INTRODUCTION
1. In our previous study we defined the spiritual disciplines as...
a. Spiritual exercises that one engages in habitually which bring one
closer to God and thus become more godly in character and behavior
b. Spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, fasting, singing,
giving, etc.
2. Now we shall consider such disciplines more carefully, beginning with
prayer...
a. An activity in which Jesus Himself frequently practiced - Lk 5:16
b. A spiritual exercise enjoined upon Christians - Col 4:2; 1Th 5:17
[To encourage us to pray more often, let's first examine...]
I. THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER
A. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
1. To praise God, expressing adoration
a. As indicated by the phrase "Hallowed be Your name..." - Mt
6:9
b. As exemplified in one of David's prayer - 1Ch 29:10-13
2. To pray that God's will to be done
a. As indicated by the phrase "Your kingdom come..." - Mt 6:10
b. As exemplified in the Lord's own prayer - Mt 26:39,42
3. To make requests for our daily needs
a. Such as our daily food - Mt 6:11
b. Such as our bodily health - 3Jn 2
4. To confess our sins, seeking mercy
a. Asking forgiveness, as we forgive others - Mt 6:12
b. Assured that God will justly and faithfully cleanse through
Jesus' blood - 1Jn 1:9
5. To ask for God's providential care
a. Keeping us away from evil - Mt 6:13
b. Directing our path if it be His will - Ro 1:9-10
-- From "The Lord's Prayer", we can learn much about the purpose
of prayer
B. AS TAUGHT BY HIS APOSTLES...
1. To express thanksgiving - 1Th 5:17-18
2. To find peace in the midst of anxiety - Php 4:6-7
3. To receive strength and boldness from God - Ep 3:14-16,20; 6:
18-20
4. To find opportunity for service to God - Col 4:3
5. To receive wisdom from God - Jm 1:5-8
6. To intercede on behalf of others - Jm 5:14-16; 1Ti 2:1-2
-- From the apostles' writings, we learn much about the purpose of
prayer
[There is much good that can come from prayer, both for ourselves and
those for whom we pray. It is an activity in which Jesus and His
apostles engaged in frequently, so now let's consider more closely...]
II. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER
A. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
1. Jesus taught the value of secret prayer
a. By precept, in His sermon on the mount - Mt 6:5-6
b. By example, in finding solitary places to pray - Mk 1:35
2. Jesus taught the value of simple prayer
a. Many words are not necessary - Mt 6:7
b. Our Father already knows our needs - Mt 6:8; cf. Ro 8:26-27
3. Jesus taught the value of steadfast prayer
a. In response to His disciples' request to teach them to pray
- Lk 11:1,5-10
b. In telling them the parable of the persistent widow - Lk 18:
1-8
-- Thus the discipline of prayer should include the elements of
secrecy, simplicity, and steadfastness
B. AS PRACTICED BY GODLY MEN AND WOMEN...
1. David, a man after God's own heart, prayed morning, noon, and
evening - Ps 55:17
2. Daniel, a man greatly beloved by God, prayed thrice daily for
many years - Dan 6:10
3. Anna, a prophetess, served God in prayers night and day - Lk 2:
36-37
4. Real widows continue in prayers night and day - 1Ti 5:5
5. Epaphras labored fervently in prayers for those in his church
- Col 4:12
6. Paul prayed frequently for his brethren in other churches - Ro
1:9; Php 1:3-4; Ep 1:15-16;
1Th 1:2
-- Clearly the discipline of prayer involves a habitual, daily
practice of prayer
CONCLUSION
1. The discipline of prayer, done habitually, is truly a spiritual
exercise...
a. "Prayer is the spiritual gymnasium in which we exercise and
practice godliness." - V. L. Crawford
b. "...Prayer is educative. The man who prays grows; and the muscles
of the soul swell from this whipcord to iron bands." - Frederick
B. Meyer
c. The opposite is also true: "Seven days without prayer makes one
weak." - Allan E. Bartlette
2. The discipline of prayer is truly an exercise that leads to
godliness...
a. For Jesus, at the right hand of God, makes intercession for us
- Ro 8:34
b. Indeed, Jesus always lives to make intercession - He 7:25
If we desire to be true disciples of Christ, if we want to become more
like Him, then "The Discipline Of Prayer" is a spiritual exercise that
we must engage in frequently...
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the
mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was
alone there. - Mt 14:23
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight,
He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He
prayed. - Mk 1:35
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
- Lk 5:16
Read more…
Introduction:
In our last lesson we learned that we should honor Jesus as the Lord of our lives. He is the Son of God who died to save us from our sins, and He will one day return to judge us. We should obey His will, imitate the principles He lived by, and serve Him as our highest priority.
However, Jesus is no longer on earth to personally teach us. Where can we go to learn His will today? This is the theme of this lesson.
I. Jesus’ Teachings Are Recorded in the Bible.
Jesus knew that He would leave earth and return to heaven, so during His lifetime He carefully gave instructions to His apostles. After He left, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles to write His instructions in the New Testament Scriptures.
>>> Read JOHN 16:13. <<<
*1&2* What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do for the apostles? Answer: The Spirit would ______ them into ______ truth.
>>> Read JOHN 20:29-31. <<<
*3* How can people believe in Jesus even when they have not seen Him? (a) they can’t believe, (b) they need a modern-day prophet, (c) they can believe by reading what the inspired men wrote in the Bible. Answer: ______.
*4* What blessing can people receive if they believe what is written? Answer: By believing we can have ______ in His name.
>>> Read EPHESIANS 3:3-5. <<<
*5* What did Paul do with the knowledge revealed to him? (a) he wrote it down, (b) he kept it a secret, (c) it is still an unknown mystery. Answer: ______.
*6* How can other people learn what Paul knew? Answer: We can understand when we ______ what he wrote.
Note that, although the gospel message had been unknown (a mystery) in the past, it was revealed or “made known” to the New Testament apostles and prophets. Now we can know it by reading what they wrote.
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 14:37. <<<
*7* Whose commands did Paul write? Answer: Paul wrote the commands of the ______.
You and I today can know the teachings of the Lord Jesus by reading the New Testament Scriptures written by His inspired prophets.
[See also Matt. 10:19f; Luke 10:16; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; 11:23; 15:3; Gal. 1:11,12; 2 Peter 1:12-15,21; 3:1,2; 1 John 1:1-4; 2:1-17; Rev. 1:11.]
II. The Gospel Is a Perfect Revelation.
Sometimes people wonder how adequately the Scriptures reveal the teachings of Jesus for us today. Do they contain all we need to know, or are there teachings that we need but do not have? Can we understand what is taught? Has the message been lost or perverted over the years, so that we today no longer have the true and complete will of Jesus?
A. The Scriptures Reveal All God’s Will for Us.
Remember, Jesus promised that the apostles would receive “all truth” (John 16:13), and they wrote down what they received.
>>> Read ACTS 20:20,27. <<<
*8* How much of God’s will did Paul teach to others? (a) he kept back parts that were needed, (b) he preached the whole counsel of God, (c) there were important truths that he never even received. Answer: ______.
>>> Read 2 PETER 1:3. <<<
*9* How much of God’s will had people in Peter’s lifetime received? Answer: They received ______ things pertaining to life and godliness.
>>> Read 2 TIMOTHY 3:16,17. <<<
*10* For what purposes are the Scriptures profitable? (a) teaching and instructing us in righteousness, (b) reproving and correcting us, (c) completely providing all good works, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*11* If the Scriptures provide us to all good works, then do we need some standard of religious authority in addition to the Bible? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
The gospel is the perfect law of liberty, which is able to save our souls (James 1:21,25). We need no further revelation because the Bible completely reveals all God’s will for man. It teaches everything we need to know to be saved. Since the first-century apostles and prophets received all truth, it follows that any doctrine taught today, which they did not record in the Bible, must not be true.
[See also Matt. 28:20; Col. 4:12; Heb. 13:20,21.]
B. The Scriptures Are Understandable.
Remember that the apostles wrote down what had been revealed to them, so that others could understand the message (Ephesians 3:3-5).
>>> Read MARK 7:14. <<<
*12* What did Jesus expect his hearers to do? Answer: They were supposed to hear and ______.
Notice that Jesus spoke here to the “multitude” of common people and He required “everyone” of them to understand what He taught.
>>> Read ACTS 17:11. <<<
*13* How did these people determine whether or not the things they heard were true? (a) they searched the Scriptures daily, (b) they needed a college education, (c) they needed a priest to explain it to them. Answer: ______.
Could they do this if the Scriptures are impossible to understand? If people cannot understand the Bible, why did God give it to us?
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33. <<<
*14* God is not the author (or cause) of what? Answer: ______.
God is the author of the Scriptures. Now if the Bible has been written in such a way that it is impossible for men to study and understand it, then God would be the author of confusion. Since He is not the author of confusion, then the Bible must be a book that we can understand.
Remember that the Scriptures are profitable to teach, reprove, instruct, and supply us completely to all good works (2 Timothy 3:15-17). They are able to make one wise to salvation. But if we could not understand the Scriptures, then they would not profit in any of these things.
God revealed the Scriptures so men could understand His will. Anyone who believes God is all-wise and all-powerful, must also believe the Bible is a book that can be understood.
[See also 2 Tim. 2:15; Eph. 5:17; Isa. 55:11; Psalm 119:104,105,130.]
C. The Scriptures Have Been Accurately Preserved.
The Holy Spirit guided the New Testament writers to record Jesus’ teachings so those teachings could guide future generations. In order for the Scriptures to accomplish this, God would have to preserve them.
>>> Read 2 PETER 1:12-15; 3:1,2. <<<
*15* Peter was writing so that people would have a record of his teachings after he died. What would this message do for them? Answer: It would ______ them of the apostles’ commands.
>>> Read JOHN 12:48. <<<
*16* By what standard will men be judged? (a) by their own consciences, (b) by the teachings of their priests, (c) by Jesus’ words. Answer: ______.
Jesus’ words will judge men at the last day. This means that Jesus’ words must endure till the judgment and must be available to men, so we can know what to do to prepare for the judgment. Jesus’ words are preserved for us in the written word of the Scriptures.
>>> Read 1 PETER 1:22-25. <<<
*17* What is the seed by which we are born again? Answer: We are born again by the incorruptible seed, which is the ______ of God.
*18* How long will God’s word endure? (a) forever, (b) 2 generations, (c) like a plant that grows then dies, it was lost in the middle ages. Answer: ______.
>>> Read 2 JOHN 2. <<<
*19* How long will the truth be with us? Answer: The truth will be with us ______.
God intended for the faith to be delivered to His people only “once” (Jude 3). He delivered it in the first century, then He preserved it through the centuries till today. We today have the perfect and complete teachings of Jesus in a form we can understand in the Scriptures.
[See also Psa. 12:6,7; Heb. 13:20; Isa. 30:8; 59:20,21; Matt. 24:35.]
III. Jesus’ Instructions for Today Are Found in the New Testament, Not the Old.
Some people believe that we today need a special priesthood or should rest on the seventh day of the week because the Old Testament law required this. Others claim that God never changes His law, so if He ever commanded anything, then everyone must always keep that command. But God once commanded a man to build an ark and another man to sacrifice his son (Gen. 6:13-7:5; 22:1-19). Must we do these today?
God Himself says He has changed His laws about circumcision (cf. Gen. 17:9-14 to 1 Cor. 7:18-20; Gal. 5:1-8; 6:12-16), the Levitical priesthood (cf. Ex. 40:12-16; 29:1-9 to Heb. 7:11-18; 1 Pet. 2:5,9), and animal sacrifices (cf. Num. 15:1-6 to Heb. 10:1-18), just to name a few examples.
These Scriptures clearly prove that God has made changes in his laws. Some commands were intended just for certain specific people, not for all people everywhere. Other commands served a temporary purpose. When they fulfilled their purpose, they were no longer needed, so God removed them.
What about the Old Testament laws, including the laws given through Moses. Are they still in effect today, or do we follow only the teachings of the New Testament?
>>> Read ROMANS 7:2-6. <<<
*20* When is a woman free from her husband? (a) when she divorces him, (b) when she becomes a Christian, (c) when he dies. Answer: ______.
*21* What is our relation to the law? (a) we are subject to it, (b) we are freed from it and joined to Christ, (c) we should still keep parts of it. Answer: ______.
>>> Read HEBREWS 10:9,10. <<<
Hebrews is a lengthy comparison of the “first” or “old covenant” compared to the “second” or “new covenant.” The first covenant included the animal sacrifices, the Levitical priesthood, the tabernacle, and the “tables of the covenant” or the 10 Commands (see 7:11-14; 9:1-5; 10:1-8). In fact it included “every precept” given through Moses (9:18-21).
*22&23* What did Jesus do to these two covenants? Answer: He ______ the first that He may ______ the second.
Because of what Jesus did, “the law” (first covenant) was changed or annulled (7:12,18). It was made old, so it vanished away (8:6-13). All this was done in harmony with God’s will, not contrary to it.
>>> Read COLOSSIANS 2:14,16. <<<
*24&25* What did Christ do to the handwriting of ordinances? Answer: He took it ______ nailing it to His ______.
*26* Should we let people judge us for not keeping the sabbath? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
The Old Testament law, given through Moses, applied only to the nation of Israel and only till Jesus died. The teaching of Jesus for people today is recorded in the New Testament, the gospel. It is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16).
[See also 2 Cor. 3:6-11; Gal. 3:24,25; 5:1-6; Eph. 2:11-16.]
IV. We Should Reject Man-Made Doctrines.
Many people today claim to follow Jesus, but they participate in religious practices and organizations that are not authorized in the gospel. Yet the New Testament provides us to all good works, so other practices cannot be from Jesus. They are human in origin [cf. Matt. 21:25].
A. What Does Jesus Think of Man-Made Doctrines?
>>> Read MATTHEW 15:9,13,14. <<<
*27* How does Jesus describe our worship if it is based on human doctrine (v9) ? (a) it is vain, (b) it is acceptable, (c) it doesn’t matter. Answer: ______.
Fallible men cannot know what pleases God without revelation from God. The “way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Only by following the teaching of Jesus can we know what is pleasing to God.
>>> Read GALATIANS 1:8,9. <<<
*28* What is the condition of one who preaches a different gospel? Answer: He is ______.
“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
>>> Read 2 JOHN 9. <<<
*29* What happens to someone who teaches things not found in the teachings that come from Jesus? Answer: He does not have ______.
Remember that all Jesus’ teachings were recorded in the New Testament by the original apostles and prophets. To follow Jesus, we must do only the things taught in His word. If we follow practices He has not authorized, then we are following men instead of following Jesus.
Even if no passage specifically forbids a certain practice, that does not mean the practice is acceptable. Instead, we should ask, “Where did Jesus say we should do this?” If a practice is not authorized in His word, we should avoid it.
[See also Rev. 22:18,19; Col. 3:17; Prov. 3:5,6; 2 Cor. 10:12,18.]
B. Some Examples of Human Authority in Religion
People often accept man-made religious practices without realizing why they accept them. Often they are following human authorities such as those we are about to consider. (Note that some of these things do have a right to exist. The danger comes when they are viewed as authority which people follow to determine what they believe or practice.)
Family Religion
Some people think, “It was good enough for my mother (or wife, etc.), so it’s good enough for me.” This makes the family our authority, instead of Jesus. We should be glad if our families follow the Bible, but most people’s families are in error (Matthew 7:13,14). Most Christians in the New Testament had to leave their family religion.
*30* If our family is involved in practices not found in the gospel, should we still practice as they do? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
[Note Matt. 10:34-37; Acts 5:29; Gal. 1:13,14.]
Conscience, feelings, sincerity
We need sincerity and a good conscience, but these become the standard for some people. “Just let your conscience be your guide. It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.”
>>> Read ACTS 23:1; 26:9. <<<
*31* Even before his conversion, Paul was sincere and had a good conscience. At that time was he (a) right, (b) wrong, (c) it didn’t matter? Answer: ______.
One can be sincere and have a good conscience, yet be the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:13-15). Your conscience only tells you whether or not you are doing what you believe to be right. Like a clock, it will not be reliable unless it has been set properly.
[See also Prov. 14:12; 28:26; Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 10:18.]
Preachers
Some people just accept whatever their preacher says. “My preacher is well educated, and he would not mislead me?.” Preachers can help us learn Jesus’ will, but they must not become the standard of authority. Preachers are wrong when they differ from what Jesus said. [See also Acts 17:11; 20:29,30; Matt. 7:15; 15:14; 1 John 4:1,6; 2 Cor. 11:13-15.]
*32* Should we accept what our preacher says if he cannot show it in the Bible? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
Church creeds, traditions, and decrees of councils
Many denominations write books that the group follows as authority or doctrinal standards. Any creed that contains more than the Bible contains too much. Any creed that contains less than the Bible contains too little. All human creeds and church laws are made on the assumption that fallible humans can write a better standard than the Bible!
Conclusion
“And by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3-6). A true disciple devotes his lifetime to serving his Master’s will. During your lifetime you must choose whether or not you will serve Jesus. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15; cf. 1 John 5:3). Do you follow Jesus or do you follow men?
Personal application questions:
(These questions are for you to ponder. Your answers will help us understand your thinking, however they will not affect your “score.”)
*33* Do you believe we need any source of religious authority other than the Bible? ___________
*34* What conclusion do you believe we should reach about religious doctrines or practices that are not found in the Bible? __________
*35* What do you believe about Old Testament practices that are not included in the New Testament? __________
Have you ever seen a DJ preach through music? Let me introduce you to a passionate, focused and seasoned DJ that has an impeccable talent that reaches the STREETS and CHURCHES alike.
DJ Sean Blu has been making noise since he was “knee high” – from plowing through his father’s record collection to drumming beats - he’s had a fever for music!
Mixing the flavor of DJ Chuck Chill Out, Marley Mal and the Control Show, Kiss FM, and DJ Red Alert, he has concocted an unforgettable signature that imparts JESUS to the toughest heart and teases the most acute thought. Having the conception as a dj start as a board operator at a local AM radio station in Georgia, Blu has grown his industry-relationship to work with many major tour artists with the likes of Mary Mary, Trinity 5:7 and Canton Jones.
“As a DJ you deliver so I do my research on an Artist before I work with them. I have to make sure they line up with what I’m called to do”, says Blu. Talk about passionate! He constantly stresses the importance of knowing your mission and sticking to the script that God has given! Is he a DJ or a preacher – or a DJ that preaches through music? His Street Hymns Mixtapes have reached thousands, and the fan base is growing by record margins!
With Real Life Music, DJ Sean Blu has given each listener a method he/she can understand, but not compromising the message of Jesus Christ! With artists that have reputations in the drug game, prostitution, or other ridiculing areas – he scratches and blends their testimonies of God’s salvation, restoration, and gift for living over beats. He says, “When you have a project that can be real and unashamed so it can really bless someone then you got something”. At the end of the day that’s the main purpose of all the labors in God’s Kingdom.
Blu has worked with a plethora of artists in his 10-year career. From Rob Hodge, Japhia Life, Mr. Dell, Shei Atkins, Canton Jones, Vizunari, Tru Life, Claude Deuce, Mahogany Jones, Dre Marshall, Young Ray, T-Haddy, Sean Slaughter, Damon Lamar – the list goes on! His most memorable project happened in 2003. He faced Christian labels not wanting to relinquish music, so he teamed up with Knine and Damon Lamar to create his 7th Mixtape: Heavy Weights. In 2004, he recreated the Juice Crew called Kings of the East with Rob Hoge, Jafire Life, TKSOG.
He has recently released Before Self Destruction Mixtape, and on July 14th, a compilation album will be released thru Arrow Records (affiliate of Creflo Dollar Ministries) entitled Its’ Official: Hip Hop Remixed.
Keeping love for God blazing, DJ Sean Blu wants everyone to follow God and re-emphasizing that any dream can be obtained - you just have to work hard. The best covering is a God center church – get in one and get to work!
This hit making DJ has many to thank with a special “Thank You” to his wife Denise, daughters Sarah and Victoria “Tori”, Pastor Claude and Regina Harris and New Life Family, brothers Rich and Canton, Derrick Woods, and Kevin Smith. Everyone else he forgot to mention sign your name: _________________.
REAL LIFE MUSIC
Interview with DJ Sean Blu
By: Derrell “YOUNG” Young
young@tcpmagazine.com
www.tcpmagazine.com/UnitedFront
CONTACT INTERVIEWEE
DJ Sean Blu
blumusik73@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/djseanbluwww.positivemixtapes.comRead more…
This Bible reference guide lists verses, passages and references for Scripture topics. Listed alphabetically below are lists of verses by topic from the Christian Scriptures to help guide you to the Bible answers for your Bible questions. As with a concordance or topical Bible, simply look up a word or topic to find relevant passages and Scripture references.
Scriptures to answer questions from the Holy Bible are listed alphabetically by topic below. Click on a letter to find Bible references and verses for topics beginning with that letter.
