Does God get Upset by our Sins

Sermon Topic, Sunday 2/24/13
Our service this morning was streamed live from India. It was opened by Apostle Smith Brickhouse, message by Elder Dennis Trudgen. The opening included a beautiful song presented by Brother Surat (please correct my spelling if needed). The subject of the song is, O Lord, what can I give you in return for all you have given me? … which is excellent food for thought for all of us.
Pastor Dennis started by recounting a sermon he had heard on the radio. The statement was made that God does not get upset by our sin, that He doesn’t care if we sin. There are a multitude of Scriptures that say otherwise.
Alma 1:16 The arrival on the scene of Nehor … v.11 he began to contend with [Gideon] SHARPLY, that he might lead away the people of the church….(Jude 16, Prov. 6:16-19 msl) Modern religious liberals tell us that we should not “be contentious”. Our brother Jude, who was Jesus’ half-brother, tells us in verse 3 that we are to EARNESTLY CONTEND for the faith once delivered to the saints (Greek epagonizomai, to labor fervently on behalf of). The verse in Proverbs tells us that God hates those who stir up DISCORD among brethren, not those who speak the Truth to false teachers.
A look at the website of the organization that authors the radio program tells us things like “you’re saved by saying the sinners’ prayer” and “if you don’t have faith, you never were saved”; and that if your sin is bothering you it’s because you are lacking in faith.
True repentance is CHANGE, not merely saying “sorry” and going right back to the sin.
Many of these preachers also maintain that once you’re saved (by saying the sinners’ prayer), you’re always saved, no matter what; you just need to have faith.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. The Greek word there is “adokimos” which means “rejected”. This same word is used in Romans 1:28 – And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God GAVE THEM OVER (adokimos) to a reprobate mind….
Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall FALL AWAY, to renew them again unto repentance…..
There are those who claim that this refers to those who merely profess Christ, and fall short of actual salvation. The Greek word translated “tasted”, is used to support this position. However, this same word is used in Hebrews 2:8 of Jesus, who did “taste death for every man”. And in Revelation 3:5, God promises the overcomer that his name will not be blotted out of the book of life….someone who came short of salvation would not have had their name written there in the first place.
Alma 19:8 (also 2 Nephi 13:18) … For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once hath had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it; behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable. (See also Matthew 12 … the Pharisees blasphemed the Holy Ghost by calling Him the devil msl)
One thing that God does not usually do is to supersede human will.
2 Nephi 12:10 … predicts the latter day attitude of “eat, drink, and be merry” … some say there is no God so do whatever; some say there is a God but don’t worry, He’ll forgive you a little sin, you may get some minor punishment but we’ll all be saved in the end. MANY would teach after this manner … such as the above website and program.
John 3:3-7 Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus … you must be born again, of water and the Spirit. The liberal would argue that that does not mean water baptism, it’s merely your physical birth … but see verse 6, “that which is born of the FLESH is flesh, referring to physical birth.
Dennis also read from Barnes’ and Clarke’s Bible Commentaries, and there are many quotes from early New Testament Church fathers testifying of the necessity of water baptism (from Greek “baptizo”, a laundry workers’ term: to immerse, to make fully wet). There was no disagreement with these principles until modern times and the advent of what is called “easy believe-ism”, and no way to understand “baptizo” to mean dabbling a few drops of water on the forehead, or anything other than full immersion in water.
2 Nephi 13:16 Yes this is in the “Old Testament” period of Book of Mormon history, but Nephi is prophesying of Christ (Messiah) to come and what He would institute at His coming, and calling his (Nephi’s) people to faith in Messiah. The Jews in OT times also practiced ritual washings in the Mikva … the Law contains many commands to a person made unclean, to wash himself; and John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Messiah, baptized people unto repentance until He came.
Mosiah 11:129 … For behold, this is my church: whosoever that is baptized, shall be baptized unto repentance.
Alma 16:138 … Or rather, in other words, Blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart …..
Alma 17:21 …But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been BORN OF GOD (see also Alma 3 msl)
2 Nephi 13:7 If the Holy Son of God was baptized in water to fulfill all righteousness, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water. He set us the example, and commands us to follow it.
