Jesus Said, Follow Me And I Will Make Ye Fishers Of Men - Part 2577

And Jesus saith unto them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."Jesus said unto him, "Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead." (Matthew 8:22)

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, "Follow Me." And he arose, and followed Him. (Matthew 9:9)

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us." (Matthew 9:27) 

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:38) 

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24) 

Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me." (Matthew 19:21) 

And Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matthew 19:28) 

And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, "Follow Me." And he arose and followed Him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and His disciples: for there were many, and they followed Him." (Mark 2:14-15)

And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Mark 8:14) 

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, "One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." (Mark 10:21) 

And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, "Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him." (Mark 14:13) 

And there followed Him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on Him ..." (Mark 14:51) In this latter text, context is important. "And they laid their hands on Him, and took Him. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took Me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled." And they all forsook Him, and fled. And there followed Him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about His naked body; and the young men laid hold on Him: and he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked." (Mark 14:46-52) 

And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, "Follow Me." (Luke 5:27)

And He said to them all, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke 9:23)

And He said unto another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." ... And another also said, "Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." (Luke 9:59-61) 

"Now when Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me." (Luke 18:22) 

And He said unto them, "Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he enters in." (Luke 22:10)

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and saith unto him, "Follow Me." (John 1:43) 

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "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) 

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:" (John 10:27)

Jesus said, "If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour." (John 12:26) 

Simon Peter said unto Him, "Lord, whither goest thou?" Jesus answered him, "Whither I go, thou canst not follow Me now; but thou shalt follow Me afterwards." (John 13:36)

This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, He saith unto him, "Follow Me." (John 21:19)

Jesus saith unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me." (John 21:22)

What is Jesus' good news gospel? 

Repeatedly, throughout the gospels, Jesus said for us to "Follow Me!"

Why is this important to understand? Because there are self-declared ministers (pastors?) out there declaring life principles that don't acknowledge the greatest love story ever told -- that God Himself would clothe Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we could have abundant life in Him. That it is He who paid the ultimate price for our salvation -- on that cross -- so that He could have a family. (Acts 20:28; 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)

You see, God has the same problem as many rich men in the world -- with an inheritance so vast, so rich, so beyond any measure of this world that there are those who would look to Him for what He has in His hand. But what He really wants is a family that desires Him for who He is. This is why His true identity had to be hidden as God in Christ -- the only begotten Son -- so that we, as did those who followed Jesus when He walked this earth, would come to Him as a consequence of our heart's desire to experience more of Him. 

Thus, as you can see, throughout the gospels, there are many examples of those who picked up their own cross to follow Jesus, leaving their worldly baggage and belongings behind. Even before the cross, these understood that there is nothing in this world more precious than the love of Jesus, because first hand these had an opportunity to witness His love for humanity.

Moreover, the believers who followed Him had an understanding of intimacy with God through Jesus, in Jesus, and because of Jesus. And yet, sadly today, many in the modern day religious culture want to prove God as the Father of a dysfunctional family, rather than offer you the understanding and knowledge that in this current dispensation of grace, Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

"And ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23) 

Indeed, the same God who created us int he beginning loved us so much that He would shed His precious, holy blood on a cross for you and I. 

Herein, we find glimpses of what it means to follow Jesus. Herein we learn that we can put our head on His shoulder and anoint His feet with our tears -- and experience His presence in every breath we take. We can also have that assurance that when we follow Jesus as both Lord and Christ, we are no longer His servants but His friends. (Acts 2:36) And that when we desire to do His will, the purpose that He placed in our heart whilst we were still in our mother's womb, we can have true intimacy with God.  

And when we desire to do His will, we satisfy His purpose in our lives. Stand in the offering plate.

The Church Of God Which He Hath Purchased With His Own Blood - Part 2576

God save our land, glorious and free ... and His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth!

