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Pete Macinta
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 07:39 pm |
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agate001
Back to School Time By Pete Macinta For many in North America, it is time to go back to school. And despite what we sometimes see around us, there are many children and young people that enjoy learning.
Even during the summer months there are still some children that like to read. For me, when I was a child, it was either science books or mystery, like the Hardy Boys.
Essentially, God has placed inside of each person the ability and desire to learn, and it is certainly good to learn about a variety of matters.
However, what is so often neglected is the need to learn about God. And, if and whenever they get to it, far too many people depend too much upon others to learn about God.
For some, their information comes from denominations and religious groups. Some glean what they want from others who are unlearned in the Bible, or truly self-taught in the Bible.
The best thing for each person to do is to go directly to God through Jesus Christ. Of course, that must be done by faith, but it still can, and should be, done.
In the Gospels we see that many people really enjoyed listening to Jesus. One case I have to often think about is when Jesus paid a visit to the home of Lazarus. Though Martha had herself tied up with busywork, Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn.
Some time before that, Jesus had cast out a legion of demons from a possessed man. Once He had done that, we see the man sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to Him.
Later, after He died for our sins, rose and ascended, and the Holy Spirit was poured forth on the day of Pentecost, Peter and John were reprimanded by the religious leaders of that day for ministering in the Name of Christ.
Undaunted, these apostles, alluding to Old Testament Scripture, made a brief defense before the leaders. The result was (Acts 4:13), “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Just being with Jesus gave these mere men the ability to stand up despite pressure and declare the wisdom of God for salvation, the most important subject anyone can study.
And one does not have to have a good I.Q. to accomplish that. They just need to spend time in the presence of Jesus, the best teacher anyone can have. We can begin class with worship and praise and read and study the Textbook that God gave for our lives: The Holy Bible.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13 For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com
Last edited on Wed Aug 27th, 2008 07:41 pm by Pete Macinta
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Aug 20th, 2008 03:52 pm |
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hematite004
Fear or Faith?
By Pete Macinta
One does not have to look too far to find things to worry about each day. Along with natural disasters and other things, internationally there are wars and threats, some of which looms with nuclear woes at times. Here in the United States, along with concern over the economy, there are diseases and crimes among the many other problems that about in our Nation.
While it is good to have concern, what is not good is ungodly fear – the type of fear that does not improve a person, but eventually degrades him. We have a choice of which one we want.
Jesus predicted that as certain would be fulfilled, some of the very things that are beginning to happen in our time, that, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” ( Lu 21:26)
Jesus also said, to His disciples, the one's who are truly committed to Him and have made Christ King in their lives that, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Lu 21:28 )
From this we see that those who belong to Christ have no need to fear what is around them in a negative way. They realize that these things must take place which will eventually bring about the national spiritual salvation of Israel.
Now, to make it even more personal, let us consider Abraham. In the midst of a polytheistic society, he was told by God to leave his father's house and the land of his birth and travel to wherever God would tell him to go. He comes to Canaan and as he was settling in, he found himself having to rescue his nephew lot who had traveled with him. That rescue involved participating in a local war that had broken out.
Though he was on the winning side, he was still in, what was to him, a foreign land and one can imagine some fears may have been crowding his mind.
He heard God speak again, saying, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Ge 15:1) Why was God a shield and reward unto Abraham? Because Abraham had chosen to listen to God and obey Him.
Each person has that same choice. We can either have fear or have true faith, the type of faith that Abraham had to fully commit to God, and to trust and obey Him. And the God of mercy and love will not shove away anyone who sincerely wants to make Christ the king of their life.
----------------------------note-----------------------
To refresh anyone's memory, how and why this thread was started:
Posted: Wed Jun 27th, 2007 10:14 am ....
Greetings to all.
I have seen the requests for positive posts on this forum and some have already stepped up to the plate. I have been thinking of doing the following for some time now, not just for this forum, but for others to.
I trust you will be helped by Bible GemLights. I will try to release one per week.
God bless,
Pete Macinta
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 06:05 pm |
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ruby002
What a Kiss!
By Pete Macinta
If anyone reads enough of the Holy Bible they will soon discover that there is a problem between mankind and God. That problem is called sin.
Going further, we see that God is perfect, and without holiness no man shall see God. In the Koine Greek, sin is defined as missing the mark, and we know that, when compared to God, we all miss the mark. We all have sinned.
The righteousness of God requires punishment for sin: “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)
As a result, unless one's mind has been deluded with a false sense of security, deep down inside of each person is a desire to have peace between themselves and God. Who, in their right mind, wants that spiritual death mentioned in Ezekiel?
Well, the good news is that the issue has been resolved. Prophetically, the psalmist by the Holy Spirit in Psalm 85:10b wrote, “... righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
And, hopefully most of you reading this know how God did it.
