In family worship, we have been reading from the book of Ezekiel. There are many deep and awesome truths found in that book, some of which unlock other mysteries that we have yet to understand. Throughout the coming weeks, I will write about the book of Ezekiel based on various points my family members bring out each night. I pray that you will blessed. The prophet is taken in the Spirit of the Lord to a valley - a valley of dry bones. These bones did not just appear yesterday. Whoever owned them had been dead for quite a while, and their bones had been exposed to sun and wind for some time as well. As he walks about in the desolate valley, looking on the multitude of bones, the Lord asks, "Ezekiel, can these bones live?" Could they? "You know, Lord." The next words from the mouth of the Most High are these: "...Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, 'O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unt...

This reading on motherhood and prenatal influences explains the results seen in Ezekiel 19.    And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? Judges 13:12 .   The words spoken to the wife of Manoah contain a truth that the mothers of today would do well to study.   The child will be affected for good or for evil by the habits of the mother . She must herself be controlled by principle, and must practice temperance and self-denial, if she would seek the welfare of her child.   If before the birth of her child she is unstable, if she is selfish, peevish, and exacting, the disposition of her child will bear the marks of her wrong course.... But if she unswervingly adheres to the right, if she is kind, gentle, and unselfish, she will give her child these traits of character.   And fathers as well as mothers are involved in this responsibility. Both parents ...

In family worship, we have reading from the book of Ezekiel. There are a lot of deep and awesome truths found in that book, some of which unlock other controversies that we have yet to understand. Throughout the coming weeks, I will write about the book of Ezekiel based on various points my family members bring out each night. I pray that you will blessed. There she was. A baby. Abandoned. Bloody. Polluted. God describes it this way in Ezekiel 16:4-6: And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee ; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the loathing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood , I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when...

In family worship, we have reading from the book of Ezekiel. There are a lot of deep and awesome truths found in that book, some of which unlock other controversies that we have yet to understand. Throughout the coming weeks, I will write about the book of Ezekiel based on various points my family members bring out each night. I pray that you will blessed. After reading Ezekiel 15 (which compares Israel to a vine tree), my littlest brother said, "But Jesus is the vine, so Jesus is the true Israel." Yes , Jesus is the vine and we His servants are the branches. So if in Ezekiel 15 the vine is Israel, then Jesus must also be Israel; making Him the true Israel. Jesus = Vine (John 15) Vine = Israel (Ezekiel 15) Jesus = Israel Logically, this makes sense. However, I disagreed at first. Jesus, the true Israel? Somehow it did not connect in my mind. But my dad pointed out this Scripture: "...Israel is My son, even My firstborn... (Exodus 4:2...

In family worship, we have reading from the book of Ezekiel. There are a lot of deep and awesome truths found in that book, some of which unlock other controversies that we have yet to understand. Throughout the coming weeks, I will write about the book of Ezekiel based on various points my family members bring out each night. I pray that you will blessed.   After writing last night's post ("The Word of God"), I realized that the Bible teaches that the Son of God was the active agent in Creation. In other words, God the Father planned it, and God the Son executed it. How do we come to that conclusion? Well we learned that Jesus is the Word - that He has always been the Word, even before His incarnation. We also learned that the Son of God does in fact take commands from the Father; that is their order of things. With those lessons in mind, consider this text: " By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breat...

In family worship, we have reading from the book of Ezekiel. There are a lot of deep and awesome truths found in that book, some of which unlock other controversies that we have yet to understand. Throughout the coming weeks, I will write about the book of Ezekiel based on various points my family members bring out each night. I pray that you will blessed. How many men were commissioned by God in Ezekiel 9? There are six with swords; but among them was a man in linen with an inkhorn at his side... In Revelation 1, Jesus is said to be walking among the candlesticks. But is that humanly possible? (We are allowed to consider the human element of the Son of God because John says, "one like unto the Son of man," a reference for the Son of God incarnate or made flesh.) Jesus would not be in the candlesticks or be a candlestick Himself; no, He would be in the general area of the candlesticks - in their presence, so to speak. The same can be said of Him in Ezekiel ...

Is it not peculiar to ask a Christian if he knows God? So why am I asking that on this a Christian blog? I want to present a challenge to you, and I hope that you will take it.  One day in the very near future, all will see God in all of His glory. Those who have beheld Him by faith will soon behold Him face to face. Those who have rejected Him will be slain by the brightness of His coming, as they are unaccustomed to His glory. Now here's the challenge: Prove God. Some of you have decided that you don't need to take God seriously. That's okay. That comes with age - choosing which concepts stay and which go. But there is a responsibility that comes with this brain sorting. You have an obligation to seriously evaluate everything that stays and everything that goes. I will not promise you that you will accept or reject Christianity; I can only promise you that you will be able to make an informed decision. And you will certainly come to know God. Just t...

One of the beauties of the gospel is found in its simplicity. I tend to be a very complicated and convoluted person. But I am easily frustrated when things are not simple. If I cannot understand it; if there are too many definitions; if it must be twisted and turned in order to fit, I deem it to complicated and either challenge it or leave it alone. But the gospel - God's good news, His true message - is true round about. Among the various writers of the Bible; among the different readers of the Bible; all those who are searching for truth and sharing the truth will have the same truth. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation . For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy ...

