Give Peace a Chance - John Lennon talking about the Illuminati
Sunday, October 5, 2014
The God of Daniel - Revealer of Secrets
By Dennis Edwards --
In the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament we find Daniel and his friends living in Babylonian captivity during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. Since they were sons of noblemen they had been chosen to be trained in the sciences of the Babylonians. However, when they go to the Babylonian school for training they are presented with foods which they are not used to eating, foods that were forbidden in the laws of Moses. They decide to keep to their convictions and refuse to eat the Babylonian foods preferring the basically vegetarian diet of their culture. As a result, God blesses them. In the end, they pass their exams in the Babylonian sciences so well that the Bible says,
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.[1]
In the Psalms we read these promises:
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.[2]
Those that meditate on God’s word and follow His precepts are accorded wisdom from on high.
In the process of time, Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, has a troublesome dream which he cannot remember. He calls for all the wise men in Babylon to divine the dream for him and its interpretation. The wise men protest saying the king could not ask such a thing as it was impossible for them to know the king’s dream, if he himself could not remember it. But the king insists and says, “Tell me the dream and the interpretation of it or you will all be slain.”
It is at this point that Daniel tells the captain of the guard to give him time and he will find out the dream and its meaning. Daniel and his friends get down in desperate prayer and pray that God in his mercies will reveal the dream unto them. Daniel in a vision in the night sees the King’s dream and learns the interpretation of it. And Daniel thanks God:
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.[3]
Afterwards when Daniel is before the King, the King asks him if he is able to make known to him his dream and the interpretation thereof. Daniel responds:
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;[4] But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.[5]
Daniel goes on to explain the dream and its interpretation. The king bows down before him and worships him and says,
The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.[6]
Daniel is made ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. His friends are also given positions of authority in the province of Babylon, but Daniel served as the king’s counselor. It was Daniel relationship with God; it was his desperation and ability to hear from God, which enabled him to be able to interpret the king’s dream, a prophecy about the future of the world.
I put this section about Daniel in to reiterate the point that God is a revealer of the future. In fact, the Book of Daniel is one of the most important prophecy books in the Bible. A little book with only twelve chapters, it has nearly eight whole chapters given to prophecy and two other chapters given to prayer. One prophecy that Daniel received predicted the year of the Messiah’s death.
Footnotes:
[1] Daniel 1:20
[2] Psalm 119:98-100
[3] Daniel 2:20-23
[4] Daniel 2:27-28
[5] Daniel 2:30
[6] Daniel 2:47
In the Psalms we read these promises:
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.[2]
Those that meditate on God’s word and follow His precepts are accorded wisdom from on high.
In the process of time, Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, has a troublesome dream which he cannot remember. He calls for all the wise men in Babylon to divine the dream for him and its interpretation. The wise men protest saying the king could not ask such a thing as it was impossible for them to know the king’s dream, if he himself could not remember it. But the king insists and says, “Tell me the dream and the interpretation of it or you will all be slain.”
It is at this point that Daniel tells the captain of the guard to give him time and he will find out the dream and its meaning. Daniel and his friends get down in desperate prayer and pray that God in his mercies will reveal the dream unto them. Daniel in a vision in the night sees the King’s dream and learns the interpretation of it. And Daniel thanks God:
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.[3]
Afterwards when Daniel is before the King, the King asks him if he is able to make known to him his dream and the interpretation thereof. Daniel responds:
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;[4] But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.[5]
Daniel goes on to explain the dream and its interpretation. The king bows down before him and worships him and says,
The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.[6]
Daniel is made ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. His friends are also given positions of authority in the province of Babylon, but Daniel served as the king’s counselor. It was Daniel relationship with God; it was his desperation and ability to hear from God, which enabled him to be able to interpret the king’s dream, a prophecy about the future of the world.
I put this section about Daniel in to reiterate the point that God is a revealer of the future. In fact, the Book of Daniel is one of the most important prophecy books in the Bible. A little book with only twelve chapters, it has nearly eight whole chapters given to prophecy and two other chapters given to prayer. One prophecy that Daniel received predicted the year of the Messiah’s death.
Footnotes:
[1] Daniel 1:20
[2] Psalm 119:98-100
[3] Daniel 2:20-23
[4] Daniel 2:27-28
[5] Daniel 2:30
[6] Daniel 2:47
copyright@DennisE.Molinski
Tempo Quieto — Seu Salva-vidas! O segredo para a sua sobrevivência!
Mantenham contato com a fonte!
(Jesus fala:) Força espiritual vem de Mim — de se apoiar em Mim, se apoiar no Meu Espírito. Ela Me pertence e Eu a dou àqueles que se alimentam avidamente da Minha Palavra, que a entesouram, que se nutrem com ela. Pois estes são os Meus verdadeiros soldados — os que desejam verdadeira força, os que tem a fé de pôr outras coisas de lado e se banquetearem com o Meu Espírito fortalecedor que é fruto da Minha Palavra.
É preciso fé para pôr as coisas de lado e vir a Mim. Este passo em si resulta em força de espírito, porque isso é confiar em Mim. Confiem em Mim de todo o coração e não se apóiem no seu próprio entendimento. Reconheçam-Me em todos os seus caminhos e Eu endireitarei as suas veredas.
É tão fácil ficar ocupado com um pouquinho aqui e um pouquinho ali, pois há sempre tanto para fazer. Mas lembrem-se de tomar esse tempo Comigo, para fazer contato Comigo, para manter esse contato Comigo, pois ao fazerem isso o Meu Espírito pode fluir. Estará à disposição quando for necessário, estará bem ali para vocês, vai ajudá-los com as soluções.