Romans 6:4 … BURIED with Him by baptism into His death, and raised up into new life. This is your FIRST STEP.
Philippians 2 … humbly living the Christian life. (see Micah 6:8 msl) He talks to us and encourages us. The tribulations of life are great blessings, when handled correctly, to keep us humbly walking with God. God blessed His people in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon when they humbled themselves, and judged them when they lifted themselves up in pride.
Matthew 7:13 … the narrow gate
2 Nephi 13:23-32 … enter in at the gate of repentance and baptism by water, walk in the straight and narrow path to eternal life.
3 Nephi 3:68-70 … before the coming of Christ, these people were baptized in water unto repentance --- like John’s baptism in Judea
There is no disagreement between the King James Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the early New Testament fathers about the necessity of water baptism, and about the laying on of hands afterward for the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Brickhouse closed the service with the statement that God NEVER changes, and expressed his (and our) thanks to God for the Scriptures and for the ability to preach them around the world, thru modern technology; and closed out with prayer.
Have a wonderful week, in Him!

America's founding, and its Founders

For Tuesday Skype study on 2/19 and 2/26, our brother Chris Moran put together two excellent studies on America's founding, and its Founders. In the public schools, it has long been taught that the Founders were at best "deists", men who believed that there is a god out there somewhere but he didn't do anything in the past, doesn't do anything now, and isn't going to do anything in the future. The Founders' own writings, however, prove that this is a lie.
1 Nephi 3:139-140, 144-148, 152 ... are pretty obviously, from our hindsight point of view, about Christopher Columbus; and Columbus himself claimed to be doing what he did guided by the Holy Spirit.
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1201-1500/columbus-landed-in-america-11629896.html
The Pilgrims emigrated here because of religious restrictions in Britain, which required people to attend the Church of England and pay taxes to it or be heavily penalized.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrims_(Plymouth_Colony)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_Compact
From the Founding Fathers:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_Washington
http://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/milestones/thanksgiving_about.html
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Adams
http://www.mtgriffith.com/web_documents/adams.htm
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/James_Madison
http://christianity.about.com/od/independenceday/a/foundingfathers_2.htm
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin
http://ringthebellsoffreedom.com/Quotes/sadamscontent.htm
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Patrick_Henry
http://christianity.about.com/od/independenceday/a/foundingfathers.htm
These quotes from, and about, our Founders proves by their own word that most of them not only believed in God but believed the Gospel of Christ.
I find John Adams' quote about the Constitution especially telling, in this day of moral relativity:
“. . . we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Consider similarities between the Preamble in the Declaration of Independence and Christian principles:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Mosiah 11:153 – “153 And there was a strict command throughout all the churches, that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men; that they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace”
2 Nephi 1:119-121 – “119 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. 120 And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil: 121 For he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.”
2 Nephi 1:11-15 – “11 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. 12 And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; 13 Wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity: if so, it shall be because of iniquity: 14 For if iniquity shall abound, cursed shall be the land for their sakes; 15 But unto the righteous, it shall be blessed forever.”
2 Nephi 7:18 – “18 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles: and there shall be no kings upon the land, which shall raise up unto the Gentiles.”
[The Book of Mormon has some stern warnings of what is to happen when this nation departs from the Gospel. The decline has been happening for a long time, but 2012 saw a political party wilfully omit God from their platform, and then, when they realized that didn't look good they tried to reinsert Him; only to have the re-insertion voted down three times, and when it was ramrodded thru anyway, the Creator was roundly "boo-ed". Mosiah 13:37 and Alma 8:28 and 33 are relevant.]
From Alexis de Toqueville, French commentator:
“There is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America – and there can be no greater proof of its utility, and of its conformity to human nature, than that its influence is most powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.” (de Toqueville also said "America is great because America is good. If America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.")
Consider similarities between the 1st Amendment and Christian principles:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Alma 16:8-10 – “8 Now there was no law against a man's belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God, that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds. 9 For thus saith the scripture, Choose ye this day whom ye will serve. 10 Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege, or rather if he believed in God, it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him, there was no law to punish him.”
