From John chapter 15, we read the following scriptures - "I AM the true vine" and "My Father is the husbandman."
Every branch in Me that bears no fruit is taken away and every branch that bears fruit is purged so that it may bring forth more fruit. [Further] you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me for a branch cannot bear fruit of itself. The branch must remain in the vine.
I AM the vine. You are the branches. Abide in Me and you shall bring forth much fruit. If anyone does not abide in Me, he becomes withered and men will gather it up to be used as firewood!
Whereas, if ye abide in Me, and my Words abide in you then you shall ask what you will and it shall be done. Herein is My Father glorified that you bear much fruit.
As my Father has loved Me so have I loved you. If you continue in my instructions, then you shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Father's instructions and I abide in His love.
These things have I said to you so that my joy might remain in you. This is my instructions - Love one another even as I have loved you.
Why? Because there is no greater love than this -- that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends when you do whatsoever I instruct you. From henceforth, I will no longer call you servants for a servant does not know what His Lord is doing. [Instead} I now call you My friends for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made them known to you.
You have not chosen Me. I have chosen you and I ordain you that you now should go out into the world and bring forth fruit.
If the world hates you, remember that the world hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the unbelieving world, the world would love you but because you are not of the world, that they hate you. [But remember],I have chosen you out of the unbelieving world. That is the reason the world hates you. Remember the Words that I said to you - "If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you for you have believed upon Me!"
If I had not come and spoken my Words to them, they would have remained in darkness as to what sin was but now they have no place to hide. For My Word has pierced their conscience. He that hates My Word hates My Father also.
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they would not have had consciousness of sin. But now have they seen and hated both Me and My Father for it was My Father who dwells within Me, He who does these works and speaks these Words.
They simply hate Me for no justifiable reason! But when the comforter (who is the Spirit of Truth) comes upon you and dwells within you, then you shall bear witness concerning me. For you are My 0ffspring! God Bless You!
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 409
Recognizing that we have been born of God and received of His Spirit is an awesome feeling. This understanding is not because we of ourselves have become enlightened for we realize that within us the dark night of sin ruled and reigned. Rather, it is the realization that God came looking for us, even when we were so lost and deceived. Up until this point, we had resolved ourselves into thinking that what we now have is our lot in life and as a consequence, remained in total darkness devoid of any knowledge of God.
While we searched for the meaning of life, admittedly, some of us followed the forms of religion as advocated by the ruling powers. We were born into this world and exposed to that institutional construct which was a seated form. In this context, unfortunately, we never really questioned the form. We simply followed the crowd.
Therein, religion introduced us to all sorts of images and pictures. Men and women clothed themselves as priests with a variety of other attending ministers attired in all sorts of paraphernalia. Bestowed upon these priests and ministers - often among themselves - were titles exalting them to a position of authority. The authority of these presumed leaders becoming more established as light (and yet in reality total darkness) as each generation passed. And in the end, so deceived and chained were we with religious darkness we crucified JESUS who was the WORD of God. And, by so doing religion figured to put their erroneous falsity back on even keel! This kind of institutional religious mindset continued until total darkness embraced all people. We followed this pattern because we were lost!
Still, God did not intend that any one should perish. This is why God came looking for us. Through His grace and mercy, God made a way which is the only way whereby man could be saved. And because of the light of His Words - His Wisdom and Truth - the gospel message that was delivered into this deceived world was so great that many hid their faces from this glorious light of truth. Regardless of the initial human response, this light of truth shone much brighter than the noon day sun for the light (His Words) and the knowledge of God which is the only true gospel message still melts into the inner chambers of our hearts.
Yes, JESUS was the corn of wheat that died (kernel) and in so doing the life of the Holy Spirit has brought forth a multitude of redeemed offspring! We who believe and are baptized into His death become His offspring. Being His offspring, His Holy Spirit works within us enabling us to walk in the light and truth of the knowledge of God. Indeed, we are the people who by God's grace and mercy are no longer alienated from God, but are now redeemed sons and daughters of God.
Therefore, grow in grace. We have a Saviour named JESUS who will never leave us for we are His offspring! Peace be to one and all - each and every one of us - who have chosen to become enlightened of God! Peace be!
While we searched for the meaning of life, admittedly, some of us followed the forms of religion as advocated by the ruling powers. We were born into this world and exposed to that institutional construct which was a seated form. In this context, unfortunately, we never really questioned the form. We simply followed the crowd.
Therein, religion introduced us to all sorts of images and pictures. Men and women clothed themselves as priests with a variety of other attending ministers attired in all sorts of paraphernalia. Bestowed upon these priests and ministers - often among themselves - were titles exalting them to a position of authority. The authority of these presumed leaders becoming more established as light (and yet in reality total darkness) as each generation passed. And in the end, so deceived and chained were we with religious darkness we crucified JESUS who was the WORD of God. And, by so doing religion figured to put their erroneous falsity back on even keel! This kind of institutional religious mindset continued until total darkness embraced all people. We followed this pattern because we were lost!
Still, God did not intend that any one should perish. This is why God came looking for us. Through His grace and mercy, God made a way which is the only way whereby man could be saved. And because of the light of His Words - His Wisdom and Truth - the gospel message that was delivered into this deceived world was so great that many hid their faces from this glorious light of truth. Regardless of the initial human response, this light of truth shone much brighter than the noon day sun for the light (His Words) and the knowledge of God which is the only true gospel message still melts into the inner chambers of our hearts.
Yes, JESUS was the corn of wheat that died (kernel) and in so doing the life of the Holy Spirit has brought forth a multitude of redeemed offspring! We who believe and are baptized into His death become His offspring. Being His offspring, His Holy Spirit works within us enabling us to walk in the light and truth of the knowledge of God. Indeed, we are the people who by God's grace and mercy are no longer alienated from God, but are now redeemed sons and daughters of God.
