Posted by admin on November 7th, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
Pop singer Madonna came this week to Tel Aviv to take part in a congress of Kaballa studies. According to press releases, she is going to stay in Israel until Sunday night and will have on the last day of her visit, the opportunity to visit the graves of Jewish Tzaddikim (righteous holy people) near Safed, a small town in northern Israel.
Why Safed? What does Kaballa mean? (Literally it means “Receiving” in Hebrew). I am not so sure the press has given the correct answers to these and other questions related to the background of this visit. Here is my humble contribution.
Safed , one of the four “holy cities” in Israel, together with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias, is actually a small mountain town (27,000 residents). As opposed to other historical cities in Israel, it is not even mentioned in the Bible.
Its golden era was during the Middle Ages, when it functioned as a Crusaders fortress and a Moslem administrative centre. But it was only in the 16th century that Safed was a city of international importance, as well as a Jewish cultural Capital.
What made Safed so special is linked to what Maddona is looking in Israel for. The Jewish congregation of Safed is the oldest in Israel. It has been there for the last 800 years. But during the Crusaders time it was very small, because the Christian knights did everything they could to massacre Jews (and Moslems).
The turning point was the conquest of the area by the Turkish Sultanate. This Moslem empire gave shelter to the Spanish Jews during their mass expulsion in the end of the 15th century. The Turks, who were great warriors and administrators, did not master commerce, industry and science. They understood the great potential of Spanish Jews who were experts in these fields, and gave them asylum.
Some of those Jews, a few thousands, came to Safed and settled down there. Safed attracted them for two main reasons: The good water sources and the closeness to the grave site of the founder of the Kabbala, the Jewish mysticism, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
The water was needed for establishing a wool manufacturing centre which became one of the biggest in the world, and made Safed a flourishing city. The grave of Bar yochai, and an ancient tradition according to which the Messiah will first come out Safed, attracted some of the greatest Jewish religious scholars of Spain, most of them Kabbalists.
In Safed of the 16th century settled down Rabbi Yosef Karo, of Toledo, the greatest Jewish Law expert of the new era, who wrote the codification book “Shulkhan Arukh”, the third most important Jewish book, after the Bible and the Talmud.
Another great Kabbalist was Shlomo Alkabetz, who is known today more for his religious poetry. His most famous liturgical poem is called “Lecha Dodi”. It is used in every Synagogue to receive Sabbath. His brother in law was Rabbi Moshe Kordoveiro, a student of Rabbi Karo, who wrote the first book which explains the Kabbala methodically.
The greatest student or Rabbi Kordoveiro was Rabbi Yizhak Luria, who is more known as HaAri Hakadosh. Luria Died when he was only 38 years old. Only two and a half years he spent in Safed. But it was in that short period of time that he created a Kabbalist theoretical movement that has had an immense influence on the life of almost every Jew since then.
What does Kabbala mean? If you have time and patience just go to a site called http://kabbalaonline.org/ and start reading. It will take you a few days. Otherwise, here is a somewhat simplified explanation.
According to the Talmud, the world of Torah (the knowledge of Judaism) is based on four layers: Pshat (Literal meaning, in Hebrew), Remez (Implication), Drash (Interpretation) and Sod (Secrecy). Every one of these layers is a different way of weighing the same words of the Torah. The deepest layer is the Secrecy. The Secrecy doctrine, which includes the Kabbala, is so mysterious, deep, and special, that not everyone can understand it. Therefore, it is recommended by Jewish scholars to start studying it only at the age of 40. A younger person does not have the spiritual maturity needed to cope with its depths.
The Secrecy doctrine exists since the 2nd century, but did not appear in any book until the end of the 14th century, when a Spanish Jewish scholar named Rabbi Moshe de Leon rewrote and edited it in a book called “Seffer Hazohar” (The book of Glow, in Hebrew). The contents of the book is attributed to the Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (mentioned above) who had lived 1300 years before the time of de Leon. Believers claim that Bar Yochai wrote the book, but Kabbala researchers say that the text was written much later, in the middle ages.