Mantenham-se em contato com a Fonte! Deixem-Me reabastecer os seus reservatórios de força espiritual constantemente. Tomem tempo para ir à fonte, para abrir o seu vaso e deixar que seja enchido. Entesourem o que é mais necessário. Absorvam e deixem que se torne parte de cada parte do seu ser. Que represente tanto que vocês não consigam fazer nada sem isso. Estejam tão imersos nele que terão medo de se movimentar sem ele, de tomar qualquer decisão sem ele, sem saber se estão no Meu canal, permanecendo no fluxo do Meu canal e deixando que Eu os guie, os oriente, os fortaleça, os revigore, e mantenha-os sãos, felizes e realizados.
A verdadeira inspiração vem da fonte da Minha luz, e Eu dou em abundância. Eu gostaria que fluísse livremente sobre todos os que vêm a ela, a desejam, e sabem que precisam dela. Fluirá de vocês para os outros. Portanto, estejam felizes por estarem imersos no fluxo do Meu Espírito. Eu tenho oceanos no quais nadar que vocês desconhecem! A única maneira de encontrá-los é lançando-se, nadando até não poder mais, e depois relaxando completamente e descansando em Mim.
Deixem-me enchê-los! Permaneçam em Mim e Eu em vocês. Como a vara de si mesma não pode dar fruto, a não ser que esteja na videira, vocês tampouco podem, a não ser que estejam em Mim. Eu sou a videira, vocês as varas. Aquele que permanece em Mim dá muito fruto!
Vocês sabem a importância de ficar perto de Mim, e só quero incentivá-los a se esforçarem por continuar a fazer isso. Eu estou à sua disposição e os ajudarei. Continuem a olhar para Mim, a se apoiarem em Mim, continuem a pôr a sua mão na Minha, e deixem-Me guiá-los. A sua fé vem por ouvir, e o ouvir pela Palavra de Deus. Vocês têm abundância de Palavra. Usem essa arma. Usem essa ferramenta. Aprendam a usá-la com perfeição. Aprendam a usá-la com destreza e vão lucrar muito com isso!
Continuem a confiar em Mim, e Eu continuarei a usá-los e ajudá-los. Continuem a lançar sobre Mim as suas cargas, e Eu os carregarei. Eu vou sustê-los. Vou fortalecê-los. Eu os sustentarei. Serei seu auxílio na angústia. Serei seu Conselheiro, seu Consolador. Eu os ajudarei a consertar os corações partidos, tratar as feridas, pôr nelas o bálsamo sanador e aliviador do Meu amor e do Meu Espírito.
Continuem a se entregar e Me deixar agir da Minha maneira perfeita. Continuem a submeterem-se. Continuem a dar tudo de si e Eu continuarei a fortalecê-los. Eu os guardarei e os ajudarei. Continuem a esperar e a confiar em Mim. (Fim da mensagem de Jesus.)
(Jesus fala:) Força espiritual vem de Mim — de se apoiar em Mim, se apoiar no Meu Espírito. Ela Me pertence e Eu a dou àqueles que se alimentam avidamente da Minha Palavra, que a entesouram, que se nutrem com ela. Pois estes são os Meus verdadeiros soldados — os que desejam verdadeira força, os que tem a fé de pôr outras coisas de lado e se banquetearem com o Meu Espírito fortalecedor que é fruto da Minha Palavra.
É preciso fé para pôr as coisas de lado e vir a Mim. Este passo em si resulta em força de espírito, porque isso é confiar em Mim. Confiem em Mim de todo o coração e não se apóiem no seu próprio entendimento. Reconheçam-Me em todos os seus caminhos e Eu endireitarei as suas veredas.
É tão fácil ficar ocupado com um pouquinho aqui e um pouquinho ali, pois há sempre tanto para fazer. Mas lembrem-se de tomar esse tempo Comigo, para fazer contato Comigo, para manter esse contato Comigo, pois ao fazerem isso o Meu Espírito pode fluir. Estará à disposição quando for necessário, estará bem ali para vocês, vai ajudá-los com as soluções.
Mantenham-se em contato com a Fonte! Deixem-Me reabastecer os seus reservatórios de força espiritual constantemente. Tomem tempo para ir à fonte, para abrir o seu vaso e deixar que seja enchido. Entesourem o que é mais necessário. Absorvam e deixem que se torne parte de cada parte do seu ser. Que represente tanto que vocês não consigam fazer nada sem isso. Estejam tão imersos nele que terão medo de se movimentar sem ele, de tomar qualquer decisão sem ele, sem saber se estão no Meu canal, permanecendo no fluxo do Meu canal e deixando que Eu os guie, os oriente, os fortaleça, os revigore, e mantenha-os sãos, felizes e realizados.
A verdadeira inspiração vem da fonte da Minha luz, e Eu dou em abundância. Eu gostaria que fluísse livremente sobre todos os que vêm a ela, a desejam, e sabem que precisam dela. Fluirá de vocês para os outros. Portanto, estejam felizes por estarem imersos no fluxo do Meu Espírito. Eu tenho oceanos no quais nadar que vocês desconhecem! A única maneira de encontrá-los é lançando-se, nadando até não poder mais, e depois relaxando completamente e descansando em Mim.
