Lion and Lamb Ministry

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

LLM Question for 5-8-2012, and, THIS GENERATION of Matthew 24

First the Question: According to the Bible, worrying is as forbidden as theft. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-6-2012

Question: THIS GENERATION of Matthew 24:34-35 is the Nation of Israel. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! We believe that the best interpretation of the words, “THIS GENERATION”, is that it refers to the Nation of Israel surviving the DAY OF THE LORD which will be a day of the wrath of God upon planet Earth! THIS GENERATION (the Nation of Israel) will not pass away, until everything our LORD Jesus Christ described for the future takes place! Heaven and earth may pass away, but GOD’S WORD WILL NEVER PASS AWAY! Now, out of the 711 responses we received to this question, only 65% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

"THIS GENERATION" of Matthew 24

In Matthew 24:34-35 we read these words from the lips of our LORD Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, “Verily I say unto you, THIS GENERATION shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Bible teachers argue over the meaning of the words “THIS GENERATION”, The English word “generation” comes directly in sound from the Greek words. We believe that the best interpretation of the words “THIS GENERATION” is that it refers to the Nation of Israel surviving the DAY OF THE LORD which will be a day of the wrath of God upon planet Earth! Bible believers refer to it as the coming GREAT TRIBULATION. The Time of Jacob's Trouble, Jeremiah 30:7. Also, it appears that survival on the part of God’s people during the tribulation will be a major problem! In Matthew 24:21-22 Jesus said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake (this refers to a believing remnant of Israel) those days shall be shortened.”

So, let's take a closer look.

1. The words can, maybe, refer to A PERIOD OF TIME.

The Jewish people in the wilderness for 40 years are referred to in Hebrew 3:10 as “THAT generation.” Some believe that it refers to a period of 40 years and debate over whether it should begin with Israel becoming a nation in 1948, (obviously this view is incorrect!), or with the taking of the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967 (again, obviously incorrect!). Others believe that it refers to a 40 year period between the time that Christ spoke these words and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD (often called the “preterist view”. The Lion and Lamb Ministry do NOT agree with any preterist view). Some Bible teachers have argued that the length of a person’s life (stated to be 70 or possibly 80 years) is what is meant. This gives them a bit more leeway in trying to fit the words with their particular viewpoint.

2. The words refer to A RACE OF PEOPLE.

The Greek words certainly are used that way (both in the Bible and in extra-Biblical sources). The primary, (from the standpoint of history), view concerning a “race of people” is that it refers to the Jewish people to whom Christ was speaking. This view supports the idea mentioned above, that it was fulfilled in 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem. The point that these words refer to the Jewish people is very likely the most adequate and accurate view. Matthew 23:36, in fact, uses the words “THIS GENERATION” in exactly that way! Those who believe that these words express some sort of change in God’s relationship with Israel and the Jewish people believe that the Church has now replaced Israel in God’s prophetic program due to their rejection of Yeshua as their Messiah. Added to this, in the passage in Matthew 16:28 which says, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.” It would appear at first reading that the coming of God’s judgment is meant, and that those listening to Jesus at that time would not die until it happened!

However! The Greek text (which originally had no chapter divisions!) continues (Matthew 17:1) with the word “AND”. And the next few verses prove that the ones who would not die until they saw the glory of the Messiah revealed were Peter, James, and John...what we call the Mount of Transfiguration. In 2 Peter 1:16-18, Peter refers to this event and says that they were “eyewitnesses of His majesty” and says it was on the “holy mount.”

Therefore,

There are three classic reasons why we believe that the words “THIS GENERATION” refer to the Nation of Israel surviving the “time of Jacob’s trouble” or the “great tribulation”:

1. THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD - Romans 11:1-2 tells us that “God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew.”

2. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - Psalm 89 speaks powerfully of this attribute of God. He is faithful to His promises. In Psalm 89:30-32, God speaks of His punishment upon the children of Israel for their disobedience and sin. However, in Psalm 89:33-37 we read, “Nevertheless My loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer My FAITHFULNESS to fail. My covenant will I NOT break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips. Once have I sworn by My Holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever as the moon, and as a FAITHFUL witness in heaven.” Remember this always, the promises of God and His covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants is based on His FAITHFULNESS, and NOT their performance!

3. THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD - Jeremiah 31:31-37 proclaims the terms of God’s “new covenant” by which He will forgive the iniquity of His people and remember their sin against them no more! In Jeremiah 31:36-37, it is clear that the Nation of Israel will continue to exist forever! THAT’S THE PROMISE OF GOD HIMSELF!

Therefore, THIS GENERATION (the Nation of Israel) will not pass away, until everything our LORD Jesus Christ described for the future takes place! Heaven and earth may pass away, but GOD’S WORD WILL NEVER PASS AWAY!

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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Sunday, May 6, 2012

LLM Question for 5-6-2012, and, The Two Fold Eternal Purpose of God

First the Question: THIS GENERATION of Matthew 24:34-35 is the Nation of Israel. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-3-2012

Question: There is not one promise in the whole Old Testament about going to Heaven. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Some people are surprised to learn that there is NOT ONE promise in the whole Old Testament about going to Heaven. There the whole outlook is earthly, with Messiah reigning as King (Jeremiah 23:5). Now, out of the 781 responses we received to this question, only 68.2% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

The Two Fold Eternal Purpose of God

Have you ever considered carefully the opening words of the Bible? "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Now, think, why doesn't it simply say that God created the Universe? Why specifically the heaven and the earth?

As we go on reading we find the answer to this question, and that is because the Bible clearly teaches that God has a two-fold purpose; one having to do with the earth and the other with heaven. The former is the subject of prophecy, while the latter is the subject of the "Mystery", or secret, revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. (See Acts 3:21; then Romans 16:25). The former concerns Israel and the nations; the latter "the Body of Christ", of the holy heavenly calling.

Some people are surprised to learn that there is not one promise in the whole Old Testament about going to Heaven. There the whole outlook is earthly, with Messiah reigning as King (Jeremiah 23:5). When our Lord appeared in the flesh the angels cried, "Peace on earth" (Luke 2:14). He Himself said that "the meek" shall "inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). He taught His disciples to pray, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

Even at Pentecost the Apostle Peter declared that after "the restitution of all things" God would send Jesus BACK to earth and the times of refreshing would "come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19-21).

BUT, not until the raising up of the Apostle Paul do we learn that NOW all believers in Christ are "baptized into one body", 1 Corinthians 12:13, and Colossians 1:5, and many other Pauline passages, speak of "the hope which is laid up for you IN HEAVEN". Indeed, before God, believers are already given a position "in heavenly places" and are "blessed with all spiritual blessings IN [THE] HEAVENLIES in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:4-7).

The prophecies regarding the Kingdom, however, will still be fulfilled and Christ will reign on earth and bring the promised "times of refreshing". THANK GOD, this world will not forever be a place of war and bloodshed, sickness and death, misery and woe. Indeed, at that time, Heaven and Earth will be opened to each other, and thus will be fulfilled God's two-fold purpose, "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10).

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So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

LLM Question for 5-3-2012, and, Was Judas Saved Before He Was Lost

First the Question: There is not one promise in the whole Old Testament about going to Heaven. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-1-2012

Question: Was Judas saved before he was lost? Yes or No?

Answer: NO! There is not the slightest suggestion in any part of the Scripture that Judas was a saved man. In fact, the very contrary is taught. Now, out of the 734 responses we received to this question, 78.6% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

Was Judas Saved Before He Was Lost?

The question has often been asked, “did God predestinate the fate of Judas?” If by this we mean “did God arbitrarily foreordain that Judas could not believe and be saved”, we are sure that no one who knows the God of the Bible would believe in such predestination. We do believe the statement of Acts 15:18, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

This question has been asked because of the words of Christ in John 17:12, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the SON OF PERDITION (Where else is this phrase found in the Bible); that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

A few preachers have coupled this Scripture with Romans 9:15 and Romans 9:21-23 to prove that the fate of Judas was foreordained. We quote the verses in Romans 9, “For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion (Romans 9:15). “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.” (Romans 9:21-23).

