THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 437

If JESUS the Christ was not God manifest in flesh, then when, as the scriptures state, did God visit us? And when was the God who made the world in the world? JESUS was the offspring of the Holy Spirit inasmuch as JESUS was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. For both SEEDS were of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the embryo was God. No other one was involved. God Himself coming forth from the innermost being of the Holy Spirit, coming forth in a fashion as a man to become man’s only redeemer and Saviour.

This explains why the embryo of God at Calvary was not to be punished. The embryo was not of Adam’s sin prone race, and therefore as a consequence could not be punished. It also explains why not one bone of JESUS' body was to be broken at Calvary. As outlined in the scriptures, JESUS' blood which was the blood of the Holy Spirit was to be shed - yes - but not punished. Only the sin prone Adam veil of flesh was to carry the weight of the punishment for all sin.

The two SEEDS of the Holy Spirit which travelled down through the ages (as recorded in Matthew and Luke) are what is known as the ‘fullness of time’ to be brought together in the womb of one of Abraham’s natural offspring, whose name was Mary. In Mary’s womb, the embryo of God was nourished and grew in fashion as man. Of course, Mary’s womb was incapable of producing anything other than a body of sin prone flesh.

Still, God had not become another person. Being the offspring of the Holy Spirit, God condescended to become as one of us for the purpose of our redemption and salvation. We already know that there was no other means whereby man could be saved. As it is written, JESUS said I have come to destroy the works of the devil.

Further, God’s Word being God is unchangeable. It was God in the beginning who made known that it would be the SEED coming forth from a woman that would bruise the serpent’s head (devil‘s power and authority). JESUS came forth from a woman being the SEED of Promise ‘God with us’ and in that SEED will all the nations people be blessed!

For God to accomplish man's redemption and salvation meant that God would sacrifice His life as a Son. The scale of justice then being satisfied inasmuch as one man’s disobedience brought about man’s separation from God. Therefore, if a righteous man who did not sin were to lay down His life as payment, then the scales of justice would be in equilibrium! Is this starting to make sense?

JESUS is God manifest in the flesh -- the same God who laid down His life for us! He alone is the only entry door to restored fellowship with God! Ask the Lord into your life today! God Bless You All!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 436

God is Father, Son, and Spirit but NOT as three distinct and separate persons.

As the scriptures point out, in JESUS, the Son of God, dwelt all the FULLNESS of the Godhead bodily. JESUS being God with us. JESUS being God who is Spirit, now manifest in the flesh and appearing as a Son. Who for those looking upon JESUS would in actuality be looking at the Spirit of God veiled in flesh. Not another person distinct from the Spirit of God but rather JESUS being the unseen now seen.

JESUS was not conceived from the seed of Adam’s sin prone race. JESUS is the SEED of the Holy Ghost, which SEED comes forth from the Spirit of God and therefore is altogether God. Therefore, when one realizes that the Spirit of God was within the veil of JESUS' flesh, then there should be no need to look any further for God. Why? Because God is to be found ONLY in the face of JESUS -- the Christ.

In other words, JESUS was clothed in flesh while conceived by the Holy Ghost into the womb of a surrogate mother named Mary. As we know from reading the Bible, Mary was one of Abraham's descendants. Therefore, she had no sinless flesh. Mary being like all others was born in sin prone flesh. JESUS, coming forth from her womb was also clothed in sin prone flesh -- which flesh was to be tempted and tried in all points even as we. Yet JESUS was without sin, for the life of the Holy Ghost indwelling JESUS' veil of flesh, did not succumb to the temptation of sinful flesh. For example, when JESUS was tempted in the wilderness after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights without food.

But there are other scriptural references worth noting too. In the beginning was the ‘Word’ and the ‘Word’ was with God and the ‘Word’ was God. The ‘SAME’ was in the beginning with God. Please note that the scriptures declared that the ‘SAME’ Word was with God. The scripture does not declare that the Word of God is separate from God. It was the ‘SAME’ Word that was with God that is now manifest in flesh. As such, one cannot separate one from His own Word. The scripture clearly declares that JESUS is the Word of God and therefore, JESUS is that selfsame Word that was in the beginning with God.

If we consider this from a different perspective, we recognize that we are all spirit beings clothed in flesh and as such recognizable to each other. God who is Spirit has also made Himself known to us in the only language we would be capable of receiving. This explains why God became as a Son. ‘NOT CREATED‘ but rather God permitting Himself to be clothed in sinful flesh fashion in order to redeem us to Himself. Admittedly, yes, this is more than likely beyond our comprehension to think that God would sacrifice Himself for you and I. Nevertheless, God indeed did lay down His Life as a Son for us. God Bless You!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 435

Saul remained in a room praying for three days and three nights. He prayed continuously without eating, which in and of itself shows the intensity and seriousness of the spiritual transformation that was transpiring within Saul. At some point within this three day period, he saw a vision of someone delivering to him the answer to his question to Jesus. That is, "What will you have me do?"

As the scriptures state, the Lord JESUS had at the same time appeared in a vision to one of His disciples who lived in the same city that Saul was praying in. In the vision, the Lord called the disciple Ananias by name. Ananias replied, "Here I am Lord." The Lord then instructed Ananias to go to a street called ‘Strait.' There, he would find a man named Saul praying. Ananias said to the Lord that he had heard from many of how Saul persecuted all those who called upon Jesus' name, and consequently, chained believers in prison. He did this because of the power delegated to him to do thus from the high priest at Jerusalem.

But the Lord revealed to Ananias that Saul is a chosen vessel who would in the future bear His name to the Gentiles and to the children of Israel. Ananias was also told how Saul was to suffer many things as he fulfilled His purpose. So Ananias set forth as instructed in the vision. Given Saul's terrorist fanatical religious reputation, one can only imagine that Ananias might have thought that he was walking on thin ice.

Still, Ananias arrives at the house requesting to see Saul. He is brought to the room where Saul was on his knees praying. Ananias walks into the room and declares, "Brother Saul, the Lord JESUS who appeared to you as you journeyed has sent me to you so that you might have your sight restored, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Ananias then lays his hands upon Saul. At that moment, from Saul’s eyes fell ‘scales’ - so to speak. Ananias then directed Saul to arise and be baptized, washing away his sins whilst calling upon the name of the Lord even JESUS!

Saul obediently obeyed the command. Indeed, there was no hesitancy in his response. In fact, instantaneously Saul is baptized in water identifying that he is also one of those JESUS people whom he had previously terrorized in the name of his religion. This same religion which was determined by man's authority to eradicate all who should dare call upon the name of JESUS.

Saul, now being fully persuaded of God named JESUS, now willingly joins the ranks of those who were also of like mind, having also been fully persuaded of God that JESUS is the Christ - the only begotten Son of the Holy Spirit SEED. Christ the blessing afore promised to Abraham - that in the SEED of the Holy Spirit will all the nations of the earth be blessed.

Not blessed in Abraham's natural seed - which seed as all other natural seeds of Adam’s offspring is sin prone seed but in a new SEED - a SEED that is pure, holy, and undefiled. Which SEED is the manifestation of God in flesh, - the lamb of God (child) which through His willing sacrificial death at Golgotha (Hebrew) or the place of a skull (Greek) should be the end of all sacrificial offerings for sin!

Most of us at one time or another may have been as Saul was, nurtured in institutionalized religion which was (and perhaps still is) so foreign to the light of the knowledge of God that only God's intervention could unravel Saul (and similarly us) from our religious entanglement.

Moreover, when you say that you believe in God, remember that Saul likewise believed. But like Saul, we need God to introduce Himself, in the same way that He introduced Himself to Saul. He said, ‘I AM JESUS’ Note also that when Saul was told what he must do, he did so. Read Acts 2:38. In the interim, God bless you all!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 434

Saul, upon hearing the words of JESUS spoken to him from the midst of the light continued on his travels toward the city where he was supposed to receive directions as to what he must do next. this is the same Saul who had previously been given orders from other higher religious authorities that was now awaiting instructions from the same JESUS who he had been persecuting. The voice of the Lord had introduced Himself as JESUS whilst Saul was engulfed in a light -- a light that, according to the scriptures, was much greater than the noon day sun. As a consequence, Saul fell to the ground, also causing blindness to befall him.

Similarly, Saul was bewildered as to what was happening. The voice of the Lord called him by name saying, "Saul it is hard for you to kick against the continuous pricks to your conscience." And then of course comes forth the crowning question, "Why Saul are you persecuting me?" "Who are you Lord?" And the Lord answered saying, "I AM JESUS!"

Saul immediately became submissive to the Lord JESUS, no longer bursting at the seams to expedite his prevision commission. Saul's new commission was to go to the city so that he would be told him what he should do. Being now led by the hand of another Saul journeyed to the city. Admittedly, Saul was a much more humbled person than he had been prior to his destined confrontation with JESUS!

