Seven Steps to Getting Your Prayer Answered
By Barbara Henderson
'And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.' Luke 22:44
Well, today is another day in the fall of civilization. In living through the fall of civilization, people are also living through the fall of institutions.
Financial institutions are failing.
Industrial institutions are failing.
Local business institutions are failing.
Religious institutions are failing.
And, even worse, the institution of the family is failing.
Today is worse than just the fall of an empire because when civilization falls, all the empires of the earth fall as well.
If you read Bible prophecy you know eventually the collapse of civilization as we know it is going to happen utterly and completely. From the ashes of today’s civilization will rise a dictator such as the world has never seen. He will usher in a ‘New World Order’ of such fierce control and terror he will make Hitler look like a kindergarten bully. For those who know the Bible to be true and without error, there is no doubt that that time of trouble will come just as predicted.
In the mean time, we observe the world traveling down the road to hell as though the inhabitants were going to a Sunday picnic.
Christians see this happening, and they see nothing that can be done about it. It is going to happen eventually, whether in our life time or not. This makes it harder for us to pray. We cannot stop what God has predicted will happen.
However, there is no knowledge given to mankind regarding exactly who will take what the world has to offer and who will reject the world and turn to Christ. We ought to pray earnestly for the salvation of the lost. We know that one day there will be a great battle called the ‘battle of Armageddon’. In that day, the loss of life will be so great that the blood of the slain will reach up to the bridle on the horses. The good news is that for everyone saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, there will be 5 or 6 quarts of blood less in that valley. Regardless of if the battle comes in our life time or not, every soul saved means one less soul in the devil’s kingdom for eternity.
So, here we are. The end of this age is coming. What should be the game plan of the Christian? Simply put, we are to do what Christians since the time of Christ have done. We are to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Very near the end of Christ’s life, He gives us an example of what to do in a situation where what appears to be tragedy is going to come to pass. Tragically, I don’t really see a turnaround in world politics and society as a whole. Christ new his life was about to end in a brutal fashion. He knew that He who knew no sin was going to be made sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Of course Jesus knew that neither death nor sin could hold him permanently, but knowing what He was about to endure still put Him in agony, in addition to the agony over lost souls that brought Him to earth in the first place. Even a mother looking forward to the birth of her baby doesn’t look forward to the actual physical agony of giving birth. (If she does – she’s a nut!)
So great was the agony of Jesus Christ that it caused His body to sweat blood. How did Jesus endure such anguish? He prayed more earnestly than before! Let me repeat that. When is such agony of spirit that His body responded by sweating blood, Jesus prayed more earnestly than before.
Because Jesus is God, He knows and has always known the names of every human being alive on earth. He knows the names of those alive now, those who have lived in ages past, and those yet to be born. Jesus knows more than their names. He knows them personally, as He created them. His agony was not for His suffering alone, but for all the people of the world. Through His death He gave the gift of eternal life to everyone who would believe in Him. Jesus endured this agony because He loved mankind. He endured the agony of the cross for you and for me.
You and I cannot know the names of all the people of the earth. We may know the names, and even the faces, of a great many people. But, we don’t actually have more than a passing acquaintance with that many people. We know our own families. To a lesser degree we know the people we work with and those with whom we attend church. We know some of the people in the community in which we live. Out of these people, there is only a handful we love so much that their actions or suffering can put us in agony. A parent, a child, a spouse, or another close relative has the power to put us in agony of spirit through their sinful or hurtful actions, or tragedy in their lives.
The human response to a hurt so great that it causes agony of spirit is to first cry until they have no more tears, and then get angry at someone. To do this is to give place to the devil. We should follow the example of Christ. When we are in agony of spirit we should pray more earnestly!
In a sermon Billy Sunday tells this story regarding a fervent prayer of John Knox.
‘John Knox, whom his queen feared more than any other man, was in such agony of prayer that he ran out into the street and fell on his face and cried, “Oh, God, give me Scotland or I’ll die.” And God gave him Scotland, and not only that, He threw England in for good measure.’ (http://www.biblebelievers.com/billy_sunday/sun16.html )
John Knox was but one man. In his agony over the lost condition of his own beloved country he prayed the more earnestly.
In the same sermon Billy Sunday also says, ‘If the church people get right, the whole world will get right. The world is challenging the church instead of the church challenging the world.’
I don’t know about the whole world ‘getting right’ (right with God), but I do know that SOME will get right with God. On judgment day, those who do turn from evil to the God of salvation will be glad someone pointed them to Jesus Christ.
I also believe that the power of prayer in a church begins with the individual who, being in agony over someone or even something, prays the more earnestly.
How then, you might be wondering, can I pray more earnestly?
First, you must be praying to the God of your salvation. That means you must have assurance that you have sincerely gone to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. You must be able to truthfully and sincerely say, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ has atoned for my sins. By faith, I know that I have been accepted, and that I am eternally saved.’
Second you must go to God with a clean heart. That means you have confessed all your known sins and turned from them.
