The Sovereignty of God Maintains the Holy Bible

While there may be some discrepancies between copies and versions of the Holy Bible today, we have no business claiming it has errors, or that any parts are not inspired by God. We do have very old copies in original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, but God is the only One who has true knowledge of the contents of the originals. That does not make our copies erroneous, or not part of inspired Scripture, for God's sovereignty maintains the accuracy of the Holy Bible.

Almighty GOD is not living within our time. Time was created for us.

He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). God is talking to Adam in the Garden of Eden, even as He is accepting our worship on the new earth. He is Eternal. Time does not exist in God's realm of eternal being. GOD is the I AM.

God is instructing Moses to write the 1st five books of the Bible. He is overseeing Jeremiah write his books. Matthew, Mark, Luke & John are writing the gospels per God's guiding inspiration even as you sit and read the Holy Bible at your table in this instant. Pick a writer of one of the 66 books of the Bible and God by His infinite wisdom is having it penned even as you think on it.

Hold your fingers together as tight as possible, until they hurt. The space between your fingers is still longer than your lifespan.

God indwells His people yesterday, today and forever. (John 14, Ephesians 1:13,14, Galatians 3). He indwells believers before us and He will indwell believers after us. (even if we are raptured today)
In every Bible study, or Biblical teaching/preaching, the eternal existing God is actually watching over the person writing the book we are reading at the same instance.

I am not talking multiple dimensions, I am talking about God's BEING. God IS the I AM.

WOW! WE SERVE AN AWSOME GOD!!!

The Bible that the world has today, no matter what version, or language is being preserved by God Himself, outside of time. This is the Holy Bible of the Christian, not the religious books of other world beliefs.

If any parts of the Bible could be in error, in any language or translation, then don't you think Almighty God is able to correct His word, which He is overseeing the writings of even now?

We don't have the originals, but God does.

If today's Bible study guides are exalted over the Holy Bible, that's saying to God the writers of the study guides know more about the Bible than He does.

Consider the danger of your own error attempting to correct God.

Considering that the Author of the Bible is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God, if you decide that you can identify parts of the Holy Bible that are in error, consider these two scenarios:

#1

For some spectacular reason, you can move through the dimensions of Time and Space.

Today, a Christian brother has just watched a group of ISIS militants rape and murder his wife. In the next hour he will be beheaded for his faith in Christ. But he is steadfastly remembering the verses he has memorized from his Bible as he faces this horrible death. (it doesn't matter what language or translation the Bible is written in, it's a Holy Bible, maintained by Sovereign God)

Suddenly, you pop into his presence and announce, "My Bible study guide says that certain parts of certain translations and versions of the Bible are wrong and are not inspired by God because we have discovered they are not in the 'Best Manuscripts". We have decided that they are in error and we no longer teach them as being the inspired words of God."

And you disappear as suddenly as you arrive, leaving this brother alone wondering if the verses he has memorized are the parts that are not Inspired by God.

#2

Still jumping through Time and Space, you travel back to a cold, dark cell in the German Concentration Camp Ravensbruek, where two young women are huddled together with a Bible open between them. One is reading scripture to her dying sister. (it doesn't matter what language or translation the Bible is written in, it's a Holy Bible, maintained by Sovereign God)

Suddenly, you pop into their cell, point to their Bible and say, "In the future, we learn that certain parts of certain translations and versions of the Bible are wrong and are not inspired by God because we have discovered they are not in the 'Best Manuscripts". So we have decided that they are in error and we no longer teach them as being the inspired words of God."

And just as suddenly, you disappear from their sight, leaving Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, holding worthless scraps of paper.

What has your knowledge just done to these people who have no access to whatever Bible study guide you may have read. Where is your proof that your Bible study guide is true and their Bible's are wrong? Your so-called knowledge gained form your study guides is of no advantage.

Only God has the knowledge to maintain His word as without error and all Scripture is inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16)

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation,

for prophecy never came by the will of man,
but holy men of God spoke as they

were moved by the Holy Spirit"
2 Peter 1:20,21.

But of Bible Studies and study guides, the bookshelves are breaking from the strain. Be very careful of what you read outside of the Bible itself, for God has not breathed the words of Bible Study Guides, only the words of the Holy Bible. (John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16. 2 Peter 1:20, 21, Rev. 22:18,19, Is. 55:10,11, Eccl. 12:11.12,13,14.)

If something you read has an argument pointing to an error, stop and hold up any version of the Bible and say to the One who sits on the throne in Heaven, "Holy Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient GOD, because of this or that I've read about Your word, I know for certain that this text of this Bible is in error and is not inspired by You. You, Almighty God must have made a mistake putting this into this version of Your Bible, because this man, or this woman said so. So, now You, God are corrected by my knowledge."

Aren't you putting a lot of confidence in the idea the authors of study guides know more than God knows about His word?

Then you are telling God He is not Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God.

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The Author & Finisher to Begin 2017

Beginning the New Year 2017 with thoughts from the letter to the Hebrews. This is an appropriate beginning as the writer of Hebrews teaches us Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. 12:2.

