"Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which i through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith -- that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead ...
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus -- 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." (Philippians 3:8-15)
From the Word Saviour, it is manifest that "I am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Saviour." And you shall know no God but Me for there is no Saviour beside Me. Mary said, "My Spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour" while the Samaritans said to the woman, "Now we know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world." These revelations according to His grace made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus the Christ.
Simon Peter indicated that they have obtained precious faith with us -- through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus the Christ. Therefore, he said, we suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men. It is for this reason that we align to the only wise God. To our Saviour be the glory from which we conclude Christ to be God.
Why? Because no one can save, or be styled properly to offer humankind salvation but our Saviour God. The scriptures state that Christ is said to save, and as such, properly called a Saviour. It must then follow that Christ the Saviour is God.
To those who might consider departing from the faith and returning to the darkness of trinitarian-ism, think on this scriptural example. There were times when the Galatians had been swayed by those who desired to water down the Word and turn back to the weak and beggarly words of men. But it is one thing to depart from a group of believers if that particular group is found to be spinning wheels. However, it is a horse of a different colour to turn one's back on scriptural foundations that entertain God to be three distinct and separate person.
Indeed, there is no getting around "One Lord, One faith, One baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)
Still, God has chosen the foolish things of the earth -- the unlearned and in their eyes ignorant men -- to confound the wisdom of this world. The Bible asks, "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you" that you are intent on laying aside the Word of God? For the same reason, why adopt the heresy of Matthew 28:19 which the Romans admittedly changed to its current form? Actions speak louder than words, and those who were Jesus' chosen apostles baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-47) They were not baptized into descriptive titles such as Father, Son, Spirit, which of course is what some might refer to today as a 'no name' brand.
Indeed, at the end of the day, there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby men can be saved. The name of Jesus is above every other name in heaven and on earth. When asked, "Who are you Lord?" the response was, "I AM JESUS." Undoubtedly, Jesus. It is for this reason that it is difficult to kick against the written Word of God.
It also explains why we do not need to dip our right hand into the erroneous teaching of the church fathers. When God saved you and brought you out of the darkness of ignorance and the Word of God, on whom did you call? And who answered? Pray! Whisper His name. Jesus. Love you all who are faithful.
Indeed, Jesus is the sweetest name I know, and in Him, I have found Him to be just -- the same as His lovely name. God bless. Keep the faith. 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
Sunday, February 12, 2017
O Ye Hypocrites; Ye Can Discern the Face of the Sky But Can Ye Not Discern the Signs of the Wicked?- Part 1617
"Then understood they how that [Jesus] bade them not beware of the leaven of the bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:12)
Herein, the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, desiring to tempt Jesus that He would show them a sign from heaven. Jesus answered and said unto them, "When it was evening, ye say it will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites; ye can discern the face of the sky but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." (Matthew 16:1-4)
[For those who may not know of Jonas [or Jonah] on the old covenant side, the Word of the Lord came unto him saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and cry against it; for their wickedness is come before Me." But instead, Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord. We then learn that Jonah went to Joppa and paid the fare for a ship to take him to Tarshish. Once on the ship, the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, bringing a mighty tempest into the sea, so that the ship was like a vessel about to be broken. Certainly, this caused the mariners to be afraid, and cried every man unto his god, to the point that they cast forth the wares of the ship into the sea to lighten the load.
In the mayhem that was clearly evident from the waves thrashing all around them, there remained Jonah fast asleep in the belly of the ship. The ship master came to him and said," What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not." They then said everyone to his fellow, "Come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us." So they cast lots and the lot fell upon Jonah. No surprise there, particularly when Jonah actually thought he could escape the presence of the Lord but we know better.
Then said they unto him, "Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us. What is thine occupation? And whence comes thou? What is thy country? And of what people art thou?" Jonah replied, saying, "I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven which hath made the sea and the dry land." And the men were exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, "Why hast thou done this?" For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
Throughout, the sea was wrought and tempestuous. Jonah tells them to cast him into the sea so that the sea could be calm again for them. At this time, the men did not heed him, rowing hard to bring the ship to the land; but they could not; for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. So these cried unto the Lord, and said, "We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee."
Then these took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea, and the sea ceased from her raging. This caused the men to fear the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord and made vows. As for Jonah, the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah in the belly of the fish for a period of three days and three nights. As one can imagine, when the Word of the Lord came unto Jonah a second time saying, "Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee" Jonah did not think twice about his mission.
Rather, he went into the city and told the people that in forty days Nineveh shall be overthrown. "So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest of them even to the least of them." Of course, there is much more to learn of Jonah, but the point herein being that God saw their works -- that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the looming disaster, that He had said that He would do unto them, so that He did it not.
And Jonah? He prayed unto the Lord and said, "I pray thee, O Lord ..." that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents Thee of the evil. (Jonah 1:1- Jonah 4:11)]
Now, returning to the original message, we see Jesus telling the Pharisees and Sadducees that by reason of either "you as teachers" of the people, OR, conversely, simply because of "your teachers," ye have become a generation that greatly errs in doctrine. In fact, it appears that entrenched religious traditions have become more authentic than the Word of God. But when someone like Paul points to the hypocrisy of this stance (in much the same way that Jesus did), these born again observers are considered contentious by the religious. [Note herein that Jesus also referred to spiritual pride and the traditions of men which -- like the leaven -- caused men and women to be led astray. This is why Jesus states that their compromise FROM the truth of the Lord has (and will continue) to spread far and wide.]