Just before that clause in verse 10 is this: “Mercy and truth are met together;” The truth, as we already have seen, was that we were sinners and did deserve the damnation of eternal death. However, the mercy of God intervened, but did so based on God's righteousness.
Verse 9a states, “Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;” The Hebrew here for the word fear can mean reverence, not the idea that God hates me and is going to roast me in hell for my sins.
On the contrary, we do see throughout the Holy Bible that God has a tremendous love for man. Yes, His righteousness dictates nothing sinful shall dwell eternally with Him. That is why He made provision in Christ.
Christ took the complete punishment for our sins by enduring many torments and finally dieing upon the cross, where the wrath of the Father for our sin was poured out upon the Son.
All that is now required is for us to avoid damnation is to join God's side, fully committing ourselves to Him through Christ. This matches the thought of showing reverence to God.
Our heavenly Father wants us to come to Him as little children, fully trusting in His plan of salvation, not in what we think is the way, but in the Way He made, which is Christ.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Aug 6th, 2008 05:41 pm |
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aquamarine002
The Wonderful Walters
By Pete Macinta
One of the blessings of the Word of God is that it can certainly bring refreshment to a weary soul providing they read it and accept what it says. And those that share it with others have a special blessing in God are a definite blessing to those who they share the word of God with.
When I made Christ King in my life in 1970 and began to faithfully attend what was at that time a Bible believing church there was an older couple in attendance, the Walters.
Just after I committed to Christ, additional young people were added to that little congregation which brought joy to the Walters.
Four years after I started going to that church, I graduated from Northeast Bible Institute and had secured ministerial credentials within the district of the denomination I was then a part of. Others had graduated from high school that year and the church had a special celebration for us.
People gave us little gifts and cards. I received a card from the Walters. I forget what the card said, but I sure remember the Holy Scripture passage that the Walters had written on it: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” -- Psalm 75:6-7
That has been a great encouragement to me in these more than four decades in the ministry. However, what I desire to point out is, is that the encouragement came from a godly couple who not only blessed me with the Word of God, but blessed others.
Young people, and all people, need that type of godly encouragement today. It was a blessing for teens who had been exposed to the teaching of the world in public education to be with people who knew and fully believed that man's word will pass away, but God's Word remains forever.
Without a doubt, the Walters, providing they had remained in the Lord, have passed from this world and have gained eternal life. However, their godly encouragement still works in me and in the lives of many others have touched.
It behooves us to be like the Walters. Instead of poll parrotting the teaching and attitude of the world that degrades mankind to an animal, it is good for us to present, in a godly manner, the Word of God to children, teens, and everyone.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 10:11 pm |
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topaz002
Powerful Joy
By Pete Macinta
Despite difficult times, there always seems to be a few people that project a positive attitude. While in many cases some of these people have a natural sanguine temperament, there are others that might defy explanation – until you get to know them.
And, for much of the balance of humanity, there are those who, when confronted with the varied negative aspects of life turn to comedy, alcohol, foolishness, medications, illegal drugs or anything else to relieve the heaviness. However, the relief is temporary and the heaviness soon returns. This is when the principle found in Proverbs 14:13 is clearly shown: “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”
Eventually some people learn that no matter what they try, their troubles remain and even get worse.
Now, when it comes to being a true Christian, I am not going to tell you that a Christian does not have problems, or less problems, or that they disappear after a season of prayer. In fact, in some cases the problems increase.
Though they remain or increase, the true Christian, the one that has committed to Christ and has made Him king in his life, has Christ within through the presence of the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit dwells within, He produces spiritual fruit, one of which is joy.
Since growing in Christ is a learning process, there are some Christians who take years to develop this fruit. But, as they patiently walk in the Lord, they learn to trust Him more.
One of the steps in learning to trust Him is training oneself to respond to trouble by worshiping God, which is very difficult at times to do. Many term this as a sacrifice of praise. Following the Biblical principles of praising God in all circumstances will surely bring about a strong resistance from the sinful nature.
However, by pressing on in Christ by faith, one can eventually find themselves worshiping the Almighty God. In so doing, we can not only sense His Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit brings with Him unexplainable joy.
We then find that though our problems have not left, we now have added inner strength to face them. Indeed, as it is written in Nehemiah 8:10, “... the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 03:05 am |
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pearl004
The Saving Word of God: Simple and Open
By Pete Macinta
I like colors and colorful passages in the Holy Bible. That is why, after I committed to Christ, I took a great liking to Revelation 10.
The first verse reads "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire."
The latter half of the second verse states, "And he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth." This is quite significant in that we later see in Revelation that the False Prophet rises up from the earth and The Beast, who most scholars feel is the Antichrist, rises up from the sea. The fact that the angel stands on the land and sea indicates God is in full control of every situation and time period.
