THE GREATEST DISPLAY OF GOD'S POWER
I read a little tract one day, long ago, written by a Greek scholar who was trying to get the word out to the public about the greatest display of God's mighty power ever shown to the onlooking spirits-- including Satan. Look at what I remember.
Ephesians 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM: The EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; that ye may know what is the HOPE OF HIS CALLING, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what [is] the EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TO US-WARD WHO BELIEVE, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER, Which he wrought in Christ, WHEN HE RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, AND SET [HIM] AT HIS OWN RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY [PLACES], Far ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY, AND POWER, AND MIGHT, AND DOMINION, AND EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED, NOT ONLY IN THIS WORLD, BUT ALSO IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME: AND HATH PUT ALL [THINGS] UNDER HIS FEET, AND GAVE HIM [TO BE] THE HEAD OVER ALL [THINGS] TO THE CHURCH, Which is h is body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Right now, after having pulled in the scriptures from the Bible, I am going back and EMPHASIZE some key words, as given by the tract writer. (I don't remember the name)
The words and phrases which are capitalized do, according to the Greek scholar, show a combination of words which, as he explained, demonstrate the greatest display of God's ability and strength ever given.
The resurrection of Jesus seems to be the central theme of the portion of scripture recorded by Paul in his letter to Ephesus.
When Jesus was raised, incorruptible, He was placed in a position of absolute authority over all spirits, governments, organizations, etc..
"IN HEAVENLY PLACES" is a key phrase. Watch for it later.
"FAR ABOVE" is a key phrase. Bear it in mind as you read further in the Ephesian letter.
EVERYTHING is beneath Him. EVERYTHING is subjected to Him. NO EXCEPTIONS.
When Paul wrote the letter, he did not put verse numbers nor chapter numbers in it. That has been done by men who attempted to make it easier for us to understand. God's Word can NEVER be understood by the MINDS of men. God's truths must be DISCERNED BY THE SPIRIT which He has given to us.
Ephesians 2:1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Here is the secret of the GREATEST DISPLAY, as recorded here. OUR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL RESURRECTION WAS ACCOMPLISHED AT THE TIME JESUS CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE. It is a "done deal."
It is ours, if we will accept God's provision for the welfare of our soul in Jesus Christ. We could never pay for it, but it is ours for the asking if we will put our trust in Jesus Christ.
WOTTA DEAL!!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
FAMINE IN THE LAND
FAMINE IN THE LAND
When Joshua entered the Promised Land, he was soon met by some men clothed in deceit, (read about it in Joshua ch. 9) who said they had come from a very distant place. They lied, but Joshua didn't ask of the Lord, and made a league with them.
Within a few days, he was called upon to defend them against five other kings who were mad at them for having made peace with Joshua and Israel. God managed to turn the bad situation which Joshua had created by his mistake, into a victory for Israel.
God intends for us to keep our word-- even when it is costly. Psalms 15:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not.
We learn, that over 400 years later, when Saul was king of Is-rael, Saul broke the National word of Israel to the Gibeonites, and slew some of them. Then, later, Saul died.
After David had been reigning about 35 years, II Samuel 21:1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, [It is] for Saul, and for [his] bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites [were] not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
Think of it-- nearly 40 years had gone by since Saul's murderous breach of National honor. But God DOES NOT FORGET. Time DOES NOT HEAL a breaching of our word.
Bro. Clinton Brown used to preach that even if we missed God when we said we would do a thing, if it had not been God's Will at the time, it suddenly BECOMES GOD'S WILL for our life when we give our word that we will do it. God EXPECTS us to keep our word.
I have often wondered just how much of our National and personal distress has been caused by the breaking of our word of honor, which we have given at some time.
Our great nation is not yet 400 years old, and many different "administrations" have come and gone since that beginning. Have some of the reversals of policy by some of those administrations been contributing factors to the mess we find ourselves in today?
I wonder. What about my own life? Are some of my problems the product of my own makings?
When Joshua entered the Promised Land, he was soon met by some men clothed in deceit, (read about it in Joshua ch. 9) who said they had come from a very distant place. They lied, but Joshua didn't ask of the Lord, and made a league with them.
Within a few days, he was called upon to defend them against five other kings who were mad at them for having made peace with Joshua and Israel. God managed to turn the bad situation which Joshua had created by his mistake, into a victory for Israel.
God intends for us to keep our word-- even when it is costly. Psalms 15:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not.
We learn, that over 400 years later, when Saul was king of Is-rael, Saul broke the National word of Israel to the Gibeonites, and slew some of them. Then, later, Saul died.
After David had been reigning about 35 years, II Samuel 21:1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, [It is] for Saul, and for [his] bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites [were] not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
Think of it-- nearly 40 years had gone by since Saul's murderous breach of National honor. But God DOES NOT FORGET. Time DOES NOT HEAL a breaching of our word.
Bro. Clinton Brown used to preach that even if we missed God when we said we would do a thing, if it had not been God's Will at the time, it suddenly BECOMES GOD'S WILL for our life when we give our word that we will do it. God EXPECTS us to keep our word.
I have often wondered just how much of our National and personal distress has been caused by the breaking of our word of honor, which we have given at some time.
Our great nation is not yet 400 years old, and many different "administrations" have come and gone since that beginning. Have some of the reversals of policy by some of those administrations been contributing factors to the mess we find ourselves in today?
I wonder. What about my own life? Are some of my problems the product of my own makings?
COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE
COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
As near as I can tell, this message to the true Church is scheduled to be heralded on a world-wide scale near the end of the period of Grace as we know it today. It will be an unmistakable call, with very little chance of being misinterpreted or misunderstood by those who hear it. The urgency of the call will be similar to that of Lot, when the angels urged him out of Sodom-- almost irresistable.
Notice that it is NOT a voice from a MAN, nor a group of humans. It is a voice DIRECTLY FROM HEAVEN. It is directed to a specific people-- "MY PEOPLE."
Revelation 18:2 And he CRIED MIGHTILY WITH A STRONG VOICE, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
The conditions described here are indicative of a degraded condition in the midst of whatever is meant by the term "BABYLON." There is plenty of room for speculation about the identity of this "woman" called Babylon. Is it RELIGIOUS? Is it POLITICAL? Is it BOTH?
We are told that in 70 AD there were no Christians in Jerusalem. God had given them a time slot of a few days, while Titus regrouped his armies, and they all fled the city. And, I am old enough that I remember the way the Lord delivered the Allied Armies in a crucial time during World War II at Dunkirque, by sending a dense fog to cover the evacuation of the troops.
Is God ABLE to direct His People to a position of safety? Is God WILLING to direct His People to a position of safety? You know the answer.
The big question is whether His people will hear the call, and if so, how many will heed the call.
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
As near as I can tell, this message to the true Church is scheduled to be heralded on a world-wide scale near the end of the period of Grace as we know it today. It will be an unmistakable call, with very little chance of being misinterpreted or misunderstood by those who hear it. The urgency of the call will be similar to that of Lot, when the angels urged him out of Sodom-- almost irresistable.
Notice that it is NOT a voice from a MAN, nor a group of humans. It is a voice DIRECTLY FROM HEAVEN. It is directed to a specific people-- "MY PEOPLE."
Revelation 18:2 And he CRIED MIGHTILY WITH A STRONG VOICE, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
The conditions described here are indicative of a degraded condition in the midst of whatever is meant by the term "BABYLON." There is plenty of room for speculation about the identity of this "woman" called Babylon. Is it RELIGIOUS? Is it POLITICAL? Is it BOTH?
We are told that in 70 AD there were no Christians in Jerusalem. God had given them a time slot of a few days, while Titus regrouped his armies, and they all fled the city. And, I am old enough that I remember the way the Lord delivered the Allied Armies in a crucial time during World War II at Dunkirque, by sending a dense fog to cover the evacuation of the troops.
Is God ABLE to direct His People to a position of safety? Is God WILLING to direct His People to a position of safety? You know the answer.
The big question is whether His people will hear the call, and if so, how many will heed the call.
THE SPIRIT OF BURNING
THE SPIRIT OF BURNING
God has some wonderful things in store for those who
diligently seek His Face for His cleansing power in their lives.
That is, perhaps, the most needful activity we can be exercised
in today. It is more important than being prosperous financial
ly. It is more important than being physically healthy.
Spiritual purity is the result of a working of the Holy
Ghost in our lives. It comes from the Hand of God.
Isaiah 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and
purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
Oh! How we need the moving of the Hand of God in our
lives. Ironically, as much as we desire the Purity of the Spir
it, we shrink back from the process which produces it for us.
Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth
of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of
Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of JUDGMENT, and
by the spirit of BURNING.
The Spirit of JUDGMENT is that which shows us what God
sees to be important (that is what the Hebrew word means). His
scale of values is much different than ours. His Ways are high
er. His Thoughts are higher. He is looking from a different
angle (Eternity) than we do.
The Spirit of BURNING speaks to us of the FIRE and HEAT
that is necessary to separate the dross and tin from our lives.
We MUST NOT forget that it is HIS SPIRIT that is produc
ing the heat and pressure that it takes to rid us of the impuri
ties in our lives. We blame the devil, and rebuke him, mistaken
ly.
Be encouraged. The process WILL come to an end when the
desired result is accomplished.
Isaiah 28:28 Bread [corn] is BRUISED; because he will not
ever (forever) be threshing it, nor break [it with] the wheel of
his cart, nor bruise it [with] his horsemen.
God is not doing it for fun, but for our bene
fit.
Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,
and ye shall be CLEAN: from all your filthiness, and from all
your idols, will I cleanse you.
Ezekiel 36:37 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for]
this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them;
I will increase them with men like a flock.
Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a FOUNTAIN
OPENED to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
for sin and for uncleanness.
Psalms 51:10 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O God; and RENEW
A RIGHT SPIRIT within me.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found,
call ye upon him while he is near:
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when
ye shall search for me with all your heart.
God has some wonderful things in store for those who
diligently seek His Face for His cleansing power in their lives.
That is, perhaps, the most needful activity we can be exercised
in today. It is more important than being prosperous financial
ly. It is more important than being physically healthy.
Spiritual purity is the result of a working of the Holy
Ghost in our lives. It comes from the Hand of God.
Isaiah 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and
purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
Oh! How we need the moving of the Hand of God in our
lives. Ironically, as much as we desire the Purity of the Spir
it, we shrink back from the process which produces it for us.
Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth
of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of
Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of JUDGMENT, and
by the spirit of BURNING.
The Spirit of JUDGMENT is that which shows us what God
sees to be important (that is what the Hebrew word means). His
scale of values is much different than ours. His Ways are high
er. His Thoughts are higher. He is looking from a different
angle (Eternity) than we do.
The Spirit of BURNING speaks to us of the FIRE and HEAT
that is necessary to separate the dross and tin from our lives.
We MUST NOT forget that it is HIS SPIRIT that is produc
ing the heat and pressure that it takes to rid us of the impuri
ties in our lives. We blame the devil, and rebuke him, mistaken
ly.
Be encouraged. The process WILL come to an end when the
desired result is accomplished.
Isaiah 28:28 Bread [corn] is BRUISED; because he will not
ever (forever) be threshing it, nor break [it with] the wheel of
his cart, nor bruise it [with] his horsemen.
God is not doing it for fun, but for our bene
fit.
Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,
and ye shall be CLEAN: from all your filthiness, and from all
your idols, will I cleanse you.
Ezekiel 36:37 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for]
this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them;
I will increase them with men like a flock.
Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a FOUNTAIN
OPENED to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
for sin and for uncleanness.
Psalms 51:10 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O God; and RENEW
A RIGHT SPIRIT within me.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found,
call ye upon him while he is near:
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when
ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Friday, November 23, 2007
FACTS VERSUS TRUTH
FACTS VERSUS TRUTH
When I was a small child, my school teacher drilled into us the phrase, "you stay by facts, and facts will stay by you."
I found this to be a very good principle in every phase of life except one. It will not work in our relationship to God. GOD DOES NOT OPERATE IN THE REALM OF FACTS. They will serve only to foul us up in our walk with Him.
GOD DEALS IN THE REALM OF FAITH AND TRUTH, and we have to deal with Him on this basis. Consider:
Abraham and Sarah were both too old, it was PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for them to have a child. This FACT is irrefutable. But by FAITH IN THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD it was done. Also consider:
I had committed many sins before I was drawn to Jesus by His Spirit. They are FACTS, and many of them linger in my memory yet, even though I have made my Peace With God, and have been forgiven by Him.
But one day I discovered the word "justified". It sent me on a search for a simple meaning which I could understand. It means to be ACQUITTED, or DECLARED INNOCENT, such as jury would find or declare.
I was in a dilemma. FACT insists I am GUILTY of the things I had done. TRUTH declares me to be INNOCENT. I CAN NOT BE BOTH GUILTY AND INNOCENT AT THE SAME TIME. Which one is correct--FACT OR TRUTH?
I chose to put my confidence in TRUTH. It brought Peace to my soul.
JUSTIFICATION IS ONE OF THE MIRACLES OF GOD'S GRACE. IT BLOTS OUT THE FACT OF GUILT, AND ESTABLISHES THE TRUTH OF INNOCENCE.
Jesus was stripped of His righteousness, and laden with my sin on the Cross. When it happened, He cried in anguish, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" He carried my guilt when He died. He died a sinner in my stead. He has imputed His innocence to me by the miracle of Justification by Faith.
When I was a small child, my school teacher drilled into us the phrase, "you stay by facts, and facts will stay by you."
I found this to be a very good principle in every phase of life except one. It will not work in our relationship to God. GOD DOES NOT OPERATE IN THE REALM OF FACTS. They will serve only to foul us up in our walk with Him.
GOD DEALS IN THE REALM OF FAITH AND TRUTH, and we have to deal with Him on this basis. Consider:
Abraham and Sarah were both too old, it was PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for them to have a child. This FACT is irrefutable. But by FAITH IN THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD it was done. Also consider:
I had committed many sins before I was drawn to Jesus by His Spirit. They are FACTS, and many of them linger in my memory yet, even though I have made my Peace With God, and have been forgiven by Him.
But one day I discovered the word "justified". It sent me on a search for a simple meaning which I could understand. It means to be ACQUITTED, or DECLARED INNOCENT, such as jury would find or declare.
I was in a dilemma. FACT insists I am GUILTY of the things I had done. TRUTH declares me to be INNOCENT. I CAN NOT BE BOTH GUILTY AND INNOCENT AT THE SAME TIME. Which one is correct--FACT OR TRUTH?
I chose to put my confidence in TRUTH. It brought Peace to my soul.
JUSTIFICATION IS ONE OF THE MIRACLES OF GOD'S GRACE. IT BLOTS OUT THE FACT OF GUILT, AND ESTABLISHES THE TRUTH OF INNOCENCE.
Jesus was stripped of His righteousness, and laden with my sin on the Cross. When it happened, He cried in anguish, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" He carried my guilt when He died. He died a sinner in my stead. He has imputed His innocence to me by the miracle of Justification by Faith.
the earnest
THE EARNEST
Let me direct your attention to the great Salvation which is to be awarded to God's children shortly.
Comparatively few people realize that such a thing exists in the plan of God. It seems that our eyes have been directed to eternity and the skies whenever we have thought about the future as a Christian.
There are several references to the fact that we posses only a small fraction of what will one day be made available to His chosen ones.
Paul calls it the "earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession". Eph 1:14 He again calls it the "firstfruits of the Spirit" in Rom 8:23
We know that an earnest is a pledge given in leiu of the full amount, and pending further developments. The Holy Ghost Baptism is a wonderful thing, but we must not lose sight of the fact that it is but a small portion of a greater quantity being held in reserve for us.
Firstfruits speaks of some greater amount to follow. It serves as a sample. The firstfruits is but a small token of a vast ingathering. So, when that word is used to denote the Spirit given at our Baptism of the Holy Ghost, we may be sure there is some greater portion of that Holy Spirit being reserved for a time and a people.
1 Pet. 1:1-13 mentions the salvation which is being reserved and is ready to be revealed in the last time.(vs 5) We rejoice in the hope of this greater salvation, even if trials and sorrows be our lot while waiting.
If we hold steady through it all, we shall receive the ultimate end of our faith. It is this COMPLETE SALVATION, which the angels have desired to look into. It puzzled the Prophets who prophesied about it, and they tried hard to understand what they spoke about, but were unable to comprehend the glory which should come to God's elect as a result of Calvary. The glory is still future, and holy men are still grappling with a proper understanding of its meaning. We are admonished to be sober, and hopeful while waiting for it, for it shall come at a time known only to God. I believe it is near at hand.
Let me direct your attention to the great Salvation which is to be awarded to God's children shortly.
Comparatively few people realize that such a thing exists in the plan of God. It seems that our eyes have been directed to eternity and the skies whenever we have thought about the future as a Christian.
There are several references to the fact that we posses only a small fraction of what will one day be made available to His chosen ones.
Paul calls it the "earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession". Eph 1:14 He again calls it the "firstfruits of the Spirit" in Rom 8:23
We know that an earnest is a pledge given in leiu of the full amount, and pending further developments. The Holy Ghost Baptism is a wonderful thing, but we must not lose sight of the fact that it is but a small portion of a greater quantity being held in reserve for us.
Firstfruits speaks of some greater amount to follow. It serves as a sample. The firstfruits is but a small token of a vast ingathering. So, when that word is used to denote the Spirit given at our Baptism of the Holy Ghost, we may be sure there is some greater portion of that Holy Spirit being reserved for a time and a people.
1 Pet. 1:1-13 mentions the salvation which is being reserved and is ready to be revealed in the last time.(vs 5) We rejoice in the hope of this greater salvation, even if trials and sorrows be our lot while waiting.
If we hold steady through it all, we shall receive the ultimate end of our faith. It is this COMPLETE SALVATION, which the angels have desired to look into. It puzzled the Prophets who prophesied about it, and they tried hard to understand what they spoke about, but were unable to comprehend the glory which should come to God's elect as a result of Calvary. The glory is still future, and holy men are still grappling with a proper understanding of its meaning. We are admonished to be sober, and hopeful while waiting for it, for it shall come at a time known only to God. I believe it is near at hand.
A BETTER COUNTRY
A BETTER COUNTRY
Whoever wrote the book of Hebrews certainly had a good understanding of God's plan for His followers. The writer used a few terms to explain God's intent in a way that we can readily grasp with clarity.
In recalling the Heroes of Faith, (chapter 11) Abraham is used to demonstrate a blind obedience to the command of God. We also see the results of God revealing Himself to a man. A REVELATION of the SPIRIT imparts a knowledge to the soul and mind of a person.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which HATH FOUNDATIONS, whose builder and maker [is] God.
Abraham had, by the Spirit, caught a vision of an Eternal City (one that had FOUNDATIONS). There are no cities of this world which will make the transition into the Eternal World, because they are all builded by man. They (everything we can see) all are to perish with the world. We can not trust in any government (city), nor in anything that pertains to them. All that we see and handle is temporal.
Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Each of us needs to ask ourselves, "Where have I put my confidence, what am I putting my trust in?" If it is fastened on anything which this world has or can produce, we are in deep trouble.
It is only natural for us to want to be located in a good neighborhood, near good schools and shopping centers, above the hundred-year flood plane, etc. etc. This is NOT WRONG, for God expects us to be concerned about such things. Prudence dictates that we take note of such things.
Prudence (WISDOM) also dictates that we be concerned about what awaits us beyond the dividing of this life from that which is to come. That is far more important than the natural things.
We are only on earth for a short span of time, but Eternity is in another realm altogether. I can not explain it to you, but I am convinced that it is even more real than what we are seeing in the here and now.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES, BUT HAVING SEEN THEM AFAR OFF, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and CONFESSED THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. For they that say such things declare plainly that THEY SEEK A COUNTRY.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they DESIRE A BETTER [COUNTRY], THAT IS, AN HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: FOR HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY.
When God reveals Himself to us, we, like the patriarchs of old, catch a vision of an ETERNAL CITY, A STEADFAST CITY IN A BETTER COUNTRY. It is part of the package.
Whoever wrote the book of Hebrews certainly had a good understanding of God's plan for His followers. The writer used a few terms to explain God's intent in a way that we can readily grasp with clarity.
In recalling the Heroes of Faith, (chapter 11) Abraham is used to demonstrate a blind obedience to the command of God. We also see the results of God revealing Himself to a man. A REVELATION of the SPIRIT imparts a knowledge to the soul and mind of a person.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which HATH FOUNDATIONS, whose builder and maker [is] God.
Abraham had, by the Spirit, caught a vision of an Eternal City (one that had FOUNDATIONS). There are no cities of this world which will make the transition into the Eternal World, because they are all builded by man. They (everything we can see) all are to perish with the world. We can not trust in any government (city), nor in anything that pertains to them. All that we see and handle is temporal.
Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Each of us needs to ask ourselves, "Where have I put my confidence, what am I putting my trust in?" If it is fastened on anything which this world has or can produce, we are in deep trouble.
It is only natural for us to want to be located in a good neighborhood, near good schools and shopping centers, above the hundred-year flood plane, etc. etc. This is NOT WRONG, for God expects us to be concerned about such things. Prudence dictates that we take note of such things.
Prudence (WISDOM) also dictates that we be concerned about what awaits us beyond the dividing of this life from that which is to come. That is far more important than the natural things.
We are only on earth for a short span of time, but Eternity is in another realm altogether. I can not explain it to you, but I am convinced that it is even more real than what we are seeing in the here and now.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES, BUT HAVING SEEN THEM AFAR OFF, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and CONFESSED THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. For they that say such things declare plainly that THEY SEEK A COUNTRY.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they DESIRE A BETTER [COUNTRY], THAT IS, AN HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: FOR HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY.
When God reveals Himself to us, we, like the patriarchs of old, catch a vision of an ETERNAL CITY, A STEADFAST CITY IN A BETTER COUNTRY. It is part of the package.
CHOSEN OF GOD
CHOSEN OF GOD
What caused Jesus to specifically call each of the disciples whom He chose to follow Him? Or, do you suppose the Lord just randomly spoke to each of them as He came upon them?
Why was each one WILLING to leave nets, tax rolls, etc. and immediately follow Him?
I have often wondered about this, and many other events which we read about. Did such things just "happen", or were they orchestrated by the Spirit of the Almighty?
I definitely lean toward the belief that the Lord is much more involved in the lives of His followers than we care to admit. The Spirit leads us in ways we do not recognize, many times. Often by circumstances beyond our control. Often by strong desires or inclinations.
One favorite example of God's direction in human lives is the account in 1 Kings 7 where the four leprous men were driven by desperation to hobble out toward the camp of the beseiging army in the twilight of the evening. These four men certainly did not make the noise which was heard by the Syrian soldiers.
