Who Is This King of glory? The LORD of Hosts, He Is The King of Glory. Selah; Because It Is Written, Be Ye Holy; For I Am Holy - Part 1842

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah." (Psalm 24:10)

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:9-11; Isaiah 28:16)

In this context, there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the SAME LORD over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. As the scripture declares, "For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:12-13)

When we understand that believing in God our Saviour is our first response -- whom having not seen ye love, confessing with our mouth the Lord Jesus, believing in our heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, our hearts subsequently believe unto righteousness. And thus, our hearts and minds begin to change. Our minds renewed. Our hearts more willing to desire His precious love and mercy.

Why? Because the Lord Jesus is the Giver of life, the Bread from heaven wherein we never hunger; and the living water wherein we will never thirst again.

In fact, all the way through the New Testament, we witness hearts that have been dramatically changed. In example after example, we witness the Lord's mercy on all people. John the baptizer, for example, introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God, pointing to Jesus in everything he did. Peter told the first 3,000 souls saved that Jesus was both Lord and Christ, and that we must believe on Him and be water baptized, in order to be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41) Paul tells of the son of man who revealed Himself as the Lord of glory when (as Saul), he was blinded by the life.

And then there are those who were healed when Jesus ventured their way, who had their own encounter with the Lord of glory. Drawing from I Peter, we learn about His plan of salvation, that was foreordained before the foundation of the world. Yes, He was manifest in these last times for you. The Word made flesh. God manifest in the flesh.

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the Word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:17-25)

The Word of the Lord that has already been established in heaven. Therefore, he/she that believes on Him is not condemned but he/she that believes not is condemned already because he/she hath not believe in the NAME of the only begotten Son of God. For those who may not know, the Name of the only begotten Son of God is JESUS in this current dispensation of grace, for as the scriptures declare, "He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)

His Name given so that we might have salvation in Him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son  that whosoever believes IN HIM should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Moreover, whosoever drinks of the water that He gives, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. When this happens, your cup will runneth over with His joy and peace and love and mercy forevermore. Yes, when we love our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we learn of kindness, and how allowing His love to flow through us makes us whole again.

"By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left ..." (II Corinthians 6:6-7)

"That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7)

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye." (Colossians 3:12)

Stand in the offering plate.

For Then Must He Often Have Suffered Since the Foundation of the World; But Now Once In The End Of The World Hath He Appeared To Put Away Sin By The Sacrifice Of Himself - Part 1841

Grace and peace be to you from our God and Father the Lord Jesus the Christ. (Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2)

The grace of God which brings forth salvation has appeared. Yes, God was manifest in the flesh so that we might obtain life eternal. (I Timothy 3:16) Because of His abundant love, GOD Himself as a Son came to redeem His household so that we -- the redeemed now being the temple in which His holy Spirit is pleased to dwell -- can be saved. God in Christ purchased us with His own precious blood, which eternal life blood flowed in the veins of the son child JESUS who was conceived of the SEED life of God.

"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; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:8; Titus 3:4-7)

How? JESUS' body was nourished and clothed in flesh in the womb of His surrogate mother Mary and  fashioned in flesh appearing a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death. That He [JESUS] by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Therefore, without hesitance, let us come boldly to His throne of grace so that we may obtain mercy that will comfort and help us in times of need.

And just in case there are those who want to elevate Mary to a status beyond a disciple of Jesus (just like you and I who believe), Mary states, "My should doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:46-47) Further to this point, note that Mary was one of the 120 in the upper room in Jerusalem -- read Acts 1 and 2 for clarification and understanding. But I digress.

God as a Son being God manifest in the flesh as a Son was obedient to the will of His Father the Holy Ghost. This is when (as Luke explains) the angel of the Lord said unto Mary, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

Thus, the decision was made as a Son that He would lay aside the will of His flesh (to live) and consequently become obedient to the will of His Father which was, as we now realize to lay down His flesh as a sacrificial offering. The mystery that was held from the foundation of the world, wherein, the Lord of glory would descend from heaven so that we might have life.

