Ministry Update October 2003

Posted on October 6, 2003 by Denise

“Come Reason”
Newsletter of Denise Smith
Volume no. 1003
October 6, 2003

Ministry Update!

Welcome to the first edition of Come Reason, the Internet Newsletter of Denise Smith Ministries. We are going to dedicate this first edition to bringing you up to date on the changes that have been going on at Denise Smith Ministries, since our last email newsletter. For the past few years, we’ve sent the Newsletter via email, as God directed us to share with you what He has shared with us. We will continue to send you email notifications when the Newsletter is ready to be viewed, but instead of it being in the email format, you will be supplied a link to the website where the current version of the Newsletter is available for viewing. We will also provide for you a link at the bottom of each the current Newsletter so that you can read prior newsletters that are saved in our archives. Please feel free to share the email notifications by simply forwarding them to those that God directs you to send them to. Always allow God to be your guide and be sure and ASK HIM before just forwarding them.

Next, we’d like to share with you that we have revised the website and included in it a number of messages that have been shared over the years, and some of which we had removed from the website, but are now putting back by request. Some of you have asked for copies of the older messages, and some of our new friends have asked if we have anything to share with them, so we’re going to do as God has directed and make all of them available to you and to those that you’d like to share them with. They will be found under the Messages button on the navigation bar to the left, and you will find them listed by title and with a brief description. Feel free to print them out, and share them as God directs you, or for your own discussions with God about the topics they cover. Always discuss what you read here and hear from others with God and get HIS perspective on EVERYTHING! He is God! He is the only All knowing, and for that reason we should look to Him and Him alone for all truth! He is the only one that can lead us all into all truth, and give us the peace that passes all understanding!

We have included in the website our chat session schedules. They are very informal chat sessions that are hosted by us, and are hosted in private chat rooms, so that there is no one in the chat room but those that are invited to come by us, and for whom have requested an invitation. We invite you to go to the chat schedule section and if you’d like to participate in one of the chats, click on the link to receive an invitation and we’ll get it taken care of for you, and you can join us for the next scheduled chat. If you prefer to chat with us, privately, that’s still available to you all, anytime, and we invite you to add our screen name to your buddy list and when you are directed to chat with us, please do so. We welcome you all!

Well there have been a lot of changes to the website, so spend some time and see what all is new, and if you have any questions, or comments, please email them to us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

There’s a lot of wonderful things going on in the Kingdom of God these days, and it’s so exciting to be able to enjoy it all and know that there is so much more yet to be learned, and to see. Have a wonderful week, and we’ll talk to you again soon.

Posted in Newsletters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What is God’s will for my Life?

Posted on October 10, 2000 by Denise
What is God’s Will for my Life?

This question is the basis for the quest of many people today. They believe in God, and yet they are trying to find out what the will of God is for their lives? But before we continue, let me ask you this, if you want to know the will of God for your life, who are you asking? God or man?

Most people go to others to help them find the will of God for their lives, without even the first consideration that if they want to know what God’s will is, they should be asking God. Then we find many that are being told that God will not hear them, or answer them, or tell them the will He has for them, so they continue to seek direction from everyone and everything other than God? WHY?

If for those of you that haven’t asked God, but believe that the bible is the word of God, let’s see what the bible says that Jesus gave as the most important commandment of all. In Matthew 22:37-40 we see, “Jesus said unto him, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND: this is the first and greatest commandment: and the second is like unto it, THOU SHALT LOVE THEY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. On these two commandments hand all the law and the prophets.”

So now with Jesus making that statement as being the “first and greatest commandment”, what is the will of God for your life? Is it that you love God with all your heart, soul and mind, which is your total being! To know God, and to hear Him. To have fellowship with GOD! To understand who God is!

Many today want to know the will of God for their lives thinking that it’s going to be some great and mighty work to be done before men. So that men will know them as being “of God”, and respect them, and follow them as such. Was that the way it was for Jesus, the one who knew the will of God for His life when He came here? Was that the will of God that Jesus did? The will of God for Jesus, is the same as it is for all of us today! Love God with all that you are, put God and HIS WILL first, let nothing influence you away from the will of God, and do that with all that’s in you.

Secondly, we see the commandment going on to say that not only are we to love God with all that we are, but we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves? How many of us are doing that? Most look to define their neighbor only as the members of their own families, their churches, or their social organizations where they are first loved! They limit that commandment to being those that they define as their neighbors and even those that are defined as their neighbors, they don’t love as themselves! It’s so clear to see!

Most of us know the will of God, and have known it for many years! We know it either by what we claim the bible, the word of God dictates, or we know it from what’s inside of us that was put there by God no matter whether we want to believe it or not, but it remains… we know the will of God. Doing it however seems to be the difficult part.

We want to know the will of God and are willing to do it when it goes along with what we want to do. When it’s the way we’d like to have it instead of it being God’s will. We want to do our will, and then demand that God give us the resources for doing our will instead of doing HIS will out of the love that we should have for him, and the knowledge of who He is! After all, He’s God, right!! All powerful, all-knowing, and All present? His will is the perfect will right? Why would you want to do anything more than God’s will?

