Steps to Peace with God

(See all about Glenda Kemp the snake dancer at the end of this page.)

1. GOD’S  PLAN  -  PEACE  AND  LIFE

    God loves you and wants you to experience His peace and Life.

     The Bible says…”For God so loved the world that he gave his

     only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not

     perish, but have everlasting life.”   John 3:16

2.  HUMANITY’S  PROBLEM  -  SEPARATION

     Being at peace with God is not automatic because you by nature are

     separated from God.

     The Bible says…”for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god.” 

      Romans 3:23

3.  GOD’S  REMEDY  -  THE  CROSS

     God’s love bridges the gap of separation between God and you.

     When Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave, He paid

      The penalty for your sins.

      The Bible says…”He personally carried the load of our sins in his own

      body when he died on the cross….”  1 Peter 2:24

4.   HUMANITY’S  RESPONSE  -  RECEIVE  CHRIST

      You cross the bridge into God’s family when you receive Christ by

       personal invitation.

       The Bible says…”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the

       Right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His

       Name…” John 1:12

To receive Christ you need to do four things:

1. ADMIT your spiritual need. “I am a sinner.”

2. REPENT and be willing to turn from your sin.

3. BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross.

4. RECEIVE, through prayer, Jesus Christ into your heart and life.

The Bible says (Christ is speaking), “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in…”

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

WHAT  TO  PRAY:

Dear Lord Jesus:

I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
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What every Christian should know:
http://glendakempharper.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html (Study this.)

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Glenda Kemp: To find out where I come from and who I was click 'about' tab. To know more about my life now, click on 'Diary' tab. To know about the book that is soon to be published on my life, click the 'Book' tab.

Latest updates:
New year challenge. Go to the 'Home' tab at the top of the blog (Next to about) 31 Dec 2011

YOU MUST SEE THIS! A new video on 'My Dog' . Dog versus Crab. Blow for blow, roll for roll, pinch for pinch. (Not for sensitive viewers.) 30/12/2011

'Book': Walking the streets of London in my underwear. 29 Dec 2011

Book tab: *snake. Dead or alive; the show must go on. *Miraculous protection. *London: my first day at work. 26 Dec. 2011

Christmas 2011 Baby Jesus 24Dec. 2011

lonely Christmas Christians; this is for you. Go to 'more' 22/12/2011

'My Dog' (A dog is a dog is a dog) 7/12/2011

Treasure photo - 12/7/2012
(You can contact me at glenda482-safe@yahoo.co.uk )

Questions about God and the Bible

These are questions taken from Joy Magazine.  Answered by Val Waldeck

Glenda Kemp snake dancer of the seventies. Then and now! Scroll to the end of this page to get all the information.

What every Christian should know. Life Study Outlines: http://glendakempharper.blogspot.com/2011/03/come-and-join-me_13.html 

Question: Do Christians believe every word of the Bible? Or do they believe (as a Priest friend of mine who runs three churches) that it is full of error?

Answer: Yes, they do believe every word! So did Jesus. He declared in John 17: 17 "Your Word is Truth". He did not say it contained Truth together with error - it is Truth and, therefore, wholly to be believed and trusted. He told some folk who were arguing about the resurrection, that they were completely off track "not knowing the Scriptures" Matt 22: 29.

2 Timothy 3:16 declares that "all Scripture" is inspired by God Himself and Holy men of old spoke (and wrote) as "they were moved by the Holy Spirit" 2 Pet 1:21.  The Holy Spirit, who inspired the Word, must be depended upon to interpret that Word because the Bible does contain some things that are difficult to understand (2 Pet 1:20). Unstable people love to force Scripture to fit their personal opinions (2 Pet 3:16). The secret to true fulfillment lies in the Word (Ps 1: 1-3)

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Question: I am 10 years old and my question is, how do we know that there is a God?

Answer:  One way is to look at creation. The book of Romans in the New Testament tells us that God has put His knowledge in our hearts. "Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of His existence and great eternal power. So they will have no excuse (when they stand before God at Judgment Day)" Rom 1:19,20. The watch on your arm didn't 'just happen'. Someone carefully designed it and put it together. And it is the same with the world. Everything you see around you shouts loudly that the Great Designer and Creator made it all perfectly. Another way to be sure is to ask Him! God is personal, and He can communicate with you. The testimony of thousands of His children (from Bible times right up to today) is that He definitely talks to them. Why not start with the New Testament and humbly ask the Lord Jesus Christ to meet with you. That will be the most exciting thing you have ever done!

