eChurch Christian Blog

This post has now been removed from this blog.

Please Visit the new UK Christian Mental Health Website for support, advice, articles, discussions and more.

This post has now been removed from this blog.

Please Visit the new UK Christian Mental Health Website for support, advice, articles, discussions and more.

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. 1 Tim 4:1

Unfortunately I believe that it will happen, only because Scripture blatantly speaks of the great falling away. The majority of this is caused by false or deceived preachers in pulpits, diluting the absolute truth of the Word to fit in with science and the world’s view, in the false hope of trying to make church more palatable for the masses by massaging their ‘itching ears’. However, this doesn’t bring anyone to church or to faith in Christ, in fact it does the reverse and makes the church look weak and feeble.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. 2Tim 4:2-4

But take heart, it means we are that much closer to The Day of Lord and His return “….for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first and the man of sin is revealed….” (2Thess 2:3)

The falling away, (called the rebellion in the NIV) and the deception is already happening here in the UK now. The stats suggest that only have 6% of our population attend church, and only 2% of us are bible believing, spirit filled, born again Christians.

The head of the Anglican church here in the UK, the Archbishop, is a self professed member of a coven of wicca witches, and their rituals are televised during the summer solstice. But for me the worst abomination is that they encourage and invite islamic imams to preach and teach in their churches to their sheep.

However, I must add that there are many, many faithful people in the Anglican church, who love the Lord, and are called by God into the C of E to feed and care for the sheep. However, it is a calling that I do not envy. It must be a constant uphill struggle not just against the prince of this world but also against the enemy within.

462 years ago Luther nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to castle church. This marked the beginning of the reformation and freedom for the UK and large parts of Europe from the slavery and authority of the Papacy. This was the time of the re-establishing of the authority of God’s Word, and for which many, many saints shed their blood, so that we can have the freedom to read for ourselves the Scriptures. And yet now we are in a horrendous position, the very foundation of the Word is being undermined in our churches.

The preachers and teachers in some of the mainstream dominations do not preach the true gospel, but a different gospel, a gospel of universalism. They teach that God is a loving God, and He will condemn no-one, all will end in heaven. It is true that God is love. But He is also a God of justice, of truth and holiness. We would not be called to love Him by walking according to His commands, if what we said, thought and did in this life was irrelevant. We will be called to account for our actions in this life. They teach also teach that there is no hell, they do not expound the scriptures and the truth anymore. Witchcraft, fornication, divorce and the practice of homosexuality are fine, as the belief is that in this civilised day and age, it is an acceptable lifestyle choice and many priests live and practice this. Abortion is just so acceptable within our culture now, but yet our women are literally sacrificing their children to the god of Convenience.

We need to get back to the Scriptures; and believe unquestioningly and wholeheartedly what the Logos Word teaches us. We need to be girding ourselves daily with the Word. And putting on our spiritual amour, for our fight is not against flesh and blood. We have to have the Word circumcised on our hearts by the Spirit, for us to use the Sword of the Spirit, so that no weapon formed against us can prosper.

And to make proclaiming the truth even harder for us, our government are trying to push through legalisation which will carry a maximum 7 year prison sentence for those who proclaim that that there is only one way to God, i.e., through Christ alone as the Gospel testifies.

But we are called to the Gospel and our calling is irrevocable (Rom 11:29). We are to go and share this wonderful, magnificent, joyous news of the Gospel, and drag people out of the fires of hell, and teach them the Truth, to Love and Follow the Lord.

Blessings

Although many may argue that we should lead by example and not smoke and/or drink and yet go into an environment where there is drinking, such as a pub or club, and so we can be a silent witness. This could be regarded as a little too pious by the very people we are witnessing too, and in a way could actually alienate them more.

However, I am not suggesting that we should go and get drunk with them so as to be accepted, I am not even suggesting that we should go and drink. But what I am saying is that we do need to go and we need to gossip the Gospel with them, and gossip the coming Kingdom.

Before being born again, everyone sins (Rom 3:23) there is no choice. People do not have the power to stop themselves from sinning. Why because we are born into sin. Adam sinned and so that has passed down through genetics to the whole human race. No one can escape from sin. People can try their darned to live an upright life, and not break any laws of the land, but I assure you wickedness is always lurching under the surface, particularly behind closed doors, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) It is the badness that someone’s thinks, or the evil dwelling their heart, that will come up and out of their mouth. As Jesus says it is not what goes into someone that pollutes them, but what comes out of him (Mk 7:15-23).