Third, you must go to God in meekness, understanding that you cannot gain your heart’s desire through your own merit – as you actually have none. You have no merit – none whatsoever. To be meek is to take the pressure of the outcome of anything off your own shoulders and place it on God’s shoulders. Do not mistakenly believe that to be meek is to be a doormat. Moses was meek, yet he was not afraid to speak directly to the king of Egypt. Actually, the meeker you are toward God, the better your chances of success in anything you attempt. (I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13)
Fourth, you must go to God boldly. (Hebrews 4:16) You should not approach God with a swagger, but rather with the boldness that comes with knowing you have a command to go to God boldly. You are well within the bounds of proper behavior and attitude toward God when you approach Him according to instructions. You do not have to creep into speak to Him, as though you had no right to be there. Go boldly as you were instructed to do.
Fifth, you must pray earnestly, and with fierce intensity, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you ought to say. (Romans 8:26-27) If you don’t even know how to begin a prayer, let it begin with a request that God would send His Holy Spirit to teach you how to pray in the matter, and to create in your heart an intensity, and an earnestness that will stir up God’s heart to answer your prayer.
Sixth, ask that someone else be given the same burden that you have been given, whether it be salvation of a lost loved one, healing of illness for yourself or a loved one, peace between loved ones or fellow believers, or even some material gain. (Matthew 18:19)
Seventh, continue in prayer. (Luke 18:1-7) Prayers are not answered because the ‘prayees’ becomes weary with well doing. They stop praying for a particular blessing because they have grown weary in well doing! In Galatians 6:9 we are told, ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.’
Remember James 5:16b which says, ‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’ I paraphrase that verse to encourage myself by saying, ‘the continual passionate prayer of a believer gets results!’
Also remember that nothing is impossible with God. Just as you care about the little things your child needs and wants, God cares about all your needs and wants. He has time and means to answer the greatest prayers – such as ‘give me Scotland or I die’. He has the time and the means to answer even the prayer that may seem unimportant to everyone but you.
Do not grow weary in well doing. Keep praying. In God’s time you will reap if don’t quit. I love Billy Sunday’s quote on the prayer of John Knox for Scotland. Silly Sunday said God gave him
Scotland and threw in England to boot. Your prayer may not only be answered, you may get something else that is wonderful in addition to what you originally asked!
Consider yourself on permanent KP – Keep Praying!
Barbara Henderson
http:askbh.com
tosergeant@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Way of Cain v The Way of the Cross
“The Way of Cain” Versus “The Way of the Cross”
There he was, a man who tilled the ground and grew food. His brother was a shepherd. Both men were good at what they did.
Their parents must have been so proud of their sons - Cain and Able. Mom and dad probably sat around and wondered if one of the boys was the savior God had promised after their little fiasco when they ate the forbidden fruit, got themselves and all mankind condemned to die, separated from God by sin, and forced to work for their food. Perhaps they had an idea that something was not quite right with their first son. Perhaps they knew Cain was looking for a way into heaven that didn’t require following the instructions given to them by God.
I expect that both Adam and Eve reminded their sons quite often of how disobedience to God had gotten them all into this mess in the first place. They warned against future disobedience. They knew the end of disobedience is disaster. Or put another way, ‘the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Probably Adam and Eve didn’t know the name of the promised savior; but they did know that on the day they ate the forbidden fruit, they had died spiritually. The also began to die physically. They were able to bear their sorrow because of the promise God had given them of a coming savior. They wanted their sons to avoid their mistakes. They wanted them to be obedient to God.
Cain was not ignorant of the events that led to the fall from grace. But apparently he was willing to remain a ‘little confused’ about the remedy for rebellion and disobedience. He was ‘willingly ignorant’. In his rebellion, Cain set out to discover another way into heaven that was ‘reasonable’. Cain probably reasoned, “I surely worked as hard as my brother Able. I am older than Able, which should have made me the leader. Able isn’t a follower of anyone but God. And look where that has gotten him. He is just a sheep herder. Is that the kind of success God gives to those who follow him?” Cain became even more dissatisfied.
Sadly, Cain rejected the way of salvation as ‘too harsh’ or ‘too narrow minded’. Yet, he still wanted to be reconciled to God. He wanted the good things God had to offer; but he didn’t want reconciliation badly enough to seek it on God’s terms. He refused to obey God’s instructions and offer a blood sacrifice as a symbol of atonement for sin. He had to come up with a substitute.
Cain came up with the idea that he would give God the very best of what he had to offer. He would sidestep the time and effort it would take for him to obtain a lamb from his brother. He would also sidestep the messy spectacle of actually sacrificing the lamb. He would go to God by works. And that is what he did. Of course, God refused to even consider the offering. You know, Cain might have offered God enough fruit and vegetables to feed the current population of the entire continent of Asia. I imagine he really put on a good show. It was all in vain because God knew what was in Cain’s heart. It was rebellion. And God says ‘For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft’ (1 Samuel 15:23). God tells us ‘thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’. (Exodus 22:18) The substitute offered by Cain wasn’t even worthy of a glance from God. It was as nothing.
Able on the other hand, went beyond reason and stepped through the door of faith. And his offering God accepted.
Living by faith doesn’t mean you have given up your reason and have gone off chasing illusive and impossible dreams. It means you have found ‘reason’ an empty well or a cloud without water. It means you have sought and found truth. It means you have accepted the mercy of God that allows repentant men and women entrance to heaven. It means you have chosen the narrow way that leads to life everlasting. Within the boundaries of a life lived by faith in the Son of God, the believer is to fear (or have a reverent awe) of God and keep the commandments.
