The Apostle Paul: “Rejected”
Based on Bill Britton’s classic; modified and expanded by Dean VanDruff. From Acts 17:11Acts 17:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  

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MYSTERY BABYLON DENOMINATION
FOREIGN MISSIONS BOARD

To: Rev. Saul Paul
First Christian Church
Antioch, Syria



Dear Mr. Paul:

I have your application for missionary appointment before me, and will be as frank as possible concerning your qualifications as a foreign missionary. We have to be very careful in choosing our missionaries, and our Missions Board has reviewed your case thoroughly. We have decided that it would be unwise to send you to the foreign field for the following reasons:

1. It has come to our attention that you are doing secular work on the side. We do not feel that making tents and full time ministry go together very well. [1Th 2:9h 2:9
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   9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. for the: or, by the  
   
   WP-Bible plugin] It seems that you do not have enough experience in trusting the Lord for your income. You should make up your mind whether you want to preach or continue your profession.
   
2. Your previous actions have been very rash and unseemly for a minister. We learned that in a public meeting you opposed Dr. Simon Peter, an esteemed minister with a high reputation. [Ga 2:11-14Ga 2:11-14
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   11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. ¹² For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. ¹³ And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?  
   
   WP-Bible plugin] We also hear that you refused to compromise with other ministers such that a special council meeting had to be called in Jerusalem to prevent a serious split in the churches. [Ac 15:1-30Ac 15:1-30
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   15 ¹ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. ² When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ³ And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. ⁴ And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. ⁵ But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. rose…: or, rose up, said they, certain ⁶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. ⁷ And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. ⁸ And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; ⁹ And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. ¹² Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. ¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: ¹⁴ Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁶ After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: ¹⁷ That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. ¹⁸ Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. ¹⁹ Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: ²⁰ But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. ²² Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ²³ And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: ²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: ²⁵ It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. mouth: Gr. word ²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; ²⁹ That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. ³⁰ So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:  
   
   WP-Bible plugin] We frown on putting ideology before people. For your own good, I am enclosing a copy of Daius’ Carnegus book on “How to Win Jews and Influence Greeks.” [Ga 1:10, 1Ga 1:10, 1
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   10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians ^{1 1} Paul, an apostle,  
   
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   4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? gifts: or, distributions ⁵ For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. ⁶ But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?  
   
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3. You have conflicted with mature Jewish brethren in nearly every city you have visited who simply want to encourage the converted Pagans to be properly circumcised. Mr. Paul, you must know that these men are our most learned sages with a deep sense of the roots and history of our faith. As well, and more importantly, these men control the synagogues you could be ministering in if you would simply tone down your dialog into a more friendly and respectful exchange. [Gal 5:2-12Gal 5:2-12
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   2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. ³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. ⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. ⁵ For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ⁷ Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? hinder you: or, drive you back ⁸ This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. ⁹ A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. ¹¹ And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. ¹² I would they were even cut off which trouble you.  
   
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4. In checking back, we discovered your Christian education consisted of a three year course in Arabia. [Ga 1:15-20Ga 1:15-20
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   15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, ¹⁶ To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: ¹⁷ Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. ¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. went up: or, returned ¹⁹ But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.  
   
   WP-Bible plugin] We find that the Arabian school has not been approved by our accreditation board.
   
5. Further, you admit to being an unskilled public speaker. [2Co 10:10, 11:6] Paul, surely you must know that people expect fine elocution from men of God, and that as a denomination we stand for the highest levels of excellence in the pulpit. Yet instead of going to much-needed oratory classes you spend your time making tents instead. From your correspondence, you also appear to be spending a considerable amount of time writing letters to insignificant little “churches” that meet in homes. [Ac 28:3-6Ac 28:3-6
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   3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. ⁵ And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. ⁶ Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.  
   
   WP-Bible plugin] Honestly now; do you really think that such misguided activities are what will lead to your success in the world of religion? We strongly suggest that you put down your tools and set aside your pen, and instead practice hand gestures, facial expressions, and voice modulation in front of a mirror for several hours a day until you come up to par.
   