However, I would like us to consider the first half of verse two: "And he had in his hand a little book (scroll) open."
Now, the Apostle John was told to take the little open scroll from the hand of the mighty angel. Now look at this in verse nine: "And I went unto the angel and said unto him, "Give me the little book (scroll)." And he said unto me, 'Take it and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.'"
After he eats it and these things occur, the angel told John, "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples and nations, and tongues and kings."
From these verses, along with a similar passage in Ezekiel, we see that this little scroll symbolizes to us the Word of God, and what I like in Revelation 10 is the fact that this scroll is little and open. It is showing us that the message of salvation, which John was to proclaim, was clear and simple.
Years back, I heard of a little three-year-old who committed her life to Christ. Sometime later, she indicated she had a call to the foreign mission field. As she grew, she remained true to Christ and followed through by going into foreign missions.
Sure there are some deep things in God's Word, what the Book of Hebrews refers to as meat. But there is always that milk of the Word that a child can understand. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 09:45 pm |
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jade001
Radio is not Everywhere
By Pete Macinta
"Radio -- it's everywhere," is an advertising catch-phrase used by a local radio station in Dorchester County where I reside. While I would disagree with the thought that it is "everywhere," since I don't care to have one droning all day while I work, it certainly is in a lot of places.
While some like to drive around town with music or "music" blasting away, I don't. When I turn sound on in the car it's for news or, if we are on a long trip, weather and traffic updates by radio and Christian music usually by CD.
Most times when I operate a vehicle I do not care for any added sound. For safety reasons I want to hear the various sounds of the engine and the sounds around me. I would like to know if an emergency vehicle is heading my way, so I get out of the way.
Driving from Cambridge to Grantsville, Maryland, we pass by Frederick, Maryland. If a radio or CD is on, the volume is turned down or completely off so I fully concentrate on any merging traffic.
It is extremely important to listen. By listening, there are times that one can detect if there will be some type of malfunction with the car and in many case accidents can be avoided if drivers would listen to their surroundings.
Hearing spiritually is even more important than hearing physically. When we think of it, the physical hearing often crowds out the spiritual hearing. Many in today's society have cell phones and other gadgets that not only grab their attention but disturb those around them.
Sometime back on local forum that I participate in a member of the forum started a discussion on naming some beautiful things. Scores of people responded, but one member, Poundhound, had a response that caught my eye: The sound of utter silence and nature while fishing!
Yes! That brought back memories when I first caught the fishing bug. We were pastoring in Flintstone at the time. Not far away was Town Creek, and as I ventured along the banks of it, far from US 40, I was tremendously impressed with the sound of nature and, as a result, tremendously impressed with the awesome presence of the Creator. I stood upon ancient rock as I fished and had to think of when God created the world and later brought a flood upon the whole earth.
I think some people go fishing to hear from God, even commune with Him, away from the noise.
While you may not live near such a rural setting, you most certainly can live in the presence of God if you completely commit your life to Him. Make time to be in Him. "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still," -- Psalm 4:4
Radio is not everywhere. But God is. Listen to Him!
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Tue Jul 8th, 2008 03:12 pm |
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smokeyquartz002
For this week's Bible GemLight, please see . . .
Five Biblical Principles for Economically Tough Times
God bless,
Pete
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 07:41 pm |
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smokeyquartz001
The Economy, You, and God
By Pete Macinta
Despite the economic doom and gloom many throughout the world face today, there is hope and peace available in the Blessed Controller of all things.
As April 2008 reached its final days, the economic news I heard on the radio was not all that bright: Oil prices shot up again close to $112 a barrel, and a report from OPEC indicated oil at $200 a barrel in the future might not be out of the question. The same report explained that somehow when the US dollar declines, oil prices go up. If the dollar could be strengthened by ten percent, oil prices could be reduced by 40 percent.
It's now summer 2008 and oil prices have recently hit $144 a barrel.
This rising cost in oil is eventually reflected in a rising cost of most consumer goods, and the United States is not alone in this economic dilemma.
As a result, individuals are expressing a number of emotions: frustration, anger, fear, worry, and more. On the other hand, there are a few, that though they have concerns, they possess hope and peace.
Their hope and peace is rooted in the Holy Bible, which readily shows that God through Christ is the Blessed Controller of all things. It is also rooted in a personal knowledge of Its Author, God. They know that God has a specific plan established, and a personal plan for each individual that would bring them hope and peace if only they would trust Him.
While the concerns of these people would include rising prices, the greater concern to them is the fact that billions do not fully trust in the one true God through Jesus Christ.
For some, the question that often comes to their mind is when will revival come? By that is meant a real revival where hearts, minds, and lives are dramatically changed as they yield to the loving, merciful move of God.
It has happened many times before, and there is a sense among true Christians that there shall be one more great and true revival before Christ removes His Church from the earth.