"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8)

But then there came the appointed time, when the dayspring from on high would visit His people. Then was the Christ 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 9:27)

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect, for then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins ..." (Hebrews 10:1-2)

Therefore, the Lamb of God, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9, 12, 14)

And, as John the baptizer pointed out when He saw Jesus coming toward him, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

On making this decision for humans everywhere, JESUS sweat as these were drops of blood (the pivotal decision to which He responded by saying, "Not My will [the will of the flesh to live] but Thy will be done." Amen! Abba Father!

"For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." (Hebrews 9:26)

Herein we see the grace of the Lord JESUS the Christ manifesting the love of God towards us. God as a Son, by the willing sacrifice of His sinless body, His humanity (yet prone to sin body) which has redeemed us to commune and fellowship with His holy Spirit.

It is because of God's willingness to become a man that we are assured that the Son of God has come and opened our understanding. So that we can know and recognize the truth as stated in the gospel scriptures. For in JESUS - the Son of the Spirit of God did all truth dwell -- JESUS who is the true God -- the Tree of eternal life! It is unto Him that we are kept from falling in our daily walk with Jesus. It is He who will present us as faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Yes, to the one and only wise God Our Saviour, be the glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

To the believing church, please remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, stand fast therein. Peace in JESUS!

Jesus Said, "Do Ye Now Believe?" - Part 1840

Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you -- that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33)

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

"But. now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for He is our peace, who hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us], having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself twain one new man, so making peace: and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby, and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

For through Him [Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:13-22)

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:11)

He is the Head of the body of Christ church. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords -- for He shall save His people from their sins.

For those who believe in Jesus by faith (and are water baptized in His Name -- as an answer of a good conscience toward God - Acts 2:36-47; I Peter 3:21-22; Romans 6:3-4), the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knows them that are His," and, "Let everyone that names Christ depart from iniquity." (II Timothy 2:19)

This is why we through Him have access by One Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18; Acts 1:2-3)

Not two or three, or seven, or ten spirits, as the modern day religious culture would have us believe, but One Lord God Almighty who loved us so much that He would willingly robe Himself in flesh for you and I. The Word that was with God and was God, was made flesh and dwelt among us. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

The one and same Spirit of the Lord who moved upon the face of the waters in Genesis. The one and same Spirit in which Jesus, after He was taken up gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. The one and same Spirit of whom the whole family now in both heaven and earth is named.  The one and same Spirit -- of which we, through Him have access by One Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 4:5-6; Acts 1:2-3; Genesis 1:2)

Until the day in which He [Jesus] was taken up, after that, He [Jesus] THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He [Jesus] had chosen; to whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:2-3)

The plan of salvation -- "according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ephesians 3:11)

Indeed, "according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself ...

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, [even] in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will ...

That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ, in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory!" (Ephesians 1:4-14)

The mystery that was held from the beginning of the world is found in the New Testament Holy Ghost, wherein we as believers do understand and worship the Lord and His Christ as One -- the Son of man being also the Lord of glory -- even when the kings of the earth stand up in opposition and the rulers gather together against us because of the Name of Thy holy child Jesus. But just like the apostles did, when the persecution happened to them, "they prayed, the place was shaken, where they were assembled together; and they are all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness ... and great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:30-33)

Meditate on these things. Know that there is nothing that will happen to you this day that our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ has not already worked out for His glory and honour and praise. Our desire then should be to keep our eyes focused on Him who has set us free, so that we can stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1)

The same He that was in the church in the wilderness. (Acts 7:38)

Stand in the offering plate.

For Whosoever Shall Call Upon The Name of The Lord Shall Be Saved; His Name Is JESUS, For He Shall Save His People From Their Sins - Part 1839

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice ... that the trial of your faith being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [Him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:8-9)

Continuing from a previous post, we understand then that the law is the schoolmaster intended to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

"The scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under this schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ!" (Galatians 3:22-27; Acts 13:39; Acts 2:36-47; John 1:12; Romans 6:2-3; Romans 10:12)

In another place, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes." (Romans 10:4) "And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)

