Tag Archives: End Times

THINGS TO COME

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This is a multi-part series.  On this page you will find links to all audio files in the series as well as the outlines for the entire series. Scroll down for complete outlines.

 

 

Things To Come: Part 1 – 12-27-15 Sunday Morning
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Things To Come: Part 2 – 01-03-16 Sunday Morning
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Things To Come: Part 3 – 01-10-16 Sunday Morning
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Things To Come: Part 4 – 01-17-16 Sunday Morning
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Things To Come: Part 5 – 01-24-16 Sunday Morning
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Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

 

Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT TELLS US OF THINGS TO COME.

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.

 

1. A NEW GENERATION WHERE A FEW ARE FAITHFUL.

THE LAST DAYS YOUTH. HOPE FOR A FEW. PARENTS WHO ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PAYING BILLS THAN THEY ARE RAISING CHILDREN TO MAKE WISE DECISIONS.

2 Timothy 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

WHERE DOES THIS COME FROM ? IT COMES FROM PARENTS WHO DIDN’T TEACH THEIR KIDS. THEY FED THEM, TOOK THEM TO DOCTORS, KEPT THEM ALIVE, BUT DIDN’T INSIST THAT THE CHILDREN LEARN SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES.

GENERATIONS TO COME ARE LOST WHEN PARENTS DO NOT PASS DOWN GOD’S LAWS TO THEIR CHILDREN. THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO AMERICAN CHRISTIANS. PARENTS ARE TOO BUSY. TOO BUSY ON THEIR CELL PHONES AND COMPUTERS TO TAKE TIME TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN.

Psalm 78:5-8 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE OF A PARENT IS TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO KNOW GOD AND DETERMINE WHAT GOD’S WILL FOR THEIR LIVES.

BUT, PARENTS CAN RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN A BIBLICAL WAY THAT INVOKES THE PROMISES OF GOD. THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.  DISCIPLINE. EFFECTIVE, LOVING, CONSISTENT, AND JUST.
EDUCATION. AT HOME. SHOW THEM THE DANGERS OF THE REAL WORLD.  REVEAL THEIR TRUE ENEMIES. BASE THEIR LEARNING UPON THE WISDOM OF GOD.  FRIENDS. NOT OF THIS WORLD.
FUTURE. SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD.

2. WHO WILL RULE IN THE WORLD TO COME ?

OBVIOUSLY, JESUS WILL BE THE HIGHEST RULER OVER ALL.

Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

NOT THE ANGELS.

Hebrews 2:5 For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

–WE SHALL JUDGE THE ANGELS.

1 Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

WE SHALL RULE ON EARTH.

Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

HOW CAN WE PREPARE ? IMPORTANT TASKS AHEAD. WE NEED GOOD JUDGMENT AND DISCERNMENT. NEED TO GET OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT, AND SEE GOOD AND EVIL FOR WHAT EACH ONE REALLY IS.

–ASK FOR IT.

James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

–LEARN WHAT GOD SAYS THROUGH HIS WORD AND GODLY TEACHING.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

GOD WILL RAISE UP GODLY PRIESTS IN THE MILLENIUM THAT WILL TEACH THE JEWISH PEOPLE.

Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

3. THERE ARE VICTORIES UP AHEAD.

FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS CAN WIN OVER THE WORLD. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD DOES. WE CAN BE ON FIRE FOR GOD !

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

–WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND POWER TO DO IT.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

–THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO BE LUKEWARM. THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO PLAY LIKE YOU LOVE THE LORD WHEN YOU LOVE OTHER THINGS MORE. GOD’S POWER HAS NOT CHANGED.

–SOME PEOPLE WONDER HOW CHRISTIANS WHO WERE ONCE EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TO THE LORD COULD BECOME LUKEWARM. THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. IF YOU TAKE A HOT CUP OF COFFEE AND LEAVE IT IN THE AIR, JUST LETTING IT SIT THERE, IT WON’T TAKE LONG BEFORE IT BECOMES LUKEWARM. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST SITTING THERE, MAKING ONE EXCUSE AFTER ANOTHER AS TO WHY THEY CAN’T BE DOING SOMETHING FOR THE LORD.

–HOW DOES A PERSON WHO IS LUKEWARM GET ON FIRE ? GET CLOSER TO THE FIRE. LOOK TO JESUS. SEE WHAT HE SEES, AND PREPARE YOURSELF TO BE IMMERSED IN A BAPTISM OF FIRE THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR WAYS.

Revelation 1:14 His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;

Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass;

Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.

–THERE IS A NEW NATURE THAT MAKES US BE CHRIST-LIKE.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

***YOU CAN TAKE A CAT AND PUT HIM IN THE MIDST OF A HERD OF PIGS, AND IT WON’T MAKE HIM A PIG. HE I STILL A CAT. YOU CAN TAKE THAT SAME CAT AND PUT HIM IN A CAGE WITH MANY CANARIES, AND HE WILL STILL BE A CAT. SURROUNDINGS, AND WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND HIM DOES NOT MAKE THE TRULY BORN AGAIN CHRIST LIKE WHAT IS AROUND THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN BORN-AGAIN, AND ARE NEW CREATURES IN CHRIST !

