As a continuation of the last post, the Lord through Isaiah spoke His salvation plan into place. He asked the question -- who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? These are good questions, and worthy of understanding if we are have any knowledge of who Jesus really is. Herein, Isaiah 53:
"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 nor 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.
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to His own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken. And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:1-12)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Who Hath Believed Our Report? And To Whom Is The Arm Of The Lord Revealed? - Part 1932
"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land ..." (Isaiah 1:16-19)
JESUS was wounded for our transgressions. JESUS was bruised for our iniquities. Upon JESUS was laid the chastisement of our peace and the stripes laid upon JESUS back was for our healing. Surely, Jesus did bear our grief and surely JESUS did bear our sorrows. Why? For the transgression of His people so that each and every one of us might be saved. That is the reason that He was smitten of God and afflicted -- so that we might find abundant life in Him.
For those who have tasted and seen also know that God is good! He is gracious and merciful, and on the cross, His humanity became the perfect sacrifice, having shed His holy blood for you and I. This was the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world, the mystery wherein God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) But there is more.
JESUS said to Mary, “Touch Me not for I have not as yet ascended." These words were not random words but stated for a reason. JESUS had been resurrected from the tomb on the first day of the week of Sabbaths, early in the morning while it was still dark. The holy Spirit that had indwelt JESUS endured all the pain and scourging -- all that had taken place to that flesh body. The blows, pains, and cruelty that had been described earlier -- being applied to the body of Jesus -- impacted upon the indwelling Spirit!
The pains, suffering and torment did not end when JESUS gave up His ghostly Spirit. Still, JESUS life as a natural flesh man died but the Spirit of Life lived on. At the same time, all that unjust punishment expended upon the body of JESUS was in reality received by the Spirit of JESUS which was and is now the Holy Ghost in this dispensation of grace.
Adam the first man was of the earth -- earthy -- whereas the second Adam was the Lord out of Heaven. The Lord of glory. So God, who had descended to redeem man from captivity was now to ascend. He that descended had no cruel markings but now since God’s descent, His spirit was wounded, and scarred.
Admittedly, the Holy Ghost being Spirit did not bleed but the body in which He had dwelt in whilst He walked among us bled, to the last drop of blood. This blood was the life giving blood that flowed in His body’s veins. The wounds and scars that were bestowed upon JESUS were wounds to His holy Spirit.
But JESUS, arising from the tomb, as a quickening Spirit was now returning from whence He had descended. Prior to His descent, as the scriptures declare He was in the form of God. It was to this form that He returned to be GOD OVER ALL!
The holy SPIRIT entering into that form takes in the HEART of God. It is in this context that we have a great High Priest who is able to succour us, regardless of whatever situation or plight we may be found. Yes, the same God who created us is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. For He was here on earth - dwelling in a body such as the body we inhabit - and died, leaving us His Last Will - His Testament written in His Own Precious Blood.
I am sure you will agree - there is no God like our God! Our God is Love beyond measure! Stand in the offering plate.
JESUS was wounded for our transgressions. JESUS was bruised for our iniquities. Upon JESUS was laid the chastisement of our peace and the stripes laid upon JESUS back was for our healing. Surely, Jesus did bear our grief and surely JESUS did bear our sorrows. Why? For the transgression of His people so that each and every one of us might be saved. That is the reason that He was smitten of God and afflicted -- so that we might find abundant life in Him.
For those who have tasted and seen also know that God is good! He is gracious and merciful, and on the cross, His humanity became the perfect sacrifice, having shed His holy blood for you and I. This was the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world, the mystery wherein God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) But there is more.
JESUS said to Mary, “Touch Me not for I have not as yet ascended." These words were not random words but stated for a reason. JESUS had been resurrected from the tomb on the first day of the week of Sabbaths, early in the morning while it was still dark. The holy Spirit that had indwelt JESUS endured all the pain and scourging -- all that had taken place to that flesh body. The blows, pains, and cruelty that had been described earlier -- being applied to the body of Jesus -- impacted upon the indwelling Spirit!
The pains, suffering and torment did not end when JESUS gave up His ghostly Spirit. Still, JESUS life as a natural flesh man died but the Spirit of Life lived on. At the same time, all that unjust punishment expended upon the body of JESUS was in reality received by the Spirit of JESUS which was and is now the Holy Ghost in this dispensation of grace.
Adam the first man was of the earth -- earthy -- whereas the second Adam was the Lord out of Heaven. The Lord of glory. So God, who had descended to redeem man from captivity was now to ascend. He that descended had no cruel markings but now since God’s descent, His spirit was wounded, and scarred.
Admittedly, the Holy Ghost being Spirit did not bleed but the body in which He had dwelt in whilst He walked among us bled, to the last drop of blood. This blood was the life giving blood that flowed in His body’s veins. The wounds and scars that were bestowed upon JESUS were wounds to His holy Spirit.
But JESUS, arising from the tomb, as a quickening Spirit was now returning from whence He had descended. Prior to His descent, as the scriptures declare He was in the form of God. It was to this form that He returned to be GOD OVER ALL!
The holy SPIRIT entering into that form takes in the HEART of God. It is in this context that we have a great High Priest who is able to succour us, regardless of whatever situation or plight we may be found. Yes, the same God who created us is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. For He was here on earth - dwelling in a body such as the body we inhabit - and died, leaving us His Last Will - His Testament written in His Own Precious Blood.
