Herein Is Love Made Perfect; In His Abundant, Everlasting Grace - Part 2350

"And it shall be said in that day, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9) 

In the scriptures, the term "in that day" refers to this current dispensation of grace, wherein the Lord willingly levelled the playing field so that each and every one of us could have an opportunity to abide in Him. As the Good Shepherd, He lay down His humanity so that we could come to the knowledge of His saving grace. That we might know -- by grace are we saved through faith, and that not of ourselves -- it is the gift of God.

Still, for those who may not know, His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. This same God who created the earth and all that is within in the very beginning decided then that He would become our Saviour. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father until this day! 

But for far too many, the modern day religious culture with all its ordinances and sacraments (and sadly, as well idols) has taken root, and as a consequence, too many believers have moved away from rejoicing, praying without ceasing, and giving continual praise to the Lord, confessing His precious, holy Name to one and all. 

It is herein that questions need to be asked that will prompt us to return to the Lord our God who loves us beyond measure. For this, we look into an example Mark elaborated upon -- when Jesus came into His own country to teach in the synagogue. 

"And Jesus went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him. 

And when the sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing [Him] were astonished, saying, "From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him." (Mark 6:1-3)

In His own country knowing who His earthly parents were, those hearing Jesus were astonished. Those listening to Jesus share wanted to know from whence hath this man these things. This knowledge that was not earthly but ever sustaining -- heavenly. More importantly, these asked what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands. 

Miracle after miracle. Wisdom and knowledge displayed every time the Pharisees and scribes, and the lawyers tried to trick Him. While Jesus continued to heal the sick, and open the eyes of the blind, healing the broken-hearted, those who watched Him had questions. And the list of questions growing -- "What manner of man is this?" 

My point is this -- when did we who profess to believe stop marvelling at the goodness and mercy of the Lord Jesus, knowing that He shed His precious, holy blood on a cross for us? When did we stop acknowledging all the blessings the Lord Jesus bestows upon us every day, confessing His Name in all that we do? When did we stop being thankful for His mighty deliverance from situations that could have been detrimental? When will we rejoice because we now live forevermore?

More importantly, when will we become equally "astonished" at the wonderful works of His hands to the point that our hearts and minds are transformed? Yes, we have so very much to be thankful for, knowing that herein -- within the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, is love made perfect. 

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ...." (I John 4:16-18)

Meditate on these things this day! 

Stand in the offering plate.

Surely, They Are My People, Saith The Lord; Praise To His Blessed, Holy Name- Part 2349

"I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses.

For He said, "Surely they are My people, children that will not lie: so He was their Saviour. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

But they rebelled, and vexed His holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them. Then He remembered the days of old, Moses, and His people, saying, "Where is He that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of His flock? Where is He that put His holy Spirit within him? that led them by the right hand of Moses with His glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make Himself an everlasting Name? that led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?" (Isaiah 63:7-13)

The Rock which followed them through the Red Sea -- the Rock which was Christ.

Apostle Paul confirms this, writing, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness." (I Corinthians 10:1-5)

In the New Testament, the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning is revealed. That is, after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) Or ,as John the baptizer more specifically points out, "Behold, the Lamb of God" ... who taketh away the sins of the world. (I Timothy 3:1; Isaiah 9:6)

He willingly came into this world for you and I, shedding His precious, holy blood so that we might have abundant life in Him. (Acts 20:28)

Yes, many a time, Isaiah prophesied of a specific time in the future when the Lord God would give His right hand, and the arm of His strength for our salvation. A time when the Lord God would announce -- "This day have I begotten Thee."  (Hebrews 1:5)

"I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, "Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten thee." (Psalm 2:7)
In this current dispensation of grace, we are privileged to know the rest of the greatest love story ever told. We should be ecstatic that the Lord had devised a plan of salvation, whereby we could engage in a personal relationship with Him. That we could be grounded in His wisdom and knowledge and our hearts at peace, overflowing with His joy within. And unlike the Israelites, every step we take in Him can be filled with purpose, knowing that the Lord Jesus will never leave us, nor forsake us.

"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself!" (II Corinthians 5:!9)

The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. 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; John 1:1-18)

Yes, "the Lord hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength -- surely I will no more give thy corn [to be] meat for thine enemies, and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: but they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of My holiness." (Isaiah 62:8-10)

Stand in the offering plate.