–IF YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY, YOU WILL PUT GOD FIRST, BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE THE POWER TO LOVE YOUR FAMILY RIGHT AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THEIR GUIDANCE.

THE VICTORIES BELONG TO A FEW. YOU CAN BE ONE OF THEM !
THERE ARE ALOT FEWER TRUE BELIEVERS THAN THERE WERE YEARS AGO. THAT GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY FILL THEIR SHOES BUT TO RUN TO GREATER HEIGHTS. MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE WILL DIE, AS A BLESSING TO THEM.

Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

–TRIBULATIONS.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

–FAITHFULNESS TO GOD GIVES US VICTORY OVER TRIBULATIONS. THE WORLD CANNOT TAKE OUR JOY OF FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, OR OUR POWER.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

YOU CAN’T BUILD A SOLID HOUSE WITHOUT A GOOD FOUNDATION. ***Treehouses. Nice, big, modern. But, as the tree grows, the house tears apart.
SOME TRUE BELIEVERS WILL DEAL WITH SERIOUS PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY LEAVE THIS EARTH. AND THEY NEED A STRENGTH THAT ONLY COMES FROM GOD. IF IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM, WE COLLAPSE, AND WHINE LIKE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD WHO HAVE NO POWER, WE MISREPRESENT THE LORD. WE ALSO WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF A BAD TESTIMONY BEFORE CHRIST.

1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

THERE IS THE ANGER OF GOD WAITING FOR SOME.

Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

THE CHURCH NOW WAS ONCE THE CHURCH OF THE FUTURE. GOD PROMISED HIS CHILDREN A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS SPIRIT. ***(WE CAN COUNT ON THE PROPHECIES OF GOD TO BE TRUE).
HE WOULD DWELL INSIDE THEM.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

HE WOULD DWELL WITH THEM FOREVER.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

A DAY OF JUDGMENT.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN. A DAY OF SHAME AND SORROW.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

4. A SALVATION TO COME.

NEW LIFE BEGINNING NOW. “HATH” ETERNAL LIFE.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

FORGIVENESS AND GOD’S LOVE.

Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

A PLACE WITH THE LORD.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 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.

 

“Things To Come”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
December 2015 – January 2016

GODLY CONFIDENCE WINS

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FALSE CONFIDENCE IS THE CONDITION OF MANY TODAY.  PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING UPON THE GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR SAFETY.  THEY THINK THE GOVERNMENT CAN STOP ALL HARM FROM COMING TO THEM.

Proverbs 25:19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 

 

CONFIDENT IN SELF.

Philippians 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

 

1. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN GOD.

THERE ARE TIMES WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ACCEPT THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.

A. THE WORLD DOES NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

Isaiah 36:4 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?

B. IT IS BASED ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.

PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE BIBLE, OR RECEIVE WHAT THEY HEAR THE BIBLE SAYING, CANNOT BE CONFIDENT IN GOD EASILY.

Ephesians 3:11-12 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.

SOLUTION: STUDY THE WORD.

2. CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OTHER CHRISTIANS.

A. WE CAN ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES.

DON’T BE FOOLISH AND HAVE CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF NOT BEING SPIRITUALLY MATURE OR SPIRITUALLY STABLE.

2 Corinthians 7:16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

B. A TRACK RECORD IS IMPORTANT IN DISCERNING WHERE WE CAN PLACE OUR CONFIDENCE.

2 Thessalonians 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

WE KNOW THAT WE CAN PLACE OUR ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD BECAUSE HIS TRACK RECORD OF LOVE FOR US AND FAITHFULNESS TO US IS PERFECT.

C. THERE IS CONFIDENCE IN THE FAIRNESS AND COMING JUDGMENT OF GOD.

Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

3. BELIEVERS WAIT FOR GOD’S WILL WITH CONFIDENCE.

A. THERE IS A TEMPTATION TO BE AFRAID IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. THE WORLD PANICS.

Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

–CHRISTIANS HAVE GOOD SENSE–UNLIKE THE WORLD THAT IS GOING CRAZY.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

–PEOPLE ARE MANIPULATED INTO FEAR BY THE MEDIA AND NOT UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNS GOD IS GIVING EVERYONE.

Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

B. CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER—TODAY, IF YOU NEED SALVATION, OR NEED HELP TO GROW SPIRITUALLY, YOU MUST COME WITH FAITH.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:

“Godly Confidence Wins”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
112215

THREE FORGOTTEN WORDS

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RECENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF LARGEST CHRISTIAN PROTESTANT DENOMINATION SAID THAT THERE ARE THREE THINGS NOT BEING PREACHED TODAY.

 
1. THE WORD ‘LOST’.

A. THOSE WHO ARE NOT FORGIVEN BY GOD.

The Bible tells us that anyone who is not forgiven by God is lost.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Psalms 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I do not forget Thy commandments.