It’s simple… you know the will of God. If you don’t, and aren’t sure that what you’re hearing here is the will of God for not only your life, but he lives of all creation, then all you have to do is simply ask God! He will be more than glad to share it with you! He will tell you Himself, and also make it crystal clear to you that doing anything other than HIS will only leads to death! Remember, it was satan that started that in the beginning… Adam that followed it… and Jesus who fixed it! Hear God, Ask God, and HEAR HIM!

Posted in God | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Antique Dinnerware…..

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise
“A Collection of Antique Dinnerware”

Have you ever thought about the Body of Christ as a collection of antique dinnerware? Neither had I until recently. We, like most people, have a lot of old things stored away in the attic of our home. God laid upon my heart a couple of weeks ago to “clean out the attic”. I did not understand why, but it was something that I had been meaning to do for a long time. In this attic was not only the memories of our immediate family but stored there were some things belonging to my Grandmother and Father, who both passed away years ago. It was one of those things that we all do… put it out of sight and out of mind.. I’m sure most of you know what I mean! However, God had other plans for my attic and even though I did not know why it was important that I do it right then, I was obedient to God and got started.

During the process, I found some old antique dinnerware that belonged to my family. No complete sets just lots of pieces. Some had small chips and others were in perfect condition. As I washed them and began to dry them, God began to show me the pieces that I was to keep for myself. Which were very few, considering the number of pieces there. Again, in obedience to Him, I stacked the ones that were to be stored, wrapped them securely and placed them in the attic. The others, I carefully dried and stacked according to pattern on the kitchen countertop. As I continued this process, I began to wonder if the pieces had any value, other than the sentimental value that they had to me. I couldn’t seem to get the thought out of my mind. Were they of any value? When were they manufactured? It all began to swirl around in my head. So I began asking God for some direction and revelation as to why this was so important, and why right now.

As I, completed the task of going through each box and sorting the items, I decided that I would, just for curiosity sake, go on the Internet to see if I could find any information about the pieces. Bear in mind, I said for curiosity sake…no special direction from God. However, several days later, and after numerous hours of research, I was able to find out that even though there were only pieces of each pattern, most were quite old and most were of value. This one particular pattern was a rather unusual green patterned dinner plate with the picture of a small shop in the center. On a sign that hung from the shop in the picture were the words, “The Curiosity Shoppe.” Even though the pattern was not very appealing to me, I was curious about it. There were several dinner plates in this pattern, but no other pieces that matched, or so I thought. As I found out about the pieces, they were of more value that the other items which had been stored in the attic. In the group of pieces I found, there were several bread and butter plates, again in the green color but the pattern in the picture was different. The bread and butter plates had the picture of an old green clock in the center. I later found out that this was the matching pieces to the dinner plates with “The Curiosity Shoppe” pattern on them. I inquired in more detail and actually found a web site on the Internet called “The Curiosity Shoppe” which dealt in antiques. So after a couple of emails, I found out quite a bit of information about the dinnerware collection. One thing I found , which seemed very intriguing to me, was that no one anywhere had a complete set of the dinnerware. No one person had a complete set of this antique dinnerware anywhere. Several people had pieces, but I could not locate anyone, in all of my searching that had a complete set. I didn’t even know at the time why I even cared about locating someone with a complete set, but I felt driven to try.

While this was going on, I had all the pieces of antique dinnerware out on the kitchen countertop and each day ask God, “what would you have me do with these.” I called an antique dealer in the area, she came over, and told me the pieces were valuable, but that she was no longer collecting china. I went to several antique stores in our area, but nothing. I couldn’t find anyone interested in buying the pieces, so I went back to God again and ask Him for more direction. I knew He had a plan, He wanted to show me something more so I kept waiting, and seeking God’s will.

Then it happened! Like a finely crafted puzzle, it all began to come together. I had just prayed with a person when the Spirit of the Lord said, “I want you to send one of the bread and butter plates from your collection (the ones with the clock on them) to this person. I want you to write the details of what I am about to show you and send it along with the plate. Put a label on the back of the plate with the following words…”They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Teach Me Lord, Teach Me Lord, To Wait.” Needless to say, I went to the kitchen, got the plate, measured it, got dressed and went to the post office to get a box to ship it in. The postal service did not have a box the size I needed, so I immediately began telling Satan that he could not stop the work of God. I have witnessed God do so much from small, seemingly unreasonable things that I was not about to let a box interfere in His plan. As I was driving back, the plate began to be the center of my thoughts. There was such a sense of urgency in my spirit that I could hardly wait to get home and get the plate packaged. As soon as I got home, the Lord began showing me the following….

Antique dinnerware is like the Body of Christ. Some pieces are more attractive than others are, and some have blemishes, cracks, and chips. Some pieces get lost as they get older. Some are broken beyond repair or are destroyed. Of the ones that survive, they are usually worn from wear and passed on from generation to generation. Especially the valuable pieces. The next generation, unaware of the value, places them in storage, not to be used for years. Sometimes the pieces are put on display and talked about by all for their beauty or unique pattern. Others, are put up for sale to the highest bidder, and others just lost in the shuffle of life, never to find their way back to the set.

Each piece of an antique dinnerware collection is very important and valuable. You must have all the pieces to have a complete or whole set. If you are a collector, you will do all you can to locate each piece missing from your set, and pay whatever the cost, to get your set complete. You will go to great lengths and will accept the pieces you find, regardless of the cracks, chips or blemishes. It is more important to you to have the set complete, that to be concerned with flaws. And oh what a glorious time, when as the collector, you get your set complete. Each piece is carefully put in it’s place and combined with the other pieces makes each piece of more value. Why, because it is part of the “complete set” and each piece, even though alone has value, is more valuable, to the collector, when all the pieces are together in the pattern.