“Seffer Hazohar” is not a text book. It is a collection of ideas and Torah material. Only in the end of the 15th century, another Spanish Rabbi, Moshe Cordoveiro, who later moved to Safed, wrote structured lessons which enabled a systematic studying of Kabbala.
As opposed to the other three layers of Torah world, dealing primarily with the Jewish religious laws, the Secrecy doctrine deals with the philosophical side of Judaism: For example, the eternal question of “Why do righteous people suffer in our world, and why are wicked people so successful?”
The Kabbala, developed in Safed by a genius nicknamed “HaAri Hakadosh” in the 16th century, uses abstract concepts which are incomprehensible to outsiders: “Elohut” (Divinity) and “Tzimtzum” (Reduction), for instance. The Divinity filled in the past the whole universe. It was later reduced to make room for the present world. Following this Reduction, the lights of Divinity were accumulated into “Sefirot”, the vessels which contain the immense Divine lights. The three upper “Sefirot” did their job. But the lower six broke into many pieces and scattered. This is called in Hebrew: “Shevirat Hakelim” (Breaking of Vessels). Because of this breaking of vessels, good and evil were mixed with each other in the whole universe. The splinters of the divine lights, called “Nitzotzot” (sparks), fell into the depths of “Clippot”, the evil powers of impurity. The broken “Divinity” went into exile among the “Clippot”. According to Kabbala, the fate of the Jewish people is similar to that of the “Divinity”. The Jews are still in exile amongst the nations. The salvation depends on every person. If people succeed in collecting all the “Nitzotzot”, the salvation of humanity will come. The collection of “Nitzotzot” will be done by good deeds, such as obeying the Jewish religious rules. When someone does so, he collects “Nitzotzot” and puts them back in place. He then deals with “Tikun Olam”, correction of the world.
The Kabbala has a great influence on Judaism, especially on the Hasidim movement. Kabbalic concepts, developed mainly in 16th century Safed, have penetrated the Jewish liturgy. One of them is the “Holy matching”. Philosophically, this concept has another meaning, but in the popular cognition it is perceived as a holy marriage treaty between God and the Jewish people.
For example, the “Shavuot” holiday, in which the Holy Torah was given by way of a pact between God and the Jews, has been compared to such a holy marriage. Also the customs of “Kabbalat Shabbat”, (receiving Sabbath), were changed following the Safed notion of “Holy matching”. The Kabbala followers in Safed started in the 16th century the custom of going Friday before sunset out of town, wearing white clothes, to receive the bride, Shabbat. Friday night was the link between God (the king) and Shabbat (the queen). Following the mystical marriage, souls of righteous people were born. This custom of going out of town Fridays was abolished after the fall of the Safed centre in the beginning of the 17th century, but its influence is felt until today the Alkabetz poem “Lecha Dodi”, mentioned above. HaAri Hakadosh said that “the Shechinah (the presence of God) rests above Safed”. You can feel it even today. Its clear air and serenity helps visitors to contemplate about the philosophical subjects I have just mentioned, and others. It is worth visiting this place even if you do not have the faintest idea what you are going to do there.
COPYRIGHT 2004: MOSHE REINFELD
written:
9/17/2004
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Posted by admin on November 7th, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
I’ve had the honor of being in many churches and therefore on the receiving end of more stirring sermons than I could even begin to count. I enjoy Bible reading daily as well as a rich prayer life. However, one of the most life-changing, Spiritually-enlightening moments in my life didn’t even come in a church. It didn’t come while on my deck, surrounded by morning glories and petunias.
It came during a AAA Baseball game! God absolutely works in mysterious ways.
My husband, our daughters and I were enjoying a ballgame on a warm August evening. Enjoying, because we were together, we were eating unbelievably delicious ballpark hot dogs and our team was winning. The only negative presence in our world that evening was about 4 ft. tall with tousled bangs, adorable freckles, a #4 little league jersey and an unforgettably irritating “It’s-all-about-me-and-I-dare-you-to-say-it-isnt” aura. Recalling the whining of this miniature Red’s fan makes the hairs on my neck stand at attention even today, three years later!