" ... they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, "It is My people" and they shall say, "The Lord is my God!" (Zechariah 13:9; Psalm 50:15; Isaiah 48:10)

"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore, they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats; for the Lord of hosts hath visited His flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as His goodly horse in the battle. Out of Him came forth the corner, out of Him the nail, out of Him the battle bow, out of Him every oppressor together, and they shall be as mighty [men],which tread down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them: for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off; for I [am] the Lord their God and will hear them." (Zechariah 10:1-6; Isaiah 30:23)

Zechariah is a prophet. In the eighth month in the second year of Darius, the Word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, "The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers." Therefore, say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord of hots, "Turn ye unto Me," saith the Lord of hosts, "and I will turn unto you," saith the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 1:1-3)

What we are witnessing here is the Lord of hosts crying for the people to turn from their evil ways, their evil doings but sadly, the people would not hear, or hearken unto the Lord. They did not want to hear the Name of the Lord, even though they would (from doing so) be strengthened in the Lord. (Zechariah 10:12; Micah 4:5; Zechariah 10:6) Why? Because the Lord would have mercy on them -- because He is the Lord their God and does hear them when they cry out to Him.

A point worth noting here is that Zechariah is not the only prophet with a message to proclaim from the Lord. For example, Jeremiah the prophet declared a similar message in Jeremiah 10:"When He utters His voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causes the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings with rain, and brings forth the wind out of His treasures. Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name." (Jeremiah 10:13-16)

It's also important to understand that the prophets not only spoke to the people but the shepherds assigned to minister for the Lord. This is evident from the Lord God who desired the shepherds hear the Word of the Lord. From Ezekiel 34:

"And the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: [but] ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because [there is] no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek [after] them.

Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord; "As I live," saith the Lord God, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field, because [there was] no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My flock; therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord." (Ezekiel 34:7-9)

Thus saith the Lord God; "Behold, I [am] against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them." (Ezekiel 34:1-10)

No shepherds willing to feed the flock. No shepherds willing to strengthen the diseased, or those who are broken, or lost. And this -- even though the sheep wandered though all the mountains and upon every high hill seeking the Word of the Lord. Most telling is that the shepherds did not search for them.

Thankfully, the Lord our God has never forgotten us! We are still the apple of His eye. He is still inviting us into the most elaborate wedding feast ever. It is for this reason, knowing that God Himelf would became our Saviour; shedding His precious blood on a cross; that He has redeemed us from all our transgressions; and clothed us in His righteousness -- so that "we will remember the Name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7; II Chronicle 32:8; Isaiah 31:1; Acts 20:28; Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 2:36-41)

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)

Stand in the offering plate.

Our Confidence In Jesus; The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith; Is There Not A Cause? Go And The Lord Be With Thee - Part 2575

"....and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished." (Daniel 12:7)

Many times, the psalmist David had to face those who opposed his faith in the Lord. Most remember the old testament account of David and Goliath -- how David took a pebble and a sling to take down the mocker and scoffer of the Lord God.

Herein, the Philistines had gathered their armies together to battle.  And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. The Philistines champion was Goliath who was six cubits tall. Goliath had a helmet of brass on his head., a coat of mail weight five thousand shekels of brass, greaves of brass upon his legs and a target of brass between his shoulders. As if this wasn't enough, the head of Goliath's spear weighted six hundred shekels of iron. Indeed, there was even one who went ahead of him.

Goliath cried out to the armies of Israel "Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. f he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

Moreover, the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together." And this continued for forty days. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were greatly afraid. But then comes along David, the youngest of eight sons. Three of his siblings had already gone to fight the Philistines - Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 

David's father Jesse instructed to take now for thy brethren to the valley of Elah an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; and carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. When David arrived, he asked the Israeli army, "What shall be done to the man that kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle."

David replied, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?" 

This is a really good question.

Saul told David, "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art] but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." And David said unto Saul, "Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God." 

David said moreover, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said unto David, "Go, and the Lord be with thee."

Saul arms David with armour and a sword but David had not proved them. Instead, David takes his staff and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook, putting them into a shepherd's bag in a scrip and a sling. And the Philistine saw David -- his youth, and ruddy and of fair countenance -- and asked, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field."

Then said David to the Philistine, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands." 

What happens next? David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" And Abner said, "As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell." And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, "Whose son art thou, thou young man?" And David answered, "[I am] the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite."

We will stop there for this day, knowing that the key message therein is that the enemies will have no choice but to retreat when the Lord's people go into battle in the name of the Lord of hosts. 