Saul upon entering the city was taken to a room wherein he fell to his knees in an attitude of earnest prayer. At the same time, he knew nothing concerning the Lord JESUS who had met him on the path. Saul only knew that he was obeying the instructions of Him who had introduced Himself as being JESUS, who dwelt within a light brighter than the noon day sun, and, who knew his name was Saul. This Lord named JESUS had accused him of persecuting him. And as far as Saul knew he had never met JESUS. Then JESUS revealed to him that he was kicking against his conscience doing his own thing as he sought to become a Mr. Somebody in the eyes of the elite. In so doing, Saul was becoming a hard hearted person, much in need of circumcision of his heart.

Saul was likely trembling at such an encounter, and inn total confusion for he had no idea as to what fate awaited him. Remember, Saul had shown no mercy, so little should he expect mercy from Him who said He was JESUS. The same Jesus who questioned Saul as to why he was persecuting Him. So Saul prayed and prayed as he reflected upon all the times that he had opposed the pricks to his conscience and likewise, all the times he had heard the cries of everyday people begging for mercy either for themselves or for others. The cries falling upon Saul’s deaf ears.

Yes, Saul's fate was waiting for something or someone to be his judge, jury, and executioner. But Saul was now in the hands of a much higher authority of whom he was not acquainted with. Saul had run with the religious crowd of the day, which would be so easy to do. For the world into which we were born has led us on a path which can include doing things which we opposed in our hearts and conscience. Still, in the meantime, our conscience continually convicted us of our men pleasing habits.

But there is a lesson to be learned here. Indeed, maybe we should follow Saul and realize that we are resisting our God given conscience. Instead, fall on our knees now and call upon the God who has created us and give God the pre-eminence. Isn't this what Saul did? Awaiting upon God to deliver the same message (or lesson) to all of us as He was about to deliver to Saul. Choose this day who you will serve! God Bless You ALL!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 433

Saul continued his journey breathing out threats and slaughter against any and all who believed in Jesus. Saul born into religious captivity and trained in the then religious traditions of his time. In fact, one could say Saul graduated with honours.

But Saul could have been you or I believing in the religious traditions of men rather than the Word. If Saul were I, I definitely would want to be rescued from my darkness. In Saul's case, the so called religious light that he adhered to was complete darkness. As the scriptures state, if the religious light that is in a person is actually darkness, how dark can that darkness be? Further, we read that religious fanatics compassed land and sea in the hope of making one convert. Therefore, the persons are entrapped in their religious web -- unfortunately -- become two-fold more a child of hell than what he or she had previously been because of the religious zeal that does not align with the scriptures.

Today, the atmosphere of religious and institutional traditions remains true to itself. Children brought up to be robots are encouraged to commit crimes ensuring them a direct pathway to their so called heaven to receive rewards of their god for their adherence to their stringent faith.

The good news in the scriptures is that Saul was suddenly engulfed in light. A light which was not the sunlight but much brighter than the sunlight. As a consequence, Saul drops to the ground totally blind. A voice from within the light is heard (many who accompanied Saul saw the light but heard no voice while others saw the light and also heard the voice). Saul cries out saying, "Who are you Lord?" A voice replies, "I am JESUS!"

The voice of the Lord JESUS addresses Saul saying, "Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks." (pricks being your conscience) Saul enters the conversation saying, "Lord what is it that you want me to do?" To which question the Lord replies, "Saul go into the city and there you shall be told what you must do." The Lord did not tell Saul what he should do but rather the Lord simply directed Saul to the city where he would be told what he must do.

So Saul was led as a blind man into the city where he remained constantly in prayer. But it was no longer in ritualistic prayer. Instead, Saul instantaneously went from being the rooster on top of a religious manure pile where his commands were immediately executed to humility, having to depend on others as for his welfare.

During those three days, Saul must have reflected upon his life through self examination for the voice of the Lord JESUS had said to him, "Why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against your pricked conscience."

In other words, Saul's life was at the bottom of the dung heap. Even whilst he thought that he was the king pin. To this end, God arrested Saul and challenged him with questions that no one else would have known to ask Saul. this is the same Saul who appeared to love the fame and prestigious benefits awarded him for his seeming religious zealousness.

This is why it was hard for Saul to kick against the pricks. The question then is this. Are each of us really being true to ourselves or are we just pawns? For all of us are only one heart beat away from eternity where all must give an account before God. Like Saul, in the profit and loss statement of life where are we?

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 432

As we can see from Post 431, the woman narrowly escaped the wrath of religious zealots who thought that by adhering to their traditional religious teachings that they were doing God a great service.

But Saul (Paul) was more than a religious fanatic. Saul symbolized a religious fanatical terrorist raging against anyone who dared to preach or believe upon the name of JESUS. Further, during this time, Saul was intent upon making the general populace feel the impact of his authority. Saul was doing his job when he consented to the stoning of Stephen. In fact, Saul watched as the Jewish mob gnashed on Stephen with their teeth holding their ears in the name of religion.

Surely hearing Stephen calling upon God and likewise praying for God to forgive them for their actions, never reproved them. Indeed, even as Stephen prior to being stoned said to them, "You are uncircumcised [stiff-necked in your heart]people who always resists the Holy Spirit even as your fathers did before you" never moved their consciences. Instead, the crowd walked away as if they had done God a great service. In some sense, one could liken the situation to their foreskin being circumcised but their heart totally skinned over.

As the scriptures reveal, Saul continued on his head hunt mission undeterred. Still, JESUS seemed to take a long time before He confronted Saul. You may ask why JESUS not intervene earlier. Who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been His counselor?This example was the last call to the Jews. JESUS repeatedly and again with tears, even as He had previously done when He had wept over Jerusalem saying, "Jerusalem oh Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you under my wings even as a chicken gathers her brood, and you will not come." Now your land is left to you desolate.

The Jews were about to get wiped off the face of the map but Stephen praying to JESUS the Christ IN God who sat upon the right hand of God prevented the right hand of God resulting in God withholding His wrath. Nevertheless, wrath took another route. The Jews immediately at that point in time were cut off becoming as all others in the world - as Mr. Nobodies. Of course, that is a hard pill for the Jews to swallow but swallow they must.

Yes, God cut them off so that He could open the door of Redemptive Salvation to the "whosoever" believes. Recall that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as being righteous (not because of works of righteousness which anyone has done but because of God’s grace and mercy which is openly displayed to all in the face of JESUS the Christ -- who is the child conceived by the SEED of the Holy Spirit who fathered Him. JESUS being God with us!

Yes, the message here is that God has a people. A people which had never previously been a people. This people came about as a result of the stoning of Stephen. The people who were previously known as God’s chosen were now cut off because of unbelief. Cut off nationally but not individually -- an important distinction -- from the Vine of God’s ways so that you and I and others from all nations could be grafted in through believing faith!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 431

Continuing on from PART 430, we know that a woman was being taken to be stoned. We also know that her male counterpart was overlooked. Because of the accusers' conscience and similarly by the Grace of God, some were filled with guilt or pity or compassion toward the woman. Indeed, their pricked conscience was quickly seared as they returned to embrace their traditional religious upbringing.

But God gave men and women a conscience. It is a conscience or new awakening given to each and every one of us from God. Internally, a conscience abides in all men. But seemingly, according to the scriptures, it is possible to sear ones conscience so that one no longer feels anything. Man upon reaching that point is totally cut off from God and therefore becomes fit for nothing, except to be burned.

Except in this paraphrased scriptural example, JESUS said to the Jews, go ahead and do your dastardly deed. Just make very sure that he who throws the first stone is without sin. WOW! One could say that this statement really was a shot across the bow.

We never did find out from the scriptures what JESUS wrote on the ground as he patiently awaited their response. Yes, their response as far as words were concerned was not worth hearing. These accusers simply abandoned the woman. JESUS looked at the woman saying, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and sin no more."

This example is a perfect example of God's love for us. JESUS -- GOD Himself manifest in the flesh did not come from Heaven to earth to condemn us. Rather, JESUS came to save man.

Now note that the woman was a Jew and the others who were about to stone the woman were Jews as well. They did not address the Lord as Yeshua. They called Him JESUS! For JESUS is the name given to Him by His Father the Holy Spirit, and rightly so, JESUS being the Son of God conceived of the Holy Ghost! The important point here is that they all were Jews and none of those at the stoning - especially the Jewish woman - will never, ever call this man by any other name other than JESUS.

Likewise, all of us BELIEVING Jews and Gentiles will never endeavour to superimpose another name other than JESUS. For born again believers rightly know if it had not been for God’s intervention in our lives, we might be possibly stoned or ridiculed in a same or different fashion. Keep this thought as a review of Saul's/Paul's experience will be continued in the next post.

In the interim, remember that when one comes to JESUS the Christ, one becomes a new creation, created in the image of the Son of the Holy Ghost, who is the second Adam! Who is the Lord Himself out of Heaven endeavouring not to carry religious ways into this new creation. Instead, God desires that His redeemed believers worship not with formality and tradition but rather, in newness of Spirit. For our body is the temple in which His Holy Spirit desires to dwell. Believers are the body of JESUS and His Spirit now abides in us, even as His Spirit had dwelt in His earthly body which He willingly sacrificed for our redemption!

