We can be confident that we have not been redeemed through corruptible things. And we can be equally assured that silver or gold has not delivered us from our vain conversations and traditions. Rather, we have been redeemed from all sin by the sacrificial offering of the precious blood of the Holy Spirit, whose life giving blood flowed in the veins of JESUS the Christ. The same JESUS being the Lamb (child) of God’s Spirit without a blemish of sin. JESUS being the SEED of the Holy Spirit!
As we read in the scriptures, JESUS as a Son was foreordained before the foundation of the world. He was manifest in these last times for our redemption. This is why in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son. Through the manifestation of God (Himself) as a Son, we can now believe how much God loves us. Why? Because we have seen manifested in flesh the unseen Spirit of God, who dwelled within JESUS.
In this context, the Spirit of God would never allow His sinless body to enter into the state of corruption. Instead, the Holy Spirit of God who dwelled within JESUS' sinless body raised His own sinless body from the dead. Glorify JESUS! So that we who have believed upon JESUS may continue to exercise unshakeable faith in Him.
Moreover, when we become Christians, we are born again by obeying the JESUS Spirit voice. The same voice has commanded all of Adam’s sin prone race to repent and exercise faith toward His Name JESUS. This is the same Jesus who we in ignorance crucified, without realizing that we were consenting to the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory.
It is for this reason that we willingly repent. And that we then are willingly baptized in water into the Name of JESUS for the remission of our sins (Acts 2) The Spirit Word then is not traditional corruptible seed. The Spirit Word is in fact incorruptible. God‘s Word is Spiritual life - and this Spirit Word lives and abides forever.
While traditions are interjected by the work of fleshly men, all is not lost. Because the Word of the Lord endures forever. It doesn't matter then whether the Word of God is rejected by people who seemingly deem themselves unworthy of eternal life, or by others who dismiss the Word of God as foolishness. Indeed, a person's unbelief does not invalidate the Word of God. Not now and not ever!
Because God in His grace and mercy reached out to all of us. God lay down His only life as a Son, taking the curse of all our sin upon Himself. In so doing, God has set His table. God has sent out invitations to all of Adam's sin prone race to come and dine at His table totally free of charge. Everything is paid for in full! In fact, the party is already in full swing with sounds of music and dancing!
The Master of the house stands peering into the distance awaiting with expectancy the arrival of His sons and daughters. Upon the arrival of His sons and daughters, the Master embraces them one by one. He then personally announces to everyone in attendance that this is my sons and daughters. They had previously been lost but now are found.
Rejoice with Me, saith the Master. And let no one separate you from the love of God which is manifest in the man Jesus the Christ. Salvation is the free gift of God. Peace!
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Monday, March 5, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 359
Why do I believe that JESUS is the Father? Simply because the scriptures declare this to be. My message to anyone who does not understand this, I ask that you stop resisting God’s Word and read the scriptures for yourself. God’s Word is coming to us. In this context, we cannot love JESUS and reject His Word. For indeed the Word of God is embodied in JESUS, who is the WORD of God manifest in flesh appearing as a Son. If God had appeared in a different fashion, then we might suggest that an alien had visited earth. But this is not the case.
On the contrary, it is us - you and I - who are the aliens. Totally alienated from God. We instead let evil captivate our imaginations rather than trust God for our blessings. But the good news is this. When JESUS' empowered His disciples to go into the harvest field of the world, commissioning them to heal the sick and to cast out demonic spirits in HIS NAME, He did so in order for you and I to return to Jesus. And then as the scriptures state, upon returning to JESUS the apostles were rejoicing declaring that even the demonic spirits were subject to the disciples in JESUS NAME. Later, we read that JESUS commissioned and empowered another 100 disciples sending them also to heal the sick and cast out demons. This was Jesus' way of showing that the Kingdom of God is near. Then Jesus instructed the disciples to deliver this gospel message - the same gospel message contained in the scriptures - and declare this very same gospel message to one and all.
Further, JESUS said at the time that it was not Him (His flesh) that was performing the miracles. Rather, it was the Father who dwells within Me - it is He who does these things. Yes, God was in the man JESUS the Christ endeavouring to reconcile the world back to Himself (God). JESUS being the SEED of the holy Spirit (and therefore God) implanted into the womb of a willing surrogate mother named Mary, whose sin prone flesh was to veil the Holy Spirit coming forth from her -- Immanuel or God with us.
Although admittedly, all bodies are sin prone, commencing from the time that Adam and Eve rejected God’s instructions. However, when they were banished from the Eden Garden, the two entered into an unknown -- an untamed natural world. But JESUS dwelt in such a sin prone body capable of sinning even as we are but never sinning. The difference being that inside JESUS dwelt the Holy Spirit. Therefore, even though tempted by sin, JESUS did not sin. God’s pure and holy spiritual humanity indwelt JESUS!
You see, JESUS did not come to dazzle us. Rather, JESUS came to save us from ourselves. Jesus came to save us from the strong delusion of unbelief that Adam and Eve experienced. The delusion of unbelief and pit of ignorance that we have fallen into, professing ourselves to be wise and instead becoming as fools. And in our ignorance declaring that dumb matter brought forth intelligent life. Is it any wonder that God winks at such ignorance on our part? Indeed, who is it that has bewitched us to this extent that we should embrace such foolishness? We ought to save ourselves from such dark nonsensical unbelief.
So, to go full circle, we need to understand that reverential fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Why? Because JESUS is the wisdom of God! And Jesus is the wisdom of God now being delivered to those who have hearing ears. Our Heavenly Father who is one Spirit speaks to us -- His Wisdom -- but in a Son's body. Similar to our spirit that talks through our physical bodies God who is Spirit talking to us in His own body. And this is why we read the scriptures! Peace!
On the contrary, it is us - you and I - who are the aliens. Totally alienated from God. We instead let evil captivate our imaginations rather than trust God for our blessings. But the good news is this. When JESUS' empowered His disciples to go into the harvest field of the world, commissioning them to heal the sick and to cast out demonic spirits in HIS NAME, He did so in order for you and I to return to Jesus. And then as the scriptures state, upon returning to JESUS the apostles were rejoicing declaring that even the demonic spirits were subject to the disciples in JESUS NAME. Later, we read that JESUS commissioned and empowered another 100 disciples sending them also to heal the sick and cast out demons. This was Jesus' way of showing that the Kingdom of God is near. Then Jesus instructed the disciples to deliver this gospel message - the same gospel message contained in the scriptures - and declare this very same gospel message to one and all.
