The FAMILY is the oldest of three institutions ordained of God, the others are human government and the church. The family and the church are complementary institutions. The greatest home is one built around a church, and the greatest church is one made up of families. Satan realizes the most effective way to stifle the church is to attack the families. Consequently, we see tremendous perversion and disintegration of the family today. This section of the course consists of two parts, marriage and parenting. We begin with the foundation of the family institution, marriage.I) MARRIAGE
A) DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE
"The act of uniting a man and a woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children."
1) Commendable (Heb 13:4)
2) Companionship "It is not good that the man should be alone" (Gen 2:18) cf. (Mal 2:14)
3) Compatibility "I will make him an help MEET for him" (Gen 2:18)
4) Combination "Therefore shall A MAN…cleave unto his WIFE" (Gen 2:24)
a) It is to be heterosexual, not homosexual (one MAN + one WOMAN)
b) It is to be monogamist, not polygamist (ONE man + ONE woman)
c) One man + one woman = a marriage
5) Commitment "Therefore shall a man…CLEAVE unto his wife" (Gen 2:24)
The word cleave implies no future separation. One man + one woman + one LIFETIME = a marriage.
6) Communion "they shall be one flesh" (Gen 2:24)
a) Marriage is a SPIRITUAL union (Gen 2:22; Mark 10:9; 1 Cor 7:39)
b) Marriage is a CIVIL union
1. The espousal (engagement) (Matt 1:18-20,24)
The word of God considered, and the angel of the Lord called, Joseph and Mary husband and wife although they were only espoused to one another. The espousal was the only legal part of marriage in Jewish society, and could not be broken except by a bill of divorcement. In the espousal, all legal documents were signed and contracts completed, specifying the time between the espousal and the actual marriage.
2. The ceremony (Jud 14:15-16,20; 15:1,6)
The word of God considered Samson and a woman of Timnath husband and wife as they proceeded through the week-long wedding feast (ceremony) (Jud 14:10,12). Some argue that a ceremony is not necessary if two people love each other, but the Lord Jesus Christ attended a wedding ceremony in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11). The ceremony is: (1) PRESCRIBED, in order to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 The 5:22); (2) PRACTICAL, in that it provides an opportunity for the two parties to publicly declare their love and commitment to each other; and (3) PROPHETICAL, in that it pictures the marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:7-8).
c) Marriage is a PHYSICAL union (Gen 2:24)
1. For propagation (Gen 1:28)
2. For prevention (1 Cor 7:2,9; Heb 13:4)
As previously stated in the dictionary definition, one of the purposes of marriage is to prevent promiscuous sexual relations. Sexual intercourse is one of the privileges and pleasures of the marital relationship. Sexual intercourse outside of marriage has serious consequences, including that the word of God considers a man who has committed fornication with a harlot to be married to her (1 Cor 6:15-16,18).
3. For pleasure (1 Cor 7:3; Heb 13:4)
B) DECISION OF MARRIAGE (Pre-Marital Considerations)
1) Receive wise counsel
There is a need for pre-marital counseling. Most marital counseling programs are secular and non-Biblical, and even most of those that are Biblical focus on existing marriages. But even if Biblical counseling is available, the individual(s) must be willing to receive it. There are two main sources of counseling for the Bible-believing Christian:
a) Godly parents
Godly parents have experience, wisdom, want what is best for their children, and see the "big picture".
b) A godly pastor
The pastor can be more objective than parents, understands the Bible better than anyone else, and is specially gifted and positioned by God to counsel on marriage (Amo 3:7; Heb 13:7,17).The Christian should not seek counsel from the world's marriage counselors, sociologists, psychologists, or psychiatrists. These individuals may be sincere in their desire and effort to help people, but they are not adequately equipped, nor are they divinely appointed, to address spiritual matters, and a Christian marriage is a SPIRITUAL matter.
2) Regard the PURPOSE for the marriage
a) The wrong reasons
1. To CONVERT the other person to Christ
Desiring to see the other person saved is commendable, but using marriage as a means of achieving that end is unwise and unscriptural (2 Cor 6:14). Seek to win them to Christ BEFORE marriage, or even dating.
2. To CONFORM the other person to a physical, social, or philosophical ideal
Many have made the mistake of assuming they could change the other person if they married them. Both parties need to be willing to marry the other person "as is", not "as they may be". Marriage should not be considered based on a person's POTENTIAL character but their PRESENT character.
3. To COMPLY with the expectations of others
a. Due to pregnancy (the Christian should NEVER be in this situation)
b. Due to promises (including engagement)
c. Due to perceptions
4. The COMELINESS of the other person (i.e.- physical attraction)
There should be a degree of physical attraction between the two parties, but beauty is vain and temporal (Pro 31:30) and should not be the sole or primary reason for marriage.
a. Time and gravity will eventually defeat the plastic surgeon and cosmetologist
b. Illness or injury can permanently disfigure or disable
5. The CLASS of the other person (i.e.- social status or wealth)
Marriage should be with a PERSON, not their POSSESSIONS. Riches and power are temporal (Pro 23:5; 27:24).
6. To CONFRONT feelings of desperation
a. Abstinence- some marry because they cannot control their sexual lusts any longer
b. Acceptance- some marry the first person that shows an interest in them because they do not believe any one else ever will show an interest in them
c. Age- some marry because they believe they are at an age where if they do not marry now they never will
b) The right reason
The right reason for marriage is because the two parties LOVE each other unconditionally and want to spend the rest of their lives together, including raising a family together. Love is not the same thing as lust. Two people can have "lust" at first sight, but not love. Love is the result of spiritual and physical compatibility between two people, and the reason the two people desire to commit themselves to each other for a lifetime.
3) Regard the PERSON for marriage
a) The wrong person
The information below applies to dating also since dating is the beginning of a relationship that eventually ends in marriage.
1. A non-Christian
a. It is against the COMMAND of God (1 Cor 7:39; 2 Cor 6:14)
b. There will be no spiritual COMPATIBILITY (2 Cor 6:15-16)
c. There will be no spiritual COMPANIONSHIP (Job 21:14; Psa 10:5; 2 Tim 3:4)
d. There will be spiritual COMPROMISE in order to appease the unsaved spouse
The saved usually embrace the gods of the lost in a "mixed marriage" (Num 25:1-3; 1 Kin 11:4).
e. There will be spiritual CONFUSION among the children (Neh 13:23-24; 1 Cor 14:33)
The Bible instructs us not to have fellowship with the following individuals; therefore, they are professing Christians. If this instruction applies to fellowship, it would certainly apply to marriage since it is the highest form of fellowship.
2. A person living in sin (Pro 24:1; Eph 5:11; 2 Tim 2:21)
3. A person with a bad temper (Pro 21:19; 22:24-25; 29:22)
4. A trouble-maker (Pro 6:19; Rom 16:17)
5. A heretic (Rom 16:17; Tit 3:10)
A heretic is, "one who holds or teaches doctrine contrary to scripture". Teaching doctrine contrary to the fundamentals of the Christian faith would certainly constitute heresy. Things become uncertain when non-fundamentals are considered. Marrying a person who does not believe in all the fundamentals of the Christian faith, especially doctrines related to the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation, is PROHIBITED. Marrying a person who is saved, believes in all the fundamentals of the faith, but belongs to a different denomination, is NOT PREFERRABLE. The Christian who does so anyway, will experience spiritual compromise and confusion in the family.
6. A fornicator (1 Cor 5:9,11)
Marrying a fornicator will result in a relationship based on mistrust, many long and lonely nights wondering if the other person is sleeping with somebody else, and constant fear of potential contraction of venereal disease or AIDS.
7. A covetous person (1 Cor 5:11; 1 Tim 6:5)
Marrying a covetous person will result in a relationship filled with financial problems, including unpaid bills and skyrocketing debt (Pro 21:20; Hag 1:6).
8. An idolator (1 Cor 5:11)
9. A railer (1 Cor 5:11)
The word railer is translated from the Greek word blasfhmos (transliterated blasphemy) (1 Tim 6:4; 2 Pet 2:11; Jude 9). The word means, "to jab; to molest; to revile; to scoff; to use insolent or reproachful language; to insult". Marrying a railer will result in a relationship where there is frequent cussing and verbal abuse.
10. A glutton or drunkard (includes alcohol and drugs) (Pro 23:20;1 Cor 5:11)
Marring a glutton, drunkard, or druggie, will result in a relationship headed for financial ruin due to the need to support the other person's "habit" (Pro 23:21). There will also be constant health and safety issues (Pro 4:17). The family could be in constant fear of their lives, not knowing which "person" will come home to them, or even if they will come home.
11. An extortioner (1 Cor 5:11)
The word extort means, "to gain by force, oppression, violence, or any illegal means". Marrying an extortioner, will result in a relationship where there is physical abuse and constant bouts with the law.
12. A lazy person (2 The 3:6,11,14)
a. There will be financial and food problems (Pro 20:4; 2 The 3:10)
b. There will be hygiene and housekeeping problems (Pro 24:30-31)
c. There will be disharmony (Pro 26:16)
WHAT ABOUT INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE BETWEEN CHRISTIANS?There are two things to consider regarding this highly sensitive subject: (1) the testimony of scripture, and (2) the testimony among men. The various races originated through Noah's sons after the Flood, and proliferated shortly thereafter. Since that time, God has determined boundaries for the various nations and races so that they would seek after him (Acts 17:26-27). The tower of Babel and the subsequent judgment (Gen 11:1-9) are indications of what will happen when man fails to recognize the boundaries and distinction God has made in the races. Interracial marriage not only violates the boundaries God has established, but more importantly, it will eventually result in a hybrid race that does not seek after God. The question is, does this racial distinction apply to Christians? If there is no clear New Testament testimony superseding this Old Testament distinction, then it is reasonable to conclude it applies to the Christian. But there are numerous New Testament scriptures indicating that all physical distinctions are done away with in Christ (Rom 10:12; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11). Man may look on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart (1 Sam 16:7). In addition, contrary to popular opinion, there is no New Testament scripture prohibiting interracial marriage between two Christians. Many argue that the prohibition God placed on Israel regarding interracial marriage is a principle that ought to be followed by God's people today. But God did not prohibit the Israelites from marrying ALL Gentiles (Deu 21:10-13), just the Canaanites and other occupants of Canaan (Deu 7:1-4). The New Testament corollary is the prohibition of marrying an unbeliever (2 Cor 6:14-18). Therefore, the testimony of scripture is that interracial marriage between two Christians is NOT PROHIBITED. However, the Christian's testimony among men must also be considered. The Christian must keep in mind that his conduct has an effect on others, believers and unbelievers alike (Rom 14:7). Although something may be lawful, it may not be expedient or edifying (1 Cor 10:23). Just because the Christian has liberty to do something does not mean he ought to do it. Christians should not do anything that purposely offends another person (1 Cor 10:32) and gives place for them to think or speak evil of Christ. Most aspects of society and the church frown upon interracial marriage and consider it wrong. Consequently, if a Christian marries a person from another race, they will be viewed as doing something wrong, and that creates a poor testimony among men. Both the husband and wife, as well as any children, will have their fair share of "trouble in the flesh" (1 Cor 7:28). Therefore, the testimony among men, and the conclusion of the matter, is that interracial marriage between Christians is NOT PREFERRED.
b) The right person
The right person is GOD'S CHOICE (Gen 24:14), will be found in the right PLACE in the right WAY (Gen 24:27). For example, the right person can be found in church or church related functions, as opposed to bars or nightclubs. The right person may be introduced by a mutual spiritual friend, but is not waiting on the list of a dating service.
1. Reverse the characteristics of the wrong person (a Christian, a Christian serving the Lord, a person of self-control, sound in doctrine, similar beliefs, faithful, financially prudent, kind, honest, and industrious)
2. A person who has the right relationship with the Lord (see: PERSONAL DEVOTIONS)
3. A person who has the appropriate conduct of a brother or sister in Christ (see: FELLOWSHIP)
4. A person who has the appropriate conduct of a friend (see: FRIEND)
5. A person of virtue (Pro 31:10-31) NOTE
4) Regard the PERIOD of the marriage
a) The wrong time
It is possible to have the right person, but if the marriage takes place at the wrong time, it will probably end in divorce.
1. A time of spiritual, financial, or physical INSTABILITY (Luke 14:28-30; 1 Cor 7:26)
Cont: (Gen 24:35-41)
2. A time of UNCERTAINTY
a. Uncertain of the right purpose
b. Uncertain of the right person
c. Questions to help make decision
* Is the woman ready and willing to submit to the man as unto the Lord? (Eph 5:22)
* Is the man more spiritual than the woman? (Eph 5:23)
* Is the man ready and willing to be the head of the home? (Eph 5:23)
* Does the man love the woman sacrificially? (Eph 5:25)
* Is the man ready and willing to independently provide for the woman? (Eph 5:31)
* Does the woman revere the man? (Eph 5:33)
* Are the man and the woman best friends? (Song 5:16)
* Is there peace from the Lord? (Phl 4:6-7)
* Are the man and the woman willing to submit to the word of God as the final authority in their marriage? (2 Tim 3:16-17)
* Are the man and the woman willing to spend the rest of their life with each other? (Gen 2:24)
b) The right time
1. A time of spiritual, financial, and physical stability
2. A time of certainty
C) DUTIES OF MARRIAGE (Post-Marital Conduct)
1) The husband
a) To preside over his wife (Gen 3:16; 1 Tim 3:5)
The husband is responsible for being the spiritual and physical head of the family (1 Cor 11:3; Eph 5:23). This does not mean he is a dictator, or that he makes all the decisions, it does mean he is responsible for the decisions that are made.
b) To provide for his wife (Gen 3:16; 1 Tim 3:5; 5:8)
The husband is responsible for taking care of his family, and ensuring all their needs are met, physically, financially, and spiritually.
c) To love his wife (Eph 5:25)
1. As Christ loved the church (i.e.- sacrificially) (Eph 5:25)
2. As their own bodies (i.e.- unselfishly) (Eph 5:28-29,33)
3. As a sister in the Lord (1 Pet 3:8)
d) To render due benevolence to his wife (1 Cor 7:3)
He should not treat her like a possession or object of personal pleasure.
e) To defraud not his wife (1 Cor 7:5)
He should not refuse to give her physical intimacy.
f) To give honor to his wife (1 Pet 3:7)
g) To be compassionate to his wife (1 Pet 3:8)
h) To show pity to his wife (1 Pet 3:8)
i) To be courteous to his wife (1 Pet 3:8)
j) To render blessing to his wife instead of evil for evil or railing for railing (1 Pet 3:9)
k) To treat his wife like a sister in Christ (see: FELLOWSHIP)
l) To treat his wife like a friend (see: FRIEND)
2) The wife
a) To submit/be in subjection to her husband as unto the Lord (Eph 5:22,24; Tit 2:5; 1 Pet 3:1)
This does not mean that the wife is a slave to the husband and is obligated to obey anything and everything he tells her. The submission is "as unto the Lord", and the Lord would never tell us to do anything sinful or harmful. If the husband tells the wife to do something unscriptural, unlawful, unethical, or harmful, she is not obligated to obey. The same principle of submission applies in our relationship with government or employer.

