Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been His counsellor? Who would have known that the Lord God had already decided a plan of redemption. And that, step by step, God would reveal His plan. A plan, developed from the beginning of eternity appearing, even as it is, and still to this day, marvellous in our eyes. Truly our eyes have seen your salvation and our ears have heard the good news. As a consequence, our heart rejoices with exceeding great joy!
Sacrifices and offerings - I have no pleasure in. Like the old temporary covenant, the law complete with sacrifices, was a temporary bandage. Indeed, the law only effective until the promised seed arrived. When the promised seed arrived, the bandage was discarded, for the salvation of the Lord was now complete. The Lord sacrificed Himself as a son so that we might have salvation.
Announcing the sins and iniquities of the human race, God says I will remember no more. As far as the east is from the west, that is how far I have removed people's transgressions. took on our sin by Himself. He was raised from death for our justification and in so doing, the slate board record of our sin was wiped clean. Now redeemed, we are ushered into a new covenant. The royal law, the perfect law of liberty, the everlasting covenant, a covenant of grace and mercy, a covenant written by the hand of the Lord on the fleshy tables of our heart. This covenant now inscribed in our hearts and within our being.
As the saying suggests, Christ in our heart is much better than a chain around our neck. Similarly, Christ in our heart is much better than a hand over our heart. Our liberty is not a statue. The indwelling spirit of Jesus encourages us to follow Him. It is His spirit that we received, and as a consequence of His grace, adopts us into His family. What a wonderful adoption, complete in every form. We are now citizens of Heaven, a city which has a solid rock foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
We were reborn, but not by the will of the flesh nor of the will of man. We are born of God who Fathered us in His own body. The same God appearing in fashion as a man thereby displaying to us what is achievable in ourselves when we walk with Jesus the Christ, whose Spirit now possesses us. His Spirit of grace presented as a gift from God our Father, who loves us and has given Himself for us. Herein perceive we the love of God. Inasmuch as He has laid down His life as a son for us so that we might enjoy eternal life. There is no more sacrifice for sin. Put the old covenant on the shelf. And do so now. Why? Because it is old and that which is old and decayed vanishes away. Remember, God has done all that was necessary to obtain man’s salvation. He ascended to Heaven and He sat down. "It is finished." Stand in the offering plate. He offered Himself for you. In return, God wants you to offer yourself to Him. Peace in Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 16
Paul, an apostle to the Gentiles, asks this question of believers, "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth? Received you the Spirit by doing the works of the law? Or, by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, you are now made perfect by fleshly works." (Galatians, 3)
Jesus, while conversing with a woman at a well in Samaria said that he who drinks of the water that He shall give shall never thirst. Indeed, the water that Jesus shall give him will be like a well of living water springing up from within. Here, Jesus was talking concerning the near future when those who believed on Him would become partakers of His holy Spirit. However, the Holy Ghost was not as yet given, because Jesus was not yet crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended. Until all of these events transpired, Jesus would not yet be glorified. At that point, the point of His glorification would the outpouring of His own Spirit be poured out onto and into all who exercise faith in His redemptive work of salvation. It is no wonder that Paul said, "are you so foolish, having begun in the Spirit you are now made perfect by the works of the law?"
Salvation is not of works. Jesus, who is God manifest in the flesh purchased our complete salvation. As of that moment in time, believers were offered a free gift. That gift is eternal life. It is a new covenant written on the fleshy tables of our heart. This new covenant, being the now revealed mind of God when He covenanted with Himself as a man. The perfect law of liberty. There is no other explanation.
Therefore, if you are preaching salvation by law, you would be declaring that the sacrifice of God Himself as a son to be inadequate. Who has bewitched you? This new covenant is not an addendum to the old covenant which had been written on stone tablets. This new covenant is allowing Jesus to breathe on you - His breath of life emanating from His Spirit.
Note that this new covenant was before the old covenant. In fact, it was contained in a promise delivered to Abraham, promising him that in his seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed. The promise specifically said seed. Seed in the singular. Not seeds. And that promised Seed referred to Christ, the law never having as yet been delivered. The law was delivered 430 years after the promise was made. It is for this reason that the the law cannot be tagged on to a promise. (A promise being a promise or else what good would a promise be?)
The law was added because of people's transgressions. It had a limited time frame, one that only lasted until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. And that Seed, the Seed to which we refer, appeared clothed in earthly fashion as a son conceived of the Holy Ghost in the womb of Mary. The Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary. Hence, the beginning of dispensations and the BC and AD timeline. The law of sin and death is exactly what it is. It makes one totally aware of their sin. Being now condemned by the introduction of law I died. If one was not feeling bad enough, this law of sin and death puts the icing on top. The Law is law without spirit. The law in reality is like a school master revealing that man needs a Saviour.
In this context, the law accomplished its purpose. The Lord our God became our Saviour redeeming us from those curses enshrined in the law. He Himself becoming cursed and enshrouding Himself willingly with all our sins and transgressions. When one is redeemed there is no longer a need for law.
Why? Because we have in Jesus a pure lamb offered, one that was offered without blemish. The God who cannot lie fulfilled His promise in Jesus. His body given so that we could be sanctified. Sanctify them through the truth. Thy Word is truth.
Jesus said, "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:17-19) "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ -- once for all ... for by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:10-14)
Peace to all in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus, while conversing with a woman at a well in Samaria said that he who drinks of the water that He shall give shall never thirst. Indeed, the water that Jesus shall give him will be like a well of living water springing up from within. Here, Jesus was talking concerning the near future when those who believed on Him would become partakers of His holy Spirit. However, the Holy Ghost was not as yet given, because Jesus was not yet crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended. Until all of these events transpired, Jesus would not yet be glorified. At that point, the point of His glorification would the outpouring of His own Spirit be poured out onto and into all who exercise faith in His redemptive work of salvation. It is no wonder that Paul said, "are you so foolish, having begun in the Spirit you are now made perfect by the works of the law?"
Salvation is not of works. Jesus, who is God manifest in the flesh purchased our complete salvation. As of that moment in time, believers were offered a free gift. That gift is eternal life. It is a new covenant written on the fleshy tables of our heart. This new covenant, being the now revealed mind of God when He covenanted with Himself as a man. The perfect law of liberty. There is no other explanation.
Therefore, if you are preaching salvation by law, you would be declaring that the sacrifice of God Himself as a son to be inadequate. Who has bewitched you? This new covenant is not an addendum to the old covenant which had been written on stone tablets. This new covenant is allowing Jesus to breathe on you - His breath of life emanating from His Spirit.
Note that this new covenant was before the old covenant. In fact, it was contained in a promise delivered to Abraham, promising him that in his seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed. The promise specifically said seed. Seed in the singular. Not seeds. And that promised Seed referred to Christ, the law never having as yet been delivered. The law was delivered 430 years after the promise was made. It is for this reason that the the law cannot be tagged on to a promise. (A promise being a promise or else what good would a promise be?)
The law was added because of people's transgressions. It had a limited time frame, one that only lasted until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. And that Seed, the Seed to which we refer, appeared clothed in earthly fashion as a son conceived of the Holy Ghost in the womb of Mary. The Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary. Hence, the beginning of dispensations and the BC and AD timeline. The law of sin and death is exactly what it is. It makes one totally aware of their sin. Being now condemned by the introduction of law I died. If one was not feeling bad enough, this law of sin and death puts the icing on top. The Law is law without spirit. The law in reality is like a school master revealing that man needs a Saviour.
In this context, the law accomplished its purpose. The Lord our God became our Saviour redeeming us from those curses enshrined in the law. He Himself becoming cursed and enshrouding Himself willingly with all our sins and transgressions. When one is redeemed there is no longer a need for law.
Why? Because we have in Jesus a pure lamb offered, one that was offered without blemish. The God who cannot lie fulfilled His promise in Jesus. His body given so that we could be sanctified. Sanctify them through the truth. Thy Word is truth.
Jesus said, "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:17-19) "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ -- once for all ... for by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:10-14)
Peace to all in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 15
Peter's response to an individual who thought the gift of the Holy Spirit could be purchased with money? His money should perish along with him for thinking such a thought. Peter's summation was simple. He said, "I perceive that you are still in the bond of iniquity." Yes, there are still some things that even money can't buy. Salvation is one of them. Why? Because God does not require your money. The cattle on a thousand hills are His. So is all of the earth and its inhabitants.
But when it was written, that the love of money is the root of all evil, there was a message there. A lesson. It also offers a rationale as to why believers are admonished when giving. When giving, we are to give as unto the Lord, not grudgingly because we think we have to nor of necessity, but out of appreciation for all that God has given us. God loves a cheerful giver. Abraham, when met by the priest of the most high God, who brought nothing more than bread and wine to this meeting, blessed Abraham with these. The blessings were so sufficient. In fact, more than sufficient to suffice is the bread and wine, symbolical of the life of Jesus. Our salvation was purchased with the life and blood of God’s spirit manifested in the flesh.
Remember again the words of Peter. When asked for money, Peter said that "silver and gold I have none but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus (the Christ), rise up and walk." Listen please. Our salvation was not purchased with silver and gold. You have been bought with a price. Therefore, we ought to glorify God in our mortal body, which is no longer our own. We are now a habitation of God’s Spirit. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink. The kingdom of God is righteousness and joy and peace in His Holy Spirit.
Paul made a very fitting statement that is equally applicable in today's society. After his departing, Paul said that grievous wolves would enter in among the flock of believers, not sparing the flock. He further states that even among your own selves shall men rise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. Paul reminds the assembled elders that for three years he warned them, night and day with tears that this condition would be forthcoming. In fact, Paul repeatedly warned that the elders should take care of the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers. He instructed the elders to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood.
In this context, Paul lays out a work ethic example for elders and believers alike. That one should work with his own hands providing for his own necessities as Paul himself does. In short, Paul was saying, do not fleece God’s people. Does not the scripture also say that if a man does not work, he ought not to eat? And again, if any man provide not for his own family, he is worse than an infidel. He then, by refusing to work is denying his faith. Shepherds feed themselves.
Further to this point, the scriptures state that on the first day of the week of Sabbaths, let each one lay aside monies as God has prospered him. These monies then are to be distributed among the poor saints. The individuals distributing the monies must be chosen by the people, and be individuals whose credentials include "men filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom" as outlined in the scriptures. If this dual criteria is met, then they may be appointed.
This is why we are a new nation taken out of all nations. We enter into God’s salvation, where there is no preferential treatment. We enter into God's salvation regardless of gender, male or female, or whether we are in bondage or free in our personal circumstances. We enter into God's salvation regardless of whether we are Jew or Gentile. We are all one in Jesus. We are all members of God’s sacrificed body, our glorious liberty purchased by Him who alone is worthy. When we enter into God's salvation, we become the inheritors of eternal life. This is the covenant I will make with them.
The early believers continued steadfastly in the teachings of the Holy Spirit, being delivered to us by those chosen by Him to be His witnesses to the uttermost part the earth. Delivering this gospel to a dying world really requires little or no money. It requires only that you and I testify concerning Him who loves us and now lives in our circumcised hearts.
If we consider the example of doubling a penny every day for 28 days, until it amounts to 1 million dollars, it is easy to see how witnessing to people can multiply. Let us therefore preach to the "whosoever" that the scriptures speak about in John 3:16. Freely you have received, and as a consequence, so likewise should you freely give.
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus. Peace in Jesus.