Cain gained condemnation for his offering of human reasoning and works; and Cain died in his sins. Able gained justification by faith; and Able lives in heaven for all eternity. That same door of faith is still open. Sadly, most of humanity has learned nothing from the story of Cain and Able.
The proud walk the earth like giants of old, basking in the glory of their powers of ‘reasoning’ and ‘persuasive abilities’. Measuring their abilities by the abilities of those around them, they think themselves wise. Then belonging to the elite group of wise people, they suddenly believe themselves to be able to contend with the God of creation regarding who shall enter the kingdom of heaven.
How then does ‘reason’ tell us that we may enter the kingdom of heaven?
‘Just do more good deeds than bad deeds and you can enter the kingdom of heaven.’ (‘There is non righteous, no, not one;’ Romans 3:10)
‘Die in a holy war fighting for Allah and you can enter the kingdom of heaven.’
‘Work out your bad karma through endless death and rebirth - don’t worry - you’ll finally get it right.’
‘Forget seeking and pursing peace with God, and instead seek to bring about world peace through a social gospel.’
‘Forget the God of Bible and BECOME GOD YOURSELF!!!”
‘You can’t know God - don’t worry about it.’
Human reason actually can take you to a predetermined destination. However, it is not the same destination to which ‘faith’ will take you.
Let’s consider the place to which a faith like Abel’s will take you. Able lives in the place where the God of creation lives. God owns this place. We call it heaven or paradise. God is there. The light of God is there. Love is there. Peace, harmony, joy, grace, mercy, innocence, trust, and things so wonderful that we can’t even imagine them are in heaven.
As the owner of heaven, God certainly has the right to say who can enter into his realm. Actually, He owns everything else as well, but the place of perfection we call heaven is the home of our God. To enter this place only requires faith on our part. To ask us to get to the place God calls heaven by works is like asking a new born baby to build a bridge strong enough to span a treacherous and mighty ocean. It cannot be done. Thankfully, our merciful God did the work for us. He made one way into heaven. It cost a terrible price. It is big enough and strong enough to accommodate every single person who is willing to obediently enter through faith in the promised savior - who we now know to be Jesus Christ. When a ‘religion’ offers salvation by any other name or any other way, they are not speaking of the place Jesus Christ calls home.
There is a place Allah calls ‘Paradise’. Yet the paradise of Allah not only accepts murderers, it rewards them. John 8:44 tells us ‘He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.’ This verse is speaking of Satan - the father of lies. The paradise of Allah is not the Paradise of Jesus Christ.
There is supposed to be a place called “Nirvana’ where Hindus and Buddhists supposedly go when they achieve enlightenment. Upon arrival they unite with their god - and individualism is lost.
This is not the heaven of Jesus Christ. First Corinthians 13:12 tells us, ‘For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.’ We will not only know Jesus Christ, but we will know those around us. Our saved loved ones and friends will not be lost to us, but will fellowship with us for eternity!
The Pantheist likely worships the creation instead of the Creator of all things.
The Humanist sees heaven developing on earth through the works of mankind. The ‘little god’ in all of us will come out if given the chance. This is the socialist gospel now being preached in the place of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in many churches and all aspects of society.
All these ideologies are really the same thing. They are following ‘The Way of Cain’.
They have rejected the TRUTH of Jesus Christ. They are apostates from truth.
They have reasoned their way to a ‘substitute’ for the truth. They have changed the truth for a lie. Romans 1:25 says ‘Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.’
Their end is destruction. God will not accept their offering anymore than He would accept Cain’s offering. In seeking a substitute for the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ, they are instead following God’s adversary the devil. What does the devil offer to his followers?
He offers them lies, for he is a liar - and the father of it.
Satan lies when he helps the arrogant and rebellious reason against the truth of God.
Satan lies when he suggests any substitute will work when approaching the Most High God.
Satan lies when he offers a home in ‘paradise’. He owns no place called
Paradise - or any other place for that matter.
Satan lies when he says people will be reborn and have another chance to live a better life. (It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27)
The ‘RELIGION” of the individual is his or her own deeply held belief system.
It is not the religion of anyone that will get him or her into the heaven where Jesus lives. It is their “FAITH” that will get them there.
Everyone makes a decision. They will live by faith - or they will live by what seems right to them.
Romans 1:17 says, ‘For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’
We are justified by faith in God. Acts 4:12 says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’
Walking any path except the path offered by Jesus Christ is the walking the way of Cain. The end of that path is eternal separation from God in a place called hell.
Redeemed - a favorite hymn of mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOytmkPzhLo
Thank you so much for reading my article. God bless you.
Barbara Henderson.
-------------------------------
There he was, a man who tilled the ground and grew food. His brother was a shepherd. Both men were good at what they did.
Their parents must have been so proud of their sons - Cain and Able. Mom and dad probably sat around and wondered if one of the boys was the savior God had promised after their little fiasco when they ate the forbidden fruit, got themselves and all mankind condemned to die, separated from God by sin, and forced to work for their food. Perhaps they had an idea that something was not quite right with their first son. Perhaps they knew Cain was looking for a way into heaven that didn’t require following the instructions given to them by God.
