And God Is Able To Make All Grace Abound Toward You - Part 1832

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor: His righteousness remains for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." (II Corinthians 9:8-15)

But this man (JESUS) when He had by HIMSELF purged our sin, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high! Note that when He Had by Himself purged our sin, He sat down. The work of salvation - God's plan of salvation - was finished. Complete. As such, there is no penance. There was no confessional box incorporated into God's plan. Indeed, there is nothing that you or I can add to the plan of salvation which was accomplished, on our behalf, by a loving God. A plan of salvation so comprehensive, so detailed, and so actioned that in spite of all our fiery darts of evil, God (because He is a long suffering God) loved us to HIS death.

God's love is not just in words alone, but in deed. If any man or woman sins, we have an advocate(one that pleads the cause of another)with the Father in Jesus Christ. The only righteous one. As the scriptures state, there is only One mediator between God and man. That is, the man Jesus the Christ! Jesus is the way! Jesus is the door! No man comes to the Father but by me.

So where does that leave us! Well, certainly, there is no pope. No priest. No Mary standing between us and God. There is only ONE mediator between God and man. For if we confess our sins to the God who loves us, Jesus is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. This is why the scriptures state that there is no salvation in any other! Come to Me, He said, ALL you who are weak and heavy laden (with sin) and I will give you rest. Then read your New Testament Bible and learn of Him -- for His yoke is easy and His burden light.

When we do, we will learn that being sprinkled with water cannot remove sin. If water were to remove sin, then taking a shower would suffice. Being baptized into titles will not save you for titles are not a name. Further, being given the last rites by man is only a religious order imposed upon people who have never taken time to read the written Word of God, resulting in an unnecessary adherence to man’s religious fanciful imaginations!

We would also learn that there has never been a man who spoke like this man spoke. "Destroy this body, and in three days I will raise it up." And it happened! The consequence is that the world is faced with the historical fact that this man turned the world on its axis -- changing so much including our own calendar timeline. For example, look at the date AD. Everything in our world revolves around Jesus. His time on earth. His plan of salvation, first predicted in the Old Testament and then fulfilled in the New Testament.

But from the original get up and go, the religious world of business could not handle, that someone who looked like an ordinary Joe, could do these miracles signs and wonders. For when you see Him there is no beauty that you should or would desire Him which might explain to some extent why they despised and rejected Him!

Today, we robe the Ecclesiastes in fashion. They have a form of worship but God has observed that "in vain they do worship Me, teaching as commandments the doctrines of men." What formalized religion (intent on teaching traditions of men over the Word of God) is still to understand is that truly God desires honest worship, emanating from the innermost being of man.

We are instructed to worship Him in spirit and in truth! Jesus said, "My Word is Spirit and is Truth! "

Jesus. God Himself as a Son, God manifest in the flesh, God having become our Saviour, our Redeemer, by His walk and talk, manifest all of God as a Son, and we are encouraged to walk even as He walked. Therefore, be encouraged this day. Pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. Find a new testament today, and begin learning of His wisdom and knowledge and truth. And if you have not as yet, given your heart to Jesus - who is both Lord and Christ, the son of man who is the Lord of glory -- do not delay, for the time is short.

Read Acts 2, the beginning of the new testament church, and ask the Lord to lead you and guide you into all truth.  And yes, Thy Word is truth! Stand in the offering plate.

These Are Wells Without Water, Clouds That Carried With A Tempest, To Whom The Mist Of Darkness Is Reserved Forever - Part 1831

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And [sadly] many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not ..." (II Peter 2:1-3)

Jesus Himself warned us of false prophets, those in the midst who would teach contrary to the Word. Indeed, Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15) And that many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22) Moreover, Jesus said, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26)

Please allow me to digress for a moment. If we understand God's perfect righteousness and how He willingly prepared for Himself a body so that He could become our Saviour and Redeemer on that cross, we must also know in our hearts, that we, being each and every one of us, have fallen short of the glory of God. In that state, we were condemned for eternity. No good work could be sufficient because there had to be a purchase made for our transgressions, a purchase paid through the shedding of blood. 

It is here that the greatest love story ever told to mankind begins to unfold, when He who made the world and all things therein, made His appearance in the world so that we could behold His glory. The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-8) After His kindness and love toward men, God was manifest in the flesh so that you and I could obtain an assurance of our salvation -- because of His holy precious blood willingly shed on the cross. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:8, 15-18)

Therefore, His abundance of love and kindness for His beloved creation won the day, which He determined from the very beginning of the world when He said He would do a new thing -- in this current dispensation of grace. The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning of the world is now revealed for one and all to see. His glory, His love, His mercy that led to God being robed in human flesh so that He Himself could become the perfect sacrifice on a cross, in order that we might have salvation. He paid the ultimate price. The Great Shepherd laid down His life (His humanity) for His sheep and did so, even when we were still His enemies. 

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

In fact, Jesus told us, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28)

But there are those who don't want you and I to know the truth of the good news gospel, or how much the same God who made the world in the beginning loved us so much to become our Saviour.  His love forever -- "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8) 

It is for this reason that we should not be carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Why? Because we have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle, for the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate. Therefore, let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

What does this mean? "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name. And to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased ... Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:8-25)

But as the scripture declared, there shall come a time wherein "there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) And this is my concern, for those hearts who willingly seek the truth, but get lost by the fine sounding words and traditions of men, rather than the Word of God.

Jesus told us, "Thy Word is Truth!" (John 17:17) Jesus also told us, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" (John 14:6)

In this day and age, the new testament is readily available to most, and it is for this reason, that there is no excuse for not seeking the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In fact, we are instructed to study the Word, as doth a workman approved unto God, so that we can rightly divide the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

As for those who preach contrary to the Word, the scripture is clear. "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, "The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (II Peter 2:19-22)

But to those who have been called, and have been water baptized in His precious holy Name, the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-25)

Grace be with you all! Stand in the offering plate.

For It Is Written ... Stand Fast Therefore In the Liberty Wherewith Christ Hath Made Us Free - Part 1830

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman.