I am sure you will agree - there is no God like our God! Our God is Love beyond measure! Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
The Stone Which The Builders Rejected, The Same Is Become The Head, Therefore, As Jesus Said, Why Tempt Ye Me? - Part 1931
"And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on Him [Jesus] and they feared the people: for they perceived that He had spoken this parable against them. And they watched Him and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor.
And they asked Him, saying, "Master, we know that Thou sayest and teaches rightly, neither accepts Thou the person of any, but teaches the way of God truly ..." (Luke 20:19-21)
It is here that the spies set out to trick Jesus in His words, so that they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor. Indeed, these took counsel with the Pharisees and how they might entangle Jesus in His talk. So these ask Jesus the question, "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their craftiness and said unto them, "Why tempt ye Me? Show Me a penny. Wise image and superscription hath it?" They answered and said, "Caesar's."
And Jesus said unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's and unto God the things which be God's." But these could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer and held their peace." (Luke 20:22-26)
In Matthew's account of the same, we see that the Pharisees sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Master, we know that Thou art true, and teaches the way of God in truth, neither cares Thou for any [man]; for Thou regard not the person of men. Tell us therefore, "What think Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:15-22)
Mark adds to the dialogue between Jesus and these certain of the Pharisees and Herodians intent on catching Him in His words, by saying, "Shall we give, or shall we not give?" (Mark 12:13-15)
This is important because in Mark's account, Jesus begins by sharing the parable of "a certain man who planted a vineyard and set an hedge about [it], and digged a place for the wine fat, and hath a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season, he sent the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught [him] and beat [him] and sent [him] away empty. And again, he sent unto them another servant and at him they cast stones and wounded [him] in the head, and sent [him] away shamefully handled. And again, he sent another: and he they killed, and many others, beating some and killing some.
Having yet therefore one son, his well beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, "They will reverence my son." But those husbandmen [tenant farmers] said among themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's. And they took [him] and killed [him] and cast [him] out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others .." (Mark 12:1-9)
And then Jesus asked, "And have ye not read this scripture? The Stone which the builders rejected is become the Head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Mark 12:10-11)
You see, Jesus was speaking about Himself in the parable, as the Lord who planted a vineyard -- having placed a hedge around His beloved people to protect them. But these did not want to worship the Lord, for if they did, these would have recognized the Son of man as the Lord of glory. Or, at the very least understood that it was them who killed the prophets that came afore, and now with the Son before them, desired to kill Him too.
Still, as Mark points out, the people who listened to Jesus' parable knew that Jesus had spoken the parable specifically against those who sought to catch Him in His worlds. Yet, as a consequence, the hearts of the Pharisees and Herodians did not change. Rather, these same people had not understood or welcomed the Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ into their midst, instead hoping to trick Jesus, so they (as Jesus pointed out in the parable) they could kill Him.
Indeed, these rejected the Lord of glory. And in so doing, thought their human intellect (that God gave them in the first place) could outwit the very Lord who created them. It is a sad commentary for sure. But is that not what we are doing now, within a society, wherein we believe our intellect is somehow superior to the Lord God's wisdom and knowledge -- even His Word which created all things?
I had planned to take this post in a different direction today, but then sidetracked, because I believe there is an even important message to be had herein. Therefore, meditate upon these scriptures. Understand that the Lord Jesus has built a hedge of protection around those who believe in Him by faith, so that we too, like David the psalmist, will fear no evil.
As for our hearts, we should not ever have to ask another if we should give, or not. Let the Lord of heaven, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ teach us to give so that no one within the fellowship is ever without. (Acts 2:1-47)
Stand in the offering plate.
And they asked Him, saying, "Master, we know that Thou sayest and teaches rightly, neither accepts Thou the person of any, but teaches the way of God truly ..." (Luke 20:19-21)
It is here that the spies set out to trick Jesus in His words, so that they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor. Indeed, these took counsel with the Pharisees and how they might entangle Jesus in His talk. So these ask Jesus the question, "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their craftiness and said unto them, "Why tempt ye Me? Show Me a penny. Wise image and superscription hath it?" They answered and said, "Caesar's."
And Jesus said unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's and unto God the things which be God's." But these could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer and held their peace." (Luke 20:22-26)
In Matthew's account of the same, we see that the Pharisees sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Master, we know that Thou art true, and teaches the way of God in truth, neither cares Thou for any [man]; for Thou regard not the person of men. Tell us therefore, "What think Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:15-22)
Mark adds to the dialogue between Jesus and these certain of the Pharisees and Herodians intent on catching Him in His words, by saying, "Shall we give, or shall we not give?" (Mark 12:13-15)
This is important because in Mark's account, Jesus begins by sharing the parable of "a certain man who planted a vineyard and set an hedge about [it], and digged a place for the wine fat, and hath a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season, he sent the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught [him] and beat [him] and sent [him] away empty. And again, he sent unto them another servant and at him they cast stones and wounded [him] in the head, and sent [him] away shamefully handled. And again, he sent another: and he they killed, and many others, beating some and killing some.
Having yet therefore one son, his well beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, "They will reverence my son." But those husbandmen [tenant farmers] said among themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's. And they took [him] and killed [him] and cast [him] out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others .." (Mark 12:1-9)
And then Jesus asked, "And have ye not read this scripture? The Stone which the builders rejected is become the Head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Mark 12:10-11)
You see, Jesus was speaking about Himself in the parable, as the Lord who planted a vineyard -- having placed a hedge around His beloved people to protect them. But these did not want to worship the Lord, for if they did, these would have recognized the Son of man as the Lord of glory. Or, at the very least understood that it was them who killed the prophets that came afore, and now with the Son before them, desired to kill Him too.