Deixem-me enchê-los! Permaneçam em Mim e Eu em vocês. Como a vara de si mesma não pode dar fruto, a não ser que esteja na videira, vocês tampouco podem, a não ser que estejam em Mim. Eu sou a videira, vocês as varas. Aquele que permanece em Mim dá muito fruto!
Vocês sabem a importância de ficar perto de Mim, e só quero incentivá-los a se esforçarem por continuar a fazer isso. Eu estou à sua disposição e os ajudarei. Continuem a olhar para Mim, a se apoiarem em Mim, continuem a pôr a sua mão na Minha, e deixem-Me guiá-los. A sua fé vem por ouvir, e o ouvir pela Palavra de Deus. Vocês têm abundância de Palavra. Usem essa arma. Usem essa ferramenta. Aprendam a usá-la com perfeição. Aprendam a usá-la com destreza e vão lucrar muito com isso!
Continuem a confiar em Mim, e Eu continuarei a usá-los e ajudá-los. Continuem a lançar sobre Mim as suas cargas, e Eu os carregarei. Eu vou sustê-los. Vou fortalecê-los. Eu os sustentarei. Serei seu auxílio na angústia. Serei seu Conselheiro, seu Consolador. Eu os ajudarei a consertar os corações partidos, tratar as feridas, pôr nelas o bálsamo sanador e aliviador do Meu amor e do Meu Espírito.
Continuem a se entregar e Me deixar agir da Minha maneira perfeita. Continuem a submeterem-se. Continuem a dar tudo de si e Eu continuarei a fortalecê-los. Eu os guardarei e os ajudarei. Continuem a esperar e a confiar em Mim. (Fim da mensagem de Jesus.)
copyright@http://www.afamilia.org/
Saturday, October 4, 2014
The Nature and Power of God
http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/nature-and-power-god/
By D. Brandt Berg
Audio length: 7:56
Download Audio (7.2MB)
God is the power of the universe. He is a part of every living thing because the very life that they have is a part of the life of God. “In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”1 “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”2 “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.”3
We know, however, that there is another power in the universe today, an evil power that operates within our world who the Bible calls Satan or the Devil. For the same reason that God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to choose either good or evil, and to obey or disobey Him, to believe His Word or doubt it, so He allows Satan to operate.
If God had not allowed the Devil and his evil to exist, we would not know what good was. If you have known nothing but good or light, how do you know it’s light? You’ve never known darkness.
We think of God as a person, because the Bible has no other simple way to present Him to us except in the sense of persons. But as we think of people and persons, God is not the same. God is a Spirit.4 No man has seen God5 at any time because He is everything everywhere, the power of the universe, the power of love. He is only personified in His Son, Jesus. This is why Jesus was sent, to personify God and to show us what God is like and in a sense to show us who God is—to bring God down to our human level of comprehension, our human level of perception, so that we can understand Him. In other words, to bring Him out of the fourth and fifth dimensions and God knows how many dimensions, down to what amounts to our flatlander level to show us what God is like. And Him we see in Jesus, His Son.
He had Jesus come to this world in a very common human fashion, born of a woman. His Son was born like any other baby so He would be just as human as we are and be able to understand our humanness, our human frailties and problems, and be a sympathetic high priest for us.6 At the same time, being a part of God Himself, the Son of God, He represented God to us, God personified in the flesh in Jesus. Otherwise, in the strict sense of human language, although God talks like a person in the Bible and He has many similarities to human beings, because we are made in His likeness, He is not actually a person that you can see, a great king with hoary hair, as some artists have depicted Him.
But how else are you going to depict God? How else are you going to depict Jesus’ Father unless you depict Him as a person, although in the technical sense He is not like we are? He is the power of the whole universe. He is love, which is the power of the universe. So you cannot say that God is a person, because He is not human; you cannot see Him. You cannot touch Him or feel Him, except through His spiritual power and the powers that He operates, and we feel those every day.
Since He is not a physical person but a spirit, that means He is a power, something spiritual that you cannot see. The Bible says very clearly that God is a Spirit. “No man hath seen God at any time, for God is a Spirit.”7
Jesus is in a sense a picture of God. He is like a symbol of God, a characterization of God. He is the Son of God, and we often say, “Like father, like son.” Your child is in a sense you, a picture or reflection of you, although distinct and separate in what might be termed as personalities. God, in a sense, pictures Himself as a person in the Bible because there is no other way He can cause us to understand Him.
God Himself walked in the person of a man, in the Garden of Eden with Adam. Later Abraham met Him as a man.8 He appeared in the Bible as a man, but that body was merely a personification of Him. So we have no other way to picture God or the Holy Spirit but through these figures and these personifications. Since God speaks of Himself as a Father, we represent Him as a Father.
Jesus is an actual person with a body like ours, like we are going to have when we have our resurrection bodies, who can eat and drink and feel all the same things that we can feel because He is human, although He is the Son of God. God and the Holy Spirit can take on bodies as representations of themselves, which they sometimes did in the Bible, figures representing them which the prophets saw. Daniel saw Jesus being brought before the Ancient of Days.9 The Ancient of Days must have looked like an old man, like a king upon his throne. He was seeing personifications or representations in these figures that he saw in his visions.
So God had to bring these things down to terms that the human mind can understand in concepts, figures, representations of the spiritual. We have to represent them just like the Lord does in the Bible. He shows Himself, in a sense, in word pictures when He says “God did this” and did that and said this and said that, and He appeared to Adam and walked with him in the Garden, He appeared to Abraham, He appeared to this one and that one in some type of figurative representation. I’m no theologian, and I’m just trying to bring Him down to the level of the average person. God is a Spirit, but He calls Himself a father and He is like a father.
