"Have we not all ONE Father? Hath not ONE God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?" (Malachi 2:10)
Malachi was recording the burden of the Word of the Lord to Israel. And, herein, we get a glimpse of the long suffering and patience of our Lord God.
"For the Lord thy God is a merciful God. He will not forsake thee; neither destroy thee; nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them. For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been [any such thing] as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of fire, as thou hast heard, and live? Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord -- He IS GOD -- there is none else beside Him." (Deuteronomy 4:31-35; Jeremiah 30:11; Job 8:8; Matthew 24:31; Deuteronomy 5:24-26; Mark 12:32; Hebrews 12:19-25)
And in case we miss His message, the Lord repeats the point therein, saying, "Knowing therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord -- He is God -- in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath; there is none else." (Deuteronomy 4:39; Joshua 2:11)
The first commandment -- "Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD! And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy might . and these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart." (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Mark 12:29-31; Matthew 22:37; II Kings 23:25; Deuteronomy 11:18-20)
As Jesus said to to the lawyer who asked Him, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" this is the first and great commandment. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:40)
" ... that [there is] none other God but ONE!" (I Corinthians 8:4-6)
"Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and He lives." (Deuteronomy 5:24)
But, as we read further in Malachi, all the Lord received back from His chosen people (in response to His goodness and mercy and grace) was more questions and complaint. For example, the Lord tells His people -- "I have loved you" but in return, they ask "wherein hast Thou loved us?" It is at this juncture that I begin -- still on the old covenant side, but seeing in the distance His glimmer of hope -- the promise of "a new thing" about to be brought forth into the world. (Isaiah 43:19)
"I have loved you," saith the Lord, "Yet ye say, wherein hast Thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" saith the Lord; "yet I loved Jacob. And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons [jackals] of the wilderness. Whereas Edom saith, "We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places;" thus saith the Lord of hosts. "They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them -- "the border of wickedness" -- and -- "the people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever." And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, "The Lord will be magnified from the border of Israel." (Malachi 1:1-5)
Apostle Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ and called an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God (which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures) confirms the Lord's heavy burden for His people -- from his own perspective.
"I say, the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the servants [of God] and the promises; whose [are] the fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed forever -- Amen." (Romans 9:1-5; II Corinthians 1:23; Romans 10:1; Exodus 32:32; Exodus 4:22; I Samuel 4:21; Acts 3:25; Psalm 147:19; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 13:32; Deuteronomy 10:15; Luke 1:34-35; Luke 3:23; Jeremiah 23:6)
Why does apostle Paul have great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart? As Paul alludes, "brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge -- for they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God ... for Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes." (Romans 10:1-3)
We see this later in Acts wherein the apostles preach a similar message. "When they heard [it], they glorified the Lord and said unto him, "Thou seest, brother, how many thousands [myriads] of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law" and they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying they ought not to circumcise [their] children, neither to walk after the customs .." (Acts 21:20-21)
This is why we -- as believers in Jesus by faith are to "be found in Him [the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord] not having mine [our] own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, that I [we] may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death ..." (Philippians 3:8-9)
Why? "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written -- "The Just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17)
"Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham [are they] all children: but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, "they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." (Romans 9:8) "Now we brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise ... we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." (Galatians 4:28-31)
But I digress somewhat. Malachi continues to elaborate on the burden of the Word of the Lord to Israel.
"A son honours [his] Father, and a servant his Master; if then I [be] a Father, where [is] Mine honour? And if I [be] a Master, where is My fear?" saith the Lord of hosts unto you, "O priests that despised My Name? Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar; and ye say, "Wherein have we polluted Thee?" In that ye say, "The table of the Lord is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifices, [is it] not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, [is it] not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; will He be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. "And now, I pray you, beseech God that He will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will He regard your persons?" saith the Lord of hosts. "Who is [there] even among you that would shut the doors [for nought]? neither do ye kindle [fire] on Mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you," saith the Lord of hosts, "neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, My Name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto My Name, and a pure offering: for My Name shall be great among the heathen," saith the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 1:6-11; Luke 6:46; Malachi 2:14; Deuteronomy 15:21; Ezekiel 41:22; Hosea 13:9; I Corinthians 9:13; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 59:19; Isaiah 60:3-5; I Timothy 2:8; Revelation 8:3; Isaiah 66:18-19)
"... that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." (Malachi 3:3; I Peter 2:5)
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" so that he that believes in Him -- Jesus -- shall not be confounded -- "unto you therefore which believe, [He] is precious!" (I Peter 2:5-9; Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14; I Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:22; Acts 26:18)
This is why we preach Jesus, because Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, who after the wisdom and kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
The same Lord who loved us enough to come forth as a mighty man so that we may be redeemed is King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Isaiah 42:13; Revelation 1:8,11)
"O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God ... take with you words, and turn to the Lord!" (Malachi 14:1-2; Joel 2:13; Hebrews 13:15)
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]. For we which have believed God enter into rest, as He said, "As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world ..." (Hebrews 4:1-9; Hebrews 12:15; Psalm 95:11; Genesis 2:2; Psalm 95:7-8, 11; Joshua 22:4)
But there are those who will not acknowledge Jesus as the Lord God Almighty -- as He who was in the world and the world made by Him but the world knew Him not. There are those who refuse to allow Jesus be their King -- just as in the day when He walked the earth -- "He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
And, in so doing, these pollute the alter because these despise the Name that the Lord has given us. As Malachi wrote "the burden of the Word of the Lord" to Israel -- "Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar." (Malachi 1:7)
Moreover, as the Lord hath said, "ye have profaned [it -- My Name] and ye have snuffed at it," saith the Lord. (Malachi 1:12-14)
"And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto My Name," saith the Lord of hosts ..." (Malachi 2:1-8) Indeed, "ye have been partial in the law." (Malachi 2:9; Jeremiah 18:15; Nehemiah 13:29)
What is the partiality in the law? That these have not understood and presented the first commandment as it is written -- "Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35; Acts 1:2-3; Ephesians 4:5-6)
What did Jesus say to satan when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness? "Ye shall not tempt the Lord thy God!" (Luke 4:12; Deuteronomy 6:16) But satan did not recognize Jesus as the Lord thy God, or the Son of man which (even on earth) was still Lord of the sabbath. Sadly, this remains the tradition of men within the religious culture today.
That is, the religious traditions of men have created a false teaching wherein we reduce God to a person (like unto us rather than us having been created in His image), and denigrate His offering of Himself -- wherein He prepared Himself a body so that He could become the "perfect sacrifice" on the cross, shedding His precious holy blood for us, having come forth into the world as a Son so that we might be redeemed, into a treacherous teaching called the trinity, wherein "we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers." (Malachi 2:10)
And, in so doing, the bread presented from the altar is polluted. "The table of the Lord is polluted, and the fruit thereof, [even] His meat is contemptible." (Malachi 1:12)
Still, Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) And if ye have seen Jesus, just as Jesus told Philip, ye have seen the Father. (John 14:6-12)
One God, and in this current dispensation of grace, His Name is JESUS - for He alone can save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Stand in the offering plate.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Monday, March 20, 2017
Thursday, March 16, 2017
The Husbandman That Labours Must Be First Partaker of the Fruits - Post 1646
"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things ..." (II Timothy 2:7; Proverbs 2:6)
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)
Jesus is speaking to His disciples about love and joy, and how both are perfected. Judas (not Iscariot) is asking Him, "Lord, how is it that Thou will manifest Thyself to us, and not unto the world?" Jesus answers him saying, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with Him ... he that loves Me not, keepeth not My sayings; and the Word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me. These things have I spoken unto you, being YET present with you.