Nor could the four lepers have caused the sudden, demoralizing fear that gripped the hearts of the warriors getting ready for supper. God can REALLY scare people when He wants to. Mile after mile was littered with clothes which the Syrians found to be too much of a hindrance to them in their flight from the armies they "heard". Four leprous men hobbling out through the twilight.
What caused the people to gather palm branches to wave, and to lay before Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem that day on the colt, the foal of an ass? Was it the result of a massive advertising campaign. Was He doing an "Elvis" on them? Why did the children run through the temple crying "Hosannah"? Who told them to do it? If our interpretation is correct, what caused suckling babies to pull away from the breast of their mothers and give glory to God?
How's come the young ass didn't buck and rear when Jesus got on his back? He had never had an experience like that before.
The Bible says that the "city was moved" (see Mat 21:10) when Jesus was making the triumphal entry? The word "moved" is also translated "earthquakes" in diverse places in Mat 24:7.
Without doubt, God's Spirit was active in these, and other events which are recorded for our encouragement and learning.
This brings up the question-- "What has God done in your life?" How many times has He been leading you, when you wist it not?
Be encouraged in the Lord.
What caused Jesus to specifically call each of the disciples whom He chose to follow Him? Or, do you suppose the Lord just randomly spoke to each of them as He came upon them?
Why was each one WILLING to leave nets, tax rolls, etc. and immediately follow Him?
I have often wondered about this, and many other events which we read about. Did such things just "happen", or were they orchestrated by the Spirit of the Almighty?
I definitely lean toward the belief that the Lord is much more involved in the lives of His followers than we care to admit. The Spirit leads us in ways we do not recognize, many times. Often by circumstances beyond our control. Often by strong desires or inclinations.
One favorite example of God's direction in human lives is the account in 1 Kings 7 where the four leprous men were driven by desperation to hobble out toward the camp of the beseiging army in the twilight of the evening. These four men certainly did not make the noise which was heard by the Syrian soldiers.
Nor could the four lepers have caused the sudden, demoralizing fear that gripped the hearts of the warriors getting ready for supper. God can REALLY scare people when He wants to. Mile after mile was littered with clothes which the Syrians found to be too much of a hindrance to them in their flight from the armies they "heard". Four leprous men hobbling out through the twilight.
What caused the people to gather palm branches to wave, and to lay before Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem that day on the colt, the foal of an ass? Was it the result of a massive advertising campaign. Was He doing an "Elvis" on them? Why did the children run through the temple crying "Hosannah"? Who told them to do it? If our interpretation is correct, what caused suckling babies to pull away from the breast of their mothers and give glory to God?
How's come the young ass didn't buck and rear when Jesus got on his back? He had never had an experience like that before.
The Bible says that the "city was moved" (see Mat 21:10) when Jesus was making the triumphal entry? The word "moved" is also translated "earthquakes" in diverse places in Mat 24:7.
Without doubt, God's Spirit was active in these, and other events which are recorded for our encouragement and learning.
This brings up the question-- "What has God done in your life?" How many times has He been leading you, when you wist it not?
Be encouraged in the Lord.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
TANGLED
TANGLED STRANDS
This morning I awakened with a few words of a song which we heard in McCall, Idaho in 1945-46.
"Dear Lord, take up the tangled strands, Where I have wrought in vain. And with the skill of Thy dear Hand,--" That is all I can remember.
My mind ran, rather quickly, back over my life, and I saw the many times when I was in need of Divine Skill to bring order out of the chaos I had, unwittingly, brought forth in my life.
The amazing part of it is-- He seemed to have been waiting in the wings, until I realized I had made a mess of things and would look to Him for a solution.
I was remided of a story told by an Evangelist who held us a 5 week meeting in 1943. He related how Paul Rader, in his pre-Christian life, had walked past the old J And P Coats sign in New York City. On the sign was a kitten who had become tangled hopelessly with thread from a spool. Once Paul remarked to the kitten, "Kitty, I'm about as tangled as you are."
But, one evening shortly after that, Paul stopped into a Mission. God spoke to his heart, and he responded when the invitation was given. He had a lige-altering experience with the Lord there that night. His later accomplishments attested to the genuineness of his encounter with Jesus that night.
After leaving the Mission, Paul again passed under the "Kitty" sign. This time he looked up and remarked, "Kitty, you're still tangled up, but I'm free!"
I have learned that, no matter how badly I have fumbled the affairs of my life-- no matter how miserably I have failed in my attempts to guide my life-- ALWAYS, if and when I turn to Jesus, He is there to help me straighten my life up again.
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!
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms:---
He does not always erase the effects of my blundering-- some things I have to "live with" the rest of my life. But He forgives me for the sin of rebellion against His Leadings in my life.
Gradually, I am learning that the desire to run my own life actually constitutes a rebellion against Him, and the guidance of His Spirit.
Psalms 100:5 For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.
This morning I awakened with a few words of a song which we heard in McCall, Idaho in 1945-46.
"Dear Lord, take up the tangled strands, Where I have wrought in vain. And with the skill of Thy dear Hand,--" That is all I can remember.
My mind ran, rather quickly, back over my life, and I saw the many times when I was in need of Divine Skill to bring order out of the chaos I had, unwittingly, brought forth in my life.
The amazing part of it is-- He seemed to have been waiting in the wings, until I realized I had made a mess of things and would look to Him for a solution.
I was remided of a story told by an Evangelist who held us a 5 week meeting in 1943. He related how Paul Rader, in his pre-Christian life, had walked past the old J And P Coats sign in New York City. On the sign was a kitten who had become tangled hopelessly with thread from a spool. Once Paul remarked to the kitten, "Kitty, I'm about as tangled as you are."
But, one evening shortly after that, Paul stopped into a Mission. God spoke to his heart, and he responded when the invitation was given. He had a lige-altering experience with the Lord there that night. His later accomplishments attested to the genuineness of his encounter with Jesus that night.
After leaving the Mission, Paul again passed under the "Kitty" sign. This time he looked up and remarked, "Kitty, you're still tangled up, but I'm free!"
I have learned that, no matter how badly I have fumbled the affairs of my life-- no matter how miserably I have failed in my attempts to guide my life-- ALWAYS, if and when I turn to Jesus, He is there to help me straighten my life up again.
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!
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms:---
He does not always erase the effects of my blundering-- some things I have to "live with" the rest of my life. But He forgives me for the sin of rebellion against His Leadings in my life.
Gradually, I am learning that the desire to run my own life actually constitutes a rebellion against Him, and the guidance of His Spirit.
Psalms 100:5 For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.
WHY PRAY
WHY PRAY?
I Timothy 2:1, 2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
It seems a little odd to me that the things Paul put the most EMPHASIS on are the ones we bestow the most NEGLECT on. It would appear that we are satisfied to have held another service, sung some more songs, and greeted each other in a friendly way. Then we return to our normal way of life until next Sunday (Morning), when we repeat the process all over again.
"HOLDING CHURCH DOESN'T CUT IT". The Spiritual condition continues to decline, and no one seems to notice. Or if they do notice, they are too engrossed in their own ways to do anything about it-- even in their own lives.
Jesus, angered at conditions in the Temple, vehemently declared, "MY HOUSE shall be called a HOUSE OF PRAYER." Today, in a similar fashion, we have corrupted His House with:
--PROGRAMS of our own ingenuity, hoping that God will add His Blessing to them. HE DOES NOT.
--PERSONALITY PARADES, men projecting themselves, their own abilities, rather than being the humble servants of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. THEY FAIL.
--WARDROBES AND POSSESSIONS. Church has largely become a fashion show. A RELIGIOUS CLUB HOUSE.
These things are more of a detriment than a blessing.
There are three ingredients that are necessary. They are:
PRAISE, PRAYER, PREACHING.
Of the three, prayer is probably the most neglected in our churches because it is difficult to bring ourselves down in humiliation before God in supplication (begging). No one likes to BEG anyone for anything. But that is what the word means.
Prayers and intercessions are costly activities in terms of time and effort. They do not gratify the flesh.
The DYNAMICS of the HOLY GHOST are ONLY produced by PRAYER. "--but prayer- without ceasing"
It is the "PRAYER FACTOR" which makes the difference in the impossible situations we face.
If we are going to see the miracle working Power of God--
SOMEONE HAS GOT TO START PRAYING.
Ezek 22:30 I looked for a man (who would BE AN INTERCESSOR.)
My ministry is not what I am DOING-- It is, primarily, what I am BEING--
The important thing is not "THE WORK OF GOD", but --THE GOD OF THE WORK". We must prevail on God to arise and give us the "bread" which we MUST HAVE.
1 Tim 2:1 FIRST OF ALL-- (MOST IMPORTANT).
What is the purpose of prayer? If He is absolute Sovereign, why pray? Wesley said, "God does nothing on earth except in answer to prayer."
ONLY MAN, OF ALL CREATION, HAS A WILL, TO OBEY, OR TO DISOBEY. WE ARE REBELS.
Prayer justifies Divine Intervention in the life of rebels.
When we pray,"Thy Will Be Done", it gives God permission to over rule our own desires-- to SUPERIMPOSE HIMSELF upon us, as well as others for whom we pray. "Thy Will" is a safe way to pray.
We can do nothing without His Will. We do not "call the shots." He will never "obey" us. "Not my will, but Thine."
Yet, He will do nothing in our lives without our will. Unless we give Him permission to SUPERIMPOSE HIMSELF upon us, There is no way we can know the blessing of walking with Him.
Oh, how much we need to repent of the multitude of ways and times we walk in our own ways, following the leadings of our own natures, which are rebellious to God. Walking the path of rebellion is the most natural thing we can do. Walking in an attitude of repentance is an absolute "MUST".
If we are to see God work again in our churches, we will have to begin begging Him to return to our midst in the power of His Spirit.
OUR METHODS ARE KILLING US.
Gen 19:27 God REMBERED ABRAHM, and SAVED LOT.
LORD, GIVE US INTERCESSORS.
I Timothy 2:1, 2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
It seems a little odd to me that the things Paul put the most EMPHASIS on are the ones we bestow the most NEGLECT on. It would appear that we are satisfied to have held another service, sung some more songs, and greeted each other in a friendly way. Then we return to our normal way of life until next Sunday (Morning), when we repeat the process all over again.
"HOLDING CHURCH DOESN'T CUT IT". The Spiritual condition continues to decline, and no one seems to notice. Or if they do notice, they are too engrossed in their own ways to do anything about it-- even in their own lives.
Jesus, angered at conditions in the Temple, vehemently declared, "MY HOUSE shall be called a HOUSE OF PRAYER." Today, in a similar fashion, we have corrupted His House with:
--PROGRAMS of our own ingenuity, hoping that God will add His Blessing to them. HE DOES NOT.
--PERSONALITY PARADES, men projecting themselves, their own abilities, rather than being the humble servants of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. THEY FAIL.
--WARDROBES AND POSSESSIONS. Church has largely become a fashion show. A RELIGIOUS CLUB HOUSE.
These things are more of a detriment than a blessing.
There are three ingredients that are necessary. They are:
PRAISE, PRAYER, PREACHING.
Of the three, prayer is probably the most neglected in our churches because it is difficult to bring ourselves down in humiliation before God in supplication (begging). No one likes to BEG anyone for anything. But that is what the word means.
Prayers and intercessions are costly activities in terms of time and effort. They do not gratify the flesh.
The DYNAMICS of the HOLY GHOST are ONLY produced by PRAYER. "--but prayer- without ceasing"
It is the "PRAYER FACTOR" which makes the difference in the impossible situations we face.
