the world. Indeed, all of these are the “Anti-Christ”, because the Bible teaches very plainly that the “Anti-Christ” is a spirit. This anti-christ spirit has been in the world since Christ first made his appearance. It is any spirit that opposes Christ. “Little children, it is the last time: and ye have heard, that anti-Christ shall come, even now there are many anti-Christ; whereby we know that it is the last time…Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti-Christ, that denieth the Father and the Son” 1 John 2:18, 22 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know we the spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not the Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of anti-Christ whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world.” 1John 4: 1-3 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-Christ.” 2 John 1: 7

These are the only scriptures in the Bible that speak of “anti-Christ”, and it is very plain to see that they are speaking of a spirit in man. We all have a spirit. If we have not the spirit of Christ, then we have an anti-Christ spirit. This is not a futuristic prophecy. The anti-Christ has already come and has been here since the time of Christ.

Seven Common Lies, lie #2

September 10, 2008 by LizAnn

Lie #2 – Satan was Once in Heaven

The Bible shows Satan’s first appearance in the Garden of Eden tempting Eve. Then, in the book of Job, Satan, in answer to a question from God, tells us where he comes from: “And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan anaswered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Job 1:7

Many churches quote Isaiah 14 and teach that ‘Lucifer’ was Satan in heaven. But a closer look at this section of scriptures shows us that Lucifer was the King of Babylon and God was pronouncing judgement upon him: “And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, That thou shalt take up this proverb against the King of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! The golden city ceased! The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptor of the rulers. He (the king of Babylon) who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest and quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying (the Bible often refers to men as trees) Since thou art laid down (the King of Babylon had died) no feller is come up against us. Hell beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the Kings of the nations. all they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of the viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven (this is still speaking of the King of Babylon. He is fallen from his exalted position as a mighty King on earth), O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most high God. Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit (the word ‘heaven’ is often used in the Bible to represent an exalted position or high place.) They that see thee shall look narrowly upon thee, and consider thee saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble and did shake the kingdoms;…Isaiah 14:3-16 We can further see this prophecy is against the King of Babylon in Daniel 4. Here the King of Babylon had a dream that troubled him. Verses 4-5: “I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace, I saw a dream which made me afraid…” and then in verse 10-11 he tells the prophet Daniel the dream so that he would interpret it to him. “Thus were the visions of my head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the the height thereof was great . The tree grew and was strong, and the height thereofreached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth…” Then inverse 20 Daniel is interpretting his dream; “The tree that thou sawest, which grew and was strong, whose height reached unto heavens, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 22- is thou, O King, that are grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.” So here again we see the word “heaven” is referring to an exalted position, not the heaven we commonly think of where we go when we die.

Another scripture commomly used in teaching that Satan was once in heaven is found in Luke 10:17-20 “And the seventy returned again with joy saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven. Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Jesus said all this in connection with the disciples returning from their work and rejoicing over the fact that they had power through Christ’s name to even cast out devils. Satan had taken a very exalted position at the fall of Adam and Eve- the hearts of men and women, which rightfully belongs to God. Through the power of Christ and his gospel, Satan was defeated and dethroned and cast out of his exalted place in human hearts of men. Another example of this is found inLuke 10:15 where Jesus exclaims “And thou Cappernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust into hell.” Cappernaum is a city, and we know that is never actually went up into Heaven, but Jesus was referring to their pride of the people being lifted up in their heart and mind and he was pronouncing judgement upon them for it.

There are still other places in the Bible, such as the book of Revelations that speak of a war in heaven. Again, it is referring to a spiritual war going on for the souls of men. It is not speaking of the heaven we go to after we die. Heaven is a holy place, where only the holy dwell. Satan never was nor ever will be there.

