THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 302

And they were all baptized with the Holy Ghost and with tongues as of fire. This is what the scriptures say. The question is - what happened to the fire? Or better still, who put the fire out? Certainly, the early believers went everywhere preaching JESUS. Are you? Something to consider in the days ahead.

Salvation is obtainable to whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord JESUS! Why? Because the Lord God who created us became as one of us so that we could have salvation. Yes, this is why Christians believe that JESUS is LORD. This same God became human because He loved us. Jesus -- He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-42)

But this JESUS is not a number two LORD. Rather, JESUS is the LORD that reigns over all. And thus, there is no salvation in any other name other than the name of JESUS. Yes, the name of JESUS is ABOVE every other name in HEAVEN and on EARTH!

So if you are you looking for someone superior to JESUS, then you need to stop looking. For the ONLY GOD that man will ever see is JESUS. As the scriptures state, JESUS said, "I and My FATHER are ONE." Philip of old was determined to see the Father when Philip said to JESUS, ”Show us the Father and we will be satisfied." JESUS replied to Philip, "Have I been so long time with you Philip and yet you have not known Me? Philip, if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father."

So as Jesus queried -- if I am the Father manifest as a Son, why are you now saying that you are looking to see the Father to be satisfied? JESUS is God manifest in the flesh as a Son. (I Timothy 3:16) God is Spirit but because one cannot see Spirit, there has to be a physical body. Indeed, you also are a spirit being inside a body. God has hemmed your spirit inside a body of bone and sinew. For we are an earthly creation. We all appear as a son or daughter in created form.

Using the same comparison, God Himself veiled Himself in flesh appearing in fashion as a man, even as we are. (John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6)

Naturally, you will always remain in a son's or daughter's body. You will father or mother all of your offspring in this same son or daughter body. Now you as a father or mother remain in that same son or daughter body. Similarly, you speak now as a father or a mother capacity, yet you can still speak as a son or daughter. In this capacity, you have not become another person. You are still a spirit being manifest.

Taking this comparison further, let us now have a conversation as we fellowship together. I know you are a son because I am looking at you in a son’s body. I also know that you are a father, yet I am still looking at you in a son’s body. As we converse together in fellowship, we fellowship in spirit. So, I can speak as a son - I can speak as a father - and I can speak as a spirit being. Ask yourself this question then ... am I three persons? Or, am I one person exhibiting the necessary characteristics of a son, father, and friend?

In this same context, the Holy Spirit of God was in the man JESUS the Christ - not as a different person, or two persons, or three persons but rather JESUS as God HIMSELF with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) God as a Son fathered all of His children in a son’s body. Therefore, He that has the Son has life.

The scriptures further states that we - being you and I - must all be born again ... of water and of the Spirit to enter into the Kingdom of God! This is not the old Covenant, or a revival of the old Covenant, for a much greater person than Moses was here. In fact, Moses was part of God's house but at the end of the day, JESUS is the builder of His own house - a house comprised of believers.

The TRUE ISRAEL OF GOD - read ACTS chapter 2:37-42. Follow the instructions given by Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost. Recognize that more than anything, He wants to fill you with His Spirit so that His spiritual gifts and wisdom can flow through us. So that we can be filled to overflowing with His joy and mercy. Like David who said, "My cup runneth over!" (Psalm 23)

And never forget how much our Lord God loved us -- that He would willingly shed His blood on a cross for you and I. His name in this current covenant of grace is Jesus. The greatest name known to mankind. The name that is ABOVE every other name.

Peace to all who are in JESUS. Stand in the offering plate.