A
ABORTION (see also murder): Genesis 25:21,22; Job 3:3,16; Hosea 12:3; Luke 1:36,41,44
ABRAHAM – Promises to: Genesis 12:2,3,7; 15:5-8,18-21; 13:15,17; 18:18; 22:17,18; 24:7; 26:3,4,24; 28:3,4; 32:12
(anger of God – see wrath)
ANGER – Dangers of: Ephesians 4:26,31; James 1:19,20; Proverbs 14:17; 29:11,20; 16:32; 25:28; 22:24,25; 15:1,28; Leviticus 19:17,18
APOSTASY – Drifting away: Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12-14; 4:1,11; 10:23; 13:9; Colossians 1:22,23; 2:6-8; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 John 2:4-6
APOSTASY – Possibility of: John 15:1-6; Acts 8:12-24; Romans 6:12-18; 8:12-17; Galatians 5:1-4; 6:7-9; 1 Corinthians 9:25-10:12; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; Hebrews 3:6,11-14; 4:9,11; 6:4-8; 10:26-31; 2 Peter 1:8-11; 2:20-22
APOSTASY – General verses on falling away: Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:6-9; Colossians 1:22,23; 2:7,8; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6,14,15; 1 Timothy 1:3-6; 4:1,6,7; 6:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:1-5; Titus 1:13,14; 2:1; 3:9-11; Hebrews 2:1; 3:14; 10:23; 13:9; James 5:19,20; 1 John 2:4-6; 2 John 9-11; 2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:10; Matt. 15:9,13; 1 John 2:19
ATTENDANCE – Church: Acts 2:42; 11:26; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15; 11:17-34; 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 9:6,7; Acts 20:7
B
BAPTISM – babies: Mark 16:15,16; John 6:44,45; Acts 2:36,41; Galatians 3:26,27; Acts 8:12; 2:38; Romans 10:9,10; Acts 8:35-39; Ezekiel 18:20; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Psalm 106:37,38; Matthew 19:14; 18:3
BAPTISM – burial: Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; John 3:23; Acts 8:38,39; Mark 1:9,10; Hebrews 10:22
BAPTISM – essential: Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3,4; Galatians 3:27; I Peter 3:21
BENEVOLENCE – church: Acts 2:44,45; 4:32-5:11; 6:1-6; 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:1,12; 1 Timothy 5:3-16
BENEVOLENCE – individual: 1 Timothy 5:4,8,16; Matthew 15:4-6; 25:31-46; Esther 2:7; Luke 10:25-37; Ephesians 4:28; Acts 9:36-39; 20:34,35; James 1:27; 2:15,16; Galatians 6:10; 1 John 3:17; John 19:26,27
BIBLE authority (vs. human authority): Matthew 15:9,13; Galatians 1:8,9; 2 John 9-11; Colossians 3:17; Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12; 3:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:13
BIBLE – complete revelation (all God’s will): 2 Timothy 3:16,17; John 16:13; 14:26; Acts 20:20,27; 2 Peter 1:3
BIBLE – inerrant: Numbers 22:35,38; 23:5,12,16,19,20; Deuteronomy 18:18-22; Psalm 19:7-9; 33:4; 119:128,142,160; John 17:17; Titus 1:2,3; Revelation 19:9; 21:5
BIBLE inspiration – claims: 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2:10-13; Ephesians 3:3-5; John 16:13; Matthew 10:19,20; Galatians 1:8-12; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Luke 10:16
BIBLE inspiration – verbal: 1 Corinthians 2:4,10-13; Deuteronomy 18:18; 2 Samuel 23:2; Isaiah 51:16; 59:21; Jeremiah 1:4-9; 30:1-4; Zecharaiah 7:12; Matthew 10:19,20
BIBLE preservation: Psalm 119:152,160; Isaiah 40:8; 30:8; John 12:48; 2 John 2; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:12-15; 2 Timothy 3:16,17
(Bible study – see knowledge)
BIBLE – understandable Bible: Mark 7:14; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Acts 17:11; Ephesians 3:3-5; 5:17; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Isaiah 55:11; Psalm 119:104,105,130; 1 Timothy 2:4
BLAME-SHIFTING – blaming others: 1 Kings 18:17,18; Genesis 3:9-13; Exodus 32:1-4,21-24; 1 Samuel 15:3,9,13-15
(blood of Jesus – see Jesus’ sacrifice)
BOOK OF LIFE: Exodus 32:32,33; Psalms 69:28; Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27
BORN AGAIN: John 1:12,13; 3:1-7; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Romans 6:3,5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:26,27
(business – employers & employees – see employer/employee)
BUSINESS – financial honesty: Psalm 37:21; Romans 13:6-8; 12:17; 1:31,32; 2 Corinthians 8:20,21; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Proverbs 11:1; 19:22; Matthew 7:12; James 5:12; 1 Peter 3:15,16; Luke 3:12-14
C
(care for needy – see benevolence)
CARNAL ATTRACTIONS: Romans 1:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; John 12:32; Matthew 11:28-30; Acts 17:2,17; 18:4,11,19; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:1-5; John 6:26f,44f,63,68
CHILDREN obey parents: Ephesians 6:1,4; Colossians 3:20,21; Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; Luke 2:51; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Romans 1:30,32; 2 Timothy 3:2
(choice – see free moral agency)
CLOTHING – decent: Genesis 3:7-11,21; Proverbs 7:10; Exodus 20:26; 28:41-43; Leviticus 20:17; 2 Samuel 11:2-4; Titus 2:5 (“chaste” = virtuous, not indecent, modest); 2 Corinthians 11:2; Luke 8:27,35; 1 Timothy 2:9,10. Note Matthew 5:27,28; Proverbs 6:25; Philippians 4:8; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 13:13,14; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:1-4 — “lascivious” or “licentious” = anything that causes or tends to arouse sexual excitement, desire, or lust between people not married to one another. Tunics: Genesis 3:7- 11,21; Exodus 28:39,40; John 19:23; Acts 9:39 (according to the following dictionaries, the “tunics” or “coats” referred to covered down to below the knee and sometimes to the ankle: Gesenius, Wilson, Zondervan, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
(collection – see giving)
(commitments, keeping them – see promises and word keeping)
(companions, choice of friends – see temptation)
CONFESSION of Jesus: Romans 10:9,10; Matthew 10:32; 16:15-18; John 1:49; 4:42; 9:35-38; 11:27: 12:42,43; Acts 8:36-38; 1 Timothy 6:12,13; 1 John 4:15
CONFESSION to men we wronged: Matthew 5:23,24; Luke 17:3,4; 15:18,21; James 5:16; Genesis 50:17; Proverbs 28:13
COVETOUSNESS (greed): Matthew 6:19-33; 16:24-27; Romans 8:5-8; 12:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8:5; 10:3,4; John 6:27,63; Luke 12:15-21; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Colossians 3:1,2
CREATION – Summary of the days of creation (Genesis 1): #1 — Light (v3-5); #2 — Firmament (v6-8); #3 — Seas and dry land; plants (v9-13); #4 — Sun, moon, and stars (v14-19); #5 — Birds and water animals (v20-23); #6 — Land animals and man (v24-31); #7 — God rested (2:1-3)
CREATION of the universe by God: Genesis chap. 1; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 33:6-9; 102:25; 89:11; 90:2; 104:5-9,24-28; 19:1; 24:1,2; 95:5; 146:6; 136:5-9; 8:3,6-8; 148:5; Jeremiah 10:12; 27:5; John 1:1-3; Acts 14:15; 17:24; Isaiah 42:5; 45:18; 40:26; Hebrews 1:10; 11:3
(crucifixion of Jesus – see Jesus’ sacrifice)
D
(darkness – see light)
DEATH: Proverbs 27:1; Job 9:25; 7:6; 8:9; 14:1,2; 30:23; Psalms 102:11; 49:10; 39:5; 78:39; 89:47,48; 90:5,6,9; 103:15,16; 144:4; 2 Samuel 14:14; Ecclesiastes 8:8; 6:12; 3:19; Isaiah 38:12; 40:6,7; Genesis 47:9; 1 Chronicles 29:15; James 4:13,14; Luke 12:16-21
(death of Jesus – see Jesus’ sacrifice)
(deceit – see lying)
DISCIPLINE (church): 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15; Matthew 18:15-17; Titus 3:10,11; Romans 16:17,18; 1 Timothy 1:3-11,19,20; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11; 2 John 9-11; Hebrews 12:15; 1 Corinthians 15:33
(discouragement – see weariness)
DISCUSSION – unprofitable: Nehemiah 6:1-9; Matthew 7:6; 21:23-32; 26:59-63; 27:12-14; John 19:9; Luke 23:7-10; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:14-18; Titus 3:9-11
DIVISION (see also unity): 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 12:25; Galatians 5:19-21; John 17:20,21; Luke 11:17; Romans 14:19; 16:17; Titus 3:10; Proverbs 26:21; 6:16-19
DIVORCE & REMARRIAGE: Matthew 19:3-9; 5:31,32; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2,3; 1 Corinthians 7:10,11; Malachi 2:14-16; Genesis 2:18-24
DRUG ABUSE: It is illegal – Romans 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:13,14. It is intoxication or drunkenness – Romans 13:12-14; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 5:11. It is a lack of sobriety or self-control – 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; 1 Peter 1:13-17; 5:8,9; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
E
EDIFYING (see also rebuke): Ephesians 4:15,16; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:23-25
ELDERS in local churches: Acts 14:23; 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17; Hebrews 13:7,17,24
ELECTION of men by God: 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; Romans 8:28-30,33; 2 Timothy 1:9,10; Ephesians 1:4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12
EMPLOYEE/EMPLOYER relations: Ephesians 6:5-9; 4:28; 1 Peter 2:18; Titus 2:9,10; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Colossians 3:22-4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12; 1 Peter 2:18; 1 Timothy 6:1,2; 5:8; Luke 3:12-14; James 5:1,4; Matthew 20:1-16; Jeremiah 22:13
ENVY, jealousy: 1 Peter 2:1; Romans 1:29,32; Matthew 27:18; Titus 3:3; James 3:14-17; 1 Timothy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:19-26; Romans 13:13
ERRING MEMBERS (see also confess): Acts 8:22; Matthew 6:12; 21:28-32; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:8-10; Proverbs 28:13
(eternal life – see heaven)
EXAMPLE of Jesus: 1 Peter 2:21-24; Matthew 10:24,25; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Luke 9:23; 6:40; Philippians 2:5; John 13:15; 15:10,12; Ephesians 5:1,2; 1 John 2:6
EXAMPLES in the Bible binding: Matthew 10:25; 16:24; I Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 2:5; 3:17; 4:9; I Thessalonians 1:5,6; I Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:10; I Peter 2:21-23; I John 2:6
EXCUSES: Jonah 1:2,3; Genesis 3:9-13; Numbers 13:30-33; 14:6-9; Proverbs 24:10; 1 Kings 19:1-4,14-18; 1 Samuel 15:3,9,15,22,23; Exodus 32:2-5,21-24; Matthew 26:56; 25:24-30; Luke 14:15-24
F
FAITH in God: Hebrews 10:39; 11:1,4-8,17,30; Romans 1:16; 4:19-21; 5:1,2; 10:9,10,13-17; Galatians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:7; James 2:14-26; John 1:12; 3:15-18; 8:24; 20:30,31; Mark 16:15,16
FAITH requires obedience: Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26; Hebrews 10:39; 11:8,30,7,33,4,17,24f; 1 John 3:23,24; John 6:28,29 Romans 1:5; 16:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:3
(falling from grace – see apostasy)
FALSE ACCUSATION: Proverbs 17:15; Isaiah 5:20; 1 Peter 2:12; 3:16; 4:4; 1 Kings 18:17,18; Matthew 5:10-12; Luke 6:22,23,26; 3 John 9,10; Luke 3:14; John 7:24; 2 Timothy 3:3; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-11 (revilers); 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:1; Ephesians 4:31
FALSE TEACHING: Matthew 7:15-23; 15:14; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Acts 20:28-30; 1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 1:9-14; 2 John 9-11; Romans 16:17,18; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter chap. 2
(favoritism, see partiality)
FELLOWSHIPPING ERROR: 2 John 9-11; Ephesians 5:11; Proverbs 17:15; 2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1; 1 Timothy 5:22; Psalms 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Romans 1:32; Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:20
(financial honesty – see business)
FLOOD of Noah: Genesis 6-9; 1 Chronicles 1:4; Luke 3:36; Hebrews 11:7; Matthew 24:36-39; 1 Peter 3:20,21; 2 Peter 3:3-7; Isaiah 54:9; Ezekiel 14:14,20
(forgiveness for erring Christians – see erring members)
FORGIVING OTHERS: Luke 17:3,4; Matthew 18:21-35; 6:12-15; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11; Ephesians 4:32
FORNICATION/ADULTERY: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,18; 7:2-4,9; Romans 7:2,3; Revelation 21:8; 22:14,15; Exodus 20:14; Hebrews 13:4; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Proverbs 5:1-23; 6:23-7:27; Mark 7:20-23
FREE MORAL AGENCY of man: Genesis 2:16,17; 3:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:15; 11:25; Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21; Psalm 119:30; Deuteronomy 30:15-19; Isaiah 1:18-20; Matthew 23:37; 13:14,15; Revelation 3:20; 22:17
G
GIVING – church collections: 1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6,7
GOD with His people: Exodus 3:12; Josh. 1:5,9; Deut. 31:23; Gen. 31:3; Exodus 4:12,15; Isaiah 43:2
GOD – all-knowing: Proverbs 3:19; Psalm 139:1-4,6-12; 147:4,5; John 16:30; Matthew 10:29-31; 6:8,32; 1 Kings 8:39; Romans 11:33,34; Isaiah 55:8,9
GOD – all-powerful: Matthew 19:26; Genesis 17:1; Mark 14:36; Job 42:2; 26:14; Revelation 19:6; Jeremiah 32:17,20-22
GOD – eternal: Genesis 21:33; Exodus 3:13,14; Deuteronomy 32:40; 33:27; Psalm 90:1-4; 93:2; Isaiah 44:6-8; Habakkuk 1:12; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17
GOD – faithful to promises: 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 49:7; 2 Corinthians 1:18; 1 John 1:9
GOD – Father: Matthew 6:9,10; 12:50; 7:7-11,21; 5:16; John 1:18; 14:6-11,20-24; 6:44,45; 15:1-6; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 12:9; James 3:9; 1:17; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 1 Peter 1:14-17; 1 John 1:3; 3:1,2; 4:7-11; 5:1-3
GOD — invisible: John 1:18; 6:46; Numbers 12:8; Isaiah 6:5; Psalms 17:15; Exodus 24:11; 33:17-23; 24:11; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 4:12,20
GOD – present everywhere: Psalms 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23,24; Acts 17:27; 1 Kings 8:27
GOOD WORKS (see also obedience) – Titus 2:7,14; 3:1,8,14; 2 Timothy 2:21; 3:16,17; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 2:10; James 4:17; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 13:21
GOVERNMENT – duties to: Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:17-21; 1 Peter 2:11-15; Titus 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1,2; Acts 5:29; 22:25-29; 25:10-12
GRACE of God: Acts 15:7-11; 20:24,32; Romans 4:4-7; 5:1,2; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 1:5-11; 2:5-10; 1 Timothy 1:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Titus 2:11-14; 3:3-7; Hebrews 2:9
(greed – see covetousness)
H
HATING SIN (see also rebuke): Proverbs 15:9; 8:13; 6:16-19; Psalm 97:10; 119:104,128,163; Amos 5:15; Hebrews 1:9; Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 13:6; 1 John 2:15-17
HEAR THE GOSPEL (see also knowledge, teach): John 6:44,45; 8:31,32; Matthew 13:23; Romans 1:16; 10:13,14,17; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:26,29,35; 9:6; 11:14; 18:8; Luke 6:46-49; 11:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Revelation 3:20
HEAVEN/ETERNAL LIFE: Matthew 5:10-12; 25:46; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 5:9,10; 1 Peter 1:3,4; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 21:3-5; 22:3,4; Romans 2:5-11; Luke 16:19-31; 1 John 5:11,12
HELL: Matthew 5:22; 8:12; 10:28; 13:39-43,49,50; 18:8,9; 25:30,41,46; Luke 12:4,5; 16:19-31; Romans 2:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9; Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8
HOLY DAYS (see also Lord’s Supper): Galatians 4:10,11; Colossians 2:16
HOMOSEXUALITY: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 & 1 Timothy 1:9-11 (”abusers of themselves with mankind” = homosexuals — see newer translations); Romans 1:26-32; Genesis 19:1-11; 2 Peter 2:6-8; Leviticus 18:22,23; 20:13,15,16
HONEST HEART to accept truth: 2 Thess. 2:10-12; Matt. 13:13-15; John 3:19-21; cf. Acts 17:11; Luke 8:15
HOPE: Acts 24:15; Ephesians 2:12; 4:4; Romans 5:1-5; 8:24,25; 12:12; 15:13; 1 Corinthians 15:19; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:2; 2:11-14; 3:7; Hebrews 6:18,19; 10:23; 11:1; 1 Peter 1:3,4,13,21
HOSPITALITY: Romans 12:13; I Peter 4:9; Matthew 25:34-36,40; Hebrews 13:1,2; Genesis 18:1-8; 19:1-3; I Timothy 3:2; 5:9,10
(humility – see pride and meekness)
I
IDOLATRY: Deuteronomy 4:19; 5:7-9; 17:2-5; 2 Kings 21:1-6; 23:4,5; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 10:7,14; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 5:21
IMITATING CHRIST (see also example): Luke 6:40; 1 Peter 2:21,22; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Matthew 16:24; 1 John 2:6; John 13:15
IN CHRIST: John 15:1-10; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:3,7; 2:12-17; Romans 6:6,11; 8:1,39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Timothy 2:1,10; Galatians 5:4; 1 John 5:11,12
INFLUENCE (see also temptation, reputation): 1 Timothy 4:12; Matthew 5:13-16; 18:6,7; Titus 2:7,8; 1 Peter 2:11,12; 2 Corinthians 6:3; 8:20,21; 1 Corinthians 8:9-13; 10:23-33
INHERITED SIN: Ezekiel 18:20; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Exodus 32:32,33; Hebrews 2:14,17 and 2 Corinthians 5:21; Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:16,19; 2:6-10; 14:12; James 1:14,15; Matthew 7:21-23; Psalms 106:37,38; Jeremiah 19:4,5; Matthew 19:14; 18:3
J
(jealousy – see envy)
JESUS authority as Lord over all: Matthew 28:18; Philippians 3:20,21; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 17:14; 19:16; John 3:31; Romans 9:5; Acts 10:36; Romans 10:12; Philippians 2:9-11; Ephesians 1:21; John 16:15; 17:10
JESUS’ claims: Matthew 3:17; 16:13-18; 17:5; 26:63-66; John 4:25,26; 8:58; 9:35-37; 20:28,29; Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 7:48,49; Matthew 20:28; 28:18,20; 26:28; John 8:24; 14:6; 3:13-15; 10:27-29; 5:22; 9:38; Matthew 16:27; 25:31-46; 14:33; 28:9,17; Luke 24:52
JESUS’ Deity: John 1:1-3,14; 20:28; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:2,8,9; Philippians 2:5-8
(Jesus’ example – see example and imitating)
JESUS’ sacrifice: Matthew 26:28; 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18f; 2:24; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; Isaiah 53:5-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:9-13; 13:20f; Romans 5:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15
JESUS’ sinlessness: Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21
JOY, rejoicing: Matthew 13:44; 25:21,23; Luke 6:23; 10:20; Acts 5:41; 8:39; 13:52; 16:34; Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 2:17; 3:1; 4:4; Colossians 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; 1 Peter 1:6,8; 4:13
JUDGING the sins of others (see especially rebuking): John 7:24; Matthew 7:1-6,15-20
JUDGMENT DAY: Matthew 25:31-46; John 12:48; Acts 1:9—11; 10:42; 17:30,31; Romans 2:4- 11; 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:27; 10:26-31; Revelation 20:11-15; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
JUSTICE of men to men: Matthew 23:23; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 56:1; Psalms 33:5; Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Leviticus 19:35,36; John 7:24; Proverbs 17:15
K
KING – Jesus now reigns: Matthew 2:2; 28:18-20; Psalm 110:1-4; Zechariah 6:12,13; Acts 2:30-36; Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 1:3-9,13; 6:20; 7:1; 8:1; 10:12,13; Revelation 1:5
KINGDOM/CHURCH exists: Daniel 2:31-45; Matthew 16:18,19; Mark 1:14,15; 9:1; John 18:36; Acts 1:3-8; 2:1-17,33; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28; Colossians 1:13,14; Hebrews 12:23-29; Revelation 1:9
KNOWLEDGE (see also hear the gospel): John 8:32; Acts 17:11; Joshua 1:8; Hosea 4:6; Hebrews 5:12; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 2:1-20; Psalms 1:2; 119:47,48,97-99; 19:7-11; Matthew 5:6
L
(lascivious – see clothing)
(Law of Moses – see old law)
LIGHT/DARKNESS: Acts 26:18; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 5:8-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4,5; Luke 16:8; John 8:12; 12:35,36; 3:19-21; Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15; 1 John 1:7; 2:11
LORD’S SUPPER: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; 10:16,17; Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-21
LOVE OF BRETHREN: John 13:34,35; 15:12-17; Ephesians 4:2,31-5:2; Philippians 2:2,3; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9,10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8,9; 4:8; 1 John 2:7-11; 3:10-18,23; 4:8-5:3
LOVE – requires obedience: John 14:15,21-24,31; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:6; Hebrews 10:24; 1 John 2:3-6,15-17; 5:2,3; 2 John 5,6; Revelation 3:19
LOVE – importance of: Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 6:27,28,31-33; 10:25-37; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13
LYING/DECEIT: 1 Peter 2:1,22; 3:10; Matthew 15:18-20; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; Revelation 21:8,27; 22:14,15; Proverbs 6:16-19; 19:22; Psalm 24:3-5; 40:4; Exodus 20:16; John 8:44; Acts 5:1-9
M
MAN as head of woman: Genesis 2:18; 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:12-14; 3:4,12; Titus 2:4,5; 1 Peter 3:1-7
MAN as provider (see also wives): Genesis 3:17-19,23; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 5:23,28-31; cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12. Many Bible examples show men employed away from the home in such occupations as shepherd, carpenter, physician, fisherman, merchant, farmer, sailor, preacher, tentmaker, etc.
