THROUGH THE SPIRIT
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
What does it mean to walk after the flesh, or after the Spirit? How are we to know the difference? Can we, through ignorance, be mistaken about which one we are following?
It sounds like it is a matter of life or death. Perhaps we should take a good long look at the matter.
I don't claim to be an authority on the subject, but I have done a little bit of thinking about it. Let me run past you some of those thoughts.
I ran across a scripture years ago which seemed to make a little more sense out of what Paul is writing to the Romans here.
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
I have underlined the phrase "I follow after" to emphasize what I am trying to say.
Here is what it means to me. A simple little illustration will let you know where I am coming from.
As a boy on the farm, I would lead an old horse out of the barn twice a day. I would lead him to the watering trough. He would follow me there, and follow me back, or anywhere else I chose to lead him. He followed my leadings. (Most of the time, that is). The horse walked after me.
Here it is again: Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
And again: Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Occasionally, we hear people sort of bragging about their accomplishments in God, as though they should be given some of the credit.
The only thing to our credit is that we have learned a little bit about how to follow the Spirit as it endeavours to lead us into a better life, the life of the Spirit.
There are many flesh-inspired rules of conduct, etc., that might give us a goal to aim at, but ONLY THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAN ACCOMPLISH holiness (separatedness) in our lives. No code of ethics will be sufficient, no matter how well intentioned it may be, nor how strictly we adhere to the rules.
Too many times we follow the rules very closely, while the heart is left untouched by the Spirit.
Fleshly strivings and efforts will do nothing but fail, and leave us stranded without the desired relationship with God.
It will take the POWER OF THE SPIRIT TO ACCOMPLISH HOLINESS IN US.
Fleshly efforts fall under the category of FLESH.
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
LET US FOLLOW AFTER THE SPIRIT.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
UNDESIGNATED PRAYERS
UNDESIGNATED PRAYERS
Have you ever thought about how much of our prayer time is devoted to specific things we want the Lord to do for us? I have, and, frankly, what I see worries me a little bit.
Is it possible that we have let ourselves drift into a condition of being so self-possessed that we are unable to see any needs other than those of our own immediate circle?
Surely there are many more needs out there than we know about, and some of those needs will not have anyone praying for them. Shall we call them the "lost causes"? No one is presenting them before the Throne of God.
THERE IS A NEED FOR UNDESIGNATED PRAYERS IN THE WORK OF THE LORD.
I believe that one major purpose of God having given to us the means of praying in the Spirit, or in the Holy Ghost, is to have some "undesignated" prayers to work with. They can be directed to where the need is greatest at any given time.
The Bible tells us that when we are praying in the Spirit (in the unknown tongue), we are speaking mysteries (things not known to us).
Jerry Minton called them "Divine Secret Things".
Perhaps someone half-a-continent away is in desperate need at that moment, and no one knows about it, except the Holy Spirit. If we have been exercised in Spiritual Prayer, we can be called upon by the Spirit to plead their cause before the Throne of God.
There is not a lot of glamour in it, and you will never be able to say that it was YOUR prayers that did the job. Neither will you know which job got done, but, rest assured that the Lord knows, and your reward is secure.
------------------------------------
| THE SPIRIT NEVER MISSES TARGET |
| WHEN WE PRAY IN THE SPIRIT, |
| THE JOB ALWAYS GETS DONE. |
------------------------------------
Don't stop until the Spirit is through with you. Some jobs are not as easy as the others, and may take a little more "groaning", but stay with it, and the job will be done.
Have you ever thought about how much of our prayer time is devoted to specific things we want the Lord to do for us? I have, and, frankly, what I see worries me a little bit.
Is it possible that we have let ourselves drift into a condition of being so self-possessed that we are unable to see any needs other than those of our own immediate circle?
Surely there are many more needs out there than we know about, and some of those needs will not have anyone praying for them. Shall we call them the "lost causes"? No one is presenting them before the Throne of God.
THERE IS A NEED FOR UNDESIGNATED PRAYERS IN THE WORK OF THE LORD.
I believe that one major purpose of God having given to us the means of praying in the Spirit, or in the Holy Ghost, is to have some "undesignated" prayers to work with. They can be directed to where the need is greatest at any given time.
The Bible tells us that when we are praying in the Spirit (in the unknown tongue), we are speaking mysteries (things not known to us).
Jerry Minton called them "Divine Secret Things".
Perhaps someone half-a-continent away is in desperate need at that moment, and no one knows about it, except the Holy Spirit. If we have been exercised in Spiritual Prayer, we can be called upon by the Spirit to plead their cause before the Throne of God.
There is not a lot of glamour in it, and you will never be able to say that it was YOUR prayers that did the job. Neither will you know which job got done, but, rest assured that the Lord knows, and your reward is secure.
------------------------------------
| THE SPIRIT NEVER MISSES TARGET |
| WHEN WE PRAY IN THE SPIRIT, |
| THE JOB ALWAYS GETS DONE. |
------------------------------------
Don't stop until the Spirit is through with you. Some jobs are not as easy as the others, and may take a little more "groaning", but stay with it, and the job will be done.
WORSHIP
WORSHIP
Did you know that WORSHIP is different than PRAISE? And it is a BIG difference, at that.
Often, in our services, both Praise and Worship are present, but Praise is usually the predominant part.
The Lord probably accepts Praise from any and all of us who know Him. We should continually be in an attitude of Praise and thankfulness for His goodness to us, unworthy as we are.
Worship, however, requires somewhat more a LIFESTYLE that is in line with the princliples of the Bible. The root word means to "kiss the hand toward". It involves a much closer RELATIONSHIP to Jesus. It involves a DEDICATION to God.
A friend of mine told me that the Lord had made him to know that a certain element of his lifestyle was offensive to Him, and as long as my friend allowed it to exist, there could be no close relationship between them. Needless to say, my friend CHANGED his LIFESTYLE, and now has a closer walk with the Lord.
Should we, periodically, examine our activities in the light of the Word of God, to assure that we are not OFFENDING God by our LIFESTYLE? If we are, we need to change to a life that is consistent with the Word of God.
Luke 16:15 -- Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Did you know that WORSHIP is different than PRAISE? And it is a BIG difference, at that.
Often, in our services, both Praise and Worship are present, but Praise is usually the predominant part.
The Lord probably accepts Praise from any and all of us who know Him. We should continually be in an attitude of Praise and thankfulness for His goodness to us, unworthy as we are.
Worship, however, requires somewhat more a LIFESTYLE that is in line with the princliples of the Bible. The root word means to "kiss the hand toward". It involves a much closer RELATIONSHIP to Jesus. It involves a DEDICATION to God.
A friend of mine told me that the Lord had made him to know that a certain element of his lifestyle was offensive to Him, and as long as my friend allowed it to exist, there could be no close relationship between them. Needless to say, my friend CHANGED his LIFESTYLE, and now has a closer walk with the Lord.
Should we, periodically, examine our activities in the light of the Word of God, to assure that we are not OFFENDING God by our LIFESTYLE? If we are, we need to change to a life that is consistent with the Word of God.
Luke 16:15 -- Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
THE SEED, THE WORD OF GOD
THE SEED--THE WORD OF GOD
Jesus told a parable to His disciples one day. He told them (Lk 8:4-15) about seeds falling on different kinds of ground.
The emphasis was on the seed, and what it would do if given a chance. He was showing them that seed is to the ground what the Word of God is to the heart of men.
Motives sown in the heart create actions.
Divine Motives create Divine Life.
A burning conviction creates a shining life.
The Word, unhampered, will always produce fruit (life).
The soil does not change the seed, except to develop it.
The seed performs the miracle. It changes dust into fruit.
Fruit is Scripture reproduced in Life.
Jesus told a parable to His disciples one day. He told them (Lk 8:4-15) about seeds falling on different kinds of ground.
The emphasis was on the seed, and what it would do if given a chance. He was showing them that seed is to the ground what the Word of God is to the heart of men.
Motives sown in the heart create actions.
Divine Motives create Divine Life.
A burning conviction creates a shining life.
The Word, unhampered, will always produce fruit (life).
The soil does not change the seed, except to develop it.
The seed performs the miracle. It changes dust into fruit.
Fruit is Scripture reproduced in Life.
THE SELFSAME DAY
THE SELFSAME DAY
Many years ago, I came upon a phrase which "grabbed" me, and wouldn't let me go. It is found in Exodus 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even THE SELFSAME DAY it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, [that] the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
I wondered what had marked the BEGINNING of the four hundred and thirty years. When did they begin? What was the occasion, and who were the "players" in the event?
My quest took me into many places, and many families, and over much history. But I finally arrived at an answer which satisfied me. The last pieces of the puzzle came together a few days ago.
I had to go back to 1920 B.C. when the Lord commanded Abraham to divide the carcasses of different birds and animals and make a sacrifice. Abraham stood and faithfully guarded the sacrifice from the vultures and other predators until the evening. Then, the Lord appeared and made a covenant with Abraham.
Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. BUT IN THE FOURTH GENERATION THEY SHALL COME HITHER AGAIN: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.
The children of Israel were to be in Egypt for four generations, and in those four generations they would multiply from seventy souls to become a company of 2 to 3 million people. How could they do it? The Bible simply says that they "multiplied exceedingly" while they were there. Pearl and I have three generations following us, and we number 25 today, all told. Abraham's descendants through Isaac numbered 70 people through Isaac at the middle of the fourth generation before going into Egypt.
Pharez, of generation 5, went into Egypt. The fourth man below him, Nahshon, came out of Egypt as the head of the tribe of Judah.
How many kids would each family have in it, for such a multiplication to be accomplished in four generations? Is there any way to figure it out? (Exceedingly!!!!)
The BEGINNING of the four hundred and thirty years began in 1920 B.C. on the plain where God met Abraham and passed between the pieces of the divided sacrifice-- the sign of an immutable covenant.
One word, "sojourning" enters into the equation. Exodus 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, [was] four hundred and thirty years.
God met Abraham in 1920 B.C.. Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt in 1490 B.C.. It equals 430 years. Nine generations in 430 years. About right?
But, there is MORE. Later.
Many years ago, I came upon a phrase which "grabbed" me, and wouldn't let me go. It is found in Exodus 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even THE SELFSAME DAY it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, [that] the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
I wondered what had marked the BEGINNING of the four hundred and thirty years. When did they begin? What was the occasion, and who were the "players" in the event?
My quest took me into many places, and many families, and over much history. But I finally arrived at an answer which satisfied me. The last pieces of the puzzle came together a few days ago.
I had to go back to 1920 B.C. when the Lord commanded Abraham to divide the carcasses of different birds and animals and make a sacrifice. Abraham stood and faithfully guarded the sacrifice from the vultures and other predators until the evening. Then, the Lord appeared and made a covenant with Abraham.
Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. BUT IN THE FOURTH GENERATION THEY SHALL COME HITHER AGAIN: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.
The children of Israel were to be in Egypt for four generations, and in those four generations they would multiply from seventy souls to become a company of 2 to 3 million people. How could they do it? The Bible simply says that they "multiplied exceedingly" while they were there. Pearl and I have three generations following us, and we number 25 today, all told. Abraham's descendants through Isaac numbered 70 people through Isaac at the middle of the fourth generation before going into Egypt.
Pharez, of generation 5, went into Egypt. The fourth man below him, Nahshon, came out of Egypt as the head of the tribe of Judah.
How many kids would each family have in it, for such a multiplication to be accomplished in four generations? Is there any way to figure it out? (Exceedingly!!!!)
The BEGINNING of the four hundred and thirty years began in 1920 B.C. on the plain where God met Abraham and passed between the pieces of the divided sacrifice-- the sign of an immutable covenant.
One word, "sojourning" enters into the equation. Exodus 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, [was] four hundred and thirty years.
God met Abraham in 1920 B.C.. Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt in 1490 B.C.. It equals 430 years. Nine generations in 430 years. About right?
But, there is MORE. Later.
SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE FOUND
SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE FOUND
II Kings 7:9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day [is] a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.
This is the conversation of four lepers who had come upon the empty camp of the Syrian army. They had been driven by desperation and hunger to go out to the camp, from the beseiged city of Samaria. People were starving-- so much so that two women had agreed to kill and eat their sons-- one that day, the other the next day. But the second mother had hidden her son, and the matter was brought before the king.
As is usually the case, the Man of God got the blame for the situation. He had been warning the people for a long time that judgment would come if they didn't amend their ways. Isn't it amazing how we seek to lay the blame for our condition on someone else? The Man of God is always a handy target.
Also, as is usually the case, the people had ignored the warnings od the Prophet. Judgment did come-- in the form of the Syrian army, who surrounded the city, to starve the inhabitants out.
These four lepers, outside the gates of the city were getting very hungry themselves. They decided that it would be no worse to die at the hands of the Syrians than to starve to death where they were.