Is there a cause?

Yes.

Stand in the offering plate. 

Peace Be On The Israel Of God; Stand In The Offering Plate - Part 2574

"I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh..." (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:15-21)

As a consequence of the Lord God pouring out His Spirit,  your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. and your old men shall dream dreams in this current dispensation of grace. But the Lord did not stop there. He also said He would pour out His Sprit specifically "upon My servants and upon My handmaidens."

"And it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy:" (Acts 2:17-18)

So the question is this. Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? Have you received the Holy Ghost since exercising your faith towards the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus? If you have not received the promised Holy Ghost according to the scriptures, then why not?

Certainly, the scriptures clearly dictate there is only One Lord! And, as well, only One Faith! One Baptism. This is the short form confession of the faith that the scriptures render. In this context then, we ought to examine ourselves to see whether we are earnestly contending for this confession of faith. This confession of our faith that was once, and only once delivered from Jesus to us by His holy Spirit.

The ministry of His Spirit declares that if any man has not the Spirit of Jesus (the Christ) then that person has not as yet accepted redemption nor has he/she obeyed the opening tongue spoken ministry of the Holy Ghost as recorded in Acts 2.

For these situations, apostle Paul in writing to the Galatians declared, "Who has bewitched you that you will not obey the truth?" Evidently, you started your faith journey believing in JESUS alone! In fact, you were doing so well hungering for more of God with singleness of heart. What happened?

Well, in some cases you may have met a religious person who had church-ianity but had never experienced the free redemption that Christianity offers. What they did not tell you is that the Old covenant is not the New Testament. Neither is the New Testament an addendum to the old covenant. The Old Testament is a covenant of works (physical if you will) while the New Testament is spiritual, and intended to be a testament of love and grace.

"By grace are ye saved through faith ... and that not of yourselves -- but the gift of God!"

God in the New Testament redeems to Himself a people who previously were not a people at all. The New Testament was necessary because God walked away from the former covenant when those He had covenanted with had walked out from the Old Covenant demands. But this New Covenant is a Covenant between God who is Spirit and the same God as a Son. This New Covenant was a ‘God In Christ" covenant. 

Most of all, it involved the death of the testator - JESUS.

We as believers then are the benefactors of all contained in that everlasting Covenant of God in Christ. We as believers do not have a Covenant. Rather, we are the recipients of all that JESUS was heir of. All of JESUS the Christ inheritance has been bequeathed to us as His LAST WILL and TESTAMENT. One does not work for an inheritance. No, an inheritance is considered a gift!

Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, "My labour that I have bestowed upon you - was it all in vain?" You started out well, but now you are endeavouring to work for salvation. Let me remind you says Paul that Christ died for all of our sins. Christ died for yesterday's sin, today's sin and even tomorrow’s sin.

This is why JESUS was raised from the grave -- for our justification! When Jesus ascended to Heaven, JESUS SAT down. So why are you still working for your salvation? Admittedly, you may work because you have salvation, but we do NOT work to obtain salvation. Salvation is the free gift of God! For further clarity, please read Acts 2. 

The salvation message -- repent, be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. And remember, as for me and my house, we will by God’s grace serve none other than the God who loved us and gave Himself for us. 

Peace be on the ISRAEL of God! Stand in the offering plate. 

I AM The Lord; And There Is None Else; There Is No God Beside Me - Part 2573

"With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee," saith the Lord thy Redeemer" (Isaiah 54:8).

"Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. The just Lord is in the midst thereof; He will not do iniquity: every morning doth He bring His judgment to light, He fails not; but the unjust know no shame." (Zephaniah 3:1-5)

Note that this oppressing city was once called the "rejoicing city" -- but they chose instead to deal carelessly with the Word of the Lord. Indeed, the city of six-score thousand inhabitants became so arrogant in its own fame that the city essentially adopted for itself a saying attributed solely to the Lord God. That is, "I am and there is none beside me." But from Zephaniah, we witness that this same city had later become a desolation -- a place for beasts to lie down in; a place wherein everyone that passes by her hisses and wags his hand. (Zephaniah 2:15) 

In hindsight, we see Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire as a prime example. A city full of grandeur, it was also known for its wickedness -- wherein the dwellers inside believed the city was impenetrable from outside forces. As an fyi, Nineveh is the same city Jonah preached to -- after being swallowed for three days and three nights by a whale. In Jonah's time, the city was known for their wickedness, not only to surrounding communities but also to God Himself. (Jonah 1:2, 8-10) 

Note that after Jonah preaches, the people believe God, proclaim a nation-wide fast, and put on sackcloth every one of them - from the greatest of them to the least of them. (Jonah 3:5) God saw their works, that they had turned from their evil ways, and God repented of the evil that He had said that He would do unto them and did not. (Jonah 3:10) And the city prospered.