6. It has come to the attention also that you often emphasize “the power of God” and “the gifts of the Spirit.” [1Co 2:3-5, 12:1-7] Also that you speak in tongues a great deal. [1Co 14:18] Surely you realize that such as this only drives off the better class of people, and attracts only the riff-raff. It would be better to tone down those more sensational forms of worship. You sound as though you are “off the deep end.” [1Co 3:18]
   
7. It has been proven to our satisfaction that you had hands laid on you at Antioch with prophecy going forth, [Ac 13:1-3Ac 13:1-3
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   13 ¹ Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. which…: or, Herod’s foster brother ² As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. ³ And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  
   
   WP-Bible plugin] with none of the Apostles or Headquarters brethren present to conduct this ordination service in the prescribed manner.
   
8. We see here that you have a jail record in several places. [2Co 11:23-27] If this is true, it puts you in a bad light, for our denomination has always stood for a high standard of civic responsibility. I fear it would damage our reputation to have someone representing us that had served time in jails and prisons. Frankly, Mr. Paul, we seriously doubt you could have been innocent and the judge wrong in so many cases. It just doesn’t look right.
   
9. It seems that you are a troublemaker, Mr. Paul. Several business men of Ephesus have written us that you were the cause of severe loss of business to them and even stirred mob violence. You must learn to cultivate the friendship and influence of men such as these. [Ac 16:16-22Ac 16:16-22
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   16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: of divination: or, of Python ¹⁷ The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. ¹⁸ And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. ¹⁹ And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, marketplace: or, court ²⁰ And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, ²¹ And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. ²² And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.  
   
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10. We also have some details of a shameful “over the wall in a basket” episode at Damascus, [2Co 11:30-33] plus a stoning at Lystra, and several other violent actions taken against your ministry. [2Ti 3:11] Haven’t you ever suspected that conciliatory behavior and gentler words might gain you more friends?
    
11. We have learned through channels that following some trouble with a preacher on the island of Cyprus, you began to allow yourself to be known by the Gentile pronunciation of your name rather than the proper Hebrew. [Ac 13:4-11Ac 13:4-11
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    4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵ And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. ⁶ And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: ⁷ Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. ⁸ But Elymas the sorcerer withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. ⁹ Then Saul, filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, ¹⁰ And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? ¹¹ And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.  
    
    WP-Bible plugin] Yet another conflict, and then a name change. This does not seem to us to be conduct becoming to the ministry.
    
12. You admitted in your application that in the past you neglected such needy fields as Bithynia, just because “the Spirit didn’t lead that way,” and that you undertook a hazardous journey on the strength of a dream you had at Troas. [Ac 16:6-10Ac 16:6-10
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    6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, ⁷ After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. ⁸ And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ¹⁰ And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.  
    
    WP-Bible plugin] Mr. Paul, surely you don’t expect us to go along with such flimsy and fantastic excuses for your seemingly purposeless wanderings.
    
13. Many times you did not stay long enough, in our opinion, to get a church properly established. You left your converts many times without even a pastor to guide them, and without setting the church in order in some good hierarchical denomination. [Ts 1:5]
    
14. We hear also from Troas that you preach too long, one sermon lasting almost twenty-four hours, even to the extent that a young man fell asleep and was seriously injured. [Ac 20:7-12Ac 20:7-12
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    7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. ⁸ And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. ⁹ And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. ¹¹ When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. ¹² And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.  
    
    WP-Bible plugin] We understand that you claim to have restored his life and raised him from the dead by falling on him and embracing him. What nonsense! We need practical men in the ministry, Mr. Paul, not high strung emotional radicals. Our advice is for you to shorten your sermons considerably. We find that about twenty minutes is the longest a minister can hold the attention of his audience these days. Our motto is “Stand up, speak up, and shut up.”
    
15. It is reported from your home church that you could not get along with your fellow ministers; that John Mark — a commendable young man and nephew of one of our highest leaders — had to leave your party in the middle of a journey; and that you had a sharp quarrel with gentle, good natured Barnabas. [Ac 15:36-40Ac 15:36-40
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    36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. ³⁷ And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. ³⁸ But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. ³⁹ And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; ⁴⁰ And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.  
    
    WP-Bible plugin] Now these men are well thought of in Jerusalem and we wonder why you are always having trouble with your fellow workers?
    