Again, concerning Judas we read in Acts 1:16 and Acts 1:25 these statements, “Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might GO TO HIS OWN PLACE (hmmm, what does that phrase mean? But that’s a separate message))”

Here we learn that the Scriptures foretold the infamy and destiny of Judas the traitor. In the light of 1 Timothy 2:4 and many other such Scriptures, we know that God certainly did not influence Judas to betray the Lord Jesus and refuse His gift of eternal life. Note the words of 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Now there is not the slightest suggestion in any Scripture that Judas was a saved man. In fact, the very contrary is taught. In John 6:64-65 we read, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

Here we learn that Judas, with the others, was an unbeliever, and then the Lord Jesus adds in John 6:70-71 these words, “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.”

Here we learn that Judas is called a devil. Therefore it is altogether contrary to sound doctrine and plain Scriptural teaching to say that Judas was a saint and became a sinner, losing his salvation. Such a position is taken by some Christians who teach against the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer.

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So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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Monday, April 30, 2012

LLM Question for 5-1-2012, and, The Law of the Spirit…of Life in Christ Jesus

First the Question: Was Judas saved before he was lost? Yes or No?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 4-29-2012

Question: The New Life of the Believer in Christ can never be forfeited. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Adam forfeited his life by sin, but the believer's new life can never be forfeited, for this life is nothing less than the Life of Christ, in whom the sinner has already died and paid for his sins, and in whom he now stands perfect and complete before God. Now, out of the 703 responses we received to this question, an 80% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

The Law of the Spirit...of Life in Christ Jesus

The believer's new life in Christ can never be forfeited. Now, in Romans 8:2, when correctly read, is a wonderfully fantastic passage of Scripture. To get the true sense we should place a dash between the words "Spirit" and "of." Doing that it would read, "For the law of the Spirit - of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

When a sinner places his trust in Christ as Savior he is justified before the bar of God, because Christ's death and righteousness are imputed to him. This is a judicial matter. We have to remember that.

But, at the same moment, something else happens. The Spirit regenerates us and gives us new life (Titus 3:5). This is a law, an unstoppable, unchangeable law. The sinner who sincerely places his trust in Christ as Savior is given life by the Holy Spirit. It is always this way, it is never otherwise.

1 John 5:12 says, "He that hath the Son hath life" John 3:36 says that "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" and Colossians 3:3 declares that the believer's life is "hid with Christ in God."

Therefore, the Apostle could say, "The law of the Spirit, [that of] life in Christ, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Adam forfeited his life by sin, but the believer's new life can never be forfeited, for this life is nothing less than the life of Christ, in whom the sinner has already died and paid for his sins, and in whom he now stands perfect and complete before God.

It is a law, a fixed unchangeable law, that sin brings forth death (Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; and so on). This is called "the law of sin and death", but the believer has already died for sin in Christ and has been given new life by the Spirit. Thus "the law of the Spirit", that of "life in Christ", has made the simplest believer "free from the law of sin and death."

Thank God for "the law of the Spirit", everlasting life through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

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So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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Sunday, April 29, 2012

LLM Question for 4-29-2012, and, Does the Law of Moses Apply to the Body of Christ

First the Question: The New Life of the Believer in Christ can never be forfeited. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 4-26-2012

Question: Are Members of the Body of Christ Under the Law of Moses? Yes or No?

Answer: NO! The Children of God, the Members of the Body of Christ, have NO holy days, NO feast days, NO meat ordinances, NO Sabbath, NOR Sabbaths. Abram did not rest in a particular day; he found rest in a Person. So likewise does the Child of God today. Matthew 11:27. Hebrews 4:10. The Sabbath was a covenant between God and Israel. Exodus 31:12. There could be no universal Sabbath out of the Holy Land. When Christ became the end of the law for righteousness He was dead and buried on Israel’s Sabbath day, the seventh day. He arose on the First Day of the Week, the first fruits of them that slept, to start something new. He that keeps the Sabbath, like he that is circumcised, or water baptized, is debtor to keep the whole law. Galatians 5:3. Now, out of the 744 responses we received to this question, an impressive 95.5% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

Does the Law of Moses Apply to the Body of Christ Today?

We receive many questions about The Law (of Moses) and whether or not it applies to members of the Body of Christ today. So let's take a look...

