Joshua 1:1-9

Joshua 1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

What do these verses mean to me, you, or us? First, it is an account informing us of a specific time in history concerning the Jewish people after the death of Moses, according to verse 1. God is now speaking to Joshua son of Nun. Next we are told that God instructed Joshua on what to do. This involves several things: (A) Cross the Jordan and take the land God promised to the Israelites fathers, v.8. (B1) Joshua is instructed to “Only be strong and very courageous” joined with the instruction to “be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.”; (B2) God further explains how to and what to do concerning the Law; “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night”; (B3) This section tells us why: “so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;”, v. 8. (C) Now we have a promise from God to Joshua as follows in verse 8: “for then you will make your way prosperous, and they you will have success.” (D) The last statements God makes in this section of Scripture is encouragement, “Have I not commanded you?” “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

What have I done above: I read the text and I observed what it said, who was speaking and to whom God spoke and what specifically God said Joshua was to do and where he was to find what he was to do and lastly an encouragement. What it says is what it means so what does it mean? It means what it says which is that Joshua was to follow God’s instruction to cross the Jordan and take the land and in doing so he was to meditate on the law day and night, ALL OF THE LAW, “all that is written in it” See Leviticus and the Deuteronomy to discover “all that is written in it.” And the admonition was that if you do this you will be rewarded with success, in other words you will live in peace in the land and you will be able to defeat the present dwellers of the land and take it for yours because God gave it to them and they would be able to possess it as long as they followed the LAW, see again Leviticus.

What application does this have for the Christian? First, the keeping of the law does not apply to us. Second, the crossing a river and taking the land from others does not apply to us, this is a physical promise to the Israelites, not to Christians. This promise is still applicable to the Israelites and will be completely fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom following the Second coming of Christ which follows the 7 year tribulation which follows the rapture of the church. Third, the word meditate on the Law day and night does not apply to us. Why? In context the Law consist of over 600 plus rules, laws, regulations designed specifically for the Israelites and this law does not apply to the Christian, we do not keep the Law of Moses, the law spoken of in the text above. Is there any application we can gain from these verses, yes there is, but not the same as it was for Israel in keeping the law? The idea of meditating on what God has instructed them which is for them not us, also applies to us as Christians regarding the instructions to the Church found only in the Letters to the Church. To know what we are to meditate correctly in God's word we look to the letters to discover what we are to do and why?

If you want to really, I mean really understand the difference then study Galatians inside out, outside in, reread it and take it apart and put it back together, meditate on it and let it tell you how you as a Believer in Christ should understand the difference between Law and Grace. Quoting a verse from the O. T. and not making the correct application does mislead others who are not discerning of the difference between Law and Grace. As a believer if we want to learn how to be a Christian we are to take our instruction from the letters and yes all scripture is profitable. Do you see the value of the verses above in the correct context and understanding now? If you take it any other way you take it out of its intended context and meaning and application which is not for the Christian. The important part of the historical factual occasion of these passages is that Joshua the leader was to set the example and thus lead his followers, the Israelites to meditate in the Law and obey it. We are not commanded to follow this injunction, no our marching orders are found in the letters to the church for they explain to us as Believers how we are to think and act, the letters is our commentary on the Old Testament and the Gospels, the letters is our instruction Manuel. Be a student of the letters and filter all the Old Testament through it and the Gospels too. If you want correct theology you must do it this way, refuse to do it this way and you will find yourself in error more often and not.

Note that when the verses above were written they, the first five books of the bible was the only bible they had and they did not all have copies of it, there may have only be a few, we really don’t know how many copies existed at the time of this historical setting. Now we did not the book of Joshua all the way to Revelation, get that fixed in your mind. But now we do have all the rest and we have the letters to the Churches that instruct us Christians as to how we are to think and live. Notice how we are to deal with the literature written to us, all scripture has it place and is profitable, for teaching, correction, and instructions in righteousness, as long as we apply it CORRECTLY.

Is the Kingdom of God and Heaven The Same? Yes, just Different Aspects

he kingdom of God is the same as The Kingdom of Heaven synonymous terms in the Gospels. Matthew is the only writer that uses " KOH" and he also uses KOG four times, whereas Mark and Luke only use Kingdom of God, never KOH. (KOH occurs 31 times in Matthew, KOG 4 times in Matthew). Kingdom of God occurs 69 times in the N.T. and 51 times in the four gospels. 