But the Comforter [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you -- not as the world gives give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you -- "I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice because I said, "I go unto the Father; for My Father is greater than I." (John 14:22-28)
Jesus told them this BEFORE it came to pass "that when it is come to pass ye might believe." (John 14:29)
Sadly, many believers get hung up in John 14 and 15 because they do not understand that Jesus is telling His disciples "beforehand" what was yet to happen. Indeed, He wanted His disciples to understand that when He gave up the ghost on the cross, that He would not leave them comfortless. He would come to them. However, the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying, as evidenced by the fact that the disciples (at least the males) returned to their former profession -- fishing.
Nevertheless, Jesus did not stop there, because He wanted His disciples to fully understand that when the Comforter is come, whom Jesus will send unto you from the Father -- the Spirit of truth which proceeds from the Father -- that same Holy Ghost would "testify of Me, and ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with Me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27)
By now, Jesus had already told them -- "I and My Father are ONE!" (John 10:30) By now, Jesus had already told Philip and Thomas -- "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:5-12)
Remember, Philip asked Jesus to shew us the Father and it would suffice. Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet, hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?" (John 14:8-9)
Even here, what the disciples did not understand was that the Father was about to be glorified in the Son. The same Father who overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son -- so that we could experience His costly to Him (but free to us) gift of salvation -- His glory was about to be revealed to all. (Luke 1:35) The very mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning was unfolding for one and all to see. That is, God manifest in the flesh was to become our Saviour. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:31; Luke 2:21; John 1:20)
"He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David ..." (Luke 1:31; Mark 5:7; II Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)
If the disciples had understood (like the woman at the well) these would have understood that this same Jesus who was about to be crucified was BOTH Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) That even as He walked in a sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) the Son of man was still Lord of the Sabbath. In that regard, the miracles He performed should have clarified His identity for them. Perhaps, this is why the disciples had gone for meat when Jesus met the woman at the well -- but I digress.
What does the prophet Isaiah record, when the Lord God spoke through him?
"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Isaiah 40:5) ".... they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God!" (Isaiah 35:2)
"He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd, He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young .... who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighted the mountain in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or His Counsellor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel, and [who] instructed Him and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and shewed to Him the way of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:10-14)
"To who then will ye liken God? Or, what likeness will ye compare unto Him?" (Isaiah 40:18)
"To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal?" saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and behold who hath created these things .... Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard [that] the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth faints not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding." (Isaiah 40:18-31)
But when we search the scriptures, as doth a workman unto God, rightly dividing the Word, the Lord reveals Himself to us. That indeed He -- the Lord Himself did come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13) After His kindness and love for us, God became our Saviour, shedding His holy blood on the cross for you and I. All the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in the man Christ Jesus. (Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:17-18)
"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions, for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25)
And why did the Lord God Himself, who at sundry times and in diverse manners speak in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, choose in these last days to speak unto us by [His] Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds -- as the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person? (Hebrews 1:1-13)
Because of His abundance of love for you and I.
"This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise." (Isaiah 44:21)
He brought forth a "new thing" in this current dispensation of grace. "The dayspring from on high has visited His people." (Luke 1:78) The Lord God "hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." (Isaiah 52:10)
"Therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him and His righteousness, it sustained Him." (Isaiah 59:16)
And, as a consequence, "the Gentiles shall see Thy righteousness, and all the kings Thy glory. And thou shalt be called by a new Name, which the mouth of the Lord shall Name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of Thy God." (Isaiah 62:2-3)
"According to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses" (Isaiah 63:7)
But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned
with glory and honour that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him -- for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." (Hebrews 2:9-10)
Christ as a son over His own house, whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end, wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness ..." (Hebrews 3:6-9)
Jesus -- a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 7:1-28) But the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. (Hebrews 9:8) In other words, if the first covenant had been faultless, there would not have been a need for a Mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6-13)
"And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament -- for a testament is of force after men are dead." (Hebrews 9:15-18)
Thus, the Lord God Himself prepared a fleshly body and hid Himself as a Son so that the first could be taken away and the second established. "By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us -- through the veil -- that is to say -- His flesh!" (Hebrews 10:19-20)
And, in so doing, He gave us a new Name in which to worship Him. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
"Thou, O Lord art our Father, our Redeemer -- Thy Name is from everlasting." (Isaiah 63:16)
"O Lord, Thou art our Father ... " (Isaiah 64:8)
His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.
"Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:2)
This is why we will see Jesus no more, for He has returned to the Father from whence He came -- just as He beforehand said He would.
This is why we will see Jesus no more, for He has returned to the Father from whence He came -- just as He beforehand said He would.
It is for this reason that the disciples -- all 120 of them -- tarried in Jerusalem, for as Jesus said, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. (Acts 1:8) The very SAME Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. The very SAME Holy Ghost in which John the baptist/baptizer was filled with from birth. The very SAME Holy Ghost who was upon Simeon, and revealed to him that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ -- who said, "For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people ...." (Luke 2:25-32)
"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
But as Jesus said to His disciples, you both know Him and have seen Him -- Jesus -- the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Thus, don't get stuck in the false traditions of men wherein they attempt to reduce the greatest love story ever told to a shambles. And unlike the disciples, we have the privilege of knowing and understanding who Jesus really is (without that time on the beach wherein Jesus opened their eyes over broiled fish and honeycomb).
We can know the Lord Jesus to be God our Saviour, who loved us enough to become that Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11)
"Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!" (Hebrews 10:7; Psalm 40:7)
Thus, arise and shine for Thy light is come to you also so the glory of the Lord can shine in your hearts. (Isaiah 60:1)
Stand in the offering plate.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Hold Fast the Form of Sound Words, Which Thou Hast Heard of Me, In Faith and Love Which Is In Christ Jesus - Part 1645
IF the people which are called by MY NAME will ...!
Who declared this promise? Of course, it was God. But as we discussed in earlier posts, God is not a name. God is a descriptive title. But what happens when some people suggest that both name and descriptive title are one and the same? Or, by extension, both terms really mean the same thing? The only legitimate response for anyone who studies the scriptures as a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth is this -- that it could only be the same because these folks desire it to be.
And why would anyone want to adhere to such a belief? Well, perhaps to console themselves from their own misdirection. Rather than admit that the traditional modern day religious beliefs they have adhered to might be wrong, they prefer to keep on deceiving others, and unfortunately, in the end being deceived themselves. Indeed, they would suggest -- what would people think if we were to recant our original position? This stance -- sadly -- even when people (and likewise, institutions at different points historically) have changed their doctrinal positions from time to time.
Certainly, the Word of God should be (and is) much more precious than silver and gold. Early believers were known to seek after the truths of the Word of God to the point that the Word of God became more important than their necessary sustenance. I’m sure most believers understand the depth and breadth of the Christian born again experience.