Therefore, grow in grace. We have a Saviour named JESUS who will never leave us for we are His offspring! Peace be to one and all - each and every one of us - who have chosen to become enlightened of God! Peace be!
Friday, April 27, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 408
We are the offspring of God in Christ. God has fathered all of His children in a Son’s body. Indeed, JESUS was the very SEED of the Holy Spirit because there was no other party involved. God who authored all seed - both the male and female seed that proceeded forth from Adam and Eve - has now in these last days raised us up a second Adam to redeem the first Adam’s fallen race.
All having sinned resulted in each and every one of us being alienated from fellowship with our Creator. In order to redeem man, another sinless man had to be found. For by one man, sin entered into the world, so therefore it necessitated that a sinless man must die in order to negate the decreed punishment of sin.
Adam was forewarned of God of the penalty that would be imposed on the world if he were to eat of the fruit of two trees. But as we know from reading Genesis, Adam and Eve went ahead and ate of the tree anyway. Kind of like they say today - doing their own thing! As a consequence, we are now inheritors of the sin, sickness, pain, agony, and hunger.
Still, God so loved His creation. Therefore, God became in fashion like his creation (flesh). In so doing, God provided two SEED'S. One seed was the pure untainted female SEED that God planted into Eve. The second SEED was the pure untainted male SEED that God planted into Abraham. (For detailed account, please review the numerous earlier presentations made on this subject)
Before moving on, it may be necessary to revisit the original Eden Garden where innocence was the norm. Therein, Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil. God had forewarned Adam concerning eating fruit from either of the two forbidden trees. Even though Adam was aware of the penalty of death that would be incurred resulting in their disobedience to God’s instruction, he ate of the fruit anyway. God told Adam but Adam did not tell Eve. So EVE was in ignorance as to what God had said. Therefore, it is declared of God that it would be the SEED of a woman that would at the fullness of time bruise the serpent's head.
Adam was in sinful disobedience, his natural seed inheriting a sinful nature. If there had happened to be another man who was without sin (unfortunately there was not), then any offspring born of them would not inherit a sinful nature. We also know that Adam and Eve were both naked when they sinned.
We see the same nakedness in the New Testament. When one observes JESUS nailed to the Cross, He was also naked. In this latter case, it was ‘only naked’ sin that was being dealt with in the redemption of creation. Nothing else! Nothing can be added to the penalty of sin.
This is the covenant between God who is Spirit and God Himself as a Son! This covenant is not dependent upon you or I. Indeed, this covenant was JESUS the Lamb of God and child of the Holy Spirit, in whose veins did flow the life giving blood of His Father who is the Holy Spirit.
Yes, it was God as a Son who laid down His life as a Son, enabling all who believe in the sacrificial offering of the Lord’s own sinless body to receive the free gift of eternal life. Our redemption purchased of God! Therefore, there cannot be any additions added.
We cannot hasten past the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory, as if it were only a fleeting thought. Why? Because without the crucifixion of JESUS no one can be saved. God having said that without the shedding of His blood there is no remission of sin. This is why God did not offer someone else. Rather, God sacrificed Himself! This explains why there is no other offering. All that men and women can do is stand in the offering plate along with two companions sincerity and truth, thanking God for all He has done!
It is here that we can now proceed from redemption into salvation, being baptized into the name of JESUS the Christ, and receiving the promised gift of the Holy Spirit that indwelt JESUS!
All having sinned resulted in each and every one of us being alienated from fellowship with our Creator. In order to redeem man, another sinless man had to be found. For by one man, sin entered into the world, so therefore it necessitated that a sinless man must die in order to negate the decreed punishment of sin.
Adam was forewarned of God of the penalty that would be imposed on the world if he were to eat of the fruit of two trees. But as we know from reading Genesis, Adam and Eve went ahead and ate of the tree anyway. Kind of like they say today - doing their own thing! As a consequence, we are now inheritors of the sin, sickness, pain, agony, and hunger.
Still, God so loved His creation. Therefore, God became in fashion like his creation (flesh). In so doing, God provided two SEED'S. One seed was the pure untainted female SEED that God planted into Eve. The second SEED was the pure untainted male SEED that God planted into Abraham. (For detailed account, please review the numerous earlier presentations made on this subject)
Before moving on, it may be necessary to revisit the original Eden Garden where innocence was the norm. Therein, Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil. God had forewarned Adam concerning eating fruit from either of the two forbidden trees. Even though Adam was aware of the penalty of death that would be incurred resulting in their disobedience to God’s instruction, he ate of the fruit anyway. God told Adam but Adam did not tell Eve. So EVE was in ignorance as to what God had said. Therefore, it is declared of God that it would be the SEED of a woman that would at the fullness of time bruise the serpent's head.
Adam was in sinful disobedience, his natural seed inheriting a sinful nature. If there had happened to be another man who was without sin (unfortunately there was not), then any offspring born of them would not inherit a sinful nature. We also know that Adam and Eve were both naked when they sinned.
We see the same nakedness in the New Testament. When one observes JESUS nailed to the Cross, He was also naked. In this latter case, it was ‘only naked’ sin that was being dealt with in the redemption of creation. Nothing else! Nothing can be added to the penalty of sin.
This is the covenant between God who is Spirit and God Himself as a Son! This covenant is not dependent upon you or I. Indeed, this covenant was JESUS the Lamb of God and child of the Holy Spirit, in whose veins did flow the life giving blood of His Father who is the Holy Spirit.
Yes, it was God as a Son who laid down His life as a Son, enabling all who believe in the sacrificial offering of the Lord’s own sinless body to receive the free gift of eternal life. Our redemption purchased of God! Therefore, there cannot be any additions added.