There are different aspects to the KOG 

1. The Universal Kingdom of God
2. The Spiritual KIngdom of God
3. The Theocratic Kingdom of God
4. The Mystery form of the Kingdom of God
5. The Millennial Kingdom of God
6. The Eternal Kingdom of God

Size of Faith,

FAITH

Size of Faith

1.        Matthew 6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

2.        Matthew 8:26 He *said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.

3.        Matthew 14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

4.        Matthew 16:8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?

5.        Matthew 17:20 And He *said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you

6.        Luke 12:28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!

7.        Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.

8.        Luke 8:25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

9.        Luke 18:8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

10.     Matthew 8:10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.

11.     Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

12.     Luke 7:9 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”

13.     Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”  (How did Jesus increase their faith?)

14.     Acts 6:5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

15.      

Kinds of faith is a reflection of how much doubt there is, the more doubt the less faith.   To make anything greater or less about the use of words that express, no faith, little faith, mustard seed faith, where is your faith, will I find faith, great faith, such great faith and increase our faith is a miss use of Scripture and the normal method of understanding written language, this happens to be from God, we call it Scripture.   Fear is a key element in not believing more or having greater faith.   A willingness to surrender is directly associated with ones lack of faith or little faith.    Coming to a point of total surrender demonstrated in obedience is akin to great faith, strong faith, they go hand in hand. 

Re-Visiting CURED (Anti TULIP, ROSES, DAISY)

Christian Theological Acrostic C.U.R.E.D.

Scripture Only No Commentary

Several year back, about 15, I developed the “Acrostic – CURED” to combat Calvinism primarily.  I am neither Armenian or Calvinistic in my view of God’s word.  I will say things they say but I do not define them as they do.  Each system when investigated closely has their own definitions crafted to support their understanding of God’s word. 

CURED

C – Conditional Salvation/regeneration/born from above:  John 6:27-29; Luke 7:50; Acts 16:29-34; Romans 10:8-13, The Bible is filled with conditional salvation passages.

U – Unlimited Atonement: Matt. 5:14; Luke 19:10; John 1:29; John 3:16; John 4:42; Acts 2:21; Romans 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 3:9; I John 2:1-2

R – Resistible Grace:  Acts 26:28-29; 2 Tim. 3:6-9; John 1:11-13; Matt. 23:37

E – Eternal Security:  I Cor. 3:14-15; 2 Cor. 1:21-22

D – Dead in Trespasses and Sins:  Ephesians 2:1-10; Col. 2:13-15

by Gordon Slocum

You may freely distribute this as long as you give credit.

A Work That Saves, Faith.

Almost everywhere you read or listen states that faith is not a work.  If God told you that faith is a work would you believe Him?  Most likely you would not believe such a claim in light of God's word. God's word is very clear that faith is not a work but salvation is a work of God whereby we simply trust in Him. 
John 6:27-29

27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

Verse 27 answers the question clearly.  Jesus said work "for the food which endures to eternal life," If a person works for this food the Son of Man, Jesus, who is God will give that person eternal life, which means the person will be regenerated, saved by Jesus.  Notice further what is stated:  They ask "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?"  Now Jesus has already established that one must work for his salvation and now Jesus is going to tell us how as He answers this question, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."   Only a fool would deny that Jesus is telling them that believing faith is a work, the only work they must do to be saved.  

Believing faith has always been a work, but this work is not the same as working for your salvation.  Working for our salvation is when we do not trust in Christ which means we trust in whatever we decide to trust in that is not the work of God, to believe in Jesus.    When man stops trusting, believing in himself, others, things, etc. and surrenders to Jesus he cannot become saved, Jesus saves those who truly do the work of believing faith.  The work of believing faith is not "of works" described in Eph. 2:8-9.  The context of Eph. 2:8-9 is the Law.  Israel pursued the law but not by faith, they failed to do the work of God in believing in Christ therefore they did the law, works, which did not save them. 

Believing Faith is Called A Work so stop telling everyone that believing faith is not a work.  Salvation is not out OF WORKS, but it is received by a person doing the work of God which is trusting in Him.  Trusting in Christ, a work, is not out of works. Working at being good or practicing this or that to appease God is false works, but forsaking you and trusting in Him is the only kind of work that will bring the blessing of God whereby He will then give you new life. 