But the repentance that had come from Jonah preaching the good news did not last for long. Years later, in its quest for world dominance, the city had once again become filthy and polluted, obeying not the voice of the Lord.  As Zephaniah points out, "the unjust know no shame." 

While there are many reasons for Nineveh's eventual destruction, it is important to recognize that they neither trusted in God, or took His counsel. We also understand that the motto the kingdom of Ninevah adopted as their own is a truth solely attributable to the Lord our God. That is,

"I AM the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me .. that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I AM the Lord, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:5-6)

"Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me." (Isaiah 45:21)

"For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, "None sees Me." Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, "I am, and none else beside Me." (Isaiah 47:10)

"Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, "I AM, and none else beside Me!" I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:" (Isaiah 47:8) 

Lots of scriptural and life examples to prove there is only one Almighty, and that this Lord our God should be given all the glory and honour and praise. That He is, and there is none beside Him. 

Also important, there is always a confirming scripture (at least one) that reaffirms the Lord's truth. Herein, we see Zephaniah (the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkaia, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah) making the same acknowledgement as the prophet Isaiah. 

Continuing Zephaniah 3, the Word of the Lord states: 

"I have cut off the nations, their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant." I said, "Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. Therefore wait ye upon Me," saith the Lord, "until the day that I rise up to the prey: for My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them Mine indignation, even all My fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy.

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My suppliants, even the daughter of My dispersed, shall bring Mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against Me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of My holy mountain.

I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, "Fear thou not" and to Zion, "Let not thine hands be slack."

Why? Because the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth,  when I turn back your captivity before your eyes," saith the Lord.

Indeed, when we honour the Lord thy God by welcoming His presence in the midst, He will save us. In fact, He will rejoice over us with joy. We can rest in His love, while He joys over us with singing. This is His promise to us. In this current dispensation of grace, the name of the Lord our God is Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.

Stand in the offering plate. 

Christ Is The End Of The Law For Righteousness, To Everyone That Believes - Part 2572

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death ..." (Philippians 3:8-10)

"... to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of Him which believes in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:26-28)

Before beginning, it's important to recognize that the Lord Jesus chose apostle Paul (formerly Saul) to teach the Gentiles. This is the same Paul that wrote a healthy portion of the New Testament. Paul was also very highly educated -- considered the Pharisee of Pharisees. The other point worth observing is that the Lord planned a brand new thing in the New Testament - not an add-on to the old testament.

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise, is it of no strength at all while the testator lives." (Hebrews 9:15-18) 

This is why Paul taught that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. (Romans 10:4) Because now, in this current dispensation of grace, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. 

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference ..." (Romans 3:20-22)

As we know, the Lord levelled the playing field between the Israelites and the Gentiles -- "for God hath concluded them all in unbelief." (Romans 9:6-8) Unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference. (Romans 14:23) 

"Knowing this, that he law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless." (I Timothy 1:9) 

Why? So that the Lord might have mercy upon each and every one of us. (Romans 3:23) In sum then, the law became a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. 

"Wherefore 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 God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But 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 a schoolmaster.. For ye are all the children of God b faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have ben baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye ar all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:19-29) 

"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:22) This is the same Jesus the Christ who said, "I AM the bread of life." (John 8:35, 48) "For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven, and he that believes on Me shall never thirst." (John 8:33, 58) You see, Moses did not give the bread from heaven, but as Jesus said, "My Father gives you the true bread from heaven." (John 8:32, 50) 

The same Jesus who said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) 

Why is this important? Because in today's modern day religious culture, there are many that have turned aside from the truth -- unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." (I Timothy 1:5-7) 

In another place, Paul writes, "but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8) And "therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:10)

For all the law is fulfilled in one word -- even this -- "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 

So the message for this day? 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)

No greater good news message than the greatest love story ever told -- that God Himself loved us so much that He would willingly clothe Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that you and I might experience abundant life in Him.