When they approached the camp of the army, they heard nothing, saw nothing moving. The camp was deserted-- empty of humans-- no one was there. It was not important, at that point, what had happened to the army. That is another story in itself.
These lepers were just as much human as you and I are, so they started to gather up food, etc. and stash it for their own use. II Kings 7:8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid [it]; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence [also], and went and hid [it].
After a while, they realized that there would be enough of everything, so that the city could survive, if they would tell them about it.
We, like the lepers, have found a good thing. We should share it with those who have not yet learned about it. There is plenty for all to have some-- all they want.
That is why we preach. That is why we share the Good News over the wires. That is why we write, and mail to others the good things we have found in God's Word.
Today is a day of good tidings-- we dare not hold our peace.
II Kings 7:9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day [is] a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.
This is the conversation of four lepers who had come upon the empty camp of the Syrian army. They had been driven by desperation and hunger to go out to the camp, from the beseiged city of Samaria. People were starving-- so much so that two women had agreed to kill and eat their sons-- one that day, the other the next day. But the second mother had hidden her son, and the matter was brought before the king.
As is usually the case, the Man of God got the blame for the situation. He had been warning the people for a long time that judgment would come if they didn't amend their ways. Isn't it amazing how we seek to lay the blame for our condition on someone else? The Man of God is always a handy target.
Also, as is usually the case, the people had ignored the warnings od the Prophet. Judgment did come-- in the form of the Syrian army, who surrounded the city, to starve the inhabitants out.
These four lepers, outside the gates of the city were getting very hungry themselves. They decided that it would be no worse to die at the hands of the Syrians than to starve to death where they were.
When they approached the camp of the army, they heard nothing, saw nothing moving. The camp was deserted-- empty of humans-- no one was there. It was not important, at that point, what had happened to the army. That is another story in itself.
These lepers were just as much human as you and I are, so they started to gather up food, etc. and stash it for their own use. II Kings 7:8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid [it]; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence [also], and went and hid [it].
After a while, they realized that there would be enough of everything, so that the city could survive, if they would tell them about it.
We, like the lepers, have found a good thing. We should share it with those who have not yet learned about it. There is plenty for all to have some-- all they want.
That is why we preach. That is why we share the Good News over the wires. That is why we write, and mail to others the good things we have found in God's Word.
Today is a day of good tidings-- we dare not hold our peace.
A SHEEP, A SON
A SHEEP---A SON
Jesus told a story once about one sheep. At another time he told a story about one son.
A casual observation might leave the impression that they tell the same general story. BUT THE DO NOT! They do, however, each have a happy ending, but only by the mercy of God. Thank God for His Mercy. It is an enduring substance.
The sheep, in His story, was not able to know the way. It was helpless. So the Shepherd went searching for it, lest some predator find it and destroy it.
II Peter 3:9 The Lord is--not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The prodigal, however, was not lost. He was a typical teenager. He KNEW the comforts of home-- food, clothing, shelter, etc. But "home" was too restrictive for him-- you know the story. It can be summed up in a few words, like this:
WILLFUL: Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living.
WAYWARD: Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together,
WANDERING: and took his journey into a far country,
WASTEFUL: and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
WANTING: Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
WRETCHED: Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
WAKENING: Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
WELCOME: Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
IT IS WELL TO NOTE that the father DID NOT GO LOOKING FOR THE SON, to bring him back home. The prodigal was not helpless. He was not lost.
The prodigal had made his own choice, he had gone his own way. He had done his own thing. He had known what he was doing when he did it.
But he had not figured on the CONSEQUENCES of his actions. Lack of experience and wisdom was bound to take its toll, just as it will with you and me when we turn away from the Will of God as it is explained in the Word of God.
The way of the transgressor is hard. Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.
The prodigal did not "come to" until he was starving. It is so typical of human nature to insist on its own way-- clear down to the last ditch.
But the "last ditch" does appear on the horizon for every one who is running from God.
Remember Jonah. Remember Balaam-- though Balaam did not turn fast enough. He was killed in the middle of a scheme to destroy Israel. See Num. 31:8 & 16
How long do you and I dare to defy the Word of the Lord?
Will we "come to" in time to save ourselves from destruction?
Jesus told a story once about one sheep. At another time he told a story about one son.
A casual observation might leave the impression that they tell the same general story. BUT THE DO NOT! They do, however, each have a happy ending, but only by the mercy of God. Thank God for His Mercy. It is an enduring substance.
The sheep, in His story, was not able to know the way. It was helpless. So the Shepherd went searching for it, lest some predator find it and destroy it.
II Peter 3:9 The Lord is--not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The prodigal, however, was not lost. He was a typical teenager. He KNEW the comforts of home-- food, clothing, shelter, etc. But "home" was too restrictive for him-- you know the story. It can be summed up in a few words, like this:
WILLFUL: Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living.
WAYWARD: Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together,
WANDERING: and took his journey into a far country,
WASTEFUL: and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
WANTING: Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
WRETCHED: Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
WAKENING: Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
WELCOME: Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
IT IS WELL TO NOTE that the father DID NOT GO LOOKING FOR THE SON, to bring him back home. The prodigal was not helpless. He was not lost.
The prodigal had made his own choice, he had gone his own way. He had done his own thing. He had known what he was doing when he did it.
But he had not figured on the CONSEQUENCES of his actions. Lack of experience and wisdom was bound to take its toll, just as it will with you and me when we turn away from the Will of God as it is explained in the Word of God.
The way of the transgressor is hard. Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.
The prodigal did not "come to" until he was starving. It is so typical of human nature to insist on its own way-- clear down to the last ditch.
But the "last ditch" does appear on the horizon for every one who is running from God.
Remember Jonah. Remember Balaam-- though Balaam did not turn fast enough. He was killed in the middle of a scheme to destroy Israel. See Num. 31:8 & 16
How long do you and I dare to defy the Word of the Lord?
Will we "come to" in time to save ourselves from destruction?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
SATAN IS DEFEATED
SATAN IS DEFEATED
If you think Satan put Jesus on the Cross, think again! It was the Work Of God! Satan would have stopped it if he had been able, but he was powerless in the face of the plan of God.
"Yet it PLEASED THE LORD TO,--WHEN THOUSHALT MAKE HIS SOUL AN OFFERING FOR SIN,--AND THE PLEASURE OF THE LORD SHALL PROSPER." Isa 53
The work of Calvary was FINISHED when Jesus bowed His head and gave up the Ghost. He said "It is finished".
Satan's kingdom came crashing down over his head. He was defeated completely, and is now on a tether with very stringent limits to his activities. Huffing, puffing and bluffing is about all he can do.
Some mis-guided souls have written much (whole volumes of fictitious novels) about his supposed activities, and have produced a lot of fear in the hearts of unsuspecting Christians. This pleases satan very much, for he knows that fear and faith do not mix very well.
If we humans want to assist him by drawing attention to him, so much the better. The more attention that is focused on him, the less Faith in God will be demonstrated.
Most of the so-called demonic activity we see in Christian circles is no more than works of unsanctified flesh on parade. A lot of emotional problems are dubbed as satanic activity.
If you suspect anything, give the person some medicine. If it helps them, you can know that it was not demons. They do not respond to medicine.
And BE ASSURED, God is not so weak that He has to share a vessel with a demon spirit. It is either, or. If I have the Holy Ghost, I do not also have a demon.
IF SATAN CAN GET YOU TO FOCUS ON HIM, he can influence your thinking, and KEEP YOU DEFEATED AND AFRAID.
Finally, Brethren, whatsoever-----think on these things.
If you think Satan put Jesus on the Cross, think again! It was the Work Of God! Satan would have stopped it if he had been able, but he was powerless in the face of the plan of God.
"Yet it PLEASED THE LORD TO,--WHEN THOUSHALT MAKE HIS SOUL AN OFFERING FOR SIN,--AND THE PLEASURE OF THE LORD SHALL PROSPER." Isa 53
The work of Calvary was FINISHED when Jesus bowed His head and gave up the Ghost. He said "It is finished".
Satan's kingdom came crashing down over his head. He was defeated completely, and is now on a tether with very stringent limits to his activities. Huffing, puffing and bluffing is about all he can do.
Some mis-guided souls have written much (whole volumes of fictitious novels) about his supposed activities, and have produced a lot of fear in the hearts of unsuspecting Christians. This pleases satan very much, for he knows that fear and faith do not mix very well.
If we humans want to assist him by drawing attention to him, so much the better. The more attention that is focused on him, the less Faith in God will be demonstrated.
Most of the so-called demonic activity we see in Christian circles is no more than works of unsanctified flesh on parade. A lot of emotional problems are dubbed as satanic activity.
If you suspect anything, give the person some medicine. If it helps them, you can know that it was not demons. They do not respond to medicine.
And BE ASSURED, God is not so weak that He has to share a vessel with a demon spirit. It is either, or. If I have the Holy Ghost, I do not also have a demon.
IF SATAN CAN GET YOU TO FOCUS ON HIM, he can influence your thinking, and KEEP YOU DEFEATED AND AFRAID.
Finally, Brethren, whatsoever-----think on these things.
THE SECOND GOAT
THE SECOND GOAT
On the Day of Atonement, usually in September as we know time today, The High Priest performed a prophetic ceremony at the Tabernacle of Moses. He did it only once a year.
He first took the blood of a goat into the Tabernacle and sprinkled it on the furniture, including the Mercy Seat within the Holy of Holies. This was making Atonement for sins committed during the preceding year. Sins of commission, that is.
After he returned from the Holy of Holies, where he had sprinkled the blood of the first goat on the Mercy Seat, he was to perform another act of prophecy, portraying the work of Jesus.
The sprinkling of the blood on the Mercy Seat was a foreshadow of Jesus taking His own blood into the Holy of Holies in heaven. He did this after His resurrection.
Jesus is still in the Heavenly Sanctuary, making the intercession for us. Romans 8:34 ... [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
On the day these things were done, the second goat, which King James Version calls the scapegoat, waited until the High Priest returned from making intercession in the Holy of Holies. This fact is very important for us to know.
It was then time for this scapegoat (Azazel) to enact the prophecy of what Jesus will do for the Church when He appears "without sin, unto salvation." (To make our salvation complete)
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The scapegoat (Azazel) portrays a "complete removal" of sin. More than a forgiveness of sin, it is an extraction of the nature of sin which is still in us, even though we have been forgiven, and accepted of God.
Can you imagine what life would be like without the root principle of sin dwelling within us?
The nature of sin was given to us by Adam. We still have it, even though we know and love Jesus. But it will be dealt with.
If we follow on to know the Lord, we shall experience a wonderful transformation within our beings. It will happen on the day which was prefigured by the Day of Atonement in the ceremonies of the Law of Moses. Each ceremonial day was prophetic, and pointed toward Jesus and His workings in our lives. We have something to look forward to, something to prepare our hearts to receive. Not every one will experience it.
Hey! I am not writing about the so-called "Rapture" of the Church. That term was coined by a man named Darby in the mid 1800's, and is badly misleading.
Sad to say, our whole Christian theology seems to be warped into the shape of that fallacy, and we are mostly in a "swamp" of teaching today.
The term "caught up" has a different meaning than that which has been applied to it. Don't let this scare you. The fact that most everyone believes the teaching does not add any validity to it whatsoever. We have, mostly, been too lazy to search some of these things out for ourselves. It is easier to absorb from someone else than it is to dig out truth for ourselves.
The work of Jesus, portrayed by the second goat will not make us immortal and whisk us off to the beautiful isle of somewhere. BUT IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THOSE WHO ARE READY FOR IT. Not all Christians will qualify.
Herein is the danger of the Rapture teaching. It includes all of the Christians, and takes them off the earth entirely. The Scripture does not teach this at all.
The work of Jesus, at His appearing in the door of the Tabernacle is to completely remove the sin from those who are ready for it. It is speaking of the root principle of Adamic sin.
It is from this root principle of sin that all of our troubles stem. The Adamic principle of sin is passed from father to children. It is in the blood, and is transmitted by the line of blood.
The blood of a child is imparted by its father.
But-- Jesus was born of a virgin. No human blood line was involved, and there was no sexual contact of any sort.
Historical writings tell us that Mary had knew nothing of when it took place, nor how.
Mary was still a virgin when Jesus was born.
The Blood of Jesus, which He took within the vail, was His own pure blood. It qualified to atone for our sins of commission. When it was sprinkled on the heavenly Mercy Seat, it unleashed the full extent of God's Mercy toward mankind. There is no limit to it. It is boundless.
But we still have the nature of sin, and we still miss the mark. We must draw upon that boundless mercy very often. It is always there. Thank God for His Mercy.
One day, soon I hope, those who qualify shall "hear" the "voice of the Archangel", (in the spirit, that is) and shall experience a change which we have not thought possible. (Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death?)
