There are TONS! of resources out there! but they’ll cost you… you either have to buy them or give “an offering” of a specific amount (sounds like a price to me) to receive them. There is great material to teach you how to be a good dad, a good husband. Do you want to be a good minister, pastor? do you want or need a breakthrough, need to be freed from addiction? you can have it, all you have to do is buy it!!! They will preach salvation for free but they’ll charge to teach you the basics of the gospel. Its ridiculous. they’ll charge you if you  want a copy of a message, they’ll even create a set for you, for a price. Charging for the gospel has become common practice but don’t think it’s biblical, it’s not. Should he that preaches the gospel live of the gospel? Yes (1 Cor 9:13-14) but not by charging for the gospel.

I can already foresee the comebacks, but there really isn’t a solid enough argument.

We are to give freely, what we have been given freely. Not my words, Jesus said it.

It’s Inclusive in that all are called to it. All sinners. You and I, regardless of how grave or prevalent our sin maybe or may not be. It calls and accepts heterosexuals, LBGT and transvestites. The gaudy and the simple. The faithful and the adulterer. The sexually reserved and the sexually liberated.  The nice and the mean. The rich and the poor. The muslim, the atheist, the scientist, the agnostic. It calls those that believe and those that don’t. I can go on and on but I think you get my point. It is inclusive in its message, universally calling all.

It’s Exclusive in that only those that respond to the calling are included. The gospel requires two things to bring about salvation; faith in Jesus the Christ and repentance. Faith is simply to believe in the message of Jesus the Christ (He lived, He died for our sins, and He resurrected) and repentance is to have a change of mind of your current human condition (as in, I am wrong about my life and my behaviors) this change of mind brings about a change of life. (Which I may go into further in another post) If someone is not willing to exercise both of these requirements then they are excluded, hence the word exclusive.

It is a very simple concept folks…so stop fighting over this. Come as you are and if something needs to be changed (You can bet on it) it will, because you’ll want to do it for God, not because someone tells you.

That is all I have to say (although I haven’t really said anything) since this is an old and tired debate, that has had enough exposure and deserves no more. Oh yeah one last thing, I got a hundred on the quiz. You and I both know bible trivia yay! Meaningless without context and love for truth in meaning, being and morality.

Good night to you sir… I say good night.

I have been successful in changing certain things for his glory and pleasing, I am a big proponent that “there are things we can change for him and ourselves about ourselves and those things we should change ourselves”. Then there are those things in my life that I try to change and I’m partially successful at or fail completely all together. That’s how I know that I can’t change it on my own, so I pray… but I continue to try, failure after failure even if I know I can’t change it. Why? Because I am not about to become complacent with something I know is not pleasing to God, so in the mean time, while God works it out in me, I will try. I don’t think this in any way shape or form hiders God from working in me.

I am like the man with the dried up arm forcing himself to stretch that arm even though he knew he had never been able to do it before, and yet one day… a miracle. Oh how I long for that miracle! But until then I will extend.

Someone may ask me “what about Grace” and my answer is what about it. It is because of his Grace that I stand, that I am still here, forgiven regardless of my shortcomings, but his grace does not allow me the comfort of complacency but permits me the opportunity to glorify him. It motivates me to glorify him through my victories, knowing that success has not been mine or because of me, since I could never do it on my own, but his and at the same time satisfying my need to please him without accepting the things that I cannot change as my own but as things that will wither away the next time I try, in a matter of time, it only takes one moment, but if I don’t try I may miss it.

Always extending,

Juan

I. Su Definición

• Verbo griego: aphiemi = Perdona, perdonó, perdón:
  “enviar, enviar lejos” denota, además de sus otros significados, “para la remisión o perdón”.
• Verbo griego: charizomai = Perdona, perdonó, perdón:
  “Para otorgar un favor sin condiciones”, se utiliza del acto de “perdón”, ya sea divina, Ef 4:32; Col 2:13; 3:13; o humanos, Luk 7:42, 43 (de deuda), 2 2Cr : 7, 10; 12:13; Ef 4:32
• Apoluo, “Soltar de”, “para liberar”

En primer lugar significa la remisión de la pena debido a la conducta pecaminosa, la liberación del pecador de la pena divina, y por lo tanto con rectitud. En segundo lugar, implica la eliminación completa de la causa de la infracción; dicha condonación se basa en el sacrificio expiatorio de Cristo.

• En el sacrificio expiatorio del Antiguo Testamento y “perdón” a menudo se asocian, Lev 4:20, 26. El verbo se usa en el Nuevo Testamento con respecto a ofensas, Mat 6:14, 15; pecados, Lucas 5:20; deudas, Mat 6:12; Mat 18:32, Ley 8:22. “Para cubrir”, 1 Ped 4:8; Jam 5:20; y “encubrir,” Romanos 4:7, que representan las palabras en hebreo para “expiación”.