But when it was written, that the love of money is the root of all evil, there was a message there. A lesson. It also offers a rationale as to why believers are admonished when giving. When giving, we are to give as unto the Lord, not grudgingly because we think we have to nor of necessity, but out of appreciation for all that God has given us. God loves a cheerful giver. Abraham, when met by the priest of the most high God, who brought nothing more than bread and wine to this meeting, blessed Abraham with these. The blessings were so sufficient. In fact, more than sufficient to suffice is the bread and wine, symbolical of the life of Jesus. Our salvation was purchased with the life and blood of God’s spirit manifested in the flesh.
Remember again the words of Peter. When asked for money, Peter said that "silver and gold I have none but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus (the Christ), rise up and walk." Listen please. Our salvation was not purchased with silver and gold. You have been bought with a price. Therefore, we ought to glorify God in our mortal body, which is no longer our own. We are now a habitation of God’s Spirit. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink. The kingdom of God is righteousness and joy and peace in His Holy Spirit.
Paul made a very fitting statement that is equally applicable in today's society. After his departing, Paul said that grievous wolves would enter in among the flock of believers, not sparing the flock. He further states that even among your own selves shall men rise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. Paul reminds the assembled elders that for three years he warned them, night and day with tears that this condition would be forthcoming. In fact, Paul repeatedly warned that the elders should take care of the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers. He instructed the elders to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood.
In this context, Paul lays out a work ethic example for elders and believers alike. That one should work with his own hands providing for his own necessities as Paul himself does. In short, Paul was saying, do not fleece God’s people. Does not the scripture also say that if a man does not work, he ought not to eat? And again, if any man provide not for his own family, he is worse than an infidel. He then, by refusing to work is denying his faith. Shepherds feed themselves.
Further to this point, the scriptures state that on the first day of the week of Sabbaths, let each one lay aside monies as God has prospered him. These monies then are to be distributed among the poor saints. The individuals distributing the monies must be chosen by the people, and be individuals whose credentials include "men filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom" as outlined in the scriptures. If this dual criteria is met, then they may be appointed.
This is why we are a new nation taken out of all nations. We enter into God’s salvation, where there is no preferential treatment. We enter into God's salvation regardless of gender, male or female, or whether we are in bondage or free in our personal circumstances. We enter into God's salvation regardless of whether we are Jew or Gentile. We are all one in Jesus. We are all members of God’s sacrificed body, our glorious liberty purchased by Him who alone is worthy. When we enter into God's salvation, we become the inheritors of eternal life. This is the covenant I will make with them.
The early believers continued steadfastly in the teachings of the Holy Spirit, being delivered to us by those chosen by Him to be His witnesses to the uttermost part the earth. Delivering this gospel to a dying world really requires little or no money. It requires only that you and I testify concerning Him who loves us and now lives in our circumcised hearts.
If we consider the example of doubling a penny every day for 28 days, until it amounts to 1 million dollars, it is easy to see how witnessing to people can multiply. Let us therefore preach to the "whosoever" that the scriptures speak about in John 3:16. Freely you have received, and as a consequence, so likewise should you freely give.
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus. Peace in Jesus.
Friday, January 28, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 14
He was crucified, buried, rising again on the third day. This was prophesied earlier. As Jonas was three days and three nights in the belly of whale, likewise must the son of man be three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth. The Spirit of God would not suffer that His previous inhabited body see corruption. Instead, judgement ended when the now cursed body of the man Jesus was declared dead by one of His executioners. Two of His followers removed Jesus' body from the Roman cross. This Jesus, being none other than God Himself veiled in sinful flesh and appearing as a Son, remained entombed for three days and three nights.
Ironically, formal religionists subscribe to the belief that He remained entombed from Friday to Sunday. But, simply put, that would be very bad math. When generational error is seated, only God can remove the scales from one's spiritual eyes. When one dies, it is only the outer shell that dies. The punishment then being administered to one's bodily carcase. The suffering, hurt and pain that one feels however is spiritual. For example, the inner man squirms when the outer shell receives some out of ordinary affliction.
This is the reason why Jesus is to us such a faithful high priest. He endured the all for you and me. Jesus had revealed His imminent future to His followers that all these things must come to pass. First, that He would be crucified. Second, that He would be buried. Third, that He would rise from death the third day. Fourth, that there would be a resurrection.
After the resurrection, Jesus walked with two of His followers who thought that Jesus was a stranger to the vicinity. To them, He was in the dark concerning recent events, having to inform Jesus that today is the third day since these things came to pass. Jesus rose from the tomb on the first day of the week of sabbaths fulfilling Leviticus Chapter 23. Here, some would advance the presentation that Jesus appeared to His disciples on Sunday and that the following Sunday again appeared to them. This second time, appearing when Thomas was present. In so doing, they endeavour to establish a pattern that Jesus was appearing weekly. However, once again entertaining bad math.
Jesus' second appearance, as is recorded was eight days later. Paul by the Spirit, states that Jesus was crucified, then buried before rising again the third day. We are presented with what John saw and noted at the tomb. He noted that the head wrappings which had encased Jesus' head were now folded and laid separate from the rest of the body wrappings which were not moved. Indeed, the body wrappings remained exactly intact as they had been laid.
Jesus is the only Head of this body known as the Church, and the one Head of this church body was completed with death. Note that the main redeemed church has still to pass through death (the last enemy to be conquered is death!). As stated, first we were sown with a natural body but after death we are quickened receiving a spiritual body. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. No Detours. No side roads to pursue.
This spiritual body, when jointly and custom framed together by the Lord Himself, will be the only temple in which He is pleased to dwell. His habitation. His body of which He is the sole head. The first day of the week of sabbaths is the Resurrection Day. Paul called the elders together on the first day of the week of sabbaths to break bread. Not to have communion which would have remembered His death. They had assembled to break bread, which typifies a resurrected living indwelling saviour.
In this context, the early believers went from house to house breaking bread and eating their meat with singleness of heart. Jesus the Bread of Life. Jesus was known to them in the breaking of bread. LORD, break the bread of life to us that we may grow in grace and knowledge of you. Stand in the offering plate. Empty handed. One cannot purchase eternal life. Your debts and mine have been paid in full. Come. Stand in the offering plate.
Ironically, formal religionists subscribe to the belief that He remained entombed from Friday to Sunday. But, simply put, that would be very bad math. When generational error is seated, only God can remove the scales from one's spiritual eyes. When one dies, it is only the outer shell that dies. The punishment then being administered to one's bodily carcase. The suffering, hurt and pain that one feels however is spiritual. For example, the inner man squirms when the outer shell receives some out of ordinary affliction.
This is the reason why Jesus is to us such a faithful high priest. He endured the all for you and me. Jesus had revealed His imminent future to His followers that all these things must come to pass. First, that He would be crucified. Second, that He would be buried. Third, that He would rise from death the third day. Fourth, that there would be a resurrection.
After the resurrection, Jesus walked with two of His followers who thought that Jesus was a stranger to the vicinity. To them, He was in the dark concerning recent events, having to inform Jesus that today is the third day since these things came to pass. Jesus rose from the tomb on the first day of the week of sabbaths fulfilling Leviticus Chapter 23. Here, some would advance the presentation that Jesus appeared to His disciples on Sunday and that the following Sunday again appeared to them. This second time, appearing when Thomas was present. In so doing, they endeavour to establish a pattern that Jesus was appearing weekly. However, once again entertaining bad math.
Jesus' second appearance, as is recorded was eight days later. Paul by the Spirit, states that Jesus was crucified, then buried before rising again the third day. We are presented with what John saw and noted at the tomb. He noted that the head wrappings which had encased Jesus' head were now folded and laid separate from the rest of the body wrappings which were not moved. Indeed, the body wrappings remained exactly intact as they had been laid.
Jesus is the only Head of this body known as the Church, and the one Head of this church body was completed with death. Note that the main redeemed church has still to pass through death (the last enemy to be conquered is death!). As stated, first we were sown with a natural body but after death we are quickened receiving a spiritual body. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. No Detours. No side roads to pursue.
This spiritual body, when jointly and custom framed together by the Lord Himself, will be the only temple in which He is pleased to dwell. His habitation. His body of which He is the sole head. The first day of the week of sabbaths is the Resurrection Day. Paul called the elders together on the first day of the week of sabbaths to break bread. Not to have communion which would have remembered His death. They had assembled to break bread, which typifies a resurrected living indwelling saviour.
In this context, the early believers went from house to house breaking bread and eating their meat with singleness of heart. Jesus the Bread of Life. Jesus was known to them in the breaking of bread. LORD, break the bread of life to us that we may grow in grace and knowledge of you. Stand in the offering plate. Empty handed. One cannot purchase eternal life. Your debts and mine have been paid in full. Come. Stand in the offering plate.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 13
Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. We can be assured that we are a nation of believers, brought into existence in one day. Who would have possibly thought that a desolation of destruction would suddenly become a garden of Eden, where the desert could blossom like a rose? Surely, words are incapable of expressing these feelings that were non existing in aforetimes. But now, in the centuries afterward, we can actually say that we sit in Heavenly places because of these totally unforeseen blessings. In this context, we have become partakers of the aforegiven promise of God. In blessing, God said, I will bless you.
So what really did happen? Essentially, the Lord of Glory had a plan. A previously concealed plan now revealed not only in word form, but a plan being launched in real life. The star of this real life drama is the Lord Himself, appearing in like form as a son of man. The Lord Himself born as we were born, of a young girl who was in the genealogical chain which commenced with God's promise to Eve. The mother of all living.
The promise that would change destiny? Certainly. The seed of woman would bruise the head of the same one who had deliberately lied to them in the Eden garden. The Lord deliberately allowed His own Seed to be clothed in Mary’s womb with the only clothing that a woman’s womb could furnish. In this case, the Lord was clothed in human clothing, totally prone to sin. This holy child named Jesus was not of Mary, the willing surrogate mother in God's plan of salvation. Still, this child was, and still is man’s only Saviour. As the scriptures state, I, the Lord your God have become your Saviour. This man named Jesus came with one purpose, and that is to redeem man from his fallen state.
Even though this man Jesus was tempted, and tried in all ways, even as we are. He never succumbed to sin in any form. The reason for this? His only parent was God conceived of the Holy Spirit. Therefore being parented by God Himself, who is spirit then the Spirit indwelling in Jesus is God. All the vials of our sin, being poured out on Jesus, who drank the cup, right down to the last dregs willingly, knowing that death was imminent. And being man's only hope for salvation, He endured like a lamb being brought to the slaughter. He opened not His mouth. He loved us so much that He became cursed for us. “For cursed is everyone that is hung/nailed on a tree.”
Indeed, this body of Jesus was the only body, inhabited by God. Jesus body now accursed, leaving God with no fleshly earthly body to indwell. His own body was now cursed because of sin so that we were reconciled in His now cursed body. In reality, we were made alive - quickened - because He took our place. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and dies, it abides alone. But if the seed dies (as He died) it brings forth much fruit. In other words, Jesus was the only "begotten" son of God. And now, because of His sacrifice, we also can become the sons of God having received of God the same Spirit that was in Jesus.
In fact, that same Spirit now abides with us forever. Jesus walked the earth in that sin prone and fallen estate body so that now, His spirit can indwell in our prone to sin bodies. Jesus knows all about our frailties. That is why He is our High priest. Surely, He is touched with feelings of our infirmities, He knows how to succour us. He is more than able to quicken. His ear will always be attentive to our call. This is His covenant (the New Covenant) brought into the now by the shedding of the blood of His own Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God has a ghostly presence. Be still and know that I am God. This is my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peace to all those who are now walking in the same Spirit that previously inhabited the man Jesus, the Christ. Stand in the offering plate.