(masters – see employees and servants)
(materialism – see spiritual and covetousness)
MEEKNESS (see also pride): Numbers 12:3; Matthew 5:5; 11:28-30; Galatians 5:22,23; 6:1; Ephesians 4:2,3; Colossians 3:12,13; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; James 3:13-18; 1:21-25; 1 Peter 3:1-6
MERCY – man to man: Matthew 5:7; 23:23; Luke 10:25-37; 6:36; 15:20; Romans 12:8; 1:31,32; James 2:13; 3:17,18; Philippians 2:1-4
MIRACLES – true vs. fake: Acts 8:5-13; Acts 13:6-12; Exodus 8:17-19; 1 Kings 18:20-40; Daniel 2; Acts 19:11-17
MIRACLES – purpose to confirm: Mark 16:20; John 5:36; 20:30,31; Acts 2:22; 14:3; 2 Corinthians 12:11,12; Hebrews 2:3,4; I Kings 18:36-39; Exodus 4:1-9; 7:3-5; 14:30,31
MIRACLES – purpose fulfilled in Scripture (cf. Jesus’ resurrection)::John 20:29-31; Luke 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 2 Peter 1:12-18; John 8:17
(money, love of – see covetousness)
MURDER (see also abortion, suicide): Genesis 9:2-6; Matthew 15:19,20; Revelation 21:8; 22:15; Romans 13:8-10; Exodus 23:7; 20:13; Proverbs 6:16,17; Deuteronomy 27:25
N
(needy people – caring for – see benevolence)
(negligence – see apostasy – drifting away)
NOT…BUT phrases: John 6:27; 12:44; 1 Cor. 1:17; 15:10; 1 Peter 3:3,4; Mark 9:37; Matt. 10:20; Acts 5:4; 1 Thess. 4:8; Genesis 45:8;
O
OBEDIENCE – complete obedience needed:: Acts 3:22,23; Matt. 4:7; 28:20; James 2:10; John 15:14::
OBEDIENCE required (see also good works): Matthew 7:21-27; 22:36-39; John 14:15,21-24; Acts 10:34,35; Romans 2:6-10; 6:17,18; Hebrews 5:9; 10:39; 11:8,30; Galatians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; James 1:21-25; 2:14-26; Luke 6:46; 1 Peter 1:22,23; 1 John 5:3; 2:3-6
(occult – see witchcraft)
OLD LAW removed: Hebrews 10:1-10; 7:11-14; 8:6-13; 9:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Galatians 3:24,25; 5:1-6; Romans 7:1-7; Ephesians 2:11-16; Colossians 2:13-17
(“once saved, always saved” – see apostasy)
(one church – see unity)
(original sin – see inherited sin)
P
PARENTS – duty to children: Psalm 127:3-5; 128:3-5; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:4
PARTIALITY – favoritism, respect of persons, racism: John 4:9; Luke 10:25-37; James 2:1-13; 3:9; Genesis 1:26,27; 5:1-3; 9:6; Acts 10:15,28,34,35; Romans 2:4-11; 1:16; 10:11-13; Galatians 3:28; 2:11-14; 6:15; Colossians 3:11
PEACE between men: Matthew 5:9; James 3:13-18; Romans 12:18; 14:19; Genesis 13:8; Proverbs 20:3; Psalm 133:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2-6; Galatians 5:19-21
PERSECUTION – suffering it: Matthew 5:10-12; 13:21; John 15:20; 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3; 8:17-39; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 4:17; 7:4; 2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 10:32-36; 1 Peter 2:19-23; 3:14-18; 4:1,15-19; 5:10
(postpone – see promptness)
PRAYER – God answers it: 1 John 5:14,15; 3:21,22; James 5:16; Matthew 7:7-11; 18:19; 1 Peter 5:7; John 14:13,14; cf. 1 Samuel 1:10-28; 7:5-11; 2 Kings 20:1-7; 2 Chronicles 7:11-14
PRAYER – importance of: Acts 2:42; 6:4; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 1:3; 4:2,3; I Thessalonians 5:17
PRAYER – obedience needed for God to answer: James 5:16; I John 3:22; Proverbs 28:9; 15:8,29; Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 1:15-17; 59:1,2
PREACHER SUPPORT: 1 Cor. 9:4-14; 2 Cor. 11:7-9; Phil. 4:14-18; 1 Tim. 5:18; Luke 10:7
PRIDE (see also meekness): Romans 12:3-5; Philippians 2:2-5; Proverbs 6:16-19; 16:5,18; 13:10; 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 1:30,32; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4,5; 2 Timothy 3:2; Luke 14:7-11; Galatians 6:1; Colossians 3:12,13
PRIORITIES (see also spiritual, zeal): Matthew 6:19-33; 10:34- 39; 16:24-27; Romans 12:1,2; John 6:27,63; Luke 12:15-21; 1 Timothy 4:8; 6:6-19; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
(profanity – see speech)
PROMISES – keeping them: James 5:12,4; Romans 1:31,32; Matthew 7:12; Numbers 30:1,2; Proverbs 20:25; Ecclesiastes 5:2-6; Genesis 29:18-28; Malachi 2:13-16; Psalms 37:21
PROMPT obedience: 2 Corinthians 6:2; Psalm 119:60; Jeremiah 8:20; Acts 22:16; 1 Kings 18:21; James 4:13,14; Luke 12:15-21; Proverbs 27:1
Q
R
(racism, see partiality)
REBELLION against God’s will (see also rejecting God’s will): 1 Samuel 15:22; Ezekiel 2:3-7; 3:9; 12:1,2; Daniel 9:5,6; Isaiah 65:2; Deuteronomy 9:23,24
REBUKE – examples of it: Matthew 15:1-14; 22:23-33; chap. 23; John 8:31-47,55; 7:7; Matthew 3:2-10; 14:1-11; Acts 2:14-41; 4:8-12; 5:27-33; 6:9; 7:51-54; 18:24-26,28; 17:1-3; 13:8-11; 15:2-7; Galatians 2:11-14; 1 Timothy 1:19,20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 2:17,18; 3:1-9; 4:10,14f
REBUKE – heeding it: Matthew 5:23,24; 18:15-17; Hebrews 12:5-15; 13:22; Proverbs 15:31,32; 13:18; 18:13; 10:17; 29:1; 19:20; 1 Peter 3:15; John 3:19-21
REBUKE – need for it (see also edify; see also hating sin): Revelation 3:19; Galatians 6:1,2; James 5:19,20; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:2-4
REJECTING God’s will (see also rebellion): Luke 10:16; 7:30; 1 Sam. 15:23; John 12:48; 1 Thess. 4:8; Mark 7:7-13; 2 Sam. 12:7-10; Num. 15:27-31
(rejecting truth – see honest)
REPENT in conversion: Luke 13:3,5; 24:47; Acts 17:30; Matthew 21:28-32; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 20:21; 2 Peter 3:9; 2 Corinthians 7:10
(repentance of erring members – see erring members)
REPUTATION (see also influence): Proverbs 22:1; Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:20,21; 6:3; 1 Peter 3:15,16; 2:11-15; Romans 2:23,24; Philippians 2:15,16; 1 Timothy 6:1; 2 Samuel 12:14; 2 Peter 2:2
(resisting temptation & Satan – see temptation)
(respect of persons – see partiality)
RESTITUTION (see also repent, confess): Ezekiel 33:14,15; Leviticus 6:1-5; Ezra 10:3,11,17,19,44; Matthew 21:28-31; Luke 19:8; Philemon 10-14,18,19
RESURRECTION of Jesus: Romans 1:4; 10:9,10; 6:4-13; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:1-26; Luke 24:44-46; John 20:24-31; Acts 2:23-36; 17:30,31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Peter 1:3,4; 3:21; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 1:19,20; Colossians 2:12,13
RESURRECTION of man: Acts 24:15; Luke 20:27-39; John 6:40-45; 5:21-29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
S
(salvation offered to all – see universal)
SALVATION – things essential to: Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 15:17; Romans 1:16; Acts 11:14; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Romans 8:24; 10:9,10; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Hebrews 5:9; Mark 16:16; Matthew 10:22; Acts 2:47
(second coming – see judgment day)
(servants – see employees)
(sin – see rebellion and rejecting God’s will)
(sin – success in overcoming – see temptation)
SINGING in worship: Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Romans 15:9; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13; Acts 16:25; Matthew 26:30
(slander – see speech)
SPEECH – cursing, profanity: James 3:9-12; Luke 6:27,28; Romans 12:14,17-21; Exodus 20:7; Psalm 111:9; Matthew 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; Mark 7:20-23 (lasciviousness); Ephesians 4:29; 5:4
(speech, lying – see lying)
SPEECH – slander: Psalm 101:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; 5:11; Proverbs 16:28; 26:20; 11:9; Romans 1:30,32; Titus 3:2; 2:3; 1 Peter 2:1,23; 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:3; Exodus 23:1; Psalm 41:5-7; 3 John 9,10; 1 Timothy 6:3,4; 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11; Leviticus 19:16
SPEECH – general: 1 Peter 2:1; Matthew 12:34-37; Ephesians 4:29; James 3:2-8; 1:26; Colossians 4:6; Psalm 141:3; Proverbs 18:21
SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS (see also priorities): Matthew 6:19-34; 10:28,37; 16:24-27; Mark 10:29,30; Luke 10:38-42; 12:15-21; 14:26-33; 18:22-24; John 6:27,63; Romans 2:28,29; 8:1-14; 12:1,2; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-26; 6:7-9; Colossians 3:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:8; 6:6-11,17-19; Hebrews 11:13-16,24-26; James 4:4,13-15; 1 Peter 3:3,4; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 8:5; 10:3,4
(sprinkling/pouring – see baptism)
STEALING: Romans 13:6-10; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Exodus 20:15; Isaiah 6:18; 1 Peter 4:15,16; Titus 2:9,10; Matthew 15:19,20; Psalm 37:21; Ezekiel 33:15
STUBBORNNESS: 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 78:8,10; Ezekiel 3:7-9; Jeremiah 7:23-26; Exodus 8:15,32; Zechariah 7:11-13; 2 Kings 17:14,18; 2 Peter 2:10; Titus 1:7; Hebrews 3:7-13; 4:7-11; 10:23-31; Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:18,19; Romans 2:5
(study – see knowledge and hear the gospel)
(suffering – see persecution, troubles)
SUICIDE examples (see also murder): Judges 9:50-57 (Abimelech), I Samuel 31:3-6 (King Saul), 2 Samuel 17:23 (Ahithophel), I Kings 16:18 (Zimri), Matthew 27:3-5 (Judas Iscariot), Acts 16:27,28 (Philippian Jailer almost committed suicide). Note that all instances were people not faithful to God.
T
TEACH all God’s word: Acts 20:20,27; 3:22,23; 10:33; 5:20 Matthew 4:4 28:20
TEACHERS – all should be: Acts 8:1,4; Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:2,24-26; Hebrews 3:12-14; 5:12-14; 10:24; James 5:19,20; 1 Peter 3:15
TEMPTATION – avoiding (see also influence): Proverbs 4:23; 6:27; 13:20; 22:3; Matthew 5:8; 6:13; 18:8,9; Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Genesis 39:7-12
TEMPTATION – overcoming it: 1 Peter 5:8,9; Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7
THANKFULNESS: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 2:7; 1:12-14; Philippians 4:6-8; 2 Thessalonians 1:3,4; Matthew 15:36; Luke 17:12-18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Romans 1:20-23
TITLES for preachers: Matthew 23:9; Psalm 111:9
(tongue – see speech)
TROUBLES – help given by God and church (see also persecution): Job 1:20,21; James 5:13; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Galatians 6:2; Acts 4:21-24; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Hebrews 13:5,6; Romans 15:4; Philippians 4:6,7; 1 Corinthians 12:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
TRUTH – spiritual: Psalm 19:7-11; 25:4,5; 119:47,48,97,140-143,151; Proverbs 23:23; John 1:14,17; 8:32-36; 14:6; 16:13; 17:17; Romans 2:6-11; Ephesians 1:13; 4:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Timothy 3:15; 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:15,25,26; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 1:22,23
U
(understanding Bible – see Bible – understandable)
UNITY – one church (see also division): John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1:22,23; 5:22-25; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 12:20
UNIVERSAL – salvation offered to all: Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:47; Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:4,6; 2 Peter 3:9; Hebrews 2:9; John 3:16; Acts 10:34,35; Matthew 11:28; Luke 2:10
V
VENGEANCE – evil for evil: Luke 6:27,28,31-33; Matthew 5:21,22,38ff; Romans 12:17-21; Leviticus 19:17,18; 1 Peter 2:21-23; 3:8,9; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Proverbs 24:29
VICTORY of Jesus over Satan: Hebrews 2:9-13; John 16:33; Luke 11:21,22; Revelation 6:2; 19:11-16; 12:10,11; 17:14
VICTORY of Christians through Christ: 2 Corinthians 2:14; James 1:12; Romans 8:31,35-39; Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 4:13; 1 John 4:4; 5:3-5; Revelation 2:10; 3:5; 1 Corinthians 9:24,25; 2 Timothy 4:7,8
W
WARFARE, spiritual: 1 Timothy 1:18; 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5; 2 Timothy 2:3,4; 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-18
WEARINESS, fainting: Galatians 6:9; 2 Corinthians 4:1,16; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 3:13; Hebrews 12:3-11; Proverbs 24:10
WIFE as homemaker (see also man): 1 Timothy 5:9,10,14; Titus 2:5; Psalm 113:9; Proverbs 31:10-31; 7:11,12
WITCHCRAFT & the occult: Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 19:31: 20:6,27; Exodus 7:11,22; 8:7,18,19; Isaiah 8:19,20; Daniel 1:20; 2:1-13,27f; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8; 22:15; Acts 8:9-13; 19:18-20; 13:4-12
WITNESSES – plural witnesses needed to establish historic fact: Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28; Deuteronomy 19:15
WOMEN as teachers: Titus 2:3,4; Proverbs 31:1; 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:5; Acts 18:26; 2:17; 21:9; John 4:28-30,39,42; 1 Corinthians 14:34,35; 1 Timothy 2:11,12
(word, keeping it – see promises)
WORK of the church: 1 Thessalonians 1:8; Acts 11:26; Philippians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 4:15,16; 1 Corinthians 14:15,19,23-26; 16:1,2; 11:17-34; 2 Corinthians 8&9; Acts 4:32-35
WORLD (evil): 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4; 1:27; Romans 12:2; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 1:4; 2:20; Ephesians 2:2; Matthew 13:22; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4
(worship – see specific acts: prayer, singing, Lord’s supper, giving, attendance, etc.)
WORSHIP from sinners, not accepted: 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:16,17; 69:18; Proverbs 21:3,13; 28:9; 15:8,29; 1:24-29; Isaiah 1:11-17; 59:1,2; 58:1-9; Jeremiah 7:22-26; 6:20; 14:10-12; 11:9-14; Micah 3:4; 6:6-8; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Hosea 6:4-9; Matt. 5:24; 9:13; 12:7; Mark 12:33; Ezek. 8:17,18; Zech. 7:11-13; 1 Peter 3:12; John 9:31; Lam. 3:1,8
WRATH of God: Romans 1:18; 2:5-11; 5:6-11; Ephesians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; Colossians 3:6
X
Y
Z
ZEAL, diligence (see also priority): Romans 12:1,2; Matthew 6:19-33; 16:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 15:58; 2 Corinthians 8:5; 5:14,15; Galatians 2:20; Luke 14:25-33
Read more…
The Bible rates health right near the top of the list in importance (3 John 1:2). Man’s mind, spiritual nature, and body are all interrelated and interdependent. God gave health rules because He knows what is best for the body (Deuteronomy 6:24, Exodus 23:25). A bondservant of Christ should eat and drink all to the glory of God – using only “that which is good” (Isaiah 55:2, 1Corinthians 10:31). If God says a thing is not fit to eat, He must have a good reason. He is not a harsh dictator, but a loving Father. All His counsel is for our good, always. So if God withholds a thing from us, it is because it is not a good thing for us (Psalm 84:11). The diet God gave people at the beginning of Creation was fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds (Genesis 1:29, 2:16; 3:18).
These items are unclean and forbidden: All land animals which do not have a split hoof and chew the cud (Deuteronomy 14:6); all fish and water creatures that do not have both fins and scales (Deuteronomy 14:9); all birds of prey, carrion eaters, and fish eaters (Leviticus 11:13-19), and most “creeping things” (or invertebrates) are also unclean (Leviticus 11:21-23, 41-43). Also, if a clean food touches any unclean food, the clean food must not be eaten (Leviticus 7:19, Haggai 2:12-13).
The Bible clearly forbids the use of alcoholic beverages to induce drunkenness (Leviticus 10:9, Deuteronomy 21:10; 29:19, 1Samuel 1:14, 1Kings 16:9-10, Psalm 69:2, Proverbs 20:1; 21:17; 23:20-21,29-35; 26:9; 31:4-7, Isaiah 5:11-12,22; 19:14; 24:9,11; 28:1,3,7; 56:12, Jeremiah 25:27, Ezekiel 44:21, Hosea 4:11; 7:5,14, Joel 1:5; 3:3, Amos 2:8,12, Micah 2:11, Nahum 1:10, Habakkuk 2:5,15-16, Matthew 24:49, Luke 12:45; 21:34, Romans 13:13, 1Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:18, 1 Thes.5:7, 1 Peter 4:7). Strong drink, by itself, is not unclean. It is only when one abuses strong drink that it’s condemned. God himself gave His approval of strong drink (Deuteronomy 14:26), and therefore cannot be evil in itself. At a marriage feast, Jesus performed the miracle of changing water into wine (John 2:1-11), which He would not have done if it was sinful to drink wine. Drunkenness is condemned, not wine.
Some of the simple, yet very important, health laws found in the Bible are to:
* Eat your meals at regular intervals (Ecclesiastes 10:17).
* Don’t overeat (Proverbs 23:2, Luke 21:34).
* Make mealtime a happy time (Ecclesiastes 3:13).
* Don’t harbor envy or hold grudges (Proverbs 14:30, Matthew 5:23,24).
* Maintain a cheerful, happy disposition (Proverbs 17:22; 23:7).
* Balance work and exercise with sleep and rest (Exodus 20:9,10, Ecclesiastes 2:22,23; 5:12, Psalm 127:2).
* Keep your body clean (Isaiah 52:11).
* Be temperate in all things (1 Corinthians 9:25, Philippians 4:5).
* Avoid all harmful stimulants [Note: Medical science has confirmed the fact that coffee, and soft drinks that contain the addictive drug caffeine and other harmful ingredients are all positively damaging to the body]
* Help those who are in need (Isaiah 58:6-8).
* Bury body waste to avoid disease (Deuteronomy 23:12-13). [Note: This is obviously for health reasons, because history and science has shown that if this was not done, diseases would spread and people would die from them]
* Avoid eating animals that were strangled (Acts 15:20,29; 21:25).
* Avoid eating animals that die by themselves (Leviticus 17:15; 22:8, Deuteronomy 14:21, Ezekiel 4:14). Do not boil a young animal in its mother’s milk (Deuteronomy 14:21).
* Do not eat animal fat or blood (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 3:17; 7:23-27; 17:10-14, Deuteronomy 12:16). [Note: Recent scientific studies have confirmed the fact that most heart attacks result from a high cholesterol level in the blood -and that the use of "fats" is largely responsible for this high level. Also, the blood can transfer diseases. Science is just catching up with the Bible. ]
* Put full trust in the Lord (Proverbs 4:20-22; 19:23).
Those who break God’s rules regarding the care of the body machine will reap broken bodies and burned-out lives (Galatians 6:7), just as one who abuses his automobile will have serious car trouble. And those who continue to break God’s laws of health will ultimately be destroyed by the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). God’s health laws are not arbitrary. They are natural, established laws of the universe, like the law of gravity. Ignoring these laws always brings certain disastrous results.
Nothing defiling or unclean will be permitted in God’s kingdom (Revelation 21:27, Ezekiel 11:21). The use of improper foods defile a man (Daniel 1:8). Choosing their “own ways” and that in which God “delighted not” shall be slain by the Lord (Isaiah 66:3-4), especially eating pork & swine’s flesh (Isaiah 66:15-17), because it’s considered rebellion against God.
Sincere bondservant’s of Christ will bring their lives into harmony with God’s rules, because they love Him (2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 John 3:3, John 14:15). God’s counsel and rules are always for our good, just as good parents’ rules and counsel are best for their children. God holds us accountable (James 4:17). The reason for restricting our diet is because we are the holy children of God (Deuteronomy 14:1-3).
Take all of these habits to Christ and lay them at His feet. He will joyfully give you a new heart and the power you need to break any evil habit and become a child of God (Eze.11:18,19). How thrilling and heartwarming it is to know that “with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). Jesus says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Jesus is ready to break the shackles that bind us (John 1:12). He longs to set us free, and will, if only we will permit it. Our worries, evil habits, nervous tensions, and fears will be gone when we do His bidding (Philippians 4:13). He says, “These things have I spoken unto you … that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). The devil says freedom is found in disobedience, but this is a falsehood (John 8:44).
Your Questions Answered
1) “Are health laws and eating and drinking really important to me personally? If I love the Lord, isn’t that enough?”
Answer: They are a matter of life verses death, because these laws involve obedience (Hebrews 5:9, Matthew 7:21, John 14:15). When we truly love the Lord, we will gladly obey Him without dodging or making excuses. This is the supreme test.
2) “What did God make the hog for, if not to eat?”
Answer: He made it for the same purpose that He made the buzzard, shrimp, and crab – as a scavenger, to clean up garbage. They are God’s sewerage disposal system. Contrary to this, the clean beasts are “ruminants.” their bodies are designed to eat things that are unclean (such as a lizard) without taking on that uncleanness into their own flesh (cows for instance, have four compartments in their stomach in which to digest their food in this way). The unclean beasts are not ruminants, so the unclean foods they eat stay in their flesh. Pigs eat excrement, it merges with their flesh, which then enters us.
3) “What health problems does pork pose?”
Answer: First, pork is loaded with saturated fats, the highest meat in fats, and filled with cholesterol. Second, cancer in the pig’s skin, kidneys, the lymphatic system and other internal organs is common. The more cancer affects animals, the more (scientists tell us) that there is potential to affect man. Third, pork products are regularly preserved with nitrates that are known to be cancer-causing compounds. Fourth, pork contributes to numerous digestive and stomach problems. And fifth, Pork contains trichina larvae, and trichinosis can be a major problem, it kills people. You eat the pork, the trichina larvae enter the stomach, and as the eggs hatch in the stomach, they invade muscles and tissues. Sometimes it shows up as rheumatism or arthritis.
4) “Mark 7:18-19 and Matthew 15:11 says, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out.” How do you explain this?”
Answer: If Jesus had intended to do away with the law of unclean meats, His listeners could not have missed the point. If He had made a statement that all foods are now clean, it would have created one of the biggest controversies of His ministry. Did His listeners understand Jesus to he abrogating the Old Testament dietary laws? There were Pharisees present when Jesus made the statement. How would we expect them to respond if Jesus had plainly said that swine’s flesh was good for food? There is not a hint in the account that they understood Jesus that way. If they had, they would not have needed to hire false witnesses against Jesus at His trial (Matthew 26:59-60, Mark 14:56-57). They could have simply charged Him with speaking against Moses and the Law. But no such charge was ever made!
The subject in Matthew 15:1-20 is eating without first washing the hands (verse 2). The focus is not eating, but washing. The scribes taught that eating any food without a special ceremonial washing defiled the eater. Jesus said the ceremonial washings were meaningless. In verse 19, He listed certain evils – murders, adulteries, thefts, etc. Then He concluded, “These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” (verse 20).
5) “What about “Whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake” in 1 Corinthians 10:27?”
Answer: 1 Corinthians 10:25-29 says that “anything that is sold in the market eat, and ask no questions for conscience sake. If an unbeliever invites you [for dinner] and you consent to go, eat whatever is put before you and ask no questions for conscience sake [but, of course, you can ask questions for health sake, and many already do: low sodium diets, fat-free diets, allergies etc.]. But if anyone tells you, ‘This food has been offered in sacrifice’, abstain from eating it for the sake of him who warned you, and for conscience sake – I mean his conscience, not your own”. The point this passage is making is that it is best to courteously warn your host ahead of time as to your food preferences.
Besides, the above passages are in reference only to meats “offered in sacrifice” (1 Corinthians 10:28). Only clean animals were offered in sacrifices, never unclean animals. In the sacrifices, usually only a part of the animal was consumed. The rest was given to the priest or sold again in the market. Anyone might therefore unknowingly purchase meats offered to idols, and Paul was saying that it was okay to eat meat that was offered in sacrifice.
Remember that the apostle Paul was writing to folowers of Christ whose sole “Scripture” was what we term the Old Testament! His teaching to the Corinthian Church was founded on the writings of the Old Testament. They were thoroughly familiar with the division of food into “clean and unclean”! As Paul wrote to Timothy: “Cling to the truths that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing who your teachers were, and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:14-17). With their respect for the Old Testament, it would take some convincing that Paul was telling them to flaunt God’s Laws! Especially in view of Jesus’ attitude to God’s Law – “I have not come to destroy [abolish] the Law” (Matthew 5:17).