Consider also some of the Ten Commandments against the laws and beliefs we live by in America (unfortunately, this is rapidly changing).
Regarding the concept of "separation of church and state", Thomas Jefferson wrote this in 1802:
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and State. (Letter to Danbury Baptist Association, CT., 1 January 1802)
This statement is the origin of the often used phrase "separation of Church and State".
The intent of the original statement by Thomas Jefferson was to convey that via the 1st Amendment, the religious rights of the population should not be infringed upon, keeping Government out of the religious beliefs of its citizens and their right to practice that religion. Unfortunately, this statement has been incorrectly interpreted to mean that religion should be kept out of all public and Government institutions (opposite of the original intent). Furthermore, this is simply a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, and not a law of any sort. It is not part of the Constitution, yet the Supreme Court has repeatedly cited this phrase in judgments that it makes.
The Christian heritage of our founding is also represented on many of our monuments.
On the east face of the Washington Monument’s aluminum capstone is the inscription “Laus Deo” which means “praise be to God” in Latin.
Inside the Washington Monument are 193 commemorative stones, donated by various governments and organizations. You can see each of the stones here (some are very interesting):
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/photosmultimedia/Washington-Monument-Stones.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_contents_of_the_cornerstone_of_the_Washington_monument
...the cornerstone of the Washington Monument contains a Bible, among other things.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Monument_to_the_Forefathers
The Supreme Court building contains various references to Moses and the Ten Commandments both inside and outside.
On the east top of the Supreme Court building is a sculptured frieze that consist of a line of the world’s various law givers and philosophers. Front and center is Moses holding the Ten Commandments tablets. Others on the left and right look in towards Moses. The Ten Commandment tablets appear on both the brass exterior doors and the inner courtroom oak doors. Inside the courtroom is a frieze that shows the development of law. Near the middle is Moses holding the Ten Commandments.
http://chaplain.house.gov/religion/prayer_room.html
Inside the U.S. Capitol is a room called the Congressional Prayer Room. The room was set aside for congressmen to pray in 1954 and is not open to the general public. Inside this chapel is a kneeling bench for those who want to kneel, and a Bible in front of that which can be used to read the Scriptures. Over this area is a stained glass window with General George Washington in the middle, kneeling in prayer.
Above George Washington appear the words “This Nation Under God” from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Around Washington are the words from Psalm 16:1 – Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/historic-rotunda-paintings/embarkation-pilgrims
http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-buildings/cox-corridors
Works of art depicting America's religious heritage. There is also a painting called “The Baptism of Pocahontas” and other artwork/murals with other miscellaneous religious references.
When House and Senate wings were added in 1851, Senator Daniel Webster gave a speech that was deposited in the new cornerstone. According to the United States Senate website:
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Capitol_Cornerstone_Dedicated.htm
“And all here assembled, whether belonging to public life or to private life, with hearts devotedly thankful to Almighty God for the preservation of the liberty and happiness of this country, unite in sincere and fervent prayers that this deposit, and the walls and arches, the domes and the towers, the columns and the entablatures now to be erected over it may endure forever.”
“In God We Trust” is chiseled into the Marble in the House of Representatives chamber above where the Speaker of the House sits.
In its early days, the Capitol building was not only used for governmental functions. On Sundays, church services were regularly held there - a practice that continued until after the Civil War. According to the US Library of Congress exhibit "Religion and the Founding of the American Republic" – "It is no exaggeration to say that on Sundays in Washington during the administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) and of James Madison (1809–1817) the state became a church. Within a year of his inauguration, Jefferson began attending church services in the House of Representatives. Madison followed Jefferson's example, although unlike Jefferson, who rode on horseback to church in the Capitol, Madison came in a coach and four. Worship services in the House—a practice that continued until after the Civil War—were acceptable to Jefferson because they were nondiscriminatory and voluntary. Preachers of every Protestant denomination appeared. (Catholic priests began officiating in 1826.)"