Further, JESUS said at the time that it was not Him (His flesh) that was performing the miracles. Rather, it was the Father who dwells within Me - it is He who does these things. Yes, God was in the man JESUS the Christ endeavouring to reconcile the world back to Himself (God). JESUS being the SEED of the holy Spirit (and therefore God) implanted into the womb of a willing surrogate mother named Mary, whose sin prone flesh was to veil the Holy Spirit coming forth from her -- Immanuel or God with us.
Although admittedly, all bodies are sin prone, commencing from the time that Adam and Eve rejected God’s instructions. However, when they were banished from the Eden Garden, the two entered into an unknown -- an untamed natural world. But JESUS dwelt in such a sin prone body capable of sinning even as we are but never sinning. The difference being that inside JESUS dwelt the Holy Spirit. Therefore, even though tempted by sin, JESUS did not sin. God’s pure and holy spiritual humanity indwelt JESUS!
You see, JESUS did not come to dazzle us. Rather, JESUS came to save us from ourselves. Jesus came to save us from the strong delusion of unbelief that Adam and Eve experienced. The delusion of unbelief and pit of ignorance that we have fallen into, professing ourselves to be wise and instead becoming as fools. And in our ignorance declaring that dumb matter brought forth intelligent life. Is it any wonder that God winks at such ignorance on our part? Indeed, who is it that has bewitched us to this extent that we should embrace such foolishness? We ought to save ourselves from such dark nonsensical unbelief.
So, to go full circle, we need to understand that reverential fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Why? Because JESUS is the wisdom of God! And Jesus is the wisdom of God now being delivered to those who have hearing ears. Our Heavenly Father who is one Spirit speaks to us -- His Wisdom -- but in a Son's body. Similar to our spirit that talks through our physical bodies God who is Spirit talking to us in His own body. And this is why we read the scriptures! Peace!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 358
God in Christ came to teach us of Himself. In so doing, God in Christ came to sacrifice His own flesh body so that He could provide men and women with a means of redemption from sin. This means all sin from the moment of man’s original disobedience in the Garden of Eden and even until now.
Indeed, God who is love and mercy took upon Himself man’s sin at no cost whatsoever to sinful man. He who knew no sin became sin for you and I. For God who never sinned offered His sinless body as a sacrifice. A body consisting of sin prone flesh though tempted even as we are but remained sinless. God offered to man redemption as a free gift, thereby permitting man to return to the sinless mindset of Adam and Eve prior to their encounter with the camouflaged, sweet talking, lying lips of the devil - who is the father of all lies.
We, who through God’s redemptive plan can by our choice be brought back to our original innocent minds because we are more advantaged than Adam and Eve because of the sacrifice of Jesus. In the beginning, Adam and Eve had no previous encounter with the devil but we, being their offspring have been exposed to the devil’s enticing ways for generations. Therefore, if we have had enough of the devil’s roller coaster ride called life, it should be relatively easier to embrace Jesus and His offer of redemption which leads to salvation and eternal life.
Then we could return to the original grass-root teachings of Christianity, eliminating the add-on traditions of religions -- teaching that in reality obscure the pathway signs which lead to Calvary. This is why it is important to obtain a copy of the New Testament. So that everyone can read the New Testament teachings and understand how very much the God who created us loved us.
Also, it is important to note that the New Testament is not an add-on to the Old Covenant. Indeed, put the Old Covenant on the shelf. Why? Because as the name implies, it is old. As well, traditional religious institutions ushered in by the so called church fathers of 300/400 AD introduced false teachings that are counteractive to the teachings brought from Heaven to earth by the Lord God Himself.
In this context, there was no one else who could be entrusted with such a mission, which mission caused the Lord JESUS' body to become a curse. This is why God brought to man His glorious gospel -- the same gospel message that shook up the sandy foundations of all religions of the time including Judaism whose very religious temple structure was prophesied by JESUS to be demolished.
Further, as a consequence, the Spirit of the Lord does not live in temples made with man’s hands. God was in Christ and from the very beginning, God had every intention of living within the innermost being of man. Yes, man becoming the temple in which the Lord is pleased to dwell. Temples redeemed and pure purchased from all sin by the outpouring of His own blood!
But men since their expulsion from the Garden of Eden have lost the nature of God turning instead to religion in a vain effort to appease their consciousness of sin. But as the scriptures reveal (which again is indicative of one's need to read the New Testament) Christianity commenced in Acts chapter 2. It is for this reason that me thinks we all should return to God’s prescription for the remission of sin, permitting a return to the nature of God so that we can also receive God’s promised gift of His Holy Spirit. 3000 persons believed initially in the message presented in Acts 2, being then baptized into a watery grave, willingly being buried into JESUS grave, arising a new justified creation!
For more, I suggest that you read Romans chapter 6 which elaborates on this message. Stand in the offering plate.
Indeed, God who is love and mercy took upon Himself man’s sin at no cost whatsoever to sinful man. He who knew no sin became sin for you and I. For God who never sinned offered His sinless body as a sacrifice. A body consisting of sin prone flesh though tempted even as we are but remained sinless. God offered to man redemption as a free gift, thereby permitting man to return to the sinless mindset of Adam and Eve prior to their encounter with the camouflaged, sweet talking, lying lips of the devil - who is the father of all lies.
We, who through God’s redemptive plan can by our choice be brought back to our original innocent minds because we are more advantaged than Adam and Eve because of the sacrifice of Jesus. In the beginning, Adam and Eve had no previous encounter with the devil but we, being their offspring have been exposed to the devil’s enticing ways for generations. Therefore, if we have had enough of the devil’s roller coaster ride called life, it should be relatively easier to embrace Jesus and His offer of redemption which leads to salvation and eternal life.
Then we could return to the original grass-root teachings of Christianity, eliminating the add-on traditions of religions -- teaching that in reality obscure the pathway signs which lead to Calvary. This is why it is important to obtain a copy of the New Testament. So that everyone can read the New Testament teachings and understand how very much the God who created us loved us.
Also, it is important to note that the New Testament is not an add-on to the Old Covenant. Indeed, put the Old Covenant on the shelf. Why? Because as the name implies, it is old. As well, traditional religious institutions ushered in by the so called church fathers of 300/400 AD introduced false teachings that are counteractive to the teachings brought from Heaven to earth by the Lord God Himself.
In this context, there was no one else who could be entrusted with such a mission, which mission caused the Lord JESUS' body to become a curse. This is why God brought to man His glorious gospel -- the same gospel message that shook up the sandy foundations of all religions of the time including Judaism whose very religious temple structure was prophesied by JESUS to be demolished.
Further, as a consequence, the Spirit of the Lord does not live in temples made with man’s hands. God was in Christ and from the very beginning, God had every intention of living within the innermost being of man. Yes, man becoming the temple in which the Lord is pleased to dwell. Temples redeemed and pure purchased from all sin by the outpouring of His own blood!