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise, which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, "Rejoice, thou barren that bear not; break forth and cry, thou that travail not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted Him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." (Galatians 4:19-31)

As we know from the scriptures, 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 in the Garden of Eden.

It is also referred to as the covenant of the bondwoman in the book of Galatians wherein Paul summarizes our high calling. But I digress. Note that 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. Today, we might liken this to a set of instructions.

Unfortunately, this roller coaster covenant gradually dissolved into people saying or professing one thing and doing another. The worship of stone idols, and the coveting of one another's possessions. So God walked out of this covenant relationship, stating that these people would never enter into His rest. Yes, 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.

However, the good news is that there is also another covenant spoken of in Genesis 1 -- which was given to Abraham which precluded the Sinai covenant by 430 years. "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." (Galatians 3:6-9) [For more detail, please read Galatians chapters 2 and 3]

Continuing, 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 free woman 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 when 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 Ghost was to be clothed in sin prone flesh.

The child inside her womb who was f/Fathered by the Holy Ghost 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 His Name is JESUS! (Matthew 1:18-23)

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

Thus, if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)

Stand in the offering plate.

The Foundation of God Stands Sure, Having This Seal -- The Lord Knows Them That Are His - Part 1829

"Remember, that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead ... a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [Him] we shall also live with [Him]; if we suffer, we shall also reign with [Him]; if we deny [Him]; He also will deny us; if we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself. Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers." (II Timothy 2:8-14)

If JESUS the Christ was not God manifest in flesh, as indicated throughout the scriptures, then when, as the scriptures state, did God visit us? When did God, after His kindness and love toward men, become our Saviour? (Titus 3:4-7) And when was the God who made the world in the world? (John 1:10-11)

These are all valid questions. Nevertheless, the Word is true, and God is not the Author of confusion. Therefore, those who study to show themselves approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly divides the Word of truth, so that there is no error.

To this end, we understand that JESUS was the offspring of His holy Spirit inasmuch as JESUS was the manifestation of the Holy Ghost. (Luke 1:35) For both SEEDS were of the Holy Spirit the same Spirit of the Lord that moved upon the face of the waters in the beginning. Therefore, the embryo was God. No other one was involved. God Himself coming forth from the innermost being of the Holy Ghost, coming forth in a fashion as a man to become man’s only redeemer and Saviour.

This is why Luke, a physician, describes the fetus within Mary's womb as a "holy thing" because that fetus was not like other unborn babes, and Luke recognized this. Mary herself rejoiced in "God my Saviour" while pregnant.

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 Ghost 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 Ghost 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 Ghost, 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?

The mystery that was held from the beginning of the world (in the bosom of the Father) was manifest in these last times, the fullness of time, so that we could experience salvation. "And for this cause, He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood ..." (Hebrews 9:15-18)

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)

He takes away the first, that He may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:9-10)

JESUS -- God manifest in the flesh -- the same God who laid down His life f-- His humanity for us! He alone is the only entry door to restored fellowship with God! Ask the Lord Jesus into your life today! Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Said, "I Am Come In My Father's Name!" - Part 1828

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name ..." (Philippians 2:9)

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Whosoever believeth in Him -- the risen JESUS!

Indeed, as the scripture declares, there is no other name whereby men and women can be saved. There is a reason for this. God is one Spirit. He that descended is the same as He that ascended. For it was none other than God Himself who was veiled in sinful flesh whilst in the womb of His surrogate mother who herself was a descendant of Abraham's sin prone flesh.

In other words, God did not send another to bring salvation to you and I. God came Himself. Indeed, JESUS was the conceived SEED of the Holy Ghost. For as the scriptures state, in JESUS, it pleased God that all the fullness of His Godhead should dwell bodily. The SEED of Christ then is that spiritual which was manifest in the flesh (Christ). It is this same Seed in which all believing nations of the earth can be blessed.

As the scriptures similarly declare JESUS is God with us. JESUS is also declared the Word of God, which was with God, but now is with us. JESUS then is the Word of God. This is why the people pressed toward JESUS -- to hear the Word of God. Further, JESUS is the same Word that was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him. So if someone were to ask - who is the Word of God? The answer here is JESUS! Without JESUS who is the same Word that was with God in the beginning there is nothing made that was made. For the Word of God is the beginning of all things. The very worlds were framed by the Word of God. As we read in Genesis, God spoke and lo’ it came to pass.

Similarly, JESUS' Word was with power but JESUS is also the power and wisdom of God. Yes, all that God is was revealed in the face of JESUS. How do we know this? Never a man spoke like this man spoke. Why even the winds and the sea obeyed Him. He fed the multitude from five loaves and two small fish. He cast out evil demonic spirits with a Word. He healed all that would come to Him.

John declares that if all the things that JESUS began both to do and to say were to be written, the world and universe would not be able to contain all the books that would be necessary. But do note that sufficient scripture was written so that you and I might believe in our hearts that JESUS is the Christ and as prophesied by the prophets from afore, the Son of the living God!

Therefore, JESUS is the name above every other name in Heaven and on earth. For God declared that salvation could not be found in any other name. God was manifest in the flesh to destroy the works of the devil who is the reason there is sin, sickness and disease in the world. These are not of God. For God is not willing that any should perish but rather that all men should be saved. For God so loves you that He willingly sacrificed His life as a Son in order that we might be saved.

The blood coming forth from JESUS' veins at Calvary was the life giving blood of His holy Spirit, who f/Fathered the man JESUS. God laid down His life -- His humanity -- for us. On the cross, He uttered these words -- "It is finished!" The price of man's redemption has been paid in full. As such, there is no more sacrifice for sin.

And this same message confirmed later when Thomas declared to JESUS these words, ‘My Lord and My God!’

Yes, JESUS is Lord over all. The Son of man is the Lord of glory. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)

And He is inviting us to Come and to drink of the living water wherein we will never thirst again. Come to the Lord Jesus today and thank Him for His sacrifice on your behalf! Peace to all. Stand in the offering plate.