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Question:  There are many documentaries on TV that cast doubt on some of the miracles we read about in the Bible- e.g. Jonah and the whale and Noah's Ark. I feel    confused... is the time of miracles really over?

Answer:  This is known as 'liberal theology', a system of philosophy that attempts to downsize God to man-size! The time of miracles will be past when the God of miracles ceases to exist! And that will never happen. "For I am the Lord, I do not change" Mal 3:6, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" Heb 13:8 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" 2 Tim 3:16 and may be trusted. Jesus said that heaven and earth would pass away, but not His Words (Mark 13:31). If it's in the Word you may believe it. Incidentally, Jesus believed the story of Jonah - read Matt 12:40. He also believed the Scriptures concerning Noah and the ark- (Matt 24:37 - 39). "DON'T  LET  OTHERS  SPOIL  YOUR  FAITH  AND  JOY  WITH  THEIR  PHILOSOPHIES,  THEIR  WRONG  AND  SHALLOW  ANSWERS  BUILT  ON  MEN'S  THOUGHTS  AND  IDEAS,  INSTEAD  OF  WHAT  CHRIST  HAS  SAID."  COL.2:8

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Question: If Muslims and Jews believe in God, then why won't they go to Heaven? Surely we all believe in the same God but call Him different names?

Answer:  Jesus said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the life; No one comes to the Father except through Me" John 14:6. Either He was deluded, or a deceiver, or He meant what He said - there is only one God and one way to the Father. If there were another way to Heaven, the death and resurrection of Christ would be superfluous and unnecessary.

Our God is not schizophrenic - using different names to propagate different belief systems. His Word is: "For there is only on God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people .. Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time." 1Tim 2:6. In Noah's day, the Ark was the only means of salvation. Christ is God's Ark for "whosoever" will believe, regardless of their faith or creed.

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Study the Christian Life Studies: http://glendakempharper.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

Glenda Kemp: To find out where I come from and who I was click 'about' tab. To know more about my life now, click on 'Diary' tab. To know about the book that is soon to be published on my life, click the 'Book' tab.

Latest updates:
New Year challenge! I dare you! (Go to the Home' tab on this blog. (31 Dec. 2011)

YOU MUST SEE THIS! A new video on 'My Dog' . Dog versus Crab. Blow for blow, roll for roll, pinch for pinch. (Not for sensitive viewers.) 30/12/2011

'Book': Walking the streets of London in my underwear. 29 Dec 2011

Book tab: *snake. Dead or alive; the show must go on. *Miraculous protection. *London: my first day at work. 26 Dec. 2011

Christmas 2011 Baby Jesus 24Dec. 2011

lonely Christmas Christians; this is for you. Go to 'more' 22/12/2011

'My Dog' (A dog is a dog is a dog) 7/12/2011

Treasure photo - 12/7/2012

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How do you know there is a God?

Source: "How Do  You Know There is a God", www.joymag.co.za, 2011

One of the great Church Fathers, Augustine of Hippo, in what is universally recognised as one of the most influential books in History, ‘Confessions’, wrote concerning God: “You have made us for Yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.”

A God-shaped vacuum
Millions of frustrated people are trying to fill their hearts, minds and souls with everything except God. The resultant depression, disillusionment, despair, sense of meaninglessness and hopelessness, have become pervasive. Mental disorders and suicides are extreme examples of mankind’s failure to find meaning and purpose in life apart from God. There is a God shaped vacuum in each one of us. We are created by God and we are created for God. Nothing can fill that void, except the eternal Creator.

Man’s frustration
You cannot substitute Coca Cola for petrol and expect your motor vehicle to still function effectively.  Many people try to find fulfilment in fame, fortune and fun but the end result is always frustration.

Astronomer Dr. Robert Jastrow, a former Director for space studies at NASA, wrote in ‘God and the Astronomers’: “Strange developments are going on in astronomy. They are fascinating, partly because of their theological implications, and partly because of the peculiar reactions of scientists.”  The discovery that the universe had a beginning has been most shocking for Darwinian evolutionists.  As English astronomer Arthur Stanley Eddington declared early in the 20th Century: “The notion of a beginning is repugnant.” That is hardly an intellectual reaction, but rather an emotional one.