ONE GOD but Elohim

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" Hebrews 3:12,13

After the opening four verses of chapter 1 establishes Jesus' Deity, the writer jumps right in with OT proof of the afore stated matter and continues on for several pages of the Theocratic position of Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent GOD of heaven and GOD the Son, Jesus, called the Christ.

You can't miss the point he's making unless you tear the entire book from the Biblical text while never having read it!

Jesus is GOD the Son, Co-equal with the GOD the Father. You cannot separate the Two from being ONE. And since the Holy Spirit is the One who helped the writer with the accuracy of Scriptures, GOD the Holy Spirit is speaking the Almighty truth of what is written through the entire book.

Three in ONE GOD.

Perfect Sacrifice

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 

"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me."

"In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure."

Then I said, "Behold, I have come---In the volume of the book it is written of Me--To do Your will, O God."

Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offering, burnt offerings and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law) Hebrews 10:5-8.

The sacrifices that the Law required to take away the sin of Adam inherited by all people, (For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:32), were not to please God and therefore gain forgiveness. The blood of bulls and goats and lambs was to substitute for the earned death of the sinner.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23.

God did not make man to be a sinner, nor does He desire sinners to die. (2 Peter 3). So something has to die to save the sinner, otherwise the sinner dies for their sin alone. God does not take pleasure in the sacrifice of animals, nor did He take pleasure in sacrificing His only begotten Son.

When the perfect time came, Jesus became the substitutionary sacrifice to fulfil the need of the death of all mankind.

Only GOD could do that. Only GOD could carry out such a perfect plan. Only GOD could die on the cross and resurrect from the dead, thus overcoming the sin debt.

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" Hebrews 10:12,13,14.

One offering---Jesus

Our Faith

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." Hebrews 11:4.

The faith that gives the more excellent sacrifice makes one righteous. Born again Christians have put their faith in Jesus as the more excellent sacrifice, which, alone, makes the believer righteous.

That's all that is done and all that can be done for you to be saved for ever and ever and ever.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" Hebrews 11:6.

Faith to believe Jesus died in your place for your sin is all God asks and He rewards that believing faith.

Seek God today with diligence as if you were seeking a paramedic to staunch a life threatening injury. It's for your eternal life after all.

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Video : The Angel That Visited The Shepherds Luke 2:9

This video is an excerpt from the sermon giving by Pastor David Ray Jr at Grace Bible Church, Sangerville Maine on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2016. This was part of his advent series on the visitations of the angels to various people during the amazing incarnation and birth of the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The sermon title: "The Angel that Visited the Shepherds" from Luke 2:8-21

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.'
'For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign unto you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!"
Luke 2:9-14

(Transcript of the video)

(Angels) They were aware that He’d laid those things aside for a little while, to come to earth to become one of us. To become a sacrifice really for us. You see, they also knew of the fall of man. They had been informed also that God was going to provide a way for the salvation for man. They knew about that. They knew the prophesy had been made that a Savior would come and that a sacrifice would be made. And they understood all of this and they were praising God because they were seeing God’s grace on display. They were thanking God for His indescribable gift. They were looking into the things… our salvation.

Peter talks about that, when he says that angels long to look into our salvation to try to understand. You see they never experienced the kind of salvation we can experience. They haven’t experienced the grace and mercy and forgiveness that we can experience.

You see, angels have never been forgiven. They’ve never been redeemed . And so they long to look into that. They’re interested in how God is working to save us and make salvation available to us.

You know, if the angels glorify God for this wonderful work, how much more should we raise up our voices and praise God for this wonderful work, and honor our Lord and Savior. It’s the greatest thing we can do with our life, is to live for the glory of God. 

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Video by Susan L. Estes

The Miracle of Good Works: Part 2

My home church, Grace Bible Church, offered me the privilege of speaking at the ladies Christmas Tea this year. Here are my notes from my 20 minutes talk to the room of 40+ women, representing several churches.

This is part two. Be sure to read part 1 & part 3 also.

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The Miracle of Good Works: Part Two

I’m not only placed in the church body, I’m in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus. I’m walking on the earth but I’m no longer attached to it. The material doesn’t hold the same appeal any more—but the Spiritual things of God draw me toward Him and His glory.

Do you ever think about the idea that everything that God does here on earth and in our lives is a miracle? We tend to put miracles into the status of Peter walking on water, Lazarus rising from the dead, fire coming down and consuming the sacrifice, or Jesus’ resurrection. Those are huge miracles. But to be truthful, because we’re so finite, we’re so small, we’re so incapable of living without God’s breath in our lungs, everything God does in and through us is a huge miracle.

Verse 10 says our good works were prepared beforehand. Our good works originate in heaven. God knows what He has planned for each and every one of His children. Psalms 139 says God has all our days fashioned for us---so that includes our good works.

“Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16.

Is there any human since Adam who is not part of God’s creation?

Since God created everything—He created the faith everyone has and He created the good works everyone does.

God says that if anyone gives someone a cup of cold water in His name, they are to be rewarded with high honors.

You’re familiar with Galatians 6:7 &8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

That goes along with the caution of Ephesians 2:9. “Lest anyone boast.” Anyone can do a good work, but the motive can be misused to satisfy the flesh.