This was such an awesome revelation… why you ask? It was God’s way of giving me a visual example of His perspective on the Body of Christ. The focus was found in Ephesians 4… “the Unity in the Spirit”. You see, what God was showing me through some old antique dinnerware, was that the Body of Christ is the same as the antique dinnerware. Each piece has a specific purposes and function. Each piece has a unique appeal and has value. When someone interested in having a set complete collects each piece of the dinnerware, it becomes of greatest value. Then and only then can the complete set fulfill the manufacturer’s original plan. The collector will go to any cost to complete the set and see it fulfill the purpose it was made for.

Just like the antique dinnerware, we have our greatest value when we allow the Master to put us together with other pieces to complete the set. Alone, we are very special. Alone we are very valuable. Alone we tend to put ourselves on display, and discuss our attributes instead of focusing on the whole set. Alone we get cracked, chipped, and broken. Alone we can put ourselves in boxes and in storage areas never to be used for the purpose of our Creator. Alone we look so unique, but alone we cannot accomplish our purpose. Just like “The Curiosity Shoppe” collection, each piece does not even have to look-alike to be part of the “complete set”. Like with this pattern, each piece is uniquely different but when put alongside the other pieces, it makes a very beautiful “complete service”!

Won’t you think about this antique dinnerware collection and allow the Master to make you a part of the “complete set” designed by the Creator, for a specific purpose. Just like with dinnerware, each piece has a specific function and only when working together in agreement with the other pieces of the collection, is the purpose of the Creator served!

Read Ephesians 4… “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all…. And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:” In Jesus Name… Amen!

Curosity Shoppe Dinnerware

The Curiosity Shoppe Bread & Butter Plate

Posted in About Denise, Faith, God | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Born Again? What does it mean?

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise
“Born Again”- What does it mean?

We hear Jesus tell Nicodemus these words, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God”. (John 3:3) and further, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God”. (John 3:5)

To be “born again” or “to be restored” is regeneration. Look at the very words, “born again” and “restored”. They both imply that there was an original birth, or condition. To be born again is born as you were once, or to be restored means you are put back to the condition that you were first! Think about that… back to the condition that God created you…

We see Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:28-29, “Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” What does it mean?
Regeneration, “to be born again” or “to be restored” though it is only mentioned twice in the New Testament, (Matthew 19:28, and Titus 3:5) there are many passages that suggests its basic meaning. Related terms are: Born again (John 3:3, 5, 7) born of God (John 1:13; I John 3:9) quickened (Eph. 2:1,5) and renewed (Titus 3:5, and Romans 12:2).

Regeneration is, therefore, the spiritual change wrought in the heart of man by an act of God in which his inherently sinful nature is changed and by which he is enabled to respond to God in faith. Regeneration, “being born again” involves an illumination of the mind, a change in the will, and a renewed nature. It extends to the total nature of man, IRREVOCABLY altering his governing disposition, and restoring him to a true experiential knowledge in Christ. (II Cor. 5:17; Romans 6:4) It is a partaking of the divine nature (II Peter 1:4) a principle of spiritual life implanted in the heart!

The efficient cause of regeneration (being born again) is GOD! (I John 3:9) acting in love through mercy (Eph. 2:4-5) to secure a new life in man through the instrument of HIS WORD! (I Peter 1:23).

In regeneration, (being born again) the soul is both passive and active. The soul is passive while still in bondage to sin, and active when it is released. The regenerating (rebirth) work of the Holy Spirit is not conditioned by a prior agreement or consent without protest of the soul, but when the soul is released from sin, regenerated, (born again) it voluntarily and spontaneously turns toward God in fellowship.

How does this happen? It’s simple… it is a change of mind and change of will toward sin! The bible teaches that it’s the “daily renewing of your mind” that transforms us into the image of the Son of God.

What a beautiful picture of love and mercy. It involves having your mind enlightened, having your will changed, and renewal of your very nature. No longer a sinful nature, but the nature of God himself! It extends to the total nature of who you are, it alters your governing disposition, (which is unable to be changed back) and restores to you a true experience based knowledge of God in Christ! It is the partaking of the divine nature of God, Himself, implanted spiritually in your heart! It’s God allowing you to see that HE never changed you, that your thinking and mind had changed and needed to change back! To be restored to the condition that God created you in, perfect and sinless.

Jesus told Nicodemus, one man, the ruler of the Pharisees, that he must be born again. Why? Nicodemus needed to change his mind and his way of thinking about “sin” and until he did, he wouldn’t be able to see the Kingdom of God, must less enter in and find rest.

Are you born again? Has your very nature been changed? Has your mind been illuminated? Consider this, why would Jesus tell only Nicodemus this? Could it be that not all needed to be “born again”, or “restored”. Was Jesus correct when He said, “I come not to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners”? Was Jesus clearly telling us that there were some that were righteous and needed no “restoration”… no regeneration… no rebirth??

Ask GOD!! If He is the only judge of a man’s heart, isn’t it Him that will let you know if you need to be born again, or if you’ve not had a change of mind and heart toward God and you are still in the perfect sinless condition that you were created in!

