We ought to obey God rather than men / Trebuie sa ascultam mai mult de Dumnezeu decat de oameni

 [En] "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." - Acts 5:29 KJV

Nowadays people are trying so hard to find the right leader. They spend hours waiting to vote for their favourite; they march in protest against one or the other; they put their faith in someone and nothing good ever happens. They have to start all over again. 

It's like winning the lottery: maybe this time we'll choose the right one. Maybe we'll get lucky. Hardly ever happens. 

It all began in the time of Moses:

"And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." 

-Exodus 20:19

And it was so from that day on until today. Everybody listens to other people instead of God. 

We can vote, we can protest, we can fight but we'll never find the right leader. 

There's only one solution to this: fixing what went wrong back then. 

The solution is :STOP listening to people and listen God again. God speak with us again lest we die. 

Let's obey God again rather than men! 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." - Revelation 21:4 KJV

[Ro] "Trebuie sa ascultam mai mult de Dumnezeu decat de oameni" - Faptele Ap. 5:29

Oamenii din ziua de azi se chinuie sa gaseasca liderul potrivit. Ei merg si stau ore intregi la vot, protesteaza impotriva unora sau altora, isi pun nadejdea in unul sau altul si data viitoare o iau de la inceput. Totul e degeaba. E ca la loz in plic: poate poate nimerim unul bun, poate asta-i cu noroc. Nu se intampla aproape niciodata.

Totul a început pe vremea lui Moise cand oameniii au spus urmatoarele:

Ei au zis lui Moise: „Vorbește-ne tu însuţi, și te vom asculta, dar să nu ne mai vorbească Dumnezeu, ca să nu murim.” - Exodul 20:19

De atunci pana azi exact asa a ramas: toti asculta de alti oameni si mai deloc de Dumnezeu.

Putem noi sa ne zbatem la infinit ca niciodata un om nu va putea gasi solutia perfecta.

!!! Singura solutie este corectarea greselii din trecut.

Solutia este: Sa nu ne mai vorbeasca Iohanis, Orban, Trump, etc. Sa ne vorbeasca Dumnezeu ca sa nu murim.

Haideti sa ascultam din nou de Dumnezeu mai mult decat de oameni.

"El va șterge orice lacrimă din ochii lor. Și moartea nu va mai fi. Nu va mai fi nici tânguire, nici ţipăt, nici durere, pentru că lucrurile dintâi au trecut.” -Apocalipsa 21:4

What is truth?/ Ce este adevarul?

 

[EN] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. - John 14:6 KJV

More than two thousand years ago, Truth was put on trial and judged by people who were devoted to lies. In fact, Truth faced six trials in less than one full day, three of which were religious, and three that were legal. In the end, few people involved in those events could answer the question, “What is truth?”

After being arrested, the Truth was first led to a man named Annas, a corrupt former high priest of the Jews. Annas broke numerous Jewish laws during the trial, including holding the trial in his house, trying to induce self-accusations against the defendant, and striking the defendant, who had been convicted of nothing at the time. After Annas, the Truth was led to the reigning high priest, Caiaphas, who happened to be Annas’s son-in-law. Before Caiaphas and the Jewish Sanhedrin, many false witnesses came forward to speak against the Truth, yet nothing could be proved and no evidence of wrongdoing could be found. Caiaphas broke no fewer than seven laws while trying to convict the Truth: (1) the trial was held in secret; (2) it was carried out at night; (3) it involved bribery; (4) the defendant had no one present to make a defense for Him; (5) the requirement of 2-3 witnesses could not be met; (6) they used self-incriminating testimony against the defendant; (7) they carried out the death penalty against the defendant the same day. All these actions were prohibited by Jewish law. Regardless, Caiaphas declared the Truth guilty because the Truth claimed to be God in the flesh, something Caiaphas called blasphemy.

When morning came, the third trial of the Truth took place, with the result that the Jewish Sanhedrin pronounced the Truth should die. However, the Jewish council had no legal right to carry out the death penalty, so they were forced to bring the Truth to the Roman governor at the time, a man named Pontius Pilate. Pilate was appointed by Tiberius as the fifth prefect of Judea and served in that capacity A.D. 26 to 36. The procurator had power of life and death and could reverse capital sentences passed by the Sanhedrin. As the Truth stood before Pilate, more lies were brought against Him. His enemies said, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King” (Luke 23:2). This was a lie, as the Truth had told everyone to pay their taxes (Matthew 22:21) and never spoke of Himself as a challenge to Caesar.

After this, a very interesting conversation between the Truth and Pilate took place. “Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?’ Pilate answered, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.’ Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:33–38).

Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” has reverberated down through history. Was it a melancholy desire to know what no one else could tell him, a cynical insult, or perhaps an irritated, indifferent reply to Jesus’ words?

In a postmodern world that denies that truth can be known, the question is more important than ever to answer. What is truth?

During the six trials of Jesus, the contrast between the truth (righteousness) and lies (unrighteousness) was unmistakable. There stood Jesus, the Truth, being judged by those whose every action was bathed in lies. The Jewish leaders broke nearly every law designed to protect a defendant from wrongful conviction. They fervently worked to find any testimony that would incriminate Jesus, and in their frustration, they turned to false evidence brought forward by liars. But even that could not help them reach their goal. So they broke another law and forced Jesus to implicate Himself.

Once in front of Pilate, the Jewish leaders lied again. They convicted Jesus of blasphemy, but since they knew that wouldn’t be enough to coax Pilate to kill Jesus, they claimed Jesus was challenging Caesar and was breaking Roman law by encouraging the crowds to not pay taxes. Pilate quickly detected their superficial deception, and he never even addressed the charge.

