Ask

Thought that I would just share some of God's promises on asking for His blessings.

Psalm 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.2.KJV 

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.145.KJV 

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JER.33.KJV 

Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.6.KJV 

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.18.KJV

Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.21.KJV 

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.11.KJV 

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.11.KJV 

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.14.KJV 

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.15.KJV 

John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.16.KJV

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.3.KJV 

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PHP.4.KJV 

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.1.KJV 

James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.4.KJV 

1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1JN.3.KJV 

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1JN.5.KJV

Sabbath vs Sunday

 Daniel 7:25 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.7.KJV  This is speaking about a power that thinks that it is above the Bible and can change God’s moral law.  ANYONE who thinks that they can change God’s holy law is an antichrist.  (EVEN if it was the disciples, which it was NOT) 

Galatians 3:26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.3.KJV 

1 Corinthians 16:2 “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.16.KJV This verse 1. is not a command of God to keep a day holy and 2. It is only saying put your money aside for the church on Sunday, so that when I get there you won’t have to do any work to gather the money. 

Neither God’s moral law, nor God can change. Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAL.3.KJV  If God's moral law could change then 1.God would not be fair. 2. Satan would be correct in saying that God was arbitrary, and unjust. 3. God could have said that the wages of sin was not death, but instead ten years in a fictional place called purgatory; and Jesus would not have had to die for our sins.

The Roman church changed the day of rest. See link for details: https://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath-history/denominational-statements-on-the-sabbath/id/catholic   Here is a little of what that link says: “The Day of the Lord" (dies Dominica) was chosen, not from any directions noted in the Scriptures, but from the Church's sense of its own power. The day of resurrection, the day of Pentecost, fifty days later, came on the first day of the week. So this would be the new Sabbath. People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become 7th Day Adventists, and keep Saturday holy. 

—Sentinel, Pastor's page, Saint Catherine Catholic Church, Algonac, Michigan, May 21, 1995 

If Protestants would follow the Bible, they would worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping the Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church. 

—Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal, in a letter dated February 10, 1920. 

The [Roman Catholic] Church changed the observance of the Sabbath to Sunday by right of the divine, infallible authority given to her by her founder, Jesus Christ. The Protestant claiming the Bible to be the only guide of faith, has no warrant for observing Sunday. In this matter the Seventh-day Adventist is the only consistent Protestant. 

—The Catholic Universe Bulletin, August 14, 1942, p. 4.” (emphasis supplied)

Exodus 16:23 “And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. 24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. 25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. 27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. 28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EXO.16.KJV Notice that Exodus 16 comes before Exodus 20, when the law was proclaimed from mount Sinai. 

No Jesus did not keep every one of it’s (The Jewish laws about Sabbath keeping) 613 precepts because the Jews wanted to stone him for NOT keeping the Sabbath. The Jewish leaders were furious with Jesus because according to their 613 laws he, Jesus, and his disciples continually broke, their “traditions” about how to keep the Sabbath. Matthew 12:1 “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 10 and, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.12.KJV 

John 5:8 “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.5.KJV 

John 9:14 “And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.9.KJV 

John 7:22 “Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.7.KJV

Luke 13:10 “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.13.KJV 

Isaiah 58:13 “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.58.KJV  

Ezekiel 20:19 “I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; 20 and hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EZK.20.KJV 

Hebrews 4:3 “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, If they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his."   https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.4.KJV 

Genesis 2:2 “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Therefore THE Sabbath day was instituted at creation.  There were no Israelites until Jacob's name was changed to Israel. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.2.KJV 

Acts 20:7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.20.KJV   The first day of the week began at sundown on Sabbath evening.  Therefore, this was a Sabbath evening service, because Paul was leaving in the morning Sunday morning, because he would not be traveling on Sabbath.  He preached until midnight Sabbath night i.e. the first day of the week, which began at sundown Sabbath evening. 

Acts 15:24 "...Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law (Of Moses, not the Moral law of God): to whom we gave no such commandment:" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.15.KJV 

There has never been a change to the order of the days of the week. 

The rich young ruler was Jewish, He didn’t have an issue with the first four commandments. 