The White House is the larger of two dining rooms contained in the White House. The 1902 mantel was restored during the Kennedy renovation and includes the inscription placed there by Franklin D. Roosevelt, from a letter by John Adams to his wife Abigail written immediately after he first moved into the house in 1800:
“I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhavit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”
I'm sure we would give that a hearty "amen".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Federal_Hall_NYC_29.JPG
The Federal Hall National Memorial has both a relief of George Washington praying on the side of the building and also a statue of George Washington from his inauguration ceremony (with hand out to Bible).
http://www.thinking-catholic-strategic-center.com/church-and-state-in-art.html
There are statues of both Moses and the Apostle Paul in the Library of Congress.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_memorial
The memorial includes various quotes from Thomas Jefferson; some with references to God.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial
The memorial has inscriptions of the Gettysburg Address and the entire second inaugural address from March 4, 1865. In this address are allusions and quotes from Genesis 3:19, Matthew 7:1, Matthew 18:7, Psalm 19:9, Psalm 147:3, and James 1:27.
http://www.jmcenter.org/pages/van_orden.html
Outside of the U.S. District Court Building is a three-sided monument. At the top of one side is a depiction of praying hands with a cross and the Ten Commandments.
http://egnorance.blogspot.com/2012/01/finally-atheists-make-schools-obey.html
The Ten Commandments are included in the floor pattern of the National Archive building at the entrance.
And our nation's currency, at least for now, carries the national motto: "In God We Trust"
Other references:
www.wallbuilders.com
http://www.tct.tv/watch-tct/watch-live/tct/faith-in-history
And the movie "Monumental".
Thank you Brother Chris ... excellent topic.

Keepers Of The Flame

Sermon Topic Sunday 2/3/13 Keepers Of The Flame
There is so much change happening today … the absolute truth and absolute morality of the Bible is being countered by those who say there are absolutely no absolutes. We are living in times involving events that have never taken place before.
We have an unchangeable God … witnessed by the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon Deuteronomy 17:6)
These uncertain times are full of apprehension, worry, fear, and doubt for many who have no knowledge … many are running to and fro (seeking what? msl)
Do not let public opinion polls decide your beliefs for you.
Luke 21:25-27 Men’s hearts failing them for fear … from lack of knowledge (Proverbs 29:18, the people perish for lack of vision) Many are unsure upon what and whom to trust
2 Nephi 8:90,91 (Isaiah 5:20) … also in Moroni 7:12-18 Calling evil good, and good evil. In Moroni 7:13, we are told that it is given unto believers to judge, that we may know good from evil (the world loves to hurl those words “judge not” from our Savior at us, but they take that text completely out of its context and use it for a pretext msl).
We should not let our hearts fail because of what we know is true, and upon Whom we rely. The Lord we trust has spoken to us this way as He did to His servant Timothy
2 Timothy 1:7-14 testimony of our Lord (Rev. 19:10, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy msl) We all have a holy calling … to the side of Christ, to be a believer (Micah 6:8) Here are the words of our hymn “I Know Whom I Have Believed” … He keeps us by the Holy Ghost in our callings … for Timothy, ministry; for each one of us, according to the abilities and knowledge He has given us
James 1:17-18 There is NO VARIABLENESS in God … when good things come into our lives, who do we acknowledge and glorify?
Alma 5:33-39 I perceive that ye are in the path … we are in church this morning … stay in the straight and narrow path. There is no shadow of turning in our God. His course is one eternal round.
Grieve NOT the Holy Spirit. He dwelleth not in unholy temples. Be humble, easy to be entreated … and easy to be satisfied with the blessings we have. Have patience and temperance (the Greek word translated “temperance” has the sense of “self-control” msl)
We need to KNOW and RELY ON His Word, so that we know the difference … know good and evil.
2 Peter 1:19-21 We have a sure word of prophecy … Peter had just referenced, in verse 16, his eyewitness testimony to the glorification of Christ on the mountain. There is no PRIVATE interpretation of any Scripture … the Word is open to all if we search to see and understand (john 16:13)
Thank you Adam!

Is it just a coincidence that a person who continues in a certain sin succumbs to physical problems directly linked to that sin?