16. We have notarized affidavits from four very popular and influential preachers: Diotrephes, Demas, Hymenaeus, and Alexander; to the effect that it is impossible for them to cooperate with either you or your program. [1Ti 1:20]
    
17. From what we hear, you seem to think that you have some direct sanction from on-high, boasting about your revelations and that God has chosen you to reveal some “Mystery”. [Ep 3:3-4Ep 3:3-4
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    3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, afore…: or, a little before ⁴ Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  
    
    WP-Bible plugin] Can’t you realize that any truth that is to be revealed would come through Headquarters to the recognized, established brethren, and that after it had been checked by our Procedure and Doctrine Committee that we would distribute it on to the field workers?
    
18. Finally, we hear that you claim to be an Apostle. We know nothing of this being passed upon by the proper authoritative channels and wonder how you could back that claim up, when the last Apostle was voted into office right here in Jerusalem. [Ac 1:26Ac 1:26
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    26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.  
    
    WP-Bible plugin] Now that our denomination is firmly established, why do you imagine there would be any need for God to continue the Apostolic gifting?



As you see, Mr. Paul, we feel definitely after close scrutiny of your case, that you are undoubtedly the most unqualified applicant we have ever seen, and my advice for you is to find a church where you can work in harmony, and use your past education as perhaps a Sunday School teacher.

I hope I have prevented you from making a terrible mistake in your life.


Most sincerely yours,


J. Flavios Fluphehead, SECY







Just the mention of it we wince. We don’t pray it comes to us but it does. Why is there pain? Why do well-meaning, God-loving followers of Christ suffer? C.S. Lewis had a great answer for that. “Why not?” he said. “They’re the only ones who can handle it.”

Suffering was interwoven into the life of Paul, and he knew the right way to handle it. In Acts 13-14, Paul suffered opposition and slander from the Jews in Antioch and Iconium. When they found him at Lystra, they stoned him, dragged him out of the city, and left him for dead. Paul was doing God’s will when this happened. It would have been very easy to question God’s love and God’s calling on his life. But how did Paul interpret these experiences?

Look at 2 Corinthians 1:8-92 Corinthians 1:8-9
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8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: ⁹ But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: sentence: or, answer  

WP-Bible plugin. “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” Paul is saying, “Yes, it was bad, but it caused me to trust God as I never had before.”

Paul talks about his sufferings throughout 2 Corinthians, and he even boasts about it because of what it taught him. What do you do with pain? You shouldn’t apply some quick-fix, false theology to it: “I bind all pain and all suffering in Jesus’ name.” You should pray for an end to your pain, but you should also pray, “Let me not waste this time.” You should ask God, “What are you trying to teach me? What lesson should I be learning?”



For Paul, that lesson was summed up in 2 Corinthians 12:9-102 Corinthians 12:9-10
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9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  

WP-Bible plugin. The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” And Paul concluded that he would take pleasure in his infirmities, and in the persecutions he suffered. He knew that his true strength came from God: “when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10).

Are you in some kind of pain today? I pray that you and I would learn what God is trying to teach us, even in the midst of pain. And rest your heart in the fact that His grace is sufficient for you!

A colorful rainbow brings to light the interconnected nature of one of the world’s most familiar books.

The Bible’s 1,189 chapters are plotted along the horizontal axis at the bottom of the image, with each bar’s length determined by the number of verses.

The arcs above the graph show the 63,779he 63,779
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Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin cross-references between each chapter.

“It almost looks like one monolithic volume,” said Carnegie Mellon’s Chris Harrison, who — along with Christoph Romhild of North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Germany — won an honorable mention for illustrations in the 2008 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge.



Additional Information:

• This diagram arose from a collaboration between a Carnegie-Mellon Ph.D student and a Lutheran pastor to create a grand map of Biblical cross-references: “We wanted something that honored and revealed the complexity of the data at every level –- as one leans in, smaller details should become visible. This ultimately led us to the multi-colored arc diagram… The bar graph that runs along the bottom represents all of the chapters in the Bible. Books alternate in color between white and light gray. The length of each bar denotes the number of verses in the chapter. Each of the 63,779he 63,779
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  Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible plugin cross references found in the Bible is depicted by a single arc - the color corresponds to the distance between the two chapters, creating a rainbow-like effect.”

• “Although the Bible is made up of 66 individual book written by several different people, a scientific graph of the intersection of the content shows it to be so united that it appears to virtually be the work of one hand. Just another proof of the veracity of the Word.” - Ed Hodge

• Read the original post from the National Geographic.

• Check out the original image at Chris Harrison’s site.
  