I expect that both Adam and Eve reminded their sons quite often of how disobedience to God had gotten them all into this mess in the first place. They warned against future disobedience. They knew the end of disobedience is disaster. Or put another way, ‘the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Probably Adam and Eve didn’t know the name of the promised savior; but they did know that on the day they ate the forbidden fruit, they had died spiritually. The also began to die physically. They were able to bear their sorrow because of the promise God had given them of a coming savior. They wanted their sons to avoid their mistakes. They wanted them to be obedient to God.
Cain was not ignorant of the events that led to the fall from grace. But apparently he was willing to remain a ‘little confused’ about the remedy for rebellion and disobedience. He was ‘willingly ignorant’. In his rebellion, Cain set out to discover another way into heaven that was ‘reasonable’. Cain probably reasoned, “I surely worked as hard as my brother Able. I am older than Able, which should have made me the leader. Able isn’t a follower of anyone but God. And look where that has gotten him. He is just a sheep herder. Is that the kind of success God gives to those who follow him?” Cain became even more dissatisfied.
Sadly, Cain rejected the way of salvation as ‘too harsh’ or ‘too narrow minded’. Yet, he still wanted to be reconciled to God. He wanted the good things God had to offer; but he didn’t want reconciliation badly enough to seek it on God’s terms. He refused to obey God’s instructions and offer a blood sacrifice as a symbol of atonement for sin. He had to come up with a substitute.
Cain came up with the idea that he would give God the very best of what he had to offer. He would sidestep the time and effort it would take for him to obtain a lamb from his brother. He would also sidestep the messy spectacle of actually sacrificing the lamb. He would go to God by works. And that is what he did. Of course, God refused to even consider the offering. You know, Cain might have offered God enough fruit and vegetables to feed the current population of the entire continent of Asia. I imagine he really put on a good show. It was all in vain because God knew what was in Cain’s heart. It was rebellion. And God says ‘For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft’ (1 Samuel 15:23). God tells us ‘thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’. (Exodus 22:18) The substitute offered by Cain wasn’t even worthy of a glance from God. It was as nothing.
Able on the other hand, went beyond reason and stepped through the door of faith. And his offering God accepted.
Living by faith doesn’t mean you have given up your reason and have gone off chasing illusive and impossible dreams. It means you have found ‘reason’ an empty well or a cloud without water. It means you have sought and found truth. It means you have accepted the mercy of God that allows repentant men and women entrance to heaven. It means you have chosen the narrow way that leads to life everlasting. Within the boundaries of a life lived by faith in the Son of God, the believer is to fear (or have a reverent awe) of God and keep the commandments.
Cain gained condemnation for his offering of human reasoning and works; and Cain died in his sins. Able gained justification by faith; and Able lives in heaven for all eternity. That same door of faith is still open. Sadly, most of humanity has learned nothing from the story of Cain and Able.
The proud walk the earth like giants of old, basking in the glory of their powers of ‘reasoning’ and ‘persuasive abilities’. Measuring their abilities by the abilities of those around them, they think themselves wise. Then belonging to the elite group of wise people, they suddenly believe themselves to be able to contend with the God of creation regarding who shall enter the kingdom of heaven.
How then does ‘reason’ tell us that we may enter the kingdom of heaven?
‘Just do more good deeds than bad deeds and you can enter the kingdom of heaven.’ (‘There is non righteous, no, not one;’ Romans 3:10)
‘Die in a holy war fighting for Allah and you can enter the kingdom of heaven.’
‘Work out your bad karma through endless death and rebirth - don’t worry - you’ll finally get it right.’
‘Forget seeking and pursing peace with God, and instead seek to bring about world peace through a social gospel.’
‘Forget the God of Bible and BECOME GOD YOURSELF!!!”
‘You can’t know God - don’t worry about it.’
Human reason actually can take you to a predetermined destination. However, it is not the same destination to which ‘faith’ will take you.
Let’s consider the place to which a faith like Abel’s will take you. Able lives in the place where the God of creation lives. God owns this place. We call it heaven or paradise. God is there. The light of God is there. Love is there. Peace, harmony, joy, grace, mercy, innocence, trust, and things so wonderful that we can’t even imagine them are in heaven.
As the owner of heaven, God certainly has the right to say who can enter into his realm. Actually, He owns everything else as well, but the place of perfection we call heaven is the home of our God. To enter this place only requires faith on our part. To ask us to get to the place God calls heaven by works is like asking a new born baby to build a bridge strong enough to span a treacherous and mighty ocean. It cannot be done. Thankfully, our merciful God did the work for us. He made one way into heaven. It cost a terrible price. It is big enough and strong enough to accommodate every single person who is willing to obediently enter through faith in the promised savior - who we now know to be Jesus Christ. When a ‘religion’ offers salvation by any other name or any other way, they are not speaking of the place Jesus Christ calls home.
There is a place Allah calls ‘Paradise’. Yet the paradise of Allah not only accepts murderers, it rewards them. John 8:44 tells us ‘He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.’ This verse is speaking of Satan - the father of lies. The paradise of Allah is not the Paradise of Jesus Christ.
There is supposed to be a place called “Nirvana’ where Hindus and Buddhists supposedly go when they achieve enlightenment. Upon arrival they unite with their god - and individualism is lost.
This is not the heaven of Jesus Christ. First Corinthians 13:12 tells us, ‘For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.’ We will not only know Jesus Christ, but we will know those around us. Our saved loved ones and friends will not be lost to us, but will fellowship with us for eternity!
