THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 267

For God had so much love for the world that He gave His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON that WHOSOEVER believes and trusts in and upon Him should not be lost, but that they shall have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to judge, condemn or pass judgement upon the world but rather that the world through Him might find in Him salvation! This paraphrased version of the scriptures taken from John 3.

The section we will focus on here is the part that states, He who believes upon Him is not condemned, but they that do not believe in Him, through their unbelief are already condemned of God. Why? Because they have not believed in the Name of the Only Begotten Son of God (JESUS the Christ).

The grounds for their condemnation is this. The Light of God’s way has come into the world, but men loved and preferred darkness rather than God's light. Often it is because their deeds or works are evil and wicked. Indeed, every willing or intentional wrongdoer hates the light. They will not come to the light lest their actions and deeds be exposed. So instead they steer clear of the light lest their deeds should be reproved.

Conversely, those that love the truth respond positively to the light and as a consequence, their works may be seen. The best part is that their deeds and similar good works are solely motivated through believing faith with expectancy in God.

Now we continue from 266 .. . Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God, for God and form are the same One God. They are not two persons. Man was created in the earthly image of this one God and in earthy fashion presented God’s spiritual form. Man had God's breath within, for God had breathed into man the breath of Life, resulting in man becoming a living soul. (For the body without the spirit is dead )

Further, God is the "I AM" of all things. The Father of all. The source. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. In other words, we are the magnificent works of God’s hands, a created masterpiece. God having set man over the works of His own hands, caused men to say, "What is man that you Lord have set him over the very works of Your hands crowning him with glory and honour?"

Sounds too good to be true? Nevertheless, in this case it is true and likewise salvation is still God’s ultimate plan for man. Even though admittedly, that plan was OOPED when satan entered into the Garden and Adam and Eve were trumped. Remember Genesis? When God asked, “Adam what have you done?”

Mankind could not reverse his downgraded situation. The consequence of becoming spiritually exiled from God, as a result of Adam's fall in the garden. But God is Love and God love is! More to come. PEACE BE.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 266

The book of Philippians expands on the message within earlier posts. In part, the scriptures reveal the 'who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But He made Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant. In so doing, He was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross.'

Wherefore, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name. It is this name that the scriptures state is above every other name. It is upon hearing the name of JESUS that the scriptures state that every knee should bow. Indeed, every tongue should confess that JESUS the Christ IS LORD -- to the glory of God forever.

God is also, according to the scriptures, ONE SPIRIT. God upon counselling with Himself determined that He was going to show Himself in form. And not only was He going to shown Himself in form spiritually but He was also become an earthly image of His spiritual form. In creation, God will display His spiritual power and majesty.

So God, who is one spirit steps out in form. Not created but rather Himself in spiritual form. The very same God. No greater and no lesser the same one God (never seen afore) reveals Himself to mankind. The unseen is now seen. God in form coming forth from His spiritual innermost being. Not another person but the innermost being of God coming forth. God in form. Not another person as is propagated by so many church fathers.

When God created man, the image created was an earthly created image of the spiritual form of God. God breathing into man so that man now becomes a living soul. But as we know from Genesis, the first book of the Bible, Adam disobeys God's instructions. As a consequence, Adam’s disobedience results in Adam’s expulsion from the Garden. God had said that the soul that sins shall surely die. This explains why death now encompasses Adam and his seed.

In reality, there was no escaping the sentence of death pronounced. Everyone has, at one time or another, an appointment with death. Still, God said to Adam, "What have you done?" The plan of God for His creation appears to have been stymied.

But the Love of God toward His creation is far greater than our tongue or penmanship can grasp, or for that matter ever tell. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 265

JESUS put to death in the flesh was made alive again or quickened by the Holy Spirit. For the holy Spirit would not permit His holy child -- His only begotten Son to see corruption. Further, JESUS' sacrificial death paid in full the requirements necessary to obtain complete redemption. His flesh body died as payment in full. And, as we know, corruption was not one of the required necessary demands.