So what really did happen? Essentially, the Lord of Glory had a plan. A previously concealed plan now revealed not only in word form, but a plan being launched in real life. The star of this real life drama is the Lord Himself, appearing in like form as a son of man. The Lord Himself born as we were born, of a young girl who was in the genealogical chain which commenced with God's promise to Eve. The mother of all living.
The promise that would change destiny? Certainly. The seed of woman would bruise the head of the same one who had deliberately lied to them in the Eden garden. The Lord deliberately allowed His own Seed to be clothed in Mary’s womb with the only clothing that a woman’s womb could furnish. In this case, the Lord was clothed in human clothing, totally prone to sin. This holy child named Jesus was not of Mary, the willing surrogate mother in God's plan of salvation. Still, this child was, and still is man’s only Saviour. As the scriptures state, I, the Lord your God have become your Saviour. This man named Jesus came with one purpose, and that is to redeem man from his fallen state.
Even though this man Jesus was tempted, and tried in all ways, even as we are. He never succumbed to sin in any form. The reason for this? His only parent was God conceived of the Holy Spirit. Therefore being parented by God Himself, who is spirit then the Spirit indwelling in Jesus is God. All the vials of our sin, being poured out on Jesus, who drank the cup, right down to the last dregs willingly, knowing that death was imminent. And being man's only hope for salvation, He endured like a lamb being brought to the slaughter. He opened not His mouth. He loved us so much that He became cursed for us. “For cursed is everyone that is hung/nailed on a tree.”
Indeed, this body of Jesus was the only body, inhabited by God. Jesus body now accursed, leaving God with no fleshly earthly body to indwell. His own body was now cursed because of sin so that we were reconciled in His now cursed body. In reality, we were made alive - quickened - because He took our place. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and dies, it abides alone. But if the seed dies (as He died) it brings forth much fruit. In other words, Jesus was the only "begotten" son of God. And now, because of His sacrifice, we also can become the sons of God having received of God the same Spirit that was in Jesus.
In fact, that same Spirit now abides with us forever. Jesus walked the earth in that sin prone and fallen estate body so that now, His spirit can indwell in our prone to sin bodies. Jesus knows all about our frailties. That is why He is our High priest. Surely, He is touched with feelings of our infirmities, He knows how to succour us. He is more than able to quicken. His ear will always be attentive to our call. This is His covenant (the New Covenant) brought into the now by the shedding of the blood of His own Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God has a ghostly presence. Be still and know that I am God. This is my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peace to all those who are now walking in the same Spirit that previously inhabited the man Jesus, the Christ. Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
JESUS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER - PART 12
This same Jesus who was taken from them shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go. As a cloud received Him out of their sight, according to the scriptures, and likewise, so shall Jesus return. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. Indeed, He never changes. Jesus is the one who was and is to come. He is the Almighty. He Himself led captivity captive and in turn gave the free gift of salvation to men.
Jesus the holy child, conceived of the Holy Spirit into the womb of Mary, and clothed with earthly fleshy garments. This holy child receiving nourishment from her natural fallen sinful flesh inherited from Eve - the mother of all living. (For more on this point, review previous blogs) Here it is desired to present the life walk of this only begotten son of the Holy Spirit, humbling Himself to be veiled in fleshly fashion, even as fallen sinful men. What condescension that it behoved Him to be made like unto men. He enters into His own created world with one mission. That mission - to seek and to save those which were initially totally lost. Man needed a Saviour. In response, God became our Saviour. For most of us, the thought of God loving us so much is totally beyond our comprehension.
Still, God had a plan. He, being totally clothed in sin was tempted and tried. He was tempted and tried in all ways, with all temptations common to man. We have all heard the expression, "I was tempted and did not mean to do it." Jesus was not only tempted, but He resisted sin. He overcame evil with good. He did not start a new religion. He simply said that man ought to have faith in God. That man should simply believe that God had a plan of salvation. Only believe, He said. All things are possible to those that believe.
Indeed, Jesus went about doing good, healing people that were oppressed with a range of afflictions. He said it was not that sinful veil of flesh that enabled Jesus to minister these liberating blessings. Rather, as stated in the scriptures, He said "it is not me that is performing these miracles, it is the Spirit of God within me that is doing this work."
This is why, in the scriptures, it is stated that within Him is life. Jesus is the author of eternal life. He is the creator of eternal life. And now, God extends this same gift of eternal life to man even though it was purchased in such a humiliating manner by the Lord God almighty. Such extreme punishment for sin, openly displaying man's depravity and God’s righteous judgement against sin. Man’s depravity being weighed against God’s righteousness. Man's depravity being weighed against Jesus' sinless life. With this weighed measure of judgement, the scale is more than balanced. One man's sin enslaved us. One man’s righteous walk liberates man freely. Yes, that measurement ought to have sufficed as far as redemption is concerned.
So then, what about sin? The response is simple. Jesus' suffering took care of our sin. His blood was shed so that all of our sins, past, present, future could be wiped clean from the slate. He sacrificed Himself. There are no more sacrifices for sin.You are totally complete in what He finished. We are free by what He has already done. It is finished! Jesus became cursed for our sin. Wow! Truly this was the son of God. God Himself as a son. Fathered us who believe. We now know Him who was the Son of God as a Father going further. He breathed on us His spirit. And of His spirit, have we believers received. God conceived all His redeemed children in a son's body. This is why we that have the Son has the Father also.
We walk in His one spirit enjoying fellowship divine. What a Saviour! Stand in the offering plate. He stands at the door of your heart. The door may be locked on the inside. However, you can unlock the door and ask Jesus into your heart. Then beloved, we can become the sons of God. We can find peace in knowing that God loved us so much that He would take on an earthly form to provide salvation. Peace in Jesus' name. Having now the same Spirit as was dwelling in Jesus within our hearts. Let us walk the walk and talk the talk.
Jesus the holy child, conceived of the Holy Spirit into the womb of Mary, and clothed with earthly fleshy garments. This holy child receiving nourishment from her natural fallen sinful flesh inherited from Eve - the mother of all living. (For more on this point, review previous blogs) Here it is desired to present the life walk of this only begotten son of the Holy Spirit, humbling Himself to be veiled in fleshly fashion, even as fallen sinful men. What condescension that it behoved Him to be made like unto men. He enters into His own created world with one mission. That mission - to seek and to save those which were initially totally lost. Man needed a Saviour. In response, God became our Saviour. For most of us, the thought of God loving us so much is totally beyond our comprehension.
Still, God had a plan. He, being totally clothed in sin was tempted and tried. He was tempted and tried in all ways, with all temptations common to man. We have all heard the expression, "I was tempted and did not mean to do it." Jesus was not only tempted, but He resisted sin. He overcame evil with good. He did not start a new religion. He simply said that man ought to have faith in God. That man should simply believe that God had a plan of salvation. Only believe, He said. All things are possible to those that believe.
Indeed, Jesus went about doing good, healing people that were oppressed with a range of afflictions. He said it was not that sinful veil of flesh that enabled Jesus to minister these liberating blessings. Rather, as stated in the scriptures, He said "it is not me that is performing these miracles, it is the Spirit of God within me that is doing this work."
This is why, in the scriptures, it is stated that within Him is life. Jesus is the author of eternal life. He is the creator of eternal life. And now, God extends this same gift of eternal life to man even though it was purchased in such a humiliating manner by the Lord God almighty. Such extreme punishment for sin, openly displaying man's depravity and God’s righteous judgement against sin. Man’s depravity being weighed against God’s righteousness. Man's depravity being weighed against Jesus' sinless life. With this weighed measure of judgement, the scale is more than balanced. One man's sin enslaved us. One man’s righteous walk liberates man freely. Yes, that measurement ought to have sufficed as far as redemption is concerned.
So then, what about sin? The response is simple. Jesus' suffering took care of our sin. His blood was shed so that all of our sins, past, present, future could be wiped clean from the slate. He sacrificed Himself. There are no more sacrifices for sin.You are totally complete in what He finished. We are free by what He has already done. It is finished! Jesus became cursed for our sin. Wow! Truly this was the son of God. God Himself as a son. Fathered us who believe. We now know Him who was the Son of God as a Father going further. He breathed on us His spirit. And of His spirit, have we believers received. God conceived all His redeemed children in a son's body. This is why we that have the Son has the Father also.
We walk in His one spirit enjoying fellowship divine. What a Saviour! Stand in the offering plate. He stands at the door of your heart. The door may be locked on the inside. However, you can unlock the door and ask Jesus into your heart. Then beloved, we can become the sons of God. We can find peace in knowing that God loved us so much that He would take on an earthly form to provide salvation. Peace in Jesus' name. Having now the same Spirit as was dwelling in Jesus within our hearts. Let us walk the walk and talk the talk.
Monday, January 24, 2011
BAPTISM IN JESUS' NAME - PART 11
Jesus said to the Apostles that they were to be His witnesses - here, there and everywhere - even to the uttermost parts of the earth. To this end, the early believers went everywhere preaching Jesus. They told people about Jesus. That Jesus is Lord of all. That His kingdom has no end. And that, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus, the Christ is Lord.
Indeed, let all the angels of God worship Him. Unto the Son it is said, "Your throne of God is forever and ever, a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your kingdom." You shall worship the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. Him only shall you serve. My glory, I will not give to you another. God has glorified His only begotten son Jesus. He is the brightness of God’s glory. He is also the express image of God as a person. God declaring that Jesus, who had been crucified is both Lord and Christ.
Jesus, the unseen God now seen. He was in the world and the world was made by Him. Jesus appointed His Apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Indeed, they were. In fact, they still His witnesses. Although the apostles are surely dead physically, the words of the gospel that they penned continues to be the one one seller. God's gospel of salvation. They were, as the scriptures state, “unlearned and ignorant men. Their opponents perceiving that these men had been with Jesus."
These truths written with the pen of men but the Holy Spirit of Jesus being the phantom authoritative author. It is Jesus leading and guiding man into truths hidden down through the ages. God Himself setting in place the capping stone on the pyramid. The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. The cross road of man is Jesus lifted up. Why it matters little if some are atheists, agnostics or ignoramuses.
When each individual handles currency they are confronted with the fact that history dates all time as being BC or AD. Jesus instructed His flock of believers that they should preach in His name. That is to preach repentance and remission of sin. This world mission commenced at Jerusalem on a day called Pentecost when the fire from heaven fell. There also is another presentation embraced by organizations that believers ought to be baptized using the expression, "In the name of the father, son and holy spirit. In fact, even movie producers have advanced this presentation as scripturally active.
However, as we have alluded to earlier, father is not a name. Neither is son a name. Nor spirit a name. Surely these are descriptive titles. It is for this reason that there is only one name. That name is Jesus! The only name whereby man can be redeemed. But organizations continue to hang on to Matthew 28 verse 19, even though the present rendition was birthed by the so called church fathers in 300 AD. Why even Roman churches admit that they altered the original rendering. So where does that leave us?
Certainly, the original rendering was that believers were to be baptized in my name, Jesus. Encyclopedias verify this change. Matthew 28: 19, according to the catholic encyclopedia verifies this to be so (Volume 2, 435) Other main line encyclopedias make reference to the same revisions and (mis)interpretations of the original text. The record then begs the question of us. “ Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus were baptized into His death?"
We are buried with Him by baptism. The Word of God is not coming out from us. It is coming to us. Therefore, if any man considers himself to be a prophet or a spiritual, let him acknowledge first that the things that I write unto you are the commands of the Lord. This saith Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Peace in Jesus Name. Stand in the Offering Plate.