The Pantheist likely worships the creation instead of the Creator of all things.
The Humanist sees heaven developing on earth through the works of mankind. The ‘little god’ in all of us will come out if given the chance. This is the socialist gospel now being preached in the place of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in many churches and all aspects of society.
All these ideologies are really the same thing. They are following ‘The Way of Cain’.
They have rejected the TRUTH of Jesus Christ. They are apostates from truth.
They have reasoned their way to a ‘substitute’ for the truth. They have changed the truth for a lie. Romans 1:25 says ‘Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.’
Their end is destruction. God will not accept their offering anymore than He would accept Cain’s offering. In seeking a substitute for the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ, they are instead following God’s adversary the devil. What does the devil offer to his followers?
He offers them lies, for he is a liar - and the father of it.
Satan lies when he helps the arrogant and rebellious reason against the truth of God.
Satan lies when he suggests any substitute will work when approaching the Most High God.
Satan lies when he offers a home in ‘paradise’. He owns no place called
Paradise - or any other place for that matter.
Satan lies when he says people will be reborn and have another chance to live a better life. (It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27)
The ‘RELIGION” of the individual is his or her own deeply held belief system.
It is not the religion of anyone that will get him or her into the heaven where Jesus lives. It is their “FAITH” that will get them there.
Everyone makes a decision. They will live by faith - or they will live by what seems right to them.
Romans 1:17 says, ‘For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’
We are justified by faith in God. Acts 4:12 says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’
Walking any path except the path offered by Jesus Christ is the walking the way of Cain. The end of that path is eternal separation from God in a place called hell.
Redeemed - a favorite hymn of mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOytmkPzhLo
Thank you so much for reading my article. God bless you.
Barbara Henderson.
-------------------------------
Monday, September 28, 2009
What is Bible Doctrine and Why is it Important?
Can You Define the Word ‘Doctrine’?
By Barbara Henderson
In the Bible we find many recorded words of God. Actually, the entire Bible is the written Word of God. Some of it is recorded history. Some of the Bible is direct quotes from God Himself. He makes some very definite statements on how people should act. It is settled for true Christians that God has the authority and the power to make the rules. What seems in question for some Christians is, ‘Did God REALLY mean what he said? Are His rules still relevant, and are they for everyone in every situation?’
There is proof aplenty that many who claim to be followers of the God of the Bible do not do the things God says to do. They claim to accept Jesus, but they disannul the DOCTRINE of Christ in order to follow their own doctrine. They in fact, reject the doctrine of God as revealed to us in the Bible in favor of cunningly devised fables. Actually, some people turn from the doctrine of Christ in order to follow their own selfish lusts and ideas. There is often nothing ‘cunningly devised’ in the fables they follow. My dad says they get their theology from the seat of their pants.
Cunningly devised fables can be identified in worship services that put the traditions of men above the doctrine of God. ‘Tradition’ did not die for sinners on Calvary. Traditions that work for our good are traditions that make worship of Christ and following His teachings easier. Traditions are wicked when the tradition itself begins to substitute for true worship. Keep in mind that if there was salvation available in following the ‘traditions of men’, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.
Cunningly devised fables may be seen in rituals. There are ritual religions outside and inside Christianity. People believe that through certain repetitions and rituals they will be able to obtain something they want, cause someone to do something they want done, and even gain eternal life. You can also gain wealth and health through ritual sacrificial giving according to some purveyors of cunningly devised fables. That means watch out for the wealth and health preachers. Remember, that if there was salvation in rituals, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved,
Cunningly devised fables may be seen in vain repetitions and babbling. People will chant a mantra as though often repeated words somehow gain the power, or call upon some unknown power to grant their request. It may work even better if the mantra is chanted while the chantor is sitting in some uncomfortable position. Again, if vain babbling and chants could gain salvation for the lost soul, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.
A rampant cunningly devised fable in the church today is the myth that church growth is proof of a spiritual church. A growth oriented church, believing that church growth proves their relationship with God is good, will often set aside doctrine in favor of ‘doing what it takes to get the church roles to grow in number.’ Such churches are willing to destroy families in order to establish a mega church. Everyone in the church is supposed to be involved in every church function, or their salvation is suspect. A family cannot survive as a strong family under such circumstances.
In order for His children to avoid being deceived by a cunningly devised fable, God gave us DOCTRINE.
This doctrine is based on the truth, as given to us by our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, infallible Creator and God. This Doctrine is written down for us in the Bible. It is not a tradition that was handed down by word of mouth for a thousand years and then written down.. It was written down directly from the mouth of God through the hand of the writer. Knowing and living the Doctrine of the Bible gives us the prescription to avoid being deceived by the great abundance of cunningly devised fables.
According to biblegateway.com the term ‘doctrine’ is used in the Bible fifty (50) times. Due to the limits of space, I won’t be able to include all fifty here. However, I will use some of them.
Proverbs 4:2
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Remember that the doctrine given us by God is infallible. It is correct, truthful, and good. To forsake it is foolish; yet many do.
Isaiah 28:9
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
God will give understanding to the willing. Often Christians are like adults who try to live as though they were still teenagers. They never grow up, and they are very unpleasant people. They are also useless to those around them. There is nothing lovely or cute about idolizing the foolish actions of rebellious teenagers. The same goes for Christians. There is nothing cute or appealing in a Christian refusing to learn the things of the Bible, preferring instead to remain ignorant and easily beguiled. Remember Eve. She was beguiled and look what happened because of her actions.