So we read that God glorified His Son JESUS, declaring to one and all that this SAME JESUS (that Adam’s fallen race crucified) IS BOTH LORD and CHRIST. JESUS is the sole head of the church (comprised of redeemed believers) which He purchased through the sacrifice of His sinless life. He offered His own life on their behalf so that they in turn should become His bones and His flesh and His body.

As the scriptures reveal, He is the Head of this redeemed body! As the Head, He directs this redeemed body. The Spirit of JESUS indwelling His redeemed body continues to manifest to the world plan of God.

The church, composing of redeemed believers are each members of this one body. Each member is set in place and gifted according to the will of God. Indeed, God divides to each member gifts as it has pleases Him. The redeemed body being jointly and fitly framed together that their should be no schisms. Many members we are and yet we are all one body in which the Lord is pleased to dwell. The redeemed body which is the body of Christ has become now, a habitation of God’s Spirit. In this body God is pleased to dwell. A Holy Temple.

For in this one body there exists no difference between male and female, bondmen or freemen, Jew nor Gentile. For we are all one in JESUS, who by the sacrifice of Himself purchased redemption for all who believe! All those people who have, by God’s Grace been made partakers of free redemption leading to what is referred to as being born again or born of God. Like JESUS spoke of in the scriptures. A man must be born again to enter into the Kingdom of God. In fact, those who are not born again cannot even see the Kingdom of God. Instead, their eyes are blinded by false religious teachings.

But Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. To obtain God's gift of salvation, it is necessary that you call upon His Name JESUS. The first 3000 persons receiving the first message of Christian salvation ever preached to man did as they were bid to do. Read Acts 2 for more details. The good new is that they repented and were baptized into the Name of JESUS for the remission of sin. In all these years, God has not withdrawn that message. It is the same message now.

Today is the day of salvation! Why tarry? Arise and be baptized wash away your sin whilst you are calling upon the Name of the LORD JESUS. Then shall you receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit of God. Peace to all in JESUS.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 264

And of His Spirit, the fruit of the promised SEED, have all believers in the promised SEED of God received. God planned and put in motion all things, as predetermined by the counsel of His own will. Therefore, this plan is entirely God’s plan.

No one was His counsellor. Rather, God purposefully prepared Himself a body in which God could appear as a Son brought forth from a willing surrogate mother named Mary. This meant that Mary herself lived her life in a prone to sin body inasmuch as she also was one of Adam’s fallen race.

In Jesus then, Jesus being the Son of God, a new bloodline began. A bloodline that did not descend from Adam. Within this new bloodline, JESUS is the SEED of the Spirit of God. The embryo, the bones, and the blood, were of the Spirit of God. Similarly, the embryo was clothed with Adamic prone to sin flesh whilst in the womb of His surrogate mother Mary.

JESUS, whilst in that body was tempted, and tried in all points - just like as we are - but without succumbing to sin. In other words, if man were ever to be redeemed, it would require a sinless man willing to die. For it is written in the scriptures that the wages of sin is eternal death.

But in deciding the plan of salvation, God searched and concluded that there was no man found that was holy, righteous, or undefiled. Therefore, it is written, a body have you prepared me. For God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY Begotten Son to die at Calvary so that men and women could be free.

And looking back, this plan of salvation is exactly what God has done. For JESUS was conceived of the holy Spirit of God. Therefore, He who was brought forth was God in the flesh. Pure, holy, undefiled, and separate from sinners. It was God who purposed to lay down His sinless life. God Himself as a Son becoming the only means of eternal salvation. By the sacrifice of His life, we in turn could be called sons and daughters of God.