This may provide some insight as to why apostle Paul was so adamant when he asked, "O, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" (Galatians 3:1)
Because there is a truth -- an absolute -- that is unshakable. Certainly, we see this wholehearted attachment to the Rock which is Christ on the day of Pentecost, when Peter (standing with the eleven) was asked, "What must we do?" Peter told the first 3,000 souls to be saved that these had to first repent, and then be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that they could receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47)
We see another example when Saul witnessed Stephen -- one of the chosen seven full of the Holy Ghost being stoned. (Acts 6:1-15; Acts 7:1-60)
Stephen told those condemning him that God spake on this wise -- "that His seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat evil four hundred years .... [and that] this is He that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us ..." (Acts 7:6-38)
So, what are the principles of the doctrine of Christ? 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 the resurrection of the dead; and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)
This is combination with the one accord on the day of Pentecost provides the basis for truth. "Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17)
"And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him, called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec, of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered ..." (Hebrews 5:9-11)
"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 a testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives ... whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:15-18)
Line upon line and precept upon precept!
Thus, while the hypocrites remain busy discerning the face of the sky, in an attempt to lead people away from the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning, we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith can stand assuredly on the Rock which is Christ. Standing fast in the liberty in the freeing gospel of Jesus Christ -- the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11)
Stand in the offering plate.
Herein, the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, desiring to tempt Jesus that He would show them a sign from heaven. Jesus answered and said unto them, "When it was evening, ye say it will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites; ye can discern the face of the sky but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." (Matthew 16:1-4)
[For those who may not know of Jonas [or Jonah] on the old covenant side, the Word of the Lord came unto him saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and cry against it; for their wickedness is come before Me." But instead, Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord. We then learn that Jonah went to Joppa and paid the fare for a ship to take him to Tarshish. Once on the ship, the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, bringing a mighty tempest into the sea, so that the ship was like a vessel about to be broken. Certainly, this caused the mariners to be afraid, and cried every man unto his god, to the point that they cast forth the wares of the ship into the sea to lighten the load.
In the mayhem that was clearly evident from the waves thrashing all around them, there remained Jonah fast asleep in the belly of the ship. The ship master came to him and said," What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not." They then said everyone to his fellow, "Come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us." So they cast lots and the lot fell upon Jonah. No surprise there, particularly when Jonah actually thought he could escape the presence of the Lord but we know better.
Then said they unto him, "Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us. What is thine occupation? And whence comes thou? What is thy country? And of what people art thou?" Jonah replied, saying, "I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven which hath made the sea and the dry land." And the men were exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, "Why hast thou done this?" For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
Throughout, the sea was wrought and tempestuous. Jonah tells them to cast him into the sea so that the sea could be calm again for them. At this time, the men did not heed him, rowing hard to bring the ship to the land; but they could not; for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. So these cried unto the Lord, and said, "We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee."
Then these took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea, and the sea ceased from her raging. This caused the men to fear the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord and made vows. As for Jonah, the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah in the belly of the fish for a period of three days and three nights. As one can imagine, when the Word of the Lord came unto Jonah a second time saying, "Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee" Jonah did not think twice about his mission.
Rather, he went into the city and told the people that in forty days Nineveh shall be overthrown. "So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest of them even to the least of them." Of course, there is much more to learn of Jonah, but the point herein being that God saw their works -- that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the looming disaster, that He had said that He would do unto them, so that He did it not.
And Jonah? He prayed unto the Lord and said, "I pray thee, O Lord ..." that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents Thee of the evil. (Jonah 1:1- Jonah 4:11)]
Now, returning to the original message, we see Jesus telling the Pharisees and Sadducees that by reason of either "you as teachers" of the people, OR, conversely, simply because of "your teachers," ye have become a generation that greatly errs in doctrine. In fact, it appears that entrenched religious traditions have become more authentic than the Word of God. But when someone like Paul points to the hypocrisy of this stance (in much the same way that Jesus did), these born again observers are considered contentious by the religious. [Note herein that Jesus also referred to spiritual pride and the traditions of men which -- like the leaven -- caused men and women to be led astray. This is why Jesus states that their compromise FROM the truth of the Lord has (and will continue) to spread far and wide.]
This may provide some insight as to why apostle Paul was so adamant when he asked, "O, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" (Galatians 3:1)
Because there is a truth -- an absolute -- that is unshakable. Certainly, we see this wholehearted attachment to the Rock which is Christ on the day of Pentecost, when Peter (standing with the eleven) was asked, "What must we do?" Peter told the first 3,000 souls to be saved that these had to first repent, and then be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that they could receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47)
We see another example when Saul witnessed Stephen -- one of the chosen seven full of the Holy Ghost being stoned. (Acts 6:1-15; Acts 7:1-60)
Stephen told those condemning him that God spake on this wise -- "that His seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat evil four hundred years .... [and that] this is He that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us ..." (Acts 7:6-38)
So, what are the principles of the doctrine of Christ? 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 the resurrection of the dead; and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)
This is combination with the one accord on the day of Pentecost provides the basis for truth. "Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17)
"And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him, called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec, of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered ..." (Hebrews 5:9-11)
"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 a testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives ... whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:15-18)
Line upon line and precept upon precept!
Thus, while the hypocrites remain busy discerning the face of the sky, in an attempt to lead people away from the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning, we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith can stand assuredly on the Rock which is Christ. Standing fast in the liberty in the freeing gospel of Jesus Christ -- the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11)
Stand in the offering plate.
God Having Provided Some Better Thing For Us, That They Without Us Should Not Be Made Perfect - Part 1616
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, [I say] at this time His righteousness, that He might be just, and the Justifier of Him which believes in Jesus ..." (Romans 3:23-26)
Yes, salvation is all about Jesus and the blood He willingly shed on the cross for you and I. Indeed, we begin to understand the totality of His perfect sacrifice better from the words Jesus stated, "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is about Me" (Hebrews 10:7-8; Psalm 40:7) This is why we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God, as doth a workman, because there is so much to learn, if one desires to become grounded in the Word of the Lord.. (II Timothy 2:15)
But moreover, throughout both the old and the new, He was confirming what He as the Lord God had previously stated afore, on the old covenant side. That is, "Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:17)
"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; He hath no form or comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we esteemed Him not." (Isaiah 53:1-3)
The Lord knew all this would come to pass and yet He willingly and wholeheartedly -- because of His love and kindness for His blessed creation -- came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
As we scroll through the pages further, seeing what heavenly insights capture our attention, what we notice most is that our spiritual future and eternity depends upon what our hearts do with Jesus the Christ. The One and Only who paid the ultimate price -- death -- in order for each and every one of us to gain eternal life -- if we would only turn our hearts to Him -- Jesus -- the Giver of Life!