If ANYONE including the disciples or the apostles thought to change the Biblical Sabbath then they would have been considered an anti-christ. Galatians 1:8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.1.KJV 

Isaiah 66:22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.66.KJV  We will for all eternity in heaven CONTINUE to worship God on the Seventh day of the week. 

unclean vs. clean

    Mark 7, 1 Corinthians 8, and 10 and Acts 10 are frequently used to say that somehow it is now okay to eat unclean meat, so let’s take a look at what each one really says.  Mark 7:1 “Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:  these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.7.KJV  Point number one: this is about unwashed hands not about clean or unclean meat. Point two: “meats” is used here meaning food, again not clean or unclean meat. The Bible cannot contradict itself. 

    1 Corinthians 8:1 “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.8.KJV 

    1 Corinthians 10:25 “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29 conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.10.KJV  Both of these texts in 1 Corinthians are referring to food offered to idols, again not referring to unclean meat, after all Paul was a Jew and he was so strict that he had been a Pharisee. 

    Acts 10:7 “And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 and he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18 and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.10.KJV  “1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6 upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 and he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.11.KJV This one is so obvious that it hardly seems like it should be an issue; God was speaking about not calling any MAN common or unclean. 

    There seems to be only one truly problematic verse and that is Romans 14:14 “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.14.KJV Know this for certain, because the Bible cannot contradict itself, that this one verse cannot possibly be about eating food that the rest of the Bible calls unclean. Paul, was a good Jew; and with the texts that we see in 1 Corinthians we can see that the likelihood is that this text is also about food offered to idols.  Paul also wrote the following in 2 Corinthians 6: 17 “Wherefore Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch not the unclean thing; And I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, And ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/2CO.6.KJV 

    The Levitical laws were not just given to the Jews.  Way back in Genesis in chapter 7 and verse 2 we read the following, “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.”  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.7.KJV Revelation 18:2 “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/REV.18.KJV The last book in the Bible clearly indicates that even in the last days there is unclean birds. In the book of Acts we can see that the apostles clearly wanted the Gentiles to follow the Levitical laws. Acts 21:25 “As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.21.KJV  Isaiah gives a most stark warning in chapter 66:15 “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. 17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.”   I’m going to put the link in here for Leviticus chapter 11, but I am not going to quote the whole thing here. You can read it for yourself. Here are just a few of the verses: 6 “And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LEV.11.KJV The basic premise is that if an animal is a scavenger, then it is unclean.  Pigs don’t sweat, so all of the toxins that are in their bodies are stored in their skin. God gave us the Levitical laws because he wanted us to be healthy.  Ezekiel 44:23 “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EZK.44.KJV  1 Corinthians 6:19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.6.KJV 

"The Christian Twelve Steps"

I heard a sermon recently that struck a chord in me and I thought I would share the essence of it here.  (With permission)

Step 1. Admit we are powerless over the effect of our separation from God. Romans 7:18, 19 "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.7.KJV The first step to making a change is a step to admit that in and of ourselves we can do nothing.

Step 2. Believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us. Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PHP.2.KJV Only the God of heaven and earth can restore us into His image and give us power to obtain victory over sin.

Step 3. Make a decision to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God. Romans 12:1,2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.12.KJV This must be a DAILY decision, even a moment by moment decision.

Step 4. Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Lamentations 3:40 "Let us search and try our ways, And turn again to the LORD." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LAM.3.KJV Being honest with ourselves about our own shortcomings, faults and sins, is of utmost importance.  If we are not honest, we cannot, will not change.

Step 5. Admit to God, to ourselves and, as appropriate, to others the exact nature of our wrongs. James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.5.KJV Notice I added the phrase, "as appropriate",   It is not necessary to express every single sin you have ever committed to everyone that you meet. Jesus is the only one that you need to tell all of your sins and repent to. 1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1TI.2.KJV What is appropriate is that if you have harmed someone that you go to that person, again if possible, and repent, and make amends. This will be addressed more in future steps.

Step 6. Be ready for God to remove all these defects of character. James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.4.KJV  "Everything is at stake. Will the human agent cooperate with divine agencies to will and to do? If a man places his will on the side of God's will, fully surrendering self to do his will, the rubbish will be cleared from the door of the heart, the defiance of the soul will be broken down, and Jesus will enter to abide as a welcome guest. ST February 12,  1894, par. 8 https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p820.12049&index=0

Step 7. Humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings, and sins. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1JN.1.KJV Trust in God's promise to do just as He says.

Step 8. Make a list of all persons we have harmed and be willing to make amends to them all. Luke 6:31 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.6.KJV  

Step 9. Make those amends to the best of your ability to do so, asking God for help, except when to do so would injure them or others. Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.5.KJV If for whatever reason amends cannot be made, turn it over to God in prayer and ask Him how best to deal with the situation. Be earnest and honest.