But men since their expulsion from the Garden of Eden have lost the nature of God turning instead to religion in a vain effort to appease their consciousness of sin. But as the scriptures reveal (which again is indicative of one's need to read the New Testament) Christianity commenced in Acts chapter 2. It is for this reason that me thinks we all should return to God’s prescription for the remission of sin, permitting a return to the nature of God so that we can also receive God’s promised gift of His Holy Spirit. 3000 persons believed initially in the message presented in Acts 2, being then baptized into a watery grave, willingly being buried into JESUS grave, arising a new justified creation!
For more, I suggest that you read Romans chapter 6 which elaborates on this message. Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 357
JESUS is the everlasting Father! JESUS is also the well beloved Son! And yes JESUS is the blessed Holy Spirit. Indeed, salvation is found in the man JESUS, He being the [seed] child conceived of the Holy Ghost. JESUS, the [seed] child is God [Himself] manifesting Himself in flesh. It is in the same flesh that all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.
So while God rules and reigns, no man’s eyes have every seen God. In fact, creation declares openly the visible nature of the invisible creator. The visible things that were created displaying that the creator is Almighty. The unseen hidden Creator’s power and majesty being openly displayed by the things created.
Now the unseen creator God has chosen by His own counsel with Himself to manifest Himself, in form. The invisible becoming visible. The Creator God in form is the same God who has made all things. In fact, God stepped out of His Spirit world in form, prior to creation. Still, creation was the master plan of the mind of the Lord with God in spiritual form ruling and reigning over the very works of all of His creation.
The unseen spiritual form of God then was not created. For if the unseen spiritual form of God were a creation of God, as some folks like to insinuate, then the new form would be inferior to God. But with God there is no inferiority. Every thing that comes to pass is according to the plan originally constructed by God in the beginning.
Within this plan, man is an earthly creation fashioned after the similitude of the spiritual form of God. So wonderful was the creation that in the beginning, men were called the sons of God! Similarly, in the beginning, Adam and Eve fellowshipped with their Creator. It is recorded in the scriptures that Adam and Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the evening.
There, God instructed Adam not to eat of the fruit from two trees. But God’s instructions fell upon deaf ears. Adam and Eve hearkened to the voice of another, called the devil, and in so doing Adam and Eve were put forth from Eden where the two entered into a untamed natural world.
Of course, Adam and Eve did not know that the voice they had listened to was the voice of an angelic spirit who had been cast out of heaven. Or that this angelic spirit opposed God, rebelling against God in the company of other rebellious angels. Together, they caused war in Heaven and as a consequence, God cast them out of Heaven. Now doomed to a destiny called Hell located somewhere in a place called outer darkness, the rebellious ringleader and fallen angel became known as the devil. The other rebellious angels became known as demons.
The point to remember then is that Adam and Eve were created as sons (and daughters)of God. And they are still by creation sons (and daughters) of God. Unfortunately, as we now recognize, fallen sons of God alienated from fellowship with God. Nevertheless, GOD loved His creation in the beginning and continues to love His creation today. None of these events came as a surprise to God for there is nothing hid from God. All things and events are naked and open before God’s eyes.
We further read that JESUS (His physical body as a man in the mind of God) was the beginning of the earthly creation of God. God knew that man would fall at some point and in so doing, man would be introduced into another more unnatural dimension. In this new world, man would become capable of choice. He would be given the possibility of choosing his own destiny.
But God did not abandon the human race. God in His Love, in His Grace and in His Mercy intervened. The Great Creator who made us also became man’s only means of salvation. In other words, God condescending took upon Himself a veil of flesh, conducting a life in the flesh which life would be the Life of God manifested.
The first man (Adam) sinned whereas the second Adam who is the Lord Himself veiled in sin prone flesh never succumbed to sin. Therefore, this man JESUS became the means whereby man can be saved. Call upon Him and in so doing men and women can be redeemed back into fellowship with God. Men and women and subsequently society can become all that God intended it to be. As it was prior to Adam and Eve hearkening to the voice of the usurper the devil. It is your choice! God in Christ laid down His sinless flesh for us! Come to Jesus today. Stand in the offering plate by offering yourself!
So while God rules and reigns, no man’s eyes have every seen God. In fact, creation declares openly the visible nature of the invisible creator. The visible things that were created displaying that the creator is Almighty. The unseen hidden Creator’s power and majesty being openly displayed by the things created.
Now the unseen creator God has chosen by His own counsel with Himself to manifest Himself, in form. The invisible becoming visible. The Creator God in form is the same God who has made all things. In fact, God stepped out of His Spirit world in form, prior to creation. Still, creation was the master plan of the mind of the Lord with God in spiritual form ruling and reigning over the very works of all of His creation.
The unseen spiritual form of God then was not created. For if the unseen spiritual form of God were a creation of God, as some folks like to insinuate, then the new form would be inferior to God. But with God there is no inferiority. Every thing that comes to pass is according to the plan originally constructed by God in the beginning.
Within this plan, man is an earthly creation fashioned after the similitude of the spiritual form of God. So wonderful was the creation that in the beginning, men were called the sons of God! Similarly, in the beginning, Adam and Eve fellowshipped with their Creator. It is recorded in the scriptures that Adam and Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the evening.
There, God instructed Adam not to eat of the fruit from two trees. But God’s instructions fell upon deaf ears. Adam and Eve hearkened to the voice of another, called the devil, and in so doing Adam and Eve were put forth from Eden where the two entered into a untamed natural world.
Of course, Adam and Eve did not know that the voice they had listened to was the voice of an angelic spirit who had been cast out of heaven. Or that this angelic spirit opposed God, rebelling against God in the company of other rebellious angels. Together, they caused war in Heaven and as a consequence, God cast them out of Heaven. Now doomed to a destiny called Hell located somewhere in a place called outer darkness, the rebellious ringleader and fallen angel became known as the devil. The other rebellious angels became known as demons.
The point to remember then is that Adam and Eve were created as sons (and daughters)of God. And they are still by creation sons (and daughters) of God. Unfortunately, as we now recognize, fallen sons of God alienated from fellowship with God. Nevertheless, GOD loved His creation in the beginning and continues to love His creation today. None of these events came as a surprise to God for there is nothing hid from God. All things and events are naked and open before God’s eyes.
We further read that JESUS (His physical body as a man in the mind of God) was the beginning of the earthly creation of God. God knew that man would fall at some point and in so doing, man would be introduced into another more unnatural dimension. In this new world, man would become capable of choice. He would be given the possibility of choosing his own destiny.
But God did not abandon the human race. God in His Love, in His Grace and in His Mercy intervened. The Great Creator who made us also became man’s only means of salvation. In other words, God condescending took upon Himself a veil of flesh, conducting a life in the flesh which life would be the Life of God manifested.
