I Have Waited For Thy Salvation O Lord - Part 2552

"O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness .... when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, "It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known My ways: unto whom I sware in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest." (Psalm 95:6-11)

From the beginning of time, the Lord our Maker -- He is our God - has extended His invitation to His people, asking them to come to Him. Herein, when the Lord was speaking concerning the Israelites (as in the provocation), we learn that He has tried for forty years to bring them to a place where they would know His ways. 

For the record, this call has never changed. While the Lord grieves over our unwillingness to enter into His fold, He sees the state of our hearts, chasing small-g gods that can never satisfy the inward longing of our hearts. A people that have erred in the in heart against the Spirit of the Lord that moved across the face of the waters in the beginning.

And as the Lord observes, we have not taken the time to know His ways. We have not communed with Him in our day to day. We have not taken the time to study the scriptures so that we would have a foundation that can never be broken. 

As a consequence, the Lord must wonder what it is (particularly when we see His handiwork all around us) that would finally persuade us of His goodness and grace: His kindness and love: His friendship that surpasses all human understanding. This is why Jesus, during His time on this earth, told us He is the Bread of Life; the living water; the Way, the Truth and the Life -- so there would not be lost.

Like the first 3,000 souls saved on the day of Pentecost, we need to ask the same question. That is, "What must we do to be saved?" (Acts 2:36) First, as Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost said, we need to repent, be water baptized (buried in the water) and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. '(Acts 2:37-41)

We need to accept that He has written His purpose(s) on our heart. In so doing, we accept the Giver of life, who is reaching out to His chosen members of the body of Christ church, wherein He -- Jesus -- is the Head. 

So much to learn, but like school there has to be a beginning; a starting point wherein we must respond to His call on our lives. We need to say thank you Jesus for moving us forward in Him. And we need to understand that He wants us to praise Him so that we can enter into communion with Him. Don't wait any longer. Step out in faith, asking Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ -- to take the reign of your heart.

"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah." (Psalm 4:4)

As the Lord told the Israelites from afore. "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel." (Exodus 25:22)

Two thousand years later, that same message of abundant love and joy is intended for the Gentiles today. We just need to take His hand and let the Lord lead and guide us into all truth. 

Stand in the offering plate.

He Gives Wisdom Unto The Wise; And Knowledge To Them That Know Understanding - Part 2551

Jesus said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ..." (II Timothy 3:16)

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11) 

When we study scriptures in-depth, we come to the place where we understand that scripture confirms scripture -- that one verse builds upon another -- to bring us to the place of learning and understanding. In many Bibles, there are comparison verses available to make searching the scriptures easier. It is in this context that we continue to look at the book of Daniel.

In previous posts, we learned that Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not eat of the king's meat, nor drink his wine. As a consequence, Daniel and his three companions (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) had ten times more wisdom than all those considered wise within the Babylon Empire -- ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all the king's realm. (Daniel 1:20-21)

Continuing in Daniel 2, we learn that Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled and his sleep brake from him. (Daniel 2:1) Note that Nebuchadnezzar was not the only king who couldn't sleep. In Genesis 41, the Pharaoh was also troubled - "And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh." (Genesis 41:8) "And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it." (Genesis 41:15) Remember, Joseph had clarified earlier who the interpretations belonged to. Like Daniel, he wanted the One God of heaven to take all the credit. Therein, Joseph asked,  "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you." (Genesis 40:8)

Similarly, in Esther 6, the king on one night could not sleep so he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles - to have them read before the king. (Esther 6:1) In another place, Nebuchadnezzar saw yet another dream which made him afraid, and the thoughts upon his bed and the visions of his head troubled him. (Daniel 4:5) 

So the king commands to call the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to show him and interpret his dreams. Here, the king enquires of them, "I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream." (Daniel 2:1-3) The Chaldeans had also spoke to the king in Syriack, "O king, live forever: tell thy servants the dream and we will shew the interpretation." (Daniel 2:4) Once again, it seemed like no one had the answers. Out of all those considered wise within the kingdom, there was not one who could reveal the king's dream. 

If we jump ahead to Daniel 5, we learn that eventually it was the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords that told of a man in the kingdom who interpreted dreams for his father. That is, "In whom is the spirit of the holy gods [God]." She said, "and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods [God] was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers." (Daniel 5:9-12) 

An important side-note (which may be apparent by now) is that the Chaldeans did not like the Jews. (Daniel 3:9) We also should note that the book of Daniel is about prophecy of a time period yet to come. Like another prophet Isaiah who wrote regarding those who do not worship the God of heaven -- "Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooses you." (Isaiah 41:23-24)

Nevertheless, the king answers and said to the Chaldeans, "The thing is gone from me; if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill." (Daniel 2:5; Daniels 3:29)

Of course, this is contrasted with Daniel who tells the dream and the interpretation thereof. We see this acknowledging of the living God in Daniel 6:26-28, when the king makes a decree, "That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." (Daniel 6:26-27; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 3:29; Daniel 4:2-3, 34)

But we may be moving too fast. In Daniel 2:5, the king has still not found someone who can reveal his dream, and offer an interpretation. The king has threatened to cut the Chaldeans into pieces and turn their houses into a dunghill. Continuing, the king offers a but, saying, "But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof; ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour; therefore, shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof." They answered again of the king to tell his servants the dream -- and then these could shew the king the interpretation. (Daniel 2:4, 6-7) 

At the time, the king thought these supposedly wise men were vying for extra time. But the dream was gone from him. The king said, "But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed; therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof." (Daniel 2:9) 

The Chaldeans argued that unless the king tells of the dream, there can be no man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter; "therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician or astrologer or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." (Daniel 2:10-11)

But as we know there is a man, and that man knows in whom he worships -- the One and Only true God! (Daniel 6:2-29) Pharaoh said to thirty year old Joseph, "Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art; thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." (Genesis 41:39-40) 

Subsequently, the king was angry. As the scripture states, the king was very furious, commanding that the wise men be slain. It is in this context that Daniel and his fellows were about to be slain. (Daniel 2:13; Daniel 1:19-30) When Daniel jumps in "with counsel and wisdom" to Arioch (the captain of the king's guard) which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon, he starts by asking a question. (Daniel 2:14; Daniel 1:19-20) Daniel asks, "Why is the decree so hasty from the king?" Arioch responded by making things known to Daniel. At this point, we are not privy to the conversation between the two, but rather, that Daniel was able to speak to the king. In so doing, Daniel would reveal to the king the interpretation. (Daniel 2:12-16)

What does Daniel do next? Daniel heads home to make the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, his companions -- "That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise [men] in Babylon." (Daniel 2:17-18)

For comparison verses, we see a similar account in Isaiah 37:4 -- "It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left."