Indeed, let all the angels of God worship Him. Unto the Son it is said, "Your throne of God is forever and ever, a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your kingdom." You shall worship the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. Him only shall you serve. My glory, I will not give to you another. God has glorified His only begotten son Jesus. He is the brightness of God’s glory. He is also the express image of God as a person. God declaring that Jesus, who had been crucified is both Lord and Christ.
Jesus, the unseen God now seen. He was in the world and the world was made by Him. Jesus appointed His Apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Indeed, they were. In fact, they still His witnesses. Although the apostles are surely dead physically, the words of the gospel that they penned continues to be the one one seller. God's gospel of salvation. They were, as the scriptures state, “unlearned and ignorant men. Their opponents perceiving that these men had been with Jesus."
These truths written with the pen of men but the Holy Spirit of Jesus being the phantom authoritative author. It is Jesus leading and guiding man into truths hidden down through the ages. God Himself setting in place the capping stone on the pyramid. The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. The cross road of man is Jesus lifted up. Why it matters little if some are atheists, agnostics or ignoramuses.
When each individual handles currency they are confronted with the fact that history dates all time as being BC or AD. Jesus instructed His flock of believers that they should preach in His name. That is to preach repentance and remission of sin. This world mission commenced at Jerusalem on a day called Pentecost when the fire from heaven fell. There also is another presentation embraced by organizations that believers ought to be baptized using the expression, "In the name of the father, son and holy spirit. In fact, even movie producers have advanced this presentation as scripturally active.
However, as we have alluded to earlier, father is not a name. Neither is son a name. Nor spirit a name. Surely these are descriptive titles. It is for this reason that there is only one name. That name is Jesus! The only name whereby man can be redeemed. But organizations continue to hang on to Matthew 28 verse 19, even though the present rendition was birthed by the so called church fathers in 300 AD. Why even Roman churches admit that they altered the original rendering. So where does that leave us?
Certainly, the original rendering was that believers were to be baptized in my name, Jesus. Encyclopedias verify this change. Matthew 28: 19, according to the catholic encyclopedia verifies this to be so (Volume 2, 435) Other main line encyclopedias make reference to the same revisions and (mis)interpretations of the original text. The record then begs the question of us. “ Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus were baptized into His death?"
We are buried with Him by baptism. The Word of God is not coming out from us. It is coming to us. Therefore, if any man considers himself to be a prophet or a spiritual, let him acknowledge first that the things that I write unto you are the commands of the Lord. This saith Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Peace in Jesus Name. Stand in the Offering Plate.
JESUS IS BOTH LORD AND CHRIST - PART 10
God has declared that this same JESUS whom you crucified is both Lord and Christ. Crucified, though innocent yet bearing our guilt. Raising Himself from death to life for our justification, this same Lord and Christ redeemed us to an abundant life. Peter, along with others was asked a question by Jesus. "Who do men say that I, the son of man, am?" The responses differed. However, Peter got it right declaring, "you are the Christ the Son of the Living God."
Jesus replied, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father which is in Heaven. He revealed this to you. Upon this rock (this pronounced confession) I will build my church - assembly -congregation -temple and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. As many as received Him, to them gave He the power (Spirit) enabling them to become the sons of God. Yes. He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, conceived of the Holy Spirit condescending into His own created world, clothing Himself in flesh, fashioned like earth’s inhabitants.
He walked, so to speak in our shoes, as a man tempted and tried in all points like we are, yet He was without sin. For greater was He who dwelt within Jesus than he that is in the world (Satan). This body of believers are the Jesus people. This is My Church. This Church has a corner stone like all other buildings under construction, but in this case the builder and maker is God. He Himself is the corner stone. He also selected/elected the necessary required materials for the establishment of that which He envisioned.
As it is written, after the crucifixion, I will return and build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down. However, this time He prepares for Himself a believing chosen body consisting of living, believing stones ordained of God, and grafted into the tree of life. Jesus, the Lord Himself furnishing this temple of believers to become His permanent body habitation. His bride, the embodiment of God Himself dwelling in His redeemed Son, who had been lost but is now found.
There is only one body and there is only one spirit. You are now the natural body of Christ, and of His spirit have you received His bones and His flesh. To Saul He said, "Saul, Saul. Why are you persecuting me?" Who was Saul/Paul persecuting? His church. Of His spirit have all believers received. He will not leave us comfortless. He inhabits us. He will never forsake us. He has given to us His Word. We are to go into all the world and preach His Word. Whosoever sins we remit, they are remitted. Whosoever sins we retain, they are retained.
How indebted we are to those who have never heard. We have retained their sins having never granted to them the opportunity to accept so great and so free - Salvation. It is within this context that we diligently deliver the wholesome words of life, thereby enabling faith to be expressed toward Jesus, and allowing others to receive remission of sin from Him who alone has suffered, bled and died. He, granting freely the gift of eternal life.
For this gift is not obtained by works. It cannot be purchased. Delivered and administered to us by our great High Priest, whose ministry is intransmissible. He sacrificed Himself once and once for all. We remember what God our Savior did on the cross when we partake of the symbolical emblems of bread and wine. We do not endeavour to re-enact this. We are not cannibals. There is no transubstantiation. He was once offered with that one sacrifice and Heaven’s door flew open. With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you. That sacrificial life, in God’s eyes were as if it had occurred today. That is why the Scriptures state - He ever lives to make intercession for us. Recall that there is only one mediator between God and man. Peace in Jesus name.
Jesus replied, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father which is in Heaven. He revealed this to you. Upon this rock (this pronounced confession) I will build my church - assembly -congregation -temple and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. As many as received Him, to them gave He the power (Spirit) enabling them to become the sons of God. Yes. He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, conceived of the Holy Spirit condescending into His own created world, clothing Himself in flesh, fashioned like earth’s inhabitants.
He walked, so to speak in our shoes, as a man tempted and tried in all points like we are, yet He was without sin. For greater was He who dwelt within Jesus than he that is in the world (Satan). This body of believers are the Jesus people. This is My Church. This Church has a corner stone like all other buildings under construction, but in this case the builder and maker is God. He Himself is the corner stone. He also selected/elected the necessary required materials for the establishment of that which He envisioned.
As it is written, after the crucifixion, I will return and build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down. However, this time He prepares for Himself a believing chosen body consisting of living, believing stones ordained of God, and grafted into the tree of life. Jesus, the Lord Himself furnishing this temple of believers to become His permanent body habitation. His bride, the embodiment of God Himself dwelling in His redeemed Son, who had been lost but is now found.
There is only one body and there is only one spirit. You are now the natural body of Christ, and of His spirit have you received His bones and His flesh. To Saul He said, "Saul, Saul. Why are you persecuting me?" Who was Saul/Paul persecuting? His church. Of His spirit have all believers received. He will not leave us comfortless. He inhabits us. He will never forsake us. He has given to us His Word. We are to go into all the world and preach His Word. Whosoever sins we remit, they are remitted. Whosoever sins we retain, they are retained.
How indebted we are to those who have never heard. We have retained their sins having never granted to them the opportunity to accept so great and so free - Salvation. It is within this context that we diligently deliver the wholesome words of life, thereby enabling faith to be expressed toward Jesus, and allowing others to receive remission of sin from Him who alone has suffered, bled and died. He, granting freely the gift of eternal life.
For this gift is not obtained by works. It cannot be purchased. Delivered and administered to us by our great High Priest, whose ministry is intransmissible. He sacrificed Himself once and once for all. We remember what God our Savior did on the cross when we partake of the symbolical emblems of bread and wine. We do not endeavour to re-enact this. We are not cannibals. There is no transubstantiation. He was once offered with that one sacrifice and Heaven’s door flew open. With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you. That sacrificial life, in God’s eyes were as if it had occurred today. That is why the Scriptures state - He ever lives to make intercession for us. Recall that there is only one mediator between God and man. Peace in Jesus name.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
FULLNESS OF GODHEAD IN JESUS - PART NINE
All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Jesus, for it pleased His Father, the Holy Spirit, that in Him should all His fullness dwell. He, Jesus being the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of Himself as a Son. Without question, He is God Himself, manifested in the flesh as a son. He is the unseen God now appearing a a son. Within Jesus did all of God dwell. God in the beginning created man in His own image, complete with a perfect body equipped with God’s breath, and therefore becoming a living soul.
After his fall, this perfected man degenerated into a fallen body, like a dying or spiritually dead soul. Losing intimacy and fellowship with God, man would no longer enjoy those evening strolls with His creator. In other words, sin isolated man from God’s immediate plan. Adam was called a son of God by creation. Conversely, Jesus became a Son of God by the seeding of God’s own spirit. That which is conceived in you Mary is of the Holy Spirit.
There is only one God. Satan also believes that to be so and he trembles. Jesus, as a man (and similarly tempted to sin but never succumbing) spoke with God. He was altogether human. Man never instructed God on humanity. Rather, God now revealed Himself as a human. After all, humanity is spiritual requiring only a body to have visual expression. God is pure humanity. We are the fallen humanity being expressed either in a male or female body and existing all the days of our lives in male or female bodies. Sons or daughters manifesting outwardly our inward feelings.
Let's look at this from a perspective that is already familiar to us. As children, we converse in son or daughter voices. As adults, we may become a father or mother. Still, in these new roles, we remain in the same bodies as we did when we were formally recognized as son and daughters. The difference is that we now express ourselves in the language of a father or mother and equally, depending on the scenario, use language as son or daughter. In short, we can speak both as a son or daughter or as a father or mother, whilst all this time confined in the same body. Taking this example one step further, we converse with others in a language becoming of neither a son or daughter. Instead, we speak as free individuals, debating, discussing and fellowshipping with our peers and colleagues. All of this performance then being manifested in a son or daughter's body.
Ask yourself this question? Are you three persons? Of course, you are not !! You are one person. Further, had I known you as a son or daughter, and also in the role of a father or mother, and then again as a free individual, apart from these respective roles, then honestly I would be able to say yes, I truly do know this person well.
So, likewise God, in order to reveal Himself to us expressed Himself in demonstrative language that would not be foreign to us. He Himself as a son displayed to us of how we ought to walk. He Himself walked as Son. God as a Son permitted the vials of our sin to be poured upon Him. In His death, He fathered us. He took our place and we inherited His salvation freely. Now He who indwelt Jesus now inhabits us who believe, conversing with us in Spirit in the same manner originally designed in the beginning.
It is within this relationship, God desires that we would grow in grace and knowledge and not stagnate or grow weary. Rather, we should at all times earnestly contend for this one faith which at the first was delivered to the early believers by none other than the Lord Himself. Peace in Jesus Name. Stand in the offering Plate. Receive your redemption as a gift from your Great High Priest - Jesus. One God, revealing Himself as a Father and then as a Son, and finally, as your friend in His holy Spirit.
After his fall, this perfected man degenerated into a fallen body, like a dying or spiritually dead soul. Losing intimacy and fellowship with God, man would no longer enjoy those evening strolls with His creator. In other words, sin isolated man from God’s immediate plan. Adam was called a son of God by creation. Conversely, Jesus became a Son of God by the seeding of God’s own spirit. That which is conceived in you Mary is of the Holy Spirit.
There is only one God. Satan also believes that to be so and he trembles. Jesus, as a man (and similarly tempted to sin but never succumbing) spoke with God. He was altogether human. Man never instructed God on humanity. Rather, God now revealed Himself as a human. After all, humanity is spiritual requiring only a body to have visual expression. God is pure humanity. We are the fallen humanity being expressed either in a male or female body and existing all the days of our lives in male or female bodies. Sons or daughters manifesting outwardly our inward feelings.