Seven Common Lies of Satan, being taught in churches

September 5, 2008 by LizAnn

All churches are God’s church
Satan was once in heaven
An anti- Christ is coming
Jesus is coming back here
Once you are saved, you will always be saved
We are all sinners
Baptism washes your sins away

Lie #1 All churches are God’s church

The Bible teaches very plainly that God and his people are one and that there is not to be any divisions in his body. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined toghetherin the same mind and the same judgement.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. This is not what we are seeing in the religious world today. Instead we see multitudes of churches, each with it’s own unique set of creeds and disciplines and systems of operation. We see differing headquarters. But the only headquarters that God’s true church has is Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God. “And he(Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.” Colossians 1:18

“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him (Christ) to be the head over all things to the church.” Ephesians 1:22

God only has only ever had one church which is clearly identified in the New Testament as the church of God. If you want to argue about the name, then first go see how many husbands will let their wives take the name of their best friend instead of their husbands name. Then from there, take your argument to God. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: One Lord, on faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

Sectism’s root word is sect, which means a part cut off from the original. If a church is a sect, it is cut off from Christ’s body, and a part of a body that is cut off is dead. “I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and mean gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15: 5-6

The true church of God is the body of Christ, and includes all it’s members -the truly born again souls, universally and locally. “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24 The members are those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, having their sins washed away , and walking in a new life filled with God’s Holy Spirit. They no longer walk after the flesh, or the ways of sin and worldliness. But they follow Jesus and obey his word as given in the Holy Bible.

Christ is the founder, builder and maker of the church: “For this man (Christ Jesus) was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he that builded the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that hath built all things is God.” Hebrews 3:3-4 Jesus himself said to his disciples “…upon this rock (the rock of Christ) I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

The coming of the Holy Spirt on the day of Pentecost, was when the church was established and set in order. Every religious body that has since come into existence is not the church of God. Jesus is the door, or way into God’s church; he is the only way. “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.“ John 10:7,9 All sects have their own unique way of admitting members, that is controlled by men. This is not the church of God where no man can open or shut the door to others. Only God himself adds the members into his church: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” 1 Corinthians 12:18 God’s true church does not make membership regulations. Only salvation through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ constitutes membership in God’s church.

The true church of God does not harbor sinners, but is made up of blood washed men, women and children who have repented of and forsaken sin: “For we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1John 5: 18 Sectism is more or less filled with sinners.

Please check back soon as we will coninue our study with Lie # 2 Satan Was Once in Heaven

Monday, November 11, 2013

Ye are gods! Who, we?

You must have heard him rant from the pulpit with ecstasy: "YE ARE GODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I used to believe him until I was challenged to find out the truth of the matter.

The first question that comes to mind is

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY GOD(S)?
According to my WordWeb definition it means:
1. "Any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force"
2. A man of such superior qualities that he seems like a deity to other people
or
3.A material effigy that is worshipped

The next question is
HOW MANY GOD(S) ARE THERE?
As a believer, I'll have to check the Holy Bible.
Find below the outcome of my search:
1Co 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. {in: or, for}
Mal 2:10 ¶ Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Mr 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
Ro 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. {in: or, for}
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(KJV)

Even Devils know there's but one God?

But some pastors say we are gods, where did they find that?

PSALMS CHAPTER 82 OF COURSE!

Really? Let us check it out.

1 ¶ <<A Psalm of Asaph.>> God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. {of Asaph: or, for Asaph}

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. {Defend: Heb. Judge}

4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. {out...: Heb. moved}

6 ¶ I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Of course, it says "Ye are gods" But, who, we?

We can find out the answer to the above question from the mouth of the Lord Jesus, which is recorded in the book of John. Verses 34 through 36 of the tenth chapter state: " Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

If any preacher tells you that Psalms 82:6 says we are gods, tell him to check it out again, he's certainly mistaken. God didn't call us "gods". The Lord says He called THEM gods. He didn't call us gods. Satan is a liar! He always twists God's words. Don't let him fool you!

Okay, okay, but God called them gods, so are they not gods?

1Co 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. {in: or, for}

There are many so-called gods, but to us who know the truth, there's only one true God! Even Devils know this and tremble. If devils know this simple fact it's a shame you can call yourself a Christian and do not know this. THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD. PERIOD.

What, you're still not convinced. You're still holding on to Psalms chapter 82 as your proof text?