To The End He May Establish Your Hearts, Unblameable In Holiness Before God, Even Our Father, At The Coming Of Our Lord Jesus Christ With All His Saints - Part 1827

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse -- Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints. (Colossians 1:1-4)

A couple of points here. First, we are witnessing an example of how to become a flow through for the Lord Jesus. In I Thessalonians 2:13, this is described in the following manner. That is, "for this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received [welcomed] the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13) 

"Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17)

Second, it is important to note how Paul introduces our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ in His epistles. The introduction(s) herein may be somewhat confusing for those who do not (yet) understand that God is not the author of confusion. Or that because of His love and kindness, God willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

Indeed, this is the hope which is laid up for us in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth ... as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:5-8)

Before continuing, let's break these scriptures down. According to John's gospel,  in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and was God .. and the SAME was in the beginning with God. Not another or He as the religious culture suggests but the same was in the beginning with God. In Him was life and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-4)

When Jesus prayed, He said, "And now, O Father, glorify Thou with Me, with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gave Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me, and they have kept Thy Word." (John 17:5-6)

This same Word that was God in the beginning was -- at the appointed time -- made flesh, and dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory -- the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-14) 

What we are seeing is Jesus, the visible image of the invisible God. The humanity of God. The fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:19) Even though He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, He was crowned with glory and honour, so that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

"For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings --- FOR BOTH HE THAT SANCTIFIES AND THEY WHO ARE SANCTIFIED ARE ALL OF ONE; FOR WHICH CAUSE HE IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BRETHREN; saying, "I will declare Thy Name unto My brethren in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (Hebrews 2:9-12)

And again, "I will put My trust in Him." And again, "Behold I and the children which God hath given Me. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, HE ALSO HIMSELF LIKEWISE TOOK PART OF THE SAME; THAT THROUGH DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY him that had the power of death; that is the devil, AND DELIVER THEM WHO THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH WERE ALL THEIR LIFETIME SUBJECT TO BONDAGE; FOR VERILY HE TOOK NOT ON HIM THE NATURE OF ANGELS, BUT HE TOOK ON HIM THE SEED OF ABRAHAM." (Hebrews 2:13-16)

Yes, Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) 

Yes, Jesus -- the brightness of glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they. (Hebrews 1:4; Philemon 2:9-10) 

Yes, Jesus the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13-14; I Corinthians 1:7; Colossians 3:4; Isaiah 53:10-12; Galatians 1:4; Hebrews 9:14; Ezekiel 37:23)

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:15-18; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 3:1; Galatians 3:15)

He who knew no sin took on a sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) because of His love. He paid the purchase price for our sin in full -- once and for all. The mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world.  And in fact, the greatest love story ever told, that the Shepherd would shed His precious blood for His sheep, even while they were still His enemies.

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the Head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight ... 

if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven ... according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints." (Colossians 1:12-29)

There is much more to learn, but for this moment, dwell on what the Lord has to say to us on this day. Let the King of kings and Lord of lords establish your hearts, umblameable in holiness. Be strengthened according to His glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father who has delivered us from the power of darkness. Stand in the offering plate. 

As God Hath Said, "I Will Dwell In Them And Walk In Them And I Will Be Their God, And They Shall Be My People - Part 1826

"Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2:17-18)

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty." (II Corinthians 6:16-18)

Interestingly, the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, the same Lord God who hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm -- nothing being too hard for Thee -- instructs us to take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase He Himself made on the cross, and His lovingkindness unto those who have sinned against Him to know that this is the day of salvation. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)

Indeed, as the scripture declares, now is the accepted time. (II Corinthians 6:2)

Why? So that they [us] "shall be My people and I will be their God, and I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good: but I will put My fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from Me." (Jeremiah 32:38-40)

Herein, the Lord God, our creator, is speaking forward in prophecy to the time when He Himself would be made flesh and dwell among us -- soon to become our Saviour, our Redeemer, our Shepherd.

The Word made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory. (John 1:1-18)

When "the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it]." (Isaiah 40:5)

But now, after the cross wherein God displayed His humanity for one and all to behold, His glory has been revealed. His love for His creation manifest to all the world. His handiwork displayed in the heavens so that we are without excuse.

Yes, He became the perfect sacrifice so that we can have eternal life in Him. He paid the price once and for all, sealing the purchase with His own precious holy blood, ushering in a new testament. (Hebrews 9:15-18)

From Hebrews 2:1-18:

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?

For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest Him? Thou madest Him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst Him with glory and honour, and didst set Him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing [that is] not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will declare Thy Name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee."

And again, "I will put my trust in Him."

And again, "Behold I and the children which God hath given Me.Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

For verily He took not on [him the nature of] angels; but He took on [Him] the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted."

Meditate these thoughts in your heart this day. Stand in the offering plate.

Count All Things But Loss For The Excellency Of The Knowledge Of Christ Jesus Our Lord - Part 1825

"Who are you Lord?" asked Saul, when he was suddenly stopped by a bright light which shone all around him. Jesus said unto him,  "I am Jesus" The same Jesus who shall save His people from their sin. The same Jesus who willingly became the Lamb of God, shedding His precious holy blood on the cross. The same Jesus, who from the beginning of the world was the mystery held in the bosom of the Father until the fullness of times.

His name I/Emmanuel, which interpreted means, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) And, as we understand from living in this current dispensation of grace, neither is there salvation in any other name. (Acts 4:12) Why? Because Jesus is the Name above every other name that God used in the old testament times. (Philippians 2:9) The Name whereby we are saved. The Name whereby we can be healed, and restored, so that we can live up to the purpose that He placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.

Yes, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. (Revelation 1:8)

Indeed, in no one else can salvation be found. Only Jesus! This is why the council called the apostles and commanded them, and in fact, dictated to them that they were not to speak to anyone at all about Jesus. Not even to breathe His Name among those who were/are lost.

