We have all heard the pathetic cry of both believers and non-believers, “Why is this happening to me?”
The answer depends entirely upon what our relationship is with the Lord If we are a child of God, then it may be a matter of His training and developing us to be even stronger in the faith. Our father loves us and wants us to develop to our full capabilities. He prepares us for any eventuality that we may be called upon to face. When we were children our parents chastened us and guided us through facing and overcoming our problems, teaching us what is serious and what is only a temporary inconvenience. Because of this background, we should as mature adults be able to examine our problems and make the analysis, as to their seriousness. however most of us may need guidance at times. As an example, Phyllis and I have had a habit of walking for the sake of our health, but recently our advisor, our doctor, has not been happy with our cholesterol levels. We walk too slowly! But Phyllis can not keep up, if I walk faster. There is a solution. We are fortunate in that the community center where we live has a very well fitted out gymnasium, and we have full access to it at no charge. There is even a pool though it is very busy. The gym has two treadmills. Phyllis can adjust her speed to the level she needs, and I can adjust mine to a faster pace, yet we are still walking together. I could even jog. Or I can choose to use the stair climber, or perhaps one of the cycles set for anything, a level stroll, one long hill, or perhaps a series of hills, and greater resistance can be added. I can pedal for ten minutes, twenty minutes, or an hour if I wish. We can actually pedal along side by side, but one be doing hills, and the other level ground. Now applying this to more serious problems in life, isn’t that what we are actually doing in our daily lives. The believer and the non-believer each has their own needs, the believer needs to strengthen his faith, but the non-believer may be being punished. In our example case, we go to the gym to help adjust our cholesterol levels, keeping in mind our age. Walking is not accomplishing enough. Our doctor advisor says, we have to work up a sweat to raise my good cholesterol, and lower Phyllis’ bad.
Turning to spiritual trials, let us look to 1 Peter 4:12-19
12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Some people come to the Lord expecting that all their problems will instantly go away simply because they are a Christian. On the contrary, we should expect Satan to make a renewed effort to discourage us.
He tried this even upon our Lord Jesus. Immediately after his baptism, Jesus endured a period of temptation. Satan was testing his loyalty to his Father God. Satan had tried this with Job. Now he was repeating it with Jesus. In both of these cases, he failed, But, unfortunately, he does not always fail with a new born Christian. This is where other Christian come in. We must lift up and encourage our new brothers and sisters in the faith.
Our refuge is in God. Peter is telling us clearly, Do not be surprised, trials will come, in fact let us rejoice for every time Satan fails. God will bless the faithful believer even more. He is telling us to behave in such a way, that we do not deserve to be punished, and God will bless us. If in fact, it be that even our physical lives are sacrificed for His sake, the rewards laid up in heaven are that we be very near to the very throne of our Lord, where the martyrs are.
It never ceases to shock me that those of the extreme religion faiths can not see the difference between murder followed by their own suicide and martyrdom, probably the result of murder. The one is condemned by God and the other is rewarded! There will be no unrepentant murderers in heaven, but there will be martyrs, perhaps their victims, at the very feet of our Lord’s throne.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
WHATSOEVER WE ASK, WE RECEIVE OF HIM
Jesus told us that if we ask believing, he will provide. (1 John 3:22).
Our Bible bookstore and print shop had been suffering repeated burglaries. The ceiling had fallen in. Torrential rains had flooded it when street drainage was upset by road construction. And worst of all, it was being outgrown. In it’s favor, it was ideally situated and getting to be well known. We knew we were on the right track in providing it. Income was just covering expenses.
Just at that stage, a church complex, in not such a good location, but offering every thing else the rented shop had failed to offer, was placed on the market. I asked another missionary friend if he would go look at it with me and offer his advice. Keep in mind that we had not a cent to spare between us, but we looked together and came to just opposite conclusions. This building had a chapel that could seat probably 200, was fully furnished, on a corner site two blocks from a shopping community, and was in good condition. There was even a baptistery with dressing rooms, a cry room and a small office. The attached hall was larger, but not yet completed and had a half basement under the stage and kitchen. Upstairs there were fourteen small classrooms. The big drawback was the price and there would be the need to complete the building as there was not one toilet of any sort in that hall. This was a prayer project and test! Even my wife sided with our missionary friend.
I had been urgently praying in the smaller shop about our need. Now I became much more specific in my requests. The response was that the building was taken off the market. I still prayed, and a year later it was placed on the market again, but greatly reduced in price. I thought of selling our home to get a down payment, but that was not what our Lord had in mind at all. Just as I started praying again, almost immediately an estate became available. I made an offer, and it was accepted. It paid for the building, and the alterations so we ended up with an upstairs bath, and laundry, and a half-bath in the shop. The bookstore and print shop were spacious, and secure, but to just make sure, we added security gates, steel fenced, covered parking for two vehicles, and an upstairs apartment for ourselves. We did sell our home but only so that we could live over the shop and have the added security of a resident caretaker. That was good as repeated attempts were later made to steal our car and other vehicles were vandalized or stolen from our parking area.
Praise is to God who provided what everyone thought was out of the question, and beyond what we could ever have expected. God is truly great!
Our Bible bookstore and print shop had been suffering repeated burglaries. The ceiling had fallen in. Torrential rains had flooded it when street drainage was upset by road construction. And worst of all, it was being outgrown. In it’s favor, it was ideally situated and getting to be well known. We knew we were on the right track in providing it. Income was just covering expenses.
Just at that stage, a church complex, in not such a good location, but offering every thing else the rented shop had failed to offer, was placed on the market. I asked another missionary friend if he would go look at it with me and offer his advice. Keep in mind that we had not a cent to spare between us, but we looked together and came to just opposite conclusions. This building had a chapel that could seat probably 200, was fully furnished, on a corner site two blocks from a shopping community, and was in good condition. There was even a baptistery with dressing rooms, a cry room and a small office. The attached hall was larger, but not yet completed and had a half basement under the stage and kitchen. Upstairs there were fourteen small classrooms. The big drawback was the price and there would be the need to complete the building as there was not one toilet of any sort in that hall. This was a prayer project and test! Even my wife sided with our missionary friend.
I had been urgently praying in the smaller shop about our need. Now I became much more specific in my requests. The response was that the building was taken off the market. I still prayed, and a year later it was placed on the market again, but greatly reduced in price. I thought of selling our home to get a down payment, but that was not what our Lord had in mind at all. Just as I started praying again, almost immediately an estate became available. I made an offer, and it was accepted. It paid for the building, and the alterations so we ended up with an upstairs bath, and laundry, and a half-bath in the shop. The bookstore and print shop were spacious, and secure, but to just make sure, we added security gates, steel fenced, covered parking for two vehicles, and an upstairs apartment for ourselves. We did sell our home but only so that we could live over the shop and have the added security of a resident caretaker. That was good as repeated attempts were later made to steal our car and other vehicles were vandalized or stolen from our parking area.
Praise is to God who provided what everyone thought was out of the question, and beyond what we could ever have expected. God is truly great!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
WITHOUT ARE UNDER A SENTENCE OF DEATH
THE DEATH SENTENCE - CRUCIFIED WITH HIM
Last week we thought about the real message of Easter, Resurrection Sunday. Without the resurrection, Easter would have no significance. The “good news” of the Gospel is that Christ, our creator, the Son of God, willingly gave Himself to be a blood sacrifice that our sins could be removed forever through Him. The whole reason for His coming is clearly stated in John 3:17. “For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Notice the words “might be saved.” Whether we are or not is up to us. Three facts stand out in the book of Romans. Let us look at them together.
1. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH
Romans 6:23
23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This we also read as early as the book of Genesis 3:3, where God told Adam and Eve, not even to touch the fruit of the tree at the center of the garden, lest they die. They touched, they ate, and they were separated from God. They died spiritually on the spot, and began to die physically from that time on. From that beginning, all mankind has followed this same pattern of disobedience to God and spiritual death.
2. ALL HAVE SINNED
Romans 3:23,24
23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3. THE CHRISTIAN’S SINS HAVE BEEN PARDONED
Romans 6:1-6
1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.
6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Quotations are from the King James Version.
Last week we thought about the real message of Easter, Resurrection Sunday. Without the resurrection, Easter would have no significance. The “good news” of the Gospel is that Christ, our creator, the Son of God, willingly gave Himself to be a blood sacrifice that our sins could be removed forever through Him. The whole reason for His coming is clearly stated in John 3:17. “For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Notice the words “might be saved.” Whether we are or not is up to us. Three facts stand out in the book of Romans. Let us look at them together.
1. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH
Romans 6:23
23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This we also read as early as the book of Genesis 3:3, where God told Adam and Eve, not even to touch the fruit of the tree at the center of the garden, lest they die. They touched, they ate, and they were separated from God. They died spiritually on the spot, and began to die physically from that time on. From that beginning, all mankind has followed this same pattern of disobedience to God and spiritual death.
2. ALL HAVE SINNED
Romans 3:23,24
23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3. THE CHRISTIAN’S SINS HAVE BEEN PARDONED
Romans 6:1-6
1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.
6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Quotations are from the King James Version.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Yio ha se yé mi, bikosepe enikan tó mi si ona ?
Yoruba
Ise Awon Aposteli 8:30-38
30. Filippi si sure lo, o gbó, o nká iwe woli Isaiah, o si bi i pe, Ohun ti io nká ni, o yé o ?
31. O si dahùn wipe, Yio ha se yè mi, biko��epe �nikan tó mi si ona? O sa bè Filippi kio goke wá, ki o si ba on joko.
32. Ibi iwe-mimó ti o si nkà na li ryi, A fà a bi agutan lo fun pipa; ati bi odo-agutan iti tyadi niwaju olur�run ré, béni kó yá �nu rè:
33. Ni ir�sil� ré a mu idajo kuro: tani yio sòro iran re ? Nitori a gbà emi rè kuro li aiye.
34. Iwefa si da Filippi lohùn, o ni, Mo bè o, ti tani woli na so òro yi ? Ti ara rè, tabi ti elomiran ?
35. Filippi si yà �nu rè, o si bère lati ibi iwe-mimó yi, o sa wasu Jesu fun u.
36. Bi nwon si ti nio li òna, nwon de thi omi kan; iwefa na si wipe, Wò o, omi niyi; kili o dá mi duro lati baptisi ?
37. Filippi si wipe, Bi iwo ba gbagbó tokàntokan, a le baptisi r�. O si dahùn o ni, Mo gbagbó pe Jesu Kristi, Omo Olorun ni.
38. O si pa�� ki k�ké duro j�: awon mejeji si sokal� lo sinu omi, ati Filipi ati iwefa; o si baptisi rè
(We are aware of obvious errors in the computer's handling of this copy, and will either correct them or cancel the whole languages from our records if we find we can't handle it.)
Ise Awon Aposteli 8:30-38
30. Filippi si sure lo, o gbó, o nká iwe woli Isaiah, o si bi i pe, Ohun ti io nká ni, o yé o ?
31. O si dahùn wipe, Yio ha se yè mi, biko��epe �nikan tó mi si ona? O sa bè Filippi kio goke wá, ki o si ba on joko.
32. Ibi iwe-mimó ti o si nkà na li ryi, A fà a bi agutan lo fun pipa; ati bi odo-agutan iti tyadi niwaju olur�run ré, béni kó yá �nu rè:
33. Ni ir�sil� ré a mu idajo kuro: tani yio sòro iran re ? Nitori a gbà emi rè kuro li aiye.
34. Iwefa si da Filippi lohùn, o ni, Mo bè o, ti tani woli na so òro yi ? Ti ara rè, tabi ti elomiran ?
35. Filippi si yà �nu rè, o si bère lati ibi iwe-mimó yi, o sa wasu Jesu fun u.
36. Bi nwon si ti nio li òna, nwon de thi omi kan; iwefa na si wipe, Wò o, omi niyi; kili o dá mi duro lati baptisi ?
37. Filippi si wipe, Bi iwo ba gbagbó tokàntokan, a le baptisi r�. O si dahùn o ni, Mo gbagbó pe Jesu Kristi, Omo Olorun ni.
38. O si pa�� ki k�ké duro j�: awon mejeji si sokal� lo sinu omi, ati Filipi ati iwefa; o si baptisi rè
(We are aware of obvious errors in the computer's handling of this copy, and will either correct them or cancel the whole languages from our records if we find we can't handle it.)
Chuùng ta Phaûi Laøm Chi?
Vietnamese
Romans 3:22-24
22 töùc laø söï coâng b́nh cuûa Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi, bôûi söï tin ñeán Ñöùc Chuùa Jeâsus Christ, cho moïi ngöôøi naøo tin, chaúng coù phaân bieät chi heát,
23 v́ moïi ngöôøi ñeàu ñao phaïm toäi, thieáu maát söï vinh hieån cuûa Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi,
24 vaø hoï nhôø aân ñieån Ngaøi maø ñöôïc xöng coâng b́nh nhöng khoâng, bôûi söï chuoäc toäi ñao laøm troïn trong Ñöùc Chuùa Jeâsus Christ,
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Romans 7:23
23 nhöng toâi caûm bieát trong chi theå ḿnh coù moät luaät khaùc giao chieán vôùi luaät trong trí ḿnh, baét ḿnh phaûi laøm phu tuø cho luaät cuûa toäi loăi, töùc laø luaät ôû trong chi theå toâi vaäy.
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Acts 2:37-42
37 Chuùng nghe baáy nhieâu lôøi, trong loøng caûm ñoäng, beøn hoûi Phi -e-rô vaø caùc söù ñoà khaùc raèng: Hôoi anh em, chuùng ta phaûi laøm chi?
38 Phi -e-rô traû lôøi raèng: Haoy hoái caûi, ai naáy phaûi nhôn danh Ñöùc Chuùa Jeâsus cḥu pheùp baùp-tem, ñeå ñöôïc tha toäi ḿnh, roài seo ñöôïc laonh söï ban cho Ñöùc Thaùnh Linh.
39 V́ lôøi höùa thuoäc veà caùc ngöôi, con caùi caùc ngöôi, vaø thuoäc veà heát thaûy moïi ngöôøi ôû xa, töùc laø bao nhieâu ngöôøi maø Chuùa laø Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi chuùng ta seo goïi.
40 Phi-e-rô laïi laáy nhieàu lôøi giaûng nöoa maø giuïc loøng vaø khuyeân lôn chuùng raèng: Caùc ngöôi khaù cöùu ḿnh thoaùt khoûi giöoa doøng dooi gian taø naày!
41 Vaäy, nhöong keû nhaän lôøi ñoù ñeàu cḥu pheùp baùp-tem; vaø trong naøy aáy, coù ñoä ba ngaøn ngöôøi theâm vaøo Hoäi thaùnh.
42 Vaû, nhöong ngöôøi aáy beàn loøng giöo lôøi daïy cuûa caùc söù ñoà, söï thoâng coâng cuûa anh em, leă beû baùnh, vaø söï caàu nguyeän.
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Acts 2:47
47 ngôïi khen Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi vaø ñöôïc ñeïp loøng caû daân chuùng. Moăi ngaøy Chuùa laáy nhöong keû ñöôïc cöùu theâm vaøo Hoäi thaùnh.
Romans 8:1
Romans 3:22-24
22 töùc laø söï coâng b́nh cuûa Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi, bôûi söï tin ñeán Ñöùc Chuùa Jeâsus Christ, cho moïi ngöôøi naøo tin, chaúng coù phaân bieät chi heát,
23 v́ moïi ngöôøi ñeàu ñao phaïm toäi, thieáu maát söï vinh hieån cuûa Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi,
24 vaø hoï nhôø aân ñieån Ngaøi maø ñöôïc xöng coâng b́nh nhöng khoâng, bôûi söï chuoäc toäi ñao laøm troïn trong Ñöùc Chuùa Jeâsus Christ,
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Romans 7:23
23 nhöng toâi caûm bieát trong chi theå ḿnh coù moät luaät khaùc giao chieán vôùi luaät trong trí ḿnh, baét ḿnh phaûi laøm phu tuø cho luaät cuûa toäi loăi, töùc laø luaät ôû trong chi theå toâi vaäy.
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Acts 2:37-42
37 Chuùng nghe baáy nhieâu lôøi, trong loøng caûm ñoäng, beøn hoûi Phi -e-rô vaø caùc söù ñoà khaùc raèng: Hôoi anh em, chuùng ta phaûi laøm chi?
38 Phi -e-rô traû lôøi raèng: Haoy hoái caûi, ai naáy phaûi nhôn danh Ñöùc Chuùa Jeâsus cḥu pheùp baùp-tem, ñeå ñöôïc tha toäi ḿnh, roài seo ñöôïc laonh söï ban cho Ñöùc Thaùnh Linh.
39 V́ lôøi höùa thuoäc veà caùc ngöôi, con caùi caùc ngöôi, vaø thuoäc veà heát thaûy moïi ngöôøi ôû xa, töùc laø bao nhieâu ngöôøi maø Chuùa laø Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi chuùng ta seo goïi.
40 Phi-e-rô laïi laáy nhieàu lôøi giaûng nöoa maø giuïc loøng vaø khuyeân lôn chuùng raèng: Caùc ngöôi khaù cöùu ḿnh thoaùt khoûi giöoa doøng dooi gian taø naày!
41 Vaäy, nhöong keû nhaän lôøi ñoù ñeàu cḥu pheùp baùp-tem; vaø trong naøy aáy, coù ñoä ba ngaøn ngöôøi theâm vaøo Hoäi thaùnh.
42 Vaû, nhöong ngöôøi aáy beàn loøng giöo lôøi daïy cuûa caùc söù ñoà, söï thoâng coâng cuûa anh em, leă beû baùnh, vaø söï caàu nguyeän.
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Acts 2:47
47 ngôïi khen Ñöùc Chuùa Trôøi vaø ñöôïc ñeïp loøng caû daân chuùng. Moăi ngaøy Chuùa laáy nhöong keû ñöôïc cöùu theâm vaøo Hoäi thaùnh.
Romans 8:1
MUDZIMU U TODA VHASWA VHATSHI REMRULUWA
Venda
"Vho tshinya vhothe, vhothe vho tahela vhurena ha Mudz4mu:" (VhaRomu 3:23).
"Yehova a d6helwa nga munukho wazwo a amba mbiluni yawe uri: A Lhi tsha do dovha nda sema shango nga mulandu wa muthu, ngauri u elelwa ha mbilu ya muthu ndi huvhi u bva hanani hawe;" (Genesi 8:21).
DZINYEMULO DZA ILI SHANGO NDI:
"Shavha dzinyemulo dza hana, tovhola u luga, na lutendo na lufuno na mulalo wa u pfana na huvho vha vhidzclclaho Murena zwi tshi bva kha mbilu tshena" (2 Timothco 2:22).
"Ngauri mishumo ya nama i khugala, a si yi: vhupombwe, vhuyada, u tambela zwithu, u shumela midzimu isili, vhunanga huvhi, vhuswina, khani, vhuhali, dzimbiti, dzinndwa, dziphambano, u vhangisana, vivho, u ponda, u kambiwa, vhupangwa na zwine zwa nga zwenezwo, zwine nda di ni vhudza vhunga ndo ni vhudza na kale ndari: vha ita zwauralo a vha nga li vhufa ha vhuhosini ha Mudzimu" (VhaGalata 5:19-20).
SHANDUKANI SA ZWE DAVlDA A ITA
"U so ngo clelwa zwivhi zwa hanani hanga na zwe nda tshinya;" (DziPsalme 25:7).
"Zwine vhatmda vha zwi funa, no zwN ita ndi zwone nga tshilhinga tsho fhelaho, ni tshi tshimbila kha vhupangwa, kha dzinyemula, kha u kambiwa, kha zwimima zwa u lesa, na zwa u nwesa na kha u shumela midzimu isili lu shonisaho. Zwino vha vho vhona zwi zwinwe ni si tsha gidimela henengei hune u sa londa tshithu ha tevhukana hone, vha vho ni sema." (Petro 4:3-4)
ALUTSHELANI KHA YESU KRISTO
"Hulisa khotsi au na mmeau. A dovha ari, A dovha ari, Izwo zwothe ndo zwi londa u bva hanani hanga" (Luka 18:20-21).
"Huno kha Yesu hxri vhutali, ha ri minwaha, ha ri u takalelwa nga Mudzimu na nga vhathu" (Luka 2:52).
"Vho tshinya vhothe, vhothe vho tahela vhurena ha Mudz4mu:" (VhaRomu 3:23).
"Yehova a d6helwa nga munukho wazwo a amba mbiluni yawe uri: A Lhi tsha do dovha nda sema shango nga mulandu wa muthu, ngauri u elelwa ha mbilu ya muthu ndi huvhi u bva hanani hawe;" (Genesi 8:21).
