BRIDGE OUT - Thankful or Angry

Issue 25                 [October 3, 2010]

     If you were driving to work and  someone flagged you down to warn you of the bridge out ahead would you be angry at that person for making you late for work or thankful to them for saving your life?

     Many people are so easily offended when you speak of something that is contrary to their ideas and opinions. The way they grew up or the way their family was raised.  If its an opinion of democrat or republican, red or blue, coffee or tea, friend it is just that, an opinion and we should agree to disagree and try to remember that everyone is made up completely different. 

     If there is something out there that can help you to be a better person, to help you and your family raise the bar of your relationship and even save your soul then maybe it won’t hurt to hear them out. You can in fact hear someone out and know that they mean you no ill will. They are just a friend and with concern would like you to reach your full potential. In fact even if you don’t agree on something just remember that if they didn’t care for you they wouldn’t make the effort to help you!

     Now that I have gone thru setting a foundation of caring, maybe you wont be offended and know that this is done in a manner of love and concern. Do as you wish, but just know that I love you.


     Lets build a foundation of scriptures:

*   Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
        Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
     These two passages speak of God in the beginning and of the Word and how they are intertwined. The word was in the beginning, so was God. Matter of fact the word IS God. You cant change the word and you cant change God.

*   Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
     This is telling us that the Lord will not change, not for you, not for me.  The Lord will not tell you to live one way and to put off things of the world but its ok for me to do those things. Me and Jesus can NOT have our own thing going. What he said for one to do fifty years ago, he said for all to do today.

*      Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
         Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 
 
The scripture says here that If a man add to the word of God, that the plagues in Revelation shall be added unto him. If a man takes away from the Word of God that his name shall be taken away from the book of life. Its not wise to change the word of God.

*    Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 
 
     This scripture speaks of people who lie and what is to befall them when they die. So If we change the word of God, wouldn’t you say that we are liars? God says one thing and we said he said another, would we be classified as a liar? If the word plainly said we are to refrain from some particular deed and we say “that’s not what that means” is that  considered a lie?

     Does the Bible ordain and allow women to preach, to be a bishop, or a pastor?
1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  
1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.  
1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 

Does the Bible say anything concerning a “Christmas Tree”?
Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.  
Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.  
Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not

     What is the feeling of God concerning “Abominations”?
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Lev 18:29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
Lev 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Dt 17:4 And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:  
Dt 17:5 Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die
Mt 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mt 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  
Mt 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  
Mt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  
Mt 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mk 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Lk 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

     Does The Bible Have Requirements Concerning The Bishops?
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.  
1Ti 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

     What Is The Teaching of Hair In The Bible?
1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.  
1Co 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.  
1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.  
1Co 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.  
1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.  
1Co 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.  
1Co 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Co 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1Co 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Co 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?  
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
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Editors Comments:

    Due to limited time and space, I hope that you will take this as a quick study guide and not a full teaching lesson. As always, never take my complete word for it, but line me up with the word of God and prove me right or wrong. Let the word be true and every man a liar. I hope this will stir up your mind and help you to strengthen your roots in the word of God.

     For some this may be something you've always known about or maybe never cared to learn. For others I write this for your sake, in hopes that you will use this as a stepping stone and not a stumbling block. 

     I know that by writing this I will quite possibly offend someone. My intent is never to offend or provoke to wrath. If the "WORD" is what offended you. . . take it up with the man upstairs.

     I feel if you are sincere about your walk with God (even if you are offended) you will search out the scriptures and move up in the Lord. That, my friend, means that my goal is accomplished.