In this era of "grace and truth"(JOHN 1:17), I would hope that all Christians would recognize that we are guaranteed God hears and answers prayer when the prayer is "in Jesus name". "I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, AND SHALL GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE." JOHN 10:9. "...WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE WILL GIVE IT YOU." JOHN 16:23. Christianity is founded upon this belief.

I realize, in this politically correct day and age, not to mention the name of JESUS is the accepted way to pray, offending no one of course. But which is Christlike: to be a true Christian and espouse His words and instructions, "lifting Him up" where He should be? or to be ashamed to mention our Saviour's name in prayer?

Maybe that’s why when the world prays,  God, for the most part, seems to ignore them.

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Cor. 2:4,5. “For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Cor 4:20.

What is this power Paul is talking about? Some would be tempted to say they have seen the power of God work in their lives, changing their heart and hence the way they live their lives.  I would say they are right, but I believe the kind of power that Christ wants us to have changes more than our lives. It changes other people’s lives. 

Notice how the disciples prayed after they had been threatened: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” Acts 4:29, 30. These were asking for a demonstration of God’s power so that others might believe! They were concerned not with their own welfare, comfort, and safety, but winning lost souls to Christ by speaking the word which they had been given, knowing it would not return void but would “prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”. Is 55:11. 

Jesus also illustrated the importance of possessing power with God when He said, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” John 14:11. So what did Paul mean when he said, “For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Cor 4:20. Jesus told his disciples that “the Kingdom of God is within you” Luke 17:21. He also said,” But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. The power being referred to is for demonstration purposes, showing the unbeliever that God is real and to be reckoned with, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Heb 2:3,4.                

This power goes beyond a changed life, beyond “the milk” and unto the “meat”. Witness what the writer wrote, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” Heb 6:1,2. He is referring toGod exercising his Power through the believers.We are to be God’s representatives in power, not just in a changed life. 

Old timers will remember witnessing the power of God at work, and no doubt some have heard of or seen such things as the dead raised, the sick healed, and other miracles demonstrating God’s power working through the faith of believers. The Church today has little power with God, as demonstrated by the world in which we live. “…If they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.” Jer 23: 22.   

Some denominations have decided that since they have no power with God, then times have changed and God doesn’t work like that anymore.  I believe the contrary, for the Word points out, “...I am the Lord, I change not…” Mal 3:6. Some may say that the Holy Ghost (by which we receive this power, see Acts 1:8) was just for the Apostles. If that is the case, explain the scripture, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39.

Some would also say, “Okay, what is the problem with the Church, that it doesn’t have this power?” Let me illustrate with a recent example. Not too long ago, a bishop was confirmed by the governing body of his religion; nothing wrong with that, except this bishop was selected while living and condoning a homosexual lifestyle. Why does the Church (God does still have a remnant) of today lack power?   Because it lacks the Spirit of God and the guidance of God, and is carnal, minding the things of the flesh, therefore not pleasing God. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Cor 3:3. Jesus prayed for the believers, “That they all may be one…that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21. Why does the world not believe in Jesus Christ and move with fear? Why are there so many denominations when there is One Spirit? (Eph 4:4). Because of carnality. 

In the book of Daniel it is prophesied, “…How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? … when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” Daniel 12:6,7. Friends, that day is at hand. The enemy causes these divisions because he knows what happens when selfless believers unite “in one accord”; see the book of Acts for an example. The Power of God is demonstrated. Paul says to the believers, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Cor 13:5. 

Paul once again writes, “…they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”  And again, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” 2 Cor 10:12, 18. How does God commend someone? Remember when He commended Jesus after his baptism? The Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove and God spoke from Heaven. Luke 3:22. God commends with power! Nicodemus knew what he was talking about when he said, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” John 3:2. How do we get this power? 

When they brought the lunatic to Jesus because His disciples could not cast out the devil, He said they were “…faithless and perverse…” so Jesus cast out the devil. Undoubtedly embarrassed, they came “… to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief…Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matt 17:17-21. Prayer and dedication to God and His service is the answer. 

“And now, Israel [all believers are spiritual Jews], what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him,  and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” Deut 10:12-13. 

“For God so loved the world…” that he sent The Savior who said he’d not leave us comfortless in John, Chapter 14. The world seeks comfort through the power that rests in the flesh, but the believer, in crucifying the flesh, receives power with God not through strength, but through weakness.2 Cor 12:10.

Translations

Concerning various translations of the Bible, I once again find myself explaining or defending the King James Version of the Bible. 

My basic reasoning in trusting the KJV is that it is the “old path” (Jer 6:16).  Paul warned us of “grievous wolves… not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).  There really are those out there in the world that would deceive those who will listen.  We have been told that the time would come when “… they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim 4:3,4).  The dictionary defines a “fable” as a “fictitious narrative or statement; a falsehood, or lie”.  The preceding verse tells warns us of a people who do not have a “love of the truth” (2 Thess 2:10); those who will not endure sound doctrine.  We live in an age where people are accustomed to ease; no one wants to work or strive for anything because most things come easy.  How many have heard (concerning the KJV) that it is too hard to understand?  If such people have to work to understand the Word, they seek a Word that is easier to understand. 