DZINYEMULO DZA ILI SHANGO NDI:
"Shavha dzinyemulo dza hana, tovhola u luga, na lutendo na lufuno na mulalo wa u pfana na huvho vha vhidzclclaho Murena zwi tshi bva kha mbilu tshena" (2 Timothco 2:22).
"Ngauri mishumo ya nama i khugala, a si yi: vhupombwe, vhuyada, u tambela zwithu, u shumela midzimu isili, vhunanga huvhi, vhuswina, khani, vhuhali, dzimbiti, dzinndwa, dziphambano, u vhangisana, vivho, u ponda, u kambiwa, vhupangwa na zwine zwa nga zwenezwo, zwine nda di ni vhudza vhunga ndo ni vhudza na kale ndari: vha ita zwauralo a vha nga li vhufa ha vhuhosini ha Mudzimu" (VhaGalata 5:19-20).
SHANDUKANI SA ZWE DAVlDA A ITA
"U so ngo clelwa zwivhi zwa hanani hanga na zwe nda tshinya;" (DziPsalme 25:7).
"Zwine vhatmda vha zwi funa, no zwN ita ndi zwone nga tshilhinga tsho fhelaho, ni tshi tshimbila kha vhupangwa, kha dzinyemula, kha u kambiwa, kha zwimima zwa u lesa, na zwa u nwesa na kha u shumela midzimu isili lu shonisaho. Zwino vha vho vhona zwi zwinwe ni si tsha gidimela henengei hune u sa londa tshithu ha tevhukana hone, vha vho ni sema." (Petro 4:3-4)
ALUTSHELANI KHA YESU KRISTO
"Hulisa khotsi au na mmeau. A dovha ari, A dovha ari, Izwo zwothe ndo zwi londa u bva hanani hanga" (Luka 18:20-21).
"Huno kha Yesu hxri vhutali, ha ri minwaha, ha ri u takalelwa nga Mudzimu na nga vhathu" (Luka 2:52).
NKA TLHALOGANYA JANG?
tswCentral Tswana
Ditiro 8:26-40
26. Jaanong moengel wa Morena a bua le Filipo a re: "Nonaga o ye kwa ntlheng ya borwa kwa tseleng e e tswang Jerusalema, e ya kwa Gasa;" ke sela e e senya.
27. A manoga a tsamaya, a ba a fitlhela monna mongwe wa Moethiopia teng, e le modiredi le tona ya ga Kantase, kgosi ya sesadi ya Baethiopia, yo o neng a okametse khumo yotlhe ya gagwe. O ne a tsile kwa Jerusalema go obamela teng.
28. Jaanong a boela gae ka koloi ya gagwe, a buisa lokwala lwa moporofeti Jesaya.
29. Mowa wa raya Filipo wa re: "Yaa o kopane le koloi ele!"
30. Filipo a tabogela teng, a mo utlwa a busia moporofeti Jesaya, a ba a re: "A o tlhaloganya se o se buisang?"
31. Ene a re: "Nka tlhaloganya jang, fa ke sa tlhalosediwe ke ope?" Aba a rapela Filipo gore a pagame, a nne nae.
32. Kgaolo e a neng a e buisa e ne e le e e reng. "O ne a gogelwa tlhabong jaaka nku; a se ka a bula molomo wa gagwe jaaka kwana e didimetse fa pele ga mmeodi wa yona.
33. Ya re ka a le mo boikokobetsong, a timiwa katlholo e e siameng; losika lwa gagwe lo tla bolelwa ke mang? Gonne bophelo jwa gagwe bo tlosiwa mo lefatsheng."
34. Jaanong modiredi a botsa Filipo a re: "Ke a go rapela, moporofeti o bua jalo ka ga mang, a ke ka ga gagwegongwe ka ga mongwe o sele?"
35. Ke fa Filipo a tswa molomo, a simolola ka lokwalo loo, a mo rerela Efangele ya ga Jesu.
36. Ya re ba ntse ba tswelela pele mo tseleng, ba fitlha fa metsing mangwe, mme modiredi a re: "Bona, metsi ke ale; ke kgorelediwa ke eng go ka kolobediwa?
37. Filipo a araba a re: "Fa o dumela ka pelo yotlhe, go ka nna jalo." Ene a araba a re: "Ke dumela gore Jesu Keresete ke Morwa Modimo."
38. Jaanong a laola gore koloine eme, ba fologela kwa metsing ka bobedi jwa bone, Filipo le modiredi, mme a mo kolobetsa.
39. Ya re ba tswa mo metsing, Mowa wa Morena wa tlosa Filipo, mme modiredi a se ka a tlhola a mmona; fela a tswelela mo tseleng ya gagwe ka boitumelo.
40. Filipo a fitlhelwa kwa Ašetote, a eta a ntse a rera Efangele mo metseng yotlhe, ga tsamaya a fitlha kwa Kaisarea.
Ditiro 8:26-40
26. Jaanong moengel wa Morena a bua le Filipo a re: "Nonaga o ye kwa ntlheng ya borwa kwa tseleng e e tswang Jerusalema, e ya kwa Gasa;" ke sela e e senya.
27. A manoga a tsamaya, a ba a fitlhela monna mongwe wa Moethiopia teng, e le modiredi le tona ya ga Kantase, kgosi ya sesadi ya Baethiopia, yo o neng a okametse khumo yotlhe ya gagwe. O ne a tsile kwa Jerusalema go obamela teng.
28. Jaanong a boela gae ka koloi ya gagwe, a buisa lokwala lwa moporofeti Jesaya.
29. Mowa wa raya Filipo wa re: "Yaa o kopane le koloi ele!"
30. Filipo a tabogela teng, a mo utlwa a busia moporofeti Jesaya, a ba a re: "A o tlhaloganya se o se buisang?"
31. Ene a re: "Nka tlhaloganya jang, fa ke sa tlhalosediwe ke ope?" Aba a rapela Filipo gore a pagame, a nne nae.
32. Kgaolo e a neng a e buisa e ne e le e e reng. "O ne a gogelwa tlhabong jaaka nku; a se ka a bula molomo wa gagwe jaaka kwana e didimetse fa pele ga mmeodi wa yona.
33. Ya re ka a le mo boikokobetsong, a timiwa katlholo e e siameng; losika lwa gagwe lo tla bolelwa ke mang? Gonne bophelo jwa gagwe bo tlosiwa mo lefatsheng."
34. Jaanong modiredi a botsa Filipo a re: "Ke a go rapela, moporofeti o bua jalo ka ga mang, a ke ka ga gagwegongwe ka ga mongwe o sele?"
35. Ke fa Filipo a tswa molomo, a simolola ka lokwalo loo, a mo rerela Efangele ya ga Jesu.
36. Ya re ba ntse ba tswelela pele mo tseleng, ba fitlha fa metsing mangwe, mme modiredi a re: "Bona, metsi ke ale; ke kgorelediwa ke eng go ka kolobediwa?
37. Filipo a araba a re: "Fa o dumela ka pelo yotlhe, go ka nna jalo." Ene a araba a re: "Ke dumela gore Jesu Keresete ke Morwa Modimo."
38. Jaanong a laola gore koloine eme, ba fologela kwa metsing ka bobedi jwa bone, Filipo le modiredi, mme a mo kolobetsa.
39. Ya re ba tswa mo metsing, Mowa wa Morena wa tlosa Filipo, mme modiredi a se ka a tlhola a mmona; fela a tswelela mo tseleng ya gagwe ka boitumelo.
40. Filipo a fitlhelwa kwa Ašetote, a eta a ntse a rera Efangele mo metseng yotlhe, ga tsamaya a fitlha kwa Kaisarea.
XANA NDZI FANELE KU ENDLA YINI LESWAKU NDZI PONISIWA?
Tsonga
1. PFUMELA eka Hosi Yesu, kutani u ta ponisiwa, wena ni va ndyangu wa wena (Mintirho 16:30,31). Kutani ehandle ka ku pfumela a swi endleki ku tsakisa Xikwembu. Un'wana ni un'wana loyi a lavaka ku tshinelela Xikwembu u fanele ku pfumela leswaku xi kona, ni leswaku xi hadela lava va xi lavaka (VaHeveru 11:6). Kambe la nga pfumeriki, u ta avanyisiwa (Marka 16:16). Hikuva loko mi nga pfumeri leswaku Mina ndzi yena, mi ta fela eswidyohweni swa n'wina (Yohane 8:24). Hikokwalaho, ku pfumela ku ri koxe, loko ku nga tikombi hi mintirho, ku file (Yakobo 2:17).
2. HUNDZUKANI, kutani un'wana (Mintirho 2:38). Loko mi nga hundzuki, mi ta lovisa xisweswo hinkwenu (Luka 13:3,5). Xikwembu ... ematikwenihinkwawo xi lerisa vanhu leswaku va hundzuka hinkwavo (Mintirho 17:30). Loko swi ri tano, na vona vamatiko Xikwembu xi va nyikile ku hundzuka loku yisaka evutomini (Mintirho 11:18).
3. KUTANI sweswo swi n'wi endla a va 1a ponisiwaka (VaRoma 10:10). Loko u vula hi nomo wa wena leswaku Yesi i Hosi, ni loko u pfumela embilwini ya wena leswaku Xikwembu xi n'wi pfuxile exikarhi ka vafi, u ta ponisiwa (VaRoma 10:9). Un'wana ni un'wana la nga ta ndzi vula emahlweni ka vanhu, na mina ndzi ta n'wi vula emahlweni ka Tata wa mina la nge matilweni (Matewu 10:32) . U Mesiya, N' wana wa Xikwembu lexi hanyaka (Matewu 16:16). Ndza pfumela leswaku Yesu Kriste i n'wana wa Xikwembu (Mintirho 8:37).
4. NKHUVULO wu yelana ni mhaka leyi (I Petro 3:21). La nga ta pfumela, a vuya a khuvuriwa, `u ta ponisiwa, (Marka 16:16). Ndzi tiyisisile ndzi ri ka wena ,
loko munhu a nga tswariwi hi mati ni Moya, a nga ka a nga mgheni eMfun'weni wa Kikwembu (Yohane 3:5). hi titswalo ta xona, hi ku hlantswiwa loku endlaka leswaku Moya lowo Kwetsima wu hi nyika tswariwa ra vumbirhi, ni vutomi le byintshwa (Tito 3:5). Hundzukani, kutani un'wana ni un'wana wa n'wina a khuvuriwa hi vito ra Yesu Kriste, leswaku mi rivaleriwa swidyoho swa n'wina, kutani mi ta amukela nyiko, wu nga Moya lowo Kwetsima, (Mintirho 2:38). U khuvuriwa leswaku u basisiwa eswidyohweni swa wena, hi ku khongela vito ra Hosi (Mintirho 22:16). Khuvuriwa eka Kriste (VaGalatiya 3:27). Khuvuleriwe ku fa ka yena xana (VaRoma 6:3). Loko munhu a ri ka Kriste, ku tumbuluka leswintshwa (II VaKorinto 5:17).
5. Ti hi dyondzisa ku tshika ku hanya ehandle ka Xikwembu ni ku navela swa misava, kutani hi hanya emisaveni leyi hi ku tikhoma, ni ku lulama, ni vukhongeri, hi ri karhi hi langutela minkateko leyi hi tshembisiweke yona, siku ku nga ta humelela ku kwetsima ka Xikwembu Nkulukumba, ni Muponisi wa hina Yesu Kriste. Hi yena la tinyiketeke hikwalaho ka hina, leswaku a hi kutsula eku hombolokeni hinkwako, a hi endla vanhu lava tengeke, lava va nga va yena ntsena, ni lava va chivirikelaka ku endla leswinene (Tito 2:12_14).
TINTSWALO ta Hosi Yesu a ti ve ni hinkwavo! (Nhlavutelo 22:21).
Ku katekile lava hlantswaka tinguvu ta vona, leswaku va ta pfumeleriwa ku dya murhi wa vutomi, ni ku nghena emutini hi tinyangwa ta wona (Nhlavutelo 22:14).
-Arranged by J.D. Phillips
1. PFUMELA eka Hosi Yesu, kutani u ta ponisiwa, wena ni va ndyangu wa wena (Mintirho 16:30,31). Kutani ehandle ka ku pfumela a swi endleki ku tsakisa Xikwembu. Un'wana ni un'wana loyi a lavaka ku tshinelela Xikwembu u fanele ku pfumela leswaku xi kona, ni leswaku xi hadela lava va xi lavaka (VaHeveru 11:6). Kambe la nga pfumeriki, u ta avanyisiwa (Marka 16:16). Hikuva loko mi nga pfumeri leswaku Mina ndzi yena, mi ta fela eswidyohweni swa n'wina (Yohane 8:24). Hikokwalaho, ku pfumela ku ri koxe, loko ku nga tikombi hi mintirho, ku file (Yakobo 2:17).
2. HUNDZUKANI, kutani un'wana (Mintirho 2:38). Loko mi nga hundzuki, mi ta lovisa xisweswo hinkwenu (Luka 13:3,5). Xikwembu ... ematikwenihinkwawo xi lerisa vanhu leswaku va hundzuka hinkwavo (Mintirho 17:30). Loko swi ri tano, na vona vamatiko Xikwembu xi va nyikile ku hundzuka loku yisaka evutomini (Mintirho 11:18).
3. KUTANI sweswo swi n'wi endla a va 1a ponisiwaka (VaRoma 10:10). Loko u vula hi nomo wa wena leswaku Yesi i Hosi, ni loko u pfumela embilwini ya wena leswaku Xikwembu xi n'wi pfuxile exikarhi ka vafi, u ta ponisiwa (VaRoma 10:9). Un'wana ni un'wana la nga ta ndzi vula emahlweni ka vanhu, na mina ndzi ta n'wi vula emahlweni ka Tata wa mina la nge matilweni (Matewu 10:32) . U Mesiya, N' wana wa Xikwembu lexi hanyaka (Matewu 16:16). Ndza pfumela leswaku Yesu Kriste i n'wana wa Xikwembu (Mintirho 8:37).
4. NKHUVULO wu yelana ni mhaka leyi (I Petro 3:21). La nga ta pfumela, a vuya a khuvuriwa, `u ta ponisiwa, (Marka 16:16). Ndzi tiyisisile ndzi ri ka wena ,
loko munhu a nga tswariwi hi mati ni Moya, a nga ka a nga mgheni eMfun'weni wa Kikwembu (Yohane 3:5). hi titswalo ta xona, hi ku hlantswiwa loku endlaka leswaku Moya lowo Kwetsima wu hi nyika tswariwa ra vumbirhi, ni vutomi le byintshwa (Tito 3:5). Hundzukani, kutani un'wana ni un'wana wa n'wina a khuvuriwa hi vito ra Yesu Kriste, leswaku mi rivaleriwa swidyoho swa n'wina, kutani mi ta amukela nyiko, wu nga Moya lowo Kwetsima, (Mintirho 2:38). U khuvuriwa leswaku u basisiwa eswidyohweni swa wena, hi ku khongela vito ra Hosi (Mintirho 22:16). Khuvuriwa eka Kriste (VaGalatiya 3:27). Khuvuleriwe ku fa ka yena xana (VaRoma 6:3). Loko munhu a ri ka Kriste, ku tumbuluka leswintshwa (II VaKorinto 5:17).
5. Ti hi dyondzisa ku tshika ku hanya ehandle ka Xikwembu ni ku navela swa misava, kutani hi hanya emisaveni leyi hi ku tikhoma, ni ku lulama, ni vukhongeri, hi ri karhi hi langutela minkateko leyi hi tshembisiweke yona, siku ku nga ta humelela ku kwetsima ka Xikwembu Nkulukumba, ni Muponisi wa hina Yesu Kriste. Hi yena la tinyiketeke hikwalaho ka hina, leswaku a hi kutsula eku hombolokeni hinkwako, a hi endla vanhu lava tengeke, lava va nga va yena ntsena, ni lava va chivirikelaka ku endla leswinene (Tito 2:12_14).
TINTSWALO ta Hosi Yesu a ti ve ni hinkwavo! (Nhlavutelo 22:21).
Ku katekile lava hlantswaka tinguvu ta vona, leswaku va ta pfumeleriwa ku dya murhi wa vutomi, ni ku nghena emutini hi tinyangwa ta wona (Nhlavutelo 22:14).
-Arranged by J.D. Phillips
EKA KGONA KE KTSE ENG HORE KE TLE RE PHOLOSWE?
Sotho
1. DUMELA ho Morena Jesu, mme wena le ba lelapa la hao le tla pholoswa (Diketso 16:30,31 ). Jwale kantle ho tumelo ha ho kamoo motho a ka kgahlisang Modimo kateng. Ya atamelang pela Modimo eka kgona a dumele hore Modimo o teng, le hore ke yena ya putsang ba mmatlang (BaHeberu 11:6). Athe ya sa tlo dumela v tla tsuwa (Mareka 16:16). Hobane ha le sa dumele hore e ntse e le nna, le tla shwela dibeng tsa lona (Johanne 8:24). Ka mokgwa o jwalo, tumelo e se nang mesebetsi e shwele shwi! (Jakobo 2:17).
2. BAKANG, mme e mong (Diketso 2:38). Haeba le sa bake, le tla timela jwalo bohle (Luka 13:3,5) Empa jwale o laela hore kahohle batho bohle ba bake (Diketso 17:30). Efela le baditjhaba o ba neile pako e isang bophelong (Diketso 11:18).
3. ME O BOLELA tumelo ya hae ka molomo hore a tle a pholoswe (BaRoma 10:10). Ha o bolela Morena Jesu ka molomo wa hao, mme o dumela ka pelong ya hao hore Modimo o mo tsositse bafung, o tla pholoswa (BaRoma 10:9). Mang le mang ya mpak.ang pela batho, le nna ke tla mo paka pela Ntate ya mahodimong (Matheu 10:32). O Kreste. Mora wa Modimo ya phelang (Matheu 16:16). "Ke a dumela hore Jesus Kreste ke Mora wa Modimo" (Diketso 8:37).
4. KOI:OBETSO hase ho hlatsuwa ditshila tsa mmele (I Petrose 3:21). Ya tla dumela, a be a kolobetswe, o tla pholoswa (Mareka. 16:16). Kannetenete, ke a o bolella, ha motho a sa tswalwe ka metsi le ka Moya,a ke ke a kena Mmusong wa Modimo (Johanne 3:3,5). A re pholosa ka tlhatsuo ya ho tswalwa botjha, eo Moya o Halalelang o re ntjhafatsang ka yona (Tite 3:5). Bakangm mme e mong le e mong wa lona a kolobetswe ka lebitso la Jesu Kreste, le tle le l.shwarelwe dibe tsa lona (Diketso 2:38). Ema, kolobetswe, o hlatsuwe dibe tsa hao ka ho rapela lebitso la hae (Diketso 22:16). Kolobeleditsweng ho Kreste le apere Kreste (BaGalata 3:27). Re kolobeleditswe lefu la hae? (BaRoma 6:3). Ka tsela ena, ha motho a le ho Kreste, ke mmopuwa e motjha (II BaKorinthe 5:17).
RE TLE RE PHELE RE LE SEDI, re lokile, re ena le borapedi mehleng ya jwale re ntse re lebeletse lehlohonolo leo re le tshepisitsweng le ponahalo ya tlotla ya Modimo e Moholo, Jesu Kreste, Mopholosi wa rona. Yena o iteletse rona, hore a tle a re lopolle bokgopong bohle, a itlhwekisetse setjhaba seo e tla ba sa hae, se tjhesehelang mesebetsi e metle (Tite 2:12_14).
MME LE BOLOKA TSOHLE kamoo ke di fetiseditseng ho lona kateng (I BaKorinthe 11:2).
MOHAU wa Morena Jesu o ke o be le lona bohle (Tshenolo 22:21 ).
Ho lehlohonolo ba hlatswang diaparo tsa bona, e le hore ba tle ba be le tokelo ya ho ja sefate sa bophelo, le ya ho kena motseng ka dikgoro tsa wona (Tshenolo 22:14).
Arranged by J.D. Phillips
1. DUMELA ho Morena Jesu, mme wena le ba lelapa la hao le tla pholoswa (Diketso 16:30,31 ). Jwale kantle ho tumelo ha ho kamoo motho a ka kgahlisang Modimo kateng. Ya atamelang pela Modimo eka kgona a dumele hore Modimo o teng, le hore ke yena ya putsang ba mmatlang (BaHeberu 11:6). Athe ya sa tlo dumela v tla tsuwa (Mareka 16:16). Hobane ha le sa dumele hore e ntse e le nna, le tla shwela dibeng tsa lona (Johanne 8:24). Ka mokgwa o jwalo, tumelo e se nang mesebetsi e shwele shwi! (Jakobo 2:17).
2. BAKANG, mme e mong (Diketso 2:38). Haeba le sa bake, le tla timela jwalo bohle (Luka 13:3,5) Empa jwale o laela hore kahohle batho bohle ba bake (Diketso 17:30). Efela le baditjhaba o ba neile pako e isang bophelong (Diketso 11:18).
