The Word of God

The power of the Word of God. The idea of the Word. The article "the" implies an absolute object or thing to me. Not just any word, but the Word of God. From a Christian perspective, the Word has to be the Bible. The Word of God is a living breathing thing. Those that follow it's commands will live for all eternity. Without the Word, we would live in a dark Cosmos of ignorance. Without the Word out universe, our dimension would be totally void of all creations. The absence of celestial spheres, light, the earth and life itself. It would be an endless abyss of nothingness. 

  In Gen.1:1-30, we see that God begins each of the six days of creation with the statement, "And God said." The power of the word is manifest by the one who gives it. Man's word is a small cry in the vastness of the universe. His words are empty, void and abstract. Unless he wields some power to give it life, substance and authority. Perhaps man's word is never heard in the Spiritual dimension outside the ears of God. God's Word however is echoed through all dimensions and all that exist. Way beyond the mind of man's understanding. Man cannot grasp God' words that describe his  omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent nature. Such power is beyond the ability of mortal words to express meaning.Thus words do have limitations. So man cannot  grasp, fathom, comprehend or digest the infinite power of God.

  The greatest example of the power of the Word comes from God himself. In John 1:1-3; In the beginning was the Word, and  the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Christ is referred to as the Word. Our human words communicate to man a message from our mind. Here Christ represents the mind of God. He communicate the mind of God to man. 

  Heb. 4:12: The word of God is quick (alive) and powerful. and sharper than any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit (It can seperated the abase carnality of man from the righteous holy nature of God. Allowing one to see himself through the sinless eyes of God's nature). and the joint and and marrow, (no part of man's soul, heart, and emotions is exempt from God's piercing truth of holiness) and is a discerner of the thoughts, and intents of the heart. (His word is able to illuminate our world of depravity of sin and abomination. That we may see Satan in his darkness and his putrefied heart of evilness. God's word is the light of truth, life and the pursuit of happiness and points to an eternal home with God. His word illuminates a path before our feet  that we should not walk in darkness). His word is more illuminating than the glow of the sun. It gives man an insight to his existence, purpose and why he was created. We were created to reverence God and keep his commandments. Eccl. 12:13-14. 

  Words create the lyrics to songs. It is the seed in which blooms notes, chords, and melodies. This in turn strokes the colorful
emotions of man's inner soul. In which his spirit is unable to speak but only groan in ways that only God can understand. Words needs the spark of man's intelligence in order for God's crowning creation to appreciate it. Thus God has given sufficient intelligence.
    It needs air so that it can be oscillated on the wind to the inner ear of man's hearing process. Where the will of God is impregnated into the mind of man. It is food to man's starving mind for holiness, righteousness and his quest for his understanding of his purpose and surroundings. 

    Rom. 1:16; Paul said, I am not ashamed of the power of God's word. It has the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. God's word delivers man from eternal punishment for his sins to a sentence of eternal happiness in a world beyond all dreams and paradises. Where God lives on and man shouts praises to God for all eternity. 

   Blessed be the beauty of God's word the Bible that describe the glory, the power and wonderment of all loving God. Whose word has the power to save man from the punishment of Satan and those that follow him. Bless his word that gives eternal hope to all those that bow the knee and confess the glorious saviour's name before the world. His word promises heaven to the faithful. What more could man desire? Seek the Word for in it you will have eternal life. 

Have Miracles Ceased?

This is a controversial question for many people. However, it is not confusing to those that study the Bible on a regular basis. God’s holy word answers this question and many others like it (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

What is a miracle? A miracle is defined by Webster's dictionary as: An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.” A miracle is a phenomenon or supernatural event that breaks the “Laws of Nature.” For example: take the law of gravity. If you could walk off the Empire State building and not fall, then you would have broken the law of gravity. If you could put your hand in the fire and not be burned. If you were hit by a car going 60 mph. and walked away uninjured. Then you would have broken several laws of Physics and nature. These events would truly be a miracle.