Jesus the Righteous was being judged by the unrighteous. The sad fact is that the latter always persecutes the former. It’s why Cain killed Abel. The link between truth and righteousness and between falsehood and unrighteousness is demonstrated by a number of examples in the New Testament:

   • For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11–12).

   • “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

   • “who will render to each person according to his deeds; to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation” (Romans 2:6–8).

   • “[love] does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:5–6).

The question Pontius Pilate asked centuries ago needs to be rephrased in order to be completely accurate. The Roman governor’s remark “What is truth?” overlooks the fact that many things can have the truth, but only one thing can actually be the Truth. Truth must originate from somewhere.

The stark reality is that Pilate was looking directly at the Origin of all Truth on that early morning more than two thousand years ago. Not long before being arrested and brought to the governor, Jesus had made the simple statement “I am the truth” (John 14:6), which was a rather incredible statement. How could a mere man be the truth? He couldn’t be, unless He was more than a man, which is actually what He claimed to be. The fact is, Jesus’ claim was validated when He rose from the dead (Romans 1:4).

Pilate evidently never came to a knowledge of the truth. Eusebius, the historian and Bishop of Caesarea, records the fact that Pilate ultimately committed suicide sometime during the reign of the emperor Caligula—a sad ending and a reminder for everyone that ignoring the truth always leads to undesired consequences.

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[RO] Isus i-a zis: „Eu sunt Calea , Adevărul și Viaţa . Nimeni  nu vine la Tatăl decât prin Mine. - Ioan 14:6 VDC

Cu aproximativ 2.000 de ani în urmă, Adevărul a fost supus procesului și judecat de oameni devotați minciunilor. În fapt, Adevărul a trecut prin șase procese judiciare în mai puțin de o zi întreagă, trei dintre care au fost religioase și trei legale. În final, puțini oameni implicați în aceste evenimente puteau răspunde la întrebarea: „Ce este adevărul?"

După ce a fost arestat, Adevărul a fost mai întâi dus la un om numit Ana, un fost mare preot corupt al evreilor. Ana a încălcat numeroase legi evreiești în timpul procesului, inclusiv prin ținerea procesului în casa lui, prin încercarea de a induce autoacuzații împotriva pârâtului și prin lovirea acestuia, care nu era condamnat pentru nimic în acel moment. După Ana, Adevărul a fost dus la marele preot aflat în funcție, Caiafa, care se întâmpla să fie ginerele lui Ana. Înaintea lui Caiafa și a Sanhedrinului evreiesc, mulți martori falși au ieșit în față să vorbească împotriva Adevărului, și totuși nimic nu a putut fi dovedit și nu s-a găsit nicio dovadă de lucru rău săvârșit. Caiafa a încălcat nu mai puțin de șapte legi în timp ce încerca să condamne Adevărul: (1) procesul a fost ținut în secret; (2) a fost desfășurat noaptea; (3) a implicat mituire; (4) pârâtul nu a avut pe nimeni prezent care să-I ia apărarea; (5) cerința de 2-3 martori nu a putut fi îndeplinită; (6) au folosit mărturii autoincriminatoare împotriva pârâtului; (7) au dus la îndeplinire pedeapsa cu moartea împotriva acuzatului în aceeași zi. Toate aceste acțiuni erau interzise de legea evreiască. În orice caz, Caiafa a declarat Adevărul vinovat pentru că Adevărul a pretins că e Dumnezeu întrupat, lucru pe care Caiafa l-a numit blasfemie.

Când a venit dimineața, a avut loc al treilea proces al Adevărului, rezultatul fiind că Sanhedrinul evreiesc s-a pronunțat că Adevărul trebuie să moară. Însă consiliul evreiesc nu avea drept legal să ducă la îndeplinire pedeapsa cu moartea, astfel că au fost obligați să ducă Adevărul în fața guvernatorului roman din acel timp, un om numit Ponțiu Pilat. Pilat a fost desemnat de Tiberius al cincilea prefect al Iudeii și a deservit în acea funcție din anul 26 până în 36 d.Cr. Procuratorul avea putere de viață și moarte și putea anula pedepsele capitale hotărâte de Sanhedrin. În timp ce Adevărul a stat înaintea lui Pilat, și mai multe minciuni au fost aduse împotriva Lui. Dușmanii Lui au spus: „Pe omul acesta l-am găsit ațâțând neamul nostru la răscoală, oprind a plăti bir cezarului și zicând că el este Cristosul, Împăratul." (Luca 23.2) Aceasta a fost o minciună, pentru că Adevărul le-a spus tuturor să-și plătească birurile (Matei 22.21) și nu a vorbit niciodată despre Sine ca fiind o amenințare la adresa lui Cezar.

După acestea a avut loc o conversație foarte interesantă între Adevăr și Pilat. „Pilat a intrat iarăși în odaia de judecată, L-a chemat pe Isus și I-a zis: «Ești Tu Împăratul iudeilor?» Isus i-a răspuns: «De la tine însuți zici lucrul acesta sau ți l-au spus alții despre Mine?» Pilat a răspuns: «Eu sunt iudeu? Neamul Tău și preoții cei mai de seamă Te-au dat în mâna mea. Ce ai făcut?» «Împărăția Mea nu este din lumea aceasta», a răspuns Isus. «Dacă ar fi Împărăția Mea din lumea aceasta, slujitorii Mei s-ar fi luptat ca să nu fiu dat în mâinile iudeilor, dar, acum, Împărăția Mea nu este de aici.» «Atunci, un Împărat tot ești!» I-a zis Pilat. «Da», a răspuns Isus. «Eu sunt Împărat. Eu pentru aceasta M-am născut și am venit în lume, ca să mărturisesc despre adevăr. Oricine este din adevăr ascultă glasul Meu.» Pilat I-a zis: «Ce este adevărul?»" (Ioan 18.33-38)

Întrebarea lui Pilat: „Ce este adevărul?" a răsunat de-a lungul istoriei. A fost oare o dorință melancolică de a ști ceea ce nimeni altcineva nu-i putea spune, o insultă cinică sau poate un răspuns indiferent, iritat la cuvintele lui Isus?