b) To reverence her husband (Eph 5:33)
The word reverence means, "to give honor and respect". The wife should never criticize her husband in the presence of others.
c) To bear children for her husband (1 Tim 5:14)
d) To guide and keep the house for her husband (1 Tim 5:14; Tit 2:5)
The wife is responsible for "housekeeping" and taking care of the children. This truth is offensive to many contemporary women, who have been poisoned by the philosophy of the N.O.W. Today, it is very difficult for a family to get by on just the income of the man. It requires tremendous self-discipline and sacrifice on the part of the entire family. However, the benefits are invaluable. Our society is beginning to reap the results of having someone other than the wife raise the children.
e) To love their husband (Tit 2:4) as a brother in Christ (1 Pet 3:8)
f) To render due benevolence to her husband (1 Cor 7:3)
She should not treat him like a possession or object of personal pleasure.
g) To defraud not her husband (1 Cor 7:5)
She should not refuse to give him physical intimacy.
h) To be modest in appearance for her husband (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3-4)
i) To be compassionate to her husband (1 Pet 3:8)
j) To show pity to her husband (1 Pet 3:8)
k) To be courteous to her husband (1 Pet 3:8)
l) To render blessing to her husband instead of evil for evil or railing for railing (1 Pet 3:9)
m) To treat her husband like a brother in Christ (see: FELLOWSHIP)
n) To treat her husband like a friend (see: FRIEND)
II) PARENTINGA billboard on the side of the road contained a picture of a mother and father, and their baby, with a subtitle that read, "Its too bad they don't come with an instruction manual". The truth is, they do, but it is not Dr. Spock's books. The instruction manual on raising children is THE BIBLE.
A) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENTS
Although the following responsibilities are applicable to both parents, the Bible places ultimate responsibility on the father as the head of the family (Eph 6:4; Col 3:21; 1 Tim 3:4,12).
1) To TREASURE their children (Psa 127:3)
The word heritage means, "an inheritance; objects of special care". Children are a gracious gift from God (Gen 33:5; 48:9; Ruth 4:12-13; 1 Sam 1:27; Heb 2:13), but come with tremendous responsibility. God has entrusted the parents as stewards of the wonderful heritage of children; therefore, parents should seek the Lord for guidance and assistance in being faithful stewards (1 Cor 4:2) of their children.
a) Cherish them (1 The 2:7)
b) Exhort, comfort, and charge them (1 The 2:11)
c) Love them (Tit 2:4)
2) To TRAIN their children (Pro 22:6)
a) The PROCEDURES of the training ("Train up a child…")
1. The METHOD
a. Instruction (Pro 13:1)
* By word
* By deed
b. Correction (Discipline) (Pro 3:11-12)
* Verbal (admonition and rebuke) (Eph 6:4; Heb 12:5)
The word admonish means, "to warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness; to counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise; the first step in discipline".The word rebuke means, "to chide; to reprimand; to reprehend for a fault; to criticize sharply; to check; an expression of strong disapproval" . A rebuke is much stronger than an admonishment or reproof. Following the Lord's example with his children, parents should almost always begin the disciplinary process with VERBAL correction.
* Physical (Eph 6:4)
The word nurture means, "to feed; to nourish; to train; to educate". The Greek word paideia that is translated as "nurture" (Eph 6:4) is also translated as "chastening" (Heb 12:7-8,11). The world calls child discipline of any physical form "child abuse". They insist "time outs", revoking of privileges (e.g.- no Internet, GameBoy, PlayStation, etc.) and grounding will sufficiently correct deviant behavior in a child. While these various forms of discipline can be effective, and certainly have their place in the disciplinary process, the Bible teaches that chastening with the "ROD of correction" (Pro 22:15) is necessary and right if it is done appropriately.
2. The MANNER
a. Child discipline must be done in the right PLACE
Parents should never strike their children on the back, chest, face, etc. The most common scenario is a parent striking a child on the mouth for lying or talking back. While this may be traditional in some families, it is inappropriate. The appropriate place is the buttocks. Apply the "board of education" to the "seat of learning".
b. Child discipline must be done for the right REASON
Parents should never discipline their children in anger or as a means of taking out their frustrations. If the parent feels they are on the verge of losing control of their emotions, they should send the child to their room until they regain control. A child is not going to learn from their parents if they are screaming at them. All discipline should be carried out because the parent LOVES their child (Pro 13:24), and wants the deviant behavior corrected. Parents who have disciplined their children know the old saying, "this is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you" is true. Parents should never apologize for disciplining their child, but should reassure them of their love and have a time of prayer with them, especially after the child has apologized.
c. Child discipline must be done in the right WAY
* Persistently
Parents should not avoid disciplining their children or sparing the rod, either partially because the child cries or accuses them of being mean and hateful (Pro 19:18), or completely (Pro 23:13) because they want to be their "friend". If the parent eases up on the discipline the moment the child begins to cry, the child will recognize this and will begin to cry (or fake it) almost before the first lick occurs.
* Consistently
Parents also need to be consistent in their form of discipline. One parent should not spank while the other does not, when the child does the same thing wrong. Parents should not spank their children for acting or speaking ignorantly. A good example of this is spanking a child for cussing when they are completely unaware they are doing so. Parents need to keep their word. If they have specified that a particular form of discipline is forthcoming to their child, it must be carried out.
d. Child discipline must be done at the right TIME
* Early
Parents need to begin disciplining their children as soon as it is apparent that the child KNOWS they are doing wrong (Pro 19:18). If parents wait until their children are at the end of, or no longer in, their formative years, to begin disciplining them, it could have counter-productive results.
* Expeditiously
Parents also need to carry out discipline in an expeditious manner. If the parent needs to wait a moment to "cool off", that is fine, but if the discipline is "put off", it will lose its desired effect and could breed anger and discouragement in the child when it is carried out. The Bible says, "he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Pro 13:24). The word betimes means, "in good season or time; before it is too late; in a short time". Agag thought he would be spared any punishment because nothing happened to him within a reasonable amount of time; he was wrong (1 Sam 15:32-33).
3. The MODELS of poor discipline
a. Jacob (Gen 34:5; 35:22)
b. Eli (1 Sam 2:22-25,29)
c. David (2 Sam 13:21; 1 Kin 1:5-6)
4. The MODEL of good discipline- Solomon (1 Kin 2:36-46)
Solomon clearly communicated the "house rules" to Shimei and the consequences for breaking them (1 Kin 2:36-37). Shimei responded that he fully understood (1 Kin 2:38). Three years later, circumstances arose whereby Shimei inadvertently broke the "house rules" (1 Kin 2:39-40). When word came to Solomon of Shimei's disobedience (1 Kin 2:41), Solomon immediately confronted Shimei. Solomon reviewed their original conversation regarding the rules and the consequences for breaking them, and the fact Shimei expressed that he understood them all (1 Kin 2:42). He then gave Shimei the opportunity to explain why he broke the rule (1 Kin 2:43). Finally, Solomon kept his word and enforced the consequence of breaking the rule (1 Kin 2:46). The lesson to learn here is that children will learn to respect authority and laws if the parents give appropriate instruction and correction.
b) The PRINCIPLES of the training ("…in the way he should go")
1. Social training
a. To obey authority
b. To work (Lam 3:27)
c. To have good personal hygiene and physical habits (eating, sleeping)
d. To manage their time wisely (God, family, school, friends, pleasure)
e. To manage their money wisely (tithing, saving, spending)
f. To respect others' possessions
g. To share with others
h. Not to scream and fight
i. To be polite to others ("please", "thank you", "sir", "ma'am")
j. To forgive and ask for forgiveness
2. Spiritual training
Every man's motto for his family ought to be, "…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Jos 24:15). In order for this to become a reality, the word of God needs to be given a prominent and prevalent place in his heart and home (Deu 6:6-9).
a. Faithful walk with the Lord
Children will receive the spiritual training they need if the parents faithfully walk with the Lord before them. Parents should read the word of God and pray every day, they should be active witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ, and they should faithfully attend and serve in a local Bible-believing church. They should be prepared to answer their children's questions regarding spiritual things (Exo 12:26-27).
b. Family altar
The FAMILY ALTAR is a specific time each day that the family assembles together around the word of God and prayer. The responsibility for the family altar rests upon the father, as the spiritual head of the home (Eph 6:4; Col 3:21). But if he is unable to carry out the responsibility for any reason, then the responsibility rests upon the mother. Family altar time should consist of scripture reading and prayer, but could also include testimonies and singing. It is important to be consistent in maintaining family altar. The children will learn: (1) how to pray, (2) the word of God, (3) to make time for the Lord each day. In addition to
c) The PROMISE of the training ("…when he is old, he will not depart from it")
1. Salvation to the children (Pro 23:14)
Raising children "by the Book" does not guarantee your children will be right at any given time. But if parents stay by the Book, pray with and for their children, and remain faithful themselves in their relationship with the Lord, their children will be right in the end. God had two children, Adam and Eve, and he raised them in a perfect environment, in perfect fellowship with him and they still disobeyed. But by the grace of God things worked out in the end for them (the coats of skins) and for all those who trust Jesus Christ as Savior.
2. Wisdom to the children (Pro 29:15)
3. Rest and delight to the parents (Pro 29:17)
3) To TAKE CARE of their children (2 Cor 12:14; 1 Tim 3:4,12)
This is self-explanatory. Taking care of children includes providing them with adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, medical attention, and even gifts (Matt 7:11).
B) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHILDREN
1) Honor their father and mother (Exo 20:12; Deu 5:16; Mal 1:6; Matt 19:19; Eph 6:2)
2) Obey their parents (Eph 6:1; Col 3:20)
catcmo2006 would like to Thank You for allow in this site,group sites, web sites and other prayer sites as well in holding one another up for prayer's being totally united in everyone around this world, it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers,intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.
God will hold us all accountable for our sins (Eze.18:30); We should hold each other accountable (Luke.17:3,4) ;We are Accoutable in what we believe(John. 3:17,18,19) ,God will examine our actions (2Cor.5:10); Armor for physical battles (1Sam. 17:38); Weapons cannot stop God's power ( Eze. 38:4); Spiritual armor prepares us for life (Ro.13:12);Righteou sness is a spiritual weapon (2Cor.6:7);God' s weapons conquerors Satan's strongholds (2Cor.10:4); Put on the Armor (Eph.6:11-18) Jesus Is the Highest Authority (Matt.28:18) ;Choose a postive attitude (Hab.3:17-19) Bad attitudes hurts our relationship with God (Gen.4:6,7); Bad attitudes leads to poor decisions (Num.14:1-4) ;God gives christian a new attitude (Hab.3:17-19) More Than Conquerors (Ro.8:37)Christians should always rejoice (Phil.4:4)__._,_.___