And from Jeremiah 33:1-3: "Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name; call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Again, Daniel knew in whom he served. It was here that the secret is revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Similar to Solomon whom the Lord appeared to in a dream by night. (I Kings 3:5) When this happened, did Daniel run out and tell the king first -- that he knew what the dream was, and its interpretation? No. Instead, Daniel chooses to bless the God of heaven. Daniel states, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might we are His." (Daniel 2:18-20)

Had Daniel in another time read Numbers 12? "And He said, "Hear now My words. If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream." (Numbers 12:6)

As alluded to earlier, Daniel goes on to bless the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removers kings, and sets up kings; He gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to the that know understanding. He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells within Him. I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O ThouGod of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee: for Thou hast made known unto us the king's matter." (Daniel 2:20-23)

Thus, what are the highlights so far? First, Daniel trusted the Lord God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength knowing that every good thing does come to those who wait on the Lord. Second, Daniel was not afraid to stand up for his faith in any matter -- for he knew that the Lord was more than able to deliver him from the fiery furnace. Third, Daniel stood in the gap for others, even though that might have been somewhat uncomfortable. In spite of the king's decrees (and threat to loss of life) Daniel never wavered. but rather stood firm. Fourth, Daniel knew to join himself in prayer with the three like-minded fellows (in one accord) who believed in the scriptures -- as written. Fifth, Daniel displayed his counsel and wisdom to Arioch, which in turn, permitted him to see the king without question. Sixth, Daniel had his priorities in the right place. In other words, it was more important for Daniel to worship the Lord, blessing Him first -- even though the king's order could have brought immediate death. Seventh,  Daniel desired the mercies of the God in heaven concerning the dream. Eighth, Daniel prayed that he and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Ninth, Daniel knew from studying other prophets that the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant." (Psalm 25:14) 

Tenth, Daniel did not just ask for their lives to be spared, but in blessing the Lord, Daniel displayed a relationship wherein he communed with the Lord. 

"Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 113:2) 

"But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord." (Psalm 115:18) 

All in all, Daniel wanted the king, the captain of the king's guard, the Chaldeans, the sorcerers, the magicians, and the astrologers (the wise throughout Babylon) to understand that it wasn't David's wisdom and might that saved the day, but the living God of heaven that He serves.

Next time, we will begin at Daniel 2:24. In the interim, stand in the offering plate. 

All The Day Long Jesus Stretches Forth His Hands For His People - Part 2550

Because of the sacrifice of JESUS the Christ, who was indeed the only begotten child of the Holy Spirit of God or, as the scriptures state, God Himself manifest in the flesh as a Son, we have an opportunity to be saved. Yes, God in the manifestation of JESUS (God with us) had a plan for all of His creation. This is why it is important to understand that in Jesus did ALL the fullness of the Godhead dwell bodily.

If some of you require an analogy, think of a drop of water from the ocean. Even with only the one drop, you would still be in possession of all the elements found in the ocean waters. Still, there remains a vast body of water that is ocean. It is the same with God in Christ. All of the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Jesus. All of the fullness of the Godhead.

This is why Jesus said to Philip, "If you have seen Me, then Philip you have seen the Father. I and my Father are one. He that has seen Me, the Son, has seen the Father." In other words, God has fathered All of His children in a Son’s body. Surely natural life as we see it displays this obvious fact. All of man’s offspring are fathered from a son’s body and after the child is born the son who provided the seed is recognized as a father.

JESUS then was conceived of the Holy Spirit - the Holy Spirit providing the new blood line. God Himself as a Son seeded us for it is written, "We are the SEED of JESUS the Christ." The SEED of JESUS the Christ is the WORD of God. For we have been born again NOT of corruptible seed BUT by incorruptible SEED which is the WORD of God.

JESUS being the very same WORD/WISDOM that in-dwelt God. Yes, one and the same. JESUS the WORD / the WISDOM of GOD coming forth from the innermost being of God, becoming for our sake God manifest in the flesh as a Son. God was manifest in visible form like unto Adam‘s sin prone race, appearing in such humiliated form to destroy the evil works and destruction of the devil.

JESUS purposely came in this condescended form so that we might have life eternal. JESUS did not descend into our midst to condemn us! Rather, JESUS came that we might have ample opportunity to be brought out from “the bondage of the law of sin and death" being translated by the grace of God into the Kingdom of God in Christ. And likewise, into the Law of Liberty!

Indeed, God has a plan for man, which unfortunately is often obscured and hid from many eyes. Who could entertain the thought that God would lay down His own life as a Son for us? But as we know from reading the scriptures, and similarly, our personal walk with our Saviour, God by Himself provided a way whereby sinful, disobedient, sin prone man could be redeemed.

Even today, with all of the eloquent speeches of men, their words are lame in comparison to the factual WORDS of ETERNAL LIFE spoken and confirmed by God. The same God who was indwelling the man JESUS the Christ who desired from the beginning of time to reconcile fallen man to Himself. As many as received JESUS received life! This is God's promise to one and all!

Stand in the offering plate.

So Then Faith Comes By Hearing And Hearing By The Word Of God - Part 2549

The last two posts have focused on the book of Daniel, and how the Lord God has positioned Daniel in relation to the king(s) and kingdom(s) of that day. In the first chapter, Daniel refuses to eat the king's meat, or to drink his wine. In the second chapter, Daniel reveals to the king his dream, while similarly interpreting the meaning of the dream. 

But who is Daniel? Unlike the introduction of other prophets, the book of Daniel opens with king Nebucchadnezzar (king of Babylon) besieging the kingdom of Jehoiakim (the king of Judah). Daniel does not open with an introductory moment clarifying that the message the prophet is portraying is the Word of the Lord. Still, Daniel was a prophet in every sense of the role.  Daniel is a descendent of David's royal family. Daniel was very faithful in his understanding of the Law of Moses. We see that in his refusal to eat the king's meat or drink his wine. (Daniel 1:8) Daniel was well read, and understood the prophecies written by contemporary prophets. 