Therefore, we cannot nor ought we to dismiss the Word/Wisdom of God. Instead, we must be born again. We ought to no longer to linger embrace another SEED. Instead, arise and be baptized. Wash away your sin whilst you are calling upon the name of our great God and only Saviour JESUS the Christ! Acts 2:37-42. God bless!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 263

The SEED of promised blessing is to be enjoyed in JESUS the Christ. The SEED being JESUS the Christ and being clearly presented by Paul in Galatians. Paul was inspired by the Spirit of God and as a consequence, revealed the afore-hid mysteries of God. These are the same mysteries that were hid from ages past, now being revealed by God for the edification of His Redeemed body! (The Church)

As the scriptures state, there is only one body and only one Spirit. The Church (being the redeemed believers take their place as members in the body of JESUS (the Christ) which body is the temple. The only temple, according to the scriptures in which the Spirit of God is pleased to dwell.

For believers having been baptized into JESUS the Christ have put on JESUS (Christ!). For in JESUS the Christ is the righteousness of God revealed. When JESUS was baptized in water by John the baptist, John said to JESUS, "It is me that needs to be baptized by you and here you are coming to me." JESUS replied to John stating, “It becomes us to fulfill all righteousness." This is why JESUS stepped into the water and was subsequently baptized by John.

John was a man sent of God as a forerunner to JESUS. Front page news in those days. John was sent of God and JESUS being the WORD/ WISDOM of God was veiled in flesh as one of Adam’s fallen offspring. JESUS as a man obediently obeyed God’s command and by so doing proclaimed the righteousness of God.

John proclaimed that JESUS was the Lamb of God. And that God Himself provided the sacrificial lamb. Indeed, there was to be no other sacrifice for sin. God is preparing to sacrifice His own body. Imagine, the same God who created us loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His body. Once and only once. And in so doing, ensured that no other sacrifice was needed. That is right, There is no more sacrificial offering for sin. Our salvation was PAID IN FULL.

The church then (being the redeemed believers purchased back to God as a result of God laying down His own life as a Son) now being Fathered by God in a Son’s body. It was that body prone to sin yet found sinless that was sacrificed and cursed by God.

God Himself as a Son (lamb) bore our sins in His own body crucified on a tree. (JESUS being the tree of life). Look to Me all you people for I Am God and beside Me there is no Saviour.

As many as received JESUS, to them JESUS gave power(or the right) to become the sons of God. It is by the Grace of God that we are redeemed and delivered from the bondage of sin. We are not saved by works. For if works were sufficient to deliver man from sin then there was no need for the lamb of God to be sacrificed.

But JESUS is the Shepherd of God’s sheep. All who believe and follow in His Words of Wisdom shall not walk in darkness, for JESUS is the Light that lightens.

Further, JESUS died the just for the unjust. The Spirit of God having laid upon His Son the iniquity of all. Herein, perceive we the Love of God. For in that one sacrifice, we ought to clearly see that God has went to unbelievable lengths to rescue us. To save us. To walk with us. There is therefore no condemnation to all those who believe! However, the wrath of God hangs over others who shun this one way of salvation!

May God richly bless with peace! Stand in the offering plate.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 262

The message today is that the same God who made the world was in the world. Further, the same "He that was in the world" delivered to us the very Wisdom of God in Word, spoken audibly in a tongue of understanding. As we recognize from the scriptures, sometimes the voice spoke in parables. Many times, at least initially, we found it difficult to understanding the meaning of parables. However, when He saw that we stumbled in comprehension, then He expounded upon the hidden truths. The hidden treasures to those who believed on Him. Why? For it was and is our Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom of Heaven and all therein.

But the important point to note here is that He did not as in ages past send messengers to deliver the message of salvation. Rather, He came Himself preaching to everyone who listened, sowing Words of Life. As a consequence, those who take the time to digest and reflect upon His Life Words are immediately transformed in thought to a different level. Jesus said it this way. If we hunger and thirst after righteousness, sureley we shall be filled.

In other words, Jesus did not pass by on the other side of the road. That was not the purpose of His mission. His purpose was to seek and to save those which were lost - indeed, you and I - us! Often, Jesus would say, "My Sheep hear my voice, and they follow me."

Conversely, the sheep will not follow the voice of a hired person or institutions whereby religious formality was (or is) rampant. Jesus' salvation message was clear. He said, "Come to Me and rest." He did not send us around the SINAI mountain, going in endless circles.