B. THEY ARE DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE. WE ALL HAVE BEEN THERE. LOSTNESS IS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE.

–THE PRODIGAL SON.

Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

HE WAS AWAY FROM HIS FATHER. HE CHOSE IN FAVOR OF A LIFE OF SIN. HE WAS USED BY OTHERS AND NOT GOD. HE WOULD PERISH IF HE DID NOT REPENT.

–THE LOST PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.

Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

PEOPLE WHO ARE BROKEN (PERHAPS THROUGH HEART-ACHES, ATTACKS FROM THE DEVIL, ETC.), PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVEN AWAY FROM GOD (SOME THROUGH FALSE DOCTRINES, FALSE CHRISTIANS, FALSE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS, ETC.), AND THOSE WHO ARE WEAK (PERHAPS FROM BEING BEATEN DOWN SO MUCH, PERHAPS THROUGH BEING WEAKENED BY THE WORLD’S VIEWS ON LIFE).

2. THE WORD ‘PREPARE.’

The return of the Lord is an important prophecy of Scripture.

  • BE READY AND USE THE GIFTS OF GOD.

1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • BE WELL ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH.
  • BE ESTABLISHED IN GOD’S WORD.

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

  • DON’T BE MARGINAL, OR WEAK IN YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE LORD.. YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT IN THESE DAYS !

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

  • YIELD TO GOD’S DESIRE FOR YOU TO BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

3. THE WORD ‘REPENT.’

GOD CALLS HIS CHURCH TO REPENT.

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

“Three Forgotten Words”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
112215

VALLEYS OF LIFE

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1. THERE IS A VALLEY FILLED WITH GIANTS.

THEY ATTEMPT TO BREAK YOU DOWN, INTIMIDATE YOU, MAKE YOU FEEL AS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CHANCE. JUST LIKE GOLIATH TRIED TO DO.

Joshua 15:8 And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

WHO ARE SOME OF THESE GIANTS ?

  • THE WORLD’S VIEW OF THE NEWS
  • DEPRESSION. CAN BE HORMONAL, HABIT, UNWILLINGNESS TO TURN THINGS OVER
    TO GOD AND LEAVE THEM THERE IN HIS HANDS (LACK OF FAITH).
  • DEFEATS OF THE PAST. THEY COME AND HAUNT YOU, SAYING YOU CAN’T WIN.
  • BLINDNESS. CAN’T SEE ANY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
  • ANGER AND HATRED. THINGS NOT COMMITTED TO GOD WITH A WILLINGNESS
    TO CHANGE.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

God didn’t leave us here for a lifetime of defeat ! That would be an embarrassment upon His Name, and would be miserable for us ! He gave us power over ALL the power of the enemy, and we need to use what He gave to us !

2. THERE IS A VALLEY FOR JUDGMENT.

GET OUT OF IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN. IT USUALLY HAS SEVERAL CITIES IN IT. GOD SAYS GET OUT OR BE JUDGED WITH THEM. (Modern Law: “Accessory to a crime” “To be convicted as an accessory to a crime, the person must possess an awareness of the crime, either before or after its commission.” ).

A. IT HAS A HISTORY OF JUDGMENT TAKING PLACE.

YET SOME PEOPLE WANT TO DWELL THERE. ABRAHAM KNEW ABOUT IT AND SO HE PRAYED FOR LOT.

2 Samuel 8:13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

DON’T STAY IN A PLACE WHERE GOD SAYS

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

B. THE SAME VALLEY WILL SPELL THE DEATH OF NATIONS IN THE FUTURE.

Ezekiel 39:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.

3. THE VALLEY OF UNNECESSARY BATTLES.

GOING INTO WAR AGAINST SOMETHING OR SOMEONE THAT GOD SAID NOT TO DO. JOSIAH WAS ONE OF THE MOST GODLY KINGS, YET HE MADE THE MISTAKE OF TAKING ON BATTLES THAT HE WAS NOT CALLED TO FIGHT.

2 Chronicles 35:22 20-23 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.  But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.  Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

WE HAVE ENOUGH BATTLES TO WAGE THAT GOD GAVE TO US AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT, SO WE SHOULD NOT GO OUT PICKING BATTLES THAT GOD DIDN’T CALL US TO. IT PLACES TOO MUCH ON YOU, AND YOU CAN GET HURT. *Josiah was seeing people turned back to God. He needed to lead a revival among the people, not go and fight physical armies.

4. THERE IS A VALLEY THAT HAS A SCARY SHADOW.

***Heard even younger people speaking about the possibility of death recently. The warning from China to keep away from their newly created islands, the possibility of some unidentified space object crashing down to earth, the diseases being raised out of ancient archeological dig sites, all bring people of all ages to wonder if they will live tomorrow. BUT, GOD WANTS YOU TO KEEP ON WALKING !