I desperately want to be among those who "hear" that "shout", that "trumpet", that "voice" from the Heavenly realm.
That desire has made a change in the way I look at the vicissitudes of life in the midst of other human beings, who are every bit as carnal as I am. Adamic carnality produces friction, and that leads to trouble in the camp. No human relationship can be allowed to distract me from my purpose to be ready for His "appearing to those who look for Him." Heb 9:28
On the Day of Atonement, usually in September as we know time today, The High Priest performed a prophetic ceremony at the Tabernacle of Moses. He did it only once a year.
He first took the blood of a goat into the Tabernacle and sprinkled it on the furniture, including the Mercy Seat within the Holy of Holies. This was making Atonement for sins committed during the preceding year. Sins of commission, that is.
After he returned from the Holy of Holies, where he had sprinkled the blood of the first goat on the Mercy Seat, he was to perform another act of prophecy, portraying the work of Jesus.
The sprinkling of the blood on the Mercy Seat was a foreshadow of Jesus taking His own blood into the Holy of Holies in heaven. He did this after His resurrection.
Jesus is still in the Heavenly Sanctuary, making the intercession for us. Romans 8:34 ... [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
On the day these things were done, the second goat, which King James Version calls the scapegoat, waited until the High Priest returned from making intercession in the Holy of Holies. This fact is very important for us to know.
It was then time for this scapegoat (Azazel) to enact the prophecy of what Jesus will do for the Church when He appears "without sin, unto salvation." (To make our salvation complete)
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The scapegoat (Azazel) portrays a "complete removal" of sin. More than a forgiveness of sin, it is an extraction of the nature of sin which is still in us, even though we have been forgiven, and accepted of God.
Can you imagine what life would be like without the root principle of sin dwelling within us?
The nature of sin was given to us by Adam. We still have it, even though we know and love Jesus. But it will be dealt with.
If we follow on to know the Lord, we shall experience a wonderful transformation within our beings. It will happen on the day which was prefigured by the Day of Atonement in the ceremonies of the Law of Moses. Each ceremonial day was prophetic, and pointed toward Jesus and His workings in our lives. We have something to look forward to, something to prepare our hearts to receive. Not every one will experience it.
Hey! I am not writing about the so-called "Rapture" of the Church. That term was coined by a man named Darby in the mid 1800's, and is badly misleading.
Sad to say, our whole Christian theology seems to be warped into the shape of that fallacy, and we are mostly in a "swamp" of teaching today.
The term "caught up" has a different meaning than that which has been applied to it. Don't let this scare you. The fact that most everyone believes the teaching does not add any validity to it whatsoever. We have, mostly, been too lazy to search some of these things out for ourselves. It is easier to absorb from someone else than it is to dig out truth for ourselves.
The work of Jesus, portrayed by the second goat will not make us immortal and whisk us off to the beautiful isle of somewhere. BUT IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THOSE WHO ARE READY FOR IT. Not all Christians will qualify.
Herein is the danger of the Rapture teaching. It includes all of the Christians, and takes them off the earth entirely. The Scripture does not teach this at all.
The work of Jesus, at His appearing in the door of the Tabernacle is to completely remove the sin from those who are ready for it. It is speaking of the root principle of Adamic sin.
It is from this root principle of sin that all of our troubles stem. The Adamic principle of sin is passed from father to children. It is in the blood, and is transmitted by the line of blood.
The blood of a child is imparted by its father.
But-- Jesus was born of a virgin. No human blood line was involved, and there was no sexual contact of any sort.
Historical writings tell us that Mary had knew nothing of when it took place, nor how.
Mary was still a virgin when Jesus was born.
The Blood of Jesus, which He took within the vail, was His own pure blood. It qualified to atone for our sins of commission. When it was sprinkled on the heavenly Mercy Seat, it unleashed the full extent of God's Mercy toward mankind. There is no limit to it. It is boundless.
But we still have the nature of sin, and we still miss the mark. We must draw upon that boundless mercy very often. It is always there. Thank God for His Mercy.
One day, soon I hope, those who qualify shall "hear" the "voice of the Archangel", (in the spirit, that is) and shall experience a change which we have not thought possible. (Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death?)
I desperately want to be among those who "hear" that "shout", that "trumpet", that "voice" from the Heavenly realm.
That desire has made a change in the way I look at the vicissitudes of life in the midst of other human beings, who are every bit as carnal as I am. Adamic carnality produces friction, and that leads to trouble in the camp. No human relationship can be allowed to distract me from my purpose to be ready for His "appearing to those who look for Him." Heb 9:28
THE SECRET OF HIS PRESENCE
THE SECRET OF HIS PRESENCE
The Psalmist said (91) "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
Not long ago, it seemed that the Lord said, "I will discover to you the Secret of My Presence." I have often mentioned that we can "practice the presence of the Lord." I used the term to encourage people to develop a habit of thinking on the Lord when they were occupied with doing something which did not demand their full attention. Teach the mind to think on the Lord while you are milking the cows, driving the car or tractor, weeding the garden, etc. etc.
But, apparently it goes deeper than that-- else He would not say He would DISCOVER, or allow our spiritual eyes to see what they can not presently behold.
It must be denoting a certain type of relationship to Jesus which can only be entered into by invitation from the Lord, and would seem to be a reward for diligence in our pursuit of His Favor. That is also called "seeking His Face."
Is it possible that there are dimensions in God that we know very little about at this time, which can be as real to us as what we experience today?
I have often quoted Psalms 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
David, in his prayer of repentance, cried to the Lord for mercy. Psalms 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
He also wrote in one of the psalms-- Psalms 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Nahum wrote-- Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
If there is a deeper experience in God that is attainable, I, for one, surely am a candidate to seek for it.
Or was I having a pipe dream when I thought the Lord spoke those words to me?
The Psalmist said (91) "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
Not long ago, it seemed that the Lord said, "I will discover to you the Secret of My Presence." I have often mentioned that we can "practice the presence of the Lord." I used the term to encourage people to develop a habit of thinking on the Lord when they were occupied with doing something which did not demand their full attention. Teach the mind to think on the Lord while you are milking the cows, driving the car or tractor, weeding the garden, etc. etc.
But, apparently it goes deeper than that-- else He would not say He would DISCOVER, or allow our spiritual eyes to see what they can not presently behold.
It must be denoting a certain type of relationship to Jesus which can only be entered into by invitation from the Lord, and would seem to be a reward for diligence in our pursuit of His Favor. That is also called "seeking His Face."
Is it possible that there are dimensions in God that we know very little about at this time, which can be as real to us as what we experience today?
I have often quoted Psalms 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
David, in his prayer of repentance, cried to the Lord for mercy. Psalms 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
He also wrote in one of the psalms-- Psalms 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Nahum wrote-- Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
If there is a deeper experience in God that is attainable, I, for one, surely am a candidate to seek for it.
Or was I having a pipe dream when I thought the Lord spoke those words to me?
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
When I was a young man, assisting an older Pastor of a PCI (Pentecostal Church Incorporated) church, before the merger which created the United Pentecostal Church, I heard some of the other ministers talking about the revival of the Roman Empire. I was fresh out of Bible School, soon to be married, and had never heard about such a thing as they were discussing. I was all ears, but I could only hear one side of the question, because most of the ministers were, at that time, of the persuasion that the old empire would, indeed, be revived in the last days. I was intensely interested.
Yet, through all of the listening, I was somewhat dubious of the idea. You know how some things are-- they just don't seem to "put the plow in the ground", as the farm vernacular went in those days (the late 30's).
I kept quiet, for I didn't think it proper for a young "whipper snapper" to accost older men with a different opinion. The nagging doubt drove me to the Bible, but it only served to confuse me more than I already was. The reason for the confusion was that the ONLY tools I had for understanding the Word of God were those of my human understanding. The Lord was not ready to reveal anything to me yet along that line, so there was not appreciable understanding of what is written on the paper of the Bible.
Herein lies one of the MOST IMPORTANT lessons of Bible Study that a person can learn. We might as well wait for God to give us a revelation of the TRUE meaning of the words on the paper. Any conclusions drawn from what human knowledge we have, will almost without fail, be wrong and misleading. Seek God for the meaning, and WAIT UNTIL IT COMES.
I DID wait, for several years, before I arrived at a place in Spiritual development where the Lord seemed to ascertain that I was ready for His Word to be revealed to me. I can not say that I was delighted by what the Lord showed me. It was not exactly what I had wanted to hear, though I had already seen a few signs pointing in that direction. My reckoning is that the Lord was giving me some answers in bite-size form, and I did not realize what was happening.
I have preached for many years that Communism could never become a world-wide government. Neither can any other ideology, for that matter-- not United Nations, not NATO, certainly not Islam. The Bible allows for FOUR world-wide Gentile kingdoms, and they are all history-- except one aspect of the fourth kingdom. It is still with us-- real as life itself, but unrecognized by the multitudes. It is, in its own way, wielding the full powers of the fourth kingdom from which it came-- hurtling headlong to its destruction. God Himself, will bring that destruction about-- by His Spirit.
Daniel, and John in the Revelation, teach us about the four kingdoms. Daniel can only speak in vague terms about them, for some of the latter-day facts were too far away for him to describe clearly. John, however, was much closer to them, and could describe them in much more detail, using somewhat different terms in those descriptions.
I can not lay claim to knowledge about many of the details of either narrative (I am still waiting for the revelation from the Lord), but the over-all picture has become clear enough for me to speak freely about it to those who show an interest. I am amazed at how few people, comparatively, are even the least bit interested.
Will the old ROMAN EMPIRE BE REVIVED? Many famous authors and television evangelist sure NEED to see it happen. But IT IS NOT "IN THE CARDS."
What we are confronted with today is an EXTENSION, rather than a REVIVAL of that old, cruel, strong, vicious kingdom "speaking loudly" into the affairs of humanity-- even nations, today, wielding tremendous influence over even governments all over the world.
It is the "little horn" of the book of Daniel. It is the "man of sin" found in 2Thes 2. The "man of sin" is a SYSTEM rather than an individual.
When I was a young man, assisting an older Pastor of a PCI (Pentecostal Church Incorporated) church, before the merger which created the United Pentecostal Church, I heard some of the other ministers talking about the revival of the Roman Empire. I was fresh out of Bible School, soon to be married, and had never heard about such a thing as they were discussing. I was all ears, but I could only hear one side of the question, because most of the ministers were, at that time, of the persuasion that the old empire would, indeed, be revived in the last days. I was intensely interested.
Yet, through all of the listening, I was somewhat dubious of the idea. You know how some things are-- they just don't seem to "put the plow in the ground", as the farm vernacular went in those days (the late 30's).
I kept quiet, for I didn't think it proper for a young "whipper snapper" to accost older men with a different opinion. The nagging doubt drove me to the Bible, but it only served to confuse me more than I already was. The reason for the confusion was that the ONLY tools I had for understanding the Word of God were those of my human understanding. The Lord was not ready to reveal anything to me yet along that line, so there was not appreciable understanding of what is written on the paper of the Bible.
Herein lies one of the MOST IMPORTANT lessons of Bible Study that a person can learn. We might as well wait for God to give us a revelation of the TRUE meaning of the words on the paper. Any conclusions drawn from what human knowledge we have, will almost without fail, be wrong and misleading. Seek God for the meaning, and WAIT UNTIL IT COMES.
I DID wait, for several years, before I arrived at a place in Spiritual development where the Lord seemed to ascertain that I was ready for His Word to be revealed to me. I can not say that I was delighted by what the Lord showed me. It was not exactly what I had wanted to hear, though I had already seen a few signs pointing in that direction. My reckoning is that the Lord was giving me some answers in bite-size form, and I did not realize what was happening.
I have preached for many years that Communism could never become a world-wide government. Neither can any other ideology, for that matter-- not United Nations, not NATO, certainly not Islam. The Bible allows for FOUR world-wide Gentile kingdoms, and they are all history-- except one aspect of the fourth kingdom. It is still with us-- real as life itself, but unrecognized by the multitudes. It is, in its own way, wielding the full powers of the fourth kingdom from which it came-- hurtling headlong to its destruction. God Himself, will bring that destruction about-- by His Spirit.
Daniel, and John in the Revelation, teach us about the four kingdoms. Daniel can only speak in vague terms about them, for some of the latter-day facts were too far away for him to describe clearly. John, however, was much closer to them, and could describe them in much more detail, using somewhat different terms in those descriptions.
I can not lay claim to knowledge about many of the details of either narrative (I am still waiting for the revelation from the Lord), but the over-all picture has become clear enough for me to speak freely about it to those who show an interest. I am amazed at how few people, comparatively, are even the least bit interested.
Will the old ROMAN EMPIRE BE REVIVED? Many famous authors and television evangelist sure NEED to see it happen. But IT IS NOT "IN THE CARDS."