Take a look and see why his promising career as a lifeguard did not flourish…
Smile and have a blessed day with our Lord and Savior!



Moses did not make it as a lifeguard, he failed! He also had his own share of run-ins on several very serious setbacks. Read the following post about how God gave Moses second chances. If you’re experiencing failures like Moses did, there too, is hope for you:

• God is the God of ordinary men who accomplish extraordinary things.

Dear Reader,

If you have anything that we can use for “Things that Make You Smile and Think”, please give us the link or email us at calvarychapel.dgt@gmail.com (this is the CCD email address exclusively for website matters), and we will post it here with the name of the contributor…We however,  reserve the right to edit and choose which contributions will finally be published.

We would love to hear from you!

Thank you,

The CCD Bezalel Circle

Have you ever wondered, “Where will I spend eternity?” God’s Word gives only two ultimate destinations for all humans. The first one is called hell and the Bible describes another ultimate destination called Heaven.

The question may at first make you smile…”“How will you spend eternity-Smoking or Non-smoking?” But seriously, think for a moment and ask yourself the question…



Non-Smoking or Smoking?

No, I’m not talking about evolution’s missing link…there’s no missing link - that’s why it’s still missing! Read on. God offers instruction, but then it’s our move. We must accept His instruction and apply it to our lives. Then, and only then, can we expect to cash in on the benefits of His instruction. So you see, application is the essential link between instruction and change.

Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted employees, “Look, I’m going to leave. And while I’m gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. You manage things while I’m away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip.”

Everyone agrees. He leaves and stays gone for a couple of years. During that time he writes often, communicating his desires and concerns. Finally he returns. He walks up to the front door of the company and immediately discovers everything is in a mess — -weeds flourishing in the flower beds, windows broken across the front of the building, the lady at the front desk dozing, loud music roaring from several offices, two or three people engaged in horseplay in the back room. Instead of making a profit, the business has suffered a great loss.

Without hesitation he calls everyone together and with a frown asks, “What happened? Didn’t you get my letters?” You say, “Oh, yeah, sure. We got all your letters. We’ve even bound them in a book. And some of us have memorized them. In fact, we have ‘letter study’ every Sunday. You know, those were really great letters.” I think the president would then ask, “But what did you do about my instructions?” And, no doubt, the employees would respond, “Do? Well, nothing. But we read every one!”

In the very same way, God has sent us His instruction. He has preserved every word of it in a Book, the Bible. It’s all there, just as He communicated it to us. When He returns for His own, He is not going to ask us how much we memorized or how often we met for study. No, He will want to know, “What did you do about my instructions?” Be NOT hearers only but DOERS of the Word (Jam.1:22). What instructions from the Lord that you’ve not been doing? Do it now…and change will surely come.

If there’s one attitude families are guilty of more than any other when it comes to mothers, it’s presumption … taking them for granted … being nearly blind on occasion to the load moms carry. From a Mother’s Day Greeting card: “Forget the housework, Mom. It’s your day. Besides, you can always do double duty and catch up on Monday!”

Another one: On the front of the card was a beleaguered mother. Draped over her neck were three unmatched socks and at her feet was an enormous stack of unwashed clothes. On the stove was a hot skillet burning the food. A cold, stained coffee pot needed attention. The refrigerator door was ajar and milk had spilled in it. The dishes, naturally, looked like a homemade tower reaching out of the sink. Inside the card was scribbled: “Look, lady, nobody said it was gonna be a free ride!” But my favorite was a great big card that looked like a third-grader had printed it. On it was a little boy with a dirty face and torn pants pulling a wagonload of toys. On the front it read:“Mom, I remember the little prayer you used to say for me every day …” and inside, “God help you if you do that again!”

There’s an old song entitled “I Owe You.” In the song, a man is looking through his wallet and comes across a number of long-standing “I owe yous” to his mother … which he names one by one. Borrowing that idea, I suggest you who have been guilty of presumption unfold some of your own “I owe yous”. Consider the priceless value of the one woman who made your life possible—your mother. Think about her example, her support, her humor, her counsel, her humility, her hospitality, her insight, her patience, her sacrifices. Her faith. Her hope. Her love.

Somebody once said, “He is not poor who has had a godly mother.” Indebted, but not poor.



“If you don’t watch it, you’ll be planning lunch during the sermon (hahaha).”