Thus we need to return to God, repentant, having shunned God in our lives. Ask God for forgiveness and then obediently and willingly submit to God’s Spirit. Read ACTS 2:36-42 for details. Peace to one and all!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 430

In the scriptures we read that a group of religious fanatics were intent on stoning a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. They met JESUS and asked for His opinion, asking what He thought should be done. JESUS stooped down and sort of wrote on the ground whilst at the same time saying, "He that is without sin let him throw the first stone."

He carried on writing on the sand. The crowd gradually dispersed starting from the older persons down to the young. JESUS still writing in the sand looked up and saw only the woman standing. JESUS asked the woman, "Where have your accusers gone?" JESUS then says to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go on your way and sin no more." Note that in this example only the woman was singled out and not the man too.

Admittedly, that was a close call for the woman. It was also a close call or time of reckoning for her hypocritical accusers. JESUS, as we know from the passage just happened to be in their pathway.

As we read in PART 429, there are now two occurrences of stoning. The first was Saul or Paul consenting to the stoning of Stephen and now this woman! In the former, Saul walked away after the stoning of Stephen as if he had done God a great service by stoning Stephen. After, Saul continued on his religious fanatical terrorist endeavours hoping to rid the land of all those who opposed his taught religion ways. By so doing, his ambition was to arise to a position of honour amongst his religious elders.

But Saul, while travelling to Damascus was confronted with a bright light. It was a light that was much brighter than a noon day sun. Saul falling to the ground now blinded, cries out, "Who are you Lord?" A voice came forth from the midst of the light saying, "I AM JESUS! Why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you Saul to kick against all these pricks to your conscience." Saul wanted to know what it was that JESUS expected him now to do. JESUS told Saul, "Go into the city and there it shall be told you what you must do."

JESUS left Saul alone to sort out the meaning of these words. Particularly, Saul's response to the following: It is hard for you to kick against the pricks to your conscience - and - Why are you persecuting Me? - and - Who are you Lord? Certainly, the Lord's response - I AM JESUS - would have given Saul lots to contemplate.

Of course, Saul in his mind would already have to confront the voice speaking from a light brighter than the noon day sun and the fact that JESUS knew his name. But now he was blind too having now to be led by others. Further, Saul was left this way for three days and nights. Now praying earnestly, JESUS had walked across Saul’s pathway and as a consequence, Saul was shook up.

Like Saul, we are all born into this world with blank slates. Our parents instill into us the knowledge and attributes that are classified as the norm. These often include the handicap of traditional influences. In this context, Saul was not any different. Saul was raised in the religious teachings and traditions of his fathers. His conscience pricked him but readily he dismissed this as only a negative feeling.

Part of this may be contributed to Saul's desire for religious fame and fortune that he thought must be sought after at all costs. As if Saul’s feet were stuck in cement, but in reality, He was harnessed with religion!

Admittedly, most of us are harnessed by the prevalent traditions, mindsets and systems into which we were born and/or schooled. Still, the question is - Are each of us being true to ourselves? Do we really believe in what we are doing? Are we saying ‘yes’ when we ought to be saying ‘no’? Are we carrying out someone else’s desires to obtain a pay cheque?

Maybe it is time to examine ourselves. The woman was only a hair width away from death, a close encounter, but then JESUS came! Saul got his wake up call!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 429

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but rather that the world through Him might be saved. And herein lies the human dilemma. This same Light of God came into the world to save us. But men seeing and hearing the Words of Light chose instead to love the actions and words of darkness. Why? Because man’s sin prone flesh was inclined to do evil and to do otherwise would require that our evil ways be reproved.

A New Testament example of the conflict that exists within a man's soul -- the dilemma between good and evil -- is found in a man named Saul. The name Saul means destroyer. Saul was a radical Jew. To Christians, Saul was a religious terrorist. In fact, Saul was more zealous in his terrorism than the majority of others with a similar mindset. When Stephen was preaching to a group of Jewish men, it is recorded in Acts chapter 7 that Saul (or Paul as he later was named -- Paul being rebuilder) was part of the group. In verse 47, we read Stephen's discourse to the Jews:

But Solomon built Him a house. Howbeit, the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; for the prophet says, "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. What house will ye build me?" asks the Lord, "or what is the place of My rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?"

You are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in your heart and ears. You seem always to resist His holy Spirit, even as your fathers did, so also do you. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the just One; (JESUS) who you have now been the betrayers and murderers. You have received the Law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

When the crowd heard these things, they were cut in their heart, and they gnashed on Stephen with their teeth. But Stephen being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the Glory of God, and JESUS standing on the right hand of God. Stephen said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

The crowd began crying out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon Stephen. They cast Stephen out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul (Paul). So the crowd stoned Stephen whilst he was calling upon God saying, "Lord JESUS, receive my spirit." Stephen kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Note: Stephen's deathbed confession was that He saw JESUS ‘STANDING' -- standing designates intervention concerning the ‘finished work of salvation’ -- as presented as JESUS. ‘SITTING‘ Stephen was calling upon God, and saying to God 'Lord JESUS receive my Spirit.’ Saul was the young man at the time observing and consenting.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 428

The ‘Name of JESUS’ is Above Every Other Name in Heaven and Earth!
And at the ‘Name of JESUS’ every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that JESUS the Christ is LORD! And there is no other name ‘GIVEN’ among men whereby we can be saved! And the angel said, "you shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sin."

JESUS the only name given. It is the word ‘GIVEN’ that needs to be recognized. Yes, the name given by an Angel who was a messenger of God. The name JESUS was not given by Mary or Joseph who were Jewish. Indeed, Mary and Joseph were told to call the child JESUS. The angel adding that His Name JESUS shall be called EMMANUEL (Hebrew) which by interpretation is defined as being GOD with us.(Greek)

JESUS was conceived of the Holy Spirit. In fact, JESUS was the SEED of the Holy Spirit. JESUS sin prone flesh may have been Jewish inasmuch as the embryo of the Holy Spirit SEED was to be clothed in flesh whilst in the womb of His surrogate mother Mary. But that is where it ends. The child was named by His Father who is none other than the Holy Spirit, and therefore bears the name JESUS as GIVEN by God! Again, according to the scriptures, His name is actually defined as God with us!

One ought not to attempt to explain away the meaning of the "name" that was "given" nor the heritage associated with that name -- which heritage is God! For the scriptures declare that JESUS is God with us and as such, is the message that we were intended to hear.

JESUS is of heaven and most definitely not bound to adhere to what we as created individuals would prefer to think. Rather, we should be recognizing the gospel message for what it states. That is, JESUS being God with us as a Son, and in JESUS does all the fullness of God dwell bodily!

Further, we need to recognize that all of the records of scripture found are all written in Greek. The only places where the Hebrew language is referred to in the New Testament is written in Hebrew and then immediately interpreted into Greek. For example, Emmanuel (Hebrew) when translated into Greek is God with us! Another is Golgotha (Hebrew) which was translated as the place of a skull (Greek).

The name JESUS in the New Testament is not presented as Yeshua or some other fabricated alternative as the erroneous teachings of the Jews present. If such were the case, then following the pattern of the aforementioned examples above, Yeshua (Hebrew) would immediately be followed by JESUS (Greek). Such is not the case for the name of JESUS is not a derivative of man’s doing, but instead, JESUS is a name GIVEN of God His Father without any consultation with mankind.

As well, the name of JESUS does not mean Saviour. However, the one who is named JESUS is mankind’s Only Saviour if we are to be saved. As it is written there is no salvation in any other name for there is no other name under Heaven ‘GIVEN’ among men whereby man can be saved! Let all the angels of God worship Him (JESUS)! God Bless You All !

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 427

For we know in whom we have believed and we are fully persuaded that our God is able to keep us from falling into the deceptiveness of sin. It is He that shall present us faultless before His majesty with exceeding great joy!

The ghostly presence of the Spirit of God persuades us that we are sitting together with Him in Heavenly places, and we understand that sitting identifies that the work of our redemptive salvation is totally complete. For we were not delivered from the dark night of sin by works of righteousness which we had done. For truly, we of our own selves were lost, walking down that road called Broadway -- the road well recognized and yet well worn pathway to sin.

But JESUS our Creator came to our rescue. God who has at different times and in various manners endeavoured to speak to us through prophets, which prophets for the most part went unheeded. And then God added a Law, which Law endeavoured to awake us from the darkness of sin. But similarly, the Law eventually also became unheeded. Note that the Law of itself was perfect but we dwelling in prone to sin bodies found ways and means to negate the Law. Indeed, we dressed up sin in fashion that sin would not appear as sin but would be something to be sought after and desired.

Further, the Law was a covenant between two parties -- God and man. And being a covenant it contained demands. But again, because the demands were not adhered to God simply walked out. Even today the other party known as Jews have not come to the realization that God has walked out.