Într-o lume postmodernă care neagă faptul că adevărul poate fi cunoscut, e mai important decât oricând ca întrebarea să primească răspuns. Ce este adevărul?

În timpul celor șase procese prin care a trecut Isus, contrastul dintre adevăr (neprihănire) și minciuni (nelegiuire) a fost de neconfundat. Acolo era Isus, Adevărul, fiind judecat de cei ale căror acțiuni erau toate cufundate în minciuni. Conducătorii evrei au încălcat aproape toate legile destinate să protejeze un acuzat de o condamnare greșită. Au lucrat intens să găsească vreo mărturie care să-L incrimineze pe Isus și, în frustrarea lor, s-au îndreptat spre dovezile false aduse de mincinoși. Însă nici măcar acest lucru nu i-a putut ajuta să-și atingă scopul. Astfel că au încălcat o altă lege și L-au forțat pe Isus să Se autodenunțe.

Odată ajuns în fața lui Pilat, liderii evrei au mințit din nou. Ei L-au condamnat pe Isus pentru blasfemie, însă pentru că știau că acest lucru nu va fi suficient ca să-l convingă pe Pilat să-L omoare pe Isus, au pretins că Isus era împotriva Cezarului și încălca legea romană prin faptul că încuraja mulțimile să nu plătească birurile. Pilat a detectat repede înșelătoria lor superficială și nici măcar nu a abordat această acuză.

Isus cel Neprihănit era judecat de cei nelegiuiți. Faptul trist e că cei din această a doua categorie îi persecută întotdeauna pe cei din prima. De aceea Cain l-a omorât pe Abel. Legătura dintre adevăr și neprihănire și dintre falsitate și nelegiuire e demonstrată printr-o serie de exemple din Noul Testament:

• „Din această pricină, Dumnezeu le trimite o lucrare de rătăcire, ca să creadă o minciună: pentru ca toți cei ce n-au crezut adevărul, ci au găsit plăcere în nelegiuire, să fie osândiți." (2 Tesaloniceni 2.9-12)

• „Mânia lui Dumnezeu se descoperă din cer împotriva oricărei necinstiri a lui Dumnezeu și împotriva oricărei nelegiuiri a oamenilor, care înăbușă adevărul în nelegiuirea lor." (Romani 1.18)

• „... care va răsplăti fiecăruia după faptele lui. Și anume va da viața veșnică celor ce, prin stăruința în bine, caută slava, cinstea și nemurirea, și va da mânie și urgie celor ce, din duh de gâlceavă, se împotrivesc adevărului și ascultă de nelegiuire." (Romani 2.6-8)

• „[Dragostea] nu se poartă necuviincios, nu caută folosul său, nu se mânie, nu se gândește la rău, nu se bucură de nelegiuire, ci se bucură de adevăr." (1 Corinteni 13.5-6)

Întrebarea pe care a pus-o Ponțiu Pilat cu secole în urmă trebuie să fie reformulată, ca să fie cu totul exactă. Remarca guvernatorului roman „Ce este adevărul?" trece cu vederea faptul că multe lucruri pot conține adevărul, însă un singur lucru poate fi realmente Adevărul. Adevărul trebuie să-și aibă originile undeva.

Realitatea șocantă este că în dimineața aceea devreme, cu peste două mii de ani în urmă, Pilat privea direct Originea întregului Adevăr. Nu cu mult timp înainte să fie arestat și adus în fața guvernatorului, Isus a făcut simpla afirmație „Eu sunt Adevărul" (Ioan 14.6), care a fost o afirmație într-adevăr incredibilă. Cum putea un simplu om să fie adevărul? Nu putea fi, dacă nu ar fi fost mai mult decât un om, lucru care de fapt l-a pretins că este. În fapt, pretenția lui Isus a fost validată când a înviat din morți (Romani 1.4).

Pilat în mod evident nu a ajuns niciodată la cunoașterea adevărului. Eusebiu, istoricul și episcopul din Cezareea, consemnează faptul că Pilat în cele din urmă s-a sinucis, în timpul domniei lui Caligula – un sfârșit trist și o aducere-aminte pentru toți că ignorarea adevărului duce întotdeauna la consecințe nedorite.

gotquestions.org

Ingrijoreaza-te cu folos

Si aruncati asupra lui toate ingrijorarile voastre, caci El insusi ingrijeste de voi. (1Petru 5:7)

Da, ni se cere sa ne bucuram intotdeauna, caci un duh mahnit e uscaciunea oaselor. Sa aruncam toate ingrijorarile in bratele Tatalui ceresc, caci El insusi poarta grija noastra.

De multe ori insa ne ingrijoram mai mult de viata noastra si ii dam lui Dumnezeu ce ramane...Ii punem la tron rebuturile noastre, primul ceas din zi, fuseriti de somn si ultima ora, imbatati de oboseala.

Frate/ Sora, ingrijoreaza-te daca stai mai mult in oglinda si mai putin in rugaciune.