What we are confronted with today is an EXTENSION, rather than a REVIVAL of that old, cruel, strong, vicious kingdom "speaking loudly" into the affairs of humanity-- even nations, today, wielding tremendous influence over even governments all over the world.
It is the "little horn" of the book of Daniel. It is the "man of sin" found in 2Thes 2. The "man of sin" is a SYSTEM rather than an individual.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
Faith is much like a finely ground diamond. There are many facets to it, and any attempt to describe it by looking at it from one angle only is an exercise in futility. It beggars description from finite, human understanding.
But, let me draw your attention to one aspect of Faith which has, to my mind, been neglected somewhat by our fascination with the type of Faith which helps us to get things from God.
Don't misunderstand me. There is NOTHING WRONG with getting things from God-- expecting a miracle each day.
But the Armour of God has a SHIELD OF FAITH, which has nothing to do with daily miracles. It is the most essential part of the Armour.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
When we are beset on all sides with problems and misfortunes, we need something to help us fend off such darts as doubt, discouragement and bewilderment. We need SHIELD faith at these times. What is SHIELD faith? We please God if we have it, but fail utterly if we lack it.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, (GOD) and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
An old saying was, "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on."
We falter in the vicissitudes of life unless we have an unfaltering trust in the reality of God's presence and control in our lives.
That is SHIELD faith.
That is VICTORY faith. That is OVERCOMING faith.
I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (and as such, has complete control of every aspect of our lives.)
In writing to Timothy, Paul mentions the FIGHT OF FAITH in two places. The FIGHT involves maintaining our CONFIDENCE in God under all circumstances which He IN HIS WISDOM allows to come our way.
I Timothy 6:12 FIGHT the good FIGHT of FAITH, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast PROFESSED a GOOD PROFESSION before many witnesses.
II Timothy 4:7 I have FOUGHT a GOOD FIGHT, I have finished [my] course, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.
OVERCOMING FAITH is persuaded that everything which comes our way has had to pass the scrutiny of the eyes of "Him with whom we have to do" before it got to us. HE ALLOWED IT FOR A PURPOSE.
I Peter 1:7 That the trial (documenting, assaying, proving) of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
James 1:3 Knowing [this], that the trying (documenting, assaying, proving) of your faith worketh patience (continuance, remaining under).
These trials, times of testing, do not always turn out to our human benefit. Sometimes we suffer severe losses, WITH GOD'S PERMISSION. Yes, He is STILL A GOD OF LOVE. The strengthening of our commitment to Him is of far greater value than our earthly well being and possessions.
Often, the hottest part of the battle is to keep our confidence intact-- to prevent it from becoming shattered.
Questions such as, "Why? Why me? What are you doing?" tear big chunks out of our SHIELD FAITH.
Jesus prayed for Peter-- not that Peter would be spared the trial, BUT THAT HIS FAITH FAIL NOT.
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
WHEN GOD'S PURPOSES ARE ACCOMPLISHED, the testing will stop.
I Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 56:11 In God have I put my trust:
Faith is much like a finely ground diamond. There are many facets to it, and any attempt to describe it by looking at it from one angle only is an exercise in futility. It beggars description from finite, human understanding.
But, let me draw your attention to one aspect of Faith which has, to my mind, been neglected somewhat by our fascination with the type of Faith which helps us to get things from God.
Don't misunderstand me. There is NOTHING WRONG with getting things from God-- expecting a miracle each day.
But the Armour of God has a SHIELD OF FAITH, which has nothing to do with daily miracles. It is the most essential part of the Armour.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
When we are beset on all sides with problems and misfortunes, we need something to help us fend off such darts as doubt, discouragement and bewilderment. We need SHIELD faith at these times. What is SHIELD faith? We please God if we have it, but fail utterly if we lack it.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, (GOD) and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
An old saying was, "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on."
We falter in the vicissitudes of life unless we have an unfaltering trust in the reality of God's presence and control in our lives.
That is SHIELD faith.
That is VICTORY faith. That is OVERCOMING faith.
I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (and as such, has complete control of every aspect of our lives.)
In writing to Timothy, Paul mentions the FIGHT OF FAITH in two places. The FIGHT involves maintaining our CONFIDENCE in God under all circumstances which He IN HIS WISDOM allows to come our way.
I Timothy 6:12 FIGHT the good FIGHT of FAITH, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast PROFESSED a GOOD PROFESSION before many witnesses.
II Timothy 4:7 I have FOUGHT a GOOD FIGHT, I have finished [my] course, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.
OVERCOMING FAITH is persuaded that everything which comes our way has had to pass the scrutiny of the eyes of "Him with whom we have to do" before it got to us. HE ALLOWED IT FOR A PURPOSE.
I Peter 1:7 That the trial (documenting, assaying, proving) of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
James 1:3 Knowing [this], that the trying (documenting, assaying, proving) of your faith worketh patience (continuance, remaining under).
These trials, times of testing, do not always turn out to our human benefit. Sometimes we suffer severe losses, WITH GOD'S PERMISSION. Yes, He is STILL A GOD OF LOVE. The strengthening of our commitment to Him is of far greater value than our earthly well being and possessions.
Often, the hottest part of the battle is to keep our confidence intact-- to prevent it from becoming shattered.
Questions such as, "Why? Why me? What are you doing?" tear big chunks out of our SHIELD FAITH.
Jesus prayed for Peter-- not that Peter would be spared the trial, BUT THAT HIS FAITH FAIL NOT.
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
WHEN GOD'S PURPOSES ARE ACCOMPLISHED, the testing will stop.
I Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 56:11 In God have I put my trust:
MAINTAINING SALVATION
MAINTAINING SALVATION
Amplified rendering of Phil 2:12 has a notation at "work out" which defines it as "Cultivate". Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, *work out* (cultivate) your own salvation with fear and trembling.
This does not, in any way, imply that we can, by our own efforts, add to or complement what Jesus Christ purchased for us at Calvary. Salvation must, forever, remain a free gift.
When we cultivate, we watch over, maintain, keep in good repair, what has been entrusted to us.
We are told to *not neglect* (treat lightly, as of little value) so great Salvation. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];
We are told to *maintain* (keep in order) certain aspects of the Christian life. Titus 3:8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. *These things are good and profitable unto men*
We are admonished to *have Grace* (maintain a relationship of Grace with Jesus) *whereby* (denoting the channel of an act) we-- Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Working through the channel of Grace is the only way to *acceptibly* serve the Lord.
The wisdom of man fizzles. The most elaborate programs of human ingenuity fail miserably. Only what we can do through the Grace of God is effective.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
"For we are labourers together with God: Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." 1Cor 3:9
Amplified rendering of Phil 2:12 has a notation at "work out" which defines it as "Cultivate". Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, *work out* (cultivate) your own salvation with fear and trembling.
This does not, in any way, imply that we can, by our own efforts, add to or complement what Jesus Christ purchased for us at Calvary. Salvation must, forever, remain a free gift.
When we cultivate, we watch over, maintain, keep in good repair, what has been entrusted to us.
We are told to *not neglect* (treat lightly, as of little value) so great Salvation. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];
We are told to *maintain* (keep in order) certain aspects of the Christian life. Titus 3:8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. *These things are good and profitable unto men*
We are admonished to *have Grace* (maintain a relationship of Grace with Jesus) *whereby* (denoting the channel of an act) we-- Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Working through the channel of Grace is the only way to *acceptibly* serve the Lord.
The wisdom of man fizzles. The most elaborate programs of human ingenuity fail miserably. Only what we can do through the Grace of God is effective.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
"For we are labourers together with God: Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." 1Cor 3:9
WHAT SHALL I RENDER?
WHAT SHALL I RENDER
Psalms 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Twice in the 116th Psalm David makes this same statement. Of course, there are other things he said he would do, but the term "Call upon the Name of the Lord" caught my eye, and I felt I needed to know more about what it means to do it.
I was surprised by what I found. It is one of those words (Strong's #7121) which could be, and has been, translated different ways. Early in the Bible it is found-- Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.
It is translated "Call" about 500 times, but there are places where it might have been more properly rendered another word-- which, indeed, it was many times.
Three outstanding ways it was also translated are: "Proclaim" (Lev 25:10 et al.), "Publish" (Deu 32:3 et al.) and "Preach." (Neh 6:7, Jonah 3:2)
The two scriptures I have printed above are, in my estimation, two places where it might have been better if the translators had used one of the three alternate words.
It sure changed the face of things when I discovered that the Hebrew word could be, and had been, translated differently with these alternate words.
You will admit with me that there is a vast difference between simply "calling upon" the Name of the Lord, and "Proclaiming, Publishing, Preaching" the Name of the Lord. Yet, they all come from the same root word in the Hebrew text.
"What shall I render-- for all His benefits--? First, I should take the cup of Salvation. That is the first, and most important step.
Then, it would be fitting if I told others about the Name of the Lord, which has become my "Strong Tower, my Rock; my Shield, and the Horn of my Salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Saviour."
Psalms 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Twice in the 116th Psalm David makes this same statement. Of course, there are other things he said he would do, but the term "Call upon the Name of the Lord" caught my eye, and I felt I needed to know more about what it means to do it.
I was surprised by what I found. It is one of those words (Strong's #7121) which could be, and has been, translated different ways. Early in the Bible it is found-- Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.
It is translated "Call" about 500 times, but there are places where it might have been more properly rendered another word-- which, indeed, it was many times.
Three outstanding ways it was also translated are: "Proclaim" (Lev 25:10 et al.), "Publish" (Deu 32:3 et al.) and "Preach." (Neh 6:7, Jonah 3:2)
The two scriptures I have printed above are, in my estimation, two places where it might have been better if the translators had used one of the three alternate words.
It sure changed the face of things when I discovered that the Hebrew word could be, and had been, translated differently with these alternate words.
You will admit with me that there is a vast difference between simply "calling upon" the Name of the Lord, and "Proclaiming, Publishing, Preaching" the Name of the Lord. Yet, they all come from the same root word in the Hebrew text.
"What shall I render-- for all His benefits--? First, I should take the cup of Salvation. That is the first, and most important step.
Then, it would be fitting if I told others about the Name of the Lord, which has become my "Strong Tower, my Rock; my Shield, and the Horn of my Salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Saviour."
REFUGE BECAUSE
REFUGE BECAUSE
Psalm 91 has a few things which I want to touch on right now. It has been quoted many times by many people who were in bad circumstances, and has given them strength to hold up in those hard places.
Three times the word "because" is used, leading us to condlude that there is a reason for our safety in Jesus, and our being delivered when in time of trouble.
Psalms 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my REFUGE, [even] the most High, thy habitation;
Psalms 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
It would seem, on the surface, that the matter of PRIORITIES enters into the picture, if we are to enjoy the privilege of entering into the REFUGE of the Lord.
Look at the word "habitation". We need to determine where our habitation is. Our TOP PRIORITY could well be the determining factor of our habitation.
The angel of the Lord asked, Judges 2:2 -- but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
What would be the reason for us not obeying the voice of the Lord? Simply, that we place more value on something else besides the Word of the Lord.
It might be material things that hinder. It might be the good will (favor) of people, and the fear of losing it. It might be our feeling of being too important to do the things which a close walk with God would require.
These things can be lost or stolen from us. They are NOT RELIABLE refuges anyway. They are altogether temporal.
BUT REFUGE IN GOD is NOT TEMPORAL. It will NEVER fail. It is NOT TANGIBLE. It can NEVER BE STOLEN from us, nor taken by force from us.
It is REFUGE IN THE SPIRIT-- in GOD HIMSELF, who has never failed, and will not fail in the future.
Hebrews 6:18 That-- we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
On the Passover night in Egypt, the blood applied to the door of the house was the REFUGE of the children of Israel.
OBEDIENCE TO GOD caused the blood to be put there. OBEDIENCE TO GOD is what will constitute a sure place of refuge for us also today.
For Hezekiah, when Jerusalem was under seige, refuge was provided for him in answer to his prayer to God. The angel of the Lord smote 185,000 men with "Sudden (Infant) Death Syndrome" in a single stroke.
Psalm 91 has a few things which I want to touch on right now. It has been quoted many times by many people who were in bad circumstances, and has given them strength to hold up in those hard places.
Three times the word "because" is used, leading us to condlude that there is a reason for our safety in Jesus, and our being delivered when in time of trouble.
Psalms 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my REFUGE, [even] the most High, thy habitation;
Psalms 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
It would seem, on the surface, that the matter of PRIORITIES enters into the picture, if we are to enjoy the privilege of entering into the REFUGE of the Lord.
Look at the word "habitation". We need to determine where our habitation is. Our TOP PRIORITY could well be the determining factor of our habitation.
The angel of the Lord asked, Judges 2:2 -- but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
What would be the reason for us not obeying the voice of the Lord? Simply, that we place more value on something else besides the Word of the Lord.