Finally, as a last resort God made a conscious decision to come as a man so that we might be saved. This God did! As before, we rebelled on JESUS even as we had previously done to the afore running prophets. This reaction even though JESUS worked miracles, signs and wonders in their midst as had never afore been seen. Here was JESUS shining the light of God in their midst, and yet man hated the light for the light shining exposed their sin and they loved darkness much more than light. So they crucified JESUS who was God manifest in the flesh as a Son. In unison, they cried crucify Him, crucify Him. We will not have this man rule over us.

Still, JESUS was conceived of the Holy Spirit being God with us. Throughout the centuries, Jesus has loved His creation with an everlasting love. Recall when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden and they hid among the bushes? God upon visiting the garden seemingly could not find them. Then, upon being discovered God exclaimed, "What have you done?" And from that moment on, God set in motion plans to redeem man and woman from a world of sin and rebellion. At the same time, the devil who had earlier been cast out of heaven ruled the world to which Adam and Eve through adherence to the devil's deceptive words had become captives.

But we were never left stranded. JESUS being the Word of God, which Word declared that the SEED of a woman would bruise the serpent or devil's head -- this same JESUS bruised the devil’s head. In so doing, JESUS exposed man’s real enemy. In fact, He made an open display, casting demonic spirits out of individual lives and healing all that came to Him. Read the scriptures for yourself. Come to Him today!

God Bless You!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 426

After the Lord ascended into Heaven, He [JESUS] through the Holy Spirit gave commandments to His apostles whom He had chosen! These twelve apostles were to be His witnesses even to the uttermost part of the earth. Please note that an apostle is not to be construed with what so many self-title themselves today as being apostles.

According to scripture, an apostle is one to whom the Word of God comes forth from. One is not an apostle because he or she quotes Bible verses, for if that alone is what an individual does, then this individual is more accurately called a minister of the Word preaching that which he has received.

A better example is Paul who was chosen of the Lord to be His apostle to the Gentiles (non Jews). Paul did not receive nor was he instructed in the gospel message from other men. Instead, Paul received the gospel message through the gift of revelation which is one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are the same gifts explained in I Corinthians and the edifying gifts believers are encouraged to desire.

Believers like you and me receive the Word of God as taught by the chosen apostles of the Lord. The Word of the Holy Spirit which is the Word of God was coming forth from Paul. We know this to be true because God confirmed His Word. Recall that Paul declared that if any man think himself to be a prophet or a spiritual person then he or she should acknowledge that the things which he spoke of are/were the Commandments of the Lord.

Today, we have all sorts of messages emanating from a range of religious organizations and institutions. Much of the time, the messages portrayed are totally devoid concerning the scriptural message that was delivered to the early believers from the appointed apostles.

In this present living age, it has even become popular to dismiss that there is a God. As a consequence of their unbelief, God has enforced their unbelief by sending to these religions an even stronger delusion than one could ever have dreamed of, causing them to believe a lie. This is why we can say that the world through worldly wisdom knows nothing concerning God. Indeed, so dark is their understanding of God that they call evil as enlightenment -- calling light darkness and darkness light.

Still, God has never been willing that any one should perish. This is why God veiled Himself in flesh and laid down His life so that we could embrace redemption and be saved. God was in the world. He made you and me. And today, the wisdom of God is displayed everywhere crying, "I AM YOUR GOD return to ME!" Though your sins be as the darkest night, I will forgive you!

Further, Jesus said, "I am the way to the Kingdom of God." There is no other way. I am the door. There is no other door! I am the Good Shepherd. I gave My life for you! Call upon Me and I will deliver you. I send My Word to you! Only believe and receive from me the Gift of Eternal Life!

Stand in the Offering Plate! All I desire is to deliver you from the darkest night of satanic sin. I want to breathe into you My Holy Spirit! Come today. God in Christ bless you so that you may be in Christ in God.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 425

JESUS, the SEED of the Holy Spirit was not a Jew. Why? Because God is not a Jew. God is Spirit, And the SEED of the Holy Spirit was veiled in flesh whilst in the womb of a descendant of Abraham's natural sin prone flesh -- which flesh though prone to sin -- in reality committed no sin. For indwelling in that sin prone flesh body dwelt all the fullness of the Spirit of God, now being manifest in flesh as a Son.

Indeed, the natural flesh seed of Abraham was the seed that was more marred at Calvary at the hands of Jews and Romans than any other. It was this Abraham offspring natural sin prone flesh which had not committed sin. It was upon that body - which indeed was the body in which the Lord of Glory took upon Himself the punishment for all of our sin. That sin prone (sinless) body was the body upon which of all sinful demerits were laid upon with devilish fervour.

So indeed one can say, the natural seed of Abraham (offspring) was a means whereby mankind could be blessed. However, it is equally fair to conclude, based on the scriptures that is the extent of the Abraham natural seed involvement.

The Lord bore our sin in His own body crucified upon a tree at Calvary. In so doing, the Lord Himself has become our Saviour. Therefore, there is no more sacrifice for sin. The decreed penalty resulting from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the garden has been duly paid for in full.

For in the sacrifice of the kernel flesh of one of Abraham’s descendant natural seed (which was prone to sin, yet sinless) we who believe are able to become fully redeemed! As it is written, "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it abides alone, but if it dies it brings forth an innumerable number of offspring! JESUS, (God with us) being the corn of wheat who died was buried by Joseph and Nicodemus and a great stone enclosed the tomb. Roman guards were appointed to watch so that no one entered the tomb and stole the body.

The corn of wheat (JESUS) was now entombed -- the kernel flesh dead exposing the life within, which life was the Life of the Holy Spirit. But as it is written, the Spirit of God would not allow His Holy Child to see corruption. JESUS upon the cross gave up the Ghost. For if JESUS had not given up the Ghost then that body should have never died. Remember, JESUS prone to sin flesh body was sinless.

JESUS said no man takes My Life from Me. I lay it down. So God raises the man JESUS from the dead for God would not allow His Holy One to see corruption! The body of flesh sacrificed for our redemption now is changed from being a natural flesh body into a spiritual flesh body (it is sown a natural body but raised a spiritual body - the first man Adam was made a living soul but the second Adam, who is the Lord from heaven, is a quickening Spirit). And as we have born the image of the first Adam we shall also bear the image of the second Adam who has redeemed us.

This is why we must be born again of water and of Spirit! That is why upon the very day that God opened the doors to all people and bid them to return to Him in Acts 2, the instructions were repent for you have crucified the Lord of Glory and be baptized into the death of JESUS the Christ for the forgiveness of all sin and you shall receive the Gift of His Holy Spirit. God bless you!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 424

The day will come when many people and institutions will not endure sound doctrines. Instead, they shall heap to themselves teachers rather than endure the teachings that God in Christ has delivered to all men. These teachings delivered so that all men and women might come to the knowledge of God. The wisdom and power that was manifest in JESUS who is the SEED of the Holy Spirit, which SEED was afore promised of God as far back as Genesis chapter 12.

Still, there are those who misconstrue the scriptures asserting that it was Abraham's natural seed that was herein spoken of. In this context, the Jews are proponents of such erroneous teachings. Abraham's seed was as sin prone as is all of Adam’s offspring. Of course, at that time there was no such people as Jews. Abraham was not a Jew. Abraham was called a friend of God and as such, God clothed Abraham in righteousness simply because Abraham believed God.

As time moved along, God added another covenant through his servant Moses. This latter covenant defined good and evil, and similarly defining the tree that Adam and Eve ate of in disobedience of God’s instructions which was "Not to eat of this tree."

This Sinai covenant was a covenant between two parties. One of the parties was God and the other party man. This Sinai covenant was not an addendum to the Genesis 12 covenant. The Genesis 12 covenant was promised of God. It was not between two parties. Therefore, the Genesis 12 covenant is not hinged on the works of men and women.

The Genesis 12 covenant is established upon the promise of God that in the SEED of the Holy Spirit which SEED is Christ and in whom will all nations of the earth be blessed. God who is Spirit veiled Himself in flesh as a Son and whilst dwelling in the flesh fulfilled all the requirements of justice, thereby negating all charges of sin.

For God Himself as a Son put Himself in our place. For it is written, there is therefore no condemnation to all those who are by faith in Christ JESUS! This means that the Genesis covenant is an everlasting covenant of God. This same God who is Spirit now manifest as a Son.

This clarification of the Genesis 12 covenant is elaborated upon in Galatians especially chapters 3 and 4. There, it rejects all other presentations that Abraham's natural seed was the SEED herein spoken of.

Therefore, the offspring of that promised Seed is the Israel of God -- the Israel of God including only those who are the children of God through God's redemptive plan. Upon calling upon the name JESUS and obediently submitting ourselves to water baptism (planted together in the likeness of JESUS' death, burial and resurrection) have we become His offspring!

Do not let institutional traditions oppose or stand in the way of enjoying the blessings of God. Believe on the written Word of God. For with God there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female. Further what God has cleansed let no man call the finished work of redemption unfinished!