II. Su Propósito

Cancelar:

• Las deudas, Mat 6:12-14; 18:27, 32, que son totalmente canceladas
• Los pecados
  • por ejemplo, Mat 9:2, 5, 6; 12:31, 32; ; Rom 4:7; Jam 5:15; 1Juan 1:9 ; 2:12.

Cubrir:

• 1 Ped 4:8; Sant 5:20; y “encubrir,” Romanos 4:7, que representan las palabras en hebreo para “expiación”

Nota al lado: Apoluo, “dar rienda suelta de”, “para liberar”, es traducida como “perdonar”, “seréis perdonados” Lc 6:37, (RV, “liberación”, “seréis liberados”), La referencia es a la creación de una persona libre como un acto judicial. El verbo no significa “perdonar” pero es traducido como perdonar por falta de otra palabra.

III. Su Necesidad

Es necesario el perdón. El evangelio esta basado en el concepto del perdón, Dios decidió perdonar a la humanidad, para llevar acabo ciertos objetivos, vemos algunos de esos objetivos:

Restaurar la Relación:

• Galatas 6:1 “Hermanos, si alguno fuere sorprendido en alguna falta, vosotros que sois espirituales, restauradle con espíritu de mansedumbre, considerándote a ti mismo, no sea que tú también seas tentado.”

Evitar ser Piedra de Tropiezo para Salvación:

• Lucas 17:2,3 Mejor le fuera que se le atase al cuello una piedra de molino y se le arrojase al mar, que hacer tropezar a uno de estos pequeñitos. Mirad por vosotros mismos. Si tu hermano pecare contra ti, repréndele; y si se arrepintiere, perdónale.

Demostración de Amor y Santidad:

• Colosenses 3:11-12 “Vestíos, pues, como escogidos de Dios, santos y amados, de entrañable misericordia, de benignidad, de humildad, de mansedumbre, de paciencia; soportándoos unos a otros, y perdonándoos unos a otros si alguno tuviere queja contra otro. De la manera que Cristo os perdonó, así también hacedlo vosotros.”
• Salmos 78:38 “Pero él, misericordioso, perdonaba la maldad, y no los destruía; Y apartó muchas veces su ira, Y no despertó todo su enojo.”

IV. Sus Beneficios

Recibir el perdón y la misericordia de Dios:

• Lucas 6:36,37 “Sed, pues, misericordiosos, como también vuestro Padre es misericordioso. No juzguéis, y no seréis juzgados; no condenéis, y no seréis condenados; perdonad, y seréis perdonados.”

El perdón restaura la alegría:

• 2 Corintios 2: 2-2 Porque si yo os contristo, ¿quién será luego el que me alegre, sino aquel a quien yo contristé?
• 2 Corintios 2: 5-7: “Pero si alguno me ha causado tristeza, no me la ha causado a mí solo, sino en cierto modo a todos vosotros. Le basta a tal persona esta reprensión hecha por muchos; así que, al contrario, vosotros más bien debéis perdonarle y consolarle, para que no sea consumido de demasiada tristeza.”

V. Sus Dificultades

No importa si uno es el que ofendió o fue el ofendido:

• Mateo 5:23,24 “Por tanto, si traes tu ofrenda al altar, y allí te acuerdas de que tu hermano tiene algo contra ti, deja allí tu ofrenda delante del altar, y anda, reconcíliate primero con tu hermano, y entonces ven y presenta tu ofrenda.

Jesús es el mayor ejemplo; Dios nos perdono antes que pidiéramos perdón:

• Lucas 23:34 “Y Jesús decía: Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen. Y repartieron entre sí sus vestidos, echando suertes.”

Hay que ser consistente:

• Lucas 17:4 “Y si siete veces al día pecare contra ti, y siete veces al día volviere a ti, diciendo: Me arrepiento; perdónale.”

VI. Sus Consecuencias

El no Perdonar tiene sus consecuencias.

Dios no nos Perdonara:

Mateo 6:15 “mas si no perdonáis a los hombres sus ofensas, tampoco vuestro Padre os perdonará vuestras ofensas.”

Condenación Enterna:

Mateo: 5:22 “Pero yo os digo que cualquiera que se enoje contra su hermano, será culpable de juicio; y cualquiera que diga: Necio, a su hermano, será culpable ante el concilio; y cualquiera que le diga: Fatuo, quedará expuesto al infierno de fuego”

http://evangelicalarminians.org/Outline.FACTS-of-Arminianism-vs-the-TULIP-of-Calvinism

One theory says “Matter cannot be created or destroyed, matter is eternal” Another says “everything has a beginning and an end, nothing can be eternal” come on material scientists you can’t pass conflicting arguments as proofs of the inexistence of a Creating God (matter is eternal) and the inexistence of an eternal God (matter has a beginning and an end). You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

(See Part 1: Is God in your Funnel? before reading this Part 2) 

There are many names given to Jesus using the phrase “He shall be called,” both in the Old and New Testaments. This was a common way of saying that people would refer to Him in these various ways; there are also descriptions of His character that define Him to us. This is in no way a complete list, it is with out assumption that I say I am still getting to know God. 

