On Christian Character

            “Everyone is borne with a disposition mixed with the heredity of moral pollution and family distinctiveness. After the child is born, the age in which he lives endeavors to weave around him a certain personality. This comes about when the individual conforms to an age. Frequently, the uniqueness of his depraved disposition is swallowed up in the current vogue of the personality, style, mood, error, and spirit of the age.

            “God has an entirely different purpose in His will for the Christian who has been born again. The pollution of Adam, the heredity of disposition, and the personality of the age are to give way to the transforming power of the New Birth in separation, purity, power, prayer, Godliness, and maturity that reaches fruition in Christian character. Too many professing Christians fail to manifest consistency, loyalty, trustworthiness, love, determination, ethics, prayer, honesty, purity, humility, obedience, assurance, victory, honor, integrity, boldness, strength, or character.

            “What would be a workable definition of Christian character? To me, Christian character is a life of thoughts, attitudes, acts, habits, and practices which are dominated by the principle of the Word of God, which are brought into the life through the miracle of the New Birth, and which seeks to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ in all things.

            “In times like this there is a great need for godly Character!”

Dr. O. Talmadge Spence, Th. D.

May 17, 1980 “Joseph & his Brethren”

            Dr. O T. Spence was the founder and president of Foundations Bible College, was his pastor till his passed away on July 17, 2000. The College is now pastorate by Dr. H. T. Spence, his son, who is now the president of this Biblical College. If you like to know more of this wonderful ministry, please go Foundations Bible College

Epiphany

            It is considered in the double sense of the Word as the appearance of God in this world as well as the visit of the wise men to the Child, while they were coming from orient to Belen. A feast celebrated on January 6, and where the wise men presented their gifts to the Child Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh, as they worshipped Him. This story is found in Matthew chapter 2.

            There are many countries who celebrate this feast, with great signs and motives for the people and the children.  It is the time that gifts are given to the children for the good behavior maintained through the year. Few of them will receive coal as a sign of bad behavior, but later on they will be rewarded because “the three kings” are very magnanimous and they will not allow that any child pass by without gift.

            I guess you (the reader) have realized that I change from “wise men”, which is what the Bible says, to “the three kings”, which is what today’s’ people sustained, over all in Spain, where the roman-catholic church has maintained this feast as something very adorned of what the Bible says about it. They deduced that the wise men were magicians, that they were three (for the three gifts), and that they were white, brown, and black men (I really don’t know from which source they infer this, maybe from their desire that all ethnics be surrender to Christ).

            Now, many people will tell me that these things could have happened. That we do not know if that is true, and that why should we take out the illusion of thousands of children in the world that are expecting a gift? Do not other nations celebrated Christmas with papa Noel? Ahhhggg!!!

Certainly, we Christians celebrated Christmas as the coming of the Child Jesus as a gift and we are prompt to give gifts to our children at that time, but there are no lie in that. We celebrated the greatest gift that the humankind has received: the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross of Calvary, and as we celebrate his coming we show our appreciation to our children given them gifts for the blessing of the coming of the Son of God among us.

Yes, I know that there are a lot of difficulties to show people that they are wrong, but we Christian has to come back to the true worship and the true celebration of the coming of our blessed Lord.

CHRISTMAS!

I was recently at a clinic accompanying a lady to visit her bedside Dress. While waiting I read the Scriptures to take advantage of the time. It is always good to carry a pocket New Testament for those times. As the wait was long, I got up and I walked around the room, a cozy first floor full of seats with eight office’s doors, with their names on them next to each door, double in this case, that of morning and evening turns for every doctor or nurse. I stand up and walked a little bit and sat in another place, near the entrance door, where was on a large flat screen TV with various functions. In this case apparently had a Christmas presentation.

With beautiful photographs where the first said:

Christmas is to look to the future with optimism.

The second: Christmas is being at home.
The third: Christmas is light.
The fourth: Christmas is love and peace to the world.
The fifth: Christmas is a song.
The sixth: Christmas is peace.

            And last of all the picture one of a Santa Claus.... And I seriously wondered if these people really knew what it means Christmas. Because if it is true that Christmas is all these things, they are also missing the point, for these things come as consequence of something wonderfully supernatural.