It might be material things that hinder. It might be the good will (favor) of people, and the fear of losing it. It might be our feeling of being too important to do the things which a close walk with God would require.
These things can be lost or stolen from us. They are NOT RELIABLE refuges anyway. They are altogether temporal.
BUT REFUGE IN GOD is NOT TEMPORAL. It will NEVER fail. It is NOT TANGIBLE. It can NEVER BE STOLEN from us, nor taken by force from us.
It is REFUGE IN THE SPIRIT-- in GOD HIMSELF, who has never failed, and will not fail in the future.
Hebrews 6:18 That-- we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
On the Passover night in Egypt, the blood applied to the door of the house was the REFUGE of the children of Israel.
OBEDIENCE TO GOD caused the blood to be put there. OBEDIENCE TO GOD is what will constitute a sure place of refuge for us also today.
For Hezekiah, when Jerusalem was under seige, refuge was provided for him in answer to his prayer to God. The angel of the Lord smote 185,000 men with "Sudden (Infant) Death Syndrome" in a single stroke.
REASONS TO BELIEVE
REASONS TO BELIEVE
I believe that your question was an honest one-- not looking for debate, so I will hurriedly answer, not laboring any proof. I will be out of town for a few days, but will check again when I return.
Perhaps the best way to explain my belief is to tell how it came about.
In the late forties, I did an in-depth study of the seven promises to the Overcomers of the seven Churches of Asia. In doing this, I discovered that our former teachers had not been able to steer us in the right course of believing-- especially about the whole group of believers being eligible for the great victory which is ahead for the Overcomers of the seven Churches.
Darby, who started the "Rapture" theory in the mid 1800's, included ALL believers in what he saw. But a careful study will show that Darby was wrong on some points.
A deeper study showed me that the general usage of the Greek word that is used in 2 Thes, and translated "taken out of the way", is a gross mis-application of the Greek words.
It was in the 70's that I was teaching from Hebrews, and discovered that the writer used up several chapters discussing the events of the most solemn day of the Jewish Levitical Year-- the Day of Atonement.
I discovered that the ceremonies of that day were a blue print of the major events of the entire Church age-- from the Crucifixion to the present and beyond. To follow the events of the Day of Atonement is to see the high points of the Church Age. Two or three points stand out in bold relief.
Every seven years, on this day, debts were cancelled, and servants who had sold themselves because of poverty were sent home again. I won't go into the implications of this.
Every fifty years, on this day, all possessions were restored to the original owner or his children,and to the original tribe. This speaks of a FULL redemption and restoration of ALL that was lost in Adam. Think of how much was lost-- Adam had Eternal Life (but not Immortality), and could talk freely with God, and God with him. He HAD dominion over all creatures.
The ceremony of the Scapegoat was not until AFTER the High Priest was finished with the ministration in the Holy of Holies. It was the scapegoat which acted out the part of Jesus taking Sin completely away from us. But the real work of Jesus in removing Sin (Adamic Sin, that is) from us is yet to come, if we follow the course of events on the Day of Atonement.
Our High Priest is STILL IN the Heavenly Holy of Holies. Weymouth, and some other modern translations render Heb 9:28 -- "not to deal with sin, but to make their salvation complete." This is speaking of when our High Priest APPEARS from His Ministrations in the Heavenly Holy of Holies.
If you want an interesting study, look at the three (3) appearings of Jesus, as found in the book of Hebrews.
A whisking away to escape anihilation is, in no sense of the word, Redemption from the Fall of Adam.
The nature of rebellion was injected into Adam at the time of disobedience. We are ALL REBELS TOWARD GOD, even though we are saved from the consequences of sin.
More later, if you are still interested.
God Bless
I believe that your question was an honest one-- not looking for debate, so I will hurriedly answer, not laboring any proof. I will be out of town for a few days, but will check again when I return.
Perhaps the best way to explain my belief is to tell how it came about.
In the late forties, I did an in-depth study of the seven promises to the Overcomers of the seven Churches of Asia. In doing this, I discovered that our former teachers had not been able to steer us in the right course of believing-- especially about the whole group of believers being eligible for the great victory which is ahead for the Overcomers of the seven Churches.
Darby, who started the "Rapture" theory in the mid 1800's, included ALL believers in what he saw. But a careful study will show that Darby was wrong on some points.
A deeper study showed me that the general usage of the Greek word that is used in 2 Thes, and translated "taken out of the way", is a gross mis-application of the Greek words.
It was in the 70's that I was teaching from Hebrews, and discovered that the writer used up several chapters discussing the events of the most solemn day of the Jewish Levitical Year-- the Day of Atonement.
I discovered that the ceremonies of that day were a blue print of the major events of the entire Church age-- from the Crucifixion to the present and beyond. To follow the events of the Day of Atonement is to see the high points of the Church Age. Two or three points stand out in bold relief.
Every seven years, on this day, debts were cancelled, and servants who had sold themselves because of poverty were sent home again. I won't go into the implications of this.
Every fifty years, on this day, all possessions were restored to the original owner or his children,and to the original tribe. This speaks of a FULL redemption and restoration of ALL that was lost in Adam. Think of how much was lost-- Adam had Eternal Life (but not Immortality), and could talk freely with God, and God with him. He HAD dominion over all creatures.
The ceremony of the Scapegoat was not until AFTER the High Priest was finished with the ministration in the Holy of Holies. It was the scapegoat which acted out the part of Jesus taking Sin completely away from us. But the real work of Jesus in removing Sin (Adamic Sin, that is) from us is yet to come, if we follow the course of events on the Day of Atonement.
Our High Priest is STILL IN the Heavenly Holy of Holies. Weymouth, and some other modern translations render Heb 9:28 -- "not to deal with sin, but to make their salvation complete." This is speaking of when our High Priest APPEARS from His Ministrations in the Heavenly Holy of Holies.
If you want an interesting study, look at the three (3) appearings of Jesus, as found in the book of Hebrews.
A whisking away to escape anihilation is, in no sense of the word, Redemption from the Fall of Adam.
The nature of rebellion was injected into Adam at the time of disobedience. We are ALL REBELS TOWARD GOD, even though we are saved from the consequences of sin.
More later, if you are still interested.
God Bless
Friday, October 06, 2006
REMEMBER NOT THE SINS OF MY YOUTH
THE BABE IN THE MANGER
Was the world ready for it when Jesus was born of Mary in the stable of Bethlehem?
Not many people were aware of the impending appearing of the Saviour of the world. Very few were cognizant of His coming that night, or of His arrival at the Temple to be dedicated according to the law of the firstborn.
The shepherds at the stable were filled with wonder. The wise men from the East knew of it.
In the Temple, Simeon and Anna recognized Him and paid their respects.
Otherwise, the world went on about its business.
Herod heard of it, and proceded to try to eliminate the child who might present a threat to him.
This all causes me to wonder what may be going on right under our noses today which will have tremendous impact on the entire world in a short while. Are we, like the people in that day, looking in the wrong direction? Will it also take us by surprise when the Lord does what He has determined He will do?
Many prognosticators of Bible Prophecy are grinding out volumes of information-- each trying to out-do the rest. I believe we can discount about 95% of what the world is hearing today.
The world had "learned" men in that time also, who had a real good "grip" on the sequence of events which would surround the coming of the Messiah. But they ALL missed it by a country mile. How far are we missing it today? Have you ever wondered? I have, many times.
I am convinced that God has given us a blueprint of His dealings with the Church, and the world as a whole. We find that blueprint in the seven feast of the Levitical Year, which was enacted every year for 1500 years.
Jesus, in a few days in AD 30, BECAME TO THE CHURCH the first four of those seven feasts or observances.
Jesus HAS NOT YET BECOME THE LAST THREE of those feasts to the Church.
BUT HE WILL-- before it is all finished. We can "go to the bank" with it.
We will, probably, be quite surprised by the way in which it happens.
The sheer magnitude of the process will tend to "blow our minds" unless we can manage to change our thinking somewhat before it happens.
Was the world ready for it when Jesus was born of Mary in the stable of Bethlehem?
Not many people were aware of the impending appearing of the Saviour of the world. Very few were cognizant of His coming that night, or of His arrival at the Temple to be dedicated according to the law of the firstborn.
The shepherds at the stable were filled with wonder. The wise men from the East knew of it.
In the Temple, Simeon and Anna recognized Him and paid their respects.
Otherwise, the world went on about its business.
Herod heard of it, and proceded to try to eliminate the child who might present a threat to him.
This all causes me to wonder what may be going on right under our noses today which will have tremendous impact on the entire world in a short while. Are we, like the people in that day, looking in the wrong direction? Will it also take us by surprise when the Lord does what He has determined He will do?
Many prognosticators of Bible Prophecy are grinding out volumes of information-- each trying to out-do the rest. I believe we can discount about 95% of what the world is hearing today.
The world had "learned" men in that time also, who had a real good "grip" on the sequence of events which would surround the coming of the Messiah. But they ALL missed it by a country mile. How far are we missing it today? Have you ever wondered? I have, many times.
I am convinced that God has given us a blueprint of His dealings with the Church, and the world as a whole. We find that blueprint in the seven feast of the Levitical Year, which was enacted every year for 1500 years.
Jesus, in a few days in AD 30, BECAME TO THE CHURCH the first four of those seven feasts or observances.
Jesus HAS NOT YET BECOME THE LAST THREE of those feasts to the Church.
BUT HE WILL-- before it is all finished. We can "go to the bank" with it.
We will, probably, be quite surprised by the way in which it happens.
The sheer magnitude of the process will tend to "blow our minds" unless we can manage to change our thinking somewhat before it happens.
THE BABE IN THE MANGER
THE BABE IN THE MANGER
Was the world ready for it when Jesus was born of Mary in the stable of Bethlehem?
Not many people were aware of the impending appearing of the Saviour of the world. Very few were cognizant of His coming that night, or of His arrival at the Temple to be dedicated according to the law of the firstborn.
The shepherds at the stable were filled with wonder. The wise men from the East knew of it.
In the Temple, Simeon and Anna recognized Him and paid their respects.
Otherwise, the world went on about its business.
Herod heard of it, and proceded to try to eliminate the child who might present a threat to him.
This all causes me to wonder what may be going on right under our noses today which will have tremendous impact on the entire world in a short while. Are we, like the people in that day, looking in the wrong direction? Will it also take us by surprise when the Lord does what He has determined He will do?
Many prognosticators of Bible Prophecy are grinding out volumes of information-- each trying to out-do the rest. I believe we can discount about 95% of what the world is hearing today.
The world had "learned" men in that time also, who had a real good "grip" on the sequence of events which would surround the coming of the Messiah. But they ALL missed it by a country mile. How far are we missing it today? Have you ever wondered? I have, many times.
I am convinced that God has given us a blueprint of His dealings with the Church, and the world as a whole. We find that blueprint in the seven feast of the Levitical Year, which was enacted every year for 1500 years.
Jesus, in a few days in AD 30, BECAME TO THE CHURCH the first four of those seven feasts or observances.
Jesus HAS NOT YET BECOME THE LAST THREE of those feasts to the Church.
BUT HE WILL-- before it is all finished. We can "go to the bank" with it.
We will, probably, be quite surprised by the way in which it happens.
The sheer magnitude of the process will tend to "blow our minds" unless we can manage to change our thinking somewhat before it happens.
Was the world ready for it when Jesus was born of Mary in the stable of Bethlehem?
Not many people were aware of the impending appearing of the Saviour of the world. Very few were cognizant of His coming that night, or of His arrival at the Temple to be dedicated according to the law of the firstborn.
The shepherds at the stable were filled with wonder. The wise men from the East knew of it.
In the Temple, Simeon and Anna recognized Him and paid their respects.
Otherwise, the world went on about its business.
Herod heard of it, and proceded to try to eliminate the child who might present a threat to him.
This all causes me to wonder what may be going on right under our noses today which will have tremendous impact on the entire world in a short while. Are we, like the people in that day, looking in the wrong direction? Will it also take us by surprise when the Lord does what He has determined He will do?
Many prognosticators of Bible Prophecy are grinding out volumes of information-- each trying to out-do the rest. I believe we can discount about 95% of what the world is hearing today.
The world had "learned" men in that time also, who had a real good "grip" on the sequence of events which would surround the coming of the Messiah. But they ALL missed it by a country mile. How far are we missing it today? Have you ever wondered? I have, many times.
I am convinced that God has given us a blueprint of His dealings with the Church, and the world as a whole. We find that blueprint in the seven feast of the Levitical Year, which was enacted every year for 1500 years.
Jesus, in a few days in AD 30, BECAME TO THE CHURCH the first four of those seven feasts or observances.
Jesus HAS NOT YET BECOME THE LAST THREE of those feasts to the Church.