This is why in response to the question, "What is the name of the church you attend?" I can happily reply "The JESUS people." In fact, is there anything else? The scriptures make the question of "who" Jesus is abundantly clear. For example, when Jesus asked, "Who do men say that I am?" they replied saying, some say this and some say that.
Jesus then asked His disciples directly, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter was first out the gate saying to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus then replied, "Peter, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father which is in Heaven has revealed this to you."
Yes, Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, God manifest in the flesh as a Son. God with us. Conceived of the Holy Ghost. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6) In Jesus did dwell all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16) So all of these, Jesus assuredly was. But still, what was His name? This is the question. Of course. JESUS is the name.
How many times did Jesus say, "In My Name"?
And ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sin! (Matthew 1:21-23; Titus 3:4-7) Other scriptures confirm this fact. For instance, There is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby mankind can be saved. The Name is JESUS! Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. What is the Name? JESUS! Believe on the LORD JESUS the Christ and you shall be saved. Look to Me all you people, even to the ends of the earth and be saved. Why?
Because I AM GOD and beside Me there is no Saviour. I AM the good shepherd, the same good Shepherd that gives His life for His sheep. Tell me again - who was the Good Shepherd? There is only One good Shepherd and His name is JESUS. The Name of JESUS is ABOVE every other Name in Heaven and earth. God (eternal Spirit) has glorified His Son JESUS, declaring that JESUS is both LORD and CHRIST. (Acts 2:36)
The husbandman that labours must be first partaker of the fruits. (II Timothy 2:6)
And let ALL the angels of GOD WORSHIP HIM! And you shall WORSHIP the LORD your GOD and HIM only shall you serve! And further, what do the scriptures state? Yes, that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus the Christ is Lord. The scriptures also state that repentance and remission of sin should be preached among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Therefore, repent, and be baptized into the Name of JESUS for the remission of sin so that you shall receive the gift of His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost. Yes, JESUS breathed on them saying, "Receive you, the Holy Ghost"
We have the same opportunity as believers and a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Thus, consider what the Lord has said -- give thee understanding in all things, remembering that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to the gospel. Of these things, put in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands -- "For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord for He is our all in all.
Stand in the offering plate.
Who declared this promise? Of course, it was God. But as we discussed in earlier posts, God is not a name. God is a descriptive title. But what happens when some people suggest that both name and descriptive title are one and the same? Or, by extension, both terms really mean the same thing? The only legitimate response for anyone who studies the scriptures as a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth is this -- that it could only be the same because these folks desire it to be.
And why would anyone want to adhere to such a belief? Well, perhaps to console themselves from their own misdirection. Rather than admit that the traditional modern day religious beliefs they have adhered to might be wrong, they prefer to keep on deceiving others, and unfortunately, in the end being deceived themselves. Indeed, they would suggest -- what would people think if we were to recant our original position? This stance -- sadly -- even when people (and likewise, institutions at different points historically) have changed their doctrinal positions from time to time.
Certainly, the Word of God should be (and is) much more precious than silver and gold. Early believers were known to seek after the truths of the Word of God to the point that the Word of God became more important than their necessary sustenance. I’m sure most believers understand the depth and breadth of the Christian born again experience.
This is why in response to the question, "What is the name of the church you attend?" I can happily reply "The JESUS people." In fact, is there anything else? The scriptures make the question of "who" Jesus is abundantly clear. For example, when Jesus asked, "Who do men say that I am?" they replied saying, some say this and some say that.
Jesus then asked His disciples directly, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter was first out the gate saying to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus then replied, "Peter, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father which is in Heaven has revealed this to you."
Yes, Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, God manifest in the flesh as a Son. God with us. Conceived of the Holy Ghost. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6) In Jesus did dwell all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16) So all of these, Jesus assuredly was. But still, what was His name? This is the question. Of course. JESUS is the name.
How many times did Jesus say, "In My Name"?
And ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sin! (Matthew 1:21-23; Titus 3:4-7) Other scriptures confirm this fact. For instance, There is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby mankind can be saved. The Name is JESUS! Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. What is the Name? JESUS! Believe on the LORD JESUS the Christ and you shall be saved. Look to Me all you people, even to the ends of the earth and be saved. Why?
Because I AM GOD and beside Me there is no Saviour. I AM the good shepherd, the same good Shepherd that gives His life for His sheep. Tell me again - who was the Good Shepherd? There is only One good Shepherd and His name is JESUS. The Name of JESUS is ABOVE every other Name in Heaven and earth. God (eternal Spirit) has glorified His Son JESUS, declaring that JESUS is both LORD and CHRIST. (Acts 2:36)
The husbandman that labours must be first partaker of the fruits. (II Timothy 2:6)
And let ALL the angels of GOD WORSHIP HIM! And you shall WORSHIP the LORD your GOD and HIM only shall you serve! And further, what do the scriptures state? Yes, that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus the Christ is Lord. The scriptures also state that repentance and remission of sin should be preached among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Therefore, repent, and be baptized into the Name of JESUS for the remission of sin so that you shall receive the gift of His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost. Yes, JESUS breathed on them saying, "Receive you, the Holy Ghost"
We have the same opportunity as believers and a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Thus, consider what the Lord has said -- give thee understanding in all things, remembering that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to the gospel. Of these things, put in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands -- "For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord for He is our all in all.
Stand in the offering plate.
'And Blessed Be His Glorious Name Forever And Let the Whole Earth Be Filled With His Glory - Part 1644
JESUS gave them the power to become the sons of God!
If we return to the beginning of the gospel of Jesus the Christ, we read that Jesus gave to His disciples the power and authority to overcome evil, to deal with every kind of demon, and to cure diseases. In so doing, the disciples were commissioned to not only preach the Kingdom of God but to proclaim the Kingdom of God while healing the sick. Shortly after, Jesus appointed another seventy, sending them out two by two into every city where He Himself intended to visit. They also were to heal the sick, delivering and pronouncing the message that “the Kingdom of God has come close to you."
Does all this sound like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Well, certainly a rainbow ought to remind us of the promises of God toward mankind. Rainbows should also remind us that what God promises - the scriptural promises that God makes - well, God is more than capable of performing these. Why? Because with God, there is no respecter of persons. God looks not upon the outward appearance. Rather, God looks into the innermost being of man’s Spirit. Further, God's faithfulness is to all generations. There is no shadow of turning with God.
This is because Jesus, the Only begotten Son of God was conceived of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Ghost having overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. (Luke 1:35) Therefore, He is altogether God Himself manifest in the flesh, appearing in fashion as a man. (I Timothy 3:16) Indeed, Jesus was the humanity of God revealed. God’s pure humanity was clothed in a sin prone body.
As well, humanity is spiritual, requiring only a body of flesh for us to be capable of understanding the mind of the spirit. When men and women are led of the Spirit, each simply performs the desired action of Spirit. (Perhaps here, it is important to point out that men and women can also be led to do unimaginable things when led by the force of sin prone flesh -- the body).