Peter's response to the council was simple. Peter told them to decide for themselves whether it is right before God to obey individuals/worldly authorities rather than God. Paul also confirmed this point of view when he said that it was the God of our fathers who had appeared to Him as He journeyed on the road to Damascus. The God of our fathers who had met him and chosen him, when his mission at that time was originally to find those who believed and jail them. That was certainly his mission for that day.

Thankfully, the Lord had another mission for Saul, and soon, Saul/Paul would learn His will. When the light shone around him, Saul became blind. Still, as Saul, he had seen the just one and heard His voice speaking directly to his heart.

Can you imagine what Saul must be thinking, when he uttered the words, "Who art Thou, Lord?" As we know, Saul did not have to ask twice. In fact, Jesus told Saul right there and then, "I am Jesus whom ye persecute."

This is why the scriptures tell us that the Name of Jesus is ABOVE every other name in both Heaven and on earth. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus the Christ is Lord. As Christians who have repented, and been water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are renewed, justified, and sanctified in Him. And we know the truth which will set us free from the captivity and bondage of this world. In this current dispensation of grace, His Name is JESUS. He alone is the True God that gives eternal life.

"Thy Word is Truth.| (John 17:17) The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory. God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) And this same Lord is Jesus who Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost identified as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

Therefore, to address another issue emanating from religious sects, is His Name J- H -V- H  or  J-H-W-H? Try pronouncing these letters as a word, without the added vowels that men have added to the unpronounceable name of God. Complicated? Well, yes. Nevertheless, the councils are still commanding that we ought not to speak in the name of Jesus. We were commanded by Jesus, the Shepherd of His own redeemed people to go into all the world and preach repentance and remission in His name -- Jesus. The name that the angel (the messenger of God) said that we must call His name I/Emmanuel -- God with us -- is named Jesus.

But the flock of a different shepherd went behind the scene and decided on an alternative name. And, as a consequence, they almost achieved their accomplished mission. The mission was to obscure the name of JESUS, child of the holy Spirit, by replacing that Name so that we would be under the wrong dispensation -- trying to put new wine into old wine skins. 

For us who believe by faith, it is difficult to fathom that men openly chose to oppose Almighty God, especially when we know that the one who made the world was in the world. (John 1:1-18) He answers to the Name of Jesus. 

So what do these letters mean? Well, the above capital letters are simply the 'incommunicable' name of a Hebrew (God). Pray tell then, why would anyone endeavour to communicate an incommunicable name? Why wouldn't individuals want the masses to understand and comprehend God's name? In this case, their desperation to deceive the people amounts to a travesty. Individuals playing around with the vowels AEIOU and conjuring up something that is readable but their conduct inexcusable. 

Still, in spite of the deceit, when ordinary people heard Jesus, they ran to Him with enthusiasm. Why? Because Jesus did not speak as the religious leaders of the day did. Jesus had something more to offer - the gift of salvation. So instead of deceiving people and/or being deceived by others, we need to recognize that the Throne of Jesus is forever. Indeed, forever all the angels of God worship Him.  

God’s redeemed children (who all are in the man Jesus who is God Himself as a son) are in number more than the granules of sand by the sea. It is for this reason that Jesus' people continue to keep their sights on the cross of Jesus. If the first 3000 believers repented and were baptized by immersion (buried symbolically with Jesus) into the Name of the Lord Jesus the Christ, for the remission of sin, receiving a promise that they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, then we need to do the same also. (Acts 2:36=47)

Accept the Lord's invitation for your life this day. Open your New Testament and ask the Lord Jesus to fill your heart and soul and mind with His Word. Be renewed in your spirit. Stand in the offering plate with Jesus who loves you with an everlasting love. In blessing, He will bless you.

For To This End, Christ Both Died, And Rose, And Revived That He Might Be Lord Both Of The Dead And Of The Living - Part 1824

Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (John 12:24)

Except that a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abides alone. But when it dies, as we know from watching a farmer's crop grow,  it brings forth multitudes of offspring. In this same way, JESUS -- wherein the Seed life of the Holy Ghost died -- brings forth SEEDED people who then become JESUS' offspring.

Therefore, no man "took" JESUS' life, as some might suggest, for at any time, JESUS could have called for a legion of angels to deliver Him. But as we now know, JESUS came to lay down His Life as a Son in order that we - the fallen sons of God - should be proclaimed free. For he who is set free by the sacrificial offering of the sinless body of the Holy Ghost is really free. Born again into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

Weep now for it was for you and I that He said, "Father, why hast thou forsaken Me?" If JESUS had not spoken these words, then that sinless body would never have died. But then He said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do!"

Yes, it is finished. The price for our sin paid for once and for all. The holy Spirit bore our sins in His own body on a dead tree. Why? Even the sun darkened when we crucified the Lamb of God - the Lord of Glory! We even shouted "away with Him" because we will not have this man to rule over us! For in our selfish modes, we do want another King to rule over us.

And there is no doubt about it -- Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Great I AM. He is the Lord of hosts, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. God manifest in the flesh -- His glory for all the world to behold! He loves us as His beloved, and has chosen us in Him to become His offspring.

After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)

Because JESUS was crucified once and only once there is no more sacrificial offering required for sin. He is the Lamb of God. The true Light of the glorious gospel of God in the face of Jesus the Christ -- forever more shines. A light much brighter than even the noon day sun.

Further, nature teaches that we are spirit beings living our lives in a body, and appearing as sons or daughters. It is in these sons and daughter bodies that we bear our offspring. We father [and mother] all our children in a son or daughter body. GOD who is Spirit has done likewise FATHERING all His REDEEMED children in a Son's body. This is why He that has the Son has Life! Remember what the scriptures state - "I will never leave you nor forsake you Lo, I am with you always!"

Have you received His holy Spirit -- the Holy Ghost -- since you believed? If not, repent and be baptized into the Name of JESUS, going down into the water in the ‘likeness’ of JESUS' death and being raised up out of the water in the ‘likeness’ of JESUS' resurrection. (Acts 2:36-47) Yes, so that you too shall receive the promised gift of the holy Spirit of JESUS as He breathes His eternal life upon you!

