Church and State are Logically and Lawfully Inseparable

The U.S. Constitution is the law of the land.

The U.S. Constitution is based on The Bible.

http://www.faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/the-bible-and-government

The Bible is The Word of God.

The phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in The U.S. Constitution.

The Church of the Bible (The Word of God) is the body of Christ.

Question: "How is the Church the Body of Christ?"

Answer: The phrase “the Body of Christ” is a common New Testament metaphor for the Church (all those who are truly saved). The Church is called “one body in Christ” in Romans 12:5, “one body” in 1 Corinthians 10:17, “the body of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 4:12, and “the body” in Hebrews 13:3. The Church is clearly equated with “the body” of Christ in Ephesians 5:23 and Colossians 1:24.

http://www.gotquestions.org/body-of-Christ.html

Therefore, it is logically and lawfully impossible to separate the body of Christ (The Church) from the United States as long as the following conditions remain true:

1. The United States consists of "we the people".

2. "We the people" consist (even partially) of the body of Christ (people, believers, in Christ).

3. The U.S. Constitution (as written today) remains the law of the land.

http://constitutionus.com/

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Blessings sometimes come through people. However, God is the origin (source) of all blessings.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Congress shall make no law... prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].

Religion: "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods."

Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.

Therefore as we write, as we speak, as we publish, and as we exercise our existence in Christ, as citizens of the United States, we The Church and we The State remain logically and lawfully inseparable.

In God alone are we to trust (Proverbs 3:5-8).

-Not the god of money.
-Not the god of man.

It is only through The One True Holy Living God of The Bible - Jesus Christ of Nazareth that we sinners are saved (Acts 4:12).

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The images in this post are by Doug1021, Ed Uthman, and Scott Hudson.

God bless you all!

God Will Reward Fairly

Love - by Akiane Kramarik

Psalm 37:1-11 Expanded Bible (EXB)

1  Don’t be upset [worried; angry] because of evil people.  Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong [Proverbs 24:1, Proverbs 24:19],

2  because like the grass, they will soon [quickly] dry up [wither].  Like green plants, they will soon die [fade] away.

3 Trust [Have confidence in] the Lord [Proverbs 3:5] and do good.  Live [Reside; Settle] in the land and feed on truth [or find reliable pastureland].

4 Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want [the requests of your heart].

5 Depend on [Commit your way to] the Lord; trust [have confidence in] him, and he will take care of you [Proverbs 16:3; 1 Peter 5:7].

6 Then your goodness [righteousness] will shine like the sun [ light], and your fairness [justice] like the noonday sun.

7 Wait [Be quiet before] and trust [wait for] the Lord. Don’t be upset [worried; angry] when others get rich [with the prosperity/success of their way] or when someone else’s plans succeed [or they do evil deeds].

8 Don’t get angry [Hold back from anger; Abandon wrath]. Don’t be upset [worried; angry]; it only leads to trouble [or evil].

9 Evil people will be sent away [cut off], but those who trust [wait/pin their hope on] the Lord will inherit the land.

10 In a little while the wicked will be no more.  You may look for them, but they will be gone [or no more].

11 People who are not proud [The humble/meek] will inherit the land [Matthew 5:5] and will enjoy complete peace [or much prosperity].

Image by Akiane Kramarik

The BIG Question?

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?

It is only a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
(James 4:14, Psalm 103:15-16; Psalm 90:10)

THE BIG QUESTION IS:
  
If you were to die this minute, where would you spend eternity?  

HEAVEN? or HELL?

Why should Jesus let you into Heaven?
(Revelation 22:14; Matthew 22:37-39; Hebrews 12:14)

DO YOU REALLY LOVE JESUS?
(Galatians 2:20; John 14:15; John 14:21; John 14:23; 1 John 4:7-8)

HOW MUCH?
Are you willing to die for Jesus Christ who was crucified?
(Matthew 16:24-25; Philippians 3:7; Philippians 1:21; Luke 14:33-35)

THE WORD OF GOD SAYS:

1.  GOD LOVES YOU
(John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7; John 15:13)
He loves you enough to give His only begotten son JESUS CHRIST for you.  He died at the cross in your place for your sins and rose again.
(Revelation 1:5-6; Jude 1:24)

2.  FOR YOU HAVE SINNED
All unrighteousness is sin.
(1 John 5:17; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Isaiah 59:2; Ezekiel 18:20; 1 John 3:4)
Without Jesus Christ, you are separated from God Almighty.
For the wages of sin is death physically and eternally.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Galatians 3:22)

3.  YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND ASK JESUS CHRIST TO FORGIVE YOUR SINS.
Invite Jesus Christ into your heart and receive Him as your personal Savior and Lord.
(Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9; Acts 4:12; 1 John 1:8-9; Acts 3:19)

WHAT CHOICES WILL YOU MAKE?

▢  I Accept Jesus Christ.

I have sinned.  I repent of my sins and I ask Jesus to forgive me and I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Lord.
(John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:1-2; John 1:12)

▢  I Reject Jesus Christ.

I choose to spend eternity in Hell.
(Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 21:27; Luke 13:24)

WHAT TO DO FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD?