Jeremiah 10:8
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Beware of vain doctrines. Only those teachings that are completely within the boundaries of the teachings of the Bible are good. Vain doctrine places man, or a particular man, or a particular humanist ideology as the solution to the world’s problems. Jesus Christ is left somewhere out in left field.
Matthew 7:28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
The doctrine of Jesus Christ is astonishing. It stays in the mind of the hearer.
Mark 1:22
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
The Triune God of the Bible is the authority behind the doctrine of the Bible. It is powerful and astonishing when told in humility by believers.
Mark 1:27
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
The mighty power of the doctrine of the Bible has not been seen in any earthly teaching, theology, ideology, sorcery, or anything else outside the Bible.
Mark 11:18
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
The doctrine of the Bible brings about fear in those who reject it. They will seek in vain to destroy it. They know that if the doctrine of the Bible is true, then all other beliefs, or belief systems, or deeply held beliefs, are false. The Bible is not compatible with any other doctrine. When you see someone trying to be reconciled with other doctrines, then they are following fables.
Luke 4:32
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ has power.
John 18:19
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ causes curiosity when people hear it.
Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ inspires great loyalty in those who believe.
Acts 5:28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped by the edicts of men. The Christian will be like the Psalmist who tried, but could not keep his mouth shut. (Psalm 39:1-3)
Acts 17:19
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
The doctrine of the Lord arouses curiosity. It is something new and wonderful to those who have not heard. They want to hear more.
1 Timothy 1:3
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Christians are charged to teach no other doctrine. That really kicks things like all the eastern mystic teachings out of the church. Things outside the gospel have no place in the church, no matter how much they will ‘help people lose weight’, ‘chill out’, ‘get in touch with themselves’, and so on. They certainly have no place being taught to the youth of the church, except as things that are outside the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Churches should be teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ alone. By the way, when I was in school in Anchorage, Alaska, we were to taught to sit and stand straight, breath through our nose, and keep our shoulders back. No one had ever heard of yoga; it was just commonly accepted as good health practice. And it was not taught in church.
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Christians are to continue in the doctrine that is taught in the Bible. This keeps the believer out of trouble and converts those who hear what the Christian says. (That is not out of all the troublesome trials of life, but out of the stupid mistakes made by those who step outside the doctrine of the Bible.)
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Preach the doctrine of Jesus Christ with patience, continually, and with sound theology.
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
It takes a solid knowledge of the doctrine of Jesus Christ in order to convince non-believers. Nowhere does the Bible teach that we are to look for things we have in common with non-believers. We are to teach them and tell the truth according to the Bible.
2 John 1:10
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
When someone comes to you with a different doctrine than what was preached by Jesus Christ, you are not supposed to let him into your house, nor bid him God speed.
Nowhere does the doctrine of the Bible teach that we are to band together with unbelievers in order to bring about good. This means any mega church that is trying to be inclusive and work together with all faiths is not following the teachings of the Bible.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The doctrine of Balaam was ‘anything for money’, even treachery toward one’s own people. Today the ‘anything for money’ doctrine is seen in politicians, businessmen, and Christians all the way up to the clergy.
Revelation 2:15
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
This is the doctrine that believes that ‘once saved one could still engage in sin because they are no longer under the law’. Naturally Christ hates such false doctrine.
There is no question that Biblical ‘doctrine’ is important. Doctrine is the message of the Bible. How foolish that some people who profess Christ as their savior don’t even know what it is. Many church members have no idea what their church teaches as doctrine. This is the fault of the church leaders. It is their duty to instruct their flock in the doctrine of the New Testament Church. It is the duty of the pastor to oversee those he allows to teach in the church that God has given him. It is the duty of the pastor to spot error in its infancy and squash it before it has time to grow.
It is also the duty of every Christian and church member to check the things the pastor/preacher teaches against the Bible itself. We have the Bible readily available. We have no excuse to put up with preachers spewing false doctrines from the pulpit.
Doctrine, doctrine, doctrine….. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. His teachings are the foundations of the faith. This is the doctrine by which we are to live. The doctrine of the Bible does not change. The doctrine of the Bible provides stability in an unstable world. The doctrine of the Bible is the key to wisdom and understanding.
There are those who seek to destroy the doctrine of the Bible, in which case the world would be left worshipping one of Satan’s many lies. All religions and belief systems outside the doctrine of the Bible are false religions. They are based on lies. Satan is the father of lies. Therefore, any doctrine outside the doctrine of the Bible is really Satan worship. In that case, is there any way the importance of the doctrine of the bible can be overstated? The answer is, ‘No! The importance of the doctrine of the Bible cannot be overstated.’ That is why Satan is trying so hard to do just that.
Christian, are you willing to follow the instructions in Jude 1:3 which says, ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
If you answered, ‘Yes! I am willing to earnestly contend for the faith.’ you need to realize something very important. No matter how willing you may be, you cannot earnestly contend for the faith if you do not know the doctrine on which the faith is built. Without knowing the doctrine of the faith you profess, then you will be like Eve. You will be beguiled and led into tragic error. Zeal, but not according to knowledge, is a tragedy waiting to happen. For your soul to prosper you must know doctrine.