Ingrijoreaza-te daca mai mult te plangi, decat sa canti spre cer cu multumiri.

Te ingrijoreaza daca vorbesti mai mult cu oamenii si mai putin cu Dumnezeu.

Fii chinuit de ingrijorare daca sufletul nu-ti tanjeste dupa Cer.

Ingrijoreaza-te daca inima nu ti-e plina de dragoste, caci acolo nu locuieste Dumnezeu.

Lasa-te macinat de ingrijorarea unor genunchi neobisnuiti cu rugaciunea.

Ingrijoreaza-te de casa ta din cer.

Ingrijoreaza-te cand inima ti-e mahnita si posaca. 

Creste in ingrijorare atunci cand sufletul nu-ti tanjeste dupa sfintenie.

Ingrijoreaza-te cu folos...  

(Simona Pop)

The Blind Spot

<< I have been driving for 50 years and I have never had an accident! But this is only the grace of God. Anyone who drives knows that avoiding an accident depends not only on him but also on the actions of those around him.

Every year hundreds are caught in another driver's blind spot resulting in an accident for which they are not responsible. It is estimated that this is the cause of as many as two-thirds of all accidents. The term "blind spot" describes a portion of one's field of vision that, in spite of the use of mirrors, is blocked from one's view.

Blind spots can also appear in our lives. In spite of taking every precaution to protect ourselves, just as in traffic accidents happen. The Ten Commandments and other Bible teachings can be seen as traffic regulations designed to direct us to our heavenly destination.

Rather than being an annoyance, as some seem to think, these regulations guide us through each day, helping us to avoid damage to ourselves and others.

Regarding this subject there are two opposing views. Some choose to rely completely on God's grace, while others completely on His laws. Some people try their hardest to live in accordance with God's law as they perceive it, in every situation, while others depend on the freedom they have in the Messiah. They see adherence to biblical laws and regulations as Old Testament "legalism".

Accidents, however, seem to occur to both groups of people, those who follow the path of law and those who adhere to grace. True believers can, among other things, get embroiled in divorce, greed, criminal activity and sexual promiscuity or perversity.

How can such things happen to believers? Do they take advantage of the grace they have in the Messiah (to escape the consequences of sin), or is legalism not working for them?

This is where the "blind spot" comes into play. It is not enough to simply rely o grace, thinking that everything will work out in the end, or to depend on our ability to keep God's laws; we also need to have a completely clear field of view. Even though we think that we have everything covered, that we have checked all the "mirrors" in our lives so to speak, the is still that dangerous "blind spot" to contend with. That is why we must be extra cautious, and look very carefully, before making what could be dangerous moves or turns (decisions).

For this we need to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that we should operate as robots, acting as if governed by remote control. Allowing the Holy Spirit access into every area of our lives will help keep us from falling into self-righteousness if we are close adherents of the law, and from falling into sin because of the freedom provided by grace.

In James 2:20 we read that "faith without works is dead". In other words, faith is expressed through works. Here again we come to the blind spot, that straight and narrow path between law and grace, that we need to keep constantly in our sights. Anyone who builds his life solely on one or the other is not taking heed of the blind spot and is therefore endangering not only his own faith but also that of his fellow men.

Therefore, we need the leading of the Holy Spirit, the comforter whom Yeshua (Jesus) said would "teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26). Onlyy then will we be able to say together with Paul, "My conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 9:1). It is neither a feeling of being obedient to a religious tradition that guarantees me an exemplary life nor a blind adherence to grace. It is the Holy Spirit. >>

(Ludwig Schneider, israeltoday.co.il)

Speak and go forward

Why do we worry? Why do you wonder? Why do you wait? Speak and go forward. Don't cry out, say, "O Lord, is it Your will to heal today?" Sure, it's Your will. “Thus saith the Lord” it's His will.

"Can I receive the Holy Ghost today?” “Is the days of miracles past?" Certainly the days of miracles is here forever. The Holy Spirit is here.

"Does men speak with tongues today?" The Bible said so, "These signs shall follow them that believe."

"Does men interpretate messages?" The Bible said they do. That settles it.

"‘Thus saith the Lord,’ speak, don't cry. Speak and go forward." God doesn't want a bunch of crying babies. He wants men that's got backbone, not wishbones. "Wished I had it, wished I could do this." Backbones that'll stand in the breach (Amen.), claim the victory, claim a called out in the midst of darkness. No matter what anyone says, we speak and go forward. Believe the Message.

God's here; He'll vindicate His Message. God's here. He's the same God that He was back yonder on Galilee. He's the same God that He was in the days of Moses. He can't fail. Do you believe it?"

W.M.Branham

Asking the wrong question | Why vs.What for?

We are all looking for answers in our lives, particularly when things go wrong. So long as everything is going well, we tend to simply accept the natural course of things. It's as if everything good in our lives is expected, while bad things demand an explanation.

Looking back on the history of Israel, I often ask myself why did the chosen people have to endure so much evil and so many tragedies? Human understanding has no logical answer to this question. But perhaps we're asking the wrong questions.

A few weeks ago, Rona Ramon made me aware of the difference between lama and le'ma, "why" versus "what for". In one of her last interviews, the wife of Israel's first astronaut said that "it became clear to me that the question lama was pulling me under. There was no answer as to why my husband Ilan and my son Assaf lost their lives. I wouldn't find any answer to that question. That is why I am asking: le'ma? For what reason did this happen to me?"