The word “Law” appears 523 times in the Bible of which 223 are in the New Testament. The Hebrew word “TORAH” appears 219 times in the Jewish Bible and primarily refers to “teaching.” To Jewish people, the “law” refers to both “oral” and “written” Law.

There are several synonymous terms that include the following:

commandments...Hebrew word “mitzvah”....used 181 times
testimonies.......…Hebrew word “yedah”.......used 25 times
statutes..............Hebrew word “choq”........used 126 times
judgments...........Hebrew word “mishpat”....used 417 times
word...................Hebrew word “dabar”.... used 1447 times

The “Law” refers to 613 commandments, the Ten Commandments, the first five books of the Bible, and to the entire Old Testament (Jewish Bible - TANAKH). The “Law” is forever settled in the heavens (Psalm 119:89) and is “perfect, right, pure, clean, true, righteous, holy, good, just” and “endures forever” (Psalm 19:7-9; Romans 7:12). The “Law” cleanses, revives, warns, gives direction and understanding (Psalm 119). It does NOT refer to tradition, be sure to read Matthew 15:6-9. The “Law” is more desirable than gold (Psalm 19:10).

THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAW

1. It CANNOT give spiritual life - 2 Cor. 3:6; Galatians 3:21

2. It CANNOT make us righteous before God - Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16; James 2:10

3. It CANNOT take away our sin - Hebrews 10:1-4

4. It CANNOT cancel the promise of God to Abraham - Galatians 3:16-17

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

1. It relates primarily to Israel - Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:8, Deuteronomy 4:44-45; Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:1-3; Romans 9:4

2. It removes our ignorance of sin - Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7; Galatians 3:19; 1 John 3:4

3. It reflects the character of God Himself - Romans 7:12, Romans 7:22, Romans 7:25; Romans 8:7

4. It regulates society - made for the non-believer - 1 Timothy 1:9-10

5. It reinforces our need of a Savior and that Justification is by Faith ALONE - Matthew 5:17-18; Galatians 2:19-21; Galatians 3:19-25

TWO GREAT DANGERS

It is difficult to be “balanced” in our understanding, interpretation, and application of the “Law.” A person can wind up falling into one of two great ditches in relationship to the “Law.”

The First Ditch: LEGALISM - This is the belief that keeping the Law and its requirements is essential for salvation and/or Christian life and growth.

Galatians 3:1-3 speaks of this danger and warns the believers about it.

The Second Ditch: LIBERTARIANISM - This is the belief that our freedom in Christ allows us to sin without facing any consequences.

Pay attention….Believers are NOT free to sin or to disobey God. We don’t make up the rules...God does! But, we also need to understand that our forgiveness comes through the shedding of Blood, the Death, and the Resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ, and NOT through our works or performance. We cannot earn, maintain, or deserve the Grace of God, and we cannot be Righteous, or maintain righteousness, by what we do or do not do. That comes solely through the work of our LORD Who declares us righteous on the basis of our exercising of The Faith in the finished work of our LORD Jesus, Who died for ALL of our sins, and rose again for our justification.

MAY GOD GIVE US ALL WISDOM FROM HIS WORD ALONE!

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So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook

Thursday, April 26, 2012

LLM Question for 4-26-2012, and, When Ye Pray, BELIEVE. Mark 11:24

First the Question: Are Members of the Body of Christ Under the Law of Moses? Yes or No?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 4-21-2012

Question: It is the privilege, and responsibility, of Christians to know what the will of God is. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! It IS our privilege, and our responsibility, to know what God’s will is! “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”. Ephesians 5:17. It is the REVEALED will of God which is in view in these passages AND in Mark 11:24, because, in respect to His “SECRET” will, we have nothing to do with that...it’s none of our business. Now, out of the 714 responses we received to this question, 84% of you got it! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

When Ye Pray, BELIEVE. Mark 11:24

“What things soever ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” Mark 11:24.

By the words “believe that ye receive them” we understand, expect God to give them to you. But it is at THIS point that so many of God’s people fail in their prayer lives.

Look, there are THREE main things to be considered when praying, and here they are...

First: Make sure that you are asking for something that is in accordance with God’s Word: see 1 John 5:14.