6) “1 Timothy 4:4 says, “Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused.” Can you explain this?”
Answer: This Scripture passage refers to meats “which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving” (verse 3). Therefore, it may be presumed that He created things which were not to be received as food. These meats, as we have already discovered, are the meats listed in Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14. Verse 4 makes it clear that all creatures of God are good and not to be refused, provided that they are among those created to “be received with thanksgiving” (the clean animals).
Verse 5 tells the reason why these animals are acceptable foods: because they are “sanctified [set apart] by the word of God.” Where in the Bible are foods “set apart” for consumption? In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Paul did not say that everything created by God was good for food without qualification. This verse also says it is sanctified by a “prayer” of blessing, which is offered before the meal. Please note, however, that God will destroy people who try to “sanctify themselves” while eating unclean foods (Isaiah 66:17).
7) “Some people claim that to abstain from certain meats is a “doctrine of demons”. Is this true?
Answer: There is one reference to this subject in Paul’s letters. It is his warning to Timothy (I Timothy 4:1-5), he said, “Many shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.” One of these “doctrines of demons” is “commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
What, precisely, does this mean? Well, it is important to note that this is not merely a discussion of eating meat. The term, “meat” does not mean animal flesh, but food in general. The Greek word is broma, which means “food”. Upon taking a closer look, this cannot refer to a command not to eat the “unclean meats” of Leviticus 11. If it did, it would be tantamount to calling Leviticus 11 a doctrine of demons! And as we all know, Leviticus 11 is a doctrine of God.
8) “Romans 14:3,14,20 says: “Let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth.” “There is nothing unclean of itself.” “All things indeed are pure.” Can you explain this?”
Answer: Verses 3-6 are a discussion of those who eat certain things versus those who do not. The passage does not say either is right, but rather counsels that neither pass judgment on the other. Instead, let God be the Judge (verses 4,10-12). Verses 14 and 20 refer to foods that were first offered to idols (and were thus ceremonially unclean) – not to the clean and unclean meats of Leviticus chapter 11. (Read 1 Corinthians 8:1,4,10,13). The point of this discussion is that no food is “unclean” or “impure” just because it has first been offered to idols, because an idol is “nothing in the world” (1 Corinthians 8:4). But if a someone’s conscience bothers him for eating such food, he should leave it alone. Or even if it merely offends a brother, he should likewise abstain. Compare the similarity of Romans 14:15 with 1 Corinthians 8:11. Also, compare the use of the term “weak” in Romans 14:1-2 with 1 Corinthians 8:7-12. If you read Acts 15:29; 21:25, you will see it confirms all the above.
9) “Genesis 9:3 says, “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you, even as the green herb have I given you all things.” So didn’t God say all animals are food for them?”
Answer: This is when God first allowed man to eat meats. God did not tell Noah to eat all animals, because this verse likens meat to green herbs, all of which God gave man to eat (Genesis 1:29). We all know there are green plants which are deadly if eaten, and we wouldn’t consider eating them.
God intended for Noah’s family to eat only clean animals, which is why God commanded Noah to gather the clean animals by 7, and the unclean animals by 2 (Genesis 7:2). In fact, if Noah did kill any unclean animal, that species would have ceased to exist, since there were only 2 of each unclean animal. Which is why Noah only used clean animals when making burnt offerings on the altar (Genesis 8:20). Besides, if literally all “moving things“, are meat for us, are not men and women living things? I’m sure you wouldn’t eat your neighbor! We must interpret scripture with scripture (Isaiah 28:9-10).
Even Abel sacrificed “the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions” (Genesis 4:4) and – as with many of the types of sacrifice – it’s likely that he would have eaten a portion of it as part of the “sacrificial fellowship” with God. These sacrifices were of the ‘clean’ animals only, or cattle (Genesis 18:7ff).
10) “But God did not describe which plants are poisonous in Genesis 9:3. He allowed man to discern which plants are good. Likewise, some animals are not good for food, and God allowed Noah and his descendants to discern which were good for food.”
Answer: This is speculation, and contradicts the fact that God has identified these good foods for us in His dietary laws. There is a difference between plants and animals. Plants do not have blood, or a soul. The life (nephesh, which means “soul”) of living creatures is in the blood (Leviticus 17:10-14). This is why this command applies to the “stranger” (all people) as well, and not just to the Jews, and why it was commanded to Noah (Genesis 9:4), before Israel or Jews existed in the world. You see, there seems to be a righteous issue involved here. It is not righteously wrong to eat a plant, because plants have no soul. But “moving creatures” do have a soul, the life of which is in the blood.
11) “Doesn’t the law of unclean foods apply to Jewish people only?”
Answer: There were no Jews in Noah’s day when this restriction was laid by God upon all men (Genesis 7:2,8; 9:3). Ponder this significant fact carefully: if certain animals were identified as unclean before the flood (Genesis 7:2,8); if they were still counted as unclean when Peter rejected them in his vision 10-20 years after Christ’s death (Acts 10:14; 11:8); if they are still called unclean in Revelation 18:2, where it speaks of “unclean” birds; and if Isaiah said that all those who are eating swine (such as pork, ham, bacon, sausages, hot-dogs, baloney, pepperoni) at the coming of the Lord will be consumed with fire (Isaiah 66:15-17), how can we feel that they are now fit to eat? When did they become clean?
Notice this last passage well (Isaiah 66:15-17). God said those who eat unclean meats will be consumed with fire by Him. Also, look at:
Leviticus 20:25, “Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.”
God said anyone who eats unclean meats is abominable!
12) “How did Jesus feel about Swine (Pork)?”
Answer: First, let’s review a principle which appeared often in the ministry of our Lord. He was never wasteful. In fact, He commanded the gathering of all the scraps of food following the feeding of the multitudes. On two occasions, Christ specifically ordered that nothing be thrown away. The Scriptures even detail the exact number of baskets of food which were salvaged from the two mountain-side miracle feedings – twelve and seven. (Luke 9:17, Mark 8:20).
With this firm principle in mind concerning our Lord’s disposition to conserve every tiny bit of edible food, please consider His experience with the inhabitants of Gadara. Jesus had just cast out devils, and transferred them inside a herd of 2000 swine and drowned them (Matthew 8:30-32, Mark 5:11-14, Luke 8:32-33). Keep in mind there was a famine around this time and people were starving (Acts 11:28). Why did Jesus precipitate the wholesale destruction of that valuable herd of animals? Because Jesus did not consider swine to be suitable for food! It is impossible to believe that our compassionate Saviour would needlessly allow such a waste of resources when the hungry and needy were on every side. We can only conclude that Jesus did not view the animals, which His Father had declared an abomination, as acceptable items of diet.
13) “But didn’t God cleanse all animals in Peter’s vision, as recorded in Acts 10?”
Answer: No! In fact, the subject of this vision is not animals, but people. God gave Peter this vision to show him that the Gentiles were not unclean, as the Jews believed. God had instructed Cornelius, a Gentile, to send men to visit Peter. But Peter would have refused to see them if God had not given him this vision, because Jewish law forbade entertaining Gentiles (verse 28). But when the men finally did arrive, Peter welcomed them, explaining that ordinarily he would not have done so, but “God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (verse 28). In the next chapter (Acts 11), the church members criticized Peter for speaking with these Gentiles. So Peter told them the whole story of his vision and its meaning. And Acts 11:18 says, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” So, Peter interprets this vision as pertaining to Gentiles, not animals.
14) “But in Acts 10, how could Peter have understood that the unclean beasts referred to the Gentiles if the unclean beasts in his vision were not literally made clean?”
Answer: Peter understood this vision because the comment from the Holy Spirit in Acts 10:19-20 allowed Peter to finally interpret what his vision meant. Remember, this is a vision, a dream, and a dream does not have to be literally true in order for it to be understood. For example, look at Genesis 37:5-10. When Joseph dreamed that his “sheaf arose, and stood upright”, and his brother’s sheaves bowed down to Joseph’s’ sheaf (verse 7), did his brothers sheaves literally have to bow down to Joseph’s’ sheaf before they understood that the sheaves were symbolic of his brothers? No, of course not. When Joseph dreamed that “the sun and the moon and the eleven stars” bowed down to Joseph (verse 9), did the sun, moon, and stars literally have to bow down to Joseph before they understood that his symbols applied to his mother, father, and brothers? No, of course not. So why would the unclean meats have to be made literally clean before Peter understood these beasts were symbolic of the Gentiles?
15) “I’m still a little confused about this chapter. Can you give a breakdown of Acts 10, verse by verse?”
Acts 10:1-2: Cornelius was a Gentile, but a devout man. He feared God, prayed to God, and wished to know more about God. What this means is that the Holy Spirit called Cornelius to reverence God, because no man can come to God unless the Holy Spirit draws him to God (John 6:44).
Verses 3-6: shows that Cornelius’ desire to be shown the way to salvation was met. God sent him a vision of an angel to instruct him as to whom he should seek to be taught these things: Peter! At this time, Peter would not teach, or have anything to do with, a Gentile. Peter looked on Gentiles as unclean because they didn’t keep the clean food laws, making themselves unclean, abominable, and defiled (Leviticus 11:43). Gentiles were considered as dogs or swine, because they ate all manner of unclean beasts.
But remember, Cornelius was not one who broke God’s Laws. Verse 2 says he was striving to reverence God. Peter was brought up in the Laws of God, and he knew and kept the Dietary Laws of the clean and unclean meats. The angel instructed Cornelius to go to Peter for instruction and knowledge.
Verses 11-14: is the vision. Notice in verse 14 that Peter himself states that he has never eaten anything unclean. This was some 10-20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus taught Peter to eat unclean meats, why had Peter not eaten it?
Verse 15: is still part of the vision, and says, “Do not call anything unclean that God has made clean.” But just what does this vision mean? The vision contained all manner of unclean beasts. Did Peter jump up and down and shout for joy that he could now eat all these cleansed animals?
Verse 17: has Peter still wondering what this vision meant. Peter had no idea what his vision meant at this point. (Some people think they know what this vision means, but let’s have Peter tell us, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit…)
Verse 19-20: While Peter wondered about this vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “three men seek thee.” These three men were the men Cornelius sent to find Peter (verse 8). This comment from the Holy Spirit allowed Peter to finally interpret what his vision meant. We are told the interpretation of this dream. It is made clear in Acts 10:28.
Verse 22: Notice Cornelius is a “just man” and had a good report among the Jews. Anyone living contrary to all or any one of God’s Laws, including the Dietary Laws of the clean and unclean beasts, would not have any good report with any Jew.
Verse 27: Many had come together to hear what Peter had to tell them.
Verse 28: We are told what Peter’s vision actually meant, “…God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” This verifies that it was considered unlawful for a Jew, even one who accepted Jesus as the Messiah and Saviour, to keep company with a Gentile, no matter how observant that Gentile was of God’s Laws. The vision was not to show Peter that all beasts are now clean, but to show that any man, no matter what race or color or nationality he might be, when he turns to Jesus and becomes clean, he is no longer to be considered common or unclean.
Verses 34-35: Again, Peter explains what is commanded thee of God in verse 33. “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Again, confirming that no man is unclean who believes in God.
Verse 48: Peter then “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord”. Before this time, repentance was considered to have only been given to the Jews. Afterwards, it was accepted that God had granted repentance to the Gentile nations as well.
In the next chapter (Acts 11), the church members disputed and criticized Peter for speaking with these Gentiles. So Peter told them the whole story of his vision and its meaning. Acts 11:18 repeats the biblical interpretation of this vision. It says, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” This vision made Gentiles clean, it did not make the unclean beasts clean. We must let scripture interpret scripture.
16) “What was the penalty if one ate an unclean animal?”
Answer: Some sins required people to bathe themselves and their clothes in water (Numbers 19:19-20 – all the washings and sprinklings under Levitical institutions were designed to teach the necessity of the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost – Titus 3:3-7), but at the end of the year, an animal would be killed for those sins (Exodus 30:10, Leviticus 16:34, Hebrews 7:27; 9:7).
As far as eating unclean animals, anyone who came in contact with any thing unclean was to wash their clothes and themselves in clean water, and were considered unclean till the evening (Leviticus 11:24-31), then blood would be shed at the end of the year for those sins as well. However, if somebody touched an unclean animal through ignorance, and he was not aware at the time that it was wicked, then he was guilty (Leviticus 5:2), and he had sinned (Leviticus 5:5), and since he did not wash himself in water that very day, he must now shed the blood of an animal immediately (Leviticus 5:6-13).
Additional thoughts
Obviously somebody has to touch dead bodies, clean up blood after a traffic accident, and treat patients with skin diseases. Breaking the cleanness laws is not automatically a sin, but there are penalties. In ancient times, the usual penalty was that you became “unclean until sunset” (Leviticus 11, Numbers 19). This meant that you were not allowed to enter the Temple that day. This was not a severe penalty, unless you were a priest on duty. This is probably one of the rationalizations that the priest used in the parable of the Good Samaritan when he “passed by on the other side” (Luke 10:31). So uncleanness was a short term inconvenience. However, we can now see that there are also long-term penalties not mentioned in the Bible. For instance touching HIV-infected blood is a major hazard for medical personal.
Conclusion
In the Middle Ages, Jews were accused of sorcery because they escaped many of the sicknesses that afflicted others. It is now known that this was because they observed the laws of “cleanness”. The laws of uncleanness also include other (obvious to us) instructions such as avoiding contact with blood, contaminated water, skin diseases, rats and fleas, and not touching dead bodies. Isn’t it logical that a God who created and loves mankind will also have given guidance on the best “fuel” for his body?
Unclean meats of the Bible
Land Creatures
* Swine – Boar, Peccary, Pig (Hog), Bacon, Ham, Lard, Pork.
* Canine – Coyote, Dog, Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wolf.
* Feline – Cat, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Panther, Tiger.
* Equine – Donkey, Horse, Mule, Onager, Quagga, Zebra.
* Miscine Munimus – Badger, Coney, Hare, Monkey, Opossum, Porcupine, Raccoon, Skunk, Squirrel.
* Miscine Maximus – Bear, Camel, Elephant, Gorilla, Hippo, Kangaroo, Lama, Rhino, Wallaby, Chevrotain.
Water Creatures
* Fish – Catfish, Eel, Marlin, Shark, Sturgeon.
* Hard Body – Abalone, Clam, Crab, Crayfish, Lobster, Mussel, Prawn, Oyster, Scallop, Shrimp.
* Soft Body- Cuttlefish, Jellyfish, Limpet, Octopus, Squid.
* Sea Mammals – Dolphin, Otter, Seal, Walrus, Whale.
* Others – Crocodile, Turtle, Frog, Newt, Salamander, Toad, Lizard.
Air Creatures
* Albatross, Bat, Bittern, Condor, Cormorant, Crane, Crow, Cuckoo, Eagle, Flamingo, Grosbeak, Gull, Hawk, Heron, Kite, Lapwing, Loon, Osprey, Ostrich, Owl, Woodpecker, Pelican, Penguin, Plover, Raven, Stork, Swallow, Swan, Swift, Vulture, Water Hen.
Clean meats of the Bible
Land Creatures
* Cattle – Beef, Hamburger, Veal.
* Sheep – Lamb, Mutton.
* Others – Antelope, Buffalo (Bison), Caribou, Deer (Venison), Elk, Gazell, Giraffe, Goat, Hart, Ibex, Moose, Reindeer, Locust.
Water Creatures
* Anchovy, Bass, Bluefish, Carp, Cod, Croppie, Flounder, Grouper, Grunt, Haddock, Halibut, Herring, Mackerel, Minnow, Perch, Pickerel, Pike, Rockfish, Salmon, Shad, Smelt, Snapper, Sole, Steelhead, Sunfish, Tarpon, Tuna (Albacore, Bonita, Yellowtail).
Air Creatures
* Chickens, Dove, Duck, Goose, Grouse, Guinea Hen, Partridge, Peacock, Pheasant, Pigeon, Songbird, Sparrow, Quail, Turkey.
Exodus 15:26, “…if thou wilt indeed hear the voice of the LORD thy God, and do things pleasing before him, and will hearken to his commands, and keep all his ordinances, no disease…shall I bring upon thee, for I am the LORD thy God that heals thee.”
Exodus 23:25, “And thou shalt serve the LORD thy God, and I will bless thy bread and thy wine and thy water, and I will turn away sickness from you.”
Deuteronomy 7:12,15, “And it shall come to pass when ye shall have heard these ordinances, and shall have kept and done them, that…the LORD thy God shall remove from thee all sickness.”
Psalm 103:2-4 (Psalm 102:2-4 – LXX), “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His praises. Who forgives all thy transgressions, who heals all thy diseases; He redeems thy life from corruption; who crowns thee with mercy and compassion.”
Jeremiah 30:17 (Jeremiah 37:17 – LXX), “For I will bring about thy healing, I will heal thee of thy grievous wound, saith the LORD.”
Read more…
Introduction To Spiritual Discipline
INTRODUCTION
1. In 1Ti 4:7, we find Paul exhorting Timothy to…
a. “exercise yourself toward godliness” (NKJV)
b. What does this mean?
2. Compare other translations…
a. “train yourself for godliness” (ESV, NET)
b. “train yourself to be godly” (NIV, NLT)
c. “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (NASB)
3. Consider what some commentators have written…
a. “cultivate piety, and seek to become more holy” – Barnes
b. “Timothy is told that as an athlete trains his body, so the
Christian must train his soul.” – Barclay
c. “Such exercise involves reading and studying the Bible, prayer,
meditation…” – BBC
4. The value of such spiritual exercise is seen in 1Ti 4:8…
a. “godliness is profitable for all things”
b. “having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to
come”
[The disciple, therefore, is to engage in various "exercises" or
"disciplines" that cultivate godliness or piety. In this series, we
shall take a look at such "Disciplines For The Disciple." But in this
lesson, some introductory thoughts regarding...]
I. THE CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
A. DEFINITION OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE…
1. In general terms, discipline means:
a. “any training intended to develop moral character, or
produce a pattern of behavior.”
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discipline
b. “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental
faculties or moral character – Merriam-Webster
2. Regarding spiritual disciplines in particular:
a. “A spiritual discipline is, when practiced faithfully and
regularly, a habit or regular pattern in your life that
repeatedly brings you back to God and opens you up to what
God is saying to you.”
- http://www.spirithome.com/spirdisc.html
b. “Spiritual disciplines can be described as behaviors that
facilitate spiritual growth.”
- http://www.wcg.org/lit/spiritual/group/discip1.htm
– Spiritual disciplines, then, are spiritual exercises that one
engages in habitually which bring one closer to God and thus
become more godly in character and behavior
B. EXAMPLES OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES…
1. Prayer – in which one spends time talking to God – e.g., Dan
6:10; Col 4:2
2. Meditation – in which one contemplates on God’s Word, or other
things worthy of such attention – cf. Ps 1:1-2; Php 4:8
3. Fasting – usually accompanied with prayer, in which one
abstains from food – e.g., Neh 1:4; Ac 13:2-3; 14:23
4. Singing – through which one can praise God and be edified
- e.g., Ps 71:23; Ac 16:25
5. Giving – by which we can please God and be blessed – cf. He 13:16; Ac 20:35
6. Assembling – where we can exhort one another – cf. Ps 122:1;
He 10:24-25
7. Hospitality – showing kindness to strangers, which often
results in a blessing – cf. He 13:2
8. Teaching – which usually benefits the teacher more than the
student – cf. He 5:12-14
– Such spiritual activities help to discipline or train one to be
more godly
[We shall examine these more carefully in future lessons. But to
appreciate the importance of spiritual disciplines for those who call
themselves disciples of Christ, let's review...]
II. THE CONCEPT OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. THE WORD “DISCIPLE”…
1. Literally means a learner
2. It denotes “one who follows another’s teaching” – Vine
3. A disciple was not only a learner, he was also an adherent
– For such reasons, disciples were spoken of as imitators of
their teachers
B. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE…
1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like the teacher – Lk 6:40
2. To be Christ’s disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
3. This coincides with God’s goal in the redemption of mankind,
that they be conformed to the image of His Son – Ro 8:29
– Since Jesus is the Son of God, the goal of a disciple is to be
more godly
CONCLUSION
1. Are you a disciple of Christ…?
a. Jesus wants you to become His disciple – Mt 28:19-20
b. Jesus wants you to become like Him – Lk 6:40
2. With the aid of spiritual disciplines, we are more likely to become
what Jesus wanted…
a. For Jesus Himself often taught His disciples to engage in such
activities
b. Through both precept and example, Jesus taught His disciples
regarding such activities
If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then I trust that this series,
“Disciplines For The Disciple” will be of special to interest to you.
Remember what Paul wrote to Timothy…
“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself
toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but
godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the
life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful
saying and worthy of all acceptance.”
- 1Ti 4:7-9
Read more…
When Jesus was physically on earth He had asked people to believe in Him and follow. Jesus said to His disciples that He was going to leave and go back to where He came from, Heaven (John 3:13; 6:38.) But He would not leave us without a Helper; he called Him the comforter, (another like himself). In Jn.14:16 Jesus says to the disciples, soon to be apostles of the church “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” John 16:13-14 “ when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” The Spirit hears’ things from Jesus; this is a personal communication (in the same manner as Christ did with the Father in John 3.32; 7.16, 8.38, 12.49), and the Spirit delivers it to man which is also personal communication. The main way is through the Scriptures the apostles were appointed to write.
God is willing to help us, he’s not hiding. He wants to be involved in all aspects of our life. Before we are saved God is there working through the Holy Spirit He sent “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:8-9). Once someone believes they are a sinner they can turn to Jesus for forgiveness.
For the unbeliever the Holy Spirit has a ministry of leading them to the Son. He has been sent to convince unbelievers of sin, righteousness and judgment. Sin-To show they are sinful, having fallen short of God’s standard. Righteousness- To convict them of not having a righteousness of their own to be accepted by God, but in need of God’s righteousness that he freely gives through accepting the gospel. This righteousness is only found only in Christ. And judgment- in that there is more than meets the eye, that there is a time they will have to answer for how they lived their life. There is a hereafter, as eternity is in our hearts. We know that there is more than just a physical life
To sum this up simply- the first work of the spirit is to show one that they sin and are in need of a righteousness that they do not possess. As His work progresses eventually one will hear about Jesus Christ who forgives sin, the gospel so they can be saved.
He is to have a moral influence on our live and thus produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the executor of God’s nature. He is the source of the new birth and brings out the nature of Christ in the individual believer. He conforms us to the nature of Jesus, who is God as well as the ultimate human. He reveals the nature of God by transforming believers to be like him. His indwelling restores the image of God in man that became damaged by the fall, now we can reflect God’s moral qualities and characteristics as He intended. The Fruit of the spirit is only displayed when we walk in the spirit. All these qualities are reflective of Jesus Christ who was seen in the flesh.