Indeed, most of Paul's writings to believing saints focuses on the love of our Lord God and Saviour, and how, after His kindness and love for His people, willingly paid the ultimate price for our transgressions -- His precious holy blood being shed on a cross for you and I. (Titus 3:4-7) As the perfect Lamb, He blotted out our sins once and for all, and as a consequence of a subsequent clear conscience, we desire to be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38; I Peter 3:21-22)

Our robes forever washed clean, our minds renewed, and our hearts turned to the Lord of glory, so that we can receive in our hearts the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. (Revelation 7:14) And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgression that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15-18)

But there had to first be a changing of the guard, because the law could not suffice. There had to be a new covenant wherein the dayspring from on high would visit His people. And thus, the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. (Hebrews 9:8)

"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us ... He through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purging your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:11-14)

He is our hope, the joy wherein our cup runneth, "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. ... For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live: yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:16-20)

In other words, we can't work for one employer and expect to be paid from another down the block. This is why we give all of ourselves -- our heart, soul, mind, and strength to our Lord God and Saviour and let Him lead and guide us in His wisdom and knowledge, because He is our all in all.

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:16-17; Jeremiah 31:33-34)

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, and having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; ) for He is faithful that promised. (Hebrews 10:18-23)

Stand in the offering plate.

The Word Is Nigh Thee, Even In Thy Mouth and In Thy Heart: That Is, The Word Of Faith, Which We Preach - Part 1838

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18; Isaiah 41:16; Isaiah 61:10)

Yes, what a privilege we have to behold the Lord God Almighty who (as the prophets from afore declared) shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. He who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance. (Isaiah 40:10-12; John 10:11, 14-16; Hebrews 13:20; I Peter 2:25)

"Do ye not know? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sits upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in." (Isaiah 40:21-22; Romans 1:19)

Indeed, He Himself has revealed to us the greatest love story ever told! That is, God Himself after His kindness and love would willingly become our Saviour, shedding His precious blood on a cross, so that you and I could experience salvation in Him. (Titus 3:4-7) God manifest in the flesh, so that we might be be grafted in as a member of His family -- the body of Christ church. (I Timothy 3:16)

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

And, as a consequence, He is the pearl of greatest treasure! This is why we (as believers in Jesus by faith) are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek, for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17; Psalm 40:9-10; Romans 3:21)

And in another place, "that the Gentiles which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith." (Romans 9:30; Romans 4:11)

Apostle Paul knew firsthand of the Lord God's abundant love and mercy for His beloved creation. As such, Paul was willing to go to great lengths to ensure that every single person he met knew of our Lord God and Saviour's endless mercy, His long-suffering and His love beyond measure. How the Lord God desired to call us "My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved ... and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not My people, there shall they be called the children of the living God." (Romans 9:25-26; Hosea 2:23; Isaiah 10:22-23; Romans 11:5)

Paul writes, "What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory -- even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only but also of the Gentiles." (Romans 9:23-24; Colossians 1:27; Romans 8:28-30)

But the apostle also knew, like Habakkuk who had prophesied afore about the Israelites -- that his brethren were not saved and his heart was heavy with concern for them. As the scripture states, "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness hath not attained the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; as it is written, "Behold, I lay in S/Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence; and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:32-33)

These did not accept the Rock, the Head of the body of Christ church, the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Nevertheless, Paul's heart desired that these would be saved. Paul writes, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is this -- that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes." (Romans 10:1-4)

This same message -- that Christ fulfilled the law so that we can be saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God -- is evident throughout Paul's epistle to both the saints at Ephesus and in Galatia. Indeed, Paul declared that if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But as the scripture points out, "God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore [asks Paul] then serve the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the SEED should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one but [nevertheless] God is one!" (Galatians 3:18-20)

And in Jesus did the SEED of promise come. The one and only mediator between God and man -- the veil torn from heaven to earth, so that we who were once sinners without hope, could be redeemed.

"Does this mean that the law then is against the promises of God?" Of course not, but rather, if reveals to us that if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have and would have been by the law. But there was not a law.  So instead, the scripture hath concluded that all are under sin so "that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:21-22)

What promise? The promise of God in Christ. (Galatians 3:17; Romans 4:13) And to thy seed which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:14) Note that His plan of salvation was decided by God before the creation of the world -- "the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:8)

Therefore, as we now know, the law is not of faith, which explains why Christ has redeemed us FROM the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written; "Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree." (Galatians 3:13; Romans 8:3-4; Deuteronomy 21:23; Romans 4:5, 9, 16; Isaiah 49:6; Romans 3:29-30) But there is more.