Tuesday Evening Scripture Study on Skype ... Topic Question:
Is it just a coincidence that a person who continues in a certain sin succumbs to physical problems directly linked to that sin? Or people that make fun/get angry/get upset of others that have a certain aliment or affection/disability end up with a similar problem? Likewise, people who we are determine to avoid because of disagreements, we end up needing their help or somehow they are put in our path again? Could this be divine intervention? (Paraphrased discussion)
Galatians 6 : 7; II Corinthians 9 : 6-7; Malachi 3 : 10 ... the principle of sowing and reaping. How many of us have heard the old expression "what goes around comes around"? The concept is also discussed in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 5:49-50, Alma 7:42-44, and other passages.
The attitude of one's heart is important ... notice the term "cheerful" in 2 Corinthians 9:7
Psalms 119 : 67, 71; II Chronicles 7 : 13-15; Revelation 2 : 20-23 ... the purpose of affliction in our lives. God allows us to be afflicted so that we will turn back and draw near to Him. If we drift away in the good times, what is He to do to keep us close? He does not afflict us to be mean, but He allows affliction in our lives to bring us to repentance and restoration. In Psalm 119:67, 71 the writer says "67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 71 It is GOOD for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. And in the BoM, in Helaman 4, Nephi was so discouraged by the wickedness of the people that he asked the Lord to afflict them with a drought, to bring them to repentance, which worked....for a while.
Proverbs 16 : 18; Ezekiel 30 : 6; Hosea 5 : 5; I Timothy 3 : 6; Daniel 4 : 30-320 ... the sin of pride. Pride in our hearts separates us from God and brings our destruction. 2 Nephi 12:14-18 is another illustration.
II Samuel 12 : 9-14; the sin of David with Bathsheba ... God, thru the prophet Nathan, told David that his punishment would be harsh and specific to the offense. The sin of adultery was punished by David's son Absalom openly committing adultery with David's concubines. David caused Bathsheba's husband to be killed at the battlefront, and God told him that the sword would never depart from his house; the deaths of his sons Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah were a result of the conflict.
Nathan's statement to David in verse 14 ... "You have given the enemies of the Lord occasion to BLASPHEME" is particularly telling ... and parallels Alma 19:17. The world is watching for the tiniest slip-up on the saints' part. They will reap the consequences of their blasphemy, but we will also reap for our part in it.
Matthew 26 : 52 ... the arrest of Jesus. Peter took his sword and swung it, cutting off the ear of the High Priest's servant. Jesus told him to put up his sword, and uttered those well-known words "for all they that take the sword shall perish by the sword".
Mosiah 9 : 20-25 ... The execution by fire of the prophet Abinadi, and his prophecy of the judgements that would result on the perpetrators ... "ye shall suffer, as i suffer, the pains of death by fire."
I Nephi 5 : 187-209 ... The pride, anger, and rebellion of Nephi's brothers Laman and Lemuel during their voyage ... they were so wrapped up in that pride that it took them four days to realize that "the judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish, save that they should repent of their iniquities;…" and so set in their determination that "....there was nothing, save it were the power of God, which threatened them with destruction, could soften their hearts"
Acts 9 : 8 ... Saul of Tarsus knocked down on the road to Damascus and reproved by Jesus ... since he had been spiritually blind to the Messiah, he experienced physical blindness for 3 days Alma Jr. (Mosiah 11:163ff.) had a similar experience, rendering him helpless and speechless for two days and two nights ... he had walked about speaking many words to harm the church.
Isaiah 33 : 1; Revelation 13 : 10 ... the sin of deceitful conquering nations
Helaman 5 : 25-29, 41, 48 ... the sin of lusting after material possessions/wealth ... God put a specific curse on this land, for when the Gentiles forsake Him and seek after wealth for wealth's sake, their riches would be cursed so that NO MAN would EVER redeem them, and they would be left to mourn. Then, it was the idea of burying a cache of coins to protect them from enemies until the owner could get back to them. Now we have the stock market, and a great deal of our wealth is virtual (cyber) rather than real. How secure is that? One click of a mouse by a hacker ... and *poof*. One nuclear device, detonated 180 miles over our heads, will produce an electromagnetic pulse that will render every electric/electronic device nonfunctional ... at which point we will find ourselves living in the 7th century ... or worse.
