Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Zion and Jerusalem, August 23, 2013

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

(Old Testament | Isaiah 55:6)

Bobby Giplin, for how long will you go on perverting the right ways of the LORD?

You said in your facebook page to Helen’s reply:

“I think I get you Helen, what we are saying is that there is nothing we could ever do in and of ourselves that would give us any confidence for an eternity with God.”

Bobby, if what you said is true, then you are in the gall of bitterness, in the bonds of iniquity and if so, beware of the impending judgment for as you stand before GOD, angels and these witnesses, you are the most miserable of all men. And the worst part is that you ignore it for it has not sink in you yet.  For there is a well known proverb that teaches us that where there is no vision, the people perish; and there is also a verse in the New Testament that says that if in this life we only have hope in Christ, we are the most miserable of all men?  

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

(New Testament | Acts 8:23)

How can there vision or revelation of heaven or of the living GOD without faith?  And how can we have faith except thru the preaching of the living word of GOD that helps us build it. And how can hear about it, not just read about it, unless someone is properly called, ordained and sent to teach us. So as the scriptures make it manifest, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of GOD.

And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(New Testament | Romans 10:15 - 17)

Believe it or not, I am sent to teach these things with all my language barriers, low degree of education and my tons of weaknesses. Yet but reasons far away from me or that I do not understand,  I have inspiration and ability to show unto all that will the power of GOD that is in me in expounding all the binding scriptures.  But it is not me, or of me, but the LORD who will now show you your weakness for so he has spoken it saying:

Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness.

(Book of Mormon | Ether 12:28)

Therefore, if we do not have a firm hope in the promises of Christ of Eternal life, we are short of getting it or anything from the LORD and the cause is the lack of faith.  What I mean is that we can have an assurance of eternal life even in this world if we are diligent thru works of faith as the ancient did for which they were justified but received not the promise in the flesh.  This is called making our calling and election sure. Or in order to get a promise of GOD we have to do what he says and he set the example in all things before us.  ALL THINGS, yea, from Baptism even unto DEATH in or with Charity, for without faith home and charity we are nothing, even though we are able to do all things. And I hope I have sufficient charity for you and for all my hearers or readers which are not as many as yours.  If we do not do what the LORD says, then we have no promise of him, none, zero, nothing.   Obedience to his commandments is an act of faith and when obedience ceases to be an irritant in our lives and becomes our quest, it is then that God endows with powerEzra Taft Besnson Said that.  If not, GOD would command in vain and his word would return unto him empty.  What is the purpose of obeying him if we are going to be saved just by confessing him?  But know this, thou vain man, that Discovery is not recovery. You and I know well that the word that comes out of the mouth of GOD does not return to him empty, void or without doing what he intended.  For our thoughts are not the LORD’s thoughts and higher than the earth so are his thoughts. OR as the rain comes down from heaven and it does not return, so it is with his word. Behold the Law and the Testimony:

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

(Old Testament | Isaiah 55:6 - 11)

Now, if there was no possibility of having an assurance of a more glorious resurrection or a better life after death or even in this world, than the one that the unrepentant, why would the prophets, saints and pioneers in all ages of time sacrifice themselves even unto death for the love of GOD? It must be worth or amount to something and if we desire a place where they will be, we also have to follow a similar path of obedience and sacrifice as God sees fit or it will not be fare to them or to us.  If not so, Peter, agreeing with the old proverb, would not recommend to the saints of his day to be DILIGENT or do all within their power and make their calling and election sure so they would not be liable to fall from grace. Do you have you calling and election made sure? I think I do as a result of certain testimonies and spiritual experiences, but I still work my salvation with fear and trembling.  I still have some perfecting to do to be fully and completely redeemed of GOD and justified. Now faith is not a perfect knowledge, but is a powerful virtue that helps us to go forward unto attaining life and salvation, which is complimented by hope and charity.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

(New Testament | Romans 1:16)

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye “do” these things, ye shall never fall:

(New Testament | 2 Peter 1:9 - 10)

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

(Old Testament | Habakkuk 2:4)

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

(New Testament | Luke 17:5)

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

(New Testament | Romans 1:17)

THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice (in hope of the glory of God.) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(New Testament | Romans 5:1 - 5)

Bobby, the above verses show plainly and clearly your slotfulness or that in order to grow grace by grace like unto the Christ, we have to go thru a process or thru trials and tribulations in order to overcome all things.  But you keep saying that confessing Christ as our savoir is enough. That is pure dead faith and it will lead you to an unwanted place. Before Christ, without his atonement, all effort we could do to serve and be obedient to GOD was fruitless or void.  Now works count for something, for without them we cannot show our faith unto GOD to show us his power in the flesh, for it is by faith that miracles are worked. How can there be forgiveness without repentance? Or how can there be Mercy without justice?  Indeed the law exist to kill abundantly or to condemn us all when we break it, but it also exist so that there could be an abundance of forgiveness and mercy.  And faith without works is dead. You believe that there is a GOD and you do well, but understand this also that the devil and his angels also know, they even fear and tremble but it profits them not.  As far as I can see, a great many prophets and saints were justified by faith.  Hence the scriptures:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

(New Testament | James 2:19 - 26)

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say?  for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

(New Testament | Hebrews 11:24 - 40)

Now Bobby, your rewards is assured, when you come into the Judgment bar of God and his anointed ones, no amount of reasoning will deliver you from eternal damnation because you have denied the scriptures and rejected the prophets.  Now you are having a little fun contradicting our doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ and mocking us, for there is no service in what you are doing. It does not serve GOD, it does not serve your fellow man, for you are not preaching the gospel at all.  And it definitely does not serve you. The only one whom you serve is the Devil and from him you will receive his payment if anything at all for the LORD has said:

And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also. But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy. And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken. Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren.  Amen.

(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 15:32 - 36)

I guess you have not read the Apology and the Testimony of a Baptist Minister with regards to the veracity of the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter

Day Saints.

Pastor Lynn Ridenhour’s Apologhy to the Mormons

Lynn Ridenhour, is a pastor of the Southern Baptist faith in Independence, Missouri. The following is an apology he offered to the Mormons for the behavior of his early ancestors in persecuting the Mormons when they were trying to settle in Missouri back in the 1830s. The first part is a news report of the occasion, and the second part is his actual “Statement of Repentance.”

http://bookofmormonevidences.blogspot.com/2009/09/appendix-i-pastor-lynn-ridenhours.html

Ten Biblical Proofs of the Book of Mormonby Lynn Ridenhour,
A Southern Baptist Minister

http://bookofmormonevidences.blogspot.com/2009/09/appendix-ii-ten-biblical-proofs-of-book.html

And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father. And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men.  And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words. And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:14 - 22)

Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name?  For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;  And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it. But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:7 - 11)

And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 7:24)

An invitation to enter into the rest of the Lord—Pray with real intent—The Spirit of Christ enables men to know good from evil—Satan persuades men to deny Christ and do evil—The prophets manifest the coming of Christ—By faith miracles are wrought and angels minister—Men should hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity. About A.D. 401–421

AND now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope, and charity; for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship. And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time….

(Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:Heading - 2)

And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope.  How is it that you can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? And what is it that ye shall hope for?  Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.  Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.  Amen.

(Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:40 - 48)

Now what the LORD says unto one he says unto all. And these things are very true and all the scriptures compliment each other regardless of precedence for the truth is one an it stands the proof of time, the law of contradiction and the law of witnesses to dethrone all falsehood regardless of source. I, an unworthy servant in the hands of Christ must testify of the truth of these things. I declare them unto you for your profit as well as mine, for the LORD is instructing me also. But above all, I do these things with a single eye for the honor and Glory of GOD. And I do it as one having authority in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.  

Yours Truly

Miguel Angel Tinoco Rodriguez

For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people;
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 15:18)