God gave Moses the Mosiac Law (including the 10 commandments) and that Law actually gives sin its power (1Cor 15:56). So no matter how hard we try we will always sin. So for justice to be real and fair, we need to pay for our wrong doings. Of course God is fair and just and so He says that we will have to pay, and the price we have to pay is death. For the wages of sin is death. (Rom 6:23) However, God is also a God of Love, because He is Love (1Jn 4:8) and so He sent His Son Jesus to earth to pay the price, the penalty of death. Jesus went to the Cross, although he had never sinned and did not deserve to die, unlike us, the whole human race. He took all sin upon Himself. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us (2Cor 5:21). The just (Jesus) died for the unjust (us) so that He might bring us to God.

Therefore once we believe in Jesus and believe what He has done for us, and confessed our sin, we are totally forgiven, and are born again. Everything is wiped clean. Not only do we have a fresh start, we are given eternal life to live with Him and His goodness forever in His kingdom. Thank you Jesus.

Once we are born again and in Christ, we are set free from sin and bondage, and we are truly free (Jn 8:36,Gal 5:1) and totally free from sin (Rom 6:18,). So we are blessed by God that now we have freedom, the freedom to choose. In our freedom we can choose to sin or not to sin. We can choose to drink and smoke or not to drink and smoke, because in God’s wonderful Grace, we’re now not enslaved to sin, but have the wonderful freedom of choice. However, let us not continue in sin that excludes us from the kingdom, and drunkenness is one of these sins (1Cor 6:10, Gal 5:21)

However, both Jesus and Paul, point out that we should not worry about what we eat or drink,(Lk 12:29) as in the Kingdom of God these are not important, (Rom 14:17) but to live righteously, be filled with the grace, love, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (2Cor 11-14)

Therefore, we must do all things in faith, if we think something is a sin, (i.e. smoking a cigarette/cigar or having a drink) then it is sin to us and so we must refrain from it. (Rom 14:23) as we are called nor to sin anymore, and not to be drunk on wine but filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18) and walk in the Spirit, not in carnal flesh.

But at the same time we are not to judge others, but only ourselves, and this is between us and God (Rom 14).

So then this can raise the question at what stage in consumption does the drinker become drunk?

I think I may have asked the unanswerable question, particularly if it is to be asked in a generic sense. However I personally believe that it is when you quench the Holy Spirit. This for some will be just one sip, particularly for those who have stepped over “the line” and have at some point in their lives given alcohol the stronghold by abusing it and then been abused by it . However, there are others who have never been to that point, and can enjoy a glass of wine and still not quench the Spirit.

So dear Brother and sister, the choice is yours, just do not quench the Spirit, but feel free to live and love the Lord, giving thanks for all things, if you smoke, then do it in faith and thank God for each cigarette, just do not become a slave anything, as you cannot serve two masters. If you take a small glass of wine with your meal, again praise God for His wonderful provision.

Finally, we are called to love one and another, and particularly those that are not as mature in the faith as you are. Paul points out if our brothers or sisters are weaker in the faith, then follow their lead and do not please ourselves (Rom 15:1,2) for it is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that will cause your brother to sin. (Rom 14:21)

So for me this is the crux of it, if it is a sin to my brother I will not make him stumble. So personally I am tee total.

Blessings

Caral

I just can’t help myself

I was looking on the Internet earlier today and came across a site with a fabulous tag cloud that rotates round as you move your cursor over and I just had to have one….I sound like a kid.

Look on the left at the top, this tag cloud is powered by Flash technology and I think it looks great!

Normally I don’t touch Flash with a barge pole with my websites because traditionally although very pleasing to the human eye Flash is not normally pleasing to the search engines. In other words Search engines can’t read Flash. But the wonderful aspect of this Flash tag cloud is that it still allows me to output the regular tag cloud for non Flash users and search engines to see the tags as well.

Always remember that I am on hand to create for you the finest church or Christian ministry website on the net

Feel free to contact me for an informal chat.

Blessings Webmaster

I originally posted this on the Post Modernism theology. However, I think its needs to have its own posting.