Yet, to many, the greatest concern is this: There has been little spiritual response in recent years when calamity strikes. Again, someone has said that on September 11, 2001, the United States bowed the head but did not bow the knee. There was a cry unto God, but not a powerful embrace of all He is and all that He offers in Jesus Christ.
So the question in many a true Christian's mind is, "What will it take for some people to truly and fully commit to God?" For those who do not personally know Christ, the question might be, "How in the world am I going to make it?"
There is one avenue for both answers, and that is prayer. If you do not personally know Christ, that is, He has forgiven your sins and He lives within you, then by all means consider talking to Him now, asking Him to cleanse you of your sins, and inviting Him within you to live. Once you do that, read the Word of God and embrace Its truth and hope. Eventually you will come to the place that you will have peace in the midst of all this economic doom and gloom.
Immediately, you will find the power of this verse: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." -- Matthew 11:28. Our Lord waits to embrace you, and hold you close to Him, very close, as the turmoil of the world increases around us. As you fully trust Him, He will meet your needs.
For us that know Christ, we can certainly pray that God will soften hearts and that His Word would be swiftly, boldly, and wisely proclaimed to the unsaved, praying also for ourselves that we will be the people He wants us to be in these difficult times.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit http://www.sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 04:48 pm |
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lapislazuli004
Free Indeed
By Pete Macinta
Rules, regulations, and just a plain lack of freedom are a few thoughts that come to mind when some are confronted with the gist of the Gospel, which is a complete committal to Christ. There is a often a bit of confusion between "religion" and the actual person of Christ.
However, Jesus, Himself, makes this amazing and hopeful statement as recorded in John 8:36, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Just before He said that, He pointed out that anyone who commits sins is a servant to sin: John 8:34 -- "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
By the Holy Spirit, Paul writes in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and we see from that passage and other passages that we are all sinners, which makes us servants to sin -- until we really come to Christ.
Most people outside of Christ think they are free, however I assure you as we look at the Holy Scriptures that satan* makes sure a person is fooled into thinking they are free.
Most do not realize they are made as spirit, soul, and body, and until they commit to Christ, their spirit is ruled by their body, soul, and the world temperament. Behind all of that is satan himself. Someone who is not committed to Christ is essentially a puppet and pawn of satan.
Yet, those who come to Christ, though they become His servants, find true freedom in Him. Just some of the things one is freed from include the following: sin, the sin nature, guilt, judgment for those sins, hell, peer pressure, demonic influence, and fear of death. It is true that some Christians struggle with some of these things, but as they grow in Christ, they will begin to walk in the freedom that Christ has provided for them by His own blood. Some who are not committed to Christ might at times criticize those who struggle as being hypocrites, but there are those who struggle that truly do not want to sin, and God will help those who have a honest and truly determined heart.
Christ also liberates a person so they may grow in their use of the gifts of the Spirit granted by God and the development of His moral nature within them.
By His precious blood Jesus Christ has offered true freedom to everyone. If you have not done so already, commit fully to Christ and enjoy real freedom in Him.
* I realize that satan is a proper name and should be capitalized but, for personal reasons, I try to avoid doing so whenever possible.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries, All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of rubies, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children." --- Isaiah 54:11-13 For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit
http://www.sapphirestreams.com Last edited on Wed Jun 25th, 2008 04:53 pm by Pete Macinta
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 06:37 pm |
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yesteryear wrote...
You have been blessed with great words of wisdom,keep up the good work that you have been chosen for. The jimmy swaggart, and Jim bakers of this world really did a number on the teetering believers and then came the catholic scandals which makes someone in your profession really have to work overtime.
Thank you, it is only with the Lord's help.
My Dad accepted Christ in Dec. 1970. He was a Bakker fan, but the Lord took my Dad home a few months before the PTL thing came apart.
Lowell Lundstrom, an Assembly of God minister who was a traveling evangelist in those days said it was kind of embarassing to get on plane and people ask what do you do and he would say evangelist. Lundstrom had also been on TV and radio. He now serves as a pastor somewhere.
God bless,
Pete
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yesteryear
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 07:10 pm |
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| You have been blessed with great words of wisdom,keep up the good work that you have been chosen for. The jimmy swaggart, and Jim bakers of this world really did a number on the teetering believers and then came the catholic scandals which makes someone in your profession really have to work overtime.
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Pete Macinta
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Posted: Wed Jun 18th, 2008 08:01 pm |
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rhodochrosite006
Thank God He is Immutable By Pete Macinta Things around us constantly change. Buy a new item, sooner or later it is old, worn out, in need of repair, or broken. We ourselves certainly change, spiritually and physically.
Churches, denominations, spiritual movements and more change. Many people have left their churches after doctrinal changes were made. In some cases, groups combine, thinking they will fare better in "unity," only to find they have lost some distinctions that set them above others in holiness.