3. ME O BOLELA tumelo ya hae ka molomo hore a tle a pholoswe (BaRoma 10:10). Ha o bolela Morena Jesu ka molomo wa hao, mme o dumela ka pelong ya hao hore Modimo o mo tsositse bafung, o tla pholoswa (BaRoma 10:9). Mang le mang ya mpak.ang pela batho, le nna ke tla mo paka pela Ntate ya mahodimong (Matheu 10:32). O Kreste. Mora wa Modimo ya phelang (Matheu 16:16). "Ke a dumela hore Jesus Kreste ke Mora wa Modimo" (Diketso 8:37).
4. KOI:OBETSO hase ho hlatsuwa ditshila tsa mmele (I Petrose 3:21). Ya tla dumela, a be a kolobetswe, o tla pholoswa (Mareka. 16:16). Kannetenete, ke a o bolella, ha motho a sa tswalwe ka metsi le ka Moya,a ke ke a kena Mmusong wa Modimo (Johanne 3:3,5). A re pholosa ka tlhatsuo ya ho tswalwa botjha, eo Moya o Halalelang o re ntjhafatsang ka yona (Tite 3:5). Bakangm mme e mong le e mong wa lona a kolobetswe ka lebitso la Jesu Kreste, le tle le l.shwarelwe dibe tsa lona (Diketso 2:38). Ema, kolobetswe, o hlatsuwe dibe tsa hao ka ho rapela lebitso la hae (Diketso 22:16). Kolobeleditsweng ho Kreste le apere Kreste (BaGalata 3:27). Re kolobeleditswe lefu la hae? (BaRoma 6:3). Ka tsela ena, ha motho a le ho Kreste, ke mmopuwa e motjha (II BaKorinthe 5:17).
RE TLE RE PHELE RE LE SEDI, re lokile, re ena le borapedi mehleng ya jwale re ntse re lebeletse lehlohonolo leo re le tshepisitsweng le ponahalo ya tlotla ya Modimo e Moholo, Jesu Kreste, Mopholosi wa rona. Yena o iteletse rona, hore a tle a re lopolle bokgopong bohle, a itlhwekisetse setjhaba seo e tla ba sa hae, se tjhesehelang mesebetsi e metle (Tite 2:12_14).
MME LE BOLOKA TSOHLE kamoo ke di fetiseditseng ho lona kateng (I BaKorinthe 11:2).
MOHAU wa Morena Jesu o ke o be le lona bohle (Tshenolo 22:21 ).
Ho lehlohonolo ba hlatswang diaparo tsa bona, e le hore ba tle ba be le tokelo ya ho ja sefate sa bophelo, le ya ho kena motseng ka dikgoro tsa wona (Tshenolo 22:14).
Arranged by J.D. Phillips
KUFANELE NGENTE NJANI KUZE NGISINDZISWE?
Seswati
1. KHOLWA eNkhosini Jesu, utakusindziswa, wena nendlu yakho (Imisebenti 16:30,31). Umuntfu lote kokholwa angeke akhone kujabulisa Nkulunkulu; ngobe lota kuNkulunkulu kufanele akholwe kutsi Nkulunkulu uyaphila nekutsi uyabavuza labo labamfunako (KumaHebheru 11:6). Kodvwa lowo longakholwa, uyakulahlwa (Makho 16:16). Mine Nginguye leNginguye (Johane 8:24). Ngako-ke nangabe kukholwa, kona ngekwako, kungenayo imisebenti, kufile (Jakobe 2:17).
2. PHENDVUKANI nibhajatiswe nonke ngamunye ngamunye egameni laJesu Khristu (Imisebenti 2:38). Nginitjela kutsi, nangabe nani ningashiyi tono tenu, niyakubhubha njengabo (Lukha 13:3,5). Kepha-ke manje sewuyala bantfu bonkhe etindzaweni tonkhe kutsi baphendvuke (Imisebenti 17:30). Nembala Nkulunkulu sewunike nebetive litfuba lekuphendvukela ekuphileni (Imisebenti 11:18).
3. AVUME ngemlomo wakhe kube kusindziswa kwakhe (KubaseRoma 10:10). Nangabe uyavuma ngemlomo wakho kutsi Jesu uyiNkhosi, ukholwe nasenhlitiyweni yakho kutsi Nkulunkulu wavusa Jesu kulabafile, utakusindziswa (KubaseRoma 10:9). Ngako-ke wonklzc loyakungivutna embikwebantfu, nami ngiyakumvuma embikwaBabe losezulwini (Matewu 10:32). UnguKhristu, iNdvodzana yaNkulunkulu lophilako (Matewu 16:16). Ngiyakholwa kutsi Jesu Khristu yiNdvodzana yaNkulunkulu (Imisebenti 8:37).
4. Emanti wona emele umBHABHATISO (I Phetro 3:21). Lowo lokholwako abhajatiswe, uyakusindziswa (Makho 16:16). Ngaphandle kwekutsi umuntfu atalwe ngemanti nangaMoya, ageke angene embusweni waNkulunkulu (Johane 3:5). Wasisindzisa, wasigeza ngekusitala kabusha nangekusenta busha ngaMoya loNgewele (KuThithusi 3:5). Phendvukani nibhajatiswe nonkhe ngamunye ngamunye egameni laJesu Khristu,kuze nitsetselelwe tono tenu nemukeliswe nesipho lesinguMoya loNgcwele (Imisebenti 2:38). Sukuma ubhajatiswe, utsetselelwe tono takho, ukhuleke egameni lakhe (Imisebenti 22:16). Nine nonkhe nabhajatiselwa kuKhristu, ngako-ke senembetse Khristu (KubaseGalathiya 3:27). Kantsi anati yini kutsi tsine sonkhe lesabhajatiselwa kuKhristu Jesu, sabhajatiselwa ekufeni kwakhe? (KubaseRoma 6:3). Ngako-ke nangabe umuntfu akuKhristu, usidalwa lesisha (II KubaseKhorinte 5:17).
5. Lomusa usifundzisa kutsi sikudzele kungakholwa, nekutsi sitilumule etinkhanukweni telive, bese siphila ngekuzitsa, nangekulunga, nangekumesaba Nkulunkulu kulomhlaba, ngesikhatsi sisabheke kugewaliseka kwelitsemba lelibusisekile, kubonakala kwenkhatimulo ycbukhosi baNkulunkulu lomkhulu, uMsindzisi wetfu Khristu Jesu. Yena watinikela ngenca yetfu, kuze atesihlenga ebubine bonkhe atingcwelisele sive lesisakhe, lesinenshisekelo kutsi sente imisebenti lemihle (KuThithusi 2:12-14).
Ngiyanincoma ngobe ningikhumbula etintfweni tonkhe, nibambelele etimfundzisweni lenganifundzisa tona (I KubaseKhorinte 11:2).
Umusa weNkhosi awube nabo bonkhe labangcwele (Sembulo 22:21).
Babusisiwe labo labatigezako tingubo tabo, kuze kutsi babe nelilungelo lekudla esihlahleni sekuphila, babe nelilungelo lekungena ngemasango ekhaya (Sembulo 22:14).
1. KHOLWA eNkhosini Jesu, utakusindziswa, wena nendlu yakho (Imisebenti 16:30,31). Umuntfu lote kokholwa angeke akhone kujabulisa Nkulunkulu; ngobe lota kuNkulunkulu kufanele akholwe kutsi Nkulunkulu uyaphila nekutsi uyabavuza labo labamfunako (KumaHebheru 11:6). Kodvwa lowo longakholwa, uyakulahlwa (Makho 16:16). Mine Nginguye leNginguye (Johane 8:24). Ngako-ke nangabe kukholwa, kona ngekwako, kungenayo imisebenti, kufile (Jakobe 2:17).
2. PHENDVUKANI nibhajatiswe nonke ngamunye ngamunye egameni laJesu Khristu (Imisebenti 2:38). Nginitjela kutsi, nangabe nani ningashiyi tono tenu, niyakubhubha njengabo (Lukha 13:3,5). Kepha-ke manje sewuyala bantfu bonkhe etindzaweni tonkhe kutsi baphendvuke (Imisebenti 17:30). Nembala Nkulunkulu sewunike nebetive litfuba lekuphendvukela ekuphileni (Imisebenti 11:18).
3. AVUME ngemlomo wakhe kube kusindziswa kwakhe (KubaseRoma 10:10). Nangabe uyavuma ngemlomo wakho kutsi Jesu uyiNkhosi, ukholwe nasenhlitiyweni yakho kutsi Nkulunkulu wavusa Jesu kulabafile, utakusindziswa (KubaseRoma 10:9). Ngako-ke wonklzc loyakungivutna embikwebantfu, nami ngiyakumvuma embikwaBabe losezulwini (Matewu 10:32). UnguKhristu, iNdvodzana yaNkulunkulu lophilako (Matewu 16:16). Ngiyakholwa kutsi Jesu Khristu yiNdvodzana yaNkulunkulu (Imisebenti 8:37).
4. Emanti wona emele umBHABHATISO (I Phetro 3:21). Lowo lokholwako abhajatiswe, uyakusindziswa (Makho 16:16). Ngaphandle kwekutsi umuntfu atalwe ngemanti nangaMoya, ageke angene embusweni waNkulunkulu (Johane 3:5). Wasisindzisa, wasigeza ngekusitala kabusha nangekusenta busha ngaMoya loNgewele (KuThithusi 3:5). Phendvukani nibhajatiswe nonkhe ngamunye ngamunye egameni laJesu Khristu,kuze nitsetselelwe tono tenu nemukeliswe nesipho lesinguMoya loNgcwele (Imisebenti 2:38). Sukuma ubhajatiswe, utsetselelwe tono takho, ukhuleke egameni lakhe (Imisebenti 22:16). Nine nonkhe nabhajatiselwa kuKhristu, ngako-ke senembetse Khristu (KubaseGalathiya 3:27). Kantsi anati yini kutsi tsine sonkhe lesabhajatiselwa kuKhristu Jesu, sabhajatiselwa ekufeni kwakhe? (KubaseRoma 6:3). Ngako-ke nangabe umuntfu akuKhristu, usidalwa lesisha (II KubaseKhorinte 5:17).
5. Lomusa usifundzisa kutsi sikudzele kungakholwa, nekutsi sitilumule etinkhanukweni telive, bese siphila ngekuzitsa, nangekulunga, nangekumesaba Nkulunkulu kulomhlaba, ngesikhatsi sisabheke kugewaliseka kwelitsemba lelibusisekile, kubonakala kwenkhatimulo ycbukhosi baNkulunkulu lomkhulu, uMsindzisi wetfu Khristu Jesu. Yena watinikela ngenca yetfu, kuze atesihlenga ebubine bonkhe atingcwelisele sive lesisakhe, lesinenshisekelo kutsi sente imisebenti lemihle (KuThithusi 2:12-14).
Ngiyanincoma ngobe ningikhumbula etintfweni tonkhe, nibambelele etimfundzisweni lenganifundzisa tona (I KubaseKhorinte 11:2).
Umusa weNkhosi awube nabo bonkhe labangcwele (Sembulo 22:21).
Babusisiwe labo labatigezako tingubo tabo, kuze kutsi babe nelilungelo lekudla esihlahleni sekuphila, babe nelilungelo lekungena ngemasango ekhaya (Sembulo 22:14).
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
DHENE ASNJE DJETER NUK KA SHPETIM
Albanian
Romans 5
12 Prandaj, ashtu si me anë të një njeriu të vetëm mëkati hyri në botë dhe me anë të mëkatit vdekja, po ashtu vdekja u shtri tek të gjithë njerëzit, sepse të gjithë mëkatuan;
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John 3
19 Tani gjykimi është ky: Drita erdhi në botë dhe njerëzit deshën errësirën më tepër se dritën, sepse veprat e tyre ishin të mbrapshta..
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John 3
16 Sepse Perëndia e deshi aq botën, sa dha Birin e tij të vetëmlindurin, që, kushdo që beson në të, të mos humbasë, por të ketë jetë të përjetshme.
17 Sepse Perëndia nuk e dërgoi Birin e vet në botë që ta dënojë botën, por që bota të shpëtohet prej tij.
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Matthew 26
28 sepse ky është gjaku im, gjaku i besëlidhjes së re, i cili është derdhur për shumë për faljen e mëkatëve.
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Romans 5
8 Por Perëndia e tregon dashurinë e tij ndaj nesh në atë që, kur ende ishim mëkatarë, Krishti vdiq për ne.
9 Shumë më tepër, pra, duke qenë tani të shfajësuar në gjakun e tij, do të shpëtojmë nga zemërimi me anë të tij
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Hebrews 7
25 i cili nuk ka nevojë çdo ditë, si ata kryepriftërinjtë, të ofrojë flijime më parë për mëkatet e veta e pastaj për ato të popullit; sepse këtë e bëri një herë e mirë, kur e kushtoi vetveten.
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Romans 10
10 Sepse me zemër, njeriu beson në drejtësi dhe me gojë bëhet rrëfim për shpëtim,
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Mark 16
16 ai që beson dhe është pagëzuar, do të jetë i shpëtuar; por ai që nuk ka besuar, do të jetë i dënuar.
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1 Peter 3
21 Sepse duke qenë se Krishti ka vuajtur për ne në mish, armatosuni edhe ju me të njëjtin mendim, sepse ai që ka vuajtur në mish pushoi së mëkatuari,
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Acts 8
37 Dhe Filipi tha: ''Nëse ti beson me gjithë zemër, mund ta bësh''. Dhe ai u përgjigj duke thënë: ''Unë besoj se Jezu Krishti është Biri i Perëndisë''
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Hebrews 8
12 Sigurisht edhe e para Besëlidhje kishte disa rregulla për shërbesën hyjnore dhe për shenjtëroren tokësore.
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Psalms 103
11 Sepse sa të lartë janë qiejtë mbi tokën, aq e madhe është mirësia e tij ndaj atyre që kanë frikë prej tij.
12 Sa larg është lindja nga perëndimi, aq shumë ai ka larguar nga ne fajet tona..
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Acts 2
38 Atëherë Pjetri u tha atyre: ''Pendohuni dhe secili nga ju le të pagëzohet në emër të Jezu Krishtit për faljen e mëkateve, dhe ju do të merrni dhuratën e Frymës së Shenjtë.
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Acts 4
12 Dhe në asnjë tjetër nuk ka shpëtim, sepse nuk ka asnjë emër tjetër nën qiell që u është dhënë njerëzve dhe me anë të të cilit duhet të shpëtohemi''
searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Romans 5
12 Prandaj, ashtu si me anë të një njeriu të vetëm mëkati hyri në botë dhe me anë të mëkatit vdekja, po ashtu vdekja u shtri tek të gjithë njerëzit, sepse të gjithë mëkatuan;
................................................................................................................................................
John 3
19 Tani gjykimi është ky: Drita erdhi në botë dhe njerëzit deshën errësirën më tepër se dritën, sepse veprat e tyre ishin të mbrapshta..
................................................................................................................................................
John 3
16 Sepse Perëndia e deshi aq botën, sa dha Birin e tij të vetëmlindurin, që, kushdo që beson në të, të mos humbasë, por të ketë jetë të përjetshme.
17 Sepse Perëndia nuk e dërgoi Birin e vet në botë që ta dënojë botën, por që bota të shpëtohet prej tij.
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Matthew 26
28 sepse ky është gjaku im, gjaku i besëlidhjes së re, i cili është derdhur për shumë për faljen e mëkatëve.
................................................................................................................................................
Romans 5
8 Por Perëndia e tregon dashurinë e tij ndaj nesh në atë që, kur ende ishim mëkatarë, Krishti vdiq për ne.
9 Shumë më tepër, pra, duke qenë tani të shfajësuar në gjakun e tij, do të shpëtojmë nga zemërimi me anë të tij
................................................................................................................................................
Hebrews 7
25 i cili nuk ka nevojë çdo ditë, si ata kryepriftërinjtë, të ofrojë flijime më parë për mëkatet e veta e pastaj për ato të popullit; sepse këtë e bëri një herë e mirë, kur e kushtoi vetveten.
................................................................................................................................................
Romans 10
10 Sepse me zemër, njeriu beson në drejtësi dhe me gojë bëhet rrëfim për shpëtim,
................................................................................................................................................
Mark 16
16 ai që beson dhe është pagëzuar, do të jetë i shpëtuar; por ai që nuk ka besuar, do të jetë i dënuar.
................................................................................................................................................
1 Peter 3
21 Sepse duke qenë se Krishti ka vuajtur për ne në mish, armatosuni edhe ju me të njëjtin mendim, sepse ai që ka vuajtur në mish pushoi së mëkatuari,
................................................................................................................................................
Acts 8
37 Dhe Filipi tha: ''Nëse ti beson me gjithë zemër, mund ta bësh''. Dhe ai u përgjigj duke thënë: ''Unë besoj se Jezu Krishti është Biri i Perëndisë''
................................................................................................................................................
Hebrews 8
12 Sigurisht edhe e para Besëlidhje kishte disa rregulla për shërbesën hyjnore dhe për shenjtëroren tokësore.
................................................................................................................................................
Psalms 103
11 Sepse sa të lartë janë qiejtë mbi tokën, aq e madhe është mirësia e tij ndaj atyre që kanë frikë prej tij.
12 Sa larg është lindja nga perëndimi, aq shumë ai ka larguar nga ne fajet tona..
................................................................................................................................................
Acts 2
38 Atëherë Pjetri u tha atyre: ''Pendohuni dhe secili nga ju le të pagëzohet në emër të Jezu Krishtit për faljen e mëkateve, dhe ju do të merrni dhuratën e Frymës së Shenjtë.
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Acts 4
12 Dhe në asnjë tjetër nuk ka shpëtim, sepse nuk ka asnjë emër tjetër nën qiell që u është dhënë njerëzve dhe me anë të të cilit duhet të shpëtohemi''
searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
WAS SOLLEN WIN TUN?
German - Luther
Roemers 3:22-24
22 Ich sage aber von solcher Gerechtigkeit vor Gott, die da kommt durch den Glauben an Jesum Christum zu allen und auf alle, die da glauben.
23 Denn es ist hier kein Unterschied: sie sind allzumal Sünder und mangeln des Ruhmes, den sie bei Gott haben sollten,
24 und werden ohne Verdienst gerecht aus seiner Gnade durch die Erlösung, so durch Jesum Christum geschehen ist,
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Roemers 7:23
23 Ich sehe aber ein ander Gesetz in meinen Gliedern, das da widerstreitet dem Gesetz in meinem Gemüte und nimmt mich gefangen in der Sünde Gesetz, welches ist in meinen Gliedern
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Apostelgeschichte 2:37-42
37 Da sie aber das hörten, ging's ihnen durchs Herz, und fragten Petrus und die andern Apostel: Ihr Männer, was sollen wir tun?
38 Petrus sprach zu ihnen: Tut Buße und lasse sich ein jeglicher taufen auf den Namen Jesu Christi zur Vergebung der Sünden, so werdet ihr empfangen die Gabe des Heiligen Geistes.
39 Denn euer und eurer Kinder ist diese Verheißung und aller, die ferne sind, welche Gott, unser HERR, herzurufen wird.
40 Auch mit vielen anderen Worten bezeugte und ermahnte er: Lasset euch erretten aus diesem verkehrten Geschlecht!
41 Die nun sein Wort gern annahmen, ließen sich taufen; und wurden hinzugetan an dem Tage bei dreitausend Seelen.
42 Sie blieben aber beständig in der Apostel Lehre und in der Gemeinschaft und im Brotbrechen und im Gebet.
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Apostelgeschichte 2:47
47 nahmen die Speise und lobten Gott mit Freuden und einfältigem Herzen und hatten Gnade beim ganzen Volk. Der HERR aber tat hinzu täglich, die da selig wurden, zu der Gemeinde.
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Roemers 8:1
1 So ist nun nichts Verdammliches an denen, die in Christo Jesu sind, die nicht nach dem Fleisch wandeln, sondern nach dem Geist.
Roemers 3:22-24
22 Ich sage aber von solcher Gerechtigkeit vor Gott, die da kommt durch den Glauben an Jesum Christum zu allen und auf alle, die da glauben.
23 Denn es ist hier kein Unterschied: sie sind allzumal Sünder und mangeln des Ruhmes, den sie bei Gott haben sollten,
24 und werden ohne Verdienst gerecht aus seiner Gnade durch die Erlösung, so durch Jesum Christum geschehen ist,
____________________________________________________________________________________
Roemers 7:23
23 Ich sehe aber ein ander Gesetz in meinen Gliedern, das da widerstreitet dem Gesetz in meinem Gemüte und nimmt mich gefangen in der Sünde Gesetz, welches ist in meinen Gliedern
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Apostelgeschichte 2:37-42
37 Da sie aber das hörten, ging's ihnen durchs Herz, und fragten Petrus und die andern Apostel: Ihr Männer, was sollen wir tun?