BEHOLD, I MAKE EVERYTHING NEW!

You people who do not yet have this recognition, who have not yet awakened the spirit within you, you do not know what is the meaning of these My Words; for you do not believe in the reshaping of this earth, you do not believe in the last judgment as the conclusion of an evolutionary period and the beginning of a new one.
You do not know anything of My salvation plan since eternities; wherefore, you do not understand My Words:
"Behold, I make everything new!"
Each of My words has a manifold meaning, which even My awakened ones do not know, because this recognition is still too high for the people of this earth. But clear to them is the simple meaning, namely, that I will revive what has left My everlasting Order. I will cause a change to come about, since the people of this earth are no longer striving for it, thereby failing in the purpose of their earth-life. They have failed by not using their lives for eternity.
Nevertheless, I will not let them get lost; I will give them another opportunity to walk once more upon the neglected course of evolvement.
For another course of evolvement means receiving a higher grace, that must be acquired by a raised effort, for which only new creations can offer the possibility. First of all, I will renovate the schoolhouse of the spiritual, My earth, which shall further the upward evolution till man. I shall provide the earth with entirely new creations of manifold kind and form, whereby new possibilities will be given to the most numerous spiritual entities to stand the test.
I shall cause a new kind of humanity to arise composed of human beings blessed by Me, who have consummated their spiritual evolvement in love and faithfulness to Me, who have attained to a degree of maturity, which makes possible a high, spiritual ministration so that the new humanity has all the guaranties for the highest possible perfection and that the spiritual, still bound, can quickly attain to an upward evolution through the most good influence which the people exercise upon all creations surrounding them.
" I make everything new!"
I will also soften the conditions for the release of the spiritual, however, not deviating from My law of the "everlasting order", only in deepest LOVE and COMPASSION caring for what is still living within compulsion.
All that oppresses will fall off from men; they will strive upward in fullest force because I alone am the most desired one for them and because they cannot be drawn into the deep by My opponent who is in fetters for a long time.
I shall make a new heaven and a new earth, that is, I make happy spiritually and materially the people who belong to Me and are expected to clear the way to Me also for their successors.
Who of you can comprehend this? And who of you believes firmly and without doubt that the old ceases to be?
Who believes that there will no longer be people who are still distant from Me, that only the small flock, which faithfully follows Me, their shepherd, will not lose its life, because I have blessed this small flock and destined it for a continued life in the paradise of the new earth? Who believes that a new chapter of release begins according to the salvation plan since eternities, which My LOVE and WISDOM have determined in order to guarantee everlasting life for all that is spiritual?
"Behold, I make everything new!"
You, who believe in Me, be conscious of these words, activate them in your hearts and know that the time has come when this Word will be fulfilled.
Believe in it firmly, be hopeful and bear all hard times which are still your lot until the end, do it with patience and devotion to My Will.
For the day will very soon come when I fetch the ones that are Mine in order to reveal to them of what is written: "I will make a new heaven and a new earth" and "I shall be in the midst of the ones who are Mine and will guide and teach them as I have promised."
Amen

A Moment of Truth has Arrived

Two major events, both taking place this week, underscore the fact that the Anglo-Dutch oligarchy, centered in the City of London, has arrived at a moment of truth that could determine, in the immediate hours and days ahead, whether the planet is plunged into a civilizational dark age. Very few people and institutions around the world have the faintest idea that this is happening, and among those who would pose an alternative to this potential true global tragedy.

The events themselves, that signal this moment of truth, are the following:

First, we have the arrival in the Sea of Oman this week of the USS Stennis-led second US Navy carrier group. This means that the naval assets are in place in the Persian Gulf region to orchestrate a premeditated "accidental" confrontation between the US and Iran, which could trigger a full-scale American pre-emptive attack on Iran. In the past 24 hours, BBC has aired an exclusive expose of new US war plans, that would target the entire military infrastructure of Iran for a massive bombing campaign--not just limited strikes against a few purported secret nuclear weapons installations. This event is occurring as both Vice President Dick Cheney and President George Bush are on long-scheduled overseas trips.

Second, we have the meeting this week of the Bank of Japan, where the decision will be made whether or not to abandon the yen carry trade, by raising interest rates. If a rate hike occurs, this will trigger a blow-out of the entire dollar-based global financial system.LaRouche has emphasized the entire global financial system is under the top-down control of Anglo-Dutch financiers centered in London. They run the system through the yen carry trade, and through the related emission of floods of US dollars through the Fed's printing press. The US government no longer reports M3 money supply data because they are willfully covering up this element of the one, global hyperinflationary bubble. The yen carry trade and the M3 pump priming are run out of the City of London, and they are all part of the biggest John Law financial bubble in history.

Now, with the Persian Gulf deployment and the Bank of Japan interest rate decision both on the table at the same moment, we are seeing manifestations- -shadows on the cave wall--of a faction fight between two rival factions within the Anglo-Dutch financial oligarchy, otherwise known as the Club of the Isles. There is one faction that is out to permanently destroy the United States now--once and for all. They are ready to pull the plug on the whole system, to bring down theUnited States and the entire nation-state system at this moment. They want the sudden-death destruction of the United States. The other, rival faction, wants a more managed process of destruction. They want to bleed the United States to death more slowly. The goal of the two factions is identical. Their approach differs.

LaRouche has emphasized, there is only one way to defeat this top-down Anglo-Dutch drive to break up the nation-state system and plunge the world into a prolonged dark age. That is a political solution, coming from the Government of the United States. The lead must come from the institution of the Presidency. This is why Cheney and Bush have to go now! Once the Presidency has been restored, the U.S. can proceed with an alliance with Russia, China, and India to impose a political solution, based on what FDR did with the war mobilization and the creation of the Bretton Woods fixed-exchange- rate system. That is the only alternative to the plunge into hell.
http://www.rense. com/general75/ moment.htm