We first became aware of him about 20 minutes before the game, when he stomped over our feet while trying to get onto the field. Nevermind the fact that his frazzled father kept telling him “no”. He wanted no part of “no” and, after all, knew more than his dad. So he ignored him and, sure enough, received a good scolding from an usher.
This alone could have been a spiritual lesson. How many times do we, God’s children, go about our merry little way ignoring Him and His commands, only to hit a wall of disappointment the way #4 hit the irritable side of an usher? Then, I wonder, do we wear the same “How could that have happened to me? I didn’t see that coming!” type of expression the kid wore? No, I don’t really wonder - I know we do!
What stood out to me about that evening, and what I think about (often) is this: No matter what the mom or dad did for him, it was never enough. Bringing him to the ballgame when they probably could have been working in the yard or sitting on the couch, wasn’t good enough. He complained because the temperature was too hot and (egads!) he had to sit in a seat. Buying him a ball from the gift shop wasn’t enough because they couldn’t make so-and-so sign it (regardless of the fact that Mr. so-and-so was in the middle of a game!). The popcorn, the hot dog, the soda and the snowcone - none of them were enough. He still complained about everything he could think of.
He didn’t see what he had. He only saw what he didn’t have.
One day, the young boy will be a young man and will probably think back to that night. I wonder if he’ll remember how miserable he made his parents and those around him. I wonder if he’ll ask himself, “Man, what was I thinking, I had it all. Dad tried so hard to give me everything, mom was so proud of me in my little hat and jersey. I never even thanked them for what they gave me. I just whined about what they didn’t give me.” I hope he realizes it sooner rather than later, and hope he takes his parents to a ballgame, and buys them all sorts of goodies! AND, I hope they sit close to me, because I’d like to thank him for the greatest sermon I never heard.
I didn’t need a preacher or teacher to say, “Do you hear that? Do you see how wrong this adorable little boy is? Will this make a difference in your life?” The answers were yes, yes, and YES! I’m as far from perfect as the Brewers are from the World Series, but I did learn a lesson that night.
He didn’t see what he had. He only saw what he didn’t have.
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Posted by admin on November 5th, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
I have proven to myself, most prayerfully, that the Philadelphia Church of God is the most unique of all the groups who’ve distanced themselves from the Worldwide Church of God’s doctrinal changes. Only Mal achi’s Message clearly speaks with AUTHORITY and not “like the scribes” (Matt. 7:29). I’ve listened carefully for THE Voice of the Shepherd, hearing what the Spirit says to God’s Church today, checking out everything with the Bible and what Mr. Armstrong faithfully taught us (John 10:3; Rev. 3:22; II Thess. 2:15).
Of course, there are those who CLAIM to follow the traditions we’ve been schooled in, yet they’ve refused to humble themselves and submit to the fact that JESUS CHRIST had already moved HIS LAMPSTAND by the time they finally saw the light! All that was necessary for them to do was to go where Christ had already gone, and support HIS WORK of knocking the errors in the Worldwide Church of God, while holding on for dear life to God’s truth! We either GET A GRIP - or we lose it! (Rev. 3:11).
Instead of working with Christ, some have chosen to do their own thing, contributing to the Church’s state of confusion, rather than helping to RESTORE ORDER (I Cor. 14:33). Why duplicate efforts, wasting precious time and money? Why not join ranks with the PCG so we can present a UNITED FRONT to an increasingly divided world? This would enable us to effectively share with others the message GOD would have them to hear (John 12:49). We ought to come together, in Christ, especially since we’ve all been taught repeatedly: “There is only one Church. Not a parent church and many little daughter churches that have split off in disagreement. Divisions splintering off are NOT STILL IN THE CHURCH” (Mys tery of the Ages, pg. 243).
Whether we like it or not, God, in His infinite wisdom, chose Gerald Flurry to REVEAL to God’s Church what was going on - and thereby allow us to show our true colors by how we responded to Malachi’s Message! (That doesn’t mean Mr. Flurry is infallible or that he doesn’t need to continually apply the principles of Malachi’s Message to himself and organization, as we all do as explained in my article “Worldwide All Over Again?”).