We can’t understand everything; many things are beyond our comprehension. His ways are above our ways, as high as the heavens are above the earth, and so who can understand the mind of God, the Scripture says?10 It is beyond our comprehension. Thank God we know whom we worship—the one true God, and Jesus Christ His Son, the only Savior!
*
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.—Isaiah 40:2811
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?—1 Corinthians 1:2012
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:713
Originally published October 1984. Adapted and republished April 2014.
Read by Jerry Paladino.copyright@thefamily.org
Footnotes:
1 Psalm 104:24 NIV.
2 John 1:3 NIV.
3 Romans 11:36 NLT.
4 John 4:24 KJV.
5 See John 1:18.
6 Hebrews 4:15.
7 John 1:18, 4:24.
8 Genesis 3:8, 17:1, 18:1.
9 Daniel 7:13.
10 Isaiah 55:8–9, Romans 11:33–34.
11 NIV.
12 ESV.
13 NIV.
By D. Brandt Berg
Audio length: 7:56
Download Audio (7.2MB)
God is the power of the universe. He is a part of every living thing because the very life that they have is a part of the life of God. “In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”1 “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”2 “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.”3
We know, however, that there is another power in the universe today, an evil power that operates within our world who the Bible calls Satan or the Devil. For the same reason that God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to choose either good or evil, and to obey or disobey Him, to believe His Word or doubt it, so He allows Satan to operate.
If God had not allowed the Devil and his evil to exist, we would not know what good was. If you have known nothing but good or light, how do you know it’s light? You’ve never known darkness.
We think of God as a person, because the Bible has no other simple way to present Him to us except in the sense of persons. But as we think of people and persons, God is not the same. God is a Spirit.4 No man has seen God5 at any time because He is everything everywhere, the power of the universe, the power of love. He is only personified in His Son, Jesus. This is why Jesus was sent, to personify God and to show us what God is like and in a sense to show us who God is—to bring God down to our human level of comprehension, our human level of perception, so that we can understand Him. In other words, to bring Him out of the fourth and fifth dimensions and God knows how many dimensions, down to what amounts to our flatlander level to show us what God is like. And Him we see in Jesus, His Son.
He had Jesus come to this world in a very common human fashion, born of a woman. His Son was born like any other baby so He would be just as human as we are and be able to understand our humanness, our human frailties and problems, and be a sympathetic high priest for us.6 At the same time, being a part of God Himself, the Son of God, He represented God to us, God personified in the flesh in Jesus. Otherwise, in the strict sense of human language, although God talks like a person in the Bible and He has many similarities to human beings, because we are made in His likeness, He is not actually a person that you can see, a great king with hoary hair, as some artists have depicted Him.
But how else are you going to depict God? How else are you going to depict Jesus’ Father unless you depict Him as a person, although in the technical sense He is not like we are? He is the power of the whole universe. He is love, which is the power of the universe. So you cannot say that God is a person, because He is not human; you cannot see Him. You cannot touch Him or feel Him, except through His spiritual power and the powers that He operates, and we feel those every day.
Since He is not a physical person but a spirit, that means He is a power, something spiritual that you cannot see. The Bible says very clearly that God is a Spirit. “No man hath seen God at any time, for God is a Spirit.”7
Jesus is in a sense a picture of God. He is like a symbol of God, a characterization of God. He is the Son of God, and we often say, “Like father, like son.” Your child is in a sense you, a picture or reflection of you, although distinct and separate in what might be termed as personalities. God, in a sense, pictures Himself as a person in the Bible because there is no other way He can cause us to understand Him.
God Himself walked in the person of a man, in the Garden of Eden with Adam. Later Abraham met Him as a man.8 He appeared in the Bible as a man, but that body was merely a personification of Him. So we have no other way to picture God or the Holy Spirit but through these figures and these personifications. Since God speaks of Himself as a Father, we represent Him as a Father.
Jesus is an actual person with a body like ours, like we are going to have when we have our resurrection bodies, who can eat and drink and feel all the same things that we can feel because He is human, although He is the Son of God. God and the Holy Spirit can take on bodies as representations of themselves, which they sometimes did in the Bible, figures representing them which the prophets saw. Daniel saw Jesus being brought before the Ancient of Days.9 The Ancient of Days must have looked like an old man, like a king upon his throne. He was seeing personifications or representations in these figures that he saw in his visions.
So God had to bring these things down to terms that the human mind can understand in concepts, figures, representations of the spiritual. We have to represent them just like the Lord does in the Bible. He shows Himself, in a sense, in word pictures when He says “God did this” and did that and said this and said that, and He appeared to Adam and walked with him in the Garden, He appeared to Abraham, He appeared to this one and that one in some type of figurative representation. I’m no theologian, and I’m just trying to bring Him down to the level of the average person. God is a Spirit, but He calls Himself a father and He is like a father.
We can’t understand everything; many things are beyond our comprehension. His ways are above our ways, as high as the heavens are above the earth, and so who can understand the mind of God, the Scripture says?10 It is beyond our comprehension. Thank God we know whom we worship—the one true God, and Jesus Christ His Son, the only Savior!
*
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.—Isaiah 40:2811
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?—1 Corinthians 1:2012
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:713
Originally published October 1984. Adapted and republished April 2014.