"So, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:28)
Making Jesus first and foremost in our life means moving on into His perfection. Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end, wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith), "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years, wherefore, I was grieved with that generation and said, "They do alway[s] err in their heart and they have not known My ways. So I sware in My wrath -- "They shall not enter into My rest." (Hebrews 3:6-11)
But note what the Lord say to us -- the children of promise? Those believers whom He looked to in the fullness of times, even before the world was shaped?
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:2-30)
Jesus -- the bread of life.
Jesus said, "He that comes to Me shall never hunger and He that believes on Me shall never thirst ... for I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise Him up at the last day." (John 6:35-41)
This is why it is critical for us to turn our hearts to Jesus because He is the living bread which came down from heaven. Jesus said if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever.
In this context then, we need to "take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. [Rather] exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; while it is said, "To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation ... for some, when they had heard did provoke; howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
But with whom was He grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." (Hebrews 3:12-19; I Corinthians 10:11; Numbers 14:2-30; Psalm 95:7-8)
All these things written for our examples/ensamples, and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come -- and to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. Neither to be idolaters, as were some of them: as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Most of all let us neither tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents. (I Corinthians 10:6-11; Romans 15:4; Philippians 4:5)
Instead, let our moderation and faith in God our Saviour be known unto all men. Rejoice in the Lord alway. Pray without ceasing. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God ... and the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ.
As an aside, if you have not yet accepted Jesus as your blessed Lord and Saviour, this is a good time to start for although He is patient, we need to remember -- as He pointed out -- today is the day of salvation. This very day!
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Stand in the offering plate.
Yes, salvation is all about Jesus and the blood He willingly shed on the cross for you and I. Indeed, we begin to understand the totality of His perfect sacrifice better from the words Jesus stated, "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is about Me" (Hebrews 10:7-8; Psalm 40:7) This is why we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God, as doth a workman, because there is so much to learn, if one desires to become grounded in the Word of the Lord.. (II Timothy 2:15)
But moreover, throughout both the old and the new, He was confirming what He as the Lord God had previously stated afore, on the old covenant side. That is, "Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:17)
"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; He hath no form or comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we esteemed Him not." (Isaiah 53:1-3)
The Lord knew all this would come to pass and yet He willingly and wholeheartedly -- because of His love and kindness for His blessed creation -- came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
As we scroll through the pages further, seeing what heavenly insights capture our attention, what we notice most is that our spiritual future and eternity depends upon what our hearts do with Jesus the Christ. The One and Only who paid the ultimate price -- death -- in order for each and every one of us to gain eternal life -- if we would only turn our hearts to Him -- Jesus -- the Giver of Life!
"So, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:28)
Making Jesus first and foremost in our life means moving on into His perfection. Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end, wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith), "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years, wherefore, I was grieved with that generation and said, "They do alway[s] err in their heart and they have not known My ways. So I sware in My wrath -- "They shall not enter into My rest." (Hebrews 3:6-11)
But note what the Lord say to us -- the children of promise? Those believers whom He looked to in the fullness of times, even before the world was shaped?
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:2-30)
Jesus -- the bread of life.
Jesus said, "He that comes to Me shall never hunger and He that believes on Me shall never thirst ... for I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise Him up at the last day." (John 6:35-41)
This is why it is critical for us to turn our hearts to Jesus because He is the living bread which came down from heaven. Jesus said if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever.
In this context then, we need to "take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. [Rather] exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; while it is said, "To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation ... for some, when they had heard did provoke; howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
But with whom was He grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." (Hebrews 3:12-19; I Corinthians 10:11; Numbers 14:2-30; Psalm 95:7-8)
All these things written for our examples/ensamples, and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come -- and to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. Neither to be idolaters, as were some of them: as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Most of all let us neither tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents. (I Corinthians 10:6-11; Romans 15:4; Philippians 4:5)
Instead, let our moderation and faith in God our Saviour be known unto all men. Rejoice in the Lord alway. Pray without ceasing. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God ... and the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ.
As an aside, if you have not yet accepted Jesus as your blessed Lord and Saviour, this is a good time to start for although He is patient, we need to remember -- as He pointed out -- today is the day of salvation. This very day!
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Jesus Of Nazareth King of the Jews Is God Manifest In the Flesh -- Part 1615
God descended and man ascended. Jesus was put to death but the flesh was quickened (made alive) by the Spirit. Why? Because as the scriptures state, He will not allow His holy Son to see corruption.
JESUS the child conceived of the Holy Ghost, who was not a partaker of sin, willingly laid down His prone to sin flesh substituting His sinless life in our place. In so doing, He thereby obtained remission of sin for all those who call upon Him!
As we know, JESUS died a cruel death upon a cross declared to be cursed. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone that hangs upon tree." But as we also know, death could not hold Jesus who was, and still is the Lord of Glory.
It is this same Jesus that in order to redeem mankind from their inherited sin was willing to lay down His life on the cross for our salvation. The sin nature being inherited from His natural father Adam who was willingly disobedient to the instruction of God. Adam, succumbed to satan’s deceptive lies resulting in Adam and Eve being expelled from the Eden Garden.
The good news is that Jesus bore our sin in His own body when crucified, becoming in appearance more marred than any other. For the Lord had laid upon Himself all that justice demanded to eradicate sin.
JESUS, having previously said, that as Moses had lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must also the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever looks upon Him, shall be delivered. JESUS being the Tree of Life!
JESUS said that if we were to destroy (kill/murder) this Temple (His body) then three days later He would raise His body up out of the realm of death. Therefore, the body of JESUS did not enter the state of corruption. Let me explain.