"In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem ..." (Daniel 9:2) 

Daniel gives thanks to the Lord God for his wisdom and understanding. Remember, in Daniel 1, the king found Daniel and the three companions to have had ten times more wisdom than all of the magicians and astrologers put together. (Daniel 1:20) This mattered, and in some ways, made Daniel legendary. For example, when Nebuchadnezzar's son saw a vision, it was his mother who referred him to Daniel, describing him this way: "Daniel was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods." (Daniel 5:11) Yes, she missed the memo showing the One and Only God Daniel did worship, but I digress. 

Daniel was originally from Egypt. He was the son of David that had sons born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: the third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. (I Chronicles 3:1-3)

Daniel is an officer in Babylon under four kings. Unlike others in the Old Testament, the scriptures do not point to any scandal in Daniel's life. Thus, when Daniel purposed in his heart against the decrees of  the king, Daniel did not waiver in the stance he has taken. Daniel understood more than one language. We see Daniel's use of Aramaic in chapters 2-7 of Daniel. In chapters 1 and chapters 8-12, Daniel reverts to his native Hebrew. Daniel also served in the highest positions in the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar -- sitting in the gate of the king. (Daniel 2:49) 

As Daniel found favour with God, he remained humble. That humility carried forward even when Daniel was made a great man by the king, who gave him many great gifts. As we learned, the king made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon. (Daniels 2:48) Daniel also requested that his three companions Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be put in charge of the province of Babylon, which he did. (Daniel 2:49)

Nevertheless,  Daniel willingly stood in the gap for others. The decisions he made saved the lives of many. 

Daniel often set his face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fastings and sackcloth. "And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, "O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to them that keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing fromThy precepts and from Thy judgments  Neither have we hearkened unto Thy servants the prophets, which spake in Thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land." (Daniel 9:6) 

Daniel admits that to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes and to our rulers, because we have sinned against Thee. But then Daniel gives praises to the Lord. Indeed, "to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him. Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets." (Daniel 9:10) 

Like many of the prophets from afore, Daniel does not hesitate in speaking the truth -- that Israel hath transgressed Thy law, even by departing -- that they would not obey Hs voice. (Daniel 9:11; Isaiah 1:4-6; Jeremiah 8:5-10) 

Daniel is specifically mentioned by Jesus. In Matthew 24, for example, Jesus outlines what we can expect in the last days. Specifically, Jesus said, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, [whoso read, let him understand], then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains; let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of the house; neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes ..." (Matthew 24:15-18)

Daniel is also referred to by the old testament prophet Ezekiel (not the wisest man of all time -Solomon!) who wrote, "Behold, you are wiser than Daniel;  there is no secret that is a match for you." (Ezekiel 28:3) 

In Babylon, Daniel's Chaldean name is Belteshazzar -- the Bel portion being the name of a Babylonian small-g god. (Daniel 4:8) 

This should serve as a starting point for this in-depth study of Daniel. More to come. Stand in the offering plate. 

 

I Thank Thee O Thou God Of My Fathers, Who Hast Given Me Wisdom And Might, And Hast Made Known Unto Me Now What We Desired Of Thee - Part 2548

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said we ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)

As we learned in the last post, Daniel serves as an exemplary example of withstanding decrees and orders that do not align with our allegiance to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Of course, Daniel is not the only one in the scriptures to do so, but notably, his example of "purposing in his heart" and allowing the Lord God to pave the way for others to see his witness does provide us with particular insights into how to disobey worldly authorities - without jeopardizing our Christ-like testimony to others. 

As background -- in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim (king of Judah) came Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylon) unto Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his small-g god. The king also brought the vessels into the treasure hose of his god. And the king spake unto Ashpenz the then master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes -- children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured and skilful in all knowledge and understanding science, and had ability in them to stand in the king's palace. The purpose? So that these children "might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans." (Daniel 1:1-4; II Samuel 14:25; Daniel 5:11) 

Daniel has just taken a stand against eating king's meat and drinking the wine. Indeed, Daniel purposed in his heart to not defile himself. Thus, Daniel requests of the prince of eunuchs that he might not defile himself -- and consequently, God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of eunuchs. The prince of eunuchs (Melzar) was somewhat concerned about Daniel endangering his own head (in terms of the king), if Daniel and his companions  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (aka under their Babylonian names -- Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) deteriorated as a consequence of not partaking in the king's feasts. Daniel asks the prince to prove thy servants for a period of ten days and let them give us to pulse to eat, and water to drink. (Daniel 1:8-12)

The other point worth noting is that Daniel did find a resolution that Melzar (the prince of the eunuchs) was able to accommodate. As a consequence of Daniel's faithfulness, God gave all four (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) knowledge and skill in learning and wisdom, and Daniel specifically, understanding in all visions and dreams. So much so, that the king concluded that in all matters of wisdom and understanding, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. (Daniel 1:1-21) 

Moving to the second chapter of Daniel, we know that the Chaldean Empire (also called the Babylonian Empire - after the capital city Babylon) was ascending to power under king Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonian army had invaded Judah and many Jews, which included the children of prominent families were taken to Babylon as prisoners. (Daniel 1:1-16)

From a scholarly perspective, we know as well that Nebuchadnezzar's dream and visions of prophecies of great empires has captured the attention of many over the years, particularly in relation to the end times described in the book of Revelation. Herein, in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, the king becomes troubled, and his sleep brake from him over a dream he had had. The king commands the magicians, the sorcerers and the Chaldeans to show and interpret his dream. But the king could not remember the dream so he offers them a choice.

"The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour; therefore shew me the dream and the interpretation thereof." (Daniel 2:1-6) 

But these did not know the content of the king's dream and therefore could not offer the king an interpretation. As we know, this did not please Nebuchadnezzar. Indeed, the king said, "... but if ye will not make known unto me the dream [there is but] one decree for you; for ye have prepared lying and corrupting worlds to speak before me, till the time be changed; therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof." Of course, the Chaldeans told the king there is not a man upon earth that can show the king's matter: therefore, there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such thing [of] any magician or astrologer or Chaldean." (Daniel 2:10) Perhaps, these spoke too soon.

Acknowledging that this was a rare thing, and that there is none other capable of showing it to the king -- except the gods whose dwelling is not with flesh -- the conclusions made by the Chaldeans and wise men of Babylon did not make the king happy. (Daniel 2:6-12) So the king decrees that these wise men be slain. Since Daniel and his fellows were considered a part of these wise men of Babylon, the king's decree included slaying Daniel and his three friends. 

