--Hearing God's Voice
-By: Max Lucado

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the LORD is one!"
--Deuteronomy 6:4

-It's not that we don't have ears; it's that we don't use them.

Scripture has always placed a premium on hearing God's voice. Indeed, the great command from God through Moses began with the words, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the Lord is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Nehemiah and his men were commended because they "were attentive" to the book of the Law (Nehemiah 8:3). "Blessed is the man who listens to me" is the promise of Proverbs 8:34. Jesus urges us to learn to listen like sheep. "The sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out...The sheep follow Him, for they know his voice" (John 10:3,4). Each of the seven churches in Revelation is addressed in the same manner: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Our ears, unlike our eyes, do not have lids. They are to remain open, but how easily they close.

Question: What is God telling you in His Scriptures?

Please be sure to scroll to the beginning of this post (forum) to read "A List of Fulfilled Biblical Prophecies". We are definitely living in the End Times. Jesus said, "Be ready for you do not know what day the Son of man will come."
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--COMFORT FROM THE WORD OF GOD~~
We go to the Word of God for comfort, and when we do, the words pierce like a surgeon's scalpel, both cutting and healing. The Word of God cuts to the very place where thoughts and attitudes come together, at the juncture of soul and spirit, providing healing that can be obtained in no other way on earth.

The Bible was provided for us as a vehicle to carry us so that we might be able to see Jesus Christ.

If you want to grow in the Word of God, become a person with a chisel and quarry the Word--look, explore, seek. Let the Word become your Word, and you will grow.

I challenge you to rediscover the Bible in your own life...to regain the same hunger and enthusiasm you felt when you first heard the name of Jesus!

--From: The Inspirational Bible/ By: Max Lucado

-Application:
Knowing, studying, and meditating on the Word of God is critical if you are to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are not spending regular time in the Bible, ask yourself what changes you can make to your schedule to make that time a priority.~~

-FOCUS ON ISRAEL ~~
-Bible Prophecy Fulfilled

The list of countries described in end-time prophecies includes Russia, Iraq, Iran and Libya, to name but a few. No generation since the birth of Christ has wiwtnessed the fulfillment of so many biblical prophetic events in such a short period of time as has the present generation. And, perhaps, no Scripture depicts the present situation facing Israel as does Psalm 83: "They have said, 'Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more" (v.4)

These same words were spoken recently by the leadership of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Egypt. Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Syria and Iran have thousands of rockets aimed at Israel right now. Some reports claim Hezbollah may have acquired chemical weapons from Syria.

A prophecy in Isaiah 17 foretells a day when the nations will rise up against Israel, inflicting much damage. Damascus will cease to exist, and its demise will come via terrorism (v.4). Gaza and Lebanon will fare no better according to Joel 3:4 "Moreover, what are you to Me, O Tyre, Sidon and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering Me a recompense? But if you do recompense Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your recompense on your head."

As we focus on events in the Middle Ease,we do well to recall Jesus' words: "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28).

-From Abiding Word Ministries/ David Barnhart.

--JESUS' BIRTH WAS PREDICTED: By Isaiah and Jeremiah=

--A Wayward Youth
--Luke 23:13-49

"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him..."
-- (Luke 23:33 KJV)

Where can you turn when your teenager is troubled and unruly? Out of desperation, one father wrote to the president of Moody Bible Institute and begged that his son be enrolled. The president was naturally reluctant; the college was a place for serious Bible students. But finally, he agreed to enroll William Newell with the stipulation that he meet with him daily and take his studies seriously.

William not only graduated, he because a Bible teacher at Moody and a Pastor, Evangelist, auther, and conference speaker. Certainly his academic efforts, his father's prayers, and the president's dedication had more than paid off. But most importantly, William credited the grace of God for his complete resurgence.

One day, he wrote his testimony in poetry form. After reading it, Dr. Daniel Towner, Moody's Director of Music, knew it would be compelling set to music, which he did. The result? The beautiful hymn, "At Calvary."

What Christ accomplished at Calvary makes a complete resurgence available to everyone.
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"Mercy there was great, and grace was free.
Pardon there was multiplied to me.
There my burdened soul found liberty
--at Calvary."
--(William R. Newell , 1895)

--Haven Today
-
--AT CALVARY/ GAITHERS

--EVERY WORD MATTERS

--Deuteronomy 4:1-10
----
You shall not add to
the word which
I command you, nor
take from it.
--Deuteronomy 4:2 -
---
Words matter. But especially when they are the very Words of God. Moses warned Israel, "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God" (Deut.4:2). Moses often reminded Israel of God's mercy and faithfulness to them in the past. But he also stressed the importance of obedience to God's commands as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. He told them that obedience would result in blessings of life and a rich inheritance (vv.39-40). Every command and regulation mattered to God. The value His people placed on God's Word showed their view of Him.

Today, when we value God's Word, handle it with great care, and obey what it says, we give God the reverence He truly deserves.
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--GOD'S WORD NEEDS NO ADDITIONS OR SUBTRACTIONS.