The first man Adam is of the earth, and we, being his descendants are clothed physically in flesh even as he was. Whereas the second Adam even though He was manifest in flesh outwardly -- yet inwardly He was the SEED of the holy Spirit. He was the Lord Himself who without reluctance came forth out of His glory humbling Himself and veiling Himself in flesh.
Now being found in fashion as a man, even as a Son for the sole purpose of man’s redemption, He clothed Himself in flesh. In flesh. Yes, the God who created us became even as we. As the created sons of God were, so He himself appeared in a body prepared of God. That He God whilst in the flesh should be tempted and tried in all points even as we and yet He, God as a Son did not sin.
Therefore, He alone who by the sacrifice of His flesh (prone to sin body found of the judicial system to have no fault in Him worthy of death) offers us a plan for salvation. Even though the mob crucified Him, urged into a frenzy by religious zealots, and hanging a sign declaring who He was, they couldn't dismiss God's ultimate plan of salvation.
That sign on the cross was written in three languages - Greek, Latin and Hebrew. On the sign it stated, JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS. While some wanted to remove the sign saying that that is who He said He was, nevertheless, the powers that be replied, what I have written remains.
Further, the angel declared that His name shall be called JESUS because it would be He, who would save His people from their sin. As it is also written, He came to his own people, and they did not receive Him. However, as many as did receive Him, to them He gave power to become the sons and daughters of God. ONLY BELIEVE!
Stand in the offering plate.
JESUS the child conceived of the Holy Ghost, who was not a partaker of sin, willingly laid down His prone to sin flesh substituting His sinless life in our place. In so doing, He thereby obtained remission of sin for all those who call upon Him!
As we know, JESUS died a cruel death upon a cross declared to be cursed. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone that hangs upon tree." But as we also know, death could not hold Jesus who was, and still is the Lord of Glory.
It is this same Jesus that in order to redeem mankind from their inherited sin was willing to lay down His life on the cross for our salvation. The sin nature being inherited from His natural father Adam who was willingly disobedient to the instruction of God. Adam, succumbed to satan’s deceptive lies resulting in Adam and Eve being expelled from the Eden Garden.
The good news is that Jesus bore our sin in His own body when crucified, becoming in appearance more marred than any other. For the Lord had laid upon Himself all that justice demanded to eradicate sin.
JESUS, having previously said, that as Moses had lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must also the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever looks upon Him, shall be delivered. JESUS being the Tree of Life!
JESUS said that if we were to destroy (kill/murder) this Temple (His body) then three days later He would raise His body up out of the realm of death. Therefore, the body of JESUS did not enter the state of corruption. Let me explain.
The first man Adam is of the earth, and we, being his descendants are clothed physically in flesh even as he was. Whereas the second Adam even though He was manifest in flesh outwardly -- yet inwardly He was the SEED of the holy Spirit. He was the Lord Himself who without reluctance came forth out of His glory humbling Himself and veiling Himself in flesh.
Now being found in fashion as a man, even as a Son for the sole purpose of man’s redemption, He clothed Himself in flesh. In flesh. Yes, the God who created us became even as we. As the created sons of God were, so He himself appeared in a body prepared of God. That He God whilst in the flesh should be tempted and tried in all points even as we and yet He, God as a Son did not sin.
Therefore, He alone who by the sacrifice of His flesh (prone to sin body found of the judicial system to have no fault in Him worthy of death) offers us a plan for salvation. Even though the mob crucified Him, urged into a frenzy by religious zealots, and hanging a sign declaring who He was, they couldn't dismiss God's ultimate plan of salvation.
That sign on the cross was written in three languages - Greek, Latin and Hebrew. On the sign it stated, JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS. While some wanted to remove the sign saying that that is who He said He was, nevertheless, the powers that be replied, what I have written remains.
Further, the angel declared that His name shall be called JESUS because it would be He, who would save His people from their sin. As it is also written, He came to his own people, and they did not receive Him. However, as many as did receive Him, to them He gave power to become the sons and daughters of God. ONLY BELIEVE!
Stand in the offering plate.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Hold Fast the Form of Sound Words, Which Thou Hast Heard Of Me, In Faith and Love Which Is In Christ Jesus -- Part 1614
"Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine ..." (II Timothy 4:2-4)
The same Word that was with God in the beginning and is God. (John 1:1-4) The same Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:14) The same He that was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. The same He that came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
His Word that 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)
For many, the question is how do we recognized sound doctrine? For starters, let's look at how "godliness" is defined in the scriptural context. That is:
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh; justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
Yes, God Himself prepared a body so that we who love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength could experience His gift of salvation. His love that is beyond measure. His peace that is beyond all human understanding.
His Name is Jesus. He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. (Revelation 1:8,11)
And beside Him, there is no other. He -- God Himself having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him -- whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven -- became the perfect sacrifice so that we, who were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present ye holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight -- if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven. (Colossians 1:1-29)
What is the gospel?
That the very same Lord God who moved across the face of the waters in the beginning loved us enough to blot out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us -- which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:14-15)
Indeed, "for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9; 1:19) And when we ask Jesus to be Lord in our hearts and lives, and are subsequently water baptized in His Name -- buried with Him in baptism; wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God -- who hath raised Him from the dead, and being dead in our sins, and the uncircumcision of our flesh -- hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
"Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it doth also in you -- since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth ..." (Colossians 1:6)
Some may argue that not everyone has heard the gospel but what did Isaiah prophesy?
"Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." (Romans 10:9-21)
Don't be led astray by the whims and deception of this world. Rather, confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead -- for the scripture saith, "Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Worship our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ who after His kindness and love became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
The One and Only who is capable of forgiving us of our sins -- because He alone shed His precious blood on the cross for us. This is why repentance and remission of sins must be preached in His Name. (Luke 24:45-49)
Thus, even though the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron, we do not have to be one of them. (I Timothy 4:1-2) We don't need to compromise the gospel that has the power to restore us to the very purpose which He wrote in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.
"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 2:9)
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3)
Stand in the offering plate.