The first man (Adam) sinned whereas the second Adam who is the Lord Himself veiled in sin prone flesh never succumbed to sin. Therefore, this man JESUS became the means whereby man can be saved. Call upon Him and in so doing men and women can be redeemed back into fellowship with God. Men and women and subsequently society can become all that God intended it to be. As it was prior to Adam and Eve hearkening to the voice of the usurper the devil. It is your choice! God in Christ laid down His sinless flesh for us! Come to Jesus today. Stand in the offering plate by offering yourself!
Friday, March 2, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 356
The Scripture declares that the LORD -- HE IS GOD! And apart from the LORD who is GOD there is no Saviour. This is the message that Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem for -- to communicate with Peter, James, and John. Note that Paul was chosen by JESUS to be His Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul outlined the gospel he was preaching to the Gentiles! In other words, Paul and Barnabas were extending the right hand of fellowship. (Galatians chapter 1)
Further, Paul in his writings professed that JESUS is LORD! And as we read in the scriptures, Paul refused to depart from the revelatory knowledge that it was God who had revealed Himself in the face of Jesus the Christ. That JESUS the Christ in fact is God Himself manifest in flesh. That this same God descended into the world as a Son, fulfilling His promise that He the LORD GOD would become man’s only Saviour!
As well, the early believers went everywhere preaching JESUS!There was no confusion as to who it was that they had believed upon. Neither was there any confusion as to whose name they had called upon for salvation. They knew who it was they had believed upon. And no, they had not been persuaded by others to change their perspective on who JESUS was. Indeed, they were totally persuaded and confirmed by the ghostly presence of God’s presence.
So, therefore, there is only One LORD! And that one Lord - JESUS - is LORD over all! Paul asked the Lord what His name was, and was told by the Lord Himself that His name is JESUS. Philip in conversing with JESUS also desired JESUS to show Him the Father and then he would be satisfied! And Jesus did. JESUS politely showed Philip the Father by saying to Philip, Have you been so long-time with me -- you are looking at Me your Father. In other words, Philip, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. And Philip if you really knew me you would have realized that I am the Father! Thomas also had his doubts. That is, until JESUS stood before Him. It was at this point that Thomas exclaimed to JESUS "MY LORD and MY GOD."
Let's recap. God is the Father of all spirits. And we are spirit beings dwelling in a body. Our body without our spirit is dead! We cannot see our spirit but we can see the body in which our spirit lives! Wherever our spirit desires to go our body takes us. Yes, our spirit is hemmed in a body. Our spirit being manifested in our bodily actions. We were given of God to be born, male or female. And we grew up to be man or woman - speaking as a son or daughter! We then marry and father or mother children. As a consequence, we authoritatively speak as a father or mother.
Yet at the same time, we can still speak as a son or daughter. All of this transpiring in the same body. In fact, all our children are fathered or mothered in a son or daughter's body! We can converse spiritually in the same son or daughter's body. Still, we are not three persons when we take on different roles. We are one spirit!
God our creator and our Saviour fathered us first in creation and now today in redemption. All of God’s children are redeemed back to God in a Son’s body. He that believes on the redemptive work accomplished by God in a Son’s body has Eternal Life! God as a Son is our Father and God as a Son is the only visible Father that we are ever going to see. In JESUS we see our Father. PEACE to all brethren in JESUS!
Further, Paul in his writings professed that JESUS is LORD! And as we read in the scriptures, Paul refused to depart from the revelatory knowledge that it was God who had revealed Himself in the face of Jesus the Christ. That JESUS the Christ in fact is God Himself manifest in flesh. That this same God descended into the world as a Son, fulfilling His promise that He the LORD GOD would become man’s only Saviour!
As well, the early believers went everywhere preaching JESUS!There was no confusion as to who it was that they had believed upon. Neither was there any confusion as to whose name they had called upon for salvation. They knew who it was they had believed upon. And no, they had not been persuaded by others to change their perspective on who JESUS was. Indeed, they were totally persuaded and confirmed by the ghostly presence of God’s presence.
So, therefore, there is only One LORD! And that one Lord - JESUS - is LORD over all! Paul asked the Lord what His name was, and was told by the Lord Himself that His name is JESUS. Philip in conversing with JESUS also desired JESUS to show Him the Father and then he would be satisfied! And Jesus did. JESUS politely showed Philip the Father by saying to Philip, Have you been so long-time with me -- you are looking at Me your Father. In other words, Philip, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. And Philip if you really knew me you would have realized that I am the Father! Thomas also had his doubts. That is, until JESUS stood before Him. It was at this point that Thomas exclaimed to JESUS "MY LORD and MY GOD."
Let's recap. God is the Father of all spirits. And we are spirit beings dwelling in a body. Our body without our spirit is dead! We cannot see our spirit but we can see the body in which our spirit lives! Wherever our spirit desires to go our body takes us. Yes, our spirit is hemmed in a body. Our spirit being manifested in our bodily actions. We were given of God to be born, male or female. And we grew up to be man or woman - speaking as a son or daughter! We then marry and father or mother children. As a consequence, we authoritatively speak as a father or mother.
Yet at the same time, we can still speak as a son or daughter. All of this transpiring in the same body. In fact, all our children are fathered or mothered in a son or daughter's body! We can converse spiritually in the same son or daughter's body. Still, we are not three persons when we take on different roles. We are one spirit!
God our creator and our Saviour fathered us first in creation and now today in redemption. All of God’s children are redeemed back to God in a Son’s body. He that believes on the redemptive work accomplished by God in a Son’s body has Eternal Life! God as a Son is our Father and God as a Son is the only visible Father that we are ever going to see. In JESUS we see our Father. PEACE to all brethren in JESUS!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 355
The message here is about JESUS being the embodiment of GOD‘S WORD, and not another’s Word. Indeed, the very same Word that was with God. How do we know this? Because the Word of God cannot be a distinct and separate person from God. For if God were to be separate and distinct from His own Word, then the Word of God would no longer be the Word of God, but rather attributed and ascribed to be words spoken by another distinct and separate person.
In the same context, if JESUS is not the embodiment of God’s Word our faith must be in vain. However, if on the other hand, JESUS is the embodiment of God’s Word as we assert here, then we have much consolation and rejoicing. For never has any man spoken the Words of comfort as this man has spoken. And similarly, never has there been such a man perform the miracles, signs, and wonders which He has performed. This man, without a sword has turned the world upside down. And inside out. And indeed shook the world system causing multitudes to abandon the religious and political mindset of the day. Yes, JESUS ushered in a new world order based upon the application of having faith in God!