Christmas is celebrated by Christians in remembrance of the coming of Jesus into this world as the Savior and Redeemer of our sins. It is the most glorious celebration of a birth that has been ever on Earth which Christians extol because of the prophecies and the words of the angels to the shepherds near Bethlehem. Of the more notable prophecies that Isaiah have the 7:6 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us)" (see Matt. 1:21-23), and 9:6 "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (see Luk.1: 32, 33). Besides the same prophecy over the village of his birth foretold by Micah 5:2 (see Matt. 2:5, 6), which is the answer that was given to Herod by the chief priests and scribes when he asked in response to the question of the wise men. And with these few verses more than over 300 prophecies that were fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ.

But if something showed the blessing of his coming was the appearance of the angel to the shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch by night over their flock. When the glory of the Lord shone around them they were terrified. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord." Indicating them where and how they would find Him, there appeared a multitude of the heavenly host saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:8-14). Extraordinary words from God to mankind for the birth of his blessed Son on earth.

Yes, man has something to celebrate at Christmas: the coming of his Savior to the earth. And it's okay to celebrate, and make gift exchanges, and give them hope with their children, but without forgetting the main thing that must be taught to all mankind is to acknowledge sin, repent, and accept the salvation that God offers us in His beloved Son, Who came to this world to die on the cross of Calvary to pay the price the justice of God required for our sins. This is the message of the Good News of Salvation.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

Prayer Meeting

            The past 18 and 19 of November I attend a prayer meeting at Iglesia Bautista el Faro, Alcala de Henares, Madrid. This little church is pastorate by Rev. Alejandro Sánchez, who bears a good ministry among the Alcarrians, being helped by the also pastor Pedro Torres. It is a 24 hours of prayer and preaching of the Word of God. The preacher invited was Dr. H. T. Spence, pastor and president of Foundations Bible College, who preached five outstanding sermons on the theme “Sanctification in times of iniquity”; based on I Tess. 4:7, 8 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.”

Many brethren came from different parts of the kingdom, like Oviedo, Valladolid, Malaga, Mataro, the same Madrid, and others cities that right now I do not remember, but all were well dispose to share prayers and have communion among us. 24 hours of learning about the Word of God, as well as 24 hours of talking about the Word of God. Every group enjoying their car’s trip both coming and going to be on time for Sunday services.

We are aware that this prayer time is a drop in the great ocean of iniquity in which we are moving trying to save and edify saints for and to our God and Savior Jesus Christ, but we are very thankful we were able to attend to this precious time.

By the way, I know this is not the only place Christians pray and hear the Word of God, and we are very thankful too for all those places and churches that move on this matter. This brief comment comes forth to acknowledge all the effort is made to have these prayer meetings. There is not better reward than to have the blessing of being partaker of Holy things of God. Thanks also for the hospitality receive at the El Faro’s church and her brethren.

HEART

            There are a few things we may say about the heart, and not all of them will agree, I mean, some will appear to be paradoxical. The heart could be defined as the hollow, muscular organ in vertebrates that pumps blood received from the veins into the arteries, thereby supplying the entire circulatory system. Also, the vital center of one’s being, emotions, and sensibilities; courage; fortitude; and the central or innermost physical part: the heart of the financial district; the most important essential part: the heart of the problem. These and more other things could be concepts of heart.

            But, how could I know the heart of someone? I guess that it will depend on his attitude facing problems of life. But, again, if I want to know more about the human heart I should know what the Scriptures say about it.

Heart comes from the Greek Kardia: The Scriptures attributed to the heart thoughts, reasonings, understanding, will, judgment, designs, affections, love, hatred, fear, joy, sorrow and anger since these things can actually affect a man’s physical heart. We all know how thoughts and emotions affect our blood pressure. Therefore, the heart is used for the mind in general (“O generation of vipers, how can ye being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” Mat. 12:34; “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quit spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” I P. 3:4); the understanding (“And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,” Lk. 9:47;  “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” II Co. 4:6); the will (“Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11:23); the memory (“And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.” Luke. 1:66); the intention, affection or desire (“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Mat. 6:21); the conscience (“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”). It can also mean the middle or inner part, as the heart is of the breast, as the heart of the earth is the inner part of the earth, the grave.