Note: God has many descriptive titles but Has revealed His Name as being JESUS -- the only name GIVEN among men whereby any man or woman can be saved! Peace to all in JESUS!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 423

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. And further, except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God. As the scriptures state, that which is flesh (Adam’s offspring) is flesh and that which is Spirit is Spirit. The offspring of JESUS the Christ the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as the scriptures point out, do not be astonished when I say these things.

For example, people's understanding of these things is likened to a wind which one sometimes hears and feels the breath thereof but cannot tell from where it came from or conversely, where it is going.

A man’s life is likened to a vapour of smoke. It appears for a moment in time and then disappears.

We were born a blank slate and through life we accrue wisdom as we sojourn in this kernel of flesh -- which flesh is appointed to death. The death sentence incurred upon all men is a consequence of Adams disobedience in the Garden.

Nicodemus then, are you a master in Israel but you do not understand these things? Or Nicodemus, if I talk about earthly subjects and you are without understanding, there is little to be accomplished if we discuss heavenly things. What about these scriptures? Nicodemus, a man must be born again or he cannot see nor understand these things.

And Nicodemus says, "How can I being old enter a second time into my mother's womb and be born?" JESUS then responds by stating, "Except a man be born of water and Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."

You see JESUS said that for us to enter God’s Kingdom, we must be born again.

The difficulty is that the growth of one's soul is limited to that which was attained before the fall. Incapable of escaping out of the box of sin. Therefore, in order for man to see the kingdom of God which JESUS spoke of, man first needs to be redeemed from the curse of sin. Inasmuch as all men were under the same curse, redemption necessitated that another who knew no sin should be the means whereby man's redemption could be secured.

This meant that God was the rightful owner of man, for man is the work of God’s hands. God declared man as being created sons of God. As a result of sin, man became fallen sons of God. It is also why God manifested Himself in flesh as a Son securing man's redemption as a gift of love, providing to all men without preferential treatment an equal opportunity to see and enter into the Kingdom.

Further, this is why you must be born again of water and of Spirit. But admittedly, man by himself has no understanding as to how to achieve this new birth. However, after JESUS' death, burial and resurrection, JESUS opened the understanding of His disciples saying that the redemption of mankind had been purchased by the shedding of His Holy Spirit blood availing to man the Kingdom of God.

This is why we are instructed to go and preach among all nations repentance and remission of sin. If men and women repent and are baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection, then as the scriptures state, "I will pour out of my Spirit upon them and they will become My offspring -- My people -- My nation -- the Israel of God.

If God has touched you, then arise and be baptized into JESUS' death, burial and resurrection and become His redeemed son or daughter being born again. JESUS on our behalf gave His blood, water and Spirit Life as a Son, bequeathing all to us! Stand in the offering plate.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 422

For God so loved the world - you and I - that He gave His only begotten Son so that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish but shall have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Herein lies the message of the gospel. That is, God So Loved! The love of God is far greater than anyone’s pen or tongue could ever tell. John, motivated by the Holy Spirit portrays the life of JESUS openly declaring to readers that if all the things JESUS began both to say and do were to be written -- the world itself would be unable to contain all the books that would be authored as a consequence. There was an addendum to this point. John said - however these things are written so that you might believe that JESUS IS the Christ!

Yes God so loved! He so loved us that He gave His ONLY begotten Son. The JESUS here is the ONLY begotten Son! JESUS was not begat as we are. And no, God did not send someone else in His place. God Himself came as a Son so that we might receive salvation.

For it is written, that JESUS was conceived of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, JESUS is the SEED of the Holy Spirit - the very life giving blood of the Holy Spirit that flowed within the veins of the man JESUS. This is why at Calvary, blood and water came forth from JESUS' side. Please note here that not one bone of JESUS' body was to be broken. Still, all of the aforementioned were sinless, not under the curse for they were the SEED of the Holy Spirit. Conversely, the body which was sin prone but yet remained sinless was offered as the redeeming sacrifice for sin. That sin prone body was more marred than any other human body has ever been. In fact, all that remained was as a shell of a man.

Therefore, the willing sacrificial death of JESUS' sinless body broke all the fetters of sin which had befallen man resulting from Adam's disobedience, where the curse of sin was awarded to Adam and his future offspring. It was this curse that Jesus took upon Himself. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

It is in this context that there is no other gospel. For within the life of the man JESUS the Christ, we are introduced to the manifestation of God Himself! For as it is written, "In JESUS, did dwell all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Now if all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily within JESUS and God is the One Spirit unseen, then JESUS is God manifest. We do right in worshipping JESUS who is God manifest. We further read in the scriptures about those who asked JESUS if they should look for another. JESUS replied, "If you do not believe that I AM [HE], you shall die in your sin."

In Acts chapter 2, the JEWS on the day of Pentecost -- which incidentally was the opening day of this dispensation of God's grace and mercy toward all men -- were told by the 12 apostles that JESUS who was crucified at Calvary was indeed the Lord of Glory. As a result of hearing these words they were convicted in their heart crying out to the apostles, "Men and brethren, what must we do?" As we read in Acts, the people were instructed to "Repent and be baptized into the name of JESUS the Christ." In response, 3000 people repented and were baptized that very day.

This message has not changed. And it will not change regardless of the efforts made by some to misconstrue the scriptures. JESUS is GOD with us. And He bears the Name JESUS which name is given of God. As the scriptures clearly state, "There is no other name GIVEN whereby men can be saved." Peace to one and all!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 421

There are two covenants. One covenant was issued from Sinai being a law and known as ‘the law of sin and death.’ This law in actuality is the tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which was the same tree that Adam and Eve partook of. It is also referred to as the covenant of the bondwoman in the book of Galatians. This was a covenant between God and man which laid out the pros and cons for humankind. For instance, if an individual did such and such then God would respond favourably. However, if the same person failed to uphold their end of the covenant, then God also would allow the punishments decreed within the covenant to come to pass. Kind of like a set of instructions.

Unfortunately, this roller coaster covenant gradually dissolved into people saying or professing one thing and doing another. So God walked out of this covenant relationship. God foreclosed on the covenant between the two parties because the human race had essentially failed miserably. This Sinai covenant being delivered to a people called Jews who resided in Jerusalem. Read the book of Galatians for more information.

However, there is another covenant spoken of in Genesis chapter 1 which was given to Abraham which precluded the Sinai covenant by 430 years. Galatians chapters 2 and 3 elaborates further on this point.

In this latter covenant, a particular SEED is spoken of. Indeed, it is in this SEED that all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Note: this covenant spoken of to Abraham is completely apart from the Sinai covenant. There is no crossover in any form. The Sinai covenant is spoken of as a covenant temporarily added with time limits applied. That is, only UNTIL the promised SEED of blessing should be manifest.

In Galatians, we read about the SEED of the freewoman Sarah, who naturally was incapable of childbearing until God opened her womb at the age of 90. At the same time, God resurrected Abraham's natural capabilities when he was 100 years old.

Note here that the SEED of promise given to Eve now resided in Sarah. Yes, God implanted into Abraham a new SEED, occurring at the same time as God resurrected Abraham's natural seed.

Thereafter, Sarah and Abraham brought forth Isaac from their natural seed. However, unbeknownst to them, the two other SEEDS of promise also passed into Isaac. The SEED continued passing from one generation to the next UNTIL the appointed time that the two SEEDS of promise being the SEEDS of a New Blood line would be brought together in the womb of a Jewish girl who was to become the willing surrogate mother to the Life of the Holy Spirit SEEDS. In her womb, the child of the Holy Spirit was to be clothed in sin prone flesh.

The child inside her womb who was fathered by the Holy Spirit was not a Jew for the SEED of God is not a Jew. However, the child bore the natural features of a Jew for the body was clothed in flesh within a Jewish surrogate mother. This child was the SEED of promise in which all the nations of the earth would be blessed. The child was GIVEN a name from God and the name GIVEN was JESUS. One cannot change a given name although today, the Jews are endeavouring to apply a Jewish name. But confident in the scriptures, we can ignore their stubborn unbelief. Why? Because the Name is JESUS!

This is the other covenant - the covenant in which God covenanted with Himself!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 420

JESUS who is God Himself as a Son came to regain rule over His own household. For we were originally His household by means of creation. In us did dwell the breath of God causing us to become a living soul. It was through the deceptiveness of sin by another’s speech that we disobeyed God’s instructions. It is also through the deceptiveness of sin that our living souls were no longer capable of any growth in things pertaining to God. Through the sin of disobedience we were introduced into another realm, a realm which was realm sin abounded. Through dwelling in that realm we no longer evolved. Instead, we became captive to the desires of the flesh which held us tightly in the grasp of sin. In short, we were totally lost, heading to death without any escape route. All of Adam’s offspring were born this way - into sin - a clothing of flesh that was prone to sin.