I believe that the dispensationalists teaching a pretribulation rapture are wrong. I first came across this teaching back in the late nineties, shortly just after I gave my life to Christ, and as it was taught by someone I respected very much, I took it on face value. However, after doing some serious bible study and a theology course, I soon realised how unsound the teaching was. Personally I do not have a problem with dispensationalism in general, just the pretrib teaching.

Sadly I believe that the likes of Darby and Scofield have marred dispensationalists by their error of teaching the pretrib hypothesis. The foundation of this teaching may have origins in demonic influences, through a young woman called Margaret McDonald. Some suggest that she was a female psychic and others say that she was a prophetess from the Scottish Irvingite sect in the 1800’s. Whether this is true or untrue is not the issue for me, but the fact that scripturally the teaching is totally unsound.

The major crux of this teaching relies upon Rev 3:10 “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth”. When relying on this text the dispensationalists totally ignore all normal biblical standards of interpretation. It was written to the Philadelphain church not to the whole of the Asia Minor churches and therefore in context cannot be directly applied 2000 years later to the universal church. Even if we are to literally interpret this text and apply to the rapture, the end times and the whole church. It says “He will keep us in the trials. Keep is to protect and preserve, not to remove. Matt 22 clearly shows that the body of Christ will pass through the tribulation, as those days will be cut short because of the elect. Equally we are warned, there will be many deceivers and the enemy will even try to deceive the elect if that were possible.

My biggest worry because of this teaching is that Christendom in general is unprepared for any tribulation. There is an atmosphere of ‘don’t concern yourself with what may happen, as we will be ‘raptured’ away before any of it begins’ I feel that we have seen elements of this already with the beginnings of the financial and economic meltdown facing the world. Many Christians were caught out (not up!) by trusting and believing in these systems. The politicians, Wall Street, and the City of London have been telling us that “all’s well, we are all entitled to have whatever we want, and it is our right to have financial peace and security. We should all own our homes, and buy whatever else we fancy on credit, without worry, as you can use the collateral in your house, which is rising daily because of the wonderful boom in real estate. The good times are here and here to stay”. Theses are lies from the pit of hell itself, as the rest of the world struggle to feed themselves, the West lives in luxury, but yet never sated. Unfortunately though, these lies were believed by many.

Anyway that’s my rant for the day, but let me return to the pretrib rapture. IF and that is a big IF, we are all raptured before the great tribulation and I am proved wrong, I will at the front of the procession praising and thanking my Lord and my God. However, until then, let us at least be prepared and have oil in our lamps, along with discernment and wisdom, so that when tribulation does come along, is not a shock. The scriptures tells us not to worry, as He will protect us and preserve our souls, not necessarily our lives, but the scriptures also tell us to be watchful, be prepared and expect it!

Blessings

I’m really proud to announce that eChurchWebsites (Website development for churches and christian ministries) has been listed in the creme de la creme of Christian Website directories. Have look:-

UK Christian Websites

Here is some more information about this Christian directory from their website:-

UK Christian Websites is a listing of the best British (UK-based) Christian websites, or web sites. We have a special concern for those websites which focus on strong and solid teaching.

More About This Site Directory

You may think this is a small page of links but we have purposely designed it this way! This is not a long listing – we are just giving you the creme de la creme of quality UK Christian websites.

Most Christian directories contain many thousands of links; the chances of somebody finding your listing and linking to you from such a site are infinitesimally small – but this is a ONE PAGE listing of the best UK-based Christian sites, and we will never allow it to grow beyond one page. The result? A rapid-loading page where all links can be found within a few minutes! We refuse to list poor sites here, but if we do list you, you will receive numerous ‘hits’ from this source. The lack of quality British Christian web sites is so serious that we have decided, at least initially, to include a few non-UK sites which focus on British evangelical Christians.

ABOUT OUR NAME:
We are the original UK Christian Websites – when we first conceived this name we did a search and there was no other directory of this name. Lamentably, a few have now taken this directory name without searching if any similar directory already existed. We have no connection with them. One such site contains a so-called “Official Top 50″ of UK-based Christian sites which have to pay for inclusion. There is no such thing as an “official top 50″ and if there were, such a listing should not be based on paying anybody! We have no charges. Jesus said, ‘Freely you have received, freely give.’ You just have to ask us and provided the quality is there, we will list you! NOTHING TO PAY! Of the 50 listed on that site virtually none are sites which contain many pages of solid Christian teaching – in contrast to the sites which we list, and a very few of their ‘top 50′ represent positively heretical teachings.