Still, as Mark points out, the people who listened to Jesus' parable knew that Jesus had spoken the parable specifically against those who sought to catch Him in His worlds. Yet, as a consequence, the hearts of the Pharisees and Herodians did not change. Rather, these same people had not understood or welcomed the Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ into their midst, instead hoping to trick Jesus, so they (as Jesus pointed out in the parable) they could kill Him.
Indeed, these rejected the Lord of glory. And in so doing, thought their human intellect (that God gave them in the first place) could outwit the very Lord who created them. It is a sad commentary for sure. But is that not what we are doing now, within a society, wherein we believe our intellect is somehow superior to the Lord God's wisdom and knowledge -- even His Word which created all things?
I had planned to take this post in a different direction today, but then sidetracked, because I believe there is an even important message to be had herein. Therefore, meditate upon these scriptures. Understand that the Lord Jesus has built a hedge of protection around those who believe in Him by faith, so that we too, like David the psalmist, will fear no evil.
As for our hearts, we should not ever have to ask another if we should give, or not. Let the Lord of heaven, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ teach us to give so that no one within the fellowship is ever without. (Acts 2:1-47)
Stand in the offering plate.
Sadly, Where There Is No Vision In The Land That Extends Beyond The Earthly, The People Perish - Part 1930
In the old, king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and said to Daniel, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou could reveal this secret." (Daniel 2:47)
We understand in this current dispensation of grace that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) We know that after Jesus was taken up [resurrected], He then through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) And also, because of the apostles, we recognize that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) Why? Because after the kindness and love of God our Saviour, toward man He appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)
It is for this reason that we worship the Lord our God and Saviour Jesus the Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) This is the first and foremost commandment of the Lord, and as such, there is no other idols or earthly trinkets in the middle.
However, as we see from this same king Nebuchadnezzar referenced above, he may have recognized the God of Daniel as the God of gods and a Lord of kings, but in his heart he wanted the people to worship him. So, Nebuchadnezzar makes a statue of gold in his own image and commands that the people fall down and worship it. From the scriptures:
Nebuchadnezzar "made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits and the breadth thereof six cubits; he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. then Nebuchadnezzar the kings sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Indeed, these gathered together before the image at its dedication." (Daniel 3:1-3)
It is for this reason that we worship the Lord our God and Saviour Jesus the Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) This is the first and foremost commandment of the Lord, and as such, there is no other idols or earthly trinkets in the middle.
However, as we see from this same king Nebuchadnezzar referenced above, he may have recognized the God of Daniel as the God of gods and a Lord of kings, but in his heart he wanted the people to worship him. So, Nebuchadnezzar makes a statue of gold in his own image and commands that the people fall down and worship it. From the scriptures:
Nebuchadnezzar "made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits and the breadth thereof six cubits; he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. then Nebuchadnezzar the kings sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Indeed, these gathered together before the image at its dedication." (Daniel 3:1-3)
Then an herald cried aloud, saying, "To you it is commanded, O people, nations and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sack but, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up: and whoso falls not down and worships shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." (Daniel 3:4-6)
Thus, when the people heard the sounds and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations and the languages fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. But as we also know from the scriptures, not everyone obeyed the king's order.
"Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews, saying to the king Nebuchadnezzar, "O king live forever, thou O king hast made a decree, that every man ... shall fall down and worship the golden image; and whoso falls not down and worships that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." (Daniel 3:7-11)
"Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews, saying to the king Nebuchadnezzar, "O king live forever, thou O king hast made a decree, that every man ... shall fall down and worship the golden image; and whoso falls not down and worships that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." (Daniel 3:7-11)
What the Chaldeans were getting at is that certain Jews who the king had set over the affairs of the province of Babylon were not obeying the king's order. In particular, three men -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego -- these men that did not regard the king's order, and served not his gods, and neither did they worship the golden image which the king had set up.
When he heard this, the king "in his rage and fury" commanded that these men be brought before the king. When they were, the king asks, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? ... but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace, and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" (Daniel 3:12-15)
What was their response?
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter, If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
And as we know, the king did throw these three into the fiery furnace and they were safely delivered by the King of kings and Lord of lords. The God of gods whose handiwork can not be replaced by earthy idols made of gold. But this is not just a witness from the Old Testament side that points to what the Lord God did in the past, but a testament to the promises of our Lord God and Saviour which will always hold true for those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
In this dispensation of grace, we are to worship the Lord thy God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The Name He gave to us is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.
So, when the tribulation comes, and laws made with the intention of forcing believers to worship earthly treasures and men, we know that our faithfulness to the Lord Jesus will bring us the victory in all things. The re-reward will be ours. Yes, " ... he that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5)
The ONLY ONE worthy of worship and honour and praise is the Lord God who Himself brought us His free gift of salvation when He was in the world, and thus, we who have the testimony of Jesus understand that the things of this world -- the earthly -- are as dung. For our treasure, our hope, our joy ... the Author and Finisher of salvation, our King of kings and Lord of lords who is the same Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob is also the God of the living; for all who live unto Him.
And He saith unto me [John], write: "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." And He saith unto me, "These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at His feet to worship Him. And He said unto me, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy ... His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God ... And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, "King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." (Revelation 19: -16)
Therefore, don't let the treasures of this earth distract you and lead you from the One and Only Lord God and Saviour who loves us beyond any measurement that can be found in this world. His Name is JESUS and He has a purpose for each and every one of us to fulfill.
Stand in the offering plate.