Restored to Zion!
If I’m so convinced that Christ is ONLY with the PCG, and that the others are self-willed, for the most part, resisting God’s lead, why don’t I attend their services? (Matt. 7:21; I Sam. 15:23). And how can I believe that God is actively working through me in the Middle East? Because I’ve unjustly been disfellowshipped (II Thess. 3:2), yet I remain loyal to God’s truth they teach!
It’s BEWILDERING to see an organization that apparently started out so good and strong and righteous degenerate into a personality CULT that rules through intimidation and fear and borders emperor worship! Yet they have more truth in many regards than the others, just like Herbert Armstrong saw Sardis (Church of God, 7th Day) did however impotent! Strange but true! Perhaps it’s like Saul was still the anointed until he was punished by death for his sins and then David reigned…..
When Gerald Flurry wasn’t anything in his own sight or mind God used him and now, unfortunately, it appears to have gone to his head, all the new revelation [simply a deeper understanding of some things], and he forgets that all truth is from and belongs to GOD and that God can use a donkey to deliver it! (I Cor. 4:7). Mr. Flurry has become so swollen in his own imagination that he fails to see that he is the leader of LAODICEA! He knows what warning God is giving the Laodiceans, of which he is chief! He had better heed his own words!
Under Herbert W. Armstrong Pasadena, California was the headquarters of the Philadelphia era of God’s Church; now Edmond, Oklahoma is the headquarters of the Laodicean era, and next in God’s plan is the restoration of His headquarters to Jerusalem!
God knows my ATTITUDE AND ACTIONS still support the work God’s given them to do, but I truly believe what Mr. Flurry teaches: their work’s almost finished! It’ll just slightly overlap the beginning of GOD’S FINAL WORK as outlined in my book, Beyond Babylon: Europe’s Rise and Fall (John 3:30). Minister Dennis Leap wickedly disfellowshipped me for believing that GOD has ORDAINED that I should promote its timely truth (Isa. 61:1), even though I’m NOT from the “school of the prophets” (Ambassador College), or going about it in the “conventional” way (I Sam. 17:39)!
I’ve come to better understand that God has already begun the TRANSITIONAL PROCESS of RESTORING His Menorah - His Lampstand to JERUSALEM! (I Kgs. 11:36; Amos 9:11). As prophesied, a NATIONAL MESSENGER would be on active duty in Jerusalem, preparing the way for Messiah’s imminent return! (Zech. 12:8). God reveals HE would send this outspoken individual to deliver a BLISTERING MESSAGE and a SCORCHING CONDEMNATION to the NATIONS - just before NUCLEAR FIRE AND BRIMSTONE RAINS DOWN upon those who’ve rejected GOD’S ULTIMATUM! (Isa. 41:27; 30:27; Micah 3:8).
It’s from Jerusalem that we must warn another HOLOCAUST is coming! That’s the sensitive location where God will spark a NATIONAL DEBATE and ignite an INTERNATIONAL CONTROVERSY! (Micah 6:1-2). It’ll shock the Jews and anger the Germans! It’ll also, undoubtedly, offend many holocaust survivors who now live in Israel, but they ought to understand and lend their voices of experience to ours, having personally witnesses GERMANY’S BRUTE FORCE, to help our efforts to ensure “Never Again!”
Regardless, we can expect a maelstrom of protest and a bitter backlash - but such persecution will only fan the flames of this BURNING ISSUE! (Isa. 54:15-16). Both Germany and Israel (for their own reasons), will want to immediately stop such “incitement” - calling it fear-mongering and racist - but they’ll fail and God’s Word will prevail! (Jer. 1:19).
God MUST grant “political immunity” to His Two Witnesses, so they can be free to boldly say and do all that He commands, even though the world will regard them as public enemy number one! (Ps. 105:15; Rev. 11:10). Undeterred, they’ll carry on God’s Work and serve as His official government spokesmen, even in the hostile face of fierce opposition! (Jer. 1:8). But I’m getting ahead of myself! This is all related in my book, but let’s go back to the beginning - of the true Philadelphian era….