This could have been the end of the story. Nebuchadnezzar could have continued to be disturbed by his dreams -- his spirit troubled by what he saw. But it was not the end. Daniel (with counsel and wisdom) spoke to the captain of the king's guard Arioch and stood int he gap. Daniel asked, "Why is the decree so hasty from the king?" Then Arioch made the things known to Daniel. So Daniel desires to see the king, asking for some time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. 

Interestingly, Daniel then returns to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by the prince of the eunochs) - his companions; that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise [men] of Babylon. In agreement, all four beseeched God for his help and deliverance from what may have seemed to them imminent death. (Daniel 2:17-19) 

What happens? The secret is revealed to Daniel in a night vision. How does Daniel respond? First, Daniel blesses the Name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might is His. (Daniel 2:13-20) Second, Daniel appears before the king, telling him that there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and it is that God in heaven that has revealed to Daniel not only the dream but its interpretation also. 

Still, most notable? Daniel gives thanks and praises Thee, O Thou God of my fathers -- for the wisdom and understanding that he received.

"Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His; and He changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings: He gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He reveals the deep and secret things: He knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with Him. I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of  Thee: for Thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter." (Daniel 2:20-23)

Kind of reminds me of Philemon 1:6 on the new testament side -- that the communication of our faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. As we are witnessing, Daniel did not hold back in testifying of the goodness and mercies of the Lord. But I digress.

It is also important to understand that when Daniel went to Arioch asking him not to destroy the wise men, Daniel was standing in the gap for their lives. Arioch brings Daniel to the king, saying, "I have found a man of the captives of the Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation." (Daniel 2:25; Daniel 1:6; Daniel 6:13) The king answered and said to Daniel [whose Babylonian name was Belteshazzar), "Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?" Daniel answered in the presence of the king:

"The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; but there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets, and makes known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream and the visions of thy head upon thy bed are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came [into thy mind] upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and he that reveals secrets makes known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for [their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou might know the thoughts of thy heart. Thou O king, saw and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee, and the form was terrible." (Daniel 2:28-30) 

Daniel goes on to describe a great image (whose brightness was excellent; the form thereof terrible) standing before him. He breaks the image down into parts -- the head made of fine gold, the breast and arms of fine silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron and his feet part of iron and part of clay. (Daniel 2:31-33) Then comes the part wherein a stone was cut without hands, which smote the image upon his feet [that were of iron and clay] and brake them to pieces, and blown away like chaff. (Daniel 1:34) This stone then becomes a huge mountain that fills the whole earth. (Daniel 2:35) 

The stone which is Jesus the Christ who will crush the worldly systems and set up His kingdom for those faithful who believe in Him. At the end the king says to Daniel, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldst reveal this secret." (Daniel 2:47) 

As he promised, the king makes Daniel a great man, giving him many gifts, and making him a ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Did Daniel forget the other three fellows? Not a chance. Daniel requests of the king that he set Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon, and Daniel sat in the gate of the king. (Daniel 2:47-49)

Interestingly, in chapters one and two, the only one of the four to retain his original name throughout (without changing -- depending on the circumstance) is Daniel. In Daniel 1:6-7, we see the prince of the eunuchs give the four (including Daniel) new names. In Daniel 1:11, Daniel uses the original names of his three companions to Melzar in his request. It was the same in Daniel 1:19 when the king communed with the four. In Daniel 2:17, Daniel is making the decree known to his three companions, again using their original names as children of Israel. But by Daniel 2:49, Daniel is requesting that the king set Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. 

In chapter three, king Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the God of heaven, saying, "Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort." (Daniel 3:29) 

Where is Daniel in this upcoming decree? We will find out next time. But for now, continue to meditate on these scriptural insights so that we can stand too when the time comes, rejoice in the God of heaven who willingly dwelt among us so that we might have life, and be glad that this is the day that the Lord hath made for us -- and that we were created for such times as these. More to come!

In the interim, stand in the offering plate.

If Any Lack Wisdom, Ask of God, that Gives To All Liberally, And Upbraideth Not - Part 2547

"Thus saith the Lord God; "Every man of the house of Israel that sets up his idols in his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols." (Ezekiel 14:4-5)

I'm sure many of us have heard scriptural references to Daniel's experience in the lion's den, or of the time when Daniel with Shadrach, Mishael and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace -- all important in understanding the Lord's purpose for each and every one of us -- but how many have searched the scriptures for the understanding which led Daniel to these moments in time. Remember, throughout Daniel knew in whom he served, having declared often, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are His." (Daniel 2:20) Similar to David the psalmist, the name of the Lord God was never far from their lips -- always praising the Lord for His goodness and grace. 

"Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore." (Psalm 113:2)

"But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord." (Psalm 115:18)

So, this day, the blog is intended to show the accuracy of the scriptures, in that there are confirming scriptures for each account. Also, it is an introduction into knowing the Daniel that we often hear about but have not understood the depth and breadth of his relationship with the Lord. Starting in Daniel 1"

"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem and besieged it. " (Daniel 1:1)

This same account is confirmed in II Kings: "In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. And the Lord sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the Word of the Lord, which He spake by His servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; and also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the Lord would not pardon." (II Kings 24:1-4)

Note also that these two scriptures are inextricably intertwined, setting the stage for what the Lord would have us understand when it came time for Daniel to take a stand. By way of explanation, we see that the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god." (Daniel 1:2)

Note that the land of Shinar was the place where (earlier) those who wanted to reach heaven built the tower of Babel, prior to the Lord confounding their language and scattering the peoples abroad. (Genesis 11:1-9) 

Moreover, if we investigate the account of Jehoiakim's reign, we learn that "the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s stead in Jerusalem. Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God. Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the Lord, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel.

Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 

And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: to fulfil the Word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the Word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and He hath charged me to build Him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up." (II Chronicles 36:1-23)

Zechariah 5 offers additional explanation: "Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And He said unto me, "What seest thou?" And I answered, "I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits." Then said He unto me, "This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that swears shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth," saith the Lord of hosts, "and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swears falsely by My name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."

Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, "Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth." And I said, "What is it?" And he said, "This is an ephah that goes forth." He said moreover, "This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sits in the midst of the ephah." And he said, "This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof." 