Posted in Christianity, Eternal life, Jesus, Salvation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Is it possible to be “lost”?

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise

Is it possible to be Lost?

We’ve heard for years that we are all lost and undone without Christ, but is that possible. If we are able to be “lost” then we have to look at the attributes of the God that we claim to be able to be lost from. If God is the All Knowing, creator of all things then how is it possible for anyone to ever be lost from an All knowing Creator of all things?

Is it possible that God can create all things, know all things,and yet allow what He created and knows all about to be “lost”? No, it is not possible. It is only the teachings of men and the doctrinal dogma that has convinced us that we,or our loved ones, or for that matter anyone can be “lost” from God. It is time for everyone whether you believe God is real or not to take a serious look at what has been and is being taught today about God. It is when we stop listening to all the mandates and explanations from men and their traditional teachings and look at what God should be and what power a being called God must have to be God that we quickly see the difference in what we’ve been taught and what must be logical if there is a God. If there is a God, an Almighty Being that can create the entire universe, that can mandate the continuation of it all now for millions of years, then surely one can not reduce this God to a being that is able to “lose” what He has created and some how allow that creation to become separated from Him. If separation from God is possible, then God isn’t all-knowing and all-powerful. If there is anything that any of us can do that will cause God to separate Himself from us, then we have power beyond the capacity of God, therefore He’s not all-powerful. If what you or I believe or don’t believe can alter the very will and power of God, then He’s not God. We can’t have a God that is totally in control of all things, that has created all things, and yet have this same God be rendered powerless by the simple belief of one of those that He created. It’s a slap in the face of an Almighty God to believe such things, much less to go about to try to convince someone else that this Almighty Being that can create all things, loves the world, is so powerless that He is subject to the simple beliefs of those that He created, and that if we don’t believe, or serve Him, or know Him, that it would change who He is… or what He has done.. and continues to do. The simple truth in all of it is that we’ve put aside the very attributes of the Almighty Being, and followed what others have taught us about Him, and therefore in following another god, have reduced the Almighty to being a powerless, unknowing being that is subject to the dictates of what He created, instead of the Almighty Divine Sovereign being that He is.

So you decide for yourself. Think about what you know about God. What have you come to understand that makes a being God? What are the attributes of God? How did you come to know these things about God? List them if you need to, then step back and take a look at what you believe about God, and then ask yourself with what you know about the Almighty, is it possible for anyone or anything to be lost? The mere thoughts of the possibilities of that would signify that God isn’t really the Almighty Being that so many of us say that He is…nor is He all-powerful, all knowing, nor the creator of all things, who controls all things, and always has.

I am sure at this point in this article that there are some of you are thinking that what I am saying here is a contradiction to what God has said, but I ask you only to consider this. Is it?? Is what you’ve come to believe about people being “lost” come from the mouth of God to you, or it is simply been the words and teachings of others that you’ve listened to? If we are all honest with ourselves, we soon realize that most of what we believe and stand on… isn’t what we’ve heard from the mouth of God, it’s been what we have been taught by men and women, read in the bible, and the traditions of doctrines passed down through generations… “traditions”… instead of what God has said, or simply the application of the attributes of an Almighty Being against the teachings and beliefs of men. It is not difficult to realize when you apply the attributes that would make a being the Almighty to quickly see that what we’ve been hearing and taught for years, surely isn’t in line with the attributes of the Almighty, or any other being that would be for a moment considered powerful enough to have created all things, controls all things, and knows all things. Anything short of those attributes surely wouldn’t be a “god” in any form or fashion.

Realize today, that the Almighty God hasn’t lost anyone… nor would He ever.Those that are in your family and circle of friends that appear to you to be the furthest from God are really not! There is no way possible for them, or you to ever be lost from an All Knowing, Almighty God who is in control of all things, and there never was a way for that to be possible. It is not them that claims to know an Almighty Creator of all things, that is powerless and subject to the beliefs of that which He create. So the unbelief is not with those that appear to you to be “lost”… the unbelief dear friend is with you. It is you that has accepted the teachings of men that would have us to believe that the Almighty Creator of all things can lose, or allow something to be lost from Him and His control even for a second…. and by our own acceptance of the teachings of men over the very attributes of what we claim to know about GOD has reduced the Almighty to nothing. It is time for those that are going to believe in God, to believe in Him as GOD… not as some powerless being who has no control over anything or anyone, who is subject to the beliefs of that which He is supposed to have created, and just sits off somewhere in the heavens waiting on us to decide what He can or cannot do. Is that any GOD? No… and if God is God, then there is no way possible for anyone or anything to be lost from Him!! Nor will there ever be… Nothing can separate anyone from the Almighty God, creator of all things…. or He simply isn’t God!!

ASK GOD! Hear what He has to say on the subject!!

Posted in Christianity, God, Salvation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Not by Works….

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise
Not by Works Lest any man should boast…

We hear this statement so much today, but it is really believed? One would have to question that fact and take a close look at what some profess to believe today and if it’s really supported by the “bible” which they claim to be the source of their belief!

