WAS THE CHURCH AN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGY IN THE PLAN OF GOD?

I have read or heard some say or argue that the church was merely instituted after the Jews had rejected Christ. On the contrary, the church was prophesied through the entire Old Testament. Let us refer to some Bible verses regarding the origin of the church: And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (Genesis 22:18) And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis 26:4) And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it (Isaiah 2:2-3) And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious (Isaiah 11:10) So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider (Isaiah 52:15) For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts (Malachi 1:11) In His Name the Gentiles would trust (Matthew 12:21) And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:11) All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations. (Psalms 22:27-28) From the above, I believe it would be erroneous to view the church a later day development or that God created it after the Jewish rejection of Jesus Christ. It was and is a part and parcel of the original intention of God for mankind

Becoming a Freelance SEO Writer: What to Expect Your First Month | PRLog

Becoming a Freelance SEO Writer: What to Expect Your First Month | PRLog

Understanding The Holy Trinity

God the Son (Jesus) is fully, completely God. God the Father is fully, completely God. And God the Holy Spirit is fully, completely God. Yet there is only one God. With our limited human worldly experience, it's tough to understand the Trinity. But from the beginning we see God this way in Scripture. Notice the plural pronouns "us" and "our" in Genesis 1:26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

Here are some Scripture that shows God is One, in Trinity:

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!" (Deut. 6:4)

"I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God." (Isa. 45:5)

“There is no God but one.” (1Cor. 8:4)

And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matt. 3:16-17)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matt. 28:19)

Jesus said: "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)

"He who has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)

"He who beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me." (John 12:45)

If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Rom. 8:9)

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Matt. 1:20)

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

Jesus speaking to His disciples "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you." ... "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him." (John 14:16-17, 23)

10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman

1. Faith - A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15

2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)

3.  Mothering - A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)

4. Health – A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)

5. Service - A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

6. Finances - A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

7.  Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

9. Time - A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )

10. Beauty – A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)

Sips of Sunshine: Trust Me

Sips of Sunshine: Trust Me: Photo Credit:  Melodi2 from morgueFile.com Over the last week or so, I read two different stories that were great reminders about what ...

Sips of Sunshine: A Special Guest

Sips of Sunshine: A Special Guest: Photo Credit:  hamper at morgueFile.com If I could dine with anyone...well...besides the fam, I would want to share a meal...wi...

What's the most important trait in a manager? - Daily Question

What's the most important trait in a manager? - Daily Question

The Bible and Celebrating Holidays

Colossians 2:16: Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

Romans 14:1-23: As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Romans 14:5-6 : One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Isaiah 1:14-15: Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.

Proverbs 31:6-7: Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Jude 1:4 : For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 12:29-32: “When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it

Hope in God: Who Are You in Love With?

Hope in God: Who Are You in Love With?: Dearest Saints,

I received this caption from a dear Brother in the Lord several years ago and I still remember strongly of what it says. ...

Samuel Chadwick

"...one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray."

Being Makumi: What Is It That You Want From Life

Being Makumi: What Is It That You Want From Life: By Tabitha Makumi What do you really want out of life? Sounds like a pretty easy question, so what do you really, really, want out of life...

WHO IS GOD

These 20 Bible facts about God will give us insight into the nature and character of God.

1.       God is eternal.
(Deuteronomy 33:27; Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 90:2)

2.       God is infinite.
(1 Kings 8:22-27; Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 102:25-27; Revelation 22:13)

3.       God is self-sufficient and self-existent.
(Exodus 3:13-14; Psalm 50:10-12; Colossians 1:16)

4.       God is omnipresent (present everywhere).
(Psalm 139:7-12)

5.       God is omnipotent (all powerful).
(Genesis 18:14; Luke 18:27; Revelation 19:6)

6.       God is omniscient (all knowing).
(Psalm 139:2-6; Isaiah 40:13-14)

7.       God is unchanging or immutable.
(Psalm 102:25-27; Hebrews 1:10-12; 13:8)

8.       God is sovereign.
(2 Samuel 7:22; Isaiah 46:9-11)

9.       God is wise.
(Proverbs 3:19; Romans 16:26-27; 1 Timothy 1:17)

10.    God is holy.
(Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15)

11.    God is righteous and just.
(Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 11:7; Psalm 119:137)

12.    God is faithful.
(Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 89:1-8)

13.    God is true and truth.
(Psalm 31:5; John 14:6; John 17:3; Titus 1:1-2)

14.    God is good.
(Psalm 25:8; Psalm 34:8; Mark 10:18)

15.    God is merciful.
(Deuteronomy 4:31; Psalm 103:8-17; Daniel 9:9; Hebrews 2:17)

16.    God is gracious.
(Exodus 34:6; Psalm 103:8; 1 Peter 5:10)

17.    God is love.
(John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:8)

18.    God is spirit.
(John 4:24)

19.    God is light.
(James 1:17; 1 John 1:5)

20.    God is triune or trinity.
(Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

When God Is Silent

"I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I do not feel it. I believe in God, even when He is silent."

These lines were found scrawled on a cellar wall in Cologne which was destroyed by bombing in WWII.