--ODB/MW

-TELL THE STORY
--PSALM 78:1-8
---
[Tell] to the
generation to come
the praises of the
LORD, and His
strength and His
wonderful works
that He has done.
--Psalm 78:4
---
In Psalm 78, the psalmist was aware of the possibility of God's mighty works being forgotten and a generation being lost, so he called God's people to never tire of telling the old story of His redemptive acts to future generations (v.4).

The goal of this perpetual rehearsing of their history wasn't just for memorizing historical data: it was to inspire faith, obedience, and hope in the Lord (v.7) and to keep future generations from groping in the darkness of unbelief and rebellion like the generations before them (v.8).

Because of God's mighty power and grace in our lives we desire to be faithful to tell His stories that we might inspire faith and obedience in future generations.
---
-PAST STORIES OF GRACE INSPIRE FUTURE STORIES OF FAITH.~

--ODB/MW

This is a precious story of a man, David Schumm, who is already in the presence of the Lord. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Bless you, David Schumm!
----
-WELL DONE,
DAVID SCHUMM!

-Isaiah 35:3-10
---
Be strong, do not
fear! Behold, your
God will come.
--Isaiah 35:4
---
AT David Schummn's memorial service, we celebrated the optimism, perseverance, and faith of a man with severe cerebral palsy. For all of David's 74 years, the simple tasks of daily life required great effort. Through it all, he kept smiling and helping others by giving more than 23,000 hours as a hospital volunteer, along with encouraging at-risk teens.

David selected Isaiah 35:3-10 to be read at his service: "Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengenace, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you...Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert" (vv.3:4,6). This promise, given to the people of Israel while in captivity, reminds us of our hope for the time when Christ will retun for those who trust and follow Him.

During David's last weeks, he often pointed visitors to a large picture of Jesus near his bed, saying, "He's coming to get me soon." This is the hope Jesus Christ gives to all His children, which calls forth our thanks and praise to Him!
---

-Live as if Christ died yesterday and is coming back today!

--ODB/DM

--Fulfilled Biblical Prophecies~
--
--"For unto us a Child is born.
Unto us a Son is given:
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end.
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice.

From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this./ ISAIAH 9:6-7

--Isaiah 53
Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
He is despised and rejected by men.
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, ever one, to his own way:
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not his mouth:
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment.

And who will declare His generation:
For He was cut off from the land of the living:
For transgressions of my people He
was stricken.

And they made His grave with the wicked--
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many.
For He shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many.
And made intercession for the transgressors.~~
-Thanks Be to God for the Victory we have in JESUS!

Our faith is rooted in things that really did take place and will take place in the future. The Bible speaks truth!

---Written for Our Learning

--“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

--Let no modern Christian ever think that he can ignore the Old Testament and base all his faith and practice on just the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, as vital as they are. Even the apostle Paul, who wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, depended heavily on the Old Testament Scriptures for his exposition of the New Testament doctrines he had received “by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12).

For example, in the longest and most doctrinal of all his epistles—that is, Romans—he actually quoted from the Old Testament no less than sixty times, even though the epistle had been specifically addressed to Gentiles (Romans 11:13).

In his letter to the Gentiles at Corinth, after an extensive discussion of the Old Testament account of the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness, he said: “Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11).

In this passage, the word translated “examples” is the Greek tupos, from which we derive our word “types.” Thus the experiences of the Israelites were actually revealed by God to be “types” of Christ and our relation to Him. Therefore, in addition to the many explicit prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament, many other Scriptures can be profitably expounded as “types” of Christ. Indeed, in all the Old Testament Scriptures, as Christ Himself taught, are “things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).
--ICR/HMM -/ SHOW ME YOUR FACE= / Don Potter~
<http://youtu.be/_8hClh2MulE>
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-----GOD IS LOVE~~

--"And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.

And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.

And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
--(Mark 12:30,31,33]
--
---APPEAL TO THE HEART~~

Remember the church at Corinth? A problem on every pew? Territorially selfish. Morally shameless. Theologically reckless. How do you help a congregation like that? You can correct them. Paul did. You can instruct them, which Paul did. You can reason with them; Paul did. But at some point you stop talking to the head and start appealing to the heart. And Paul did that.

I Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love. . .bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

He saw only one solution—love! Don’t we need the same prescription today? Someday there will be a community where everyone behaves and no one complains. But it won’t be this side of Heaven. So what do we do? We reason. We confront. We teach. But most of all, we love.

From Max on Life~~ / JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL~(It's All About You) = Shelly Nirider
<http://youtu.be/dD-ZdMOx_HY>

--Does Teaching Recent Creation Hinder the Gospel?
--By: Brian Thomas, M.S.

-Christians who oppose recent creation often assert that faith in Christ does not require a belief in recent creation, and they argue that insisting that the world is only thousands of years old hinders sharing the gospel by adding an unreasonable barrier to belief. But believers should consider two reasons why recent creation actually supports the gospel.

The Greek word translated as gospel means “good news.” Because we are all sinners, we have separated ourselves from our holy God. Despite this, He loves us and seeks to bring us into a close relationship with Him. Since God is just, He must deliver punishment to guilty sinners on the Day of Judgment—unless He were to place their punishment on a guiltless substitute willing to pay the death penalty for them. The Lord Jesus paid that penalty in full, then He rose from the dead to offer us eternal life with Him. We sinners can now seek the Lord’s forgiveness, trusting Christ to remove our sins and restore fellowship with our Maker.