As we know, Paul experienced great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart for his brethren -- "my kinsmen according to the flesh; who are Israelites to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises, whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came -- who is over all [the eternally blessed] God forever," because Paul wanted to see them saved.

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed form Christ for my brethren ..." (Romans 9:1)

Paul's intention in writing was for us to understand that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes. (Romans 10:4) And that we are saved by faith and not of works. And, that it is by faith we stand. (II Corinthians 1:24) Likewise, that we might know the love of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ in our hearts because of the Word of faith which we preach. (Romans 10:8)

Stand in the offering plate.

But Ye Have Not So Learned, If So Be That Ye Have Heard Him, And Have Been Taught By Him, As The Truth Is In Jesus - Part 1837

"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his flesh intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and band having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God. 

Wherefore ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances. (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." (Colossians 2:21-23)

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, [even] Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto edifying of itself in love ..." (Ephesians 4:15-16)

"Which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:23)

The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-14) 

His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins .. Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us! (Matthew 1:21-23)

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

As believers in Jesus, we have tasted the Word of God. We have become partakers of the redemption purchased by the blood of Jesus -- redemption purchased by the blood and water that flowed from the Seed of the holy Spirit's side. Without this Seed -- Jesus -- there never would have been redemption. And, if there had never been redemption, there would never have been salvation.

But the good news is that because we believed in our hearts that Jesus loves us -- and because of His abundant (but non-deserving from our standpoint) grace, we are able to look upon and accept the Tree of Life. The life that was embedded in that Tree of Life is available free of charge to each and every one of us. All we have to do is call on the name of Jesus -- the Lord of Glory -- whose sinless body as a shell hung on a cross for us.

His body hideous on the cross because there, the God who loved us so much was covering our multitude of sins with His precious blood. Jesus who knew no sin upon Himself was willingly giving His life so that we could freely receive His righteousness as a gift. As a consequence, we are no longer condemned if we believe. Jesus took our place on the cross. Once and for all. And there is nothing that we can do to ever deserve Jesus' grace. But He let His humanity die on the cross so that we might have life abundant.

The old Adamic nature that is inherent in us since birth is buried with Jesus. God raises us out of the tomb as He did Jesus. We experience the new birth so that we can continue in obedience to our Lord -- the second Adam. Indeed, we have been crucified, buried and raised again in the newness of His imparted Tree of Life. Here, we not only bear much fruit but we are clothed with His righteousness.

Accept the Word -- Jesus the Word of God's counselled plan of redemption -- personally delivered to you and I, the Spirit of God now delivering to us, through His own redeemed Holy Spirit filled body His Word -- that we would repent and be baptized into the name of Jesus -- as outlined in Acts 2.

Stand in the offering plate.

To Whom Be Glory Forever And Ever, Amen, The Lord of Hosts, Jesus Is His Name - Part 1836

Grace and peace be to you from our God and Father and the Lord Jesus the Christ who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. (Galatians 1:3-4)

"Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ, according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according tot he good pleasure of His will. to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself ...

... that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will, that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ." (Ephesians 1:2-12)

The grace of God which brings forth salvation has appeared. The dayspring from on high has now visited His people. Yes, God was manifest in the flesh so that we might obtain life eternal. (I Timothy 3:16) GOD Himself as a Son came to redeem His household so that we -- the redeemed now being the temple in which His holy Spirit -- the Holy Ghost is pleased to dwell -- and can be saved.

He [the holy Spirit] in Christ purchased us with His own precious blood, which eternal life blood flowed in the veins of the son child JESUS who was conceived of the SEED life of God who is Spirit.

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

Thus, we see JESUS' body nourished and clothed upon in flesh in the womb of His surrogate mother Mary and  fashioned in flesh -- appearing a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death. That He {JESUS} by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Therefore, without hesitance, let us come boldly to His throne of grace so that we may obtain mercy that will comfort and help us in times of need.