In mid-December, Rona died of cancer at age 54. She leaves behind three children. In february 2003, her husband, Ilan, was killed when the Space Shuttle Columbia burnt up on re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. He was just 48-ears-old. Six years later, her oldest child, Asaf, died at age 21 when his Israel Air Force jet crashed during a training exercise.
The tragedy deeply moved Israeli society. "I would like to understand what for."A play on words, as can often happen in Hebrew. Vowels are expressed simply by means of marks under the letters, such as is the case with lama and le'ma.
To the question of Why? Rona found no answer, but, there was an answer to the question What for? The Ramon foundation that she founded supports the young generation in the Land, in particular in the field of science through the Ramon SpaceLab.

Why me? The question of why only serves to drag us backwards, looking for causes in the past, bemoaning our fate and wallowing in self-pity. The why has us searching for reasons for our actions, or lack of action. A why only rarely leads to satisfactory answers, because question is turned towards the past.

What for? A what for directs our eyes forward. As a result, we are not putting ourselves in the center, but rather focusing on the purpose. Even if both questions sound similar, and can sometimes have the same answers, the emphasis is different. In what for there is power, as it is not asking for reasons, but rather for an objective. And that gives hope and encourages us. A what for? helps us to move on.

So for what reason did Israel have to endure so many tragedies both in the times of the Bible and following the rise of the Church? For what reason was Joseph thrown into the pit by his brothers and sold to the Ishamaelites? Are people affected by tragedies cursed people, or strengthened people? Did Israel and Joseph give in to self-pity, or did they look to the future?

Both placed the purpose of their suffering as their focal point and did not look back. Lot's wife destroyed her future because she looked back. Directing our eyes forward gives us hope and encourages us. Joseph's detours brought him to his goal, to the right-hand of Pharaoh. Thus he was in a position to first rescue the gentiles from starvation, and, in the end, save his own family. From Israel, faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sprang forth and culminated in the coming of the Messiah.

Israel's existence glorifies God, but it angers God's enemies. As a result of this spiritual tension, the nation of Israel has suffered throughout the generations. But the trade-off has been that hope and truth pointing to the existence and faithfulness of God have remained alive in the world. If Israel had had a boring and radiant life without any problems, then none of us would have asked the question: What for?

The question here is how one formulates the question.

Aviel Schneider - Israeltoday

He is the North Star

It's like Elisha of old said, "If God be God then serve Him." And if Jesus is the Center of all things to the Christian, then I think we ought to let loose of everything else and cleave to Him. 

Remember, He is the Center; He is the North Star; He is the Ultimate; He is the Absolute. And if He is the North Star... There's only one thing that'll point to the north star; that's your compass that you're sailing with. And the Compass that I'm trying you to sail with is the Word, and the Word always points to Him.

And we feel like that we're going through a great time of distress and trials, perplexity of the time and distress between the nations, and all kinds of things happening, and sometimes I get engulfed like I... Everywhere I look it's like in a ship out on the sea.

 And I've been give charge of the Boat. And how we going to make it? And here comes one with a white cap, hundred times bigger than my ship, but we'll crest them, every one. We are more than victors through Him. The Captain, the Chief Captain, has got a hold of the string on the end of the ship, He'll pull it through. We'll crest every one of them".

W. M. Branham

I have everything

Can we have everything...
...or should having plenty be enough?

The biblical story of Jacob and Esau teaches us an important difference between having plenty (rav in hebrew) and having everything (hakol) - and this could change the way we think about and appreciate what we have.

We all know how the classic story begins with Jacob grasping the heel of his brother Esau in order to try and be the firstborn. God had warned Rebecca that: "Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples  shall be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23). When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents" (Genesis 25:27).

Jacob eventually outwits Esau and 'steals' his brother's birthright in exchange for  a bowl of lentil stew. Jacob then flees from Esau and goes to live with his uncle Laban in Haran, and as the years passed by, each brother becomes the head of a large, wealthy and successful family. When they finally meet up again,  it is instructive that the first thing the brothers want to show each other is how much they have and how rich they have become.

In their dialogue (Genesis 33:8-11), we read that while they embrace and weep in each others arms, Esau marvels at Jacob's large family. "What, are these your wives and children?" he asks, Jacob introduces his family and explains, "These are the children whom God has graciously given your servant," Still feeling unsure, Esau wants to know why Jacob is parading all of his wealth before him." What do you mean by all this company (family) which I have met?" he asks. Jacob tells him that he only hopes, "to find favour in your sight." But Esau will have none of it and gloats to his brother saying, " I have plenty, my brother. Let what you have to be your own." Jacob however, insists and implores Esau, "Please take my gift which has been brought to you because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have everything."

It was hard for the older Esau to accept a gift from Jacob. He wanted his younger twin brother to see that he had also made something of himself. Describing his wealth, Esau claims, "I have plenty". It was as though he was boasting to Jacob, "Don't worry, I am rich too and will even surpass you one dau, I don't need your help."

Jacob tells his brother that he is not doing too badly either, and says, "I have everything." What a difference! Jacob is satisfied with what he has and feels that he already has "everything." Content with what God has given him, he can offer his older brother some of his wealth. Esau, on the other hand, says that he has "plenty," but he clearly wants more, at least more than his brother.

For Esau, "plenty" describes an amount that can be counted, calculated and compared with others. Believing he has "everything," Jacob has found contentment with what he already has. He knows that the source of his full and abundant life is God, and that is why he tells Esau:"Because God has dealt graciously with me, I have everything."

Aviel Schneider

Kings do God's will

The leaders of the world can do nothing unless God has designed it.  Many times God has planned for the leaders of nations to turn against Him. 