I had an uncle who could not read, yet after he was saved he could pick up the Bible (KJV no doubt!), read it and understand what he read.  By all accounts, he truly was a changed man.  The newer translations, NIV, NKJV, and others, boast themselves to be “easier reading”, mainly because, as time goes on, the English language has changed.  Not many these days speak using such words as “thee” and “thou”; at least that is the argument.  Can we really not understand “thee” and “thou”?  In seeking an easier understanding of the Word, what we really are doing is catering to the flesh, for the flesh seeks ease and disdains work or effort.  

God has told us in his Word the key to understanding his Word.  “But there is a spirit in man:  and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  (Job 32:8; James 1:5).  And finally, you have to know the author to understand the words.  “Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little…yet they would not hear.  But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” (Is 28:9-13).  What we read here indicates that to be truly able to dig deep into the word and receive knowledge and understanding, one must first be “weaned from the milk” and be willing to hear; otherwise attempting to understand this word in the flesh, outside of God’s will, breeds  misunderstanding. 

If one has ever watched a mason laying a rock wall, he looks over the pile of material, and selects the piece that fits as he builds the wall, usually doing very little in the way of altering the rock to make it fit.  That is the way of the Word of God.  It is sometimes a puzzle, but all the pieces fit if you (by Divine guidance) know where to place them, and they never need be altered to make them fit.  That is what is meant by this verse, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15).  The word of wisdom and the word of knowledge (1 Cor 12:8) are spiritual gifts that we can possess by God’s grace, by drawing nigh to Him, and desiring to hear His still, small voice.  

Finally, I would like to call to your remembrance the appearance of Jesus to his disciples in Jerusalem reminding them “…that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures.” (Luke 24:44-45).

Tables of Stone

Federal Judges are ordering monuments removed from Government buildings, based on the grounds the markers violate the Constitution’s ban on government promotion of a religious doctrine.  I have included here the text of the First Amendment to the Constitution, commonly referred to as the “Establishment Clause”:

Article [I.] Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I am reminded of the words of Jesus, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth:  I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matt 10:34).  The Founding Fathers wrote this document we study so much today in a time when most would agree that God and service to God ranked high in most men’s mind and conscience, at least here in the territories and states that would become our country.  Most of those who didn’t worship God nevertheless had a deep and abiding respect for Him and His Word.  I remember an old Chrisitian Brother commenting on the perversion of this day and age.  Paraphrasing, he said that in days gone by, if a man committed such a crime (whatever we were discussing at that time) “The sinners would run him out of town and the church people wouldn’t have to get involved”.  From this I take it that people led descent moral lives, and knew what was right and what was wrong.  This country was founded on Christian principles that the Devil’s advocates are attempting to dismantle daily. What are those that want to remove God from everything and everywhere afraid of?   Are they afraid of the Fruit of the Spirit, which is “…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22,23)?  Certainly the scripture is true, “…every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20).  Those tables of stone in these buildings are an offense to those whose deeds are evil and have their minds blinded by the god of this world.  How thankful we should be that we don’t need the tables of stone anymore; for we live daily the promise, “…I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts…” (Jer 31:33). God knew when he sent his Son, that the time was fulfilled for the tables of stone.  They had served their purpose (proving man’s guilt; see Rom 5:13,20), but it was now time for “grace and truth” to be brought by Jesus Christ.   Paul said, “For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” (2 Cor 3:11).  Isaiah said, speaking of God’s prophesied servant to come, “The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the Law and make it honourable.”(Is42:21).  It was time to set things straight.  It was time for God’s people to be “…wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt 10:16).  We don’t need to fight the battles of God in the streets, in the courthouses of this land, or even in the flesh; but on our knees, praying to the One who has power over the “spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph 6:12).  Praying to the One who can turn hearts, “…whithersoever he will”. (Prov 21:1).  Peter said concerning the preaching of the Gospel and the Word of God, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts.” (2 Pet 1:19).  Until God intervenes and touches the heart, this Word we reference will always be on a table of stone, and therefore good only for condemnation (see Rom 7:10), but upon the intervention of God this Word becomes “spirit, and …life” (John 6:63).

BABYLON THE GREAT

"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."  (Revelation 18:2).

 I thought about this scripture and its reference to birds and I remembered another place that Jesus made reference to birds, speaking a parable about the Kingdom of God.  "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it." (Luke 13:19).  And again Abram, "And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away"  (Genesis 15:11). 

The Revelations of St John was written to the Church, the Bride of Christ, as represented by the seven churches in Asia.  The churches were admonished "or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."  (Revelation 2:5).  God always considered his people to be guilty of spiritual adultery when they refused him and followed after their own heart and the ways of the world, therefore he also called the Woman named Babylon the Great "The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth" (Revelation 17:5).  

What has this to do with birds?  Consider the news reports and you will realize that the Kingdom of God has been overrun with unclean and hateful birds:  among others, those who ordain homosexual priests, perform and condone same sex marriages, and refuse to call an abomination for what it is.  We as Christians are charged  to keep ourselves "unspotted from the world" (James 1:27) and to "yield yourselves unto God...and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" “For sin shall not have dominion over you…”(Romans 6:13,14) and “...they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the things of the Spirit” and further “To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5,6)                                    

Right or Wrong?