"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)

Nevertheless, the decision was made as a Son that He would lay aside the will of His flesh (to live) and consequently become obedient to the will of His Father which was, as we now realize to lay down His flesh as a sacrificial offering. The perfect sacrifice made for our transgressions, the price paid once and for all.

On making this decision for humans everywhere, JESUS sweat as these were drops of blood (the pivotal decision to which He responded by saying, "Not My will [the will of the flesh to live] but Thy will be done." Amen! Abba Father! Herein we see the grace of the Lord JESUS the Christ manifesting the love of God towards us. God clothed in human flesh as a Son, by the willing sacrifice of His sinless body (yet prone to sin body) has redeemed us to commune and fellowship with His Spirit.

It is because of God's willingness and love to become a man that we are assured that the Son of God has come and opened our understanding. So that we can know and recognize the truth as stated in the gospel scriptures.

For in JESUS (the beloved and only begotten of the Spirit of God) did all truth dwell. JESUS who is the true God -- the tree of eternal life! It is unto Him that we are kept from falling in our daily walk with Jesus. It is He who will present us as faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Yes, to the One and Only wise God Our Saviour, be the glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:25)

"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." (Jude 1:24; Zechariah 3:4-5)

To the believing church, please remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, "stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1) Peace forever in JESUS! Stand in the offering plate.

Enter Ye In At the Strait Gate: For Narrow Is The Way Which Leads Unto Life, And Few There Be That Find It - Part 1835

Jesus was asked the question, "Lord, are there few that be saved?" And Jesus, in Jerusalem at the time, answered, saying, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, "Lord, Lord, open unto us," and He shall answer and say unto you, "I know you not whence ye are." (Luke 13:22-25)

"Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour, wherein the Son of man comes." (Matthew 25:12-13)

Let's stop there for a moment. As we see in both these scriptures, Jesus' statement is quite sobering. Indeed, He is telling these people that once the Master (the Lord in this case) has shut the door, it is shut indeed. Just like in Noah's time when the door was shut by the Lord God, after Noah preached for over a hundred years, and no one listened. But I digress.

We see a similar example in Matthew 7:13-14, 23, wherein Jesus is speaking to His disciples. Three chapters later, Jesus is encouraging them (and us by extension) to ask, and it shall be given us; seek, and ye shall find; knock and the door will be opened unto us ... for everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

In other words, the Lord does not hide anything from those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. In fact, at this point in our relationship with Him, according to scripture, He no longer calls us servants but His friends. The mystery that was hid from the beginning is no longer hid from us. The scales of blindness have been removed, to the point that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement shall be condemned.

"This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me," saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)

As Jesus said, "What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat, because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:12-14; Luke 13:34)

This is why we should be aware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Still, as believers in Jesus the Christ, we need to reconcile that there will be those who call Jesus "Lord, Lord" and yet do not the things which He says. (Luke 6:46)

Remember, Jesus said, "Whosoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings, and doth them, I will show you to whom [that man] is like" before continuing telling the parable about the man who built his house upon the rock.

That is, " ... he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock; and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that hears, and doth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:47-49)

The Rock mentioned here is our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. He is our foundation, our source of all wisdom and truth, and He never fails those who believe in Him. This is why Jesus sent a message to John the baptizer to say, " ... and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me." (Luke 7:22-23)

"Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense, He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing, for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert, and the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs off water .. the way of holiness." (Isaiah 35:3-8; Hebrews 12:12; Matthew 9:27-30; John 9:6-7; Matthew 11:5; Matthew 15:30; Acts 8:6-8; Matthew 9:32-33; John 7:38)

"The Lord is our King; He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

"And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 29:18)

That same good news gospel message of the kingdom is extended to us today. The Spirit of the Lord God is inviting us to come unto Him, and feast in His presence. Those who are weary and heavy laden come to the Lord Jesus so that He can give you rest. And to come out from among them so that we do not suffer their plagues.