Moms, on Mother’s Day Sunday we rise up and call you blessed. But knowing you, you’ll feel uneasy in the limelight. You’ll probably look for a place to hide. True servants are like that. If you don’t watch it, you’ll be planning lunch during the sermon (hahaha). But that would be a waste of time. Especially since you’re going to be taken out to lunch (which will add to our indebtedness!). But in all honesty, it won’t come anywhere near expressing our gratitude. So, live it up today. It’s all yours. My advice? Shake up the family for a change. Order your most favorite food and have an all-body massage!

THANK YOU MOMS! WE LOVE YOU! WE THANK GOD FOR YOU!

May 1- Labor Day, a day the Nation honors the laborers of the different sectors of society. Indeed they are to be recognized and commended, especially those who are diligent and honest, those who are devoted to their work. Without them there will be no progress. Same is true in the spiritual realm! Everyone involved in God’s work is to be recognized and commended (though that should not be the motive). Paul the Apostle, who once said that he forgot those whom he baptized (1 Cor.1:16), never forgot to mention those men and women who have labored with him one way or another. In Romans 16 and his other epistles, he mentioned by name and commended those wonderful believers. Like Paul, I greatly rejoice in the Lord for you who have been co-laboring with me in this work God has entrusted to us. God knows who you are. But there is so much work to be done; many lands to conquer, souls to save and disciple.

The harvest is great but the workers are few. What a contrast to the physical realm! In the physical, there are many workers but no jobs available (how many jobless Filipinos today?). But in the spiritual, there is a great work to be done but few workers! Jesus said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field (Matt. 9:37-38Matt. 9:37-38
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; ³⁸ Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.  

WP-Bible plugin).” Have you been asking? If so, then maybe you yourself are the answer to that prayer! Are you willing not just to pray, but to be the answer? Why not -  when Jesus through His Spirit gave His church gifts? You are included. Every believer has a gift. You are to simply be humble and available, willing to do the humblest of things. And when you step out in faith He will enable and empower you to do that work.

Jesus is looking for open hearts to which He could conform to His and hands through which He could perform His task. What a privilege to be co-laborers with Christ! There’s no greater task to do than do those things that last — those things which have eternal value! Praise God for His unsearchable wisdom and grace that we are made worthy for such great a task!

“Please Lord, be with me when I’m fearful, to make me faithful. Be with me when I’m faithful, to make me fruitful. Be with me when I’m fruitful, to make me humble. For it is only by Your grace that I was chosen to serve You; only by Your strength that I am even able to serve; only by Your faithfulness that I am still serving You today. Amen.”

It was a night of reflections, simple and refreshing songs…being intimate with our Lord and Savior as a church.

• I Come to the Cross
• Reflections
• Songs

One word I can describe our recently concluded Senior Pastor and Wives Conference is this word, “Overflowing!” Spiritually, the messages were awesome, full, solid, encouraging, overflowing. And literally, the food was overflowing too! The fellowship and the fun – faith building! I remember what David wrote in Psalm 23:5Psalm 23:5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. anointest: Heb. makest fat  

WP-Bible plugin – “…You anoint my head with oil, my cup OVERFLOWS! God not only fills our life but overflows our life. The overflowing cup. What a beautiful apt description of the Christian life. Not just peace, peace that passes human understanding. Not just joy, joy indescribable and full of glory. In fact, our Lord gives us everything we could need and more. Paul expressed that thought in this way, “Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to power that works within us.” (Ephesians 3:20Ephesians 3:20
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  

WP-Bible plugin).

Think about it: He is able to do…“Immeasurably more than” - This word carries with it the meaning of a river or lake with a water level that is above capacity, or at flood stage. The flood of God’s power is over and beyond all reasonable limits. It literally means, “Superabundantly, with more added to that.” God has enough power to do immeasurably more than we can ask or think with more added to that. In fact, in the original language…Paul uses a double compound word…he makes up his own word phrase. He is so caught up in the BIGNESS and AWESOMENESS of God, he creates a new word phrase to make his point…He stacks these words upon each other in an attempt to say how God is so immensely, infinitely big! Paul is saying that God is — Incredibly Incredible. Extravagantly Extravagant. Awesomely Awesome in His Awesomeness. Outrageously Outrageous. Fantastically Fantastical. Amazingly Amazing. Infinitely Infinite – all the time! There Ain’t no box Big enough – to hold our God! And His ability? Super able! God is Ably Able in His Ability. Our words cannot fully Express what we know and Feel. There’s no such word that can contain ALL of WHO HE is and ALL of what He can do. Our God is Indescribably indescribable. God Can! God is! God is Able to do! That would be enough to have our hearts beat with Confidence and Faith. Sure it’s impossible… Sure it’s outside of our power…Sure it seems hopeless… Sure it’s beyond our ability. BUT OH PRAISE THE LORD… HE IS ABLE! Our God is Able to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND ALL!





