ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Barack Obama, making his first visit to a Muslim nation as president, declared Monday the United States "is not and will never be at war with Islam."
Islam is at war with us. It was Muslims that flew those planes into the World Trade Towers. It is Muslims that are suicide bombers. It is Islam that calls the USA the great Satan.
Mr. Obama, are you that ignorant? Or is it because you are a Muslim?
Interesting report in the news that will be quoted below. The current administration is not friendly towards Israel. The Lord gave a promise to the man who is the father of the Jewish nation in Genesis 12:2,3;
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
God had richly blessed the USA due to their blessing the Jewish people. They were given a place to live here free from persecution after this nation was formed. When the state of Israel was formed again in 1948, the USA stood with them. But now there is a change.
Please note the following -
General Ashkenazi reportedly attempted to arrange meetings with President Obama, Vice President Biden and intelligence czars Bob Gates, Dennis Blair or Michael Mullen. None of them would see him. He had valuable intelligence information about Iran to share with them.
Last year, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi had no problem setting up meetings with top officials in the U.S. government.
A statement to WorldTribune.com by the Israel Defense Forces spokesman attempted to downplay the snubs. But diplomatic sources said Ashkenazi failed to obtain access to any Cabinet member, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The Israeli military chief, who sought to discuss the Iranian nuclear threat, was also unable meet his counterpart, Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Tribune quoted an unnamed diplomat who told them, "The administration is sending a very clear message to Israel, and this is we want to talk about Palestine and not Iran."
AND ALSO IN THE NEWS
A former top US intelligence official warns that the Obama Administration is about to break America's long ties of friendship with Israel, and maybe even take steps toward the dissolution of the Jewish state.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to Douglas Hagmann of the Northeast Intelligence Network, the source said:
"I have every reason to believe, based on what I’ve seen at my level of [security] clearance especially over the last several years, that Israel will soon be completely on their own… or worse."
He went on to note that the betrayal likely won't happen in one dramatic moment, but rather subtly, behind the scenes, and over the course of several years.
The Obama Administration is preparing to "provide more support to Arab countries [with] financial and military aid, undercutting Israel’s defense efforts all while pushing Israel to succumb to the pressure of unreasonable demands designed to end with their political annihilation as a nation," said the source.
Israeli officials have of late noted a marked increase in the pressure from Washington to more rapidly acquiesce to Arab land-for-peace demands, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has clarified that Washington is none too pleased with incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to commit to the creation of a sovereign Palestinian Arab state with Jerusalem as its capital.
None of this surprises me when the president has an Islamic name. Talk is cheap on the campaign trail, now we are watching the actions and seeing the true character of the president.
I don't know if the Lord's children are having as difficult a time as we hear reported in the news concerning finances. But the simple truth is still found in the scriptures.
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Now that is not the advice the financial planners will give you, but the Lord Jesus would never lead any of his children astray. But as many face difficulty, they want to keep what little they have. Rather treat your money as seed, for that is the Bible view of it.
II Corinthians 9
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
If a farmer desired a good crop, yet kept all his seed in the barn, and would not plant it, most would think him rather foolish. Are you like the foolish farmer or are you obedient to the Lord?
The Independent Baptist Preachers Mountain Bike Race
Just a reminder of what was stated at the beginning of this adventure called the Monocog Blog -
"A few years back I saw that my brother in law had a bike with out gears. No derailleur, no shifter, no cables stretching from front to back. Just a bike, wheels, chain, pedals and brakes. I commented to him about his one speed bike. “Singlespeed” he commented back. Now it was a fat, knobby tired bicycle, one you take off road in the hills. I thought, “what a way to torture yourself”. Go ahead in time. I now own a Redline Monocog. I have had that bicycle for over 4 years. Off road, in the hills, no shifting, just ride it, or sometimes walk it, if the trail is too steep. But there is where we get the name for this blog, and as the title says, it’s all about one. "
So with that theme in mind, lets put something out there that is not too popular among Independent Baptists, a challenge to race. Here it is -
The Independent Baptist Preachers Mountain Bike Race, or IBPMBR for short. Some time in early May, just waiting for some preachers to sign up. So if you are a preacher, leave some information in the comment section.