So God who is Spirit veiled Himself in sin prone flesh. God condescended, veiling Himself in flesh. Not in a new flesh but in flesh that was raging with sin prone capability. He did this in order to redeem man from the prison of sin. Think about this. The creator of all things both seen and unseen became as a Son subject to the very laws of nature which He Himself had orderly created. Why? Because God loves you!

Recall that we were God’s enemies when God planned a way whereby the Jericho walls of sin should be leveled. God in Christ by Himself purchased our redemption. Thus, keep your money in your pocket for if money could have redeemed man, then there would have been no need for JESUS to sacrifice His own sinless body at Calvary. And if money were the price of redemption, then to God that would be a pittance contribution inasmuch as the cattle upon a thousand hills belong to the Lord anyway.

Further, Abraham was met by Melchisedec as he was returning from a victorious battle known as the slaughter of the kings. Melchisedec was the Priest of the most high God (JESUS is called a Priest forever after the Order of Melchisedec -- not after the Order of Aaron). Melchisedec having in His hand bread and wine proceeds to bless Abraham. The blessing fell upon Abraham because of the ‘Bread and Wine’ which symbolized the body and the blood of JESUS crucified! Period. The blessing was applied. In other words, IT IS FINISHED!

Then out of nowhere, Abraham unwittingly endeavours to add an ‘addendum’ to the promised blessing which would have previously been an impossibility. For the blessing had already been imputed resulting from the ‘finished work of JESUS upon the Cross.' JESUS' death, burial and resurrection ensured the promised blessing at no cost whatsoever to anyone.

Yes, JESUS paid the price in full for man’s total redemption! So as far as redemption is concerned, tithing is not involved in the promised blessing. Tithing is not a part of the New Testament and neither is tithing compulsory. For it is written, "Give as unto the work of the Lord." Not grudgingly. Nor of necessity for God loves a cheerful giver. If we sow sparingly, we shall also reap sparingly. But let every man give as the Lord has prospered Him.

Peace be to all the offspring of the promised SEED JESUS the Christ as we offer ourselves to the work of the Lord, which of course would be our reasonable service!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 419

You are the body of the Christ. Each redeemed and born of God believer is a relevant part of His body. It is in this body - the body of Christ - which the Holy Spirit who was in the man JESUS the Christ is pleased to dwell. JESUS (God with us as a Son) laid down His life in the flesh as a once and for all time sacrifice in order that the sin which dominates us should no longer have dominion over us.

Indeed, JESUS the Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law. JESUS who had no sin willingly took upon Himself our sin. In short, JESUS put Himself in our place. Therefore, as a consequence of Jesus, there is now no condemnation to those of us who God has grafted into the Vine. Jesus being the Vine.

In fact, JESUS was the promised SEED of blessing. It is in this SEED that everyone who believes upon Him should not perish but be given of God the gift of eternal life. As we have elaborated on earlier, there was no other who could redeem mankind. For all men and women were sinners being Adam’s offspring. So God Himself became our Saviour.

The Holy Spirit provided the male and female SEEDS. Yes, the SEEDS coming forth from God Almighty who is the Father of all Spirits. Of course, within this SEED did dwell all the potential fullness of God. A new blood line. A new bone structure. The only part missing was the flesh, which the child of the Holy Spirit would receive in the womb of a willing surrogate mother named Mary.

Moreover, we know from the scriptures that the child was born into a Jewish community. In the Jewish community the Law reigned. The law being the tree of knowledge of good and evil defined. Still, none of Adam’s sin prone race could ever meet the demands of the Law. As a consequence, JESUS came to destroy the works of the Law. JESUS, accomplishing the abolishing of the works of the Law through the sacrifice of His sinless self.

Since sin and death entered into the world through the disobedience of one man in the Garden, it required a righteous man to die in order for the curse to be rendered as never having been.

This is why the whosoever can today call upon the Name of JESUS for salvation and become instantaneously freed from sin. Indeed, all nations are eligible to receive salvation. It is not salvation for the Jews alone. For with God there is neither Jew nor Gentile. The scriptures say this. And the scripture also reveals that God has made no difference between the Jews and us Gentiles.

It is for this reason that out of all nations God is gathering to Himself a people which were not a people but now by God’s grace and mercy are the people of God. In actual fact, they are the offspring of the promised SEED JESUS whose SEED brings forth the Israel of God.

This people in outward appearance looks like all the other earthly inhabitants. The only difference is that they are seeking to establish the Kingdom of God in the hearts of their kinsmen by showing forth the life of Christ within them, and delivering to all this message of God. This explains why we are debtors to this present generation. We must with sincerity and truth spread the gospel and invite others to partake of the TREE of LIFE that is JESUS the promised SEED. God bless you all as you go forth preaching peace in JESUS!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 418

To Abraham and his SEED were the promises made. In Galatians, the Word does not say to Abraham and to your SEEDS as if the latter were plural. What the Word says is to THY SEED in the singular. This is why it is important to remember that the Word of God is coming to us so that we can receive the gospel message as it is was intended. In this context, each and every one of us must submit to the Word which is written. For if it is indeed the Word of God, then we dare not lay it aside and teach contrary messages to the Word which is written. We must adhere to the Word even if or when others might teach a gospel that is contrary to the Word.

The Bible further elaborates on this point in this fashion. Those who teach the Word ought to acknowledge the very truths which are written. Why? Because these are the commandments of God. The same adherence to the Word applies to understanding the meaning behind Thy SEED is Christ.

Abraham's natural seed did NOT inherit the promised blessing, which promise included "In you shall all the nations of the earth be blessed!" To teach otherwise or to advance a teaching that the Jews are the Israel of God in whom all the nations of the earth are going to be blessed is simply erroneous. As stated in previous posts and in the scriptures, Israel of old was cut off from God because of their unbelief.

Abraham's natural seed then was of Adam’s sin prone race, dead in trespasses and sin. The saving grace of God toward Abraham lay in the fact that Abraham dared to believe in and on God. It was because of his faith toward God that God extended toward Abraham grace and unmerited favour. This was not because Abraham had of himself done anything that made him deserving of grace. It was because God extended grace toward Abraham because Abraham simply believed.

The SEED of Christ being the SEED of the Holy Spirit, which SEED at the ‘fullness of God’s time’ would be manifest in sin prone flesh appearing in fashion as one of Adam’s offspring. In the veins of this SEED did flow the blood of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit Life within that SEED was the Life of God as a Son. GOD with us as a Son.

And in God as a Son all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Not in Abraham's natural seed as some might suggest.

Indeed, many people have been deceived into believing that the world still rotates around that small parcel of ground Jerusalem - even with all their unbelieving offspring and the fact that they remain in bondage today. However, the Heavenly Jerusalem which is above is free. Yes, the Jerusalem of above is the mother of all those that believe, where believers are fed the milk of sincerity - Words of Truth - that enable believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of God our Saviour JESUS.

Indeed, the world rotates around the crucifixion of JESUS of Nazareth who was born to be King of the Jews. The same King of the Jews who they in their ignorance crucified not realizing that they were crucifying the Lord of Glory. We see this in the historic timeline - the use of BC and AD - around which all history swings. BEFORE CHRIST now the world changes or before the common era (as if to suggest that with the crucifixion of the King of the Jews things would change). Not surprisingly, those responsible for the crucifixion did not win the battle. JESUS won.

How do we know this? Because when the corn of wheat fell into the ground and died, there arose even more believers in JESUS than there are stars in Heaven or in the sands of the sea! Yes, JESUS IS THE SEED.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 417

If one asserts that they are right even though the Word of God contradicts their assertion, should they still be permitted to carry on even when they prefer to believe a lie? Hopefully not. Still, many people today are not aware of their beliefs simply because they have never heard the truth concerning the Word of God.

A prime example is Paul. A radical adherent to the Jewish faith, Paul's radicalism was so radical that it classified him as a terrorist that pursued Christian believers with a vengeance, throwing them into prison. This, until one day when the Lord met him on the road to Damascus. There, the Lord confronted Paul head on saying, "It is hard for you to kick against your conscience." This was the arrow that penetrated Paul right into the heart. Until then, Paul was caught up in his religious ways attempting to climb the ladder of fame. The dilemma was that Paul, in so doing was violating himself.

How many people today are like Paul? Caught up in religious institutional practices or other pursuits taught to them as children? A pursuit that in the end has essentially disabled them from being themselves, unable to listen to their heart.

In Paul's case, it was being confronted with the Word of JESUS that changed the situation. It was hard for Paul to kick against his conscience. That conscience which pricks the heart saying - Yes we know that we ought to have said no. Indeed, there is a place where one can actually sear their conscience, so that nothing pricks their conscience again. This is termed as the hardening of one's heart.

Such was the case when a Jewish crowd upon being addressed by Stephen reached that place. The crowd had completely hardened their heart. Stephen told the people, "You always resist the Holy Spirit even as your fathers did before you." Imagine the reaction - and "so also do you." This is when they stoned Stephen, possibly thinking within their deranged minds that they were doing a great service to God. Little did they know at the time that like Adam and Eve who were put out of the Garden, so now would their people also be cut off from the same blessings of God in their conscience. Instead, as the scriptures point out, the crowd was left as it were to continue in their fanatical religious ways, totally estranged from God.