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, "Whither do these bear the ephah?" And he said unto me, "To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base." (Zechariah 5:1-11) 

When determining the definition meaning of ephah, there were several scriptural references. First, the term ephah referred to a covering. The word of Egyptian origin can also refer to a grain measure which is an equivalent to the bath for liquids. (Exodus 16:36; I Samuel 17:17; Zechariah 5:6) A double ephah refers to two ephahs -- one being false and the other just. (Deuteronomy 25:14) We also see Ephah used as names -- one of the five sons of Midian, and a grandson of Abraham, a concubine of Caleb and a descendent of Judah. (Genesis 25:4; Isaiah 60:6-7; I Chronicles 2:46-47) 

 

"And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; children in whom was no blemish but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans." (Daniel 1:3-4)

Later, in Daniel 5, we see this contrasted in Daniel 5:10-12 when the queen, by reason of the words of the kings and his lords, came into the banquet house, saying, "O king live forever; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed; there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the Spirit of the holy gods/God; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods/God was found in him: whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers; forasmuch as an excellent spirit and knowledge and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar; now let Daniel be called and he will show the interpretation." (Daniel 5:10-12) 

Isaiah adds further context. 

"At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, "What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?" And Hezekiah said, "They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon." Then said he, "What have they seen in thine house?" And Hezekiah answered, "All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them."

Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, "Hear the Word of the Lord of hosts: "Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left," saith the Lord. "And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, "Good is the Word of the Lord which thou hast spoken." He said moreover, "For there shall be peace and truth in my days."( Isaiah 39:1-8)

So the king appointed the certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes -- those well-favoured and skilful in wisdom; and cunning in knowledge a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank; so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal, and Azariah -- unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Beleshazzar; and to Hananiah of Sharach; and to Mishael of Meschach, and to Azariah of Abednego. (Daniel 1:6-7 Ezekiel 14:14, 20; Daniel 2:40; Daniel 4:8; Daniel 5:12) 

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, not with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. (Daniel 1:8-9) 

This might have been the beginning of Daniel gaining strength to oppose the king's commands that were yet to come. Simple steps but being assured in his faith toward the Lord nevertheless. Still, when the prince of eunochs understood that Daniel would not partake of the king's meat and drink, he said unto Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? the shall ye make me endanger my head to the king." (Daniel 1:10) 

How often as believers do we hear that statement -- that a believer's actions might endanger the head/reputation of another. How does Daniel respond to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azaiah? 

"Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat; and as thou see, deal with thy servants." 

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink and gave them pulse. (Daniel 1:11-16; Exodus 23:25; Proverbs 10:22)

"As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal and Azariah; therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." (Daniel 1:17-21; Daniel 2:23; James 1:5; Genesis 41:46; Daniel 1:5; Genesis 31:7; Genesis 41:8; Daniel 6:28; Daniel 10:1) 

Imagine, ten times more wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and astrologers that were in the king's realm. Yes, there is definitely more to come on Daniel, but for now meditate on these particular scriptures -- the Word of the Lord that is not just intended for Daniel's time, but for these current times and seasons in which we live as well. 

Stand in the offering plate. 

Come Ye Near Unto Me; Hear Ye This -- From the Beginning, Here Am I Inviting You To Come To Me - Part 2546

"And their seed shall 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. 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 h/Himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations." (Isaiah 61:9-11) 

This is. an interesting scripture for more reasons than I can elaborate on here. But do know that when we repent and are water baptized in the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus, we can greatly rejoice -- because He covers us with His robe of righteousness; He clothes us with the garments of salvation; He fills us with His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost which will lead and guide us into all truth. 

They will know that the Gentiles are the seed which the Lord hath blessed, and that their souls are joyful in our God. Note that herein, Isaiah refers to the time that the Bridegroom will return for His bride -- the body of Christ church, and how the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations when He comes. 

As Jesus said when He came the first time, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

The second time Jesus comes, we will be changed to be like Him. Don't wait until the last moment to ask Jesus to become your Lord God and Saviour, but rather, ask for His anointing oil in your life right now. Study the scriptures (specifically the new testament) for your spiritual foundation and understanding. 

After you repent, be water baptized in the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus -- and He shall fill you with the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4)

And in spite of the windy places that may arise, stand firm in Jesus -- as both your Lord God and Saviour the Christ -- for He will never leave you nor forsake you! He is the bread of life. He is the living water wherein the well will never runs dry. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. And He -- as the Good Shepherd willing to lay down His humanity on a cross so that we might have life more abundantly -- loves you beyond measure. 

Yes, Jesus is the greatest love story ever told, wherein God Himself became our Saviour.  God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) 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) The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18)

Indeed, come to Jesus today. Respond to His tug on your heart string, and now that there is a peace that passes all human understanding -- and that peace is in Jesus.

" ... to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3)

Stand in the offering plate.

That Being Justified By His Grace, We Should Be Made Heirs According To The Hope Of Eternal Life - Part 2545

"Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your back-slidings. Behold, we come unto Thee: for Thou art the Lord our God. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covers us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God." (Jeremiah 3:22-25)

As we see that particular day approaching, the day of the return of the Lord Jesus, He is inviting us once again to enter into His peace and joy and love, knowing that He is who He said He is -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

Isaiah wrote, "I am the Lord, and there is none else; there is none beside Me, there is no God beside Me!" (Isaiah 45:5)

Jude wrote. "To the only wise God our Saviour; be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever, amen." (Jude 1:25)

From  Titus, "But after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour .. that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)

"O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." (Isaiah 25:1)

Indeed, the Lord is so good, but we also need to understand that His salvation will not tarry forever. Thus, we need to hearken unto the Lord, remembering that He is God and there is none else -- " I am God, and there is none like Me." (Isaiah 46:9) 

For salvation, read Peter's message (when he stood with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost -- Acts 2:36-41; Acts 2:36-47)

Know that He will bring near His righteousness and that He is not far off. Know too that in this current dispensation of grace, His Name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

And once you've been clothed in His righteousness in water baptism, taking on the precious, holy name of Jesus, don't forget to sand in the offering plate. 

Behold, The Lord Is My God, In Him Will I Trust And Not Be Afraid - Part 2544

 Jesus said, "He that believes on Me," as the scripture hath said, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38)

Jesus said, " If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7)

Jesus said, "“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me.” (John 5:46)

Jesus said, "... he that believes on Me," as the scripture hath said, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, "Of a truth this is the prophet." (John 7:38-40)

 In reality, the Lord has already come ... for when we ask Jesus to come into our heart, and we worship Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, His Spirit dwells within us. Moreover, Jesus said that He would not leave His followers comfortless. As the scriptures point out, Jesus said "I will come to you!"