Life and laws in the universe
As Jastrow observed: “The scientists have scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”

‘Cosmos, Bios, Theos’ (the Greek words for universe, life and God) is a monumental book from 60 respected scientists, including 24 Nobel Prize winners. The co-editor of the book, Yale Physicist, Henry Margenau, concluded that there was “only one convincing answer” for the intricate laws existing in nature. And that one convincing answer is: “Creation by an omnipotent – omniscient God.”

Atheism is irrational and unprovable
Atheism is irrational. Atheism is a universal negative. It is impossible to prove. No one can possibly prove that there is no God in the universe. To do that they would have to be all-knowing and everywhere present.  Every effect must have a sufficient cause to account for that effect.

We see proof of intelligent design everywhere. Every day and every night.“The Heavens declare the Glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day they utter speech and night unto night reveal knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2

Evidence of the Creator
We see evidence of the Creator’s design everywhere. For example, the human eye contains 400 million cones, 300 million minute fibres and 50 million tiny nerves called rods. Every one of these millions of cones, minute fibres and rods adjust themselves automatically so that we can see a full range of colours, in intricate detail, from both near and far. The Bible contains more than 2000 specific prophecies which predicted events which have already been fulfilled in detail. There is no close parallel in any other writings on the face of the earth. 

An intelligent wager on truth
French scientist Blaise Pascal proposed what has become known as Pascal’s Wager. Pascal logically demonstrated that it is more intelligent to risk your life on God’s existence than to bet against it.  For, if there is no God, or eternal life, and we simply cease to exist when we die, then we have lost nothing by having believed in God.

However, if there is a God, so that at death, Believers go to Heaven and unbelievers go to hell, then there is absolutely everything to lose, from gambling that God does not exist. Pascal concluded that no intelligent person should fail to see this. Christians have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Atheists have everything to lose and nothing to gain.

The Philosophy of Meaninglessness
Aldous Huxley, the famous 20th Century humanist and evolutionist declared that atheism allowed for sexual liberation. By rejecting belief in God unbelievers could embrace “the philosophy of meaninglessness” and be freed from the old moral restraints. In ‘Ends and Means’, published in 1937, Aldous Huxley wrote: “For myself as, no doubt, for most of my contemporaries, the philosophy of meaninglessness was essentially an instrument of liberation…liberation from a certain system of morality.

We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom;…the supporters of this system claimed that they embodied the meaning (a Christian meaning they insisted) of the world. There was one admirably simple method of confuting these people and at the same time justifying ourselves in our political and erotic revolt: we could deny that the world had any meaning whatsoever!”

Justifying Immorality
Those who reject God often have a very selfish reason for doing so. Normally to justify their sinful lifestyle. Bertrand Russell, one of the most prominent advocates of atheism in the 20th Century, was also a flagrant adulterer. He said that his atheism freed him up to his erotic desires.
 
The Lord Jesus declared: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matt 18:6

Hostility to God and His Law
It would appear that many who are fighting against God, against the Bible and against any public expression of Biblical ethics, such as public displays of the Ten Commandments, are doing so because they themselves are living in sin and breaking many of these Commandments.

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’.  They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.” Psalm 14:1

Darkened Hearts
Romans 1:18-32 summarises today’s cultural war and the emotional reactions it evokes. Those who reject the knowledge of God and are not thankful to God, evidence darkened hearts and turn to idolatry, immorality and perversion.

For most people, their passionate rejection of Christianity and embracing of atheism has nothing at all to do with facts of science or history. Rather, it is often an emotional reaction to justify something in their own lives. As Russian author, Dostoevsky wrote: if God did not exist then everything could be permitted.  Historian Will Durant wrote: “The greatest question of our time is not communism versus individualism, nor Europe versus America, nor even the East versus the West; it is whether men can bear to live without God.”

Secularists exclude God
And that, of course, is exactly what secularists are trying to achieve. They are trying to exclude God and His Word from educational institutions, from political institutions, from the judiciary and from the national news media.