Read by Jerry Paladino.copyright@thefamily.org
Footnotes:
1 Psalm 104:24 NIV.
2 John 1:3 NIV.
3 Romans 11:36 NLT.
4 John 4:24 KJV.
5 See John 1:18.
6 Hebrews 4:15.
7 John 1:18, 4:24.
8 Genesis 3:8, 17:1, 18:1.
9 Daniel 7:13.
10 Isaiah 55:8–9, Romans 11:33–34.
11 NIV.
12 ESV.
13 NIV.
John Wooden - legendary UCLA basketball coach
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden#cite_note-97
Legendary UCLA basketball coach
Legendary UCLA basketball coach
From 1963 to 1975 UCLA was ten times NCAA champion over the twelve year period, including four undefeated seasons (30-0).
Wooden was a devout Christian, considering his beliefs more important to him than basketball: "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior." Wooden's faith strongly influenced his life. He read the Bible daily and attended the First Christian Church. He said that he hoped his faith was apparent to others: "If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."
John Wooden's Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school:
Be true to yourself.
Make each day your masterpiece.
Help others.
Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
Make friendship a fine art.
Build a shelter against a rainy day.
Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
Wooden was also the author of several other books about basketball and life.
Among Wooden's maxims:
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail (from Benjamin Franklin)
Flexibility is the key to stability
Be quick, but don't hurry
Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference
Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.
Wooden was a devout Christian, considering his beliefs more important to him than basketball: "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior." Wooden's faith strongly influenced his life. He read the Bible daily and attended the First Christian Church. He said that he hoped his faith was apparent to others: "If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."
John Wooden's Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school:
Be true to yourself.
Make each day your masterpiece.
Help others.
Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
Make friendship a fine art.
Build a shelter against a rainy day.
Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
Wooden was also the author of several other books about basketball and life.
Among Wooden's maxims:
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail (from Benjamin Franklin)
Flexibility is the key to stability
Be quick, but don't hurry
Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference
Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.
O Livro dos Livros
http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/o-livro-dos-livros/
Uma compilação
Nunca vi um cristão útil que não fosse um estudante da Bíblia. — D. L. Moody, famous Christian evangelist
*
É impossível governar corretamente sem Deus e a Bíblia. — Atribuído a George Washington, first President of USA.
*
Faço um apelo para que, na correria de uma vida tão atarefada, não nos afastemos da Bíblia, à qual nossos antepassados tanto se apegaram. O meu desejo é que o estudo da Bíblia seja incluído no currículo das faculdades seculares tanto quanto nos dos seminários. Ninguém, seja ele culto ou inculto, pode ser dar ao luxo de ser ignorante da Bíblia. —Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of USA.
*
A Bíblia nos foi dada para causar transformação, enquanto outros livros para nos prover informação. As pessoas não rejeitam a Bíblia por causa das contradições que lhe são atribuídas, mas porque a Bíblia as contradiz. O Novo Testamento é o maior livro que já existiu. — Atribuído a Charles Dickens, English author.
*
Sempre disse e continuo dizendo que o estudo constante do Livro Sagrado formará melhores cidadãos, melhores pais, e melhores maridos. — Atribuído a Thomas Jefferson, third President of USA.
*
Todos os livros perdem importância diante da Bíblia. Em todos os meus momentos de perplexidade e angústia ela sempre foi minha luz e força. — Robert E. Lee, military leader of Confederate Army during American Civil War.
*
É impossível enfatizar demais que esta grande nação foi fundada não por religiosos, mas por cristãos; não com base em religiões, mas no Evangelho de Jesus Cristo. — Autor anônimo
*
Não existe Ciência mais comprovada do que a religião ensinada na Bíblia. — Sir Isaac Newton, British scientist and mathematician.
*
O Livro imortal sobreviveu a três grandes perigos: (1) à negligência de seus amigos, (2) aos ataques de seus inimigos, (3) e aos falsos sistemas montados com base nele. —Isaac Taylor, English writer
*
A Bíblia na língua inglesa tem sido uma influência maior nos cursos de literatura inglesa do que todas as forças somadas. É impossível entender os maiores autores sem um conhecimento da Bíblia, pois todos presumiam que seus leitores estariam familiarizados com ela... A todo jovem, homem ou mulher que pretende ser um escritor, dou o seguinte conselho: antes de qualquer outra coisa, APRENDA A BÍBLIA. —William Lyon Phelps, ex-professor de Literatura Inglesa na Universidade de Yale
*
Devemos ao Livro dos livros a instituição e os ideais nacionais, cuja preservação depende da observância dos preceitos ali indicados. — Herbert Hoover, 31st President of USA.
*
Aquele Livro, senhor, é o alicerce, a Rocha que serve de fundamento para a nossa república. — Atribuído a Andrew Jackson, military leader and later 7th President of USA.
*
Toda noite, por mais cansado que esteja, leio a palavra de Deus antes de me deitar. —Gen. Douglas MacArthur, American military leader in Asia in WW2.
*
Acredito completamente em educação superior para homens e mulheres. Mas acredito que o conhecimento da Bíblia sem a educação superior é mais importante do que cursar uma faculdade e não conhecer a Bíblia. — William Lyon Phelps, Yale University.
*
Fiz uma aliança com o meu Deus para que Ele não me dê visões, sonhos ou contato com anjos. Estou satisfeito com o dom das Sagradas Escrituras que me oferecem orientação abundante e contêm tudo o que preciso saber tanto para esta vida como para a próxima. — Martinho Lutero, Catholic priest and leader of Protestant Reformation.