We cannot hasten past the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory, as if it were only a fleeting thought. Why? Because without the crucifixion of JESUS no one can be saved. God having said that without the shedding of His blood there is no remission of sin. This is why God did not offer someone else. Rather, God sacrificed Himself! This explains why there is no other offering. All that men and women can do is stand in the offering plate along with two companions sincerity and truth, thanking God for all He has done!
It is here that we can now proceed from redemption into salvation, being baptized into the name of JESUS the Christ, and receiving the promised gift of the Holy Spirit that indwelt JESUS!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 407
This gospel reveals JESUS - who is the SEED of promise - and in which SEED all the nations of the earth can be blessed. This gospel became necessary when God Himself was veiled in flesh as a righteous man. For God declared that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In this context then, there is none righteous, no not one.
But the hidden plan of God was gradually being unveiled. Right from the beginning, God had a plan for man even though at times we cannot comprehend what God has in store for us. Indeed, we often scratch our heads endeavouring to understand what is man that the Lord god would be so mindful of Him.
Yes, Lord you have made man a little lower than the angels. Still, you set man over the works of your hands and crowned man with glory and honour. When man turned aside from your Word, it was here that you imparted into EVE a SEED of promise. A SEED of yourself emanating from yourself. So that in the process of time, you would clothe your Promised SEED in sin prone flesh, thereby initiating at the fullness of time your hidden plan of redemption.
That is, you would through your love, mercy and grace purchase us who were your enemies and bring each and every one of us who believed back to innocence. And this redemption plan, purchased through the sacrifice of your own blood (the blood of your Holy Spirit).
In our ignorance of prophetic scripture, we indeed crucified JESUS. We were spurred along by religious zealots who in pretence professed to be God’s ministers, and in the end duping us into believing that such was the case!
But God’s love for His disobedient creation was much greater than our sin of beguiled disobedience. Because of God's love for us, there never can be anything that can separate us from God’s love. God has manifested His Love to us whilst inside a prone to sin body, a body in which body He willingly inherited all of our sins and demerits. But even death did not deter JESUS from His purposed mission, which was to redeem and restore the fallen sons of God.
This is why JESUS died and was buried in a tomb. As stated in the scriptures, "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone." However, if the corn of wheat were to die, in dying the potential life within the SEED springs forth as a multitude of the same SEEDS.
In this example, JESUS is the SEED and we are the offspring of the SEED of JESUS. In this same SEED as afore promised of God in prophecy, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
To become one of the offspring, certain criteria must be willingly adhered too. First of all, one must recognise that JESUS put Himself on the cross for you and I who are the guilty ones. We must repent before God for our sinful deeds, giving thanks to God with a grateful heart. If one is not willing to offer themselves on these terms, then the door of redemption will remain closed!
If, on the other hand, one willing repents with a grateful heart, then their sins are remitted in full by the same JESUS has put Himself in our place. We then receive the gift of redemption. And now having received redemption, God commands that you be baptized into the likeness of JESUS death. In so doing, you will receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit that comes forth from the SEED of Life within the kernel of wheat - JESUS!
As such, you become the offspring of JESUS. We are now the children of God in Christ! We have been born again as a new spiritual creation, dwelling within us is the same Spirit as was in the man JESUS the Christ! This Spirit is the Holy Spirit. We are ALL members of that ONE SEED and because we are the offspring of the SEED, we now hunger for the things of God, endeavouring to walk even as He walked!
But the hidden plan of God was gradually being unveiled. Right from the beginning, God had a plan for man even though at times we cannot comprehend what God has in store for us. Indeed, we often scratch our heads endeavouring to understand what is man that the Lord god would be so mindful of Him.
Yes, Lord you have made man a little lower than the angels. Still, you set man over the works of your hands and crowned man with glory and honour. When man turned aside from your Word, it was here that you imparted into EVE a SEED of promise. A SEED of yourself emanating from yourself. So that in the process of time, you would clothe your Promised SEED in sin prone flesh, thereby initiating at the fullness of time your hidden plan of redemption.
That is, you would through your love, mercy and grace purchase us who were your enemies and bring each and every one of us who believed back to innocence. And this redemption plan, purchased through the sacrifice of your own blood (the blood of your Holy Spirit).
In our ignorance of prophetic scripture, we indeed crucified JESUS. We were spurred along by religious zealots who in pretence professed to be God’s ministers, and in the end duping us into believing that such was the case!
But God’s love for His disobedient creation was much greater than our sin of beguiled disobedience. Because of God's love for us, there never can be anything that can separate us from God’s love. God has manifested His Love to us whilst inside a prone to sin body, a body in which body He willingly inherited all of our sins and demerits. But even death did not deter JESUS from His purposed mission, which was to redeem and restore the fallen sons of God.
This is why JESUS died and was buried in a tomb. As stated in the scriptures, "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone." However, if the corn of wheat were to die, in dying the potential life within the SEED springs forth as a multitude of the same SEEDS.
In this example, JESUS is the SEED and we are the offspring of the SEED of JESUS. In this same SEED as afore promised of God in prophecy, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
To become one of the offspring, certain criteria must be willingly adhered too. First of all, one must recognise that JESUS put Himself on the cross for you and I who are the guilty ones. We must repent before God for our sinful deeds, giving thanks to God with a grateful heart. If one is not willing to offer themselves on these terms, then the door of redemption will remain closed!
If, on the other hand, one willing repents with a grateful heart, then their sins are remitted in full by the same JESUS has put Himself in our place. We then receive the gift of redemption. And now having received redemption, God commands that you be baptized into the likeness of JESUS death. In so doing, you will receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit that comes forth from the SEED of Life within the kernel of wheat - JESUS!