I have seen people who once attended a denominational church. Then, the denomination changed, and those people felt like they have been abandoned -- or something has been stolen from them. And, they are probably right. This is how I personally felt in 2003 when the General Council of the Assemblies of God had made certain changes.
Spiritual leaders and churches once walking in holiness become tainted, stained with sin. Sometimes I wonder how many became completely discouraged when Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swagart fell from grace. Those that were overly discouraged did not have their focus upon God Who is immutable.
Only God cannot be changed, altered, corrupted or destroyed. That is one reason why we should firmly and completely ground our faith in Him. We need to have His fulness activated in our lives through Jesus Christ.
Again, we should feel great comfort and thank Him that He is immutable. "I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." -- Malachi 3:6
Indeed, His immutability can assure us His omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, and eternalness remain pure and constant.
This brings great peace to my mind. Perhaps you are longing for peace. If you make Jesus Christ King of your life, fully committing to Him, you too can have that peace.
For an overview of Pastor Pete's Internet ministry please visit Sapphirestreams.com
© 2008 Macinta Ministries - All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries. Last edited on Wed Jun 18th, 2008 08:03 pm by Pete Macinta
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big mac attack
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Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 02:54 am |
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If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.
Ronald Reagan
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 9th, 2008 04:32 pm |
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Greetings to all,
For this week's Bible GemLight, and since Fathers Day is this Sunday, I would like to refer to the following article I have written:
Zechariah: Dynamic Fatherhood
God bless,
Pete
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 04:47 pm |
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onyx007
Israel: From Burden to Blessing
By Pete Macinta
After almost 2000 years of being wiped off of the map, on May 28, 1948, Israel got back on the map, a true fulfillment of Isaiah 66:8 -- "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."
While to me and other true Christians this is good news, much of the Arab world and, really, much of the world itself, considers Israel to be a pain, a burden.
I am of the opinion that U.S.A.'s friendship with Israel will sour as the years go by. To me this is a logical deduction because sin is on the increase.
Eventually, all nations will be gathered against Israel (Joel 3:11-12): "Assemble yourselves and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about; thither cause Thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about."
The thought will be in their mind, thanks in part to the coming antichrist, to eradicate Israel, but they will meet the Lord Himself Who will punish them.
Then, a most beautiful thing happens. The remnant of Israel that is left accepts the Jesus they rejected.
Zechariah 12:10 - "And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn."
Then shall be fulfilled Zechariah 8:13: "And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing."
Israel, now a burden to many, will become a blessing. Those that are, and stay, committed to Christ, will be there, for it is written in Revelation 19:14, "And the armies which were in Heaven, clothed in fine linen white and clean, followed Him upon white horses," and in Jude 14, "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, 'Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints.'"
Will you be one of them? You can if you fully commit to Jesus Christ.
You will find, though, some in the world may not like you anymore. After all, when we become Christians, we are Christ's spiritual seed, His children. Satan does not like us nor the Jews. So you will come under pressure, but it is worth it to inherit eternal life.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries
All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Tue May 27th, 2008 08:25 pm |
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onyx006
It Happened on May 28
By Pete Macinta
Most likely, May 28 will have gone by with its importance unnoticed by most people. To many, it shall be like any other day and to others, when I mention its importance, they will just think it a mere coincidence that a certain historical event took place. If you are of the latter sort, please read carefully and think again.
Let us go back about 2,500 years or so to Babylon, where the Jews had been exiled for their continual sin. There, Daniel sought the face of God about His people's release from Babylon. In Daniel 9, God said a predetermined period of time had been set upon His people to affect a number of purposes ranging from their punishment, to the sacrificial work of the Messiah and their eventual redemption.
You know that when the Lord appeared in flesh in Christ Jesus that most of the Jews rejected Him as their Messiah. They, with the help of the Roman government, had Him crucified, but just before this Christ warned that the magnificent Temple would be completely destroyed. Did you know that about 40 years after His crucifixion that the Jewish Temple was completely destroyed?
Not only was the Temple destroyed but after 70 AD many of the Jews were dispersed and Israel eventually ceased to politically exist.
Now let's move a bit closer to our time, let's say 1910. If you would acquire a map of the Middle East, you could look hard and long at it but you would not be able to find Israel on it. Many Christians who would read the prophecies about the antichrist in the Temple in the last days would most certainly consider the passages as symbolic. After all, there was no Israel, no Temple. It would say "Palestine" on the map instead of Israel.
Well, let's move up a few years and we hit WW I. The conflict left some loose ends and a few years later Adolf Hitler was winning the hearts and minds of Germany. I hope you know he had thousands upon thousands of Jews tormented and killed.
Through a series of, what I and others see as powerful and miraculous events, WW II ceased. In addition to this, Great Britain, which held a mandate over Palestine, indicated the mandate would be terminated.
