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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Don't Be Surprised!

'And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of GOD, you cannot overthrow it---lest you even be bound to fight against GOD.' (Acts 5:38-39 NKJV)

What we have here is some good, solid advice from a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was respected immensely by his peers withing the Jewish community. As usual, the leaders of the different Jewish sects were looking for any reason they could find to punish and even kill the followers of CHRIST. To make matters worse, in this particular instance, the Sadducee's were thwarted in their own minds when after they had ordered some of the apostles be placed in prison, they next heard that the very same men were again preaching and teaching in the temple. While meeting with other leaders over just what to do about these followers of CHRIST who refused to do as they were told, they received this advice from Gamaliel. The last part of this Scripture above is what I want to expand on, and apply to, our Christian response to these mindless followers of sin that are always looking for a way to voice the devil's deceptions. Be sure of what I just said, about mindless followers of sin [that are] always looking for a way to voice the devil's deceptions. Also be sure that each and every person who has ever taken a stand against not only the outward signs of Christianity and the worship of GOD by Christians, but also the very existence of Christianity, is in the service of satan. I know that this a very serious charge to make, but it isn't me who makes it, it is our LORD GOD HIMSELF who warns man about the foolishness of trying to serve two masters, whether it's GOD and money, or GOD and anything of this world.

Should we continue to be surprised, listening to the criers of doom and despair on the one hand, while on the other hand we have a huge mass of people who honestly believe that they have a 'cause' that is unique to them.  You could talk to them until you were way past being blue in the face, and it would be to no avail with most of them.  It can be maddening, the obstinance of most of these so called 'atheists' and 'agnostics' with the worst part being the fact that they've not had an original thought since they were borned!  Am I declaring war on these people?  No, not on them, and I would never go to [Spiritual] arms against any person who is in GOD's Will for redemption.  But I have been, and will continue to be, at war with their leader, the devil himself.  I'm sure that some of those reading this will think, "Oh well, there he goes around the bend!"  That's fine, I'm okay with people thinking that I'm a 'zealot' or a 'fanatic' or  a 'holy roller' or any other  [worldly] name they can think up.  I'm okay with it because the Bible not just tells me it will happen, but HIS Word promises me that I'll be ridiculed by those who've chosen to follow the ruler of this world.  Another thing HIS Word assures me is that any person who makes the statement that either  they don't believe that GOD even exists, or that they're not sure that HE is real, is an out and out liar.  Again, it's not me who has the authority to make this statement with boldness, it's the LORD speaking through HIS Holy Word.

'For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of GOD is manifest in them, for GOD has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world HIS invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even HIS eternal power and GODHEAD, so that they are without excuse,'  (Romans 1:18-20  NKJV)

And,

'For the grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men.'  (Titus 2:11  NKJV)

There you have it, the LORD GOD is as plain as day calling all of these supposed nonbelievers liars, and why shouldn't they possess the same traits as their father?  The thing that confuses me is why anyone would want to follow after someone who got kicked out of heaven to start with.  When I think of their leader, the devil, I think of him as a dead man walking who just don't have enough sense to lay it down!  Should we think of his legions of followers the same way, or so long as there is still a chance of them coming to the Throne of Grace should we hold them dear in prayer?  I believe in the latter, that until they've breathed their last breath, or GOD has given them over to a reprobate mind, we have to remain constant in prayer for their salvation.  A lot of people will call you a liar if you even suggest that, about GOD giving up on someone and being done with them.

'And even as they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge, GOD gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;  being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness;  full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of GOD, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;  who, knowing the righteous judgment of GOD, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who who practice them.

I don't know about you, but as I read down through this list of things that any Christian shouldn't have any part of, I can see each and every one of these actions and mindsets being displayed all around the world in the name of everything from affirmative action to civil rights. 

The bottom line, for me at least, is simple.  Always be ready, for the opportunity to counsel someone, for the chance to pray the sinners prayer with the next person you meet, to have your very life presented as a walking breathing testimony to the Grace and Mercy of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT!  When we see and hear people acting the fool and making silly statements about not believing that the FATHER is real, don't take it personal or be surprised or overwhelmed.  Think of it like this, GOD is allowing them to carry on with their foolishness just so you'll know who to pray for, our LORD is letting their loud mouths act as a beacon, to draw us nearer to their needs. 

May GOD Bless and keep you!

Terry
Absarokee MT

Sunday, July 24, 2011

What Do We Do?