1.  Read (and/or listen to) the Bible daily.  It's more than a book.  It's the Living Word of God.
(John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Revelation 1:3; Romans 10:17; Acts 17:11; James 1:21-22; Psalm 119:11; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 119:140)

2.  Spend time in prayer daily.
(Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 26:41; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

3.  Fellowship with a church where the Bible is preached.
(Hebrews 10:25; 1 John 1:7)

4.  Obey The Word of God and walk in the Spirit.
(Galatians 5:16-17; Galatians 5:24-25; Romans 12:2; Psalm 1:1-3; Titus 2:7; 1 John 2:3-6; 3 John 1:11; Hebrews 13:20-21)

IF YOU ARE A BELIEVER (SAVED) ... ?

ARE YOU FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?
(Acts 1:4-5; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-41; Acts 11:15-17;  Acts 13:52; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:39; Ephesians 5:18)

ARE YOU LIVING A SANCTIFIED AND HOLY LIFE WHICH IS WELL PLEASING TO THE LORD?
(Ephesians 5:1-11; Romans 6:1-22; 1 Peter 1:14-16; Hebrews 12:14; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 101:3; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 John 5:18; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Corinthians 7:1)

ARE YOU ABIDING IN JESUS CHRIST AND PRODUCING THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
(Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-10; Romans 8:5-9; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:1-3; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:15-21; 1 John 5:1-5; 1 John 5:11-13; Matthew 7:17-20; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 2:15; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 John 2:17; 1 John 2:24-25; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Credits:  All Glory is to God!
Romans 11:36

Bride of Christ Fellowship Ministries
1509 Merlin Road
Bourbonnais, IL 60914

Abraham:  abepraises@yahoo.com
Lynn:  lynnmetz3@yahoo.com
Ron:  wheeler316@yahoo.com

We would love to hear from you!

Photo by: Stéfan

THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS

Compiled and published by Evangelist. J. S. McConnell in 1925.

Jesus, in the Gospels, laid down the great foundational principles and laws to govern the children of God during the entire church age – "even unto the end of the world," as we see from His great commission as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.  Our great duty and privilege is to do as He said, "Follow Me."

We see the practical results which followed the keeping of His commandments in the great revivals as recorded in the book of Acts.  Further explanations and application of the commandments of Jesus are given by the Lord through the writers of the epistles, but the foundational principles and the final authority rests in the words of Jesus Himself.  In the book of Revelation
Jesus gives His final warnings, reproofs, instructions and encouragements to the Church.

An outline of the Commandments of Jesus, under twenty-one principles is given below.  Examine yourself by these.  Read over these words of our Lord and take an inventory often.  See if you are, in truth, pleasing God, or if you are deceiving yourself.  God, the heavenly Father, loved you so much that He gave His Son, Jesus, to die for you (see John 3:16). He will help you if you humble yourself, are willing to follow Jesus, and will earnestly seek HIM.

Ask God to help you understand the teachings of Jesus, and to live them out in your life.  Salvation and the true Christian life is a gigantic love affair.  It is not by merely keeping the letter of the Word that we will please God; we must keep the spirit of the two great commandments all through our lives, and remember that these two great principles are given to guide us in knowing just how God would have us apply the teachings of His Holy Word.  Here are the two great foundational commandments:  "Jesus said…Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  Matthew 22:37-40.

THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS

I.
REPENTANCE

1. "Repent"	Matt. 4:17; Rev. 2:5
2. "Come unto Me"	Matt. 11:28
3. "Seek first God and His righteousness"	Matt. 6:33
4. "Forgive if ye have ought against any"	Mark 11:25
5. "Deny Yourself"	Matt. 16:24
6. "Ask…seek…knock"	Matt. 7:7
7. "Strive to enter in at the strait gate"	Luke 13:24

II.
BELIEF

1. "Believe the Gospel"	Mark. 1:15
2. "Ye believe in God, believe also in Me"	John 14:1
3. "Believe on Him who He (God) hath sent"	John 6:28-29
4. "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me"	John 14:11
5. "Believe the works…I do"	John 10:37-38
6. "While ye have light believe in the light"	John 12:36
7. "Believe that ye receive"	Mark 11:24

III.
 THE NEW BIRTH

1. "Ye must be born again"	John 3:7
2. "Cleanse first that which is within"	Matt. 23:26
3. "Make the tree good, and his fruit good"	Matt. 12:33
4. "Abide in Me and I in you"	John 15:4
5. "Have salt in yourselves"	Mark 9:50
6. "Labor…for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life"	John 6:27
7. "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven"	Luke 10:20

The Best Is Yet To Come

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)… states that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” In other words… ”THE BEST IS YET TO COME.”  There are “glories” that come to the Christian who has left this life.  Paul speaks of these “glories” in 1 Corinthians 15:40-44. Paul uses the word “glory” seven times, and calls attention to the different phases of glory as seen in the sun, moon, and stars. He then takes these “glories” and indicates that there is a difference in “glory” between the earthly physical body and the heavenly body. Our earthly body is corruptible and ceases to exist after we die… the heavenly body lives on… Our heavenly body corresponds to the earthly body, as far as identity and likeness goes, but it is spiritual and incorruptible in nature and quality. Human language cannot describe the “glories” that are waiting for Believers. The Apostle John, in Revelation 22:1-6, saw seven glories for the Believers in heaven. We want to look at these “glories” very briefly… THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