Still, never a man spoke like Jesus spoke. Neither did any man perform the miracles, signs and wonders that were openly performed by His power. Yes, Jesus appeared as a man but indwelling Jesus was His own holy Spirit. Jesus declared this to be the case, stating on numerous occasions that it was not His flesh that performed these wonders and spoke these Words but rather it was His Father which indwelt Him. It was He who did these works!
God in Christ!
As we read the scriptures, we read that Jesus explained that without faith in the Word of God, Jesus Himself being that very Word, then nothing changes. Faith is substance. When one embraces faith in Jesus, then impossibilities become possibilities. In this context, God’s Word is all powerful. This is why God personally delivered His promised Word to man, sending His Words to anyone who dares to believe.
Jesus is the Resurrection and He is life. Only believe so that you too can be renewed and resurrected! Study the scriptures for your learning and edification. Stand in the offering plate.
If we return to the beginning of the gospel of Jesus the Christ, we read that Jesus gave to His disciples the power and authority to overcome evil, to deal with every kind of demon, and to cure diseases. In so doing, the disciples were commissioned to not only preach the Kingdom of God but to proclaim the Kingdom of God while healing the sick. Shortly after, Jesus appointed another seventy, sending them out two by two into every city where He Himself intended to visit. They also were to heal the sick, delivering and pronouncing the message that “the Kingdom of God has come close to you."
Does all this sound like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Well, certainly a rainbow ought to remind us of the promises of God toward mankind. Rainbows should also remind us that what God promises - the scriptural promises that God makes - well, God is more than capable of performing these. Why? Because with God, there is no respecter of persons. God looks not upon the outward appearance. Rather, God looks into the innermost being of man’s Spirit. Further, God's faithfulness is to all generations. There is no shadow of turning with God.
This is because Jesus, the Only begotten Son of God was conceived of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Ghost having overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. (Luke 1:35) Therefore, He is altogether God Himself manifest in the flesh, appearing in fashion as a man. (I Timothy 3:16) Indeed, Jesus was the humanity of God revealed. God’s pure humanity was clothed in a sin prone body.
As well, humanity is spiritual, requiring only a body of flesh for us to be capable of understanding the mind of the spirit. When men and women are led of the Spirit, each simply performs the desired action of Spirit. (Perhaps here, it is important to point out that men and women can also be led to do unimaginable things when led by the force of sin prone flesh -- the body).
Still, never a man spoke like Jesus spoke. Neither did any man perform the miracles, signs and wonders that were openly performed by His power. Yes, Jesus appeared as a man but indwelling Jesus was His own holy Spirit. Jesus declared this to be the case, stating on numerous occasions that it was not His flesh that performed these wonders and spoke these Words but rather it was His Father which indwelt Him. It was He who did these works!
God in Christ!
As we read the scriptures, we read that Jesus explained that without faith in the Word of God, Jesus Himself being that very Word, then nothing changes. Faith is substance. When one embraces faith in Jesus, then impossibilities become possibilities. In this context, God’s Word is all powerful. This is why God personally delivered His promised Word to man, sending His Words to anyone who dares to believe.
Jesus is the Resurrection and He is life. Only believe so that you too can be renewed and resurrected! Study the scriptures for your learning and edification. Stand in the offering plate.
Thine Hand Shall Be Lifted Up Upon Thine Adversaries; And All Thine Enemies Shall Be Cut Off - Part 1643
"And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide; for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth." (Micah 5:4)
"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken [it]." (Isaiah 40:5)
"Behold, the Lord God will come with strong [hand], and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young -- who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighted the mountain in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor hath taught Him?" (Isaiah 40:10-13)
Thus saith the Lord; "In an acceptable time have I heard Thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped Thee; and I will preserve thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages: that Thou mayest say to the prisoners --"Go forth; to them that are in darkness, shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them; for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come form far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim ... I will not forget thee!" (Isaiah 49:8-15)
"Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His Name Immanuel ... butter and honey shall He eat that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good ..." (Isaiah 7:14-15; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13; I Timothy 3:16)
"He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." (Psalm 72:8)
In this current dispensation of grace, His Name is Jesus! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. And there is no other Name given unto men whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
If you have not experienced the love and kindness of our Lord God and Saviour, reach out to Him today. His love will fill your heart with joy and peace that surpasses all human understanding. He will renew your mind, and refresh your body back to the wholeness He intended from the beginning. Repent and be water baptized (buried with Jesus) in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you will receive the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of Jesus in your heart.
Find a Bible (preferably King James or an earlier version that has not been doctored to the point that there is no understanding) and commit yourself to studying His Word. You will not be disappointed. Indeed, your life will never be the same.
Blessed be the Lord God -- who only doeth wondrous things, and blessed be His glorious Name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory -- amen and amen. Stand in the offering plate.
"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken [it]." (Isaiah 40:5)
"Behold, the Lord God will come with strong [hand], and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young -- who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighted the mountain in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor hath taught Him?" (Isaiah 40:10-13)
Thus saith the Lord; "In an acceptable time have I heard Thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped Thee; and I will preserve thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages: that Thou mayest say to the prisoners --"Go forth; to them that are in darkness, shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them; for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come form far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim ... I will not forget thee!" (Isaiah 49:8-15)
"Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His Name Immanuel ... butter and honey shall He eat that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good ..." (Isaiah 7:14-15; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13; I Timothy 3:16)
"He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." (Psalm 72:8)
In this current dispensation of grace, His Name is Jesus! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. And there is no other Name given unto men whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
If you have not experienced the love and kindness of our Lord God and Saviour, reach out to Him today. His love will fill your heart with joy and peace that surpasses all human understanding. He will renew your mind, and refresh your body back to the wholeness He intended from the beginning. Repent and be water baptized (buried with Jesus) in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you will receive the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of Jesus in your heart.
Find a Bible (preferably King James or an earlier version that has not been doctored to the point that there is no understanding) and commit yourself to studying His Word. You will not be disappointed. Indeed, your life will never be the same.
Blessed be the Lord God -- who only doeth wondrous things, and blessed be His glorious Name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory -- amen and amen. Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Go Thy Way; For He Is A Chosen Vessel Unto Me, To Bear "My Name" Before the Gentiles and Kings, and the Children of Israel - Part 1642
"Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God; he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
In light of the eloquence and fancy words coming from the pulpits these days, the question must be asked -- Why air brush the scriptures with catchy one liners? For your words and my words cannot revise or supplement or take away from the written scriptures. Indeed, the Gospel is God’s Word brought down from Heaven and delivered to us in the face of JESUS the Christ who was and is ‘God manifest in the flesh.' (I Timothy 3:16)
A "holy thing" as Luke describes. (Luke 1:35) His appearance even as we are. For it was not possible that He should appear otherwise. If He had, then He would have been alien to us. However, when God became man, we gain insights into why He desired to be made like unto His beloved brethren.
In the beginning, we know that Adam (and Eve) sinned. As a consequence, we inherited his sinful nature which he brought upon himself by dismissing God’s instructions. As it is written, by one man’s disobedience sin entered into the world and the judgment for disobedience to the Word of God was death. Therefore, to undo the imposed death penalty necessitated the death of a sinless righteous man. But since there was no such person to be found on earth, God was willing to make the sacrifice Himself. God was willing to become our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ..." (Romans 3:23-25)
Because every one of us has sinned, God found in Himself a way whereby man could obtain redemption. A way to compensate for the fact that Adam’s now sinful seed could not bring forth any such person. And that being the case, all things would have remained in that sinful realm forever.