38 Petrus sprach zu ihnen: Tut Buße und lasse sich ein jeglicher taufen auf den Namen Jesu Christi zur Vergebung der Sünden, so werdet ihr empfangen die Gabe des Heiligen Geistes.
39 Denn euer und eurer Kinder ist diese Verheißung und aller, die ferne sind, welche Gott, unser HERR, herzurufen wird.
40 Auch mit vielen anderen Worten bezeugte und ermahnte er: Lasset euch erretten aus diesem verkehrten Geschlecht!
41 Die nun sein Wort gern annahmen, ließen sich taufen; und wurden hinzugetan an dem Tage bei dreitausend Seelen.
42 Sie blieben aber beständig in der Apostel Lehre und in der Gemeinschaft und im Brotbrechen und im Gebet.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Apostelgeschichte 2:47
47 nahmen die Speise und lobten Gott mit Freuden und einfältigem Herzen und hatten Gnade beim ganzen Volk. Der HERR aber tat hinzu täglich, die da selig wurden, zu der Gemeinde.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Roemers 8:1
1 So ist nun nichts Verdammliches an denen, die in Christo Jesu sind, die nicht nach dem Fleisch wandeln, sondern nach dem Geist.
DES EVANGELIUMS
German
JOHANNES
11:25-27
25 Jesus spricht zu ihr: Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben. Wer an mich glaubt, der wird leben, ob er gleich stürbe;
26 und wer da lebet und glaubet an mich, der wird nimmermehr sterben. Glaubst du das?
27 Sie spricht zu ihm: HERR, ja, ich glaube, daß du bist Christus, der Sohn Gottes, der in die Welt gekommen ist.
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13:33-36
33 Liebe Kindlein, ich bin noch eine kleine Weile bei euch. Ihr werdet mich suchen; und wie ich zu den Juden sagte: "Wo ich hin gehe, da könnet ihr nicht hin kommen", sage ich jetzt auch euch.
34 Ein neu Gebot gebe ich euch, daß ihr euch untereinander liebet, wie ich euch geliebt habe, auf daß auch ihr einander liebhabet.
35 Dabei wird jedermann erkennen, daß ihr meine Jünger seid, so ihr Liebe untereinander habt.
36 Spricht Simon Petrus zu ihm: HERR, wo gehst du hin? Jesus antwortete ihm: Wo ich hin gehe, kannst du mir diesmal nicht folgen; aber du wirst mir nachmals folgen.
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17:4-6
4 Ich habe dich verklärt auf Erden und vollendet das Werk, das du mir gegeben hast, daß ich es tun sollte.
5 Und nun verkläre mich du, Vater, bei dir selbst mit der Klarheit, die ich bei dir hatte, ehe die Welt war.
6 Ich habe deinen Namen offenbart den Menschen, die du mir von der Welt gegeben hast. Sie waren dein, und du hast sie mir gegeben, und sie haben dein Wort behalten.
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19:16-19
16 Da überantwortete er ihn, daß er gekreuzigt würde. Sie nahmen aber Jesum und führten ihn ab.
17 Und er trug sein Kreuz und ging hinaus zur Stätte, die da heißt Schädelstätte, welche heißt auf hebräisch Golgatha.
18 Allda kreuzigten sie ihn und mit ihm zwei andere zu beiden Seiten, Jesum aber mitteninne
19 Pilatus aber schrieb eine Überschrift und setzte sie auf das Kreuz; und war geschrieben: Jesus von Nazareth, der Juden König.
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20:1-9
1 Am ersten Tag der Woche kommt Maria Magdalena früh, da es noch finster war, zum Grabe und sieht, daß der Stein vom Grabe hinweg war.
2 Da läuft sie und kommt zu Simon Petrus und zu dem andern Jünger, welchen Jesus liebhatte, und spricht zu ihnen: Sie haben den HERRN weggenommen aus dem Grabe, und wir wissen nicht, wo sie ihn hin gelegt haben.
JOHANNES
11:25-27
25 Jesus spricht zu ihr: Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben. Wer an mich glaubt, der wird leben, ob er gleich stürbe;
26 und wer da lebet und glaubet an mich, der wird nimmermehr sterben. Glaubst du das?
27 Sie spricht zu ihm: HERR, ja, ich glaube, daß du bist Christus, der Sohn Gottes, der in die Welt gekommen ist.
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13:33-36
33 Liebe Kindlein, ich bin noch eine kleine Weile bei euch. Ihr werdet mich suchen; und wie ich zu den Juden sagte: "Wo ich hin gehe, da könnet ihr nicht hin kommen", sage ich jetzt auch euch.
34 Ein neu Gebot gebe ich euch, daß ihr euch untereinander liebet, wie ich euch geliebt habe, auf daß auch ihr einander liebhabet.
35 Dabei wird jedermann erkennen, daß ihr meine Jünger seid, so ihr Liebe untereinander habt.
36 Spricht Simon Petrus zu ihm: HERR, wo gehst du hin? Jesus antwortete ihm: Wo ich hin gehe, kannst du mir diesmal nicht folgen; aber du wirst mir nachmals folgen.
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17:4-6
4 Ich habe dich verklärt auf Erden und vollendet das Werk, das du mir gegeben hast, daß ich es tun sollte.
5 Und nun verkläre mich du, Vater, bei dir selbst mit der Klarheit, die ich bei dir hatte, ehe die Welt war.
6 Ich habe deinen Namen offenbart den Menschen, die du mir von der Welt gegeben hast. Sie waren dein, und du hast sie mir gegeben, und sie haben dein Wort behalten.
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19:16-19
16 Da überantwortete er ihn, daß er gekreuzigt würde. Sie nahmen aber Jesum und führten ihn ab.
17 Und er trug sein Kreuz und ging hinaus zur Stätte, die da heißt Schädelstätte, welche heißt auf hebräisch Golgatha.
18 Allda kreuzigten sie ihn und mit ihm zwei andere zu beiden Seiten, Jesum aber mitteninne
19 Pilatus aber schrieb eine Überschrift und setzte sie auf das Kreuz; und war geschrieben: Jesus von Nazareth, der Juden König.
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20:1-9
1 Am ersten Tag der Woche kommt Maria Magdalena früh, da es noch finster war, zum Grabe und sieht, daß der Stein vom Grabe hinweg war.
2 Da läuft sie und kommt zu Simon Petrus und zu dem andern Jünger, welchen Jesus liebhatte, und spricht zu ihnen: Sie haben den HERRN weggenommen aus dem Grabe, und wir wissen nicht, wo sie ihn hin gelegt haben.
NZI NGA ZI PIMA HIKUYINI LOKUNZI NGA HI NA MUTLHAMUSELI?
Tshwa
26. Kanilezi a ngelosi ya Hosi yiku ngalo ka Filipu: Suka u famba le Dzongeni, hi ndlela leyi yi relelako hi le Jerusalema yiya le Gaza, leyi yi nga xiwula.
27. Yena i lo suka a famba. Zonake i lo wona a munhu wa le Etiopia, a thenwa ni nduna ya hombe ya Kandake, a muzinza wa vaEtiopoa, a nga hi muhlayisi wa tshomba yakwe yontilhe. I wa tile Jerusalema ku ta khozela.
28. Iaha a nga tlhelela kaya, i lo tshama kareteni yakwe, a gonza bhuku ga muprofeti Isaya.
29. A Moya wuku ngalo ka Filipui Famba, u tshinelela a kareta leyiya.
30. Filipu i lo tsutsuma, a muzwa na a kari a gonza a bhuku ga muprofeti Isaya, aku ngalo: Xena wa zi pima lezi u zi gonzako ke?
31. Yena aku ngalo: Nzi nga zi pima hikuyini loku nzi nga hi na mutlhamuseli? I lo kombela Filipu ku khilela a tshama naye.
32. Makunu a wutshamu ga lomo mitsalweni legi a nga kari a gonza hi legi:
I lo yiswa kutlhabyiweni kota yivu,
Khwatsi hi yivana leyi yi miyelako mahlweni ka mukayi wa yona,
Lezo a nga vululangi nomu wakwe.
33. A kutikoramiseni kakwe a nga lamuliwangi hi nongameto;
Himani a ta nga tshawutela a xizukulwana xakwe ke?
Hakuva a wutomi gakwe gi susilwe misaveni.
34. A nduna yiku ngalo ka Filipu: Hi nga nzi byela, a muprofeti i wula lezo hi mani ke? Hi wutsumbu gakwe, kutani hi munwani ke?
35. Filipu ilo vulula nomu wakwe, a sangula hi lowu mutsalo, a mu gonzisa ivangeli ya Jesu.
36. Kota lezi va nga ha longoloka ni ndlela, va lo chikela laha ku nga ni mati. A nduna yi te ngalo: A mati hi lawa; xana nzi beletelwa hi yini ku bapatizwa?
37. Filipu aku: Loku u kholwa hi mbilu ya wena yontlhe u nga vumelwa. Yiku: Nza kholwa lezaku Jesu Kristu i N’wana wa Nungungulu.
38. Yi lo laya a kuva a kareta yi yima; va lo enghena matini hi wumbiri gabye, Filipu ni nduna; i lo yi bapatiza.
39. Laha va nga humele matini, a Moya wa Hosi wu lo wutla Filipu; ni nduna a ya ha mu wonangi kambe. Hakuva yi lo simama ndleleni ya yona na yi tsakile.
40. Kanilezi Filipu i lo kumiwa le Azota; zonake i lo kanela ivangeli mitini yontlhe a kala a chikela Kesaria.
26. Kanilezi a ngelosi ya Hosi yiku ngalo ka Filipu: Suka u famba le Dzongeni, hi ndlela leyi yi relelako hi le Jerusalema yiya le Gaza, leyi yi nga xiwula.
27. Yena i lo suka a famba. Zonake i lo wona a munhu wa le Etiopia, a thenwa ni nduna ya hombe ya Kandake, a muzinza wa vaEtiopoa, a nga hi muhlayisi wa tshomba yakwe yontilhe. I wa tile Jerusalema ku ta khozela.
28. Iaha a nga tlhelela kaya, i lo tshama kareteni yakwe, a gonza bhuku ga muprofeti Isaya.
29. A Moya wuku ngalo ka Filipui Famba, u tshinelela a kareta leyiya.
30. Filipu i lo tsutsuma, a muzwa na a kari a gonza a bhuku ga muprofeti Isaya, aku ngalo: Xena wa zi pima lezi u zi gonzako ke?
31. Yena aku ngalo: Nzi nga zi pima hikuyini loku nzi nga hi na mutlhamuseli? I lo kombela Filipu ku khilela a tshama naye.
32. Makunu a wutshamu ga lomo mitsalweni legi a nga kari a gonza hi legi:
I lo yiswa kutlhabyiweni kota yivu,
Khwatsi hi yivana leyi yi miyelako mahlweni ka mukayi wa yona,
Lezo a nga vululangi nomu wakwe.
33. A kutikoramiseni kakwe a nga lamuliwangi hi nongameto;
Himani a ta nga tshawutela a xizukulwana xakwe ke?
Hakuva a wutomi gakwe gi susilwe misaveni.
34. A nduna yiku ngalo ka Filipu: Hi nga nzi byela, a muprofeti i wula lezo hi mani ke? Hi wutsumbu gakwe, kutani hi munwani ke?
35. Filipu ilo vulula nomu wakwe, a sangula hi lowu mutsalo, a mu gonzisa ivangeli ya Jesu.
36. Kota lezi va nga ha longoloka ni ndlela, va lo chikela laha ku nga ni mati. A nduna yi te ngalo: A mati hi lawa; xana nzi beletelwa hi yini ku bapatizwa?
37. Filipu aku: Loku u kholwa hi mbilu ya wena yontlhe u nga vumelwa. Yiku: Nza kholwa lezaku Jesu Kristu i N’wana wa Nungungulu.
38. Yi lo laya a kuva a kareta yi yima; va lo enghena matini hi wumbiri gabye, Filipu ni nduna; i lo yi bapatiza.
39. Laha va nga humele matini, a Moya wa Hosi wu lo wutla Filipu; ni nduna a ya ha mu wonangi kambe. Hakuva yi lo simama ndleleni ya yona na yi tsakile.
40. Kanilezi Filipu i lo kumiwa le Azota; zonake i lo kanela ivangeli mitini yontlhe a kala a chikela Kesaria.
GOD BEWYS SY LIEFDE TOT ONS
Afrikaans
"God bewys sy liefde tot ons daarin dat Christus vir ons gesterf het toe ons nog sondars was" - Romeine 5:8
"Die Here vertraag nie die belodte soos sommige dit vertraging ag nie, maar Hy is lankmoedig oor ons en wil nie hê dat sommige moet vergaan nie, maar dat almal tot bekering mort kom." - 2 Petrus 3:9
"God is lig, en geenduisternis is in Hom nie." - 1 Johannes 1:5.
"Weet julle nie dat die onregverdiges die koninkryk van God nie sal beërwe nie?" - 1 Korinthiërs 6:9
"Sonder bloedvergieting vvind daar geen vergifnis plaas nie." - Hebreërs 9:22
"Aan Hom wat ons liefgehad het en ons van ons sondes gewas het in sy bloed." - Openbaring 1:5b
"Beteer julle, en laat elkeen van julle gedoop word in die Naam van Jesus Christus tot vergewing van sondes, en julle sal die gawe van die Heilige Gees ontvang." - Handelinge 2:38
"As iemand in hristus is, is hy ‘n nuwe skepsel; die ou dinge hrt verbygegaan, kyk, dit het alles nuut geword." - 2 Korinthiers 5:17
"Sodat julle waardiglik voor die Here mag wandel om Hom in alles te behaag en julle in elke goeie werk vrug mag dra en in die kennis van God mag groei, en met alle krag bekragtig word volgens die mag van sy heerlikheid tot allr lydsaamheid en lankmoedigheid mrt blydskap, en die Vader mag dank wat ons bekwaam gemaak hrt om deel te hê aan die erfdeel van die heiliges in die lig" - Kolossense 1:10-12
"God bewys sy liefde tot ons daarin dat Christus vir ons gesterf het toe ons nog sondars was" - Romeine 5:8
"Die Here vertraag nie die belodte soos sommige dit vertraging ag nie, maar Hy is lankmoedig oor ons en wil nie hê dat sommige moet vergaan nie, maar dat almal tot bekering mort kom." - 2 Petrus 3:9
"God is lig, en geenduisternis is in Hom nie." - 1 Johannes 1:5.
"Weet julle nie dat die onregverdiges die koninkryk van God nie sal beërwe nie?" - 1 Korinthiërs 6:9
"Sonder bloedvergieting vvind daar geen vergifnis plaas nie." - Hebreërs 9:22
"Aan Hom wat ons liefgehad het en ons van ons sondes gewas het in sy bloed." - Openbaring 1:5b
"Beteer julle, en laat elkeen van julle gedoop word in die Naam van Jesus Christus tot vergewing van sondes, en julle sal die gawe van die Heilige Gees ontvang." - Handelinge 2:38
"As iemand in hristus is, is hy ‘n nuwe skepsel; die ou dinge hrt verbygegaan, kyk, dit het alles nuut geword." - 2 Korinthiers 5:17
"Sodat julle waardiglik voor die Here mag wandel om Hom in alles te behaag en julle in elke goeie werk vrug mag dra en in die kennis van God mag groei, en met alle krag bekragtig word volgens die mag van sy heerlikheid tot allr lydsaamheid en lankmoedigheid mrt blydskap, en die Vader mag dank wat ons bekwaam gemaak hrt om deel te hê aan die erfdeel van die heiliges in die lig" - Kolossense 1:10-12
AKASEMA, NITAWEZAJE KUELEWA?
Swahili
Matendo 8:26-40
26. Malaika wa Bwana akasema na Filipo, akamwambia, Ondoka ukaende upande wa kusini hata njia ile itelemkayo kutoka Yerusalemu kwenda Gaza; nayo ni jangwa.
27. Naye akaondoka, akaenda; mara akamwona mtu wa Kushi, towashi, mwenye mamlaka chini ya Kandake malkia wa Kushi, aliyewekwa juu ya hazina yake yote;
28. Naye alikuwa amekwenda Yerusalemu kuabudu, akawa akirejea, ameketi garini mwake akisoma chuo cha nabii Isaya.
29. Roho akamwambia Filipo, Sogea karibu na gari hili, ukashikamane nalo.
30. Basi Filipo akaenda mbio, akamsikia anasoma chuo cha nabii Isaya; akanena, Je!
31. Yamekuela haya unayosoma? Akasema, Nitawezaje kuelewa, mtu asiponiongoza? Akamsihi Filipo apande na kuketi pamoja naye.
32. Na fungu la Maandiko alilokuwa akilisoma ni hili, Aliongozwa kwenda machinjoni kama kondoo, Na kama vile mwana-kondoo alivyo kimya mbele yake amkataye manyoya, Vivyo hivyo yeye naye hafunui kinywa chake.
33. Katika kujidhili kwake hukumu yake iliondolewa. Ni nani atakayeeleza kizazi chake? Kwa maana uzima wake umeondolewa katika nchi.
34. Yule tswashi akamjibu Filipo, akasema, Nakuomba, nabii huyu asema maneno haya kwa habari ya nami; ni habari zake mwenyewe au za mtu mwingine?
35. Filipo akafunua kinywa chake, naye, akianza kwa andiko lilo hilo, akamhubiri habari njema za Yesu.
36. Wakawa wakiendelea njiani, wakafika mahali penye maji; yule towashi akasema, Tazama, maji haya; Ni nini kinachonizuia nisibatizwe?
37. Filipo akasema, Ukiamini kwa moyo wako wote, inawezekana. Akajibu, akanena, Naamini ya kwamba Yesu Kristo ndiye Mwana wa Mungu.
38. Akaamuru lile gari lisimame; wakatelemka wote mawili majini, Filipo na yule towashi; naye akambatiza.
39. Kisha, walipopanda kutoka majini, Roho wa Bwana akamnyakua Filipo, yule towashiasimwone tena; basi alikwenda zake akifurahi.
40. Lakini Filipo akaonekana katika Azoto, na alipokuwa akipita akahubiri Injili katika miji hata akafika Kaisaria.
Matendo 8:26-40
26. Malaika wa Bwana akasema na Filipo, akamwambia, Ondoka ukaende upande wa kusini hata njia ile itelemkayo kutoka Yerusalemu kwenda Gaza; nayo ni jangwa.
27. Naye akaondoka, akaenda; mara akamwona mtu wa Kushi, towashi, mwenye mamlaka chini ya Kandake malkia wa Kushi, aliyewekwa juu ya hazina yake yote;
28. Naye alikuwa amekwenda Yerusalemu kuabudu, akawa akirejea, ameketi garini mwake akisoma chuo cha nabii Isaya.
29. Roho akamwambia Filipo, Sogea karibu na gari hili, ukashikamane nalo.
30. Basi Filipo akaenda mbio, akamsikia anasoma chuo cha nabii Isaya; akanena, Je!
31. Yamekuela haya unayosoma? Akasema, Nitawezaje kuelewa, mtu asiponiongoza? Akamsihi Filipo apande na kuketi pamoja naye.
32. Na fungu la Maandiko alilokuwa akilisoma ni hili, Aliongozwa kwenda machinjoni kama kondoo, Na kama vile mwana-kondoo alivyo kimya mbele yake amkataye manyoya, Vivyo hivyo yeye naye hafunui kinywa chake.
33. Katika kujidhili kwake hukumu yake iliondolewa. Ni nani atakayeeleza kizazi chake? Kwa maana uzima wake umeondolewa katika nchi.
34. Yule tswashi akamjibu Filipo, akasema, Nakuomba, nabii huyu asema maneno haya kwa habari ya nami; ni habari zake mwenyewe au za mtu mwingine?
35. Filipo akafunua kinywa chake, naye, akianza kwa andiko lilo hilo, akamhubiri habari njema za Yesu.
36. Wakawa wakiendelea njiani, wakafika mahali penye maji; yule towashi akasema, Tazama, maji haya; Ni nini kinachonizuia nisibatizwe?
37. Filipo akasema, Ukiamini kwa moyo wako wote, inawezekana. Akajibu, akanena, Naamini ya kwamba Yesu Kristo ndiye Mwana wa Mungu.
38. Akaamuru lile gari lisimame; wakatelemka wote mawili majini, Filipo na yule towashi; naye akambatiza.
39. Kisha, walipopanda kutoka majini, Roho wa Bwana akamnyakua Filipo, yule towashiasimwone tena; basi alikwenda zake akifurahi.
40. Lakini Filipo akaonekana katika Azoto, na alipokuwa akipita akahubiri Injili katika miji hata akafika Kaisaria.
GOMME KA KGONA BJANG GE KE SE NA WA GO NILHAHLAELENG?