Positional Sanctification - The New Birth in Christ, becoming a new creation in Christ, born from above

Progressive Sanctification – Abiding in Him, living life loving the Lord,  daily dying to self and serving the Savior, Jesus who is God.

Permanent Sanctification – To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This will take place at physical death or the snatching away, known as the Rapture of all REAL Christians when He comes to take His bride home. 

The Legacy of Detroit Bible College / William Tyndale College.

As a graduate of DBC/WTC I can say it changed my life from the stand point of receiving one of the best Bible Based Educations of it's day.  The school no longer exist, but its reputation has not gone un-noticed.  Some high profile students of DBS/WTC are: (fr. WikiPida)

Jerry Andrews, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Diego, received a BREd degree from Detroit Bible College.
Norman Geisler, Christian apologetic and president of the Southern Evangelical Seminary, received a degree from Detroit Bible College in 1955.
Gary Habermas, Christian apologetic and professor at Liberty University, received a degree from DBC in 1972,
Ed Hindson, http://www.raptureready.com/who/Ed_Hindson.html, date of degree from DBC/WTC not know; Ed Hindson serves as the President of World Prophetic Ministry and as a Bible Teacher on The King Is Coming telecast.; Dean, Institute of Biblical Studies, Distinguished Professor of Religion, http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=2250; Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Hindson
Craig Mayes, Executive Director of the New York City Rescue Mission, earned his undergraduate degree in 1977.
Eugene J. Mayhew, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Moody Theological Seminary, received a BREd degree from Detroit Bible College.
Vincent P. Messina, Campus Pastor of Woodside Bible Church, graduated from Detroit Bible College in 1977.
Dieumème Noelliste, Professor of Theological Ethics and Director of the Grounds Institute for Public Ethics, Denver Seminary received a Th.B. from William Tyndale College.
Gilbert E. Patterson (1939–2007), late Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), attended the Detroit Bible Institute.
Mark D. Powers, President, Pulte Homes Connecticut, Fortune 150, received a degree from William Tyndale College in 1998. Winner of Wall Street Journal Award for Business Excellence, Suma Cum Laude
William L. Rowe, professor emeritus of philosophy at Purdue University, attended Detroit Bible Institute.
Jack Van Impe, televangelist, received a diploma from Detroit Bible Institute in 1952.
Joseph Williams, Founder and President, Christian Association of Prison Aftercare, has a BA from William Tyndale College.

                       C. U. R. E. D.

• Conditional Salvation
• Unlimited Atonement
• Resistible Grace
• Eternal Security
• Delivered from trespasses and sin

CONDITIONAL SALVATION

• Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household. Acts 16:29-34 (HCSB)

• 8 On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, 12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:8-13 (HCSB)

UNLIMITED ATONEMENT

• 1 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (HCSB)

RESISTIBLE GRACE

• 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” 29 “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29 (HCSB)

• 6 For among them are those who worm their way into households and capture idle women burdened down with sins, led along by a variety of passions, 7 always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men who are corrupt in mind, worthless in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress, for their lack of understanding will be clear to all, as theirs was also. 2 Tim 3:6-9 (HCSB)

• He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. 12 BUT to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13 (HCSB)

• 37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! The city who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing! Matt 23:37 (HCSB)

ETERNAL SECURITY

• 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.1 Cor. 3:14-15 (HCSB)

• 21 Now it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed us. 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts. 2 Cor. 1:21-22 (HCSB)

DELIVERED FROM TRESPASSES AND SINS

• 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, 5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, 7 so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through ⌊His⌋ kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. Eph 2:1-10 (HCSB)

• 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the un-circumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him. Col 2:13-15 (HCSB)

Gordon L Slocum is the author of C.U.R.E.D. not the passages themselves for they are authored by God and the individual human author He chose to pin it.

What must I do to be saved?

To gain a clear understanding of “What must I do to be saved”, take the time to listen to Dr. Norman Giesler's presentation.

ClickHere

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1 Peter 1

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen ² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the  proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ⁸ and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Calvinism and Universalism are both universalist, just in a different way.

The difference between a fixed out come and an outcome that is established on the foreknowledge of God is evident.  Calvinism tells us that all is first fixed and Universalism tells us the same only with different results.  Universalism teaches us that all humans will be saved and Calvinism teaches us that God will only save a few and will not save any others because it is fixed and the unsaved are determined to go to hell to glorify God making God the author of Sin.  That which is universal is free from freedom to trust in Christ, they, the frozen chosen are made to believe, this defies the very meaning of trust, belief, faith.    