His Own Temple In Which He Was Pleased To Dwell; Not Made Of Hands, Or Brick And Mortar - Part 2348

"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." (I Peter 3:13-20)

In former days, some of us were blindly led astray to worship dumb and senseless idols. We were led into this darkness by persons who in all probability were themselves deceived. Or, as we learned from an earlier post, intoxicated by the things of this world, and thus, no longer able to discern the Word of God. Sadly, they now in turn pass along their erroneous error in the form of traditions of men and religious culture, continuing to propagate a lie that is contrary to the Word.

From a scriptural perspective -- how sad that we who believe choose to settle for man-made traditions rather than feasting upon the Bread of Life.

In this current dispensation, His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

Thus, the importance of impressing upon you a scriptural understanding. Increasingly, we are hearing people who claim to speak messages received from the Spirit of God -- self-declaring themselves as prophets. The question? How can one know whether the individual/message is really inspired by God or whether they are fake, and doing what they do for their own gain? No doubt, you have met many who assert that they are Christians, attending church meetings and yet constantly curse and blaspheme the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus. But I digress.

Apostle Paul elaborates on the gifts of the Spirit, whereby different gifts are given to different persons. In his letter to the saints and churches in Corinth, Paul reaffirms continually that it is the same Spirit who is the Giver. The work of the Spirit of God is not a new work of God but a continuation of the redemptive work of salvation. The difference from the Old Testament to the New Testament is that it is now administered to the world by new (born again) believers who now are the new members of the body of Jesus the Christ.

In other words, the Lord God decided to do a new thing in this current dispensation of grace. Not an extension of the old, or a mixing of the old and the new, but a brand new work wherein we could enter His rest forevermore.

Thus, the reason Jesus' body became cursed for us -- because He came to fulfill the Law. But in this dispensation, and as new members in the body of Christ church, we are called to become equipped with the powerful gifts of Jesus' holy Spirit. Why? Because we are now a member of His body. We are placed as individual members into the place wherein His purpose (placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb) could come to fruition.

The Spirit of God who alone knows beforehand the body (which is the measure of the stature of Christ) requirements. This explains why it is the Lord who adds daily to the body of Christ.

From the scriptures, we also know that Jesus is the wise master builder. As the builder, He uses living stones (believers) and not brick and mortar to build His church, wherein the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it. 

His own temple in which He is pleased to dwell. As the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in the man Jesus the Christ, so also will the fullness of the Godhead dwell in this new temple which is and always will be His only begotten Son. Now, as in any body (or institution) there are differences in functions of each member. 

In a body, there are normally a variety of activities associated with each part. Likewise, there are also a variety of effects. But, at the end of the day, it is the same God who is the master designer and builder who works all of these things according to the counsel of His own will. It is the same one God achieving His purpose through them all. The manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Ghost are given to each believer that each may use the gift or gifts that the body of Jesus be nourished.

But these do not come from dwelling on man-made traditions for our nutrients. And this is the hinging point. If we want to serve the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we need to feast on His Word to show ourselves approved, rightly discerning. (II Timothy 2:15)

We have a God-given purpose to fulfill, and every day He gives us breath is because He is still fulfilling His purpose within us. For those who don't know the peace and love of the Lord Jesus dwelling within, ask Him to become Lord in your life today. Find a New Testament and read Acts 2 -- which marks the beginning of the New Testament church. Be born again just like Jesus said, of both the water and of the Spirit. And let His peace and mercy rule and reign in your heart as you move forward in His Word and guidance and instruction. When water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, ye will know that He has just clothed you in His righteousness.

Stand in the offering plat.

Behold, I Lay In Zion For A Foundation A Stone, A Tried Stone, A Precious Corner Stone, A Sure Foundation - Part 2347

"If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified." (I Peter 4:14)

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord saith, "Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts." (Isaiah 28:9)

On the New Testament side, those who are weaned from the milk desire in their hearts the meat of the Word -- the Bread of Life. And quite often are seen in continual study of the Word to "shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15) 

 Moreover, from Hebrews, we understand in moving forward from the principles of the doctrine of Christ (which include repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment), we are to go on unto perfection. "And this will we do, if God permit." (Hebrews 6:1-3)

But as Isaiah alludes, there are those who are unfit (heavily intoxicated with the things of this world) to teach the Lord's knowledge and wisdom to His people. And sadly, if still permitted will lead the people into error. Therefore, these will not understand the One and Only Absolute Truth that sets them free, nor the Giver of blessings who continually sustains them in their day to day. In this context, we can glean a lesson from the Lord's instruction through another prophet -- "My people perish for lack of knowledge!" (Hosea 6:4)

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were often in this wilderness place -- unteachable, even though the Lord through His prophets attempted to speak into their ears. And historically, we are now privy to the results of a nation ignoring the Lord's wisdom and counsel. But it did not have to be this way then, nor does a famine of the Word in the land have to be the cause of our destruction now. 