Indeed, Jesus said, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you." (John 14:15-20)

Further, the scriptures declare that all those who have by faith come to believe upon Jesus, are now a new creation of God. While admittedly, each believer may externally look the same as they did prior to their expressed faith in Jesus, on the inside they have been changed. Or, as the scriptures refer to the salvation experience - believers have been reborn -- their minds renewed. They were not strapped to an operating table whilst someone rearranged their inners. Oh no. The inward change that occurs is a direct result of the promise of Jesus - that He would not leave those who believe in Him by faith comfortless. He will come to you.

In that moment, when people ask Jesus into their life, they are born again, or phrased another way, born of God. All of this internal change occurs in a moment of time. In fact, in a second of time even though in God's view, that is still too long. This may explain why the scriptures use the language "in the twinkling of an eye."

The most important message for us is that heaven is just a prayer away. Similarly, we need to recognize that God has stated, that even before we call, He will answer. Nothing separates a believer from the love of God that can be found only in Jesus. Because the Spirit of God who fills the heavens and the earth is no longer on the outside. He is the same Spirit that was in the man Jesus. And it is the same Jesus who has taken up residence within the heart of believers.

Still, in terms of the original point of this post - the day of the Lord will come upon us. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise to come again. There will be a second coming of God. In this context, and apart from a personal experience of rebirth, there is no redemption available to mankind after the second coming.

The lyrics from the O'Jays song "Love Train" pretty well says it all. Please do not miss this train at the station, for if you miss it we will be sorry ... yes, sorry for you. Don’t you know that it is time to get on board for this love train bearing the message of God is travelling on through? If you haven't reached out to Jesus as both your Lord and Christ, this would be the most opportune time. (Acts 2:36-41)

On a different note, there are those who repeatedly question why anyone should have the right to hear this message twice when some have never heard the gospel message once. There is a parable in the New Testament that refers to this. Recall the ten virgins, of whom five are categorized as being wise and the other five foolish?

The latter group all slumbered and slept, having become recipients of mans' foolish wisdom, and having swallowed satan’s bait -- hook, line and sinker. Thus, instead of preparing for the coming of their King, they believed that nothing had changed within the world. Everything would continue to be the same, even though all around them, unbelievers -- those who do not know Jesus as their personal Saviour -- are becoming increasingly alarmed at the surrounding chaos. In fact, Jesus said men's hearts would fail them for fear.

As a consequence of this worldly blindness that prevents these from seeing the truth, their collective belief in God has dissipated to the place that their lamps of belief had virtually gone out. Sadly, their light hidden under. a bushel.

Nevertheless, the parable speaks of a certain time when a voice was heard declaring, "Behold, the bridegroom is coming." This is when the virgins (upon hearing this news) arose and began to trim their lamps of belief. Unfortunately, the five foolish virgins recognized that they had no oil in their lamps (the oil symbolic of the Spirit of God dwelling within).  They hastily went to purchase oil. Upon their return to where the five wise virgins had been they were confronted with the fact that indeed the bridegroom had returned and they had missed the train.

This parable leads us to the all important question. With which group do you want to be found among the ten when we hear the news, "Behold, the bridegroom come"? Would you not want to be ready to meet Him? Like the five "wise" virgins?

This day is the day of salvation! Don't let this day pass without making your heart right with the Lord God Almighty who willingly chose to become our Saviour. The promised Christ wherein, as the angel declared, would save His people from their sins. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His Name (in this current dispensation of grace) is JESUS! (Matthew 1:21-23)

No other name whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) The Name above every other name given by God to His people from the beginning of time. (Philippians 2:9) The SAME NAME OF JESUS whereby every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

And now, in these last days, Christ is inviting you to come and believe in the promised hope of the glory of eternal life. The message is simple. Only Jesus saves. He alone has the words of eternal life.

This is why Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

Please do not miss this message of the all important second coming of the Lord Jesus the Christ. It's your call - accept His invitation today. Continue onward, always looking upward, to repentance and water baptism in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in your heart. Study His Word daily, so that you can be nourished from His Word.

Again, please do not delay. Rather, come to the Lord Jesus the Christ today for He is forever able to fill your heart with His love, His joy, His peace, and His wisdom and knowledge. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Make that "whosoever" your heart this day. Stand in the offering plate.

If Ye Continue In The Faith, Grounded And Settled, And Be Not Moved Away From The Hope Of The Gospel Which Ye Have Heard - Part 2543

"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters ..." (Genesis 1:2)

From the very beginning of time as we know it, the scriptures tell us that God is Spirit. 

Jesus said to the woman at the well,  "But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)

But within the scriptures, we see God revealing Himself in different ways. In the beginning, God. Thus, as the Creator of heaven and earth and all that dwells within, we see God revealing Himself to us is as a Father. Indeed, God spoke the world into existence -- and God said; and God called; and God made; and God created; and God blessed; and God set; and God saw every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:3, 5-11, 14, 15-17, 20-22, 31) 

By the time the Lord God formed Adam to become a living soul, breathing into His nostrils the breath of life, God envisioned within His creation plan, bringing forth a family. (Genesis 2:7) Up until this time, there had not yet been a man on earth to till the ground, but rather a mist that went up from the earth, to water the whole face of the ground. (Genesis 2:7) When the Lord God had made man -- becoming a Father in creation -- He put the man whom He had formed in a garden He had planted eastward in Eden. 

As we move forward in the scriptures, we see the Father emerging -- not only in the family figurehead of father within families, but also the Lord God as the Father in creation. Malachi writes, "Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?" (Malachi 2:10)

The Lord God said to Moses, "I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob..." (Exodus 3:6)

"A Father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in His holy habitation." (Psalms 68:5)

In mentioning the lovingkindness of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the lord hath bestowed upon us, according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of the lovingkindness, Isaiah writes, "O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer; Thy name is from everlasting ... we are called by Thy Name. (Isaiah 63:16, 19) 

Apostle Paul writes, "But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him." (I Corinthians 8:6) 

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. 

