The Gospel Of Repentance

The concept of predestination I’m sure has perplexed people for years and will continue to do so for many more to come. Biblically what does it mean to be predestined by God, to be conformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29 )? Predestination in the bible is the Greek term proorizō. The term means to choose beforehand, to foreordain, to predetermine ones destiny. To get a better understanding of predestination, let’s examine the scriptures to gain more insight into this wonderful concept. The apostle Paul in the book of Romans 8:29-30 said this, “For whom he foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he predestined, these he called, whom he called these also justified and whom he justified these He also glorified." These are all past tense verbs. Our salvation is secured in the mind of the Lord. What Paul is describing here is the doctr...

Demons are real but I'm not presenting their origins as dogma. I’m sharing this article for those that can receive it and for the reader’s consideration. Because of the subject matter there is more conjecture and supposition in this article than any of the previous ones in the blog. As always be like the noble Bereans and search the scriptures daily to prove whether those things are so (Luke 17:11). How long demons have been around it’s hard to tell. Many believe the fallen angels have transformed into demons in the rebellion before the dawn of time (Isaiah 14) so the terms fallen angels and demons are used interchangeably. While it’s possible it occurred this way, scripture is silent on the matter so we can’t be one hundred percent certain. The Hebrew term for demon is* śē d. The Greek terms are dáimōn and diabolos. The terms simply mean evil spirits. Demons are also called devils in scripture. They’re evil spirits that belong to the kingdom of satan. These creatures are ...

Question, why would Jesus when teaching the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:13 say, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”. From the wording of the text it appears the Lord tempts us. James 1:13 states that God does not tempt any man by evil which is true. When reading any text –especially the scripture, it’s imperative to read the narrative in it’s context and define certain terms. The word temptation in the Greek is peirasmos which means test or trial. Some trials have a beneficial purpose and effect (James 1:12) while others are designed entice us to sin and condemnation which the devil brings to us and also that by our own lust (Luke 22:3, 40; Matthew 4;1; James 1;14). In actuality, the Lord test or tries us in the same manner he tested Abraham (Genesis 22). The reason is for the perfecting of our faith, the development of our character, for our total dependence on the Lord through the trial, and ultimately for the glory of God. The Lord does allow us to be temp...

If God has truly forgiven me when I confess my sins, why do I still suffer wrong? That is a valid question. Some clarification and an example from God’s word will clear up the confusion. In I John 1:9 it reads, “If we confess our sins, he [The Lord] is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. The apostle John was writing to Christians, not to the unsaved. Although our souls are saved, our flesh is not yet. Sin and it’s contaminating effects still operate in our flesh and we often do to the dictates to it’s sinful desires. When we as believers confess post salvation, God forgives us. However, there are mortal consequences for that sin. Our sins judicially have been cleansed forever by the shed blood of Jesus – this happened at the moment we were saved and baptized into the family of God. As a result, we will never be judged guilty and sentenced to a burning hell for our sins. This does not mean that our Father God will not chasten us for that...

These words are used interchangeably but I would like to point out some distinctives. The word preaching is the Greek word Kērusso. This word means to preach, herald, proclaim or publish (Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:45). The more popular Greek term is Euaggelizō where we get the English word evangelize. This term almost always makes reference to preaching, or proclaiming the good news of the gospel. This is the responsibility of every believer. The word teaching in the Greek is Didáskō. It means to know or teach. It also means to instruct by word of mouth. Preaching the gospel is declaring the good news of Jesus Christ; One is proclaiming or heralding the message of man’s sin, his need for repentance of sin, and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith for salvation so that he may escape the wrath of God and inherit eternal life. When I think of preaching, I see the minister proclaiming the message to the congregation as a town crier would as opposed to teaching the listeners which is doc...

The virtue of forgiveness is dominant in scripture. We must keep in mind that forgiveness is a commandment of the Lord, not an option (Mark 11;25;Ephesians 4:31, 32). The Hebrew term for forgiveness is the word calach which means to pardon. The Greek term is aphiemi ; means to send forth or send away. The meaning we must explore first is that of forgiveness in relation to remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness starts and ends with God. He is the author and finisher of it. The first act of forgiveness ever recorded in scripture was when God slew and animal, made coats of skin for Adam and Eve after they sinned in the Garden of Eden. So back in the beginning, God set a standard for forgiveness and covering of sin with the shedding of innocent blood to bear the sins of the guilty. It was the first substitutionary sacrifice in human history (Genesis 3:21). The most ultimate expression of forgiveness is that of the Lord Jesus Christ when he offered himself on C...

Communication rancid with venom to boot. The potency of your tongue deadlier than 10 Black Mambas. The sum of the receiver paralysis from head to feet in defeat. Bereft of Holy preservative, you need the king’s speech. Y ou curse God and men as you shout damning expletives. Your tongue is set on fire of Hell. So intense the heat of your raucous speech, one lick can dry out the Ocean’s Pacific in less than a week. Must be careful not to offend tongue world traveler. Her clip is full and bullet in the chamber. Please be nimble and be quick! Avoid the verbal assault this week until she’s endowed with the king’s speech. How can you be so puerile, that your mouth can’t pick it’s battles? Your syllables consumes flesh and crushes bones. You’re a veracious, carnivorous beast! T he king’s speech is the sedative you need, heals mind body and spirit. You’re infirmed in your soul, your tongue a deadly weapon. Not even a vestige of virt...