PLEASE READ THIS:
As we started to put this page together there were a serious lack of good quality Christian websites based in the UK; a reflection, perhaps, of modern materialistic and secular Britain. We are hoping that this situation will dramatically improve. We have no intention of making this a huge page and intend keeping it down to a maximum of about 80- 100 of the creme de la creme of quality British Christian sites.

PLEASE NOTE FURTHER:
We will generally not post the websites of local church congregations on here, but might do so if we find an excellent one with access to many teaching resources. With the mushrooming of false teachers who do not hesitate to pervert the words of Scripture in order to make themselves powerful/wealthy, we are especially interested in doctrinal and countercult sites.

What We Are Looking For…..and What We Will Tend to Exclude!

PLEASE, PLEASE do not contact us to list a site which is:
a. Currently ‘down.’
b. Only has about 3 unfinished pages.
c. Badly designed with poor site navigation.

When we check out a site, We would like to see:
1. A clear Statement of Faith.
Such a Statement testifies that the site stands in the great evangelical Faith and is not the cover for a cult.
2. A Quality site, the quality not only in sensible helpful design, but also in a sensible, consistent and intelligent approach to Christian problems and doctrinal understanding.
3. A good-sized site. Please don’t bring a site to our attention if it only has 1-10 pages.
4. Some Solid Christian Teaching.

More and more people are coming into contact with the gospel for the very first time through Christian websites – take advantage of this! Don’t believe the old idea that people will only read internet articles if they are very brief; nobody accepts this any more. Some of the most popular articles on the Museltof group of Christian websites are very, very long articles! In this day of religious pluralism and of the spreading tentacles of the cults and sects, we feel that all serious Christian sites should give at least some basic coverage to the disciplines of Apologetics and Countercult, even if this is mostly through external links. We are also always pleased to note the willingness to link to external sites where additional fine biblical teaching may be found.

This will remain a simple one page site so anything listed here will have exceptional exposure. When we tested it, for instance, a Google Search for ‘British Christian websites’ or, ‘UK Christian websites’ brought us up on the first page! It therefore follows that we expect a link back to one of our sites (E Mail us for information), ON THE HOMEPAGE. A text link would be fine. We feel this is asking very little for such exposure.

WHAT WE WILL TEND TO EXCLUDE:
1. Sites which have too many slow-loading graphics on their homepage. This has become a major turn-off for many browsers. The homepage tends to set the standard for websites; there is nothing better than a crisp, neat uncluttered homepage which loads quickly.

2. Sites which uphold false teachings. No site will ever be listed if it supports the ‘Word-faith’ message, that is, the ‘prosperity teaching’, or ‘positive confession’. We admittedly support New Covenant, four point Calvinist theology – emphasizing the teaching of grace just as the Apostle Paul did – but we will not necessarily bar a site tending towards being Arminian as long as it is not excessive and does not attack non-Arminians.

3. Sites which have a Links page pointing to the sites of false teachers. It is surprising how often otherwise fine sites include links to extremist charismatic and word-faith teacher’s sites. These are excluded.

4. Sites which generate annoying pop-up ads on page entry (although this is far less of a problem nowadays).

I’m really proud to be accepted in this excusive directory!

Webmaster

I gave the main eChurchWebsites (The home of Christian website development) a complete ‘make over’ last night.

eChurchWebsites Make Over

The original website was a bit dark and moody and I thought a little hard to read and lets face it there is no point in having great website content if its difficult to read.

I think the vibe for it was a little wrong and so I have gone for bright, clean, fast and breezy.

It’s a little different on this blog as this is more a tool for me personally and so I don’t mind this being a little dark and moody (remember I can make blogs for your church or christian ministry).

I posted an article yesterday on this blog and it was page one on Google within a minute! Check out this link to a google search for Christian Mental Illness As I am writing this blog is number 3 & 4 on the first page of Google and I only posted this yesterday! Powerful stuff so do remember that if you want to share your Christian faith and journey online I’m here to get you up and online in no time at all. It’s not just about having the blog tool, it’s knowing how to use it properly and make it powerful in the search engines.