And "if any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness -- from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain ..." (I Timothy 6:3-6)
Most believers recognize that we are living in a time when there are those who will not endure sound doctrine; "but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears ... those that will turn away their ears from the truth and shall instead be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3-4) We also know there is a significant increase in the planting of counterfeit churches across the nation that are ironically void of the Word.
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-Christ ..."
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-Christ ..."
The same Word that was with God in the beginning and is God. (John 1:1-4) The same Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:14) The same He that was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. The same He that came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
His Word that 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)
For many, the question is how do we recognized sound doctrine? For starters, let's look at how "godliness" is defined in the scriptural context. That is:
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh; justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
Yes, God Himself prepared a body so that we who love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength could experience His gift of salvation. His love that is beyond measure. His peace that is beyond all human understanding.
His Name is Jesus. He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. (Revelation 1:8,11)
And beside Him, there is no other. He -- God Himself having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him -- whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven -- became the perfect sacrifice so that we, who were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present ye holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight -- if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven. (Colossians 1:1-29)
What is the gospel?
That the very same Lord God who moved across the face of the waters in the beginning loved us enough to blot out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us -- which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:14-15)
Indeed, "for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9; 1:19) And when we ask Jesus to be Lord in our hearts and lives, and are subsequently water baptized in His Name -- buried with Him in baptism; wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God -- who hath raised Him from the dead, and being dead in our sins, and the uncircumcision of our flesh -- hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
"Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it doth also in you -- since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth ..." (Colossians 1:6)
Some may argue that not everyone has heard the gospel but what did Isaiah prophesy?
"Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." (Romans 10:9-21)
Don't be led astray by the whims and deception of this world. Rather, confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead -- for the scripture saith, "Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Worship our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ who after His kindness and love became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
The One and Only who is capable of forgiving us of our sins -- because He alone shed His precious blood on the cross for us. This is why repentance and remission of sins must be preached in His Name. (Luke 24:45-49)
Thus, even though the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron, we do not have to be one of them. (I Timothy 4:1-2) We don't need to compromise the gospel that has the power to restore us to the very purpose which He wrote in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.
"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 2:9)
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3)
Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
For I Delight in the Law of God After the Inward Man - Part 1613
The mystery that was held from the very beginning, and even before the foundation of the world was formed is that God Himself would become the perfect sacrifice for us on the cross so that we might find life in Him. And to this day, the Lord Jesus is inviting us to His wedding feast. He is calling each and every one of us to know Him personally as our Saviour, and to be water baptized in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-38) Why? Because as Peter (standing with the eleven) declared on the day of Pentecost, this same Jesus whom ye/we have crucified is both Lord and Christ.
The only way that we can have the riches and the glory that the apostle Paul speaks about is by having Christ within us--by receiving the Holy Ghost (the Ghost, or Spirit of Christ). In his letter to the Corinthian church, apostle Paul's underlying message of the Spirit's identification within them remained the same [that Jesus Christ is in His believers]. This message is spelled out plainly: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5).
"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 seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:16-18).
Jesus' command to His disciples, found in Matthew 28:19, was for them to baptize individuals in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost's name. Note: all four (4) Gospel writers and the other disciples were present, stood behind, and supported the Apostle Peter as He delivered that name of Matthew 28:19 to the crowd at Pentecost, Acts chapter 2.
This explains why if you compare verse with verse and cross-reference passages in the Bible, then God will open your understanding of who He is. He is wanting you to know Him personally...He wants you to receive Him. The Holy Ghost is none other than Jesus Christ in Spirit form and He can be IN you if you allow Him. Give yourself that hope and peace and joy spoken of by the apostle Paul, by receiving the Holy Ghost power, which is the Spirit of truth, which is the Spirit of Christ in you, the hope of glory!
It is only Jesus who can satisfy the yearning within our soul. It is only Jesus who can take our bondage and set us free, inviting us into His liberty. (Galatians 5:1) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8,11)
Note that apostle Paul was commissioned by God to tell the Gentiles about Jesus Christ, and this mission established when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. Note also that even though Saul/Paul recognized Jesus as Lord at that time, he had a lot to learn, and thus, the reason whey he was taken to see a certain disciple named Ananias. Why is this important? Because too often we leave new believers with very little understanding of the scriptures, and what Jesus had to say, so that these do not get grounded in His Word.
In fact, the Lord said to Ananias about Saul.Paul, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel; for I will shew him how great things He must suffer for My Name's sake." (Acts 9:15-16) And as we see from Paul's ministry, it was the same message delivered by Peter standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47) That is:
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory..." (Colossians 1:25-27)
In other words, Paul was saying -- God has given me the responsibility of serving His church by proclaiming His entire message -- the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ -- to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God's people. For God wanted them/us to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory" (Colossians 1:25-27).
In other words, Paul was saying -- God has given me the responsibility of serving His church by proclaiming His entire message -- the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ -- to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God's people. For God wanted them/us to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory" (Colossians 1:25-27).
The only way that we can have the riches and the glory that the apostle Paul speaks about is by having Christ within us--by receiving the Holy Ghost (the Ghost, or Spirit of Christ). In his letter to the Corinthian church, apostle Paul's underlying message of the Spirit's identification within them remained the same [that Jesus Christ is in His believers]. This message is spelled out plainly: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Though Christ's physical body could not be present in His believers, however, He could be present spiritually. Jesus fulfilled His promises ("For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them"--Matthew 18:20; and, "...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world..."--Matthew 28:20) by manifesting Himself as the Holy Ghost!
"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 seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:16-18).
Compare John's scripture "Even the Spirit of truth..." with that of the apostle Paul's "Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Corinthians 3:17). And we know that there is only One Lord who is Jesus Christ! (Acts 2:36) Jesus had been with His disciples physically, but He let them know that He would be going away and would soon be back with them spiritually. (Acts 1:2-3) Notice that Jesus told them "another" Comforter.