As such, you become the offspring of JESUS. We are now the children of God in Christ! We have been born again as a new spiritual creation, dwelling within us is the same Spirit as was in the man JESUS the Christ! This Spirit is the Holy Spirit. We are ALL members of that ONE SEED and because we are the offspring of the SEED, we now hunger for the things of God, endeavouring to walk even as He walked!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 406
We are the body of Christ! Within the body of Christ, each believing member exercises a particular function according to the operational gifts imparted to believers by His Holy Spirit. To each one of us, He divides the gifts as He wills. In this context, the Holy Spirit bestows gifts to each member so that they - through the exercise of these given gifts - the whole body of the Christ (which is the temple of the Spirit of God) may remain vibrant.
At the same time, the body of the Christ can be recognized by unbelievers (or those outsiders among us who are not yet saved) as being the offspring of JESUS. So that they too can declare the body of the Christ to be JESUS people, reporting that the God of truth is in the midst of them.
Indeed, we are the offspring of JESUS who has SEEDED us and fathered us in His death. As previously discussed, JESUS is likened to a corn of wheat that has fallen into the ground and died and by reason of the kernel flesh dying, the SEED within the kernel (flesh) exposes the SEED of LIFE. From that SEED brings forth a harvest of new wheat - or in this analogy, JESUS PEOPLE. The same life that was in the original SEED now indwells the offspring who also now within themselves carry the SEED of Christ!
So it is not really the "old" you that is the driving force working within you. Rather, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that was in the man JESUS the Christ who now indwells you. We believed in the sacrificial offering of the body of Christ, who we repeatedly declare is the very SEED of the Holy Spirit. We having sincerely believed, having called upon His name JESUS, being baptized in water after the likeness of His burial, and having willingly obeyed, we arose from the water a new spiritual creation. Now we are alive to the awareness that it was God in the man Christ JESUS who loved us and laid down His life for each believer’s personal redemption.
Therefore, we are the offspring of the SEED of the Holy Spirit, the kernel covering the SEED of the Holy Spirit that died in order to permit the SEED of life within the kernel to multiply.
Thus, we are now many offspring of that one SEED body whose body is the Christ. And as such, the work of the Holy Spirit that brought forth redemption is finished. Moreover, the keys to the Kingdom of God we have received and JESUS has commissioned believers to go into all the world and preach this redemption - salvation - good news gospel message to one and all. God bless you all as you go forth.
At the same time, the body of the Christ can be recognized by unbelievers (or those outsiders among us who are not yet saved) as being the offspring of JESUS. So that they too can declare the body of the Christ to be JESUS people, reporting that the God of truth is in the midst of them.
Indeed, we are the offspring of JESUS who has SEEDED us and fathered us in His death. As previously discussed, JESUS is likened to a corn of wheat that has fallen into the ground and died and by reason of the kernel flesh dying, the SEED within the kernel (flesh) exposes the SEED of LIFE. From that SEED brings forth a harvest of new wheat - or in this analogy, JESUS PEOPLE. The same life that was in the original SEED now indwells the offspring who also now within themselves carry the SEED of Christ!
So it is not really the "old" you that is the driving force working within you. Rather, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that was in the man JESUS the Christ who now indwells you. We believed in the sacrificial offering of the body of Christ, who we repeatedly declare is the very SEED of the Holy Spirit. We having sincerely believed, having called upon His name JESUS, being baptized in water after the likeness of His burial, and having willingly obeyed, we arose from the water a new spiritual creation. Now we are alive to the awareness that it was God in the man Christ JESUS who loved us and laid down His life for each believer’s personal redemption.
Therefore, we are the offspring of the SEED of the Holy Spirit, the kernel covering the SEED of the Holy Spirit that died in order to permit the SEED of life within the kernel to multiply.
Thus, we are now many offspring of that one SEED body whose body is the Christ. And as such, the work of the Holy Spirit that brought forth redemption is finished. Moreover, the keys to the Kingdom of God we have received and JESUS has commissioned believers to go into all the world and preach this redemption - salvation - good news gospel message to one and all. God bless you all as you go forth.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 405
In post 404, we saw the footprint God has on our lives as our creator, redeemer, Saviour and friend. God who is with us throughout the sands of time even though at times - at least in our eyes - may appear obscure. Still, what we need to recognize here is that the plan of God on our lives is always prevalent. JESUS not only authored the scriptures but appeared upon earth as a man, displaying healings, miracles, signs, and wonders.
Unfortunately, man’s ideas at times seem stuck in cement, sometimes bringing forth arguments against the same scriptures whereby eye witnesses at the time testified to what they saw. That is, the positive miracles, signs, and wonders wrought by JESUS.
For example, the man born blind that JESUS healed. As the scriptures state, JESUS momentarily disappeared from sight. In the interim, religious men approached the blind man who now had 20/20 vision. These religious men cross examined the once blind man asking how this could have happened. Indeed, they even challenged his parents as to how such a thing could happen. The parents replied by saying, "Ask him. He is old enough to speak." So once again, the religious men challenged the young man but the religious prosecutors did not like the man’s answers. Some might suggest that their ego was deflated. So they said to the man, "Who are you to teach us?" The young man simply declared - All I know is that ‘Once I Was Blind But Now I See!
Whether man believes in the miracles Jesus performed really matters little. Why not? Because man's unbelief does not alter the course of the world. Further, the Book of Life only records whether one has faith in God or whether their life is the result of unbelief. When JESUS preached that the Kingdom of God has come near man, He did so in order that we could now know the truths concerning the Kingdom of God. And JESUS preached the Good News in Word by illustrating the life of the Kingdom of God by discharging sickness and demonic oppression. Therefore, healing the blind so that they could see.
How? JESUS, God with us, being the Son of the Holy Ghost healed the blind! The same Holy Ghost that fathered the man JESUS. For JESUS was and is the SEED of the Holy Ghost. In JESUS, all the fullness of the Godhead did dwell bodily! (Colossians 1:17; Colossians 2:9)
JESUS being likened to a corn of wheat that if the SEED of wheat is not planted, it remains as one corn. JESUS walked upon earth as one corn. However, when JESUS was murdered at Calvary and then planted (buried) in the tomb, then the corn SEED multiplied in number. From that one SEED comes forth many more. In short, the one SEED fathered many more SEEDS in the process of the ONE SEED dying!