How does belief in a world that is thousands, not millions, of years old support this Good News? The first reason is that when Christians believe in a recent creation, they show complete confidence in the accuracy and authority of all of God’s Word, including its history. Telling unbelievers that they do not have to believe certain miraculous events described in Scripture—like creation, the global Flood, or God parting the Red Sea—but they do have to believe in the miracle of Christ’s resurrection sends a confusing message. On what basis should a person select which events actually happened and which supposedly did not? Since God knows everything, we can believe all the miracles and other historical occurrences He recorded in Scripture. After all, the same New Testament authors who saw and described the resurrected Lord also referred to recent creation, Adam, the Flood, and the Red Sea parting as real events.

The second reason why recent creation supports the gospel is that it establishes the proper foundation. The only reason our salvation would require Jesus’ death is if our sins really earn eternal death. And they do: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned….” Sin and death affect more than mankind, “for we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” But if the whole creation is billions of years old, then according to the evolutionary interpretation of the fossil record, uncounted numbers of animals were dying long before Adam’s sin and its subsequent death penalty. Genesis 1:31says the world was “very good” before the Curse of death, not filling up with dead animals millions of years before Adam arrived.
The very foundation for Jesus paying our death penalty is a recent creation that was cursed after the sin of Adam, who lived thousands, not millions, of years ago.

--Can a person believe in Christ and not believe in biblical creation? Yes, but we should always be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” whose Word tells us both the true history of the world and the very Good News.
--ICR/HMM
[ABOVE ALL --By: Michael Smith]
<http://youtu.be/Q7EPZV56PuA>
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--Adam and Mrs. Adam/ Two people of differing sex~

“Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” (Genesis 5:2)

--In these days of sensitivity concerning sexism, it is important to focus on God’s own evaluation of the two sexes and their respective roles in the divine plan. As Creator of both, He alone can speak authoritatively about this matter.

Both man and woman were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and thus, in the categories of salvation, rewards, and eternal fellowship with their Creator, both are surely equal. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. .. . . There is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).

At the same time, when God created them, He named them both “Adam,” as our text notes. This is actually the same word as “man,” as in Genesis 2:7 (“the LORD God formed man”), etc. Thus, it is biblical to use the word “man” generically, when referring to the human race in general. When the woman was formed out of Adam’s side, Adam said, “She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Genesis 2:23). Here a different Hebrew word is used for “man” (ish), and “woman” is (isha).

Adam also gave his new bride a personal name. “Adam called his wife’s name Eve [‘life-giver’]; because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20).

There is, therefore, nothing demeaning in using “man” as a generic term for both men and women, for this usage is sanctioned by God Himself. Nevertheless, each individual has his or her own distinctive personal name, and God deals with each of us individually on that basis.
Our obedience and faithfulness to the divinely ordained role each of us is called by Him to fill is God’s criterion by which He measures us for eternity.
--ICR/ HMM
[Note:God's plan 'be fruitful and multiply.' It takes both male and female to create a baby. We must stay in God's ordained plan of LIFE.]

-- Thank you, Russ, for leaving these wonderful references on here regarding "A List of Fulfilled Biblical Prophecies."
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----OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY~~~

“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.” (1 Peter 1:10)--

Our verse today and the verses that follow tell us a good deal about Old Testament prophecy and, rightly understood, answer many of the questions raised by modern “scholars” who scoff at the divine authorship of Scripture.

First, we can see that much prophecy was devoted to the theme of “the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (v. 11), long before the events took (or will take) place. That these prophecies were not mere human contrivances is seen in the claim that they were due to “the Spirit of Christ which was in them.”

Furthermore, the prophets themselves didn’t fully understand what they were writing. For instance, Isaiah wrote both of the glory of the coming Messiah (chapter 11) and His sufferings and death (chapter 53) with no indication that he knew how to put the two together. Peter claims the prophets “enquired and searched diligently” (1 Peter 1:10) “what, or what manner of time” (v. 11) these things would come to pass. Indeed, even “the angels desire to look into” (v. 12) these mysterious passages and doctrines.

Finally, the prophets evidently knew that the mysterious prophecies were not for them to understand but for us to understand (v. 12). Much of what so puzzled them has been revealed to us “by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven” (v. 12)..

Because of the ultimate authorship by the Holy Spirit, and the eventual explanation by the same Spirit, these prophecies have never failed. They provide irrefutable evidence for the inspiration of Scripture, clear reasons to trust in the message of Scripture, and a grounded faith in the consummation of God’s plan for the ages.
---ICR/JDM
[We serve a Triune God. God the Father, God the Son (JESUS), and God the Holy Spirit. These three are inseparable. The God-Head = THREE IN ONE.]"--/ [THIS I BELIEVE/ THE CREED] "I Believe in God the Father, I Believe in God the Son. I Believe in the Holy Spirit. These 3 = ONE" /<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0mPk_3dXSg>
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