JESUS simply said, "Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest." And the result? We heard the gospel message and we believed. We were immediately impacted with power - an invisible tangible substance - and we tasted so to speak of the power of the Word of God. We entered into a New World whilst we were and are still in this world.

The Kingdom of God was now in us. For surely the words and wisdom that He spoke was the language of the Kingdom of God. The Words spoken to us were not words of condemnation but rather words urging us to reach out in faith to Him. In so doing, we, by the Grace of God become reconciled to Him alone!

Still, it is important to remember that we did not roll out the red carpet for Jesus. Neither did we bed Him in luxury hotels. We did not wine and dine Him which is why He Himself said, "Foxes have holes, the birds of the air have nests, but I have not a place to lay down my head." (Come in to my heart Lord JESUS!)

We are the body of the Christ named JESUS, who on our behalf sacrificed His Life forever as a Son so that we, from henceforth, can be called the Sons of God. There is only One body and there is only One Spirit. Peace be upon the redeemed Israel of God who are adopted into the family of God and those who obediently respond positively to Acts chapter 2.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 261

The tongue being a small member of our bodies, is capable of creating unbelievable damage. Indeed, with the tongue, we can bless people or conversely, with the same tongue we can curse. The scriptures phrase this dual perspective this way. The scriptures declare that from a well of water one ought not to receive "sweet and bitter" water at the same time. However, it would appear that even though this saying is trustworthy and enlightening, ironically, it is not often applied to the well of the tongue.

Further, all sorts of tongues exist. The Bible alludes to this in the New Testament. There are tongues of men and tongues of angels, and even unknown tongues. Each tongue is capable of rendering the most abundant thoughts of our indwelling spirit. Still, we recognize that our innermost spirit can be deceitful and desperately wicked. In this context, Satan being the father of all lies influenced mankind since man's expulsion from the Garden of Eden. There, Satan voiced and displayed his cunningly devised ways.

But when JESUS went to be baptised by John the(baptist), it is recorded that John had received a vision. Therein, it was revealled to him that when John should see the Holy Spirit of God descend upon an individual in the form of a dove, then would John know that this is the one who would baptize believing individuals with the Holy Spirit.

Indeed, the vision was established in JESUS causing John to declare ... "Behold the Lamb of God!" God Himself as a Son to become a sacrificial offering. This is why the scriptures are so specific. John had seen a vision accompanied with an audible voice and yet understood without his ears. Would that we all have ears to hear!

The scriptures go further. On the day of Pentecost, a mighty wind was heard, filling the auditorium where 120 believers were assembled. Suddenly, the 120 believers started to speak in tongues described as "tongues like a fire." In the process of speaking with Holy Spirit tongues, it is recorded in the scriptures that the Holy Spirit tongues sat upon them.

Jesus afore said that the apostles were to stay in Jerusalem until they would be endued with a higher power. Only then, after being endued with this higher power (the Spirit of Jesus) would they become His Witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Upon that day of Pentecost the church(which is the now body of JESUS the Christ) was purchased and reconciled to God through God Himself -- the same God who willingly sacrificed His own body. This is an incomprehensible thought when one considers the magnitude of God's sacrifice - that He as a son would become cursed so that we might have eternal life. Or, that we the guilty should appear now before Him as Himself (for we are in Christ). He Himself, as a Son, bequeathed all things to us. All things that were rightfully His should now be ours. Isn't this the miracle that is found in the scriptures? Therefore when He speaks we should listen. Likewise, when we pray He hears.

He hears even though we are many members for we are the body of JESUS the Christ. It is His Spirit that we have all received. We worship our Father the Lord JESUS the Christ, for truly JESUS fathered us in His death.

