Posts tagged ‘GOD ALMIGHTY’

Bible Notes: The LORD Our GOD Truly Is A Merciful GOD

By LaVrai, 4 September, 2009, 4 Comments

Case in point: King Manasseh of Judah

I was reading Isaiah 35 (which prophecies about the healing ministry of our LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ, (as David Guzik explains here) and the next chapter involved King Hezekiah, the faithful king of Judah who turned the people back to the true worship of the LORD and away from idolatry. King Hezekiah fell deathly ill in the “prime of his life,” as the king himself put it (Isaiah 38) and the LORD granted him mercy and added 15 years to his life. According to the commentary in my study Bible, King Hezekiah was mostly mourning his death because he had no heir, no son to take his throne and carry on his name. Which makes sense since we don’t hear of the king having any other children in the accounts found in Isaiah 38, 2Isaiah 38, 2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

WP-Bible plugin Kings and 2 Chronicles. Apparently three years after the LORD acted to extend his life, King Hezekiah had a son, Manasseh — who took over the throne at 12 when his father died.

Now the accounts in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33 both open with the fact that King Manasseh “reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem,” which I thought was an indicator of how well he must have ruled, that he had kept his father’s standard of holiness unto the LORD. But alas, the next verses reveal a very disgusting king unworthy of the throne.

2 But he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 He also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.”

5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. 7 He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; …

In addition to sacrificing his children in fire and worshiping creation instead of the CREATOR and honoring all kinds of demons and setting up idols in the LORD’s temple and practicing black magic — King Manasseh also “shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another… (2 Kings 21:162 Kings 21:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. from...: Heb. from mouth to mouth

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Unrepentant Abortionists Have A Place In Heaven?

By LaVrai, 6 June, 2009, 8 Comments

I have been trying to keep my peace on this story, but these write-ups on murdered Kansas late-term abortionist Dr. George Tiller’s funeral is just too much.

I don’t want to be insensitive to his family, but we must be truthful. GOD, the CREATOR of the universe and life, does not take pleasure in the killing of innocents… and this country has plenty of babies’ bones beneath our feet. Nor does the LORD our GOD take pleasure in those who murder and advocate murder. The only way Mr. Tiller is in heaven is if the LORD Jesus Christ gave him the opportunity to repent of his sins before the breath left his body. If he died unrepentant, then his place of eternal rest is NOT heaven. He is shut out of the Kingdom of GOD. The alleged shooter, if he is guilty of this crime, will likewise be shut out of Christ Jesus’ Kingdom if he, too, does not repent of his sins.

From the New York Times:

George R. Tiller, the Wichita physician who was shot dead in his church last week, was remembered at his funeral Saturday as a man of courage who showed uncommon grace in the face of constant challenge to his medical practice, which included late-term abortions.

“He is in a much better place now, a safe place, a place where he is free,” said Dr. Tiller’s son, Maury, who did not need to remind anyone at the service that his father rarely went in public without a bullet-proof vest.

Dr. Tiller’s death leaves in doubt the future of Wichita’s only remaining abortion clinic. It also leaves even fewer options for women around the country who are seeking late-term abortions. But for the most part, Dr. Tiller’s funeral focused less on his work than on his life with his family and friends.

The word abortion was never uttered, nor were there any recriminations against the anti-abortion groups who for nearly two decades had tried in vain to put him out of business through relentless protests and an array of legal actions.

A 2nd Source:

Tiller, one of the nation’s few providers of late-term abortions, was killed by a gunshot last Sunday in the foyer of his own church, Reformation Lutheran, while he was serving as an usher and his wife was singing in the choir. His family had the funeral at the Methodist church to accommodate the large number of mourners.

His son, Maury, said the manner of his father’s death resulted in an unimaginable outpouring of love and support for the family.

But he added: “I struggle with the manner he was welcomed into heaven.”

… He also was remembered for his generosity and sense of humor.

“Dear God, get heaven ready, because Mr. Enthusiasm is coming,” said Larry Borcherding, of Overland Park, who first met Tiller a half-century ago when both were students at the University of Kansas. “Heaven will never be the same. It will be a better, better place with George in it.”

If GOD refused King David’s request to build his temple because he was a man who spilled blood during war… how is it HE would honor one who spills the blood of unborn babies without cause?

You can read what the Holy Bible has to say about abortion here.

‘What Was Hamas Thinking…?’

By LaVrai, 30 December, 2008, No Comment

Update (12/30/08 – 8:41PM ET): Apparently Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and people with decision-making powers in “key Arab states” are blaming Hamas for the current Israeli counter-attacks, reports Al Jazeera.