If we are going to see the miracle working Power of God--
SOMEONE HAS GOT TO START PRAYING.
Ezek 22:30 I looked for a man (who would BE AN INTERCESSOR.)
My ministry is not what I am DOING-- It is, primarily, what I am BEING--
The important thing is not "THE WORK OF GOD", but --THE GOD OF THE WORK". We must prevail on God to arise and give us the "bread" which we MUST HAVE.
1 Tim 2:1 FIRST OF ALL-- (MOST IMPORTANT).
What is the purpose of prayer? If He is absolute Sovereign, why pray? Wesley said, "God does nothing on earth except in answer to prayer."
ONLY MAN, OF ALL CREATION, HAS A WILL, TO OBEY, OR TO DISOBEY. WE ARE REBELS.
Prayer justifies Divine Intervention in the life of rebels.
When we pray,"Thy Will Be Done", it gives God permission to over rule our own desires-- to SUPERIMPOSE HIMSELF upon us, as well as others for whom we pray. "Thy Will" is a safe way to pray.
We can do nothing without His Will. We do not "call the shots." He will never "obey" us. "Not my will, but Thine."
Yet, He will do nothing in our lives without our will. Unless we give Him permission to SUPERIMPOSE HIMSELF upon us, There is no way we can know the blessing of walking with Him.
Oh, how much we need to repent of the multitude of ways and times we walk in our own ways, following the leadings of our own natures, which are rebellious to God. Walking the path of rebellion is the most natural thing we can do. Walking in an attitude of repentance is an absolute "MUST".
If we are to see God work again in our churches, we will have to begin begging Him to return to our midst in the power of His Spirit.
OUR METHODS ARE KILLING US.
Gen 19:27 God REMBERED ABRAHM, and SAVED LOT.
LORD, GIVE US INTERCESSORS.
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.
Friday, November 16, 2007
SUCCESS
SUCCESS
Someone has said that SUCCESS happens when PREPARATION meets OPPORTUNITY. This may be more than just a catchy phrase.
Another has said that we are only young once, but if we use it right, once is enough.
There are some things you only get one chance to do in your lifetime. Our preparation is very crucial. The Psalmist gives a guideline for our preparation. Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.
A story is told of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, the flying ace of the first World War. Those early machine guns would occasionally jam, due to shell casings being a bit too large or out of round. An aviator without an operating machine gun was in real trouble-- a "sitting duck", as the saying goes.
While other fliers were resting between flights, Eddie was out in his plane-- testing EVERY SHELL issued to him for his next flight-- to make SURE it would fit into the chamber. Any that would not, were thrown away.
That little maneuver contributed to his success as an Aviator, and to his success in civilian life later. He habitually did his best to eliminate the odds in every aspect of his life.
Steel rails are worth, in narmal times, about thirty dollars a ton. But, that same ton of steel,when put through a series of refining processes, and made into watch springs, can be worth as much as a million dollars.
The same is true of our Spiritual lives, as well as our natural lives. We can be content to be of such a value that people can ride on us, or we can develop our potential to the point where we can run the whole works.
Someone has said that SUCCESS happens when PREPARATION meets OPPORTUNITY. This may be more than just a catchy phrase.
Another has said that we are only young once, but if we use it right, once is enough.
There are some things you only get one chance to do in your lifetime. Our preparation is very crucial. The Psalmist gives a guideline for our preparation. Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.
A story is told of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, the flying ace of the first World War. Those early machine guns would occasionally jam, due to shell casings being a bit too large or out of round. An aviator without an operating machine gun was in real trouble-- a "sitting duck", as the saying goes.
While other fliers were resting between flights, Eddie was out in his plane-- testing EVERY SHELL issued to him for his next flight-- to make SURE it would fit into the chamber. Any that would not, were thrown away.
That little maneuver contributed to his success as an Aviator, and to his success in civilian life later. He habitually did his best to eliminate the odds in every aspect of his life.
Steel rails are worth, in narmal times, about thirty dollars a ton. But, that same ton of steel,when put through a series of refining processes, and made into watch springs, can be worth as much as a million dollars.
The same is true of our Spiritual lives, as well as our natural lives. We can be content to be of such a value that people can ride on us, or we can develop our potential to the point where we can run the whole works.
JONAH
JONAH
Here are a few random thoughts about Jonah, and our similarity to him on occasions.
Jonah, by his own words, would have rather seen God destroy the many thousands of people of Nineveh than to have his reputation as a Prophet of God tarnished. Think of it! Thousands of souls about to be plunged into hell, and Jonah was reluctant to risk his reputation as a Prophet in order to have them saved! Personal esteem ranked higher in his mind than the souls of thousands.
He knew there would be no fine stories to bring back home and tell to the other prophets of how God had brought to pass what he had prophesied.
To come home with a report of how God had shown them mercy would be of no personal value to Jonah. To be rated as a false prophet would be worse than to sit and watch while unwarned people were hurled to their doom. How selfish and carnal can a person be?
But wait a minute before we are too harsh on Jonah. Most of us have done the same thing at some time or other in our lives.
How many times, do you suppose, has there been someone in the congregation who needed a word from the the Lord, and you were anointed of God to give an utterance which might not have made sense to you personally? How often do you refuse to risk your reputation? How many times do you force other people to plod wearily along without the help that your obedience to the Spirit might afford them?
Here is another thought! Everyone knows that a dividing spirit in a congregation is like a rotten apple in a box of good ones.
Spiritual unity is one of the most important things each assembly must maintain, for in its absence Satan can move in and cripple or kill at his own pleasure. Yet it is a glaring fact that many times two or more people in a congregation will come to logger-heads over some trivial thing, and each one refuse to budge even an inch toward reconciliation.
Each one contends in his heart that he is right, and therefore has a reason for standing "pat". It is also true that each one will maintain his position while the rest of the congregation chooses up sides and start fighting over first one thing and then another.
The unity of the congregation has been sacrificed for personal esteem.
Sometimes unity is sacrificed over whether our particular brand of "truth" is being presented--while souls are headed for hell.
Other times unity is sacrificed over our approval, or dis-approval of the format of worship, and souls are lost.
That is all Jonah was planning to do.
--Marion Fretwell
Here are a few random thoughts about Jonah, and our similarity to him on occasions.
Jonah, by his own words, would have rather seen God destroy the many thousands of people of Nineveh than to have his reputation as a Prophet of God tarnished. Think of it! Thousands of souls about to be plunged into hell, and Jonah was reluctant to risk his reputation as a Prophet in order to have them saved! Personal esteem ranked higher in his mind than the souls of thousands.
He knew there would be no fine stories to bring back home and tell to the other prophets of how God had brought to pass what he had prophesied.
To come home with a report of how God had shown them mercy would be of no personal value to Jonah. To be rated as a false prophet would be worse than to sit and watch while unwarned people were hurled to their doom. How selfish and carnal can a person be?
But wait a minute before we are too harsh on Jonah. Most of us have done the same thing at some time or other in our lives.
How many times, do you suppose, has there been someone in the congregation who needed a word from the the Lord, and you were anointed of God to give an utterance which might not have made sense to you personally? How often do you refuse to risk your reputation? How many times do you force other people to plod wearily along without the help that your obedience to the Spirit might afford them?
Here is another thought! Everyone knows that a dividing spirit in a congregation is like a rotten apple in a box of good ones.
Spiritual unity is one of the most important things each assembly must maintain, for in its absence Satan can move in and cripple or kill at his own pleasure. Yet it is a glaring fact that many times two or more people in a congregation will come to logger-heads over some trivial thing, and each one refuse to budge even an inch toward reconciliation.
Each one contends in his heart that he is right, and therefore has a reason for standing "pat". It is also true that each one will maintain his position while the rest of the congregation chooses up sides and start fighting over first one thing and then another.
The unity of the congregation has been sacrificed for personal esteem.
Sometimes unity is sacrificed over whether our particular brand of "truth" is being presented--while souls are headed for hell.
Other times unity is sacrificed over our approval, or dis-approval of the format of worship, and souls are lost.
That is all Jonah was planning to do.
--Marion Fretwell
Saturday, November 10, 2007
WHO IS THIS ___ PHILISTINE?
WHO IS THIS UNCIRCUMCISED PHILISTINE?
I Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying,.... for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
Jesse had sent his youngest son with some supplies for his three oldest brothers who were with King Saul in a war with the Philistines. Jesse and David had not known that for 40 days there had been no fighting done. Instead, the giant Goliath had appeared daily with a bellowed challenge to Saul's army. If they would send only one man to fight with him, each man would fight for the respective army. The winner takes all.
It looked like a "lead pipe cinch" for the Palestinians. Their man was "bigger and better" than any which Israel could produce. It is always that way.
David found the soldiers terrified with fear. They knew they were doomed, but were going to "put it off" as long as they could. Nobody did anything, aside from wringing their hands, or biting their finger nails.
Fear has a paralyzing effect on people. Saul and the army had been in its vice-like grip for over a month.
I can hear those soldiers murmuring among themselves.
"They're gonna forbid us to hold Church services one of these days."
"They're gonna confiscate and burn our Bibles pretty soon."
"They're gonna force us into a cashless society, and we'll have to have a mark or a number to buy groceries. It'll be a tattoo mark, or a computer chip under our skin. The mmmaarkk of the bbbeast-- shhhure as annnythhing."
"Antichrist is gonna come and "sweet talk" us into following him. Then he'll double cross us after three and a half years, and we'll really be in trouble."
"The Sun's having Super Novas, and is about to burn out and go cold and dark. What'll we do then?
"The earth is wobbling on its axis right now, and the orbit is going egg-shape already."
"Boys, we might as well "call a spade a spade", and admit we're done. The only thing that'll save us now is for some force to come and snatch us out of here to keep us from being annihilated."
But, David hadn't heard about those things. He'd been out with the sheep, singing, worshiping God. He had experienced the Power of God enabling him to kill a bear, then a lion. He has learned to sling a stone into a "bull's eye" at fifty feet. He had learned what Faith in God could do. God was BIG, in David's eyes.
His God is invincible. His God will vindicate His Name. David's God will deliver His People in answer to their faith in Him. David will act on his faith, and attack the giant.
David doesn't know about the wobbling earth. He doesn't know about the Super Novas. He doesn't know-- he hasn't been told-- about antichrist, or the cashless society, or the "great tribulation" and the embedded computer chips.
David knows his God in a deeper dimension than the trained warriors do. He depends upon God's power instead of weapons fashioned and used by man. He isn't bogged down by teachings about doomsday and defeat. His faith is in the ability of his God, and the honor of His Name.
Any one of those soldiers could have whipped Goliath if their faith had been in God instead of themselves, and their weapons. Petitions, Marches, and Drives will not stop giants.
Who are these people and forces that we are afraid of today? Most of them are no more than "paper tigers" on stakes along the side of the path. They are not real, never have been, never will be.
Can even the real ones successfully defy our God and His people?
Not if our trust is in the right place.
I Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying,.... for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
Jesse had sent his youngest son with some supplies for his three oldest brothers who were with King Saul in a war with the Philistines. Jesse and David had not known that for 40 days there had been no fighting done. Instead, the giant Goliath had appeared daily with a bellowed challenge to Saul's army. If they would send only one man to fight with him, each man would fight for the respective army. The winner takes all.
It looked like a "lead pipe cinch" for the Palestinians. Their man was "bigger and better" than any which Israel could produce. It is always that way.