Mr. Armstrong’s Experiences
In the words of Mr. Armstrong, referring to his dealings with certain Sardis ministers, “I Shall Not Hide the FACTS!” (Autobiography of HWA, Vol. 1, pg. 366). However, lest I be misunderstood, I’d been most hesitant to say or write anything about my experiences with certain professing Philadelphian ministers, but I feel compelled by GOD to state the truth, without fearing men’s reactions, but trusting in God’s PURPOSE!
Mr. Armstrong relates how he had presented a “dual test” to the Church of God, Seventh Day, to help him determine whether or not it truly was the Church of God. His first test involved mailing an “exposition of 16 TYPEWRITTEN PAGES proving clearly, plainly, and beyond contradiction that a certain minor point of doctrine… was in error… to see whether their leaders would confess error and change.” Their head man admitted what Mr. Armstrong pointed out was true, but feared it might upset many of the members and even threaten to divide the Church! “Naturally, this shook my confidence considerably.” (Autobiography of HWA, Vol. I, pgs. 360-361, emphasis mine).
I, too, detected “a certain minor point of doctrine” taught by Mr. Leap (on the 144,000), was in error. I didn’t want to rock the boat, and it wasn’t something I’d lose sleep over, so I wanted to just ignore or overlook the matter, but God wouldn’t let me! Amazingly, a dear friend asked me about the 144,000 out of the blue, and then somehow it came up again with someone else; so God succeeded in getting my attention to write Mr. Leap about it. I sent him my PAGE AND 1/2 LETTER, reproduced here - and didn’t hear anything.
Finally, around my third try (I don’t give up easily!), Mr. Leap discussed it with me on the phone. When I mentioned that the Scriptures clearly state that once you’ve broken your “seal” you’ve lost your salvation, and to claim we can somehow be “resealed” amounts to crucifying Christ twice, Mr. Leap stammered around, unable to justify his position, but remained determined to stick with it - to my sorrow. Like Mr. Armstrong’s experience, “Naturally, this shook my confidence considerably.”
Church Rejects New Truth
God used an evangelist in Florida to challenge Mr. Armstrong. He had written Mr. Armstrong and told him he was ignorant if he didn’t know where we are mentioned in the Bible. After gleaning through the surprising amount of information on the subject in the library, Mr. Armstrong PROVED that the so-called “Lost 10 Tribes” are, in fact, the American, British and Northwest European peoples. He then sent the “lengthy manuscript of close to 300 TYPED PAGES” that he had written to support this truth to the editor and leader of the Church. “Did this Church accept and proclaim this vital new truth… But this Church refused then to accept it or preach it or publish it though their leader frankly confessed it was TRUTH and a revelation from GOD! Yet here was the Church which appeared to have more truth, and less error than any other… Truly this was bewildering!” (Pg. 362).
continued…
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Posted by admin on November 5th, 2008 — Posted in University of Insurance
Public liability insurance is key for the reason that all organisations are at danger to some extent. Albeit nothing serious has ever occurred to your companies property that is no assurance that it won’t at some point. If someone is hurt, or their possessions lost, it’s your contractual duty to suitably compensate them. This cost might be quite large, depending on the particular type of case.
Though, you do have a chance to safeguard yourself for this chance. Getting public liability cover allows you to breathe fairly easier. Even if a client claim is very expensive, the insurance corporation will be at hand to offer a protection net. Its their sense of duty to make sure you are safeguarded from any claims and legal bills brought against you. This leaves you available to concentrate on actually doing business, instead of thinking about what may well happen. The following are a number illustrations of times when public liability insurance will come in helpful.
Owners of plumbing companies typically get the job concluded quick and right. But, on occasions something can go very wrong. For example, if you inadvertently smash up a client’s pipes while on the job, damaging possessions for instance personal computers and carpeting, public liability indemnity will be there to pick-up the expense. Looking for a Public Liability quote? Contact Insured Risks today.