If it’s not by works, or actions, or things that one can do that we are able to acquire salvation or have grace cover the sins that we’re supposed to have committed, and it’s given as a gift from God then how is it that if works can’t get it for us, that works can keep us from having it? That’s the question that we have to consider. If the works one does isn’t a basis for one acquiring the free gift of grace given of God, then how is it possible that works could keep us from acquiring it, or having it? If in the bible we find the words of Paul saying that “nothing can separate me from the love of God”… and his conviction of that so passionately resounding from the pages of the bible, then how is it that one could even bring themselves to believe that what someone.. any one could do that would have enough power to stop the Almighty God? How would it be possible to even believe that and yet claim that God is Almighty and in control and power of all things? We have to look very closely at this and what it really details, and yet how those that continue to repeat the verse really don’t believe what is contained within the very words.

If man can’t boast about what’s done.. or the works that he has done to acquire it, then how can one boasting about the works done can prevent them from acquiring it. Isn’t it just this simple, isn’t it God who determines it and it’s really not based on what anyone has done.. or could do.. or would do.. or should do? Isn’t it simply at the discretion of God Himself?

With this in mind, we must also look at the examples given in the bible, (which many will claim is the word of God). The examples in the bible clearly show that God didn’t consider the works or the actions of those that He chose or those that He used. It was God who chose a drunk to build the ark to float the flood. It was God who chose an adulterer to lead all of Israel. It was God who again and again choose men that failed to believe HIM to do great works, yet it wasn’t ever because of their works that they were “chosen” nor was it because of their “works” that they were overlooked, or eliminated either.

People arrive on this planet not by the works of their own doing, and they will likewise depart from this planet without any consideration for the works that they do. We’ve seen those that do great and mighty works be taken at very early ages, after being known well for their works, and yet we’ve also seen those that haven’t had a chance at doing any works be taken before ever given a chance to do any works. We’ve seen those that have done such works that would if God had any consideration for works, obviously cause them to be taken right then, but yet they live on and continue to do those same works over and over, without ever being taken. We’ve seen all this happen. We’ve questioned many times how it is that one doing great works, and helping so many would be taken in the prime of life, while those that have done horrific works hurting many could be allowed to live on without any consideration of being taken, yet the question continues on. What is the real question? Does works have any basis for salvation, life, or any other element of our existence? The question has a resounding answer… NO! Nothing that you can do or ever will do will be able to stop or control what is ultimately your fate. If it is, and you believe God is the Almighty, then you’ll have to admit that God’s power is limited by the works of men, and if it’s not, then you will have confirmed to you the Almighty power of God. If you’re not a believer in God at all, then it’s simple, this is usually not an issue you’d be addressing in the first place, but one that you would likewise have to agree with in some regard.

With this all discussed, the question now remains, if works can’t benefit you nor can it take anything from you that is destined for you, then why it is that the works of others or the lack of works in the lives of others are so important to you? If it’s not about anything you can do … or what you have done.. then doesn’t that same logic apply for others as well, and if it does, why is homosexuality and other “works of the flesh” of so much concern and debate in the church today? Isn’t it quiet possible that God the Almighty Creator of all things which was able to “save” you is also able to “save” others no matter what they have done, or will do, or could do? Isn’t that the real question? Doesn’t that question need to be answered within the hearts and minds of all, especially those claiming to believe that God is ALMIGHTY and ALL POWERFUL and ALL KNOWING… isn’t it time to BELIEVE what you would quickly define as the “word of God?”….

God is “no respecter of any man’s person”… and it’s not by works that any man should boast! It’s time for those professing to be believers of God, and HIS word to believe it for themselves and enough for everyone else. For where you exclude one based on their works, then you must also exclude yourself for your own works!! There can be no exceptions, no matter what you’ve been taught of men to believe! Ask God!

Posted in Christianity, Jesus, Salvation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Redemption? What Jesus Did and why??

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise

Redemption-What Jesus Did & Why?

We all have heard it many times that Christians are the “redeemed” but what were we redeemed from? What does the redemptive work of Christ mean? What does it mean to believe in Christ, and the redemptive work that was done on the cross? Who really believes it was done? Who wrought the work of Redemption in the first place? We must understand these elements of Redemption before we can fully come to understand what Jesus redeemed all mankind from and why redemption was necessary!

The word redemption means to “tear loose, a ransom”. (to tear loose!) Rooted in the secular usage of the word, the New Testament use of redemption draws it’s meaning from a parallel with the market-place concept “to buy back”, and describes the specific means by which the larger salvation concepts may be gained. We see in the bible, Jesus using concepts of every day life to help the disciples to understand life in the Kingdom of God by using the things which they were familiar with and could relate to. That is where the meaning of redemption or the “buying back” comes from. It is taken from the concept of selling and buying back something in the market-place! It is the “buying” back of the souls of men condemned under the law of sin and death and the price paid for that “buy back”.

Originally restricted to its commercial usage, the word is used in the New Testament to mean the idea of deliverance and the price of that deliverance. It is a two-fold meaning which all mankind should understand. It is not solely the means of what was done.. but also the price (ransom) it required!

The bible records in Romans 3:24 states that man is freely justified by grace “through redemption that is in Christ Jesus”(the price to mankind was free). In I Corinthians 6:20, where redemption is viewed as being “bought with a price” (the price was Jesus Christ) and in Galatians 3:13, where Christ is said to have redeemed us “from the curse of the law being made a curse for us”, (the law required a sacrifice, a price) God provided the sacrifice… Jesus! (Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9).