David found the soldiers terrified with fear. They knew they were doomed, but were going to "put it off" as long as they could. Nobody did anything, aside from wringing their hands, or biting their finger nails.
Fear has a paralyzing effect on people. Saul and the army had been in its vice-like grip for over a month.
I can hear those soldiers murmuring among themselves.
"They're gonna forbid us to hold Church services one of these days."
"They're gonna confiscate and burn our Bibles pretty soon."
"They're gonna force us into a cashless society, and we'll have to have a mark or a number to buy groceries. It'll be a tattoo mark, or a computer chip under our skin. The mmmaarkk of the bbbeast-- shhhure as annnythhing."
"Antichrist is gonna come and "sweet talk" us into following him. Then he'll double cross us after three and a half years, and we'll really be in trouble."
"The Sun's having Super Novas, and is about to burn out and go cold and dark. What'll we do then?
"The earth is wobbling on its axis right now, and the orbit is going egg-shape already."
"Boys, we might as well "call a spade a spade", and admit we're done. The only thing that'll save us now is for some force to come and snatch us out of here to keep us from being annihilated."
But, David hadn't heard about those things. He'd been out with the sheep, singing, worshiping God. He had experienced the Power of God enabling him to kill a bear, then a lion. He has learned to sling a stone into a "bull's eye" at fifty feet. He had learned what Faith in God could do. God was BIG, in David's eyes.
His God is invincible. His God will vindicate His Name. David's God will deliver His People in answer to their faith in Him. David will act on his faith, and attack the giant.
David doesn't know about the wobbling earth. He doesn't know about the Super Novas. He doesn't know-- he hasn't been told-- about antichrist, or the cashless society, or the "great tribulation" and the embedded computer chips.
David knows his God in a deeper dimension than the trained warriors do. He depends upon God's power instead of weapons fashioned and used by man. He isn't bogged down by teachings about doomsday and defeat. His faith is in the ability of his God, and the honor of His Name.
Any one of those soldiers could have whipped Goliath if their faith had been in God instead of themselves, and their weapons. Petitions, Marches, and Drives will not stop giants.
Who are these people and forces that we are afraid of today? Most of them are no more than "paper tigers" on stakes along the side of the path. They are not real, never have been, never will be.
Can even the real ones successfully defy our God and His people?
Not if our trust is in the right place.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
THE ANOINTING OF JESUS
THE ANOINTING OF JESUS
Peter, at the house of Cornelius, made a statement which helps to explain some of the "why's and wherefore's" of the Ministry of Jesus on earth.
There seems to be some confusion about what it was that started Jesus out in His Ministry, and what ended it while He was on the Cross. Peter gave an explanation of what started that Ministry.
Acts 10:38 How God ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER: (emphasis mine) who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
I doubt that ANY of us can say, with any degree of certainty, what mixture of physical and Spiritual elements Jesus possessed BEFORE HIS BAPTISM in Jordan. I wouldn't argue that point-- even if I could. Except to say, that is, that JESUS WAS NOT GOD INCARNATE AT HIS BIRTH.
If He was INCARNATE AT BIRTH, the Catholics, with their "Mary, Mother of God" teachings, have had us whipped both going and coming.
Something happened in Jordan, which Peter called the ANOINTING. John had argued with Jesus about who should baptize whom before they went into the water. John KNEW who Jesus was before the ceremony took place. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
John NEEDED NO SIGN from Heaven to know who Jesus was. Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Jesus then began to speak the Words of God, though He referred to Himself as the Son of Man. John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.
Luke 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
The earthly Ministry of Jesus ended as abruptly as it had begun, as He hung on the cross. Mark 15:33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard [it], said, Behold, he calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put [it] on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
Chronologically, Jesus cried in anguish of having been FORSAKEN of God BEFORE the moment of death. He died, laden with the sins of the world, not as an innocent, sinless man. The transfer of sins and guilt/innocence and purity had been made by God just prior to death. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 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.
Peter, at the house of Cornelius, made a statement which helps to explain some of the "why's and wherefore's" of the Ministry of Jesus on earth.
There seems to be some confusion about what it was that started Jesus out in His Ministry, and what ended it while He was on the Cross. Peter gave an explanation of what started that Ministry.
Acts 10:38 How God ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER: (emphasis mine) who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
I doubt that ANY of us can say, with any degree of certainty, what mixture of physical and Spiritual elements Jesus possessed BEFORE HIS BAPTISM in Jordan. I wouldn't argue that point-- even if I could. Except to say, that is, that JESUS WAS NOT GOD INCARNATE AT HIS BIRTH.
If He was INCARNATE AT BIRTH, the Catholics, with their "Mary, Mother of God" teachings, have had us whipped both going and coming.
Something happened in Jordan, which Peter called the ANOINTING. John had argued with Jesus about who should baptize whom before they went into the water. John KNEW who Jesus was before the ceremony took place. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
John NEEDED NO SIGN from Heaven to know who Jesus was. Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Jesus then began to speak the Words of God, though He referred to Himself as the Son of Man. John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.
Luke 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
The earthly Ministry of Jesus ended as abruptly as it had begun, as He hung on the cross. Mark 15:33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard [it], said, Behold, he calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put [it] on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
Chronologically, Jesus cried in anguish of having been FORSAKEN of God BEFORE the moment of death. He died, laden with the sins of the world, not as an innocent, sinless man. The transfer of sins and guilt/innocence and purity had been made by God just prior to death. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 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.
THE RIVER OF GOD
THE RIVER OF GOD
I know I have written about this before, but it seems to keep coming to me this morning, so I will touch base with it again.
The point which seems to want the limelight right now is found in Ezekiel, chapter 47. It tells about waters issuing out of the House of God-- coming from the right side of the Altar. I grew and grew as it progressed down the hill on its 12 mile journey. Before it was half way to its destination, it had grown to a river which could not be passed over-- "waters to swim in".
Ezekiel 47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Most scholars agree that this prophecy is talking about an outpouring of the Spirit of God in the end time of this dispensation. We are probably correct in this interpretation is in line with what Jesus said about the the believer having a river of living water springing up unto Everlasting Life. See John 7:38 and John 4:14
There are other scriptures which speak about the river of refreshing which is to be expected from the Lord.
Psalms 46:4 [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psalms 65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
A few years ago, I was looking at the river found in Eze 47, and made a remarkable discovery from the Word.
THESE WATERS HAVE A DEFINITE DESTINATION AND A DEFINITE PURPOSE.
Ezekiel 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, AND GO DOWN INTO THE DESERT, AND GO INTO THE SEA: [which being] brought forth into the sea, THE WATERS SHALL BE HEALED.
The first purpose is to bring life to the desert. It will do that.
The second purpose is to heal the waters of the Dead Sea. We all know that nothing lives in the Dead Sea. No plants, no fish, no animals. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
What a fitting way for the Lord to portray the "deadness" of humanity. Absolute depravity. Absolute helplessness to produce anything good. All life ceases at its borders. The "Black Hole" of life.
But God! But God has a plan in mind that can and will bring that condition to an end.
According to the Prophet, all of the Dead Sea but a few-- Ezekiel 47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
No, not EVERY ONE will respond to the Spirit of the Lord when it is poured out as a DELUGE upon humanity. But God intends to snatch a generation or two from the kingdom of death, into the Kingdom of Life-- from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light-- from the kingdom of error to the Kingdom of Truth-- from the kingdom of sin to the Kingdom of Righteousness.
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
God WILL have the last word.
I know I have written about this before, but it seems to keep coming to me this morning, so I will touch base with it again.
The point which seems to want the limelight right now is found in Ezekiel, chapter 47. It tells about waters issuing out of the House of God-- coming from the right side of the Altar. I grew and grew as it progressed down the hill on its 12 mile journey. Before it was half way to its destination, it had grown to a river which could not be passed over-- "waters to swim in".
Ezekiel 47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Most scholars agree that this prophecy is talking about an outpouring of the Spirit of God in the end time of this dispensation. We are probably correct in this interpretation is in line with what Jesus said about the the believer having a river of living water springing up unto Everlasting Life. See John 7:38 and John 4:14
There are other scriptures which speak about the river of refreshing which is to be expected from the Lord.
Psalms 46:4 [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psalms 65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
A few years ago, I was looking at the river found in Eze 47, and made a remarkable discovery from the Word.
THESE WATERS HAVE A DEFINITE DESTINATION AND A DEFINITE PURPOSE.
Ezekiel 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, AND GO DOWN INTO THE DESERT, AND GO INTO THE SEA: [which being] brought forth into the sea, THE WATERS SHALL BE HEALED.
The first purpose is to bring life to the desert. It will do that.
The second purpose is to heal the waters of the Dead Sea. We all know that nothing lives in the Dead Sea. No plants, no fish, no animals. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
What a fitting way for the Lord to portray the "deadness" of humanity. Absolute depravity. Absolute helplessness to produce anything good. All life ceases at its borders. The "Black Hole" of life.
But God! But God has a plan in mind that can and will bring that condition to an end.
According to the Prophet, all of the Dead Sea but a few-- Ezekiel 47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
No, not EVERY ONE will respond to the Spirit of the Lord when it is poured out as a DELUGE upon humanity. But God intends to snatch a generation or two from the kingdom of death, into the Kingdom of Life-- from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light-- from the kingdom of error to the Kingdom of Truth-- from the kingdom of sin to the Kingdom of Righteousness.
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
God WILL have the last word.
Monday, November 05, 2007
REASONS FOR MY BELIEF
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
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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."
Monday, October 29, 2007
REFUGE
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.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
THE PUBLICAN
THE PUBLICAN
Jesus told a story one time to illustrate how our attitude of approach to God affects the response we receive from Him.
The story He told was that of the Pharisee and the Publican. The one recited to God all of his goodnesses--, the other smote his breast and called on God for mercy.
Jesus said that the Publican went to his house JUSTIFIED. The simple act of calling on God for mercy had changed the destiny of his soul.
This morning, as every other morning, in prayer, I was asking God to have mercy on EVERY ONE of our posterity. Specifically, I was asking Him to guide, protect, direct, and give health to each one.
Suddenly, it dawned on me that if the Lord can form chains of circumstances around the people we are praying for, and cause them to do what He sees to be best for them, He can also affect the destiny of their souls in much the same way.
I have often been guilty of asking God to cause people to do WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE GOOD, but not any more. Some time ago, I was made to know that praying that way can actually be detrimental to those I love.
My understanding of the Will of God is SO FAULTY that I dare not rely on it. But God suffers no such frailties. He knows the end of all things from the beginning. He knows where each course of action will lead. He knows that if left to our own ability to guide ourselves, we will end up in a "swamp."
I believe that the safest way to intercede for our loved ones is to call on God for His mercy to each one.
An old saint in the last church we served said, "God always gives HIS BEST to those who leave the choice to Him."
We can SAFELY intercede for others by calling of God for His Mercy to be extended to them. In this way, we can be assured of them receiving what God deems to be best for them.
Jesus told a story one time to illustrate how our attitude of approach to God affects the response we receive from Him.
The story He told was that of the Pharisee and the Publican. The one recited to God all of his goodnesses--, the other smote his breast and called on God for mercy.
Jesus said that the Publican went to his house JUSTIFIED. The simple act of calling on God for mercy had changed the destiny of his soul.
This morning, as every other morning, in prayer, I was asking God to have mercy on EVERY ONE of our posterity. Specifically, I was asking Him to guide, protect, direct, and give health to each one.