The result? The Jews were no longer Mr. Somebody but rather were now demoted to join the ranks of Mr Nobodies. Remember, JESUS had wept over Jerusalem saying, "Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you under my wings, even as a chicken gathers her brood and you would not come. Now your city is left to you desolate."

Yes, they were cut off from the vine JESUS and the Gentiles who had previously been on the outside looking in, were now being grafted into the vine JESUS. This same status remain even today because of unbelief. For there are many who are departing from the grace and mercy gospel returning instead to the house of bondage which is the Law.

But the scriptures state the Law is what no man was able to keep. That is, with the exception of JESUS. If we return to the Garden, we learn that the Law was the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil defined. JESUS fulfilled the Law of sin and death liberating all believers from the law of sin and death which had been imposed upon all of Adam’s sin prone descendants. Each and every one of us.

However, the good news is that we are NOT under the Law. All believers who have repented before God and been willingly baptized into JESUS' death have become a New Creation, a Purchased and Redeemed people resulting from the sacrificial death of God Himself as a Son at Calvary! Believers are the ISRAEL of GOD! Peace to ALL who are in JESUS!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 416

The revelation of JESUS the Christ or the unveiling of JESUS the Christ.

For JESUS, who is the Son conceived, was veiled in sin prone flesh which he had received while still in the womb of Mary a surrogate mother. Within this context, He was veiled in that body of sinful flesh. Later, JESUS was tempted and tried in all points even as we. However, the difference between JESUS and our own journey is that JESUS did not succumb to sin. Why not? Indwelling within that kernel of flesh did dwell all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Yes, bodily in form as a Son!

Further, within the flesh dwelt the life of the Holy Spirit of God who SEEDED the life. Therefore, JESUS is ‘God with Us." In short, JESUS is God Himself manifest in a veil of flesh appearing as a Son. The ONLY begotten Son. JESUS was not begat as we are! Nevertheless, God Almighty humbled Himself to appear and live even as we do in order to accomplish His plan of redemption.

Through the eventual sacrifice of His Life as a Son, we through His plan of redemption can now become sons and daughters of God. In so doing, JESUS as the Only Begotten took upon Himself all of our demerits so that we - each and every one of us - could then become a people which previously were not a people but now are the ISRAEL of God.

Any person who suggests otherwise is an impostor. For we read in Galatians 6:14 that God forbid that I should glory "save in the cross of our Lord JESUS the Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world!" For in JESUS the Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, and neither un-circumcision. Only a person who has been redeemed of God and born of God’s Spirit are His redeemed… So as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy upon the “ISRAEL” of God.

For the Jews at one time were destined to be the people of God. But God cut them off because of their resistance to the Holy Spirit endeavours to bring them into all the promises of God. It could have been theirs. But they, through their persistent unbelief were cut off. The straw that broke the camel's back occurred when the Jews mercilessly stoned Stephen.

At that moment, they were completely cut off. For it is written, that JESUS was seen standing not sitting, thus indicating that the door of Salvation was opening to the Gentiles. Today, as the scriptures point out, there is neither Jew nor Gentile nor is there male or female to be given any preferential treatment before God. All who call upon the name of the LORD JESUS will be saved!

God has declared openly that whosoever exercises faith toward the once and for all time sacrifice of JESUS, (the LAMB of God), their sins and iniquities God will remember no more. God's plan of redemption completed upon the sacrificial offering of God’s sinless body at Calvary.

JESUS is the TREE of LIFE. Eat as much as you possibly can. There will be no indigestion but rather total nourishment in the ways of God.

Further, we need to remember that the name of JESUS is above the name of Moses and/or the prophets. Recall the transfiguration on the mountain? When Peter said, "Let us build three tabernacles" -- one for you JESUS, one for Moses, and one for Elijah? Well, that thought was immediately interrupted and rearranged by God speaking.

As the scriptures state, God said, "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him! Note here that the only person now seen was JESUS! All the others are part of the house (temple) that God is building. Indeed, JESUS is the builder of the house (temple) which temple is to be a habitation of God’s Spirit. There is no other name whereby we can be saved. You must call upon the Name of JESUS. In other words, there is no backdoor entrance to salvation!

We will continue on the name of JESUS in our next presentation (God willing). Peace be.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 415

I the Lord your God have become your Saviour.

God is Spirit. It is this Spirit who fills the heavens and earth. No man at any time has ever seen the Lord. The only begotten who is in the innermost being of God, it is He who has revealed God. Moreover, we have our lives because of God. In God we live and move and we have our being. Further, God is light and in God dwells no darkness. Therefore, one cannot look directly upon God for God’s light is so much brighter than the sun at noon time. But we can look upon the same light of the brilliant sun as it is reflected upon the moon.

In short, this summarizes how the same God who created us and is the light also became our Saviour. God the Spirit chose two persons - namely Eve and Abraham - into whom God planted the SEED life of Himself. At the time, God already knew in His wisdom that He was going to reveal Himself as a man. The life promised of God was realized at the birth of JESUS of Nazareth who is the Light of God manifested in flesh. This same Light of God which we can look upon for the Light of God was veiled in flesh in the same context as the moon.

Therefore, JESUS is not another light. JESUS is the same light of God even as the moon was the same light as the sun. JESUS was conceived of the Spirit of God which conceived the life clothed in the flesh in the womb of a surrogate mother named Mary.

Mary was told that the life conceived within her was of the Holy Spirit. A male child who bears the title the Son of God. The title Immanuel which translated declares that the child is ‘God with us.'

Still, these are descriptive titles and not a name. The angel declared that the child’s name was to be JESUS, adding that it is He who shall save His people from their sin. So what was the name given that the child should be called? JESUS. As the scriptures reveal, this is not a name given by Mary or by Joseph. The name given of the angel to Mary and Joseph was Jesus. The REVEALED and GIVEN name was JESUS.

As we know from reading the scriptures, Mary and Joseph (both Jews) adhered to the instructions of the angel calling the name of the child JESUS. Unfortunately, this reality is contrasted by many Jews today who refer to the name as Yeshua. They deny the name given of the Angel or that Mary and Joseph called the child JESUS.

There are other similar examples in the scriptures too. Paul, a radical Jew was a known terrorist for Christian believers. Paul was met by JESUS as he journeyed toward Damascus. The blinding light of JESUS' presence caused Paul to ask the Lord this question. "Who are you Lord?" His reply? “I AM JESUS“

Now ask yourself this. Why did JESUS reply to the radical Jew not state, I Am Yeshua. Simply because Yeshua was not His name. The Lord introduced Himself as "I AM JESUS" and did so for a reason. Other examples? Annanais was told by JESUS to go to where Paul was in Damascus. Annanias who was a Jew went to Paul's residence and upon seeing Paul, introduced himself saying these words. "The LORD even JESUS who has appeared to you by the way has sent me." Who did the Jewish believer say sent him? JESUS!

The same response happened on the day of Pentecost as explained in Acts 2. Jews from all over had gathered together, which also was the day that the Holy Ghost was initially poured out upon believers. Incidentally, as the scriptures point out, the first 3,000 believers - Jewish believing persons - were baptized into the Name of JESUS (not Yeshua).

Why is this important? Because there is no other Name under Heaven GIVEN among men whereby we can be saved! (Acts 4:12) God Bless You All!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 414

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Indeed, faith in God is the ingredient that the world system totally neglects. But Abraham believed in God and because of his simple faith, God accounted to Abraham righteousness. If conversely, Abraham had not embraced that God is, then he like so many others before him would remain in God’s eyes as spiritually dead in their trespasses and sin.

Men and women blessed of God naturally produce offspring which in most cases they protect and shield from evil. The parents would gladly offer themselves even to death to shield their offspring. In this same way, God has done likewise. God is not willing that anyone should perish. Not anyone. In this same context, God is no respecter of persons. In God’s eyes, all have sinned. Each and every one of us are guilty and as the scriptures state, "There is none righteous, no not one."

It is for this reason that God veiled Himself in flesh as a Son. The difference being that God was not a sinner and even though He was tempted and tried even as we are, He sinned not. God who is Spirit veiled Himself in flesh allowing sinful men and women to unjustly condemn Him to death as they shouted - crucify Him - for we will not have this man to rule over us.

It is because of this latter example that there is neither a Jew or Gentile who can assert that they are guiltless. This is not to suggest that those who have never heard the gospel message of salvation will be judged as having heard the gospel message. But for those who have heard the gospel message and have willingly shunned God’s message, they should take heed - for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God! We need to repent and ask the same God who made the world to come into our hearts once and for all.