So, when the tribulation comes, and laws made with the intention of forcing believers to worship earthly treasures and men, we know that our faithfulness to the Lord Jesus will bring us the victory in all things. The re-reward will be ours. Yes, " ... he that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5)
The ONLY ONE worthy of worship and honour and praise is the Lord God who Himself brought us His free gift of salvation when He was in the world, and thus, we who have the testimony of Jesus understand that the things of this world -- the earthly -- are as dung. For our treasure, our hope, our joy ... the Author and Finisher of salvation, our King of kings and Lord of lords who is the same Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob is also the God of the living; for all who live unto Him.
And He saith unto me [John], write: "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." And He saith unto me, "These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at His feet to worship Him. And He said unto me, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy ... His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God ... And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, "King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." (Revelation 19: -16)
Therefore, don't let the treasures of this earth distract you and lead you from the One and Only Lord God and Saviour who loves us beyond any measurement that can be found in this world. His Name is JESUS and He has a purpose for each and every one of us to fulfill.
Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
For Thou Hast Possessed My Reins: Thou Hast Covered Me In My Mother's Womb, And Thou Knows The Secrets Of The Heart - Part 1929
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do ..." (Hebrews 4:13)
This is not to suggest that the Lord Jesus did not speak of things done in secret, when speaking to the multitudes, because He did. What is being suggested is that when we believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ with our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we will repent of our sins, and consequently, go forward and be water baptized by immersion in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when we rise out of that water, we are resurrected with the King of kings and Lord of lords in our heart. (Romans 6:3-4)
Our consciences cleared because of His love for His beloved. (I Peter 3:21-22) Our minds renewed in His wisdom and knowledge. Our hearts quickened. "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament, and they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death, but this [man], because He continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:22-25)
For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who need not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself. For the law makes men high priests which have infirmity, but the Word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated forevermore." (Hebrews 7:26-28)
Still, the question is asked in order that we can come to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ and ask for His forgiveness. The question? "Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart." (Psalms 44:21)
If the point in the scripture from Hebrews were to end here, we would know that nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest. But at the same time, we would also miss the understanding that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens -- Jesus the Son of God -- who brought us salvation. (Hebrews 4:14)
Indeed, for the sake of clarity, note that "until the day He [Jesus] was taken up, after that He [Jesus] gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) This was the pivotal point when the humanity of God (God robed in human flesh as a Son, yet without sin) was transformed into the heavenly, wherein this same Jesus now Spirit -- the Holy Ghost -- would not leave us comfortless would descend upon His people on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47; John 14:26; John 15:26)
The doctrine of Christ wherein God was manifest in the flesh. (II John 1:9; Hebrews 6:1-2) 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)
For those who have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come and rejoice each and every day understand the blessings of our Lord, and that He (God is One!) is faithful when we do everything in both word or deed in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31; Ephesians 4:5-6)
Why? Because we have an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil, whither the forerunner for us entered, [even] Jesus made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:19-20)
This is not to suggest that the Lord Jesus did not speak of things done in secret, when speaking to the multitudes, because He did. What is being suggested is that when we believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ with our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we will repent of our sins, and consequently, go forward and be water baptized by immersion in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when we rise out of that water, we are resurrected with the King of kings and Lord of lords in our heart. (Romans 6:3-4)
Our consciences cleared because of His love for His beloved. (I Peter 3:21-22) Our minds renewed in His wisdom and knowledge. Our hearts quickened. "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament, and they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death, but this [man], because He continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:22-25)
For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who need not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself. For the law makes men high priests which have infirmity, but the Word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated forevermore." (Hebrews 7:26-28)
Still, the question is asked in order that we can come to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ and ask for His forgiveness. The question? "Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart." (Psalms 44:21)
And, after the cross, we also know that "in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men," it will happen by Jesus Christ. (Romans 2:16)
"For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad." (Luke 8:17)
"Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." (Luke 12:3)
"For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad." (Mark 4:22)
Another word of counsel comes from apostle Paul's writings. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." (I Corinthians 4:5)
How? "For the Word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
But as stated previously, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Just as it is the honour of kings to search out a matter (like sin) we can be confident that it is the glory of God to conceal a thing. (Provers 25:2) Think about this for a moment. The same Spirit of the Lord God who created the world and moved upon the face of the waters had decided how He would bring back His loved beyond measure creation to Him. (Genesis 1:1-2)
For God so loved the world ...
"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light." (Luke 8:16)
Therefore, don't hide your light under a bushel. Rather, let the Light of our Lord Jesus shine through you to those who are lost all around you. Walk in fellowship with Him, and learn of the truth. That is, Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him, for in that He died, He died unto sin once, but in that He lives, He lives unto God.
"For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad." (Luke 8:17)
"Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." (Luke 12:3)
"For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad." (Mark 4:22)
Another word of counsel comes from apostle Paul's writings. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." (I Corinthians 4:5)
How? "For the Word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
But as stated previously, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Just as it is the honour of kings to search out a matter (like sin) we can be confident that it is the glory of God to conceal a thing. (Provers 25:2) Think about this for a moment. The same Spirit of the Lord God who created the world and moved upon the face of the waters had decided how He would bring back His loved beyond measure creation to Him. (Genesis 1:1-2)
For God so loved the world ...
"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light." (Luke 8:16)
Therefore, don't hide your light under a bushel. Rather, let the Light of our Lord Jesus shine through you to those who are lost all around you. Walk in fellowship with Him, and learn of the truth. That is, Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him, for in that He died, He died unto sin once, but in that He lives, He lives unto God.