For the one who believes in the gospel (1Cor.15:1-4) the Spirit is immediately given as the seal of ones justification or right standing in the New Covenant. They are cleared of all guilt before God and start with a new slate. Eph 1:13 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
1 Cor. 12:13-14 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body– whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free– and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” We are put in the spiritual body of Christ and we partake of the Holy Spirit who now resides in us, literally.
This is all completed by faith Eph. 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love”
Rom 8:9 “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” As we have just read to be baptized into Christ by the Spirit, however there is still water baptism. One should be water baptized as soon as possible. Water baptism is the seal of the New covenant. Just as Circumcision was for the Abrahamic Covenant and The Sabbath for the Mosaic covenant.
Because we now have the helper with us, in us, life is going to radically change. 2 Cor 6:16 “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 1 Cor 3:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Cor 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you” Rom 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you”
Every believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) and the Holy Spirit is the anointing given (1 John 2:27). Thus every believer is “anointed” with the Holy Spirit. All believers have the Holy Spirit otherwise they have not been born again. If a believer has the Spirit, he has all of the Spirit, because God is not divisible. However how we die to self and not be attracted to the world and the flesh, and cooperate in obedience to the Lord will dictate how much He can use our life. Jesus promises John 7:38-39 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Man was originally made in the image of God but it is passed down to us corrupted. The Lord restores the moral nature that man had lost in the garden from Satan’s temptation by having the Holy Spirit sent to live in ALL believers. He has the same nature as Jesus, but His purposes are not the same. He is to comfort us; guide us; lead us into truth by explaining the Word; convict us of sin, and conform us to the image of the Son as we go through trials and suffering. His work is mostly moral, restoring holiness, the image of God in man. We are to become like Jesus in His moral likeness, having His character and bear his fruit. We are predestined “to be conformed to the image of His Son” For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).
This process can be at times painful and a learning experience depending how much we cooperate with him along the way. Trials are sent to build up our faith and teach us to trust in the God we now have a personal relationship with.
We don’t have to strive for more of Him, what we need to do is to give Him more of us. If you try to have more requirements to make you holy or you need more of the spirit, “another baptism”, anointing, you are seeking it the wrong way. All that we need are already in the believer’s possession. It’s not that we need more of the Spirit, but that he needs more of us! “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Those things consist of two main things.
1) The Holy Spirit
Rom 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 5:5)
2) The Scripture
2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Eph. 5:18-19 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” This a word that means to be continually filled, under the Spirits control. To be filled with the Spirit is a daily thing it involves our dying to self and allowing God to clean out and control those areas that were once dictated by our fallen nature and the devil. We have a song in our heart and it is a continual praise to God for what He has done and is currently doing. I’m not the same person I once was and I’m still being changed into His Son’s image. The Holy Spirit is the executor of God’s nature, we become subject to the law of the Spirit. He becomes our direct instructor not the Old Testament commandments in the Mosaic covenant. He is the source of the new birth and brings out the nature of Christ in the individual believer. He conforms us to Jesus on a daily basis. Jesus represented God the Father perfectly as God the Son in human flesh- He is God as well as man, the ultimate human being. God alone is Holy and so Jesus reveals the nature of God by transforming His children to be like Him in nature. To be walking in the spirit means you are spiritual, you are living a spiritual not carnal life. This means you are allowing God’s word to mold your life you are not listening to a voice that would sound like God to lead you and is contrary to the scripture.
In Eph 2:8-10 Paul explains that “by grace you have been saved through faith, and tells us it is “not of works” but he goes on in the next verse “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God’s first priority is to change us into the image of His Son that we can be used for his kingdom. This is an ongoing process called sanctification (Rom 15:16; 1Cor 6:11; 1Pet 1:2.) He will remove the boulders first before he removes the rocks and pebbles. We are to do good works that our Father may be glorified to the world and they may know whom we serve. The Holy Spirit helps us, prompts us to do good works. This of course is nothing new and was instructed under the covenant of the law Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
We are to be aware that we represent the Son to others around us, we become living epistles to the world. The image of God in man that became damaged by the fall is restored and able to reflect God’s moral qualities and characteristics. From this they can know that Jesus is alive and His word is true.
It is by yielding and surrendering to His guidance throughout the day that we do not walk in the flesh.
The way God gets rid of sin in the life of a believer is by getting rid of the sinner, getting rid of us, our self must decrease for Him to increase. If someone tries to get rid of sin by concentrating on the sin it will never go. Everyone has something to improve on. The only way to have victory is not by concentrating on the sin, but by putting it to death. The sinner with his sin must die to it and live to Christ in resurrection power of the Spirit. If you walk in the Spirit that problem will fall away by itself because you are using the solution ,not concentrating on the problem. The focus is Christ not the sin itself. We may be aware of it but our eyes and faith must be on Christ.
The Lord asks “Be ye holy as I am holy.” The only way possible is that he takes your sin and gives you his righteousness to your account and walk in the new nature. This is done by picking up your cross daily and dying to ourselves. Our part is Rom 8:13 “… by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, then you will live.” Since the old nature must be put aside for the new nature to rule.” 2 Cor. 4:10 (NIV) “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” As Christ was dead to sin we consider our old nature dead, so the life of Christ can be seen by all. As Jesus said we must pick up our cross daily and die to self.
Jesus’ solution to overcome sin Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” By doing this we live a spiritual life. We suppress or have our old nature dies and the new nature rules in us daily. By practicing this we are continually changed and become victorious. Romans 6:11-13 (Weymouth) …You must regard yourselves as dead in relation to sin, but as alive in relation to God, because you are in Christ Jesus. Let not Sin therefore reign as king in your mortal bodies, causing you to be in subjection to their cravings; and no longer lend your faculties as unrighteous weapons for Sin to use. On the contrary surrender your very selves to God as living men who have risen from the dead, and surrender your various faculties to God, to be used as weapons to maintain the right.
To increase our faith means hearing the word- it is our instruction in truth. The spirit will never lead us away from the word but in it. The Bible presents the way to become mature in the faith is by reading the Word, gaining understanding and living it, fleshing it out. This is where the struggle is, our allowing the Spirit to take what God has said and change us from the inside, so it affects us in our spirit (and mind) first and it changes our ways of living. It is worn on the outside for others to see what we believe on the inside..
We need to submit to His teaching and guidance from the word. Remember the Holy Spirit is sent to glorify Jesus. How will he do this? By having us understand what Jesus said. He will lead us into the truth. We are to be submissive to Him, just as Jesus gave the example in Phil. 2:5, although He himself was God He willingly was submissive to the Father. The same mind that was in Christ is to be in us, we are to have an attitude of humility, as he was under submission so are we.
The first thing I recommend to any new believer is to get grounded in the basics of Christianity. To learn the core doctrines and get some of your questions out of the way, these are often offered at churches and called foundation classes. If you do not lay a good foundation what you build on it in the coming years will not be straight. I have seen to many people backslide or become stale because they did not build right. It makes a huge difference in their growth as well as immune them to deception that is increasing in these last days.
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Tip 1: Give Yourself a Dry Brush Exfoliation
A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you'll need a soft, natural bristle brush.
Tip 2: Rev Up Your Digestion
In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system.
People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced "good" vs. "bad" bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are:
• Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation.
• Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.
Some suggestions:
1. Add Whole Grains - Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
2. An Apple a Day - Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
3. Eat Cauliflower
4. High-fiber snacks - Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
5. Try a "Prune Power" Smoothie - Prunes are a great source of fiber.
6. Eat Beans and Legumes - Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
7. Ground Flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge.
Tip 3: Invigorate Sluggish Circulation
Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. Here are some quick suggestions:
• Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.
• Book a massage therapy appointment.
• Close your door and stretch.
• Go to the gym.
• Start each morning by stretching.
• Get a skipping rope.
Tip #4: Avoid Excess Sugar
Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag.
• Try This - It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you're going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you'll be surprised at how far you've come!
Tip #5: Eat Some Good Fats
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats:
• Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for cooking.
• Cold water fish - Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea.
• Supplements - Consider fish oil supplements.
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Everyone is searching for ways to lose weight and become healthier. Fortunately there is one proven way, and it is to eat healthy. Below see 10 helpful hints.
1. Eat grains such as high fiber cereal, oatmeal, grits, etc. It is important to have a high fiber diet to keep the body cleansing regularly. Also these carbohydrates start up your calorie burning machine. This is why fiber cereals are recommended for breakfast in most healthy eating plans.
2. Eat dark green leafy vegetables daily; such as; spinach, romaine lettuce, dark cabbage, kale and other greens. Dark vegetables are high in fiber and have many nutrients and vitamins that are needed for the body to function at a healthy level, and they are low in calories. Because dark vegetables consist of a large percent of water you can indulge and still loose weight.
3. Eat at least 4 times each day, five when trying to loose weight. By eating often you won't have the opportunity to get hungry and overeat. Secondly smaller meals are easier for the body to digest, burn off fat and unwanted calories. Because of how our bodies are designed if you do not feed your body it will go into survival mode and hang onto extra weight versus releasing it.
4. Use portion control to loose weight. Never overeat. Put the appropriate portion of food on your plate. You have to know your portions, for example; steak or chicken should only be 4-5oz., most cooked carbs only 1/2 cup, fresh green vegetable because they consist of a high percent of water you can have 1 cup or more.
5. Read labels. They contain valuable information, such as; how many grams of sugar, sodium, carbs, calories, how much equals 1 serving, etc. Labels are your best friend. If you don't understand them it will be hard to loose weight.
6. Eat breakfast everyday. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When a healthy breakfast is eaten it begins the calorie burning machine for the day. Whole grain and oatmeal is highly recommended because it gets the metabolism working.
7. Eat Fresh fruit but, be selective on fruits eaten. Some fruits such as ripen bananas are extremely high in sugar and may be a detriment to your goals, but fruits like blue berries have antioxidants and help build your immune system and are low in calories.
8. Write down everything eaten, keep a journal. It is important to record everything that you eat. It allows you to see exactly what you are putting in your mouth all day long. It gives you better insight on why you may not be loosing weight. You must record everything that you eat, what time and how much eaten.
9. Don't snack while watching TV. When you eat in front of the TV there maybe very little connection on how much your mouth is taking in. This leads to overeating.
10. Don't eat empty calories. If you want to loose weight, make every calorie count. Some foods have great value, while others taste good but have no nutritional value and lots of calories. Know the difference.
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D-M.A.U.B., first of all what's the meaning of the name?
Dedicated, Making All Underestimaters Believers! I feel that's what I am here to do. Help people come to believe in Christ Jesus.
How did you come up with the name? What was the process like?
When I was yet saved, I owned a 1978 Cougar. A big, long car! I used to drive real fast, weaving in and out of traffic so my friends used to say "Man...you be 'mobbin' this big car"! So, the name stuck with me. But i wanted to spell it different. But it didn't mean anything until I gave my life to the Lord, then he allowed me to come up with the meaning.
The new album "Urban Legend," why that title?
Since I am from the "urban" areas in my city, I understand that God has enabled me with a way of presenting the gospel to a people who have a "boxed up" mentallity so they can relate to the message. My message and the delivery of my music targets those individuals. That's where 'Urban' comes from. Now 'Legend' is simply because I represent God, who's word is legendary. It has always been here, and will always be. So, since He lives in me, that makes me an "Urban Legend".
What are the goals you want to accomplish with "Urban Legend"? I really want to minister to the unsaved with this project. Not saying that I don't want to edify the body, but the focus is more on people who tend to shy away from the Lord believing that they don't have a chance to gain a relationship with Him because of their lifestyle. I let them understand that I have been where they are and He gave me a chance just like He is willing to give them.
What's the creative process like for a song?
First I listen to the beat, then I pray, then after that, I try to think of concepts that fit the production. After I get the concept, the hook is soon to follow, and the rest is HIStory!
Being creative can be challenging, but I like to think of different ways to deliver the message so that the listeners will be attracted to the song. When trying to come up with a different style, I just think out the box...I think weird or funny stuff! LOL!
Describe your music in one word.
Diverse
What's you favorite song off the album "Urban Legend" and why?
"in the BEGINNING i knew EVERYTHING about the END". That song is very creative in my opinion. I have never witten anything like it. You have to pay close attention to the song to get the whole meaning behind it. At the end of the song I tell the listeners that "God is the 'BEGINNING', He's my 'EVERYTHING' and He is the 'END'. So, in the verses, you have to replace those words with 'God', and then it becomes a two fold song. You have to apply that rule to the hook as well as the title of the song.
How did you start rapping?
I started when I was 2 maybe 3 years old. My dad told me that when rap music first came out, he played the "Sugar Hill Gang" over and over in my grandfather's basement where he used to rehearse. He said that one day he took me with him to an event in Kentucky and out of nowhere I recited the whole song! He told me that he didn't even realize I was paying attention! As I got older, around the age of 10, I started to write my own songs. My dad gave me a keyboard when I was 12 and I started producing my own music. Ever since then...I have been in love. :-)
Do you still produce your own music?
No. I stopped producing after my 1st solo album, "Tymeline". After that, I just wanted to really focus on my writing. Plus, I didn't think I was a great producer! LOL! I just did what I had to do at the time to get the ball rolling.
I'm getting that bug again though, so, you might hear some production coming from me in the future.
When you got saved how did you make the transition to Christian Hip Hop? Was it evident to do?
The transition wasn't that difficult for me. I had a friend by the name of Lazarus who started doing it and he really paved the way for almost every christian rap artist in Cincinnati. He started a lable and I did the production for him. I didn't know that you could do gospel rap until I seen him do it. Then I met another cat by the name of L.G. Wise who showed a lot of love to us. After seeing them do it, I knew that it was meant for me because music was something that I loved to do.
God just use them and many others to show me that He gave me the gift and I could use it to glorify Him.
Photo by Philip Rood
What new projects are you working on?
I am working on a EP entitled "The Follow Up" due out 6/1/09. Also, just doing a ton of features for some projects coming out this year.
How many projects do you have available and where can you purchase them?
I have 5 out right now and you can purchase them all from my website. A few of them are on iTunes as well. My website is www.OneRouteEntertainment.com
Any last words?
I would like to thank everyone who supports me and my ministry, encourage you all to continue to seek God in all that you do and don't worry about nothing, but pray about everything.
Read more: "Rapzilla.com - Interview - D-M.A.U.B." - http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/content/view/1447/107/#ixzz0Fp3NB56f&ARead more…
Three years after government-backed Arab militias known as "Janjaweed" began burning villages and conducting large-scale massacres in the Darfur region, the Sudanese authorities and rebel forces are moving at a painfully slow rate toward peace. In the meantime, a situation the U.S. State Department has called "genocide" has left some 2 million people displaced and hundreds of thousands dead. A well-meaning but ill-conceived peacekeeping mission by the African Union has failed to stop the massacres and destruction of villages. Now the UN Security Council, in spite of reluctance on the part of China and Russia, is calling for greater UN and NATO involvement in the crisis, against the wishes of the government in Khartoum.
What is the background of the Darfur crisis, and who are the main players?
African farmers and Arabic nomads long have competed for limited resources in western Sudan's Darfur region, particularly following a prolonged drought in 1983. Meanwhile, the Muslim government in the north was engaged in a civil war with rebels in the Christian/animist south. The Sudanese government funded Darfur's Arab militias—which came to be known as the "Janjaweed," or "armed horsemen"—to keep the rebels at bay. This enflamed Arab-African tensions in Darfur and, as a Council Special report says, the regime of President Omar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir transformed a competition for scarce resources "into a large-scale violent confrontation tinged with serious racial and ethnic overtones."
The current crisis in Darfur began in February 2003, just after the government began peace negotiations to resolve the civil war with the south. The loosely aligned Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels attacked government targets in central Darfur and demanded autonomy. After a ceasefire mediated by Chadian President Idriss Déby between the government and rebel groups fell apart in December 2003, Khartoum used the Janjaweed militias to attack the villages populated by African Masalit, Fur, and Zaghawa peoples. The SLM/A and JEM draw much of their support from these groups. Although these African ethnic groups are mostly Muslim, they practice a form of the religion that is infused with Sufism and animism, and is held in contempt by the Arab Islamic government of Khartoum. "The ethnic cleansing in Darfur is a combination of wanting to convert Muslims who are looked on as going astray and driving them off the land," says Robert Collins, an expert in African history at the University of Santa Barbara, California.
What is the state of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur?
Since the beginning of the conflict, almost 2 million Darfurians—a third of the region's population—have been internally displaced as a result of the systematic destruction of villages; some 200,000 refugees have fled to neighboring Chad. An estimated 350,000 people in the region have died as a result of violence, disease, and starvation, according to a report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Sexual violence is rampant and UN Undersecretary General Jan Egeland told the Security Council in 2005 that "rape is systematically used as a weapon of warfare." The UN World Food Program announced that, starting in May, it will be forced to make drastic cuts in food rations in Sudan because of a severe funding shortage. According to a February Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, the Janjaweed have also crossed over the border into Chad to attack civilians.
Complicating matters, says International Crisis Group Senior Advisor John Prendergast, is the fact that, over the past year and a half, the rebel groups have become fragmented under "the strain of a failing rebellion combined with active recruitment and payoff by the Khartoum regime, [leading to] more infighting and more 'warlord-ism' on the ground in Darfur in rebel-controlled territories."
As a result of the humanitarian disaster in Darfur, human rights organizations such as HRW, the Save Darfur Coalition, and the ICG have called for greater international pressure on the Sudanese government to put an end to the massacres and destruction of villages.
What is the international presence in Sudan?
The African Union (AU), a regional organization comprising fifty-three African nations, sent monitors to oversee the 2003 peace negotiations. After those talks failed in 2004, the African Union sent around 3,000 troops to protect the observers there and provide security. There are now about 7,000 AU soldiers in Darfur, which many experts say falls short of the actual security presence needed. The African Union has continued to mediate in peace negotiations—now in their seventh round after two years—between the government in Khartoum and the Darfur rebels, but the SLM/A and JEM refused to sign the AU's latest proposed peace agreement by the April 30 deadline at talks in Abuja, Nigeria. Prendergast says the AU's peace proposal "was so biased to the government's [side] that it would have been tantamount to unilateral surrender" on the part of rebel groups, adding that the best hope to protect civilians would be to deploy UN forces backed by NATO logistical support.
What role is the United Nations playing in Darfur?
The UN Security Council has praised the AU's efforts in Darfur, but called for a transition by September 30 to UN-led, largely African peacekeeping troops. Part of the reason for the lengthy transition, says Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Roberta Cohen, is the difficulty of moving some 20,000 troops into the remote region. Although Bashir's government has voiced opposition to the presence of UN troops in Sudan, claiming that a UN presence would call into question the nation's sovereignty, Prendergast predicts, with strong diplomacy and pressure, "they will accept UN forces there."
The UN Security Council also declared in April 25 travel and financial sanctions against four Sudanese nationals accused of war crimes related to Darfur. Two of the individuals were from the rebel groups, one was a former Sudanese air force head, and the fourth was a pro-government militia leader.
What are China’s and Russia’s positions on Darfur?
"China seems in many respects quite oblivious to anything but its need for energy in regard to Sudan," says Cohen. She attributes the failure of China and Russia to oppose Khartoum's role in the devastation in Darfur as being related to those two countries' economic interests in Sudan. China, as a CFR Background Q&A notes, bought 50 percent of Sudan's oil exports in 2005, and Russia has a history of selling arms to Khartoum's government. But Cohen also says it is in both countries' interests for there to be peace in Sudan. Hence, they have therefore abstained rather than vetoed UN resolutions that include the recent sanctions against Sudanese nationals.
What has been the U.S. role in Darfur?
In September 2004, then-U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said "genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility." The United States, along with the United Kingdom, has been active in pressuring for a greater UN role in Sudan, and has also taken part in recent peace negotiations. U.S. and British officials, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, headed to Abuja to support AU negotiations after the latest round of peace talks foundered. And two days before recent rallies calling for increased international attention on Darfur took place in Washington, Bush met with Darfur advocates and called for an expansion of peacekeeping forces under UN leadership.
But in spite of U.S. pleas for an end to the genocide, experts note the United States will not be sending troops or making the conflict a policy priority. "It's not going to happen because we're already mired down in one Muslim country and the Muslim world would be furious if we took action in Sudan," says Collins, referring to the U.S. campaign in Iraq. As Gene B. Sperling, a CFR senior fellow, recently wrote, after President Bush's February call for doubling peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, "the White House immediately seemed to downplay Bush's comments." Adds Cohen: "Sudan is not a main strategic interest for the United States."
Do experts expect a resolution to the crisis?
Some are cynical about the UN's ability to maintain peace in the region. "I really hate to say this, but a year from now—two years, three years—Darfur will be like it is today," says Collins. But Prendergast says deployment of UN troops to protect Darfurians “would be a great advance.” Any compromise agreed upon by Khartoum must recognize Sudan's diversity, experts say. "A peaceful future for Sudan," Cohen says, "is going to be about power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and realizing that the country is multi-religious and multi-ethnic."
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Then Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat. Mark 6:31 (NLT)
Jesus experienced enormous stress and pressure, yet it didn't seem to disturb his peace of mind. In spite of opposition, constant demands, and little privacy, his life reflected a calm sense of balance.
If you want to be stressed do the opposite of what Jesus did.
1. Let others press you into their molds. (John 8:12)
Don't try to know who you are. Try to be someone you really aren't. That will give you lots of stress. Jesus, on the other hand, told the people who he was eighteen times.
2. Try to please everyone. (John 5:30)
You can't please everyone. Even God doesn't! When you get "Person A" happy, then "Person B" will be upset with you. Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure you without your permission.
3. Wing it. Don't sweat the details. (John 12:27)
Jesus said, "...it was for this very reason I came..." (NIV) He had priorities based on his focus. Wing it all the time, put off planning, and one day you will sweat it. Preparation prevents pressure, but procrastination produces it. You work by either priorities or pressures.
4. Try to do a lot of things at one time. Multitask as much as possible. (Luke 4:42-44)
You can't chase two rabbits at the same time! Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted because he knew his primary goal. In fact, He sometimes turned distractions into opportunities to accomplish his goal.
5. Do everything yourself because other people are a pain and get in the way. (Mark 3:14)
We get tense when we feel it all depends on us. Jesus enlisted twelve disciples. Don't allow trying to be perfect, or the fear that others may not do a good enough job, keep you from involving others in the task.
6. Prayer time is a waste of time. Don't stop thinking about the things you have to and want to do. (Mark 1:35)
No matter how busy Jesus got, he made time to be alone to pray. A daily prayer time is a great stress reducer. Use this time to talk to God about your pressures and problems. Through reading your Bible you will evaluate your priorities, and discover peaceful living.