Men's Health

11 Ways to Live Longer How to beat the biggest man-killers. Compiled By Geordie Brackin, Men's Health Find More 6 Health Threats You Shouldn't Ignore Get Your Beach Body Now! Reveal Your Abs in Record Time For us, the health of the American male is not just a weeklong pursuit. But in honor of Men's Health Week (June 11-17), we've compiled a list of our top tips for beating the biggest killers of men. Read them, follow our advice, and start living better year round. Beat High Blood Pressure Eat meat. In a recent Australian study, people with high blood pressure who replaced 8 percent of their daily calories from bread, cereal, potatoes, or pasta with lean red meat experienced a four-point drop in their systolic blood pressure in just 8 weeks. Arginine, an amino acid in red meat, may help dilate blood vessels, lowering blood pressure. Plus, limiting starches lowers blood sugar and makes your body more efficient at burning fat. Save Your Skin Melanoma feeds on modesty. If you don't strip for a yearly skin screening, the cancer can spread undetected. Made an appointment? Now make one with your honey. A Northwestern University study shows that when people learn how to do skin self-exams with a partner, they're more likely to check themselves (and each other) in the future. Have a Healthy Heart Eat more dairy. According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming three or more servings of dairy per day can slash your risk of heart disease by 31 percent. "We don't know exactly how dairy lowers heart-disease risk, but other studies show that the calcium and magnesium in it can lower blood pressure," says study author Donna Spiegelman, Sc.D., a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard school of public health. Want even more protection? Seek products fortified with vitamin D. British researchers found that daily D supplements lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of arterial inflammation, by 23 percent. Lose Weight Over the Phone Pick up the phone and ask for help dropping the pounds. Researchers at the University of Kansas recently had 96 overweight people follow weight-loss counseling programs and discovered that the programs conducted by telephone were just as effective as face-to-face clinical counseling. On average, members of both groups lost 28 pounds in 26 weeks. "Telephone-based programs have the benefits of convenience, lower transportation costs, and accountability with anonymity," says study author Joseph E. Donnelly, Ph.D. Our pick: The phone program offered by John Berardi, Ph.D., C.S.C.S., co-author of Scrawny to Brawny. Go to johnberardi.com and receive a Men's Health reader discount. Drink Coffee for Your Colon Drink decaf coffee. A recent study at the Harvard medical school surveyed the tea and coffee consumption of men and women for 18 years and showed that drinking two or more cups of decaf coffee per day can slash colon-cancer risk by 52 percent. Decaf coffee may have a positive effect on bowel motility. It keeps things moving which is an effect that the caffeine in regular coffee may cancel out. Kick the Sticks Go spit. A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal found that smokers who saw their results from a saliva-based nicotine test were 17 percent more likely to quit. The test, which involves spitting in a cup and measuring the amount of tobacco-derived toxins in the saliva, was used in conjunction with antismoking counseling. Researchers believe that being able to see progress in the quest to quit in much the same way one can see the results of a cholesterol-lowering regimen helped motivate the participants. Check a local drugstore for NicAlert, a saliva-based nicotine test ($15, also available at www.nymox.com). Protect Your Prostate Carve a pumpkin, cut your prostate-cancer risk. Eating a large slice of pumpkin pie (or 13 baby carrots) daily will give you about 8,000 micrograms of beta-carotene, an amount research from Roswell Park Cancer Institute shows may halve a man's risk of the disease. Top with whipped cream to boost your absorption of the nutrient. Defeat Depression Ask your therapist how many patients he treats. If it's more than 25, beware. Research has shown that a therapist's effectiveness decreases as his caseload surpasses this number. A Finnish study found that men who exercise and are exposed to sunlight experience a greater reduction in depressive symptoms than those who work indoors. A CDC survey also found that people who exercise regularly feel less depressed. Avoid a Car Accident Cellphones make distracted drivers out of all of us, quadrupling a man's accident risk even hands-free. One answer: Take a page from airline pilots. In a new study in Risk Analysis, researchers found that when pilots talked on a cellphone in a driving simulator, they caused 46 percent fewer virtual accidents than nonpilots did. "They knew to disengage from the cellphone conversation at precise moments," says Jake Rose, Ph.D., the coauthor. Decrease your own distractibility by hitting "hold" at the must-focus moments identified in the study: when merging, during stop-and-go traffic, and at intersections involving multiple turn lanes. Ditch Diabetes Eat to beat high blood sugar. When you consider that "glucose-intolerant" is another term for "diabetic," it's easy to see what you shouldn't eat. Namely, glucose-rich foods, such as bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes. But Mary Vernon, M.D., prefers a more positive approach: "I like to emphasize what people can enjoy." So, use these guidelines to build a prescription diet. One caution: If you're currently taking medication for high blood pressure or high blood sugar, consult your physician first, as this diet will cause both to drop. Save Yourself from a Stroke "Each daily serving of fruits and vegetables decreases stroke risk by 6 percent, so three servings decreases it by 18 percent," says James Bobenhouse, M.D., stroke-program director at BryanLGH Medical Center, in Lincoln. No time to cook? Down a Tropicana Fruit Smoothie. One 11-ounce bottle equals 2 1/2 servings of fruit. Provided by Men's Health

More on Men's Health on MSN Health & Fitness

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Will You Join With Me in Prayer?

W ill You Join With Me In Prayer ?

___________________ Dealy Beloved Precious Father; As I have taken some time to be with You as I alway's have done and No matter where I'm at sharing with You so intimately for You clearly know my thought's on everything like You always have in my own personal life in which has been so tenderly in those moments that seems so very close and all of my concerns seems to brought up to you and the aroma is sweet smelling of incents knowing your right there next to me caring for me the way you always do as in other's somewhere in this world as we touch one another in speaking intimately to one another as if I can almost hear you speak so softly and tenderly as you guide me through days that have been unto the late night by a waking of you that You want me to speak with you about many things and to pray for someone all the way around this vast world that you hath made. What a wonder you are precious Jesus in knowing that everything that You are is perfect in all of my ole feeble ways and attempting to do all things that are guiding through everything that I as well as others are doing somewhere here on earth.I must admit to you Father that many just like me are awaiting your arrival in the coming days and for the part of our lives is sharing with other Your very truths in helping someone that you have pointed out to us and have delclared unto us by those ways that have to come unto us by your confirmations by the way of our prayers and by other's whom expressed just what needs to be known unto us as your children as you love us as each individual hom lives in our word and a covenant agreement that unbroken us whom are yours and it's a never ending place to be and we are always devoted unto You as your Lovly Holy Ghost Spirit is ever so guiding us to futher your kingdom in letting your heavenly place be unto your coming for us Your Remnant whom is clothed in our garments in knowing your our Elohim for You have absolutely are presently are tearing down our old ideas of which was very mistaken in so many ways in our earthly minds only to rebuild us as Your remnants as You lift up your precepts and laws that shall not be broken in those poeple of the earth. Repent and come unto the Lord in beholding Him and obey Him as the store house is filled and waiting upon Him until He comes with His army whom always triumps in victory. Yes Father the are quite clearly in our eyes of these times of trouble has abound before you and Precious Lord Jesus it's getting more and more as the troubles of which Noah had we pray for everyone that we know and do not know personally in our lives in today's times. Father time seems so very close to our eyes but it's on your time clock not ours. We know that there is so many out there that needs to come home to You and knowing of which we think had come but yet unknown only You know those answer and we'll recieve them on that day of judgment as we stand in front of you knowing inside of us that we have all of which you have shared with us in keeping ever so close to you at that final moments of one's own life. You know our hearts in whom we think of in a seconds notice as we pray it's put down in your book of rememberence. You are the only one whom can share with us if we are allowed in the heavenly throne or send us to that dark cold bruital places called [abyss,hades,sheol,hell] in other ords that very dark place that is dead where those beasts live among the people of ones own final destruction which is the ultimate destruction of a human life that's never heard peace in that place, just an total underworld of torments of abominations to where fire is burned continuously for all the wicked people are very considered to be that place of the dead where punishment is always in it for the people day and night but through the grace of God your remnant will not go there but will be with you and we will glorify you in your presence in ones heart as whom we adore and bless His name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

That power which is an instrument of unrighteousness, will justly be brought down and broken. What is got and kept wrongfully, will not be kept long. Some are at ease, but there will come a day of visitation, and in that day, all they are proud of, and put confidence in, shall fail them. God will inquire into the sins of which they have been guilty in their houses, the robbery they have stored up, and the luxury in which they lived. The pomp and pleasantness of men's houses, do not

fortify against God's judgments, but make sufferings the more grievous and vexatious. Yet a remnant, according to the election of grace, will be secured by our great and good Shepherd, as from the jaws of destruction, in the worst times.The convincing, awakening word must be heard and heeded, as well as words of comfort and peace; for whether we hear or forbear, the word of God shall take effect. The Lord still proclaims mercy to men, but they often expect deliverance from such self-invented forms as make their condemnation sure. While they refuse to come to Christ and to seek mercy in and by him, that they may live, the fire of Divine wrath breaks forth upon them. Men may make an idol of the world, but will find it

Woe unto those that desire the day of the Lord's judgments, that wish for times of war and confusion; as some who long for changes, hoping to rise upon the ruins of their country! but this should be so great a desolation, that nobody could gain by it. The day of the Lord will be a dark, dismal, gloomy day to all impenitent sinners. When God makes a day dark, all the world cannot make it light. Those who are not reformed by the judgments of God, will be pursued by them; if they escape

one, another stands ready to seize them. A pretence of piety is double iniquity, and so it will be found. The people of Israel copied the crimes of their forefathers. The law of worshipping the Lord our God, is, Him only we must serve. Professors thrive so little, because they have little or no communion with God in their duties. They were led captive by Satan into idolatry, therefore God caused them to go into captivity among idolaters.

Those are looked upon as doing well for themselves, who do well for their bodies; but we are here told what their ease is, and what their woe is. Here is a description of the pride, security, and sensuality, for which God would reckon. Careless sinners are every where in danger; but those at ease in Zion, who are stupid, vainly confident, and abusing their privileges, are in the greatest danger. Yet many fancy themselves the people of God, who are living in sin, and in conformity to

the world. But the examples of others' ruin forbid us to be secure. Those who are set upon their pleasures are commonly careless of the troubles of others, but this is great offence to God. Those who placed their happiness in the pleasures of sense, and set their hearts upon them, shall be deprived of those pleasures. Those who try to put the evil day far from them, find it nearest to them. but we have a heavenly Father whom abmonishes us for us to come, repent and turning our life around unto the Lord Jesus Christ whom is Jehovah, Yahweh-Tsidkenu whom is the Lord of Righteousness whom is our King whom will establish His New Kingdom. Whom now hears all of those whom will be saved in his grace and merdy whose blood was shed for thee. While there is yet now time but it's passing by minute by minute day by day until that door will close unto all people. for the remnant He leads His sheep unto himfor he's the only one whom does padens us as individuals and removes all of our stains and then turns our garments unto brand new white ones just as His. We His people thanks You Father for recieving us after that onslaught of what is coming unto us by the Assyrians whose army can't pass unto us for we have you and your powerful armies of that wall of protection that partions us all to where Not one of them will get your remnants, we will be safe in you . Oh precious Jesus we thank You and give you all of our worship and praises of which you already have recieved from us and knowing you are all around us and taking us up home to be with you. Just knowing just what you are doing before us at this hour for You are our Majestic King and Savior whom suffered beyond recognition whom was born so long ago in that manger for us to behold in that day at Calvery for us. Hallelujah unto the Messiah our God's Son whom came unto us al by the way of the Trinity for you are manifested unto the natural mom's womb by God holiness that was guided by God whom made the whole world. God the Father, God the Holy Spirit which indwells in us as being united as one so Jesus can be made from to be as He is in the sword of the spirit in being alive and His power and our prayers in faith like none other can do. We only are His representives that has seen and witnessed in Him in one's life. As we wait and watch for His return in going unto our Home. We are your covenant people that obeys you as we've signed it unto You by the life we all live in knowing that we have said in one's repentence and turning self around as you directed us to do. Thank You for those whom help us with encouragement with strength that is growing more of you than ourselves. As we keep on winning souls and helping the poor and widows, children from the white house to the lowly jobs on the earth,and not to take advantage of anyone whom you have given unto us to do as we pray for those until you come. Father forgive us when we went on ahead of you in those maters in which You know about and had redireted us in. Father we only have today in this 24 hour period as we keep on looking to you as we walk here on this earth as your might warriors are guarding us as you Father keep on sharing with us daily. Precious Jesus as You know our men and women whom have given those countless of lives are dead because of the enemy that's outright to sabotage,mame, kill under all lies of your enemy. Gaining more excess more and more of your people the only things we are greatful for is knowing they are with you. We are alway's in prayer over all families no mater where they are or how they lived in those very lives today. Only You Father have our utmost in tending to those people as we lift them up No matter if they are one's realtives or not they are yours. The enemy whom we think are not rather the angelic or prince of the air whom is always on the attacks against your children of the earth. "Through the Blood of Jesus, We redeemed out of the hand of the devil. Through the Blood of Jesus, all my sins are forgiven. The Blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is cleansing me now from all my sin. Through the Blood of Jesus, I am justified, made righteous, just as if I’d never sinned. Through the Blood of Jesus, We sanctified, made holy, set apart for my Master’s use. Our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, redeemed, cleansed, and sanctified, by the Blood of Jesus. We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, spirit, soul, and body. His Blood protects You and I from all evil. Because of the Blood of Jesus, satan has no more power over You and I no more place in me. I/We renounce you satan and your hosts completely and I/We declare you to be my enemies. I command you satan and your hosts to leave me/us now, according to the word of God. I place (by faith) the Blood of Jesus on my/Our doorposts; I draw the Bloodline of Jesus around family, my friends, possessions, properties and myself. In Jesus name, amen. With the people trying to sabotage our minds we know in whom we are to trust in our faith in interceeding for your faithful followers in your saints in thanking you for keeping our senses by your grace and mercy. We give you onself for the utmost of your calling and meeting with us spiritually in that divine interuptions in where and when we ought to do. Father we pray for all whom are in need, rather in sickness, diseases, or all that's going on with them personally in those lives. For you are our prescription that ails us in many ways that life throws at us and that lawyer whom is sharing with us in whom you are and what You stand for and what you won't stand for on earth. Your our shield, the refiner, rock, fortress, judge, shepard whom is our King. Thans for guiding us, or meditaor, and giving your self on that cross for like me whom is so unworthy before you precious Jesus as you looked upon me whom hath sinned in your eyes without knowing the full extint of it until you nudged me in heading me down those right paths as we talked alone to one another for Father all I ever want to hear ... "Well done" in Jesus'name I'm asking this in grace at your will be done here and not my own. Amen.