So as the scriptures declare ... call His Name Jesus declared the angelic messenger for it is He who shall save His people from their sin! Further, JESUS is Immanuel meaning "God with us." Which explains why the angel accompanied with an army of other angels declared His Name to be JESUS.
Even now, as it was then those who oppose the Word of God declare that God has another name. But this message does not align with the scriptures. In fact, what we know from the scriptures is that Heaven declared JESUS as the only name given whereby anyone can be saved. This is why there is no salvation in any other name other than the name of JESUS. Yes that is correct. JESUS is above every other name in Heaven and earth. And in so doing, God declared that His Glory would not be given to another.
But we read that God has glorified His Son JESUS saying, "Let all the Angels of God worship Him." Again in Hebrews to the Son is declared, “Thy throne O’ God is forever and ever." Let's take this teaching one step further.
JHVH or JHWH are not names per se because as these are written, they are incommunicable. But in an effort to apply something that is of itself incommunicable men have endeavoured to make the incommunicable communicable. In fact, they insert vowels in a vain attempt to render a communicable name from the letters. Some religious institutions render the letters to be Jehovah while others Yahweh. Still, through the years both of the renderings are nothing more than an endeavour to obscure the name given which name is JESUS!
There are other scriptural references that are equally worth reviewing. For example, Pilate wrote JESUS of Nazareth, KING of the JEWS in three languages - Hebrew, Greek and Latin. As we know from the Bible, this did not rest well with the religious system of the day. Their collective desire was to erase the name "JESUS" from history. But Pilate had another idea when he determinedly told the religious opponents that "what I have written I have written."
What was the name written in three languages -- Hebrew, Greek and Latin? The name written was JESUS! Remember, the Word of God is coming to man. The Word of God is not coming out from man!
Paul asked the Lord the question of all questions. "Who are you Lord?" The LORD replied, "I AM JESUS." Now did the Lord mistakenly declare His name? No He did not. There are many descriptive revelatory titles addressing God, but there is only ONE name. This name is JESUS! In this name JESUS shall the Gentiles trust! For in JESUS dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. JESUS is GOD manifesting Himself as a Son. Peace be. Stand in the offering plate.
In the same context, if JESUS is not the embodiment of God’s Word our faith must be in vain. However, if on the other hand, JESUS is the embodiment of God’s Word as we assert here, then we have much consolation and rejoicing. For never has any man spoken the Words of comfort as this man has spoken. And similarly, never has there been such a man perform the miracles, signs, and wonders which He has performed. This man, without a sword has turned the world upside down. And inside out. And indeed shook the world system causing multitudes to abandon the religious and political mindset of the day. Yes, JESUS ushered in a new world order based upon the application of having faith in God!
So as the scriptures declare ... call His Name Jesus declared the angelic messenger for it is He who shall save His people from their sin! Further, JESUS is Immanuel meaning "God with us." Which explains why the angel accompanied with an army of other angels declared His Name to be JESUS.
Even now, as it was then those who oppose the Word of God declare that God has another name. But this message does not align with the scriptures. In fact, what we know from the scriptures is that Heaven declared JESUS as the only name given whereby anyone can be saved. This is why there is no salvation in any other name other than the name of JESUS. Yes that is correct. JESUS is above every other name in Heaven and earth. And in so doing, God declared that His Glory would not be given to another.
But we read that God has glorified His Son JESUS saying, "Let all the Angels of God worship Him." Again in Hebrews to the Son is declared, “Thy throne O’ God is forever and ever." Let's take this teaching one step further.
JHVH or JHWH are not names per se because as these are written, they are incommunicable. But in an effort to apply something that is of itself incommunicable men have endeavoured to make the incommunicable communicable. In fact, they insert vowels in a vain attempt to render a communicable name from the letters. Some religious institutions render the letters to be Jehovah while others Yahweh. Still, through the years both of the renderings are nothing more than an endeavour to obscure the name given which name is JESUS!
There are other scriptural references that are equally worth reviewing. For example, Pilate wrote JESUS of Nazareth, KING of the JEWS in three languages - Hebrew, Greek and Latin. As we know from the Bible, this did not rest well with the religious system of the day. Their collective desire was to erase the name "JESUS" from history. But Pilate had another idea when he determinedly told the religious opponents that "what I have written I have written."
What was the name written in three languages -- Hebrew, Greek and Latin? The name written was JESUS! Remember, the Word of God is coming to man. The Word of God is not coming out from man!
Paul asked the Lord the question of all questions. "Who are you Lord?" The LORD replied, "I AM JESUS." Now did the Lord mistakenly declare His name? No He did not. There are many descriptive revelatory titles addressing God, but there is only ONE name. This name is JESUS! In this name JESUS shall the Gentiles trust! For in JESUS dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. JESUS is GOD manifesting Himself as a Son. Peace be. Stand in the offering plate.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 354
Pilate's sign was in complete defiance of the Jews and as a consequence, the Jews were offended by the message. The message was written in three languages - Hebrew, Greek and Latin. What did the sign say? "JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS" To those opponents who at the time wished that the name of JESUS could drop off the map, Pilate responded by saying, "What I have written, I have written."
Indeed, the scriptures state that you are my witnesses, sayeth the LORD, and my servant who I have chosen. That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I AM HE. In fact, before Me there was no God (revealed) in form and neither shall there be a God revealed after Me. I, even I am the LORD and beside Me, there is no Saviour.
Say that again. I am the LORD and beside me there is no one else. There is no God beside Me. I girded you though you have not known me. But it doesn't have to remain this way. I invite you to come know ME now. Why? Because from the rising of the sun even to the west, there is none beside Me. I am the LORD thy God and there is none else.
I am a just God and Saviour. There is no other Saviour beside Me. Therefore, like the scriptures state, Look toward Me and be saved. Look to Me all you people ... from all the ends of the earth for I am God who loves you.
For I am God and there is none else. I am God and there is none like Me.
The above paraphrased scriptures are taken from the book of Isaiah. These are fully acknowledged as being the authoritative Words of God. The Word of God declaring in scripture to be the one and same JESUS! Therefore, if JESUS is the very Word of God then it also means that God’s Word is inseparable from God whose above Word we present.
Further, from the scriptures we read that in the beginning was GOD’S Word and the WORD was with God and the Word was God. Yes, the same Word that was in the beginning with God. All things were made by God’s Word and without God’s Word was not anything made that is made. Therefore, in God’s Word is life and by that Life (Word) are men enlightened for the life - the light of the Word - shines through the darkness. And as we know, the darkness can never extinguish the light, life - the light of His Word.
This is because God’s Word was in the world - the world was made by God’s Word and the world never knew JESUS as God’s Word. JESUS being God’s Word now veiled in flesh so that we could behold the Glory of the Word of God in the man JESUS!