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

DEATH FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER IS MERELY THAT–A SHADOW. THERE IS NO DEATH FOR US. WE SIMPLY GO FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

John 11:24-26 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

5. THE FINAL VALLEY FOR MEN WHO WANT TO RULE THEMSELVES. PEOPLE WHO DON’T WANT JESUS TO BE LORD OVER THEM.

Joel 3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

 

”Valleys Of Life”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
110115

Q&A: “Born of water?”, “Woman in Rev. 12?”, “Doctrines of devils?”, “Red/Blood Moons?”

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***At Solid Rock Bible Church, if you have a question about the Bible, doctrine, faith or anything related to your spiritual walk with God, we have a “Question Box” where you can deposit those questions.  Pastor Ed then researches each one and give answers from the Word of God to help you grow in your faith !

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 QUESTION:   

“What does being “born of water” actually mean ?”

***************

ANSWER:

John  3:5-8  “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

“Born of water” = physical birth.  When a child is born from a mother’s womb this is the physical birth, or water birth.

“Born again”  or “Born of the Spirit” = salvation.  When a person places their faith in Jesus, repents of their sins and is made a new creation.

***************

 QUESTION:   

“In Revelation 12, who is this woman that is spoken of in verse 12 and why was the serpent trying to drown her ?”

***************

ANSWER:

WHO IS THE WOMAN ?

 REVELATION 12:12-17   Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The “Woman” is Israel, the Jewish people.

Revelation 12:4  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 

Verse 4 refers to the devil as the dragon, and we remember how he tried to destroy Jesus when He was a child.

Revelation 12:5-6  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The “man child” is Jesus, and while Mary was the woman who gave birth to Him, this verse is referring to the people of Israel as a whole, not just the individual.  We see this where it mentions she fled into the wilderness, referring to the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation.

 

WHY IS THE SERPENT TRYING TO DROWN HER ? 

Satan hates Israel.  During the Tribulation, Israel is the only people who trust in Jesus the Messiah.  Therefore, he makes war with her.

 JEWS KILL THE ANTICHRIST.

Revelation 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

sword=  3162 μάχαιρα machaira makh’-ahee-rah

1) a large knife, used for killing animals and cutting up flesh

2) a small sword, as distinguished from a large sword

 

THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE ASSASSINATED.

Zechariah 11:16-17  For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.  Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

 

 

BECAUSE JEWS ASSASSINATE THE ANTICHRIST.

Mark 13:14-20  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:  And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:  And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.  But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.  For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.  And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***************

 QUESTION:   

“Exactly what is the ‘doctrine of devils’ ?  Can you name them specifically so we can recognize them immediately when we’re confronted with them ?”

***************

1. EXACTLY WHAT IS DOCTRINES OF DEVILS ?

1 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;

 DECEPTIVE DOCTRINES. Can’t be deceptive unless similar to the real thing.

  –These are lies.

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

SO, ALMOST ANY DOCTRINAL LIE COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO SATAN STARTING IT.

 

2. CAN YOU NAME THEM SPECIFICALLY SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE AND CONFRONT THEM ?

 

  • THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL.    Gets people away from their purpose and the true identity of god.  they make him Santa Claus instead of the Almighty Creator.

 

  • DENY THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY MESSIAH, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 John 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

 

  • ANOTHER JESUS.   ANOTHER WAY OF SALVATION.

2 Corinthians 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.

Galatians 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

 

  • THE DOCTRINE THAT SAYS YOU CAN HATE OTHERS, BUT LOVE GOD IS A DOCTRINE FROM THE DEVIL.

1 John 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

 

  • THE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS OF THE DEVIL.  (Others can see your sin, but you can’t).

1 John 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

  • THE DOCTRINE THAT SAYS MAN WROTE THE BIBLE AND DO NOT ATTRIBUTE ITS WRITING TO GOD.

1 John 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

THIS IS A SMALL NUMBER OF THE MANY LIES SATAN HAS THROWN AT THE WORLD TODAY.

***************

 QUESTION:   

“Is the blood moon a sign ?”

***************

ANSWER:

Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Signs and the moon will play a part in the Last Days, but that doesn’t automatically mean they are God’s signs.  God’s signs typically are not a naturally occurring events.  A Red or Blood moon is a naturally occurring event which is predictable and charted.  It is not a universally seen thing all over the world at the same time.  A true sign from God would be the star the wise men saw – it was not a naturally occurring event, was different than anything that had ever happened before, or since.

Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Signs from God tend to be much bigger than what man can come up with.

Luke 21:11   And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

 

 

”Q&A – “Born of water?”, “Woman in Rev. 12?”, “Doctrines of devils?”, “Red/Blood Moons?” ?”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
092715

 

Q&A: “Mercy/Grace”, “Lot” & “Doctrines Of Devils”

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***At Solid Rock Bible Church, if you have a question about the Bible, doctrine, faith or anything related to your spiritual walk with God, we have a “Question Box” where you can deposit those questions.  Pastor Ed then researches each one and give answers from the Word of God to help you grow in your faith !

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 QUESTION:   

“What is the difference between the Lord’s mercy and His grace ? Please be specific.”

 

***************

ANSWER:

DISTINCTION BETWEEN MERCY AND GRACE.