And because He lives, we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith can also walk in newness of life. Stand in the offering plate.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Bless The Lord O my Soul; And All That Is Within me, Bless His Holy Name - Part 1928
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with Honour and Majesty, who covers Thyself with light as [with] a garment; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain: who lays the beams of His chambers in the waters; who makes the clouds His chariot: who walks upon the wings of the wind: who makes His angels; His ministers a flaming fire: who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever ..." (Psalm 104:1-5)
"O Lord how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of Thy riches .... the glory of the Lord shall endure forever, the Lord shall rejoice in His works." (Psalm 104:24-31)
Bless His Holy Name. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said in part, "Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ...." Indeed, His Name is called the Word of God. (Revelation 19:13; Isaiah 63:2-3; John 1:1, 14) The King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:16; Revelation 2:17)
"O Lord how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of Thy riches .... the glory of the Lord shall endure forever, the Lord shall rejoice in His works." (Psalm 104:24-31)
Bless His Holy Name. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said in part, "Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ...." Indeed, His Name is called the Word of God. (Revelation 19:13; Isaiah 63:2-3; John 1:1, 14) The King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:16; Revelation 2:17)
"And ye shall call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23)
The Word that was with God and was God also dwelt among us. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) Indeed, He is the great I AM. He is the dayspring from on high that decidedly visited His people.
Yes. God manifest in the flesh, having clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh as a Son (and yet without sin) so that He might offer to us, because of His kindness and love, His free gift of salvation. (I Timothy 3:16) The dayspring from on high hath visited His people.
His Name in this current dispensation is JESUS. He is Lord over all. The King of kings and Lord of lords who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His promises true and faithful to those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and who willingly, eat and drink from the Bread of life. [For clarity herein, note that Jesus said, "I am the Bread of life." (John 6:35)]
"And they shall see His face; and His Name shall be in their foreheads." (Revelation 22:4)
Understand and meditate on these things, that -- "... to us [there is but] one God the Father of whom are all things, and we in Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom [are] all things, and we by Him -- howbeit, [there is] not in every man that knowledge ..." (I Corinthians 8:6-7)
"And His Name through faith in His Name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:16)
The precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus is the offence to those who do not believe, and similarly the stumbling block to those who worship the gods of this world. Nevertheless, Jesus is the Head of the body of Christ church, and He has (and is) forever faithful to those who believe in Him. And again for scriptural clarity, after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
This message that was given in Genesis has never changed over time. In the beginning, God!
The first commandment -- "Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is One Lord!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
And this same message is proclaimed in the New Testament by Zacharias, John the baptizer's father, who declared, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear -- in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life." (Luke 1:68-79)
Just before the cross, Jesus told His disciples that when He went, He would send another Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of truth -- His Spirit that was with them at that point in time and would soon dwell in them. (John 14:26; John 15:26) Because His humanity was the body prepared for sacrifice so that we could have abundant life. Eternal life in Him. The mystery of godliness wherein this same God who loved us from the very beginning gave Himself -- the body He prepared as a perfect sacrifice -- for us. (I Timothy 3:16)
Behold, the Lamb of God! The whole of creation is about Jesus, and by Him was the world created so that we could have our hope in Him. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down h/His life for h/His friends. (John 15:13) 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)
" ... he that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5)
And He saith unto me, write: "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." And He saith unto me, "These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at His feet to worship Him. And He said unto me, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy ... His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His Name is called The Word of God ... And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, "King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." (Revelation 19: -16)
And He saith unto me, write: "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." And He saith unto me, "These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at His feet to worship Him. And He said unto me, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy ... His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His Name is called The Word of God ... And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, "King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." (Revelation 19: -16)
Stand in the offering plate.
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Jesus Said, "Marvel Not That I Said Unto Thee, "Ye Must Be Born Again!" Indeed, Grace And Peace Be Multiplied - Part 1927
Ye must be born again! Jesus first spoke of being born again with Nicodemus in John 3. Notably, Nicodemus asks Jesus whether being born again meant returning into his mother's womb and being born a second time. Of course, therein, Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of both the water and the Spirit, in order to enter into the Kingdom of God.
Indeed, Jesus told Nicodemus -- "Verily verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. marvel not that I said unto thee -- Ye must be born again. The wind blows where is lists, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst tell whence it comes, and whither it goes; so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:5-8)
This is why -- "whosoever believes in Him [the Son of man -- Jesus] should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:14-15)
But Peter (as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ) delves further into Jesus teachings so that believers by faith will recognize that the inheritance Jesus spoke about with Nicodemus is incorruptible, and undefiled, and is reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. In other words, Jesus' teachings apply to us this day as well when we believe in His Name. (John 2:23; Acts 2:36-38)
In this context, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ writes to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia -- those considered the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
"Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time ..." (I Peter 1:1-5)
As an fyi, this is the last time that Peter is referring to here. And he is encouraging believers in Jesus by faith to greatly rejoice even in persecution and tribulation, because the Lord Jesus is victorious in all things. Our heart desire then should be to give Him all the glory and honour and praise, doing everything that we do in both word and deed in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Continuing, Peter writes, "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than 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.
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (I Peter 1:6-12)
You see, the prophets and angels could only enquire and search diligently for the Lord's promised Christ. These did not have the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven to strengthen them as we do, or to give them hope from within, so that they could rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Referring to those of whom the world was not worthy, who wandered in deserts and in mountains and in ones and caves of the earth, who through faith also subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, and stopped the mouths of lions -- "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise: God having provides some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:39-40)
That something better was for us -- who willingly repent in our heart, and are baptized in His precious holy Name. (Acts 2:36-38) This so, because in this dispensation of grace, He gives us the Holy Ghost (wherein the resurrected Spirit of the Lord Jesus is reunited in the Father -- re: the doctrine of Christ) in our hearts, minds, and souls. We are renewed in Him -- the Comforter, wherein Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. But I digress somewhat. Continuing, Peter writes to us about that "some better thing for us" the following:
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." 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 ...