I Corinthians 11 : 28-34 ... the consequences of taking the Sacrament unworthily
Hebrews 12 : 5- 8 ... we have seen that the Lord punishes the guilty. This passage explores the concept of a loving Father God, who chastens His beloved children to keep them in the right way. If a person is not being chastened by Him, that person is NOT His child.
Deuteronomy 28 : 58-61 ... the consequences to Israel of not keeping the covenant they had made with God
Revelation 3 : 16-19 ... the consequences of being lukewarm in the faith.
How could we recognize we were being chastened if the punishment or affliction is not related to that sin?
Helaman 5 : 83-84, 89-90 ... a righteous condemnation comes on the wicked, and as we have seen God has a way of making the consequences sharply illustrate the sin for both unbelievers and saints.
Psalms 103 : 10 ... the repentant sinner is forgiven, and not punished according to his/her deeds because of MERCY.
Moroni 7 : 11, 14 ... everything that inviteth and enticeth to do good is of God ...
And to muddy the water a bit--
John 9:1-3 ... the man blind from birth ... the Jews had a hard-and-fast doctrine that whatever bad happened to you, you had it coming to you, which fed into that Pharisaical self-righteousness. Even the disciples assumed that either the parents or the man HIMSELF had sinned (but he was BORN blind!) ... Jesus countered that in this case, the whole purpose was to show the glory of God by his miraculous healing.
If you are having trouble and affliction in your life, you may not know why and God may not tell you specifically why ... but just draw near to your Father no matter what.
Hope this brings encouragement to you all as it has to me. Have a blessed week!

Idol Worship

Sermon Topic Sunday 1/27/13 Idol Worship
There will be a great end-time deception sent by God (2 Thessalonians 2:11 and Isaiah 66:4), People will bow down and worship the IMAGE of the beast (Revelation 13:12, 15).
The enemy wants to DRAW God’s children away from God. A former Wiccan stated that the one thing that pleases the enemy more than anything else is when he wins away the children of Christian parents.
What is an idol? … an image regarded as an object of worship, a false god, a person or thing blindly or excessively adored.
Exodus 20:4-6 … 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity7 of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
God does not want ANYTHING to take His place … He made the earth, and hangeth it on nothing (Job 26:7) … as the joke goes, He told the scientists who said we don’t need Him any more, “Get your own dirt!”
From the beginning, man has wanted an image of God to pay homage to and worship, to see and touch. They also wanted His name; though they did not have it until God revealed it to Moses (Exodus 3:14) … Joshua even mentioned the gods that the people had served “on the other side of the flood” (Joshua 24:15)
John 4:20-24 The Samaritan woman at the well asked Jesus about which location was the correct one for worshipping God
Exodus 32:1 The Israelites in the wilderness decided that Moses wasn’t coming back, and asked Aaron to make gold calf for them to worship (probably the Egyptian god hathor, which they would have been very familiar with).
Galatians 4:4-6 God’s image would be represented on earth in the due appointed time of the Father. He did show the Brother of Jared that representation on the mountain (Ether 1:80-81)
Colossians 1:15, 19 Who is the Image of the invisible God … in Him should ALL fulness dwell
Joshua 24:14-27 The Israelites under Joshua made a solemn covenant with God that they would worship no other god, and set up an engraved stone as a witness
2 Kings 18:4 Hezekiah had to destroy the brass serpent of Numbers 21:8-9 because the people were worshipping it
Many idols became a snare to the … Ishtar (Easter, the pagan fertility goddess … her worship was associated with the “groves” of the Old Testament); Baal; Molech (which demanded infant sacrifice); the Jews of the exile were forced to bow down to the image of of Nebuchadnezzer, and the Roman empire forced all its subjects to bow down to a statue of the emperor.