After King Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, became king.  As Solomon reigned and solidified his political position by marrying daughters and relatives of kings from the surrounding pagan nations, Solomon became an overbearing king, taxing the people too heavily.  

When Rehoboam, his son, became king, the elders of the Israelites asked Rehoboam to decrease the burden on the people.  When Rehoboam refused, and vowed to make their lot even more difficult, the ten Northern tribes seceded from the two Southern tribes, Judah and Benjamin. 

When Rehoboam sent his servant Hadoram to collect taxes from these Northern tribes, the people stoned Hadoram to death.  Naturally, Rehoboam was furious. 

Rehoboam “assembled from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin 180,000 warriors to fight against Israel. . . but the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, ‘Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying 

“Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is from Me.  And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam (king of Israel).”  2 Chronicles 11:1-4

God is in charge irrespective of what kings try to do.

“And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, Shishak, king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the Lord, with twelve hundred chariots, and 60,000 horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; and the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. 

“And he took the fortified cities of Judah, and came to Jerusalem.  

“Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.  

“Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The Lord is righteous.  

“And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak  

“Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may distinguish my service from the service of the kingdoms of the countries.  

“So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold that Solomon had made.”  2 Chron12:2-9 

It is obvious that God decides who wins and who loses in every war – from the time of ancient Israel up until today.  It was God who decided whether Shishak, king of Egypt, would ravage Israel – or not.  

All kings and leaders of all nations obey the will of the Lord, whether or not they understand it.  
And it will be the same in the future – right up until Jesus comes: 

“And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore  and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.  

“For GOD hath put in their hearts to fulfill HIS WILL, and to be of one mind, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”  Rev 17:16,17 

All of history has been planned in advance by God.  The kings do His will – even though they think they are doing their own will.  Even when the kings fight against God – they are doing precisely what God planned before He created the earth. 

Eagle born among chickens

Without Him Ye Can Do Nothing

Without Me, You Can Do Nothing

If you’re Sick- He is the great Physician
If you’re Poor - He is your Riches
If you’re Weak - He is your Strength
If you’re in Trouble - He is your Deliverer
If you’re Fearful - He is your Peace
Without Him we are Helpless, Hopeless, and Powerless 

Whatever God call us to do ...He will give us the ability and tools to do it! 
If you don’t have the ability..  He’ll give it to you 
If you don’t have the resources.. He’ll provide them for you 

"My God shall provide all my needs according to his riches in glory by Jesus." Phil. 4:19 

We all put limitations on ourselves and upon God when we say, “I can’t do that because- 
I don’t have the education...
I’m not smart enough..
I don’t have enough money...
I’m too young...
I’m too old... 
Our problem is we put limitations on ourselves and God!  Just as Paul said in Romans, Chapter 1, we worship God – not as God – but as a man, as a human being like ourselves: 

“Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God,. Neither were thankful; but became vain (futile) in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened.
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 
“And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man. . . Romans 1:21-23 

If we can’t do it – we don’t believe God can do it either. 
God has promised to “heal ALL our diseases” (Psalm 103:3) ‘IF we follow His laws, His commandments, and His decrees.”  Deut 7:11-15

God promises to “heal ALL our diseases” but only if we do it His way, which includes learning to know Him so well that we are willing to “believe” that what He has promised – He WILL do.  And we must act on our beliefs by following His Health Plan with 100% commitment. 

Atheists can reject God, blaspheme God, curse God, and deny that God exists.  But they can’t do any of these things - - without God.  The only place they get the life and breath to reject, blaspheme, curse, and deny the existence of God - - - - is from God! 
They just end up looking downright silly.  That’s why the Bible says,

“The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.” Psalm 53:1

God runs everything in our life.  He has planned every day of the life of each of us before He created the earth.  He is the vine; we are the branches.  Without an attachment to Him, we would be unable to do anything, including living and breathing. 

“Look to Me and be saved (healed – sozo). . .” Isaiah 45:22  

“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abideth in Me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me, you can do nothing.”  John 15:5  

“I can do anything through Christ which strengthens me.” Phil 4:13 

In all your ways acknowledge Him and HE will direct your paths.” Prov 3:6  

“God is operating ALL according to the counsel of His own will.”  Eph 1:11  

“In Him we live, and move and are (have our being).” Acts 17:28  

“Christ in you – the expectation (not “hope”) of glory.” Col 1:27  

“Be anxious for nothing.” Phil 4:6 

“Without God - - - no one can do anything.

[RO/EN] Veniti! - este motto-ul evangheliei / Come and Welcome

[RO] Din prima clipa a vieții spirituale până ce ajungi în glorie, chemarea lui Hristos este: „Veniți, veniți la Mine!”. 

El va merge întotdeauna înaintea ta, rugându-te să-L urmezi așa cum soldatul își urmează conducătorul. El va merge întotdeauna înaintea ta pentru a-ți pava drumul și a-ți pregăti calea și te va ruga să-L urmezi pe tot parcursul vieții tale. Şi în clipa solemna a morții, când vei zăcea în pat în dureri, cuvântul Lui dulce cu care te va introduce în lumea cerească va fi același: „Vino, vino la Mine! Întinde-ți aripile și zboară spre această lume de bucurii unde locuiesc Eu. Vino pentru a fi cu Mine, unde sunt Eu.”

Dar aceasta nu este numai chemarea pe care Hristos ți-o adresează ție, ci, dacă ești credincios, este și chemarea pe care tu I-o adresezi lui Hristos: „Vino, vino!” Vei aștepta cu dor cea de-a doua venire a Lui și vei spune: „Vino repede, da, vino, Doamne Isuse!”