Let's look at this from a perspective that is already familiar to us. As children, we converse in son or daughter voices. As adults, we may become a father or mother. Still, in these new roles, we remain in the same bodies as we did when we were formally recognized as son and daughters. The difference is that we now express ourselves in the language of a father or mother and equally, depending on the scenario, use language as son or daughter. In short, we can speak both as a son or daughter or as a father or mother, whilst all this time confined in the same body. Taking this example one step further, we converse with others in a language becoming of neither a son or daughter. Instead, we speak as free individuals, debating, discussing and fellowshipping with our peers and colleagues. All of this performance then being manifested in a son or daughter's body.
Ask yourself this question? Are you three persons? Of course, you are not !! You are one person. Further, had I known you as a son or daughter, and also in the role of a father or mother, and then again as a free individual, apart from these respective roles, then honestly I would be able to say yes, I truly do know this person well.
So, likewise God, in order to reveal Himself to us expressed Himself in demonstrative language that would not be foreign to us. He Himself as a son displayed to us of how we ought to walk. He Himself walked as Son. God as a Son permitted the vials of our sin to be poured upon Him. In His death, He fathered us. He took our place and we inherited His salvation freely. Now He who indwelt Jesus now inhabits us who believe, conversing with us in Spirit in the same manner originally designed in the beginning.
It is within this relationship, God desires that we would grow in grace and knowledge and not stagnate or grow weary. Rather, we should at all times earnestly contend for this one faith which at the first was delivered to the early believers by none other than the Lord Himself. Peace in Jesus Name. Stand in the offering Plate. Receive your redemption as a gift from your Great High Priest - Jesus. One God, revealing Himself as a Father and then as a Son, and finally, as your friend in His holy Spirit.
JESUS IS MY LORD AND MY GOD - PART EIGHT
Thomas, discarding his unbelief concerning the resurrection of Jesus exclaimed, "My Lord and My God." Even though we have known Jesus after the flesh, from henceforth, we no longer know Him in His manifested human form. Yes, Jesus had been put to death in the flesh but after His death was quickened by the Spirit. The first Adam, the Adam in the Garden of Eden was first created and then made a living soul. The miracle that is God's predestined plan is that the second Adam was the Lord Himself. Not a created being but the Lord Himself out of heaven, who is a quickening spirit. Jesus veiled Himself in a natural body, delivering to us the glorious gospel of the unseen God.
Jesus, upon completing the work of His preordained plan of redemption, sat down. At the finish of the work of creation, it is recorded that God rested from all His works. Here it is recorded that Jesus, God Himself as a son sat down. Paul, the apostle said that if any man were to come and preach any other gospel to us, other than that which He had delivered, that one is the same as accursed. He then went on to say that if an angel from heaven were to come and preach any other gospel to us, "Let him be accursed."
In the same context, Thomas’s eyes were opened wide when suddenly He, who was nailed to a tree now appears with all the scars of the battle of the ages standing right before him. Indeed, there was this same Jesus talking to him, and suggesting that he should reach forth and touch His hand. Topping it off, Jesus said that perhaps he should also reach forth his hand and thrust it into His side. Hence the exclamation, My Lord and my God!
The Spirit that dwelt in Jesus during His earthly walk, being His Father the Holy Spirit, had seeded the fetus who was born to be Saviour of all men. The very same Holy Spirit who, in this world’s darkest hour withdrew His eternal life from indwelling in the fleshly veil, allowing Jesus' body to succumb to death, He laid down His life, for He could have at any time reversed the situation by simply calling legions of angels to His side. His Holy Spirit would not allow this sinless body to see corruption. This is the reason why, after three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth, He was raised to life in a spiritual body. It also offers a rational for the commencement of a new ministry - a spiritual ministry.
For it is written, after He died and was raised again, that He, through His Holy Spirit gave commands to His apostles. He also, through His Holy Spirit confirmed their words with mighty signs and wonders, thereby adding to His temple of believers, living stones. Living stones that form a temple without spot or wrinkle. A new house in which He is pleased to dwell. His plan being unveiled. His predetermined purposes accomplishing the ultimate mission of bringing man to the place of his unforeseen destiny.
For eye has not seen, neither has ear heard of the blessings which God has in store for those people that love Him. Jesus, our great High Priest. Remember, that by necessity, whenever there is a change in the priesthood, there must also be a change in the law. Jesus administers the law of the spirit of life which, as a consequence of the resurrection is now a new covenant . It is not the old covenant that genders people to bondage.
As a consequence, we are the JESUS people. We are the people who are called by His name - He being the rock of ages. Unto the Son it is said and previously prophesied by His Spirit, "Thy Throne O God is forever and ever. Let all the angels worship Him - Jesus - our Lord and our God.
Peace be in Jesus Name! Stand in the Offering Plate.
Jesus, upon completing the work of His preordained plan of redemption, sat down. At the finish of the work of creation, it is recorded that God rested from all His works. Here it is recorded that Jesus, God Himself as a son sat down. Paul, the apostle said that if any man were to come and preach any other gospel to us, other than that which He had delivered, that one is the same as accursed. He then went on to say that if an angel from heaven were to come and preach any other gospel to us, "Let him be accursed."
In the same context, Thomas’s eyes were opened wide when suddenly He, who was nailed to a tree now appears with all the scars of the battle of the ages standing right before him. Indeed, there was this same Jesus talking to him, and suggesting that he should reach forth and touch His hand. Topping it off, Jesus said that perhaps he should also reach forth his hand and thrust it into His side. Hence the exclamation, My Lord and my God!
The Spirit that dwelt in Jesus during His earthly walk, being His Father the Holy Spirit, had seeded the fetus who was born to be Saviour of all men. The very same Holy Spirit who, in this world’s darkest hour withdrew His eternal life from indwelling in the fleshly veil, allowing Jesus' body to succumb to death, He laid down His life, for He could have at any time reversed the situation by simply calling legions of angels to His side. His Holy Spirit would not allow this sinless body to see corruption. This is the reason why, after three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth, He was raised to life in a spiritual body. It also offers a rational for the commencement of a new ministry - a spiritual ministry.
For it is written, after He died and was raised again, that He, through His Holy Spirit gave commands to His apostles. He also, through His Holy Spirit confirmed their words with mighty signs and wonders, thereby adding to His temple of believers, living stones. Living stones that form a temple without spot or wrinkle. A new house in which He is pleased to dwell. His plan being unveiled. His predetermined purposes accomplishing the ultimate mission of bringing man to the place of his unforeseen destiny.
For eye has not seen, neither has ear heard of the blessings which God has in store for those people that love Him. Jesus, our great High Priest. Remember, that by necessity, whenever there is a change in the priesthood, there must also be a change in the law. Jesus administers the law of the spirit of life which, as a consequence of the resurrection is now a new covenant . It is not the old covenant that genders people to bondage.
As a consequence, we are the JESUS people. We are the people who are called by His name - He being the rock of ages. Unto the Son it is said and previously prophesied by His Spirit, "Thy Throne O God is forever and ever. Let all the angels worship Him - Jesus - our Lord and our God.
Peace be in Jesus Name! Stand in the Offering Plate.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
GRACE AND TRUTH CAME BY JESUS - PART SEVEN
The Law of sin and death was added because of transgressions and would remain thus until the seed to whom the promise was made should come. The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by JESUS (the Christ). The scriptures reveal that in Jesus, God Himself as a son, did all the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwell.
It is this Jesus who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. One who is moved with compassion toward us. One who loves us for who we are, not for what we were in our fallen sinful condition. One who extends towards us unconditional love. One who would go to hell and back to redeem us. One who exercises mercy toward us. One who did not pass by on the other side of the street.
This one named JESUS, now revealing Himself to be a High Priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec. This ministry being intransmissible. There is only one mediator between God and man. This mediator being God Himself as a son, who upon completion of bringing obtainable salvation to the "whosoever" will come uttered, "it is finished." After, He descended into the spirit and then ascended into Heaven. There He sat down - the work of our redemption completed. No more add-ons in the equation. Indeed, we are complete. Jesus ministered the law of the spirit of life. For in Him is life eternal and that indwelling life is the light reaching out to men.
But humankind, apparently, loves darkness rather than His light. There are numerous reasons for this but seemingly, more often than not, it is because in stony hearts of unbelief, individuals are unable to dine with the God who loved them. Instead, they are too busy to find out more about the God who loved them, caught up in (or with) the cares of this life.
Note, that at the advent of the birth of the Christ Child, Mosaic Priesthood existed, exercising the requirements of the law of sin and death. The new promised order now being introduced in Jesus is to be, after the order of Melchisedec. This order pertains to the power of an endless life. The name Melchisedec interpreted means the King of Righteousness, the Prince of Peace.
We are not under Mosaic law. We are partakers of grace and truth, flowing freely from the order of Melchisedec. We are not under Sinai Law. Instead, we are children of the free woman, the Jerusalem which is above, is free. The mother of us all, feeding from her breasts, drinking of her milk, and partaking of the Word of God. We need to hear what His Holy Spirit reveals, while we make melody in our heart.
Feeding on Jesus, the bread of life. We need to become constantly desirous to know more and similarly, even more of Him. The God who loved us and who has given Himself for humans. Therefore, we come boldly to His throne of Grace and in so doing we receive grace and strength to help in times of need. Why? Simply because Jesus cared. We are His temple in which He is pleased to dwell. We are a habitation of His Spirit, Jesus, who breathes and says, "Receive you the Holy Spirit."
We are His body, His bones and His flesh. In His death, He seeded us. He died so that we could become alive. The only priest within this holy temple is Jesus. It is Jesus that is expanding His temple daily. It is Jesus who is adding living stones, not tablets constructed of bricks and mortar, but rather, being made with man’s hands. For He dwells not in temples made with man’s hands but in our hearts if we ask Him into our lives.
"Heaven is My throne and earth My footstool." Think about this. What house then is man going to build for the Lord? Jesus is the master builder of this house, furnishing His temple of which He alone is head. Precious Lord, take my hand, our hands. We stand in the offering plate. No hidden agendas. You and you alone Lord can save the souls of men. Peace in Jesus name!
It is this Jesus who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. One who is moved with compassion toward us. One who loves us for who we are, not for what we were in our fallen sinful condition. One who extends towards us unconditional love. One who would go to hell and back to redeem us. One who exercises mercy toward us. One who did not pass by on the other side of the street.
This one named JESUS, now revealing Himself to be a High Priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec. This ministry being intransmissible. There is only one mediator between God and man. This mediator being God Himself as a son, who upon completion of bringing obtainable salvation to the "whosoever" will come uttered, "it is finished." After, He descended into the spirit and then ascended into Heaven. There He sat down - the work of our redemption completed. No more add-ons in the equation. Indeed, we are complete. Jesus ministered the law of the spirit of life. For in Him is life eternal and that indwelling life is the light reaching out to men.
But humankind, apparently, loves darkness rather than His light. There are numerous reasons for this but seemingly, more often than not, it is because in stony hearts of unbelief, individuals are unable to dine with the God who loved them. Instead, they are too busy to find out more about the God who loved them, caught up in (or with) the cares of this life.
Note, that at the advent of the birth of the Christ Child, Mosaic Priesthood existed, exercising the requirements of the law of sin and death. The new promised order now being introduced in Jesus is to be, after the order of Melchisedec. This order pertains to the power of an endless life. The name Melchisedec interpreted means the King of Righteousness, the Prince of Peace.
We are not under Mosaic law. We are partakers of grace and truth, flowing freely from the order of Melchisedec. We are not under Sinai Law. Instead, we are children of the free woman, the Jerusalem which is above, is free. The mother of us all, feeding from her breasts, drinking of her milk, and partaking of the Word of God. We need to hear what His Holy Spirit reveals, while we make melody in our heart.