God, who in sundry times and in diverse 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 He made the worlds ..." (Hebrews 1:1-2) A good example of these sundry times and diverse manners is when the Lord appeared to Abraham in the tent. (Genesis 18:1)  

But in order for all of mankind to see Him visibly; for the Lord God to come forth as a mighty man; to bring us salvation, redeeming us as His people; this same Spirit needed a visible form. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)  It is in this context, that God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. Indeed, in our weakness, we needed to touch Him and likewise, for Him to touch us. 

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

It is for this reason, the Lord said, "This day have I begotten Thee!" (Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 1:5; Acts 13:33) It is herein that 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. (Hebrews 9:8) 

The same God who created the world became a Son so that we (His desired family) might have everlasting life. As a Son, He is known as our Redeemer, having came Himself to redeem His creation that He, as Father, had created in the beginning. 

The reason the scriptures state that He was sent as the only begotten Son is because He was sent from the womb of Mary to become our Redeemer. Speaking of Jesus Christ, apostle Paul states: "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..." (Colossians 1:14-15)

God Himself, willingly became God our Saviour. (Titus 2:13; Jude 1:25)

Please note that the Son is not a distinct person from the Father, but the image of God the Father--a visible image while He walked on the earth and stood among His Creation. He was Son here on earth. Again, God in these last days hath spoken unto us by [His] Son -- 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 ..." (Hebrews 1:1-3) 

"But unto the Son, He saith, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom." (Hebrews 1:8) 

While on earth, the same Spirit that was in Christ now dwells within the hearts of those who believe, or as Jesus said, "that I AM He." (II Corinthians 5:19; John 4:26; John 6:51; John 7:29; John 8:24, 28) 

Now that He is risen, the Spirit who created, the Spirit who has now redeemed, is now the same Spirit who regenerates the believer to become like Him. The Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and now the Holy Ghost in regenerating us back to our rightful place -- in Him. The Lord God Himself breathing His Spirit of life into our very being, so that we might know Him as the Lord who in the beginning laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens the works of Thine hands -- that this same He loved us so much that He would pay the ultimate price for our salvation. 

"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 the fullness dwell ..." (Colossians 1:15-20)

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14; Acts 20:28) 

Yes, the Spirit is still our Father but He is also our Redeemer. And now, He is working in the hearts of believers to bring others to Him, so that they too might understand that peace of God which passes all understanding, keeping our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." (Romans 8:9) 

Note that the Spirit that is within us is not a distinct person or a member of a triad, three-headed God, but rather the One and Same Spirit that was in Christ. 

"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19) 

The only begotten Son -- God robing Himself in flesh (yet without sin) so that we who believe in Him might know God our Saviour.  In this current dispensation of grace, the time in which we live right now, His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sin ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved; he that believes on Him is not condemned but he that believes not in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil ... but he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:16-21)

Stand in the offering plate.

Overcome Evil With Good, Heaping Coals On Our Enemies Head With The Lord's Everlasting Kindness - Part 2542

"God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:4)

Who is the gift giver? This same Jesus the high priest -- the Word made flesh -- the Good Shepherd who  willingly laid down His life for the sheep. Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11) 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) Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. 

In Hebrews, we see the Godhead further explained. 

"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that He Himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof He ought, as for the people, so also for Himself, to offer for sins." (Hebrews 5:1-3) 

Since every high priest was ordained in the old testament side, to offer gifts and sacrifices, "wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if He were on earth, He should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law ..." (Hebrews 8:4-5) 

Although this might be somewhat complicated, we understand "... 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 liveth." (Hebrews 9:14-18) 

Thus, at the appointed time -- "this day have I begotten Thee!" -- the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she would bring forth a son. "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!" (Hebrews 9:8) This is why the new testament is not an add-on to the old testament but the Lord pitching the tent, becoming a mediator of the new testament -- so that we which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

To do so, He prepared for Himself a body that would be sacrificed -- for the redemption of the transgressions under the first testament. This is why we who believe can stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1)

Because we were made in His image. Our hearts created to love one another as doth the Lord God who made us, and then willingly paid the ultimate price for us on a cross. And this same Lord our God continues to offer gifts -- no longer according to the law as they did in the old, but rather according to His abundant grace. 

How amazing! In Romans, apostle Paul elaborate:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, [being many], are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, [let us wait] on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness.

[Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:1-15)

Do you see the pattern that is emerging? We who believe are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love one another -- as He indeed loved us. And when we do, we will receive gifts -- plural -- differing according to the grace that is given to us. In so doing, love without dissimulation. No pretence. No secret agenda. Instead, kindly affectioned one to another, in honour preferring one another -- and always serving the Lord. 

In fact, bless them which persecute you -- bless and curse not. As well, abhor that which is evil. Think soberly too, according as God hath dealt to every man (and woman) a measure of faith. 

Meditate upon these scriptures. Stand in the offering plate. 

For The Gifts And Calling Of God Are Without Repentance.- Part 2541

"Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (I Corinthians 12:1-3)

In the last couple of posts, the focus has been on the gifts of the Holy Ghost and in particular the gift of tongues. The blog today will expand on the other gifts that the Lord would have us desire -- so that we can understand how He wants give to us "severally" as He will. Most important, apostle Paul is stating that he would not have us who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith ignorant when it comes to spiritual things. Paul also recognizes that prior to our salvation, we were Gentiles carried away (led) by dumb idols. But then Paul shares that when we are speaking by the Spirit of God -- we would not call Jesus accursed. Similarly, Paul is clear -- that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.

This should serve as a starting point for understanding -- that when we preach/teach the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ we do so by the Holy Ghost. The key point herein is Jesus -- that we don't call Jesus accursed but instead recognize that Jesus is the Lord, as Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost acknowledged. (Acts 2:36-41) In establishing the foundation here, it may appear that I'm digressing somewhat. Hopefully, by the end of this study, we will all have a more complete understanding of the gifts and calling of God that are without repentance. 

First of all, the word "gifts" is used 52 times in the scriptures - spanning between both the old and the new testaments. In some of these scriptures, we have an opportunity to witness those who are gladly giving gifts to the Lord Jesus. One such example is found in Matthew. There, the wise men fell down and worshipped Jesus when He was a young child, presenting Him with gifts. 

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)

In another place, Jesus distinguishes between the hearts -- in those giving gifts in Luke 21. "For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had." And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, He said, "As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Luke 21:4-6) 

In other scriptures, Jesus refers to gifts (in both Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13) and how much more He shall give His holy Spirit to them that ask. From Matthew's writings --"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" From Luke's writing -- "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"

Moreover, as Paul writes -- He saith, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." (Ephesians 4:8) 

Note that He gave/gives gifts unto those who believe -- gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will. "God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:4) Thus, understanding the Lord's gifts to His people is critical. We see this in Romans 12:4-8 and I Corinthians 12-14. Paul offers further insight into we being many members within the body of Christ church.