Şi întotdeauna vei dori o comuniune cât mai apropiată cu El. După cum El te cheamă, „Vino,” tot așa va fi și rugăciunea ta către El: „Vino, Doamne, și locuiește în casa mea! Vino și consacrează-mă mai deplin în slujba Ta; vino și ocupă numai Tu singur tronul inimii mele.”

[EN]  "Come," then, is the very motto-word of the gospel.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are ushered into glory, the cry of Christ to you will be, "Come, come unto me." 

He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow him as the soldier follows his leader. He will always go before you to pave your way, and to prepare your path, and he will bid you come after him all through life, and in the solemn hour of death, when you shall lie panting upon your bed, his sweet word with which he shall usher you into the heavenly world shall be-"Come, come unto me. Stretch thy wings and fly straight to this world of joy where I am dwelling. Come and be with me where I am."

Nay, further than this, this is not only Christ's cry to you; but if you be a believer, this is your cry to Christ-"Come! come!" You will be longing for his second advent; you will be saying, "Come quickly, even so come Lord Jesus." 

And you will be always panting for nearer and closer communion with him. As his voice to you is "Come," even so will be your prayer to him, "Come, Lord, and abide in my house. Come, and consecrate me more fully to thy service; come, and without a rival reign; come, occupy alone the throne of my heart."

"Come," then, is the very motto-word of the gospel

C.H. Spurgeon

Un blog creştin

He sleeps in a storm

"And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep."

A man seeks employment on a farm. He hands his letter of recommendation to his mew employer. It reads simply, "He sleeps in a storm."
The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man.

Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerfull storm rips through the valley.
Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed. He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly.

So he dashes off to the barn. He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed.
He runs out to the field. He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins.
He races to the silo. The doors are latched, and the grain is dry.
And then he understands. "He sleeps in a storm."

My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of "I could have, I should have." We can sleep in a storm.
And when it's time, our good-byes will be complete.

Have a little faith - Mitch Albom

A time for everything

I learned a long time ago that everything has its right time, and that time and the goal both serve and wait on one another.
This reminded me of the story of Jacob's dream  (Genesis 28).
It took a long time before Jacob's dream was fulfilled. Despite the seemingly positive vision he'd received, Jacob's life quickly entered a downward spiral. He leaves the country, is separated from his family, flees from his brother, Esau, and fears for his future.

But we see Jacob reach terms with God. "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, the the Lord shall be my God (Gen.28:20-21).

In effect, jacob places conditions on God:"Do You have a will? Do You want to be my God? Do You want to give me an inheritance? Well, I also have desires and a will. If You fulfill everything, then I, too, will fulfill my part in our covenant."

And what does Jacob wants? His demands are fairly basic: safety, food, clothes and a warm home. With this stipulations, Jacob begins his journey.

It is amazing to see how flexible and willing God is to negociate. God fulfills His part completely. He guards Jacob and his family, He provides food for Jacob and sees to his clothing. And then He waited for Jacob to do his part.

Waiting and patience are important elements in getting the timing right. It is not enough to know one's mission or goal, you have to be ready to realize it.
Life, marriage, children, work- it all seemed to make Jacob forget his part of the contract.

Something reminds us who we are, where we came from, and where we're going. It makes us realize that there is something better for us than were we find ourselves in the present. The birth of Joseph, to his beloved Rachel, seemed to be the beginning of Jacob's awakening. Jacob realized that he was living in a foreign country, working for foreigners, raising his children in a land that was not his own.
He was far from the land of his fathers, for from his God, and far from himself.

Jacob realized that he had nothing to bequeath to his heirs living whre he was. Then remembered the contract he had made with God, and the moment had come for him to do his part. He turned to God, to his life's goals and understood his mission once more.


Anat Schneider (Israel Today)

Drumul spre intelepciune [ devotion ]

Teme-te de Dumnezeu si pazeste poruncile Lui. - Eclesiastul 12:13

Cineva a spus: " Un pesimist vede tunelul; un optimist vede lumina de la capatul tunelului; dar un realist vede tunelul, lumina de la capatul tunelului si tunelul urmator ". Scriitorul cartii Eclesiastul a fost un realist care a vrut ca si noi sa vedem viata asa cum este ea in realitate si s-o traim conform intelepciunii divine.

J.I.Packer, spune ca baza reala a intelepciunii este in primul rand, recunoasterea faptului ca o mare parte din ceea ce se intampla in lume este lipsit de sens. Atunci cand ne dam ochelarii care ne fac sa vedem totul in roz, vedem lipsa de finalitate, moartea care secera totul, raul care infloreste - pe scurt, pare ca si cum Dumnezeu ar fi pierdut controlul.

De indata ce ne oprim si punem intrebari cu privire la caile lui Dumnezeu, spune Packer, suntem gata sa invatam intelepciunea Lui, care inseamna a cunoaste ce trebuie sa facem atunci cand suntem completamente incurcati de tunelurile vietii, care par sa nu se mai termine. Si ce inseamna lucrul acesta ? Teme-te de Dumnezeu si pazeste poruncile Lui ( Ecles. 12:13 ). Sa ne inchinam Lui cu reverenta si sa nu-I spunem in rugaciune mai mult decat avem de gand sa infaptuim ( 5:1-7 ). Sa facem binele ( 3:12 ). Sa traim raspunzatori pentru faptele noastre ( 12:14 ). Sa ne bucuram de viata cand Dumnezeu ne da prosperitate ( 7:14 ). Sa muncim din greu ( 9:10 ) si sa ne bucuram de agoniseala noastra ( 2:24 ).