On a totally different topic, there are those who constantly assert that the Jews are the people of God. It would appear that they have forgotten that the Jews were cut off from God. The question then is this. If one is cut off from God, who is the Vine referred to in the scriptures? Doesn't the scriptures state that when a choice is made to oppose God, that there is a withering away from the vine? Some might suggest that such is the condition of the Jews today. Still opposing the New Testament, while continually endeavouring to re-establish the Law that was given through Moses. Remember that the Law was added until. Taking this initial stance further, some even assert that the Jews are the SEED of blessing as spoken of to Abraham.

But Abraham believed God. For it is written in the scriptures that when the Jews asserted that Abraham was JESUS' father, He replied, "Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and when he saw that it was forthcoming he rejoiced and was glad!"

These same folks further assert that yeshua is the messiah (the Christ) even insinuating that they knew the name yeshua 700 years prior to the birth of Christ. Still, the name JESUS was given of God to men. As such, there is no salvation in any other name. This is why the name of JESUS is so hated that many produce all sorts of alternate names rather than simply believe that the Lord who is God alone, has become Our Only Saviour. Or that His Name is JESUS. IMMANUEL meaning God with us! Therefore, God’s name is not jehovah or jahweh as often asserted. These are in fact deliberate fabrications of men endeavouring to hinder us - you and I - from the revealed truth found in the scriptures. That is, that the God who made the world was in the world! His name is JESUS!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 413

Because you are now the sons and daughters of God, you may ask what you will and it shall be given to you. In fact, each and every one of us as members of the body of Christ are inheritors of all things. If one does not ask then he or she may be deprived of their rightful inheritance. For it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Indeed, God has already proven that He will not withhold any good thing from all those who love Him!

Sometimes, however, individuals make requests that are essentially amiss. In this context, they might have asked for gifts that reflect the consumption of their own desires. But God being God knows only how to give good gifts to His children who are His offspring. So in this context, it is fair to say that some of our requests may be withheld, but for good reason.

Still, God loves you and I beyond measure. For whilst we were still dead in trespasses and sin, He sought us out taking upon His own body all our demerits(and all this while we were estranged from Him). Yes, JESUS willingly paid the redemptive price in full. There is no follow-up debt to repay. Indeed, the only outstanding debt is that we ought to come to the realization that there is no love greater than the love of God toward us.

JESUS said, "If you have not asked, ask now." If JESUS thought that asking was only a gimmick or some form of enticement, then why would JESUS say if you have not asked, ask now. And consequently, why would we negate the prod of asking when we know that by not asking, we are most definitely not going to receive.

Let's consider the following analogy. Faith on our part is like an experiment. We are not sure whether asking for anything will result in a gift. Or, perhaps, we feel foolish or doubtful asking God for something simply because we have been negatively programmed by religion and/or atheistic teachers not to ask. Unfortunately, these are often the same forces that outwardly profess that in God they trust and yet, they have no idea as to who God is. Let them be. They are where you once were but no longer are. Why is this? Because God now rules and reigns within you! Inside you.

In a similar context, Israel of old wanted a King or President or dictator because they wanted to be like all the other surrounding nations. When the prophet spoke to the Lord concerning this matter, God said - paraphrasing - let them go to it. Go tell them what is about to befall them. They will lose all benefits, their sons and daughters will be subservient to their rule, and their pockets will be emptied. These days of lords and ladies are still with us today. We trample the grapes and they drink the wine. Such was not the political structures when the people diligently hearken to His voice.

Still, we are looking for a kingdom whose builder and maker is God. Through faith in JESUS (who is the builder of the Kingdom of God) we are now citizens of that Kingdom. We are no longer strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens with all of God’s redeemed family! As such, we are fully aware of God’s indwelling presence. Listen to the voice within and you will find, as have other members of the body of Christ that things seem to appear different. In reality, they are not different. What has happened is that you have changed. We have been changed! We see clearly because the scales of unbelieving deceptiveness have fallen from our eyes.

Yes, truly we have been born again - born of God. Enjoy peace with God. Sit as it were in heavenly places for you indeed are His offspring!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 412

It's real! It is real!, I know it's real! Praise God my sins are settled, and I know, I know it is for real! I will not leave you comfortless, saith the scriptures. I will come to you! When we believe in Jesus, we are never left alone as orphans. God did not separate Himself from us. Rather it was men and women who through their disobedience that left their Fathers house. We were as the prodigal sons and daughters were - enticed by sin who traded their Father's house for Broadway - to enter into a world of bright light and suggested glamour - where indulgence into fleshly pleasures appears to be the ‘in’ thing. This is the deceitfulness of sin. It looks great, tastes great so why not? At least initially as we find out after we succumb.

Still, we were created for a divine purpose. God Himself made a way whereby men and women could be redeemed. Up until this time, redemption was not obtainable through works of righteousness which we had been doing. We are instead delivered from the darkness of sin by God’s grace and mercy alone. This in turn makes us partakers of God’s redemptive plan. Think about this analogy. Like newborn children in the natural, we were totally vulnerable to everything. Equally, we as God’s redeemed children are also totally vulnerable to everything! Newborn children in the natural are fed milk, and likewise we as God’s children ought also to be fed milk. But the difference in the Christian walk is that the milk that God’s children are to feed upon is the sincere milk of the Word of God. This is why we read the scriptures.

It is also why we know that the Holy Spirit who has begotten us is neither male nor female. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is SPIRIT. God upon the creation of man found that even though Adam was perfect, he was lonely. Therefore, God made a woman from one of Adams ribs. She was not created from the earth as Adam had been. The woman was of man, so that the two together should be one flesh. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife. It is this twain that shall become one flesh.

God also was lonely. For in the cool of the evening, God fellowshipped with Adam in the Garden. Adam and Eve(one flesh) were to be so to speak the bride of the Lord. But just prior to the marriage sin entered and the pure relationship and fellowship between God with man and woman dissolved. Adam and Eve instead partnered with the devil and were sent forth from the presence of the Lord! But still God so loved His creation. God being the husband of Ephesians chapter 5 God went after His love and laid down His Life for her. God took upon Himself all the blame, sin, and guilt once and for all. Redeeming His bride back to Himself as a bride who now has neither spot or wrinkle of sin. Sin that will ever be remembered of God no more.

You - yes you are His bride and He will provide for you and care for you. In fact, nothing shall separate you from Him for you have become bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. Indeed, this is why His love excels all love! Lean upon His breast with surety so that all that is His is also yours, and His love will never let you go! This is love! God's love. It is not about church or religion! Peace be to all the members of Christ!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 411

Now that you are born of God, God’s Spirit will we receive. Just as the plan of God can once again proceed. Why? Because we are the offspring of JESUS the Christ. Still, we Christ offspring are in the world even as He was in the world and as a consequence, we are His redeemed body. We are called to continue to enlighten the world with His wholesome words of redemption so that each and every one of us can receive the free gift of salvation too.

JESUS as the head of the believing body is now finished with death. Recall that the body wrapping which had covered the body of JESUS whilst He was in the tomb was found remaining in exactly the same place where Nicodemus and Joseph had laid JESUS' body? At the same time, the head wrappings were folded up and laid apart from the body wrappings, thus indicating that the Head of the Church (body) is finished with death. But still the offspring remains on earth continuing to deliver to one and all the gospel message that they too can become JESUS offspring - by continuing faithfully in His Words of Life.

As we read in the scriptures, JESUS is the vine. We are the branches coming forth from the vine. As we know from the natural world, the branches receive nourishment from the vine. The same analogy applies to our spiritual journey. We are not independent of the vine - JESUS. If we were independent of the vine, then we would wither and die.

The words that JESUS spoke were the Words of Life. When one believes, virtue flows forth from the vine (JESUS) so that the branches can be rejuvenated. You and I. Therefore, the church is NOT the VINE and denominations are NOT the branches.

Indeed, JESUS is the world’s only Saviour! The church is not your Saviour. The priest is not your Saviour. Mary is not your Saviour. And dare I say, the Pope is not your Saviour. In actuality, most of the afore mentioned religious beliefs are detour signs intended to lead people to everything except JESUS. Institutional traditions that fail to acknowledge that Jesus alone is the Author of your Salvation. And not only is JESUS the Author of Salvation, but He is also the Finisher of your Salvation. For from the very moment that you open your heart to Him, bidding Him to enter into your life, He becomes an overwhelming presence within you. There is a certainty within you of the joy of salvation that is so real.

So talk to JESUS as you would speak to a friend. Why? Because when you accept Jesus into your life, He becomes your best friend - 24/7. A friend who will never leave your or forsake you. Remember, God laid down His life just for you. If you allow God in JESUS to take over your life, He will do more in your life and with your life than you could possibly anticipate.

And when things don't appear to be working, let the Word of God be your rudder. Let the Word of God be that bit (horse bridle) in your mouth. Walk hand in hand with your personal Saviour and Friend who redeemed you. Don't forget to read your New Testament. Adorn your inner spirit with His WORD! Stay focused in your new journey because you are special. You have become one of His offspring saved by God’s Grace and Mercy. Most of all, let the Peace of God Rule and Reign in your Heart! God Bless You all!