Trust Jesus today! Know that there is no other place that we can go for it is He -- Jesus -- who has the words of eternal life. John 6:68 elaborates on this verse. Stand in the offering plate!
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
To Whom Else Shall We Go Jesus? - Part 508
When Jesus asked the disciples, "Will you go too?" Then Simon Peter answered him saying, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." So often, we spend our time chasing after the things that we feel are important instead of surrendering our lives to Jesus. Asking Jesus - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords -- to be in control. Trusting Him to deliver us from the bondage that surrounds us. Our Father -- who art in Heaven -- hallowed be thy name! Jesus -- the only name under Heaven whereby we can be saved. The same God who was in the world and the world knew Him not. Still, He loved us enough to shed His humanity on the cross of Calvary.
Friday, September 7, 2012
God was in Christ Reconciling the World - Part 507
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
God made a way when there was no way and He did so in order that you and I could have life more abundantly. Trust Jesus today! Stand in the offering plate.
God made a way when there was no way and He did so in order that you and I could have life more abundantly. Trust Jesus today! Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus Is - Part 506
Unfortunately, there exists in the world today a system of religion which has evolved in many ways to be ineffective. This is not to suggest that people do not still attend church. But in these instances, the duty of going to church can be likened to blowing on a fire after the flame has gone out. In many cases, even the traditional long-standing religions miss the point. That is, the New Testament is indeed new because it replaces something that already existed. Therefore, a new covenant is not a modification to an existing covenant. Nor is it an addition to the existing covenant. What it means is that one of the parties of the original covenant has now withdrawn their participation. This can be a consequence of one or more of the criteria or requirements in the existing covenant not being met. When this happens, the end so to speak justifies anulling the agreement.
When it comes to the Old and New Testaments, what has happened is that some have attempted to bridge the two testaments -- the old and new covenants -- by moving forward in delivering the message as if they had an ability to reverse the situation that has since been terminated.
But what does the Bible say? The New Testament in my blood. Most cannot grasp that the one who cancelled the Old in the first place is now saying, "This is the new covenant in my blood." However, what we need to remember is that this covenant is not dependent on you or me. Instead, it is a covenant written in the blood of the covenantors own blood independent of you and me.
Let's consider this differently. We know from the Word that we are a redeemed people -- bought not by works of righteousness which we have done but purchased by the salvation brought into being by God Himself. It is God who declared that this is the covenant He would make with them after those days. Read Hebrews for additional details. In the interim, note that it is not according to the covenant I made with their fathers. Read this again. It states, "not according to." In other words, our salvation is not going to be written on tablets of stone.
Rather, this new covenant is going to be written on the tablets of our heart. God Himself drew up this covenant -- sealed in His own blood. How did He do this? He had previously said that He the Lord our God would become our Saviour and that is what He Himself brought to pass. Because of Adam's transgression we know that we inherited sin -- termed in the scriptures as our fallen nature. In order to remove that stumbling stone, God needed to provide a substitutionary death to undo the curses that we had inherited through Adam -- our ancestral father.
For Adam's seed was now a corrupt seed. It was by one man's sin that this bondage had been brought down upon us. Therefore, it necessitated a death (sealed in blood) of one righteous person to undo the curses that we had inherited through our ancestral father Adam. The question was this. Given Adam and Eve's transgression in the Garden of Eden, where was God going to find a righteous person? Particularly, when as the Word states, "There is none righteous, no not one."
Remember that God had implanted in Eve at the time of the fall a promised seed. That Seed was the Seed promised to bruise the serpent's head. One can read about this Seed in the genealogy recorded in the gospels. However, He also needed a male seed. So Abraham was given the promise that in his seed (not seeds) would all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Note God planted this seed into Abraham after He had resurrected his capabilities to reproduce. These two promised seeds at the appointed time arrived in the seed bank of Mary a young virgin girl. At the same time, the Word of the Lord came saying, that which is conceived in you is of the Holy Ghost. You shall bring forth a son and you shall call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin.
Who was this son? His name was/is Immanuel which by interpretation is God with us. The one who appeared at the appointed time is God as a Son. God veiled in the flesh. God's own Word. Not another person but God Himself found in fashion as a man. As declared at His birth -- let all the Angels of God worship Him. Worship who? Jesus!
This is why the masses of people pressed against Jesus. To hear His Word. The New Covenant. The reason why there is no other name under Heaven whereby we can be saved. Ask Jesus into your life today! Stand in the offering plate!