Pedi (Northern Sotho)
Ditiro 8:26-40
26. Morongwa wa Morena a tla a Bolela le Filipi a re: Tsoga o ye thoko ya Borwa, tseleng e tšwago Jerusalema ya theogela Gatsa, mo go lego šokeng.
27. Filipii a tsoga a ya; a bona monna wa Ethiopia, molaki le letona la Kandatse mohumagadi wa Etiopia, wa go laka mahumo a gagwe ka moka. Monna yo o be a tlile Jerusalema go rapela.
28. Bjale o be a boela ga gabo, a dutše koloing ya gagwe, a bala lengwalo la moporofeta Jesaya.
bob2search@yahoo.com
searchthescriptures.blogstream.com
searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
29. Moya wa roma Filipi wa re: Batamela o bapele lekoloi yeo.
30. Filipi a hlaganela; a kwa ge motho yo a bala lengwalo la moporofeta Jesaua; a mmotšiša a re: Afa tše o di balago o a di kwa ?
31. Monna eo a re: Gomme nka kgona bjang ge ke se na go ntlhahla tseleng? A kgopla Filipi a re a namele a dule le yena.
32. Ge e le tema ye a bego a re bala še: A etša nku e išwago tlhabong; a etša kwanyana ge e ikhomolela pele ga ba e kotago; a se ke a ba a ahlamiša molomo wa gagwe.
33. O ntšhitšwe tlalelong le kahlolong. Moloko wa gagwe o hlathwa je mang? Hleng o kgaotšwe nageng ya ba phelago.
34. Molaki a botšiša Filipi a re: Ke a go kgopela, Moporofeta o ra nabg ge a realo? A ke go ipolela ? Goba o šupa e mongwe?
35. Ke mo Filipi a thomilego go bolela; a thoma ka lengwalo leo, a mo anegela Ebangedi ya Yesu.
36. Ya re ge ba swere tsela ka mokgwa woo, ba tla meetseng. Molaki a re: Meetse šeao; ke sa dibja keng go kolobetšwa?
37. Filipi a re: Ge o dumela ka pelo ka moka, gona go ka ba bjalo. Molaki a re: Ke dumela gore Jesu Kriste ke yenaMorwa wa Modimo.
38. A laela a re, koloi e emišwe; ba fologela meetseng ka babedi, Filipi le Molaki, mme a kolobetšwa.
39. Ge ba rotoga ba etšwa meetseng, Moya wa Morena wa tšea Filipi wa mo široša; Molaki a se hlwe a mmpna. A wela tsela a ikela a thabile.
40. Filipi a hwetšwa a le Asidodo, a tšama a bolela Ebangedi metseng ka moka; a ba a fihla Kesarea
Ditiro 8:26-40
26. Morongwa wa Morena a tla a Bolela le Filipi a re: Tsoga o ye thoko ya Borwa, tseleng e tšwago Jerusalema ya theogela Gatsa, mo go lego šokeng.
27. Filipii a tsoga a ya; a bona monna wa Ethiopia, molaki le letona la Kandatse mohumagadi wa Etiopia, wa go laka mahumo a gagwe ka moka. Monna yo o be a tlile Jerusalema go rapela.
28. Bjale o be a boela ga gabo, a dutše koloing ya gagwe, a bala lengwalo la moporofeta Jesaya.
bob2search@yahoo.com
searchthescriptures.blogstream.com
searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
29. Moya wa roma Filipi wa re: Batamela o bapele lekoloi yeo.
30. Filipi a hlaganela; a kwa ge motho yo a bala lengwalo la moporofeta Jesaua; a mmotšiša a re: Afa tše o di balago o a di kwa ?
31. Monna eo a re: Gomme nka kgona bjang ge ke se na go ntlhahla tseleng? A kgopla Filipi a re a namele a dule le yena.
32. Ge e le tema ye a bego a re bala še: A etša nku e išwago tlhabong; a etša kwanyana ge e ikhomolela pele ga ba e kotago; a se ke a ba a ahlamiša molomo wa gagwe.
33. O ntšhitšwe tlalelong le kahlolong. Moloko wa gagwe o hlathwa je mang? Hleng o kgaotšwe nageng ya ba phelago.
34. Molaki a botšiša Filipi a re: Ke a go kgopela, Moporofeta o ra nabg ge a realo? A ke go ipolela ? Goba o šupa e mongwe?
35. Ke mo Filipi a thomilego go bolela; a thoma ka lengwalo leo, a mo anegela Ebangedi ya Yesu.
36. Ya re ge ba swere tsela ka mokgwa woo, ba tla meetseng. Molaki a re: Meetse šeao; ke sa dibja keng go kolobetšwa?
37. Filipi a re: Ge o dumela ka pelo ka moka, gona go ka ba bjalo. Molaki a re: Ke dumela gore Jesu Kriste ke yenaMorwa wa Modimo.
38. A laela a re, koloi e emišwe; ba fologela meetseng ka babedi, Filipi le Molaki, mme a kolobetšwa.
39. Ge ba rotoga ba etšwa meetseng, Moya wa Morena wa tšea Filipi wa mo široša; Molaki a se hlwe a mmpna. A wela tsela a ikela a thabile.
40. Filipi a hwetšwa a le Asidodo, a tšama a bolela Ebangedi metseng ka moka; a ba a fihla Kesarea
E KA KGONA KE DIRE BJANG GORE KE PHOLOSWE?
N. Sotho
1. DUMELA Morena Jesu Kriste; ke mo o tlo phološwa le ba ntlo ya gago (Ditiro 16:30,31). Gomme go kgahla modimo ga go kgonege ge go se tumelo. E a batamelago Modimo o swanetše go dumela gore Modimo o gona, le gore ba ba mo nyakago o a ba putsa (BaHebere 11:6). E a dumelago me a kolobetšwa, o tlo phološwa (Mareka 16:16). Tlo hwela dibeng t~a lena. Gobane ga le dumele se nna ke lego sona, le t1o kwela dibeng tsa lena (Johane 8:24). Tumelo ge e le ya mohuta woo, ge e se na mediro, e ikhwetše ka nosi (Jakobo 2:17).
2. Sokologang; (Ditiro 2:38). Gomme ge le sa sokologe, le tlo fedišwa ka moka ka mokgwa woo (Luka 13:3,5). Modimo... gomme mehleng yeno a laela batho bohle thoko tšohle, o re ba boe (Ditiro 17:30). Anthe le bantle Modimo o ba file tshokologo e išago bophelong (Ditiro 11:18).
3. IPOLELA ka molomo a tsebo phološwa (BaRoma 10:10). Gobane ge o ipolela ka molomo wa re: Jesu ke yena Morenai wa realo o dumela ka pelo gore Modimo o mo t~o'sitse bahung, gona o tlo phološwa (BaRoma 10:9). Mang le mang e a mpolelago pele ga batho, le nna ke tlo mmolela pele ga Tate wa magodimong (Mateo 10:32). O Kriste Morwa wa Modimo a phelago (Mateo 16:16). Ke dumela gore Jesu Kriste ke yena Morwa wa Modimo (Ditiro 8:37).
4. KOLOBETŠO, ye e sego go hlatswa mmele ditšhila, (I Petro 3:21). E a dumelago me a kolobetšwa, o tlo phološwa; (Mareka 16:16). Ruri, ruri, ke a go botša, ge motho a sa tswalwe ka meetse le ka Moya, a ka se ke a tsena mmušong wa Modimo (Johane 3:5). O re phološitše ka kgaugelo ya gagwe ka tlhatšo ya go tswalwa la bobedi, le ka mpshafatšo ya ka Moya o mokgethwa (Tito 3:5). Moka le kolobetswe leineng la Jesu Kriste, ebe gona go lebalelwa dibe (Ditiro 2:38). Ema o kolobetšwe, o hlatswiwe dibe tsa gago ka go rapela leina la Morena (Ditiro 22:16). Kolobeditswego la ba ba Kriste (BaGalatia 3:27). Kolobeleditšwego Kriste (BaRoma 6:3). Go bjalo, ge motho e le wa Kriste, e ba mmopša e mofsa (II BaKorinthe 5:17).
5. Ke yona e re rutago go lahla go nyatša Modllno, go lahla dikganyogo tša lefase; gore mehleng yeno re phele re eletšegile, re loka, re na le borapedi, re dula re lebeletše mahlogonolo a re a holofetšego, le go bonala ga Modimo o mogolo 1e Mophološi wa rena Jesu Kriste. Ke yena a ikgaiilego ka baka la rena, gore a re lopolle bokgopong ka moka, a ithuele setšhaba sa diroto medirong e botse ( I ito 2:12_14).
Mme ditaelo le di lotola ka mo ke le laetšego ka gona (I BaKorinthe 11:2).
Kgaugelo ya Jesu Kriste Mong wa rena a e tlele bakgethwa bohle. Amene. (Kutollo 22:21).
Ba lehlogonolo ke bao ba hlatswago diaparo tša bona, ba ya ka melao ya Gagwe gore e be ba go tlo dumelelwa sehlare sa bophelo, ba tseng motseng woo ka dikgoro (Kutollo 22:14).
Arranged by: J.D. Phillips
1. DUMELA Morena Jesu Kriste; ke mo o tlo phološwa le ba ntlo ya gago (Ditiro 16:30,31). Gomme go kgahla modimo ga go kgonege ge go se tumelo. E a batamelago Modimo o swanetše go dumela gore Modimo o gona, le gore ba ba mo nyakago o a ba putsa (BaHebere 11:6). E a dumelago me a kolobetšwa, o tlo phološwa (Mareka 16:16). Tlo hwela dibeng t~a lena. Gobane ga le dumele se nna ke lego sona, le t1o kwela dibeng tsa lena (Johane 8:24). Tumelo ge e le ya mohuta woo, ge e se na mediro, e ikhwetše ka nosi (Jakobo 2:17).
2. Sokologang; (Ditiro 2:38). Gomme ge le sa sokologe, le tlo fedišwa ka moka ka mokgwa woo (Luka 13:3,5). Modimo... gomme mehleng yeno a laela batho bohle thoko tšohle, o re ba boe (Ditiro 17:30). Anthe le bantle Modimo o ba file tshokologo e išago bophelong (Ditiro 11:18).
3. IPOLELA ka molomo a tsebo phološwa (BaRoma 10:10). Gobane ge o ipolela ka molomo wa re: Jesu ke yena Morenai wa realo o dumela ka pelo gore Modimo o mo t~o'sitse bahung, gona o tlo phološwa (BaRoma 10:9). Mang le mang e a mpolelago pele ga batho, le nna ke tlo mmolela pele ga Tate wa magodimong (Mateo 10:32). O Kriste Morwa wa Modimo a phelago (Mateo 16:16). Ke dumela gore Jesu Kriste ke yena Morwa wa Modimo (Ditiro 8:37).
4. KOLOBETŠO, ye e sego go hlatswa mmele ditšhila, (I Petro 3:21). E a dumelago me a kolobetšwa, o tlo phološwa; (Mareka 16:16). Ruri, ruri, ke a go botša, ge motho a sa tswalwe ka meetse le ka Moya, a ka se ke a tsena mmušong wa Modimo (Johane 3:5). O re phološitše ka kgaugelo ya gagwe ka tlhatšo ya go tswalwa la bobedi, le ka mpshafatšo ya ka Moya o mokgethwa (Tito 3:5). Moka le kolobetswe leineng la Jesu Kriste, ebe gona go lebalelwa dibe (Ditiro 2:38). Ema o kolobetšwe, o hlatswiwe dibe tsa gago ka go rapela leina la Morena (Ditiro 22:16). Kolobeditswego la ba ba Kriste (BaGalatia 3:27). Kolobeleditšwego Kriste (BaRoma 6:3). Go bjalo, ge motho e le wa Kriste, e ba mmopša e mofsa (II BaKorinthe 5:17).
5. Ke yona e re rutago go lahla go nyatša Modllno, go lahla dikganyogo tša lefase; gore mehleng yeno re phele re eletšegile, re loka, re na le borapedi, re dula re lebeletše mahlogonolo a re a holofetšego, le go bonala ga Modimo o mogolo 1e Mophološi wa rena Jesu Kriste. Ke yena a ikgaiilego ka baka la rena, gore a re lopolle bokgopong ka moka, a ithuele setšhaba sa diroto medirong e botse ( I ito 2:12_14).
Mme ditaelo le di lotola ka mo ke le laetšego ka gona (I BaKorinthe 11:2).
Kgaugelo ya Jesu Kriste Mong wa rena a e tlele bakgethwa bohle. Amene. (Kutollo 22:21).
Ba lehlogonolo ke bao ba hlatswago diaparo tša bona, ba ya ka melao ya Gagwe gore e be ba go tlo dumelelwa sehlare sa bophelo, ba tseng motseng woo ka dikgoro (Kutollo 22:14).
Arranged by: J.D. Phillips
AAUA, ONDI NOKUNINGA NGINI, NDI HUPISUE?
NDONGA
(Iilonga JaaApostoli 16:30)
Arranged in the very words of inspired men by J.D. Phillips
1. Itaala omuua Jesus, e to hupisua, (Iilonga JaaApostoli 16:31) Ihe nkika kuaa neitaalo oko kaku nohokue, ošoka ngoka ta heza ku Kalunga, e nokuitaala, oko e li, na mboka taje mu kongo ote ja pe ondjambi.(Lja Nolelua AaHeberi 11:6) ihe ongoka ini itaala, oje ta ka pangulilua mekano.(Markus 16:16) ošoka ngelo itamu itaale, nokutja ongame tuu ngoka, otamu site moondjo zeni. (Johannes 8:24) Ošo tuu neitaalo ngele kali niilonga, oja sa muljo ljene. (Lja Jakob 2:17).
2. Itezululeni, (Iilonga JaApostoli 2:38) ihe nanr uo ngele itamu itezulula, ošo tuu tamu ka kana amuhe. (Lukas 13:3,5) Kalunga okui izizimikile omasimbo ngejaka guugoja, ihe ngasingeji ota lombuele, aantu ajehe naakube je nokuitezulula. (Iilonga JaApostoli 17:30) Ano ošo Kalunga okua gandja no kaapagani egundjilo ljokumona omue�o. (Iilonga JaApostoli 11:18).
3. Nokuhempulula kuokana otaku hupisa. (KaaRoma 10:10) Ošoka ngele to hempulula nokana koje Jesus oje Om�ua, no ui itaala momue�o guoje, Kalunga e m� jumuza kuusi, nena oto hupisua; (KaaRoma 10:9) Onke ano, okehe tuu ngoka, ta hempulula ndje paantu, nangame tandi m� hempulula pu Tate megulu. (Mateus 10:32) Ongoje Kristus, Om�na gua Kalunga om�namue�o. (Mateus 16:16) Ongame ondi itaale Jesus Kristus oje Om�na gua Kalunga. (Iilonga JaApostoli 8:37).
4. Pahunganeko ndika ngašingeji nane no tamu hupisua komeja, (1 Lja Petrus 3:21) Ongika i itaala e ta šašua, oje ta hupisua (Markus 16:16) Ošili, ošili tandi ku lombuele: om�ntu ngele ita valua momeja no mOmbepo, ita uapa okuja mošilongo ša Kalunga. (Johannes 3:5) tue ji longo ando, aue, opasilohenda lje okejogo ljevalululo no kešitululo lj�Ombepo Ondjapuki, (Ku Titus 3:5) Itezululeni, no kehe ngoka ni išašisile mezina lja Jesus Kristus, (Ilonga JaApostola 2:38) Sikama, ngu isane ezina lje, u šašue, noondjo zoje zi jogue po. (Iilonga JaajApostoli 22:16) šašelua mu Kristus, (KaaGalatia 3:27) otua šašelua meso lje? (KaaRoma 6:3) Ano ngele ku na ngoka e li mu Kristus, oje om�šitua om�pe; (2 KaaKorinto 5:17).
5. No tali tu putuza, tu ese okuzina Kalunga nuuhalu uopajuni, tse tu kale tu nunjuuki. Nokuhoola Kalunga muujuni mbuka uongašingeji, manga tua tegelela eguaniso ljetegameno ljelago nokuholoka kuesimano lja Kailunga ketu om�nene, no ku�Om�kulili guetu Jesus Kristus, ongoka kui ogandja peha ljetu, e tu kulile mo muulunde auhe, je e tu joge, tu ninge ošiguana še muene ša hala šill okulonga uuanaua. (Ku Titus 2:12-14).
Otandi mu hambelele šo tamu zimbulukua ndje miinima ajihe no tamu ziginine omikalo zandje, ngaši ngame nde zi mu pa. (1 KaaKorinto 11:2).
Esilohena lj�Om�ua Jesus Kristus nali kale naajapuki ajehe. Amen. (Ehololo lja Johannes 22:21) Aanelago omboka taa jogo oonguo zauo, opo ju uusilue okupeua mom�ti guomue�o, nokuja mošilando taa piti miijeelo. (Ehololo lja Johannes 22:14).
(Iilonga JaaApostoli 16:30)
Arranged in the very words of inspired men by J.D. Phillips
1. Itaala omuua Jesus, e to hupisua, (Iilonga JaaApostoli 16:31) Ihe nkika kuaa neitaalo oko kaku nohokue, ošoka ngoka ta heza ku Kalunga, e nokuitaala, oko e li, na mboka taje mu kongo ote ja pe ondjambi.(Lja Nolelua AaHeberi 11:6) ihe ongoka ini itaala, oje ta ka pangulilua mekano.(Markus 16:16) ošoka ngelo itamu itaale, nokutja ongame tuu ngoka, otamu site moondjo zeni. (Johannes 8:24) Ošo tuu neitaalo ngele kali niilonga, oja sa muljo ljene. (Lja Jakob 2:17).
2. Itezululeni, (Iilonga JaApostoli 2:38) ihe nanr uo ngele itamu itezulula, ošo tuu tamu ka kana amuhe. (Lukas 13:3,5) Kalunga okui izizimikile omasimbo ngejaka guugoja, ihe ngasingeji ota lombuele, aantu ajehe naakube je nokuitezulula. (Iilonga JaApostoli 17:30) Ano ošo Kalunga okua gandja no kaapagani egundjilo ljokumona omue�o. (Iilonga JaApostoli 11:18).
3. Nokuhempulula kuokana otaku hupisa. (KaaRoma 10:10) Ošoka ngele to hempulula nokana koje Jesus oje Om�ua, no ui itaala momue�o guoje, Kalunga e m� jumuza kuusi, nena oto hupisua; (KaaRoma 10:9) Onke ano, okehe tuu ngoka, ta hempulula ndje paantu, nangame tandi m� hempulula pu Tate megulu. (Mateus 10:32) Ongoje Kristus, Om�na gua Kalunga om�namue�o. (Mateus 16:16) Ongame ondi itaale Jesus Kristus oje Om�na gua Kalunga. (Iilonga JaApostoli 8:37).
4. Pahunganeko ndika ngašingeji nane no tamu hupisua komeja, (1 Lja Petrus 3:21) Ongika i itaala e ta šašua, oje ta hupisua (Markus 16:16) Ošili, ošili tandi ku lombuele: om�ntu ngele ita valua momeja no mOmbepo, ita uapa okuja mošilongo ša Kalunga. (Johannes 3:5) tue ji longo ando, aue, opasilohenda lje okejogo ljevalululo no kešitululo lj�Ombepo Ondjapuki, (Ku Titus 3:5) Itezululeni, no kehe ngoka ni išašisile mezina lja Jesus Kristus, (Ilonga JaApostola 2:38) Sikama, ngu isane ezina lje, u šašue, noondjo zoje zi jogue po. (Iilonga JaajApostoli 22:16) šašelua mu Kristus, (KaaGalatia 3:27) otua šašelua meso lje? (KaaRoma 6:3) Ano ngele ku na ngoka e li mu Kristus, oje om�šitua om�pe; (2 KaaKorinto 5:17).
5. No tali tu putuza, tu ese okuzina Kalunga nuuhalu uopajuni, tse tu kale tu nunjuuki. Nokuhoola Kalunga muujuni mbuka uongašingeji, manga tua tegelela eguaniso ljetegameno ljelago nokuholoka kuesimano lja Kailunga ketu om�nene, no ku�Om�kulili guetu Jesus Kristus, ongoka kui ogandja peha ljetu, e tu kulile mo muulunde auhe, je e tu joge, tu ninge ošiguana še muene ša hala šill okulonga uuanaua. (Ku Titus 2:12-14).
Otandi mu hambelele šo tamu zimbulukua ndje miinima ajihe no tamu ziginine omikalo zandje, ngaši ngame nde zi mu pa. (1 KaaKorinto 11:2).