The only none universal Christian position is where God holds all humanity responsible for the decisions that are made concerning His Work,  the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ, that each person is truly responsible for their eternal outcome on the basis of faith in Christ or faith in OTHER, whatever that OTHER is. It is that simple.  God knows the outcome of his decrees both fixed and permitted ones.  Mankind is permitted free will within the natural and spiritual limits set by God, the fixed part of our existence.  Everyone may choose to do evil or good, to reject Christ or accept Christ, this is the freedom mankind has in his fallen state and some will trust in God’s work and many will not, they are not forced to believe or not believe.   

The term foreknowledge means to know in advance what He has decreed, both fixed and free.  Free will of man is fixed to be free to trust in Christ or not trust in Christ.  God commands all mankind to repent, to trust in Christ.  A God that requires this of man and then decrees that the man cannot be saved and then saved a few without believing faith and not the others is not the God of the Bible.  God desires the salvation of all and to desire all to be saved and only save a few is Universal determinism of the Calvinist view.  In Universalism one does not have to choose. God has given us a choice, He has provided the solution and the means for us to freely receive His provision, His work verses our work. 

One of the finest magazines I know of is “Israel My Glory” published by “Friends of Israel” ministry out of Bellmawr, New Jersey.

On September 20, 1970 I received Christ as my personal savior at Woodlawn Church of God in Royal Oak, Michigan under the preaching of Dr. Herbert A. Streeter.  Several years after my conversion I began attending DBC in Farmington Hills, Michigan.  It was there that I was introduced to the correct way to understand the word of God, the normal literal historical method which results in the dispensational view of God’s word.  This view is evangelistic, people friendly, Israel friendly and practical.  To embrace this view is to fully support the Biblical truth that God loves all people, died for all people and desires all peoples to be saved.  This view which is the true Biblical view correctly teaches that God has a plan for the lost national Israel, the Church the body of Christ and the lost Gentile peoples of the world.  Prior to the first advent there were only to groups Jews and Gentiles, but now there is three, the Church, the Nation Israel and the Gentile nations.  

From the time I was at DBC, 1972, until now I have been a supporter of Israel.  To not support Israel would be to figuratively speak “spit in the face of God”.   To be against Israel is to be against God’s chosen nation even as they exist in their present lost state.  Any Jewish person or Gentile person who accepts Christ in this dispensation becomes a member of the Body of Christ.  As humans from different groups they remain in that human category as far as the world is concerned but according to the Bible they are now a member of the Body of Christ.  These are those called out of the Jewish nation and Gentile nations and saved by the power of the Gospel as they trust in this good news freely. 

I encourage you to consider purchasing this magazine to keep yourself informed, educated and blessed concerning the correct understanding of God’s word which supports Israel and teaches that all humanity is savable and that God die for all and loves all wishing that no one perish and go to hell. 

If you do not know Christ as your personal savior turn to him today before you die and spend an eternity in everlasting outer darkness in the lake of fire that burns forever.

I ascribe my name to this view and Biblical Truth:  Gordon L. Slocum

The largest graduation to date at Liberty University:  The graduating class of 2012 was over 14,000 and over 7,000 were in attendance to receive their diplomas. Shannon Renee Slocum received her RN from Aquinas College, having attended prior to Aquinas North Alabama University and Calhoun Community College. Stacey Lynn Slocum graduated from John Brown University which is in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.  JBU ranked 1st among southern regional colleges in the “U.S. News and World Report: America’s Best Colleges” in 2012. For the past 5 years, JBU has been ranked consistently in the top 4. Now back to LU; LU is ranked 80 in the South and by the way Auburn is 83, Tennessee is higher than LU.  In 2011 LU regained the Number One National Debate Team Ranking.  Starting this year LU will play with the Big Boys in Football's Division 1, moving on up.   

 

Stacey graduated from John Brown University (BAR),

Shannon from Liberty University (BSN) and

I graduated from William Tyndale College (BRE) and from Liberty University (MAR) 

The oldest person to graduate from Liberty did so this year 2012 at the age of 77. 