10 Reasons to believe the bible

1. Its Honesty
The Bible is painfully honest. It shows Jacob, the father of its "chosen people," to be a deceiver. It describes Moses, the lawgiver, as an insecure, reluctant leader, who, in his first attempt to come to the aid of his own people, killed a man, and then ran for life to the desert. It portrays David not only as Israel's most loved king, general, and spiritual leader, but as one who took another man's wife and then, to cover his own sin, conspired to have her husband killed. At one point, the Scriptures accuse the people of God, the nation of Israel, as being so bad they made Sodom and Gomorrah look good by comparison ( Ezekiel 16:46-52). The Bible represents human nature as hostile to God. It predicts a future full of trouble. It teaches that the road to heaven is narrow and the way to hell is wide. Scripture was clearly not written for those who want simple answers or an easy, optimistic view of religion and human nature.
2. Its Preservation
Just as the modern state of Israel was emerging from thousands of years of dispersion, a bedouin shepherd discovered one of the most important archeological treasures of our time. In a cave of the northwest rim of the Dead Sea, a broken jar yielded documents that had been hidden for two millennia. Additional finds produced manuscripts that predated previous oldest copies by 1,000 years. One of the most important was a copy of Isaiah. It revealed a document that is essentially the same as the book of Isaiah that appears in our own Bibles. The Dead Sea scrolls emerged from the dust like a symbolic handshake to a nation coming home. They discredited the claims of those who believed that the original Bible had been lost to time and tampering.
3. Its Claims For Itself
It's important to know what the Bible says about itself. If the authors of Scripture had not claimed to speak for God, it would be presumptuous for us to make that claim for them. We would also have a different kind of problem. We would have a collection of unsolved mysteries, embodied in historical and ethical literature. But we would not have a book that has inspired the building of countless churches and synagogues all over the world. A Bible that did not claim to speak on behalf of God would not have become foundational to the faith of hundreds of millions of Christians and Jews (2 Peter 1:16-21). But with much supporting evidence and argument, the Bible's authors did claim to be inspired by God. Because millions have staked their present and eternal well-being on those claims, the Bible cannot be a good book if its authors consistently lied about their source of information.
4. Its Miracles
Israel's exodus from Egypt provided a historical basis for believing that God revealed Himself to Israel. If the Red Sea did not part as Moses said it did, the Old Testament loses its authority to speak on behalf of God. The New Testament is just as dependent upon miracles. If Jesus did not rise bodily from the dead, the apostle Paul admits that the Christian faith is built on a lie (1 Corinthians 15:14-17). To show its credibility, the New Testament names its witnesses, and did so within a time-frame that enabled those claims to be tested (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Many of the witnesses ended up as martyrs, not for abstract moral or spiritual convictions but for their claim that Jesus had risen from the dead. While martyrdom is not unusual, the basis on which these people gave their lives is what's important. Many have died for what they believed to be the truth. But people do not die for what they know to be a lie.
5. Its Unity
Forty different authors writing over a period of 1,600 years penned the 66 books of the Bible. Four hundred silent years separated the 39 books of the Old Testament from the 27 of the New Testament. Yet, from Genesis to Revelation, they tell one unfolding story. Together they give consistent answers to the most important questions we can ask: Why are we here? How can we come to terms with our fears? How can we get along? How can we rise above our circumstances and keep hope alive? How can we make peace with our Maker? The Bible's consistent answers to these questions show that the Scriptures are not many books but one.
6. Its Historical And Geographical Accuracy
Down through the ages, many have doubted the historical and geographical accuracy of the Bible. Yet modern archeologists have repeatedly unearthed evidence of the people, places, and cultures described in the Scriptures. Time after time, the descriptions in the biblical record have been shown to be more reliable than the speculations of scholars. The modern visitor to the museums and lands of the Bible cannot help but come away impressed with the real geographical and historical backdrop of the biblical text.
7. Its Endorsement By Christ
Many have spoken well of the Bible, but no endorsement is as compelling as that of Jesus of Nazareth. He recommended the Bible not only by His words but by His life. In times of personal temptation, public teaching, and personal suffering, He made it clear that He believed the Old Testament Scriptures were more than a national tradition ( Matthew 4:1-11; 5:17-19). He believed the Bible was a book about Himself. To His countrymen He said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life" (John 5:39-40).
8. Its Prophetic Accuracy
From the days of Moses, the Bible predicted events no one wanted to believe. Before Israel went into the Promised Land, Moses predicted that Israel would be unfaithful, that she would lose the land God was giving her, and that she would be dispersed throughout all the world, regathered, and then re-established ( (Deuteronomy 28-31). Central to Old Testament prophecy was the promise of a Messiah who would save God's people from their sins and eventually bring judgment and peace to the whole world.
9. Its Survival
The books of Moses were written 500 years before the earliest Hindu Scriptures. Moses wrote Genesis 2,000 years before Muhammad penned the Koran. During that long history, no other book has been as loved or as hated as the Bible. No other book has been so consistently bought, studied, and quoted as this book. While millions of other titles come and go, the Bible is still the book by which all other books are measured. While often ignored by those who are uncomfortable with its teachings, it is still the central book of Western civilization.
10. Its Power To Change Lives
Unbelievers often point to those who claim to believe in the Bible without being changed by it. But history is also marked by those who have been bettered by this book. The Ten Commandments have been a source of moral direction to countless numbers of people. The Psalms of David have offered comfort in times of trouble and loss. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount has given millions an antidote for stubborn pride and proud legalism. Paul's description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 has softened angry hearts. The changed lives of people like the apostle Paul, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Newton, Leo Tolstoy, and C. S. Lewis illustrate the difference the Bible can make. Even entire nations or tribes, like the Celts of Ireland, the wild Vikings of Norway, or the Auca Indians of Ecuador have been transformed by the Word of God and the unprecedented life and significance of Jesus Christ.

Senator wants to bar forced use of ID implants

Senator wants to bar forced use of ID implants By: STEVE LAWRENCE - Associated Press Writer
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Forgot your company identification badge at home? That wouldn't be a problem if employees had a small identification device about the size of a grain of rice inserted under their skin instead of a badge.If that seems Orwellian to you, state Sen. Joe Simitian may have a solution. He's introduced a bill that would bar an employer or anyone else from requiring a person to have one of the devices implanted.
The measure is one of a series of bills the Palo Alto Democrat has proposed to control the use of so-called radio frequency identification devices, which can be placed in badges, passports, driver's licenses and on bodies to transmit radio signals with identifying information.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider four of the bills Tuesday.They also include measures that would bar use of RFIDs in driver's licenses and student identification badges before 2011 and set privacy-protection standards for RFIDs.A fifth bill by Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, is also on the committee's agenda. It would require companies that issue identification cards or other items containing RFIDs to disclose the personal information that would be revealed by the RFID and what steps they've taken to protect that information.Simitian says he is concerned the information provided by RFIDs could be used to track people's movements or to steal their personal information with the use of an inexpensive monitor."When people understand the vulnerability of the technology and the absolute lack of any privacy protections or limits on information that can be broadcast, they understand why it's a legitimate source of concern," he said.The use of implanted RFIDs makes "you think we really are in a world we never could have imagined," he said.But Roxanne Gould, vice president for California government relations for the American Electronics Association, a high-tech industry group, said Simitian is taking the wrong approach, although her organization hasn't taken a position on the implant bill."Our bottom line is we're opposed to anything that demonizes RFIDs," she said. "The technology has been in existence for more than 50 years. It's in more than 1.2 billion ID credentials worldwide. ... We've not seen a single showing of ID theft or harm."Lawmakers should focus on preventing inappropriate use of RFIDs, not in restricting the technology, she said.Scott Silverman, chief executive officer of VeriChip Corp., a Florida company that makes implantable RFIDs, said his firm has a "very strong privacy policy" and doesn't oppose bills like the Simitian measure banning forced use of the devices."In principle, a device of this type should never be forced on anybody," he said.Two other states, Wisconsin and North Dakota, have enacted similar bans.Most of VeriChip's devices are implanted to identify medical patients, but the company has also made implantable RFIDs for security uses. Mexico's attorney general bought about 100 of them through a distributor a few years ago, Silverman said.It would take a larger device, about the size of a pacemaker, to track a person's movements by satellite, he said.Some of the other bills on lawmakers' agendas this week include:RECYCLING -- A bill by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Sherman Oaks, would require apartment complexes with at least five units to provide access to waste recycling programs. According to a Senate analysis of the bill, only 40 percent of Californians in multifamily housing have access to curbside recycling. The bill is on the Senate Environmental Quality Committee's agenda on Monday.MARRIAGE EQUALITY -- Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, has a bill that would make it easier for men to take their wives' last names when they get married. It's on the Senate Judiciary Committee's agenda on Tuesday.HEMP FARMING -- Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, is making another attempt to allow California farmers to grow hemp, a distant, low-potency cousin of marijuana that is used in myriad products. The bill is before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the proposal last year.ELECTORAL COLLEGE -- California would award its Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote under a bill by Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, that's on the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee's Tuesday calendar. This proposal also was vetoed last year. The measure would only take effect if states with a majority of electoral votes adopted the same proposal.On the Net:www.assembly. ca.gov and www.senate.ca. gov
http://www.nctimes. com/articles/ 2007/06/18/ news/state/ 61707174441. txt

Psalm 23... Ozzie bikers version.....LORD, you led the way! I didn’t need to know the route.You chose the campsite, it was in the best paddock,you found a billabong that I could get my water from.True to your word,you let me have a restand then you sent me off in the right direction.Even when the ride went through"death’s valley",I wasn’t afraidbecause you rode with me.Your trusty mud maplet me know that I was on the right road.You served me a pub dinnerright in front of my enemies.You revived my droopy head;my beer mug spills over with your blessings.Your beauty and love ride with meevery day of my life.I ride back to The Lord’s garageAnd that will be my base, for all of my life.