Step 10. Continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong, promptly admit it. 1 Corinthians 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.10.KJV  Like I stated in step 3, this is a daily choice we must make.

Step 11. Seek through continual prayer and meditation on God's Word to improve our contact with God, praying for wisdom and knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out. Colossians 3:1-3,16, 17 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/COL.3.KJV Verse 16a was the only verse that was in the original 12 steps, but when I was reading it I couldn't help adding the other verses.  The other verses also go along with step 12.

Step 12. As a result of having gone through these steps, carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.6.KJV At this point a lot of people will exclaim, "Don't judge me." And they will reference Matthew 7:1, but generally they don't finish reading the section as it continues to say to first "Cast the beam out of our own eye and then we will see clearly to remove the speck out of our brothers eye." Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV It doesn't say don't cast out the speck, it says first fix yourself so that you can clearly see how to help your brother. This must be done in love, and following Biblical counsel as in Matthew 18:15-17 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.18.KJV

For more info on learning to walk with Jesus the audio book Steps to Christ is a great resource. https://egwwritings.org/book/b108?listen=108.7&audio=1&position=7 Hard copies or MP3 can be purchased online. (I don't receive commission)  https://remnantpublications.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=steps+to+Christ

New testimony (Written 12-10-23)

 My story begins with the fact that I was raised by a man who was a Seventh-day Adventist minister, with the General Conference. One of the things that made him very sad, was that someone he loved had strayed into this weird “Off-shoot” movement. When he got sick and was told that he was dying, he made a flight out to go and see this loved one.  He specifically told me to pray for her return into the fold.  After his death, she and I began to get closer and she eventually started sharing these “Weird” ideas with me.  Oh did I pray for her enlightenment. When visiting her once she took me to her church.  The man that spoke, (he and his wife even ran a lifestyle center), he said, “The SDA church was Babylon and we needed to come out of her.  If I had had more of a holy boldness, I would have stood up and told him that that was blasphemy, but I didn’t.  He looked directly at me and I could clearly see the evil in his eyes, but everyone around me was nodding and saying “Amen.”  Eventually that church dissolved and I thanked God, that my loved one was no longer under his spell.  Then she began sharing other YouTube ministries with me.  One preacher, I felt showed a lot of arrogance, and I could not seem to want to listen to him, but then she also shared with me Amazing Word Ministries.  The more that I listened, the harder it was for me to sit in my comfortable pew at church. I began to study everything that EGW had to say about the GC. I spent many months agonizing over everything sister White said and I listened to every sermon that pastor Emmanuel preached.  The more I listened the more convicted I became. Then I realized one very important truth. The “Ship” that everyone says to stay on, it ran aground and broke up.  Some, who could swim “independently” did so and made it safely to shore, while others, who could not swim independently also made it to shore on “Pieces” of the broken ship. The little group that I had been meeting with had been on fire and went door to door passing out the Great Controversies.  I was thrilled to be a part of them.  But after one trial ended, and they became complacent, the plandemic hit.  I thought to myself, “MY church knows better than to shut it’s doors”. Oh how wrong I was.  I had been one of two and sometimes three people on their prayer line, but when the plandemic hit, everyone jumped on board.  I began to pray a Daniel 9 prayer. Daniel 9: “3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 and I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.9.KJV I prayed, “Father, forgive US where WE have compromised in OUR beliefs.”  The next person that came on began his prayer by saying that we had not compromised our beliefs.  (The group didn’t have a preacher, we were too small.  They had baptized a couple that were living together, and he had a tobacco issue.  They made him a deacon in the church right after that.  Another person that they baptized was working a regular job on Sabbath and they made him an elder just after baptizing him.  I had objected in a board meeting to both, but they told me that I was just jealous, because I didn’t hold a position in the church.)  Anyway, back to the story, I was asked not to return to the group unless I was willing to meet with the “Elders”.  Shortly after this, I “Chanced” to see the head elder in Walmart.  I stood and faced him in the middle of the store crowded with people—not social distancing—and told him to his face that God was not pleased with his actions of closing the church.  When he began to make the excuse that there were older people in the church who were afraid, I replied that God had not given us the spirit of fear, and then I walked away. 