Still, there are some who propagate that God’s Own Word is distinct and separate from God. They make every attempt to deny that JESUS is God [Himself] - God with us - veiled in flesh. These false teachings try to distinguish JESUS from being God’s Word,however even though He (God) appeared veiled in flesh as a man., He is the True Light that shines!
But the good news is that whilst in that veil, the Word of God declared that HE [JESUS] is the very Same Word of God that was with God. And the Word did not think it robbery to be equal with God for the Same Word that was God now appeared in a veil of flesh. Yes that is right! Veiled in flesh. This same God who made all things including you and I was not created. Only the veil of flesh was created ...
Indeed, the scriptures state that you are my witnesses, sayeth the LORD, and my servant who I have chosen. That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I AM HE. In fact, before Me there was no God (revealed) in form and neither shall there be a God revealed after Me. I, even I am the LORD and beside Me, there is no Saviour.
Say that again. I am the LORD and beside me there is no one else. There is no God beside Me. I girded you though you have not known me. But it doesn't have to remain this way. I invite you to come know ME now. Why? Because from the rising of the sun even to the west, there is none beside Me. I am the LORD thy God and there is none else.
I am a just God and Saviour. There is no other Saviour beside Me. Therefore, like the scriptures state, Look toward Me and be saved. Look to Me all you people ... from all the ends of the earth for I am God who loves you.
For I am God and there is none else. I am God and there is none like Me.
The above paraphrased scriptures are taken from the book of Isaiah. These are fully acknowledged as being the authoritative Words of God. The Word of God declaring in scripture to be the one and same JESUS! Therefore, if JESUS is the very Word of God then it also means that God’s Word is inseparable from God whose above Word we present.
Further, from the scriptures we read that in the beginning was GOD’S Word and the WORD was with God and the Word was God. Yes, the same Word that was in the beginning with God. All things were made by God’s Word and without God’s Word was not anything made that is made. Therefore, in God’s Word is life and by that Life (Word) are men enlightened for the life - the light of the Word - shines through the darkness. And as we know, the darkness can never extinguish the light, life - the light of His Word.
This is because God’s Word was in the world - the world was made by God’s Word and the world never knew JESUS as God’s Word. JESUS being God’s Word now veiled in flesh so that we could behold the Glory of the Word of God in the man JESUS!
Still, there are some who propagate that God’s Own Word is distinct and separate from God. They make every attempt to deny that JESUS is God [Himself] - God with us - veiled in flesh. These false teachings try to distinguish JESUS from being God’s Word,however even though He (God) appeared veiled in flesh as a man., He is the True Light that shines!
But the good news is that whilst in that veil, the Word of God declared that HE [JESUS] is the very Same Word of God that was with God. And the Word did not think it robbery to be equal with God for the Same Word that was God now appeared in a veil of flesh. Yes that is right! Veiled in flesh. This same God who made all things including you and I was not created. Only the veil of flesh was created ...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 353
God is the Father of all things, whether seen or unseen by our eyes!
Moses of old, when conversing with the Lord regarding the exodus from Egypt said, "Who will I say to Pharaoh (the Egyptian ruler) has sent me?" God told Moses to say to Pharaoh that "I AM" sent him! In other scriptural renderings, the verses use the terminology - I Will be that I Will be. These are yet further examples showing that God our Creator is only one Spirit. And the one Spirit which fills all the Heavens and earth! Indeed, God is before all things(self existing) and without God there is nothing! As well, God has neither beginning of days nor ending of life!
The foregoing scriptures refer to God as a Father. The following scriptures will represent the SAME God as a Son! Indeed, as the scriptures attest, the Son-ship of God was never apart from the Spirit of God. For we read that the eternal life that was with and in the Father was manifested in the flesh. We have both seen and handled this same eternal life - this life that has now come forth from the innermost being of God! Remember from earlier posts that Jesus is the SEED of the Holy Spirit. And because Jesus is the very SEED of the Holy Spirit it also means JESUS is the Holy Spirit. In other words, the life in the veins of JESUS' body was the life of the SEED of the Holy Spirit, which life is eternal life!
Yes, JESUS is the Word of God. God's Word. One cannot separate sords from the person whose words they are. And the words spoken by JESUS are the very words of God’s counsel, for God surely did counsel with Himself prior to our universe being brought forth. In creating, God made man an earthly image of Himself. But unfortunately, man (Adam and Eve) side-stepped God’s original instructions which has left us here we wandering and questioning our existence. Yes, in the Garden of Eden we became estranged from the wisdom and knowledge of God. Each and every one of us as a consequence have become like sheep that have gone astray. As a consequence, we turn inwardly to the foolish imaginations of our wandering minds. We are essentially sheep without a Shepherd. In this latter state, we are even foolish enough to listen to those with prompters who earnestly endeavour to persuade us that they have the answer. But they do not. They promise life abundant but all we are left with are the remnants - body bags everyone. Hold that thought for a moment. We will return to it later.
The good news is that we were created to have an inseparable fellowship with the One God who created us! And who is this one God. It is JESUS! Jesus is the ONE GOD who created us. He is the one God who created the world that indwelt the man JESUS the Christ. In short, JESUS is God (who is Spirit) now manifest as a Son. For surely JESUS is the Son of God, the SEED of God coming forth from God. Indeed, altogether God, for in JESUS does dwell all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
We know this from the scriptures. For example, when Phillip asked JESUS to show Him the Father, so that he would be satisfied Jesus said, "Phillip, if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. Therefore why are you saying show me the Father?" Yes, the same God the Father was veiled in a body of flesh for one reason. To redeem His fallen creation. To redeem those who were originally sons of God but through the devil’s deceptions, are nothing more than fallen sons.
Still, God LOVES His creation. He loves His creation so very much that He descended into this very world so that the beings (us) that He created be redeemed. God did so at the cost of His own sinless body's death! Yes, GOD LAID DOWN HIS LIFE AS A SON ONCE AND ONCE ONLY FOR YOU AND I. That is why there is no other means of salvation. That is why height of the steeple in religious edifices does not matter. Because no matter how high the steeples are, they do not go high enough.
There is only one way to obtain salvation. That is, ONLY BELIEVE!
Moses of old, when conversing with the Lord regarding the exodus from Egypt said, "Who will I say to Pharaoh (the Egyptian ruler) has sent me?" God told Moses to say to Pharaoh that "I AM" sent him! In other scriptural renderings, the verses use the terminology - I Will be that I Will be. These are yet further examples showing that God our Creator is only one Spirit. And the one Spirit which fills all the Heavens and earth! Indeed, God is before all things(self existing) and without God there is nothing! As well, God has neither beginning of days nor ending of life!