But God stepped into an otherwise impossible situation declaring, "I the LORD your God will become your Saviour!" Think about this for a moment. "I the Lord your God will become your Saviour!" Then as we read from the scriptures, God provides of Himself a pure Holy un-defiled SEED. A NEW blood line that is so unlike the Adamic blood line. The blood whereof we speak here is the blood of His holy Spirit.
Yes, God provided two seeds of Himself -- one female and one male. These two seed lines are presented in the scriptures. The first genealogy emerging from Eve and the second from Abraham. These two seeds were brought together in the womb of a consenting virgin girl named Mary. In her womb the child of the Holy Ghost was clothed upon in sin prone flesh coming forth from her in appearance as we are. The child was given a name. His name is JESUS the same child declared in the scriptures to be ‘God with us.' So what is God’s name? Think about it. If ‘JESUS was God with Us’ then surely God’s name must be JESUS! (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
In this context, God has declared ‘that there is no salvation to be found in any other name. While admittedly, there are some who would argue this point by inventing names or translating JESUS into another language, their attempts to revise the scriptures does not negate what the Bible says. The Scriptures - the Word of God - still stands correct even when one attempts to airbrush the scriptures. The good news gospel message remains accurate, regardless of man's desire to diminish from that Name. That is, JESUS is the GIVEN name and in that Name shall we trust.
The apostles declared His Name to one and all, and were persecuted for doing so. Nevertheless, to understand the doctrine of Christ, we need to understand the Name that the Lord Himself gave to His people.
Still, in some circles, the name of JESUS remains despised. Like the devil they believe there is a God. They forget that the devil also knows God’s name and trembles. Further, unlike the devil, those that choose to despise Jesus have no idea who God is. Neither will they if they don't attempt to know Him. For how can anyone trust in a God that one does not know?
The scriptures provide similar scenarios that we can learn from. For example, Paul believed in God and went about doing what he believed at the time was God’s business. From Paul's perspective, this meant getting rid of all the JESUS people. In fact, Paul was watching and consenting to Stephen being stoned to death. (Acts 7:1-60) But that incident as we read in the scriptures was the straw that broke the camel's back.
JESUS was no longer sitting down! Rather, JESUS was on His feet about to intervene when Stephen prayed. It was here that the course of history was altered. This is not to suggest that judgment was not administered. Indeed, it was. JESUS cut off the feet of the Jews. As it is written, the scriptures declared that they always resisted the Holy Ghost, even as their fathers before them also did. When JESUS later met Paul, He confronted him saying, "It is hard for you to kick against your conscience." Paul cried out ‘Who are you Lord? and JESUS answered, "I AM JESUS!"
"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:4-6)
As such, there is no salvation to be found in any other Name. Even when others try to reshuffle the scriptures 2000 years after the fact, there is no other name whereby people can be saved. There is only ONE name. That name is JESUS.
Why? Because the Name of Jesus is the given name. It is this name that is ABOVE every other name in Heaven and on earth! Thus, save yourself from those who oppose the testimony of the Lord's eye witnesses! And then read Acts chapter 2 verses 37-42 and follow the example of the first 3000 believers who gladly obeyed the scriptures. That is, repent, and be baptized in the precious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His all in all to dwell in our hearts.
Peace be to all who submit to the Name of Jesus willingly. Stand in the offering plate.
In light of the eloquence and fancy words coming from the pulpits these days, the question must be asked -- Why air brush the scriptures with catchy one liners? For your words and my words cannot revise or supplement or take away from the written scriptures. Indeed, the Gospel is God’s Word brought down from Heaven and delivered to us in the face of JESUS the Christ who was and is ‘God manifest in the flesh.' (I Timothy 3:16)
A "holy thing" as Luke describes. (Luke 1:35) His appearance even as we are. For it was not possible that He should appear otherwise. If He had, then He would have been alien to us. However, when God became man, we gain insights into why He desired to be made like unto His beloved brethren.
In the beginning, we know that Adam (and Eve) sinned. As a consequence, we inherited his sinful nature which he brought upon himself by dismissing God’s instructions. As it is written, by one man’s disobedience sin entered into the world and the judgment for disobedience to the Word of God was death. Therefore, to undo the imposed death penalty necessitated the death of a sinless righteous man. But since there was no such person to be found on earth, God was willing to make the sacrifice Himself. God was willing to become our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ..." (Romans 3:23-25)
Because every one of us has sinned, God found in Himself a way whereby man could obtain redemption. A way to compensate for the fact that Adam’s now sinful seed could not bring forth any such person. And that being the case, all things would have remained in that sinful realm forever.
But God stepped into an otherwise impossible situation declaring, "I the LORD your God will become your Saviour!" Think about this for a moment. "I the Lord your God will become your Saviour!" Then as we read from the scriptures, God provides of Himself a pure Holy un-defiled SEED. A NEW blood line that is so unlike the Adamic blood line. The blood whereof we speak here is the blood of His holy Spirit.
Yes, God provided two seeds of Himself -- one female and one male. These two seed lines are presented in the scriptures. The first genealogy emerging from Eve and the second from Abraham. These two seeds were brought together in the womb of a consenting virgin girl named Mary. In her womb the child of the Holy Ghost was clothed upon in sin prone flesh coming forth from her in appearance as we are. The child was given a name. His name is JESUS the same child declared in the scriptures to be ‘God with us.' So what is God’s name? Think about it. If ‘JESUS was God with Us’ then surely God’s name must be JESUS! (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
In this context, God has declared ‘that there is no salvation to be found in any other name. While admittedly, there are some who would argue this point by inventing names or translating JESUS into another language, their attempts to revise the scriptures does not negate what the Bible says. The Scriptures - the Word of God - still stands correct even when one attempts to airbrush the scriptures. The good news gospel message remains accurate, regardless of man's desire to diminish from that Name. That is, JESUS is the GIVEN name and in that Name shall we trust.
The apostles declared His Name to one and all, and were persecuted for doing so. Nevertheless, to understand the doctrine of Christ, we need to understand the Name that the Lord Himself gave to His people.
Still, in some circles, the name of JESUS remains despised. Like the devil they believe there is a God. They forget that the devil also knows God’s name and trembles. Further, unlike the devil, those that choose to despise Jesus have no idea who God is. Neither will they if they don't attempt to know Him. For how can anyone trust in a God that one does not know?
The scriptures provide similar scenarios that we can learn from. For example, Paul believed in God and went about doing what he believed at the time was God’s business. From Paul's perspective, this meant getting rid of all the JESUS people. In fact, Paul was watching and consenting to Stephen being stoned to death. (Acts 7:1-60) But that incident as we read in the scriptures was the straw that broke the camel's back.