JESUS is the SEED of the Holy Ghost. The very life of God as a Son was murdered and buried. From that ONE SEED comes forth offspring which in this case is a whole multitude of JESUS PEOPLE born of the ONE SEED of His holy Spirit whose sin prone flesh carcass (kernel) was buried. A new spiritual people born out of the SEED of the Holy Ghost within (the kernel)emerge these offspring are the children of God’s SEED.
This is the message we now preach to the world. The same message as was preached by the SEED of the Holy Ghost who fathered them. Those who now go about healing the sick and casting out devils. Why? Because the offspring inherited the power and nature of the very same God who fathered them!
Stand in the offering plate.
Unfortunately, man’s ideas at times seem stuck in cement, sometimes bringing forth arguments against the same scriptures whereby eye witnesses at the time testified to what they saw. That is, the positive miracles, signs, and wonders wrought by JESUS.
For example, the man born blind that JESUS healed. As the scriptures state, JESUS momentarily disappeared from sight. In the interim, religious men approached the blind man who now had 20/20 vision. These religious men cross examined the once blind man asking how this could have happened. Indeed, they even challenged his parents as to how such a thing could happen. The parents replied by saying, "Ask him. He is old enough to speak." So once again, the religious men challenged the young man but the religious prosecutors did not like the man’s answers. Some might suggest that their ego was deflated. So they said to the man, "Who are you to teach us?" The young man simply declared - All I know is that ‘Once I Was Blind But Now I See!
Whether man believes in the miracles Jesus performed really matters little. Why not? Because man's unbelief does not alter the course of the world. Further, the Book of Life only records whether one has faith in God or whether their life is the result of unbelief. When JESUS preached that the Kingdom of God has come near man, He did so in order that we could now know the truths concerning the Kingdom of God. And JESUS preached the Good News in Word by illustrating the life of the Kingdom of God by discharging sickness and demonic oppression. Therefore, healing the blind so that they could see.
How? JESUS, God with us, being the Son of the Holy Ghost healed the blind! The same Holy Ghost that fathered the man JESUS. For JESUS was and is the SEED of the Holy Ghost. In JESUS, all the fullness of the Godhead did dwell bodily! (Colossians 1:17; Colossians 2:9)
JESUS being likened to a corn of wheat that if the SEED of wheat is not planted, it remains as one corn. JESUS walked upon earth as one corn. However, when JESUS was murdered at Calvary and then planted (buried) in the tomb, then the corn SEED multiplied in number. From that one SEED comes forth many more. In short, the one SEED fathered many more SEEDS in the process of the ONE SEED dying!
JESUS is the SEED of the Holy Ghost. The very life of God as a Son was murdered and buried. From that ONE SEED comes forth offspring which in this case is a whole multitude of JESUS PEOPLE born of the ONE SEED of His holy Spirit whose sin prone flesh carcass (kernel) was buried. A new spiritual people born out of the SEED of the Holy Ghost within (the kernel)emerge these offspring are the children of God’s SEED.
This is the message we now preach to the world. The same message as was preached by the SEED of the Holy Ghost who fathered them. Those who now go about healing the sick and casting out devils. Why? Because the offspring inherited the power and nature of the very same God who fathered them!
Stand in the offering plate.
Monday, April 23, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 404
The light shines in the darkness and yet the darkness does not comprehend the light. Before proceeding let me clarify a very important point concerning the SEED of PROMISE - which SEED is the SEED of the Holy Ghost - which SEED when manifested is JESUS the Christ - who is God Himself with us - and in that SEED is the very SEED of His holy Spirit - in which dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Concerning the genealogy of Cain: In Genesis chapter 4, there is a short genealogy pertaining to Cain (after Adam and Eve had been put out of the garden of Eden). Cain having murdered his brother Abel went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in an area east of Eden in the land of Nod. There, Cain built a city Enoch, named after the name of his firstborn son Enoch. In verses 20-22, we read the details concerning the capabilities of Cain’s offspring.
Concerning the SEED of PROMISE genealogy: In Genesis chapter 4 verses 25-26, we read that Adam knew his wife again bearing him a son called Seth who then bore a son named Enos. Note here that men began to call upon the name of the Lord. In chapter 5 verse 1 this is the generations of Adam. Neither Cain nor Abel are mentioned here. We immediately went from Adam to Seth to Enos.
The promised SEED was imparted into Eve. God spoke concerning the promise that the SEED of a woman would bruise the serpent's head. The promised SEED did not travel from Eve into Cain or Abel but rather the promised SEED traveled from Eve into Seth and from Seth into Enos, continuing on to Noah and then into Sarah.
As we also know from reading the scriptures, Sarah was barren. But God had promised to Abram that in his SEED (Christ) would all the nations of the earth be blessed. God planted into Abram the SEED of promise in which all the nations of the earth were going to be blessed through faith.
In Luke chapter 3:23, we read the genealogy of the promised SEED (which promised SEED is the Christ) tracing the genealogy all the way back to verse 38 where we read the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam. Note that there is no mention of Cain or Abel. Why is this? Because the promised SEED did not travel into either of them.
In Matthew Chapter 1:1, we read the book of the generation of JESUS the Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham. Here we follow the travels of the now two SEEDS of promise as they traveled from Abraham and Sarah into Isaac and so forth until the two promised SEEDS were brought together by the Holy Ghost into the womb of a surrogate mother Mary.
All of the afore-mentioned refers to the ministry of the Holy Ghost down through the ages. Hidden from the wise and prudent but revealed now unto babes in Christ. Treasure these things in your heart for salvation is from the Lord our God who has become our Saviour!