Location is in the western border area of Arizona. The course starts at 500' elevation, climbs up over 3500', and then down around 2400' before going up over 4000' and back down to the valley. Temps will be warm and the terrain rough. Total mileage approximately 75 miles. No shorts or tank tops, let's keep a good testimony for the Lord. Yes, this is serious! Any takers? If so, let me know in the comments section. If we can get a preacher or two interested, we could also have a short preacher's meeting, though only doctrinally sound and separated preachers will be allowed to preach. Dates are flexible, though early May would be best so as not to get too hot.
Sounds great to this preacher. Now to see if there will be any other participants.
24 years ago today the Lord saved me. The Lord reached down to save a hell bound college student attending the University of Minnesota. John 1:12 was the verse God used in the preaching of his word.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
I had done a lot of religious activities. But one's works have no part in salvation. Jesus paid it all, his death is sufficient.
"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
The following 24 years have been quite the time.
"The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."
Happy Anniversary to my one wife of 21 years.
You call yourself a diamond in the rough, but your worth to me is far above rubies.
Lord willing, lets enjoy our next 21 years together more than we have enjoyed the these past years.
Monetary policy is important for elected officials to understand. Most do not. This is not Monopoly we are playing. There are two possible reasons for what is going on. Either the leaders in Congress are very ignorant, OR they are purposely trying to destroy America as we have known it.
Keyes and Santelli voice what many with smaller audiences are saying already.
Communists and the haters of liberty have gotten control.
There is ONE thing to do - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.
Last time we were refuting some error. See previous post. Well, let's move on to what else was in that doctrinal statement.
"We reject as unscriptural any claim that Christians will be physically removed, or “raptured,” from the earth prior to judgment day."
If you believe what you read in the scriptures, it is easy to see that the Lord will remove those that are his one day.
I Thess. 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
There you have it. Verse 17 speaks of meeting the Lord in the air, that is, being caught up off this earth.
The Old Testament also spoke about this.
Isaiah 26
19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
Just as I Thess. 4:16 speaks of the dead rising, Isaiah wrote in 26:19 of the earth casting out the dead. Verse 20 is the rapture, as God's people are safe with him while this world is judged.
The Lord is coming soon. You need to be born again, given spiritual life to be ready to meet him when he comes.
Flee from the wrath to come -- the wrath that will punish those in their sins.
Here it is - from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod's website on "What We Believe".
"We reject the teaching that Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years in a physical, earthly kingdom. This teaching (millennialism) has no valid scriptural basis and falsely leads Christians to set their hopes upon an earthly kingdom of Christ (John 18:36). We reject as unscriptural any claim that Christians will be physically removed, or “raptured,” from the earth prior to judgment day. We likewise reject as unscriptural any claim that all the Jews will be converted in the final days."
I urge my readers to look at Revelation 20
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
It says there that Jesus will reign one thousand years. Did you see that in verses 4 and 6?
In Luke 1:32, the angel Gabriel told Mary concerning the Lord Jesus,
"...the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:"
The study would be of great length, but it is clear in the Bible that the Lord Jesus is returning to reign as King, with his throne situated in Jerusalem. After 1000 years there will be a judgment.
Rev 20, continued
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Could it be any clearer? If your final authority is the Bible only, and not confessions, catechisms, and church fathers, you would see that the millenial reign of Christ is scriptural. Stay tuned, we will look at the other two claims they make concerning the rapture and the conversion of the Jewish nation.
Two senators voted against Hillary Clinton being the next Secretary of State. So much for counting on the Republicans to stand for what is right. Though I already knew that, but maybe this will start to open the eyes of many of what we are facing in the leadership in this country. If you need to ask why should a U.S. senator have voted against her being appointed to that position, then you probably won't understand much of what is written here.