Does this mean another person would take Jesus' place? Not at all. Note what John states about this other Comforter: the disciples would know Him because He was already dwelling with them and would be IN them. Then, in verse 18 of John chapter 14, the writer John penned the identification of this Comforter as Jesus ("I will come to you"). Jesus, as the Comforter, would once again be with them, but this time, not in a physical relationship as before, but in a spiritual relationship, just as He is with us today.
Does this mean another person would take Jesus' place? Not at all. Note what John states about this other Comforter: the disciples would know Him because He was already dwelling with them and would be IN them. Then, in verse 18 of John chapter 14, the writer John penned the identification of this Comforter as Jesus ("I will come to you"). Jesus, as the Comforter, would once again be with them, but this time, not in a physical relationship as before, but in a spiritual relationship, just as He is with us today.
Jesus' command to His disciples, found in Matthew 28:19, was for them to baptize individuals in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost's name. Note: all four (4) Gospel writers and the other disciples were present, stood behind, and supported the Apostle Peter as He delivered that name of Matthew 28:19 to the crowd at Pentecost, Acts chapter 2.
"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" (Acts 2:38).
Why did they declare only ONE name to the crowd that day? Simple! Jesus had given them detailed information during His ministry as to His identification, and there could be no room for error on their part as they delivered the anointed message of Salvation to the Jews at Jerusalem in Acts 2:38 (see also Luke 24:47). They fully comprehended the commission Jesus had given them. They understood that the name of the Father is Jesus....they understood that the name of the Son is Jesus....they understood that the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus, and hence, their response of "...in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38).
The disciples' understanding of who Jesus was is the same as the apostle Paul's. Link Matthew 28:19 with Acts 2:38. Note that there is complete harmony among all Scriptures by understanding who Jesus is -- Almighty God in the flesh. The fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him.
This explains why if you compare verse with verse and cross-reference passages in the Bible, then God will open your understanding of who He is. He is wanting you to know Him personally...He wants you to receive Him. The Holy Ghost is none other than Jesus Christ in Spirit form and He can be IN you if you allow Him. Give yourself that hope and peace and joy spoken of by the apostle Paul, by receiving the Holy Ghost power, which is the Spirit of truth, which is the Spirit of Christ in you, the hope of glory!
His Name is Jesus and He loves you beyond measure! Stand in the offering plate.
Monday, February 6, 2017
If By Any Means I May Provoke To Emulation Them Which Are My Flesh, And Might Save Some of Them - Part 1612
"In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight, if ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister ...." (Colossians 1:22-23)
Do we understand that Jesus is Almighty God manifest in the flesh, being wholly willing to pay the ultimate price to deliver His gift of salvation -- so, that we can be unblameable and unreproveable in His sight because of the blood He shed for us -- in the body of His flesh through death? And, as a consequence, do we desire to know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ better? Or, instead, do we dismiss Jesus away as just a man without consequence? It is within these opposing parameters that our soul yearns to be satisfied, and that we similarly begin to understand that without Jesus as Lord of our life, we can never receive the peace and joy within our very being that was intended from the very beginning.
His love and peace and joy that surpasses all human understanding. The same fulfillment of grace in our heart that only comes from accepting Jesus into our heart as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) And it is from this perspective that we as believers go into the world, desiring that none -- not any one of our loved ones -- are lost to eternal damnation.
We more fully understand this compassion for others from the testimony of those who went before us, in their faith walk with Jesus. For example, the apostle Paul prioritized salvation of the soul to the point that even in the destruction of one's flesh, their spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (I Corinthians 5:5) Jude, too, as the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James encouraged us to keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life,
"And of some have compassion, making a difference; and others, save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever, amen." (Jude 1:21-25)
Indeed, Jude instructs us (as believers in Jesus by faith) to build [y]ourselves on [y]our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. (Jude 1:20) So that we may be comforted in times of trouble. So that we may speak the things which become sound doctrine. So that He can purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13-15)
"Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities, for we know what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, and He that searches the hearts knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26; Romans 11:14)
But to reach the potential of the purpose He placed in our heart while we were still in our mother's womb, we must be rooted in the faith -- understanding the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, and now is made manifest to His saints.
God our Saviour. Yes, His Name is Jesus. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8,11) And when we desire His purpose in our hearts, He lifts us into the heavenly, and is faithful to those who acknowledge the truth which is after godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie promised before the world began. (Titus 1:1-3; I Timothy 3:16)
And thus, "as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:7)
"Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:13-15; Ephesians 3:21)
We have so very much to be thankful for, knowing that after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) Stand in the offering plate.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Jesus Is God Manifest in the Flesh - Part 1611
Whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Whosoever. It is the "whose soever" that we will focus on today. Why? Because it pleased God that by the foolishness of preaching the gospel of His kingdom, people would be saved. That the simplistic act of preaching the gospel would save them that believe.
Faith is defined in the scriptures as being the substance of things hoped -- the evidence of things not as yet seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Anyone coming to God must first believe that He is and second, that He is a rewarder of all persons that diligently seek Him!
This means believing in Him -- the same Jesus who is God Himself manifest in the flesh as a Son. Jesus is not separate from the eternal unseen Spirit of God but rather Jesus is the unseen Spirit of God manifest in the flesh. If one had seen Jesus, then they would be looking at the Father appearing as a Son. God has made Himself known to us as a Son.
We have endeavoured in previous presentations to outline that God is Spirit. Yes and God is the Father of all spirits. Further, God is the Seed of All life. In God is life! If you think about it, we are spirits clothed in apparel called flesh. God has hemmed us in with fleshly coverings. Male and female made He them.
.
In spirit form, you are invisible. The very Seed delivered through Mum and Dad was provided of God. You were clothed in a mother's womb. Lo and behold, you who I could not see now I do see and can handle. The following analogy might help to clarify this point. Your father prior to your birth was known as a son. However, with your birth he has now become a father. Prior to the arrival of the baby, your father only spoke as a son. Now your dad speaks both as a son and as a father. You were fathered (seeded) through a son’s body. Your Dad still appeared as a son, although now he is also a father, still dwelling in a son's body.