JESUS was no longer sitting down! Rather, JESUS was on His feet about to intervene when Stephen prayed. It was here that the course of history was altered. This is not to suggest that judgment was not administered. Indeed, it was. JESUS cut off the feet of the Jews. As it is written, the scriptures declared that they always resisted the Holy Ghost, even as their fathers before them also did. When JESUS later met Paul, He confronted him saying, "It is hard for you to kick against your conscience." Paul cried out ‘Who are you Lord? and JESUS answered, "I AM JESUS!"
"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:4-6)
As such, there is no salvation to be found in any other Name. Even when others try to reshuffle the scriptures 2000 years after the fact, there is no other name whereby people can be saved. There is only ONE name. That name is JESUS.
Why? Because the Name of Jesus is the given name. It is this name that is ABOVE every other name in Heaven and on earth! Thus, save yourself from those who oppose the testimony of the Lord's eye witnesses! And then read Acts chapter 2 verses 37-42 and follow the example of the first 3000 believers who gladly obeyed the scriptures. That is, repent, and be baptized in the precious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His all in all to dwell in our hearts.
Peace be to all who submit to the Name of Jesus willingly. Stand in the offering plate.
Monday, March 13, 2017
But Of Him Are Ye In Christ Jesus, Who Of God Is Made Unto Us Wisdom And Righteousness And Sanctification And Redemption - Part 1641
In whom do we worship? This is important because "all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever." (Micah 4:5) But we need to know His Name. In that context, we understand that the Lord God has always revealed Himself to His people in a Name. Therefore, it should not be surprising that He has revealed Himself in a Name in these last times -- this current dispensation of grace.
As Jesus said, God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) Apostle Paul confirms the same when he scribes, "That according as it is written -- he that glories, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:30-31) Note that it was Jeremiah who first wrote this Word of the Lord -- "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches, but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [places] I delight saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:24-25)
Why? Because God is like unto thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage, and retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will turn again and He will have compassion on us. He will subdue our iniquities, and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Indeed, "Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast sworn unto the fathers from the days of old." (Micah 7:18-20; Exodus 15:11; Exodus 34:6-9; Micah 4:7; Psalm 103:8-13; Ezekiel 33:11; Luke 1:72-72; Psalm 105:9)
We begin to understand the Lord God revealed when Jesus was speaking to the woman at Jacob's well. Therein, Jesus must needs to go through Samaria. He had come to a city called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jesus being wearied from his journey sat thus on the well and it was about the sixth hour. When the woman came to draw water, Jesus asks her to give Him a drink. But the woman, knowing that she was from Samaria questions Jesus, saying that the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus answers and said unto her, "If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, "Give Me to drink" thou would have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." (John 4:10)
Jesus again states that whosoever drinks of this water from the well shall thirst again but whosoever drinks of the water that He gives shall never thirst again, but "shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) The conversation continues in John 4.
When Jesus tells everything to the woman about herself, she perceives Jesus to be a prophet.
She then says to Jesus, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and Ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth."
The woman saith unto Him, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things." (John 4:20-25)
When she realized that Jesus was the promised Christ, what did she do? She went into the city and told everyone to "come" for herein is Jesus the Christ. The same Jesus who Peter (standing withe the eleven) proclaimed on the day of Pentecost to be both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
"Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all -- God blessed forever, amen." Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." (Romans 9:4-8; Hebrews 13:10-14 Philemon 3:3 John 1:17 II Corinthians 3:17)
So much to learn and understand. Nevertheless, one truth remains. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh as a Son until He was taken up, wherein Jesus gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" but He had to leave if the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Himself was to come and dwell within us.
"Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17) The first Adam was made a living soul. The last Adam was made a quickening Spirit. (I Corinthians 15:45)
His Name is JESUS, for He alone shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
Stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord God, and abide; for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. (Micah 5:4) And He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Stand in the offering plate.
As Jesus said, God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) Apostle Paul confirms the same when he scribes, "That according as it is written -- he that glories, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:30-31) Note that it was Jeremiah who first wrote this Word of the Lord -- "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches, but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [places] I delight saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:24-25)
Why? Because God is like unto thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage, and retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will turn again and He will have compassion on us. He will subdue our iniquities, and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Indeed, "Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast sworn unto the fathers from the days of old." (Micah 7:18-20; Exodus 15:11; Exodus 34:6-9; Micah 4:7; Psalm 103:8-13; Ezekiel 33:11; Luke 1:72-72; Psalm 105:9)
We begin to understand the Lord God revealed when Jesus was speaking to the woman at Jacob's well. Therein, Jesus must needs to go through Samaria. He had come to a city called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jesus being wearied from his journey sat thus on the well and it was about the sixth hour. When the woman came to draw water, Jesus asks her to give Him a drink. But the woman, knowing that she was from Samaria questions Jesus, saying that the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus answers and said unto her, "If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, "Give Me to drink" thou would have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." (John 4:10)
Jesus again states that whosoever drinks of this water from the well shall thirst again but whosoever drinks of the water that He gives shall never thirst again, but "shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) The conversation continues in John 4.
When Jesus tells everything to the woman about herself, she perceives Jesus to be a prophet.
She then says to Jesus, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and Ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth."
The woman saith unto Him, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things." (John 4:20-25)
When she realized that Jesus was the promised Christ, what did she do? She went into the city and told everyone to "come" for herein is Jesus the Christ. The same Jesus who Peter (standing withe the eleven) proclaimed on the day of Pentecost to be both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
"Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all -- God blessed forever, amen." Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." (Romans 9:4-8; Hebrews 13:10-14 Philemon 3:3 John 1:17 II Corinthians 3:17)
So much to learn and understand. Nevertheless, one truth remains. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh as a Son until He was taken up, wherein Jesus gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" but He had to leave if the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Himself was to come and dwell within us.
"Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17) The first Adam was made a living soul. The last Adam was made a quickening Spirit. (I Corinthians 15:45)
His Name is JESUS, for He alone shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
Stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord God, and abide; for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. (Micah 5:4) And He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Take Heed To the Ministry Which Thou Hast Received In the Lord, That Thou Fulfill It - Part 1640
"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened me sore: but He hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise Thee: for Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the Head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever." (Psalms 118:1-29)
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened me sore: but He hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise Thee: for Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the Head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever." (Psalms 118:1-29)
This day, I desire to focus on the stone which the builders refused. Herein, David the psalmist refers to this stone as the Head of the corner. Likewise, when Jesus saith unto them, "Did ye never read in the scriptures? The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Matthew 21:42; Psalm 118:22; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Romans 9:33; I Peter 2:7)
In this psalm, we see the people giving thanks unto the Lord, for He is good -- because His mercy endures forever. Indeed, not only the house of Israel, but the house of Aaron also now say -- "that His mercy endures for ever." (Psalm 118:2-3) David is crying out, declaring that when we call upon the Name of the Lord, He will answer, and in this case "set me in a large place." (Psalm 118:5) "He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me." (Psalm 18:19)
"In my distress, I cried unto the Lord and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue." (Psalm 120:1-2)
What we are seeing is David emerging as a wise and valiant leader, and yet, rejected by those in authority. But David's message -- our God is faithful, and worthy of our praise and worship. Thus, God placed David in a position of highest honour. And what we witness is that within the fabric of that society, David is made like unto a cornerstone. As we know, this foreshadows the Lord God becoming our Saviour -- accomplishing His divine purpose in Jesus the Christ, when He becomes the living stone, the tried stone, which He Himself decided as the mystery from the beginning of the world. (I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)
"God is the Lord, which hath showed us light; bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the alter. Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee." (Psalm 118:27-28) The stone that the builders rejected even though the Son of man is Lord of all.