“Explain to me what Hamas was thinking, how you were thinking that the Israelis would respond when you began firing hundreds of Qassam rockets into Israel?”

This is what the News Hour’s Gwen Ifill asked U.N. Palestinian Observer Riyad Mansour during last night’s program. Surprisingly, he didn’t answer the question — the first or second time Ms. Ifill asked him. He also dodged the question about Egypt opening up one of the six closed checkpoints on its border with Gaza. Mr. Mansour appeared to make everything Israel’s responsibility. Gaza’s other neighbor, Egypt, nor the Palestinian Authority should be doing anything but standing by, according to his responses. Hamas is undoubtedly the problem. They have been waging a war against Israel since Israelis withdrew from the region in 2005…forcibly removing any Jewish settlers that remained (Arabs can live in Israel, of course, but Jews cannot live in Gaza…that’s the impression anyway).

If Israel says they will only cease the assaults when Hamas stops firing rockets, why is no Arab nation/leader/politician in the region calling on Hamas to stop?

Please take note of Mr. Mansour’s double standard when it comes to Palestinians defending themselves… yet Israel is not allowed to and any such act is apparently “criminal.” You can read a transcript or watch the video.

I agree that the fighting should stop and that talking should resume… but if Israel were to immediately stop any attacks, they would be a sitting duck for Hamas and “whoever” is providing them with all of those weapons and teaching them how to use them (I doubt it’s coming from the manual). Both parties need to be reasonable for any possibility of any kind of peace… but one group wants anything but… Hamas doesn’t acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a state.

And Hamas apparently also thinks the death of innocent Palestinians is worth the cause:

Hamas issued a statement in Gaza City taking responsibility for the rockets. Leaders of Hamas say Israel has no right to exist and condemn Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as a stooge for conducting peace talks.

“As long as the air strikes and killing go on, our support will widen because people see Hamas resisting the occupation,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a telephone interview in Gaza. “The number of fatalities is high but our people have been brutally killed before and we remain steadfast.” (Dec. 30, 2008ec. 30, 2008
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

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The Kuwaiti Times also notes that it is Hamas who broke the Egypt-brokered truce between the Palestinian militants and Hamas. The article also notes, as is already well known, Israel gave warning that they would retaliate if the rocket attacks didn’t stop. Hamas is still holding an Israeli soldier hostage — yeah, that helps peace negotiations:

Militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza pounded Israel with rocket and mortar fire yesterday, dimming the chances of a renewed ceasefire between the Jewish state and the Palestinian Islamist group. Gunmen had launched some 60 projectiles into Israel by early afternoon, the largest barrage since before an Egyptian-brokered truce went into effect in and around the besieged Palestinian territory in June. (Dec. 25, 2008ec. 25, 2008
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

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While Israeli officials speak temperately, making every effort to let Palestinian civilians know they are not targeting them and are sorry for any civilian casualties, Hamas militants, on the other hand, appear only interested in bloodshed. (This was about two days before Israel launched its counter-attack):

But Hamas — which said Wednesday’s rocket fire was in retaliation for the killing of three militants the day before — vowed to step up attacks if Israel responded with strikes against Gaza.

“(Israel) should know that any decision to attack the Gaza Strip will open the gates of hell and we will make you regret your stupidity with tears of blood,” the group’s armed wing the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades said.

“Israel’s stupidity will push us to expand (operations) and put in our line of fire thousands of new Zionists to defend the Palestinian people.” (Dec. 24, 2008ec. 24, 2008
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

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And here is my favorite — a denial from Hamas about rocket fire into Israel — although the whole world knows this is what they have been doing and they have even claimed responsibility at one point:

“Announcing from time to time that rockets are still fired from Gaza at Israel, is just an untrue claim to justify keeping Gaza Strip border crossing points with Israel closed,” Hamas said in the statement sent to reporters. (Aug. 17, 2008g. 17, 2008
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

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In summary, I don’t approve of bloodshed, but war must happen. That is the world we live in (wars and rumors of wars). Israel, Hamas, the PLO, the United States, England, etc. — no one can broker true everlasting peace in the Middle East but Messiah Jesus of Nazareth. I believe Israel is justified in defending herself — it would seem ridiculous for the leaders to just sit by and do nothing while rockets are being lobbed at their people everyday — all hours of the day. And many would say, well, Hamas is allowed to do the same thing… and that is the web we weave.