God Himself appeared as a Son named Jesus. Jesus was the Seed of the humanity of God. Within Jesus' veins flowed the blood of the Holy Ghost. The formed fetus was God (that is why at Calvary, not one bone of His body was broken). It is also why His sinless blood was shed whereas, His body which was sinful flesh, nourished from His prone to sin surrogate mother Mary -- that prone to sin sinful flesh at Calvary was more marred than any other living person.
Still, all of our sin was laid upon that sin prone flesh because of the indwelling Spirit of God. Jesus' flesh though tempted in all points like as we are, never sinned. GOD FATHERED YOU IN A SON'S BODY AT CALVARY! He who did no sin took it upon Himself willingly - our sin - so that we might receive His righteousness.
Recognize that it was GOD who laid down His life as a SON. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. As a consequence, there are NO more sacrifices or offering for sin!. No matter what religion declares. GOD PAID THE PRICE IN FULL. Eternal life is a GIFT! Let faith arise in your heart.
Stand in the Offering plate!
Faith is defined in the scriptures as being the substance of things hoped -- the evidence of things not as yet seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Anyone coming to God must first believe that He is and second, that He is a rewarder of all persons that diligently seek Him!
This means believing in Him -- the same Jesus who is God Himself manifest in the flesh as a Son. Jesus is not separate from the eternal unseen Spirit of God but rather Jesus is the unseen Spirit of God manifest in the flesh. If one had seen Jesus, then they would be looking at the Father appearing as a Son. God has made Himself known to us as a Son.
We have endeavoured in previous presentations to outline that God is Spirit. Yes and God is the Father of all spirits. Further, God is the Seed of All life. In God is life! If you think about it, we are spirits clothed in apparel called flesh. God has hemmed us in with fleshly coverings. Male and female made He them.
.
In spirit form, you are invisible. The very Seed delivered through Mum and Dad was provided of God. You were clothed in a mother's womb. Lo and behold, you who I could not see now I do see and can handle. The following analogy might help to clarify this point. Your father prior to your birth was known as a son. However, with your birth he has now become a father. Prior to the arrival of the baby, your father only spoke as a son. Now your dad speaks both as a son and as a father. You were fathered (seeded) through a son’s body. Your Dad still appeared as a son, although now he is also a father, still dwelling in a son's body.
God Himself appeared as a Son named Jesus. Jesus was the Seed of the humanity of God. Within Jesus' veins flowed the blood of the Holy Ghost. The formed fetus was God (that is why at Calvary, not one bone of His body was broken). It is also why His sinless blood was shed whereas, His body which was sinful flesh, nourished from His prone to sin surrogate mother Mary -- that prone to sin sinful flesh at Calvary was more marred than any other living person.
Still, all of our sin was laid upon that sin prone flesh because of the indwelling Spirit of God. Jesus' flesh though tempted in all points like as we are, never sinned. GOD FATHERED YOU IN A SON'S BODY AT CALVARY! He who did no sin took it upon Himself willingly - our sin - so that we might receive His righteousness.
Recognize that it was GOD who laid down His life as a SON. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. As a consequence, there are NO more sacrifices or offering for sin!. No matter what religion declares. GOD PAID THE PRICE IN FULL. Eternal life is a GIFT! Let faith arise in your heart.
Stand in the Offering plate!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Preach the Word; Be Instant In Season; Out of Season; Reprove; Rebuke; Exhort With All Long Suffering and Doctrine -- Part 1610
In recent decades, we have witnessed a falling away from the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, even when we -- as believers in Jesus by faith, are instructed to "speak thou the things which become sound doctrine ... holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 2:1; Titus 1:9)
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began wrote in his epistle to Titus that this same God "hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1-3)
The simplicity of the gospel (for those of us living in this current dispensation of grace) are clearly laid out in these three verses. First, acknowledging His truth is after godliness. Second, that in Jesus we have hope of eternal life -- because God does not lie. Third, His plan of salvation was promised before the world began. More to the point, He hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching the "commandment of God our Saviour."
His Name is Jesus. He is holy. He is wondrous. He is the ultimate joy giver. And the redeemed worship Him from their hearts. Therefore, when the naysayers with limited worldly wisdom come your way, attempting to deceive you with foolishness, remember the words of Paul. That is, hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard ... in faith and love which is only in Christ Jesus.
Yes, remaining steadfast in the apostle's doctrine, as the first 3,000 souls did on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-47) Indeed, preaching the Word; being instant both in season and out of season; reproving and rebuking those who attempt to move us away from personally knowing the Lord of glory, and conversely, exhorting with all long suffering and doctrine those whose hearts are hungry for His Word. The Lord Jesus never left us without good counsel for both ends of the spectrum. We certainly see this faithfulness to the truth exemplified in the gospel of Paul to Titus.
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began wrote in his epistle to Titus that this same God "hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1-3)
The simplicity of the gospel (for those of us living in this current dispensation of grace) are clearly laid out in these three verses. First, acknowledging His truth is after godliness. Second, that in Jesus we have hope of eternal life -- because God does not lie. Third, His plan of salvation was promised before the world began. More to the point, He hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching the "commandment of God our Saviour."
Not preaching another G/god, or God in three persons trinity doctrine as many teach, but preaching that this One and Same Lord God who created the world in the very beginning robed Himself in human flesh. The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:21-23)
"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 mystery that was promised before the foundation of the world was even laid is this -- that He Himself who knew no sin would become the perfect sacrifice on an old wooden cross, shedding His holy blood so that our transgressions (as crimson as they are) could be made white as snow.