Anyway, I digress, check out the new look eChurchWebsites. I keep thinking I should add more functionality and lots of funky tools to the website as when I gave it the make over I switched off a lot of tools, but in truth I’m quite enjoying the website simplicity. I often think of Google in this respect as unlike their competitors their standard search page is soo simple and clean and not cluttered with lots of stuff. I know that you can have your own Google search page configured how you like, but at least then you get what you want on a web page and not just tons of stuff chucked at you.

I’m ready for your comments

Blessings – Webmaster

This post has now been removed from this blog.

Please Visit the new UK Christian Mental Health Website for support, advice, articles, discussions and more.

This post has now been removed from this blog.

Please Visit the new UK Christian Mental Health Website for support, advice, articles, discussions and more.

This post has now been removed from this blog.

Please Visit the new UK Christian Mental Health Website for support, advice, articles, discussions and more.

This post has now been removed from this blog.

Please Visit the new UK Christian Mental Health Website for support, advice, articles, discussions and more.

There are different types of fast and reasons for fasting.

But let the Spirit lead you, first and foremost.

In scripture the majority of fasts would be declared for repentence, weeping before the Lord in repentence (Judges 20, 1 Samuel 7, 2Samuel 1, Neh 9, Joel 2, Jonah 3). The Jews also fasted whilst in mourning for Saul and his sons, for seven days (1 Sam 31, 1Chron 10). If an answer is required (Ezra 8), (Psalms 35) (Acts 13) Because of perscution (Psalms 69) Esther called all the Jew to fast for her life for 3 days.(Est 4) Religious fasts, for religion’s sake not for the Lord (Jer 14, Is 58, Zech 7)

In practice, if fasting is required for another to be delivered or you are interceding on behalf of another for breakthrough, then fast totally from food, using wisdom, for 3 days max. I normally have breakthrough within 2 days.

It is very important to increase your fluids, stick to clear fluids, but treble your intake because we get 75% of our fluids from food. Why now try fasting for one day to begin, or fast from your evening meal. Just to ease yourself into it. You will be amazed at the results, your hunger for the Lord increases, you feel so much better, because you taste the Lord and see that He is Good.

However, I think in your case you want to draw closer to the Lord, and He has put it on your heart to fast, so why not try a Daniel fast. This type of fast is powerful because of the length of the fast, I normally do 40 days, Daniel fasted from pleasant (desirable) food, meat and wine for 21 days.

What is vital is the humbling ourselves before God, in prayer, each time a hunger pain comes or you think of food, pray and then pray again. Get into your prayer closet and petition and seek the Lord, for He says “if you seek Me, you will find Me.”

Also when you break fast, it is a time of celebration, praise and thanksgiving,

Post Modernism takes delight in its inbuilt precommitment to pluralism (inherited from modernist), and many regard it to be a deliberate reaction to totalization of the Englightment.

I agree with some comments about the church, and their portrayals and interpretation of the gospel, of the coming kingdom, and the absoluteness of God.

Sadly we have had many years of preaching to ‘itching ears’ with the feel good factor, and alls well with the world….”because you won’t suffer for your faith, you will just be blessed beyond what you can imagine!”. Which still continues today with the prosperity gospel and one of the prominent teaching of …..dare I say it…. the pretribulation rapture, and the imminent return of the Lord. As the scripture says..”With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day”..one way to look at His ascension, is that it was only two days ago!! Sorry going off on a tangent, but you see my point.

Although I don’t agree with Post Modernist theology because of its embracement of world, however, for people to say that its roots are in New Ageism and therefore satanic is totally incorrect, again a lack of theological understanding. It’s roots are based in Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, who were absolute great thinkers and Fathers of our faith!!

Conversely, from a sociologically perspective there many cultural influences in my life, as the rest of the world. Culture is the acceptable norms and values of a society, those on the side of nurture would argue that ‘we are who we’ because of the culture we were raised within.

However, as Christians we are called to be counter culture. The gospel has not changed in 2000 years, and yet we have to present it in different formats so as it is relevant and acceptable.

God has not changed and nor has the human heart condition.

Blessings

This is the passage Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1Cor 14:1-5) regarding prophecy.

1Follow the way of love and eagerly) desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. (1Cor 14:1-5)

Does Paul suggest that he wishes everyone to be a prophet??

No, I don’t believe that, if we were all mouthpieces, how could the body work properly, without hands, without feet, or without internal organs? No, my own belief is that we just have a misunderstanding of what “prophecy” actually is.

So what is prophecy? Is not a Rhema word from God? What does Paul mean?