My new favorite statement. It is so powerful, and fills me with awe and wonder that God would be so serious about His people. What does it mean to be so close to God? It means that we will be the first ones who He examines before taking us to glory. And should we not be ready? Should we not afflict our souls that we may be found worthy of the bounties of heaven? This little graphic depiction of Scriptures helped outline for me all of the parables that were going through my head. "And begin at my sanctuary..." My mind was flooded with different portions of Scripture; and here they all are for YOU . I believe that no Scripture is of any private interpretation. Is my parallel accurate? Are there any discrepancies? Does it match all the way across the Bible? I pray that this work will be a result of God's Holy Spirit; and I also pray that this work will reach and touch your heart, and guide you into all truth. "And Begin at My Sanctuary..." by Gab...

What is the fear of the Lord?  It is the beginning of wisdom. What does that look like? It looks like awe.           When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, we will realize just how wonderful He really is. We will be unable to fathom His greatness; and as we stand in complete silence, with no words to utter, we will feel the sheer awe of the Beauty of Holiness. Let's look at Job. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~           Yet there was a missing link in Job's connection with God. Does Job know who God really is? Nope, not yet. By the time we reach chapter forty-two, he does know; but not before.            You see, Job's view of God was along the same thought process as Jonathan Edwards. God was someone to be feared, too big to mess around with -- too big to mess up with. God was -- and is -- the judge of the earth. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me...

"The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be compared with scripture. The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation. He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found." Taken from Education, p. 190

This quarter -- July to September, 2012 -- PlugIn2God put the focus on prophecy. "History Revealed" covers that end which has been revealed by God before it has even taken place. When John writes it, hardly any of the events of Revelation had taken place. Sure, five emperors of Rome had reigned (Revelation 17:9-11); but that is only one of the few key aspects of the book that had already occurred. Now, to us readers in the twenty-first century, many of the events have taken place; and we await very little of the conclusion of the fulfillment of the prophecy. I would, however, like to apologize. Unlike the first two quarters, the third quarter did not provide a study booklet. It did not provide supplementary material. The web page was not even updated. There were many factors that caused this. But ultimately, Satan stepped to ensure that the correct material was given. But God is faithful. "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth enduret...

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone says that exercise is good for me. I mean me . Whenever I complain about exercising, people tell me, "Nope, you are wrong. It would do you well." It leaves me chagrined most of the time.  Today, however, I actually tried. I went and took the time to willingly take a simple walk on our hill. Do you know what the best part was? I can testify to the usefulness and value of exercise. Because I experienced it, it now has meaning for me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The principle of Christianity is the having of an experience. It is growing in grace. It is coming to a knowledge of our Lord and Savior. It is my  experience. "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true"   (John 3:33). Testimonies are a significant form...

Note: The following article is appropriate for all ages, and should be read with family and friends. Before our earth was created, a war began and is still going on in our world today. This war is called   the Great Controversy . The word  controversy  (pronounced " khan -tro-verse-ee") is taken from the Latin word  controversus  (pronounced "khan-tro- were -sus")   meaning disputable or, more literally, turned against . Between whom is this controversy? It is between Jesus Christ and His enemy, the Devil. So who is turned against whom? The Devil is turned against Jesus and is opposing Him. And what exactly is being disputed? The Devil thinks that Jesus is not as powerful as He claims to be. "And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God , command this stone that it be made bread" (Luke 4:3 KJV). " And the LORD said unto Satan, 'Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none...

For my devotions last week, I read Isaiah 32. The first verse starts like this: "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall reign in judgment." The chapter goes on to list all of the types of things that occur when righteousness is the key foundation: Provisions are made for hard times (v. 2) Spiritual attentiveness is maintained (v. 3) People change (v. 4) The exceeding sinfulness of sin is understood, and excuses stop being made (v. 5-7) Those who are generous ("liberal") receive generosities (v. 8) Then, a curse is pronounced upon the land: trouble and failure will exist until the Spirit is poured out . At that time, the land is returned to its fruitfulness and prosperity. Judgment -- or, the execution of justice -- the dwells in that land. The righteous people dwell in that land. What happens when righteousness dwells in that land? "The work of righteousness shall be peace : the effect of righteousness [is] quietness ...

As I was doing my devotion, I came across this passage: " In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.   And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.   In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to As...

     "In the past teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to be sealed books, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent mystery has kept many from lifting it, God’s own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His Word. The very name “Revelation” contradicts the statement that it is a sealed book. Revelation means that something of importance is revealed. The truths of this book are addressed to those living in these last days. We are standing with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things. We are not to stand without, we are to enter; not with careless, irreverent thoughts, not with impetuous footsteps, but with reverence and godly fear. We are nearing the time when the prophecies of the book of Revelation are to be fulfilled.      "This book opens with the words, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified...

Reflections on Life: The Peyton Manning Era from plugin2god on GodTube . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Reflections on Life" takes real life situations and applies them to the spiritual life, like modern-day parables. This episode discusses the end of Peyton Manning's career with the Indianapolis Colts and compares it with Jesus' death for us.

This school year, my brothers and I are utilizing the curriculum created by Sonlight Education Ministry (SEM;  http://sonlighteducation.com/ ). It is an absolutely AWESOME program; I simply love it. It is Bible-based, -centered, and -directed. It cannot be rivaled even by a non-Christian curriculum (personal opinion). It is entirely obvious that the creators were led by God while putting together this program. At this time, they are out of business; but are working to put all of their material in a free-distribution format (PDFs, MP3s, etc.). That is actually how we obtained what we do have. They currently have three downloads available, and they are working on the fourth. Their catalogue ("Road Map and Route") outlines how the program works. In any case, in the first download, you can find a book entitled "Spelling from the Scriptures"; it is basically the spelling book. This is where you can find the beautiful spelling card...