The U.S.S. Conyngham DDG 17

This war ship is no longer in service.  It was the last of its class to serve.  I was stationed on board this ship from the summer of 65 to October 1968.  Gordon Slocum in Mediterranean Sea on board USS Conyngman DDG 17

A site that all believers who are dispensational believers like me love is the Rapture Forum. This site is dedicated to the belief that Israel is a special nation, the apple of God's eye. God's plan for Israel continues, His plan for the gentile nations continue and His plan for all gentiles and Israelites that come to Christ in believing faith are at that point a member of the body of Christ, in this age of grace.

Click Here to visit the Rapture Forum.

The bible tells us that anyone who is against Israel is against God. A truly born from above believer will not be anti Israel. The logic of that statement is in the miracle of the new nature, the new birth in Christ. The Bible tells us that when a person is born from above that person is a new creation in Christ Jesus. To have the mind of Christ is to agree with God because Jesus is God and God is pro Israel. God being pro Israel does not mean He condones any sin an Israeli commits any more that He excuses any sin a Gentile commits, gentiles all who are not Israelites, Jews.

There are unsaved, those not born again, people that do support Israel, but the person who becomes a true Christian having been born from above will not be anti Israel.
I am proud to be a supporter of Israel and the Jewish people. Many are without Christ but God has a wonderful plan for them as He does all Gentiles.

Click Here to Learn More About Prophecy

Moses instructed that two trumpets by fashioned to signal activity in the camp. You can read about this in the book of Numbers. There is coming a day, maybe today, when Jesus will sound the trumpet of the Rapture and all REAL born again Christians will be taken out of this world. Following that wonderful event the earth will be under sever judgment for 7 years. During this judgment time around 2/3 of the population will die in war, famine and other events. Jesus who created all things also died for the sin of all mankind. He made it possible for all to receive eternal life in Him if only you repent and believe from the heart on Jesus.

Here is a song that will address this same teaching. Enjoy 
You Can't Run You Can't Hide

http://utility.homestead.com/GONE.html?_=1335669111568

What a powerful song by a powerful singer. The message is straight forward and who else could have don't a better job than Teddy Huffam & The Gems singing "Gone". If you don't know Christ personally would consider your eternal destiny today and call on the Lord to save you. The Bible tells us that whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. Repent and trust in Christ. We all will physically die and then the judgment. Which judgment will you be at, the judgment seat of Christ for the saints, or the great white throne judgment for all lost who will be cast into the lake of fire forever and ever. Judge yourself today and surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ who died for you sin and the sin of the all mankind. To be saved you must repent and believe on Jesus.

CURED - Conditional Salvation; Unlimited Atonment; Resistible Grace; Eternal Security; Delivered

CURED

C - Conditional Salvation

Mark 1:14. Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15. and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Luke 15:7. "I tell you that in the same way, there will be {more} joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Acts 17: 30. "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all {people} everywhere should repent,

II Peter 3: 9. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Acts 16: 30. and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31. They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Romans 4:5. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Romans 10:9. that if you confess with your mouth Jesus {as} Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10. for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

I Corinthians 1:21. For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not {come to} know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

U- Unlimited Atonement

John 1: 4. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.

John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

John 12:32. "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.";

John 12:47. "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

I Timothy 2: 6. who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony {given} at the proper time.

I Timothy 4:10. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Hebrews 2:9. But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, {namely,} Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

II Peter 2:1. But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

I John 2: 2. and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for {those of} the whole world

R- Resistible Grace

Acts 28: 24. Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

Acts 17:0. "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all {people} everywhere should repent,

John 5:40. and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

II Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Luke 7:30. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.

Acts 7:51. "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

Matthew 23:37. "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.

John 7:17. "If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or {whether} I speak from Myself.

E - Eternal Security

John 10:9. "My Father, who has given {them} to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch {them} out of the Father's hand. 30. "I and the Father are one."

John 6:39. "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day

John 14:16. "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

II Corinthians 1: 22. who also sealed us and gave {us} the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Ephesians 4:30. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption

Philippians 1: 6. {For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 7:25. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

I Peter 1: 5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


D- Delivered from being Dead in Trespasses and sin

Ephesians 2: 1. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2. in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5. even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6. and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly {places} in Christ Jesus, 7. so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {salvation is} the gift of God; 9. not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Romans 5: 20. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21. so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:6. knowing this, that our old self was crucified with {Him,} in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7. for he who has died is freed from sin. 11. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 22. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 10. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

II Corinthians 5: 19. namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

I Corinthians 15:56. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
57. but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:22. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe

Ephesians 1: 19. namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Commentary: CE believes that the atonement of Christ is sufficient for all and efficient only for those who by faith in the content of the message of their dispensation. That all who are "real born again" Christian cannot lose their salvation. As real born again believers we can rebel and in rebellion God deals with us as a child (son or daughter). We would consider ourselves as Once Saved Always Saved Arminians. Some would call our view altered Calvinism and even moderate Calvinism because we hold to OSAS. In the end labels are not important, but what is important is a real personal relationship with Christ which only means that as such we are "real born again" Christians.