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living." (Romans 14:8-9)
To all my brothers and sisters in Christ from all nations, be victorious in our Lord God and Saviour. Peace be to you all in JESUS! 

Now All This Was Done That It Might Be Fulfilled Which Was Spoken Of The Lord By The Prophet - Part 1823

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Again, there is NO OTHER NAME whereby men and women can be saved. There is a reason for this. God is One Spirit. He that descended is the same as He that ascended. For it was none other than God Himself who was veiled in sinful flesh whilst in the womb of His surrogate mother who herself was a descendant of Abraham's sin prone flesh.

And the angel answered and said unto [Mary], "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

In other words, God did not send another to bring salvation to you and I. God came Himself. The same Spirit of the Lord who moved upon the face of the waters in the beginning willingly clothed Himself in flesh so that you and I might experience life in Him. JESUS was the conceived SEED of the holy Spirit. For as the scriptures state, in JESUS, it pleased God that all the fullness of His Godhead should dwell bodily. (Colossians 2:9)

The SEED of Christ then is that spiritual which was manifest in the flesh (Christ). It is this same Seed in which all believing nations of the earth can be blessed.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:18-23)

As the scriptures declare JESUS is God with us. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) JESUS is also declared to be the Word of God, which was with God, but now is with us. (John 1:1-4) The Light of the world. The Bread of life. The living water wherein if we taste of His goodness and grace, we will never thirst again.

Yes, JESUS then is the Word of God. This is why the people pressed toward JESUS. To hear the Word of God. Further, JESUS is the same Word that was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him. So if someone were to ask - who is the Word of God? The answer here is JESUS! Without JESUS who is the same Word that was with God in the beginning there is nothing made that was made. For the Word of God is the beginning of all things. The very worlds were framed by the Word of God.

"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. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lights every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, "This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." (John 1:1-18)

In the same fashion as we read in Genesis, God spoke and lo’ it came to pass. JESUS' Word was with power but note that JESUS is also the power and wisdom of God. Yes, all that God is was revealed in the face of JESUS. How do we know this? Never a man spoke like this man spoke. In fact, even the winds and the sea obeyed Him. He fed the multitude of 5,000 from five loaves and two small fish. He cast out evil demonic spirits with a Word. He healed all the people who would come to Him.

Moreover, John declared that if all the things that JESUS began both to do and to say were to be written down, the world and likewise the universe too would not be able to contain all the books that would attest of Jesus. Note however, (as John alludes) that sufficient scripture was written so that you and I might believe in our hearts that JESUS is the Christ -- the Son of the living God!

JESUS - the Name above every other name in Heaven and on earth. For God declared that salvation could not be found in any other name. God was manifest in the flesh to destroy the works of the devil -- the reason there is sin, sickness and disease in the world. These are not of God. For God is not willing that any should perish but rather that all men should be saved. For God so loves you that He willingly sacrificed His life as a Son in order that we might be saved.

Indeed, the blood coming forth from JESUS' veins at Calvary was the life giving blood of the Holy Ghost, who fathered the man Christ JESUS. Yes, God laid down His humanity for us. He uttered the words, "It is finished." The price of man's redemption has been paid in full -- once and for all. As such, there is no more sacrifice for sin. Neither can we do good works to save ourselves.

Why? Because our salvation was paid for with His precious holy blood. All the world saw the glory of God ... His love inviting us to come to Him. As Thomas declared to JESUS, ‘My Lord and My God!’ He knew the truth, and given the time in which we live, wherein sufficient scripture is readily available to us, we can know that JESUS is Lord over all.

He is both Lord and Christ. The Son of man is the Lord of glory. The first Adam, earthy. The second Adam the Lord from heaven. After the kindness and love of God toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

Come to the Lord Jesus today and thank Him for His sacrifice on your behalf! Peace to all. Stand in the offering plate.

The Lord He Is God; A God That Hides Thyself, O God Of Israel, The Saviour; His Mercy Is Everlasting - Part 1822

"I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30)

Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him." Philip saith unto Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us."

Jesus saith unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how say thou then, "Show us the Father?" Believe thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me, he doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believe on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it." (John 14:6-14)
Why should we believe that JESUS is the Father? Because Jesus Himself said so. (John 10:30; John 14:6-14) So did the apostles whom Jesus, after He was taken up, through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen.

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
Note as well that the prophets also pointed to Jesus as God in the flesh, and that the Lord would come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13)

The Lord God said, "Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, "That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come; and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory." (Isaiah 45:21-25)

God became our Saviour. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11) 

In the beginning, God. (Genesis 1:1-2) This same God -- the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. (John 1:14) The visible image of God -- Christ Jesus our Saviour.

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

For unto which of the angels said He at any time, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?" And again, "I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?" And again, when He brings in the first begotten into the world, He saith, "And let all the angels of God worship Him."

And of the angels He saith, "Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire." But unto the Son He saith, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands ..." (Hebrews 1:1-10)

If you do not understand the Godhead, I encourage you to read God’s Word and study the scriptures for yourself. Let God’s Word come into you and fill your heart and mind with His glory. Why? Because we cannot both love JESUS and still reject His Word. For indeed the Word of God is embodied in JESUS, who is the WORD of God manifest in flesh appearing as a Son. If God had appeared in a different fashion, then we might suggest that an alien had visited earth. But this is not the case, and the scriptures are clear on this point.

Every single book of the Bible (both in the old and the new) points to JESUS. "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!"  Not written of them, or us, as the modern day religious culture would have us believe, but One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:5-6) And this same Lord clothed Himself in flesh, so that He could become our Saviour, shedding His precious holy blood on a cross, so that we might have life abundantly. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

But I digress. Continuing from the point above, note that on the contrary, it is us - you and I - who are the aliens. Totally alienated from God. We instead let evil captivate our imaginations rather than trust God for our blessings. But the good news is this.