There are No Limits to His Love. No Boundaries to His Blessing. No Fences withholding His Faithfulness. No Lines drawn separating us from His Salvation. No Guard Rails against His Grace. No Containers holding His Compassion. No Restrictions to Experiencing His Righteousness! God is Able to do far more and abundantly beyond ALL we ask or think. Aren’t you glad that God is not limited to what we ask or think? I’m glad that God is God and I’m not. I don’t get it - all the time and I don’t get it all – most of the time. I don’t know what God knows. I don’t see what God sees. I don’t understand what God understands. I’m not sure where God is… I’m OK with that. I’m OK with letting God be God – because I really don’t think I have a choice in that matter anyway. God is God and God is Able! My cup overflows! Beloved, O, may we overflow with His love, joy and peace in the midst of an empty, dry and troubled world!

Besides the political unrest going on in Bangkok Thailand, weeks ago the BBC News had an amusing story. An autistic boy in Bangkok was on his first day at a special needs school. He started crying for some reason and crawled out a window. Trouble was, the class was on the third floor, so he ended up sitting outside on a ledge. As the firemen tried to get the boy to come back inside, one of them overheard the boy’s mother saying he liked comic book superheroes. So the fireman got a brilliant idea. He dashed back to the station and donned a Spider-Man costume that he wore at schools to liven up fire drills. Then, when he beckoned, the little boy eagerly went to “Spider-Man.”

The little autistic boy wouldn’t listen to those strange firemen, but he knew who he could trust! Now think of yourself as that little boy, out on a ledge, in danger. There are people calling to you, but you don’t know them. Then suddenly you see a familiar face and hear a familiar voice, and you know you’ll be saved. John chapter 10, Jesus gives the analogy of the “good shepherd.” He describes the special relationship between Himself and His followers, pictured as sheep. “And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (v. 4-5).

Sheep come to know their shepherd intimately, down to his manner and the sound of his voice. They trust him because of what he does for them; he has earned their trust. Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, has earned your trust because of who He is and what He has done: “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (v. 11). Jesus did far more than pull us off a ledge or out of a pit. He took our blame, and accepted the punishment of a righteous God, all so that we wouldn’t have to pay for our sins with our own lives.

“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (Jn.10:3).” When you hear Him call your name, follow Him. He will never steer you wrong.

KIDS CAMP 2009! With the theme “Seaquest”…view the children in action, learning about the Bible and having lots of fun…



• Photos Day 1
• Videos
• Photos Day 2
• Photos Day 3

Enjoy the photos and excerpts of the message during the annual Calvary Chapel Dumaguete Resurrection Sunrise Service held at the Freedom Park.





Excerpts of the message given by Pastor Jo.



I am sure you feel a true sense of your relationship to the important people in your life whenever you refer to them as “my husband,” or “my wife,” or “my children,” or “my friends.” In a similar, but much more profound way, we should experience a sense of our personal relationship with God when we call Jesus Christ “my Lord.”

Mary Magdalene certainly felt that. When she found the tomb was empty on Easter morning, she felt a deep personal loss. As she looked inside, one of the angels asked her why she was weeping. “She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him’” (John 20:13John 20:13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.  