The foregoing scriptures refer to God as a Father. The following scriptures will represent the SAME God as a Son! Indeed, as the scriptures attest, the Son-ship of God was never apart from the Spirit of God. For we read that the eternal life that was with and in the Father was manifested in the flesh. We have both seen and handled this same eternal life - this life that has now come forth from the innermost being of God! Remember from earlier posts that Jesus is the SEED of the Holy Spirit. And because Jesus is the very SEED of the Holy Spirit it also means JESUS is the Holy Spirit. In other words, the life in the veins of JESUS' body was the life of the SEED of the Holy Spirit, which life is eternal life!
Yes, JESUS is the Word of God. God's Word. One cannot separate sords from the person whose words they are. And the words spoken by JESUS are the very words of God’s counsel, for God surely did counsel with Himself prior to our universe being brought forth. In creating, God made man an earthly image of Himself. But unfortunately, man (Adam and Eve) side-stepped God’s original instructions which has left us here we wandering and questioning our existence. Yes, in the Garden of Eden we became estranged from the wisdom and knowledge of God. Each and every one of us as a consequence have become like sheep that have gone astray. As a consequence, we turn inwardly to the foolish imaginations of our wandering minds. We are essentially sheep without a Shepherd. In this latter state, we are even foolish enough to listen to those with prompters who earnestly endeavour to persuade us that they have the answer. But they do not. They promise life abundant but all we are left with are the remnants - body bags everyone. Hold that thought for a moment. We will return to it later.
The good news is that we were created to have an inseparable fellowship with the One God who created us! And who is this one God. It is JESUS! Jesus is the ONE GOD who created us. He is the one God who created the world that indwelt the man JESUS the Christ. In short, JESUS is God (who is Spirit) now manifest as a Son. For surely JESUS is the Son of God, the SEED of God coming forth from God. Indeed, altogether God, for in JESUS does dwell all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
We know this from the scriptures. For example, when Phillip asked JESUS to show Him the Father, so that he would be satisfied Jesus said, "Phillip, if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. Therefore why are you saying show me the Father?" Yes, the same God the Father was veiled in a body of flesh for one reason. To redeem His fallen creation. To redeem those who were originally sons of God but through the devil’s deceptions, are nothing more than fallen sons.
Still, God LOVES His creation. He loves His creation so very much that He descended into this very world so that the beings (us) that He created be redeemed. God did so at the cost of His own sinless body's death! Yes, GOD LAID DOWN HIS LIFE AS A SON ONCE AND ONCE ONLY FOR YOU AND I. That is why there is no other means of salvation. That is why height of the steeple in religious edifices does not matter. Because no matter how high the steeples are, they do not go high enough.
There is only one way to obtain salvation. That is, ONLY BELIEVE!
Monday, February 27, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 352
God visited us and when He did, He raised up a horn of salvation.
Yes, JESUS was the only begotten child of God. As it is written, He being the SEED of the Holy Spirit. And likewise in the veins of JESUS did flow the very life of the humanity of God. Therefore, the blood in JESUS' veins was not like our blood. Why? Because in our blood flows the sinful nature of the devil acquired from our forefather Adam who was disobedient to the words of his Creator. In short, we all have a prone to sin nature, which no man of himself can tame. Remember when JESUS said to Judas who betrayed Him that sin lies at the door? Well, as the scriptures reveal, Judas walked out into a night of sin, sold his soul for money which was then followed by his own hanging death. But I digress!
JESUS was not the natural SEED of Abraham. JESUS was and is the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit. In this SEED alone all the nations of the earth who confess and profess a believing faith in Jesus, the same Jesus who is the promised Seed shall henceforth be blessed of Him [JESUS]. In other words, these believing nations shall be blessed and prosper. This is true even for nations that are viewed as have not nations. God will reverse the cycle so that these have not nations become blessed and prosperous. For it is in the turning and the expecting that believing faith can move forward. Yes, JESUS the SEED of promise will usher in the prosperity blessings!
Note that Abraham's offspring are not the promised SEED of blessing. JESUS bore the visible features of Abraham's natural offspring. And yes, JESUS came forth from Mary in whose womb the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit was clothed in sin prone flesh. Mary became a willing surrogate as pertaining to the flesh but He who was inside that veil of flesh was none other than the SEED LIFE of the Holy Spirit! Mary believed in the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit! She herself rejoiced to be the handmaid of the Lord, exclaiming that the Lord her God has become Her Saviour. This is the point we similarly need to recognize. That God our Creator was willing to take on the form of man so that we might have salvation.
This is not to suggest that Abraham believed God any less. Certainly that belief was accredited to him as if he were righteous. But of course he was not, for he also lived in a prone to sin natural body. Rather, it was the application of faith that brought upon him unforeseen blessings. God told Abraham that in his SEED would all the nations of the earth be blessed. We are not speaking here of Abraham‘s natural seed. In fact, most of Abraham’s natural seed even today do not believe in the promised SEED of the pure, holy, un-defiled SEED of the Holy Spirit, which SEED is JESUS the CHRIST.
Still, from this message we need to understand that God is not the God of the Jews only. No sir. Peter also had that seated mindset in the early days but as the scriptures reveal, this mindset was soon removed and replaced with the pure thought that God is also the God of the Gentiles. And that God has poured out upon the Gentiles the very same gift of His Holy Spirit. In Acts chapters 2 and 10 we read that there was no difference between them - the Jewish and the Gentiles. Yes, God is building a nation. But within this nation, the only inhabitants in the Kingdom of God are those who have been born again (John 3). How does one enter? The door into God’s kingdom is through faith in the SEED of promise JESUS the Christ, and acknowledging that God Himself laid down His life as a Son for each and every one of us. He alone offers eternal life as a free gift.
Yes, JESUS was the only begotten child of God. As it is written, He being the SEED of the Holy Spirit. And likewise in the veins of JESUS did flow the very life of the humanity of God. Therefore, the blood in JESUS' veins was not like our blood. Why? Because in our blood flows the sinful nature of the devil acquired from our forefather Adam who was disobedient to the words of his Creator. In short, we all have a prone to sin nature, which no man of himself can tame. Remember when JESUS said to Judas who betrayed Him that sin lies at the door? Well, as the scriptures reveal, Judas walked out into a night of sin, sold his soul for money which was then followed by his own hanging death. But I digress!
JESUS was not the natural SEED of Abraham. JESUS was and is the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit. In this SEED alone all the nations of the earth who confess and profess a believing faith in Jesus, the same Jesus who is the promised Seed shall henceforth be blessed of Him [JESUS]. In other words, these believing nations shall be blessed and prosper. This is true even for nations that are viewed as have not nations. God will reverse the cycle so that these have not nations become blessed and prosperous. For it is in the turning and the expecting that believing faith can move forward. Yes, JESUS the SEED of promise will usher in the prosperity blessings!