Believing Faith

Key Issues in the Doctrine of Salvation

Faith: Where does faith come from? Some believe that saving faith is a special gift that is given a person at the time of regeneration (new birth) or shortly after, whereas others see faith as preceding salvation. Salvation is regeneration, the new birth Titus 3:5. Paul settles the question of where faith comes from. If you are told by anyone that believing faith is a special infused gift then you know from what Paul tells us that this belief is false.

Paul states, "Romans 10:17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Two things necessary for faith to be possible:  (1) a human being and (2) the message about Christ

Luke writes: Acts 16:28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, "Don't harm yourself, because all of us are here!" 29 Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he escorted them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." (W) 32 Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them up into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household.

Luke records Jesus as saying:  Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Relationship of Ephesians 2:8 to Romans 10:17

Certain groups press the idea that Ephesians 2:8 teaches that "faith" is a gift from this verse. Such, assumption, is not in agreement with the context, the verse and it's grammar, and Romans 10:17. One must twist the meaning to see faith as the antecedent of "this" and this view is driven by bias from within a particular belief system. All verses in the Bible that address saving faith are defined by Romans 10:17. To do otherwise is to violate as clear a statement as one could ask on the source of "believing faith". 
Relationship of Titus 3:5 to Luke 7:50

Titus 3:5  He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

First "saved" is "by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Second "faith has saved us (HOW)  by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. 

Third, notice what the following states:  Acts 15:9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

The Steps of Faith

First, to have faith in something an object is required. The word faith is an abstract noun. Its object can be physical, or non physical. An idea can be the object as well as tangible things. Humans have trust, faith, and belief in all types of things both physical and abstract.

Second, man is created in God's image. What does this mean? It means we have the ability to develop intellectually, emotionally and volitionally (in our capacity to make choices).

Our God given likeness is limited to our realm, genetic disposition and spiritual condition, the sin nature. The sin nature described as dead in sins and trespasses is not a spirit/soul that is in a state compared to actual cessation of life but of separation, estrangement from God. Sin cannot be in the presence of God and this separation is as such called death but the reality is the spirit/soul is alive. The spirit/soul will be alive in heaven or hell so the concept that the deadness of the spirit/soul is to be compared to physical death is not correct.  Death in Biblical terms spiritually speaking is separation not cessation of life of the Soul/Spirit. 

Third, the solution to the sin problem was solved in the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Without this all the faith in anything that exists or believed to exist is worthless. It is still faith but it is faith in vain because faith on its own cannot save a single person if that faith is in the wrong object. Scripture and real life teach us that sinful man erects objects of his making and inventions, world religions, anti religious; the list is endless of man's own inventions of substitute gods, to replace God.

This is called man’s work; it is his method or idea of solving his problem. Practically, when looked at in light of God’s word the created can’t create a solution for his own salvation - it (the solution) of necessity must come from the Creator. If man creates in thought or deed a solution to his problem it is a work of man and all the faith in his own invention or thinking is worthless. On the other hand if man accepts the work of God he acknowledges he cannot save himself and must trust in what he cannot do for himself. The transfer of trust form self works to God’s work is what we call believing faith.

Fourth, faith then is the transfer of trust form self solutions to God’s solution. The object of man’s trust moves from creature to creator. However, to move from creature to creator is not sufficient apart from several things; (1) knowledge of God's work {the object of faith) and supernatural aid {God regenerates once faith is placed in God's work}.  Because we are created in the image of God we have the ability as depraved spirit/souls to be touched by God’s Spirit. Our hearts can be reached. The transfer of trust from creature to creator involves knowing truth and this truth is used by the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin. The death of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the receiving of truth are the elements or components necessary to bring a lost spirit/soul to a point of decision. Apart from these it is impossible.

 

Truth

What is Truth?

John 17: 15 I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. 7 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

The Truth is Profitable

Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable 
(1) for teaching,
(2) for rebuking,
(3) for correcting,
(4) for training in righteousness,