Isaiah 1:2-4 … rebellious Israel has gone away backward; Isaiah 2:7-8 the land of Israel is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands
Mormon 2:16 The description of how far the once-righteous people had fallen … sacrificing captured prisoners to their idol gods
In the Old Testament, God’s fury was swift and catastrophic; His justice was appeased by divine sacrifice (the Blood of Jesus) and is held at bay by mercy
Alma 16:210-217 the sacrifice must be an INFINITE and ETERNAL sacrifice, a great and last sacrifice, to fulfill the Law of Moses, and bring about mercy
The New Testament church faced a plague of idol influence … pagan Gentile idol gods were numerous and EVERYWHERE. Acts 19:24-35 … worshippers of the Roman goddess diana (Greek artemis) in Ephesus … verse 27 in particular, the manufacturers of idols of diana were concerned about the loss of their business, and incited the riot that followed. (The apostles also had to deal with the question of eating meat from an animal which had been sacrificed to an idol god, and then served at a banquet or sold in the marketplace msl)
1 John 5:21 Little children, KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS.
Romans 1:20-23 mankind changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into images of corruptible humans and animals.
Acts 15 The Jerusalem Council discussed the problem of what the Gentile believers needed to observe to avoid offending Jewish believers … one stipulation was to avoid fornication, which was not only a personal problem but also a part of idol worship
These days, many people acknowledge that Jesus lived, but they speak of “the Jesus I know” rather than follow Jesus the Messiah of Scripture. And there are many pagan cultures around the world that worship idols and created things.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 mankind in the last days are lovers of pleasure (and of themselves msl)
We actually worship another golden bovine creature … the statue of the bull on Wall Street … our wealth is often our idol, but most of it is not real but virtual (cyber) … one click of a hacker; an EMP weapon, and *poof*
We are even still looking for the Ark of the Covenant. (what would we do if it were found? msl)
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers … how can God’s people fellowship with the enemy’s?
Alma 16:235 The Lord dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous….
No tool or man-made device can change the mind, or the heart of man, to love God … it is your decision to obey and come to the untooled (Exodus 20:25) altar of God
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 and Jeremiah 31:33 … God will write His love on our hearts instead of His law on stone

Do you think all people that give their life during the tribulation will go to Heaven?

Tuesday Evening Scripture Study on Skype
Topic question: “Do you think all people that give their life during the tribulation will go to Heaven? Like people who believe in God that not go to church or have but are not willing to take the mark. They may have never set foot in a church but they know it’s wrong and evil.”
The key Scripture referred to here is Revelation 13:15-16 15 And he (the false prophet msl) had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast would both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their forehead: (this is where the number 666 is introduced msl)
Scripture references: Who are the redeemed?
Revelation 14:4-5 … refers to the 144,000 of Israel 14:12-13 … they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Moroni 8:3 msl) Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth….and their works do follow them
Revelation 20:4 Those who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the Word of God, and had not worshipped the beast nor received the mark
1 Peter 4:13 We WILL suffer tribulation and persecution for Christ … let us rejoice. Judgement will come to those who persecute, and glory awaits us.
Acts 21:11,13 Paul told that he will suffer persecution … he welcomes it.
Revelation 2:10 The message to the church in Smyrna … you will be persecuted; stand strong and be faithful (John 15:18-16:3 also plainly tells us we will be hated and persecuted msl)
John 15:13; Alma 24:72; 1 John 3:16; Mark 8:34-37; John 12:25; Matthew 16:25; Matthew 10:37-39 … all telling us that Jesus has called us to lay down our lives, and everything we have, for Him and for our brothers and sisters in Him; that we may gain eternal life in the end. (Plus some good commentary from Bible expositors)
Acts 16:31; 2 Peter 3:9; Alma 8:90-92, 96; Matthew 1:21, 1 Peter 3:20-21; John 3:5 and 15:1-4, 9-13; Romans 8:9, 24; Moroni 7:25 and 10:15; 2 Nephi 11:44 and chapter 13; 1 Corinthians 1:21 and 15:1-2; … How are we saved? The Lord has laid out THE WAY of salvation for us, as plainly as can be.
About those who don’t go to church … Hebrews 10:24-26; Alma 4:6; 3 Nephi 8:51; Moroni 6:6 … we are COMMANDED by our Lord and by Scripture to meet with one another often, and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. (We should be glad to do this! msl) (Why does God command us to meet together? Ephesians 4:11-13, especially v. 12: for the BUILDING UP [the actual meaning of the Greek word translated “edify”] of the saints. We’re out there all week being torn down by the world, the flesh, and the enemy; and need to build each other back up msl)
Rev. 14:5; 20:4 … the 144,000; and those who were beheaded for their witness … Mosiah 9:40 Our command to stand as a witness AT ALL TIMES for God, even if it means our death … the results will be so much better than those of Titus 1:16 … those who profess to know God but in their works deny Him.