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." 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 1:1-25)
Let the Word of the Lord which by the gospel is preached unto you dwell in your hearts this day. Stand in the offering plate.
Surely Blessing I Will Bless Thee, And Multiplying I Will Multiply Thee - Part 1926
"Who are you Lord?" asked Saul, when he was suddenly stopped by a bright light which shone all around him. Jesus answered Saul saying, "I am Jesus" -- the same Jesus who shall save His people from their sin. Call His name Immanuel, which interpreted means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name ..." (Philippians 2:9)
From this example, we see that Peter's response to the council was simple. Peter told them to decide for themselves whether it is right before God to obey individuals rather than God. Paul also confirmed this point of view when he said that it was the God of our fathers who had appeared to Him as He journeyed on the road to Damascus. Paul was told that it was the God of our fathers who had met him and chosen him, when his mission at that time was to find those who believed in Jesus by faith and jail them. That was certainly Saul's mission for that day.
Thankfully, the Lord Jesus had another mission for Saul, and soon, Paul would fulfill His will and purpose in the days ahead. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. When the light shone around him, Saul became blind. Still, Paul had seen the Just One and heard His voice speaking directly to his heart.
Can you imagine what Saul must be thinking, when he uttered the words, "Who art Thou, Lord?" As we know, Saul did not have to ask twice. In fact, Jesus told Saul right there and then, "I am JESUS whom ye persecute."
This is why the scriptures tell us that the Name of Jesus is ABOVE every other name in both Heaven and on earth. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus the Christ is Lord. As Christians, we are renewed, justified, and sanctified in Him -- Jesus the Christ. He alone is the One and Only True God that gives eternal life.
If it were not so, Jesus would not have been able to say, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
If it were not so, Jesus would not have said, "I am the Bread of Life." The "living water" wherein if you drink, you will never thirst again.
If it were not so, Jesus could not have said, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)
But Jesus told His disciples that if they had seen Jesus, they had seen the Father. (John 14:6-12) Jesus said, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) He is the Word made flesh. (John 1:10-11) Yes, God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) And this same Lord is Jesus who Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost so accurately identified as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
So, when it comes to the religious sects in the world today that try to lead us astray from the Word which is Jesus, what do we say? Is it J- H -V- H or J-H-W-H? Try pronouncing these letters as a word. Complicated? Well, yes. The councils are still commanding that we ought not to speak in the name of Jesus. We were commanded by Jesus, the Shepherd of His own redeemed people to go into all the world and preach repentance and remission in His name Jesus. The name that the angel (the messenger of God) said that we must call His name Immanuel -- God with us -- is named Jesus.
So the flock of a different shepherd went behind the scene and decided on an alternative name. And, as a consequence, they almost achieved their accomplished mission. The mission was to obscure the name of Jesus, child of the Holy Ghost. It is hard to believe that men chose to oppose God, especially when we know that the one who made the world was in the world and answered to the name of Jesus.
So what do these letters mean? Well, the above capital letters are simply the 'incommunicable' name of a Hebrew God. Pray tell then, why would anyone endeavour to communicate an incommunicable name? Why wouldn't individuals want the masses to understand and comprehend God's Name? In this case, their desperation to deceive the people amounts to a travesty. Individuals playing around with the vowels AEIOU and conjuring up something that is readable/pronounceable but still, their conduct inexcusable.
Yet, in spite of the wolves in sheep's clothing, whose mission it is to deceive, the point is still that when ordinary people hear Jesus, they run to Him with enthusiasm. Why? Because Jesus did not speak then (or now!) as the religious leaders do. Jesus had something more to offer - the gift of salvation. So instead of deceiving people and/or being deceived by others, we need to recognize that the throne of Jesus is forever and ever, amen. Indeed, forever all the angels of God worship Him.
God’s redeemed children (who all are in the man Jesus who is God Himself as a son) are in number more than the granules of sand by the sea. It is for this reason that Jesus people continue to keep their sights on the glory of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
and, if the first 3000 believers repented and were baptized by immersion (buried symbolically with Jesus) into the Name of the Lord Jesus the Christ, for the remission of sin, receiving a promise that they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, then we need to do the same also. (Acts 2:36-47(
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus who loves you with an everlasting love. In blessing, He will bless you.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name ..." (Philippians 2:9)
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:19)
Indeed, in no other can salvation be found. Only in Jesus! The Word made flesh that dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory!This is why the council called the apostles together and commanded them never to speak the name of the Lord Jesus to anyone.
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it." (Acts 4:13-16)
Indeed, in no other can salvation be found. Only in Jesus! The Word made flesh that dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory!This is why the council called the apostles together and commanded them never to speak the name of the Lord Jesus to anyone.
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it." (Acts 4:13-16)
" ... But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name." And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed." (Acts 4:13-22)
From this example, we see that Peter's response to the council was simple. Peter told them to decide for themselves whether it is right before God to obey individuals rather than God. Paul also confirmed this point of view when he said that it was the God of our fathers who had appeared to Him as He journeyed on the road to Damascus. Paul was told that it was the God of our fathers who had met him and chosen him, when his mission at that time was to find those who believed in Jesus by faith and jail them. That was certainly Saul's mission for that day.