Am I digressing? I hope not. As background, Paul is writing herein to a close and trusted disciple Titus that Paul affectionately calls his partner and fellow helper -- a messenger of the churches and the glory of Christ in II Corinthians 8:23. It is important to note that Titus (being Greek) was not ever compelled to be circumcised. (Galatians 2:3) Still, he did accompany Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, where Paul had went by revelation, and communicated among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, "lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." (Galatians 2:2)
Am I digressing? I hope not. As background, Paul is writing herein to a close and trusted disciple Titus that Paul affectionately calls his partner and fellow helper -- a messenger of the churches and the glory of Christ in II Corinthians 8:23. It is important to note that Titus (being Greek) was not ever compelled to be circumcised. (Galatians 2:3) Still, he did accompany Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, where Paul had went by revelation, and communicated among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, "lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." (Galatians 2:2)
Nevertheless, as Paul scribed, the same "God that comforts those that are cast down comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more ..." (II Corinthians 7:6-7; 6-16)
And also, in another place, Paul states, "But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you, for indeed he accepted the exhortation: but being more forward of his own accord, he went unto you, and we have sent him with the brother , whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches, to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind." (II Corinthians 8:16-24)
Titus having walked with Paul as a brother, not making gain of any but rather walking in the same Spirit, and walking in the same steps. "Again think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? We speak before God in Christ; but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying." (II Corinthians 12:18-19)
Neither Paul nor Titus strayed from the truth of the commandment of God in Christ -- God Himself becoming the greatest love story ever told -- not even for a minute, and neither should we, because He is our only hope. Our Saviour who loves us beyond measure. He is inviting to come to His throne. To put on His coat of righteousness. The grace of God having appeared for the salvation of all mankind, paying the price for our sin once and for all.
His Name is Jesus. He is holy. He is wondrous. He is the ultimate joy giver. And the redeemed worship Him from their hearts. Therefore, when the naysayers with limited worldly wisdom come your way, attempting to deceive you with foolishness, remember the words of Paul. That is, hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard ... in faith and love which is only in Christ Jesus.
Stand in the offering plate.
No Servant Can Serve Two Masters, For Either He Will Hate the One, And Love the Other, Or Else He Will Hold to the One and Despise the Other - Part 1609
"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:10-12)
In other words, as Jesus so clearly stated in Luke 16, you cannot serve both God and mammon. Neither can we compromise our faith, as the debtors so willingly did, when the unjust steward came their way (in Jesus parable regarding the unjust steward). (Luke 16:5-7) And yet, when we look around and see how the scriptures are being twisted and even worse completely ignored, we are left wondering (as did the Lord) if He would find any faith in this world when He returns again for His chosen.
Nevertheless, like the Israelite's did when they crossed through the Red Sea, we follow a Rock and that Rock is Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1-4) That Rock has not changed. In fact, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And, for the record, His Word doesn't change because there are some who choose to believe otherwise. This is why we are instructed to study His 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)
In so doing, we give diligence to make our calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:10-11)
This is important because we live in a time period when the illiteracy rate for knowing the scriptures and thereby understanding Jesus' goodness and mercy for each and every one of us is almost at an all time high. It is in this context that those who believe in Jesus by faith should pray for the Lord to raise tutors, who will stand in the windy places of this world and proclaim the gospel -- as it is written.
What do the scriptures say? "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue -- but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him ... for if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemns us not [then] have we confidence toward God.And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment -- that we should believe on the "Name" of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keeps His commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us." (I John 3:18-24)
His Name is Jesus! Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. King of kings and Lord of lords, so the next time someone comes along and tries to deceive you with some notion that both the Lord and the devil are within you at the same time, tell them what Jesus said -- that no man can serve two masters.
Jesus said, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy WHOLE body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:22-24)
Luke explains Jesus' teaching this way: "The light of the body is the eye: therefore, when thine eye is single, thy WHOLE body also is full of light: but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light." (Luke 11:34-35)
And who is the Light, the Light that lights the world? Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. After His love and kindness, did this same Lord God who created this world love us enough to become the perfect sacrifice on a cross for you and I. And He never fails! Why?
Because "in Him was life; and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." As the scripture proclaims, John the baptist was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."That was the true Light which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His Name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father -- full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-18)
The One and Only Saviour, wherein is our hope and peace and joy. Ask Jesus to fill you with His Light today. Stand in the offering plate.
In other words, as Jesus so clearly stated in Luke 16, you cannot serve both God and mammon. Neither can we compromise our faith, as the debtors so willingly did, when the unjust steward came their way (in Jesus parable regarding the unjust steward). (Luke 16:5-7) And yet, when we look around and see how the scriptures are being twisted and even worse completely ignored, we are left wondering (as did the Lord) if He would find any faith in this world when He returns again for His chosen.
Nevertheless, like the Israelite's did when they crossed through the Red Sea, we follow a Rock and that Rock is Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1-4) That Rock has not changed. In fact, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And, for the record, His Word doesn't change because there are some who choose to believe otherwise. This is why we are instructed to study His 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)
In so doing, we give diligence to make our calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:10-11)
This is important because we live in a time period when the illiteracy rate for knowing the scriptures and thereby understanding Jesus' goodness and mercy for each and every one of us is almost at an all time high. It is in this context that those who believe in Jesus by faith should pray for the Lord to raise tutors, who will stand in the windy places of this world and proclaim the gospel -- as it is written.
What do the scriptures say? "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue -- but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him ... for if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemns us not [then] have we confidence toward God.And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment -- that we should believe on the "Name" of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keeps His commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us." (I John 3:18-24)
His Name is Jesus! Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. King of kings and Lord of lords, so the next time someone comes along and tries to deceive you with some notion that both the Lord and the devil are within you at the same time, tell them what Jesus said -- that no man can serve two masters.
Jesus said, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy WHOLE body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:22-24)
Luke explains Jesus' teaching this way: "The light of the body is the eye: therefore, when thine eye is single, thy WHOLE body also is full of light: but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light." (Luke 11:34-35)
And who is the Light, the Light that lights the world? Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. After His love and kindness, did this same Lord God who created this world love us enough to become the perfect sacrifice on a cross for you and I. And He never fails! Why?
Because "in Him was life; and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." As the scripture proclaims, John the baptist was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."That was the true Light which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His Name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father -- full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-18)
The One and Only Saviour, wherein is our hope and peace and joy. Ask Jesus to fill you with His Light today. Stand in the offering plate.
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