Redemption is from the enslavement of sin and release to a new freedom. This new freedom is presented in Scripture as always residing in Christ!

The fundamental idea of the word is a dual one: Redemption FROM and redemption TO. Redemption is from the law; from the penalty of the law; from sin; from Satan and from all evil. Redemption is to a new freedom from sin, a new relationship to God, and a new life in Christ. It is the TEARING AWAY of YOU from the TEACHINGS OF MEN, FROM THE TRADITIONS OF MEN, and FROM THE VOICE of ANYONE OTHER THAN GOD! THE ORIGINAL SIN FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN!
Think about it, wasn’t that the very thing that God said was the reason for the curse, that Adam had hearkened to the voice of another? ASK GOD!!

Redemption rests in Christ’s satisfaction of the requirements for ransom! God was satisfied that the ransom (Jesus) met all the requirements of the Law, therefore, redemption for all mankind was established! He paid the price for all mankind! No one was left out! He took sinful nature upon HIMSELF in order that He might satisfy the demands of the LAW by assuming our guilt. Exercising GOD’S WILL to do so, He achieved the ransom within HIMSELF in order that He might deliver us from the bondage of sin. He did this for all of us! It was God’s will that HIS PEOPLE be REDEEMED FROM THE LAW, FROM SIN, and FROM SATAN and FROM ALL EVIL… redeemed to FREEDOM FROM SIN, TO A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! We are redeemed by GOD through CHRIST!

The price was paid… the Redemptive Work is complete! Mankind has not been sold back into slavery to sin, nor to a sinful nature. You never will be again! How could you be? How could God send Jesus to do the redemptive work on the cross, only to sell you back! Then have the “ransom” paid again! As a result of man being born after Christ, did the redemptive work, we are now FREE from the law, sin, Satan and all evil and free to have a new relationship with God and a new life in CHRIST!

Can you lose this redemption and be under the curse of the law, sin and death again? Yes! How is that possible? Simple, the same thing that Adam did to be put out of the garden,… He listened to what someone else told him, and God cursed Him for it.!! Hear God.. only God.. ASK GOD! And follow what God tells you….

Now let’s address the issue if you believe what you say that you do? Many claim that they believe that Jesus did this redemptive work, but do they? Are they not the ones that continue to claim to sin, and that others are sinners, and with the same voice claiming that Jesus did this work to make us all sin free… no longer able to sin?? Are those people the serpents in your garden? ASK GOD!! He will make it clear to you, and then you’ll have heard it from the only one that can give you the assurance, and confidence that is necessary for you to believe!!

ASK HIM!! HEAR HIM!

Posted in Christianity, Jesus, Salvation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Universal Salvation?

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise

Universal Salvation

This is the topic of major debate today among many. There are some that would say that there is no “universal” salvation that only those that do something or say some words, or other means of “works” are the only ones that will receive salvation, or have. Yet when we look at the words of Jesus, we see that He makes clear that “all flesh shall see the salvation of the Lord”. (Luke 3:6). I am not here to use the bible to try to justify either side of the debate, but only to point out some clear contradictions that would cause any “thinking” person to consider them and to ask God!

First we have to consider that if the Messiah was the prophesied means by which all men would be “saved”… meaning the receiver of salvation… then one only has to look to the definition of the word Messiah, as well as the prophesies of the bible to see what was said about the Messiah. The Old Testament pictures the Messiah as one who will put an end to sin and war and usher in “universal” righteousness and through His death will make vicarious atonement for the salvation of sinful men. If the Messiah was to bring an end to sin, and to usher in universal righteousness.. how is it possible that a Messiah with the power to usher in universal righteousness wouldn’t be bringing universal salvation? What is the result of salvation, but righteousness? What is the results of vicarious atonement for sinful men?

Then we have to examine the belief that Jesus Christ was the sacrificial lamb of God that when John the Baptist seen him approaching, declared with confidence, “behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world”! So if John knew and proclaimed that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God that “taketh” away the sins of the world, why was it not universal? How can anyone declare that He took away the sins of the world, but omitted some? How could that be? How could it be that God would sent his perfect sinless son to die a horrible death on the cross, resurrect him from the dead, and then leave the world in the same sinful state that it was before Jesus? If He didn’t, and He took away the sins of the world, and as the definition and picture the Old Testament gives for the Messiah is that he put an end to sin, how could He have done that for only a few?

Yes, it’s clear even with the words of the bible that not all had sinned. We’ve addressed that topic in other articles, but it’s clear. Jesus said, I come not to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners! The prophetic words were that He would come but for the lost sheep of Israel… to redeem His people from their sins! There were righteous men and women alive at the time the Messiah came, and many that were here before He came, and those remained. Those that were not, that had followed the traditions of men, and the teachings of men against the will of God, and had not heard God, and become stiff-necked and rebellious, those were the ones that were the “sinners” that Jesus came to bring the message of salvation! Did that message miss someone?

We have to then take a look at the cross. Some believe that the blood that flowed down the cross was the covering for the sins of mankind, yet how did that blood only flow to one side.. or one part of the ground that lay beneath it? How is it possible that the life of Christ would have been paid, spent for a world so lost, and not cover all?