Suddenly, it dawned on me that if the Lord can form chains of circumstances around the people we are praying for, and cause them to do what He sees to be best for them, He can also affect the destiny of their souls in much the same way.
I have often been guilty of asking God to cause people to do WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE GOOD, but not any more. Some time ago, I was made to know that praying that way can actually be detrimental to those I love.
My understanding of the Will of God is SO FAULTY that I dare not rely on it. But God suffers no such frailties. He knows the end of all things from the beginning. He knows where each course of action will lead. He knows that if left to our own ability to guide ourselves, we will end up in a "swamp."
I believe that the safest way to intercede for our loved ones is to call on God for His mercy to each one.
An old saint in the last church we served said, "God always gives HIS BEST to those who leave the choice to Him."
We can SAFELY intercede for others by calling of God for His Mercy to be extended to them. In this way, we can be assured of them receiving what God deems to be best for them.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
THE ORDER OF THE PIERCED EAR
THE ORDER OF THE PIERCED EAR
Someone made the remark a while back that every Christian should have a BA degree. BA means "Born Again".
That is correct. Fact is, you can't really be a Christian without it.
There is a world of difference between a mental assent to Jesus Christ-- a hand shake-- a signed card, and a genuine heart-changing encounter (experience) with Jesus, where He comes into our heart and makes us into new creatures. It can, and must be, an EXPERIENCE that makes us KNOW we have been changed.
Then, we should all join the "Order of the Pierced Ear."
In the Old Testament law of Moses, when the slaves were all set free in the Year of Jubilee, provision was made for any servant who had come to love his master, and didn't want to go free could do so.
This was accomplished by having his master back him up to a wall or post and bore through his ear with an awl. That was a contract between them, and a sign to all who would later see the hole in his ear, that he had dedicated his services for the rest of his life to his master.
Each Christian needs that kind of dedication to Jesus!
Difficult times will, and do, come to each of us-- times which will test the sincerity of our commitment to Jesus. We need to have the Spiritual "hole in our ear" to remind us of our pledge to Jesus.
Let's all join the "Order Of The Pierced Ear."
Let's all get our BA degree.
Someone made the remark a while back that every Christian should have a BA degree. BA means "Born Again".
That is correct. Fact is, you can't really be a Christian without it.
There is a world of difference between a mental assent to Jesus Christ-- a hand shake-- a signed card, and a genuine heart-changing encounter (experience) with Jesus, where He comes into our heart and makes us into new creatures. It can, and must be, an EXPERIENCE that makes us KNOW we have been changed.
Then, we should all join the "Order of the Pierced Ear."
In the Old Testament law of Moses, when the slaves were all set free in the Year of Jubilee, provision was made for any servant who had come to love his master, and didn't want to go free could do so.
This was accomplished by having his master back him up to a wall or post and bore through his ear with an awl. That was a contract between them, and a sign to all who would later see the hole in his ear, that he had dedicated his services for the rest of his life to his master.
Each Christian needs that kind of dedication to Jesus!
Difficult times will, and do, come to each of us-- times which will test the sincerity of our commitment to Jesus. We need to have the Spiritual "hole in our ear" to remind us of our pledge to Jesus.
Let's all join the "Order Of The Pierced Ear."
Let's all get our BA degree.
Monday, October 15, 2007
NO TEMPTATION
NO TEMPTATION
I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by circumstances which have come our way, and we wonder how we can possible bear up under them. Sometimes we wonder if the tests come because we are Christians, and the devil is persecuting us. While we must be aware that we are constantly being the target of satanic hatred, we have the statement of fact that we are no more a target than non-Christians all around us. What we experience is COMMON to man. We share alike. Not the same exact tests, but similar, in that flesh can be tested in that way.
But, we Christians have a promise which others may not have. God will not allow us to be given more than we can stand at any stage of our development in God.
To be sure, there are more severe tests ahead for each of us, but our strength in God is not sufficient today that we could bear them now. God lovingly stands guard, to prevent anything too difficult from getting to us today.
Whatever is happening to us today, God has deemed us to be able to bear up and endure them. Else they could not have come to us.
BELIEVE THIS! IT IS TRUE!
There will be NO ENEMY allowed into our lives which we can not conquer by FAITH in the FAITHFULNESS of God.
Keep your eyes fastened upon Jesus. Maintain your faith IN Him, and faithfulness TO Him, and you will win!
Ah! There is the secret! Do not battle the circumstances. They will overwhelm you.
Rather, fight to maintain your FAITH IN JESUS. I John 5:4 --: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.
Sounds rather simple, doesn't it? But it is simple! EACH TEST IS A TEST OF OUR FAITH!
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by circumstances which have come our way, and we wonder how we can possible bear up under them. Sometimes we wonder if the tests come because we are Christians, and the devil is persecuting us. While we must be aware that we are constantly being the target of satanic hatred, we have the statement of fact that we are no more a target than non-Christians all around us. What we experience is COMMON to man. We share alike. Not the same exact tests, but similar, in that flesh can be tested in that way.
But, we Christians have a promise which others may not have. God will not allow us to be given more than we can stand at any stage of our development in God.
To be sure, there are more severe tests ahead for each of us, but our strength in God is not sufficient today that we could bear them now. God lovingly stands guard, to prevent anything too difficult from getting to us today.
Whatever is happening to us today, God has deemed us to be able to bear up and endure them. Else they could not have come to us.
BELIEVE THIS! IT IS TRUE!
There will be NO ENEMY allowed into our lives which we can not conquer by FAITH in the FAITHFULNESS of God.
Keep your eyes fastened upon Jesus. Maintain your faith IN Him, and faithfulness TO Him, and you will win!
Ah! There is the secret! Do not battle the circumstances. They will overwhelm you.
Rather, fight to maintain your FAITH IN JESUS. I John 5:4 --: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.
Sounds rather simple, doesn't it? But it is simple! EACH TEST IS A TEST OF OUR FAITH!
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
THEN OPENED HE THEIR UNDERSTANDING
UNDERSTANDING
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Job 32:8 But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
I Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
There are many things which God wants to tell our souls. The chief way for Him to do that is for us to speak the Heavenly language which He has provided for that purpose.
Often, after a session of speaking in the unknown tongue, we are able to mentally separate issues which have formerly been confusing to us. We can exercise our mind in Spiritual matters which we could not do before.
There are many people in Pentecostal churches who do not have the Holy Ghost. They have never spoken in tongues. That is the initial evidence.
They do not have freedom in the unknown tongue now. They are selling themselves short.
There is a communion, an instruction, an inspiration in tongues that can not be received in ANY OTHER WAY. It edifies the SOUL.
Education can not give UNDERSTANDING. It only enhances INTELLIGENCE.
Neither can ingenuity produce UNDERSTANDING. It shows itself in CLEVERNESS.
UNDERSTANDING comes to us as a result of HUMBLENESS before God. It is the result of OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL.
The Biblical explanation of UNDERSTANDING is "to put together". Possibly the vernacular phrase "get it together" is not so far out after all.
To UNDERSTAND also means to be able to COMPREHEND. The vernacular would possibly be "get a handle on it."
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Job 32:8 But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
I Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
There are many things which God wants to tell our souls. The chief way for Him to do that is for us to speak the Heavenly language which He has provided for that purpose.
Often, after a session of speaking in the unknown tongue, we are able to mentally separate issues which have formerly been confusing to us. We can exercise our mind in Spiritual matters which we could not do before.
There are many people in Pentecostal churches who do not have the Holy Ghost. They have never spoken in tongues. That is the initial evidence.
They do not have freedom in the unknown tongue now. They are selling themselves short.
There is a communion, an instruction, an inspiration in tongues that can not be received in ANY OTHER WAY. It edifies the SOUL.
Education can not give UNDERSTANDING. It only enhances INTELLIGENCE.
Neither can ingenuity produce UNDERSTANDING. It shows itself in CLEVERNESS.
UNDERSTANDING comes to us as a result of HUMBLENESS before God. It is the result of OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL.
The Biblical explanation of UNDERSTANDING is "to put together". Possibly the vernacular phrase "get it together" is not so far out after all.
To UNDERSTAND also means to be able to COMPREHEND. The vernacular would possibly be "get a handle on it."
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
SELF DENIAL
SELF DENIAL
AN ANSWER TO A FRIEND
NalaP, you really laid yourself open to miriads of ideas about what constitutes self denial. Many of us have asked the same question, and received hordes of answers-- depending on what is the favorite subject of the people we are talking to.
Advice will run the gammut of ideas about the subject, such as long hair, long sleeves, high neck lines, no neck ties, no jewelry, no toe-less shoes-- you name it.
The best answer I have found is found in Titus 2:11,12. I have been satisfied to advise inquirers to let the Holy Ghost, which is the Grace of God, do the teaching and instructing of individuals about what they should deny a place in their lives.
His instructions are customized to each individual, and He will direct and instruct, and lead to the good life, WITHOUT ERROR.
Paul and Peter both wrote some very good general guidelines for lives that please God. They touched all of the bases-- fathers and mothers, children, husbands and wives, laborers and employers, citizens-- the works.
Let the Holy Spirit, who is the Author of the Word of God, lead you in each step.
You need have NO FEAR of following His leadings for your life.
God Bless!
AN ANSWER TO A FRIEND
NalaP, you really laid yourself open to miriads of ideas about what constitutes self denial. Many of us have asked the same question, and received hordes of answers-- depending on what is the favorite subject of the people we are talking to.
Advice will run the gammut of ideas about the subject, such as long hair, long sleeves, high neck lines, no neck ties, no jewelry, no toe-less shoes-- you name it.
The best answer I have found is found in Titus 2:11,12. I have been satisfied to advise inquirers to let the Holy Ghost, which is the Grace of God, do the teaching and instructing of individuals about what they should deny a place in their lives.
His instructions are customized to each individual, and He will direct and instruct, and lead to the good life, WITHOUT ERROR.
Paul and Peter both wrote some very good general guidelines for lives that please God. They touched all of the bases-- fathers and mothers, children, husbands and wives, laborers and employers, citizens-- the works.
Let the Holy Spirit, who is the Author of the Word of God, lead you in each step.
You need have NO FEAR of following His leadings for your life.
God Bless!
Monday, October 08, 2007
JUSTIFIED!
JUSTIFIED
In Romans, chapters 3,4 and 5, the words "Justified, Justification, Justify" are used upwards of ten times in connection with our heritage in Jesus Christ.
The term means to be declared "Not Guilty," "Innocent," "Acquitted," "Righteous," and other such ways of expressing a right standing in the sight of God.
Often times people who are innocent of the crime they are accused of, are "declared" guilty by juries who are deceived. Likewise,people who are as guilty as sin itself, have been "declared" innocent by a jury which was deceived or prejudiced. Man's ability to discern absolute truth and honesty is seriously flawed.
But not so when we are dealing with the Creator of the Universe. He is Omniscient, and cannot be deceived. He has "concluded all under sin" in order that His Love can be extended to everyone alike.
If we were guilty sinners, and we were; there is no way we can be innocent, righteous, as far as human ability is concerned. We cannot be both-- we are either guilty or innocent, righteous or unrighteous.
But, something happened while Jesus was hanging on the Cross. It startled and surprised the man Christ Jesus, and He cried out in anguish, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
At that moment "He who knew no sin" was stripped of His Righteousness (right relationship with God), innocence, and purity, and the sin of the entire world laid on him.
Jesus had never known what the guilt of sin felt like. It was foreign to Him. He had never known the feeling of the lack of Purity, Righteousness, and Holiness. Suddenly he was in a different "world" than he had ever been in before.