BUT HE WILL-- before it is all finished. We can "go to the bank" with it.
We will, probably, be quite surprised by the way in which it happens.
The sheer magnitude of the process will tend to "blow our minds" unless we can manage to change our thinking somewhat before it happens.
SING A SONG
SING A SONG
Many years ago, in a Wednesday night Bible Study session, the late John Lake offered a thought which he believed to be truth. We were discussing Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Someone had asked if anyone had any idea what the new song would be like.
Bro. Lake answered and said, "It will not actually be a "song" as such. The word "song", and "singing" are Spiritual descriptions of "Living a Life", or a "Manner of Life." He said, "These people have entered into a relationship with God such as others have not pressed into, and have "learned" from Him some truths which have caused their Spiritual life to take on new dimensions. What they have learned, and how they live, cannot be learned from text books, or writings of man. They are dispensed ONLY by the Spirit of God, to those who seek Him until they enter into a Spiritual relationship that is over and above what the average Christian enters into."
Bro. Lake's words opened up a new avenue of interpreting the scriptures, as far as I was concerned. Immediately, I was made aware of the error of some things which were being practiced by the "Latter Rain" people, and was carried further by the "Move of God" people, as well as the "Jesus People." It is still being practiced by Charismatic folks today. The idea was to sing a song nobody had ever heard - make it up as you go along.
HEY! I am NOT saying we SHOULD NOT DO THIS. I AM SAYING that this probably is NOT THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION NOR PRACTICE. At least, not in Rev. 14:3, the scripture we were dealing with when Bro. Lake offered his thoughts.
There are seven references to a "new song" in the Bible, and some are obviously referring to vocalizing our praise to God. Two of them are: Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Psalms 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
I believe it is true that the further and the closer we walk with the Lord, the more He influences what our lives will be like. Often times, our "neighbor" Christians will not understand how we conduct ourselves, nor why. We will, indeed, be "hearing another drummer."
Many years ago, in a Wednesday night Bible Study session, the late John Lake offered a thought which he believed to be truth. We were discussing Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Someone had asked if anyone had any idea what the new song would be like.
Bro. Lake answered and said, "It will not actually be a "song" as such. The word "song", and "singing" are Spiritual descriptions of "Living a Life", or a "Manner of Life." He said, "These people have entered into a relationship with God such as others have not pressed into, and have "learned" from Him some truths which have caused their Spiritual life to take on new dimensions. What they have learned, and how they live, cannot be learned from text books, or writings of man. They are dispensed ONLY by the Spirit of God, to those who seek Him until they enter into a Spiritual relationship that is over and above what the average Christian enters into."
Bro. Lake's words opened up a new avenue of interpreting the scriptures, as far as I was concerned. Immediately, I was made aware of the error of some things which were being practiced by the "Latter Rain" people, and was carried further by the "Move of God" people, as well as the "Jesus People." It is still being practiced by Charismatic folks today. The idea was to sing a song nobody had ever heard - make it up as you go along.
HEY! I am NOT saying we SHOULD NOT DO THIS. I AM SAYING that this probably is NOT THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION NOR PRACTICE. At least, not in Rev. 14:3, the scripture we were dealing with when Bro. Lake offered his thoughts.
There are seven references to a "new song" in the Bible, and some are obviously referring to vocalizing our praise to God. Two of them are: Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Psalms 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
I believe it is true that the further and the closer we walk with the Lord, the more He influences what our lives will be like. Often times, our "neighbor" Christians will not understand how we conduct ourselves, nor why. We will, indeed, be "hearing another drummer."
WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION
WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pillar of the Christian Faith. We are the ONLY worshippers who have an EMPTY TOMB to look back to.
After Judas had hanged himself, and there were only eleven of the original twelve Apostles left, Peter addressed the group of believers and said:
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ORDAINED to be a witness with us of his RESURRECTION.
Have you ever wondered why it must be TWELVE witnesses? Why not ELEVEN or THIRTEEN?
Following are a few more scriptures concerning the Apostles being witnesses of His resurrection.
Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pillar of the Christian Faith. We are the ONLY worshippers who have an EMPTY TOMB to look back to.
After Judas had hanged himself, and there were only eleven of the original twelve Apostles left, Peter addressed the group of believers and said:
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ORDAINED to be a witness with us of his RESURRECTION.
Have you ever wondered why it must be TWELVE witnesses? Why not ELEVEN or THIRTEEN?
Following are a few more scriptures concerning the Apostles being witnesses of His resurrection.
Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
Acts 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Acts 1:3 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:
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
Acts 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Acts 1:3 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:
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pillar of the Christian Faith. We are the ONLY worshippers who have an EMPTY TOMB to look back to.
After Judas had hanged himself, and there were only eleven of the original twelve Apostles left, Peter addressed the group of believers and said:
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ORDAINED to be a witness with us of his RESURRECTION.
Have you ever wondered why it must be TWELVE witnesses? Why not ELEVEN or THIRTEEN?
Following are a few more scriptures concerning the Apostles being witnesses of His resurrection.
Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pillar of the Christian Faith. We are the ONLY worshippers who have an EMPTY TOMB to look back to.
After Judas had hanged himself, and there were only eleven of the original twelve Apostles left, Peter addressed the group of believers and said:
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ORDAINED to be a witness with us of his RESURRECTION.
Have you ever wondered why it must be TWELVE witnesses? Why not ELEVEN or THIRTEEN?
Following are a few more scriptures concerning the Apostles being witnesses of His resurrection.
Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
Acts 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Acts 1:3 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:
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
Acts 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Acts 1:3 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:
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
THE WILDERNESS
Date: 99-10-18 23:36:24 EDT
In a message dated 99-10-18 22:08:26 EDT, you write:
<< I feel that my talent is being wasted;
I also feel deeply insulted, but I will survive that. >>
Hey! Join the crowd! If you are REALLY wanting to follow the Lord, you will be driven to the wilderness-- to suffer isolation and rejection-- but good.
I want to quote to you some excerpts from a long article I received last summer from a friend of mine on the East Coast. The Sub Heading is: (begin quote) SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WILDERNESS Today, we personally know a number of mature ministries who are all in the wilderness. They have been tried by fire, tried through much suffering in a variety of forms, tried by a lack of (human) fellowship that is common to the temple. But they have been counted worthy by the Lord to suffer in His Name. They have found that the Lord Himself is sufficient for all their needs. They have been chosen as a tenth of a tenth of believers. Many are called but few chosen. It depends upon our response to God.
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness )Mal 3:3)"
The New American Standard says "the crucible is for silver". We are being tried in a crucible, in the wilderness. Certainly the Lord is waiting to provide for all of our needs in the wilderness: food (manna), water (Moses struck the rock), money (Matt 17:27), healing, guidance, protection, and on and on. Lord, increase our faith!
Consider the example of Jesus. In Mat 4:1, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." The wilderness is God's proving ground. Notice, please, that Jesus was led by the SPIRIT into the wilderness. So it is also with all of you faithful believers who are suffering in the wilderness. You have been led into your place of suffering by the Holy Spirit. Now when we are in the wilderness, our response to God leading us there is critical. We can murmur and complain and just die in the wilderness, as did all of the Israelites (except two) when they came out of Egypt. Or we can patiently endure, just waiting for relief. Or we can be OVERCOMERS. Only YOU can make that choice. It is YOUR decision. When we look at the response of Jesus in Mat 4, it is abundantly clear that Jesus was the prime overcomer. What happened as a result? Well, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "Matt 4:7); and in Matt 4:23, "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." So it shall be with YOU as an overcomer. WHEN THE LORD BLOWS THE TRUMPET, THERE WILL BE A NEW RELEASE OF A HEALING MINISTRY. THIS HEALING MINISTRY WILL *NOT* BE LIKE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN TO DATE. IT WILL BE A COMPLETE HEALING OF BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT." That is a topic of another word. We will not go into that further here. In addition, the message to be preached is the gospel of the KINGDOM." (end of quote)
Next-- the writer likens the present workings of the Lord to the experience of Gideon. (again quoting) The breaking of the pitchers so that their lamps would INSTANTLY be seen represents the manifestation of the sons of God. One possible translation of the manifestation of the sons of God, in Rom 8, is the UNVEILING of the sons of God. The word translated manifestation is "apokalupsis" and is the same word that is translated "revelation" in Rev. 1:1...... God has been doing a hidden work in the tenth of a tenth. The lamps are in the process of being prepared. And when the trumpets sound, the unveiling will occur, and the pitchers will be instantly shattered so that the lamps of God can be unveiled.
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and He shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall SUDDENLY come to His Temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal 3:1 (end of quote) Further, the writer declares: (begin quote) THE STATE OF THE CHURCH....
Certainly there are many diverse voices today, not only in the world, but in Christianity as well. Each voice declares something slightly different.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 1Cor 14:10
Just as Paul admonishes the church at Corinth, this multitude of different voices is causing confusion and uncertainty in the church. We see disunity, strife, bitterness, sin, carnality, and division. And we have seen, in our own lifetime, a parade of false tangents such that literally thousands of believers have been "tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Eph 4:13 This parade of false teachings include Submission, Discipleship, Faith, The Apostles and Prophets "movement",... and on and on. It seems like God's people have no more discernment than Nineveh..... The reason that all of these false teachings have so much appeal is that they all have an element of truth in them. There IS such a thing as submission, there IS such a thing as discipleship, there IS such a thing as faith, there ARE such ministries as apostles and prophets. But these movements all appeal to carnal self, and have not been led by the Spirit. They all represent man's approach to the things of God..... But all such attempts thus far are man's attempt to bring UNION, the very word used by the Washington Post article (Aug 20, 1999) It is a work of the flesh... a repeat of the tower of Babel recorded in Gen 11. (end quote)
Hang in there, brother. There are multitudes of folks who have been shoved to the side lines by those in authority in the churches. But GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. He knows exactly where you are, and why. Submit to His dealings, and above all KEEP THE VICTORY IN YOUR OWN HEART.
God Bless! fretwell
In a message dated 99-10-18 22:08:26 EDT, you write:
<< I feel that my talent is being wasted;
I also feel deeply insulted, but I will survive that. >>
Hey! Join the crowd! If you are REALLY wanting to follow the Lord, you will be driven to the wilderness-- to suffer isolation and rejection-- but good.
I want to quote to you some excerpts from a long article I received last summer from a friend of mine on the East Coast. The Sub Heading is: (begin quote) SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WILDERNESS Today, we personally know a number of mature ministries who are all in the wilderness. They have been tried by fire, tried through much suffering in a variety of forms, tried by a lack of (human) fellowship that is common to the temple. But they have been counted worthy by the Lord to suffer in His Name. They have found that the Lord Himself is sufficient for all their needs. They have been chosen as a tenth of a tenth of believers. Many are called but few chosen. It depends upon our response to God.
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness )Mal 3:3)"
The New American Standard says "the crucible is for silver". We are being tried in a crucible, in the wilderness. Certainly the Lord is waiting to provide for all of our needs in the wilderness: food (manna), water (Moses struck the rock), money (Matt 17:27), healing, guidance, protection, and on and on. Lord, increase our faith!
Consider the example of Jesus. In Mat 4:1, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." The wilderness is God's proving ground. Notice, please, that Jesus was led by the SPIRIT into the wilderness. So it is also with all of you faithful believers who are suffering in the wilderness. You have been led into your place of suffering by the Holy Spirit. Now when we are in the wilderness, our response to God leading us there is critical. We can murmur and complain and just die in the wilderness, as did all of the Israelites (except two) when they came out of Egypt. Or we can patiently endure, just waiting for relief. Or we can be OVERCOMERS. Only YOU can make that choice. It is YOUR decision. When we look at the response of Jesus in Mat 4, it is abundantly clear that Jesus was the prime overcomer. What happened as a result? Well, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "Matt 4:7); and in Matt 4:23, "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." So it shall be with YOU as an overcomer. WHEN THE LORD BLOWS THE TRUMPET, THERE WILL BE A NEW RELEASE OF A HEALING MINISTRY. THIS HEALING MINISTRY WILL *NOT* BE LIKE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN TO DATE. IT WILL BE A COMPLETE HEALING OF BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT." That is a topic of another word. We will not go into that further here. In addition, the message to be preached is the gospel of the KINGDOM." (end of quote)
Next-- the writer likens the present workings of the Lord to the experience of Gideon. (again quoting) The breaking of the pitchers so that their lamps would INSTANTLY be seen represents the manifestation of the sons of God. One possible translation of the manifestation of the sons of God, in Rom 8, is the UNVEILING of the sons of God. The word translated manifestation is "apokalupsis" and is the same word that is translated "revelation" in Rev. 1:1...... God has been doing a hidden work in the tenth of a tenth. The lamps are in the process of being prepared. And when the trumpets sound, the unveiling will occur, and the pitchers will be instantly shattered so that the lamps of God can be unveiled.