But, whatever things are about the heart, the Scriptures declares that an unchanging heart is capable of evil things and very perverse.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” Mat. 15:19, 20.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer.17:9, 10.

It is possible to know the heart of the people? I will say no, unless you have a guide in yours…  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  John 14:23.

As I reviewed certain things, I found in my papers this presentation of an introduction to Christian care. It refers to all those who are in need of care both older and young people as well to all who need to practice mercy and grace

 

INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN CARE

What do I understand is the controversy against Christ in my generation?

1. My age is against Christ in His capacity and authority as the only mediator between God and man.

2. My age is against the Bible as God's infallible word, thinking to have proven in its rational criticism that the Bible is insufficient to guide man in a scientific and highly complex generation.

3. Some in my age hold that God has left man to superintend life according to man's best rational understanding without God's interference.

4. Purity is impossible in this life even with Christ.

5. My age believes in cheap grace and in forgiveness, but it has little depth of awareness of the debt incurred and how we are to participate in its payment.

  6. My age has forsaken Christ as the creator of the cosmos.
  7. My age has denied Christ as the Son of God.

What are the things that I must therefore live with and do something about in
my generation?  

      1. Human and religious authorities vying for preeminence in the void.

      2. The use of deceptive-psychological methods to lure men to participate in the age,   methods which claim to understand and manipulate human nature toward certain objectives.  

3. The falsification of man in Psychological and Physical descriptions of his nature and purpose, and in his care and maintenance.

      4. Rational processes are applied to life which claims that understanding is the best goal of human care. But rational processes can only take apart and cannot build up or solve man's problems.

5. A natural morality and ethic has taken over life which prevents true sympathy for life, "working uncleanness with greediness."

6. An independent and   self-sufficient (so-called) social and psychological science seeks to become the mediatorial authority for knowledge about human life among the sciences.

7. The denial of any absolute authority.

8. An increasing world-wide economic motive arising to guide life. Will my decisions and activities enhance me financially?

9. Two motives are vying for preeminence presently: a. is my decision eco­nomically good?   b. will my decision increase my self-esteem and subsequently   further me in becoming all that I can be?

10. A generation of people with low self-esteem whose enemy is anything that has led to this condition.

11. Increasing lawlessness, crime, and the weakening of society's resistance to crime.

12. The legalization of crimes to enhance one's ease of life and self-esteem

13. Increasing hatred for the weak, and worship of the fittest.

14. Rational and utilitarian approaches to explaining life are casting significant doubt on the ability of sympathy, faith, wisdom, and love.

15.              An unbiblical view of human life as "normal" and "abnormal" and the resultant power of the categories derived from this viewpoint.

16.              Human authority that does not encourage obedience to the law of God (see Ezra 7:26).   Rather human authority encourages a neutral territory to life, that being science and specifically medicine and medical procedures.   The Physician is viewed as a magician who exists for man's betterment and can do no wrong except hinder a person's self-esteem or ease of life.

17.              Secularism perpetrated—a belief that God should not enter the affairs and functions of the state.

The Biblical Creation Society

I have found this site on internet, and would like to share it with you. I hope it will be a blessing to all of you.

The Bible has crucial things to say...

...on the origin and diversity of living things
...on 'life' issues and the nature of man
...and the environment

Biblical guidelines on these and related matters are of supreme relevance to Christians, science and society today. 

We respectfully challenge fellow Christians who have accepted holistic evolutionary explanations of the living world to reconsider the issues. We believe we have a constructive response to their questions founded on scripture.

The Biblical Creation Society is a Christian society that advances and defends the Biblical teaching on creation. We seek to think through issues related to origins from a coherent Biblical and scientific standpoint:

• Standing for Creation since 1976
• Addressing today's issues in the scientific and theological debate
• Our publication, "Origins" provides comment and articles at the technical and more popular level.
• For some recent comments on media stories, "John Ray's Diary" is an attempt to bring Ray's Christian principles to the fore when commenting on contemporary issues in science.
• Opportunities to be involved in field trips and workshops
• Dynamic speakers for your meetings - youth groups, church events, evangelistic opportunities and university groups.

If any of you have desires to know more you may go HERE