Stand in the offering plate.
Concerning the genealogy of Cain: In Genesis chapter 4, there is a short genealogy pertaining to Cain (after Adam and Eve had been put out of the garden of Eden). Cain having murdered his brother Abel went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in an area east of Eden in the land of Nod. There, Cain built a city Enoch, named after the name of his firstborn son Enoch. In verses 20-22, we read the details concerning the capabilities of Cain’s offspring.
Concerning the SEED of PROMISE genealogy: In Genesis chapter 4 verses 25-26, we read that Adam knew his wife again bearing him a son called Seth who then bore a son named Enos. Note here that men began to call upon the name of the Lord. In chapter 5 verse 1 this is the generations of Adam. Neither Cain nor Abel are mentioned here. We immediately went from Adam to Seth to Enos.
The promised SEED was imparted into Eve. God spoke concerning the promise that the SEED of a woman would bruise the serpent's head. The promised SEED did not travel from Eve into Cain or Abel but rather the promised SEED traveled from Eve into Seth and from Seth into Enos, continuing on to Noah and then into Sarah.
As we also know from reading the scriptures, Sarah was barren. But God had promised to Abram that in his SEED (Christ) would all the nations of the earth be blessed. God planted into Abram the SEED of promise in which all the nations of the earth were going to be blessed through faith.
In Luke chapter 3:23, we read the genealogy of the promised SEED (which promised SEED is the Christ) tracing the genealogy all the way back to verse 38 where we read the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam. Note that there is no mention of Cain or Abel. Why is this? Because the promised SEED did not travel into either of them.
In Matthew Chapter 1:1, we read the book of the generation of JESUS the Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham. Here we follow the travels of the now two SEEDS of promise as they traveled from Abraham and Sarah into Isaac and so forth until the two promised SEEDS were brought together by the Holy Ghost into the womb of a surrogate mother Mary.
All of the afore-mentioned refers to the ministry of the Holy Ghost down through the ages. Hidden from the wise and prudent but revealed now unto babes in Christ. Treasure these things in your heart for salvation is from the Lord our God who has become our Saviour!
Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 403
Chorus: He came to me - He came to Me - I could not go to where He was so He came to me - That’s why He died at Calvary - I could not go to where He was so He came to me.
We have been born from above. We have become a new creation fashioned in the image of the Second Adam who is JESUS the Christ. The Lord Himself out of Heaven who was veiled in flesh even as the first Adam was accomplishing God’s purposed redemption for sinful man. He did this so that man through the sacrifice of God’s veil of flesh body (His prone to sin Adamic body) we the fallen race - who were because of sinful disobedience were alienated from God - could be saved. Now through the sacrificial death of JESUS the child of the Holy Spirit has provided for us - the Adamic race - a way to be partakers of free redemption from all guilt of sin. JESUS the only just sinless person died for us therefore bringing the scales of justice for those of us who have sinned to equilibrium!
This is why we believe that JESUS (God manifest in the flesh) laid down His life for us. It is also why we respond by being baptized in water (buried in the likeness of JESUS' death) arising out of the water after the fashion of JESUS' resurrection and therefore fully justifying us from all sin.
You may ask why? JESUS was the corn of wheat that came from Heaven to earth and died, and because the corn of wheat died, it brought forth a great multitude of offspring. We are the offspring for we have been planted into the likeness of His death. Therefore, we who are JESUS'offspring are similarly resurrected with Him becoming the children of God in JESUS.
We have just said that we are JESUS' offspring. Formerly we were Adam's offspring tainted with sin, having souls that were dead to the things of God. As it is written in the scriptures, the natural man receives not the things that be of God. The things of God are spiritual and natural man as we are well aware is not spiritual.
The Second Adam was spiritual. Inside the body of JESUS did dwell the Holy Spirit which is a quickening spirit. We being the offspring of JESUS are quickened by His Holy Spirit, therefore becoming a new creation created in the image of JESUS who is Our Father. JESUS having fathered us in His death. We are His offspring bearing the image of JESUS. This makes all of us together are the Christ. The Holy Spirit who indwelt the man JESUS the Christ now indwells us and thus we are now members of JESUS' bones and JESUS' flesh.
Please note that we are not all the "same" members within JESUS' body. Within this one body, each member is placed within the body of JESUS as it pleases the Holy Spirit. After all, we are now the body which the Holy Spirit has redeemed to Himself. We the redeemed of God having been born again of blood, water and Spirit are not just a body of flesh. Rather we have through salvation in JESUS the Christ become ‘the Temple of God.' In this temple, the Spirit of God is pleased to dwell.
Therefore, there is only one body, and one Spirit.. We are the one body and the Spirit of Christ within us is the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord!
In the next post, we will proceed into the ‘Ministry of the Spirit" where we expand upon His redeemed body purchased to Himself by His own blood.
Friday, April 20, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 402
We have been bought with a price. Therefore we ought to glorify God in our mortal bodies! Why? Because our bodies are the temple in which the Holy Spirit is pleased to dwell! We should also note that we have a new covenant today. This new covenant is not patterned after the former covenant - the Sinai covenant delivered to the people by Moses and written on stone.
Rather, this New Covenant is a covenant (God in Christ) of redemption. A promise SEED covenant pronounced to Adam and Eve whilst they were still in the Eden garden. The promise being that the SEED of a woman would bruise the serpent's head. The SEED spoken of here is the SEED of the Holy Spirit which SEED travels down through the ages from generation to generation until the fullness of times should come.
JESUS - GOD with us - is the manifestation of those SEEDS being brought together in the womb of a young girl name Mary. A young girl who was surrogate mother of the child JESUS who is the SON of GOD. God with us as a Son. JESUS being the SEED of the Holy Spirit.