Esilohena lj�Om�ua Jesus Kristus nali kale naajapuki ajehe. Amen. (Ehololo lja Johannes 22:21) Aanelago omboka taa jogo oonguo zauo, opo ju uusilue okupeua mom�ti guomue�o, nokuja mošilando taa piti miijeelo. (Ehololo lja Johannes 22:14).
TANDI UUVO KO OGINI, NGELE KUAA TA TULA NDJE MONDJILA?
Iilonga 8:26-40
26. Ihe omßjengeli gu’Omßua okua lombuele Filippus nokua ti: Sikama, u je luo kuušimbantu, kondjila ndjijaka ja za ku Jerusalem no taji ji ku Gaza, ji li ko ji ikalelela.
27. Oje nokua sikana e ta ji ko; ihe, tala, Omßetiopia, elenga enene lja Kandake, omßkuaniilua omßkliintu guoku Etiopia, Omßnene, omßlangeli guegumbo lje no guemona lje alihe, okua jile ku Jerusalem okugalikana.
28. No ngašingeji mokugaluka okua kuutumba metemba Ije nokua aazika ta lešamoramata jomßprofeti Jesaja.
29. Ombepo nokua ti ku Filippus: Inda ko, u ka kale popepi netemba ndika!
30. Ano Filippus okua makutile ko, nokue mß uuvu ta leša oramata jomßprofeti Jesaja, e ta ti: Ongoke u uuvite ko tuu šoka to leša?
31. Ngujaka okua ti: Tandi uuvu ko ngini, ngele kuaa na ngoka ta tula ndje mondjila? Nokui isana Filippus a londe ketemba, je a kuutumbe pammue naje,
32. Nepandja ndjoka Ijomoramata e li leša oljo ndika: Oje ta ka falua košizipagelo ongonzi no ngonzigona haji muenenene omßkululi guajo, ošo ngejinoje uo ita makula okana ke.
33. Omolu okuifupipika kue okupangulua kue kua kusua po, olje ta vulu okujalula ezimo Ije, ošoka omue½o gue otagu kusua mevi.
34. Elenga no kua pula Filippus e ta ti: Otandi ku galikana, lombuela ndje, olje, ngo omßprofeti te mß popi ngeji, oje muene nenge ogulue?
35. Filippus nokua makula okana ke no mokuza moohapu nzoka zoramata okue mß uuvisile evangeli Ija Jesus.
36. Ihe šo je ende ngeji nondjila, oje ja komeja, elenga nokua ti: Tala, omeja ogo ngaka, ošike taši imbindje, ndaa šašue?
37. Filippus okue mß lombuele: Ongoje ngele ui itaale nomue½o aguhe, eeno, naši ningue, Nguka a jamukula nokua ti: Ongame ondi itaale Jesus Kristus oje Omßna gua alunga.
38. Oje nokua sikameke etemba naajehe jaali oja ji nomeja, Filippus nelenga, oje nokue mß šaša.
39. Ihe šo ja zi momeja, Ombepo ja Kalunga okua kusa po Filippus, nelenga ine mß mona ue, nokua ji nondjila je a ½a½ukua.
40. Ihe Filippus a aazika ku Azdod, nokua endaenda nokua hokolola millando ajihe evangeli, sigo e ja ku Kesarea.
26. Ihe omßjengeli gu’Omßua okua lombuele Filippus nokua ti: Sikama, u je luo kuušimbantu, kondjila ndjijaka ja za ku Jerusalem no taji ji ku Gaza, ji li ko ji ikalelela.
27. Oje nokua sikana e ta ji ko; ihe, tala, Omßetiopia, elenga enene lja Kandake, omßkuaniilua omßkliintu guoku Etiopia, Omßnene, omßlangeli guegumbo lje no guemona lje alihe, okua jile ku Jerusalem okugalikana.
28. No ngašingeji mokugaluka okua kuutumba metemba Ije nokua aazika ta lešamoramata jomßprofeti Jesaja.
29. Ombepo nokua ti ku Filippus: Inda ko, u ka kale popepi netemba ndika!
30. Ano Filippus okua makutile ko, nokue mß uuvu ta leša oramata jomßprofeti Jesaja, e ta ti: Ongoke u uuvite ko tuu šoka to leša?
31. Ngujaka okua ti: Tandi uuvu ko ngini, ngele kuaa na ngoka ta tula ndje mondjila? Nokui isana Filippus a londe ketemba, je a kuutumbe pammue naje,
32. Nepandja ndjoka Ijomoramata e li leša oljo ndika: Oje ta ka falua košizipagelo ongonzi no ngonzigona haji muenenene omßkululi guajo, ošo ngejinoje uo ita makula okana ke.
33. Omolu okuifupipika kue okupangulua kue kua kusua po, olje ta vulu okujalula ezimo Ije, ošoka omue½o gue otagu kusua mevi.
34. Elenga no kua pula Filippus e ta ti: Otandi ku galikana, lombuela ndje, olje, ngo omßprofeti te mß popi ngeji, oje muene nenge ogulue?
35. Filippus nokua makula okana ke no mokuza moohapu nzoka zoramata okue mß uuvisile evangeli Ija Jesus.
36. Ihe šo je ende ngeji nondjila, oje ja komeja, elenga nokua ti: Tala, omeja ogo ngaka, ošike taši imbindje, ndaa šašue?
37. Filippus okue mß lombuele: Ongoje ngele ui itaale nomue½o aguhe, eeno, naši ningue, Nguka a jamukula nokua ti: Ongame ondi itaale Jesus Kristus oje Omßna gua alunga.
38. Oje nokua sikameke etemba naajehe jaali oja ji nomeja, Filippus nelenga, oje nokue mß šaša.
39. Ihe šo ja zi momeja, Ombepo ja Kalunga okua kusa po Filippus, nelenga ine mß mona ue, nokua ji nondjila je a ½a½ukua.
40. Ihe Filippus a aazika ku Azdod, nokua endaenda nokua hokolola millando ajihe evangeli, sigo e ja ku Kesarea.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS
John the apostle had in mind the words of Jesus who instructed, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” when he wrote these words: “My Little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not, And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, In him verily is the love of perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” I John 2:1-6.
These few words are rich with meaning. This is the same man who with his brother James had years before asked if Jesus did not want them to to call fire down upon a Samaritan village because they had refused hospitality to them. Instead Jesus changed James and John so greatly that he is remembered even today as “the apostle of love.” Keep my commandments, Jesus had said, and John always kept in mind. There are several words that are translated into English as “love”. They are totally different in meaning, and the kind of love so often heard in song lyrics today is not even found in the Bible. This generation, simply does not recognize know that kind of “love,” and that is why I often pray that the Lord will help me to love with the kind of love that Jesus showed to us. John was writing that the church would not be polluted by the world’s concepts. God, Himself, showed that kind of love that He had passed on to His Son, when he “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That, of course, is another scripture recorded by the same John the apostle.
Several thoughts stand out in this and other related texts.
• John is writing “that you sin not”. We know that he is not saying that we are instantly completely free of any sin; otherwise, he would not have written the next line. All humanity does sin, and none are perfect apart from Christ Jesus. We are made perfect, not by our own selves, but because he who took the punishment for our sins on the cross now dwells within us.
• That next line reads, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ” An advocate is one who stands between. Jesus pleads our case with the Father, just as an advocate pleads the case of a thief, before a judge. The big difference is that Jesus has already personally paid the price of our sin, and God is his Father who sent him for that very reason, because he loves us. We just cannot fully understand that kind of love.
• One of the commandments that we are to keep is referred to in Jesus’ great Commission, “go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19. This is another whole new study.
• Another is recorded by Matthew in that our Lord established a memorial of the price he would pay for us. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body,’” and he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” This is also a whole study in itself.
• It is a regretful fact that there are many who claim to believe that Jesus is Lord, but who do not keep his commandments. They claim to be Christians, but if they do not keep his commands, “teach all nations,” “baptize” those who believe, and partake of the communion memorial of Christ, anticipating his return for them. Unfortunately the text also adds, “know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” All who know his commandments, also know if they are keeping them or not. If we say, he is my Lord, and do not obey him, our disobedience clearly shows that we do not really believe the Son of God is also our Lord. We are lying to ourselves and to the world about us. What we really believe, is shown in our actions.
These few words are rich with meaning. This is the same man who with his brother James had years before asked if Jesus did not want them to to call fire down upon a Samaritan village because they had refused hospitality to them. Instead Jesus changed James and John so greatly that he is remembered even today as “the apostle of love.” Keep my commandments, Jesus had said, and John always kept in mind. There are several words that are translated into English as “love”. They are totally different in meaning, and the kind of love so often heard in song lyrics today is not even found in the Bible. This generation, simply does not recognize know that kind of “love,” and that is why I often pray that the Lord will help me to love with the kind of love that Jesus showed to us. John was writing that the church would not be polluted by the world’s concepts. God, Himself, showed that kind of love that He had passed on to His Son, when he “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That, of course, is another scripture recorded by the same John the apostle.
Several thoughts stand out in this and other related texts.
• John is writing “that you sin not”. We know that he is not saying that we are instantly completely free of any sin; otherwise, he would not have written the next line. All humanity does sin, and none are perfect apart from Christ Jesus. We are made perfect, not by our own selves, but because he who took the punishment for our sins on the cross now dwells within us.
• That next line reads, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ” An advocate is one who stands between. Jesus pleads our case with the Father, just as an advocate pleads the case of a thief, before a judge. The big difference is that Jesus has already personally paid the price of our sin, and God is his Father who sent him for that very reason, because he loves us. We just cannot fully understand that kind of love.
• One of the commandments that we are to keep is referred to in Jesus’ great Commission, “go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19. This is another whole new study.
• Another is recorded by Matthew in that our Lord established a memorial of the price he would pay for us. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body,’” and he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” This is also a whole study in itself.
• It is a regretful fact that there are many who claim to believe that Jesus is Lord, but who do not keep his commandments. They claim to be Christians, but if they do not keep his commands, “teach all nations,” “baptize” those who believe, and partake of the communion memorial of Christ, anticipating his return for them. Unfortunately the text also adds, “know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” All who know his commandments, also know if they are keeping them or not. If we say, he is my Lord, and do not obey him, our disobedience clearly shows that we do not really believe the Son of God is also our Lord. We are lying to ourselves and to the world about us. What we really believe, is shown in our actions.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS:
IS DEAD!
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 214-20 (KJV)
The writer of this letter was James, the brother of Jesus. Early Jewish historians have much to say of him. He served the church in Jerusalem from its beginning on Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ from the grave until shortly before Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. It is recorded that he was killed by being thrown from the roof of the temple to the paved courtyard beneath, and then stoned to make quite certain. It was during that less than 40 years of his ministry that the church grew greatly in troubled Jerusalem.
James, a man of prayer and good works, makes it clear that faith and works are a closely linked pair. One does not exist without the other. He set the example through his own life; then asks the question. “Can faith save him?” One would be tempted to say an unqualified “yes.” Then he does as his brother Jesus had done. He asked a question the answer of which causes one to stop and think before answering. A second question proposes a situation in which the answer is not so simple. He illustrates with a brother or a sister in great need, and an answer to their need that does nothing to relieve the situation: good wishes, that do nothing to provide for the needs of the body. God usually works through brothers or sisters in the Lord.
What we do reveals what we think. In other words, we prove our faith by our works.
We can all recall situations where individuals who claim to be men of faith, but whose lives reveal all too clearly that they are not. A person can sing heart touching hymns without believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God at all. Many do. A person can be an alcoholic a drunkard, a liar, an immoral monster, or a murderer and be totally unrepentant; yet he can still claim that he is a born again Christian. His works reveal that it is a lie. He is a hypocrite and scripture informs that people who do such things will not be in heaven. I once knew a drunkard who had a good job, but lived in a sub-economic housing community, primarily because he spent his income on the wrong things. He could, and often did, pray the most beautiful prayers, but they were prayers that were meaningless, because his life spoke so very loudly.
Faith that does not produce matching actions is inadequate. As James points out, even the demons, fallen angels, who knew from their own experiences the divinity of Christ, believe and tremble. They tremble because they know their destination. They do not show their faith in actions. They are lost and face the place that God has prepared for them. Yes, God did make Hell, but he made it for the devil and his angels. They know the truth, they understand, but they do not repent of their sin. They have in fact, committed an unforgivable sin.
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 214-20 (KJV)
The writer of this letter was James, the brother of Jesus. Early Jewish historians have much to say of him. He served the church in Jerusalem from its beginning on Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ from the grave until shortly before Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. It is recorded that he was killed by being thrown from the roof of the temple to the paved courtyard beneath, and then stoned to make quite certain. It was during that less than 40 years of his ministry that the church grew greatly in troubled Jerusalem.
James, a man of prayer and good works, makes it clear that faith and works are a closely linked pair. One does not exist without the other. He set the example through his own life; then asks the question. “Can faith save him?” One would be tempted to say an unqualified “yes.” Then he does as his brother Jesus had done. He asked a question the answer of which causes one to stop and think before answering. A second question proposes a situation in which the answer is not so simple. He illustrates with a brother or a sister in great need, and an answer to their need that does nothing to relieve the situation: good wishes, that do nothing to provide for the needs of the body. God usually works through brothers or sisters in the Lord.
What we do reveals what we think. In other words, we prove our faith by our works.
We can all recall situations where individuals who claim to be men of faith, but whose lives reveal all too clearly that they are not. A person can sing heart touching hymns without believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God at all. Many do. A person can be an alcoholic a drunkard, a liar, an immoral monster, or a murderer and be totally unrepentant; yet he can still claim that he is a born again Christian. His works reveal that it is a lie. He is a hypocrite and scripture informs that people who do such things will not be in heaven. I once knew a drunkard who had a good job, but lived in a sub-economic housing community, primarily because he spent his income on the wrong things. He could, and often did, pray the most beautiful prayers, but they were prayers that were meaningless, because his life spoke so very loudly.
Faith that does not produce matching actions is inadequate. As James points out, even the demons, fallen angels, who knew from their own experiences the divinity of Christ, believe and tremble. They tremble because they know their destination. They do not show their faith in actions. They are lost and face the place that God has prepared for them. Yes, God did make Hell, but he made it for the devil and his angels. They know the truth, they understand, but they do not repent of their sin. They have in fact, committed an unforgivable sin.
Monday, December 3, 2007
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” Philippians 3:13-15
All Christians have the goal to be with God at the end of this earthly life. We know, that the things of this earth will all be left behind. The ancient Egyptians buried the wealth of their rulers with their mummified bodies; sometimes in grand tombs so that they, at least in their minds, could continue to live as they did here on earth. They had reached their goals, and had every desire to take all the trappings of this life with them in death. Much of this wealth attracted grave robbers and ultimately the riches came to rest in the museums of the world. Being in this world, it will ultimately be destroyed with the earth itself.
The very first word of this text assures us that Paul is writing for the benefit of his brothers and sisters in the Lord. He addresses them as “brethren.” Then, he makes it clear that they, and we, need a goal in life, but that we will not actually reach it in this life. The important thing is to leave the bygones behind; and to live in the present but for the future. Our goal is ahead, but our means of reaching it are in the present. What we do today, determines where we will spend eternally.
As we grow older, and we all do, we are tempted to live in the past and to think on past accomplishments, or digressions. Whether good or bad, we cannot change what is past. We can repent of it, asking the Lord to forgive us, and forge ahead determining never to repeat those failures again, being confident that He is just to forgive us, and has written them off in our record, just as I have done that very thing with the misspelled words of this document. I consulted “spell check,” corrected the errors, and the computer removed them forever. I can go on with a clean record, but I still misspelled the words in the first place and I must be more cautious in the future when I use them again. I know that. It does not change my goals, but it should make me a better typist now.
Paul urges us to “press on toward the mark.” South Africa is famous for its annual marathon, and runners from all over the world go there to compete; others, are contented to stand by the side of the route and watch, or to sit at home and watch the festivities on their television sets. Only those who actually cross the line at the end of the race will receive the bronze, the silver, or the gold metals, and the applause of the crowds gathered there. We too run before a great crowd of witnesses. Christians have entered the race. Some will drop out, because, perhaps, they kept looking back, and not forward. The non-contestant, can nevert win the reward, but even the contestant may drop out, and thousands do every year. The non-contestant needs to know that “all have sinned and fallen short” and that only those who have repented and obeyed the Lord are even qualified to achieve the goal. Even those must make every effort to run well, for there are levels of awards. Christians are saved by the grace of the Lord, but those who “barely reach the goal” will not receive the same award as those who steadfastly remained serving to the very end. “Grace” is defined as “unmerited good favor”. No one can deserve to be saved by his good works, but God is gracious to extend his grace toward all who make every effort and who reach the conclusion of life faithfully serving him.
You will never reach perfection in this life, but God in his love will, nevertheless welcome his children to the home he has prepared for them. Personally, I like the description of that home as being a “mansion” in the King James Version Bible, but any home the Lord has prepared will be a mansion compared to the very best this world can offer. He is offering a place in his own home. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” That is a goal we all want to reach. How can we look back, with such a goal as that ahead. Our Lord has said, “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
All Christians have the goal to be with God at the end of this earthly life. We know, that the things of this earth will all be left behind. The ancient Egyptians buried the wealth of their rulers with their mummified bodies; sometimes in grand tombs so that they, at least in their minds, could continue to live as they did here on earth. They had reached their goals, and had every desire to take all the trappings of this life with them in death. Much of this wealth attracted grave robbers and ultimately the riches came to rest in the museums of the world. Being in this world, it will ultimately be destroyed with the earth itself.
The very first word of this text assures us that Paul is writing for the benefit of his brothers and sisters in the Lord. He addresses them as “brethren.” Then, he makes it clear that they, and we, need a goal in life, but that we will not actually reach it in this life. The important thing is to leave the bygones behind; and to live in the present but for the future. Our goal is ahead, but our means of reaching it are in the present. What we do today, determines where we will spend eternally.
As we grow older, and we all do, we are tempted to live in the past and to think on past accomplishments, or digressions. Whether good or bad, we cannot change what is past. We can repent of it, asking the Lord to forgive us, and forge ahead determining never to repeat those failures again, being confident that He is just to forgive us, and has written them off in our record, just as I have done that very thing with the misspelled words of this document. I consulted “spell check,” corrected the errors, and the computer removed them forever. I can go on with a clean record, but I still misspelled the words in the first place and I must be more cautious in the future when I use them again. I know that. It does not change my goals, but it should make me a better typist now.
Paul urges us to “press on toward the mark.” South Africa is famous for its annual marathon, and runners from all over the world go there to compete; others, are contented to stand by the side of the route and watch, or to sit at home and watch the festivities on their television sets. Only those who actually cross the line at the end of the race will receive the bronze, the silver, or the gold metals, and the applause of the crowds gathered there. We too run before a great crowd of witnesses. Christians have entered the race. Some will drop out, because, perhaps, they kept looking back, and not forward. The non-contestant, can nevert win the reward, but even the contestant may drop out, and thousands do every year. The non-contestant needs to know that “all have sinned and fallen short” and that only those who have repented and obeyed the Lord are even qualified to achieve the goal. Even those must make every effort to run well, for there are levels of awards. Christians are saved by the grace of the Lord, but those who “barely reach the goal” will not receive the same award as those who steadfastly remained serving to the very end. “Grace” is defined as “unmerited good favor”. No one can deserve to be saved by his good works, but God is gracious to extend his grace toward all who make every effort and who reach the conclusion of life faithfully serving him.