Feeding on Jesus, the bread of life. We need to become constantly desirous to know more and similarly, even more of Him. The God who loved us and who has given Himself for humans. Therefore, we come boldly to His throne of Grace and in so doing we receive grace and strength to help in times of need. Why? Simply because Jesus cared. We are His temple in which He is pleased to dwell. We are a habitation of His Spirit, Jesus, who breathes and says, "Receive you the Holy Spirit."
We are His body, His bones and His flesh. In His death, He seeded us. He died so that we could become alive. The only priest within this holy temple is Jesus. It is Jesus that is expanding His temple daily. It is Jesus who is adding living stones, not tablets constructed of bricks and mortar, but rather, being made with man’s hands. For He dwells not in temples made with man’s hands but in our hearts if we ask Him into our lives.
"Heaven is My throne and earth My footstool." Think about this. What house then is man going to build for the Lord? Jesus is the master builder of this house, furnishing His temple of which He alone is head. Precious Lord, take my hand, our hands. We stand in the offering plate. No hidden agendas. You and you alone Lord can save the souls of men. Peace in Jesus name!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
NEW COVENANT WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS - PART SIX
This is the covenant I will make with them after those days. Not according to the former covenant that I made with their fathers but a new covenant. Indeed, this covenant is not an addendum to the former as in the old or former written in stone. Rather, the new covenant is to be written on the fleshly tables of individual's hearts. God promised the inheritors of this new covenant that He would be to them their God and they shall be to Him their people.
Yes, a people which were not a people but now are the people of God, a purchased people bought at an invaluable price. Of God’s own blood flowing in the veins of God’s only begotten son JESUS. Please note that the Scriptures state "begotten and not begat." The First Covenant issued and delivered at the mount to Moses was a covenant gendering to bondage, whereas the New Covenant brought life. These covenants were in existence from the garden of Eden, typified as two trees of which Adam was forewarned not to partake of. In fact, he was told that if he were to eat of the tree of knowledge, of good and evil, he would surely die. Conversely, the other tree was the tree of Life.
The first Covenant was detailed and outlined at the mountain. It was a covenant between God and man. One might consider it to be a covenant of do’s and do nots, a covenant of blessings and curse. Upon delivery of the first Covenant, three thousand persons perished. If we contrast this with the New Testament, the New Covenant saw three thousand persons saved. The contrast then is life and death. The First Covenant was written on stone. It was a covenant of death. The new covenant is to be written upon the fleshly tables of our heart.
In other words, the New Covenant was a covenant not dependent upon we, the fallen race. If we had been allowed to partake of the tree of life, we should have for all eternity been compassed about with calamity. That is why Adam and Eve were removed from the garden, thereby preventing us from bringing the roof down on our heads. The New Covenant was a covenant brought into effect by the Lord Himself. The Lord covenanting with Himself. A covenant between the One God who is Spirit and God Himself as a son -- not another person. This is the reason that JESUS is the Author and the Finisher of Our Faith. He alone is able to award the free gift of eternal life. This free gift brought into reality not as a result of our work, for it is written in the scriptures - "It is not obtained by works, lest any man should boast."
Recall that Abraham had two sons. The first one by a bond woman and the second by a free woman. The child born to the bond woman was man as usual, endeavouring to do things his way. The other son born to the free woman was a child of promise to Abraham coming forth into life against all impossible odds. Isaac, the child of promise. We, like Isaac are God’s children of promise. This people have I formed for my name’s sake. We have been made alive, resulting from God’s Love that will never let us go. We are engraved in the palms of His hands. We are His offspring.
The First Adam was of the earth. However, the second Adam, the Lord Himself coming out of Heaven enabling salvation to be obtainable by He, as a Son, sacrificing Himself. He put Himself in our place. This is the New Covenant. The testament written in blood. This is why the scriptures state that he who has the Son has Life. We are the Seed of Christ. Beloved now are we the Sons of God, fellowshipping with our Great God and only Saviour the Lord Jesus. His blood avails for us. He is also faithful that promised. Peace be in Jesus name.
Yes, a people which were not a people but now are the people of God, a purchased people bought at an invaluable price. Of God’s own blood flowing in the veins of God’s only begotten son JESUS. Please note that the Scriptures state "begotten and not begat." The First Covenant issued and delivered at the mount to Moses was a covenant gendering to bondage, whereas the New Covenant brought life. These covenants were in existence from the garden of Eden, typified as two trees of which Adam was forewarned not to partake of. In fact, he was told that if he were to eat of the tree of knowledge, of good and evil, he would surely die. Conversely, the other tree was the tree of Life.
The first Covenant was detailed and outlined at the mountain. It was a covenant between God and man. One might consider it to be a covenant of do’s and do nots, a covenant of blessings and curse. Upon delivery of the first Covenant, three thousand persons perished. If we contrast this with the New Testament, the New Covenant saw three thousand persons saved. The contrast then is life and death. The First Covenant was written on stone. It was a covenant of death. The new covenant is to be written upon the fleshly tables of our heart.
In other words, the New Covenant was a covenant not dependent upon we, the fallen race. If we had been allowed to partake of the tree of life, we should have for all eternity been compassed about with calamity. That is why Adam and Eve were removed from the garden, thereby preventing us from bringing the roof down on our heads. The New Covenant was a covenant brought into effect by the Lord Himself. The Lord covenanting with Himself. A covenant between the One God who is Spirit and God Himself as a son -- not another person. This is the reason that JESUS is the Author and the Finisher of Our Faith. He alone is able to award the free gift of eternal life. This free gift brought into reality not as a result of our work, for it is written in the scriptures - "It is not obtained by works, lest any man should boast."
Recall that Abraham had two sons. The first one by a bond woman and the second by a free woman. The child born to the bond woman was man as usual, endeavouring to do things his way. The other son born to the free woman was a child of promise to Abraham coming forth into life against all impossible odds. Isaac, the child of promise. We, like Isaac are God’s children of promise. This people have I formed for my name’s sake. We have been made alive, resulting from God’s Love that will never let us go. We are engraved in the palms of His hands. We are His offspring.
The First Adam was of the earth. However, the second Adam, the Lord Himself coming out of Heaven enabling salvation to be obtainable by He, as a Son, sacrificing Himself. He put Himself in our place. This is the New Covenant. The testament written in blood. This is why the scriptures state that he who has the Son has Life. We are the Seed of Christ. Beloved now are we the Sons of God, fellowshipping with our Great God and only Saviour the Lord Jesus. His blood avails for us. He is also faithful that promised. Peace be in Jesus name.
Monday, January 17, 2011
THIS IS MY BLOOD SHED FOR REMISSION OF SINS - PART FIVE
This is my blood shed for many for the remission of sin. As often as you eat this bread and drink this wine, you do show forth the Lord’s death. The apostles divided the wine among themselves.
God is not the author of confusion. Let all things be done decently and in order. Moses lifted up a bronze serpent in the wilderness which had been secured to a pole, thereby securing healing to whoever would gaze upon it. So, likewise JESUS, that He also would be lifted up on a pole that whoever should look upon Him could also be delivered from whatever bondage engulfed them!
Let's consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Jesus, who had taken upon Himself to take on a lower fashion in appearance than that of the Angelic Hosts. Angels cannot die. Jesus in order to redeem man from His fallen estate would if He were to save man have to taste death for every man, (the Just for the Unjust). He was to fulfill the determination of that which had already been predetermined before the very foundation of the earth. That is He, the Lamb of God, would be delivered into the midst of wicked men and be slain, thereby achieving opportunity for the lost to have redemption. In other words, He Himself taking away the sin of all those individuals who call upon His Name - "JESUS"
He, God Himself as a son conceived of the Holy Spirit (as a child) to be veiled in sinful flesh , thereby enabling the predetermined counsel of God to be manifest, He was in the world and the world was made by Him as John recorded. Further, John states that his hands handled of the Word of Life.
Abraham had it revealed to him that in his seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed. That seed of blessing was the seed of the Holy Spirit JESUS. Like Simeon of old, who upon seeing Jesus in the temple as a babe, adopted a prayerful attitude before God saying, “Now let your servant depart in peace for my eyes have seen your salvation."
There was none righteous, in God’s eyes. No, not one. Therefore, God Himself made a way. The Creator God Himself as a son would become man's Saviour. He came to sacrifice Himself. He offered His own flesh. which had been capable of sin but had not sinned. Instead, He walked in the Spirit accomplishing His Father's business. He became a propitiation for sin. His own blood, the blood of the Holy Spirit to be shed once and once for all. As a consequence, there is no more or other sacrifice for sin. JESUS, the only priestly mediator presenting Himself to the world was sacrificed, causing the veil of the temple to be rent in two from top to bottom. He did so that we who believe in Him can now come boldly to God’s Throne of Grace. As such, we become redeemed by God Himself as a son! Therefore, who would dare to say that this sacrifice was inadequate?
Christ died for our sins. Yes. And He arose from death for our justification. Peace in Jesus name!
God is not the author of confusion. Let all things be done decently and in order. Moses lifted up a bronze serpent in the wilderness which had been secured to a pole, thereby securing healing to whoever would gaze upon it. So, likewise JESUS, that He also would be lifted up on a pole that whoever should look upon Him could also be delivered from whatever bondage engulfed them!
Let's consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Jesus, who had taken upon Himself to take on a lower fashion in appearance than that of the Angelic Hosts. Angels cannot die. Jesus in order to redeem man from His fallen estate would if He were to save man have to taste death for every man, (the Just for the Unjust). He was to fulfill the determination of that which had already been predetermined before the very foundation of the earth. That is He, the Lamb of God, would be delivered into the midst of wicked men and be slain, thereby achieving opportunity for the lost to have redemption. In other words, He Himself taking away the sin of all those individuals who call upon His Name - "JESUS"
He, God Himself as a son conceived of the Holy Spirit (as a child) to be veiled in sinful flesh , thereby enabling the predetermined counsel of God to be manifest, He was in the world and the world was made by Him as John recorded. Further, John states that his hands handled of the Word of Life.
Abraham had it revealed to him that in his seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed. That seed of blessing was the seed of the Holy Spirit JESUS. Like Simeon of old, who upon seeing Jesus in the temple as a babe, adopted a prayerful attitude before God saying, “Now let your servant depart in peace for my eyes have seen your salvation."
There was none righteous, in God’s eyes. No, not one. Therefore, God Himself made a way. The Creator God Himself as a son would become man's Saviour. He came to sacrifice Himself. He offered His own flesh. which had been capable of sin but had not sinned. Instead, He walked in the Spirit accomplishing His Father's business. He became a propitiation for sin. His own blood, the blood of the Holy Spirit to be shed once and once for all. As a consequence, there is no more or other sacrifice for sin. JESUS, the only priestly mediator presenting Himself to the world was sacrificed, causing the veil of the temple to be rent in two from top to bottom. He did so that we who believe in Him can now come boldly to God’s Throne of Grace. As such, we become redeemed by God Himself as a son! Therefore, who would dare to say that this sacrifice was inadequate?
Christ died for our sins. Yes. And He arose from death for our justification. Peace in Jesus name!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
GOD IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD - PART FOUR
God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. It is not Me that is doing the work but rather the Father who dwells within Me, He is doing the work! Even as a young child, we see Jesus saying, "I must be about My Father’s business."
In post three, we endeavoured to express that the bones of the fetus of the holy Spirit child were not to be broken inasmuch as the fetus was without sin. Similarly, the blood that indwelt the fetus was likewise exempt. For in the fetus veins, dwelt the life giving blood of God’s own holy Spirit. This is why the precious innocent blood was poured onto the earth, fulfilling the scriptural demands.