God as a Son was manifest in the flesh to destroy the works of the devil. As the scripture declares, JESUS said, "I have come that they might have life!" Conversely, as we also know from the scriptures, the devil’s purpose was to kill and destroy. The battle of Good verses Evil now being displayed. This is because through one man, sin had entered into the world. It therefore necessitated - to balance the scale of justice - that a righteous man must die. But this could not be any righteous man that must die, but a righteous man that should also bear upon His body the agony and pain incurred from the sin that came about from Adam’s disobedience.
But there was not to be found any one upon earth who was righteous! That is why God speaks of a SEED of Promise. JESUS then is the manifestation of the Promised SEED and it is JESUS who is God with Us who we crucified in our ignorance at Calvary. This means that JESUS is the Lord of Glory who laid down His sinless body for you and I. And in whom upon His excruciating death paid fully the demands of justice for disobedience.
Because of Jesus' sacrifice, man has been redeemed back to God through the sacrificial death of JESUS who alone is the door to reconciliation. JESUS is the only door to salvation. There is no other door, although there are those who might suggest otherwise. Do not follow their erroneous deception. Search the scriptures for yourself.
For it is written, "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it abides alone. But if it falls into the ground and dies it no longer remains alone. It multiplies."
JESUS is the corn of wheat which was crucified, died, buried and then resurrected for us. We who believe in JESUS and are willingly baptized into His death and therefore planted in the likeness of His death (into a watery grave) arise from that watery grave in like manner of JESUS' resurrection to become a new creation. Redeemed by JESUS' blood, buried with Him, and resurrected with Him. A multitude more than the stars of heaven brought forth from that corn of wheat JESUS.
We are the JESUS People springing forth from that everlasting Covenant of GOD IN CHRIST. Read Acts chapter 2:37-42 and Romans chapter 6. Peace to all!
Rather, this New Covenant is a covenant (God in Christ) of redemption. A promise SEED covenant pronounced to Adam and Eve whilst they were still in the Eden garden. The promise being that the SEED of a woman would bruise the serpent's head. The SEED spoken of here is the SEED of the Holy Spirit which SEED travels down through the ages from generation to generation until the fullness of times should come.
JESUS - GOD with us - is the manifestation of those SEEDS being brought together in the womb of a young girl name Mary. A young girl who was surrogate mother of the child JESUS who is the SON of GOD. God with us as a Son. JESUS being the SEED of the Holy Spirit.
God as a Son was manifest in the flesh to destroy the works of the devil. As the scripture declares, JESUS said, "I have come that they might have life!" Conversely, as we also know from the scriptures, the devil’s purpose was to kill and destroy. The battle of Good verses Evil now being displayed. This is because through one man, sin had entered into the world. It therefore necessitated - to balance the scale of justice - that a righteous man must die. But this could not be any righteous man that must die, but a righteous man that should also bear upon His body the agony and pain incurred from the sin that came about from Adam’s disobedience.
But there was not to be found any one upon earth who was righteous! That is why God speaks of a SEED of Promise. JESUS then is the manifestation of the Promised SEED and it is JESUS who is God with Us who we crucified in our ignorance at Calvary. This means that JESUS is the Lord of Glory who laid down His sinless body for you and I. And in whom upon His excruciating death paid fully the demands of justice for disobedience.
Because of Jesus' sacrifice, man has been redeemed back to God through the sacrificial death of JESUS who alone is the door to reconciliation. JESUS is the only door to salvation. There is no other door, although there are those who might suggest otherwise. Do not follow their erroneous deception. Search the scriptures for yourself.
For it is written, "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it abides alone. But if it falls into the ground and dies it no longer remains alone. It multiplies."
JESUS is the corn of wheat which was crucified, died, buried and then resurrected for us. We who believe in JESUS and are willingly baptized into His death and therefore planted in the likeness of His death (into a watery grave) arise from that watery grave in like manner of JESUS' resurrection to become a new creation. Redeemed by JESUS' blood, buried with Him, and resurrected with Him. A multitude more than the stars of heaven brought forth from that corn of wheat JESUS.
We are the JESUS People springing forth from that everlasting Covenant of GOD IN CHRIST. Read Acts chapter 2:37-42 and Romans chapter 6. Peace to all!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 401
It was for you and me that JESUS died at Calvary. My eyes were opened wide, and I saw His wounded side. Oh yes, it was for me He died at Calvary!
This is the starting point. The point where we must all - each and every one of us - start if we are going to move forward for without the shedding of JESUS' blood, there cannot be any remission of sin. For it was God who is before all things, who laid upon Himself all of our anxiety, cares, and sin.
Yes God is Spirit. The Spirit of God, upon counselling with Himself decided that He was going to show Himself in visible form. As such, God stepped out of the unseen and shows Himself in form. It is evident that God had a plan. We are not here by accident.
In the beginning, God created man as an earthly image of His own spiritual form. And into that earthly form, God breathed the breath of life. As a consequence, man becomes a living soul. But man in his innocence really was easy picking for the devil. Man was perfect in image but he also very gullible believing every lying tongue at the time. For as we know from Genesis, man knew only good.
Fortunately, God knew before man was ever created and put Adam and Eve in the garden, that man was an unfinished work in progress. Yes, admittedly, man was a living soul but that innocent soul life was soon to become a dead soul reducing man to a place that stagnated his growth beyond his present stature. As we read, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and a death sentence was pronounced upon all living souls. For God had decreed that the soul that sins (the sin of disobedience to God’s instructions) would surely die. Adam and Eve were put forth out of the garden entering into a new school of life. That school is what we today might refer to as the ‘School of Hard Knocks’ where all the works of the devil were the norm. But in reality Adam and Eve were total strangers and foreigners in this new other world.
It also meant that their natural productive seed was no longer pure. Sin now inhabited their seed their two sons Cain and Abel were typical examples of a fall from innocence! God was aware of their plight but God has a higher plan for man. Remember, man is a work in progress. As such, God gave a promise that the SEED of a woman would bruise the head of a serpent, the devil’s head. This explains why that promised SEED passed into Seth as presented in the genealogical record scribed in Matthew and Luke.