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and He shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall SUDDENLY come to His Temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal 3:1 (end of quote) Further, the writer declares: (begin quote) THE STATE OF THE CHURCH....
Certainly there are many diverse voices today, not only in the world, but in Christianity as well. Each voice declares something slightly different.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 1Cor 14:10
Just as Paul admonishes the church at Corinth, this multitude of different voices is causing confusion and uncertainty in the church. We see disunity, strife, bitterness, sin, carnality, and division. And we have seen, in our own lifetime, a parade of false tangents such that literally thousands of believers have been "tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Eph 4:13 This parade of false teachings include Submission, Discipleship, Faith, The Apostles and Prophets "movement",... and on and on. It seems like God's people have no more discernment than Nineveh..... The reason that all of these false teachings have so much appeal is that they all have an element of truth in them. There IS such a thing as submission, there IS such a thing as discipleship, there IS such a thing as faith, there ARE such ministries as apostles and prophets. But these movements all appeal to carnal self, and have not been led by the Spirit. They all represent man's approach to the things of God..... But all such attempts thus far are man's attempt to bring UNION, the very word used by the Washington Post article (Aug 20, 1999) It is a work of the flesh... a repeat of the tower of Babel recorded in Gen 11. (end quote)
Hang in there, brother. There are multitudes of folks who have been shoved to the side lines by those in authority in the churches. But GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. He knows exactly where you are, and why. Submit to His dealings, and above all KEEP THE VICTORY IN YOUR OWN HEART.
God Bless! fretwell
WHO SAID THAT?
WHO SAID THAT?
Following are some excerpts from a speech given in Budapest, Hungary January 12, 1952. Do you have any idea who is speaking, and who is represented?
"Greetings..... As you know, we had hoped to have twenty years between wars to consolidate our great gains from World WarII,-- but we must now work with every means at our disposal to precipitate World WarIII within five years."
"This we hope to do with the issue of anti-Semitism, which worked so well in uniting Americans against Germany..."
"You remember the success of our propaganda campaign during the 1930s which aroused anti American passions in Germany at the same time we were arousing anti German passions in America, a campaign which culminated in the second World War."
"We are counting heavily upon reports of anti Semitic outrages in Russia to whip up indignation in the United States."
Within five years this program will achieve its objective, the third World War...."
"I can state with assurance that the last generation of white children is now being born. Our control Commission will... FORBID THE WHITES TO MATE WITH WHITES. The white women must cohabit with members of the dark races, the white men with black women. Thus the white race will disappear..."
"After the third World War, there will be no more religions..."
"...let me point out to you that we have turned all of the inventions of the white man into weapons against him. HIS PRINTING PRESSES AND RADIOS are the MOUTHPIECES OF OUR DESIRES...."
"And so, with the vision of world victory before you, go back to your countries and intensify your good work, until that approaching day....."
( Note that this speech was given in 1952, before television had become the monster it now is.)
Do you have any idea who was doing the talking, and who he represented?
Tell me, if you know. MF.
Following are some excerpts from a speech given in Budapest, Hungary January 12, 1952. Do you have any idea who is speaking, and who is represented?
"Greetings..... As you know, we had hoped to have twenty years between wars to consolidate our great gains from World WarII,-- but we must now work with every means at our disposal to precipitate World WarIII within five years."
"This we hope to do with the issue of anti-Semitism, which worked so well in uniting Americans against Germany..."
"You remember the success of our propaganda campaign during the 1930s which aroused anti American passions in Germany at the same time we were arousing anti German passions in America, a campaign which culminated in the second World War."
"We are counting heavily upon reports of anti Semitic outrages in Russia to whip up indignation in the United States."
Within five years this program will achieve its objective, the third World War...."
"I can state with assurance that the last generation of white children is now being born. Our control Commission will... FORBID THE WHITES TO MATE WITH WHITES. The white women must cohabit with members of the dark races, the white men with black women. Thus the white race will disappear..."
"After the third World War, there will be no more religions..."
"...let me point out to you that we have turned all of the inventions of the white man into weapons against him. HIS PRINTING PRESSES AND RADIOS are the MOUTHPIECES OF OUR DESIRES...."
"And so, with the vision of world victory before you, go back to your countries and intensify your good work, until that approaching day....."
( Note that this speech was given in 1952, before television had become the monster it now is.)
Do you have any idea who was doing the talking, and who he represented?
Tell me, if you know. MF.
WHITE FOR WHOM
WHITE FOR WHOM
I did a study several years ago about white raiment, and who is PRIVILEGED TO WEAR IT. The RESULTS ARE INTERESTING, to say the least.
Most of our Holiness folks are making a bad mistake in their teachings about our relationship with Jesus Christ.
The greatest mistake in their teaching is that they do not make a difference between being SAVED (sins forgiven), and becoming a OVERCOMER after experiencing Salvation.
Salvation is a GIFT FROM GOD, and CAN NOT BE WRESTED FROM YOU. No MAN, no SPIRIT, NOR ANY OTHER BEING can rob you of what God has given to you.
And, IF YOU DECIDE TO CHUCK IT, you are going to run into difficulty quite soon. It is HARDER TO DO than one might think. BUT IT CAN BE DONE, BY YOUR DECISION.
NEGLECT DOES NOT DISANNUL IT. Salvation is NOT DEPENDENT upon doing or not doing certain things. What you wear, what you eat, what you say and where you go can have no effect on your Salvation.
This is a bit bewildering to some of us who grew up in a strict atmosphere regarding Christian conduct. It was after much wrestling with Scripture that I finally had to acknowledge the TRUTH WHICH SETS FREE. The Bible mentions the "TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL" IN FOUR PLACES.
The "TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL" is not a set of doctrines nor practices designed to qualify us for acceptance with Jesus. It is the ESTABLISHMENT of a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus. That RELATIONSHIP is DIVINELY ESTABLISHED BY JESUS AT CALVARY.
The "WEARING OF THE WHITE" is, however, quite another aspect of our walk with Jesus, and is affected by our deeds (actions) after we are saved by the blood of Jesus.
WEARING WHITE RAIMENT will be a REWARD for our ACHIEVEMENTS in God after we are saved.
The OVERCOMERS (Rev 2 & 3) can wear WHITE.
Those who attain to BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP can wear it.
Rev 4
Those who have ENDURED GREAT TRIBULATION, and thus washed their robes, can wear it. Rev 7:14
The SPIRITUAL WARRIORS who "ride" with Jesus can wear it. Rev 19:14
But, there is NO PROVISION FOR THE "RUN OF THE MILL" Christian to wear white. They can (finally) make Heaven their home, after the Millenium (rotting in the grave for a thousand years). They WILL NOT RULE AND REIGN WITH JESUS DURING THE THOUSAND YEARS.
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that OVERCOMETH shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
Revelation 2:26 And he that OVERCOMETH, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Revelation 3:5 He that OVERCOMETH, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:12 Him that OVERCOMETH will I make a PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Revelation 3:21 To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 21:7 He that OVERCOMETH shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
We BUY WHITE RAIMENT. Salvation is a GIFT.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to BUY OF ME gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
THE REWARD IS WORTH THE EFFORT
I did a study several years ago about white raiment, and who is PRIVILEGED TO WEAR IT. The RESULTS ARE INTERESTING, to say the least.
Most of our Holiness folks are making a bad mistake in their teachings about our relationship with Jesus Christ.
The greatest mistake in their teaching is that they do not make a difference between being SAVED (sins forgiven), and becoming a OVERCOMER after experiencing Salvation.
Salvation is a GIFT FROM GOD, and CAN NOT BE WRESTED FROM YOU. No MAN, no SPIRIT, NOR ANY OTHER BEING can rob you of what God has given to you.
And, IF YOU DECIDE TO CHUCK IT, you are going to run into difficulty quite soon. It is HARDER TO DO than one might think. BUT IT CAN BE DONE, BY YOUR DECISION.
NEGLECT DOES NOT DISANNUL IT. Salvation is NOT DEPENDENT upon doing or not doing certain things. What you wear, what you eat, what you say and where you go can have no effect on your Salvation.
This is a bit bewildering to some of us who grew up in a strict atmosphere regarding Christian conduct. It was after much wrestling with Scripture that I finally had to acknowledge the TRUTH WHICH SETS FREE. The Bible mentions the "TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL" IN FOUR PLACES.
The "TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL" is not a set of doctrines nor practices designed to qualify us for acceptance with Jesus. It is the ESTABLISHMENT of a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus. That RELATIONSHIP is DIVINELY ESTABLISHED BY JESUS AT CALVARY.
The "WEARING OF THE WHITE" is, however, quite another aspect of our walk with Jesus, and is affected by our deeds (actions) after we are saved by the blood of Jesus.
WEARING WHITE RAIMENT will be a REWARD for our ACHIEVEMENTS in God after we are saved.
The OVERCOMERS (Rev 2 & 3) can wear WHITE.
Those who attain to BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP can wear it.
Rev 4
Those who have ENDURED GREAT TRIBULATION, and thus washed their robes, can wear it. Rev 7:14
The SPIRITUAL WARRIORS who "ride" with Jesus can wear it. Rev 19:14
But, there is NO PROVISION FOR THE "RUN OF THE MILL" Christian to wear white. They can (finally) make Heaven their home, after the Millenium (rotting in the grave for a thousand years). They WILL NOT RULE AND REIGN WITH JESUS DURING THE THOUSAND YEARS.
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that OVERCOMETH shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
Revelation 2:26 And he that OVERCOMETH, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Revelation 3:5 He that OVERCOMETH, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:12 Him that OVERCOMETH will I make a PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Revelation 3:21 To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 21:7 He that OVERCOMETH shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
We BUY WHITE RAIMENT. Salvation is a GIFT.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to BUY OF ME gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
THE REWARD IS WORTH THE EFFORT
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST
JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST
This morning, (April 20, 1995), as I was wakened by the clock, my first thoughts were directed to Jesus as our High Priest in a fairly new way. I hurried down here to the computer to read Hebrews 7, 8 and 9-- a quick refreshing course.
Who ever the person was who wrote Hebrews most certainly was anointed of God to do so.
It would seem to me that the Lord gave us a 1500 year course in the Theology of Aaronic Priesthood for the sole purpose of us being able to understand what Jesus has become to those who put their trust in Him for the well being of their souls.
The priests of the Law of Moses were from the order of Aaron. Hebrews 7:17 -- Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
The Aaronic priests were ministers of the Testament of Death and Condemnation and Fear. Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
The priests of Aaron could only serve twenty years unless they were the High Priest. Hebrews 7:24 But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
The Aaronic priests offered blood of animals. Hebrews 8:3 -- wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
He did. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
I want to talk to you for a moment about the eternal redemption which Jesus bought for us when He took His Own Blood into the Heavenly Holy Place.
The Aaronic High priest could obtain only a yearly redemption with the blood of bulls and goats. As long as the people waiting outside on that Day of Atonement could hear the tinkling of the bells on the garment of the High Priest, they knew he was alive. When he appeared again in the door of the tabernacle, he was ready to signify that "redemption" by the sending away (remission) of sin on the "goat for Azazel". The sins of Israel were GONE for one year.
But our Jesus, WHO IS STILL IN THE HEAVENLY HOLY OF HOLIES, shall appear to those WHO LOOK FOR HIM, (see Heb 9:28) He will fulfill what that old ceremony typified-- a COMPLETE REMOVAL of sin from our bodies. See Rom 8:23.
If you care to read about the three "appearings of Jesus", you can turn and read Heb. 9:24,26,and 28.
This next "appearing" will be only to those who qualify. (that look for Him.) Weymouth, and several other translations read that Jesus will "make their salvation complete" at this appearing. This is BEFORE IMMORTALITY.
It will be similar to what happened to Jesus at His baptism by John. The Spirit came upon Him WITHOUT MEASURE.
Sincere believers have a lot of good things in store for them. Mortals will experience a life changing transfer of strength and nature, which will equip them to administer the EVERLASTING GOSPEL. Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
I hope I am still around when this all happens.
This morning, (April 20, 1995), as I was wakened by the clock, my first thoughts were directed to Jesus as our High Priest in a fairly new way. I hurried down here to the computer to read Hebrews 7, 8 and 9-- a quick refreshing course.
Who ever the person was who wrote Hebrews most certainly was anointed of God to do so.
It would seem to me that the Lord gave us a 1500 year course in the Theology of Aaronic Priesthood for the sole purpose of us being able to understand what Jesus has become to those who put their trust in Him for the well being of their souls.