So much of the time, people follow traditions and accept as fact contrary ideals that have began in many ways, two of which I want to look at today. Both traditions and contrary ideals are often handed down generation after generation, with each successive generation adding to the false aspects of whatever the issue is. The second of the two ways I'll look at today is all about convenience.

We all know, or should know, that JESUS came to make available to all men HIS blood as atonement for sin, and that all men sin.

'For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only Begotten SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life.' (John 3:16 NKJV)

And,

'As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;" (Romans 3:10 NKJV)

And,

'But GOD demonstrates HIS own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, CHRIST died for us.' (Romans 5:8 NKJV)

Okay, now let's, so to speak, take this to the next level. What do you suppose is the main issue that separates Christians from everyone else? Now let's be sure that we understand each other about what a 'Christian' is. I'm not talking about someone who was baptized into a church as an infant, or who successfully recited the sacraments as a young child. Neither am I talking about someone who is the fourth or fifth or whatever generation of a family lineage going to the same church, or someone who everyone agrees is a 'good person.' None of these things, and there are many more ideas that people use to identify themselves as 'Christians'  are of any value whatsoever when each of us stand before GOD. And this is something we all need to be crystal clear on, that each and every one of us will stand in front of GOD one day, this will be one of those things that attendance is mandatory for. 

'Then I saw a great white throne and HIM who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.  And there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before GOD, and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  And they were judged, each one according to his works.  Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.'  (Revelation 20:11-15    NKJV)

Does being saved mean that we no longer sin, or have desires or thoughts that are contrary to HIS Will for us?   What is sin, so far as the Christian is concerned?  Let's go backwards on answering these questions, and start with what sin is.  Just so we don't get too convoluted here, we need to divide the large picture of 'sin' into two smaller pictures, that of conscious sin and unconscious sin.  When we make a decision to do something that we know we shouldn't be doing, or saying, or thinking, and we follow through with whatever it is, even when we hear that small persistent voice somewhere inside of us urging us to stop, we've committed conscious sin.  Another way to think of conscious sin is to define sin as, 'a willful transgression against GOD.'  When we identify unconscious sin, it's a whole different animal, one that the apostle Paul did a good job of explaining.

'For what I am doing, I do not understand.  For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.  If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.  But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.  For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.  Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.'  (Romans 7:15-20    NKJV)



Everything we've been going over up to now has been for a specific purpose, to lead us up to a certain question.  Where we're going next is a place more and more Christians are finding themselves, and it's not only Believers as individual Children of GOD who are finding themselves face to face with this situation.  Churches and denominational conferences are being pitted one against the other with separation and splintering happening more and more often at an alarming rate. 

Here is the question, "How do I, or any Christian, respond when asked what I think about a person identifying themselves as a homosexual and then seeking recognition, through ordination or otherwise, by individual churches and/or denominational conferences?" 

If you read national news, you'll have read about some churches and other religious organizations separating themselves from partner or conference entities because of differences in what is considered the appropriate response to this question.  We have avowed homosexuals being ordained as ministers, and this isn't only happening in churches we would consider 'cults' either.

(Follow the following links: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293007,00.html , http://articles.cnn.com/2001-06-16/us/church.gays_1_ministers-web-site-church-leaders?_s=PM:US , http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/marchweb-only/3-22-11.0.html?start=3 , )

We have established denominations taking the position that Christians should accept without question that there is nothing wrong [Scripturally] with having a pastor or minister who is an avowed homosexual.  Do we take the stand that it's okay for someone living openly in a sinful manner and relationship to be a leader in our worship of a GOD who didn't waste any words in describing how HE felt about this particular sin because we don't want to hurt someones feelings?  Or to deprive someone of their right to live their lives as they please?  Maybe we don't want the poor things to feel like we, as New Testament Believers, find their lifestyle as repugnant as GOD obviously does?  I know, it's not 'politically correct' to offend anyone these days.  Do you want to know something, I've not read anywhere in my Bible that I have to be politically correct!  How about something else, I have read throughout my Bible that I'd better be Scripturally and Spiritually correct! 

Here's the bottom line;  It isn't convenient to say "NO!"  It isn't easy to say "ENOUGH!"  It isn't the fashionable thing in these times to say "STOP!" 