Remembering Memorial Day 2007

Remember and honor American heroes - Barbara Simpson - http://www.worldnetdaily.com/Today is Memorial Day. Do you have any idea what that means?For starters, think about two young men whose bodies were officially identified May 23, after being killed in Iraq.Pfc. Joseph Anzack of Torrance, Calif. was found shot to death and floating in the Euphrates River. Who knows what torment he endured before he died; he and two other soldiers were ambushed and taken prisoner May 12. His buddies are still missing.Pvt. Oscar Sauceda of Del Rio, Texas was killed May 22, after he and his unit were hit by enemy small-arms fire. He was with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment.Anzack was 20 years old. Sauceda was 21.If you think about them, will you celebrate Memorial Day differently?For those of a certain age to remember, it wasn't always Memorial Day. It used to be called Decoration Day and was celebrated on May 30.You might even remember the sale of red poppies on Decoration Day. They were made by disabled vets and sold to benefit vets, military widows and their children.You might remember, but then again, maybe not.For 103 years, Memorial Day/Decoration Day has been a single day for commemoration – a time to remember and honor those men and women who were killed defending our country.While the tradition began during the Civil War in the South, the first day of memorial to honor war dead was officially proclaimed May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander, Grand Army of the Republic.The first official observance was held on May 30 of that year. Flowers were placed on Civil War graves at Arlington National Cemetery.New York was the first state to recognize the holiday in 1873 and by 1890, virtually all northern states followed suit.As the country endured other wars and finally World War I, in which nearly 117 thousand Americans were killed, it was decided to have a national day of memorial to honor all Americans killed in all wars.It was never a day to generically remember all dead. Memorial Day was, and is, a day for Americans to come together and honor our military dead who gave their all so we might live in freedom.But, as in so many things, we take them for granted. We take our freedom for granted, and the solemnity of the day has almost totally been lost.Times have changed. For most people today, Memorial Day is a holiday weekend. It's a time to get out of town – unless gas prices are too high – and have fun with family and friends.Of course, it hasn't helped that in 1971, the National Holiday Act moved Memorial Day to the last Monday of May and made it an official federal holiday on a three day weekend.Intentional or not, the net effect has been to diminish the meaning of the day. Along with the reality that our young people aren't taught history, their understanding of the magnitude of Memorial Day commemoration is often nil.Because of "weekend" celebrations and traditional parades to honor the military, surviving vets and their compatriots who were killed are rarely recognized.It used to be that every community had a parade, and, while they were fun and exciting for children, there was also the understanding that the reason for the march was to remember and honor those who died to protect our country and maintain our freedom.Anzack and Sauceda willingly put their lives at risk for this country – for each of us – and were killed in war. They gave their lives and their futures for this country.Their families lost loved ones and also their hopes and dreams. All they have are memories and the pain that comes with them. For the families, the two men will be forever young.Will you remember them on Memorial Day or any day?Every time you go to work without being shot at, go shopping without worrying about car bombs or allow your children to play in the park or at the beach without fear of land mines, you should think of, and thank, the men and women who serve in our military and honor those who were killed.It doesn't matter whether you agree with the war, the president or Congress. What does matter is that our military personnel serve with selflessness and dedication. The very least we can do is honor them and the fallen. They've sacrificed more for us than we could ever repay. Surely that warrants a few minutes of silence on Memorial Day to remember and to say thank you.____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

'ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD."