Without the shedding of blood, there was to be no remission of sin. The only remedial atoning blood was that Holy undefiled blood of the Holy Ghost that was sacrificed freely, and yet, with agonizing torture, administered by the hands of fallen, unbelieving and religious fanatics. In their ignorance, and intent on crucifying the Lord of glory, the judicial system, at the conclusion of their proceeding had issued a verdict that stated, "I find no fault in Him."
The judge then proceeds to wash his hands as if soap and water were capable of removing him from any awareness of conscious guilt. Passing his authoritative power into the hands of a premeditative murderous multitude, who were more than willing to rid the earth of an alternative way of life, and, exposing their yokes of bondage. Being imposed by religious leaders upon men, the so-called shepherds feeding themselves, not caring for the sheep.
Today, the so-called shepherds, responsible for administering the gospel of Jesus Christ are fleecing the flock. Unfortunately, the sheep seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are being milked into poverty. That is the reason the Lord Himself carries us into His sheepfold. We were totally lost, and how! He found us and gave to us the gift of eternal life. It is up to us to accept the gift that God has so graciously provided. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
This salvation, being purchased not with silver or gold, but rather by one who is called the Lamb of God, whose innocent blood poured forth from the veins of the Holy Spirit on earth. In this case, the earth being the womb of mankind. This redemptive blood is the remedy for all sin, offered freely to everyone, including those sinning willfully in ignorance.
It is for this reason that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The "whosoever" can receive redemption now! Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The name of JESUS. You will recall that the angel declared that the child’s name was to be JESUS.
"For He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23) The Name of JESUS is above every other name in heaven and on earth. (Philippians 2:9)
Many descriptive title names have been advanced as if they were actual names. Such is not the case, because the are not names but rather descriptive titles. In this context, it does not matter how beautifully rendered they may be, they are still not names.
Jacob of old wrestled all night with an angel. In so doing, Jacob was determined to obtain the angel's name. He stated, "I will not let you go until you bless me. Tell me your name." If one is desirous to be blessed from the top of your head to the soles of your feet, I urge you to embrace the Name of Jesus. Your heart will burn within you as He talks to you and guides you into the path of righteousness.
The Lord of Glory's name is Jesus! (Acts 2:36) He introduced Himself as being Jesus. The early believers went everywhere preaching Jesus. Unlike today. where YHWH with its inserted vowels are advanced as being God’s so called name, whereas in fact it is nothing other than the incommunicable name of a Hebrew God. If it be incommunicable, then why are so many running everywhere endeavouring to communicate that which is inconceivable. Good question!
Peace be in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
In post three, we endeavoured to express that the bones of the fetus of the holy Spirit child were not to be broken inasmuch as the fetus was without sin. Similarly, the blood that indwelt the fetus was likewise exempt. For in the fetus veins, dwelt the life giving blood of God’s own holy Spirit. This is why the precious innocent blood was poured onto the earth, fulfilling the scriptural demands.
Without the shedding of blood, there was to be no remission of sin. The only remedial atoning blood was that Holy undefiled blood of the Holy Ghost that was sacrificed freely, and yet, with agonizing torture, administered by the hands of fallen, unbelieving and religious fanatics. In their ignorance, and intent on crucifying the Lord of glory, the judicial system, at the conclusion of their proceeding had issued a verdict that stated, "I find no fault in Him."
The judge then proceeds to wash his hands as if soap and water were capable of removing him from any awareness of conscious guilt. Passing his authoritative power into the hands of a premeditative murderous multitude, who were more than willing to rid the earth of an alternative way of life, and, exposing their yokes of bondage. Being imposed by religious leaders upon men, the so-called shepherds feeding themselves, not caring for the sheep.
Today, the so-called shepherds, responsible for administering the gospel of Jesus Christ are fleecing the flock. Unfortunately, the sheep seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are being milked into poverty. That is the reason the Lord Himself carries us into His sheepfold. We were totally lost, and how! He found us and gave to us the gift of eternal life. It is up to us to accept the gift that God has so graciously provided. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
This salvation, being purchased not with silver or gold, but rather by one who is called the Lamb of God, whose innocent blood poured forth from the veins of the Holy Spirit on earth. In this case, the earth being the womb of mankind. This redemptive blood is the remedy for all sin, offered freely to everyone, including those sinning willfully in ignorance.
It is for this reason that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The "whosoever" can receive redemption now! Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The name of JESUS. You will recall that the angel declared that the child’s name was to be JESUS.
"For He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23) The Name of JESUS is above every other name in heaven and on earth. (Philippians 2:9)
Many descriptive title names have been advanced as if they were actual names. Such is not the case, because the are not names but rather descriptive titles. In this context, it does not matter how beautifully rendered they may be, they are still not names.
Jacob of old wrestled all night with an angel. In so doing, Jacob was determined to obtain the angel's name. He stated, "I will not let you go until you bless me. Tell me your name." If one is desirous to be blessed from the top of your head to the soles of your feet, I urge you to embrace the Name of Jesus. Your heart will burn within you as He talks to you and guides you into the path of righteousness.
The Lord of Glory's name is Jesus! (Acts 2:36) He introduced Himself as being Jesus. The early believers went everywhere preaching Jesus. Unlike today. where YHWH with its inserted vowels are advanced as being God’s so called name, whereas in fact it is nothing other than the incommunicable name of a Hebrew God. If it be incommunicable, then why are so many running everywhere endeavouring to communicate that which is inconceivable. Good question!
Peace be in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
Friday, January 14, 2011
I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE - PART THREE
God was in the world and the world was made by Him! John the apostle declared that our hands have handled the Word of Life. For the life was manifested and we have seen Him and we declare unto you that eternal life was with the Father, Certainly, the truth of who Jesus quickly becomes evident from His question to Mary and Joseph, "Do you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?"
Jesus is the child of the Holy Spirit, the fetus coming forth from the Promised New Seed. Two seeds - the first seed deposited into Eve and the other seed into Abraham. As a consequence, the fetus is conceived by the Spirit of God who fathered Jesus, who being the express image of God, and in Whom all the Fullness of the Godhead dwells. Recall Jesus remarks to Philip who had accompanied Jesus for three years. Philip said to Jesus, "Show us the Father and we will be satisfied."
Jesus' response to Philip was, "Have I been so long time with you Philip and yet you have not known Me? He that has seen Me has seen the Father. Why are you saying, show us the Father?"
Unfortunately, the same lack of understanding when it comes to the Godhead appears to be the case today. Many are searching to find God. But the unseen invisible God is now visible in the face of Jesus, who is the brightness of God’s glory, the express image of His person. When Jesus walked on earth as a man, there was no beauty that we should desire Him. He had no form or comeliness. His physical appearance was indistinguishable, and like the others. In fact, you would have not picked Him out in a crowd. He had been clothed in Mary’s womb in fashion as a man.
Jesus was tempted like all others who wear the apparel of Adam’s fallen offspring. However, He did not sin. Sin did not have dominion over Him, for He walked in the Spirit, thereby not fulfilling the lusts of Mary’s generational fallen flesh. Instead, Jesus was Holy and un-defiled. Separate from sinners yet reaching out to them with no condemning view. For He not come to condemn the world but that the lost through Him could be saved. Redemption required a payment in full of a subject at least equal to the debt that had first enveloped man into slavery.
Jesus was tempted like all others who wear the apparel of Adam’s fallen offspring. However, He did not sin. Sin did not have dominion over Him, for He walked in the Spirit, thereby not fulfilling the lusts of Mary’s generational fallen flesh. Instead, Jesus was Holy and un-defiled. Separate from sinners yet reaching out to them with no condemning view. For He not come to condemn the world but that the lost through Him could be saved. Redemption required a payment in full of a subject at least equal to the debt that had first enveloped man into slavery.
But in the beginning, Adam sinned. Thereby, death passed through Adam into his offspring - us. In order for humans to be redeemed, payment required that a holy righteous man die ! One who was completely pure - the Lord of Glory. Only God was willing to sacrifice His own body. His natural sin adorned body which had not succumbed to sin and neither was any guile found in His mouth willingly laid down His Life to save lost souls. God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners He, as a Son, laid down His life for us.
He, the just one paying the price in full for the unjust. His body more marred than any other body, and yet He endured all pain and agony. The question is why? The answer? Because the love of Jesus, His love, means more than anything. None of His bones were broken. The reason being that the bones were the bones of the fetus, the child of the Holy Spirit who had never ever sinned. But the body capable of fleshly sin was to be marred beyond recognition.
He, in his own body, bore our sins nailing our sin to a tree. His body was cursed! Still, He took our curse upon Himself. He substituted His righteous body, robing Himself with our garments of sin. The whosoever will in His righteous robes, setting us free, and as a consequence, redeeming us from all of our sin. Beloved, we are the sons of God redeemed by the grace of God, brought back to where we can fellowship with the LORD GOD OUR SAVIOUR.
Factually, Heaven has decreed that there is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby one can be saved! Recall Paul, (formerly known as Saul) whilst journeying on route to Damascus, and intent on bringing chaos into believers lives, was suddenly confronted by a Light and a Voice. From within the Light the voice, saying to Saul, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" It is hard for one to kick against their conscience. Paul, now being in the throws of bewilderment utters, "Who are you Lord?" The Lord introduces Himself, saying, "I AM JESUS."
God's name is assuredly Jesus.This is confirmed in Isaiah which saith that the Holy Spirit child would be called Wonderful, Councillor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Rather than seeking another identity, believe that if you do not believe that I am He, you shall die in your sin. Believe in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus today. Stand in the offering plate.
I CAME TO REDEEM THE WORLD - PART TWO
I have not come to condemn the world but that the world through Me might be saved. In our first posting, we endeavoured to introduce the Lord's redemption plan as unveiled in the Scriptures. In part two, we endeavour to elaborate more fully on the points briefly touched upon above.
We understand that it is impossible for God to lie, that God stands over His Word to perform it. John 1:1 states that "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Without word, it is impossible for anyone to theorize. God in the beginning counselled with Himself. His counsel planning how God Himself would become man's Saviour, and as such, provide the necessary pure and Holy Seeds male and female, of His Holy Spirit.
It is in this context that God gave man a body so that our spiritual intents, unseen to creation, may now be visibly demonstrated. Man was always intended to be a visible expression of God's spirituality. But man messed up. Still, God is Love.
Indeed, He So Loved the world (John 3:16) He condescended ... a condescension so unfathomable in scope. He, the Creator, would leave His Glory stooping, veiling Himself in the flesh appearing in fashion as a son over His own household. In so doing, He ushered Himself into this lost world. His Grace. His Mercy. His Love. He would become all things to all men that He might save that which would have been utterly and totally lost without God's predestined plan of salvation.
Who then would dare to say that sin is insurmountable? Sin vales in comparison to the height, width, depth and length of our Lord and Saviour's love. As far as the east is from the west, that is the measurement of eternal Life Seed for surely the life is in the Blood. God's plan is to purchase man's redemption sacrificing Himself as a Son. The blood that flowed in Jesus' veins was the Spirit of God's own blood.
When the two seeds of promise arrived into Mary, the predestined destination, the Holy Spirit brought His own two seeds together (i.e. the promise to Eve and the promise to Abraham). The fetus conceived of the Holy Ghost was now in Mary's womb. The angel declared to her that that which is conceived in her was conceived of the Holy Ghost. It is no wonder that Mary asked, "how could this be?"