“I entreat you who have long professed the faith and who still pay outward homage to Christ: Do not deceive your own souls. It is the whole heart that Jesus prizes. The loyalty of the soul is alone of value in the sight of God. “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace!” “Thou, ... even thou”—Christ is at this moment addressing you personally, stooping from His throne, yearning with pitying tenderness over those who feel not their danger, who have no pity for themselves. 5T 73.1   

Many have a name to live while they have become spiritually dead. These will one day say: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Woe will be pronounced against thee, if thou loiter and linger until the Sun of Righteousness shall set; the blackness of eternal night will be thy portion. Oh, that the cold, formal, worldly heart may be melted! Christ shed not only tears for us, but His own blood. Will not these manifestations of His love arouse us to deep humiliation before God? It is humility and self-abasement that we need, to be approved of God. 5T 73.2  

The man whom God is leading will be dissatisfied with himself because the light from the perfect Man shines upon him. But those who lose sight of the Pattern, and place an undue estimate upon themselves, will see faults to criticize in others; they will be sharp, suspicious, condemnatory; they will be tearing others down to build themselves up. 5T 73.3” https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p113.358(113.362)&index=0  

For this section I would like to start by reading a few texts.  The first is found in Psalm 27: 10 “When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take me up.”  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.27.KJV  Matthew 10: 36 “And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.10.KJV  Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PHP.4.KJV And Isaiah 65: 24 “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.65.KJV This same person who had brought me into more light, had been begging me for years to come and live with her.  “We get along great and we are on the same page spiritually” was the gist of how the conversations would always go.  “You can help me fix up this room on my house and you can live here.”  Well as soon as the room was fixed, she asked when I could start helping with the bills.  I said that my savings was gone and that I would have to wait until I got a paycheck, but I would be happy to continue to help out.  As I got to thinking about things I wondered what she meant by “Start helping pay the bills”?  I had put around $7000 into her home. When I reminded her of all that I had done, she began the eviction process.  She told a friend of hers that I was abusing her, but when questioned as to how this alleged abuse was happening, she got quiet, thought for a minute and then said that I didn’t talk to her. He told her that wasn’t abuse. I had just made a covenant with God to give a particular sum of money to a ministry when I got the eviction letter. Oh how satan tempted me to keep that money, but praise God, I sent it anyway. And then I spent the next three days in fasting and prayer. God is so gracious.  He had already set up a friend of this person, who saw the truth of what was going on, and she invited me to live with her.  She lost a friend and $40 dollars that this person still owes her because of her kindness to me. After I was evicted, I wanted vengeance and so I got it.  I sued and won for the money that had basically been stolen from me. And the first thing I did, knowing full well that this person would never willingly pay me back, was to put a lean against her house. 

A few weeks ago, I heard a sermon about gossip.  I said, “Good, so and so needs to hear that message.”  And then the following week I heard another sermon, except this time, it whopped me upside the head.  I said, “Ouch.”  The text used in that sermon was: Romans 12:17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.12.KJV   

Fast forward to the “ouchy” part.  The plan is that tomorrow, when the courthouse opens, to go and remove the lien and forgive the debt.  I’ve decided to make it God’s “problem”.  The money now belongs to Him, whatever may come.   It’s been a year now and I thank God every day that He saw fit to bring me to this beautiful state and that I have a roof over my head and good friends. So, Thank you, to this unnamed person for the lessons learned, for bringing me to this beautiful state, and for bringing me to more light spiritually.

Footnote: Went to courthouse, the process to release a lien isn't as simple as I thought, but I will continue to work on it. (It's done)

As it was in the days of Noah Isaiah 59:1-4, 12-19

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.59.KJV 1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; 13 in transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. 16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. 18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.27.KJV 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 and the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

The ship is about to capsize and be broken up, Oh Lord God in heaven we your people have sinned a great sin. Everything is as it was in the days of Noah.

 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.24.KJV 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.9.KJV 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 and I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

I couldn't have said it better, so I  let the Bible speak for itself.

My son Scott's dream as told by him

 "I had a dream where I was at my house. My wife was at work. The house was out in the middle of the country. I am getting my kids ready for the day, when I look out the window and see an uncountable amount of tornadoes. So I gather my kids and go to a room with no windows and then I hear a calm, soft, strong voice, and it said, 'The winds HAVE broken free. I am NO LONGER holding them'."

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Revelation 7:1‭-‬4 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.7.1-4.KJV