GENESIS 1:1-2:3
The Creation Stories
In the first "Creation Story," (Genesis 1:1-2:3) God creates in six days. On the first day, God creates light out of darkness. On the second day, God separates the sky and ocean. On the third day, God separates the sky and oceans, and creates plants, grass and trees. On the fourth day, God creates the sun, moon, and stars. On the fifth day, God create the animals of the sea, and birds of the air. On the sixth day, God creates animals on land, and both male and female in God image. God creates, man and woman equal, in the image and likeness of God. On the seventh day, God rest.
In the first story of creation, Genesis 1:1-2:2, God creates the sexes equal in the image of God. This story empowers women to understand themselves as creating in the image of God.
In the second creation story, Genesis, Genesis 2:4-2:25, God creates in one day. God makes man, Adam, out of the earth. Then God creates plans and herbs, the Garden of Eden, birds, and animals. Next, God removes a rib from Adam and makes Eve. In this creation story woman is subordinate to man, coming out of man after God makes man.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
WHAT IS JESUS DOING IN THE GRAVE?
I Peter 3:18-20
Jesus is crucified Friday, on a cross and buried by Joseph of Arimathaea (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:45-46; Luke 23:50-53 and John 19:38). All four Gospel writers agree that it is Joseph of Arimathaea who buries Jesus. We have no doubt that Jesus is in the grave, but what is he doing? Is he resting from his labors? No, Jesus is in the earth preaching the Good News.
In the first letter of Peter, Chapter 3, verses 18-20 we read that Christ suffers on the cross for the sins of humanity. Christ, the Innocent, suffers for humanity, the guilty to bring humanity to God. On the cross Christ dies in the flesh, but God keeps his spirit alive. The spirit of Christ preaches the gospel to disobedient spirits of dead humans who live in the prison of death.
The spirits of those who are dead in the flesh live, just as the spirit of Jesus lives. Jesus is not in the grave preaching to the spirits of all the dead. He only preaches to the spirits of the disobedient people who live in the days of Noah. While Noah builds the ark God patiently waits for the people to repent but they refuse, and so only eight souls save from drowning in the flood.
The end comes when the living and the dead face the Judge to give an account of their lifestyle ( I Peter 4:5). This is why Jesus, dead in the flesh, but alive in spirit preaches to the disobedience spirits in the grave. These disobedient spirits died in the flood because they would not repent of sins. They died for their sins, but now Jesus dies for the sins of humanity which includes disobedient spirits who died in the flood. Jesus preaches to disobedient spirits so that they repent and live in the spirit with God eternally (I Peter 4:6).
I Peter 3:18-20
Jesus is crucified Friday, on a cross and buried by Joseph of Arimathaea (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:45-46; Luke 23:50-53 and John 19:38). All four Gospel writers agree that it is Joseph of Arimathaea who buries Jesus. We have no doubt that Jesus is in the grave, but what is he doing? Is he resting from his labors? No, Jesus is in the earth preaching the Good News.
In the first letter of Peter, Chapter 3, verses 18-20 we read that Christ suffers on the cross for the sins of humanity. Christ, the Innocent, suffers for humanity, the guilty to bring humanity to God. On the cross Christ dies in the flesh, but God keeps his spirit alive. The spirit of Christ preaches the gospel to disobedient spirits of dead humans who live in the prison of death.
The spirits of those who are dead in the flesh live, just as the spirit of Jesus lives. Jesus is not in the grave preaching to the spirits of all the dead. He only preaches to the spirits of the disobedient people who live in the days of Noah. While Noah builds the ark God patiently waits for the people to repent but they refuse, and so only eight souls save from drowning in the flood.
The end comes when the living and the dead face the Judge to give an account of their lifestyle ( I Peter 4:5). This is why Jesus, dead in the flesh, but alive in spirit preaches to the disobedience spirits in the grave. These disobedient spirits died in the flood because they would not repent of sins. They died for their sins, but now Jesus dies for the sins of humanity which includes disobedient spirits who died in the flood. Jesus preaches to disobedient spirits so that they repent and live in the spirit with God eternally (I Peter 4:6).
Sunday, March 28, 2010
ACTS 7:59
YES I AM GOING TO ASK JESUS TO PRAY FOR ME
Yesterday, I made the mistake of telling my best friend that I was going home to ask Jesus to pray for me. She said, " You can whisper a prayer right here while you're sitting watching the boats sail." Sure I could whisper a prayer while sitting watching the boats sail. But I didn't want to whisper a prayer, I wanted to shout out, "Jesus pray for me" in private.