When JESUS' empowered His disciples to go into the harvest field of the world, commissioning them to heal the sick and to cast out demonic spirits in HIS NAME, He did so in order for you and I to return to Jesus. And then as the scriptures state, upon returning to JESUS the apostles were rejoicing declaring that even the demonic spirits were subject to the disciples in JESUS' NAME. Later, we read that JESUS commissioned and empowered another 100 disciples sending them also to heal the sick and cast out demons. This was Jesus' way of showing that the Kingdom of God is near. Then Jesus instructed the disciples to deliver this good news gospel message - the same gospel message contained in the scriptures - and declare this very same gospel message to one and all.

Further, JESUS said at the time that it was not Him (His flesh) that was performing the miracles. Rather, it was the Father who dwelt within Me - it is He who does these things. Yes, God was in the man JESUS the Christ endeavouring to reconcile the world back to Himself (God). JESUS being the SEED of the holy Spirit (and therefore God) implanted into the womb of a willing surrogate mother named Mary, whose sin prone flesh was to veil the Holy Ghost coming forth from her -- E/Immanuel or God with us. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18-23; Isaiah 9:6)

Although admittedly, all bodies are sin prone, commencing from the time that Adam and Eve rejected God’s instructions in the Garden of Eden. However, when they were banished from the Eden Garden, the two entered into an unknown -- an untamed natural world. But JESUS dwelt in such a sin prone body capable of sinning even as we are but totally without sin. The difference being that inside JESUS dwelt the Holy Spirit. "To wit, God was in Christ ..." (II Corinthians 5:19)

Therefore, even though tempted by sin, JESUS did not sin. God’s pure and holy spiritual humanity indwelt JESUS!

You see, JESUS did not come to dazzle us. Rather, JESUS came to save us from ourselves. Jesus came to save us from the strong delusion of unbelief that Adam and Eve experienced. The delusion of unbelief and pit of ignorance that we have fallen into, professing ourselves to be wise and instead becoming as fools. And in our ignorance declaring that dumb matter could bring forth intelligent life.

Is it any wonder then that God winks at such ignorance on our part? We ought to save ourselves from such dark nonsensical unbelief.

Thus, to go full circle, we need to understand that reverential fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Why? Because JESUS is the wisdom of God! And Jesus is the wisdom of God now being delivered to those who have hearing ears. Our Heavenly Father who is one Spirit speaks to us -- His Wisdom -- but in a Son's body. Similar to our spirit that talks through our physical bodies God who is Spirit is inviting us to come to Him through His own body.

His Name is JESUS in this current dispensation of grace.

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Said, "Rejoice With Me For I Have Found My Sheep Which Was Lost!" - Part 1821

"Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, [in whom] My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench. He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His law." 

Thus saith God the LORD, "He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and Spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles ...

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I [am] the LORD: that [is] My Name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.

Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up [their voice], the villages [that] Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare His praise in the islands.

The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies. I have long time holden My peace; I have been still, [and] refrained myself: [now] will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.

And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye [are] our gods. Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who [is] blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger [that] I sent? who [is] blind as [he that is] perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?

Seeing many things, but thou observes not; opening the ears, but He hears not. The LORD is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will magnify the law, and make [it] honourable. But this [is] a people robbed and spoiled; [they are] all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers; for a spoil, and none saith, "Restore."

Who among you will give ear to this? [Who] will hearken and hear for the time to come? Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD -- He against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in His ways, neither were they obedient unto His law. Therefore, He hath poured upon Him the fury of His anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set Him on fire round about, yet He knew not; and it burned Him, yet He laid [it] not to heart." (Isaiah 42:1-25)

Meditate upon these words -- the Word of the Lord -- and understand how much the Lord our God loved us, to have willingly become our Saviour, our Redeemer. His Name is Jesus. He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. (John 1:10) But we know Him because His sheep hear His voice.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Stand in the offering plate.

And Thou Shalt Know That I Am The LORD; Thy Saviour And Thy Redeemer, The Mighty One of Jacob - Part 1820

"Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is His Name: He shall thoroughly plead their cause, that He may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon." (Jeremiah 50:34)

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of hosts; "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 22:13; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 19:16; Revelation 17:14)

O, Lord, how we sorely need a disquieting of the inhabitants of Babylon, so that once again our land can be restored to its fullness, and healed from the false religious teachings in the land, that are intended to lead men and women astray. Lord, how we need to enter into the rest that you have promised for Your people, the latter rain, the rest which surpasses all human understanding. And Lord, fill us with your knowledge and wisdom so that we can once again proclaim to one and all that the same Lord God who created us in the very beginning willingly became our blessed Redeemer. 

"After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)

Our Lord God and Saviour willingly became the perfect sacrifice on that cross so that none would perish. God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)

"All the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Him ..." (Colossians 2:9) 

And that You Lord, are still King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8) 

Right now, as the scriptures state about these last days, even all of creation is groaning because the people whom you loved enough to shed Your holy blood on the cross, have not turned to You in their hearts ... so that You Lord God can heal our land. The Lord told us through the prophet Hosea, "My people perish for lack of knowledge." But it does not have to be this way. How do we know?

For the Lord said, "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed." (Joel 2:25-26)

But in order for the Lord to turn man's heathenism and treachery against the Lord around, we the people need to stop drinking the wine of the wrath of her fornication -- the kings of the earth who have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth that are waxed through the abundance of her delicacies.

Instead, we need to begin heeding the voice of the Lord from heaven who is pleading with us, saying, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities .... how much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her for she saith in her heart, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow."(Revelation 18:3-7; Revelation 14:8, 10; Isaiah 47:15; Isaiah 48:20; Revelation 16:19; Genesis 18:20; Psalms 137:8; Ezekiel 28:2-8; Isaiah 47:7-8)

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me ..." (John 10:27)

Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." (John 5:25)

And Jesus said this, not as the systems of this world will tell you, as a second person of a triune/triad/trinity g/God, but as the One and Only Shepherd who loved us (His sheep) so much that He became the perfect sacrifice -- the Lamb of God slain before all the world. 