Another case study is that of a publicity firm. If a client were to fracture an ankle in your place of work, even if it’s not your fault, you would be held responsible. Still, with public liability cover you wouldn’t have to pay the claim at all.
In a comparable case, physical injury caused to a spectator by an employee on a building site is the legal accountability of the organisation’s proprietor. This kind of claim can easily get exceedingly expensive indeed, unless you get the correct insurance protection.
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Posted by admin on November 4th, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
Towards the end of his life the apostle Paul wrote the following words to Timothy “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” ( 2 Timothy 3: 16-17). I expect if we are being honest many of us probably have whole sections of the Bible which we rarely read. Yet here Paul is saying that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful. Yes that does include the second half of Exodus and the book of Leviticus!
To enable us to get the most out of God’s word it is important that we read it all. If we only read the New Testament then we are missing out on seeing all God did in the Old Testament with his people Israel. There are so many great and inspiring stories in the Old Testament: Ruth loyalty to her mother-in law Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17); Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s determination not to compromise their faith (Daniel 3)and David humbling himself before God after his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51) to name but three.
Although reading the whole Bible can seem a daunting challenge, it is relatively easy to read it all the way through in a year. If you spent 20 minutes a day reading the Scriptures you will read the whole of the Bible in a year. Most of us can find 20 minutes to spare to do this and if that seems too much, how about 10 minutes in the morning and another 10 minutes in the evening? When you think about how long we spend watching television or on the internet surely that is not too difficult to do!
There are many different readings plan available to use. I’m currently using one by Rev M’Cheyne, which you can find a link to on my website. Alternatively just go into your favourite search engine and type in “Bible Reading Plans”. However, it does not really matter what plan you use the important thing is to get started and discover the benefits of reading the whole Bible!
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Posted by admin on November 2nd, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
You know that you have been called to the ministry but it is not in the traditional sense that you have seen before. We are seeing today an emergence of men and women that are passionate about the kingdom. They are people of integrity and high moral standards. They are people that think and plan strategically. People that are in apostolic alignment in God’s House.
2 Cor 5:18-19
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconcilation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Lu 22:28-29
But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me.
Rev 1:5-6
….To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen.
In these last days God is bringing the Church into Apostolic Alignment. He never intended for the secular to be separated from the sacred. When we were set apart (santified) by the blood of Christ the sacred and the secular became one in the kingdom of God.
In God’s Word the priests represent those set men and women that minister in the five-fold ministry; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The kings are those that minister in the marketplace as business and professional people. Apostolic alignment is bringing the Kings into the House so they may have a covering or protection provided by the Priests of the House.
This places great responsibility on the Priests in the House to succor and nurish these called people of God who are truly on the front lines of spiritual warfare. It is absolutely essential that both the Priests and the Kings have an understanding of their roles in God’s House.
A spiritual partnership of mutual trust and concern is being brought forth in the House of God today. Priests are beginning to see that the Kings in the House are truly called to the marketplace.
Deut 8:18
And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Are you really CALLED OF GOD to make money for the Kingdom?
According to the scripture in Deut 8:18 God has given you the power to get wealth. And it does take money and a lot of it to preach the Gospel to all nations. However, as in every calling there are dangers involved in fulfilling the calling. The Lord never intended for us to use the promises of God in such a way that the message of His redeeming love is diminished.
The “Kings in the House” must operate in every way in their business, jobs, home and social life as ambassadors of “The Prince of Peace”. To not do so, would be a terrible mis-understanding of God’s meaning of success.
Some that don’t see the significance will not understand your comittment to making money. They will see it as something filthy or sinful. In your own church or local congregation, there will always be some that will not understand and want you to be more spiritual.
Rightly understood, we must bring the message of Christ in a very real and practical way into our professions. Living the life of Christ will always raise the standard of living in your world. Christians should always strive to make the place they are in just a little better.
Success and money alone will never satisfy. They are only tools that you and I can use to improve life around us and make our message of Christ acceptable to others.