When it comes to the Old and New Testaments, what has happened is that some have attempted to bridge the two testaments -- the old and new covenants -- by moving forward in delivering the message as if they had an ability to reverse the situation that has since been terminated.
But what does the Bible say? The New Testament in my blood. Most cannot grasp that the one who cancelled the Old in the first place is now saying, "This is the new covenant in my blood." However, what we need to remember is that this covenant is not dependent on you or me. Instead, it is a covenant written in the blood of the covenantors own blood independent of you and me.
Let's consider this differently. We know from the Word that we are a redeemed people -- bought not by works of righteousness which we have done but purchased by the salvation brought into being by God Himself. It is God who declared that this is the covenant He would make with them after those days. Read Hebrews for additional details. In the interim, note that it is not according to the covenant I made with their fathers. Read this again. It states, "not according to." In other words, our salvation is not going to be written on tablets of stone.
Rather, this new covenant is going to be written on the tablets of our heart. God Himself drew up this covenant -- sealed in His own blood. How did He do this? He had previously said that He the Lord our God would become our Saviour and that is what He Himself brought to pass. Because of Adam's transgression we know that we inherited sin -- termed in the scriptures as our fallen nature. In order to remove that stumbling stone, God needed to provide a substitutionary death to undo the curses that we had inherited through Adam -- our ancestral father.
For Adam's seed was now a corrupt seed. It was by one man's sin that this bondage had been brought down upon us. Therefore, it necessitated a death (sealed in blood) of one righteous person to undo the curses that we had inherited through our ancestral father Adam. The question was this. Given Adam and Eve's transgression in the Garden of Eden, where was God going to find a righteous person? Particularly, when as the Word states, "There is none righteous, no not one."
Remember that God had implanted in Eve at the time of the fall a promised seed. That Seed was the Seed promised to bruise the serpent's head. One can read about this Seed in the genealogy recorded in the gospels. However, He also needed a male seed. So Abraham was given the promise that in his seed (not seeds) would all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Note God planted this seed into Abraham after He had resurrected his capabilities to reproduce. These two promised seeds at the appointed time arrived in the seed bank of Mary a young virgin girl. At the same time, the Word of the Lord came saying, that which is conceived in you is of the Holy Ghost. You shall bring forth a son and you shall call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin.
Who was this son? His name was/is Immanuel which by interpretation is God with us. The one who appeared at the appointed time is God as a Son. God veiled in the flesh. God's own Word. Not another person but God Himself found in fashion as a man. As declared at His birth -- let all the Angels of God worship Him. Worship who? Jesus!
This is why the masses of people pressed against Jesus. To hear His Word. The New Covenant. The reason why there is no other name under Heaven whereby we can be saved. Ask Jesus into your life today! Stand in the offering plate!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thy Word Have I Hid in my Heart - Part 505
Thy Word have I hid in my heart. In my heart will I cherish all scripture that is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:16-17) This is why we read the gospel and preach the Word as it is written.
John 17:20-23 in the King James version caught my attention this evening. I copied these scriptures for your enjoyment and edification.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me
At the end of the day, the Bible states: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth, but continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." (II Timothy 2:15)
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me
At the end of the day, the Bible states: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth, but continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." (II Timothy 2:15)
The book of Timothy -- both I and II -- are full of wonderful passages to help you face the storms of life. Read the Word. Study to show yourself approved unto God. And then stand in the offering plate. Offer yourself to Jesus! Why? Because Jesus never fails!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
May Your Understanding Be Enlightened - Part 504
C.H. Spurgeon once said, "Alas my brethren, too many eat the unripe fruit of the vineyards of satan, and the fruits of the Lord's vines they utterly despise." Part of the reason, at least from my perspective, is that the gospel that Jesus preached -- His Word passed down to us through the apostles -- is not the same gospel message being disseminated within the world today. This blog began so that believers could find inspiration and edification in their own personal journey with Jesus. Encouragement to search the scriptures and discover for ourselves what God had intended for our lives. That original mission has not changed.
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when he had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.
6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
In other words, God the Father is addressing the Son as God. Unto the Son God is saying, "Thy throne, O God is for ever and ever." (Hebrews 1:8) This is the same begotten Son that was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 -- the mighty God -- the everlasting Father. Jesus is not a created being. Jesus is God in the flesh. The Word.
This is why -- with our hearts -- we give our all to Jesus. Let us worship Jesus -- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The only mediator between God and man. Stand in the offering plate.