The song for this article is ‘My Sheep Know My Voice’. When you know the doctrine taught in the Bible then you will know the voice of the Shepherd.
Barbara Henderson
My Sheep Know My Voice
‘My sheep hear My voice, and the path that I take,
They follow wherever I go;
My sheep know My voice and come at my call,
But a stranger’s voice do they not know.
Refrain
My sheep know My voice, and day by day
They abide in the fold and go not astray,
They love Me because I have made them my choice,
And they follow My call for My sheep know My voice.
My sheep know My voice, and the pastures of green,
Where I lead them so often to feed;
My sheep know My voice and the cool sparkling stream
Where beside its still waters I lead.
Refrain
My sheep know My voice, and the valley of death
Through which I shall lead them some day;
But no danger nor harm can touch one of them,
For I will be with them alway.
Refrain
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/mysheepk.htm
By Barbara Henderson
In the Bible we find many recorded words of God. Actually, the entire Bible is the written Word of God. Some of it is recorded history. Some of the Bible is direct quotes from God Himself. He makes some very definite statements on how people should act. It is settled for true Christians that God has the authority and the power to make the rules. What seems in question for some Christians is, ‘Did God REALLY mean what he said? Are His rules still relevant, and are they for everyone in every situation?’
There is proof aplenty that many who claim to be followers of the God of the Bible do not do the things God says to do. They claim to accept Jesus, but they disannul the DOCTRINE of Christ in order to follow their own doctrine. They in fact, reject the doctrine of God as revealed to us in the Bible in favor of cunningly devised fables. Actually, some people turn from the doctrine of Christ in order to follow their own selfish lusts and ideas. There is often nothing ‘cunningly devised’ in the fables they follow. My dad says they get their theology from the seat of their pants.
Cunningly devised fables can be identified in worship services that put the traditions of men above the doctrine of God. ‘Tradition’ did not die for sinners on Calvary. Traditions that work for our good are traditions that make worship of Christ and following His teachings easier. Traditions are wicked when the tradition itself begins to substitute for true worship. Keep in mind that if there was salvation available in following the ‘traditions of men’, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.
Cunningly devised fables may be seen in rituals. There are ritual religions outside and inside Christianity. People believe that through certain repetitions and rituals they will be able to obtain something they want, cause someone to do something they want done, and even gain eternal life. You can also gain wealth and health through ritual sacrificial giving according to some purveyors of cunningly devised fables. That means watch out for the wealth and health preachers. Remember, that if there was salvation in rituals, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved,
Cunningly devised fables may be seen in vain repetitions and babbling. People will chant a mantra as though often repeated words somehow gain the power, or call upon some unknown power to grant their request. It may work even better if the mantra is chanted while the chantor is sitting in some uncomfortable position. Again, if vain babbling and chants could gain salvation for the lost soul, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.
A rampant cunningly devised fable in the church today is the myth that church growth is proof of a spiritual church. A growth oriented church, believing that church growth proves their relationship with God is good, will often set aside doctrine in favor of ‘doing what it takes to get the church roles to grow in number.’ Such churches are willing to destroy families in order to establish a mega church. Everyone in the church is supposed to be involved in every church function, or their salvation is suspect. A family cannot survive as a strong family under such circumstances.
In order for His children to avoid being deceived by a cunningly devised fable, God gave us DOCTRINE.
This doctrine is based on the truth, as given to us by our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, infallible Creator and God. This Doctrine is written down for us in the Bible. It is not a tradition that was handed down by word of mouth for a thousand years and then written down.. It was written down directly from the mouth of God through the hand of the writer. Knowing and living the Doctrine of the Bible gives us the prescription to avoid being deceived by the great abundance of cunningly devised fables.
According to biblegateway.com the term ‘doctrine’ is used in the Bible fifty (50) times. Due to the limits of space, I won’t be able to include all fifty here. However, I will use some of them.
Proverbs 4:2
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Remember that the doctrine given us by God is infallible. It is correct, truthful, and good. To forsake it is foolish; yet many do.
Isaiah 28:9
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
God will give understanding to the willing. Often Christians are like adults who try to live as though they were still teenagers. They never grow up, and they are very unpleasant people. They are also useless to those around them. There is nothing lovely or cute about idolizing the foolish actions of rebellious teenagers. The same goes for Christians. There is nothing cute or appealing in a Christian refusing to learn the things of the Bible, preferring instead to remain ignorant and easily beguiled. Remember Eve. She was beguiled and look what happened because of her actions.
Jeremiah 10:8
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Beware of vain doctrines. Only those teachings that are completely within the boundaries of the teachings of the Bible are good. Vain doctrine places man, or a particular man, or a particular humanist ideology as the solution to the world’s problems. Jesus Christ is left somewhere out in left field.
Matthew 7:28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
The doctrine of Jesus Christ is astonishing. It stays in the mind of the hearer.
Mark 1:22
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
The Triune God of the Bible is the authority behind the doctrine of the Bible. It is powerful and astonishing when told in humility by believers.
Mark 1:27
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
The mighty power of the doctrine of the Bible has not been seen in any earthly teaching, theology, ideology, sorcery, or anything else outside the Bible.