You can not separate your calling from God’s House. You are Kings in the House. Your calling is to FULL-TIME MINISTRY. Your business, profession, your job is your pulpit.
Jim Watkins
About the Author
Marketplace Messages with a
Prophetic Breakthrough Anointing
Releasing the apostolic anointing for a powerful breakthrough anointing focusing on sound Bible teaching and discerning the five fold ministry of the “Priests in the House” and the Marketplace Ministers called the “Kings in the House.” http://kingsinthehouse.org
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Posted by admin on November 2nd, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
Why Prophesy?
A true prophet doesn’t delight in competing to reveal scripture. Neither is ‘hell fire and brimstone’ their first love. But, if you want to know why they’re more likely to thunder damnation, consider the following verses and you’ll understand their fear.
And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. Jeremiah 25:4 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Daniel 9:10
God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Genesis 9:6 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 2 Chron. 36:16
Woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. Luke 21:23 Unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. Romans 2:8-9 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephes. 5:6 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev. 6:17
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isaiah 28:7 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. James 4:11 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24 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 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 1 Cor. 15:17
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Luke 11:50-51 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Luke 6:37 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:2 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. Col. 3:6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Malachi 4:5-6
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Rev. 13:10 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:3-8
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Rev. 11:18 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Rev. 22:6 … for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev. 19:10
© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock
http://www.angelslight.org/viewauthor.php?id=8
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.
About the Author
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the email ministries “Heavenly Inspirations” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/. Joyce’s writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.
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Posted by admin on November 2nd, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
Why Do Christians Get Sick?
Part 1
In today’s world we seem to blame God for everything. We say disease, sickness, and even death is an act of God or it is God’s will. Shouldn’t we stop blaming God for everything and turn to the Bible to see what it has to say about why Christians get sick? The Bible gives three reasons for sickness and physical problems; all of our afflictions fall into one of these categories.
1. To Glorify God
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 9, verses1-3, we read of a man who was blind from birth. Neither he nor his parents had sinned. The Bible asked: “Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, ‘Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.’”
The apostle had a thorn in the flesh. “He prayed three times for healing but the Lord said: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’” II Corinthians 12:7-9. If this is our lot in life and we are sick or dying, we can say as Paul said: “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” If our affliction is for the glory of God, all the prayers in the world will not remove it.
2. Sins Unconfessed
In 1 Corinthians 11: 28-32, we read about weakness, sickness, and an early death coming upon believers when they would not confess their sins. They were judged by God. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
Sickness, because of sin, is a judgment of the Lord, but it can be removed if we make things right with the Lord. All the prayer in the world will not heal affliction caused by sin. Only prayer and repentance can remove it. If prayer and repentance do not remove the affliction, then the problem can be due to a third reason the Bible gives, the violation of God’s health laws!
3. The Violation of God’s Health Laws
We read in 1 Corinthians 3:16-18, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20. “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” If the Christian does not care for his body, God will destroy him! If we can’t be trusted to take care of what we have now, how can we be trusted in heaven throughout eternity?
Dear fellow Christians, Let us take a good look at ourselves to see if we are violating God’s laws of health. Let us fall on our knees and ask for understanding on what the Bible says about the care of our bodies. We can start taking care of ourselves today. So let’s get healthy!