The priests of the Law of Moses were from the order of Aaron. Hebrews 7:17 -- Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
The Aaronic priests were ministers of the Testament of Death and Condemnation and Fear. Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
The priests of Aaron could only serve twenty years unless they were the High Priest. Hebrews 7:24 But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
The Aaronic priests offered blood of animals. Hebrews 8:3 -- wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
He did. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
I want to talk to you for a moment about the eternal redemption which Jesus bought for us when He took His Own Blood into the Heavenly Holy Place.
The Aaronic High priest could obtain only a yearly redemption with the blood of bulls and goats. As long as the people waiting outside on that Day of Atonement could hear the tinkling of the bells on the garment of the High Priest, they knew he was alive. When he appeared again in the door of the tabernacle, he was ready to signify that "redemption" by the sending away (remission) of sin on the "goat for Azazel". The sins of Israel were GONE for one year.
But our Jesus, WHO IS STILL IN THE HEAVENLY HOLY OF HOLIES, shall appear to those WHO LOOK FOR HIM, (see Heb 9:28) He will fulfill what that old ceremony typified-- a COMPLETE REMOVAL of sin from our bodies. See Rom 8:23.
If you care to read about the three "appearings of Jesus", you can turn and read Heb. 9:24,26,and 28.
This next "appearing" will be only to those who qualify. (that look for Him.) Weymouth, and several other translations read that Jesus will "make their salvation complete" at this appearing. This is BEFORE IMMORTALITY.
It will be similar to what happened to Jesus at His baptism by John. The Spirit came upon Him WITHOUT MEASURE.
Sincere believers have a lot of good things in store for them. Mortals will experience a life changing transfer of strength and nature, which will equip them to administer the EVERLASTING GOSPEL. Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
I hope I am still around when this all happens.
PRIORITIES
PRIORITIES
Last night I was reading Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
My attention was drawn to the word "judgments". More often than not, we think of punishment or the metering out of justice when we see the word. But SUCH IS NOT THE CASE in the majority of places where the word is used.
A word which would more properly convey the true meaning to us today is the word "evaluate", or to place in proper order. We see it take place every Fall at the Fair, where the animals and exhibits are "judged" (evaluated, placed in proper order).
Paul was exclaming, happily, that God's prioritizing is "unsearchable". Humanity can not find fault with it. God knows the true value and meaning of everything which concerns us. We don't.
Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Psalms 19:12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].
If and when we yield our lives completely to His Control, we become the beneficiaries of His Judgments-- His priorities-- His evaluations in our lives.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly ESTEEMED among men is ABOMINATION in the sight of God.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
We can not, we DARE NOT trust our own understanding and vision when we make decisions about the direction our lives will take. Life's shores are littered with the "hulls" of people who have "hit the rocks" while "self-steering" their lives. Their "sense of direction" was faulty because they had not received the counsel of the Lord.
Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
The verse also says that "His Ways are past finding out". The fact sheet of the world will not provide you with a safe course for your life. But God will, if we ask Him, lead us in ways which we do not understand, and bring us to His appointed Will for our lives.
He is not obligated to explain His choices to those involved in His directives for their lives. He is Sovereign, if we will allow Him to be.
Psalms 139:24 And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
Last night I was reading Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
My attention was drawn to the word "judgments". More often than not, we think of punishment or the metering out of justice when we see the word. But SUCH IS NOT THE CASE in the majority of places where the word is used.
A word which would more properly convey the true meaning to us today is the word "evaluate", or to place in proper order. We see it take place every Fall at the Fair, where the animals and exhibits are "judged" (evaluated, placed in proper order).
Paul was exclaming, happily, that God's prioritizing is "unsearchable". Humanity can not find fault with it. God knows the true value and meaning of everything which concerns us. We don't.
Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Psalms 19:12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].
If and when we yield our lives completely to His Control, we become the beneficiaries of His Judgments-- His priorities-- His evaluations in our lives.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly ESTEEMED among men is ABOMINATION in the sight of God.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
We can not, we DARE NOT trust our own understanding and vision when we make decisions about the direction our lives will take. Life's shores are littered with the "hulls" of people who have "hit the rocks" while "self-steering" their lives. Their "sense of direction" was faulty because they had not received the counsel of the Lord.
Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
The verse also says that "His Ways are past finding out". The fact sheet of the world will not provide you with a safe course for your life. But God will, if we ask Him, lead us in ways which we do not understand, and bring us to His appointed Will for our lives.
He is not obligated to explain His choices to those involved in His directives for their lives. He is Sovereign, if we will allow Him to be.
Psalms 139:24 And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
POWER BUT NOT PERMISSION
POWER, BUT NOT PERMISSION
How many times I have heard the question asked, by Christians who don't understand the Way of Righteousness very well yet, or are prone to want to do things THEIR WAY instead of the way God has prescribed. "Why can't I do it?" "What's wrong with it?"
Now I am just as aware as you are of the fact that many things which we shun as followers of Jesus, are NOT HARMFUL to our physical well being. Neither would they be harmful to our Spiritual well being EXCEPT THAT GOD'S WORD says we should not indulge in them.
In other words, God's Word FORBIDS us to do all that we are CAPABLE of doing.
To OBEY GOD'S WORD IS CALLED WISDOM in Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people. For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]? And what nation [is there so] great, that hath statutes and judgments [so] righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
God's code of social conduct has NEVER CHANGED and NEVER WILL CHANGE. He knows, better than our modern day experts do, what is best for human relations. The nation or community that endeavors to follow God's social laws will be more happy and trouble free than those who do not. But each one of us has the ability (power) to do differently than what God has given us permission to do. We have a choice.
God's code of civil conduct has NEVER CHANGED and NEVER WILL CHANGE. His GOVERNMENT is the highest form available, and that nation or community which follows the precepts of His Civil Code as closely as humanly possible, will be the most prospered of Him. Consider England under Queen Victoria, and the US under the first few God-fearing Presidents and Congresses. To be sure, both governments are on the skids now, but that has not always been so.
God's code of moral conduct has NEVER CHANGED and NEVER WILL CHANGE. God made us, and He knows what is best for our emotional health and purity. He made us with a set of AFFECTIONS, over which we have control, if we will exercise that control. We are told this in Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
David's testimony in I Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God,--
WE HAVE CONTROL, IF WE WILL EXERCISE IT, over our affections and emotions. Young and old married couples need to know, and follow this principle.
Young folks choosing a direction for life, need to heed the directives of the Bible in their choices.
Each of us has the ability (power) to do as we please. But we do not have the permission from God to do some things that are pleasant and attractive, no matter how much we might like to do them. Harm, or lack of harm, is NOT a factor--, God's Word is of primary importance.
The way of the transgressor is hard.
How many times I have heard the question asked, by Christians who don't understand the Way of Righteousness very well yet, or are prone to want to do things THEIR WAY instead of the way God has prescribed. "Why can't I do it?" "What's wrong with it?"
Now I am just as aware as you are of the fact that many things which we shun as followers of Jesus, are NOT HARMFUL to our physical well being. Neither would they be harmful to our Spiritual well being EXCEPT THAT GOD'S WORD says we should not indulge in them.
In other words, God's Word FORBIDS us to do all that we are CAPABLE of doing.
To OBEY GOD'S WORD IS CALLED WISDOM in Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people. For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]? And what nation [is there so] great, that hath statutes and judgments [so] righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
God's code of social conduct has NEVER CHANGED and NEVER WILL CHANGE. He knows, better than our modern day experts do, what is best for human relations. The nation or community that endeavors to follow God's social laws will be more happy and trouble free than those who do not. But each one of us has the ability (power) to do differently than what God has given us permission to do. We have a choice.
God's code of civil conduct has NEVER CHANGED and NEVER WILL CHANGE. His GOVERNMENT is the highest form available, and that nation or community which follows the precepts of His Civil Code as closely as humanly possible, will be the most prospered of Him. Consider England under Queen Victoria, and the US under the first few God-fearing Presidents and Congresses. To be sure, both governments are on the skids now, but that has not always been so.
God's code of moral conduct has NEVER CHANGED and NEVER WILL CHANGE. God made us, and He knows what is best for our emotional health and purity. He made us with a set of AFFECTIONS, over which we have control, if we will exercise that control. We are told this in Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
David's testimony in I Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God,--
WE HAVE CONTROL, IF WE WILL EXERCISE IT, over our affections and emotions. Young and old married couples need to know, and follow this principle.
Young folks choosing a direction for life, need to heed the directives of the Bible in their choices.
Each of us has the ability (power) to do as we please. But we do not have the permission from God to do some things that are pleasant and attractive, no matter how much we might like to do them. Harm, or lack of harm, is NOT a factor--, God's Word is of primary importance.
The way of the transgressor is hard.
RAISED UP
RAISED UP
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Christian Faith is the fact of the resurrection of Jesus, with the promise of the same thing for those who believe in Him.
We have some scriptures to bring you, but first, let me say that Jesus was NOT RAISED UP AGAIN TO A NATURAL LIFE. HE WAS RAISED IMMORTAL. In this way He became the "Firstfruits of them that slept". I Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. We will also be raised IMMORTAL.
The promise of our resurrection in His likeness is assured us in I Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
God put so much emphasis on the "firstfruits" and the "firstborn" in the ceremonies of the Law of Moses because He wanted it to be impressed upon the minds of His people. Fifteen hundred years were used to teach them certain things. They serve as a teacher to us in this New Testament age also.
Both the "firstfruits" and the "firstborn" had to be dedicated to God. He claimed them. They were His. They were Holy.
He wants the best that we have, and in return He gives us the best that He can give us for the present, and reserves the best for the future, for those who put Him first in their life.
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
The strongest point of the message given by the first Apostles was the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
According to the best of my understanding of scripture, we are not fully born of God until we have come into Immortality by one means or the other-- resurrection, or "changed in the twinkling of an eye." Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
This explains the following scripture; I John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I believe this is referring to those who qualify, and see Jesus when He returns from the Holy of Holies. They will be the "reapers" of the "Feast of Tabernacles." The time of "ingathering" is at hand. The "reapers" will be ready, as Moses was.
Only true Christianity has the "Hope of the Resurrection",
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
All the other religions must depend on the doctrine of "Reincarnation", or "Transmigration of the Soul" for their hope of the future. It is a false and disappointing hope.
I wonder, sometimes, if we modern Christians are putting enough emphasis on the fact and hope of the resurrection. The Lord added His anointing to the message of His resurrection. Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Those first apostles discovered the awesome authority (exousia) and power (dunamis) which sprang into action when they used the Name of the Resurrected Jesus.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Paul, in his prayers for the Ephesian belivers refers to the resurrection as being a mighty display of God's power.
Ephesians 1:19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Eph. 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
One student of the Greek language wrote that this was the greatest display of God's Power ever recorded, according to the words Paul used.
Aren't you glad the resurrected Jesus is alive today?
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Christian Faith is the fact of the resurrection of Jesus, with the promise of the same thing for those who believe in Him.
We have some scriptures to bring you, but first, let me say that Jesus was NOT RAISED UP AGAIN TO A NATURAL LIFE. HE WAS RAISED IMMORTAL. In this way He became the "Firstfruits of them that slept". I Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. We will also be raised IMMORTAL.
The promise of our resurrection in His likeness is assured us in I Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
God put so much emphasis on the "firstfruits" and the "firstborn" in the ceremonies of the Law of Moses because He wanted it to be impressed upon the minds of His people. Fifteen hundred years were used to teach them certain things. They serve as a teacher to us in this New Testament age also.
Both the "firstfruits" and the "firstborn" had to be dedicated to God. He claimed them. They were His. They were Holy.
He wants the best that we have, and in return He gives us the best that He can give us for the present, and reserves the best for the future, for those who put Him first in their life.
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
The strongest point of the message given by the first Apostles was the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
According to the best of my understanding of scripture, we are not fully born of God until we have come into Immortality by one means or the other-- resurrection, or "changed in the twinkling of an eye." Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
This explains the following scripture; I John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I believe this is referring to those who qualify, and see Jesus when He returns from the Holy of Holies. They will be the "reapers" of the "Feast of Tabernacles." The time of "ingathering" is at hand. The "reapers" will be ready, as Moses was.
Only true Christianity has the "Hope of the Resurrection",
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
All the other religions must depend on the doctrine of "Reincarnation", or "Transmigration of the Soul" for their hope of the future. It is a false and disappointing hope.
I wonder, sometimes, if we modern Christians are putting enough emphasis on the fact and hope of the resurrection. The Lord added His anointing to the message of His resurrection. Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Those first apostles discovered the awesome authority (exousia) and power (dunamis) which sprang into action when they used the Name of the Resurrected Jesus.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Paul, in his prayers for the Ephesian belivers refers to the resurrection as being a mighty display of God's power.
Ephesians 1:19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Eph. 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
One student of the Greek language wrote that this was the greatest display of God's Power ever recorded, according to the words Paul used.
Aren't you glad the resurrected Jesus is alive today?
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