 LOT KNEW BOTH TERMS AND UNDERSTOOD THEM.

Genesis 19:19  Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

WE UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THESE WORDS BY THE WAY IN WHICH THEY ARE USED.  ESPECIALLY TRUE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

  •  MERCY = TO WITHHOLD PUNISHMENT WE DESERVE.
  • GRACE = THE GIVING OF GOOD THINGS THAT WE DO NOT DESERVE.

 

MERCY

THE PUBLICAN ASKED FOR MERCY, NOT GRACE WHEN HE WENT INTO THE TEMPLE.

Luke 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Matthew 20:30  And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.  And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

Ephesians 2:4 -8   But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

WE DON’T DESERVE TO BE HERE AT THE THRONE, BUT WE ASK FOR YOUR MERCY….EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

 

 GRACE

Genesis 6:8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.  

GOD COULD HAVE TAKEN HIM TO HEAVEN  ALLOWED HIM TO BE THE ONE THROUGH  WHOM THE EARTH WAS REPOPULATED.  

 GRACE IS OFFERED TO ALL MEN.  BUT, THEY MUST RECEIVE IT BY FAITH.

Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

GRACE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.  IT IS OFFERED TO ALL, BUT THOSE WHO RECEIVE IT ARE THE HUMBLE ONES.  OTHERS REJECT IT.  THINK THEY DON’T NEED TO DEPEND UPON GOD’S GRACE AND CAN WORK THINGS OUT ON THEIR OWN. 

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

 SOME PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GRACE, THINKING IT IS UNLIMITED AND WILL ALWAYS BE THERE.

Jude 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

***************

 QUESTION:   

“When did Lot repent for his sin ?”

***************

ANSWER:

 

2 Peter 2:8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

 

THERE IS NO AREA OF THE BIBLE THAT TELLS US.  EVEN IN FLEEING FROM SODOM, LOT WAS RELUCTANT TO FOLLOW THE WILL OF GOD FULLY.  HE WAS BACKSLIDEN MOST OF HIS LIFE.

MOAB= “THE SON OF HIS MOTHER’S FATHER.”

BENAMMI= “THE SON OF HIS PEOPLE.”

 

BACKSLIDDEN PEOPLE DON’T GET THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED.

Genesis 19:29  And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.  

**LOT MAY HAVE THOUGHT GOD WAS LISTENING TO HIM, BUT THE BIBLE SAYS GOD DELIEVERED HIM FOR ABRAHAM’S SAKE, NOT BECAUSE OF LOT’S PRAYERS.

WITHOUT REPENTING, THEIR LIVES USUALLY GET MORE COMPLICATED, AND WORSE OFF. 

Genesis 19:36  Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

BACKSLIDDEN PEOPLE RAISE THEIR CHILDREN WITHOUT A GOOD EXAMPLE, AND THE CHILDREN GENERALLY GO ASTRAY.

Psalm 83:4-8  They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.  For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:  The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;  Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;  Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

 

***************

 QUESTION:   

“Exactly what is the ‘doctrine of devils’ ?  Can you name them specifically so we can recognize them immediately when we’re confronted with them ?

***************

1. EXACTLY WHAT IS DOCTRINES OF DEVILS ?

1 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;

 DECEPTIVE DOCTRINES. Can’t be deceptive unless similar to the real thing.

  –These are lies.

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

SO, ALMOST ANY DOCTRINAL LIE COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO SATAN STARTING IT.

 

2. CAN YOU NAME THEM SPECIFICALLY SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE AND CONFRONT THEM ?

 

  • THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL.    Gets people away from their purpose and the true identity of god.  they make him Santa Claus instead of the Almighty Creator.

 

  • DENY THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY MESSIAH, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 John 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

 

  • ANOTHER JESUS.   ANOTHER WAY OF SALVATION.

2 Corinthians 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.

Galatians 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

 

  • THE DOCTRINE THAT SAYS YOU CAN HATE OTHERS, BUT LOVE GOD IS A DOCTRINE FROM THE DEVIL.

1 John 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

 

  • THE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS OF THE DEVIL.  (Others can see your sin, but you can’t).

1 John 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

  • THE DOCTRINE THAT SAYS MAN WROTE THE BIBLE AND DO NOT ATTRIBUTE ITS WRITING TO GOD.

1 John 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

THIS IS A SMALL NUMBER OF THE MANY LIES SATAN HAS THROWN AT THE WORLD TODAY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

”Q&A – Difference Between Mercy & Grace/When Did Lot Repent ?/What are “Doctrines Of Devils” ?”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
092715

HOW TO BE LESS MISERABLE

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GOD PROMISES JOY

MANY CHRISTIANS DON’T HAVE IT.  THAT’S WHY THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, “HOW TO BE LESS MISERABLE.”  SOME CHRISTIANS ARE MISERABLE PEOPLE, ATTRACTING FEW OUTSIDERS TO KNOW GOD BECAUSE OF THEIR SOUR FACES AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT LIFE.  BUT, YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN JOY FROM GOD.