About the Author
Get your free ebook now on the 10 Deadly Health Myths scroll down page @ http://totalhealthnow.myglycostore.com/goland1
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Posted by admin on October 31st, 2008 — Posted in Religion Tips
symposium on “Time according to Quran and Science” which has been conducted by the Association of Scientific Miracles in Quran and Sunnah” it its cultural activities in Cairo. Dr. Mansoor Hassab El Nabi addressed the symposium. He assumed that Quran always opens new horizons of thoughts for thinkers and scientist. He emphasized that the right types of science and knowledge leads, always, to faith and believe. He confirmed that there is no contradiction between science and Quran. Therefore scientist must initiate their theories carefully and religious scholars must interpret the Quranic verse correctly. Dr. Mansoor added that Quran dealt with so many scientific issues such as the creation of the cosmos, the issue of time and place. Quran says that Allah, The Almighty has created the Universe in six days. But we must know that days of Allah are not necessarily similar to the days we, human beings, know, because time is proportionate matter and not an absolute issue. This fact goes hand in hand with the conclusions of the modern science and the theory proportionate. Time occupies an important place and role in the life of not only the animate creations, but also the life of the in animate. All of us measure the time to know the age of things. For example the radio cative material such as the uranium and Radium as well as the coral line reef all are turned by radiation into lead. Each radio cative element has particular rate of turning into another elements. Some scientists have used some radio cative materials such as Uranium and Carbon 14 to determine the age of earth. The scientists used also the phenomenon of cosmic extension and widening to determine the age of earth. Dr. Mansoor dealt with the (age of cosmos) as an issue that emphasis the existence of Allah. The Almighty. Because if the earth is having an age then it is having a beginning and if it has a beginning then it has been created by a creator because it cannot begin itself by itself. Quran asked man to probe and know how the creation began it opines. ‘And say more on earth and see how the creation has began” This Quranic verse indicates many points. It tells us that probing the issues related to the beginning of earth would enable Man to know how the creation has began and that such a divine will enable man to realize the age of the existence of may creations on earth. The six days which has been mentioned in Quran was duration for the creation of cosmos is indicating various periods in which the cosmos has undergone the process of creation. It is not similar in its duration to the days which man knows today. This six days (six periods) have been divided into three periods: Firstly, two days (one period) for the creation of earth from the smoking sky. The skies and earth were one unit and they were separated by an explosion. Secondly, two days (one period) for the creation of seven skies. Thirdly, two days (one period) for managing the boons and maintenance for those who will need it. Dr. Mansoor assumed that there is a vast period which separates the creation of earth and the creation of Man. If the above three periods are manipulated for the purpose of calculating the age of earth, then the period between the creation of earth and the appearance of Man which has been estimated to be 4.5 billions can be multiplied in three and the age of cosmos can be estimated to be 13.5 billion years. Some other scientists estimate the age of cosmos in different ways depending on the cosmos extension, the red displacement, etc. Depending on these factors the estimate the age of cosmos to be 13 or 15 billions years.
About the Author
proffesional busines person and islamic scholar
assitussi_ahoo@hotmail.com
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Posted by admin on October 30th, 2008 — Posted in Free Games + More, Gambling, Great Fun
Many poker beginners try to see as many flops as possible. This is hardly ever a winning strategy, as beginners don’t have the post flop tools to evaluate where they are in the hand respective to their opponents. The sole reason why the strategy of seeing a lot of cheap flops is effective for some players is because they are expert hand readers and have a good feel of where they are at in any hand. If this is not you, then consider the following cautions about limping preflop.
Limping is particularly troublesome in that it doesn’t allow you to establish the strength of your poker hand. By establishing your hand as a strong one, you instill fear in your opponents, and discourage them from calling you down if you miss the flop and need to continuation bet or bluff to win the pot. If you just limp in and miss the flop, you have not established that you have any kind of a strong holding, and your chance of taking down the pot uncontested decreases greatly. Raising preflop knocks out other potential limpers, and can also fold out the small and big blind, as they will be weary of getting in a confrontation out of position with a seemingly weaker holding than yours.
Another thing poker novices like to do is limp a monster hand like pocket kings or pocket aces in an attempt to trap someone. This is especially stupid, as slow playing one pair and overvaluing it on the river is a good way to lose your stack. The range of hands that pays you off when you slow play then make a huge raise on the river is very narrow compared to the range that folds or reraises you with a better holding. Limping a big pair from under the gun or from early position then reraising a raise from a late position bettor is a bad play as well, as it clearly defines the strength of your hand to an opponent in position, so he has the positional advantage to make a perfect play against you after the flop. By raising initially when the action is on you, you establish that you have a strong hand, but also leave the margin of doubt that you could be doing something crazy from early position. Only sprinkle in limps from time to time to throw off your opponents reads, but always be careful and recognize the problems associated with limping.
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