There is no statement in the Bible, that was made by an apostle, that is more remarkable and even startling than this statement. When you think of it seriously, it seems as though Paul was very unguarded and careless in his language. We are apt to think that he ought to have modified and limited it in some way, such as for instance, all good things are of God.But no, Paul makes the sweeping, unqualified statement, "All things are of (literally, out of) God." Furthermore, so important did Paul consider this truth that he repeats it over and over again. The direct statement is made no less than six times in the writings of the apostle. See Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6, and 11:12; 2 Cor. 5:18; Eph. 1:11, and Heb. 2:10. Now was the apostle careless and a little too bold in these utterances, or did he mean just what he said, and are they true, taken full strength? I say, without any hesitation, yes, to the two latter questions. The more we learn of God's works and ways the more we shall understand that in a sense absolutely "all things are of God;" or in other words, as it has been often expressed God is in everything. We will notice a few passages that will set forth the Bible teaching on this point.
Says Christ, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matt. 10:29,30). In Luke 12:6, we read, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God." Do you realize friend reader, the stupendous character of this statement? How many millions of sparrows think you are there in the world? And of course it is not sparrows alone that God cares for, but all creatures, not one of them is forgotten, and even the very hairs of your head are numbered. The great men of the earth manifest their greatness by their close attention to so called great things; the affairs of state, national interests, business ventures involving the risk of millions, vast philanthropic schemes, and such like matters of world-wide importance. These men generally have very little care, and pay very little attention to the common every-day affairs of life: But God, between whom and the greatest of all earth's great ones there is an infinite disparity, displays His greatness by caring for what would seem to be the most trivial interests of his creatures, like the numbering of the hairs of their heads, and taking notice of apparently the most unimportant events, like the falling of a single sparrow. Well may we exclaim with Faber, in view of such greatness,
O, God? thy loving greatness ever liesOutside us like a boundless sea;We cannot lose ourselves where all is home,Nor drift away from thee.
Thus doth thy grandeur make us grand ourselves,Thy goodness quells our fear;Thy greatness makes us brave as children areWhen those they love are near.
If you would see this thought of God's universal providence carried out in every detail, read Psalms 104, 107 and 147.
See the case of Joseph for an illustration of how God is in affairs of greater moment as it would seem. His unnatural brethren determined to kill him; (Gen. 37:12, etc). Being dissuaded from this they sell him to the Ishmaelites, thus bringing upon him a cruel servitude, and upon their aged father a heart- breaking agony. A blacker or more wicked deed could scarcely be imagined; and yet in the sequel of the story, when Joseph is made ruler of Egypt, and his brethren coming down to buy corn at last discover that he is their long-lost brother, whom they had so cruelly wronged, he reassures and comforts them by saying, "Now therefore, be not grieved nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither, for God did send me before you to preserve life. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God." (Gen. 45:5,8). Could we have a more striking and positive illustration of how "all things are of God?" He is in everything. even in the crimes and cruelties of man. Take another illustration not so prominent in the Bible but just as positive. See Judges 14:1-4. Samson becomes enamored of a Philistine woman and must have her for his wife. In vain his parents try to dissuade him from so improper an alliance as it would seem, Samson is completely bewitched and insists upon having her. Who would suppose that God had anything particular to do with this apparently foolish love affair? and yet it was of him. For the 4th verse reads, "But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines. " For another illustration see 2 Chron. 10:15, 11:4.
Another very striking example of how all things are of God is brought out in the case of the priestly house of Eli. Read l. Sam. 2:30-33. Now see how the fulfillment of this prediction was brought about in 1 Sam. 22:18-20. A more cold-blooded, barbarous butchery was never perpetrated, and yet it was the carrying out of the purpose of God. In 1 Sam. 2:31, God says, "I will cut off thy father's house." According to the account in chapter 22, it was Doeg that did the awful deed, and yet it is plain to see how God was in it. Abiathar escaped the massacre; the denunciation was against the entire house of Eli. Abiathar must be banished from the priesthood. See how it was done in 1 King 2:26, 27. "So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord; to fulfill the word of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh." Is not this a very plain illustration of the great truth we are considering. The awful deeds of wicked men are "of God" in such a sense that he makes them conducive to the carrying out of his own plans and brings good out of them in the end. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise him; the remainder of wrath [that which he cannot turn to his praise] will he restrain." "All are his servants." (Psa. 119:91 ). "Fire and hail, snow and vapour, and stormy wind fulfill his word." (Psa. 147:8).
The heathen king Cyrus is another illustration of this truth. See Isa. 45:1-7. Cyrus was God's "anointed" to do His work. God used him as an instrument to accomplish a certain purpose, though Cyrus knew not that he was thus being used of God; (See verses 4.5.). The case of the Assyrians is still more marked. God was using them just as the carpenter uses his tools. See Isa. 10:1-19; especially verse 15; and in the same connection see Jer. 51:19-20.
Again, see Josh. 11:15-20. Israel destroyed the Canaanites and made peace with none of them, except the Gibeonites, "For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle that He might destroy them utterly." See also a very remarkable illustration in Psa. 105: 25. God sent his people down into Egypt, having sent Joseph before them (verse 17; this verse confirms Joseph's own statement that God, and not his wicked brethren, sent him), to prepare the way for them. God increased his people and made them stronger than their enemies (verse 24) and now mark, "He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal deceitfully with his servants." What! did God incline the hearts of the Egyptians to hate his own people, to deal deceitfully with his own servants? So the record reads. Truly, "All things are of God."
Take still another illustration from the New Testament. The crucifixion of Christ is always looked upon as the most awful crime that ever was committed, and the perpetrators of it are considered as deserving the most severe retribution; and yet they simply did what God's hand and counsel determined before to be done, (Acts 4:28). And Peter tells us that Christ was "delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." (Acts 2:23). Thus we see how even this stupendous crime was of God, and since we know that he worketh all things after the counsel of his will," (Eph. 1:11), we can readily understand from the illustrations cited how true it is that "all things are of God." Thus in God's universal sovereignty fully established by the plain teachings of the word.) "He doeth according to his will, in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him what doest thou?" (Dan.4:35). See also Isa. 40 whole chapter, and Rev. 17:17.
To the child of God this truth is most precious and reassuring. It teaches us how absolutely safe we are while we "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." His power extends not simply to the smallest affairs, like the hairs of our head and the birds of the air, but also to greater things, individuals, communities, states. nations, and worlds, and no creature moves but by his appointment or permission. "All things are of God," therefore I can understand how all things work together for good to them that love God;" and how, also, all things shall yet turn for good to man, since God loves him. God uses the forces of the world whether human or otherwise—just as one would move the pieces on a chess-board. They are so many instruments,—tools, in his hands. Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if a rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood." (Isa. 10:15).
But now these considerations lead us to another great subject, which we will examine in the next article. But for now let's take these things into your considerations for all of us as His great and very powerful subject as well. Let's get down to the very depths of one's own soul to study it , then be in prayer about it and keep right on going till the word comes unto us as God's people. Then when we get one's own conformation in it then it's time to move out in God, and moving on with our Lord Jesus Christ as He is leading us more unto himself in one's own life. With it it does bring growth in the person as we listen to the Lord Jesus Christ. It comes in time and seasons to accomplish many great certain things that He has revealed unto us as we wlak in him as His people in the word of God. Don't rush it, or we'll make mistakes in us as human beings. Remember to as for His forgivness as it shows up and then return to what was said at that time unto you. Rely on Him to carry you through it as He does bring His children or His people through His manifestations of His holy spirit in with His Word in knowing that all things have been made by Himself. In which it comes for us in His eternal power of His very nature (man by reason) and in mortal laws in that knowing for us that identifies Him in heading toward God in what he shares wit us. The creator clearly shows in that unmistable power of His messages as He as a person as being His people in showing us His ways for us to tread on in our life. His eternal power had made all of those things in this world that we can see, hear, touch, smell to do as He himself has laid before us daily. In His supernatural power which is sustaining for us as His people ( Human beings) being fully aware of His power that does sustain us daily and spiritually too. His divine nature, particular His faithfulness, and graciousness, to all mankind in this whole earth. The revelations comes only from God, don't supresse it, allow Him to be himself in You at that moment in time whenever the unction comes in you at those moments of your being it comes in many different ways as a human being.
The Unction of the Holy One
"But you have an unction (or anointing) from the Holy One, and you know all things." 1 John 2:20
The life of John, the beloved disciple, was prolonged to a very late period; and we see the wisdom and goodness of God in thus prolonging his life, that he might be a standing bulwark against the errors and heresies which overflowed the primitive church. When the Lord of life and glory was upon earth, all the bent of Satan's malice was against him; but when, according to God's elect purpose and counsel, Satan had put it into the heart of Judas to betray Christ into the hands of the Jews, and the Son of God was nailed to the accursed tree (for Satan was outwitted by his own invention and out-shot by his own bow); then when Jesus had ascended into heaven, all the power of Satan was turned against his disciples. When he could not touch the Head, he aimed his arrows at the members; and no sooner did the Lord pour out upon the church the gift of the Holy Spirit in great measure on the day of Pentecost, than Satan immediately introduced all manner of error and heresy to harass the church.
Now, through the kind providence of God, the life of John was prolonged to bear testimony against these errors and heresies; and thus this blessed apostle was a standing testimony against the errors that came in like a flood. In the chapter from which the text is taken, John addresses himself to the church of God as divided into three distinct classes. There are the weak and young, whom he calls "little children." There are those who are established in the divine life through exercises, trials, temptations, and through corresponding blessings; these he calls "young men." And there are those whose lives are verging upon eternity, who have received many testimonies of God's goodness and loving-kindness, and have thus become "fathers."
Speaking, then, to the church of God as thus composed, he puts them in mind of those seducers and heretics who had crept into the church. He says, "Little children, it is the last time" (that is the last dispensation, ) "and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists. " They had heard of "antichrist, " and they supposed that "antichrist" was some single person; the man of sin that was to rise. "No," says the apostle, "There are many antichrists. " All that are opposed to Christ, all that deny the story of his Person, the efficacy of his work, and the power of his blood, these are antichrists, because they are all against Christ.
Now these antichrists were formerly among them, members of their churches, walking, apparently, in Christian fellowship. The apostle therefore says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us." They could not receive the love of the truth because their hearts secretly loathed it. They could not endure Christian experience, because they possessed it not, nor could they submit to gospel precepts and Christian discipline, because their affections went out after the world. The truth of God, the pure truth, did not suit their impure, corrupt minds; so they went out from the church, they separated themselves, and thus abandoned the communion and community of the faithful; for "if they had been of us," in heart and soul, knit together in the bonds of the Spirit, in real spiritual union and communion, if they had thus "been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." Separating from the company of God's people is a testimony that such are not of God's people, and they make it manifest that they never were in heart and soul united with the family of God when they withdraw themselves from them.
But the apostle would here rather infer, "How did it come to be otherwise with you?" What has preserved you faithful when others have proved unfaithful? What has kept you still leaning on and looking unto a crucified Immanuel when others have trampled on his blood and turned after idols? Was it your own wisdom, your own ability, your own righteousness, your own strength? No; not so! "But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things." This is what he implies, "you have an unction from the Holy One." It is that which has kept you, it is that which has taught you. "You little children, young men, and fathers, you have an unction from the Holy One," and by that unction "you know all things."
With God's blessing, then, this afternoon I shall endeavor to take up the words of the text as they lie before me, and show–I. What it is to have an unction from the Holy One.II. How by virtue of this unction from the Holy One we know all things.
I. What it is to have an unction from the Holy One. Let us look at the simple figure contained in the text. Unction signifies literally anointing. It is indeed the same word, and is so rendered a little lower down: "But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him" (verse 27). It has probably some reference to the oil or ointment which in those hot countries was employed to anoint the body, and keep it in health. But besides this there is a reference to what we read in Exod.30:22-33, where God commanded Moses to make a holy anointing oil by which the tabernacle and every vessel in it was to be consecrated; prefiguring the special anointing of the Holy Spirit on the hearts and consciences of God's people. So that as no vessel in the tabernacle was holy until it had been anointed with the consecrating oil, so no soul is holy until it has received the unction from the Holy One. No prayer, no praise, no service no sacrifice, no ordinance can be holy unless it is touched with this pure unction and divine anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Now there is a divine suitability and peculiar figure here made use of– 1. Oil is of a SOFTENING, suppling nature. It is applied to the body to soften and supple it. So spiritually, the unction, or anointing of the oil of the Holy Spirit makes the conscience tender. Wherever that unction comes, it takes away the heart of stone, and gives a heart of flesh. It removes impenitence, unbelief, waywardness, perverseness, self-righteousness, and self-conceit; it softens and supples and makes tender the heart and conscience, so as to fall under the power of the truth.
Until the Blessed Spirit by his sacred operations upon a man's heart supples it and softens it in this way, the truth never falls with any weight or power on it. And this is the reason why hundreds hear truth without any effect; not being anointed with this unction from above, the heart of stone is not taken away, that evil heart of unbelief which rejects the solemn truth of God.
But when the Blessed Spirit brings the secret, mysterious, and invisible, yet powerful anointing oil of grace into the heart, it receives the truth as from God; and truth thus coming from God penetrates into the soul. The law sounds its curses; but they never touch the conscience until the unction of the Spirit attends it. The gospel holds forth its blessings; but without this unction they never come with savor and power into the soul. Christ is spoken of in Scripture as being to some "a root out of a dry ground--he has no form nor loveliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him" (Isa.53:2). And why so, but for the lack of this unction of the Holy Spirit.
Wherever the unction is in a man's conscience it will always make that conscience tender. So that if you see any man, whatever profession he may make, who is bold, presumptuous, daring, and self-confident, be assured that the unction of the Holy Spirit has never yet touched his heart; he has but a name to live while dead. Now do you watch for this in professing men and women, and in the ministers whom you hear, whether you see in them this soft, tender and meek spirit. If this is totally absent, the unction of the Holy Spirit has not yet come upon them.
2. Again, unction or anointing oil is of a PENETRATING nature.When ointment or oil is rubbed on anything it penetrates into the substance beneath. It does not lie on the surface; it penetrates below the surface into the very substance of that to which it is applied. So it is spiritually with respect to the unction of the Holy One on the heart and conscience. In the case of most people who have truth in the understanding, but it is not brought into the heart by divine power--the effect is superficial. There is no depth of vital experience in their hearts; thus they resemble the stony ground hearers of whom we read in the parable of the sower: "Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away" (Matt.13:5,6) . In their case the Word has not, as a two-edged sword, pierced even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of the joints and marrow, nor has it so sunk into their consciences as to be a discerner of the thoughts and intents of their heart.