Verse 3 is the pivotal verse..

“But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, (edification) encouragement and comfort.”

I believe that Paul is suggesting in this passage that prophecy is a ‘word’ or message ABOUT the Lord.

Prophecy is, in this context, a word about the Lord, a forth telling about Him, led by the Holy Spirit. It is a word about His greatest, about His grace, about His mercy and about His kingdom. It is the exhortation of God and this is why it is edification for the whole church.

I am sure we have all experienced the strength and comfort when someone starts to praise God and speak out about His great wonders, we are all upbuilt. This is why I believe Paul states that this type of prophecy is therefore more desirable than speaking in tongues.

However, I believe this type of prophecy should not be confused with the gift associated with the ministry of a prophet (particularly the Old Testament). This is very different to the revelatory prophetic messages given throughout OT. Let us take just one example, messages that foretold very specific death and disaster (1 Sam 2:27-36; 1 Kings 13:20-24, Amos 7:14-17). These prophecies are not related to any Messianic prophecy, (of which there are over 400) and were certainty not edifying to those that heard them, in fact the opposite.

The ministry of a prophet involves the foretelling and forewarning, the blessings and the curses, to reprove and to reveal, to name but a few, these messages given directly from God for a specific time and a specific purpose.

In the New Testament, after receiving of the Holy Spirit Paul encourages all to use simple prophecy, but I stress again this should not be confused with the gifting associated with the ministry of a prophet, the foretelling of future events, these messages are given directly from God and spoke through prophets by “a word of knowledge”(1 Cor 12: or “a word of wisdom”. ( 1Cor 2:6-7)

Paul wishes all speak to use simple prophecy (1Cor 14:5) and glorify God, enabling the edification and comfort of the church, but not all are called to be prophets (1Cor 12:27-29). Paul implies prophecy is for comforting and encouraging. That is why Paul continues in verse 12.

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

I praise the Lord for the giving to His Bride, prophecy, tongues and all the spiritual giftings, however, I believe what is really needed is unity by embracing our diversity, but above all these things is love.

Blessings

No Devils Allowed

Sorry for adding the above image for no apparent reason…I just love it!

Anyway I have just created the new FAQ section in my main website answering all of the questions I could think of at the moment relating to myself as a christian webmaster and issues around the christian websites I develop.

Have alook when you get a moment on this link:-

eChurchWebsites FAQ

Feel free to mention any other FAQ’s that may be relevant to folks.

Webmaster eChurchWebsites

Different views are taken of the passage in Gen 6:2, Gen 6:4 :

“The sons of God noticed that the daughters of men were beautiful. They looked them over and picked out wives for themselves… This was back in the days (and also later) when there were giants in the land. The giants came from the union of the sons of God and the daughters of men. These were the mighty men of ancient lore, the famous ones.”

(1) “Sons of God” is interpreted as referring to men, (a) to sons of the nobles, who married daughters of the common people. This is the view of many Jewish authorities, who hold that it is justified by the use of ‘elohim’ in the sense of “judges” (Exo 21:6; Exo 22:8 f, etc.). But this cannot be the meaning of ‘e?lohi?m here, for when ‘a?dha?m, “men,” is used to denote the lower classes, it is contrasted with ‘ish, as in Psa 49:2, not with ‘elohim. When contrasted with ‘elohim it signifies the human race.

(b) Some commentators hold that by “sons of God” is to be understood the pious race descended from Seth, and by “daughters of men” the daughters of worldly men. These commentators connect the passage with Gen 4:25, where the race of Seth is characterised as the worshippers of Yahweh and is designated as a whole, a seed (compare Deu 14:1; Deu 32:5; Hos 1:10 (Hebrew 2:1)). They consider the restricted meaning they put upon “men” as warranted by the contrast (compare Jer 32:20; Isa 43:4), and that as the term “daughters” expresses actual descent, it is natural to understand “sons” in a similar sense. The phrase “took wives,” they contend also, supports the ethical view, being always used to signify real and lasting marriages, and cannot, therefore, be applied to the higher spirits in their unholy desire after flesh. On this view Gen 6:1-4 are an introduction to the reason for the Flood, the great wickedness of man upon the earth (Gen 6:5). It is held that nothing is said in Gen 6:4 of a race of giants springing from the union of angels with human wives, and that the violence which is mentioned along with the corruption of the world (Gen 6:11) refers to the sin of the giants.