Mosiah 8:56; Alma 2:26; 1 John 2:5 … keeping the Word and commandments of God, and preaching it to others
2 Nephi 12:16; Moroni 7:3; Mormon 4:48; Matthew 7:14, 21-23 … humble followers of Christ evidenced by a peaceable walk with other people … filled with His love, and purified even as He is pure. These true followers are few … the way is narrow, and few actually choose to walk in it. Many will try to claim to know God, but He knows His true followers, and those who try to enter into the Kingdom on false pretenses are choosing a sorrowful eternity.
Great question! Keep them coming, they make for some good meaty studies. Have a wonderful week!

Thankfulness

Sermon Topic Sunday 1/20/13
Thankfulness
We have a God who is to be praised. The angels around His throne are in constant praise (Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8-11) … and the incense in the Tabernacle, Temple, and at the Throne represents the prayers of the saints.
We would like to appreciate the wisdom in thanking our God.
When God makes a statement, it begs the question: am I into this, and doing it? … The Lord looks upon our hearts.
His Word is full of praises to His holiness.
God’s Holy Spirit gives a person joy (Galatians 5:22-3) thus to be filled with thankfulness … for example, the survivors of the crucifixion catastrophe in the Americas. They had been the more righteous of the people, and fully repented during the disaster and darkness. Their terror and sorrow was replaced with joy when the light returned (3 Nephi 4:64), and when Jesus arrived (3 Nephi 5:17). Jesus was also filled with joy looking around at them and knowing their hearts (3 Nephi 8:22 and 13:7).
Proverbs 16:1-9 We all devise our own plans and ways, and consider ourselves right, but the Lord weighs our spirits, and if we choose Him, He directs our steps and gives us answers.
We live in time, He is outside of time.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 We give thanks to God for you … many of Paul’s letters begin with thanks to God for the people of the Church … 2 Thess. 1:1-4 …bound to thank God for you
Our thankfulness to God should come out in our choices (He directs our steps)
Philemon 1-6; Colossians 1:1-5 … again Paul is thanking God for the believers.
We are devising our plans, God is directin our steps … He is worthy of all praise.
Hebrews 13:12-21 He suffered outside the gate so His blood atoned for sin … let us join Him outside the gate.
The enemy knows who you are, and would hinder and trap you if he could … God is to be thanked for protection against him.
The sacrifice of praise is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to Him. Are we doing this?
Do good and communicate (Greek “koinonia”, fellowship, sharing) right, for God is well pleased with such sacrifices.
Submit to those who are in authority over you … the God of peace make you perfect (Greek “katartizo”, complete, adjusted, mended, restored) in every good work.
Romans 6:17-19 God is to be thanked, because look where you were, and where you would have been without Him; and appreciate where you are now by obedience.
1 Peter 2:9 The royal priesthood, the chosen generation … to show forth His praises … a holy nation, a peculiar people. We may not be popular with the world … in fact Jesus promised us that we would be hated by the world … but we will receive blessings from God.
Colossians 3:12-15 The elect of God … exhibiting thankfulness to our Lord
Psalm 107:21-22 O that we would praise our God and thank Him for His goodness … the whole psalm is on this theme
Psalm 95:1-7 Let us sing praises and thanksgiving to the Lord, for He is great.
2 Nephi 14:11-12 Hearken to the Spirit which teaches us to pray … the enemy teaches us to not pray … faint not, and don’t do anything unto the Lord without praying, that he will consecrate your performance to the welfare of your soul … are we teaching our children and friends that he is the source of our existence and blessing?
3 Nephi 8:50-52 watch and pray always lest we enter into temptation … pray in our families that our children be blessed (a very strong tradition and practice among the Jews).
Alma 16:238 Live in thanksgiving daily … so you are not led away by the enemy
We cannot buy a blessing … they are freely given to those who love, thank, and obey.
God bless all of you and have a great Monday!!