Therefore, when we read Mark 1:1 that states, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" or John 6:69 "And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" or John 9:35 "Jesus heard that they had cast him out and when He had found him, He said unto Him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" we know that there are other scriptural links regarding the mystery of the Godhead.
For example, reading from the King James Version (KJV), Hebrews 1:1-8 provides insight into who the Son is so that we might understand. These scriptures state:
1 God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when he had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.
6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
In other words, God the Father is addressing the Son as God. Unto the Son God is saying, "Thy throne, O God is for ever and ever." (Hebrews 1:8) This is the same begotten Son that was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 -- the mighty God -- the everlasting Father. Jesus is not a created being. Jesus is God in the flesh. The Word.
This is why -- with our hearts -- we give our all to Jesus. Let us worship Jesus -- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The only mediator between God and man. Stand in the offering plate.
Love Lifted Me! Part 503
There is a chorus that reaches out to people who are sinking deep in sin. Those who are far from the peaceful shore and very deeply stained within. Even those that are sinking to rise no more. But then the Master of the sea hears their despairing cry and from the waters rescues them. The song is entitled Love Lifted Me. It goes like this:
Love lifted me, Love lifted me. When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.
Ask Jesus to life you up today, and then stand in the offering plate.
Love lifted me, Love lifted me. When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.
Ephesians 3:14-21 expands on the message of forgiveness.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ask Jesus to life you up today, and then stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
His Grace is Sufficient - Part 502
The line between this world and the next is drawn by God's grace. Each and every one of us has fallen short of God's grace. Short of His expectations. Short of His love. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Indeed, the Word states that we have all fallen short of His glory and are in need of salvation. (Romans 3:23) But God did not leave us there to perish.
Rather, God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus the prophesied Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Jesus said in John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. In other words, the Law and the prophets -- that so many religious institutions present in their message week in and week out - were only until Jesus appeared. After that, the Kingdom of Heaven is preached.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus the Christ brought not more law that would bind us but liberty. Jesus came to set the captives -- you and I -- free. Jesus preached a message of deliverance. And when ordinary people heard Him, they received His Word gladly. Why? Because Jesus did not speak as the scribes and pharisees did.
Instead, Jesus healed the sick. He cast out devils that were impoverishing the people. Never before had anyone seen these kinds of miracles. At the time, we read in the scriptures that the religions/religious of the day were still unaware that God Almighty was walking among the people. Jesus - God in the flesh. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Neither were the religious aware that they had broken the covenant, wanting to get rid of Jesus. As we have learned, the New Testament is not interpreted by the Old. It is the opposite. Any prophesies spoken in the old were revealed in the New Testament. The early believers went everywhere preaching Jesus. Today, there are still those who run from the revelation of God in the New Testament. That is, the name given of God to His humanity is Jesus. It is He alone who shall save His people from their sin. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Jesus is the only name whereby we can be saved. The only mediator between God and man is Jesus. I and my Father are one. When Thomas said, Show me the Father, Jesus said, Have I been so long time with you. I and my Father are one. Jesus is God Himself with us as a Son - a Son only for the time that He was begotten on earth. Yes, God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8) And He loves us more than we will ever know. Stand in the offering plate.
Rather, God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus the prophesied Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Jesus said in John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. In other words, the Law and the prophets -- that so many religious institutions present in their message week in and week out - were only until Jesus appeared. After that, the Kingdom of Heaven is preached.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus the Christ brought not more law that would bind us but liberty. Jesus came to set the captives -- you and I -- free. Jesus preached a message of deliverance. And when ordinary people heard Him, they received His Word gladly. Why? Because Jesus did not speak as the scribes and pharisees did.
Instead, Jesus healed the sick. He cast out devils that were impoverishing the people. Never before had anyone seen these kinds of miracles. At the time, we read in the scriptures that the religions/religious of the day were still unaware that God Almighty was walking among the people. Jesus - God in the flesh. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Neither were the religious aware that they had broken the covenant, wanting to get rid of Jesus. As we have learned, the New Testament is not interpreted by the Old. It is the opposite. Any prophesies spoken in the old were revealed in the New Testament. The early believers went everywhere preaching Jesus. Today, there are still those who run from the revelation of God in the New Testament. That is, the name given of God to His humanity is Jesus. It is He alone who shall save His people from their sin. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Jesus is the only name whereby we can be saved. The only mediator between God and man is Jesus. I and my Father are one. When Thomas said, Show me the Father, Jesus said, Have I been so long time with you. I and my Father are one. Jesus is God Himself with us as a Son - a Son only for the time that He was begotten on earth. Yes, God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8) And He loves us more than we will ever know. Stand in the offering plate.