Stand in the offering plate. 

Lo, Behold, The Lamb Of God! - Part 2571

"Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD. Love the Lord with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind, and all of your strength ..." which is confirmed by Jesus in Mark 12:29-31. 

Jesus' baptism is described in all four gospels as follows:

John 1:29-34 states: "The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said, "After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for He was before me. And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." And John bare record, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. 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." And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

Matthew 3:13-17 states, "Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?" And Jesus answering said unto him, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

Mark 1:9-11 states, "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, "Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Luke 3:21-22 states, "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, "Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased."

Because many people have not studied the scriptures, the general populace misunderstands what really happened at the time Jesus went to John the baptizer to be baptized. This day, we hope to offer some clarification based on the four scriptural accounts from the gospels above. For starters, it is important to note that Jesus was baptized to confirm an earlier prophecy -- "for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness." 

Second, John the baptizer was informed by the Holy Ghost - the One and Same Holy Ghost who overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son that when he (John) saw the Holy Ghost LIKE a dove descend AND ALSO REMAIN on Jesus, that He was the prophesied Lamb of God. 

We know this to be true from John's gospel when John bare record -- "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove ... and it abode upon Him. But 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." 

Third, the sign of the Holy Ghost descending was LIKE a dove  -- not an actual physical dove descending. This had to happen so that John the baptizer would know Jesus, the lamb of God. Therefore, the Holy Ghost descending like a dove was the confirmation John required, as told to him from afore. Thus, when Jesus came up out of the water and saw the heavens opened, it was for the benefit of John. 

As for the voice from heaven, we need to acknowledge that the voice from heaven was for the benefit of everyone -- so that they too would recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah. Or, as Luke wrote, "My beloved Son, in Thee I am well pleased." As we know from the scriptures, they saw Jesus Only! For purposes of comparison, the same voice is heard in Matthew 17:7-9 (on the Mount). There, the scripture states, "And Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Arise, and be not afraid." And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." 

Note that John always pointed to Jesus - whose shoes he was not worthy to tie. It is He that will baptize us with the Holy Ghost. (As an aside, we know that when Jesus ascended, He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) 

The scripture never mentions Jesus AND the Holy Ghost as separate beings, because the doctrine of Christ described in II John 1:9 clearly states, "Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath BOTH the Father and the Son." 

So, back to the Son -- in the beginning, well actually from before the world was formed, the Lord God knew that He would have to come forth as a mighty man (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) Or as Isaiah 7:13 states, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Emmanuel, according to Matthew 1:21-23 is interpreted as God with us. 

Do you remember Jesus' parable, where they want to kill the heir, so they inherit the earth? That parable is telling here. Note also when Jesus said, "I and My Father are One!" in John 10:30, and "If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father and know Him" in John 14:6-12, the revelation was specifically for His disciples. 

But as we know from other scriptures, the disciples only recognized what Jesus was saying to them AFTER His death and resurrection. Why did God have to identify Himself as a Son, clothing Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin)? So that satan would do what had to be done. Hebrews 9 offers particular insights -- that there had to be a sacrifice. (Hebrews 9:1-28) In order for redemption to become available, it had to include the shedding of blood.

Specifically, as Hebrews 9:8 states, "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!" 

Thus, there was no Son prior to the day that the Holy Ghost -- the Great I AM -- decided to be made manifest. This scripture is confirmed in I Timothy 3:16. 

And when the angel of the Lord said, "And ye shall call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23) 

Indeed, "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) 

More to come. Stand in the offering plate.

And He Shall Stand And Feed In The Strength Of The Lord - Part 2570

" ... the God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence." (II Samuel 22:3)

"Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us; they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:1)

The last post highlighted a few of the many prophecies pointing to the birth of God our Saviour -- the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, as mentioned previously, the evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah is overwhelming. Indeed, many associate Micah's prophecy as the most important single prophecy in the Old Testament. 