The stone that the builders rejected even though Jesus is the Head of His church. As Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost declared -- "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)
This same Jesus who said, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)
"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." We did not recognize that He was wounded for our transgressions. We did not accept that He was bruised for our iniquities. "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5)
The Lord hath made bear His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. We shall witness the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied; by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:11) His grave made with the wicked, even though He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)
But the Jews of that day, inclusive of the Pharisees and scribes within society, and Herodian, and the priests in the temple rejected Him with disdain. In spite of His willingness to take upon Himself our transgressions, these pillars of society could see no notable features in Jesus that they should build upon Him. And thus, as Peter said, "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders."
This same Jesus who in all things has preeminence -- the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:19)
"In whom we have redemption through His blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins -- who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, for Him; and He is before all things and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
For it pleased [the Father] that in Him should all the fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him [I say], whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven, and you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled -- in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight ... if ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard!" (Colossians 1:14-23)
In Jesus is our hope of salvation. Sadly, we still see builders in our modern day religious culture rejecting Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords, denying Jesus His rightful place as "Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending." (Revelation 1:8, 11) These reject that God Himself could love His people enough to provide a plan of salvation sufficient to blot out our transgressions forever, if we would only hear ye Him.
The Word made flesh! We are to behold His glory. And when we put on the new man, because He has clothed us in His righteousness when we are water baptized in the precious Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, we are renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him -- where there is neither Greek, nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free" for we recognize that Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:10-11)
He is the Lord having come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)
Therefore, let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ..." (Colossians 3:16) Stand in the offering plate.
The Stone Which The Builders Rejected Has Become the Head of the Corner Known As The Cornerstone - Part 1639
"The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner." (Psalm 118:22)
Jesus saith unto them, "Did ye never read in the scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?' This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Matthew 21:42)
On this earth we have an abundance of rocks and stone and little gold. These are material things which are sought after by many. But in their endeavour to become rich, they in turn have often lost their spiritual focus. This serves as a reminder of a story in the New Testament when the Apostles of Jesus saw a man begging. They said to the man, "Silver nor gold have I none ..." but what they did have, they willingly gave to the person.
Indeed, the apostles said, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth stand up and walk." The individual leaping to his feet ran and jumped in that Jewish temple courtyard. Another such instance recorded in the scriptures is when Peter walking down a street was confronted with sick, lame and infirm persons. Here, they lay hoping that even if the very shadow of Peter fell upon them, they would be healed.
But for some people, these recorded truths in the scriptures seem offensive. Strange reasoning behind this but I digress. In reality, we should be earnestly pursuing the question that shows why these people were healed. What did Jesus see in these people that a miracle of unexpected proportions became the outcome? What is the lesson we should be adhering to today? Certainly, we should not be turning a blind eye to the recorded factual happenings in the scriptures in favour of a more comfortable pew. Neither should we lay aside God’s written prescription and choose to do it my (our) way -- spitting out the counsel of God -- and erecting our own revisionist history in stone monuments.
This day then is a very sad monumental day, a day whereby the world stood still. A very long day. A day where all the nations of the earth gasped and our hearts collectively sank within us. A day when demonic inspired religious zealots expedited their long planned satanic scheme upon ordinary, innocent, hard working, men and women who sought only to provide for the temporal needs of their loved ones.
Lord, hear our humble cries. Deliver us from the dark night of terror -- when our erected financial world towering monument of stone tumbles to nought in one hour -- our Babylon strewn. The pillars of our hearts rocked with the enormity.
Yes Lord we need you every moment of every day. Your presence makes us whole. Jesus there is no God like you. In fact, it is in you alone Lord that we trust. You alone Jesus are our hope and our strength. Please Lord, arise within our hearts and let all our enemies be scattered. The golden calf we will not worship because as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Our Lord God and Saviour -- you were in the man Christ Jesus, the Ark of the covenant, wood (earth) overlaid with gold. God in Jesus. All power in Heaven and upon earth is in Jesus. Yes, Abraham had two sons, one by a bond maiden and the other by a free woman. Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman will not be heir with the son of the free woman. Oh yes, our tears fall down like falling rain. We walk around and call their names.
Take our hands precious Lord and lead us onward. Blessings in Jesus' name.
Jesus saith unto them, "Did ye never read in the scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?' This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Matthew 21:42)
On this earth we have an abundance of rocks and stone and little gold. These are material things which are sought after by many. But in their endeavour to become rich, they in turn have often lost their spiritual focus. This serves as a reminder of a story in the New Testament when the Apostles of Jesus saw a man begging. They said to the man, "Silver nor gold have I none ..." but what they did have, they willingly gave to the person.
Indeed, the apostles said, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth stand up and walk." The individual leaping to his feet ran and jumped in that Jewish temple courtyard. Another such instance recorded in the scriptures is when Peter walking down a street was confronted with sick, lame and infirm persons. Here, they lay hoping that even if the very shadow of Peter fell upon them, they would be healed.
But for some people, these recorded truths in the scriptures seem offensive. Strange reasoning behind this but I digress. In reality, we should be earnestly pursuing the question that shows why these people were healed. What did Jesus see in these people that a miracle of unexpected proportions became the outcome? What is the lesson we should be adhering to today? Certainly, we should not be turning a blind eye to the recorded factual happenings in the scriptures in favour of a more comfortable pew. Neither should we lay aside God’s written prescription and choose to do it my (our) way -- spitting out the counsel of God -- and erecting our own revisionist history in stone monuments.
This day then is a very sad monumental day, a day whereby the world stood still. A very long day. A day where all the nations of the earth gasped and our hearts collectively sank within us. A day when demonic inspired religious zealots expedited their long planned satanic scheme upon ordinary, innocent, hard working, men and women who sought only to provide for the temporal needs of their loved ones.
Lord, hear our humble cries. Deliver us from the dark night of terror -- when our erected financial world towering monument of stone tumbles to nought in one hour -- our Babylon strewn. The pillars of our hearts rocked with the enormity.
Yes Lord we need you every moment of every day. Your presence makes us whole. Jesus there is no God like you. In fact, it is in you alone Lord that we trust. You alone Jesus are our hope and our strength. Please Lord, arise within our hearts and let all our enemies be scattered. The golden calf we will not worship because as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Our Lord God and Saviour -- you were in the man Christ Jesus, the Ark of the covenant, wood (earth) overlaid with gold. God in Jesus. All power in Heaven and upon earth is in Jesus. Yes, Abraham had two sons, one by a bond maiden and the other by a free woman. Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman will not be heir with the son of the free woman. Oh yes, our tears fall down like falling rain. We walk around and call their names.
Take our hands precious Lord and lead us onward. Blessings in Jesus' name.