Thankfully, the Lord Jesus had another mission for Saul, and soon, Paul would fulfill His will and purpose in the days ahead. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. When the light shone around him, Saul became blind. Still, Paul had seen the Just One and heard His voice speaking directly to his heart.
Can you imagine what Saul must be thinking, when he uttered the words, "Who art Thou, Lord?" As we know, Saul did not have to ask twice. In fact, Jesus told Saul right there and then, "I am JESUS whom ye persecute."
This is why the scriptures tell us that the Name of Jesus is ABOVE every other name in both Heaven and on earth. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus the Christ is Lord. As Christians, we are renewed, justified, and sanctified in Him -- Jesus the Christ. He alone is the One and Only True God that gives eternal life.
If it were not so, Jesus would not have been able to say, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
If it were not so, Jesus would not have said, "I am the Bread of Life." The "living water" wherein if you drink, you will never thirst again.
If it were not so, Jesus could not have said, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)
But Jesus told His disciples that if they had seen Jesus, they had seen the Father. (John 14:6-12) Jesus said, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) He is the Word made flesh. (John 1:10-11) Yes, God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) And this same Lord is Jesus who Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost so accurately identified as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
So, when it comes to the religious sects in the world today that try to lead us astray from the Word which is Jesus, what do we say? Is it J- H -V- H or J-H-W-H? Try pronouncing these letters as a word. Complicated? Well, yes. The councils are still commanding that we ought not to speak in the name of Jesus. We were commanded by Jesus, the Shepherd of His own redeemed people to go into all the world and preach repentance and remission in His name Jesus. The name that the angel (the messenger of God) said that we must call His name Immanuel -- God with us -- is named Jesus.
So the flock of a different shepherd went behind the scene and decided on an alternative name. And, as a consequence, they almost achieved their accomplished mission. The mission was to obscure the name of Jesus, child of the Holy Ghost. It is hard to believe that men chose to oppose God, especially when we know that the one who made the world was in the world and answered to the name of Jesus.
So what do these letters mean? Well, the above capital letters are simply the 'incommunicable' name of a Hebrew God. Pray tell then, why would anyone endeavour to communicate an incommunicable name? Why wouldn't individuals want the masses to understand and comprehend God's Name? In this case, their desperation to deceive the people amounts to a travesty. Individuals playing around with the vowels AEIOU and conjuring up something that is readable/pronounceable but still, their conduct inexcusable.
Yet, in spite of the wolves in sheep's clothing, whose mission it is to deceive, the point is still that when ordinary people hear Jesus, they run to Him with enthusiasm. Why? Because Jesus did not speak then (or now!) as the religious leaders do. Jesus had something more to offer - the gift of salvation. So instead of deceiving people and/or being deceived by others, we need to recognize that the throne of Jesus is forever and ever, amen. Indeed, forever all the angels of God worship Him.
God’s redeemed children (who all are in the man Jesus who is God Himself as a son) are in number more than the granules of sand by the sea. It is for this reason that Jesus people continue to keep their sights on the glory of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
and, if the first 3000 believers repented and were baptized by immersion (buried symbolically with Jesus) into the Name of the Lord Jesus the Christ, for the remission of sin, receiving a promise that they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, then we need to do the same also. (Acts 2:36-47(
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus who loves you with an everlasting love. In blessing, He will bless you.
By Whom Ye Have Received Grace And Apostleship For Obedience To The Faith Among All Nations For His Name -- Part 1925
" ... that ye should not be ignorant of this mystery lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” " (Romans 11:25; I Thessalonians 4:13)
Right from the beginning, the Lord has never wanted His people to be ignorant in the things concerning the heavenly. In fact, numerous times, the Lord has referred to His people as being destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6) And on the new testament side, the scriptures note a time of such ignorance that God even winked. But as the scripture also saith, "but now [He] commands all men every where to repent." (Acts 17:30)
Why? Because now, the Holy Ghost has signified the way into the holiest of all. Indeed, the dayspring from on high hath visited His people. The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of creation has been revealed for one and all to behold. "Hear ye Him" -- JESUS -- the angel of the Lord declared, "for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23; John 3:16)
Right from the beginning, the Lord has never wanted His people to be ignorant in the things concerning the heavenly. In fact, numerous times, the Lord has referred to His people as being destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6) And on the new testament side, the scriptures note a time of such ignorance that God even winked. But as the scripture also saith, "but now [He] commands all men every where to repent." (Acts 17:30)
Why? Because now, the Holy Ghost has signified the way into the holiest of all. Indeed, the dayspring from on high hath visited His people. The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of creation has been revealed for one and all to behold. "Hear ye Him" -- JESUS -- the angel of the Lord declared, "for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23; John 3:16)
Not another entity/being/person, as modern day religious culture would have us naively believe, but the One and Same Lord God who created us in the beginning, He Himself prepared a body to reconcile the world unto Himself. His plan of salvation, revealed on that cross for each and every one of us to behold.
"For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now, once in the end fate world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself ..." (Hebrews 9:26)
The law was a shadow of good things to come -- Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!
As the scriptures declare, the Word that was with God in the beginning was God, and this same Word/God was made flesh and dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) Not another but He Himself was in the world and the world knew Him not. He Himself came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11; John 1:1-18)
God Himself was manifest in the flesh, reconciling the world unto Himself. (I Corinthians 5:17; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:8)
And we who believe should know this from the very first commandment, wherein we are instructed to "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) His Name in this dispensation of grace? And ye shall call His Name JESUS! The ONLY Name whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) The Name which is above every other Name given to man. (Philippians 2:9) The Name which has ironically become the offence in the world today, or a swear word. Still, this same Jesus is the Head of the body of Christ Church.