Oh! But someone says, “What about the miracle of birth.” Well, that is not a miracle, it is the natural law of propagation (reproduction). It is a natural law of nature that God has given to mankind, animals, fish, insects, an flowers and other forms of life (Gen. chapter 1). Reproduction is a natural process. Is it a miracle that a person grows from infancy to adult hood? No! There are many changes that take place in the human body during this period of time. However, it all a natural process.

One may ask, “What about the miracles in the Bible are they real?” The answer is “Yes” they were very real and profound. The miracles in the Bible were done for a specific reason. God used miracles to prove and bear witness of his divinity in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.

Some people would not believe without seeing these miracles. “ Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” (John 4:48). Look at the case of Nicodemus “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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).

Miracle would prove that Christ and the Apostles were preaching the words of the Father. “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers (different) miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Heb. 2:4). “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” (Acts 2:22).

In the New Testament we see that the purpose of miracles was to prove to the people that God is Jehovah and that Jesus was the Christ. He was not an imitator or false Christ. In the first century there were many imposter's representing themselves as the Messiah. These fraudulent people were powerless to do miracles. Miracles were the sign of an all powerful God.

The Jews had read of the many miracles of the Old Testament and knew only God could do those things. And in the beginning of the New Testament age; God would bring back miracles to show his power, might and divinity.

Can miracles be done today? No! There are many Denominational churches that teach and preach that miracles are performed today. The truth is; miracles vanished in the first century. “ But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect (Bible) is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (I Cor. 13:8-10). In this text we see the ending of miracles and spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:5-12). They knew the Bible in parts, so they needed these various gifts and miracles to teach others and to show the authenticity of God's revelation. Miracles would slowly cease as the Bible neared its completion. The Bible alone is all sufficient to teach man everything he needs to know (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible has replaced miracles.

Don't Trust in things that Vanish

Our life is a quest, a hunt or pursuit, but many times we find ourselves pursuing the wrong things. Some of the things that we seek after will not last. They will one day vanish forever. When I was a young man I was always fascinated by watching the steam from a tea kettle or pot of boiling water disappear into the air. It was also interesting to me to see the fog in the morning and the vapor on the lakes rising up into the air. It ascended up all around me and then it was gone. “Where did it go?” I wondered. I would learn latter that steam and vapor ascend upward until its higher humidity reaches the air and it is absorbed. Thus it really does disappear. The Bible says, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (Jas.4:14).

I think that most prudent people will set goals in their life. These goals can be outlined in a way that gives them security, assurance, durability and stability. I think we want things that give us pleasure and profit, but we want them to last. As James pointed out that life is “a vapor, that vanishes away.” The wise man Solomon sought after happiness, riches, entertainment, education and work. The summation of all his works and adventures was this; “all is vainity under the sun.” (Eccle.1:14). Vanity means worthless, useless, of no great importance. Is this the true summation of all of man’s work and endeavors in this world? Should we look at our jobs and professions as being insignificant? No! but there is more to life then our earthly jobs.

I think of men and women like Doctors, scientist, lawyers, engineers, problem solvers. People that spend their entire lives trying to unlock the mysteries of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, economics, and those that write literature and try to promote world peace and the like. I have watched some people work their whole life 24/7 doing just this. They barely have time to eat, much less spend any time with their family and children. And though they may have made great accomplishments and one day may possibly win the “Nobel Prize,” it will have cost them their precious soul for all eternity. Because they had no time for God in their lives. They were consumed by their jobs and passions. They thought their work was more “important” then God. The wise man Solomon understood all of that. He said, “ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

The idea is this: “it doesn’ matter what you do in life as long as it is honorable.” You can be a ditch digger and be richer spiritually, then the most monetary wealthy man in this physical world. Solomon tells us, that God has given us 2 great rules of life, that we must follow. We must “fear” (reverence, respect) God and keep his “commandment” (rules and laws). This is what last for an “eternity”, not the physical works of man or other ventures outside the spiritual realm. The physical jobs of this world are important, but they do not come close to the importance of serving God consistently. Your retirement on earth is not going to last very long. But your retirement in heaven will last an eternity.