What's next?  Are we going to start having Sunday morning services in the early afternoon so that pedophiles can stay out later on Saturday night raping and molesting kids before getting ready to preach on Sundays?  Are churches going to petition prisons to please let a certain serial killer have a weekend pass so that they can kill a few more people and still make it to the church in time to preach the morning service?  Go on and say it, that you think I'm exaggerating just a bit, and I know that some people who read this post will feel that way.  I'm good with that, because of something I know.  Not only those who pervert HIS Gospel by standing in front of a congregation with their 'same sex' partner but also any of those in the pews who actually encouraged the perversion by not saying "NO!" "ENOUGH!" "STOP!" will all have to stand in front of the Great White Throne one day.  Men can say what they choose, men can profess to believe what they need to in order to justify their actions and lifestyles, but remember, "GOD will not be mocked!"  Sin will always rear it's ugly head, and JESUS knew this to be true, and GOD addressed this issue through the apostle Paul, among others.

'Therefor do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in it's lusts.'  (Romans 6:12    NKJV)

When asked about why people make the conscious decision to continue living a certain lifestyle, someone will always respond that GOD made them that way.  Here's the thing, whether isn't homosexuality or pedophilia or stealing or murdering or raping, sin is sin is sin...  I'm not the one saying this, GOD did, and still is! Have I ever gotten so angry it would've been easy for me to cripple or kill someone?  Yes, and it's true that the LORD let me get that mad.  It's also true that HE strengthened me to overcome that anger, so that I didn't sin.  I'm sure that there are literally thousands of men who might have forced themselves on a woman, but didn't.  I equally positive that many more people than we can imagine have been in desperate enough situations that they've considered robbing someone, maybe they've been ready to kill to get what they needed, but they didn't.  And there is a very good reason why more people make a good choice, and then are strengthened to follow through, and that's because when JESUS had a choice to make, HE chose us! 

Fellow Believers, stand up and be heard! Quit enabling this perversion of our LORD's Gospel in the name of equal rights, or to not offend someone.  JESUS died so that we have the right to be called 'sons' by the FATHER.  HIS very death was an offense to many, don't let your life be an offense to HIM!

I pray the LORD's Blessings on you all, and HIS Will to be seen in all that you do!

Terry a.k.a. k2montana

Monday, July 18, 2011

Only One GOD!

More and more in today's times we're seeing prominant leaders from the holder of the highest office in this country all the way down to the most minor position in city governments endorsing the growth of religious and cultural systems that are contrary to what GOD would have us accept.  (Wow! That was a mouthful!)  The assorted activist groups are always onboard for anything they can raise a fuss about, so their jumping on this particular bandwagon isn't any surprise, or shouldn't be.  After all, if we just pay attention to the different causes some of these groups line up behind, we'll see a remarkable coincidence in that whatever issue any far left politician is campaigning on will automatically be heralded by every activist group from the ACLU to save the field mice followers.  Do I hate these people?  No I don't. Do I believe that we need to 'embrace' any belief system except that of the ALMIGHT GOD?  Absolutely not!  Do I find any support at all in the Bible that we're supposed to be supportive and tolerant of any people who worship any other diety that our LORD  in Heaven?  Again, absolutely not!  Is there Biblical support for every single thing I've just advocated?  You bet, and here it is;

'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for thos who spitefully use you and persecute you.'  (Matthew 5:43-44    NKJV)

Does any of this sound familiar to you?  The parts about Christians being hated, persecuted, cursed, and spitefully used?  Some may say that nobody has done any of these things to them, and my response is that they need to just look around.  Almost every day there is someone somewhere trying to change laws or make new ones in order to make some part of our worship of GOD illegal.  Just as bad is when the number one person in this country, remember this country was founded on the basic belief of freedom of worship, tells us that we need to 'embrace' our Muslim brothers and that shariah law is something he didn't have any problem with.  Is these acts not a [figurative] slap in the face to any New Testament, Spirit Filled Child of GOD?  When our children are not allowed to make any outward sign of worship [of GOD] in public school for fear of expulsion, is that not persecution?

Okay then, we've looked at Scripture that supports what our position should be, so far as our response to the actions of those who are contrary to GOD.  Now what about being told, again by our own government, that we should be willing to accept the beliefs of non-Christians as relevant, and to 'embrace' their beliefs?