And, when it was, a group of dedicated Jews on May 28, 1948, took a stand and declared the existence of Israel.
Thus, Isaiah 66:8 was fulfilled: "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."
Israel soon came under attack, but the nation stands today.
I hope you can see the power of the Word of God -- the Word of God and not the word of man. And the power that should be the focused upon is not so much that God through His true prophets has predicted various events, but that He has made provision for our salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Please know that not one prophecy of the Holy Bible will fail. Please also know that not one of His promises are void if we accept them in Christ. If you have not already done so, please fully commit to Jesus Christ.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries - All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
Please visit http://sapphirestreams.com
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Pete Macinta
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 03:07 am |
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rhodochrosite005
Thank Him that He is Eternal
By Pete Macinta
We are creatures in time. Our own beginning was when God spoke our spirit into existence. Later, we were born and soon found out about time in this world -- and that our bodies are "programmed" to reach an expiration point.
Yet, He is, always was,and always will be. This is another great attribute of God to thank Him for. I l like to say He is timeless, but is in time with us. In fact, if we closely examine the Word of God, we will find that He is not only in our present time, but is in our past and is in our future, even before we get there. In other words, while we think of our future at times as "tomorrow I have to be here or there, or I need to do something," God is already there in our future.
That, indeed, His eternalness is something to thank God for. Only God knows if we will face some great tragedy on the morrow, and only He is there before it occurs. He is already there, ready to help us if we ask Him.
This can bring great solace to us as we pray. We should be praising and thanking Him when we pray, and the very fact that He is eternal should overwhelm us with comfort. It is good to thank God that He is eternal.
Note this scene in heaven (Revelation 4:8): "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
I have felt a tremendous blessing while praising God when I speak, with meaning, the words of the four beasts -- "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." As we say that in worship, it almost seems like we are joining that sacred chorus in heaven.
We must thank Him that He is eternal, keeping in mind the holy admonitions of Luke 21:33. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away," and 1 John 2:17, "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
Please visit http://sapphirestreams.com
© 2008 Macinta Ministries
All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries. Last edited on Wed May 21st, 2008 03:08 am by Pete Macinta
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Thu May 15th, 2008 03:24 am |
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rhodochrosite004
Thank God He Is All Powerful
By Pete Macinta
If we look back in history, we will see there have been numerous leaders and nations that seemed extremely powerful. It appeared there was no end to the kingdom's strength and that it might last almost forever. However, history shows they failed, with even some kingdoms brought to the point of non-existence.
Where is Hitler, Mussolini, Napoleon, the Caesars, Alexander the Great and all of the others? Where is Chaldea, Edom, Moab and many more?
Back in the 1950's and 60's the Communists were the big enemies. Well, they have since fizzled out. Now it is the Muslim extremists some tremble at, but why? They, too, shall pass.
Do not fear man, but reverence your Creator -- He Who spoke the universe into existence. Think about it. He could speak it out of existence too, or say to Earth, "begone," but He does not. That's one aspect of His omnipotence that we should thank Him for -- by His mercy, love and wisdom, and no doubt more, He permits us to exist.
Another thing to thank Him for regarding His omnipotence -- only He is omnipotent. Much of His "intelligent" creation has trouble properly handling the limited power they already have.
His power goes beyond the limitations of man. It amazed Christ's disciples when He said, "...a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven," and added, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard that, they asked, "Who then can be saved?"
His reply, of course, was, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
We must keep in mind though that God is not a genie in a bottle waiting for us to do the right thing then granting our wishes. Rather, He moves in His omnipotence by His sovereign will in all holiness.
Indeed, thank Him that He alone is all powerful. That, one day, the kingdoms of the whole world will crumble, and Christ shall return in glory. Then, Revelation 19:6 shall vividly come to pass: "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
And, as it is written in Isaiah 9:7a, "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end."
I hope whoever reads this will be ready to be raised from the dead to be part of that government. You can be, by making a true complete commitment to Jesus Christ.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries -All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Mon May 5th, 2008 05:53 pm |
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rosequartz002
Happy Mothers Day edition!
Greetings to all,
For this BGL, which has a public domain picture, please see...
Motherhood That Presses on
If you want to print that out in just text, copy and paste into notepad and go for it  !
© 2008 Macinta Ministries -- All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
Last edited on Mon May 5th, 2008 05:53 pm by Pete Macinta
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 04:00 pm |
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rhodochrosite003
Thank God He is Everywhere
By Pete Macinta
I must confess. When it comes to applied theology, I want it in its purest form. So, when I see a mug that has "God could not be everywhere, so He made mothers" emblazoned on it I feel like painting over that sentence because it is just not true, and encourages people to think of God in a limited way.