God had to take away the Innocence from Jesus in order to lay on Him the guilt of the world. He could not be guilty and innocent at the same time.
So, at that moment on the Cross, provision was made for every human who will accept the work of Calvary. We may now, by putting our trust in Jesus for the safety of our soul, take advantage of the sudden transfer of innocence and guilt which happened that day.
Jesus offers us a "straight across trade" of our guilt for His innocence and rightness with God.
This is humanly impossible, as we all know. "We can't get there from here." But that is because we cannot perform miracles. God has no such limitations.
Justification is exactly that kind of a miracle, and it is available to any one and every one who will take advantage of it.
Facts are no always Truth. Facts tell me I am guilty. Truth declares me to be innocent. Whom shall I believe-- my knowledge, (facts) or what God says (Truth)?
In Romans, chapters 3,4 and 5, the words "Justified, Justification, Justify" are used upwards of ten times in connection with our heritage in Jesus Christ.
The term means to be declared "Not Guilty," "Innocent," "Acquitted," "Righteous," and other such ways of expressing a right standing in the sight of God.
Often times people who are innocent of the crime they are accused of, are "declared" guilty by juries who are deceived. Likewise,people who are as guilty as sin itself, have been "declared" innocent by a jury which was deceived or prejudiced. Man's ability to discern absolute truth and honesty is seriously flawed.
But not so when we are dealing with the Creator of the Universe. He is Omniscient, and cannot be deceived. He has "concluded all under sin" in order that His Love can be extended to everyone alike.
If we were guilty sinners, and we were; there is no way we can be innocent, righteous, as far as human ability is concerned. We cannot be both-- we are either guilty or innocent, righteous or unrighteous.
But, something happened while Jesus was hanging on the Cross. It startled and surprised the man Christ Jesus, and He cried out in anguish, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
At that moment "He who knew no sin" was stripped of His Righteousness (right relationship with God), innocence, and purity, and the sin of the entire world laid on him.
Jesus had never known what the guilt of sin felt like. It was foreign to Him. He had never known the feeling of the lack of Purity, Righteousness, and Holiness. Suddenly he was in a different "world" than he had ever been in before.
God had to take away the Innocence from Jesus in order to lay on Him the guilt of the world. He could not be guilty and innocent at the same time.
So, at that moment on the Cross, provision was made for every human who will accept the work of Calvary. We may now, by putting our trust in Jesus for the safety of our soul, take advantage of the sudden transfer of innocence and guilt which happened that day.
Jesus offers us a "straight across trade" of our guilt for His innocence and rightness with God.
This is humanly impossible, as we all know. "We can't get there from here." But that is because we cannot perform miracles. God has no such limitations.
Justification is exactly that kind of a miracle, and it is available to any one and every one who will take advantage of it.
Facts are no always Truth. Facts tell me I am guilty. Truth declares me to be innocent. Whom shall I believe-- my knowledge, (facts) or what God says (Truth)?
Friday, October 05, 2007
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
LOVE, and all of the workings that it entails, is produced in our hearts ONLY BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
JOY, and all of its activities, comes ONLY BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
PEACE, (producing peace) can only be achieved BY GOD'S SPIRIT.
The same is true of all GOOD which comes through a person who has made his peace with God through Jesus Christ.
UNITY AMONG THE BRETHREN CAN NEVER COME ABOUT BY ANY OTHER MEANS THAN TO HAVE THE SPIRIT OF UNITY IN OUR INDIVIDUAL HEARTS. Legislation and resolutions simply cannot cut it.
While it is true that God loves ALL OF HIS CHILDREN, it stands to reason that a person who is producing fruit in his life is of more VALUE to God than one who is not.
What I am saying is: that if my life is full of the good works of the Spirit, or of Faith, I am maturing in God more than I would if I had not progressed in the WAYS OF THE LORD.
James tells us that good works are a natural result of having been born of God through Faith. Faith without works is dead. In other words, Faith alone will not fully please God. It calls for further steps of obedience to God-- Making Him Lord-- doing His bidding with our whole heart.
WORKS OF FAITH become a visible manifestation of the invisible Faith we have in God. This is the way Abraham pleased God--obeying when God spoke to him. His OBEDIENCE was VISIBLE EVIDENCE of his faith in God.
OURS WILL BE, ALSO.
LOVE, and all of the workings that it entails, is produced in our hearts ONLY BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
JOY, and all of its activities, comes ONLY BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
PEACE, (producing peace) can only be achieved BY GOD'S SPIRIT.
The same is true of all GOOD which comes through a person who has made his peace with God through Jesus Christ.
UNITY AMONG THE BRETHREN CAN NEVER COME ABOUT BY ANY OTHER MEANS THAN TO HAVE THE SPIRIT OF UNITY IN OUR INDIVIDUAL HEARTS. Legislation and resolutions simply cannot cut it.
While it is true that God loves ALL OF HIS CHILDREN, it stands to reason that a person who is producing fruit in his life is of more VALUE to God than one who is not.
What I am saying is: that if my life is full of the good works of the Spirit, or of Faith, I am maturing in God more than I would if I had not progressed in the WAYS OF THE LORD.
James tells us that good works are a natural result of having been born of God through Faith. Faith without works is dead. In other words, Faith alone will not fully please God. It calls for further steps of obedience to God-- Making Him Lord-- doing His bidding with our whole heart.
WORKS OF FAITH become a visible manifestation of the invisible Faith we have in God. This is the way Abraham pleased God--obeying when God spoke to him. His OBEDIENCE was VISIBLE EVIDENCE of his faith in God.
OURS WILL BE, ALSO.
Friday, September 28, 2007
INTERCESSION
INTERCESSION
The Bible has some things to say about us being able to pray in behalf of other people who stand in need. We are encouraged to do it.
Actually, however, it is a sad fact that most of us are so caught up in our own little crises and problems that we find it impossible to pray very much for others. It would make the Lord very happy if we would mature enough to rise above our own troubles (carry our own weight), and become a positive force in the Christian Community.
I Timothy 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;"
Intercession for others is one of the "High-Priority" ministries in the eyes of the Lord. ANY PERSON can develop this Ministry. It can become, and often is, more effective for the Kingdom than the Pulpit Ministries have become. It is, in the sight of the Lord, "Of Great Price." We should all cultivate this Ministry.
Rom. 8:26-27 tells us that often we do not know what is best when we pray. To offset our finite abilities, God has made a provision whereby we can pray EXACTLY ON TARGET each and every time we pray.
The secret is: Pray into the Spirit, and then allow the Spirit to pray through us. The Spirit will ZERO IN ON THE TARGET WHICH THE LORD CHOOSES. We are also told that some of the inner groanings will not, or can not be uttered. In other words, noise is not always a measure of Spiritual Authority.
ONE MISTAKE WHICH MANY FOLKS MAKE is in trying to get God to "leverage" other folks into doing WHAT WE THINK THEY SHOULD DO. This practice can easily become witch craft, and endanger the whole plan of God for the individual we are concerned about. God knows them better than we do, and loves them more than we can. We can safely present their needs before the Lord, and beg (supplication) Him to perform His Will in their life.
The Bible has some things to say about us being able to pray in behalf of other people who stand in need. We are encouraged to do it.
Actually, however, it is a sad fact that most of us are so caught up in our own little crises and problems that we find it impossible to pray very much for others. It would make the Lord very happy if we would mature enough to rise above our own troubles (carry our own weight), and become a positive force in the Christian Community.
I Timothy 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;"
Intercession for others is one of the "High-Priority" ministries in the eyes of the Lord. ANY PERSON can develop this Ministry. It can become, and often is, more effective for the Kingdom than the Pulpit Ministries have become. It is, in the sight of the Lord, "Of Great Price." We should all cultivate this Ministry.
Rom. 8:26-27 tells us that often we do not know what is best when we pray. To offset our finite abilities, God has made a provision whereby we can pray EXACTLY ON TARGET each and every time we pray.
The secret is: Pray into the Spirit, and then allow the Spirit to pray through us. The Spirit will ZERO IN ON THE TARGET WHICH THE LORD CHOOSES. We are also told that some of the inner groanings will not, or can not be uttered. In other words, noise is not always a measure of Spiritual Authority.
ONE MISTAKE WHICH MANY FOLKS MAKE is in trying to get God to "leverage" other folks into doing WHAT WE THINK THEY SHOULD DO. This practice can easily become witch craft, and endanger the whole plan of God for the individual we are concerned about. God knows them better than we do, and loves them more than we can. We can safely present their needs before the Lord, and beg (supplication) Him to perform His Will in their life.
THE NEW ALTAR
THE NEW ALTAR
Let me quote Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Usually, when we think of an altar, we automatically think of a sacrifice being made by ourselves or someone else. But the writer is not using it in that sense here.
It is from this Altar that we are to "eat and grow fat" in our Christian life.
No, there is no "bread and potatoes" on this altar. Nothing for the physical man at all-- only for the Spirit Man. And there is PLENTY FOR ALL.
But we can only have it AS WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE IT. That is the entire secret of being healthy or sickly and weak as Christians. TAKING OUR FOOD FROM THE ALTAR.
Jesus AMPLY SUPPLIED THE ALTAR with meat (His Flesh) and drink (His blood) from the Cross of Calvary.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. -- Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
But, HOW DO WE TAKE THIS FOOD FROM THE ALTAR? Listen to Jude
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST , Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
I Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
The KNOWLEDGE of the Word of God is GOOD, but INSUFFICIENT IN ITSELF to make us strong. LARGE DOSES OF THE SPIRIT are also vital to good Spiritual health.
The BEST WAY (though perhaps not the ONLY way) to eat of the Spirit is by the way of praying in the unknown tongue. Sometimes it might seem such a waste of time-- to not know what is being communicated between you and the Lord, but rest assured-- GOD KNOWS THE NEED in your life, and is not mincing words, nor skirting the issues, as we are prone to do when we vocalize our prayers. We are so prone to attempting to tell God what the siruation is, which is a waste of time. He KNOWS IT BETTER THAN WE DO.
What a wonderful source of supply we have. It is the ALTAR OF THE SPIRIT, supplied by Jesus Himself.
"COME AND DINE."
Let me quote Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Usually, when we think of an altar, we automatically think of a sacrifice being made by ourselves or someone else. But the writer is not using it in that sense here.
It is from this Altar that we are to "eat and grow fat" in our Christian life.
No, there is no "bread and potatoes" on this altar. Nothing for the physical man at all-- only for the Spirit Man. And there is PLENTY FOR ALL.
But we can only have it AS WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE IT. That is the entire secret of being healthy or sickly and weak as Christians. TAKING OUR FOOD FROM THE ALTAR.
Jesus AMPLY SUPPLIED THE ALTAR with meat (His Flesh) and drink (His blood) from the Cross of Calvary.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. -- Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
But, HOW DO WE TAKE THIS FOOD FROM THE ALTAR? Listen to Jude
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST , Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
I Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
The KNOWLEDGE of the Word of God is GOOD, but INSUFFICIENT IN ITSELF to make us strong. LARGE DOSES OF THE SPIRIT are also vital to good Spiritual health.
The BEST WAY (though perhaps not the ONLY way) to eat of the Spirit is by the way of praying in the unknown tongue. Sometimes it might seem such a waste of time-- to not know what is being communicated between you and the Lord, but rest assured-- GOD KNOWS THE NEED in your life, and is not mincing words, nor skirting the issues, as we are prone to do when we vocalize our prayers. We are so prone to attempting to tell God what the siruation is, which is a waste of time. He KNOWS IT BETTER THAN WE DO.