"To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." (Hebrews 3:17-11, 15; Acts 1:16; Psalm 95:7-11)

For there is a promise that the Lord God Almighty has given to them who hear His voice -- the Holy Ghost having spoken afore by the mouth of David. That is, the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing, which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience ..." (Hebrews 9:8-9; John 14:6; Hebrews 7:19)

But now, in this current dispensation of grace, we have Jesus who will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

"For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this life the judgment, so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 10:26-28)

Yes, only One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and now in you all -- who worship Him as God our Saviour. Jesus is His Name. And we need to understand and have the knowledge of the Son of God first, believing on Him -- the Word -- because the truth is in Jesus. (Ephesians 4:21) We are sanctified by His Word that is truth. (John 17:17)

Therefore, grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption. Rather, learn of Christ, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. For He is our all in all. And when we say we are followers of God, having repented of our sin, and gone on to be water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are filled with His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost in our hearts. (Acts 2:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27; I Corinthians 15:29; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 6:14)

And, as a consequence, we learn to walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. (Ephesians 5:1-2; Luke 6:36; I Peter 1:14-16; I Thessalonians 4:9; Galatians 1:4; II Corinthians 2:14-15)

And let the following scriptures resonate in your heart. Meditate upon these life giving words in your heart. Worship the Lord God Almighty with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that in this day and age, in which we live, His Name is JESUS.

And when we are buried with Him by baptism into death; the like [just] as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) Stand in the offering plate. 

"Doubtless Thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: Thou, O LORD, art our Father, our Redeemer; Thy Name is from everlasting." (Isaiah 63:16)

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is His Name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called." (Isaiah 54:5)

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; "I am the LORD thy God which teaches thee to profit, which leads thee by the way that thou shouldest go." (Isaiah 48:17)

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and He shall choose thee." (Isaiah 49:7)

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, "I am the LORD that makes all things; that stretches forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself ..." (Isaiah 44:24)

Hereby, Know Ye The Spirit of God; Every Good Gift Comes Courtesy Of His Kindness And Love -- Part 1819

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (Job 19:25-27)

"And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer." (Psalms 78:35)

"As for our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 47:4)

Jesus said to Philip, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:6-12)

God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He became our Saviour on the cross. Jesus -- the Bread of life!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only beloved Son; that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish but have everlasting life."

You see, we are to believe in Him who has saved us from our sin. Our redeemer. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) And this includes getting to know His name -- the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And yet, within today's modern day religious culture, there are many who say they know God, and pray, hoping to receive life eternal, and yet, these do not know His Name. These do not know whom to call upon in their time of need. For me, this is extremely sad, given that we have the scriptures readily available before us so that we can know Him personally.

The Lord Jesus (as Peter standing with the eleven declared) who is both our Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) The same son of man on this earth became the Lord of glory at the resurrection. What does the scripture tell us? That the man created by God in the beginning was the first Adam, and that the second Adam -- He was the Lord from heaven. 

"His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

The mystery of godliness -- Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) 

He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Behold, a woman shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)

And yet as we know, the traditions of men (with their entrenched religious systems of this world) still know JESUS only as the Son of God. In this context, many do not understand God's true identity, which He reveals to the seeker in Hebrews 1:1-13, among many other scriptures. A good read for those desiring to know the truth that will set you free. The truth that sanctifies those led by the Holy Ghost, and are sanctified by His truth -- Thy Word is truth. (John 17:!7) And, also, to those who receive the gifts of the Spirit, severally as He will. But I digress somewhat.

The bottom line is this. As believers in Jesus the Christ by faith, we need to repent for the forgiveness of sins. Then we need to be water baptized in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- as the answer of a good conscience toward God. (I Peter 3:21-22; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4)

And also, if the Lord God and Saviour JESUS the Christ has revealed Himself to you, that is truly good news. (Matthew 1:21-23) Why? For there is healing in the Name of JESUS. (Mark 16:15-18) There is POWER in His NAME. And He -- JESUS -- is our all in all. Therefore, to know GOD is to know JESUS as Jesus so aptly told Peter when He said, "If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father."

Yes, Jesus is the express image of the invisible God. (Hebrews 1:1-13) All the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) "Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power ... " (Hebrews 1:3)

Indeed, Jesus revealed Himself to us. In John 10:30, Jesus told them., "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) And had it not been so, He would have told us so. This is why Jesus said,  "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me. It is so that we would understand that Jesus is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:13)

Praise Him today. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. Stand in the offering plate.

Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain; The Lion of the Tribe Of Judah; The Root of David - Part 1818

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)

Moreover, "lift up thine eyes round about, and behold, all these gather themselves together, and come to Thee. "As I live," saith the Lord, "thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind on thee, as a bride doeth." (Isaiah 49:18)

In the past, we have spoken often of believers in Jesus being clothed with the garments of salvation, and covered with the robe of righteousness. Why is this important? Because the prophets foretold of the time that would come wherein the Seed would be known among the Gentiles, "and their offspring among the people; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed." (Isaiah 61:9)

And again, " .... for they are the seed of the blessed Lord, and their offspring with them, and it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:23) 

But being covered with the robe of righteousness and clothed with His garment of salvation does not stop there. David reminds us that we are clothed with righteousness too. So much so, that we saints should shout for joy. 

"Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of Thine anointed ... I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout for joy ..." (Psalm 132:9,16) 

In Revelation, Jesus refers, as well, to the few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, "and they shall walk with Me in white for they are worthy ... he that overcomes the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels ..." (Revelation 3:4-5) 

And then later, Jesus speaks of the moment, in the twinkling of an eye wherein He comes again to gather His people, saying, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." (Revelation 16:15)

In other words, keeping our garments carries with it encouragement to continue watching for the coming of the Lord. 