Get ready, everything wrong will be promoted in the next few years. And taxes will be raised on everything, and probably a few new taxes added. Sodomites will flaunt their abominable actions, and be encouraged by new hate laws to be soon passed. Take heart if you are saved, God gave us an example in Genesis 19. Once Lot was removed, fire and brimstone fell on Sodom and Gomorrah. Once the trumpet sounds, judgment will fall.
v4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
The one hope is easy to identify in the scriptures.
Titus 2
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
The only hope for anyone is the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the only hope for our country.
He is the only hope for your family.
He is the only hope for your soul.
America, like all other nations, has turned away from the Lord and the Bible. Politicians offer more of the same hopelessness every year. Their empty promises offer a false hope to many who are in desperate situations. The Bible is very clear.
Psalm 9
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Families fall apart when they depart from the scriptures. The Bible is very clear about parents, not the humanistic, god denying, hell bound liberals of the federal school system, teaching their children. The Bible is very clear that the wife is to be a keeper at home, not out pursuing her "career". And fathers are to take an active role in their family, not to just sit on the couch watching "professional sports", and oblivious to the needs of their family. If your family situation seems hopeless, turn to the scriptures, and get back to God's ways.
Without the Lord all is hopeless. But with the Lord, we have a blessed hope, which in the only hope in this wicked sinful world.
That is $1000 for you next home purchase.
I recently came upon some information concerning the economy in Detroit. The situation was being described as very bad. The average home price was given as $18,000. Now I had to check on that one. So over to www.realtor.com I went. I entered $1000 as my min price and $40,000 as my max price. Click search. WOW Nearly 5000 homes listed. How about a 1432 square foot home, 5 bed room, brick home for $40,000? Well I brought the search down to see how many under $20,000, nearly 4000 listed, 195 homes under $1000, and 35 at $300 or less.
You say, "must be urban inner city ghetto." Well how about a 1100 square foot home on 7 acres for $300? Any takers out there?
In comparison, there were 2114 listed in the range of $50,000 to $500,000.
Why so bad? The report said 21% unemployment. I hate to be the one breaking the bad news, but this will probably be spreading to other areas also. My advice. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found." "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." "Ye must be born again". No amount of "survival" planning can prepare you for the judgment of God. Only the Lord's grace and compassion will.
I Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Our text says that the Spirit of God speaks very clearly on this matter. In the latter days, the time preceding the Lord's return, there will be a departing from sound Bible doctrine. Included in this departure is the mention of lying.
Can I give you just a few things?
The matters covered in our text definitely speak of what is taught by Roman Catholicism, with the celibacy of the priesthood, and the practice of only fish on Friday. But also mentioned is the matter of lying.
Roman Catholicism gave us the day of December 25th for the birth of Christ. There isn't space here to show that he was born in late September or early October, but some Bible study will show this. To say that he was born on December 25th is a lie. Our text says many are departing from what is right and are speaking lies. If you know the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and you know about the birth of Christ not being in December, why would you go along with this lie?
So, Christian, if you are telling the lie about Christ and December 25th, the Bible calls you a hypocrite. My Baptist brethren didn't go along with this lie for the first 1900 years after Christ ascended, and for those 1900 years over 50 million were put to death for the faith. They stood boldly against anything that was connected to Roman Catholicism. But now most Christians have joined hands with Rome to celebrate what was originally called "the Mass of Christ", later to be called "Christmass", and then the 's' dropped to just be known as Christmas.
It was mentioned on another blog that my five year old daughter does not like trees. (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/diamondsintherough/634305/) That attitude comes from living in the desert. We don't have any trees in our yard. Now that is not that strange. But what I love to point out is that we don't have any grass. Not one blade of grass. Not one. No need for the lawn mower, no need for the tree trimmer, no need for a rake. No need for sprinkler systems. Not one of those items here. It also needs to be mentioned, no snow shovel. Count your blessings, see what God hath done. What a beautiful place, the desert.
Soon we will be back to Ephesians 4 for those of you paying attention to our theological entries.
