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  • Genesis 6:4

    Good Morning!
    Could you explain Chapter 6 verse 4 in Genesis? It sounds a lot like Greek Mythology. Who are the sons of God?

    : )
    Beth

    ==========

    Hi Beth!

    Here is Genesis 6:4:  “There were giants on earth in those days, and also afterwards, when the sons of God went in to the daughters of man. And they bore them children, and they were mighty men, men of renown, from long ago.”

    The book of Genesis pre-dates all Greek mythology, and it is easy to see where Greeks got the ideas for many of their myths.  They have flood stories, which are just perversions of the true flood story, etc.  So, your comment would better be put like this:  Greek myths sound a lot like Genesis 4:6″ instead of “Genesis 6:4 sounds a lot like Greek myths.”

    We know that the “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6 are not angels because Jesus said that angels do not marry.  Instead, they are men who were righteous and who were seduced by ungodly women of this world, “the daughters of men”.

    Thanks for the question.  I think that we all have wondered about that as we learned the Bible.

    Pastor John

  • Two ways

    Pastor John,

    I was in the shower praying this morning, when the Spirit spoke to me and said, “There’s a difference between you having children and God giving you children. Abraham had Ishmael, and God gave him Isaac.”

    I thought about this all day.  It’s the same way with anything.  You can have a family, or God can give you one. He makes all the difference!!

    Jammie C
    ==========

    Yes, Jammie, that is a good testimony.  Let me add this note of caution, however.

    Many times, as you know , people have what they have because they are disobedient to God.  But there need not always be evil involved in someone “having children” instead of God miraculously giving them children, or in simply having a family, or a car, or anything else.

    When God miraculously gives us anything, it is a great blessing.  But He often gives us choices as to what we would have, and when He does, He blesses whatever choice we make.

    Thanks for telling us what you heard from the Lord today. I love testimonies like that.

    Pastor John

  • Daniel 12:11-13

    Daddy,

    Naomi and I were reading in Daniel and I wondered what these scriptures mean in Chapter 12:

    11. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

    12. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

    13. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.“

    I know that the “abomination of desolation” is Christianity coming.  What was it is that one is “blessed for waiting” 45 more years Beyond Christianity coming?   It would seem that was either Jesus’ time or the holy Ghost coming.   But didn’t Christianity come after that?   Is it possibly saying that the roots of Christianity began BEFORE Jesus came?   

    Thanks, te.

    =============

    Yes, those verses can provoke some good questions.

    I don’t think the abomination of desolation is “Christianity coming” as much as it is the “strong delusion” about which Paul prophesied and that Jesus said would be so strong that “if it were possible, even the very elect would be deceived.”  Christianity certainly is an abomination, and it is a strong delusion, but there is still a greater form of that delusive abomination to come.  Both Paul and Jesus were speaking of end-time events.

    As you know, we are living in a time when the mysterious Third Seal of John’s Revelation is being opened.  How long these days of the Third Seal will be, we cannot say, but we know that after this puzzling Third Seal, there are no more mysteries as to what will happen, and in what order. This means that the saints who are living in those times will know exactly where they are, in terms of when in the order of last-day events they are living.  They will, then, know when it is time for Jesus to come back.  You will remember that Paul said, even though the world will be unprepared, the return of Jesus would not come upon God’s saints “as a thief”.  They will be expecting the Lord to come when he comes.

    This is where I have always understood those verses in Daniel to apply.  It is like the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.  Those “virgins” knew when their lord was supposed to return, but when he delayed his return, some were not prepared for that.  Daniel seems to be saying that (1) when it is time for Jesus to return, all believers will know it and (2) when it is time for Jesus to return, he will delay his coming by the amount of time the angel told Daniel.  That delay will certainly try the faith of the persecuted believers remaining on earth at that time.Good question.

    Daddy

  • His Love

    Dear Bro. John:
     
    I loved our testimonies tonight, how the love of God has brought each one of us down a path of His own design to end up right here in this wonderful place with Him and His Son!  Our testimonies of Jesus open our hearts to see just how patient, merciful, and loving he has been with each one of us, all along the way.
     
    On the way home tonight from the meeting, I started thinking of just how and when my love with Jesus started deepening in my heart.  I realized that it was down all the paths of correction he prepared for me.  During those times, Jesus was always there loving me through and to the end of each correction.  And every time I obeyed him, the love between us deepened because he never left me to wonder if he still loved me.  He was always there waiting for me to prove my love for him.  I know of no other love story as great as the one we are living right now with Jesus.  It never grows old, it is never tiring, it is never dull, and it never ends.  Our testimonies never grow old either!  They are LIFE and they spread like wildfire in our hearts when we share them! 
     