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, [let us wait] on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:4-8)

In reaffirming that we are members of the one body in Christ, Paul notes that we are also members of one another. For example, when Jesus summarized the old testament commandments, He said, "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord!" He instructs us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and then from His love, to love one another. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)

Interestingly, Paul emphasizes that the gifts we receive differ according to the grace that is given to us. Note the word -- differ. In the Miriam-Webster dictionary, differ is an "intransitive verb" and means: to be unlike or distinct in nature, form, or characteristics (for example, the law of one state differs from that of another) or, to change from time to time or from one instance to another. This is why the gifts we receive individually differ -- but in the context of the many members of the body of Christ church, the gifts still fit together perfectly to the fulfilling of His purpose(s).

Whether prophecy, Paul instructs us to prophesy according to the proportion of faith or ministry. Indeed, Paul says to let us wait on our ministering -- if we do not have the proportion of faith necessary to minister effectively. [Paul gives excellent instructions in his first and second epistle to Timothy -- if you are interested in understanding more about the proportion of faith.]

But waiting does not just apply to ministering but also to preaching, teaching and exhortation. Does it stop there? Well, not according to apostle Paul, who states that when it comes to giving, we are to do so with simplicity. And those that rule? They are to do so with diligence, showing mercy with cheerfulness.

Continuing, Paul said to the brethren that he would not have them ignorant concerning spiritual gifts. (I Corinthians 13:1) So what are these gifts that we are to desire? The diversities of gifts given by the one and same Spirit?

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues ... but all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many." (I Corinthians 12:4-14)

Paul clarifies these further in the end of I Corinthians 12. "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." (I Corinthians 12:28) These are the spiritual gifts we are to desire, but in all things, rather that we may prophesy -- preaching the gospel to one another in love, following after charity. (I Corinthians 12:28-31) 

Even so, our zeal of spiritual gifts is not to outweigh or dismiss an equal purpose in edifying the church.
"Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." (I Corinthians 14:12) In other words, edification to the other members of the body of Christ is important -- think of the commandment to love one another. 

Remember too the gift giver who freely gives to us (as we read above), giving the gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will.

"... 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 9:9)

There is so much more to come but for now, let's finish with Acts 20:28:

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood!"

Stand in the offering plate.

But Thanks Be To God, Who Gives The Victory Through Our Lord Jesus Christ - Part 2540

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

Far too often, we are witnessing the theology interject understandings which are not scriptural! It's almost like the religious theology is intent on making everything into triad, tri-une. three modes -- rather than simply accepting that there are tongues of men and tongues of angels - as apostle Paul describes them. (I Corinthians 13:1) Today, we are further elaborating on the last post -- regarding the gifts of the Spirit. 

In this context, the diversities of tongues apostle Paul refers to is never defined in terms of kinds, types, or uses. (I Corinthians 12:10, 28) We do see apostle Paul refer to tongues as -- unknown, other, diverse, diversities -- and then from Acts 2, hearing them speak in their own language.

Tongues are a sign for "unbelievers" (I Corinthians 14:21) Prophecy (preaching the Word - Jesus) is the sign of a "believer"  Therefore, asking a new believer if they have spoken in tongues shows that the person asking is sadly erring on the side of an unbeliever. But I believe Paul's perspective herein is how much more constructive it would be to teach the new believer about Jesus -- as both Lord ad Christ, and reach souls for His kingdom.

As well, Jesus said, "... he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:16-18) These signs -- plural -- are not just speaking with new tongues ... as the religious culture would have us believe but also aligned with the other signs Jesus spoke of as well -- that should follow those who believe and are baptized in the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus. 

This is consistent with the gifts of the Holy Ghost outlined in I Corinthians 12. 

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. 

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into One Spirit." (I Corinthians 12:1-13)

Have all ... do all -- are interesting questions for sure -- that can't be dismissed by simply saying there are different uses of one particular gift (isolated from the other gifts, admins, helps, aides, operations, etc.) Does that mean there are 3 uses for healing, interpretation, etc.? Again, if we answer yes to even one question - do all speak with tongues, we would have to answer yes to all the others. 

Another way of looking at this is to take out the "added" words in I Corinthians 12:28-30. The scriptures would then say -- all apostles; all prophets; all teachers; all workers of miracles' all speak with tongues; all interpret. (I Corinthians 12:28-30) Either way -- whether we do speak in tongues, or we are all prophets, we who profess to believe have stopped short by demanding that people who say they believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and believe too that He is He, have spoken in tongues without referencing whether or not the believer has other gifts form the Lord. 

It also doesn't address Acts 2:1-4 when the people from all the nations heard them speaking in their own language. Here all of them were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

" ... Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:11) 

Apostle Paul further distinguishes the day of Pentecost (wherein some thought the men were drunk) -- by stating in I Corinthians 14 that he is referring to an unknown tongue - "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." (I Corinthians 14:18) 

Apostle Paul also refers to "other" tongues by saying, "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear Me," saith the Lord." (I Corinthians 14:21) 

In the context of the assembling of the saints, apostle Paul indicates 2 or at the most 3 should speak in tongues but only if there is an interpreter -- but to be clear, each in turn - but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church, speaking rather to himself and to God. (I Corinthians 14:27-28) All things to be done for edification. 

What Peter (standing with the apostles) said in Acts 2:38 has equal relevance - "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." When this statement was made, it was meant that ye SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not might, or maybe but shall!

Personally, I think we've turned speaking in tongues into some religious marker/standard wherein we fall short in desiring spiritual gifts ourselves so we want to examine the faith of others, and ignore that the Lord gives to us -- "severally" as He will. 

"For by One Spirit are we all baptized into one body ..." (I Corinthians 12:13) 

The other point we need to remember is that the one who speaks in tongues edifies him/herself. (I Corinthians 14:6-10, 14) 

Finally, if we are to be zealous of spiritual gifts (plural) we should be seeking to abound for the edification of he church ... wherein it is equally important that someone is able to say the Amen when we are giving thanks (I Corinthians 14:16) There is so much more to share but let this suffice - for understanding that the Lord has so much more to give/bestow upon His people!

Stand in the offering plate.

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