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

And similarly why Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world; he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Therefore, as Jesus said to those who asked, "Where is Thy Father?" -- He said, "Ye neither know Me nor My Father; if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also." (John 8:19-21; John 14:6-12)

And in another place, Jesus said to the Jews who only sought even the more to kill Him, "Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor see His shape, and ye have not His Word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not. Search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me, [but] ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life." (John 5:37-40)

It is for this reason that Jesus repeatedly said, "I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins" because we have chosen not to enter into the strait gate. Still, His desire has always been that none should perish but rather that each and every one of us should have eternal life forever in His goodness and grace, His mercy and love, wherein He abides in us forever.

He is the Great Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep, and did so, even whilst we were still His enemies. This is why we are to "seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6)

The strait gate. His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Stand in the offering plate.

Be Strong In The Grace That Is In Christ Jesus, And The Same Commit Thou To Faithful Men To Teach Others Also - Part 1834

"Hold fast the form of sound words .... in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us." (II Timothy 1:13-14)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind ... Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me [Paul] His prisoner, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God: who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began ... but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, whereunto I [Paul] am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep this which I have committed unto Him against that day ..." (II Timothy 1:7-12)

Herein, Paul is speaking as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy. He opens this second epistle with the words, "Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." (II Timothy 1:1) To those who struggle with understanding the Godhead/the mystery of godliness (as described in I Timothy 3:16), the word "and" between "God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord" can cause confusion. In fact, for some, these words might point to God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord as two separate entities, rather than God is One, and that He Himself (after His kindness and love toward men) became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

For clarity, let's note I Timothy 3:16 so that everyone is aware of who God is, and how much He loved His beloved creation to become as one of us, and shed His precious holy blood on a cross, as the perfect sacrifice, paying the ultimate price for our sins once and for all. 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)

"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)

This is the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning, up until the very day wherein He said (in reference to the man Christ Jesus -- His humanity dwelling among us), "This day have I begotten Thee." (Psalms 2:7; Hebrews 1:4-5; Psalm 89:27; Romans 8:29; Deuteronomy 32:43)

"Hear ye Him ..." (Matthew 17:5)

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

"Who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him ..." ( I Peter 3:22; Psalms 110:1; Romans 8:38)

"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 [also/similarily] the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:25-26)

The love of God was in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39) Indeed, God was in Christ, the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9)

"To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself ..." (II Corinthians 5:19)

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing, and every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, herd I saying, "Blessing and honour and glory and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever ... and the four and twenty elders fell down and WORSHIPPED HIM that lives for ever and ever." (Revelation 5:11-14; Philemon 2:10; I Chronicles 29:11; Revelation 4:2-3; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 20:11)

"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8; Isaiah 6:2-3; Revelation 1:8)

The "unfeigned faith" as Paul calls Timothy's love toward the Lord God Almighty, that as a consequence, only the truth of the gospel would be taught. No other doctrine but sound doctrine according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God -- the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the ONLY wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever, amen. (I Timothy 1:17; Psalm 10:16; Hebrews 11:27; Romans 16:27; I Chronicles 29:11)

The doctrine of Christ -- the great mystery that was decided right from the beginning of the world, but only fulfilled in these last days -- for all the world to behold the miracle that happened when the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son, that would save His people from their sins. (II John 1:9; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6)

Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:23) In this current dispensation of grace, we see "the everlasting God (made known to all nations for the obedience of faith) through Jesus Christ. "To God only wise, [be] glory through Jesus Christ for ever, amen." (Romans 16:26-27)

From Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is the visible image of the unseen God, whom He 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. (Hebrews 1: 1-3) The Word that was with God and was God was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-14) God Himself willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

The difficulty that some have is in explaining the word "and." Why would apostle Paul make such a big deal about separating (in scripture) God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord? The answer is simple. Because it was not until the ushering in of the new testament, the appointed time that the Holy Ghost signified that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. (Hebrews 9:8) If you will, there had to be a changing of the guard in order for the Lord to do "a new thing" wherein "the dayspring from on high would visit His people." (Luke 1:78; Isaiah 43:19)

Throughout the Old Testament, we see God as Spirit, as in the beginning when the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2) We see this same One God honoured in the first commandment -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) In fact, God always referred to Himself as a Spirit that is holy in the old, and depending on the circumstance, was identified by a specific Name. We see this often in David the psalmists' writings.