    Jesus has been so good to us with a constant love that never fails even when we may not see so clearly.  I love OUR love stories with him.  We just need to keep telling them – – and let there be no chains except the ones that make us prisoners of his love! 
     
    Thankful tonight for the good feelings! 
     
    Sandy  🙂

  • Embarrassment

    Pastor John,

    Is embarrassment a form of pride?

    Michelle
    ===========

    Hi Michelle.

    It can be, but it need not be. God considered it an very bad thing when His people became so immoral that nothing could embarrass them any longer Jer. 6:15; 8:12). But Ezra was so embarassed by the sin of the people that it made him hesitate to so much as look up to heaven and pray (Ezra 9:6).

    Pastor John

  • KY Snake-Handler is Bitten & Dies.


    I saw this man and others on TV last year, and was so hurt for these dear souls that I had tracts sent to this area of Middlesboro, Kentucky.  I wonder what he said about the message we sent, or if he ever got the tracts at all.
     
    God have mercy.
    jdc
     
    Hi John,
     
    I was wondering if you could help me to better understand those scriptures in Mark16:16  –  especially the part that says, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them.” – and how they relate to the little Pentecostal groups over the last several decades who have participated in snake-handling.
     
    Why do some of God’s people feel they are supposed to handle snakes and drink poison?  Is this something God has commanded some of His people to do as a demonstration of His power?  or are they misunderstanding the scriptures?
     
    Thank you.
    Vince
    =========
    Hi, Vince!
     
    My father told me that in the early 20th century, when God was pouring out a revival of life in the Spirit (which Christianity later quenched, of course,) God would send snakes to the meeting of His saints if He wanted one handled.  My father talked about specific instances of deadly serpents crawling into a gathering.  
    The most impressive to me was the story he told the time a minister was preaching and a deadly serpent crawled down to isle to him.  The preacher took him up, laid him across the Bible, and kept on preaching.  My father said the preacher had to roll the snake over on its side to finish reading the verses he was reading from the Bible.  Then, the man of God carried the serpent out and turned him loose.
     
    We don’t have to go looking for serpents and poison; God will create true situations we need, as we need them.  I was told that I drank poison when I was two, and when my mother cried out, my father came in and laid hands on my little head, and the poison came back up, and I went back outside to play.  It was not a ritual we went through; it was a time when we needed the power of God.  I am thankful that my father had it!
     
    jdc

  • Who is Happy?

    Pastor John,

    I was listening to a sermon this morning from 2009, “Fully Alive in Your Spirit.” You were talking about the difference between a happy person in Jesus and an unhappy person. Those that are happy have done their work (whatever job Jesus has giving them ).If you have done your work, then you are Happy! It is not a matter of who PJ likes best. That has nothing to do with it! Have you done your job, the one Jesus has given you? If you have not, you will be unhappy and be looking for fault in others. You said, “KEEP AWARE! STAY ALERT!” Jesus has a job for you, but you have to be able to hear his voice.

    It was a good reminder. 

    Love,

    Jammie

  • Billy’s dream – Carolina

    Good morning, Pastor John.

    In my dream I was giving a presentation on Mark 12:30: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

    Brother Earl and you were sitting behind one of the white tables; there were others sitting there, too, but I didn’t recognize their faces.  I knew they were some of us sitting around you. 

    I began by saying, “There are four things that Jesus commanded us to do in this scripture.  We are to love God 1) with all of our heart  2) with all of our soul 3) with all of our mind.  Then, I went on with my presentation. 

    You stopped me and reminded me (as you were smiling), “Billy, there are four”.  And I replied, “Thank you, that’s right; Number 4) and with ALL thy strength.”  Then the power of God fell on us and I woke up.

    I went to my music room about 5:00 AM, and started looking up all the scriptures on strength.  There are many!  But what was so fascinating to me, especially in Psalms, were the many scriptures David was using (there are too many to list), stating that his strength came from God and not of himself.  Then I noticed that Job, Moses, Paul, and many other faithful wise men in the Bible, as well as today, know that any strength at all comes from God.  Jesus even said that he could do nothing unless it comes from his Father.  We know this, but it sure is wonderful when God allows you to feel it in your heart.

    I was playing Darren’s CD, Going Home To Carolina, when the that song started playing, while I was getting ready for work,  “I’m Going Home To Carolina . . .Going Home to be with family and friends . . .”  when all of a sudden, the Spirit fell (like it did in my dream), and I started speaking in tongues and praising God, while I was flossing my teeth — It can be done!  🙂  The Spirit spoke, “Carolina is a matter of the heart”.