In fact, as we know from the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the arm of the Lord has been revealed -- behold, the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. His Name JESUS -- the Great I AM who willingly shed His precious, holy blood on a cross to become our Saviour. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Titus 4:4-7; Revelation 1:8; Acts 2:36-41; Acts 20:28)

Thus, when we accept the Word made flesh who dwelt among us and further behold His glory, we "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [consequently] ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (I Peter 3:13-15)

 

Returning to Isaiah's prophecy, the Lord offers hope to a people still afar off. "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." (Isaiah 28:9-16)

"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, "Have they not heard?" Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." (Romans 10:16-19)

Wherefore, as Isaiah writes, "Hear the Word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves."

Nevertheless, thus saith the Lord GOD, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste." (Isaiah 28:9-16) "The Lord hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength ..." (Isaiah 62:8-10)

And now, in this current dispensation of grace, we are able to praise the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and drink the new wine "in the courts of My holiness." His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us.

Stand in the offering plate.

Come Unto Me, Said Jesus, All Ye That Are Heavy Laden And I Will Give You Rest - Part 2346

"When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot -- away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates: they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.  WASH YOU, MAKE YOU CLEAN; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. "Come now, and let us reason together," saith the LORD, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Isaiah 1:12-20)

This is the Lord God speaking to us through the prophet Isaiah, inviting us to repent from our ways and to be washed in water baptism in His precious holy Name -- the Name of Jesus, for the remission of sins, so that He can dwell within us -- as the Comforter who will never leave us nor forsake us. The Great I AM who paid the ultimate price so that we could have life through His Name. 

Later, the Lord again speaks through Isaiah to those who have come to believe in Him, but not yet moved forward and grown from the milk to the meat. Who have come to understand the "doctrine of Christ" as the absolute -- that the first commandment in both the old and the new clearly state, "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) We further see these first principles identified in Hebrews 6 and in II John:

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit." (Hebrews 6:1-3)

"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God ... he that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)

But I digress. From Isaiah:

"Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear."

But the Word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Wherefore hear the Word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves."

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste." (Isaiah 28:9-16)

The Rock which is JESUS, who willingly took away the sins of the world ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) JESUS -- the Bread of Life. JESUS -- the water wherein we will never thirst again. The King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.

Stand in the offering plate.

After Jesus Was Taken Up, He THROUGH The Holy Ghost Gave Commandments Unto The Apostles Whom He Had Chosen - Part 2345

"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, UNTIL THE DAY IN WHICH HE WAS TAKEN UP, AFTER THAT HE THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST HAD GIVEN COMMANDMENTS UNTO THE APOSTLES WHOM HE HAD CHOSEN: to whom He also shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God."

"And, being assembled together with them, He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father which, saith He, "Ye have heard of Me!" For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" And He said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)

What happened next? The 120 disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ tarried in the Upper Room in Jerusalem until they received the power from on high.

"And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

For it is written in the book of Psalms, "Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection.

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." (Acts 1:15-26)

These were in one accord. Peter (standing with the eleven -- including Matthew) knew the message that needed to be taught, if we are to see the kingdom of God. These also knew that the man chosen had to be a witness with them of His resurrection. 

Jesus -- the Bread of Life is still the Head of His body of Christ church that began in Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecies that had been spoken by the prophets of old. Take hold of these truths this day, and study His Word to shew thyself approved. There is so much to understand but when we hide His Word in our hearts, He will open our understanding. Just like He did with Saul when the latter met with Ananias.

Stand in the offering plate.

And It Shall Come To Pass That Whosoever Calls Upon The Name Of The Lord Shall Be Saved - Part 2343

"Give ye ear, and hear My voice; hearken, and hear My speech." (Isaiah 28:23)

"For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

But what is the Name of the Lord wherein we shall be saved? To avoid confusion, we should first acknowledge that the Name referred to in these scriptures is singular, and not plural. Name -- not names. We also know from our own personal experience that we too are identified by a name -- for purposes of I.D. and legal documents. We are not dependent on titles or particular roles to validate who we are, or our name. For the record, neither is the Lord our God.

Throughout both the old and new testament scriptures, the Spirit of the Lord God has always identified Himself to His people through a Name. And in Revelation, we understand that when His enemies have once and for all been put under His feet, He fully intends to give us a new name wherein we can worship Him in s/Spirit and in truth.