I've come across writings of some rabbis that indicate God is not everywhere and I have to wonder how they came to that conclusion when their very own Holy Scriptures state in Jeremiah 23:24, "Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD."
Please note carefully that Lord is LORD -- all capital letters, indicating that Yahweh Himself said He fills heaven and earth.
Yet many in society do not think so. There is even a major cult that teaches that Yahweh is on a planet somewhere far from earth. What foolishness that is!
We must see God for Who He is, exactly as the Holy Scriptures reveal Him. We must also see in these Scriptures that our sense of certain aspects of the presence of God depends upon our own personal spiritual condition.
To limit God in our minds is a tragic mistake with the result being that we ourselves become limited.
Instead, we should realize that God is everywhere -- and rejoice in that fact that never changes.
This is one way how true Christians endure imprisonments and other troubles. After all, by the Holy Spirit David writes (Psalm 139:7-8), "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." I did not say it was easy for those suffering, but they endure, because God is there.
Yet, there are times some feel that God is nowhere around, at least near them. However, His Word says He is everywhere.
His omnipresence, like all of His attributes, must be accepted in faith, but God is so gracious as to even give us that faith if we ask.
Friend, He is everywhere, and you can touch His throne by sincerely talking (praying) to Him.
He loves you with a tremendous love. Reach out to Him today in faith.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries
All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 03:44 pm |
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sapphire001
The Reality and Blessing of Christ's Ascension
By Pete Macinta
Many adults seem to enjoy telling fantasies to their children and grandchildren they themselves were told at an early age. From fairies that will pay for lost teeth to a jolly old soul that knows if you have been good or not, children around the world are often delighted with the seemingly innocent fiction they hear.
Then reality hits. No elf, no bunny, no fairy exists and, though it appears many children take this in stride, has not a seed of doubt been placed in their mind as to what they are told by adults?
I was raised Roman Catholic and educated in a parochial school. I can distinctly remember being taught that God, and only God, knew all things. Well, logically I concluded the elf was not real, and while that was a good choice there were other choices to be made in regard to "which adults do I believe?"
Before long I began to question all adults, including the nuns and the priests in charge of my education.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that after Christ died and rose from the dead, He ascended into heaven. After so many years of hearing that, along with the innocent tales I heard from family and friends, doubt entered my mind regarding the ascension of the Christ.
Was this not a cleverly devised fable to encourage people to commit to a church system? Ah, how convenient -- all this talk about a man who did many miracles, is supposed to be God in flesh, and you better be good and do good being subservient to the Church or be damned!
That doubt stayed with me for over a decade and fueled my hatred for "Christianity."
But then, there is man's word and there is God's Word. For various reasons I began to read the Holy Bible in 1969. On January 25, 1970 I personally met the Author Who nudged me in the weeks to come to just believe what it says -- every word of it.
The ascension then became part of the foundation of faith. Through personal study I learned that though God is God, He, in His loving holiness, chooses to work with His creatures in the parameters He has set forth in His wisdom. Shortcuts produce puppets devoid of true faith and love in their Creator. The ascension was required to remedy things in heaven and earth.
To the person truly committed to Christ, His ascension also means, in part, that despite the inner and outward turmoil we face in this life we can have a peace that passes all understanding as we fully trust His completed work. As we become one with Him in His life, death, and resurrection, we also become one with Him in His ascension where He rules in all authority.
As a result, we can find tremendous blessing if we follow the command of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:1 -- "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
What seek ye and where do you trust -- man's word or God's infallible Word? What think ye of the ascension -- is it fable, or a fact of the Word of God that fuels your faith?
© 2008 Macinta Ministries - All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 11:46 pm |
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onyx005
Thank God He Knows All
By Pete Macinta
Perhaps one of the most comforting attributes of God is the fact that He knows all things: "...God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." -- 1 John 3:20
There is nothing, whether material or immaterial, that God does not know. It can really boggle our minds to even start to think of all that God knows, down to the smallest details.
There is no way that anyone can arrive at a definite and accurate number of how many stars there are throughout the universe. However, God knows, and He even knows how many molecules there are in all the stars combined.
He knows how many breaths you took this day and exactly how many molecules entered your lungs and how many came out. He knows all about your spirit, soul, and body. "... the very hairs of your head are all numbered." -- Matthew 10:30
While some might consider the omniscience of God somewhat frightening, when Christ spoke those words as recorded by the Holy Spirit in Matthew He meant them as comfort to us. He wants us to stop being overly concerned and trust completely in Him.
He knows the precise moment you were conceived and when your body will expire -- or be changed at the rapture if you are ready.
He knows our past, present, and future hurts, pains, disappointments, happiness, troubles and all. "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." -- Proverbs 15:3
For those that fully trust Him, these verses, and the many others like them, bring soul-soothing comfort.