This same Jesus, whom Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) declared to be both Lord and Christ, He has become "... a stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." (I Peter 2:8; Isiah 8:14; I Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:22; Acts 2:36-41)
The chief corner stone which the Lord God Himself declared "elect, precious" so that he that believes on Him shall not be confounded is the reason why we have salvation. (I Peter 2:6; Isaiah 28:16) After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
But there are those who desire to rid us of the knowledge of the doctrine of Christ. (II John 1:9) These have determined in their hardened hearts that only 1/3 of God came to deliver us from the clutches of the enemy, and replaced Jesus with a false trinity/triad god. And as the scriptures declare, in so doing, our understanding of spiritual things has been darkened.
The consequence? Because we as a refuse to believe God gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, our hearts have instead been alienated from the life of God through our own ignorance/conceits.
"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart ..." (Ephesians 4:18)
What does the Lord say? "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6)
What does the Lord say? "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6)
However, we are not the children of darkness but of the Light. We understand who Jesus is, and how much He loved us from the very beginning. And that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, and of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. As John the baptizer declared, "He that comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me." (John 1:15-17)
So, as believers in Jesus by faith, and having repented and been water baptized in His precious, holy name, having received the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are to "wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (I Peter 1:13-16)
And sadly, yes, as Jesus foretold, we "shall be hated of all [men] for My name's sake" but "in your patience possess ye your souls." (Luke 21:17; Matthew 10:22)
"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious. Seeing the that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament: which is done away in Christ ...." (II Corinthians 3:14)
Jesus is our hope. Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
Stand in the offering plate.
Monday, January 1, 2018
Glory To God In The Highest And On Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men - Part 1924
"Blessed be the King that comes in the Name of the Lord; Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38)
"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 made both one, and 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 of 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." (Ephesians 2:12-16)
Yes, indeed, through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Who is the One Spirit that allows us to have access to the Father? He is the Holy Ghost, wherein Jesus through the Spirit came into this world to bring us salvation, and now after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost can now give commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
This is why we are no more strangers and foreigners but instead fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God -- Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner, in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Through the One and Same Spirit -- the Holy Ghost who overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a Son, now inhabits the hearts of those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we do, we become an integral part of the body of Christ church wherein Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ is the Head of the Church. (Acts 2:36)
In the Old Testament, the same Lord that inhabits eternity, whose name declared then was Holy hath said, "I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near," saith the Lord, "and I will heal him." (Isaiah 57:19)
His message from the prophets of afore has not changed. The Lord is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. The only difference is that instead of the name Holy we know the Lord under a different name -- the name of JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
This gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter is who we will (future tense) praise, "for Thou art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the Head [stone] of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it ... blessed be He that comes in the Name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath showed us light ... Thou art my God and I will praise Thee. Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:20-29)
When we understand how much we are loved by the Lord God that He would willingly of Himself become our Saviour, our understanding of the world changes, because of a new desire in our heart and mind to serve Him. (Titus 3:4-7; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:35) But there is more, and this is what is often missed in knowing the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. That is, that this same Lord Jesus who is God manifest in the flesh, willingly declared peace and good will to one and all, so that we could be redeemed. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 42:13; John 1:10-11) Not saved because of what we can or would do, but solely because of His abundant love for His chosen people.
As the psalmist clearly stated, "The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation!" (Psalm 118:14; Isaiah 12:2)
Thus, now -- "you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past ye walked according ago the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others ... but God who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace are ye saved!) and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:1-9)
"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 made both one, and 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 of 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." (Ephesians 2:12-16)
Yes, indeed, through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Who is the One Spirit that allows us to have access to the Father? He is the Holy Ghost, wherein Jesus through the Spirit came into this world to bring us salvation, and now after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost can now give commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
This is why we are no more strangers and foreigners but instead fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God -- Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner, in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Through the One and Same Spirit -- the Holy Ghost who overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a Son, now inhabits the hearts of those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we do, we become an integral part of the body of Christ church wherein Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ is the Head of the Church. (Acts 2:36)
In the Old Testament, the same Lord that inhabits eternity, whose name declared then was Holy hath said, "I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near," saith the Lord, "and I will heal him." (Isaiah 57:19)
His message from the prophets of afore has not changed. The Lord is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. The only difference is that instead of the name Holy we know the Lord under a different name -- the name of JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
This gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter is who we will (future tense) praise, "for Thou art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the Head [stone] of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it ... blessed be He that comes in the Name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath showed us light ... Thou art my God and I will praise Thee. Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:20-29)
When we understand how much we are loved by the Lord God that He would willingly of Himself become our Saviour, our understanding of the world changes, because of a new desire in our heart and mind to serve Him. (Titus 3:4-7; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:35) But there is more, and this is what is often missed in knowing the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. That is, that this same Lord Jesus who is God manifest in the flesh, willingly declared peace and good will to one and all, so that we could be redeemed. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 42:13; John 1:10-11) Not saved because of what we can or would do, but solely because of His abundant love for His chosen people.
As the psalmist clearly stated, "The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation!" (Psalm 118:14; Isaiah 12:2)
Thus, now -- "you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past ye walked according ago the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others ... but God who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace are ye saved!) and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:1-9)
For sure, we are living in the ages that was to come wherein His great love wherewith He loved us became evident on that old wooden cross, where He shed His precious holy blood for you and I. Meditate on these things this day.
Stand in the offering plate.
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