The holy fetus child of His Holy Spirit is now in an environment to receive earthly fashion. The fetus will be found in fashion as a man receiving nourishment from Mary's fallen sinful body. God having previously said that all have sinned, "there is none righteous, no not one."
Mary was a surrogate mother blessed among women. However, never more blessed, for far more blessed are all people who hear the Word of God and do it. Isaiah the prophet prophesied saying, "unto you a child is born, unto you a Son is given." God had said the soul that sins, it shall die. Are you dying? Mary like all others died. She also was a recipient of God's declaration. He who was brought forth from Mary's womb was without father or mother and without descent. Others made reference to Mary and Joseph as being His father and mother and Jesus was obedient. Still, Jesus never once called Mary Mother. For He was GOD as a son and honoured them as such, not being as a child disobedient to them.
Please note this is not a put down of Mary, for I also acknowledge that she was blessed. One should also note at this point that the date of Jesus' birth was not the currently celebrated date December 25. For if that were the case, then the scripture details would be in error. Let me touch on this for a moment.
John the Baptist father Zacharias was attending to his temple duties when an angel informed him of events about to transpire in his life. In fact, in his immediate future, Zacharias' wife Elizabeth was to become pregnant at the conclusion of Zacharias temple duties (so enters John the Baptist). These temple duties were administered in June 6 approximately lasting for a period of six days.
We must be aware of the foregoing if we are to be enlightened to the time of the conception of Jesus. The same angel Gabriel that appeared to Zacharias is the very same angel that visited Mary. At the time of his visitation to Mary, the angel informed Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was also now with child and approximately six months pregnant. If we calculate time frames, then Elizabeth must have become pregnant sometime in June. Elizabeth's child then would be born nine months later. At the same time, Mary is now pregnant with the child of the Holy Spirit.
Like the multitude of heavenly hosts, we worship God saying: "Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace and goodwill toward all men." The shepherds in the field who were keeping watch over their flock by night praying.
Worshiping only at the feet of JESUS, the one and only mediator, our great high priest presenting our gifts of simplicity, sincerity offering ourselves into His once and for all sacrificial offering
Peace be in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
We understand that it is impossible for God to lie, that God stands over His Word to perform it. John 1:1 states that "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Without word, it is impossible for anyone to theorize. God in the beginning counselled with Himself. His counsel planning how God Himself would become man's Saviour, and as such, provide the necessary pure and Holy Seeds male and female, of His Holy Spirit.
It is in this context that God gave man a body so that our spiritual intents, unseen to creation, may now be visibly demonstrated. Man was always intended to be a visible expression of God's spirituality. But man messed up. Still, God is Love.
Indeed, He So Loved the world (John 3:16) He condescended ... a condescension so unfathomable in scope. He, the Creator, would leave His Glory stooping, veiling Himself in the flesh appearing in fashion as a son over His own household. In so doing, He ushered Himself into this lost world. His Grace. His Mercy. His Love. He would become all things to all men that He might save that which would have been utterly and totally lost without God's predestined plan of salvation.
Who then would dare to say that sin is insurmountable? Sin vales in comparison to the height, width, depth and length of our Lord and Saviour's love. As far as the east is from the west, that is the measurement of eternal Life Seed for surely the life is in the Blood. God's plan is to purchase man's redemption sacrificing Himself as a Son. The blood that flowed in Jesus' veins was the Spirit of God's own blood.
When the two seeds of promise arrived into Mary, the predestined destination, the Holy Spirit brought His own two seeds together (i.e. the promise to Eve and the promise to Abraham). The fetus conceived of the Holy Ghost was now in Mary's womb. The angel declared to her that that which is conceived in her was conceived of the Holy Ghost. It is no wonder that Mary asked, "how could this be?"
The holy fetus child of His Holy Spirit is now in an environment to receive earthly fashion. The fetus will be found in fashion as a man receiving nourishment from Mary's fallen sinful body. God having previously said that all have sinned, "there is none righteous, no not one."
Mary was a surrogate mother blessed among women. However, never more blessed, for far more blessed are all people who hear the Word of God and do it. Isaiah the prophet prophesied saying, "unto you a child is born, unto you a Son is given." God had said the soul that sins, it shall die. Are you dying? Mary like all others died. She also was a recipient of God's declaration. He who was brought forth from Mary's womb was without father or mother and without descent. Others made reference to Mary and Joseph as being His father and mother and Jesus was obedient. Still, Jesus never once called Mary Mother. For He was GOD as a son and honoured them as such, not being as a child disobedient to them.
Please note this is not a put down of Mary, for I also acknowledge that she was blessed. One should also note at this point that the date of Jesus' birth was not the currently celebrated date December 25. For if that were the case, then the scripture details would be in error. Let me touch on this for a moment.
John the Baptist father Zacharias was attending to his temple duties when an angel informed him of events about to transpire in his life. In fact, in his immediate future, Zacharias' wife Elizabeth was to become pregnant at the conclusion of Zacharias temple duties (so enters John the Baptist). These temple duties were administered in June 6 approximately lasting for a period of six days.
We must be aware of the foregoing if we are to be enlightened to the time of the conception of Jesus. The same angel Gabriel that appeared to Zacharias is the very same angel that visited Mary. At the time of his visitation to Mary, the angel informed Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was also now with child and approximately six months pregnant. If we calculate time frames, then Elizabeth must have become pregnant sometime in June. Elizabeth's child then would be born nine months later. At the same time, Mary is now pregnant with the child of the Holy Spirit.
Like the multitude of heavenly hosts, we worship God saying: "Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace and goodwill toward all men." The shepherds in the field who were keeping watch over their flock by night praying.
Worshiping only at the feet of JESUS, the one and only mediator, our great high priest presenting our gifts of simplicity, sincerity offering ourselves into His once and for all sacrificial offering
Peace be in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART ONE
Other sheep have I which are not of this fold, them also I must bring into the fold. God does not look at the outward appearance of individuals. However, He is fully aware of the thoughts and intents of the heart. All is naked and open before His eyes. Why even the very hairs of your head are numbered.
Certainly, God existed first and foremost and nothing had existed without Him. He is in total control of all things. The universe is His whether the components of the universe are visible or invisible. He alone spoke this world into its form and equipped mankind with the capability to enjoy its richness from one generation to another. In this context, the farmer may plant the seed and reap the harvest but without the seed, neither could have occurred. In the same manner does our offspring have seed within themselves. The question is why is it that, even to this day, the Lord God of Glory is so mindful of man?
Indeed, God has set man over the works of His own hands, desiring that man be fruitful and multiply. As such, God continues to replenish His creation, of which God Himself, upon completion of His handiwork, saw His creation to be good. In fact, He loved this creation called man for the creation was "God Himself invisible in created form." The Heavens declaring His Glory and the earth showing forth His handiwork.
Unfortunately, something went askew. Thankfully, not according to God's plan. For He had purposed by the counsel of His own will that His earthly creation was only to be a stepping stone into an unbelievable eternal glory. In fact, the revelation is in the next unveiling of God's purpose. This because we, as the offspring of Adam's fallen race became recipients of penalties administered to mankind by the Lord. We had become slaves to sin imprisoned by its desires, even though we try dressing it up and whitewashing our projection of ourselves to others. We do so even when we remain fully aware that we are really wolves in sheep's clothing. The Lord describes man as a being whose heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.
Still, God had a vision. At the time of administering the curse, God reached out in Love promising that the seed of a woman would bruise the serpent's head. This seed was not of Adam's fallen race but rather a "new seed", a precious Seed, a Holy Spirit Seed, a Seed in which all the nations of earth could be blessed. The Precious Seed of Promise passed from Eve into Seth as recorded in scriptures and travelled down through the ages until the seed arrived in Sarah, who was barren. God had promised to Abram that in His seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Remember that God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours, and with God nothing is impossible. Even though Abram was now 100 years of age and his natural capabilities as a man had passed, the Lord had a miracle in mind. As promised, the Adam seed was to be no more! So what did the Lord do? He resurrected Abram's capabilities and at the same time placed into Abram a precious promised Seed. Now we see His purpose unveiling. God opened Sarah's womb allowing the two promised precious Seeds to pass into Isaac, fulfilling the scripture, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
As a consequence, another genealogy commences. This genealogy begins with Abraham and not with Eve. These two genealogies travel as before until the fullness of time comes in the culmination of the predetermined foreordained destination of these two precious promised Seeds destined mission was to terminate their journey in a young virgin girl named Mary. An angel informed Mary that she was now with child. The angel stated that which is conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit and that she would bring forth a Son.
His Name was to be called JESUS. He would save His people FROM their sin. God Himself to be veiled in the flesh, appearing in fashion outwardly as Adam's offspring and inwardly as the Precious Promised Seed of God's Holy Spirit! In JESUS' veins flowed the blood of God's holy spirit. PEACE in JESUS NAME!
Certainly, God existed first and foremost and nothing had existed without Him. He is in total control of all things. The universe is His whether the components of the universe are visible or invisible. He alone spoke this world into its form and equipped mankind with the capability to enjoy its richness from one generation to another. In this context, the farmer may plant the seed and reap the harvest but without the seed, neither could have occurred. In the same manner does our offspring have seed within themselves. The question is why is it that, even to this day, the Lord God of Glory is so mindful of man?
Indeed, God has set man over the works of His own hands, desiring that man be fruitful and multiply. As such, God continues to replenish His creation, of which God Himself, upon completion of His handiwork, saw His creation to be good. In fact, He loved this creation called man for the creation was "God Himself invisible in created form." The Heavens declaring His Glory and the earth showing forth His handiwork.
Unfortunately, something went askew. Thankfully, not according to God's plan. For He had purposed by the counsel of His own will that His earthly creation was only to be a stepping stone into an unbelievable eternal glory. In fact, the revelation is in the next unveiling of God's purpose. This because we, as the offspring of Adam's fallen race became recipients of penalties administered to mankind by the Lord. We had become slaves to sin imprisoned by its desires, even though we try dressing it up and whitewashing our projection of ourselves to others. We do so even when we remain fully aware that we are really wolves in sheep's clothing. The Lord describes man as a being whose heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.
Still, God had a vision. At the time of administering the curse, God reached out in Love promising that the seed of a woman would bruise the serpent's head. This seed was not of Adam's fallen race but rather a "new seed", a precious Seed, a Holy Spirit Seed, a Seed in which all the nations of earth could be blessed. The Precious Seed of Promise passed from Eve into Seth as recorded in scriptures and travelled down through the ages until the seed arrived in Sarah, who was barren. God had promised to Abram that in His seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Remember that God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours, and with God nothing is impossible. Even though Abram was now 100 years of age and his natural capabilities as a man had passed, the Lord had a miracle in mind. As promised, the Adam seed was to be no more! So what did the Lord do? He resurrected Abram's capabilities and at the same time placed into Abram a precious promised Seed. Now we see His purpose unveiling. God opened Sarah's womb allowing the two promised precious Seeds to pass into Isaac, fulfilling the scripture, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
As a consequence, another genealogy commences. This genealogy begins with Abraham and not with Eve. These two genealogies travel as before until the fullness of time comes in the culmination of the predetermined foreordained destination of these two precious promised Seeds destined mission was to terminate their journey in a young virgin girl named Mary. An angel informed Mary that she was now with child. The angel stated that which is conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit and that she would bring forth a Son.
His Name was to be called JESUS. He would save His people FROM their sin. God Himself to be veiled in the flesh, appearing in fashion outwardly as Adam's offspring and inwardly as the Precious Promised Seed of God's Holy Spirit! In JESUS' veins flowed the blood of God's holy spirit. PEACE in JESUS NAME!
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