I've been in the faith long enough to know that even mature Christians get uptight, and bent out of shape when one talks about asking Jesus to pray for them. But listen, is not it written that Jesus is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. Now, if Jesus is the intercessor, seated at the right of God, why then can I not ask Jesus to pray for me? "Can somebody help me: Anybody???
I know, I know, I know that we pray to God, in the name of Jesus. Thank you for reminding me. And I also know that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us with moaning and groaning when we pray in the spirit (tongues).
But don't get it twisted. Just because I ask Jesus to pray for me does not mean that I am praying to Jesus. When I ask Jesus to pray for me, I am in conversation with Jesus. Yes, I know that prayer is conversation with God. But conversation with Jesus, for me, is letting Jesus know that I know my Bible, and believe what I know.
When I ask Jesus to pray for me, this is what I'll say: "Jesus, it is wirtten that you are at the right hand of God making intercession for the Saints." I am a Saint. Pray for me.
Listen, don't tell me I can't talk to my brother, Jesus, anytime I want to. And don't tell me what to say to him when I talk with him. Did you say that I'm confusing you. Well, you're right. I tell you what I'll do, "I'll make it easy on both of us. I'll pray to Jesus. Yes, I can! Now listen, if Stephen prayed to Jesus just before he was stoned, then why can't I. As they stoned Stephen he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (Acts 7:59)
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And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59)
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever. (Hebrews 7:28)
YES I AM GOING TO ASK JESUS TO PRAY FOR ME
Yesterday, I made the mistake of telling my best friend that I was going home to ask Jesus to pray for me. She said, " You can whisper a prayer right here while you're sitting watching the boats sail." Sure I could whisper a prayer while sitting watching the boats sail. But I didn't want to whisper a prayer, I wanted to shout out, "Jesus pray for me" in private.
I've been in the faith long enough to know that even mature Christians get uptight, and bent out of shape when one talks about asking Jesus to pray for them. But listen, is not it written that Jesus is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. Now, if Jesus is the intercessor, seated at the right of God, why then can I not ask Jesus to pray for me? "Can somebody help me: Anybody???
I know, I know, I know that we pray to God, in the name of Jesus. Thank you for reminding me. And I also know that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us with moaning and groaning when we pray in the spirit (tongues).
But don't get it twisted. Just because I ask Jesus to pray for me does not mean that I am praying to Jesus. When I ask Jesus to pray for me, I am in conversation with Jesus. Yes, I know that prayer is conversation with God. But conversation with Jesus, for me, is letting Jesus know that I know my Bible, and believe what I know.
When I ask Jesus to pray for me, this is what I'll say: "Jesus, it is wirtten that you are at the right hand of God making intercession for the Saints." I am a Saint. Pray for me.
Listen, don't tell me I can't talk to my brother, Jesus, anytime I want to. And don't tell me what to say to him when I talk with him. Did you say that I'm confusing you. Well, you're right. I tell you what I'll do, "I'll make it easy on both of us. I'll pray to Jesus. Yes, I can! Now listen, if Stephen prayed to Jesus just before he was stoned, then why can't I. As they stoned Stephen he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (Acts 7:59)
_______________________________________________________________________
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59)
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever. (Hebrews 7:28)
PSALMS 143:10
THE ANOINTING
Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalms 143:10)
Because it is our desire to follow him…to speak words that will give life….hope and inspiration… we must be aware of our need for the spirit…the Holy Spirit will suffer us to know all things…this is a time of constant need….today it is necessary to seek God’s face in spirit and in truth….and surrender………many of us are looking for a sign……and for a feeling….to help us through this walk…..but God has already spoken and revealed through the Word what it is that God requires of us…..his will is for us to be doers of the Word…..and not hearers only…..we must seek God first….and then God will give us all thing……even the desires of our heart…..let’s get in the spirit….and allow the anointing of the spirit to touch our lives…..then we can stand and take a stand for Jesus…..the Christ…….knowing that even when we speak……it is not us…..but Christ in us…..our hope for living the eternal life….in glory…..give him glory
THE ANOINTING
Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalms 143:10)
Because it is our desire to follow him…to speak words that will give life….hope and inspiration… we must be aware of our need for the spirit…the Holy Spirit will suffer us to know all things…this is a time of constant need….today it is necessary to seek God’s face in spirit and in truth….and surrender………many of us are looking for a sign……and for a feeling….to help us through this walk…..but God has already spoken and revealed through the Word what it is that God requires of us…..his will is for us to be doers of the Word…..and not hearers only…..we must seek God first….and then God will give us all thing……even the desires of our heart…..let’s get in the spirit….and allow the anointing of the spirit to touch our lives…..then we can stand and take a stand for Jesus…..the Christ…….knowing that even when we speak……it is not us…..but Christ in us…..our hope for living the eternal life….in glory…..give him glory
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