You will never reach perfection in this life, but God in his love will, nevertheless welcome his children to the home he has prepared for them. Personally, I like the description of that home as being a “mansion” in the King James Version Bible, but any home the Lord has prepared will be a mansion compared to the very best this world can offer. He is offering a place in his own home. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” That is a goal we all want to reach. How can we look back, with such a goal as that ahead. Our Lord has said, “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Sunday, November 18, 2007
THE CHRISTIAN'S PERMANENT HOME
When and where we happened to be born, our parents, our material wealth or lack of it all make a difference where we live for our short stay here on earth. But no matter how long we may live, it's brevity is emphasized in scripture as being like a mist passes away, or grass that withers and is burned. In reality, it is simply a time granted to us a time to prepare for the reality of the endless time ahead. We have been given this time to prepare, not with material things, but Spiritually. I think of it as being something 
like the accomodation we used to use for our attendance at the African conferences. When the children were small, and where they were available, we sometimes hired small rondavel homes similar to those built by by our African brothers. They consisted of a round wall enclosing a twelve foot circular room, and with a thatch, metal, or asbestos roof. The floor was concrete, and the only furniture consisted of one or two narrow cots. Clearly, they were meant to be very temporary and we used them only as a sleeping shelter even those days. What did it matter, as they were shelter for a few days. Thus it is that life here on earth, can not be compared to life without end, eternity, without illness of any sort, in perfect surroundings. This life on earth has no real significance.
like the accomodation we used to use for our attendance at the African conferences. When the children were small, and where they were available, we sometimes hired small rondavel homes similar to those built by by our African brothers. They consisted of a round wall enclosing a twelve foot circular room, and with a thatch, metal, or asbestos roof. The floor was concrete, and the only furniture consisted of one or two narrow cots. Clearly, they were meant to be very temporary and we used them only as a sleeping shelter even those days. What did it matter, as they were shelter for a few days. Thus it is that life here on earth, can not be compared to life without end, eternity, without illness of any sort, in perfect surroundings. This life on earth has no real significance. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you." He who created all the universe and everything in it, said: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house 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 to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." John 14:1-7. What is important is that we make ready by accepting Jesus at his word, and obeying him in repentance, baptism and a devoted life. He left several parables to emphasize that fact. The chief one being the parable of the foolish and wise bridesmaids as they waited for the groom to come for his bride and the wedding to begin. The wise prepared with extra oil for their lamps, and the foolish took only the oil that was in their tiny lamps. Their lamps ran dry as they waited, and they had to go to search for more oil, thus they found themselves locked out of the wedding which had already started before they returned. Have you made the proper preparations, or have you left that for the last minute? None of us can be certain when our groom, Christ, will come for his bride, the church. If we are not ready, the "mansions" of heaven will not be for us, only the weeping and gnashing of teeth of those who, not being dressed in the wedding garments provided by the host, are escorted out to the place prepared for Satan and his demonic angels. There they will share with them the only other place. We are told that man can not really comprehend, nor words describe what lies in store, but the last two chapters in the Bible, make an attempt. Read Revelation 21, and 22. You don't want to miss this!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
YOUR PUPPY''S LOVE SHOWS YOU HOW:
TO SHOW UNLIMITED DEVOTION
“And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (KJV, translates love as “charity”} 1 Corinthians 13:13.
My last dog, as a child, was Ted. Ted was of somewhat dubious background. The SPCA would probably have called him a Rotweiler. We just called him a “German police dog.” He had the proper markings and somewhat the build of a Rotweiler. Ted was devoted to our family. When my father was away, which was often, he slept by our kitchen door. Even a violent thunder and rainstorm would not induce him to come inside, but neither would he abandon his place as protector, however he only need to hear dad’s car coming, and he would vanish, perhaps for days at a time. Because he liked us, he would frequently come and sit in front of us, extending his right paw to “shake hands.” After my father left permanently, we could no longer afford to keep him so we found a new home on a farm for him. Unfortunately he preferred us and kept returning to us until we had to physically drive him away. After that he totally ignored us. We had broken his heart, not to speak of our own in the process.
Years later in Africa, we were given a lovely Pekingese female. Peaches really loved to be the center of attention and had the adorable habit of sitting up and “praying” with her two front paws together and giving a single yip.
Our final dog was another Pekingese, a male who followed Phyllis about everywhere he could go. He was blind and crippled with arthritis by that time and seldom ventured anywhere he did not hear her moving about. It broke our hearts to leave him behind, but we left instructions that he should be put down by the SPCA as he would certainly mourn our departure.
We can learn a lesson from our pets. Each of these, showed its love in a different way, but if we love our Lord, we will find a way to show it. We will let Him know through our prayers and genuine devotion as both Ted and Peaches did. Let us have an attitude of prayer, conversing frequently with our Lord. Scripture says “pray without ceasing.” God walked in the cool of the evening in the garden with Adam and Eve. He misses that closeness, and so should we. We need it. We need to listen for the footsteps of Christ, and follow closely. If we don’t follow closely, we will break his heart, to our own eternal loss. Ted treated us as strangers. He could not understand that we simply could not keep him as before.
ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE PATTERN
It is strange how we can read the same scriptures time and time again, but suddenly, a new thought will occur that we had never thought before. I knew that the ark, the tabernacle, and the temple, were designed to show us many things about our Lord's church which would come under a totally new covenant.
When Noah was told how to build the ark, God was very clear that it was to be built according to his pattern in measurements and materials. Noah had never seen such a strange thing, and this must have brought much ridicule upon him. Still he did exactly as God told him, though it took him a hundred years to complete the task and to call upon mankind to repent and come into the ark.
Again when Moses oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, he followed in every detail, how it was to be built, and the materials to use, right down to the greatest detail.
Solomon's temple, eventually replaced the temporary tabernacle. It was a permanent building, built to last, but every detail in its construction was given by God. And the plan was followed.
Looking, back, we see that had Noah not followed every detail, the human race, along with all animal life would have been totally obliterated from the earth. We would not be here. God knew what would be needed, and he designed the perfect plan for Noah to use. The purpose of the ark was to save mankind.
The tabernacle was to be a foreshadowing, a picture, and a divine plan for the church. It too, would be for the salvation of all mankind. It too, would be rejected by most people, but that does not change the perfection of the plan.
Both the ark, and the tabernacle, came to be, because of God's great love. God loves those who are faithful to him, and Noah was faithful. If he was not a man of great trust and faith, he would have given up long before the hundred years of preaching, without even one convert, and the hard labor to build something so strange in the eyes of those all about him. Everyone thought it strange when a man built an ocean going yacht in his backyard in Johannesburg, some four hundred miles from the ocean. In the end, he had to have it moved by a huge "eighteen wheeler" If I recall right, it was damaged in transit. That seemed strange, but Noah was building the equivalent of a passenger liner, many miles from water. Both cases were a test of faith, and both men passed with flying colors.
I was reading Hebrews, chapter nine the familiar description of the tabernacle. "For there was a tabernacle made: the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid roundabout with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. And the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly." Thus is described the basic layout of the tabernacle, omitting the huge laver, and the altar outside, as well as the incense altar next to the curtain which separated the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The full details are given in the original instructions found in Exodus 25 and chapters following.
I knew the symbolic significance of the burnt altar, representing the final blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the laver, representing the cleansing of the priests before they entered the holy place to care for the showbread, the candlestick and the prayers at the altar of incense. I recalled the significance of the diving curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies which contained the ark, containing the Law of Moses. These things are basic, but what are they a picture of, and who is involved in each area?
The altar outside represents the death of Christ for all mankind. Some will accept, and some will reject. The giant laver represents baptism when we "put on Christ", and become a part of his body, the church, The Holy Place represents the church. Only the priests could enter the Holy Place. But now, Scripture speaks of Christians as being saints, and a Holy priesthood. They have direct access to God in prayer as they did in the tabernacle. They partake of the bread and the wine of the communion, and they are enlightened by the receiving of the word. In the tabernacle only the high priest ever entered the Holy of Holies, representing heaven, the dwelling place of God Himself. Even he was only able to do so once a year, but here is the thought that I realized. The veil was torn by God at the crucifixion of Christ, and Christ precedes us into the very presence of his Father God. We have access as far as the altar of prayer, and we can converse with the Lord there, but we can also see and know what lies ahead, for that is revealed in the last chapter of the book of Revelation. "Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God, But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:" Hebrews 9:2-7.
There are certain things that we dare not change. Cultures differ, different personalities will express themselves differently, but these are of God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. They must never change.
When Noah was told how to build the ark, God was very clear that it was to be built according to his pattern in measurements and materials. Noah had never seen such a strange thing, and this must have brought much ridicule upon him. Still he did exactly as God told him, though it took him a hundred years to complete the task and to call upon mankind to repent and come into the ark.
Again when Moses oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, he followed in every detail, how it was to be built, and the materials to use, right down to the greatest detail.
Solomon's temple, eventually replaced the temporary tabernacle. It was a permanent building, built to last, but every detail in its construction was given by God. And the plan was followed.
Looking, back, we see that had Noah not followed every detail, the human race, along with all animal life would have been totally obliterated from the earth. We would not be here. God knew what would be needed, and he designed the perfect plan for Noah to use. The purpose of the ark was to save mankind.
The tabernacle was to be a foreshadowing, a picture, and a divine plan for the church. It too, would be for the salvation of all mankind. It too, would be rejected by most people, but that does not change the perfection of the plan.
Both the ark, and the tabernacle, came to be, because of God's great love. God loves those who are faithful to him, and Noah was faithful. If he was not a man of great trust and faith, he would have given up long before the hundred years of preaching, without even one convert, and the hard labor to build something so strange in the eyes of those all about him. Everyone thought it strange when a man built an ocean going yacht in his backyard in Johannesburg, some four hundred miles from the ocean. In the end, he had to have it moved by a huge "eighteen wheeler" If I recall right, it was damaged in transit. That seemed strange, but Noah was building the equivalent of a passenger liner, many miles from water. Both cases were a test of faith, and both men passed with flying colors.
I was reading Hebrews, chapter nine the familiar description of the tabernacle. "For there was a tabernacle made: the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid roundabout with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. And the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly." Thus is described the basic layout of the tabernacle, omitting the huge laver, and the altar outside, as well as the incense altar next to the curtain which separated the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The full details are given in the original instructions found in Exodus 25 and chapters following.
I knew the symbolic significance of the burnt altar, representing the final blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the laver, representing the cleansing of the priests before they entered the holy place to care for the showbread, the candlestick and the prayers at the altar of incense. I recalled the significance of the diving curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies which contained the ark, containing the Law of Moses. These things are basic, but what are they a picture of, and who is involved in each area?
The altar outside represents the death of Christ for all mankind. Some will accept, and some will reject. The giant laver represents baptism when we "put on Christ", and become a part of his body, the church, The Holy Place represents the church. Only the priests could enter the Holy Place. But now, Scripture speaks of Christians as being saints, and a Holy priesthood. They have direct access to God in prayer as they did in the tabernacle. They partake of the bread and the wine of the communion, and they are enlightened by the receiving of the word. In the tabernacle only the high priest ever entered the Holy of Holies, representing heaven, the dwelling place of God Himself. Even he was only able to do so once a year, but here is the thought that I realized. The veil was torn by God at the crucifixion of Christ, and Christ precedes us into the very presence of his Father God. We have access as far as the altar of prayer, and we can converse with the Lord there, but we can also see and know what lies ahead, for that is revealed in the last chapter of the book of Revelation. "Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God, But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:" Hebrews 9:2-7.
There are certain things that we dare not change. Cultures differ, different personalities will express themselves differently, but these are of God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. They must never change.
THE WORD:
THE SWORD OF LIFE
The book of Hebrews contains a wealth of information to guide us in our Spiritual growth. I am choosing one of its most difficult passages for today's consideration, so please do not expect a scholarly presentation. One can get in over his depth so easily with this text, but that is not the message I want to show here. I recall a friend and colleague who did just that. He realized in the middle of his sermon that he was over his depth.
As you may know, I do a weekly newsletter entitled "Searching the Scriptures with Bob." That is also the overall title of one of my blog sites where this is also available. A portion of the sidebar of that each week is a daily reading guide for that week which will result in your reading the Bible through in one year's time. However, reading the Bible, unless you also make it a part of your life, guiding your activities every day, is not going to help you all that much. Satan is far more knowledgeable of the content of scripture than any of us are likely ever going to be. He is a master of quoting it out of context, twisting it, and misapplying it. Your only answer is to make it a part of your daily life so that you know the context, the meaning, and can use it against falsehood. You won't be able to do that unless you read it. You can use a different version every year.
"The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.
The sword was the basic weapon of warfare of that era of history, and continued to be so for many years. It continued to be so right up to fairly recent history. It was, and is, a weapon of destruction; mostly used against a single person at a time. His emphasis is on how quick, how powerful, and how devastating it is; how thorough it is. He speaks of the joints, and the marrow. That thought takes my memory back to my childhood, when I watched my mother take a live chicken nearly every Sunday, and methodically reduce it to a stack of severed parts separating the wing and leg joints. At one time, years later, I did the same with domestic rabbits. You learn where and how to cut it up through doing it. And you expect to make mistakes while you are learning. With the chicken, pity the person who breaks the wish bone in preparing it for the cook. My mistake with the rabbit was that I prepared one for a friend and returned it to him much too soon. I should have placed it in the refrigerator for a while first. It still twitched as the muscles cooled down.
Thus it is with the word. It is capable of helping us in many ways, but we have to read it, understand it, and make use of it. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it certainly helps, thus, as I am coming to the end of the year, I have every intention of repeating the Bible reading guide of my newsletter again next year.
The word is a discerner of "the thoughts and intents of the heart." If you know the word, you will know where a false teacher is headed even before he gets there, and what his intentions are even before he reveals them, or even if he never tells you. You will recognize that he is dropping a word or changing a word here and there or perhaps changing the punctuation. A false teacher will often say Jesus Christ is a prophet or even a god, but scripture says he is God, John 1:1. Not a god, but God. Not only that, but he was "in the beginning with God." And all things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." There, you have the answer to the origin of the whle universe. I read in my computer headlines this week of the explosion of the Comet Holmes. As the wise men of the East read the heavens and followed the star to Bethlehem to find the new born king, let us note this new and growing light of the heavens and remember that this is one of the signs that he shall return soon.
The book of Hebrews contains a wealth of information to guide us in our Spiritual growth. I am choosing one of its most difficult passages for today's consideration, so please do not expect a scholarly presentation. One can get in over his depth so easily with this text, but that is not the message I want to show here. I recall a friend and colleague who did just that. He realized in the middle of his sermon that he was over his depth.
As you may know, I do a weekly newsletter entitled "Searching the Scriptures with Bob." That is also the overall title of one of my blog sites where this is also available. A portion of the sidebar of that each week is a daily reading guide for that week which will result in your reading the Bible through in one year's time. However, reading the Bible, unless you also make it a part of your life, guiding your activities every day, is not going to help you all that much. Satan is far more knowledgeable of the content of scripture than any of us are likely ever going to be. He is a master of quoting it out of context, twisting it, and misapplying it. Your only answer is to make it a part of your daily life so that you know the context, the meaning, and can use it against falsehood. You won't be able to do that unless you read it. You can use a different version every year.
"The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.
The sword was the basic weapon of warfare of that era of history, and continued to be so for many years. It continued to be so right up to fairly recent history. It was, and is, a weapon of destruction; mostly used against a single person at a time. His emphasis is on how quick, how powerful, and how devastating it is; how thorough it is. He speaks of the joints, and the marrow. That thought takes my memory back to my childhood, when I watched my mother take a live chicken nearly every Sunday, and methodically reduce it to a stack of severed parts separating the wing and leg joints. At one time, years later, I did the same with domestic rabbits. You learn where and how to cut it up through doing it. And you expect to make mistakes while you are learning. With the chicken, pity the person who breaks the wish bone in preparing it for the cook. My mistake with the rabbit was that I prepared one for a friend and returned it to him much too soon. I should have placed it in the refrigerator for a while first. It still twitched as the muscles cooled down.
Thus it is with the word. It is capable of helping us in many ways, but we have to read it, understand it, and make use of it. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it certainly helps, thus, as I am coming to the end of the year, I have every intention of repeating the Bible reading guide of my newsletter again next year.
The word is a discerner of "the thoughts and intents of the heart." If you know the word, you will know where a false teacher is headed even before he gets there, and what his intentions are even before he reveals them, or even if he never tells you. You will recognize that he is dropping a word or changing a word here and there or perhaps changing the punctuation. A false teacher will often say Jesus Christ is a prophet or even a god, but scripture says he is God, John 1:1. Not a god, but God. Not only that, but he was "in the beginning with God." And all things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." There, you have the answer to the origin of the whle universe. I read in my computer headlines this week of the explosion of the Comet Holmes. As the wise men of the East read the heavens and followed the star to Bethlehem to find the new born king, let us note this new and growing light of the heavens and remember that this is one of the signs that he shall return soon.
Monday, November 5, 2007
THE SWORD OF LIFE
THE WORD; THE SWORD OF LIFE
The book of Hebrews contains a wealth of information to guide us in our Spiritual growth. I am choosing one of it's most difficult passages for today's consideration, so please do not expect a scholarly presentation. One can get in over his depth so easily with this text, but that is not my purpose here. I recall a friend and colleague who did just that. He realized in the middle of his sermon that he was over his depth.
As you may know, I do a weekly newsletter entitled "Searching the Scriptures with Bob." That is also the overall title of one of my blog sites where this is also available. A portion of the sidebar of that each week is a daily reading guide for that week which will result in your reading the Bible through in a year's time. However, reading the Bible, unless you also make it a part of your life, guiding your activities every day, is not going to help you all that much. Satan is far more knowledgeable of the content of scripture than any of us will ever be. He is a master of quoting it out of context, twisting it, and misapplying it. Your only answer is to make it a part of your daily life so that you know the context, the meaning, and can use it, truth against falsehood. You won't be able to do that unless you read it. You can use a different version every year.
"The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
The sword was the basic weapon of warfare of that era of history, and continued to be so for many years. It continued to be so right up to fairly recent history. It was, and is, a weapon of destruction; mostly used against a single person at a time. His emphasis is on how quick, how powerful, and how devastating it is; how thorough it is. He speaks of the joints, and the marrow. My memory goes back to my childhood, when I watched my mother prepare a chicken for our Sunday meal nearly every week. She methodically reduced it to a stack of severed parts separating the wing and leg joints. At one time, years later, I prepared domestic rabbits for cooking in the same way. You learn where and how to cut it up through doing it. And you expect to make mistakes while you are learning. With the chicken, pity the person who broke the "wish bone" in preparing it for the cook. My mistake with the rabbit was that I prepared one for a friend and returned it to him too soon. It still twitched as the muscles cooled down. I should have placed it in the refrigerator for a while first.
Thus it is with the word. It is capable of helping us in many ways, but we have to read it, understand it, and make use of it. Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it certainly helps, thus, as I am coming to the end of the year, I have every intention of repeating the Bible reading guide of my newsletter every year.
The word is a discerner of "the thoughts and intents of the heart." If you know the word, you will know where a false teacher is headed even before he says it, and what his intentions are even before he reveals them, or even if he never tells you. You will recognize that he is dropping a word or changing a word here or there. A false teacher will often say Jesus Christ is a prophet or even a god, but scripture says he is God, John 1:1. Not a god, but God. Not only that, but he was "in the beginning with God." And all things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." There, you have the answer to the origin of the universe. I read in mycomputer headlines this week of the explosion of the Comet Holmes. As the wise men of the East read the heavens and followed the star to Bethlehem to find the new born king, let us note this new and growing light of the heavens and remember that this is one of the signs that he shall return soon.
. .
The book of Hebrews contains a wealth of information to guide us in our Spiritual growth. I am choosing one of it's most difficult passages for today's consideration, so please do not expect a scholarly presentation. One can get in over his depth so easily with this text, but that is not my purpose here. I recall a friend and colleague who did just that. He realized in the middle of his sermon that he was over his depth.
As you may know, I do a weekly newsletter entitled "Searching the Scriptures with Bob." That is also the overall title of one of my blog sites where this is also available. A portion of the sidebar of that each week is a daily reading guide for that week which will result in your reading the Bible through in a year's time. However, reading the Bible, unless you also make it a part of your life, guiding your activities every day, is not going to help you all that much. Satan is far more knowledgeable of the content of scripture than any of us will ever be. He is a master of quoting it out of context, twisting it, and misapplying it. Your only answer is to make it a part of your daily life so that you know the context, the meaning, and can use it, truth against falsehood. You won't be able to do that unless you read it. You can use a different version every year.
"The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
The sword was the basic weapon of warfare of that era of history, and continued to be so for many years. It continued to be so right up to fairly recent history. It was, and is, a weapon of destruction; mostly used against a single person at a time. His emphasis is on how quick, how powerful, and how devastating it is; how thorough it is. He speaks of the joints, and the marrow. My memory goes back to my childhood, when I watched my mother prepare a chicken for our Sunday meal nearly every week. She methodically reduced it to a stack of severed parts separating the wing and leg joints. At one time, years later, I prepared domestic rabbits for cooking in the same way. You learn where and how to cut it up through doing it. And you expect to make mistakes while you are learning. With the chicken, pity the person who broke the "wish bone" in preparing it for the cook. My mistake with the rabbit was that I prepared one for a friend and returned it to him too soon. It still twitched as the muscles cooled down. I should have placed it in the refrigerator for a while first.
Thus it is with the word. It is capable of helping us in many ways, but we have to read it, understand it, and make use of it. Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it certainly helps, thus, as I am coming to the end of the year, I have every intention of repeating the Bible reading guide of my newsletter every year.
The word is a discerner of "the thoughts and intents of the heart." If you know the word, you will know where a false teacher is headed even before he says it, and what his intentions are even before he reveals them, or even if he never tells you. You will recognize that he is dropping a word or changing a word here or there. A false teacher will often say Jesus Christ is a prophet or even a god, but scripture says he is God, John 1:1. Not a god, but God. Not only that, but he was "in the beginning with God." And all things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." There, you have the answer to the origin of the universe. I read in mycomputer headlines this week of the explosion of the Comet Holmes. As the wise men of the East read the heavens and followed the star to Bethlehem to find the new born king, let us note this new and growing light of the heavens and remember that this is one of the signs that he shall return soon.