Note that Abraham's offspring are not the promised SEED of blessing. JESUS bore the visible features of Abraham's natural offspring. And yes, JESUS came forth from Mary in whose womb the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit was clothed in sin prone flesh. Mary became a willing surrogate as pertaining to the flesh but He who was inside that veil of flesh was none other than the SEED LIFE of the Holy Spirit! Mary believed in the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit! She herself rejoiced to be the handmaid of the Lord, exclaiming that the Lord her God has become Her Saviour. This is the point we similarly need to recognize. That God our Creator was willing to take on the form of man so that we might have salvation.
This is not to suggest that Abraham believed God any less. Certainly that belief was accredited to him as if he were righteous. But of course he was not, for he also lived in a prone to sin natural body. Rather, it was the application of faith that brought upon him unforeseen blessings. God told Abraham that in his SEED would all the nations of the earth be blessed. We are not speaking here of Abraham‘s natural seed. In fact, most of Abraham’s natural seed even today do not believe in the promised SEED of the pure, holy, un-defiled SEED of the Holy Spirit, which SEED is JESUS the CHRIST.
Still, from this message we need to understand that God is not the God of the Jews only. No sir. Peter also had that seated mindset in the early days but as the scriptures reveal, this mindset was soon removed and replaced with the pure thought that God is also the God of the Gentiles. And that God has poured out upon the Gentiles the very same gift of His Holy Spirit. In Acts chapters 2 and 10 we read that there was no difference between them - the Jewish and the Gentiles. Yes, God is building a nation. But within this nation, the only inhabitants in the Kingdom of God are those who have been born again (John 3). How does one enter? The door into God’s kingdom is through faith in the SEED of promise JESUS the Christ, and acknowledging that God Himself laid down His life as a Son for each and every one of us. He alone offers eternal life as a free gift.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 351
JESUS said that if He were to be lifted up (crucified) He would draw all men and women to Himself! There are choruses such as the one that follows that further elaborates on this point.
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it, Lord that I should boast. Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most. I sacrifice them to His blood
See from His head, His hands, His feet. Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'r such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine that were an offering far to small
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!
Just as the chorus suggests, the redemption of all mankind is not dependant upon fallen man’s capability to redeem him or herself, although in their respective sin prone mind they might think they can. But man’s life is likened in the scriptures to a boat without a rudder. Adrift in an ocean, and totally at the mercy of tides and wind -- which of themselves can be merciless! Maintaining a stiff upper lip, while noteworthy is in such cases similar to burying one's head in sand. The reality is that apart from the intervention of another, all things will inadvertently remain constant. But this is where the good news begins.
With God’s intervention there is hope eternal. How doe we know? Even the winds and the sea obey His voice! The question is this. How can one believe in God if they have not heard of God? And even supposed they were to believe that there was a God, how would that change their personal circumstances, for even the devil believes that there is one God.
Further, religion talks about God as if religious institutions were beacons of light. As we all see, religions erect buildings and some of them fill these buildings with their vain imaginations. This is what the scriptures say. They fill their buildings with images and relics, dead lifeless things that are totally useless! Indeed, they are as useless as a straw is to a drowning person who in desperation grabs at the straw. God has said, "Heaven is my throne and earth my footstool and you are building a house for me. Are you yet without understanding?" God does not live in buildings made with man’s hands.
Rather, God who is one Spirit has revealed His pure spiritual humanity in the face of the man JESUS. This same Jesus who is the Lord Himself declared that all of these efforts to build buildings and religious institutions are nothing more than sinking sand. When JESUS speaks, it is His Holy Spirit message being spoken through the vocal cords of the man JESUS. How do we know? Well, JESUS equals God’s Word. These are not the Words of another.
The Holy Spirit declares that men are worshiping Him in vain! They are deceivers, asserting that they know Jesus but they do not. Men who have discarded His Word, substituting their own version of erroneous false teachings in its place. Indeed, many practice a form of worship patterned after man’s wisdom -- which wisdom in God’s eyes is foolishness! In this same context, many of the same foolish pagan religions that date back to 300/400 AD can be likened to the Roman soldiers at the cross dividing JESUS' garment amongst themselves. Still, the Word of the LORD went forth from Jerusalem. Keep that thought! And receive God's Word today!
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it, Lord that I should boast. Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most. I sacrifice them to His blood
See from His head, His hands, His feet. Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'r such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine that were an offering far to small
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!
Just as the chorus suggests, the redemption of all mankind is not dependant upon fallen man’s capability to redeem him or herself, although in their respective sin prone mind they might think they can. But man’s life is likened in the scriptures to a boat without a rudder. Adrift in an ocean, and totally at the mercy of tides and wind -- which of themselves can be merciless! Maintaining a stiff upper lip, while noteworthy is in such cases similar to burying one's head in sand. The reality is that apart from the intervention of another, all things will inadvertently remain constant. But this is where the good news begins.
With God’s intervention there is hope eternal. How doe we know? Even the winds and the sea obey His voice! The question is this. How can one believe in God if they have not heard of God? And even supposed they were to believe that there was a God, how would that change their personal circumstances, for even the devil believes that there is one God.
Further, religion talks about God as if religious institutions were beacons of light. As we all see, religions erect buildings and some of them fill these buildings with their vain imaginations. This is what the scriptures say. They fill their buildings with images and relics, dead lifeless things that are totally useless! Indeed, they are as useless as a straw is to a drowning person who in desperation grabs at the straw. God has said, "Heaven is my throne and earth my footstool and you are building a house for me. Are you yet without understanding?" God does not live in buildings made with man’s hands.
Rather, God who is one Spirit has revealed His pure spiritual humanity in the face of the man JESUS. This same Jesus who is the Lord Himself declared that all of these efforts to build buildings and religious institutions are nothing more than sinking sand. When JESUS speaks, it is His Holy Spirit message being spoken through the vocal cords of the man JESUS. How do we know? Well, JESUS equals God’s Word. These are not the Words of another.
The Holy Spirit declares that men are worshiping Him in vain! They are deceivers, asserting that they know Jesus but they do not. Men who have discarded His Word, substituting their own version of erroneous false teachings in its place. Indeed, many practice a form of worship patterned after man’s wisdom -- which wisdom in God’s eyes is foolishness! In this same context, many of the same foolish pagan religions that date back to 300/400 AD can be likened to the Roman soldiers at the cross dividing JESUS' garment amongst themselves. Still, the Word of the LORD went forth from Jerusalem. Keep that thought! And receive God's Word today!
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