Bring it here let us check it word for word.

"God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods."

The word translated gods in the Hebrew is 'elohiym, (pronounced as el-o-heem') It's Strong's Hebrew number 0430. It is the plural of 433 ('elowahh, pronounced el-o'-ah); it means:

gods in the ordinary sense;
but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God;
occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

Of all the above three meanings what gives you the impression that the third is not what is referenced to the ones the Lord is addressing? WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT GOD IS NOT HERE TALKING TO THE MAGISTRATES AND JUDGES WHO RULE OVER HIS PEOPLE? Let us probe this further.

The next verse points this out: "How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah." I may as well rest the case here. But I'll go further. Come with me, if you will, and the Spirit of God will guide us. Amen.

The two verses following accentuate this point of performing judgment.

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. {Defend: Heb. Judge}

Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

We can see that the word translated "defend" in verse 3 is "judge" in the Hebrew. That is the task God had given them. Obviously they had failed to do so. Rather than face their responsibility, it is apparent that they were being carried away with the power and regalia attached to their office. They were probably seeing themselves as gods or deities of sorts. But the truth is They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. {out...: Heb. moved}

Their ignorance has caused untold hardship to the people. And "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps 11:3).

It appears from the foregoing that God, sitting in the heavens and laughing at their foolery, says, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High; But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. I think the emphasis is on the "But..." This is a reminder of their mortality. Consider this:

Eze 28:2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: {midst: Heb. heart}

A lot of rulers have this problem of thinking they are gods. History is filled with examples of such tyrants. Mention is made of one of them in Isaiah 14:4-27. Even though you be a ruler or magistrate, you are not God, but a man! Let this truth sink into you and humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Let us all say:

"Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations"; because He has said: "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Kneeling at the Feet of Jesus

As I kneel in humble adoration
This blessed day seventh of eleven
I give my heart to pure meditation
If perhaps caught up to the third heaven
I may be allowed in the inner court
My dearly belov'd Redeemer to meet
My thoughts are laid bare and my heart is pour'd
I feel my clenched hands resting on Thy feet

Branches and Branches

You might wonder what branches have got to do with religion. We know that a branch is either a division of some larger or more complex organization or a division of a stem, or secondary stem arising from the main stem of a plant. In our desire for a "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father", we look into the matter of "branches" in the Christian context. In John chapter 15, verse 5, the Lord talked about branches; and some organizations in Christendom are quick to identify themselves as these branches.

Bro Warner considered this in the presentation below:

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Where in the Bible do we find the idea of sects being branches, as people talk about? "What branch of the church do you belong to?" is a common expression in these times of anti-scriptural language and practice. Why do not people read their Bibles better and learn that every individual believer is a branch in Christ--John 15?

If a whole sect is a branch, then the individual must be a sub-branch; but this would make each one dependent upon the sect for his union with, and life from, Christ. This would be second hand salvation. We should not like to risk the coupling--I prefer a direct union with Christ.

Taking Christ's parable of the Vine and Branches, there is but one way to represent branch sects; that is, imagine the branches adhering directly to the vine but pressed together and tightly bound into several bunches. Thus drawn together each bundle would have the appearance of a branch; but upon closer examination it would be found to consist of many branches each adhering to the vine, except a good many dead sticks, that had been killed by the unnatural confinement, and had rotted loose from the trunk.

We think it is the great business of the pure gospel sword of holiness to cut those soul-killing chords, that the Father may purge the several branches, and that they may all straighten out in natural position--live, grow, and bear fruit unto holiness.

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His account of how he was led to severe his connection with the holiness association, which he began to see was but a milder form of sectism, is given in an editorial for June 1, 1881.

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To the above I wish to add:

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the church of God is one unit, composed of every blood-washed one, the hearts in which God's will is done, both in heaven and on earth. Each soul in Christ Jesus is described as His branch, not denominations. Denominations or Demonic-nations are made up of headquarters and branches. If indeed, denominations make up the body of Christ, how many headquarters do we have in the one church of the living God? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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