7. Work is the most important thing. Don't stop till you drop. (Mark 6:30-31)
Balance is the key to stress management. Jesus balanced work with fun and rest.
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The original sin of Adam affected mankind in three ways — spiritually, morally, and physically. Christ came as Savior of the world to save humanity from these threefold effects of sin. Therefore, when we by faith receive Christ as our Savior, we are to surrender to His transforming grace in all these three areas.
While we will not experience total salvation from the effects of sin until the second coming of Christ, in this study we will consider what the Bible has to say about our bodies and how we should take care of them while we wait for His return. This, too, is part of Christian living.
When Eloihim Placed Adam in the garden and made him the steward over all creation, he gave his “manager” specific instructions. From the beginning the “great deceiver” has tricked mankind in to thinking and teaching that GOD did not mean what he said, or his Word now means something else. When it comes to our health we love to “pimp the gospel”, using GOD’s Word as a justification to live an unhealthy lifestyle. We teach we can eat and drink whatever we like and as long as we pray over our food everything will be fine. We can put whatever we like into the Temple because God has blessed all things.
Think about this. The diseases of today – including heart disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes, can be linked to leading a unhealthy lifestyle. These diseases are becoming more wide spread as the world becomes more industrialized these diseases were not common when people stuck to a biblical diet. Eating GODs way would provide for more vitamins, minerals, protein and healthy fats and substances that came from plants called phytochemicals. In GOD’s plan there are no refined or processed carbohydrates and only a small amount of healthy sweeteners. Our modern diet promotes “Food” rich refined carbohydrates and are poor in nutritional value
Many of us are familiar with the Hebrew word shalom, which means “peace.” This is more then just the absence of conflict, just as good health is not just the absence of disease. At it’s root shalom means completeness and wholeness physically, emotionally, spiritually and has a strong emphasis on ones relationship with GOD. This is true peace.
The reason why Christians must take care of their bodies is twofold. In the first place, when we believers experience the new birth and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, we become the temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Therefore, we must treat our bodies as the house of God. The buildings where we as Christians choose to worship are not the temples and it is not GODs house. You are the temple; you are the house of the Holy Spirit. We teach that you should not curse or eat in the sanctuary, which is nothing more than a dead building, but then we pollute our bodies buy smoking and eating unhealthy food.
Secondly, as Christians we are ambassadors of Christ, called to witness Him to the world. In order that we may fully represent Christ and be used by His Spirit to glorify our Saviour, we must take good care of our bodies. The Holy Spirit can use us only in direct proportion to how healthy our bodies are.
Based on these twofold reasons, the Bible gives counsel on healthful living. When Israel was a theocracy (totally under God’s ruling), God gave them all kinds of guidelines, not as a requirement for salvation but for their own good as His witnesses. Among these guidelines were many health principles or laws.
Since we are made of the same material as the Jews, these health principles and laws are just as valid today as they were in ancient times. In this study we will consider some of the basic health principles and laws laid down by God in His Word as the fruits of salvation in Christ.
A healthy lifestyle is holistic. You cannot look at just the physical side of healthy living and negate our responsibility to nurture the spiritual side, and vice versa.
God created us as physical and spiritual beings. He created us as physical when He made us from the dust of the earth and gave us bodies, breathing life into us. He created us as mortal, finite beings – but He also created us as spiritual beings, to live or die eternally. So that is what this article is about – the physical side of healthy living, looking after our bodies. However please realize that although this is what I am focusing on, I am in no way ignoring the spiritual.
Some time ago, I felt challenged to a healthy lifestyle. A scripture He gave me was Heb 3:4-10 “(For every house is built by someone; but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a Son, and we are His house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.
Principle 1: DO NOT STRIVE (v4)
God is the builder, not us. He is the one who makes everything happen. Striving doesn’t help anyone – or anything – least of all you. Life, the ministry etc, doesn’t depend on us. God is more concerned about us than He is about the work. He has many vessels through which He can work. It is folly to think that we are the only person who can do the task.
DO NOT STRIVE. IT DOES NOT DEPEND ON US. GOD IS THE BUILDER.
Principle 2: WE ARE THE HOUSE OF GOD (v6)
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We need to take care of them. If we don’t we will not be good for anything because we will run ourselves into the ground. We need to respect God by taking care of the body He has given us by: -
- Eating Healthy
- Exercising Regularly
- Getting Enough Rest
Principle 3: A HARDENED HEART IS THE SAME AS REBELLION (v8, 9)
We need to be good stewards of what God has given us – including our bodies. If we disregard this, we are hardening our hearts towards God, and what He has shown us, and that is the same as rebellion. If we test God in this, we will suffer. God has created a cause-and-effect world, establishments that He has put into place and He will not override them. If we do not look after our bodies, we will reap the effects of that, for example, sickness, burnout and disease.
Principle 4: GOD HAS PROVIDED THE KNOW-HOW TO OBEY HIM (v10)
God has given us the knowledge – through the Bible and science and, believe it or not, common sense – to know what we should and shouldn’t eat. We also know how regularly to exercise and we can definitely tell when we need to rest. All we have to do is listen to our bodies.
I read this book “What the Bible Says About Healthy Living” by Rex Russell MD. He studied what the Bible says about food, what science says about food and what he has seen himself, for example when patients are told to follow a specific diet in order to get well again.
His conclusion was simple: -
Principle 1: Eat only what God intended us to eat
Principle 2: Eat it only in the form he intended it to be eaten
Principle 3: Fast regularly
Amazingly, scientific research (independent of himself) gave evidence to support why God told the Israelites not to eat certain foods and why they should eat others. (I highly recommend this book. It can be bought on Amazon.)
So we have no excuse. God has given us the knowledge we need, but it is our responsibility to put it into practice.
Principle 5: REST
God didn’t only intend for us to experience spiritual rest. He is a holistic God. He intended for us to experience rest physically, emotionally and spiritually. If we look after our bodies, and get the rest we need – however much that might be – we will be able to more fully enter the rest that God intended for us. We won’t get as sick as often, we won’t get as tired and we won’t get as stressed – the result – we will be much more rested and able to cope with the stresses of living life.
We have a holistic God who is concerned with our physical and emotional being as well as the spiritual. He created all of us – and said, “It was good!” So work with Him on this. He didn’t create our bodies to be a hindrance to us. He created them for our enjoyment as well as for us to know what our limitations are so that we can more fully enjoy and experience a supernatural God.
1. According to Paul, how much of the believer does God want to sanctify? 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ______________________________________________
Note: Since sin has affected the total person, God also plans to rescue the total person from the sin problem — spirit, soul, and body.
2. How does this total redemption affect our Christian living in terms of eating and drinking?
1 Corinthians 10:31 ______________________________________________
Note: Before our conversion we ate and drank as we pleased, often abusing our bodies. But now that we belong to Christ and have become the temple of the Holy Spirit, God wants us to eat and drink for His glory.
3. As Christians, who do we belong to and live for? Romans 14:8 ______________________________________________
Note: Because Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us on the cross (see Galatians 3:13), we belong to Him — spirit, soul, and body. Out of a heartfelt appreciation for His redeeming grace, all our actions are motivated by this love relationship.
4. In what things does God want us to prosper, besides our souls? 3 John 2 ______________________________________________
Note: God is not only concerned about our spiritual well-being but also our health. A healthy body means a healthy mind. This, in turn, means we are better able to discern spiritual things. Since there is a close relation between spirit, soul, and body, what affects one affects the other.
5. What promise did God give the Jews of the Exodus if they would follow all His health instructions?
Exodus 15:26 ______________________________________________
Note: All the health instructions God gave the Jews of the Exodus was for their own good and not a requirement for salvation. As His children, God wants us to experience and witness His saving grace in every way. The rules and regulations that God imposed upon the Jews was for this purpose. That is how we Christians must consider them.
6. What blessings did God say Israel would experience if they obeyed all that He had instructed them?
Deuteronomy 7:14 ______________________________________________
Note: Even though the ancient Jews made the mistake of turning all the health rules and regulations God gave them into legalistic requirements for salvation, they still experienced physical blessings from obeying them.
7. As Christians, what kind of sacrifice does God want from us? Romans 12:1 ______________________________________________
8. What must we do daily to experience this transformed life that is pleasing to God? Romans 12:2 ______________________________________________
Note: The battlefield in the Christian walk is the mind. On the one hand, the converted mind, that which Paul refers to as the new man (see Ephesians 4:22-24), wants to do the will of God. Yet, on the other hand, the mind of the flesh, our sinful nature, wants to do the very opposite.
9. What is the only way to gain victory over the desires of the flesh, our sinful natures, which contradict the desires of the converted mind? Galatians 5:16 ______________________________________________
Note: Only as we surrender our wills to the control of the Spirit can we gain the victory over the flesh. This is what it means to “walk in the Spirit.” To do this we must keep our minds focused on spiritual things (see Romans 8:4-6).
10. How should our relationship with fellow believers affect our eating habits? Romans 14:21 ______________________________________________
Note: To be a true Christian means we are dead to self and live unto the Lord. This affects every phase of our Christian living so that the two guiding principles that motivate all our actions are: (i) I do nothing that affects my right relationship with God; and (ii) I do nothing that weakens the faith of a fellow believer (see 1 Corinthians 10:31-33).
11. How should we consider ourselves as Christians? 1 Corinthians 3:16 ______________________________________________
12. As temples of God, what does He not want us to do and why? 1 Corinthians 3:17 ______________________________________________
Note: As temples of God, we are to keep our bodies holy. The reason for this will be answered in the next question.
13. As His temple, what does God want to do in and through us? 2 Corinthians 6:16 ______________________________________________
Note: The whole purpose of the Christian life is to glorify the Saviour: “for me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). The only way this can be done is to let the life of Christ shine through us. This is what sanctification is all about. That which motivates such a life is the love of God manifested in Christ crucified and not the fear of punishment or the desire for reward.
14. How does God fulfill the above through the New Covenant promise? Hebrews 8:10 ______________________________________________
Note: The New Covenant does not do away with the laws of God but puts them into our hearts. Under the Old Covenant, the laws were a series of rules — do’s and don’ts. Under the New Covenant, the same laws become the inner desires of the converted mind. This is how God writes His laws in our hearts and minds. This is the transforming grace of the gospel!
15. When it comes to healthful living, what was the original diet God gave mankind? Genesis 1:29 ______________________________________________
Note: Just as the car manufacturer entrusts us to use the best oil and gas for our cars, so God, the Creator, instructed our first parents regarding what are the best foods to eat — nuts, fruits, and grains.
16. What did God add to man’s diet after the flood? Genesis 9:3 ______________________________________________
17. While God did add meat to man’s diet, after the flood, what two things did He prohibit?
Genesis 9:4 (i) ______________________________________________
Leviticus 7:23 (ii) ______________________________________________
Note: God knew what He was doing when He forbade the Jews to eat the blood and fat of animals. Today, medical science has discovered and proved that both of these items are harmful to our health.
18. What further instruction did God give the Jews concerning meat eating?
Read the whole chapter of Leviticus _____________________________________________
note: Even though God gave man permission to eat meat after the flood, He distinguished the clean (healthy) meats from the (unhealthy) meats in chapter 11 of Leviticus and elsewhere. These health regulations are still valid today, as long as we do not make them a requirement for salvation.
19. What warning does the wise man give regarding appetite? Proverbs 23:1-3 ______________________________________________
Note: Appetite is one of the great weapons of Satan. It was through food that Adam fell. Likewise, it was through tempting Christ to turn stones into bread that Satan tried to cause the downfall of Christ. In the same way, Satan uses our appetite to cause us Christians to stumble. Smoking, drugs, alcohol, and overindulgence in eating are some of his methods for preventing God’s purpose from being fulfilled in us or for destroying the Christian faith.
20. Of what must we constantly remind ourselves regarding our bodies? 1 Corinthians 6:19 ______________________________________________
Note: When we are tempted to indulge in wrong kinds of foods and drink, we need to remind ourselves that we are the temple of God and we are not our own. Therefore, as verse 20 reminds us, we must “glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, which are God’s.” This is true health reform.
Why You Should Avoid White Flour Products Such as White Breads and Pastas
In the manufacture of white flour, manufacturers first remove the wheat seed’s bran, its six outer layers, and the germ (or embryo) which contains 76% of the vitamins and minerals. 97% of the dietary fiber is also lost.
What little is left is then bleached, preserved, and aged with chlorine dioxide. It is further whitened by adding chalk, alum, and ammonium carbonate to make it look and feel more improved and appealing to the consumer. An anti-salting agent called sorbitan mono-saturate is added in the final stage.
A few synthetic nutrients are then added back into the white flour and it is then called “enriched.” In actuality, there has been no real “enrichment” of the original product.
Laboratory rats usually die in a week to ten days when placed on a diet of white flour. All of the chemicals from white flour and other elements in our environment wreak havoc on the human body. Humans were not designed nor equipped to ingest cumulative chemicals. A strain is placed on the pancreas when it is forced to try to protect the body from chemicals. It cannot, at the same time, adequately perform its critical role of protecting the body from diseases.
Whole wheat flour and other whole-grain flours retain their bran, germ, and nutrients, and the vitamin E present in whole-grain flours acts as a natural preservative that keeps it from turning rancid for several months, after which it can be refrigerated or frozen.
Don’t be deceived by products that are advertised as whole grain. They may have some whole grains in them, but there may be a lot of other unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients. For example, if bread is soft, it is not primarily whole grain. It should be firm, heavy, and “grainy” with texture — not spongy
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John Wells aka The Tonic is back after long hiatus. “The Dash” was pushed back because of various complications including problems with The Tonic’s health. Many did not know if it would ever come out, but he persevered and “The Dash” finally hit with some signature Tonic word play, vintage East Coast beats along with some surprise guest spots. The Tonic also includes some songs with rock music and even the auto tune.
On “Sin Universal”, The Tonic and R Swift go back and forth talks about how sin is in the suburbs and on the “block”. The beat is bangin' and of course their flows compliment each other well. The beat is slowed down on “Really Know Me” and Well gives us a lot to chew on. He raps in the perspective of a dude who is a player, but yet prays and a woman who is a “church girl” who has three kids and is sleeping with her boyfriend. He then raps in the perspective of God and asks people to examine their hearts to see if they are truly following Him. This one could definitely strike up some Bible studies and conversations.
The Cross Movement are always challenging believers to examine themselves consistently. So it was great to hear “The Doctor’s Visit” where Wells chops it up with his actual doctor about the anxiety that he dealt with and even talks of having his ups and down as a Christian. Speaking for myself, I can identify more with a person when I know that they show that they are human and not to heavenly minded.
Wells shows his singing chops, (with the help of the auto tune) on “No Time” featuring Earthquake. This is cool departure from his East Coast flavored songs. He enlists the help of rock group Shacach and the Ambassador to deliver one of the best songs on the album, “Deliver Us”. Shacach play all of the instruments and sings the chorus and I cannot get enough of this song. I just want to worship and pray for change when I hear this one.
Cross Movement fans will be overly thrilled to hear “Da Body”. This song is quite the banger and infectious as it is encouraging the body of Christ to really encourage one another and be a strong front. The best part of the song is hearing ex-CM members Cruz Cordero and Enock deliver some heat on their verses. It really is like they never left.
The title track is a smoothed out Rhythm and Praise ditty featuring the nice tone of Latia Johnson. Tonic brings a heavy message of two scenarios of a male and female who wasted their lives and give them to God. On the reprise, he speaks and admonished people to really live for Christ doing the “dash”, which is the time period between birth and death.
“Prayer’s Ball” could have been left out because it just sounds a little lame. Not trying to sound harsh, but this one just does not cut it. You cannot just skim through “The Dash”. This is one that you have to listen and chew on the lyrics and message for a while. I will say that this is well worth the wait. John Wells aka the Tonic impresses and challenges.
Release Date: March 2009
Label: Cross Movement Records
Tracklisting
1. Dash In (Intro)
2. The Signature
3. Can't Count Me Out - featuring Iz-Real
4. Sin Universal - featuring R-Swift
5. Really Know Me
6. Dot Dot Dash (Interlude)
7. No Time - featuring EarthQuake
8. Da Body - featuring Cruz Cordero & Enock
9. The Greatest - featuring Ron Jacob
10. Dr. Visit (Interlude)
11. Probably Nothing - featuring Mac the Doulos & TRU-LIFE
12. Who Shot Cha
13. Prayers Ball
14. Don't Start Nothing
15. Deliver Us - featuring Shachah
16. The Dash - featuring La'Tia Johnson
17. Dash Out (Outro)
18. I Am Still! - featuring La'Tia & Keran (Bonus Track)
Read more: "Rapzilla.com - Review - The Tonic (aka John Wells) - The Dash" - http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/content/view/1443/1/#ixzz0FFUX7075&ARead more…
One of the most frightening group of verses in the Bible are found in Rev 3:14-19, when Christ is talking to the Church of Laodicea.
He is addressing the people of a city known for its wealth. But despite its financial prosperity, it was spiritually impoverished. He says to the people “You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of My mouth. For you say ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
What’s frightening about this statement is that most people in this world who call themselves Christians are lukewarm. Yes we might go to church on Sundays, make an appearance, and think to ourselves, hey, I don’t sell drugs, I haven’t killed anybody, I never robbed a bank, I even give to charities. But think what Christ is saying here “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.”
Not too many years ago, the Dow Jones average had a tough time breaking 1000. Since then, it has been over 10,000. IRAs have come into the picture, and many typical people have savings well into the six figures. And every average neighborhood seems to have a quiet millionaire living in it.
But with all this prosperity also comes a falling away from God.
There is a group of prophecies in Zechariah 6:1-8 that I think ties in with Revelation 3:14-19. In the Zechariah prophecy there are four different colored horses with chariots that are sent out across the earth.
Although these horses resemble the four horses in the book of Revelation, don’t mix them up, the Revelation prophecy has not taken place as of yet, but the prophecy in Zechariah, Chapter 6, has already been fulfilled. In these prophecies, two of the horses, the black followed by the white, go to the “north country.”
Then comes the statement “Behold these that go to the north country have quieted My Spirit in the north country.” What I believe God is saying here is that the black horses are Capitalism and prosperity, and that the north country represents Europe, the United States and Canada.
Then the white horses follow, which I believe are false religions and idol worship, and will hinder God’s Spirit in the rich north countries. All these north countries are basically Christian, and due to the great riches of these countries, many false religions have popped up. I believe most people are worshiping money more than God. Money seems to be the Number 1 idol, and pride is another idol.
As for the other two sets of horses, the dappled gray go to the south, and the red patrol back and forth across the earth.
The dapple grays I believe are poverty, disease and hunger. They go to the southern area of the globe, such as Africa and South America, where the economy isn’t so good, along with famine, starvation, and widespread disease. The red horses represent war and unrest, and as they patrol back and forth across the earth, war follows. God foretold 2500 years ago in Zech 6:1-8, what the economy and situations would be like in the northern and southern areas of the globe.
Now Jesus understood riches, luxury and opulence can become idols, creating a false sense of security. They bestow a power that can easily drive a person to arrogance, cheating and selfishness. For this reason, Jesus said wealth posed a challenge to the spirit. It was harder for a rich person to fulfill his true purpose in life than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (Matt 19:24). Which brings us back to Rev 3:14-19 “So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Here we have God Himself condemning us, for worshiping money and other idols, instead of worshiping Him.
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with making a lot of money. Remember, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David and Daniel were all very rich men. But their riches never got in the way of worshiping God. Their money never became an idol.
If you feel you are one of these people who calls himself or herself a Christian, but knows deep inside that your money and lifestyle comes before Christ, if you know that there is never any time to pray or fellowship with God because of the time it takes to earn your money, party, play with all the toys that money can buy, read pornography, enjoy R rated movies, or just sit in front of the boob tube for hours, then you are a “lukewarm Christian,” And it’s time to make a turnaround, before Christ spits you out, which I think means, you may be on your way to Hell.
Take time now to thank God for all that He has given you. Thank Him for your family, house, car, job, bank account, toys, etc, because everything on this earth actually belongs to Him. He gave them to you. And to receive the biggest gift of all, an eternal life in Heaven, all you have to do is ask Him for it, it won’t cost you a cent. Just confess that you are need of salvation, that you believe in Jesus, that you regret your sins, and that you want His salvation, and you will receive life’s biggest treasure – eternal life in Heaven, not to mention the peace of mind you will have while here on earth.
If it helps, these are the kinds of things that I said when I asked Jesus for salvation: “Jesus, I am a sinner. I ask You to forgive me of every sin I have committed throughout my life. I know You are the Son of God, and I need You, Jesus, to guide me through my life. Come into my life Jesus, and guide me and make me one of Your own.”
If you have turned your life over to Jesus, please email us and share with us the good news. Please, consider sending this article to your friends, relatives, and everybody on your mailing list, to encourage them to take the same opportunity to become one of Christ’s family that you have had.
God Bless You.
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Tea Consumption Linked to Numerous Body Benefits
A hot cup of tea may do more than relax you. Research shows tea consumption may help prevent a wide range of ailments.
thumb_tea2The latest medical research is finding potential healing powers in this ancient beverage. Recent research, for instance, suggests drinking tea may help prevent everything from cavities to Parkinson’s disease. And some studies indicate it may even save lives.
The benefits of tea consumption may extend throughout the body, experts believe. Here is a partial list of conditions some research has shown may be prevented or improved by drinking tea:
Arthritis: Research suggests that older women who are tea drinkers are 60 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not drink tea.
Bone Density: Drinking tea regularly for years may produce stronger bones. Those who drank tea on a regular basis for 10 or more years had higher-bone mineral density in their spines than those who had not.
Cancer: Green tea extracts were found to inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells in the lab — while other studies suggest that drinking green tea protects against developing stomach and esophageal cancers.
* Sipping on a cup of hot tea may be a safeguard against cancer. Population studies have linked the consumption of tea with a reduction in risk for several types of cancer. Researchers speculate that the polyphenols in tea may inhibit certain mechanisms that promote cancer growth. Both green and black teas have been credited with cancer-inhibiting powers.
Flu: You may be able to boost your fight against the flu with black tea.
Your best defense against contracting the flu is to wash your hands often and get vaccinated against the influenza virus. Black tea may further bolster your efforts to stay healthy. In a recent study, people who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice per day showed a higher immunity to flu virus compared to the people who did not gargle with black tea.
Heart Disease: A recent study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking more than two cups of tea a day decreased the risk of death following a heart attack by 44 percent. Even less spirited tea drinkers were rewarded: Consuming just two cups a day decreased the risk of death by almost a third.
Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietry intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. In one study, people who drank about a cup and a half of tea per day were almost 40% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to tea abstainers.