Monday, September 3, 2012
In the Beginning was the Word - Part 501
They said to one other -- Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us by the way, while He opened to us the scriptures. (Luke 24:32) It is written. The Word that is written is so important to our spiritual journey with Jesus. Indeed, this explains why Jesus answered the devil saying, "It is written that man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of God." (Luke 4:4) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (I Corinthians 15:3-4) Then opened He their understanding that they might understand the scriptures. (Luke 24:45)
When we read about Nathanael in John 1, we begin to understand why the Word -- Jesus -- has such significance. Earlier in the chapter, it states "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh." Later we read about finding the Messiah -- the Christ that was prophesied throughout the Old Testament -- this same God who loved us so much that He would become as one of us and then allow His humanity to die on the cross so that we might have salvation. Consider the following example from the Word and be edified knowing that Jesus knew us too before we met Him.
Beginning in John 1:40 and reading from the King James version, we find that one of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and find Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
When we read about Nathanael in John 1, we begin to understand why the Word -- Jesus -- has such significance. Earlier in the chapter, it states "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh." Later we read about finding the Messiah -- the Christ that was prophesied throughout the Old Testament -- this same God who loved us so much that He would become as one of us and then allow His humanity to die on the cross so that we might have salvation. Consider the following example from the Word and be edified knowing that Jesus knew us too before we met Him.
Beginning in John 1:40 and reading from the King James version, we find that one of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and find Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip finds Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou was under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. And he said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
Jesus knew Nathanael even before He had met Him. "Whence thou knowest me?" Nathanael asks. Equally important here is Nathanael's response to Jesus - "thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." Here was Nathanael meeting God in the flesh. Imagine how he must have felt - knowing that He was standing with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is no wonder that people's hearts burned when Jesus opened the scriptures.
We have the same opportunity to read the Word today. To read and understand who Jesus was and why He loved us so much even before the foundations of the world were created. "I am the Lord - I change not." (Malachi 3:6) So as Philippians 3:15-21 states: "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded : and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded , God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk , of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping , that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
[But as believers] our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me - Jesus. (John 5:39) Yes, Jesus loves you! Stand in the offering plate.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
His Humanity on the Cross - Part 500
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it." (I Thessalonians 5:23-24)
In the beginning of all things before the creation of man there was a condition in which all things that then existed were obedient to God. Angels, during this period were obedient to God. Unfortunately, there came a time when angels rebelled against the governance of God.
In Isaiah 14:12, Satan is spoke of as Lucifer - son of the morning. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" In substance the Word says concerning him "Wast thou not pure and holy until pride was found in your heart?" Pride was the condition that generated the desire.
Adam's pride made him exalt his own will higher than God's Word. Pride is sin. This is why we inherit from Adam (and Eve) that same trait instinctively. Our way or the highway. Through this instinctive desire -- pride -- we walk into misty conceptions about the one and only true God. In this context, we have no idea of the nature or substance of God. Admittedly, it seems difficult to think of God as a being and a substance particularly when the Old Testament refers to God as spirit. But spirit is materiality. God is a materiality - a heavenly materiality. Not an earthly material.
The form of angels are a substance. Otherwise, they would not be discernible - not earthly but heavenly substance (materiality). When we think of a heavenly substance, we think of fire -- light -- spirit as a possible composition. The Word tells us that God breathed into Adam the breath of life. It was at that point that man became a living soul.
Indeed, God made man. God made man from the substance of the earth (Genesis 2:7) and He did so -- made man that is -- in His own image (Genesis 1:27). God not only created man in form but God breathed into man His own self. Yes, His own self. He breathed into man that heavenly materiality of which God consists.
He injected or breathed Himself into man. As a consequence, the man then became a composition of heavenly substance or materiality and of the earthly substance too. Adam was in all aspects the created son of God. He was pure and God had fellowship with him. In the cool of the day, God would walk with Adam in the Garden. He talked with Adam. Perfect fellowship between God and man. As a sinless man, Adam could look right into the face of God. Neither did his eyes or his spirit draw back. Nor did the purity of God startle Adam. Why? Because Adam was the original man - the man created by God to be all that He was supposed to be.
More to come on this topic in the days ahead. For now, remember that God wants to walk and talk with us too. Indeed, He loved us so much that when Adam (and Eve) failed, He would find another way to bring us back to Him. To bring us close to Him so that He could shelter us from the storms of life. Ask the God who loved us so much that He would allow His humanity to die on the cross for us -- Jesus -- God in the flesh -- the begotten son -- into your life today. Ask Jesus to become your Lord and Saviour and do so knowing that it is Him who breathes life into you each and every day. Stand in the offering plate.