*
Seja honesto consigo mesmo, ajude as pessoas, transforme cada dia em uma obra-prima, aprenda a fina arte da amizade, absorva profundamente bons livros — principalmente a Bíblia — construa um refúgio para os dias de chuva, agradeça pelas suas bênçãos e ore todos os dias por orientação. — John Wooden, famous UCLA basketball coach.
*
Se não cultivarmos o hábito de recorrer à Bíblia tanto nos bons momentos como nas dificuldades, não conseguiremos responder de forma plena ao consolo que nos oferece, pois nos faltará equilíbrio entre luz e trevas. — Helen Keller, famous blind and deaf woman.
*
A Bíblia — banida, queimada, amada; amplamente lida, sob constantes ataques, mais do que qualquer outro livro já publicado. Gerações de intelectuais tentaram desacreditá-la, ditadores de todas as eras a proibiram e executaram seus leitores. No entanto, soldados a levam para a batalha acreditando ser mais poderosa do que as armas que carregam. Trechos dela, contrabandeados para celas de prisão transformaram assassinos cruéis em pessoas mansas e gentis. — Charles Colson, American political figure under Nixon who was jailed for his involvement in "Watergate."
*
A verdadeira influência da Bíblia é incomensurável. Pode ser avaliada apenas em termos dos corações reconfortados, decisões mudadas e de homens e mulheres que, respondendo às suas demandas, agiram com justiça e bondade, caminhando humildemente com Deus. — J. Carter Swain, American Christian author of the book, "What You Didn't Know About the Bible."
*
O propósito principal da leitura da Bíblia não é conhecer a Bíblia, mas a Deus. ― James Merritt, American christian radio evangelist.
*
De cada cem homens, um lê a Bíblia. Os outros 99 leem o cristão. ― D. L. Moody, 19th century American evangelical leader.
*
O conteúdo da Bíblia oferece respostas para todos os problemas que o ser humano enfrenta. — Ronald Reagan, 40th President of USA.
*
A Bíblia não é um livro qualquer, mas um organismo vivo com poder para conquistar todos os seus adversários. — Napoleão, French military leader and emperor.
*
A Bíblia é… tão necessária para a vida espiritual quanto o fôlego para a vida física. Nada é mais essencial para a nossa vida do que a Palavra de Deus. — Jack Hayford, former American radio evangelist.
*
A Bíblia foi escrita entre lágrimas e oferece os maiores tesouros aos que assim a leem. — A. W. Tozer, American Christian pastor.
*
Toda a Escritura é inspirada por Deus e útil para o ensino, para a repreensão, para a correção e para a instrução na justiça, para que o homem de Deus seja apto e plenamente preparado para toda boa obra. — 2 Timóteo 3:16–17 NVI
*
Não deixe de falar as palavras deste Livro da Lei e de meditar nelas de dia e de noite, para que você cumpra fielmente tudo o que nele está escrito. Só então os seus caminhos prosperarão e você será bem sucedido. — Josué 1:8 NVI
*
Pois tudo o que foi escrito no passado, foi escrito para nos ensinar, de forma que, por meio da perseverança e do bom ânimo procedentes das Escrituras, mantenhamos a nossa esperança. — Romanos 15:4 NVI
Publicado no Âncora em julho 2014. Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli.
Uma compilação
Nunca vi um cristão útil que não fosse um estudante da Bíblia. — D. L. Moody, famous Christian evangelist
*
É impossível governar corretamente sem Deus e a Bíblia. — Atribuído a George Washington, first President of USA.
*
Faço um apelo para que, na correria de uma vida tão atarefada, não nos afastemos da Bíblia, à qual nossos antepassados tanto se apegaram. O meu desejo é que o estudo da Bíblia seja incluído no currículo das faculdades seculares tanto quanto nos dos seminários. Ninguém, seja ele culto ou inculto, pode ser dar ao luxo de ser ignorante da Bíblia. —Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of USA.
*
A Bíblia nos foi dada para causar transformação, enquanto outros livros para nos prover informação. As pessoas não rejeitam a Bíblia por causa das contradições que lhe são atribuídas, mas porque a Bíblia as contradiz. O Novo Testamento é o maior livro que já existiu. — Atribuído a Charles Dickens, English author.
*
Sempre disse e continuo dizendo que o estudo constante do Livro Sagrado formará melhores cidadãos, melhores pais, e melhores maridos. — Atribuído a Thomas Jefferson, third President of USA.
*
Todos os livros perdem importância diante da Bíblia. Em todos os meus momentos de perplexidade e angústia ela sempre foi minha luz e força. — Robert E. Lee, military leader of Confederate Army during American Civil War.
*
É impossível enfatizar demais que esta grande nação foi fundada não por religiosos, mas por cristãos; não com base em religiões, mas no Evangelho de Jesus Cristo. — Autor anônimo
*
Não existe Ciência mais comprovada do que a religião ensinada na Bíblia. — Sir Isaac Newton, British scientist and mathematician.