(2) Most scholars now reject this view and interpret “sons of God” as referring to supernatural beings in accordance with the meaning of the expression in the other passages. They hold that Deu 14:1, etc., cannot be regarded as supporting the ethical interpretation of the phrase in a historical narrative. The reference to Jer 32:20, etc., too, is considered irrelevant, the contrast in these passages being between Israel and other nations, not, as here, between men and God. Nor can a narrower signification (daughters of worldly men) be attached to “men” in Gen 6:2 than to “men” in Gen 6:1, where the reference is to the human race in general. This passage (Gen 6:1-4), therefore, which is the only one of its kind, is considered to be out of its place and to have been inserted here by the compiler as an introduction to the story of the Flood (Gen 6:5-8). The intention of the original writer, however, was to account for the rise of the giant race of antiquity by the union of demigods with human wives. This interpretation accords with Enoch chapters 6 through 7, etc., and with Jud 1:6 f, where the unnatural sin of the men of Sodom who went after “strange flesh” is compared with that of the angels (compare 2Pe 2:4).

As my NKJV says in Gen 6:9 …”This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations” This infers that Noah had a pure blood line, not intermixed with nephilim or fallen angels. Perhaps this is why God chose his genes to continue the human race, Christ’s genealogy had to be pure.

Just a thought!

Blessings

Today, unfortunately in some Christians circles we are told that the varying books of the Apocrypha are erroneous, and we are advised and cautioned because their authorship is dubious. WE are told they are not inspired by God. And even if they are a mixture of truth and error, how are we to discern which is which? Many of the New Testament apocrypha are gnostic and designed specifically to pervert the gospel.

I accept that the so called gospel of Thomas and all of the other post Christ writings gospel writings are very dubious. However, what has happened is that we have (yet again) thrown the bathwater out with the baby through lack of understanding of what the actual Apocrypha works are. This is because since the 17th Century the word ‘apocrypha’ is regarded as false, rather than the true meaning of ‘hidden’. So everything that is regarded as false is now labeled apocryphal works. This is so sad as the true Apocryphal books can be a real blessing.

So below I referenced the books of what our forefathers of our faith considered to be the Apocrypha. Apocrypha was used and is still used by a large majority of Christendom, and these books can be a real blessing when read in the light of the Logos Word.

The Apocrypha of the King James is 1 Esdras (Vulgate 3 Esdras) 2 Esdras (Vulgate 4 Esdras) Tobit Judith Rest of Esther (Vulgate Esther 10:4-16:24) Wisdom Ecclesiasticus (also known as Sirach) Baruch and the Epistle of Jeremy (all part of Vulgate Baruch) Song of the Three Children (Vulgate Daniel 3:24-90) Story of Susanna (Vulgate Daniel 13) The Idol Bel and the Dragon (Vulgate Daniel 14) Prayer of Manasses 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees

The Apocrypha of the King James Bible constitutes the books of the Vulgate that are present neither in the Hebrew Old Testament nor the Greek New Testament. Since these are derived from the Septuagint, from which the old Latin version was translated, it follows that the difference between the KJV and the Roman Catholic Old Testaments is traceable to the difference between the Palestinian and the Alexandrian canons of the Old Testament. This is only true with certain reservations, as the Latin Vulgate was revised by Jerome according to the Hebrew, and, where Hebrew originals were not found, according to the Septuagint. Furthermore, the Vulgate omits 3 and 4 Maccabees, which generally appear in the Septuagint, while the Septuagint and Luther’s Bible omit 2 Esdras, which is found in the Apocrypha of the Vulgate and the King James Bible. Luther’s Bible, moreover, also omits 1 Esdras. It should further be observed that the Clementine Vulgate places the Prayer of Manasses and 3 Esdras and 4 Esdras in an appendix after the New Testament as apocryphal.

It is hardly possible to form any classification which is not open to some objection. Scholars are still divided as to the original language, date, and place of composition of some of the books which must come under this provisional attempt at order. (Thus some of the additions to Daniel and the Prayer of Manasseh are most probably derived from a Semitic original written in Palestine, yet in compliance with the prevailing opinion they are classed under Hellenistic Jewish literature. Again, the Slavonic Enoch goes back undoubtedly in parts to a Semitic original, though most of it may have been written by a Greek Jew in Egypt.)