Let’s not put God through our funnel but know Him and accept Him for who He is, Greater! 

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” Matthew 7:7 (Emphasis mine) 

Advocate (1 John 2:1) 

Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) 

Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13) 

Amen (Rev. 3:14) 

Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1) 

Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2) 

Author of Life (Acts 3:15) 

Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2) 

Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10) 

Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13) 

Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15) 

.Bread of God (John 6:33) 

Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48) 

Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15) 

Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7) 

Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20) 

Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) 

Christ (1 John 2:22) 

Creator (John 1:3) 

Deliverer (Rom. 11:26) 

Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20) 

Gate (John 10:9) 

Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) 

Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5) 

Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14) 

First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13) 

Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5) 

Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15) 

Gate (John 10:9) 

God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5) 

Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14) 

Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) 

Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14) 

Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23) 

Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2) 

High Priest (Heb. 2:17) 

Holy and True (Rev. 3:7) 

Holy One (Acts 3:14) 

Hope (1 Tim. 1:1) 

Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27) 

Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69) 

I Am (John 8:58) 

Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4) 

Immanuel (Mt. 1:23) 

Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) 

King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17) 

King of Israel (John 1:49) 

King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11) 

King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16) 

King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3) 

Lamb (Rev. 13:8) 

Lamb of God (John 1:29) 

Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19) 

Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45) 

Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4) 

Light of the World (John 8:12) 

Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) 

Living One (Rev. 1:18) 

Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4) 

Lord (2 Pet. 2:20) 

Lord of All (Acts 10:36) 

Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8) 

Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) 

Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48) 

Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15) 

Mighty God (Isa. 9:6) 

Morning Star (Rev. 22:16) 

Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16) 

Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9) 

Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13) 

Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30) 

Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2) 

Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3) 

Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30) 

Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30) 

Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7) 

Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24) 

Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6) 

Prophet (Acts 3:22) 

Rabbi (Mt. 26:25) 

Resurrection and Life (John 11:25) 

Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5) 

Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1) 

Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) 

Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16) 

Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14) 

Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5) 

Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20) 

Son of David (Lk. 18:39) 

Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14) 

Son of Man (Mt. 8:20) 

Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32) 

Source of Eternal Salvation for believers (Heb. 5:9) 

The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) 

The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11) 

True Bread (John 6:32) 

True Light (John 1:9) 

True Vine (John 15:1) 

Truth (John 1:14; 14:6) 

Way (John 14:6) 

Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24) 

Word (John 1:1) 

Word of God (Rev. 19:13) 

Just by studying His name we can clear up many self made assumptions about God.  For example; (in the spirit of the Christmas season) Is Jesus God? lets look at His name; Creator (John 1:3), Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13), God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5) and of course Immanuel -God with us (Mt. 1:23). In, conclusion, without a shadow of a doubt, we can say YES! if you conclude otherwise, He is in your Funnel trying to get out.  God bless and to all a Merry Christmas!

We study people to know them, to understand them and they provide valuable information about themselves, their character, which then becomes knowledge to us. Then and only then, can we assert that we “know them”. When we try to define something or someone without any knowledge we are making assumptions based on ignorance (The lack of knowledge).

Who is God?

Most people will answer this question based on what they think not what they know, because they have no knowledge of God’s identity therefore; defining in ignorance God’s character. They will define him by what they have heard, what they think he should be like, what he couldn’t possibly be, what he must be or must not be, what he must do or must not do, etc. They define God through the funnel of their ignorant assumptions and experiences of God and end up defining in ignorance a character not of God but of the god they assume him or would want him to be.

First, before we can begin to answer that question we need to seek the source of knowledge that will enable us to identify God and define God’s character properly. There is only one source where God reveals himself to humanity through humanity and that is the Bible. No other book identifies or even attempts to come close to defining God, except for the bible.

The first step to defining is designation (identifying a word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others). In other words your name is your designation, it classifies you to others and it distinguishes you from others. When people hear your name (designation) and identify it with your character (definition) it becomes unique even if your name is one in a dozen.

In order for us to identify God we need to understand His designation or His name. Like all of us God has a name, it classifies Him and it distinguishes Him. When we know His name, we can then start to define Him by His character. The question becomes how do we define God’s Character? It has long been a practice to name a child based on a meaning of what we want that child to be, so that the name may be his/her designation and a description of his/her character. God used this concept to reveal his character to us in scriptures. God has provided knowledge of himself to us through his designation, in order that we may “know” him. In His designation (name) we find a description of His definition (character).

 They are pieces of His character that when put together define Him for: Who He is, How He is and What He is instead of defining Him through the funnel of our own ignorance and experiences, we define Him by the knowledge given to us by Him of Himself. Here are the names of God as stated in scripture, with links to their definition study them and get to know God.

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)

El Elyon (The Most High God)

Adonai (Lord, Master)

Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)

Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)

Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)

Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)

Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)

Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)

El Olam (The Everlasting God)

Elohim (God)

Qanna (Jealous)

Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)

Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)

Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)