'We know that  we are of GOD, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.  And we know that the SON of GOD has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know HIM who is true; and we are in HIM who is true, in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.  This is the true GOD and eternal life.'  (I John 5:19-20  NKJV)

So where does that leave us in our dealings, either personal or professional, with people who don't share the same belief we have that  'This is the true GOD...'?
Should we just ignore them, and under no circumstances allow them to be a part of our lives?  If we take that position, where does that leave what is often called 'The Great Commission' and our committment to adhere to that?  As we read earlier, we're not supposed to hate people who believe in any god other than the LORD GOD.  We're supposed to keep them constant in prayer, that their [spiritual] eyes many be opened to the truth of the only 'true GOD and eternal life.'  But the idea of 'embracing' other beliefs isn't supported by Scripture, in fact we're told to take the polar opposite stand.

'But do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has CHRIST with Belial?  Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  And what agreement has the temple of GOD with idols?  For you are the temple of the living GOD.'  (II Corinthians 6:14-16  NKJV)

The bottom line is this;  we're not to 'embrace' or show [spiritual] 'tolerance' for any belief that worships any god other than the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!  There are no special circumstances that could warrant any change in this fact.  I've heard it said that sometimes you have to 'give a little to get a little' and that at other times we have to 'choose our battles' and I don't believe either position is supported by Scripture.  JESUS didn't make any deals with the devil, and that is a lesson for every Christian that HE taught us by example.  HE didn't trade off one single iota of the FATHER's Will for any considerations from the devil or those who fought HIM every step of the way during HIS time here amongst men.  This isn't to say that we should cut off every avenue of access between us, as the Children of the LIVING GOD, and those who worship idols, whether their worship is of any other god or any worldly person, place, or thing.  Remember what we read earlier, that 'the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.'  What we are to do is to present ourselves to GOD as living, breathing testimonies to HIS Glory and Mercy!  We should do as JESUS did, teach by example, with the example being every single thing we say or do.  We shouldn't ever have to make the statement to someone that we are a Christian.  Our position before HIM should be clearly reflected in how we live our lives.  Can we be friends with someone who doesn't worship GOD?  Yes we can, but always remember that the purpose of that friendship is to present GOD to them with our very life. 

Be Blessed fellow Believers, in all that you do!

Terry a.k.a. k2montana

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

What About Us?

After reading about a school in Canada that not only allows, but actually sets aside time and physical resources for Muslims to have their Friday prayers at a certain time in a [school] location, my first thought is, "What about us Christians?"  The thing is that the same school disallowed prayers for Christians, going so far as to forbid Christian children from even praying silently if it involved any outward signs of worship such as making the sign of the cross.  The spokesperson for the school said that the school, 'practiced religious tolerance' by allowing the Muslim worship.  Again, the question, "What about us?" comes to mind.  Let's look at another incident.  Some months ago, a school teacher here in the U.S. wanted paid time off to travel to Meca for [Muslim] worship.  The school denied her application for the paid time off, along with the travel expenses she requested.  So what did she do?  What any Muslim would do living in a country run by a Muslim extremist, she sued the School District.  Why is this important for us to know?  If you or I, as New Testament Believers, wanted to go to Israel for worship, not only would our request for paid time off and travel expenses be denied, but our resulting lawsuit would be immediately dismissed as frivolous.  If  our children wanted to worship GOD through prayer that included outward signs of worship, whether it be the sign of the cross or something else, we would find that 'religious tolerance' didn't include allowing Christian worship, or even recognition, of GOD.  Combine this with the fact that Obama made the statement last year that we, as Americans, should show Muslims that we, "are eager to embrace their beliefs."  He also made the statement more recently that he didn't see anything wrong with Sharii law being the law of the land here in this country.  Where does all of this leave us?  I don't know if Obama is 'the' antichrist, but remember that the Bible warns of 'other' and 'lesser' anitchrists who will come in advance of 'the' anitchrist. One thing I do know though, and this isn't being judgmental, I'm just stating the obvious.  What I know is that the prophecies of persecution for Believers are being fulfilled more and more every day, and the person who is supposed to lead this country is leading it right down the road to perdition.  Let's face facts, there have always been some people who will always have some issue to act stupid over, whether it's public prayer or the breeding habits of the desert sand flea.  My point is that as long as there is more than one person looking at something, at least one of them will display stupidity.  What we're seeing now is far beyond that.  In fact, the stupidity I'm talking about is actually being used by Obama to continue to degrade the people or this country and their rights to worship GOD at any time in any place in any way.  The thing is this, Obama doesn't have anything to say about our relationship with GOD, and he can't take that right away or curtail it in any fashion, unless we allow him too.  When anyone tells me that I need to show someone who doesn't believe in GOD that I'm eager to 'embrace' their beliefs, then all I have for that person is a lot of prayer!  I refuse to 'embrace' any other beliefs other than my belief in GOD!  If being willing to accept any other belief as valid is a requirement of Obama to be an American, then the proof is there that he has no idea of what an American is, or should be. 