For example, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He beholds all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts alike; He considers all their works ... Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His Holy Name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee." (Psalm 33:12-22)

This one Lord God does not change in the new testament. The scripture still declares -- "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all." (Ephesians 4:5-6) 

But you ask -- how can this be when apostle Paul separates God the Father from the Son Christ Jesus in his written epistles? Moreover, why is the man Christ Jesus referenced as a Son? These are very good questions. What we need to remember is that our life, our salvation, our redemption is in the Son, because without that "perfect sacrifice" made willingly on the cross, we cannot have life eternal. As the scripture repeatedly points out, this life can only be found in the Son ... "he that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:11-12) 

But John does not stop there. John explains what he means when he wrote, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God." (I John 5:13)

We are to believe on His Name. We are to be water baptized in His Name, the same name given by the angel of the Lord. (Matthew 1:18-23) The Name which the apostles were forbidden to teach and preach. The same Name which provides healing and restoration and well being to those in the hedges. Still, after Jesus was taken up, He [Jesus] THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He [Jesus] had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) 

This is why believers who abide in "the doctrine of Christ" have both the Father and the Son, because we willingly receive the "Holy Ghost" in our hearts. (Romans 6:1-2) Jesus THROUGH the Holy Ghost. Not a separate being (or second or third person, as the religious establishment falsely proclaims), but as Jesus told His disciples before the cross, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) 

"If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father." (John 14:6-12) This is why Jesus could say, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Because unless we acknowledge what God willingly did on the cross, when He robed Himself in flesh and dwelt among us as a Son, and behold His glory, we cannot see the Kingdom of God. (John 1:14)

Further to this point, and most notable, God did not become our heavenly Father until Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:18) "For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost, and she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-20) As Luke (the beloved physician) describes the fetus in the womb -- a holy thing! 

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

"And he called His Name JESUS." (Matthew 1:25) 

In the Old Testament, God was always referred to as the h/Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God, or the Spirit of the Lord God. Only in the new do we see specific references to the Holy Ghost emerging, wherein the promise of the Comforter is given to those who believe in Him. This explains why -- in order for the Comforter to come -- Jesus had to first depart. To this point, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees Me no more, but ye see Me, because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I [am] in My Father and ye in Me, and I in you ... he that hath My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me; and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." (John 14:18-21; John 10:30, 38; John 14:11; I John 2:5; John 16:16, 22) 

We see the same revelation in Jesus' baptism. John writes, "And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, "Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizes with the Holy Ghost." (John 1:33)

And again, in another place, "But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: FOR THE HOLY GHOST WAS NOT YET GIVEN; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:39)

Remember when Jesus said unto Mary? "Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren and say unto them, "I ascend unto My Father, and your Father, and to My God and your God." (John 20:17)

Shortly after, Jesus breathes on these same disciples, saying unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" because by now, the disciples understood who Jesus was. (John 20:23) That is, all except for Thomas called Didymus (a.k.a doubting Thomas) because he was not in attendance when the other disciples saw the resurrected Lord appear to them. 

But as we know from the scriptures, Jesus later appeared to Thomas (after eight days) and said to him, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side and be not faithless but believing." And Thomas did so and answered and said unto Jesus, "my Lord and my God." (John 20:24-28)

"... these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through His Name." (John 20:31; Luke 1:4; I John 5:13; Luke 2:11; John 3:15-16; John 5:24) 

You see, when we understand that Jesus is both the Son of man and the Lord of glory, that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of the living, then we also understand that He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Acts 2:36; Genesis 1:1; Revelation 1:8; Mark 12:26, 29-30) 

The first Adam earthly but the second Adam the Lord from heaven.