Now let’s take a closer look at those of you that have claimed this “salvation” for yourself, knowing that God is no respecter of any man’s person. How is it that God has done this for you, that it was a free gift of God’s grace to you, but He would exclude someone else? How can God be God if He’s not able to redeem all that He created? Surely if you believe that God created all men in His image, some how changed them all into sinners, surely you can believe with all that Christ did, that God made us all righteous by what was done then? How could it be possible for you, and not the rest of all mankind?

God has not omitted or excluded anyone. It’s simply the teachings of men and the traditions of men that have exalted themselves over others and made claims that God never has made. God’s promise to Abraham was not to be the Father of one nation, but that he would be the Father of many nations, and those nations are still to this day being born. The gift of God is without repentance! God concluded all in “unbelief” (not sin) to have mercy on all! Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, so if God’s grace did much more abound then, surely it has even to today, and no one was missed, omitted, or excluded!

The gospel, (good news) remains the same. God has not changed! He created perfection, maintained perfection, and sustains perfection. Even in the face of men’s thinking of sin, shame and guilt, God made a way to never see us in that fashion, even if we insist on seeing others as “unsaved”. But it’s time to realize that if we see anyone as “unsaved”, omitted, excluded, or in any way other than in God’s universal salvation, then we have to include ourselves in that same vision! If you have the faith to believe it’s done for you, why not have the faith of God for all mankind?

The bible records, “all will know me from the least to the greatest”, “it is not my will that any should perish”, “all flesh shall see the salvation of the Lord”.. and with many other verses, it’s clear to see that God has and will always have HIS WILL.. and none will perish… all will know HIM.. and all flesh has seen the salvation of the Lord, whether they believe it or not, God knows what He has done…. and if you have any further questions about it… ASK HIM!!

Ask God who it was that He has omitted, excluded, or simply missed! Ask Him how it was that He included you, and forgot someone else.. and if He did.. why did He send Jesus to only do a partial job!! The Messiah ushered in universal righteousness, and if you’re going to accept that Jesus was the Messiah, then aren’t you going to have to also accept that He brought Universal Salvation for all… for to end sin and destroy the works of the devil makes us all righteous, and as result universal salvation came to all! It’s a condition of your birth! It was done for you before you arrived here! It remains for those that will come after you as well! For God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Ask God!

Posted in Christianity, Salvation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Do Christians Really Believe in Heaven?

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise
Do Christians Really Believe in Heaven?

We’ve heard people professing to be Christian, talk of heaven, the wonderful place where you go when you are born again, saved, and all the other terms that we so often hear.. the place where there is no more tears, no more pain, where one can fellowship around the throne of the Almighty creator of the universe, and the place where God has prepared for those who believe. Yet, one must ask the question, “do Christians really believe they are going to heaven?” .. and the answer is a resounding no!

It’s clear that most professing Christians don’t believe that heaven is real and is the place they so readily claim that it is! What’s the evidence of that you might ask? It’s simple.. look at how they live their lives, and what they speak from their mouths!

Most Christians will quickly tell you that you must be saved, and born again to enter heaven, but let them come close to dying .. (which has to happen before you get to heaven, according to them).. and they will quickly do all that they can to stop it from happening. So if they really believe that a “believer/Christian” goes to heaven .. this wonderful place when they die.. why are so many doing everything within their power to not die.. and get to heaven? What sense does that make? Why is it that if you believe that you get to heaven, the wonderful place prepared by God for you when you die, why is it that you would not go on and die and get there? Could it be that they really don’t believe that you go to heaven when you die, no matter what? Or could it be that they aren’t so sure about it all, and don’t want to take any chances. Or could it be that with they are just simply openly professing with their words that they are not “believers” in the first place? What is the real reason?

For years, people have professed to believe in God.. to know the power of God in their lives, and profess the sovereignty of God so readily.. and quickly condemn those that don’t believe as they do.. then when they have a chance to die and go to heaven, they are the first ones to run to the doctors, pay tons of money for medicines to keep them from dying and go to great extremes of having parts of their bodies removed.. and many other things to stay out of heaven!

Why would a person which truly believes that you go to heaven when you die, not be rejoicing and celebrating the news that they have cancer and will soon die? Why is it that a person believing that heaven awaits those who believe, refuse to take any medicines or go to any extreme to stay out of heaven and remain here? (which by the way those same people professing that you go to heaven, will also tell you that living in the earth is “hell”) So why are they doing all they can, spending their entire life’s earnings, having their bodies mutilated with surgeries to remain here in “hell”… if it’s so bad here.. why is everyone doing all that they can to stay here and out of HEAVEN?

Most that profess to be going to heaven really don’t believe it anyway.. and aren’t really sure that it’s there waiting for them. They quickly speak with their mouths wonderful things, but when it’s their time to believe them and live according to what they have said for years… they are always the first to live something different. Look around you.. it’s easy to see who truly believes.. and who just “parrots” words in vain!

God said that all that has been hidden will be revealed.. and it’s happening… God is exposing the hypocrisy of those that call themselves by HIS NAME, and letting the world see what a mockery they are. After all, who in their right mind would want to have a relationship with a God that prepares this wonderful place for all of HIS own to go to.. and yet when those that are HIS are ready to go… they don’t want to go? Think about it… if it’s all so wonderful.. and it’s just there waiting for you when you die… why are so many doing all they can to STAY AWAY???

HEAR GOD! Hearken only to HIS VOICE… and don’t be deceived by what so many claim to believe and don’t!