For example, when Herod the king asked the scribes and teachers of the law about the location of Jesus' birth, they shared Micah's prophecy. (Matthew 2:5-6; Micah 5:2) Herod was likely surprised by the answer, particularly since Bethlehem (the hometown of David) was never considered prestigious, or a city of influence. Even so, God chose Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah -- the place wherein the Saviour would be born. This is confirmed in Micah 5:2, which states, "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) 

The other point worth noting is that this same Lord (called to be the ruler of Israel) was destined to come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14) But there is more. This same Jesus was before all things. (Colossians 1:16-17) He was in the world and the world made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11) 

For those who are surprised by this, it's important to know that the Lord God Himself appeared to numerous individuals in the Old Testament, including Abraham. (Genesis 16:7-13; Genesis 32:24-32; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:11-24; Daniel 3) Mary the mother of Jesus acknowledged the "holy thing" within her womb as "God my Saviour." (Luke 1:47) And in Revelation, we recognize the risen Jesus as both Lord and Christ; the King of kings and Lord of lords; the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Acts 2:36; Revelation 1:8, 11) 

The Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

"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)

In summary then, the first six verses of Micah 5 foretells of the birth of Jesus, and the later adoption and conversion of the Gentiles. The remainder of the chapter speaks to the triumphs of Israel. Similarly, like Daniel's prophecies, Micah speaks of events that will happen both in the near future and off in the distance. We know that God said that Israel would never enter into His rest until the time when Israel would acknowledge His sacrifice on the cross. (Acts 20:28) Thus, we now know why there would be 430 years of silence. We also know why we all need a Saviour. 

Matthew Henry, a Biblical commentator, reaffirms Micah's prophecy as critical to our understanding because "it respects the personal character of the Messiah, and the discoveries of Himself to the world. It distinguishes His human birth from His existing from eternity; it foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews for a season, their final restoration, and the universal peace to prevail through the whole earth in the latter days."

So much more to learn in the days ahead. For now, stand in the offering plate. 

I Will Dwell In Them, And Walk In Them; And I Will Be Their God, And They Shall Be My People. - Part 2569

"And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." (Matthew 2:4-6)

One of the most notable promises of the old testament is the prophesying of the coming of Jesus.  Indeed, a number of prophets foretold the birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. These prophecies include the context and specific details in scripture, so that the naysayers could not dispute the evidence. 

So, when the wise men from the east queried Herod about Jesus (King of the Jews), and where He was to be born, Herod becomes notably troubled. But not just Herod, but also all of Jerusalem. The wise men ask, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:2)

It is at this point that Herod gathers all the chief priests and scribes, demanding from them the location where Christ should be born. (Matthew 2:4)

"Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:5-11) 

"And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt have I called My son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." (Matthew 2:1-17) 

Have you counted the number of prophecies that were fulfilled just in this one chapter? 

Did you notice that when the wise men came to see Jesus as a young child, that they worshipped Him?

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life." And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matthew 2:1-23) 

Prophecy after prophecy was fulfilled herein, with many more to follow in the posts to come. For now, meditate upon these wonderful things. Stand in the offering plate. 

Jesus Said, "I Am Come In My Father's Name" - His Name Is JESUS For He Shall Save His People From Their Sins - Part 2568

 "I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the Name of the LORD most high." (Psalm 7:17)

"Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before Thee, for Thy judgments are made manifest." (Revelation 15:4)

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant." (Luke 1:47-48) 

Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

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

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48)

Jesus said, "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." (John 5:43)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh." (John 1:1-14)In the Name of Jesus, we shall have the victory! 

David the psalmist wrote, "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory." (Psalm 98:1) It is for this reason that thanks be to God, "...which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57) 

Why? Because, as Isaiah prophesied, "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it." (Isaiah 25:8)

How do we know? Because the scriptures walk us through the greatest love story ever told, when God Himself willingly took on the form of flesh (yet without sin!) so that we might have abundant and everlasting life in Him. (I Timothy 3:16)

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name ..." (Philippians 2:9-11)

"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Corinthians 1:13-15)

"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43)

"For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 8:16)

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8:12)

Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)

Stand in the offering plate.