There is a sore evil that many people have amassed good deeds thinking it pleased God. Sadly, when they stand before God, their good works will not pay their way into God’s heaven.

Adolf Hitler may have given someone who needed it a cup of cold water. Adolf Hitler, Sadam Husien, Osama Ben laden may have done an unselfish good work at some point in their lives.

It is something very hard to really grasp—but since God created everything, even the good works an unsaved person does is still a good work that God knew they were going to do. Many unbelievers do beneficial good works. Unfortunately, none are done for the glory of God. Not one of them brings God the glory and honor He deserves.

Billionaires give huge amounts of money to charities but it is not recorded in God’s name. Great people have worked to obtain world peace but it was never for the glory of God. Their good work is wasted effort for their eternity, although it also was there beforehand, created in heaven.

Since they also are a part of God’s creation—God created in them the faith to believe in Him. They never came to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and wasted their God-given faith.

We born again Christians have a different agenda entirely. We have a heavenly account book for the works we do that bring honor and glory to God. Verse 10 says there are good works God created beforehand for Christians to walk in. We manifest them as we do the will of God.

And there is a big difference between our good works and the good works of an unbeliever. The qualifier between a Christian’s good works and an unsaved person’s good works in verse 8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.

Oswald Chambers says in the devotional My Utmost for His Highest that once we are saved in Christ Jesus, being a Christian should be automatic and doing good works should be as natural as breathing.

The fun part of our good works is with every work we do for God is a miracle done through us on earth! Miracles occur every time we do a good work that honors God and presents Him to the world because we’re bringing out of God’s storehouse in heaven the works that He created for us to do. They originated in heaven.

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The Miracle of Good Works: Part 1

My home church, Grace Bible Church, offered me the privilege of speaking at the ladies Christmas Tea this year. Here are my notes from my 20 minutes talk to the room of 40+ women, representing several churches.

This is part one. Be sure to read part 2 & part 3 also.

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The Miracle of Good Works: Part One

I was in the store, buying a dust pan, when the lady ahead of me seeing mine in my basket,  remembered she also needed one. As it happened, because of the way the items are displayed, I had picked up two by mistake because they were snapped together. So I just handed her my extra one.

Another woman in the line commented, “There, you’ve done your good deed for today.”

To which I replied, “I hope I get to do more than that one good deed today.”

I really hope as Christians we don’t quantify our good deeds like that.

Oswald Chambers teaches that if we’re a born again believer in Jesus, we’re supposed to do good deeds without conscious thought.

The Scripture I’m beginning with is Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

And that last part is the most special—“Which God prepared beforehand”

Both grace and faith are gifts from God. Our faith originated in Him first. I didn’t wake up one morning and suddenly realize “Oh, I have faith, now I can believe in Jesus.”

God has placed our faith to believe in Him inside every human being. Unsaved people have faith that God gave them, they just don’t use it for the right reason.

We who are born again have been lifted up to the higher plain of the faith that God gave us. Jesus spoke of when he told the woman at the well The Father is seeking those who will worship in Spirit and truth.

And to add to this, Our faith is in our good works.

James says that we show our faith by our works. (James 2:14-20)

When we are created a new person in Christ, meaning God has placed us before His throne in the same place as His Son—we are in Christ Jesus, is because God’s grace has given us the faith to believe in that fact. Can we see it right now? Can we see the place where we stand before the throne?

No, not today, not physically. But God has placed us there. We have no right to be there except God has chosen to love us, save us and place us there.

1 Peter 1:8&9, says this “whom having not seen you love though now you do not see Him, yet believing you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith---the salvation of your souls”

That is Grace multiplied beyond human brain capacity—but God has done it!

Born again believers have the grace privilege of being adopted into God’s family.

And God guarantees us that when He says in Scripture: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” Romans 8:16

Once we learn how awesome that one fact is--THAT grace should motivate us to good works. And it’s a privilege.

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God Shows No Partiality

Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality" Acts 10:34.

God created mankind; every nation, tribe, and people group.

The Gospel, the Good News of salvation, which tells of redemption through Jesus' death. burial and resurrection is for all peoples living all over the world. God shows no partiality.

I believe, because of Romans 1:20, that God will manifest Himself to even in the remotest areas of the world if a person will look at creation around them and think "There must be a Creator."

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" Romans 1:20.

Also because of Psalm 19

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge, There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" Psalm 19:1-4.

The amazing creation around us is witness to a Creator.

And because of Romans 2:11-16, where the remotest person who has never heard of Jesus, if they will listen to the moral conscious that God gives all people and consider the consequences of their sins and righteousness, I believe God will manifest Himself to that person somehow.

(Extra)

God has a sense of humor.

Acts 10:34 begins with the phrase "Then Peter opened his mouth".

If you've studied Peter, you know his habit of opening his mouth when he should have kept it shut. And we know God the Father cut him off once, (Mark 9:5-7), and Jesus even got on him for speaking before thinking, (Mark 8:33).

"All scripture is given by the inspiration of God....." 2 Timothy 3:16.

That means God is the one who said "Then Peter opened his mouth.."

If you know Peter, that's makes it funny

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