High Blood Pressure: Tea lovers may be surprised to learn their beverage of choice touts yet another health benefit: blood pressure control. Drinking a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduced a person’s risk of high blood pressure by almost 50% in a new study. People who drank at least two and a half cups per day reduced their risk even more. Their risk was reduced even if they had risk factors for high blood pressure, such as high sodium intake.
Parkinson’s Disease: Tea consumption may be protective against developing this debilitating neurological disorder.
Oral Health: Rinsing with tea may prevent cavities and gum disease.
What’s responsible for tea’s many health benefits?
It’s the complex brew of chemicals that make up this seemingly simple beverage.
“The big class of chemicals in tea are flavonoids — a natural class of antioxidants that are found in many natural plant-derived foods,” explains Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, an internist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and author of the Circulation report. “In American diets, black tea represents probably the single biggest source of flavonoids.”
Antioxidants rid the body of molecules called free radicals, which are side products of damage done to the body by pollution and the natural aging process. Free radicals in the body’s cells are very unstable and tend to react negatively with other important molecules like DNA, causing malfunctions and injury on the cellular level. The destruction these free radicals produce may therefore pave the way for diseases like heart disease and cancer.
In the case of heart disease, antioxidants in tea may prevent death from second heart attack by helping blood vessels relax, thereby allowing blood to flow through more easily, potentially lowering blood pressure and reducing stress on the heart.
Antioxidants are thought to be behind the benefits of tea on dental health as well. A number of studies have suggested that rinsing with black or green tea may lead to better oral health.
“We have found that the [antioxidants] in black tea will suppress the growth of bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum diseases,” says Christine Wu, professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. “These will inhibit or interfere with the attachment of bacteria to the tooth surface.”
A Prescription for Better Health?
With so much compelling research, isn’t it about time for everyone to consider brewing up more of this potent potable?
“For nearly everybody, there are few, if any, downsides to drinking tea. It’s hard for me to tell people not to do it,” says Mukamal. “But I’m not sure our evidence is quite at the stage where we would be recommending that everybody drink tea.”
That’s because some people may be sensitive to certain components of tea. And while the caffeine content is 1/3 that of a cup of coffee, some people may react to caffeine at any concentration.
Additionally, researchers need to pin down how much and how often tea should be consumed for optimal health. “Drinking tea is beneficial, but we need to do more studies to substantiate it,” says Wu.
In the meantime, adding tea to your list of possible beverages is probably a good idea, experts say.
“I think it’s reasonable for people looking to make healthy lifestyle choices to consider tea as a better option than other beverages — which aren’t necessarily harmful, but which may not give people the added benefits that something like tea does,” says Mukamal.
(Submitted by Erin Ellizabeth Ward of Durham, North Carolina)
Black Tea Helps Prevent Cavities
New studies, funded by the Tea Trade Health Research Association, found several doses of black tea every day not only reduced plaque build-up but also helped control bacteria.
“We found that the black tea infusion can inhibit or suppress the growth of bacteria that promotes cavities and affect their ability to attach to tooth surfaces,” Christine Wu, professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois and lead researcher on one part of the study.
Wu said that while earlier studies in Japan have shown the cavity-fighting benefits of green tea, known for its rich antioxidants, her team chose to focus on black tea, which is more popular in western culture.
The research is part of a collaborative study done in conjunction with the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa and the Institute of Odontology at Goeteborg University in Sweden. The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Orlando, Florida.
300 Species of Bacteria
Dental plaque contains more than 300 species of bacteria that adhere to tooth surfaces and produce cavity-causing acid. Plaque is also a leading cause of gum disease.
A specific element of black tea, called polyphenols, killed or suppressed cavity-causing bacteria from either growing or producing acid, according to Wu’s study. The tea also affected the bacterial enzymes and prevented the formation of the sticky-like material that binds plaque to teeth.
Participants in the study rinsed with tea for 30 seconds, five times, waiting three minutes between each rinse.
“We were trying to simulate what people did while sipping tea,” Wu said.
A similar study by Goeteborg University, where participants rinsed with tea for one minute 10 times per day, showed comparable results. Both studies showed that the more people rinsed, the more their plaque and bacteria levels fell.
In the University of Iowa study, researchers looked at the impact of black tea’s fluoride content on preventing cavities but found the benefits less clear. They exposed pre-cavity lesions to black tea but saw little change, suggesting that tea’s cavity-fighting ability stems from a complicated reaction between it and bacteria.
Fluoride Not A Factor?
“We had very little results, which implies that if tea is having a result in normal use it’s not from fluoride,” said James Wefel, professor and director of the Dows Institute of Dental Research at the University of Iowa.
Of course, to help prevent cavities the tea must truly be “black,” without sugar, milk, honey or other additives. Researchers also stressed drinking black tea should not replace traditional oral hygiene.
“Tea will affect the plaque formation but one has to brush their teeth to remove the plaque,” Wu said. “It’s a must.” And while black tea may fight cavities, it does not combat tooth stains.
(Submitted by James Dewanz of New York)
Hibiscus Tea – Antioxidants
A recent study revealed that hibiscus teas contain a number of different antioxidants that may help to protect against cell-damaging free radicals. These teas also may help control high blood pressure. You can find hibiscus in such teas as sour tea, red zinger tea, or sorrel tea. Check the ingredients label to be sure.
Yerba Maté – “Drink of the Gods”
The Guarani tribe in the forests of Paraguay have known for centuries of the restorative and stimulative properties of a native herb called yerba maté (Ilex Paragueriensis). Legend has it that Pa’i Shume – a tall, fair-skinned, bearded god – was the one who taught them to harvest and prepare the leaves of the yerba maté tree for a tea to ensure health, vitality and longevity. Seventeenth century Jesuits valued its energizing qualities and they cultivated plantations of the trees. Two centuries later gauchos on the region’s vast pampas utilized the herb, resting beside their fires and sipping the tea through a bombilla, a silver straw with a fine-screened strainer.
The Unbeatable Nutrition
Facts of Yerba Maté
“Drink of the Gods”
Constituents:
Vitamin A, C, E, Carotene
B-1, B-2, B Complex, riboflavin, nicotinic
acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, iron,
magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium,
manganese, silicon, phosphates, sulfur,
hydrochloric acid, chlorophyll,
choline, inositol
Serving size: 2 oz. in 2 cups of water.
Total Fat 0 g. Cholesterol 0 mg.
Sodium 60 g. Total Carbs 13 g.
Fiber 0 g. Sugars 1 g. Protein 0 g.
Daily Values: Vitamin B-1 – 13%
Vitamin B-2 – 23% Iron – 12%
Potassium – 55% Magnesium – 46%
Contains small amounts of naturally occurring caffeine.
Today yerba maté is grown in the iron-rich, acidic soil and semi-tropical climates of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, which employ 400,000 people to cultivate, prepare and distribute it to Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the European community, where it is known as the “Elixir of the Jesuits”.
The Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific society in 1964 were interested in this “Drink of the Gods” and did a thorough study of its properties. The findings were nothing short of astounding. The investigators concluded “it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to maté in nutritional value.”
Maté contains, these scientists said, “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” Yerba maté contains the vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B complex, carotene, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, biotin and vitamin C complex. In addition, it has 15 different amino acids, plus significant amounts of magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, manganese, silicon, phosphates, zinc, niacin, sulfur, and chlorophyll, choline, and inositol.
The list of benefits to overall health to be derived from yerba maté touches all aspects of the body and is seemingly endless. Tens of millions of south Americans drink maté to boost immunity, cleanse and detoxify the blood, tone the nervous system, control the appetite, restore youthful hair color, retard aging, combat fatigue, stimulate the mind, cure insomnia, and reduce the effects of debilitating disease.
Yerba maté supplies many of the nutrients required by the heart for growth and repair, plus it has a metabolic effect by increasing the supply of oxygen to the heart, especially during periods of stress or exercise. Research from the Paris Institute indicates LDL oxidation is inhibited by extracts of Ilex Paraguariensis. Incidence of arteriosclerosis is low in countries where yerba is consumed.
There is growing clinical evidence that yerba maté stimulates the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids, thus stimulating metabolism in muscle cells. As a by-product of this, maté has been commonly observed to decrease the severity and incidence of allergy and hay fever. This adrenocortical action also helps balance blood glucose levels, so that hypoglycemic patients respond well to yerba maté.
As a whole-body tonic, yerba stimulates a weakened or depressed nervous system, and calms an overexcited one. When stress, whether from environmental factors, bad nutrition or anxiety, throws our body’s systems out of balance, maté’s bi-directional properties restore homeostasis in the body, while not over stimulating any one system. In addition, it is non-addictive, and will not cause jitters or any contraindicators.
For these reasons, yerba maté is excellent as a coffee substitute. The tea has the ability to quicken the mind, to increase mental alertness and acuity. It is a mild, not strong, diuretic. It relaxes peripheral blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure. And best of all, rather than interfering with sleep as coffee often does, maté has a tendency to balance sleep cycles, inducing more REM sleep when necessary, or increasing the amount of time spent in delta states. Many people report that they require less sleep when using maté.
Consumer feedback has indicated its combined effects of smooth muscle and peripheral blood vessel relaxation, sense of stamina, energy and well being provide improved sexual interest and performance, thereby possibly offering a drug-free, all natural alternative to Viagra.
As an anti-oxidant, yerba maté is superb. Free radicals are highly toxic oxygen molecules in a reactive, unstable form. They roam freely through the body, seeking out tissues to combine with and render morbid. As well as destroying tissues outright, they increase susceptibility to a wide range of infections and diseases. Besides the free radicals produced by normal metabolic processes, we are also exposed to them through environmental pollutants. Our body’s main line of defense against free radicals is its supply of free radical scavengers, collectively known as antioxidants. These are a group of nutrients which include Vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals Zinc and Selenium, all of which maté contains in abundance. These antioxidant nutrients work synergistically to prevent further cell damage, while repairing damaged cells by neutralizing the free radicals and thus deactivating their destructive energy.
Maté tea is made from leaves and stems steeped in hot water. A maté gourd, or mug, is filled a quarter full (or to taste), the bombilla (a filtering straw which extracts the most nutrients by pulling the water across the leaves) is nestled into the herb. Hot-never boiled- water is poured to the top. The water will cause the leaves to swell and the water at the top of the gourd will look frothy and green, indicating its nutrient-rich properties. The gourd can be refilled five or 6 times until the green froth is gone, which means the leaves are depleted, and it’s time to refresh the infusion. Yerba maté can also be made in a coffee machine, a French press, and cold as a refreshing sun tea.
{drinking gourd}This special gift from the plant kingdom is best when served in community with friends, offered in a ritual of love and friendship for each other and our natural world. But even alone, the cup of maté in your hand as you begin a new day promises to leave you refreshed and with a great feeling of well being.
1. Treat others as you would have them treat you: Treat other people in the manner that you want them to treat you. This is a hallmark of Christianity. Be kind to people, even when they are unkind to you. That way, you set an example for them, you become a representative of the Christian faith.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
2. Help people:
In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus tells us that we are to give food to those who are hungry, give clothes to people who need them, provide shelter for people who have none, visit people who are sick, and give comfort to people who are in prison.
3. Don’t worry:
Do your best. Deal with life’s problems. But don’t worry. Instead, have faith in Jesus that all things will work out in the way they need to work out.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
4. Read the Bible:
If you read the Bible for about 10 to 20 minutes a day, you can finish the four Gospels - the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - in one month. The four Gospels describe the life and teachings of Jesus, the Son of God.
5. Give thanks and be joyful:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
6. Pray:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
`Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’ “
- Jesus, explaining how people should pray, as quoted in Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
7. Forgive your enemies:
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
8. Be careful what you say about other people:
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)
9. Know the Word of God and use it each day:
If you read the four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you will see many examples of how Christians should act.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:24 (NIV)
10. Encourage others to read the Bible:
If you have found peace and salvation in the Bible, share it with others - tell people, write a letter, or create a Web site. Encourage others to read the Bible. Encourage family members and friends to attend church with you. Consider giving Bibles as gifts to others.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Read more…
Here are some of the milestones:
*BET’s 106 & Park did a week long segment on Holy Hip Hop
* Free & AJ left because they couldn’t continue to support the show because they couldn’t let their little cousins watch a show that didn’t represent them
* Shade45 did a segment with AppleJaxx of Nureau Ink that got a favorable response
* CCM covers a story on Lil Ras and did a whole magazine dedicated to Holy Hip Hop and the future of Hip Hop
* Without A Trace plays KJ52 and uses positive music as a theme for the show
* Mr. J Medeiros & Ohmega Watts on NBA Live ‘08 ( Mr. J. Medeiros is part of it with his song “Silent Earth Remix” which is produced by Ohmega Watts)
* Applejaxx’s song “Nureau Anthem” feat. T.Bizzy is featured on HipHopDX
* Much Luvv covered by OkayPlayer.com
* Hip Hop Magazine “The Source” interviewed RedCloud
* Braille featured on Myspace and 2009 NBA Live Trailer
* L.A. Symphony Break’s It Down For NFL Tour 2008 on XBOX 360
* KJ-52 “Fan Mail” Video 1 on Gospel Music Channel
* Without A Trace plays KJ52 and uses positive music as a theme for the show
* Sphere Of Hip Hop is on XM
* KJ52 has sold over 500,000 on all his albums combined most of which sold over 150,000,
* Grits has sold over 150,000 most of their record have sold over 75,000 at least and more than 500,000
* Lecrae has sold over 100,000 albums of the After The Music Stop project
* Da Truth’s latest project charted #1 in the gospel market by featuring many Rhythm & Praise artists.
* La Symphony has sold quiet a few, 4th Ave Jones, Knowdaverbs, etc… have also
* Gotee I think has sold more than CMR. Or atleast its a close tie now. Maybe CMR has more now with Da Truth and everybody they are putting out.
* I know for a good while it was Graptree then Gotee then Uprok then uprok feel out and not its Gotee and CMR at the top of the food chain.
* There has been a lot of pressure on the industry to clean up rap lyrics along with sales being down
* Lecrae’s third album, Rebel, reaches #8 Billboard Top Rap Albums, #3 in Hip Hop on iTunes, #11 in All Albums on iTunes, #1 Gospel Billboard and #2 on Christian Billboard.
Media Coverage
I’m sure yall head the Kj52 Dear Slim song that MTV covered as a diss track. To make it a news worthy piece that had to cut out the spiritual part and focus on making it some silly beef situation.
Did You know MTV banned Mr J Medieros Constance video for “graphic content” which is bogus they have rappers with strippers in the back ground, and Mr J is talking about a real problem that addresses a major social issue. In 2006 500,000 to 1.2 million people where trafficked over international boarders and NO ONE WAS PROSECUTED IN 2006 FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, That’s a major issue. But MTV won’t play it, but they will play censored version of songs about graphic sex with women, strippers dancing in the background and misogynistic music.
BET also banned a quite of few Christian videos from their play list including Ahmad and 4th Ave Jones, they had the song Move On played on MTV. Its was a good song and video. MTV and VH1 are owned by the same company. MTV played dear slim as a beef record. VH1 says a song about praying for dear slim was one of the worst moments in hip hop ever. That was free promotion for Kj by the way and I’m sure its helped his sales because many more people heard his name and music and probably got interested. News is publicity. And you can take a minus and make it a plus.
AppleJaxx of Nureau Ink was on Shade45 and he got good publicity on the don’t quit you day job segment? Ever said he should rap and quit his day job. Thats a milestone in Holy Hip Hop. Anyone notice that we got positive coverage on a secular station?
What Has Worked So Far
KJ: focused on the white suburban youth groups with his silly songs and pop music and I think thats the key to his success. But there is only one Kj.
Grits: had good distro and got the videos played on Rap City and got a good following. But there is only one Grits.
The Cross Movement: appealed to the Older Theological heads in the urban gospel church market, and that’s how they did good. But there is only one CM.
T Bone: was consistent on the bible thumping demon assassin lyrics and appealed to the Hispanic community and toured at a lot of teen challenges, victory outreach and other places like that. But there is only one T Bone.
CHH Needs To Grow Up
The dialogue in Christian rap needs to broaden on content to include social and political dialogue to engage some of the older young adults. We need more content on Social Justice issues, like civil rights, and freedom or speech, etc…
We need to discuss real issues people deal with and not just fun music for youth groups.
We need to be ourselves and be good at what we do.
The quality and content in CHH has risen in recent years a lot and that’s good.
We need to keep pressing on.
CHH NEEDS
* We MUST GET the Gospel market and get the Young Adult crowed engaged
* We need Nationally Syndicated Radio
* We need Nationally Syndicated TV
* We Need industry wide standards, to bring an end to all the conflict between different camps
* We need a play list format to support across the board
* We need to build up your gospel market following before you branch out or try to expand beyond.
* CHH needs to get the attention of the traditional and contemporary gospel market like Da Truth did with the song with Tye Tribbet and they need to focus on making music and reaching out to young adults who have jobs and can buy albums more than youth who can’t afford albums or have to beg money from their parents.
* We need to market to young adults, with more social content, and deal with real issues, not just catchy songs.
* We should have balanced material. Our first focus should be build the gospel market, traditional and contemporary. Because those are the ones that you want to support your music.
My Conversation With Sway About Hip Hop being “Dead” and CHH
Sway presented an award and was saying since all his friend sit around and talk about is Hip Hop Dead he said that he feels that Christian Rap / Holy Hip Hop is the missing element in Hip Hop.
Sway stated that he wants to do a MTV news piece on the Holy Hip Hop
Here are some things I got out of the conversation:
* With the current state of the industry, Hip Hop is Dying, Jesus is the only I know that can bring things back from the dead
* Holy Hip Hop has the clean lyrics and albums that people are looking for now with all this noise about not using certain words in the industry. We already got that.
* We shouldn’t market to mainstream.
* We should do what makes us unique and focus on what works the lyrics & content
* Let them come to us if they ever do once we’ve established ourselves and not let them dictate to us but us dictate to them. Don’t go to them
* We should try and build our Christian Market to were in the gospel market we can sell 150,000 to 250,000 a cd consistently and more.
* Build our gospel fan base so you still have the strong Christian market support.
* We should try to be excellent at what we do and secure our fan base before we try to get the mainstream attention.
My Conclusion
After talking to Sway, Dj Maj, AppleJaxx and Tre-9 and others in the industry, it seems clear we need to come together and a body, and respect the arm and feet, those called to the body and those called to the streets. The message is different but the body is one.
We need to sure up the Gospel Market base, be authentic to who we are, make good music, market to young adults and the gospel urban market before we try to join the mainstream movement. We shouldn’t seek out the mainstream, but let it come to us with what we have and not let them change us.
We need Christocentric lyrics, we need relevant music that relates to peoples lives and issues, so be real about who you are and what you do, keep it gospel, speak from the Judeo-Christian world view, we need to deal with issues of social injustice, civil rights violations, spitting only Christian standards to an immoral world. Focus on building the gospel market fan base and reaching young adults first.
Other things we need to do that can help is focus on marketing to College Radio and get our singles licensed to play on Radio, TV and Movies.
Read more…
The Unique, Uncommon, Unequaled Church
Does Jesus Want One Church Today or Many?
Does Jesus want one true church today, or should we approve the existence of many divided denominations? How many churches are acceptable?
Modern denominations differ in many ways, all claiming to be Christian and to honor Jesus. Yet the gospel shows that Christ planned and built just one church. Should Christianity be characterized by religious unity or by division? Does Jesus want one true church today, or should we approve and accept the existence of many divided denominations? Is one church as good as another? How many true churches are there?
Introduction:
In most areas of life, people consider it an advantage for something to be unique, uncommon, or unequaled. Sales commercials emphasize that their product is distinctive from other products. An antique is especially valuable if it is rare or uncommon. Athletes are especially honored if they win championships or set records.
In religion, however, many people consider it unacceptable, poor taste, or politically incorrect for a church to claim to be unique or unequaled. They object if members defend a church as being special or better than other groups. Some say, “One church is just good as another. Why are you so intolerant and strict? We need to be broad-minded in religion. Don’t criticize other groups. How can one little group be right and all the others be wrong?” People want members of many different denominations to be acceptable to God, so they object if you believe otherwise.
Unfortunately, instead of considering what God says about these subjects, most people base their views on their own opinion, what some preacher says, what they personally want to believe, or what their parents believed.
In this study, let us set aside the opinions of men and examine what God says in the Bible about the unique, uncommon, and unequaled character of the church that belongs to Jesus. When we do, we will also find the answers to other questions many people are asking.
Did Jesus plan and build just one church or many different denominations? Should Christianity be characterized by religious unity or by division? Should we approve and accept the existence of many divided “Christian denominations,” or should we believe and teach that there should be just one true church?
Consider the Bible answers to the following important questions:
Question #1: How Important Is Obedience?
To understand the uniqueness of Jesus’ church, we must begin by studying the fundamental importance of obedience. Many people believe it does not much matter whether or not a church obeys Jesus. When evidence is given that a church is somehow disobeying God’s word, some people say this doesn’t matter because the people in that church believe in the true God and love God, etc.
This is important to our study because, if Jesus requires obedience, then that is at least one way that the church needs to be unique compared to churches that do not obey. But if disobedience can be overlooked, then there would be no advantage in being part of a church that was obedient.
So what does God’s word say? In a world of religious groups that say obedience is not essential, does God expect His church to be unique by emphasizing the need for obedience?
Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23,24 - Jesus is the head over all things to the church. The church must be subject to Jesus, just like a body should obey the instructions of its head.
Colossians 3:17; 2:8,19 - Since Christ is head of the church (1:18), all we do should be done in His name - i.e., according to His authority. We must “hold fast the head” by obeying Him instead of following human philosophies and traditions.
Matthew 15:9 - Our worship to God is vain if we follow human doctrines instead of Jesus’ teachings (cf. 2 John 9; Galatians 1:8,9; John 4:24).
Jesus’ church should emphasize obedience to its Head. When a church teaches that we do not have to obey Jesus to be saved, that church is admitting it is not honoring Jesus as its Head! If a church obeys human doctrine, then men are its head.
Matthew 7:21-27 - It is not enough just to call Jesus our Lord. We must do the will of the Father. If we do not obey Jesus’ teachings, we are as foolish as a man who builds a house without a solid foundation. Just as that house will not stand in bad weather, so our lives will not be acceptable in the judgment.
Hebrews 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 - Jesus is the author of salvation to all who obey Him. Those who do not obey the gospel will receive eternal destruction when Jesus returns.
This is not to say that anyone who ever disobeys is forever without hope. Such a person can be forgiven, but to do so he must repent and make up his mind to become obedient and then be forgiven by Jesus’ blood (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9; Mark 16:16).
Clearly it is a serious mistake to think that obedience is not essential. Yet many churches deny the need for obedience. So one way Jesus’ church should be unique is that it should honor Jesus as its Head by obeying Him. Furthermore, as we proceed we will see that this obedience is a source from which necessarily spring many other unique features of the church.