However, the Apocrypha proper would be classified as follows:–

Palestinian Jewish Literature Historical 1 Esdras (i.e. Greek Ezra). 1 Maccabees. Legendary Book of Baruch Book of Judith Apocalyptic 2 Esdras Didactic Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus) Tobit Hellenistic Jewish Literature:– Historical and Legendary Additions to Daniel Additions to Esther Epistle of Jeremy 2 Maccabees Prayer of Manasseh Didactic Book of Wisdom

Blessings,

Thanks to Wiki and particularly to the great scholars that defend and guard our faith and the truth!

At church we have begun 40 days based on the book ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ written by Rick Warren. I must admit I was little sceptical as there is quite a lot of negative criticism about Rick Warren online, but I do take this with a pinch of salt as it seems that there is much negative criticism about every prominent christian church leader online!

In truth for me finding purpose in life is a subject that touches a nerve. Even as a christian I have always struggled on this point.

I thought that I would be fulfilled and happy once I had achieved my goals such as running a successful business and was gutted when at my most successful (in worldly terms) felt the most empty, depressed and unfulfilled….ironic!

I have tried looking for avenues to do full time ministry (especially abroad as a missionary), but every door seems to have been shut which has led to a serious consideration as to my purpose in life. I’m being real honest here but I am often attacked by a sense of pointlessness in life even as a christian, I seem to be alone with this and have never come across another christian who suffers from this.

I am really pleased to be developing websites for the christian community, this has certainly given me some purpose in life and I hope that in some way it is serving the kingdom of God and may bring fruit.

Maybe this 40 days at church going through Rick Warrens ‘Purpose Driven Life’ will help, I will post up the sermon outlines each week, which are provided by Rick Warren for the pastor to deliver and maybe also make comments about the weekly small group meetings which again is structured by Rick Warren.

Who knows maybe we will find our true purpose in life.

Interestingly a prophecy was given in the church, what follows is written by someone else:-

“On Sunday evening (19/4/09) after a wonderful time of praising the Lord and coming into His presence, we moved into a time of deep worship and the Glory fell upon us powerfully.

The Word was faithfully ministered, and as we continued to worship Him, praise God, He gave us a prophecy delivered obediently by Elaine.

“The Spirit says As you begin the 40 days of purpose. The wind of change is blowing over this place. Grasp it and do not let go“.

To grasp the wind of change. Wind in ancient Hebrew is Ru’ach, however, it encompasses so much more, and is the characteristics and very Spirit of someone. In Greek wind is Pneu’ma akin to the root word  meaning to blow. In both the Hebrew and Greek  ’wind’ is also synonymous for the Holy Spirit Himself.

We thank you and praise O God for your faithfulness, and for honouring us with your Rhema Word. We receive it Lord. We receive it Lord.”

Very encouraging actually!

Lectio Divina is latin and translates “Divine reading”. Who is the Divine? Obviously God, what has He written that we can read? the Scriptures.

The bible tells us that the Spirit leads us into all truth. So when we read the scriptures the Holy Spirit comes upon us and teaches us, corrects us, and instructs us into righteousness, so we are equipped for every good work. (2Tim 3:16)

Reading the Word of God in our personal devotional time, or quiet time if you prefer, is a personal encounter with God in the person of the Holy Spirit, who will lead us to into prayer and contemplation. What is contemplation? It is to think about or meditate.

We are told in the scripture to meditate day and night on the Word. The Jewish kings only mandate from God was to meditate day and night on the scriptures, so that they could instruct the Jews and rule the kingdoms according to the law.

Unfortunately the majority do not build upon what has been learnt from the fathers of our faith, whom spent their lives seeking God for deeper understanding of the truth.

Today if it is not something that is understood, it is may be called satanic!

Lectio Divina is a powerful way to worship our God, which is deeply rewarding and edifying for a saint. Yet these are targeted and rejected, not just by conspiracy theorists, but by people who have a total lack of understanding. (The throwing out of the baby with the bathwater).

People standing in a church building on a Sunday with their arms raised to a praise and worship tune, is now seen as the only “true way” to worship. Or the use of CD with ’soaking’ worship songs. This is good and beautiful, but there are other ways also.

It is all about coming in to the presence of the LORD. Which is exactly what happens during a devotional time of comtemplation prayer and lectio divina, except there is no distractions.

Be Still and know that I am God….

Blessings