The glory of a perfect environment… Revelation 22:3 (ASV)… “The throne of God and the Lamb shall be therein.” None of the imperfections of earth will be there. Nothing that has cursed mankind shall exist there.  Whenever the Prophets saw a crisis in their nation, they almost always were transported in a vision where they saw the throne of God (note… Isaiah 6:1-6, Ezekiel 1:1, 26-28, Daniel 7:9, Revelation 4:1-3). Why? God re-assured them as to whose world it was and showed them the right throne. The first glory that the believer experiences when they arrive in heaven is the throne of God. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

The glory of perfect service… Revelation 22:3… “And His servants shall serve Him.” The word “serve” means… “to minister unto God… worship… give honor.” Many people serve the Lord here on earth with handicaps such as criticism from others… lack of finances… pressures… anxieties… persecutions… and a lot more. Yes, they love the Lord deeply… and they see a need and try to fill it. There will be freedom from earth’s restrictions… This is the second glory the believers will experience … Pure worship and service. BUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME…

The glory of perfect vision… Revelation 22:3… “And they shall see His face.” No longer is God’s face (presence) hidden. Often on earth, His presence is not seen or felt because of imperfections in the human character. But in the perfect environment of heaven, there is no sin and the believer experiences the glory of “seeing God.” 1 Chronicles 16:27 speaks about glory, honor, and power in God’s presence. Exodus 33:13-15 speaks of rest in His presence. Psalm 31:20 speaks of security in His presence. Psalm 16:11 speaks of joy in His presence. Acts 3:19 speaks of refreshing in His presence. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

The glory of perfect character… Revelation 22:4… “And His name shall be in their foreheads.”  The “name” stands for character. Your name here on earth is a prophetic insight into your character. For example… my name is “George”… the meaning is… “a seed planter, a farmer, a tiller of the soil”… I like the phrase “growth facilitator” better… My name is a picture of my character and ministry. Not being in heaven as yet, my character and ministry are not perfect. In heaven, God puts His name in my forehead …  i.e… His character becomes my character. Here in this life, we struggle to perfect our character. In heaven, the struggle is over. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

The glory of a perfect day… Revelation 22:5… “And there shall be no night there.” Night speaks of darkness and all its “hidden works.” These hidden works cause sorrows of every kind. The glory of heaven is that it’s a perfect day… there is no darkness.  Nothing can go wrong when everything is righteous and free from defilement. We all long for the glory of a perfect day. We do try to make a good day here on earth and often we fail. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

The glory of perfect light… Revelation 22:5… “For the Lord God giveth them light.”  Note… Revelation 21:23 (KJV)… “For the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof.” The word “candle” refers to man-made light… artificial light. With all the great sermons preached today, it’s still “candle” light.  THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

The glory of a perfect rule… Revelation 22:5… “And they shall reign forever and ever.” Here on earth, we reign with limitations… We start and stop… Our work is related to time, minutes, hours, days, months, and years. How do you describe forever and ever? After death, all time disappears. We are free from hindrances. No one in heaven can say, “I have no time.” We reign as kings forever. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME… There is a glory that is beyond earthly glory… and it is waiting for us… Paul spoke of the Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians 4:1-10 and he states that God gave us the “earnest” of the Spirit… The word “earnest” means… a pledge of something given in advance, as security for the rest that is to come… God gave the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost… While you wait for the glory that is yet to come… be filled with the Spirit… walk in faith and love and hope… keep pressing on.

Inspired of God, penned by Pastor George Belobaba

Copyright © 2011 by Scripture Nuggets Ministries
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37 Biblical Statements About Giving

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.

Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Proverbs 11:24-25
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 21:26
…the righteous gives and does not hold back.

Proverbs 22:9
He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS

by Andrew Wommack Ministries

Luke 10:17 - "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

It was the power in the name of Jesus plus the disciples' faith in that power that made the demons subject unto them. This can clearly be seen in Acts 19:13-17 where certain Jews called on the name of Jesus in an effort to cast demons out of a man. They used the name of Jesus, but it didn't work because they had not put faith in that name.

These Jews were itinerants who used incantations to effect deliverance for people who were demon possessed. The first-century historian, Josephus, wrote of an exorcism that he witnessed in the presence of Vespasian and many of his soldiers. The exorcist supposedly followed a ritual passed down from King Solomon to effect the deliverance. There is no doubt that men throughout all history have tried to resist demonic spirits, but as this example proves, only Jesus and those who have received His life are successful.

Those who relegate demonic spirits to the realm of superstition do not believe in the entire Word of God. The Gospels alone contain over 90 references to the devil or devils (demons). The Apostle Paul said when writing to these people in Ephesus, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12). The devil and demons do exist, but all believers in Jesus share in His total victory over them.

The name of Jesus is not magic. It does not work like a charm. As Peter said, "His name, through faith in his name" (Acts 3:16) is what brings results.

Image by Jason Foster