However, in contrast, James also speaks of garments, in relation to those who are lost. For example,  "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust other shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire, Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields which is of you kept back by fraud, cries; and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth [ hosts]. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton: ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just, and he doth not resist you." (James 5:2-6) 

" ... his enemies will I clothe with shame ..." (Psalm 132:18)

"Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at Mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against Me." (Psalm 35:26) 

Nevertheless, as it most often is within His Word, there is a "but" that allows believers to quickly move forward in the grace and kindness of our Lord God and Saviour, without ever looking back. A "but" which turns even the bad things into good for those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. The but that includes letting them shout for joy, and being glad, that favour His righteous cause; yea, let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant, and my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long." (Psalm 35:27-28; Romans 12:15)

It is in this context, that no matter what is happening all around us, we are encouraged to be patient therefore brethren, "unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until h/He receives the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned; behold, the judge stands before the door. 

Take my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the Name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful [persevering] and of tender mercy." 

In prophecy, Joel goes in a slightly different direction, writing, "And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent him of the evil." (Joel 2:13)

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for all the world to see, so that we whom believe in Jesus by faith can come unto the lord Jesus -- for He is our all in all. He is the One and Only King -- He is both our Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-38; John 17:17; I Timothy 3:16)

And we rejoice in Him, for He alone cans save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Thus, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places." (Habakkuk 3:18; Isaiah 41:6)  

Stand in the offering plate.

Go Tell Thy Friends The Great Things The Lord Hath Done For Thee - Part 1817

"I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." (Philemon 1:6)

In some circles, one's life story is called a testimony, and for the believer in Jesus by faith, the experiences we have (both good and bad) are critical for sharing, because it reveals to us (and to those we know) that our life is for the glorification of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. He is our all in all, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11) 

In these last days, our testimony is even more important, because our testimony tells of the great things the Lord hath done for us. Why now? Because, as the scripture points out, "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11)

Because in the Lord Jesus, salvation has come, and our strength, and the Kingdom of our God --- the power of His Christ, so that "the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (Revelation 12:10)

Because at some point very soon "the kingdoms of this world [will] become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 11:15; Isaiah 27:13; Exodus 15:18)

After these things, John who wrote Revelation while on an isle that is called Patmos, saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 

"And I saw an angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed, and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel ..." (Revelation 7:1-3)

Again, so that we do not miss His promise to those that love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength the angel having the seal of the living God said, " ... till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." (Revelation 7:3)

Continuing, John scribes what he is witnessing in the vision, saying,  "I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes and palms [palm branches] in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God which sits upon the Throne and unto the Lamb." 

And all the angels stood round about the Throne, and about the elders and the four beasts [living creatures] and fell before the Throne on their faces and worshipped God, saying, "Amen: blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever, amen." 

One of the elders answered, saying unto me, "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" And I said unto him, "Sir, thou know." And he said to me, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, are they before the Throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He that sets on the Throne shall dwell among them. 

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them , nor any heat .... for the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 5:9, 12-14; Revelation 3:5, 18; Revelation 4:4, 6; Revelation 6:19, 1; Psalm 3:8; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 11:16; Isaiah 4:5-6; Isaiah 49:10; Psalm 121:6; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:4)

You see, it was never intended that we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith should be ignorant of the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of time. That is, that the Lord God Himself said to His beloved, "For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." (Romans 11:26-26; Matthew 1:18-23) 

Therefore, "how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance ..." (Hebrews 9:14-18)

The promise, if we decidedly refrain from the captivity and bondage and idols of this world, is eternal life in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. And one day very soon, He is returning to this land for His beloved people, who know from whence comes their salvation. (Titus 2:13) Those who have repented and had their robes washed in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21-22)

Sadly, however, the Lord's vineyard since the beginning has been tainted and as Isaiah prophesies, His people gone into captivity, "without knowledge ... their honourable men famished, their multitude dried up with thirst. In this, hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure, and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and all those that rejoice in it, shall descend into it, and the mean man shall be brought down and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty" as well. (Isaiah 5:13-15)

Isaiah further elaborates, explaining how the Lord did build His vineyard in a very fruitful hill, and planted it with the choicest vine because of His love for His beloved creation. It is us who are in the process of destroying all the good things within, but I digress.

From Isaiah 5:

"Now I will sing to My well beloved a song of My beloved touching His vineyard in a very fruitful hill: and He fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein; and He looked that it should bring forth grapes, [but instead] it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge I pray you, betwixt Me and My vineyard. What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up, and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: and I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it ... for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah His pleasant plant; and He looked for judgment, but behold oppression: for righteousness, but behold a cry. Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth. 

"In Mine ears," saith the Lord of hosts, "Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant ..." (Isaiah 5:1-9; Isaiah 22:14; Micah 2:2; Isaiah 7:19-25; Psalm 80:12; Psalm 89:40-41; Matthew 21:33)

Still, in spite of what is happening all around us, and them that call evil good and good evil, and put darkness for light and light for darkness, and put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter, those that are wise only in their own eyes, and prudent only in their own sight, and are mighty to drink wine, and mingle strong drink, justifying the wicked for reward, and taking away the righteousness of the righteous from Him, these will have their reward because they have cast away the Lord of hosts, and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel. These have despised our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. (Isaiah 5:20-24)

Nevertheless, as we have tasted and seen in our hearts, and handled the Word of life (as the apostles confirmed) there is a well which never runs dry. There is a stream in the midst of the desert inviting us into the most elaborate wedding feast ever. And in that day to come, shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely. 

Yes, as Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6) "I am the Bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

And it was He who said, "Come now, and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool ... if ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good of the land!" (Isaiah 1:18-19; Isaiah 43:26; Psalm 51:7; Titus 1:2)

Indeed, after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) It was He who willingly shed His precious holy blood on that cross for you and I. It was He who bore our sins so that we might have life more abundantly in Him -- our Lord God and Saviour. 

Consequently, only He is worthy of all honour and glory and praise. His Name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

And, in Revelation, Jesus said, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, "which is, and which was, and which is to come -- the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8, 11)

Stand in the offering plate.