This new school that they were now registered in however, has never produced 3 month wonders. Indeed, we are all in attendance to this new world being introduced to sin and depravity on a regular basis. In fact, men and women fell so deep into sin that the animals in the barnyard were better behaved. Morality went out the window. Everyone was walking according to his own untutored mind. That is, until the flood came taking them all away. The exception was the eight persons and the animals! As we read in the scriptures, these eight persons entered into the Ark and God CLOSED the door.
Later, Abraham who was called a friend of God and believed God was blessed of Him because of His faith. Apart from Abraham believing in God, Abraham naturally was hardly what one might consider normal. For example, Abraham offered his wife to another person to save himself. Abraham then takes his servant girl and fathers a child with her. Abraham sends the child along with his mother packing. Abraham takes his son, ties him onto an alter, and is about to drive a knife into his son when Melchisedec meets Abraham. When the two meet, Melchisedec blesses him with bread and wine which Melchisedec had in His hands. (In God’s hands is bread and wine. The bread typifying His Life in flesh and the wine typifying His blood.) As we read, Abraham endeavours to add to the blessing by offering money.
What was happening here is that God was giving Abraham a promise that in His SEED (which is Christ the SEED of the Holy Spirit) would all the nations of the earth be blessed. Abraham misinterprets the message, thinking that the promise concerns his natural Adamic seed. Abraham takes a knife and circumcises all his household. Oh Lord, such were some of us who likewise believed, even as Abraham believed but were equally messed up!
But Lord you came, put us upon your shoulders and carried us home which is why believing in God is good. Indeed, it is the SEED of the Holy Spirit - JESUS - who alone can save. He willing shed His blood for us. JESUS the ‘Lamb of God’ was like a sheep before the shearers. Still, the Lord our God opened not His mouth. He came to make a redemptive way and it is He alone who can deliver! The Lord Our Creator has become our Saviour! Let God’s work of redemption usher in the plan of God for our lives. Peace be!
This is the starting point. The point where we must all - each and every one of us - start if we are going to move forward for without the shedding of JESUS' blood, there cannot be any remission of sin. For it was God who is before all things, who laid upon Himself all of our anxiety, cares, and sin.
Yes God is Spirit. The Spirit of God, upon counselling with Himself decided that He was going to show Himself in visible form. As such, God stepped out of the unseen and shows Himself in form. It is evident that God had a plan. We are not here by accident.
In the beginning, God created man as an earthly image of His own spiritual form. And into that earthly form, God breathed the breath of life. As a consequence, man becomes a living soul. But man in his innocence really was easy picking for the devil. Man was perfect in image but he also very gullible believing every lying tongue at the time. For as we know from Genesis, man knew only good.
Fortunately, God knew before man was ever created and put Adam and Eve in the garden, that man was an unfinished work in progress. Yes, admittedly, man was a living soul but that innocent soul life was soon to become a dead soul reducing man to a place that stagnated his growth beyond his present stature. As we read, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and a death sentence was pronounced upon all living souls. For God had decreed that the soul that sins (the sin of disobedience to God’s instructions) would surely die. Adam and Eve were put forth out of the garden entering into a new school of life. That school is what we today might refer to as the ‘School of Hard Knocks’ where all the works of the devil were the norm. But in reality Adam and Eve were total strangers and foreigners in this new other world.
It also meant that their natural productive seed was no longer pure. Sin now inhabited their seed their two sons Cain and Abel were typical examples of a fall from innocence! God was aware of their plight but God has a higher plan for man. Remember, man is a work in progress. As such, God gave a promise that the SEED of a woman would bruise the head of a serpent, the devil’s head. This explains why that promised SEED passed into Seth as presented in the genealogical record scribed in Matthew and Luke.
This new school that they were now registered in however, has never produced 3 month wonders. Indeed, we are all in attendance to this new world being introduced to sin and depravity on a regular basis. In fact, men and women fell so deep into sin that the animals in the barnyard were better behaved. Morality went out the window. Everyone was walking according to his own untutored mind. That is, until the flood came taking them all away. The exception was the eight persons and the animals! As we read in the scriptures, these eight persons entered into the Ark and God CLOSED the door.
Later, Abraham who was called a friend of God and believed God was blessed of Him because of His faith. Apart from Abraham believing in God, Abraham naturally was hardly what one might consider normal. For example, Abraham offered his wife to another person to save himself. Abraham then takes his servant girl and fathers a child with her. Abraham sends the child along with his mother packing. Abraham takes his son, ties him onto an alter, and is about to drive a knife into his son when Melchisedec meets Abraham. When the two meet, Melchisedec blesses him with bread and wine which Melchisedec had in His hands. (In God’s hands is bread and wine. The bread typifying His Life in flesh and the wine typifying His blood.) As we read, Abraham endeavours to add to the blessing by offering money.
What was happening here is that God was giving Abraham a promise that in His SEED (which is Christ the SEED of the Holy Spirit) would all the nations of the earth be blessed. Abraham misinterprets the message, thinking that the promise concerns his natural Adamic seed. Abraham takes a knife and circumcises all his household. Oh Lord, such were some of us who likewise believed, even as Abraham believed but were equally messed up!
But Lord you came, put us upon your shoulders and carried us home which is why believing in God is good. Indeed, it is the SEED of the Holy Spirit - JESUS - who alone can save. He willing shed His blood for us. JESUS the ‘Lamb of God’ was like a sheep before the shearers. Still, the Lord our God opened not His mouth. He came to make a redemptive way and it is He alone who can deliver! The Lord Our Creator has become our Saviour! Let God’s work of redemption usher in the plan of God for our lives. Peace be!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)