(See also James 1:21-25; 1 Peter 1:22,23; Romans 6:17,18; 1 John 5:3; 2:3-6; 3:6-10; John 14:15,21-24; Romans 2:6-10.)
Question #2: Are God’s People a Minority or a Majority?
Most people somehow believe that they will be saved, and most people like to think that the majority of other people will be saved. If that were true, then those who are saved would not be very unique. And if most people really were saved, then that would make Jesus’ church large. So people tend to reject small churches. Being small would make the church unique, but here again most people don’t like uniqueness.
It is true that God has provided a plan whereby all men can be saved. He would be pleased if everyone would follow that plan and receive eternal life (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; John 3:16; Mark 16:15,16). However, we have seen that only those people who obey God’s plan actually will be saved, and all others will be lost. So should we expect the number of saved, obedient people to be large or small compared to the number who disobey? Are most people saved, or does being saved make one unique?
Matthew 7:13,14 - The way that leads to destruction is broad and many travel that road. The way that leads to life is narrow and “few there be that find it.” Many people fail to do the will of the Father, but only a few will obey and be saved (cf. vv 21-27).
1 Peter 3:20 - In the days of Noah, only a few souls were saved - only eight out of the thousands alive (cf. Genesis 6). Men in general were extremely wicked and were destroyed.
1 Corinthians 10:1-6 - Even among those who were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, with most of them God was not well pleased, so He destroyed them. In fact, of all the older generation who left Egypt, only two were allowed to enter the promised land - Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:28-30). All the rest died because of disobedience. This is presented by God as an example to us.
Today if you believe your religious views are correct and you disagree with other people, many people will object. They will accuse you of intolerance and narrow-mindedness. To their way of thinking, the very fact you think you are right automatically proves you are wrong! You may be unique, but they don’t like it at all. Yet throughout the Bible, those who pleased God were unique in that they were in the minority.
Romans 9:27; 11:2-5 - In Israel, the number of people who were acceptable to God is frequently called a “remnant” - a small part of the whole number. In Elijah’s day, that remnant consisted of 7000 men. So today those who are God’s true people are a “remnant.” Note that the number of obedient people in Elijah’s day was considerably greater than in Noah’s day or in Joshua’s day. Yet it was relatively small compared to all the people on earth.
The number of people who are truly acceptable to God varies from time to time. The cases we have cited were times of widespread corruption. There may be other times when faithfulness is not as rare as in these times (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2). At any given time, the actual number of faithful people would be known only to God. But in virtually every age, those on the road to life are “few” compared to the “many” on the road to destruction.
We should not expect God’s church to consist of a majority of people in any community. Nor should we reject a church or a teaching simply because it is a minority or its views are unpopular. Jesus’ church is truly “unique” in that it will always be relatively small, and those who are members of it are truly “uncommon.”
(See also Matthew 22:14; Luke 13:23-25; Revelation 3:4).
Question #3: How Many Churches Please Jesus?
In the world today there are many different denominations that teach and practice different and contradictory faiths. They disagree in name, organization, plan of salvation, and worship. People want to believe that, in spite of these contradictions and disagreements, many of these groups are acceptable to God. If that were so, then there would be no one unique church that was right.
We have seen, however, that to please God we must obey Him. Are the few people who obey God to be found in many different denominations, or is there only one unique church teaching and practicing one true faith?
Matthew 16:18 - Jesus promised to build His church - one, not many.
Colossians 1:13 - Christians have been translated out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son - one kingdom, not many.
Ephesians 5:22-25 - Christ is the head of His body (the church - 1:22,23), just as your head directs your body and just as a husband is head of his wife. But a head directs one body, not many bodies. A husband is head of only one wife (with God’s approval), not many wives.
And so Christ is head of one body. There are “many members, yet but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). If Jesus had many churches, He would be like a man with many wives. This would be spiritual adultery!
John 17:20,21 - Jesus prayed for those who believe in Him to be one as He and His Father are one. Do He and His Father disagree and contradict one another about how people should worship, how people may be saved, or what church people should be members of? They do not, and neither should we, for we are to be one as they are one.
1 Corinthians 1:10,13 - Division is contrary to God’s will. Is Christ divided? Does He give contradictory commands to men? Surely not, for if He did He would be a hypocrite!
Since Jesus’ commands are not contradictory, it is clear that when the practices of people conflict and contradict one another, then someone is not obeying Jesus. Religious division exists, but we must not condone or excuse it. Nor should we participate in error for the sake of unity - to do so would be to disobey God (cf. James 3:17).
Whenever some people obey God and some people disobey God, division will exist between those groups; but the people who will be condemned for the division will be those who disobey God, not those who obey Him. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Luke 12:51-53; John 10:19-21; Acts 14:1-4; 19:8,9; 28:22-25; 2 John 9-11.)
Ephesians 4:3-6 - We should strive for unity based on the oneness of each of the seven things listed here. There is one body (church) and one faith, just as surely as there is only one God and Father. To say there are many conflicting and disagreeing bodies, all of which are acceptable, would be as wrong as saying there are many different Gods, all of which are acceptable.
Nor can we say that the one body is made up of many different denominations, for the passage says that the one body must follow one faith, whereas denominations follow different faiths. There may be many different false gods, but there is only one true God. So there may be many different false churches and false faiths, but there is only one true church and only one true faith.
Note that this does not mean there is only one local congregation. In the New Testament, there were many local congregations of God’s people, and there are also many today (Galatians 1:2; Acts 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Revelation 1:4,11; etc.). But these local churches should all believe and practice the same common faith (Ephesians 4:3-6; Jude 3; Titus 1:4). In this sense, the members of these local congregations are all members of the one true church, but not members of many disagreeing, conflicting denominations.
Truly, Jesus’ church is unique and unequaled, for there is only one true church.
Question #4: Should We Rebuke Those Who Disobey?
As we have discussed, people tend to think that obedience is not essential, and they think most people will be saved. This leads them to believe that we should “leave other people alone and don’t criticize other religious beliefs.”
But we have learned that obedience is essential to please God and that most people are not obeying God. Now should God’s people speak out and warn other people about the danger of not obeying God? Should we rebuke the people in sin and urge them to repent? If we do, once again we will surely be unique, and once again we can expect people to dislike it! But what does God say?
2 Timothy 4:2-4 - We should continually preach God’s word, reproving and rebuking sin (i.e., warn against error). Why? Because we want to help people avoid the danger of departing from truth to follow error.
Those who obey God must contend with the wicked (Proverbs 28:4). They must not participate in sin, but must rebuke it (Ephesians 5:11). They must earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). If they fail to do so, they themselves will stand condemned before God (Ezekiel 33:1-9). (See also Titus 1:9-14; 1 Timothy 5:20).
Luke 24:47 - Faithful followers of Christ regularly preached that people need to repent (Matthew 3:1-8; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30). But when a person repents, he must admit he has been wrong and must decide to change. So to preach repentance means to tell people they are wrong.
On almost every page of your Bible, examples can be found of apostles and prophets warning people, even religious people, when they were wrong. (See Matthew 14:1-11; Acts 2:14-41; 6:9; 7:51-54; 13:8-11; 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:11-14; etc.). We should imitate their example (1 Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 13:7).
Revelation 3:19 - Because Jesus loved people, He reproved and chastened them when they were wrong. He testified that their works were evil (John 7:7). (See examples in Matthew 15:1-20; 22:23-33; chap. 23; John 8:31-55; etc.) We should imitate His example (1 Peter 2:21).
2 Timothy 2:25,26 - This explains why we must correct people who are in sin and why such correction is an act of love. A person in sin is a captive of the Devil; he will be lost unless he repents. If we teach him and he repents, he can be saved from death and have eternal life (James 5:19,20).
When we warn a child not to play with matches, sharp knives, or electrical outlets, are we being egotistical and self-righteous, or are we showing love for the child? So it is also an act of love to try to help people avoid sin.
John 3:20 - The main reason why people say Christians should not point out the errors of other people is that they do not want their own errors (or the errors of their loved ones) to be pointed out. The truth hurts their consciences and makes them feel guilty. They should repent and be forgiven; but if they are unwilling to repent, then they will object to the preaching (cf. Acts 7:51-54; Matthew 14:1-11; John 7:7; Proverbs 28:4).
This is not to say we should rebuke others out of self-righteous motives - to exalt our own pride, to win an argument, or to prove we are right and others are wrong. Nor should we condemn people who are not guilty of sin. But when people are guilty, if we justify their sin, we are as wrong as if we condemned them when they were innocent - note Proverbs 17:15.
When we realize how important obedience is and that there is really only one way to please God, then and only then will we appreciate the importance of speaking out against sin. As long as we think people can be saved while they continue in unforgiven sin, or as long as we think there are many different groups that please God, then we will see no value in warning people to cease sin. When we realize the uniqueness of God’s true church, then we see the value in warning people to turn from sin and become members of Jesus’ church. But this practice will make us even more unique, since most people do not do it.
Conclusion
When we learn the teaching of God’s word, then we understand that Jesus’ church must be unique and unequaled. This does not mean we should deliberately try to be different, just for the sake of being different. Rather, we should simply seek to diligently obey Jesus. But when we do, we will find that we are different from the many people who do not obey Him.
Again, we should want everyone to be forgiven of sins and enter the church. Yet we should not be ashamed of the church if it remains few in number - much less should we think the smallness of the church proves there is something wrong with it. Instead, we should recognize that Jesus said it would be this way.
And finally, members of the church should not become self-righteous and egotistical because they have found the church. Instead, we should thank God for His grace, and we should strive to help others learn about the true church so they can be saved and share the blessings in Christ.
What must a person do to become a member of Jesus’ church? He must simply follow the gospel and be forgiven of sin, for the true church is simply the body of people whom Jesus has forgiven (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Ephesians 5:23,25). To be saved and enter the church, one must hear the gospel, believe it, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized (immersed) in water for the purpose of receiving the forgiveness of sins by Jesus’ blood (Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 10:9,10,17; 6:3,4).
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Introduction:
No one greater than Jesus of Nazareth ever lived on earth.
* Millions of people have claimed Him as their Master.
* All history is measured from the time of His birth.
* He revealed the highest moral standard ever known.
* The Bible, which records His words, has been the best known and most influential book in civilized countries for nearly 2000 years.
Surely Jesus deserves our careful attention. The purpose of this study is to consider why we ought to honor Jesus as Lord, and what it really means to be His disciple. We begin with some definitions.
“Lord” means a person who has authority over others: a master, chief, or ruler. [Matt. 28:18- 20; Eph. 1:19-23; Luke 6:46]
“Disciple” means a follower, pupil, student, learner: one who adheres to the teachings of the master. [Matt. 10:24,25; 16:24]
I. Why Should Jesus Be Lord of Your Life?
Why should you follow Jesus rather than someone else?
A. Jesus Is Our Savior
“He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Sin is disobedience to God’s law (1 John 3:4). Note how Jesus saves people.
>>> Read ROMANS 3:23. <<<
*1* How many people commit sin? Answer: ______ have sinned.
>>> Read ROMANS 6:23. <<<
*2* What is the consequence of sin? Answer: The wages of sin is ______.
*3* Through whom can we receive eternal life? (a) Mohammed, (b) Jesus, (c) our parents, (d) no one. Answer: ______.
All of us ought to be punished eternally, because we have disobeyed God. This punishment is what we need to be saved from. Jesus is our Savior because He can give us eternal life in spite of our sins.
>>> Read ROMANS 5:6-9. <<<
*4* What did Jesus do to save us? Answer: He ______ for us.
*5* What characteristic of God does this demonstrate? Answer: It demonstrates God’s ______ for us.
*6* When Jesus died, was He dying for you? Answer (”Yes” or “no”): ______.
Jesus “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). We sinned, so we deserve to be punished, but Jesus, who did not sin, died in our place so we can be forgiven and receive eternal life.
>>> Read MATTHEW 27:22-35,50-54. <<<
*7* When Jesus suffered, whose sins was He suffering for? (a) His own sins, (b) sins of other people, including you and me. Answer: ______.
“There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). No one but Jesus can tell how to receive eternal life. [See also John 3:16; 6:68; 14:6; 4:42; Eph. 1:7].
B. Jesus Is the Divine Son of God
The Father said about Jesus, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5). [Heb. 1:1,2; 2:1ff]
>>> Read JOHN 20:26-31. <<<
*8* How did Thomas know Jesus had been raised? (a) he saw and touched Him, (b) he just heard about it, (c) he dreamed about it. Answer: ______.
*9&10* Whom did Thomas confess Jesus to be? Answer: My ______ and my ______.
*11* How can we believe Jesus is Lord and God even though we have not seen Him? (a) by guessing, (b) by examining the evidence in the Bible, (c) by taking a preacher’s word for it. Answer: ______.
*12* What blessing can we have if we believe? Answer: We can have ______ in His name.
Though Jesus died, He was raised from the dead. His resurrection, along with His other miracles and the prophecies He fulfilled, prove that He is God’s Son (Cf. Acts 2:22-36; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8). Because He is God’s Son, He possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth,” so we should obey all His commands (Matthew 28:18-20).
C. Jesus Will Be Our Judge.
Jesus will someday come again and judge all people.
>>> Read 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10. <<<
*13* How many people will be judged? Answer: We must ______ appear before the judgment seat.
*14* Who will judge us? (a) our priest, (b) Buddha, (c) Jesus. Answer: ______.
*15* On what basis will Jesus decide our reward? (a) what our parents did, (b) what Adam did, (c) what we did, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
Jesus’ words will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). We need to learn His will and follow it so we can be prepared. [See also Acts 17:30,31; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15.]
>>> Read MATTHEW 7:13-15,21-27. <<<
*16* What final destinies face us? (a) either eternal life or eternal destruction, (b) all go to heaven, (c) death is the end of our existence. Answer: ______.
*17* How many follow the broad road? Answer: ______ enter the broad way.
*18* How many follow the narrow way? Answer: ______ find the narrow way.
*19* What must we do to enter the kingdom of heaven? (a) just have faith, (b) call Jesus “Lord,” (c) do God’s will, (d) just be religious. Answer: ______.
We must hear Jesus in everything He teaches or we will be destroyed (Acts 3:22,23). In religion, as in many areas of life, there are truth and error, right and wrong. For example, 2 + 2 = 4, red light means stop, etc. Other answers to these questions would be error. So in religion Jesus’ teachings are truth, and anything different is error. [See also 1 John 4:1,6; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Thess. 1:6-9.]
II. How Should Jesus’ Lordship Affect Your Life?
Many people say Jesus is Lord, yet this does not seem to affect the way they live. Some groups even teach that Jesus will save people if they just believe He is the Savior, even if they do not obey Him. What does it really mean to follow Jesus as Lord? How will it change your outlook on life? Can a person be saved without obeying Jesus?
A. A Disciple Must Learn and Obey the Lord’s Will.
A person cannot possibly earn salvation, yet there are conditions one must meet in order to become and remain Jesus’ disciple.
>>> Read JOHN 8:31,32. <<<
*20* To be Jesus’ disciple, what must we do? (a) just believe in Him, (b) just learn His will, (c) learn His will and obey it (abide in it)? Answer: ______.
*21* If we know and abide in Jesus’ word, what will it do for us? Answer: Make us ______ from sin (see v34).
To be freed from sin, we must obey Jesus from the heart (Romans 6:16-18). Truly a disciple must believe in his master, but the only kind of faith that God rewards is obedient faith (Hebrews 10:39; 11:6-8,30). [See also Gal. 5:6; James 2:14-26; John 12:42,43; etc.]
>>> Read LUKE 6:46. <<<
*22* Do we respect our Lord if we do not obey Him? Answer: (Yes or no): ______.
*23* If we have been practicing some activity that is nowhere taught in the Scriptures, what should we do? (a) quit serving God, (b) find a preacher who justifies the practice, (c) quit participating in it. Answer: ______.
We purify our souls in obeying the truth (1 Peter 1:22-25). Jesus is the “author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). To be forgiven of sins and become a disciple we must: believe in Jesus, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized (Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 17:30; Romans 10:9,10; 6:3,4; etc.) Then we must continue to serve Jesus faithfully throughout life.
[See also Acts 10:34,35; James 1:21-25; Matt. 7:21-27; Rom. 2:5-11.]
B. A Disciple Must Imitate His Lord.
>>> Read LUKE 6:40. <<<
*24* What is the goal of a disciple or servant? Answer: The disciple’s goal is to be like his ______.
To be Jesus’ disciple, we must deny self and follow Him (Matthew 16:24,25). Often people want forgiveness and the blessings of discipleship, but they do not want to give up their own desires and live according to Jesus’ teachings. This is not true discipleship.
>>> Read 1 PETER 2:21-24. <<<
*25&26* What did Jesus leave for us? Answer: Jesus left an ______ so we should follow in His ______.
*27* How did Jesus live? Answer: Jesus lived without committing ______.
Jesus died so that we should no longer live for ourselves, “but for Him who died” and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15). Jesus gave His life so we could receive eternal life instead of eternal punishment. The least we can do is to love Him enough to follow His example. In every circumstance we should ask, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” Then do as He would do. [See also Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 11:1.]
C. A Disciple Must Put His Lord’s Will First.
Choices in life often consist of setting priorities. What will I do with my time, abilities, money, etc.? For a disciple of Jesus, top priority must always be serving Jesus and doing His will. One who is not willing to make this sacrifice, cannot be Jesus’ disciple.
>>> Read LUKE 14:26-33. <<< (cf. Matthew 10:34-38).
*28* What must a person be willing to give up to be Jesus’ disciple (a) loved ones, (b) possessions, (c) his life, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
We should present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God … And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:1,2). Discipleship is total sacrifice, total transformation of self, total lifetime commitment. Jesus must take precedence over everything else. When we realize what Jesus has done for us, such demands are not unreasonable.
>>> Read MATTHEW 6:24,33. <<<
*29* How many spiritual masters (lords) can a person serve? Answer: You can have only ______ Master.
*30&31* What should be our greatest concern in life? Answer: Seek first the ______ of God and His ______.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The decision to become a disciple of Jesus is the most important decision in life. It will profoundly impact your whole outlook and every aspect of your life. Anything less is not true discipleship.
[See also Mark 10:28-30; Rev. 2:10; 1 Cor. 6:19,20; 15:58; 2 Cor. 8:5; Rom. chap. 6; Col. chap. 3; John 15:8.]
III. Could a Disciple of Jesus Ever Be Lost?
We have learned that a disciple of Jesus must obey Jesus’ teaching. But what happens if a disciple ceases to serve Christ and goes back into sin? Some religious people teach that, once a person becomes a child of God, he can never so sin as to be eternally lost. Is this teaching in harmony with the teaching of the Lord Himself and His apostles?
A. Warnings of the Danger of Falling
>>> Read JOHN 15:1-6. <<<
Disciples are here described as branches “in Christ” (v2,5, etc.) who have been cleansed by His word (v3).
*32&33* If disciples don’t bear fruit and abide in Christ (v2,4-6), what happens to them? Answer: They are picked up and thrown into the ______ and are ______.
(Note that abiding in Jesus and bearing fruit requires obedience - 1 John 3:6,24; John 15:10; Gal. 5:19ff; etc.)
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 9:27 and 10:12. <<<
This letter was written by the apostle Paul to saints in the church (1:1,2). They were striving to gain the imperishable crown (9:25). To do so Paul said he had to bring his body into subjection (v27). Israel is an example to us (10:6,11) showing we should not commit sins (idolatry, fornication, etc. - vv. 7,8).
*34* Though Paul was an apostle who had preached to others, what concern did he have? (a) he might be disqualified or rejected, (b) some babies might not be baptized, (c) he might be among the elect. Answer: ______.
*35* One who thinks he stands must take heed for what (10:12)? Answer: Take heed lest he ______.
If a person believes he cannot possibly be lost, note that this passage shows that he is one of the very people who are in the greatest danger of falling!
B. Disciples Who Lost Their Faith
>>> Read HEBREWS 3:12-14. <<<
This is addressed to “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” (3:1). It describes how Old Testament Israel failed to enter God’s rest because they lacked faith and obedience.
*36* We too must guard against what? (a) an evil heart of unbelief, (b) departing from God, (c) being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*37* To partake with Christ, what must we do? Answer: We must hold our confidence (faith) steadfast to the ______.
Note: V12 warns that God’s people may develop a heart of unbelief, like the people of Israel did. Many New Testament examples describe disciples to whom this very thing happened. Note 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 1 Tim. 1:18-20; 5:8. [See also 1 Tim. 6:9,10,20,21; Psa. 106:12,13,21,24; 1 Tim. 5:11,12; Luke 22:31,32]
*38* Can a person please God and be saved eternally if he does not have faith (Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 21:8)? Answer: (”Yes” or “no.”) ______.
Faith is essential to salvation. Those who lose it are no better off than those who never had it.
C. Examples of Disciples Who Fell Away
Simon the Sorcerer
>>> Read ACTS 8:12-24. <<<
Simon believed and was baptized (v13). This is what Jesus said one must do to be saved (Mark 16:16). This is what the other Samaritans did (v12). Simon did “also” the same things the others did. If they were saved, he was saved. But Simon later sinned.
*39* What was Simon’s condition after he sinned again (see vv. 20-23)? (a) his heart was not right, (b) he was guilty of wickedness, (c) he was in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity, (d) he would perish if he did not repent and pray, (e) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
The Galatians
>>> Read GALATIANS 5:1-4. <<<
These people were children of God (3:26; cf. 1:2-4; 4:6), who had been set free by Christ (5:1). They had been in grace (5:4). They were in danger of sinning by going back to the Old Testament (5:1) and binding circumcision (5:3,4).
*40* What would be their condition if they went back to the Old Testament practice of binding circumcision? (a) Christ would profit them nothing, (b) they would be severed from Christ, (c) they would be fallen from grace, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
Can one receive eternal life if he is severed from Christ (Eph. 1:3-7) and fallen from the grace that saves (Eph. 2:8)?
[See also 2 Peter 1:8-11; 2:20-22; Galatians 6:7-9; Romans 6:12-18; 8:12-17; Hebrews 6:4-8]
This does not mean that serving Christ is impossible. In fact Jesus promises that we can overcome temptation and be victorious (1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 6:10-18; Phil. 4:13). The point of these verses is to show that being a disciple of Christ is a serious matter. We should not take it lightly. We need to begin serving Christ, but we also need to continue steadfastly in His work (1 Cor. 15:58; Rom. 2:6,7).
Conclusion
Disciples of Christ have a great reward waiting for them (1 Peter 1:3,4). Serving Christ is not easy, but it will be worth every sacrifice we make (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:16-18).
Personal application questions:
(These questions are for you to ponder. Your answers will help us understand your thinking, however they will not affect your “score.”)
*41* Briefly state what you believe about who Jesus is? __________
*42* Do you believe it is possible for a child of God to so sin that he/she will be lost in eternity? __________
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