WP-Bible plugin). Thomas felt it too. In his doubt, he said he wouldn’t believe the Lord had risen unless he could touch the wounds in His body. But when he saw Jesus, his reaction was dramatic. “And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28John 20:28
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  

WP-Bible plugin). And it wasn’t only those at the time who knew this relationship. Thousands of years earlier, Job said, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27Job 19:25-27
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: ²⁶ And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: And…: or, After I shall awake, though this body be destroyed, yet out of my flesh ²⁷ Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. another: Heb. a stranger though…: or, my reins within me are consumed with earnest desire within…: Heb. in my bosom  

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We can have that same sense of personal relationship. It’s important, and that’s why I always ask people to make a public commitment of their decision to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus commended Peter when he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16Matthew 16:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  

WP-Bible plugin). It’s good to see Him as “the Savior,” “the Son of God,” “the Redeemer.” But that keeps Him at arm’s length. To have that personal relationship, He must be “MY Savior,” “MY Lord,” “MY Redeemer.” This relationship should be much closer than even what we share with those we call our “blood relatives.” Jesus is truly a “blood relative.” He bled and died on a cross outside Jerusalem 2,000 years ago so that we could be part of His family, an adopted child of His Father. That’s what we celebrate this week, our sure hope for eternity.

So don’t hold Him at arm’s length. Embrace Him. Say, along with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!”

Through the photos and videos we invite you to witness God’s grace and glory! Experience God’s miracle in Dapitan and Dipolog…





• Awesome
• Notes
• Message/Call
• Songs/Videos
• Photos

Awesome

AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME…IS THE LORD! These are the only words that came out of my lips as I witnessed God’s glory and power in our recently concluded outreach/concert in Dapitan and Dipolog. Our words fail to describe what Jesus has done! In Dapitan there were more or less 200 people came forward to receive Christ and in Dipolog, with around 5,000 people in the complex, more or less 600 came to trust in Christ as their savior! What a blessing! And that’s not all! There were so many other things that happened that cannot be measured by numbers…through the photos and videos we invite you to witness God’s grace and glory!



Pastor Jo

Notes >>

Notes

God of the Breakthrough!

Who would imagine that a city as hard as Dapitan (in terms of religious stronghold – Roman Catholic Dominated and 15% of the population worship Jose Rizal!), many would flock inside the Auditorium (We’re told we’re the first Christian group who have successfully gathered that number of people – around 2,000?)? Only the God of the Breakthrough!

Who would think that amidst the brownout people are like being sucked inside the Auditorium like wave after wave? Only the God of the Breakthrough!

Who could ever see it – that even though there are lapses in the information dissemination that many a people were drawn to the concert? Only the God of the Breakthrough!

Who could silence our doubts and feelings of defeat when we thought nobody or very few would come to the concert? Only the God of the Breakthrough!

Who could pull us together as a team despite of the growing tensions that were brewing due to the tiredness, stress and pressures? Only the God of the Breakthrough!

To whom would you go to when the battle seems lost? Only to the God of the Breakthrough!

Who could ever do it that amidst the noises inside and the disturbances outside, God’s Word preached still pierced through the hearts of the unconverted souls? Only the God of the Breakthrough!

Who could have done it, that hundreds of people coming forward, convicted of their sin and seeing their need of Jesus, found forgiveness and received salvation that night? Only the God of the Breakthrough!

Yes, these and many more are evidences of God’s power and grace. The battle was intense you could sensed it. But the enemy is no match against the God of the Breakthrough! Jesus is victorious. How it pays to know that we’re fighting not FOR victory but FROM victory. For Christ has already won the victory for us 2,000 years ago on the cross of Calvary! You may be going through some battles right now. Whatever it is look to the God of the breakthrough. It may look bleak and black but His light will shine through the dark clouds of doubts and through the black smoke of fear and worries.

Trust in the God of the Breakthrough today and you will see that indeed the battle belongs to the Lord!

<< AwesomeMessage/Call >>

 Photos

Photo Gallery Table of Contents

Fasting/Prayer The H4U team in prayer and fasting, preparing for the outreach in Dapitan and Dipolog. 25 Photos Boat to Dapitan This is the first part of the trip to Dipolog and Dapitan to do evangelistic concerts, 20 Photos Dapitan This night the battle was really was intense…with all the delays, brownout, noises, too many of a distraction, etc…yet in the end JESUS is VICTORIOUS! He's the God of the Breakthrough! We just stood there and saw that indeed the battle belongs to the Lord! 20 Photos Dipolog This was by far the bigger of the two events, with about 5000 people in attendance. There were possibly about 500 to 600 people who gave their lives to the Lord that day… it was amazing. 20 Photos “Everything” This is a skit entitled “Everything” performed by the members of the Living Vessels Fellowship. 20 Photos

<< Songs/Videos