Atheism cheapens life
However, atheism makes life cheap and it deprives life of any meaning or significance. Atheism also deprives life of freedom. Those who declare that there is no God also teach that there is no such thing as your mind. It is just the brain that secretes thoughts like the liver secretes bile. They teach that you have no real control over the brain bile that you ooze out. In ‘Beyond Freedom and Dignity’ B.F. Skinner concluded that we are biologically determined in absolutely all that we do, we therefore have no dignity and no freedom, and we are not responsible. As we have no real freedom, we have no real guilt. Richard Dawkins suggests that Christianity is a ’mind virus’.

God has and will endure forever
However, in historian Paul Johnson’s book ‘The Quest for God’, he writes of ‘The God who would not die’:  “From one perspective – the perspective of human spirituality – the most extraordinary thing about the 20th Century was the failure of God to die. The collapse of mass religious belief, especially among the educated and prosperous, had been widely and confidentially predicted. It did not take place. Somehow, God survived, flourished even. At the end of the 20th Century the idea of a personal, living God is as lively and real as ever, in the minds and hearts of countless millions of men and women throughout our planet.” “He has put eternity in their heart.” Eccl 3:11

H.G. Wells is best known for his science fiction books such as ‘The War of the Worlds’ and his history book: ‘A History of the World’. In his classic short story ‘The Country of the Blind’, he writes about a tribe of people living in a large valley. 

A story of man’s blindness
A plague had rendered them all blind and this blindness was passed onto their children, to their children’s children, for generations. For centuries the tribe had lived in perpetual darkness so that even the very concept and memory of sight had disappeared. They were cut off from the surrounding world by mountains. But one day, an adventurous member of the tribe tried to find his way over a high pass in the mountains. He slipped and fell a long way until at last he lay unconscious. Because the hearing of the people in the valley was acute, they heard his landing. 

Deluded and deceived
When they found the man and revived him they were astonished to hear him babbling about sight and colours. Something must have happened to his head when he fell because he was talking about things that obviously didn’t exist such as blue skies and colourful flowers. As he talked about his eyes, his vision, and what he could see, the people concluded that he was obviously out of his mind. He was delusional and the people put up with his babblings.

The source of the problem
As months passed the one seeing member of the community was affected by the beauty of the chief’s daughter and asked for her hand in marriage. Of course the request was denied. It just wasn’t right for the daughter of the chief to marry the village idiot. However, as the daughter felt sincere love for him it was decided that they could get married, as long as the man’s eyes were gouged out. As the man’s eyes were the cause of his problem, they could restore him to his right mind by removing them. Then he could marry the chief’s daughter. Incredibly, he agreed.

When the day approached for the surgery and he lay on the operating table, the man came to his senses, ran out and disappeared. Now, of course, this story is fictional. H.G. Wells was by no means a Christian. However, this story appears to be a most remarkable parable reflecting the reality of the world in which we live. 

Spiritual blindness
Because of the Fall and the depravity of man, the whole human race has tumbled into a valley of the spiritually blind. Because of sin, the natural mind is darkened, the will corrupted. Through sin we have lost our spiritual sight and our spiritual hearing. “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  1 Cor 2:14

So Sigmund Freud declared that all religions are either ‘psychosis or neurosis’. Secular humanists have worked hard to exclude spiritual reality from textbooks, films and news media, and to ridicule those who believe in God. The natural man is degenerate, depraved, sinful, lost, blind and spiritually dead. In a nutshell, the Bible tells us of generation (Creation), degeneration (the Fall), and regeneration (Redemption and Restoration). Jesus Christ makes all things new (Rev 21:5).

God is not hidden from us...
Those who reject God do so despite the witness of Creation. They reject Christ despite the witness of His Resurrection. They reject the Holy Spirit even when He convicts them of their sin. And then they protest: Where is God? Jeremiah declared that the people had apostatised from God. They worshiped false gods, defied the Laws of God and when His Judgement inevitably fell they asked where God was! “A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord.” Prov 19:3. God is not hidden. He has been revealing Himself in Creation, through our conscience, and in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our sin makes God seem hidden. However, just because a blind man doesn’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Bible Study (September 2010)

What every Christian should know. Life Study outlines: http://glendakempharper.blogspot.com/2011/03/come-and-join-me_13.html


Our minister Hugh Jenkins has just finished doing a course with us called LONGING FOR GOD.  Seven Paths of Christian Devotion.

Answering a question on John 1 just brought to the foreground how Gods word brings forth different treasures out of the same chapters. I had just completed up to John 14 before this course started. After answering the question I went to see what my thoughts were on the same verses before.