Now, right here, the devil will foil you unless you are on guard. He will come as an angel of light and preach a sermon to you on God’s Holy Will. Yeah, the devil is quite capable of that! Now, it is our privilege, and our responsibility, to know what God’s will is! “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). It is the REVEALED will of God which is in view in these passages and in Mark 11:24, because, in respect to His “SECRET” will, we have nothing to do with that; it’s none of our business.

God’s revealed will is made known in His Word, The Bible. Fix this in your mind; never allow Satan to inject a thought (Ephesians 4:27) to shake you on this, that everything God has commanded you to do, every precept and exhortation addressed to you, is “God’s will” for you, and is to be turned into prayer for enabling Grace. It is God’s will that you should be “sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:2), that you should “rejoice” (Philippians 4:4), that you should “make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10), that you should “grow in Grace and in the knowledge of the LORD” (2 Peter 3:18).

SECOND: Having made sure that what you are praying for is according to God’s revealed will, then plead His promises, such as Matthew 7:7, Philippians 4:19, and so on.

Plead them in the name of The LORD Jesus Christ, asking God to give you the “desires of thine heart” (Psalms 37:4) for The LORD’s sake, that He may be honored in and by a Godly walk from you, and that His people may be helped and encouraged by your example. Those are prayers which God cannot, and will not, deny.

Third: Expect God to do what you have asked.

Unless there is an expectancy, Faith isn’t being exercised. It is this expecting from Him which honors and pleases God, and which always draws down from Him answers of peace.

There might be some difficulty, problem, and trial, which takes on the size of a mountain. Never mind that: do not let it depress, discourage, or confuse you. Praise the LORD it stands written in the eternal Word of Truth, “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall say unto this mountain be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; It shall be done” (Matthew 21:21).

Now, take note, it is not “If thou doubt not and have faith, BUT, “if ye have faith” and then (while you are awaiting God’s answer) “doubt not”.

When you first get down on your knees, beg God in the name of The LORD Jesus Christ, and for His own glory’s sake, to work in you, by His Spirit, that expectancy of faith which will not take “NO” for an answer; but confidently says, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me” (Genesis 32:26). That is what honors God. Then, let’s not forget that we have, “A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) and “Thou hearest me always” (John 11:42). Then, make use of Him, and ask Him to present them to His Father and your Father, and, if they are for God’s glory and your (REAL) good, be assured that they will be granted. The LORD Jesus Christ, will be honored and you will be strengthened in the Faith.

***

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook

Saturday, April 21, 2012

LLM Question for 4-21-2012, and, The Resurrection of Christ and The Apostle Paul

First the Question: It is the privilege, and responsibility, of Christians to know what the will of God is. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 4-18-2012

Question: We are surrounded by overwhelming evidence that resurrection is a fact. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! We can go around and point out all the reasons why resurrection is impossible, but after all is said and done we are still surrounded by overwhelming evidence that it is a fact. Every blade of grass, every ear of corn, every beautiful flower, bears witness to the fact of resurrection from the dead. Now, out of the 780 responses we received to this question, an excellent 92% of you got it! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

The Resurrection of Christ and The Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul, in discussing the resurrection of the dead, came to the simple and valid conclusion, "If there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen" (1 Corinthians 15:13).

But the Apostle Paul does not stop here. Listen to what he says as he presses a further argument home, "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain" (1 Corinthians 15:14). And this leads to yet another conclusion, "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (1 Corinthians 15:17-18).

These are frank words about stern realities. If there is no such thing as the bodily resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised from the dead, and if such is the case we have NO living Savior.

But granting all this, can we believe in what is palpably impossible? Ah, but is resurrection palpably impossible? The Apostle Paul answers this question quite simply in this same discussion, in 1 Corinthians 15:

"But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?" (1 Corinthians 15:35).

Mark well, this is not an interested inquiry, but a challenge, meant to prove that resurrection is impossible, and the Apostle answers it this way:

"Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die" (1 Corinthians 15:36).

What a devastating reply! We can go around and point out all the reasons why resurrection is "impossible," but after all is said and done we are still surrounded by overwhelming evidence that it is a fact. Every blade of grass, every ear of corn, every beautiful flower bears witness to the fact of resurrection from the dead.

Yes, Christ is alive from the dead, and, "able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" (Hebrews 7:25).

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So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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