. .
Saturday, November 3, 2007
MARCHING ORDERS
"PREACH THE WORD"
Paul, in writing to his frequent associate and fellow worker, gave what could be called his last marching orders. These were appropriate not only for Timothy, but for all of us. We are fighting the same battle against Satan. Our task is the same, no matter how intense the battle should become. God told Noah to preach a message of repentance for a hundred years to all who would listen, while he was building the ark. God knew that the only ones who would believe would be Noah’s own family, but he gave the opportunity to all. The earth was to be destroyed by the flood then. Today we are living in days when “they shall not endure sound doctrine”, and we face the final destruction of the earth, not by gradual warming and melting of the ice caps, but by fire. I recall the statement of a Charismatic Pentecostal evangelist, several years ago, who said “I don’t preach doctrine.” This year’s horrific wild fires in California should open our eyes of that event to come, certainly they are a graphic warning, yet I have not heard one word mentioning that fact. As Jesus said to the apostles, “teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” Matthew 28:20, so we must also do. Jesus said, “teach them,” and to Paul “preach the word.” It is the same command passed on to every new generation.”
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
The quick, the dead, and his Kingdom. Notice that he separates those of his kingdom, from those who are living, and not living at the time of his coming to judge. Why is it that those of his kingdom are separated from the others? Is it not perhaps because they have been caught up to meet him in the air? These are the ones who have heeded the charge and have been preaching the word. In John 1:1 we have noted that the “Word” was with God and the Word was God and the Word had a part in the creation of all things. The word was Christ. We are to be preaching Christ and what he has taught us. Whether people believe it or not is not the question. In fact, we know that most will reject it, but that is not our basis for preaching, just as it was not with Noah. We are told that they will not endure sound doctrine, and will prefer little stories instead. Paul calls them fables. A fable can be an illustration but not the content of thr whole message as is sometimes heard.
Not everyone is going to like the evangelist, especially if he is the bearer of bad news. Read the prophets of the Old Testament days. Sometimes the kings they were told to carry a message to, were violent in their rejection. One had his scroll cut into pieces and thrown into the fire as it was read, Jeremiah was thrown into an abandoned cistern, Elijah fled for his life from Jezebel. I, myself, was cautious as I collected my mail at my post office box after I received a threatening letter in response to tracts I had distributed in the Oriental Plaza of Johannesburg. The box could have been watched. Christians can “endure afflictions” in any period of history.
Paul was able to say of himself, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Are we able to say the same? If we are, we are also able to say with confidence, “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Let us look forward to that day with confidence.
Paul, in writing to his frequent associate and fellow worker, gave what could be called his last marching orders. These were appropriate not only for Timothy, but for all of us. We are fighting the same battle against Satan. Our task is the same, no matter how intense the battle should become. God told Noah to preach a message of repentance for a hundred years to all who would listen, while he was building the ark. God knew that the only ones who would believe would be Noah’s own family, but he gave the opportunity to all. The earth was to be destroyed by the flood then. Today we are living in days when “they shall not endure sound doctrine”, and we face the final destruction of the earth, not by gradual warming and melting of the ice caps, but by fire. I recall the statement of a Charismatic Pentecostal evangelist, several years ago, who said “I don’t preach doctrine.” This year’s horrific wild fires in California should open our eyes of that event to come, certainly they are a graphic warning, yet I have not heard one word mentioning that fact. As Jesus said to the apostles, “teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” Matthew 28:20, so we must also do. Jesus said, “teach them,” and to Paul “preach the word.” It is the same command passed on to every new generation.”
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
The quick, the dead, and his Kingdom. Notice that he separates those of his kingdom, from those who are living, and not living at the time of his coming to judge. Why is it that those of his kingdom are separated from the others? Is it not perhaps because they have been caught up to meet him in the air? These are the ones who have heeded the charge and have been preaching the word. In John 1:1 we have noted that the “Word” was with God and the Word was God and the Word had a part in the creation of all things. The word was Christ. We are to be preaching Christ and what he has taught us. Whether people believe it or not is not the question. In fact, we know that most will reject it, but that is not our basis for preaching, just as it was not with Noah. We are told that they will not endure sound doctrine, and will prefer little stories instead. Paul calls them fables. A fable can be an illustration but not the content of thr whole message as is sometimes heard.
Not everyone is going to like the evangelist, especially if he is the bearer of bad news. Read the prophets of the Old Testament days. Sometimes the kings they were told to carry a message to, were violent in their rejection. One had his scroll cut into pieces and thrown into the fire as it was read, Jeremiah was thrown into an abandoned cistern, Elijah fled for his life from Jezebel. I, myself, was cautious as I collected my mail at my post office box after I received a threatening letter in response to tracts I had distributed in the Oriental Plaza of Johannesburg. The box could have been watched. Christians can “endure afflictions” in any period of history.
Paul was able to say of himself, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Are we able to say the same? If we are, we are also able to say with confidence, “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Let us look forward to that day with confidence.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
WHAT ARE YOU SOWING BROTHER?
Galatians 6:7-10
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
The logo or icon of the Bible Society in South Africa is the picture of a man sowing seed by hand. This is the same as the word picture Paul used in his letter to the Galatians. He wanted all to know that we get back what we give out. We are all aware that we do not plant wild oats and reap wheat. “He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” I we spend our life seeking earthly rewards, that is what we shall reap, and only that. What does the wealthy farmer take with him when he comes to the end of life? We start with nothing and we end the same way. The ancient Egyptians filled the graves of their Pharos with every thing they believed it possible that they would need in an after life, but those things, resplendent with gold, have now ended up in the museums, along with a dried and dusty mummy. Such is the destination of any life that is set on material earthly things. The body decays and the wealth is dispensed.
But, there is a better alternative. “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” He has a more lofty purpose in life. His eye is set on spiritual things, not material. All that we have that is material belongs to God. He made it all. We are but stewards, slaves mind you, entrusted to use these things for a short period of time. Even as the master of a slave is responsible for everything his slaves needed, thus God will provide for all that we need; perhaps not all that we want, but all that we need. Jesus made this clear when he said, “in my Father’s house are many mansions,” or places as some versions word it. God does, and will supply, and in heaven one is not still a servant, but a brother or sister and an heir of God’s. God will not provide for his own family that which will fall apart in the first hundred years or grow old and tattered. He will provide for eternity, even as he provided for the Children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness, everything, water, food, and clothing and shoes that did not wear out until they reached their destination, the Promised Land.
God has a better plan. He will care for the needy though their brothers and sisters here; not directly as the manna fell in the wilderness and was harvested every morning. God wants those who he blesses with much, to assist those who are lacking, “especially them who are of the household of faith.” That is the idea behind the benevolent ministry of the church. Today’s believers have grown lax and leave this to Social Security. Unfortunately it is a fact that the poor, who have spent a lifetime earning the minimum wage or even less, have built up a very low level of investment over the years and their Social Security income is far below the “poverty level” and pushed lower every year by the required Medicare deductions. Those are the Medicaid patients and the homeless.
As far as I know, virtually all of our Benevolent Societies, orphanages, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and retirement centers are forced to turn these people, whether “of the faith” or not, away for lack of funding. This is the responsibility of the church. Missionaries should not have to operate food kitchens for Christians who are in need.
Let us look to what we are doing, and also to what we are neglecting. It isn’t only in India and Ethiopia that there are needy and hungry Christians. They are everywhere, even in our American churches if we look carefully.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
The logo or icon of the Bible Society in South Africa is the picture of a man sowing seed by hand. This is the same as the word picture Paul used in his letter to the Galatians. He wanted all to know that we get back what we give out. We are all aware that we do not plant wild oats and reap wheat. “He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” I we spend our life seeking earthly rewards, that is what we shall reap, and only that. What does the wealthy farmer take with him when he comes to the end of life? We start with nothing and we end the same way. The ancient Egyptians filled the graves of their Pharos with every thing they believed it possible that they would need in an after life, but those things, resplendent with gold, have now ended up in the museums, along with a dried and dusty mummy. Such is the destination of any life that is set on material earthly things. The body decays and the wealth is dispensed.
But, there is a better alternative. “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” He has a more lofty purpose in life. His eye is set on spiritual things, not material. All that we have that is material belongs to God. He made it all. We are but stewards, slaves mind you, entrusted to use these things for a short period of time. Even as the master of a slave is responsible for everything his slaves needed, thus God will provide for all that we need; perhaps not all that we want, but all that we need. Jesus made this clear when he said, “in my Father’s house are many mansions,” or places as some versions word it. God does, and will supply, and in heaven one is not still a servant, but a brother or sister and an heir of God’s. God will not provide for his own family that which will fall apart in the first hundred years or grow old and tattered. He will provide for eternity, even as he provided for the Children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness, everything, water, food, and clothing and shoes that did not wear out until they reached their destination, the Promised Land.
God has a better plan. He will care for the needy though their brothers and sisters here; not directly as the manna fell in the wilderness and was harvested every morning. God wants those who he blesses with much, to assist those who are lacking, “especially them who are of the household of faith.” That is the idea behind the benevolent ministry of the church. Today’s believers have grown lax and leave this to Social Security. Unfortunately it is a fact that the poor, who have spent a lifetime earning the minimum wage or even less, have built up a very low level of investment over the years and their Social Security income is far below the “poverty level” and pushed lower every year by the required Medicare deductions. Those are the Medicaid patients and the homeless.
As far as I know, virtually all of our Benevolent Societies, orphanages, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and retirement centers are forced to turn these people, whether “of the faith” or not, away for lack of funding. This is the responsibility of the church. Missionaries should not have to operate food kitchens for Christians who are in need.
Let us look to what we are doing, and also to what we are neglecting. It isn’t only in India and Ethiopia that there are needy and hungry Christians. They are everywhere, even in our American churches if we look carefully.
WHY DO THE GOOD DIE YOUNG?
We have all wondered why children and “good” people often die young. Even, perhaps, we have blamed God and felt that this is very unfair and unloving that this should happen.
If God were so loving, should not the evil be punished by a short life, and the children all live to an old age? Actually, that is often the case. Sometimes we forget that God knows the end from the very beginning. He knows how we shall end, just as he knew that Jesus would die on the cross for the sins of all mankind even before he sent him to become our savior. Thus, we read that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God knew, but still he sent him because he loves us all.
However, I recently read a scripture in Isaiah 57:1-2 that affirmed something that I had long felt to be true.
It reads: “The righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest 1n their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.“ The phrase I have placed in bold type, just popped out to me, and it makes all the difference in the world. For affirmation, I also looked it up in the NIV versions, which simply states it even more clearly in more modern English. “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly, enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”
We were three brothers. My older brother was five years older than I, and my younger brother was five years younger. Jackie Allan lived for only two days. It seemed so very unfair and unloving that he should die so young. He had been born with a birth defect. His survival would have changed all of our lives. Five years later our farm and much of our furniture was sold and my father left for good. Mother probably could not have survived with two sons at home to raise alone. My older brother had left home years before, so we started with me mowing lawns at first and mother doing laundry, ironing, and house cleaning for others. God was aware of all this, and Jackie was safely back with him, well and loved. He was “taken away from the evil to come.” Mother has now joined him, and I look forward to that reunion to come at the time God has chosen.
God, who knows all that will or can happen to us, who knows the end from our very beginning, had a special task for me that he did not have for Jackie, and it was not there on that farm. By hind-sight, I see afterward more than I did as it unfolded. We all can if we stop to think about what has happened to us along the way. God had a purpose for each of us. We shall live and serve as long as we continue to enter the doors that he opens before us. For me: 1. We left the farm. That had served its purpose. 2. We made two important moves. First to a small town where the Lord’s church became very central in our lives, then moved to a small city where a larger faithful church continued to be a guide and strength. These two churches were to become the backbone of our prayer and financial support over many years to come. 3. I enlisted in the Navy, changing my outlook and purpose in life, and building self confidence greatly. This also paid for my education. 4. I enrolled in a new Bible School and God brought my future wife and I together there. 5. We went to Africa as new missionaries. There formation and work doors continued to open throughout the years. God was at work. Even in my retiring at the age of 72.
God has a plan for each of us, and he opens the doors and nudges the reluctant along all the way. In the case of Saul of Tarsus, Jesus said that he was “kicking against the goads.” With me it was more gentle “nudges” that I enter the doors he opened, but the result was the same. God formed us with love, for a purpose, and he guides us along to that goal.
He know from the beginning whom among us will respond, and who will not. He knows if added years will make a difference. And, if we finish our task on earth early, he like the gracious employer he is, will say, “You are finished, Take the rest of the day off.” I will return for you. Let us look forward with confidence for that “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
God’s will be done!
If God were so loving, should not the evil be punished by a short life, and the children all live to an old age? Actually, that is often the case. Sometimes we forget that God knows the end from the very beginning. He knows how we shall end, just as he knew that Jesus would die on the cross for the sins of all mankind even before he sent him to become our savior. Thus, we read that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God knew, but still he sent him because he loves us all.
However, I recently read a scripture in Isaiah 57:1-2 that affirmed something that I had long felt to be true.
It reads: “The righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest 1n their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.“ The phrase I have placed in bold type, just popped out to me, and it makes all the difference in the world. For affirmation, I also looked it up in the NIV versions, which simply states it even more clearly in more modern English. “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly, enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”
We were three brothers. My older brother was five years older than I, and my younger brother was five years younger. Jackie Allan lived for only two days. It seemed so very unfair and unloving that he should die so young. He had been born with a birth defect. His survival would have changed all of our lives. Five years later our farm and much of our furniture was sold and my father left for good. Mother probably could not have survived with two sons at home to raise alone. My older brother had left home years before, so we started with me mowing lawns at first and mother doing laundry, ironing, and house cleaning for others. God was aware of all this, and Jackie was safely back with him, well and loved. He was “taken away from the evil to come.” Mother has now joined him, and I look forward to that reunion to come at the time God has chosen.
God, who knows all that will or can happen to us, who knows the end from our very beginning, had a special task for me that he did not have for Jackie, and it was not there on that farm. By hind-sight, I see afterward more than I did as it unfolded. We all can if we stop to think about what has happened to us along the way. God had a purpose for each of us. We shall live and serve as long as we continue to enter the doors that he opens before us. For me: 1. We left the farm. That had served its purpose. 2. We made two important moves. First to a small town where the Lord’s church became very central in our lives, then moved to a small city where a larger faithful church continued to be a guide and strength. These two churches were to become the backbone of our prayer and financial support over many years to come. 3. I enlisted in the Navy, changing my outlook and purpose in life, and building self confidence greatly. This also paid for my education. 4. I enrolled in a new Bible School and God brought my future wife and I together there. 5. We went to Africa as new missionaries. There formation and work doors continued to open throughout the years. God was at work. Even in my retiring at the age of 72.
God has a plan for each of us, and he opens the doors and nudges the reluctant along all the way. In the case of Saul of Tarsus, Jesus said that he was “kicking against the goads.” With me it was more gentle “nudges” that I enter the doors he opened, but the result was the same. God formed us with love, for a purpose, and he guides us along to that goal.
He know from the beginning whom among us will respond, and who will not. He knows if added years will make a difference. And, if we finish our task on earth early, he like the gracious employer he is, will say, “You are finished, Take the rest of the day off.” I will return for you. Let us look forward with confidence for that “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
God’s will be done!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
ANOTHER GOSPEL?
LET HIM BE ACCURSED!
Galatians 1:3-9
“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you unto the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As I have said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
The meaning of the word “Gospel” is simply “Good News,” and the source of this good news in the New Testament, is augmented by the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. For example, there are many prophecies of the Messiah to come in the Old Testament and these are fulfilled in the New Testament many years later. The book of Matthew was written with the Jewish nation particularly, in mind. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus. This is vital for Jewish readers. The Birth of Christ, the virgin birth, and many activities of Christ, which had been prophesied many years before, are carefully recorded in Matthew. These weave into the account many facts of vital importance to them, and lead up to his sacrificial death, his burial, and his resurrection in payment for the sins of mankind. The good news is that God sent His own Son who died for our sins, and who showed his divinity by raising from the dead on the third day. These points are brought out in the teaching of the Apostles.
Early in church history, there began to rise up men who were preaching “another Gospel.” This began to take place even while the Apostles were still living and preaching. Paul struggled with these false doctrines in many of his letters to the churches. Since he was evangelist to the Gentiles, he was deeply concerned by pressures from certain Jewish Christians who felt that it was necessary for any convert to the gospel, to first become a Jew, then accept the Christ. In effect this would mean that Christianity would be a branch of Judaism. Such believers were called “Judaisers.” We should praise the Lord that Paul wrote those letters, which make up a large portion of the New Testament. In dealing with problems, he sets the example for doing the same in the church of today. He dealt with moral problems, in excessive use of alcohol, in lying, in tongues, gossip, and many other basic problems of humanity.
Not all false prophets are charlatans, preaching godly morality, but personally blatant womanizers, alcoholics, or liars. Others preach a “God wants you to be rich” or “a name it and claim it” message, when the very opposite is often the emphasis of scripture The message is that we can not serve both “mammon,” wealth and God. Jesus pointed out that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. What he meant is that we have to make a decision. Do we want to be rich in this world? or do we want to be Christians and rich in heaven’s blessings eternally?. Wealth can not be the goal of our lives. We can not seek wealth at the expense of honesty and truth. Read the “get rich schemes” on the web. They all promise great wealth, but always at the sacrifice of truth and honesty. If God blesses us, we have greater responsibility, for our true riches are revealed by where our heart is. In Christianity there is always the temptation to manipulate our worship services, as I have observed in Africa where even in the pre-service prayers which begin quietly but gradually increased in tempo and volume until they filled the building by what sounded much like a “Gregorian chant.” In the meantime, the band was doing the same, starting modestly, but building in tempo guaranteeing a throbbing headache at its peak. The apparent center of those services comes with the healing service and the altar calls near the end.
In contrast, the heart and center of Christian worship is prayer and the observance of the Lord’s memorial table. Leave Christ out of worship, and it is false. We pray through a living Lord and remember his death burial and resurrection at our weekly assembly in the body of Christ, the church.
Galatians 1:3-9
“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you unto the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As I have said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
The meaning of the word “Gospel” is simply “Good News,” and the source of this good news in the New Testament, is augmented by the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. For example, there are many prophecies of the Messiah to come in the Old Testament and these are fulfilled in the New Testament many years later. The book of Matthew was written with the Jewish nation particularly, in mind. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus. This is vital for Jewish readers. The Birth of Christ, the virgin birth, and many activities of Christ, which had been prophesied many years before, are carefully recorded in Matthew. These weave into the account many facts of vital importance to them, and lead up to his sacrificial death, his burial, and his resurrection in payment for the sins of mankind. The good news is that God sent His own Son who died for our sins, and who showed his divinity by raising from the dead on the third day. These points are brought out in the teaching of the Apostles.
Early in church history, there began to rise up men who were preaching “another Gospel.” This began to take place even while the Apostles were still living and preaching. Paul struggled with these false doctrines in many of his letters to the churches. Since he was evangelist to the Gentiles, he was deeply concerned by pressures from certain Jewish Christians who felt that it was necessary for any convert to the gospel, to first become a Jew, then accept the Christ. In effect this would mean that Christianity would be a branch of Judaism. Such believers were called “Judaisers.” We should praise the Lord that Paul wrote those letters, which make up a large portion of the New Testament. In dealing with problems, he sets the example for doing the same in the church of today. He dealt with moral problems, in excessive use of alcohol, in lying, in tongues, gossip, and many other basic problems of humanity.
Not all false prophets are charlatans, preaching godly morality, but personally blatant womanizers, alcoholics, or liars. Others preach a “God wants you to be rich” or “a name it and claim it” message, when the very opposite is often the emphasis of scripture The message is that we can not serve both “mammon,” wealth and God. Jesus pointed out that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. What he meant is that we have to make a decision. Do we want to be rich in this world? or do we want to be Christians and rich in heaven’s blessings eternally?. Wealth can not be the goal of our lives. We can not seek wealth at the expense of honesty and truth. Read the “get rich schemes” on the web. They all promise great wealth, but always at the sacrifice of truth and honesty. If God blesses us, we have greater responsibility, for our true riches are revealed by where our heart is. In Christianity there is always the temptation to manipulate our worship services, as I have observed in Africa where even in the pre-service prayers which begin quietly but gradually increased in tempo and volume until they filled the building by what sounded much like a “Gregorian chant.” In the meantime, the band was doing the same, starting modestly, but building in tempo guaranteeing a throbbing headache at its peak. The apparent center of those services comes with the healing service and the altar calls near the end.
In contrast, the heart and center of Christian worship is prayer and the observance of the Lord’s memorial table. Leave Christ out of worship, and it is false. We pray through a living Lord and remember his death burial and resurrection at our weekly assembly in the body of Christ, the church.
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