Happiness

A story is told of a king who was suffering from a malady and was advised by his astrologer that he would be cured if the shirt of a contented man were brought to him to wear.  People went out to all parts of the kingdom after such a person, and after a long search they found a man who was really happy

......but he did not possess a shirt.

THINGS TO LEARN FROM A DOG

~ Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

~ Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

~ When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

~ When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

~ Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

~ Take naps and stretch before rising.

~ Run, romp and play daily.

~ Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

~ Be loyal.

~ Never pretend to be something you're not.

~ If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

~ When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

~ Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

~ Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

~ On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

~ When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

~ No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.

~ Bond with your pack.

~ Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

 www.mikeysFunnies.com






~ Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Being Makumi: How To Handle A Loss Like A Boss With Head Held Hi...

Being Makumi: How To Handle A Loss Like A Boss With Head Held Hi...: I will start with a cliche for this one “For every war, there’s bound to be a loser and a winner.” The thing with cliches is that they are ...

Quote

"Christianity is about a daily walk with this person, Jesus. The heart of Christian faith is a radical and reasonable trust and focus on Jesus, but for many of us, our focus has shifted very subtly from love for Jesus and faithfulness to Him and obedience to Him to a set of doctrines. Life and living comes from God - it comes from Jesus - not from doctrine or good morals. You can be an utterly moral person and not be alive. Jesus came that we might have life, not good morals. It's not that I'm opposed to good morals at all; it's just that sometimes I think we put the cart before the horse." - Rich Mullins

HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR PASTOR TODAY? (By Matt Donnelly)

"It was He who gave some to be ... pastors and teachers." Ephesians 4:11, NIV Pastoring a congregation is a gift that takes a rare combination of administrative, spiritual, and leadership skills. Trust me when I say rare. During my first year at seminary, I had all but convinced myself that I wanted to be a pastor. I even went so far as to interview for an assistant pastor position (at the ripe old age of 22!), and I very nearly got the job. I continue to thank God that he saw fit to endow that congregation with the wisdom to turn me down. I wasn't then, and am not now, fit to lead God's people as a pastor. It seems to me that pastors tend to be an underappreciated lot. If we lay people tend to think of our pastor at all, it's usually only during Sunday mornings when the sermon goes too long -- and those thoughts aren't any I'd care to repeat! But, I'd like to suggest that we take the time to see our pastors as true servants of God who are called to lead us as we live out our Christian lives. Pastors will tell you that leading God's people hasn't changed much since biblical times -- it has its highs and lows, its thrilling moments and its excruciating pain. But through it all, God is there, walking beside the pastor as he or she brings a Sunday message from God to his people, helps heal a hurting marriage, and hits a stand-up double during a church softball game. It truly is an awesome task to be the public face of God to so many inside and outside the church. So, the next time you see your pastor, say thanks for making a difference in your life. Sure, they'll probably think you're a little crazy, but then again, they might also choke back the tears and say, "You're welcome."

Sermon/Message Interruption

I always maintain that a preacher should/must preach as the Holy Spirit leads. However, I (and I am sure many others!) get distracted by preachers/evangelists/bible teachers who follow every sentence with "Praise God (Bwana asifiwe)". 

Let me give an example of a verbatim message from a preacher:

"Let us turn to our Bibles and read from the Gospel of Mark Chapter 2 starting from verse 5 to 7 and I will read, praise God. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee praise God.
Verses 6 and 7 tells us: But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, praise God. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Praise God. Who can forgive sins but God only? Praise God/Bwana asifiwe"

The preacher continues:

"What Mark is telling us, praise God is that as Jesus entered into Capernaum, one sick of the palsy was brought to Him, praise God and because praise God, He saw their faith, praise God......"

The point I am labouring to bring out here is that too frequent interjections of "Praise God" may at times cause message mix-up and may at times tend to derail the flow of Word intake by the congregation.

Does God Speak To Us In dreams?

Our dreams can be good or bad or even a mixture of both good and bad. They are usually made up of our joys, fears, anger, hopes, disappointments, our experiences and things we would like to experience or have experienced. They get all mixed up and while some of us sleep without dreaming others dream a lot on a regular basis.

Does God speak to us in dreams? I believe He does. I am not saying that He comes and speaks to us audibly and gives us direct revelation as we read of Him doing in some texts in the Old and New Testaments. But He does shape and build us up through truth and life on a daily basis and our dreams are (in part) expressions of the things He leads us to hope for and rejoice in as we walk with Him. So when we dream something lovely, beautiful, something strong and good, when in our dreams we’re looking for righteousness and the triumph of the spirit we should attribute all that to His influence. If we are struggling with sin that for the moment seems to have us beat, that will probably come out in our dreams as well.

It is also true that things other than God shape us daily. Sometimes we dream things we are ashamed of when we wake up. But if we feel ashamed that too is the work of God. It seems obvious then that we dream what we take in and that dreams express something of who we are and how we react to life’s experiences on a daily basis.

So when we dream of husbands or wives or family and friends smilingly and lovingly calling us on, we are dreaming the truth we have been taught by God in one way or another (love). There is no doubt in my mind that God has worked miracles and if He is good and ready He will work more even through dreams. So if you dream of a glad reunion with those you love and you have given yourself to God then you are dreaming the truth that God has fed you and led you to long for.