And You Hath He Quickened, Who Were Dead In Trespasses And Sins - Part 1638
John's account of Nathaniel is instructive. Therein, we learn that Jesus had gone into Galilee and upon finding Philip, said unto him, "Follow Me!" Such simple words of invitation, and yet the response -- even for us today -- determines our destiny, Jesus is the Light of the world, and when we believe on Him, and similarly obey His commandments, we inherit life everlasting.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ(by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised [us] up together and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus ... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)
But at the time when Jesus walked the earth, the totality and inclusiveness of the salvation message -- we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, but the gift from God -- was still off in the distance. Still, a shadow of the good things to come,
"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing, which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which [stood only] in meats and drinks and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposing [on them] until the time of reformation. But Christ being come as high priest of good things to come ..." (Hebrews 9:8-18)
And then comes Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. But this is the revelation we have today, but for the disciples, this understanding was yet to be revealed. In that context, we have the benefit of the Lord's Christ being witnessed by one and all. Most certainly, we know that for this cause -- the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, was to purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)
We understand from scripture, and by the witness of the Holy Ghost within us (confirming the Word) that God willingly became our Saviour, because of His love and kindness. But for the disciples, these only saw the man Jesus in their initial encounter. Even so, when Jesus beckoned for them to follow Him, they quickly gave up the things of this world to follow Him. One has to wonder what these saw in Jesus that so many people today -- oblivious to the greatest love story ever told to mankind - are willing to neglect. How our collective response to the good news gospel in this day and age must grieve the Lord who gave His all and all for us -- so that we might receive His gift of salvation, and be quickened from our trespasses and sins. But I digress.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, goes to find Nathaniel, and tells him -- "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write -- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph!" Nathaniel's response? "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said unto him, "Come and see."
Note that Philip in his excitement of knowing that Jesus was the same Christ of whom Moses in the law and the prophets spoke of was now running to find Nathaniel, and he would not be put off by Nathaniel's negativity. "Come and see ..." invites Philip, "Come and see ..."
Jesus, who sees Nathaniel coming, says unto him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathaniel says unto Jesus, "Whence knowest Thou me?" And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee."
And therein, the revelation. Nathaniel answers, saying unto Jesus, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee; I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these." And then He saith unto him also, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (John 1:43-51)
Wow! It is no wonder the disciples left their day to day to follow Jesus.
We see Nathaniel again in John 21 when Jesus shows Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. By now, Jesus has been crucified, and risen from the tomb. He has since appeared to the disciples, including Thomas, who upon reaching his hand into Jesus' side, declared Jesus to be "my Lord and my God." (John 20:26-31)
Note that Simon Peter has decided to go a fishing, and the other disciples with him also. When the morning was now come, Jesus again shews Himself to the disciples, standing on the shore. But the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, "Children, have ye any meat?" They answered, "No." Jesus then tells them to cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find." (John 21:1-6) And when they did, and the nets were full of the multitude of fishes, the disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, "It is the Lord."
What faith it must have taken to give up the worldly in favour of the Lord Jesus! What level of trust to believe Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, when He invites them to "Come and dine." (John 21:10)
This was now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after that He was risen from the dead. As we read further in the 21st chapter of John, we see Jesus again asking Simon Peter to love Him, and that if he did, he was to feed Jesus' sheep. Indeed, Jesus told him ...
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself and walked whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." (John 21:18)
Again, Jesus tells Simon Peter to "follow Me!"
We are to do the same, and when we do, we can be confident in our salvation. We can be confident that the work (or purpose placed in our hearts whilst still in our mother's womb) that He which hath begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ... (Philippians 1:1-19)
And when we believe on Jesus and obey His commandments, we like apostles Paul and Timotheus attest, can rejoice knowing that the preaching of Christ shall turn to salvation through prayer, "and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:19)
Yes, today is the day of salvation. Hear His voice and respond to the call to "follow Jesus." He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Stand in the offering plate.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ(by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised [us] up together and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus ... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)
But at the time when Jesus walked the earth, the totality and inclusiveness of the salvation message -- we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, but the gift from God -- was still off in the distance. Still, a shadow of the good things to come,
"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing, which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which [stood only] in meats and drinks and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposing [on them] until the time of reformation. But Christ being come as high priest of good things to come ..." (Hebrews 9:8-18)
And then comes Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. But this is the revelation we have today, but for the disciples, this understanding was yet to be revealed. In that context, we have the benefit of the Lord's Christ being witnessed by one and all. Most certainly, we know that for this cause -- the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, was to purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)
We understand from scripture, and by the witness of the Holy Ghost within us (confirming the Word) that God willingly became our Saviour, because of His love and kindness. But for the disciples, these only saw the man Jesus in their initial encounter. Even so, when Jesus beckoned for them to follow Him, they quickly gave up the things of this world to follow Him. One has to wonder what these saw in Jesus that so many people today -- oblivious to the greatest love story ever told to mankind - are willing to neglect. How our collective response to the good news gospel in this day and age must grieve the Lord who gave His all and all for us -- so that we might receive His gift of salvation, and be quickened from our trespasses and sins. But I digress.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, goes to find Nathaniel, and tells him -- "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write -- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph!" Nathaniel's response? "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said unto him, "Come and see."
Note that Philip in his excitement of knowing that Jesus was the same Christ of whom Moses in the law and the prophets spoke of was now running to find Nathaniel, and he would not be put off by Nathaniel's negativity. "Come and see ..." invites Philip, "Come and see ..."
Jesus, who sees Nathaniel coming, says unto him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathaniel says unto Jesus, "Whence knowest Thou me?" And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee."
And therein, the revelation. Nathaniel answers, saying unto Jesus, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee; I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these." And then He saith unto him also, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (John 1:43-51)
Wow! It is no wonder the disciples left their day to day to follow Jesus.
We see Nathaniel again in John 21 when Jesus shows Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. By now, Jesus has been crucified, and risen from the tomb. He has since appeared to the disciples, including Thomas, who upon reaching his hand into Jesus' side, declared Jesus to be "my Lord and my God." (John 20:26-31)
Note that Simon Peter has decided to go a fishing, and the other disciples with him also. When the morning was now come, Jesus again shews Himself to the disciples, standing on the shore. But the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, "Children, have ye any meat?" They answered, "No." Jesus then tells them to cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find." (John 21:1-6) And when they did, and the nets were full of the multitude of fishes, the disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, "It is the Lord."
What faith it must have taken to give up the worldly in favour of the Lord Jesus! What level of trust to believe Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, when He invites them to "Come and dine." (John 21:10)
This was now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after that He was risen from the dead. As we read further in the 21st chapter of John, we see Jesus again asking Simon Peter to love Him, and that if he did, he was to feed Jesus' sheep. Indeed, Jesus told him ...
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself and walked whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." (John 21:18)
Again, Jesus tells Simon Peter to "follow Me!"
We are to do the same, and when we do, we can be confident in our salvation. We can be confident that the work (or purpose placed in our hearts whilst still in our mother's womb) that He which hath begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ... (Philippians 1:1-19)
And when we believe on Jesus and obey His commandments, we like apostles Paul and Timotheus attest, can rejoice knowing that the preaching of Christ shall turn to salvation through prayer, "and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:19)
Yes, today is the day of salvation. Hear His voice and respond to the call to "follow Jesus." He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Stand in the offering plate.
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