Posted in Christianity, Heaven | Tagged | Leave a comment

Is Heaven Real?

Posted on July 7, 2000 by Denise
Is Heaven real?

There are many people today speaking of “going to heaven”, avoiding “hell” and all the things that one should do or has to do to be able to “get to heaven” and yet is heaven real? One has to, first of all look at all that’s being said about heaven and what it is to decide if heaven is real. There is no proof that anyone can give to another to prove that heaven is real. No one has been there and returned to give us evidence of it in a form and fashion that we’d accept as “proof”. It has to be a personal decision of belief based on a person’s individual understanding and experience. What to be discussed here is what some people claim to believe and why they really don’t, yet want others to believe what they can’t even bring themselves to believe. After all, that’s what makes heaven real isn’t it?

For so long now, we’ve based our teachings and beliefs on the words and understanding of a few men or women who have claimed some “corner on the market” in wisdom, yet while professing to believe that God is the only All knowing being that ever lived. So with those that profess to know God, and know about heaven and that it’s real, and should be the desired destination of all mankind, great efforts should be made by men to get there, yet is their heaven real? One has to ask. So let’s take a closer look at what’s being said about heaven… and what’s not and see what can be decided about heaven.

First, those that believe there is a heaven believe it’s a place of no more tears, where there is no violence, no evil and no pain. It’s a place where there is a pearly gate in which a saint will meet you when you arrive, and where the streets are paved with gold, and there is rivers flowing with living waters. It’s a place that you must live your life in a specific way to ever be qualified to enter into in the first place, and it’s a place that you can quickly and easily miss if you don’t do things in your life a certain way. Yet, it’s a place they will tell you should be desired diligently as an eternal destination, yet do they really believe what they claim? I think not. It’s clear to see that those that believe in this heaven are those that are the ones that are trying with all diligence to avoid it. They are claiming it as a place you get to go to when you die, yet when they are faced with death, they avoid it with all diligence and at all costs. Willing to spend their very life’s earnings, and worth and all the “blessings” they have been able to acquire here in this place at the hand of God to avoid going to the “heaven” they so quickly claim to be so wonderful and the place of eternal destination for all to desire. So why don’t they desire it? Why is it that those claiming to believe so much in heaven and that it’s a real place are avoiding it like the plague? Why do they claim it as an eternal destination for those that have lived their lives according to the things of God, yet when they, claiming to be children of God, are stricken with a terminal death, or when death takes a child, or teenagers, or death snatches a father or mother of small children, there is so much grief for those that have by their own admissions gone on to “heaven”? Could it be that those claiming this wonderful place to be real, and to be the desired destination of all people really don’t believe it exists? Could it be that they don’t want to go there or have death take them because they don’t really believe it’s real or is it because they are afraid that there is something in their lives that would not guarantee them arrival at those pearly gates? What is the real answer? Is heaven real?

We see those claiming heaven is real go to a church, funeral home, or other place and grieve openly over a person that’s been sitting on the church pew with them for years.. and those that have been part of their families and communities for years. We see them paying thousands of dollars to have services to have the body of the person buried and to have a time for all that knew the person to come and grieve over the death that was the instrument that got that person arrival into the heaven that was so diligently taught to desire.. why is it? Is heaven real? Could it be? Why aren’t the actions of those that claim it’s real supporting their own beliefs?

It’s clear to see that even those that claim so readily that heaven is real and is the place that all should desire to arrive at upon death, don’t believe it exists themselves. They don’t believe that when a person dies that they go to heaven, or there wouldn’t be times of grieving but times of celebration. They don’t believe that their own fellow members of their churches, or religious organizations get to heaven when they die or there wouldn’t be grief, but celebration. So why isn’t it happening… it’s simple.. even those claiming to believe that heaven is real don’t believe it.. they don’t live their lives confirming the words of their mouths, and they are trying to get others to change their lives, believe in heaven as the final eternal reward of those that believe, yet they themselves don’t. Yet it is those that so openly claim that all should believe in heaven, and should desire it and live to arrive there that go out to gather others to come join them, to get to the place that they don’t even believe is real.. and the place which they are trying with all that’s available to them to avoid. It is those same people who wonder why others don’t believe, and won’t believe! Why would they? You can’t convince anyone to believe something that you don’t believe yourself! It’s time to believe or stop claiming to believe and therefore leading others astray based on your own unbelief!

Is heaven real? One would truly have to wonder if anyone looks at the lives and actions of those claiming so adamantly that it is! Make the decision yourself, based not on the actions of others or the attempt of others to convince you, after all, it’s your eternal destination that’s in question! Who in their right mind would want to base their eternal destination or the reality of it based on anyone words… it’s something that one must decide by ones own experience, and understanding. If heaven is real, and it’s the place of eternal destination for those that God has chosen, why wouldn’t you simply ask God about it, and either take His word on it, or decide that it’s not “real”? It’s your decision to make, it’s your belief that you’ll either have or not have, and it shouldn’t be based on the mere words of anyone other than God!

So with that, you are encouraged not to believe anything, including whether heaven is real or not based on anyone… even those proclaiming and professing that it is.. and trying to encourage others to join them there, while avoiding going there when the opportunity to do so comes to them.

Think about it! What do “believers” really believe??

Posted in Christianity, Heaven | Tagged | Leave a comment