SEEDED through faith to believe in Him, we enter into the family of God. We all bear the name of JESUS! We worship God the eternal Spirit who became our Father. For TRULY God was in Christ, and now we are His temple. In this temple is He pleased to dwell. And, as a consequence, we are a habitation of the Spirit of God! Peace to all who are in Jesus!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 260

The SEED is not of many or from multiple persons. Indeed, the scriptural references in Galatians defines the SEED as representative of only one person. That one person referred to here is none other than the Christ, who is the child of the Spirit of the one Holy God. Yes, the same God who SEEDED the promised SEEDS to Eve and to Abraham.

The reason for clarifying this point is that there are religious institutions who believe in what is called the immaculate conception. These churches believe this even though Mary was not included, according to the scriptures, in the conception. Rather Mary was, by her consent to become a willing surrogate.

The genealogy as recorded in Matthew and Luke makes no reference to Mary’s natural seed. The scriptures clearly outline to Mary that the embryo which is conceived within her was of the Holy Spirit. Further, as we have previously shown, Mary consented to be a surrogate.

As a consequence of Mary’s willing submission, believers should most certainly acknowledge that Mary was blessed - and blessed as well among women. However, Mary was not blessed above women. This is a key distinction. Neither, was Mary in the scriptures hailed as being the mother of God.

For as we read in the scriptures, the angel declared to Mary that the holy thing that shall come forth from her shall be called the Son of God. So the Wisdom of God counsel now appeared in fashion as a man. Why is this? Because only God could reveal His (formerly) hidden plan of Wisdom.

This is why we required God Himself as a Son to speak. The Word had to be veiled in flesh so that we might be able to hear and understand the unveiling (Wisdom) of the mystery of God. For the time of these events were spoken of in the scriptures as being the fullness of time.

At that time, JESUS was brought forth. Jesus - who is Himself the Wisdom of God. For it is written that JESUS is the Wisdom of God and similarly that JESUS is the Glory of God. Therefore, JESUS is the Word of God, who also is the same Wisdom of God.

But we without hearing in Word the revealing of the Wisdom of God would still be without understanding. But JESUS as flesh is the living manifestation of the Wisdom of God. Let us see and understand what the scriptures are stating here. One without the other would be like a bird without wings. Where would we be then?

Still, when JESUS spoke, there was something distinctive about His presence. JESUS did not speak like the scribes and the Pharisees. There is a reason for this. That is, JESUS is not only the Wisdom and Glory of God but JESUS is the Power of God too.

For again it is written that His Words were with power. Yes, indeed, His Words were with power. When JESUS' Words of Wisdom and power impacts a person, something happens. Something wonderful happens. The songwriter penned this experience as "oh, for a thousand tongues to sing, To express my tongue indeed would be the pen of a ready writer, I am come that you might have LIFE, a more abundant life." PEACE BE!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 259

A sower went out to sow, and as he sowed some of the seeds fell. The sower of the Word (or the wisdom of God that is God Himself) sowed seeds that was His own Word. This makes sense when we read it within a scriptural context.

In Genesis and John, for example, the scriptures say that in the beginning was the Word - the Wisdom and the Word - and this Wisdom was with God and the Word/Wisdom was God. The very same Word/Wisdom that was with God was veiled in flesh and we beheld His glory.

For the Word/Wisdom of God is now being revealed in fleshly form. As alluded to earlier, this Word/Wisdom of God is being revealed in prone to sin flesh even as Adam was. After Adam and Eve's banishment from the Garden of Eden, the Sower’s flesh that was capable of being tempted in all points like as we humans are did not succumb to sin. Neither in thought, word or in deed.

The Sower of the Word /Wisdom was clothed in flesh as a man. For the Sower of the Word/Wisdom (in form) Himself was the only (singular) SEED of God’s holy Spirit. At birth, we see a child to be named JESUS with an applied descriptive title declaring that He was the SON of God. For indeed He was.

As it is written, God who is Spirit was manifest in the flesh as a Son. Our human outer shell - like all seeds - is visibly only a shell whilst the inner life is spirit. How does the scriptures describe this outer shell. For the body without the spirit is dead.