The qualifications of a pastor are given in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. We don't call them suggestions, but rather qualifications, for the scriptures say, "A bishop then must..."
The most controversial one listed deals with the marital status. It says in both accounts that the pastor is to be the husband of one wife. Now the liberal minded comes along and says that means one at a time. Remember, the pastor is to be an example to the believer. While many in our society have gone through the terrible heartache of divorce, it isn't God's will. If God's preachers were allowed to divorce and remarry and continue to pastor the Lord's church, that would surely negate the plain statement of the Lord Jesus when he said in Mark 10
6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
I would also direct you to Romans 7:2,3 which tell us that if you marry another while the one you married first is still alive, you have committed adultery.
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
A man who married, then later is divorced, and then remarries while his first wife is alive is an adulterer. He has disqualified himself from the ministry, though he will give account to the Lord for the ministry he did not fulfill, as the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. And no matter how you try to justify it, he has two wives, and he may be supporting both of them also (alimony). What a mess. That is what goes on in the world constantly, but is not to be the example that the man of God sets forth in a N.T. Baptist church.
Well this blogging stuff gets on that to do list, and easily pushed down the list for other activities. But I did notice I am averaging 1 comment per post, well a little more than one, more like 1.5 That's great, keeps with the number one theme. So all one you commenting out there, thanks.
Let's continue from what we started two posts back.
The doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit also is a rather controversial matter amongst professing Christians. But the Bible warns us that some might receive another spirit.
II Cor 11
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Simply put, the charismatic movement speaks of a spirit that is not in accordance with what the Bible says. They claim that the Holy Spirit baptizes one into an invisible body, thus perverting the doctrine of the church, and perverting the promise the Lord made in Acts 1:5:
"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
And that was fulfilled in Acts 2, when the first church in Jerusalem was empowered to do the work they were called to do, the great commission. The signs given were proof of this, and the results also bore witness to the fact.
Peter preached the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead, and the Holy Spirit drew men unto the Lord. That was not the start of some movement making much of the Spirit of God, but rather fulfilling what the Lord had said.
John 16
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
That is the one Spirit of Ephesians 4, briefly shown to you in his work in the New Testament. He is the third person in the Trinity, God Almighty.
Well that is what I was on November 4th. In Mohave County, which is located in the northwest corner of Arizona, 75 citizens cast their vote for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitutional Party. No it was not a wasted vote just because he did not win. You could say a vote for John McCain was wasted since he did not win. But it was rather a vote for a man that stood for the constitution of the United States. No longer will I be drawn in to those silly arguments of voting for the lesser of two evils. Both major party candidates showed themselves to be socialists as they voted for the government hand out of tax payer money to failing companies.
Now I ask you, why do we reward failures? Car companies are having trouble, so instead of rewarding those that are making a profit in some way, the elected officials are trying to figure a way to give money to companies that are failing to make money. Banks are failing, so reward the failing banks with more money. When it appears they were unable to handle what was already entrusted to their care, why would you give them more, especially billions more? It makes no sense, but it is also unconstitutional. Please read the 10th Amendment.
Maybe in the next election some will have dusted off the constitution, and after reading it, they will see that most of the elected officials have really no idea of what ought to be taking place in government. Then vote them out of office, and elect some that do understand.
But then I fear that most of our nation's citizens are also becoming socialists, and sadly don't even realize it.
Getting this right will help you have your Bible doctrine correct in other areas of study.
The one body is the assembly of scripturally baptized believers that gather together at a specific location. It is called the church. Preaching takes place, hymns and songs are sung, an offering is taken, and the two ordinances are observed. Its members have the responsibility of preaching the gospel to every creature.
Now for those that have trouble with that definition, lets look at the scriptures.
Col 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
And the church is shown clearly to be a visible, local assembly in
I Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
So the body is the church and the church is a place where your behavior is addressed in the scriptures. Therefore the one body is the N.T. church.
In case you were wondering, there is no such thing as the universal, invisible, body or church. For there is only one body, we have just defined it, don't go trying to find a second body, the Bible said there is only one.