*
O Livro imortal sobreviveu a três grandes perigos: (1) à negligência de seus amigos, (2) aos ataques de seus inimigos, (3) e aos falsos sistemas montados com base nele. —Isaac Taylor, English writer
*
A Bíblia na língua inglesa tem sido uma influência maior nos cursos de literatura inglesa do que todas as forças somadas. É impossível entender os maiores autores sem um conhecimento da Bíblia, pois todos presumiam que seus leitores estariam familiarizados com ela... A todo jovem, homem ou mulher que pretende ser um escritor, dou o seguinte conselho: antes de qualquer outra coisa, APRENDA A BÍBLIA. —William Lyon Phelps, ex-professor de Literatura Inglesa na Universidade de Yale
*
Devemos ao Livro dos livros a instituição e os ideais nacionais, cuja preservação depende da observância dos preceitos ali indicados. — Herbert Hoover, 31st President of USA.
*
Aquele Livro, senhor, é o alicerce, a Rocha que serve de fundamento para a nossa república. — Atribuído a Andrew Jackson, military leader and later 7th President of USA.
*
Toda noite, por mais cansado que esteja, leio a palavra de Deus antes de me deitar. —Gen. Douglas MacArthur, American military leader in Asia in WW2.
*
Acredito completamente em educação superior para homens e mulheres. Mas acredito que o conhecimento da Bíblia sem a educação superior é mais importante do que cursar uma faculdade e não conhecer a Bíblia. — William Lyon Phelps, Yale University.
*
Fiz uma aliança com o meu Deus para que Ele não me dê visões, sonhos ou contato com anjos. Estou satisfeito com o dom das Sagradas Escrituras que me oferecem orientação abundante e contêm tudo o que preciso saber tanto para esta vida como para a próxima. — Martinho Lutero, Catholic priest and leader of Protestant Reformation.
*
Seja honesto consigo mesmo, ajude as pessoas, transforme cada dia em uma obra-prima, aprenda a fina arte da amizade, absorva profundamente bons livros — principalmente a Bíblia — construa um refúgio para os dias de chuva, agradeça pelas suas bênçãos e ore todos os dias por orientação. — John Wooden, famous UCLA basketball coach.
*
Se não cultivarmos o hábito de recorrer à Bíblia tanto nos bons momentos como nas dificuldades, não conseguiremos responder de forma plena ao consolo que nos oferece, pois nos faltará equilíbrio entre luz e trevas. — Helen Keller, famous blind and deaf woman.
*
A Bíblia — banida, queimada, amada; amplamente lida, sob constantes ataques, mais do que qualquer outro livro já publicado. Gerações de intelectuais tentaram desacreditá-la, ditadores de todas as eras a proibiram e executaram seus leitores. No entanto, soldados a levam para a batalha acreditando ser mais poderosa do que as armas que carregam. Trechos dela, contrabandeados para celas de prisão transformaram assassinos cruéis em pessoas mansas e gentis. — Charles Colson, American political figure under Nixon who was jailed for his involvement in "Watergate."
*
A verdadeira influência da Bíblia é incomensurável. Pode ser avaliada apenas em termos dos corações reconfortados, decisões mudadas e de homens e mulheres que, respondendo às suas demandas, agiram com justiça e bondade, caminhando humildemente com Deus. — J. Carter Swain, American Christian author of the book, "What You Didn't Know About the Bible."
*
Uma Bíblia caindo aos pedaços normalmente pertence a alguém bem firme que não está caindo aos pedaços. ― Charles H. Spurgeon, 19th century British evangelic leader.*
O propósito principal da leitura da Bíblia não é conhecer a Bíblia, mas a Deus. ― James Merritt, American christian radio evangelist.
*
De cada cem homens, um lê a Bíblia. Os outros 99 leem o cristão. ― D. L. Moody, 19th century American evangelical leader.
*
O conteúdo da Bíblia oferece respostas para todos os problemas que o ser humano enfrenta. — Ronald Reagan, 40th President of USA.
*
A Bíblia não é um livro qualquer, mas um organismo vivo com poder para conquistar todos os seus adversários. — Napoleão, French military leader and emperor.
*
A Bíblia é… tão necessária para a vida espiritual quanto o fôlego para a vida física. Nada é mais essencial para a nossa vida do que a Palavra de Deus. — Jack Hayford, former American radio evangelist.
*
A Bíblia foi escrita entre lágrimas e oferece os maiores tesouros aos que assim a leem. — A. W. Tozer, American Christian pastor.
*
Toda a Escritura é inspirada por Deus e útil para o ensino, para a repreensão, para a correção e para a instrução na justiça, para que o homem de Deus seja apto e plenamente preparado para toda boa obra. — 2 Timóteo 3:16–17 NVI
*
Não deixe de falar as palavras deste Livro da Lei e de meditar nelas de dia e de noite, para que você cumpra fielmente tudo o que nele está escrito. Só então os seus caminhos prosperarão e você será bem sucedido. — Josué 1:8 NVI
*
Pois tudo o que foi escrito no passado, foi escrito para nos ensinar, de forma que, por meio da perseverança e do bom ânimo procedentes das Escrituras, mantenhamos a nossa esperança. — Romanos 15:4 NVI
Publicado no Âncora em julho 2014. Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli.
The Bible: a Book of Prophecy
Chapter One
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKOKqCk5vuo
[2] Isaiah 46:9-10
[3] Amos 3:7
[4] 2Chronicles 36:15-16
[5] Jeremiah 15:10
[6] Jeremiah 20:14
[7] Jeremiah 15:17
[8] https://www.google.pt/#q=indignation+meaning
[9] John 16:13
[10] Jeremiah 29:13
[11] Matthew 5:6
[12] John 8:31,32
I was listening to a sermon by Bill Salus entitled “The Future of America in Bible Prophecy.”[1] Bill starts off by quoting Isaiah,
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.[2]
We can know the future, because God can reveal it. The prophet Amos said, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he reveals his secrets unto his servants the prophets.”[3]
Here, Amos is making a conditional statement. God is going to reveal his secrets unto his servants the prophets. The prophets were chosen of God, because of their love and obedience to Him. They were tested by God and had shown their faithfulness to Him. They desired to serve God, rather than man. They chose God over material things, over comfort and conformity.