You know, most often I don't voice my very strong views on the state of this country, and the downturn it's taken in the last two years.  Reading the article on the Canadian school and their allowing Muslim worship and forbidding Christian worship triggered me to respond.  All of what I've read and seen needed a place to go, and I guess this was it.

Be Blessed my fellow Believers!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Independence Day, Is It Real?

As you all know, I hope, our nation just celebrated Independence Day.  What does that mean to the average person?  How many people can articulate exactly what importance that event was?  Believe it or not, there is a method to my madness here.  Just as the name for the special day implies, a new nation, the United States of America, on that July 4th in 1776 became independent from an entity that would have preferred our new country remain [a] dependent of, and on, them.  The reasoning is simple.  When any person or other entity is dependent on another person or entity, then one has authority, and by a natural progression power, over the other.  That is why in the case of our independence England fought so hard to stay in authority and power over what that country considered her subjects.  Now let's take this to the next level, and you'll begin to see where my madness is taking us.  When a group of what were later called 'Reformers' began protesting certain practices of the Roman Catholic Church around 1517a.d., then the more powerful of the two groups naturally didn't gracefully yield to the demands of either changing their ways or to give the dependent party recognition as an independent  religious organization.  The specifics of why the Roman Catholics wouldn't work with the Reformers kept not only these two groups in turmoil for the next approximately 131 years, but played havoc on what was considered the 'civilized world' as well.  The point to be made here is that one party insisted on having total control over another, just like in the issue between Great Britain and the fledgling United States of America.  This same scenario has been evident in history since history began, and I've no doubt it will remain so until our LORD comes again.  There is another place we can see this same situation replayed over and over again.  The Bible, which we have to accept as historical fact if we believe in the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY GHOST, is full of examples of certain people[s] seeking independence from another person, a belief, a culture, and the list goes on.  Don't think that this type of thing is only found in the Old Testament either.  Also, don't think that the coming of the MESSIAH stopped it from happening, in a lot of ways HIS life identified a lot more of peoples encumbrances.  Then we have the granddaddy of them all, mans dependence on sin.  It sounds kind of weird when we say it like that, that man was dependant on sin.  That describes man's state before the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, he was literally dependent on sin.  Not just enslaved by sin, but dependent on sin.  Now think about this for a second.  All over this great country of ours, on a certain day of the year, people celebrate not being dependent on England any longer.  Most countries have their independence day celebrations to commemorate a certain day on which they were no longer dependent on another country, or maybe a regime.

 Hey, you Christians, what about your independence day?  How often do you celebrate no longer being dependant on sin?  Should it be just a once a year happening?  Shouldn't every day be your INDEPENDENCE DAY?  Are you just independent from sin on only one day a year?  Here's the way I see it.  Every single day of our lives should be celebrated as INDEPENDENCE DAY.   JESUS didn't die so that any one of us would be independent from sin for just the one day we accepted HIM as LORD and SAVIOR, our freedom is ongoing and eternal.  Do you live your life, every day of it, as one who is eternally free from the dependence on sin?  See, I told you that there was a method to my madness!

By the way, 'Yeah, I'm a Believer!'

You can find me on Twitter as 'k2montana' and on our WebSite at 'www.inhisserviceministries.org' 

My prayer for you is that every day is INDEPENDENCE DAY, and that every day is a Blessed day!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Be Carefull About Making Vows

So many of us are all too ready to swear to something, or to make a vow over a given issue or subject.  I'm sure everyone has heard at one time or another someone say something like, "On my mother's grave" or "By the virgin Mary" and then follow with a promise, which is actually a vow.  Biblically a vow is usually a declaration of devotion that is usually conditional, such as the vow Jephthah made in Judges 11:29; 

'Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead;  and from  Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon.  And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, "If YOU will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."'   (Judges 11:29-31    NKJV)