In the beginning of all things before the creation of man there was a condition in which all things that then existed were obedient to God. Angels, during this period were obedient to God. Unfortunately, there came a time when angels rebelled against the governance of God.
In Isaiah 14:12, Satan is spoke of as Lucifer - son of the morning. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" In substance the Word says concerning him "Wast thou not pure and holy until pride was found in your heart?" Pride was the condition that generated the desire.
Adam's pride made him exalt his own will higher than God's Word. Pride is sin. This is why we inherit from Adam (and Eve) that same trait instinctively. Our way or the highway. Through this instinctive desire -- pride -- we walk into misty conceptions about the one and only true God. In this context, we have no idea of the nature or substance of God. Admittedly, it seems difficult to think of God as a being and a substance particularly when the Old Testament refers to God as spirit. But spirit is materiality. God is a materiality - a heavenly materiality. Not an earthly material.
The form of angels are a substance. Otherwise, they would not be discernible - not earthly but heavenly substance (materiality). When we think of a heavenly substance, we think of fire -- light -- spirit as a possible composition. The Word tells us that God breathed into Adam the breath of life. It was at that point that man became a living soul.
Indeed, God made man. God made man from the substance of the earth (Genesis 2:7) and He did so -- made man that is -- in His own image (Genesis 1:27). God not only created man in form but God breathed into man His own self. Yes, His own self. He breathed into man that heavenly materiality of which God consists.
He injected or breathed Himself into man. As a consequence, the man then became a composition of heavenly substance or materiality and of the earthly substance too. Adam was in all aspects the created son of God. He was pure and God had fellowship with him. In the cool of the day, God would walk with Adam in the Garden. He talked with Adam. Perfect fellowship between God and man. As a sinless man, Adam could look right into the face of God. Neither did his eyes or his spirit draw back. Nor did the purity of God startle Adam. Why? Because Adam was the original man - the man created by God to be all that He was supposed to be.
More to come on this topic in the days ahead. For now, remember that God wants to walk and talk with us too. Indeed, He loved us so much that when Adam (and Eve) failed, He would find another way to bring us back to Him. To bring us close to Him so that He could shelter us from the storms of life. Ask the God who loved us so much that He would allow His humanity to die on the cross for us -- Jesus -- God in the flesh -- the begotten son -- into your life today. Ask Jesus to become your Lord and Saviour and do so knowing that it is Him who breathes life into you each and every day. Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
I Am The Lord, I Change Not - Part 499
How can men and women meditate on that which they do not understand? It is written in the scriptures that people cannot live by bread alone. Rather, their substance should come from every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Luke 4:4). The problem is that people are led into error because they do not know the scriptures. As a consequence, many religious institutions have been able to incorporate their own spin on the Bible which has resulted in many Christian believers (and non-believers) not knowing the truth. Matthew 22:29 states: that Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Further, the Bible says that the truth will set us free. How can we be free if we don't read the scriptures?
Equally important, as Matthew asks in 26:54 "how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" If we read Luke 24, when they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels which said that He -- Jesus -- was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the tomb and found it even so as the women had said, but they saw Him not. Then He said unto them, Oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things to enter into His glory?
Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. And they drew night unto the village whither they went and He made as though He would have gone further. But they constrained Him saying, "Abide with us for it is toward evening and the day is far spent." And He went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread and blessed it and break and gave it to them.
And their eyes were opened and they knew Him and He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another -- Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us by the way -- and while He opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together and them that were with them saying, "The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared to Simon." And they told what things were done in the way and how He was known of them in breaking of bread.
And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them and said unto them, "Peace be unto you." But they were terrified and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them, "Why are you troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet that it is I myself: handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have."
And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they yet believed not for joy and wondered, He said unto them, "Have you here any meat?" And they gave Him a piece of fish and a honeycomb and He took it and did eat before them. And He said unto them, "These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms concerning me."
Then opened He their understanding in order that they might understand the scriptures. And said He unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24)
This is why we need to read and search the scriptures diligently so that we might know Jesus. For if He could mightily convince the Jews publicly -- showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the prophesied Christ -- in Acts 18:28, then we need to read our Bibles so that we might know Jesus -- the Word --too. "For I am the Lord, I change not." (Malachi 3:6) Stand in the offering plate!
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