In the New Testament side, the scriptures also speak of a specific Name. A Name given to us by the angel of the Lord. (Matthew 1:21-25) A Name which we specifically allude to when we pray the Lord's Prayer, confirming -- "Hallowed be Thy Name!" (Matthew 6:9) Jesus also said "many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works?" (Matthew 7:22) And, as Jesus said, that we "shall be hated of all [men] for My name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:13)

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 15:15-18)

"In His Name shall the Gentiles trust." (Matthew 12:21)

Moreover, Jesus said, "... where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

Jesus said, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Matthew 19:29)

Jesus also said, "For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." (Mark 9:41)

The one commonality in these scriptures is the One Name -- singular -- wherein we can have everlasting life. Let's review the scriptures so that we become clear on His Name -- in this current dispensation of grace.

Beginning in Matthew, we learn that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him that he shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.
"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His Name JESUS." (Matthew 1:21- 25)

Indeed, Jesus was the one and only Name whereby the apostles were forbidden to preach. Jesus is the only Name given whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) Jesus is THE NAME above every other name. (Philippians 2:9)

So then, why do we settle for titles (including in water baptism) when the Name given by the angel of the Lord is so very clear? That question is for you to respond, but I will say this. Scripturally, there is only One Lord God our Saviour and His Name is JESUS -- for He shall save His people from their sins. More to come ...

In the interim, stand in the offering plate.

Cease To Do Evil; Learn To Do Well; Seek Judgment; Relieve The Oppressed; Judge The Fatherless; Plead For the Widow - Part 2342

"Come now, and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land, but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Isaiah 1:18-20)

In the scriptures, we discover how very much the Lord our God loves us -- to have come in the form of a man (clothed in sin-prone flesh and yet perfect and without sin) so that we might have abundant, everlasting life in Him. To have willingly become our Saviour. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) In fact, He tore the veil from top to bottom, from heaven to earth so that we could be set free from the entanglements and bondage of this world to remain in His presence. He shed His precious holy blood on a tree -- taking upon Himself the curse of our transgressions -- so that our sins could be forgiven. Isaiah prophesied of the time when our sins would no longer scarlet, but white as snow. As wool.

And if we are obedient in loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, extending His love to those around us, the scripture declares that we shall also eat the good of the land, for the Lord hath spoken it. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)

But instead, what are we doing? According to the Lord, we are substituting praising Him with every breath we take in favour of vain [ceremonious] oblations, and these, as the Lord shares through Isaiah are troubling. [fyi - the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines oblation as "the act of making a religious offering; specifically, capitalized: the act of offering the eucharistic elements to God; something offered in worship or devotion : a holy gift offered usually at an altar or shrine."] For the record, so are the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies and our appointed feasts.

The Lord through Isaiah saith:

"When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot - away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates: they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

[The Lord continues, encouraging us instead to] wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." (Isaiah 1:12-20)

It is in this context that the Lord invites us to come unto Him and to reason together. To taste and see the His goodness and grace and mercy toward His people. Not through ordinances and sacraments offered at modern day religious alters but rather to take hold of Him directly, in a personal relationship -- seeking our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- the Bread of Life.

As Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world."

In the same dialogue, Jesus tells His disciples -- "I AM the Bread of Life! he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

And as we now know from the totality of the scriptures, this same Jesus whom we have crucified is now the King of kings and Lord of lords, both Lord and Christ, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. And thankfully for us, He is still inviting us to partake in His kingdom for time everlasting.

Stand in the offering plate.

Understanding The Keys To The Kingdom And The Gates Of Hell Shall NOT Prevail Against It - Part 2341

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Then Peter said unto them, "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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:36-41)

Herein, Peter standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost proclaimed the good news gospel message of salvation. That is, we are to repent and be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the New Testament message in this current dispensation of grace. 

You see, when we are water baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus, we become clothed in His righteousness. We are strengthened with His Spirit dwelling within. We can proclaim with confidence that the Lord is our Shepherd, and that He -- as Jesus said before the cross -- will never leave us nor forsake us.

In an earlier post, we investigated the conversation between Jesus and His disciples when He asked them, "Who do men say that I AM?" Following that response, Jesus then asks them, "Who do you say I AM?" Note that in Matthew's account, Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

And I say also unto thee, "That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-19)

Having received the keys to the kingdom, Peter was given the responsibility to ensure the door of salvation was open to one and all -- both Gentiles and Jews. And he did so on the day of Pentecost. The Lord Jesus having just ascended, and now through the Holy Ghost giving commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) Thus, the day of Pentecost marked the beginning of the New Testament church wherein the veil was torn from heaven to earth. Jesus fulfilling the old so that we could have new life in Him.