HOWEVER, IF YOU IGNORE SOMETHING LONG ENOUGH, YOU FORGET YOU HAVE IT.

TWO THINGS WEAR THE BELIEVER DOWN–

–THE WORLD NEWS

–MEDICAL CONCERNS

A woman saw the same movie 15 times.  Each time, she cries for 30 minutes or more, and is difficult to be around.  She complained to her husband that the movie always puts her in a very depressed state.  He gives a simple answer:  “Do you want to feel better ?  QUIT WATCHING THE STUPID MOVIE !”

2 Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.  

THIS MORNING, I WANT TO HELP YOUR JOY.

 

1. ACTING IN FAITH ACCORDING TO THESE TRUTHS CAN BRING YOU FULLNESS OF JOY.

A. GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN GOD ENCOMPASSES YOUR WHOLE LIFE.

John 15:11These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

♦ YOU CAN GET YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED.

John 15:7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

♦ YOU CAN BE A DISCIPLE IN MODERN TIMES.

John 15:8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.

♦ GOD LOVES YOU, AND YOU SHOULD MAINTAIN YOUR LOVE FOR HIM.

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.

♦ YOU MAINTAIN THE LOVE OF GOD BY DOING WHAT HE SAYS.

John 15:10-11 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

B. JOHN CONFIRMS THAT THESE THINGS WORK.

Almost 60 years after Jesus ascended into Heaven, John had a chance to see God’s teachings work. So, he once again reminds the Believers of their powerful practical work.

1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

WHAT THINGS WAS HE ABOUT TO WRITE TO THEM ? (HE INCLUDED BASICALLY THE SAME THINGS THAT JESUS SAID IN JOHN 15).

♦ WE CAN MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD BY DOING WHAT HE SAYS.

1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 2:5-6 But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.

♦ YOU CAN MAINTAIN THE LOVE OF GOD BY DEALING WITH YOUR SINS.

1 John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

♦ YOU CAN BE A DISCIPLE OF SOME DEGREE IN THESE END TIMES.

1 John 1:12-14 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

*NOTICE THE SPIRITUAL MATURITY LEVELS THE HOLY SPIRIT IDENTIFIES HERE. LITTLE CHILDREN, YOUNG MEN, AND FATHERS. WHERE ARE YOU ON GOD’S CHART ? YOUR SPIRITUAL MATURITY DETERMINES HOW MUCH YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.

DON’T EXPECT TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS WHEN YOU HAVEN’T MATURED SPIRITUALLY. It would be like a three year old child telling you that he will win the Boston Marathon race this year. The child MIGHT do that later in life, but he has to grow up first. But, they aren’t going to do it later, either unless that child grows up and fills their body with good things that enable it to deal with the stress and heart-pounding exertion of such a race. Same is true with Christians. We need to be filled with all the fullness of Christ !

♦ WE HAVE THE POWER TO BE THE DISCIPLES THAT JESUS WANTS US TO BE.

1 John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

2. KEEPING OTHER THINGS OUT WILL ALLOW YOUR HEART TO BE FULL

A. LET GOD FILL YOUR LIFE.

HE COMMANDS US TO BE FILLED WITH HIM. HE IS TO TO YOUR GUIDE IN ALL DECISIONS. HE IS TO BE YOUR SECURITY, YOUR SOURCE OF HELP OF ALL KINDS.

The devil tries to reduce the amount of space for God by filling people with other influences. Someone spoke with me about a recent phone call with a senior Christian. The senior Christian spoke of only two things in a two hour conversation unless she was pushed into another subject. Do you know what those two things were ? Medical conditions and how bad the world is.

Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

On the other hand, when we are filled with the Spirit of God, He gives us purpose and a focus that fills us with JOY !

3. YOU CAN’T BE FULL OF THE JOY OF THE LORD AND BE FULL WITH THE WORLD’S PROPAGANDA AND NEWS, TOO !

THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH INTELLIGENCE, AND ONLY SO MUCH TIME, AND ONLY SO MUCH ROOM IN EACH PERSON’S LIFE.

A. THIS WORLD IS FILLED WITH THE WRONG THINGS, AND IT WANTS TO PUSH THEM DOWN YOUR THROAT, TOO.

The devil’s goal seems to be to bring the world to the same condition it was in right before the Flood.

Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

THAT IS FILLING THE THOUGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH THOUGHTS OF NOT DEPENDING ON GOD, OF MAKING MAN’S ANSWERS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GOD, PUSHING FEAR AND ANXIETY ON US -YES, EVEN ON BELIEVERS TODAY. WHAT IS THAT ? FILLING THEM WITH THE WRONG THINGS.

Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

B. FILL YOUR MIND AND SOULS WITH THE THINGS THAT GOD SAYS ARE IMPORTANT

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

♦ BRINGING THE GOSPEL TO EVEN ONE PERSON IS LOVELY.
♦ SERVING GOD BY FIXING THINGS AROUND HIS HOUSE IS LOVELY.
♦ USING YOUR TALENTS TO MAKE MONEY THAT CAN KEEP THE CHURCH RUNNING AND REACH SOULS OVERSEAS IS LOVELY.