Let's look at a little background here, so as to better understand what was going on here.  Jephthah was the illegitimate son of Gilead whose legitimate sons had driven from the family home and properties.  Finding himself in the land of Tob, Jephthah joined other men, and began raiding other villages and towns.  After some time passed, the people of Ammon attacked Israel, and were gaining the upper hand.  Now Israel had a problem, they had no one able enough in the arts of war to lead their army to defeat the people of Ammon, who were very skilled at warfare.  So now, after being driven from Gilead because of his lack of a birthright, the people of Gilead needed Jephthah, and so the elders travelled to the land of Tob to try and talk him into coming back to lead the army of Israel.  A bargain was made, if Jephthah was successful in leading the army of Israel to victory against the people of Ammon, then when the war was over, he would be the head of the people.  The Israelites, with Jephthah leading the way, defeated every enemy they encountered, slowly working their way closer and closer to the army of the people of Ammon.  Now here is where things get a little dicey.  Nowhere in the scripture describing these events (Judges 11:1-28)  I've just paraphrased do we find that Jephthah made any vows to the LORD either before or after a battle.  Scripture does tell us that he  'spoke all his words  before the LORD in Mizpah.'  (Judges 11:11  NKJV)  Just this alone would indicate that Jephthah was a pious man, and that he took everything to GOD before he undertook anything.  The new leader of Israel's army would've spent some 'one on one' time with the LORD, through prayer seeking guidance and assurances that everything from his new position to waging war against the people of Ammon to leading the people of Gilead after the war ended, that in all of this and more he had the blessings of GOD.  This is an important aspect about Jephthah for us to understand, although it does make what followed even more tragic. 
Now we're at the point of battle with Ammon, and Jephthah seeks the Judgment of the LORD in the battle between Israel and the people of Ammon.  Then, and his reasoning is hard to understand, Jephthah does something new, he makes a vow.  The vow, which is conditional, is a pledge from him to GOD that if the army of Israel is victorious against the people of Ammon, then Jephthah will offer up as a burnt offering whatever it is that comes first from his door when he returns home.  Think about this for a minute.  We've established several things already.  First, that Jephthah was a religious man who took everything to GOD for guidance.  Second, that every battle fought had ended in victory for Jephthah and the army he led.  A third point to make is that GOD didn't require this vow.  The question now is why did he feel the need to make this vow?  Maybe he felt this vow was necessary to express just how devoted to and trusting of the LORD he was.  For whatever reason the vow was made, the fact is that it wasn't necessary, but since the vow was made, now it had to be fulfilled.  That is the whole purpose of today, to understand that we need to be extremely careful about what we vow, or promise, or pledge, and not just to GOD.  Now let's look at the results Jephthah faced in the keeping of his vow.

'When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child.  Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.'  (Judges 11:33  NKJV)

When GOD is working in our lives, and is blessing our undertakings, we may feel that we need to somehow reassure HIM of our love for HIM.  This may be what led Jephthah down his tragic road.  Remember that GOD knows the 'innermost' part of each of us.  Also remember that our Covenant with HIM, the Covenant of Grace, is exactly that, based on and in Grace.  There are no works required as conditions of this final Covenant.  We don't need to prove anything to the FATHER, HE already knows more about how we feel that we do.  But if a vow is made, it has to be kept, even an unadvised one.

Friday, July 1, 2011

EBooks on Amazon!

We've been busy this week, getting several EBooks published on Amazon.  We have two Volumes of articles written on a variety of subjects and issues that are in both the Christians and those wanting to know more about HIM lives.  We use the Bible as our primary source for the information in the articles, and keep everything Scripture based. Check these Volumes out using the following links: 


Topical Articles Vol. 1
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00585CIB6

Topical Articles Vol. 2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00586LJEM

Besides these two books, we've also put out four studies which are part of a series of eight studies on Biblical Covenants.
We'll give you the links to the four EBooks that are ready to go, and the other four will be coming shortly.  Be Blessed!


The Edenic Covenant
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00588T618

The Adamic Covenant
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005891A48

The Noahic Covenant
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058I8IN0

The Abrahamic Covenant
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058J09EK


Any questions, comments, suggestions, thoughts, or just to say 'Hello,' you can contact us through our WebSite, www.inhisserviceministries.org , through Email, terrykeiner@yahoo.com , by commenting on this Blog, or by following us on Twitter, 'k2montana'.

P.S.  I read a really good review of a book on the Reformation and how the disciplines are just as relevant today as they were at the time of the Reformation.  Monogerism Books has the book by C. True on sale right now, and to me it's a 'Must Read.'

Be Blessed in HIM in all that you do,
Terry