‘Rejection Of Christianity Will Lead The West To War’

By LaVrai, 29 December, 2008, No Comment

The Russian Orthodox Church predicts, in case the West finally refuses its Christian heritage, it will face “war of all against all.”

“When the West tries to expel, to erase every reminder of Christ from public space, it’s pathology of fighting against their own conscience, their own tradition. It won’t surprise me, if the West loses itself entirely in this fight,” Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said on Saturday in the Orthodox EncyclopediaTV Center.

in-god-we-trust When I read this short article this morning, I didn’t think it was worth posting, although I know the clergyman quoted speaks the truth. But later in the day I heard about an atheist filing a lawsuit over the phrase “so help me GOD” in the inauguration of the president. Apparently, the man makes it his life’s work to try and have anything referring to GOD removed from the nation — he had a similar lawsuit over the terminology “In GOD We Trust” on monies and he’s also trying to challenge the inaugural prayer (President-elect Barack Obama probably wouldn’t care if there weren’t any prayers… considering he prays to himself anyway).

Blame Hamas For The Blood Running Through Gaza’s Streets

By LaVrai, 27 December, 2008, 3 Comments

A Palestinian man shouts as he and others try to find their dead relatives among bodies of Palestinians laid out on the ground outside Shifa hospital on D<a class= ec. 27, 2008ec. 27, 2008
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin, in Gaza City, Gaza. " width="400" height="266" />

Photo caption: A Palestinian man shouts as he and others try to find their dead relatives among bodies of Palestinians laid out on the ground outside Shifa hospital on Dec. 27, 2008ec. 27, 2008
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin, in Gaza City, Gaza.

It pains me to see this death and carnage. But this is the way of man, no? I was once of the opinion that Israel perhaps should use restraint in dealing with the dozens of enemies who surround her, and the rest of the world usually voices the same opinion. Today, however, I don’t believe I can say the same thing after reading news reports about what has lead to this open onslaught.

The people of Gaza elected Hamas into government about three years ago and since then, as usual, there have been up-and-down truces between them and Israel. And, as usual, Hamas has taken it upon itself to send a steady barrage of rockets across the border toward Israel. During this most recent truce (which lasted 6 months I believe), Israel didn’t attack Hamas in Gaza with force; they used other means, such as tightening borders and shutting down power to the region. Dozens of people don’t die in Israel when Hamas militans fire their rockets, and that’s not the point even. The point is, the people of Israel are never at peace… and who can’t say that isn’t Hamas’ main goal.

Side note here: Hamas even managed to kill two little girls in their own region recently when they misfired a rocket in their hell-bent desire to continuously harass Israel (Reuters Video).

If another nation decided to lob rockets into U.S. borders continuously over a period of days… would America not be justified to defend itself by either lobbing back rockets or sending in ground troops? Would England, India, Egypt, China, Russia or any other nation under the sun not be required to attempt to end the attacks by whatever means they find neccessary?

Absolutely no man or woman has yet to broker a peace deal between these two peoples since conflicts started decades ago, when Israel took Gaza from Egypt. This fighting is hardly about religion or territory any more — the whole thing is being fueled by hate, deception and confusion — and I suppose fate. For the Holy Bible says Israel will not know peace until Messiah Jesus of Nazareth returns to earth. Someone will come along and pretend to broker peace — but that deal will be dashed to the ground and trampled upon.

No one here on this planet has any real power to solve Israel and her neighbors’ problems. All we apparently do is talk, talk, talk… as world leaders will undoubtedly do ad naseum as Israel’s defense attacks continue. I’ll keep praying, too, not so much for peace — I know that will come. I will be praying for mercy and grace from the LORD our GOD. I will ask the LORD to keep his people — both in Gaza and Israel — and to protect the defenseless — the women, children, elderly, etc.

Israeli officials have basically said they are just beginning, and don’t expect Hamas to humble itself any century soon. And do you know what will happen when the next truce comes around? — Hamas will resume sending rockets across Israel’s border. It is an undeniable fact that if Israel stopped defending it self and just sat quietly 365 days a year and absolutely no nation spoke on her behalf, every enemy around her would gladly go in and do what that demon Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been praying to the devil for for years — wipe Israel off the map. It has been Satan’s eternal goal to destroy the Woman’s seed and he won’t stop until Christ Jesus stops him. That too, is another fact.

Sources:

Massive Israeli Air Raids On Gaza – BBC News

Mideast Fighting: Background – Sky News

IDF Amasses Forces Near Gaza… – Jerusalem Post

Scores Dead In Israel Raid In Gaza – Al Jazeera English

Israeli Air Strikes In Gaza Kill More Than 200 – MSNBC