However, in JESUS did dwell all the fullness of the invisible God who is Spirit now embodied in the flesh. This is the embodiment of the Spirit of God as a Son capable now of being seen and handled and heard. We can now view and hear the purpose of God’s visitation in form as a Son (Word/Wisdom) sowing a Word/Wisdom message in total contrast to that which was then presently preached (sowed).

God is personally a Sower, sowing His Word / Wisdom as a SEED. In this perspective, God was delivering to man His unchanging Word/Wisdom. Indeed, God’s life giving Word / Wisdom was veiled in flesh and dwelt among us.

We realize that without the word it would be impossible for men and women to even theorize. Why? Because the entrance of word/wisdom into our minds brings forth enlightenment. The same word/wisdom gives understanding, and with all our learning we ought to endeavour to get understanding.

How does this happen? God is the source (Sower) of all Word / Wisdom, for the power of the Word/Wisdom is mightier than even the sword. Whether the Word is spoken, written or in song, it remains mightier than the sword. The Word /wisdom is the expression of the indwelling life of the spirit for we are spirit beings, our carcase in action displays what is the determination of our indwelling spirit.

As a result of Adam’s disobedience, Adam directed his carcase to do that which God advised him not to do - that is, adhere to the Sower’s instructions. But when Adam didn't listen, we lost our way too, stepping onto a road of self destruction. That road is like a dead end road whose builder and making was not God‘s will.

But as we'll read in the days to come, there is a better way ...

Jesus Is The Promised Seed - PART 258

JESUS is the promised SEED. As a consequence, there is no salvation in any other. And there is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby salvation is offered to all, at no cost or effort by man. Indeed, salvation is the gift of God. And no, one does not work to receive this gift.

In fact, if one has to work for it, the gift is no longer a gift. This is why the gift of salvation is unique. Certainly, there is no payment plan attached to the gift of salvation. For the gift of eternal life is offered freely to one and all. Neither was the gift of salvation bought with silver or gold or diamonds.

This gift of salvation offered equally to every individual who turns their life to Jesus was purchased by the sacrificial death of one man.. But this man, as we know from reading the scriptures, was no ordinary man although in appearance He had no remarkable features that would identify Him as one that would stand out in a crowd. We know this because when we shall see Him, the scriptures state that there is no beauty that we should desire him,

Still, the long awaited manifestation of the long awaited SEED - the SEED donor being none other than the holy Spirit of God who promised that He would become man’s Saviour - is the reason the gift of salvation exists. Thus, there was a necessity for the Word of God to be manifested in the flesh and that this flesh manifestation of God (as a Son) named JESUS, become a willing sacrifice securing an everlasting covenant.

For this Covenant was not a Covenant between two parties as was the old redundant Sinai covenant. Rather, this NEW Covenant being a Covenant decided and predetermined of God before there ever was a visible world. A Covenant ordered of God as Spirit whereby God Himself as a Son (God is ONE), executed the unfolding of the covenant in the fashion now revealed of God through the sacrifice of Himself. Hence, GOD Himself brings forth the offer of free redemption from Adam’s fall - Adam being disobedient to God’s instructions in the Garden of Eden.

Remember, it was by one man’s disobedience that sin entered into this world. Death ruled and reigned among us. God Himself had breathed life into man because at the same time God purposed to redeem man by Himself. The result? As the scriptures point out, any person believing upon the sacrificial death of God as a Son would inherit all things as a gifted inheritance.

Then, believers as redeemed people would become God’s adopted sons and daughters. Men and woman would now be redeemed by the shedding of God’s own holy Spirit blood. Believers would also - obediently - and according to the scriptures be baptized into His Name JESUS! Receiving the promise of God that He would now breath upon them the gift of His Spirit.

These redeemed believers having been called by God would by the working of the Spirit of God be totally washed justified and sanctified eventually to be glorified. The end result being that redeemed believers or Christians (followers of Jesus) would be changed to be like Him. What do the scriptures say? For then we shall see Him as He is!

Stand in the offering plate with Jesus! He never fails.