AS BAD AS SOME PEOPLE THINK THINGS ARE TODAY – THERE ARE SOME VERY IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT HAVE NOT CHANGED.

1. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE STILL TRUE.
2. THE COMMANDS OF GOD ARE STILL IN EFFECT.
3. YOU STILL HAVE THE POWER OF CHOICE THAT GOD GAVE TO YOU.

RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE EITHER FILLED WITH YOUR OWN SINS, OR YOU HAVE BEEN CLEANSED BY THE POWER OF CHRIST. YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO RECEIVE GOD’S CLEANSING, OR KEEP YOUR SINS AND PAY FOR THEM FOREVER.

“How To Be Less Miserable”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
092715

 

GOD BELIEVES IN PREPARATION

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1. GOD’S PREPARED FOR EVENTS INVOLVING YOU.

A. GOD PREPARED A REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR HIS CHILDREN.

THEY CAN PASS OR FAIL. THEIR CHOICE. HE WILL CHASTEN THOSE HE LOVES. IF YOU DON’T GET ENROLLED IN THIS SCHOOL, YOU AREN’T ONE OF HIS CHILDREN.

Jonah 1:17  “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
Jonah 4:6-8  “And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.  But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.  And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.”

B. GOD HAS PREPARED FUTURE JUDGMENTS ON EARTH. THE WEATHER.

Psalms 147:8  “Who covereth the heaven with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.”
Joel 2:30  “And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.”
Luke 21:11  “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

C. GOD HAS PREPARED TO JUDGE HIS CHILDREN.

HE HAS MADE PREPARATIONS. HE HAS HIS THRONE. HE HAS PREPARED A PLACE, HE IS PREPARED FOR WHO WILL BE THERE, HE HAS PREPARED FOR THEIR TRANSPORTATION. HE KNOWS THE BASIS FOR JUDGMENT (what we have done), ETC.

1 Peter 4:5  “Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.”

 

2. GOD HAS PREPARED THINGS FOR OUR FUTURE WITH HIM.

A. GOD HAS PREPARED THINGS BEYOND OUR ABILITY TO IMAGINE THEM.

1 Corinthians 2:9  “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

B. GOD HAS PREPARED PLACES FOR US TO LIVE.

–A CITY.

Hebrews 11:10  “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

–A TABERNACLE, OR NEW HOUSING FOR OUR SOUL AND SPIRIT.

2 Corinthians 5:1  “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

–A HOUSE WHERE OUR NEW BODY CAN DWELL.

John 14:2-3  “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

 

3. WE MUST FOLLOW THE LORD’S EXAMPLE OF PREPARING.

A. GOD HELPED NOAH TO PREPARE BY GIVING INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT WAS TO COME AND HOW TO PREPARE.

Hebrews 11:7  “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

B. JESUS GENTLY REMINDED PETER THAT HE HAD WORK TO DO YET.

PETER THOUGHT HE WAS ALREADY STRONG ENOUGH, AND THOUGHT HE WAS READY.

Luke 22:32-34  “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”

”God Believes In Preparation”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
081615

 

THE PATIENT WAITING FOR CHRIST

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THE PATIENT WAITING FOR CHRIST

 

2 Thessalonians 3:5  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

 

 1. GOD WANTS US THINKING ABOUT THE LORD’S COMING.

A. JESUS GAVE PARABLES ABOUT PREPARING FOR HIS COMING.

B. JESUS TOLD US TO ACT AS WATCHMEN AND PORTERS, LOOKING FOR HIS COMING.

C. WE ARE REMINDED OF THE LORD’S COMING EACH TIME WE HAVE THE LORD’S SUPPER.

WHY ? THE CLOSENESS OF THE BREAD AND BLOOD SHOULD MAKE US DESIRE HIM MORE, AND TO CRAVE HIS COMING.

1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.

 

2. WE SHOULD NOT BE DISCOURAGED OR CONFUSED ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THIS WORLD

A. NOAH HAD TO LOOK AT THE EVIL WORLD BECOMING WORSE AND WORSE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE JUDGMENT FELL.

Matthew 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

B. GOD WANTS US ACTIVELY SERVING HIM WITH THE GIFTS WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

1 Corinthians 1:5-8 That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. OUR RESPONSE TO THE NEARNESS OF HIS COMING SHOULD BE FOR US TO GET READY.

A man who has worked all day in the heat cleaning out septic tanks will want to change clothes and take a bath before going out on a date that night. “Coming as you are” is not an option. The same is true for the bride of Christ when meeting the Lord in the air. We need to be clean, and blameless.

A. WE SHOULD STRIVE TO BE BLAMELESS BEFORE GOD AT THE END.

We should not accept a lowered standard of living just because the world’s standards are dropping. Instead, knowing the Lord is coming, we should upgrade our standards to the highest possible level in preparation of being with Him.

–EVEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, PEOPLE WERE TOLD TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT BECAUSE THE LORD MIGHT COME.

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.

2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

1 Corinthians 5:8–Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. DO NOT BE MOVED BY CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND UNFOUNDED RELIGIOUS THEORIES.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

5. EXERCISE PATIENCE.

That is not sitting in a chair expecting the door to open any moment. It is actively doing what God wants, anticipating that we should be taken while serving God, so sleeping. Keep an eye on the door, look out the window, but be doing God’s work.

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

 

”The Patient Waiting For Christ”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
081215

WHAT CAN WE DO ?

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WHAT CAN I DO ?

This is a common question when Believers recognize that this world has gone past the patience of the Lord, and judgment worldwide is around the corner.

WE DON’T LIVE IN HOPELESSNESS.

There is always something to do for the Lord until He comes.

He didn’t leave us on earth to watch the news and get depressed.  He left us here to finish up the work He assigned to His Bride.

This week there was a record breaking 165 degree heat wave in Iran.  An unknown number of people died.  The government issued a mandatory 4 day heat wave holiday, where people were NOT to come to work.

In the fringes of this heat wave, in Pakistan, 600 people died.  In India, over 230 died.

 

When will see similar things hitting where we live ?  What we are seeing on earth down is simply a small amount that is leading up to God’s judgment during the Tribulation.

REVELATION 16:8-9  And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.  And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

(THERE WILL ALSO BE TIMES OF FREEZING COLD JUST AS DEVASTATING AS THE HEATWAVES).

What about the people who see it coming, and wonder, what can we do in the time we have left ?

 

WE NEED TO FINISH THE WORK GOD GAVE TO EACH OF US TO DO. 

JESUS COMPARES OUR WORK TO THAT OF A PERSON BUILDING A TOWER.  

Luke 14:28-30  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?    Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

JESUS SET HIMSELF AS OUR EXAMPLE IN FINISHING THE WORK OF THE FATHER.

John 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 5:36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

PAUL WAS CONCERNED ABOUT FINISHING ALL THAT GOD ASSIGNED TO HIM. 

Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM FINISHED ?

Answer:  “When God calls you to your reward in Heaven.”

 

1. BE A LIGHT TO THE LOST.

A. A STRONG LIGHT IS MOST VALUABLE IN THE DARKEST HOURS, NOT AT NOONTIME.

YOU WON’T CONVERT THEIR SINFUL HEARTS TO RIGHT THINKING UNTIL YOU SEE THEIR SOUL CONVERTED TO CHRIST.).

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

–SHOW THAT YOU KNOW THE TRUTH AND IT IS VALUABLE TO YOU.
–SHOW THAT YOU HAVE A LIVING SAVIOR WHO HELPS YOU DAILY.

Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

B. THE LIGHT IS OBVIOUSLY DISTINCT FROM THE DARKNESS, YET THE TESTIMONIES OF SOME PEOPLE IS NOT SO DISTINCT FROM THE LIFE OF THE LOST.

C. BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE BRETHREN. HOW ?

–BE WITH THEM FOR WORSHIP. SHOW THAT GETTING TOGETHER IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.
–SUPPORT EACH OTHER BY ENCOURAGING WORDS, AND YOUR PRAYERS.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

–SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER BY WORDS THAT BRING THEM TO REALITY BEFORE GOD.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

–BE AN EXAMPLE THAT THEY WANT TO BECOME, TOO.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

2. BE FAITHFUL TO GOD’S PEOPLE AND HIS WORK.

A. WHEN UNDER TRIALS FAMILY IS IMPORTANT.

YOUR SPIRITUAL FAMILY SHOULD BE IMPORTANT TO YOU ! (THAT’S WHY WE ARE CALLED ‘BROTHERS AND SISTERS’).

B. WARN THOSE THAT YOU CARE ABOUT.

THE BIBLE MENTIONS TWO ROLES, THE PORTER AND THE WATCHMAN.  BOTH WARN OF DANGER, BOTH ARE IMPORTANT, BUT HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT ?

—PORTER IS THE PERSON WHO GUARDS THE GATES.
—WATCHMAN IS THE PERSON WHO OBSERVES WHAT IS GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GATES.

–IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THEY WILL LISTEN, OR NOT. YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT REGARDLESS OF SOMEONE ELSE’S LACK OF CONCERN.

Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left His house, and gave authority to His servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.
Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

3. KEEP THE LOVE FLOWING.

“CHARITY” – Literal translation “LOVE”

1 Corinthians 13:2-4  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

–KNOW THAT THE TEMPTATIONS ON EARTH WILL INCREASE. You need to be more solid in your commitment to the Lord.
–KNOW THAT OTHERS WILL HAVE TO BE STRENGTHENED. You will benefit if you help others to be strong.
–KNOW THAT MANY WILL NOT DO THEIR WORK FOR GOD, AND SOMEONE MUST PICK UP THE SLACK. Don’t be afraid to try something you may never have done before. God is able to empower you and give you strength.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

”What Can We Do ?”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
080915