One day all the great sky scrapers, bridges, monuments, air crafts, rockets, medicines, libraries and the like will all be “burned up.” And there will be no memory of them forever more. The moon and the stars and the earth and the oceans and the world and all its wonderments shall be dissolved, like the vapor that appeareth for a little while. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
(2 Peter 3:10). Remember; earthly things will not last, but spiritual things and deeds will last for all eternity!

The Greatest Proclamation

The greatest proclamation and advertisement ever designed for this world was not done by man. But by a wonderful and all powerful God. If one were to look at advertisements today. You would see that television, radio, magazines, news papers, billboards etc., advertise something of value. It is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. But all of man’s advertisement will pale in comparison; to the advertisement of the God of heaven and earth.

Long before modern day advertisement schemes had been invented. God was the originator of advertisements and publicity in a good, honest sense. God would use the whole of creation; the universe, planets, earth and nature to show his majesty and glory. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.” (Ps. 19:1-2).

What a magnificent thought this is. God used the azure blue sky as a scroll to write and unveil his royal grandeur. The stars in the heavens to show his endless imagination and wisdom. The earth shows his eyes of beauty and wonderment. And all of creation shows his handiwork. By his hands (spoken words) were all these things made. God is the designer and maker of all things that exist in perfection.

When you look at the stars, clouds, sky, ocean, mountains, animals and a million other things. Listen carefully, for they whisper and sometimes shout aloud the very existence of God. They advertise and proclaim God’s glory, majesty, honor, omniscience (all knowing) , omnipresence (everywhere) and omnipotence (unlimited and universal power). “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).

Thus God has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, a nose to smell, skin to touch, and a tongue to taste. Our 5 senses help us to see, hear, smell, touch and taste. These senses help us to perceive and absorb and digest some of the awesomeness and compassion and mercy and blessing of God. We are saturated and immersed in the glory of God’s compassion and love.

We can not escape God in the mountains, or in the bottom of the ocean, or hide behind the furthest star. Where ever we go even in death he is there. “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Ps. 139:8-10).

Man has no excuse in denying the existence of God. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Ps.14:1). Look at the rose’s pedals, or the snow flakes intricate designs. Think of the huge elephants or the tiny ants. Each serve a unique purpose in the scheme of life.

The sun in the sky and moon at night, makes us aware that God does not sleep. “He that keepeth thee will not slumber” (Ps. 121:3). God’s watchful eye is always upon us because he cares for man. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

How much does God care for you? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). I tell you now my friend, that the universe and all the creations that God has made, were not worth the death of his only begotten Son. So what makes man so special in the eyes of God? Only God knows the answer to that. I would feel like Peter when he said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Lk. 5:8).

God has revealed himself to man through nature and his will through his divine word. Nature and the universe is powerless to teach us the way of salvation. Only God’s divine words of the Bible can declare the plan of salvation (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 1:16). God wants you and I to be saved, “not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). I hope you will decide to follow and serve God.

Freemasonry and the Bible.

This question sometimes arises; can a Christian be a Freemason? About a year ago, I became infatuated with the idea of trying to understand Freemasonry. It is a very controversial fraternity (all men) organization. It is the largest in the world. Yet, they have always managed to keep their inner workings a secret from non-Masons. They have been called, “a secrete, mysterious fraternity.” Masons take a vow to never divulge what goes on behind the closed doors of their Lodges or Temples.

I wish to be as fair as possible in discussing the fraternal brotherhood of Freemason. There are volumes of books that have been written about the Freemason. It is because of their secrecy that many critics that have sought to destroy them with preposterous lies and innuendos. The Freemasons have refused to defend themselves from those accusations for years. In the last 10 years the Freemason have begun slowly to explain some of the inner workings of their organization. They have finally realized that they have been hurt by their failure to defend their values.