Mark 11:18
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
The doctrine of the Bible brings about fear in those who reject it. They will seek in vain to destroy it. They know that if the doctrine of the Bible is true, then all other beliefs, or belief systems, or deeply held beliefs, are false. The Bible is not compatible with any other doctrine. When you see someone trying to be reconciled with other doctrines, then they are following fables.
Luke 4:32
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ has power.
John 18:19
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ causes curiosity when people hear it.
Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ inspires great loyalty in those who believe.
Acts 5:28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped by the edicts of men. The Christian will be like the Psalmist who tried, but could not keep his mouth shut. (Psalm 39:1-3)
Acts 17:19
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
The doctrine of the Lord arouses curiosity. It is something new and wonderful to those who have not heard. They want to hear more.
1 Timothy 1:3
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Christians are charged to teach no other doctrine. That really kicks things like all the eastern mystic teachings out of the church. Things outside the gospel have no place in the church, no matter how much they will ‘help people lose weight’, ‘chill out’, ‘get in touch with themselves’, and so on. They certainly have no place being taught to the youth of the church, except as things that are outside the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Churches should be teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ alone. By the way, when I was in school in Anchorage, Alaska, we were to taught to sit and stand straight, breath through our nose, and keep our shoulders back. No one had ever heard of yoga; it was just commonly accepted as good health practice. And it was not taught in church.
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Christians are to continue in the doctrine that is taught in the Bible. This keeps the believer out of trouble and converts those who hear what the Christian says. (That is not out of all the troublesome trials of life, but out of the stupid mistakes made by those who step outside the doctrine of the Bible.)
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Preach the doctrine of Jesus Christ with patience, continually, and with sound theology.
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
It takes a solid knowledge of the doctrine of Jesus Christ in order to convince non-believers. Nowhere does the Bible teach that we are to look for things we have in common with non-believers. We are to teach them and tell the truth according to the Bible.
2 John 1:10
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
When someone comes to you with a different doctrine than what was preached by Jesus Christ, you are not supposed to let him into your house, nor bid him God speed.
Nowhere does the doctrine of the Bible teach that we are to band together with unbelievers in order to bring about good. This means any mega church that is trying to be inclusive and work together with all faiths is not following the teachings of the Bible.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The doctrine of Balaam was ‘anything for money’, even treachery toward one’s own people. Today the ‘anything for money’ doctrine is seen in politicians, businessmen, and Christians all the way up to the clergy.
Revelation 2:15
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
This is the doctrine that believes that ‘once saved one could still engage in sin because they are no longer under the law’. Naturally Christ hates such false doctrine.
There is no question that Biblical ‘doctrine’ is important. Doctrine is the message of the Bible. How foolish that some people who profess Christ as their savior don’t even know what it is. Many church members have no idea what their church teaches as doctrine. This is the fault of the church leaders. It is their duty to instruct their flock in the doctrine of the New Testament Church. It is the duty of the pastor to oversee those he allows to teach in the church that God has given him. It is the duty of the pastor to spot error in its infancy and squash it before it has time to grow.
It is also the duty of every Christian and church member to check the things the pastor/preacher teaches against the Bible itself. We have the Bible readily available. We have no excuse to put up with preachers spewing false doctrines from the pulpit.
Doctrine, doctrine, doctrine….. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. His teachings are the foundations of the faith. This is the doctrine by which we are to live. The doctrine of the Bible does not change. The doctrine of the Bible provides stability in an unstable world. The doctrine of the Bible is the key to wisdom and understanding.
There are those who seek to destroy the doctrine of the Bible, in which case the world would be left worshipping one of Satan’s many lies. All religions and belief systems outside the doctrine of the Bible are false religions. They are based on lies. Satan is the father of lies. Therefore, any doctrine outside the doctrine of the Bible is really Satan worship. In that case, is there any way the importance of the doctrine of the bible can be overstated? The answer is, ‘No! The importance of the doctrine of the Bible cannot be overstated.’ That is why Satan is trying so hard to do just that.
Christian, are you willing to follow the instructions in Jude 1:3 which says, ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
If you answered, ‘Yes! I am willing to earnestly contend for the faith.’ you need to realize something very important. No matter how willing you may be, you cannot earnestly contend for the faith if you do not know the doctrine on which the faith is built. Without knowing the doctrine of the faith you profess, then you will be like Eve. You will be beguiled and led into tragic error. Zeal, but not according to knowledge, is a tragedy waiting to happen. For your soul to prosper you must know doctrine.
The song for this article is ‘My Sheep Know My Voice’. When you know the doctrine taught in the Bible then you will know the voice of the Shepherd.
Barbara Henderson
My Sheep Know My Voice
‘My sheep hear My voice, and the path that I take,
They follow wherever I go;
My sheep know My voice and come at my call,
But a stranger’s voice do they not know.
Refrain
My sheep know My voice, and day by day
They abide in the fold and go not astray,
They love Me because I have made them my choice,
And they follow My call for My sheep know My voice.
My sheep know My voice, and the pastures of green,
Where I lead them so often to feed;
My sheep know My voice and the cool sparkling stream
Where beside its still waters I lead.
Refrain
My sheep know My voice, and the valley of death
Through which I shall lead them some day;
But no danger nor harm can touch one of them,
For I will be with them alway.
Refrain
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/mysheepk.htm
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