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father now revealed. The Lord our God's salvation plan established for one and all to behold, when He willingly shed His own holy blood on a cross, and thus, became our Saviour. (I Timothy 3:16; Acts 20:28; II Corinthians 5:19; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6) But the salvation message had to be proclaimed. As Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature ..." (Mark 16:15)

"And the key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open."(Isaiah 22:22)

We know from this scripture that after Jesus died and rose from the dead, ascending into heaven, the price for salvation had been paid in full -- once and for all. Though our sins be as crimson, they shall be as white as snow. Hebrews 9 further elaborates on this point, and provides the rationale for why we are now living in the dispensation of grace.

Continuing into the book of Acts, we see Jesus' salvation message proclaimed, and the early church established on the same Rock which had followed the Israelites through the Red Sea -- that is, Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1-4)

"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen; to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3) 

In between, a twelfth disciple/apostle was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus in the Garden. "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He [Jesus] was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection." (Acts 1:21-22)

In the upper room, there were 120 disciples waiting "for the promise of the Father, which," saith He, "ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5)

By Acts 2: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)

When we study the scriptures, we begin to see how the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is connected to the day of Pentecost. Specifically, When Jesus told Nicodemus that we need to be born again. Not a physical birth but a spiritual one, wherein His Spirit dwells within our hearts.

Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, "Ye must be born again!" (John 3:5-7)

So much more to understand, but let this be your starting point for this day. 

Stand in the offering plate. 

God Hath Sent Forth The Spirit Of His Son Into Your Hearts, Crying, "Abba, Father" - Part 2340

"Wherefore Thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4:7)

The whole earth groans and travails together waiting. As we recall from Genesis, God saw that His counselled creation was good. This is of course until it is recorded in the scriptures that God said, "What have you done? Have you eaten of the tree which I forbade you not to eat?" Remember that God had forewarned Adam (who was God's earthly image) that there would be unintended consequences the day in which he would eat of the fruit of that tree. Indeed, that would be the day that Adam would surely die.

Adam had only one instruction to obey. But because God had said that eating of that particular tree was a no no Adam went ahead and ate anyway. He did not adhere to the instructions that he was given. And, as a consequence here we are up to our necks in the quagmire of sin. Ironically, some of us want more and more of the forbidden fruit, sinking deeper and deeper into a sinking sand.

As a world, we now endure sickness, disease, famine, earthquakes, roaring seas, tornadoes and floods. In fact, we are surrounded by our enemy death. We are so surrounded with death that men’s heart are failing them for fear. And yet, we still go on wanting more of the forbidden fruit which ushers in death.

But believers in God's plan of salvation await the resurrection of the dead, as predicted in the scriptures. In the meantime, every afore-going generational sin is being resurrected to the extent that some might suggest that it is in full bloom. Still, the truth is that we no longer have to imagine sins of past generations. Sin lies at our doorstep zoomed in upon us by the prince of the power of the air.

In this sense, we are becoming acutely aware of Armageddon - the period of time when all nations are gathered against the Israel of God. (Note: When I reference the Israel, I speak of the true Israel of God, which is the redeemed believing body of the Lord Jesus the Christ. The term Jew, in God’s sight are those, and only those, who are the redeemed of God who endeavour to worship God, not in the deadness of the law but rather in newness of Spirit).

Still, we all are only one heart beat away from the end of our own earthly journey. Therefore, in effect our Armageddon might well be today. This leaves us with a decision to make. Like a battery, your computer mind awaits the decision of your heart (your innermost being) as to which of the two forces you will call upon. Obviously, the God who created you and loved you enough to become flesh and die for you is the preferable choice.

But it is similarly recognized that you are in the war of your world. This is why God has said, "Call upon Me. I will deliver you. I paid the penalty at Calvary for all of your sin. I was clothed in your sin. I willingly gave up my son-ship as the Son of God so that You could be as Me inheriting all of Mine freely. Now you can become an adopted Son of God. I give to you of My Spirit (which knew no sin). I will be your justification for all eternity. I come to you now!"

The decision to respond is yours. The time to respond to God's call is now. As the scriptures state, we as individuals must come to Him. The first 3,000 believers (as outlined in Acts chapter 2:37-42) were told what to do. Jesus asks no more or no less of us today. Make your decision to live for Jesus today.

Stand in the offering plate.