In you wish to become a Mason, you must first be asked by a Mason to become one. If you ask a Mason what the inner organization is all about, he can not tell you. You must join blindly (not really knowing all of what you are getting into). He will tell you that, “you will be doing many good things for your community and your fellow brethren in the organization. And if any thing happens to you, your family and children will be taken care of.” This part reminds me of an insurance policy. It is true; the Masons are very humanistic and moral in many ways. They like helping people.

What do some of the critics say about the Freemasons? They will point to their symbolism. If you look at some of their attire, accoutrements, sabers (swords), books, pictures, etcetera. you will see many various symbols. Symbols like the moon, stars, horses, knights, spears, columns, crowns, flags, crosses, crucifixes, skulls, the Mason’s square (measurement tool), the compass, the letter “G an A” and many other symbols. What do all of these symbols mean?

1. Some critics say, “these symbols represent a conspiracy plan for a New World Order." That Masons are waiting for democracy to fall and then they will take over the government.”
2. Some critics say, “these symbols represent a very promiscuous fraternity of perverted men. That these symbols have sexual connotations.”
3. Some critics say, “Masons are of the devil." They are Satanic worshipers. That they use their symbolism to disguise themselves and their secret lives.

When you have an organization that will not give you a manual or tell you what they are all about. Then people will think the worst about them. The Masons say, they can trace their beginning back to Mizriam, the grandson of Noah. That they built the pyramids of Egypt and King Solomon’s Temple. You can see their symbol on the back of a dollar bill or on the George Washington monument. And that many of the great leaders of our country were Masons, including George Washington.

After having studied Freemason for months, my conclusion would be this: I think many of the critics are wrong about what the Masons represent. You can’t talk about something you know nothing about. However the Masons have 33 levels (degrees) of advancement. In recent years a handful of men that had made it to the top (33 degree Mason). Became disenchanted with the Freemasons and have written books about what Masons really believe. My problem with Freemason is this; they are a fraternity that excepts anyone who believes in one god. They all call god the “Great Architecture” so as not to offend the Muslim or other monotheistic believers. When they pray in a mixed public audience they can not say, “God Jehovah or in the name of Jesus Christ.” And many of the Freemasons claim to be Christians. I think that alone is irreverent to the Almighty God Jehovah. I will not call my God by another name to please men (Mk. 12:32). If I do good things in this world, I want God to get the glory for that (Col. 3:17) and not the Freemasons. The Freemasons want you to do all the good moral things a Christian does, but give them the credit for it.

As one Grandmaster of Freemason said, “You should live a perfect life, so that the person sitting next to you in church will want to be just like you.” He got it backwards, didn't he (Matt. 5:16)?You can not serve God and man.

The Power of Faith

Faith to the Christian soldier is his source of motivation. Without “Faith” his Christian armor would tarnish and rust away. Faith causes a man to look beyond his mortality. To ascribe to a cause and purpose beyond his tangible senses. To look beyond the stars. To feel an over whelming sense of love, purpose and appreciation from his creator. To walk blindly into the chasms of absolute darkness, seeking for that pure light of righteousness that will out shine the sun. True faith cannot be stopped or thwarted. The faithful will not yield to temptation, misery or death. This will only cause them to become the quintessence of perfection.

In the great chapter of faith (Hebrew 11). The Bible says, “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). The word “substance” means a foundation. Faith is the foundation on which the Christian builds all of his noble and spiritual attributes. Those characteristics of belief, love, purity, justice, virtue, obedience, self denial and reverence to the almighty God.

Note the word “hope” in verse one. This word in the Greek means; “wait for salvation with joy and full confidence.” We must believe and have all confidence that every blessing and promise the Bible declares will come to be. If we do not believe in heaven or hell and every word the Bible teaches us, then we do not have faith. We must believe that God is going to take care of us in the life to come and in the shadow of death. Faith accepts the creation as God described it. It affirms the laws of the gospel. It welcomes the day of Judgment. And looks toward heaven.