    Wow! . . .  I just yielded fully to what I just heard.  You have taught us Over and over again that moving to NC is not what’s it’s all about, but that having fellowship in the light of the Spirit, no matter where you live, is the point.

    The Spirit started speaking to me, “You are already in Carolina,  Carolina is in you . . . It has been there since 2001, when I put it in you.”  I couldn’t take it.  I had to fall down on my face and say, “Amen, God!  It is; it has been; it is there — no one can take this away from me, God.”

    I am so thankful for the ones who have been able to move to NC, and very happy for them, and I do pray that God will allow me to move there one day.  Not to be in a different location, but to experience the daily fellowship of God with y’all.  If He does, then it will be such an added bonus and blessing . . .  if He doesn’t, then Carolina is, and always will be, in my heart, and I can be content with that.

    Hope all is well, and hope to see you soon.

    Billy 

     

  • Cris M on the Creation debate

    http://debatelive.org

    Hey,

    I watched a little over an hour of the debate last night before having to get the kids to bed. The one question that I kept feeling when listening to Bill Nye was, “Where is the love of God in that?” That feels like such a cold way to live, with just man, all on his own. Our own experiences tell us that can’t be, and it made me feel sad for him.

    This crossed my mind last night, too. The Creator himself asked me the question about eight years ago, “Who created science?” 🙂 When the question came, the answer was obviously the One who was asking me the question. What in the world would Mr. Nye do with that!? 🙂 Poor thing. It’s God’s science, and like Brother James says, “He can be right any kind of way He wants to!” He doesn’t have to be “predictable”.

    Cris
    ===============

    Amen, Cris. It seems to me that sane people would choose to believe there is purpose and love in the universe. The hopelessness in the doctrine of evolution is palpable. We humans are of more value than that, and I can’t help but feel that even the most ardent evolutionists can sense that fact.

    Pastor John

  • Vince on the Creation Debate

    http://debatelive.org/

    Hi John,

    Amy and I also watched the creation debate last night, and I, too, was disappointed in both sides. Mr. Nye was much more confident and at ease in his debate style (though sarcastic and contemptuous at the same time), and Mr. Ham seemed nervous, unorganized, and unprepared to answer the tough questions. As a result, Mr. Nye basically controlled the entire debate, and Mr. Ham was constantly on the defensive. I couldn’t understand why Mr. Ham kept using the Bible as his primary evidence for creation to someone who doesn’t believe the Bible (I think lawyers call this “begging the question”). From what I have read and heard other creation scientists say, just about everything Mr. Nye put forth as evidence for evolution has been refuted, but Mr. Ham didn’t offer much of the existing scientific evidence in his couterarguments. I wondered why no one asked Mr. Ham the question, “Would you still believe what you believe if the Bible didn’t exist?” And I wondered why no one asked Mr. Nye some of the tougher questions also, such as, “How do you explain, using the theory of evolution, the irreducible complexity of any given living organism? For instance, did the heart, blood, arteries, veins, capillaries, and cells all evolve at the same time? If not, which one of these components could be absent and still make for a viable circulatory system?”

    With all that said, though, I also feel the same way everyone else has already said, that the witness of the holy ghost – the power of God – was the key thing missing from the creation side of the debate. Like Gary, I also wondered what would have happened if Mr. Ham could have testified of an experience that he had with God, and the power of God fall and he begin speaking in tongues, and everyone in the audience feel the presence of God. I found myself praying for both men this morning, especially Mr. Ham, that they would have a real experience with Jesus – one that would trump all of their own thoughts and ideas about the Creator of heaven and earth!

    I have seen other creation scientists, such as Kent Hovind, do a much better job of presenting the scientific evidence in this kind of debate, but also without the truth and the power of God. In the case of Kent Hovind, he became rebellious and arrogant with his knowledge, and now he’s in prison for tax evasion. So, perhaps God will only allow men to go so far in trying to “prove” God exists with their own knowledge – but still use them to get people thinking about Jesus, and considering a side other than the side that’s continuously forced down everyone’s throats these days.

    I was reading in Deuteronomy 29 this morning, and these verses really stood out to me, in light of last night’s debate:

    2 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. (Dt. 29:2-4)

    Even God’s own people, let alone the world, can’t believe the things He has done or understand the truth unless God gives them the grace to believe it, or see it, or hear it, or understand it. It makes me very thankful that Jesus showed me, just a few short years ago, how foolish I was to believe in the whole evolution thing. But there was no way I could have all of a sudden decided to stop believing in evolution and started believing in God, without God giving me an experience to let me KNOW, not just believe, that He is real, and that He loves us and cares for us.

    Vince

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