Read with me question number 6 of week 7 of the course. The blue writing is my thought towards God.

(6) John 1: 1-14: The Word that reveals, the light that shines

Receive God’s word for you today, in the knowledge that Jesus is the “Word” that “became flesh” (v.14). Be open to revelation that applies to your life (so that the light goes “on”)

John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Now that settles it. Jesus and God is one.

He was in the beginning with God.

And yet He is Jesus. That part of God that was torn away to come to us.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Jesus

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Jesus, this is the light we will have in heaven and we won’t need the sun. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

I see this so often, Lord, people don’t understand Your Light. It is so scary to have darkness in me. I don’t want no darkness in me. Shine, Jesus, shine. Glow Spirit Glow. Let there be light.

6 There was a man sent from God,

You still send us to bear witness of what You tell us in our quiet time and what You do to us and for us in our ‘loud’ time.

whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all through him might believe.

Jesus, here I am, as messed up as I am. There was a woman sent from God, whose name was Glenda. This woman came for a witness, to bear witness of the light that through her many might believe. (John died for telling the truth. Let Your will be done; just be so close to me Jesus that we are inside each other; that I am one with You and Father. You say so in Your word. I cant say things to pamper people. Turn and sin no more!

8 He was not that light.

But he reflected it on to others.

But was sent to bear witness of that light.

Lord light up your word. Light up the truth that it can enter me and reflect on to others. If you can use me as my personality is (and you do) Then so be it. Shine, Jesus, shine.

I am your most inadequate servant but I live for You alone.

9 That was the true light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

I pray now for Nikita’s little baby that was born yesterday; it came in to the world. Give her Your light. Shine Jesus, shine. Light up the way for this baby – all the way to heaven. Also Natalie (Hermie’s grandchild). Her baby is still in the womb. Protect this child from all evil. Light her path for her, all the way to heaven. Fall on all those around her too. Make her a witness.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

The worst tragedy to ever happen. Worse than a Tsunami or an earthquake or any and all tragedies put together.

11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him

I am so sorry, Jesus. You faced so much rejection and pain. Thank You for understanding me.

12 But

Oh these wonderful Jesus ‘buts’

As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God

Yes! Yes! Yes! Shout it from the roof tops. Write it in the sky! Push it on every front page newspaper and magazine. Hear, hear, hear. O hear, all you people hear the good news.

To those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, not of the will of man, but of God.

Amen! See John 3: 3 Born again.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

See 1 Corinthians 15: 45 “The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit”  Read all of 1 Corinthians 15: 35-58 (Also see Revelation 1: 18)

And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is You Jesus, full of grace and truth. I also see you as You appear in Revelation 1:16 “His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” Which Jesus will fetch me? I can’t wait to see. O I love You!!

It is amazing how every chapter of this Book fits in together like a hand in a glove.

I then sang along to The CD Shine Jesus Shine.

SHINE  JESUS  SHINE

Lord the light of Your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining

Jesus Light of the world shine upon us

Set us free by the truth You now bring us

Shine on me shine on me

Shine Jesus shine

Fill this land with the Father’s glory

Blaze Spirit blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow river flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send forth Your word

Lord and let there be light

Lord I come to Your awesome presence

From the shadows into Your radiance

By the blood I may enter your brightness

Search me try me consume all my darkness

Shine on me shine on me

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness

So our faces display Your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story

Shine on me shine on me

(The Best WORSHIP songs … ever!

CD 1 Track 12

Graham Kendrick

Copyright

At another sitting in John 1, I read from verse 1-5 and my comment was:

Jesus, I am just reading this slowly. It is very powerful and there is no need for me to talk.

Then when I got to John 1: 6, I had lots to say.

: 6 There was a man sent from God, who’s name was John.

He was not rich. He did not have the best horse and chariot, he did not live in a palace. His true home was heaven where he was storing his riches. In the end he was not even protected from physical death. He lived and died for Jesus. He did not preach wealth and prosperity; nor did any of Jesus’ disciple, including Paul.   To be rich is to follow Jesus. The first prayer for abundant life must be to have a good relationship with You and with others.

:7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all through him might believe.

Then would I also be prepared to be beheaded? Jesus, my future is in Your hands. You wont give me things I can’t carry. The future is Your job, not mine.

1987 Make Way

Music.)