The phrase “evidence of things not seen” actually refers to all of creation. What makes a cloud or holds it on the rafters of the wind? Who constructed the mountains with their glorious summits? Who hung the stars in the heavens like ornaments on a Christmas tree? Who dug out the depths of the oceans and filled it in with water? Who feeds the animals of the forest or hears their cries for help? I submit to you, God is the creator and hearer of all of creation! Creation could not have created itself as our evolutionist friends would teach.

A man without faith is not a Christian. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6). Paul said, “For by grace are ye saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8). If we want to go to heaven, we will have to become a sincere Christian.

In order to be lost you have to do absolutely nothing. God doesn't want you to be lost, “...not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (1 Peter 3:9). The importance of faith cannot be over emphasized. “ For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24).

Where do we find this faith? Scroll through the golden pages of the Bible and you will find these words; “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom. 10:17). The word of God is found only in the Bible. To coin an old phrase; “The Bible only makes Christians.” You can’t become a Christian without having learned the steps of salvation according to the bible. The Bible is all sufficient to teach you everything from A-Z on God’s plan of salvation
(2 Tim. 3:16-17).

God realized that the world would need to hear the gospel in order to be saved. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). So he gave the great commission. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). Everyone who becomes a Christian, is bound by this commandment to teach others as they have been taught. What a wonderful world this would be if we all practiced this! Have a good and Godly Day!

Instrumental Music in worship is it Scriptural?

Many people ask the question, “Why doesn’t the Church of Christ have instrumental music in their Worship?” This has been very confusing to our denominational friends. The answer is very simple, but difficult for some people to accept.

The Church of Christ follows the apostolic teachings of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We do not use any Creed books, Catechisms, Prayer books or man made confessions of faith dogmas. We give book, chapter, and verse for all of our beliefs. We do not adapt God’s holy word to accept man’s wants, desires or special interest. We accept God’s word as the absolute truth. His word can not be altered in any way, shape, or form (Rev. 22:18-19). Therefore we must follow his word to the very last letter of the law.Worship is designed to please God, not man.

What does the Bible teach in the Old and New Testament about instrumental music in worship? It is a fact that instrumental music was used in the Old Testament. “And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. (2 Chron. 29:25). Who introduced instrumental music in the Old Testament times? King David took that authority upon himself. This was not the Law of Moses.

So if David brought instrumental music to worship, why should we not continue that tradition? In that time David offered animal sacrifices for worship, should we not do the same today? In that time they burnt incense in worship, should we also do the same today? David was a polygamist (had many wives), should we be polygamist today? Did God accept those things back then, “Yes.” Then why can’t we do all those things today?

They did many things in the Old Testament, but we live in the New Testament age. We do not live under the 613 laws of the Old Testament. We live under the gospel of Jesus Christ (New Testament). What did Paul say about those that tried to live under the Old Testament today? “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Gal. 5:4). To live by the Old Testament would be to fall from grace today.

God did not approve of David’ instrumental music. “Woe unto them that invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David” (Amos 6:1-5). “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent (Acts 17:30). God tolerated certain things under the Old Test. law, but now command-eth all men to repent.

The truth of the matter is; from Matthew vs. 1 to the end of the book of Revelations. There is not one hint of the use of instrumental music. Jesus never mentioned it; the apostles never sanctioned it; no New Testament church ever practiced it; no New Testament writer ever commanded it. There is no authorization for it in the word of God. “ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Eph 5:19). God tells us that we are to sing and make melody in our heart (mind). No instrument is mentioned here.

Here are some historical facts. It was 670 A.D. when instrumental music was added to the church in Rome. The Catholics were disturbed by it so they removed it. And 130 years latter it was added again. Denominational men like John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Adam Clark all renounced instrumental music. The very foundation of denominationalism did not use instrumental music in the beginning. It was not in the Church that Jesus built. It was never authorized by God. Man added this to the church as a tradition of men not God.