And this is exactly what He desires each person to do -- to fully trust Him through Jesus Christ. When we, or anyone else, does not know what to do, how to handle a situation, what will happen, or any other question, God most certainly does, and we should heartily thank Him that He does.
The longer you live in your present body the more you will realize that many of the so-called facts that we know change from one generation to another, or even within a shorter time interval.
God's knowledge is complete and accurate. Sure, He does not tell us everything. We are not supposed to know everything, and much of that is so we really walk by faith and not by sight.
The very fact that God knows all things indicates that He cares. His total and perfect knowledge of everything is one thing that we can always give Him thanks for.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries - All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 11:44 pm |
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obsidian002
The Choice of being Damned or not to be Damned
By Pete Macinta
In pastoring I occasionally meet individuals who are plagued with the haunting thought, "If God has predestined people, has He chosen me to go to hell?" The very thought that one is damned and nothing can be done about it can be very tortuous. To some, this clashes with the idea that God is loving and good.
I believe the answer to whether one is damned or not, even before they are born, can be found in the most famous passage of Holy Scripture, John 3:16, and the verses following it.
The first phrase, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." clearly shows that that the Almighty loves everyone and, because He is holy, He has made provision for our salvation. The balance of the verse declares we are to fully trust in that provision so we will not spiritually perish, that is, be damned.
In verse 18, it is written, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Note that one who does not believe is "condemned already." Apparently everyone is consigned to hell until they are confronted by Christ's Spirit (see John 1:9) and remain that way unless they commit to Christ.
If one commits to Christ, they are placed on a path of spiritual development through Christ Himself. Before we were ever created, God knew who would trust in Christ and "hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." Ephesians 1:4
Simply illustrated, at my address in Cambridge, Maryland, there is no road that will take me directly to Ocean City (OC). However, probably long before I was born, the State Highway Administration made US 50 to OC.
If I drive to US 50 I have a choice of east or westbound. East will get me to OC, but let us say before I knew that, I was going west. Traveling west I see a billboard for OC, but it says I must head east. I then find the nearest place to turn, reverse my direction and then head east.
Let us say I do not think the sign is true. Then I am already heading, predestined, in the wrong direction. If I instead turn and head east, the path I take is predestined for OC.
However, I must make that choice. Throughout much of the Holy Bible we see man must choose to commit to God. Before then, man is going, predestined, in the wrong direction. If you are going in the wrong direction, turn completely to Jesus, Who is that heavenly way.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries - All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries.
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Pete Macinta
Member
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Posted: Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 02:55 am |
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Stressed? Go Fly a Kite! By Pete Macinta
Whether it is from work, school, peers, family, friends, enemies and anything else, not many people enjoy stress. It can burden, sicken or even kill you, and many do not know what to do with it. I had a real problem with stress in my early twenties until God taught me a lesson while flying a kite.
It happened in a field of my in-law's Garrett County dairy farm when my sons and I wanted to have a bit of fun. With no trees or utility lines, the field was an ideal place for kite flying - except for what we called "cow pies."
There was ample wind that day and our kites were up in no time, rising high. As usual during that time of my life I had many problems on my mind, but spending time with the boys was fun and relaxing.
As the kite I had soared high, for an experiment I decided to let go of the string for a short time. I noticed the kite went a bit higher at first, then plummeted toward the ground. When I grabbed the string, it soared back up.
Then God said, "See? As long as there was tension the kite flew. I want you to soar too."
From then on I have had a different outlook on stress. God wants us to use it as a tool.
Consider David. He had troubles, some of which he did not ask for and some that he did by sinning. Nonetheless, he wrote by the Holy Spirit in Psalm 18:48, "...yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man."
We can get the strength we need to "hold on" by fully trusting God through Christ. Psalm 62:7 -- "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." Never trust in your own strength or that of another.
While we hold on, we should not as why, but "What do you want me to learn from this, Lord?" If we listen, God will teach us, or re-enforce, valuable lessons. He will also improve our character, if we let Him: "...the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 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." James 1:3-5.
Very hard to do but very good for us is to praise God under stress. Yes, it goes against every bit of our natural being, but if we follow through it will strengthen us. It kills the old sinful nature and causes the resurrected life of Christ to rise in us.
There will always be some type of turbulence in our lives, but if we trust God, hold on, listen and obey, we can soar high above the world.
© 2008 Macinta Ministries All rights reserved. Each Bible GemLight is a production of Macinta Ministries and may be singularly reprinted by individuals or organizations on paper or electronic media provided that Pete Macinta is noted as the author; there is a link back to the originating web site, http://www.freewebs.com/macinta; and its distribution is without charge. Newspapers and similar media, may publish Bible GemLights. Bible Gemlights remains the property of Macinta Ministries. Last edited on Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 02:56 am by Pete Macinta
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Pete Macinta
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| Joined: | Tue Jan 24th, 2006 |
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