The prophets preferred to live and die for the truth than to live a life of compromise. Therefore, because of their dedication to God, to truth, to righteousness, God revealed His secrets to them. Their job was to give the word of God to the people, to follow God’s instructions in spite of opposition by family, friends or community. Many of them bemoaned their fate as God’s mouth pieces, because they were ill received. In Chronicles we read,
And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.[4]
In Jeremiah we read, “Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth. I have not lent on usury, neither have men lent to me on usury; yet everyone of them doth curse me.”[5] Later he said, “Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not that day wherein my mother bear me be blessed.”[6]
Being a prophet was not something the prophets enjoyed. It isolated them from others. They were ill received. They were too serious. Like Jeremiah said, “I sat not in the assembly with them that make merry, nor rejoiced: I sat alone because of thy hand; for thou hast filled me with indignation.”[7]Google gives some synonyms for indignation: anger, distress, unhappiness, dissatisfaction, displeasure, hurt, pain, and upset; especially at injustices or wrong doing.[8]
Because God had revealed to Jeremiah the judgments which Jerusalem would suffer, he could not make merry. Because the politicians would not listen to him and change their ways, he could not make merry. The wife of Bill Salis, a speaker on Bible prophecy, bemoans the fact that they have few friends. Her husband’s life is so entwined with Bible prophecy and discovering its meaning, it isolates them. The job of a prophet is not a pleasant one.
In this book, I will try to reveal to you where America stands in Bible prophecy. You may not like my conclusions. Yes, I am filled with indignation at the situation in the world today; with the wars, the hatred, the fears, the injustices, the corruption, the inhumanity of man with man.
I am going to share with you what God has shown me through a life of serving Him, a life of studying His Word, a life of sharing His love and His Word with others. I may not get it all right. In fact, I am going to get some things wrong. I am a fallible man just like you are. I have limited understanding, just like you have.
But God has put this burden on my heart to share my understanding with you. I am an American citizen although I have lived most of my adult life in Europe. Because of having distanced myself from America and American churches, my slant on Bible prophecy will be different from much of that which you may have read or heard in church or in books written by American church leaders. I will not interpret Bible prophecy through the eyes of an American patriot. Because of that, you may very well find my conclusions troubling or label them incorrect or even communistic. You may be right.
Some of the statements I make are merely my speculation and can surely be wrong. But I beseech you to not dismiss them all as the whims of a madman. Rather, dig into God’s word yourself. Do not take my word for it, or the words of others, but search these things out for yourself. God has said he has given unto us the Spirit of truth that would lead us into all truth.[9] But truth has its sacrifices.
God’s word says, “Ye shall seek me and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.”[10] Finding the truth is conditional. It is not just something you will read on the front page of a journal or even in your local church bulletin. You must make diligent search. You must be desperate and refuse the compromises offered. You must be willing to live and die for that true knowledge or understanding that you seek. You will have opposition if you take this journey seriously.
Recently, I have joined a trailblazers club. I have gone on three mountain walks in the past two months. Each one was difficult. One consisted of nearly eleven hours of walking. Walking in the mountains is different from walking on the boardwalk or road. Our guide told us that the twenty kilometers we walked in the mountains was equivalent to forty or fifty on a paved road. The mountain walks cost you something. I got blisters on that second walk as my shoes were too small. My muscles were sore afterwards because you use different muscles on the mountain than when you jog or run along the beach. Like one of the trailblazer’s told me, “The mountain always takes something from you.” But it gives you something back. The views on the mountain are marvelous. You see and feel God’s presence. Life is on the mountain!
Just so, the views on the mountain of truth are breathe-taking, exhilarating and worth all the effort. Jesus gave one of his most famous sermons on a mountain, the Sermon on the Mount, where he spoke the beatitudes, such as “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” [11]On the mountain, Jesus prayed alone to his Father for strength. Peter, James and John followed Jesus up a mountain and saw him transfigured and heard the voice of God. Jesus gave his message about the End of the World to his disciples on the Mount of Olives. Finally, he climbed his last mountain, Mount Golgotha, where he died for you and me and the redemption of all mankind. But earlier he had admonished his followers, “If you continue in my words, then are you my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”[12]
Come with me, up the mountain of truth. Let us see what we find. Once we find it, let it move us and cause us to bring His love and His life to this dying world by whatever means possible and at our disposal. May God bless you as you read. May my words and thoughts draw you closer to Him, Who is the fountain of all truth, goodness and love. May you hunger and thirst after righteousness. May your desire be to search and to seek for Him with all your heart, all your mind and all your strength; for that is His first commandment. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Footnotes:
[2] Isaiah 46:9-10
[3] Amos 3:7
[4] 2Chronicles 36:15-16
[5] Jeremiah 15:10
[6] Jeremiah 20:14
[7] Jeremiah 15:17
[8] https://www.google.pt/#q=indignation+meaning
[9] John 16:13
[10] Jeremiah 29:13
[11] Matthew 5:6
[12] John 8:31,32
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