But the unction of the Holy One, the internal teaching and operation of the Spirit penetrates into every heart to which it comes. It does not merely lie on the surface; it does not merely change the creed; it does not merely alter the life. It goes deeper than creed, lip, or life; it sinks into the very roots of the conscience. If your religion has never penetrated below the surface, it lacks this grand test of having come from God. The religion of God consists in the unction of the Holy One which goes beneath the shell and the skin; which works down to the very bottom of man's heart and opens it up and lays it bare before the eyes of him with whom he has to do. It is by virtue of this unction that our secret motives are discovered, and the pride, self-righteousness, presumption, self-seeking, and all that depravity that ferments in a man's heart are laid open. It is by the penetrating effects of this divine light and life in a man's soul that all the secret workings and inward movement of his heart are discovered and laid bare. A man can never loathe himself in dust and ashes, never abhor himself as the vilest of the vile until this secret anointing oil touches his heart.
He will be satisfied with a name to live, with an empty profession, until this teaching of God the Spirit goes through every mantle and veil, and searches into the very vitals, so as to sink into the secret depths of a man's spirit before God. He is never thoroughly honest to God or himself until the unction from the Holy One makes him see light in God's light.
3. Again, unction, or oil is of a SPREADING nature. It diffuses itself, as it is termed. It is not confined to the little spot where it falls, but it extends itself in all directions. So it is with the unctuous teaching of the Blessed Spirit in a man's heart. It spreads itself through the soul. The Lord therefore compares it to leaven (Matt.13:33) . How does leaven act? It is very small in itself, a little lump; but when put into the large mass of meal, it diffuses itself through every portion of it; so that not a single crumb of the loaf is unaffected by it.
Thus wherever the unction of the Holy One touches a man's heart it spreads itself, widening and extending its operations. It thus communicates divine gifts and graces wherever it comes. It bestows and draws out faith, and gives repentance and godly sorrow, causes secret self-loathing, separation from the world, draws the affections upwards, makes sin hated, and Jesus and his salvation loved.
Now if you had a child, and were very anxious for its growth, you would not like to see the child's arm and leg grow, and the other members remain as they were. You would not like to see its head growing much faster than the body; you would soon be afraid lest, the child die of water on the brain. And yet you will find some professors that grow only in one thing; they never grow in simplicity, prayerfulness, spirituality, watchfulness, and heavenly mindedness. Their faith, if we are to believe their own statements, grows very much, but we never see the other graces and fruits of the Spirit grow with it. But such a monstrous growth as this is not the growth of the new man of grace. That grows equally in all its parts, and every member bears a harmonious proportion to the rest.
If faith increases, hope and love grow--and when faith, hope, and love grow--humility, spirituality, and simplicity, deadness to the world, and every other grace and every other fruit of the Spirit grow in the same proportion.
Wherever the unction of the Holy Spirit touches a man's heart it diffuses itself through his whole soul, and makes him wholly a new creature. It gives new motives and communicates new feelings; it enlarges and melts the heart, it spiritualizes and draws the affections upwards, and brings about what the apostle declares as the effects of union with Christ: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor.5:17).
Of this sacred anointing John says that it teaches of all things, and is truth, and is no lie. Without it all our religion is a bubble, and all our profession a lie; without it all our hopes will end in despair. See to it, then, you that fear the Lord, or desire to fear him--whether you can find any of this unction from the Holy One resting on your heart--any secret melting down of your spirit before the Lord, any breathings of affection into the bosom of Jesus, any overpowering and overwhelming sense of that love which passes knowledge; any inward longing to enjoy him and delight yourself wholly and solely in him.
Now this unction of the Holy One will be felt only as the Lord the Spirit is pleased to bring it into your soul. It may be but once a year, once a month, or once a week. There is no fixed time for it to be given; but just at such a season and in such a manner as God sees fit. But whenever it comes into the heart, its operations and effects will be the same, the feelings it creates and the fruits it produces will be the same. O what a mercy to have one drop of this heavenly unction! To enjoy one heavenly feeling! To taste the least measure of Christ's love shed abroad in the heart! What an unspeakable mercy to have one touch, one glimpse, one glance, one communication out of the fullness of him who fills all in all!
This sanctifies all our prayers; this sanctifies the preaching, this sanctifies the ordinances, this sanctifies our public worship, this sanctifies the persons, the sacrifices, the offerings of all spiritual worshipers; as we read: "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Rom.15:16).
It is the sweet unction of the Holy One that knits the hearts of the people of God together in indissoluble bonds of love and affection. By this unction from the Holy One we know the truth, believe the truth, love the truth, and are kept in the truth day by day and hour by hour. Is this the grand thing that your soul is longing after and pressing forward to enjoy? In the secret sinkings or in the secret risings of your spirit in the inmost sensations of your heart towards God, is the unction of the Holy One, the divine anointing of the Holy Spirit the chief thing you are looking for? Without this unction of the Holy One we have no tender feelings towards Jesus, no spiritual desires to know him and the power of his resurrection; without this unction we have not a single breath of prayer, nor one spiritual panting or longing in our soul.
The Lord's people have often to walk in a state of darkness; by this unction from the Holy One they are brought out of it. By this unction from the Holy One they are supported under afflictions, perplexities, and sorrows. By this unction from the Holy One when they are reviled they revile not again. By this unction from the Holy One they see the hand of God in every chastisement, in every providence, in every trial, in every grief, and in every burden. By this unction from the Holy One they can bear chastisement with meekness, and put their mouth in the dust, humbling themselves under the mighty hand of God. Every good word, every good work, every gracious thought, holy desire, and spiritual feeling do we owe to this one thing: the unction of the Holy One.
It is a solemn thing to have an unction from the Holy One, and it is a solemn thing not to have it. It is a solemn thing to live under this sweet anointing; but what a solemn thing to have a profession of religion and to know nothing of this sweet anointing! If in the great day those only will be saved who have had this unction of the Holy One, where will thousands be who have had but a name to live? If this be true, as it is, where will thousands be in the last day, when the Judge will sit upon the great white throne?
But if the unction of the Holy One be upon a man he is a consecrated vessel of mercy; wrath, justice and the law cannot touch him; the anointing oil is upon him, the blessing of God rests on his soul, and he is safely hid in the hollow of God's hand from the wrath that is coming upon the world.
II. How by virtue of this unction from the Holy One, we know all things."And you know all things." What does the apostle mean by that? Does he mean that they actually know all things, all the realms of science; all the varied departments of art? O no; the Lord's people are a very poor people, and usually a very ignorant people in matters of human knowledge. No; they are ignorant for the most part of the various branches of human knowledge. It is not their province to know what the learned men of this world pore over, and rack their brains about; such knowledge is not for their comfort or spiritual profit. It is a mercy to be ignorant of what the wise men of this world consider the only things worth knowing.
Nor does it mean that they know all gospel mysteries. Many of God's people are ignorant of fine points in divinity, and many a professor dead in sin and living after the course of this world is much clearer in the letter of Scripture and in the grand scheme of salvation than some of God's poor, broken-hearted family. But by this expression we may understand that they know all things profitable, all things needful, as the apostle Peter says:"All things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Pet.1:3). What are, then, some of these all things?
1. They know THEMSELVES. A knowledge of oneself is indispensable to salvation. If a man does not know himself he cannot know God; if a man does not know himself he cannot know the Son of God. To know and see oneself in one's true colors as poor, miserable, filthy, guilty sinners, lost, undone children of Adam, with a heart deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, with a nature thoroughly depraved, helpless, and hopeless--thus to know ourselves would stop all boasting. It would stop all thinking himself better than others, and effectually pull down all creature-righteousn ess, if a man once had the unction of the Holy One upon his heart and conscience, making himself known to himself.
By this unction from the Holy One we know our sinfulness, our dreadful, desperate, abominable sinfulness; by this unction from the Holy One we know our hypocrisy, our dreadful, desperate hypocrisy; by this unction from the Holy One we know our obstinacy, our perverseness, our alienation from God, our proneness to evil, and our horrible aversion to good; by this unction from the Holy One we know that we deserve the eternal wrath of God, that by nature we are at an infinite distance from his purity; that we are altogether as an unclean thing, and that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
If a man is not rooted and grounded in the knowledge of self, he never can be rooted and grounded in a knowledge of Christ as a Savior: "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Therefore if a person does not know himself lost, nor groan, nor sigh on account of being lost, all that Jesus is, and all that Jesus has for poor lost sinners is hidden from his eyes. This is the reason of there being so much profession without possession; so much of the letter without the Spirit, so much doctrine without the power.
But when we are taught by the Blessed Spirit to know ourselves to be lost, ruined, and undone, then we want to know there is a Savior, and such a Savior as alone can save us out of our lost condition. No wonder that men despise the Person of Christ, no wonder that they deny his eternal, underived deity; no wonder that they deny the eternal Sonship of Jesus and the personality and operations of God the Spirit; no wonder they trample underfoot the divine mystery of the Trinity. They have never seen themselves; they have never groaned under a burden of sin; never had a knowledge of self in its ruin and depravity.
2.Nor can we know the purity and spirituality of God's holy LAW, but by this unction from the Holy One.
3. Nor can we know that the SCRIPTURES are true, or that God has revealed his mind and will in them except by virtue of this unction from the Holy One.
4. Nor can we know there is a JESUS, a divine Mediator, an lmmanuel, God with us, but by virtue of this unction from the Holy One. We may have correct views and sound notions; we may have speculations floating on the brain; but humbling meltings and dissolving views of the Son of God in his sufferings and agonies--we cannot have but by an unction from the Holy One. To see the stream of atoning blood from his sacred body, to see his glorious robe of righteousness, justifying and covering the sins of his people, to see the Holy Mediator interceding at the right hand of the Father, and to have the soul dissolved under the sight and feeling of the mystery of Christ as a God and Savior, nothing but an unction from the Holy One, the anointing oil of the blessed Spirit upon the heart, can give us this knowledge of him whom to know is life eternal.
5.Nor can we know the PARDON of our sins, but by virtue of this unction from the Holy One. We cannot know that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, but by virtue of the unction from the Holy One.
6. Nor can we know the liberty of the gospel or the sweet manifestations of the Lord of life and glory, nor can we walk at large, as David speaks in Psalm 119:45, nor can we enjoy the sweetness and blessedness of a gospel deliverance but by this anointing. We cannot come out of darkness into light, bondage into liberty, coldness into warmth, but by the unction from the Holy One. Nor can we know what the favor of God is, nor this loving-kindness of a tender Father, nor his watchfulness over his children as a most affectionate Parent, nor the shedding abroad of his love in the heart, nor the inward witness of the Spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry, Abba, Father, but by virtue of the unction of the Holy One.
7.Nor can we know what it is to have a heavenly home, a harbor of rest and peace, a blessed mansion above where tears are wiped from off all faces, but by virtue of this unction. How needful, then, it is, how indispensable for a soul that stands on the brink of eternity, that is exercised and troubled at the sight of death and judgment, to know whether he has any unction from the Holy One resting on his heart and conscience!
But if he has the unction from the Holy One, there will be fruits and effects, there will be holy panting and desires; the heart will not be always barren, dark, and unfruitful; it will not be always grasping after the things of time and sense. There will be something in the soul as distinct from these things as light from darkness, and heaven from earth. There will be a humility, a brokenness, a tenderness, a contrition, a spirituality of affection as different from the spirit of the world, as Christ from Belial. This unction of the Holy One touching a man's heart and conscience will make him more or less manifest as a new creature; it will make spiritual religion more or less the element in which his soul lives and moves; it will transform him, as the apostle speaks, "in the renewing of his mind;" old things will pass away; yes, all things will become new; with it he is happy; without it he is a wretch.
With this unction from the Holy One all is plain, blessed, and clear; without it all is dark, perplexed, and confused; with it there will be a savor in reading the Scriptures, and they will be sweeter to the soul than honey and the honeycomb; without it the Scriptures are nothing but a riddle, a weariness, and a burden. With it prayer is sweet and delightful to the soul--and prayer, and preaching, and hearing are, alike, blessed; without it all is dark and confused; we feel not the importance of the things we are hearing and speaking.
With this unction from the Holy One the ordinances of God are blessed; we see a grandeur and a beauty in the ordinance of baptism, and a sweetness in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. With this unction from the Holy One the people of God are highly prized as our chief companions; without it we care not for them, and feel as though we would rather go out of their company than get into it. With it eternal things are weighty and precious, the only things worth seeking or having, without it eternal things fade away, and the things of time and sense occupy the mind--it is engaged in the world, and eternal realities are out of view.
O what a difference in a man's soul when he has this unction and when he has it not! When the unction rests upon a man's heart it makes as great a change as when the sun rises and night disappears; as when the spring comes and winter rolls away with its cutting blasts. Now do you do you think know the difference? Does this find out your religion? Have you these inward changes, these alternations, darkness and light, summer and winter, day and night, seed time and harvest, cold and heat--these are figures of the work of God on the soul. We need both. The corn needs the winter as well as the spring and summer. We need night as much as day; the sun as much as the absence of it. So spiritually; we need unction, and sometimes we need the withdrawing of the unction, because we would get proud, as Deer speaks: The heart uplifts with God's own gifts, and makes even grace a snare."
Now if you have ever felt in your soul the least drop of this unction you are saved. The little children to whom the apostle wrote, saying, "their sins are forgiven," were but weak and feeble, but with that unction everything had come to cover their sins. The feeblest, therefore, the most trembling, most doubting and fearing, the most exercised, the most self-condemned, if they have but the least drop of this unction from the Holy One on their souls, are pardoned sinners, and shall be with Christ in glory.
When Moses consecrated the vessels in the tabernacle, it was not the quantity of the anointing oil that he put on which sanctified them; if he dipped his little finger in the oil and just touched the vessel it was as much consecrated as if he put both his hands in the anointing oil, and rubbed it all over. So spiritually, the least touch of this unction from God the Holy Spirit upon the conscience, the least drop of this holy oil falling from the Spirit on the heart, sanctifies, and fits it for heaven.catcmo2006 Thank You for stopping in this site it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers, intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.
God will hold us all accountable for our sins (Eze.18:30); We should hold each other accountable (Ro.17:3);God will examine our actions (2Cor.5:10); Armor for physical battles (1Sam. 17:38); Weapons cannot stop God's power ( Eze. 38:4); Spiritual armor prepares us for life (Ro.13:12);Righteou sness is a spiritual weapon (2Cor.6:7);God' s weapons conquerors Satan's strongholds (2Cor.10:4); Put on the Armor (Eph.6:11-18) Jesus Is the Highest Authority (Matt.28:18) ;Choose a postive attitude (Hab.3:17-19) Bad attitudes hurts our relationship with God (Gen.4:6,7); Bad attitudes leads to poor decisions (Num.14:1-4) ;God gives christian a new attitude (Hab.3:17-19) More Than Conquerors (Ro.8:37)Christians should always rejoice (Phil.4:4)__._,_.___