Drumul spre intelepciune este o atitudinen realista cu privire la viata si acceptarea ca exista intrebari fara raspuns. Drumul spre intelepciune nu inseamna sa primim o explicatie, a-L intreba pe Dumnezeu ce vrea sa facem - apoi sa facem prin credinta.

Dennis De Haan

Multe lucruri vad in viata

Care nu-s la locul lor;

Ajuta-ma ca voia Ta s-o fac

Prin harul Tau mantuitor. - Dennis De Haan

Cel mai nobil gand care se poate salaslui in mintea omului este responsabilitatea pe care o are fata de Dumnezeu. - Daniel Webster

Un dar al harului [ devotion ]

Caci prin har ati fost mantuiti prin credinta,... Nu prin fapte, ca sa nu se laude nimeni. - Efeseni 2:8,9

Intr-un articol publicat de MoodyMonthly, evanghelistul D.L. Moody a relatat despre un barbat care a facut o marturisire personala in timpul unui serviciu religios in care predicase el. Ridicandu-se in picioare, omul a spus ca i-au trebuit 42 de ani ca sa invete trei lectii importante. " In primul rand, a spus omul, am ajuns sa-mi dau seama ca nu pot face nici un lucru pe baza caruia sa-mi merit mantuirea. " Moody s-a gandit ca este un lucru care merita sa-l inveti.

" In cel de-al doilea rand, a continuat el, am aflat ca Dumnezeu nu-mi cere sa fac nimic pentru a-mi castiga mantuirea. " Si asta-i important, s-a gandit Moody.

" In cel de-al treilea rand, a incheiat acest barbat, am invatat ca Isus a incheiat la cruce lucrarea care imi aduce mie mantuire. Tot ce trebuie sa fac este s-o iau. " Aratand ca este de acord cu cele de mai sus, Moody si-a incheiat articolul cu acest apel: " Dragi prieteni, sa incetam a ne mai zbate si a mai lupta si haideti sa acceptam mantuirea chiar acum. "

Lucrarea de rascumparare a fost incheiata. Dar pentru a beneficia de ea, trebuie sa-L primim pe Cristos prin credinta. Biblia spune: " Pe cand, celui ce nu lucreaza, ci crede in Cel ce-l socoteste pe pacatos neprihanit, credinta pe care o are el ii este socotita ca neprihanire " ( Rom. 4:5 ). Mantuirea nu este o rasplata. Este un dar al harului pe care trebuie sa-l acceptam cu umilinta.

Daca nu te-ai increzut niciodata in Cristos, pune-ti astazi increderea in El ca Mantuitorul tau personal. Cere-I sa te curateasca de pacatele tale si sa preia controlul asupra vietii tale.
Atunci vei cunoaste tu insuti darul harului Sau.

Richard De Haan

Har minunat, infinit, fara seaman

Peste cei care cred, fara plata- turnat !

Tu cel ce tanjesti sa-I vezi fata lui Isus,

Primeste-I chiar azi harul bogat !    - Johnston

Mantuirea nu este o realizare a noastra, ci este un dar pe care-l primim.

Dumnezeu este cu noi ! [ devotion ]

" ...  si-I vor pune numele Emanuel care talmacit inseamna : " Dumnezeu este cu noi. " - Matei 1:23

De la nasterea lui Isus care a avut loc cu mai bine de 2.000 de ani in urma, siguranta ca Dumnezeu este cu poporul Sau a capatat un nou inteles. Inainte de a se fi nascut Isus, israelitii erau incredintati ca mai pot trage nadejde, chiar si la judecata, deoarece Dumnezeu este cu ei ( Isaia 8:8,10 ). Dar ei nu L-au cunoscut pe Dumnezeu in masura in care Il cunoastem noi astazi. Noi avem un mare avantaj fata de sfintii Vechiului Testament, deoarece, prin citirea Noului Testament, putem vedea slava lui Dumnezeu " pe fata lui Isus Hristos " ( 2 Corinteni 4:6 ). Si-I putem simti prezenta in toate situatiile vietii, caci Duhul Sfant ni-L descopera clar.

Cand simt nevoia de a fi reasigurat ca Isus este cu mine, Il contemplez pe Isus asa cum este El revelat in Noul Testament. Imi inchipui care era expresia fetei Lui atunci cand a luat copilasii in bratele Sale si i-a binecuvantat ( Matei 19:13-15 ). Apoi ma gandesc la rastignirea Lui. Vad fata Lui zdrobita si brazdata de sange dupa ce soldatii L-au lovit cu pumnul si I-au infipt cununa de spini pe frunte. Acestea imi aduc aminte de tot ceea ce a indurat El ca sa fie Mantuitorul meu. In cele din urma, cuget la promisiunea Lui: " Eu voi fi cu voi in toate zilele, pana la sfarsitul veacului " ( Matei 28:20 ). Si sunt reimprospatat din punct de vedere spiritual.

Dumnezeu a venit in chip de om cand Isus s-a nascut in Betleem. Toti cei care cred in El pot gasi o putere reinnoita in orice situatie. De ce ? Fiindca nasterea lui Cristos da un nou inteles numelui Emanuel.

Herb  Vander Lugt

Priveste-L in trup omenesc imbracat,

Slavit sa fii Tu, Dumnezeu intrupat !

Ca Om printre oameni, o , ce bucurie,

Isus, Emanuel, cu noi vei fi pe vecie.  - Wesley

Nasterea lui Cristos L-a adus pe Dumnezeu oamenilor, dar pentru a-l aduce pe om la Dumnezeu a fost nevoie de crucea lui Cristos.