Therefore, when Jesus taught in the temple, He could ask the question, "How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost -- "The Lord said to My Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." David therefore himself calling Him Lord; and whence is He then His son?" (Mark 12:35-37) The same example from Luke -- "David therefore calls Him Lord, how is He then His son?" (Luke 20:41-44)

And, as David scribed, "The Lord said unto my Lord, "Sit Thou at My right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." (Psalm 110:1)

"... which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations for His Name, among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:2-6) 

As Peter (standing with the eleven) said when he spoke freely to the people from all tribes on the day of Pentecost, the patriarch David being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne, "He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ ... this Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but He saith Himself, "The Lord said unto My Lord, sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:25-36)

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain; whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." (Acts 2:22-24; John 3:2, 5-6; Luke 22:22; Acts 5:30; Romans 8:11)

"The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His Word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me ..." (II Samuel 23:2; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:13; Acts 2:29-31; Romans 9:4-5) 

" ... and of whom concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all God blessed for ever." (Romans 9:5; Luke 1:34-35; Luke 3:23)

Thus, now, our lives as believers is with Christ in God, and when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4) Then we will be given a new Name wherein to worship our Lord God and Saviour, the One and Only blessed Potentate. who loved us so much that He would endure the humiliation of a cross for you and I. (I Timothy 6:15) 

And thus when the Holy Ghost saith, "Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee am I will pleased," we should be listening because this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. This day, as the Lord God hath said, "have I begotten Thee." 

Jesus told us, "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, [that] shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)

This is why when we need to repent of our sin, and be water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ ... so that we shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, because we believed on Him who was sent to bring us salvation, even before the world was formed. (Acts 2:38)

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, [be] glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen." (Romans 16:25-27)

The Holy Ghost being the mystery that was from the beginning of the world. God with us, and now God in our hearts, when we believe. And like Mary, our soul can magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Saviour. (Luke 1:46-47)

Yes, the Lord our God is one Lord. Praise be unto His holy Name.

Stand in the offering plate.

Follow Righteousness, Faith, Charity, Peace With Them That Call On The Lord Out Of A Pure Heart - Part 1833

"But thou, O man of God flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses ..." (I Timothy 6:11)

The scriptures instruct us to stand fast in the liberty which is Christ Jesus. (Galatians 5:1) To be effective, believers need to flee those things which cause us to stray from the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and instead, strive to earnestly contend for the faith. Remaining steadfast in the apostolic doctrine. (Acts 2:36-47)

"Beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21)

And, in so doing, we are not conformed to this world, but rather transformed by the renewing of our minds -- "that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2) By the mercies of God our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

Does this mean that everything in life will constitute good times, never being persecuted by those who hate the Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ? Of course not, because the scriptures clearly point to the times in which we live right now. Thus, it is critical that we understand that our walk every day with the Lord, there will come a time "when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3-4)

In other words, according to scripture, these "have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:10)  A time when people willingly follow cunningly devised fables rather than the Truth. (II Peter 1:16)

"This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (II Timothy 3:1-5)

And in another place, "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron: forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth ... for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." (I Timothy 4:1-5; Revelation 16:14; Matthew 7:15; Ephesians 4:19)

My point is this. We know from the scriptures we are living in the last days. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, we also know that we are the salt of the earth. The city on a hill, whereby, we stand as a lighthouse might on the shoreline, pointing everyone we meet to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. And we continue in the things which we have learned and hast been assured of -- "knowing whom thou hast learned from." (II Timothy 3:15)

In fact, Jesus told us, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" (John 14:6) That we are sanctified through Thy truth -- Thy Word is Truth! (John 17:17) And that, as a consequence of having Jesus reigning as the King of kings and Lord of lords in our heart, we walk in the light, as He is in the light. We have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. All members of the body of Christ church, wherein our Lord and Saviour Jesus is the Head.

Through studying His Word, we learn that ALL scripture is given by 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)

And, therefore, those who believe that the grace of God (that brings salvation) hath appeared to all men, understands as well that teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. 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. (Titus 2:13)

Zealous of good works, because everyone of us believers can pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. We can testify to one another of the many good things that the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished in our life, by first taking us out of the miry clay. (Philemon 1:6) But now, assured of our salvation, having been water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus, we speak and exhort the knowledge of the Kingdom of God,  rebuking with all authority those who come against His Word.

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worth also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)

In sum, be assured that "the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, amen." (I Peter 5:10)

And one more. "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit ... and herein is our love made perfect because He first loved us." (I John 4:13-17)

Yes, Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. He is our all in all.

Stand in the offering plate.