What a wonderful source of supply we have. It is the ALTAR OF THE SPIRIT, supplied by Jesus Himself.
"COME AND DINE."
Monday, September 24, 2007
A HOUSE CLEANING
A HOUSECLEANING
The question has often been voiced, “Where are the miracles and signs that accompanied the preaching of the early Apostles?”
I have wondered about that many times myself, and I am not ready to give a definitive answer yet. However, I see a few possibilities, and they ALL point directly at ME, and other folks just like me. I DON’T LIKE WHAT I SEE!
First, I think we might have departed from a form of Worship that God can put His Blessing on.
I realize that we have very little to guide us in our manner of Worship, but I also realize that Godly men of ALL TIMES were heard and answered when they poured out their heart to God, crying for Mercy and Intervention from Him.
We have very little way to know what sort of service they conducted when they came together to worship God. How can we tell if we have LOST something vital along the way we have traveled these last 2000 years?
Are our meetings conducted in a fashion that REALLY PLEASES God? Is He satisfied with what we do while we are gathered in His Presence?
If Jesus were to physically visit our services, as He did those times in the Temple, would He be tempted to do the same type of Housecleaning He did those two times? And if He WAS inclined to clean house, WHERE WOULD HE START? Do any of us know?
I have been associated with Charismatic folks for nearly 60 years now (2007), and I am shamed to try to count the number of attempts that have been made to “Return to Bible Pattern” for our services, and Church Government. None of the attempts have gotten very far, and MOST of them didn’t even make it to “first base”. (You didn’t think I knew anything about Baseball, did you?)
Every one of the plans (attempts) had the fingerprints of MAN on them. Those fingerprints CONTAMINATE everything they come in contact with.
Jesus had explicitly stated that HE WOULD BUILD THE CHURCH upon the acknowledgment that HE was the SON OF GOD. (There is a subject that invites more study)
I wonder if we FULLY REALIZE what we are giving assent to when we say that He is the SON OF GOD. Think about it.
Does it mean that as such, He is the MASTER and we are His SERVANTS (slaves)?
Does He GIVE THE ORDERS and we UNQUESTIONINGLY OBEY?
Do we do things the WAY HE SAYS, or do we operate according to our own ideas?
Are we producing a product that is SPIRITUAL, or one that is designed by the skills of smart men, even Spiritual men?
When the Disciples asked Jesus why they had not been able to help those who had come to them for help—Jesus told them that the culprit had been UNBELIEF.
Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
What, exactly, constitutes UNBELIEF?
There are two original words that are translated “Unbelief”. One means a lack of faith—the other means “disobedience”. Three other translations call it “too stubborn”. (the spirit of MAN in the driver seat instead of the Spirit of God).
Most of the “disobedience” scriptures refer to the neglect of the Law, Statutes, and Judgments of the Old Testament.
Most of the others refer to not having enough “Fruit faith” to pay the bill, and so very few Christians even KNOW ABOUT “Gift Faith”, that can often get the very difficult jobs done.
Unbelief usually stems from an admixture of obedience to God, and obedience to the impulses of our human nature that is diametrically opposite to God’s Ways.
Another way of saying it would be, “We are lacking in the “obedience” department.”
Oftentimes, our “obedience” is slanted heavily toward the particular Fellowship” we belong to, rather than strictly to the Spirit of the Living God. Peer pressure is a very strong motivating force.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
OBEDIENCE TO GOD will, of necessity, involve being SENSITIVE to the voice of the Spirit of God.
It also involves being HUMBLE enough to DO EXACTLY WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO DO, and WHEN He prompts us to do it.
Anything short of this constitutes “Unbelief” on our part, and will (does) greatly hinder our progress in God.
Another element contributing to our lack of seeing God move in our midst is the ATTITUDE we harbor toward those who see things differently than we do, or that seem to be getting more from God than we are.
Have you ever wondered what went through Peter’s mind as he began to walk on the water? I have, and I don’t like what I believe the Lord showed me. If I were to have had an experience like that, the first probably thing that would have gone through my mind would have been, “Wow, LOOK WHAT I’M DOING.”
Peter HAD TO SINK. Just like I had to fall flat on my face after bragging to some other Christians about six young students getting the Holy Ghost in an evening prayer meeting where they had gathered to pray for the healing of one of their peers.
PRIDE AND RIVALRY are “hard taskmasters” and they take people over some rocky spots. They are “Widow Makers”. “Nobody but Us’ns is gonna go to Heaven.”
Our hearts (YOURS AND MINE) are “deceitful above all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED”. “Oh, Wicked Heart, Why did you deceive me?”
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Remember that God KNOWS the heart and motives of each one of us.
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
David prayed: Psa 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
I am also wondering about the fine-tuned business affairs of some of our churches. I wonder if God REALLY approves of our mode of carrying on the affairs of the church.
Do we REALLY NEED a CEO to manage the business of the church or denomination? Does it really PLEASE GOD, or does He frown on it? Since when does the Church need to be run like a business?
If you were the LORD OF GLORY, would you add your “signs and wonders” approval to the admixture of Spiritual and Carnal methods carried on by most of the individual congregations of today?
The news is not ALL BAD however, for the Lord has promised, in several ways,, to take care of the mess we find ourselves in today. When He drove out the money changers, he was acting out a prophecy about His intentions to “clean house” in His Church before He is finished with it.. He has promised that it will be a “Glorious Church” that He presents to Himself.
I am glad for that assurance, but I also see a desperate need for us to be fully aware of the fact that HE WILL DO THE BUILDING OF IT.
He HAS NOT (WILL NOT) DELEGATE THAT JOB TO ANY HUMAN BEING.
Are we with HIS PROGRAM, or are we “DOING IT OUR WAY”?
WHAT I HAVE BEEN SEEING SCARES ME.
The question has often been voiced, “Where are the miracles and signs that accompanied the preaching of the early Apostles?”
I have wondered about that many times myself, and I am not ready to give a definitive answer yet. However, I see a few possibilities, and they ALL point directly at ME, and other folks just like me. I DON’T LIKE WHAT I SEE!
First, I think we might have departed from a form of Worship that God can put His Blessing on.
I realize that we have very little to guide us in our manner of Worship, but I also realize that Godly men of ALL TIMES were heard and answered when they poured out their heart to God, crying for Mercy and Intervention from Him.
We have very little way to know what sort of service they conducted when they came together to worship God. How can we tell if we have LOST something vital along the way we have traveled these last 2000 years?
Are our meetings conducted in a fashion that REALLY PLEASES God? Is He satisfied with what we do while we are gathered in His Presence?
If Jesus were to physically visit our services, as He did those times in the Temple, would He be tempted to do the same type of Housecleaning He did those two times? And if He WAS inclined to clean house, WHERE WOULD HE START? Do any of us know?
I have been associated with Charismatic folks for nearly 60 years now (2007), and I am shamed to try to count the number of attempts that have been made to “Return to Bible Pattern” for our services, and Church Government. None of the attempts have gotten very far, and MOST of them didn’t even make it to “first base”. (You didn’t think I knew anything about Baseball, did you?)
Every one of the plans (attempts) had the fingerprints of MAN on them. Those fingerprints CONTAMINATE everything they come in contact with.
Jesus had explicitly stated that HE WOULD BUILD THE CHURCH upon the acknowledgment that HE was the SON OF GOD. (There is a subject that invites more study)
I wonder if we FULLY REALIZE what we are giving assent to when we say that He is the SON OF GOD. Think about it.
Does it mean that as such, He is the MASTER and we are His SERVANTS (slaves)?
Does He GIVE THE ORDERS and we UNQUESTIONINGLY OBEY?
Do we do things the WAY HE SAYS, or do we operate according to our own ideas?
Are we producing a product that is SPIRITUAL, or one that is designed by the skills of smart men, even Spiritual men?
When the Disciples asked Jesus why they had not been able to help those who had come to them for help—Jesus told them that the culprit had been UNBELIEF.
Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
What, exactly, constitutes UNBELIEF?
There are two original words that are translated “Unbelief”. One means a lack of faith—the other means “disobedience”. Three other translations call it “too stubborn”. (the spirit of MAN in the driver seat instead of the Spirit of God).
Most of the “disobedience” scriptures refer to the neglect of the Law, Statutes, and Judgments of the Old Testament.
Most of the others refer to not having enough “Fruit faith” to pay the bill, and so very few Christians even KNOW ABOUT “Gift Faith”, that can often get the very difficult jobs done.
Unbelief usually stems from an admixture of obedience to God, and obedience to the impulses of our human nature that is diametrically opposite to God’s Ways.
Another way of saying it would be, “We are lacking in the “obedience” department.”
Oftentimes, our “obedience” is slanted heavily toward the particular Fellowship” we belong to, rather than strictly to the Spirit of the Living God. Peer pressure is a very strong motivating force.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
OBEDIENCE TO GOD will, of necessity, involve being SENSITIVE to the voice of the Spirit of God.
It also involves being HUMBLE enough to DO EXACTLY WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO DO, and WHEN He prompts us to do it.
Anything short of this constitutes “Unbelief” on our part, and will (does) greatly hinder our progress in God.
Another element contributing to our lack of seeing God move in our midst is the ATTITUDE we harbor toward those who see things differently than we do, or that seem to be getting more from God than we are.
Have you ever wondered what went through Peter’s mind as he began to walk on the water? I have, and I don’t like what I believe the Lord showed me. If I were to have had an experience like that, the first probably thing that would have gone through my mind would have been, “Wow, LOOK WHAT I’M DOING.”
Peter HAD TO SINK. Just like I had to fall flat on my face after bragging to some other Christians about six young students getting the Holy Ghost in an evening prayer meeting where they had gathered to pray for the healing of one of their peers.
PRIDE AND RIVALRY are “hard taskmasters” and they take people over some rocky spots. They are “Widow Makers”. “Nobody but Us’ns is gonna go to Heaven.”
Our hearts (YOURS AND MINE) are “deceitful above all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED”. “Oh, Wicked Heart, Why did you deceive me?”
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Remember that God KNOWS the heart and motives of each one of us.
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
David prayed: Psa 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
I am also wondering about the fine-tuned business affairs of some of our churches. I wonder if God REALLY approves of our mode of carrying on the affairs of the church.
Do we REALLY NEED a CEO to manage the business of the church or denomination? Does it really PLEASE GOD, or does He frown on it? Since when does the Church need to be run like a business?
If you were the LORD OF GLORY, would you add your “signs and wonders” approval to the admixture of Spiritual and Carnal methods carried on by most of the individual congregations of today?
The news is not ALL BAD however, for the Lord has promised, in several ways,, to take care of the mess we find ourselves in today. When He drove out the money changers, he was acting out a prophecy about His intentions to “clean house” in His Church before He is finished with it.. He has promised that it will be a “Glorious Church” that He presents to Himself.
I am glad for that assurance, but I also see a desperate need for us to be fully aware of the fact that HE WILL DO THE BUILDING OF IT.
He HAS NOT (WILL NOT) DELEGATE THAT JOB TO ANY HUMAN BEING.
Are we with HIS PROGRAM, or are we “DOING IT OUR WAY”?
WHAT I HAVE BEEN SEEING SCARES ME.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
ALTHOUGH
ALTHOUGH
Habakkuk 1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! [even] cry out unto thee [of] violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause [me] to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence [are] before me: and there are [that] raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Habakkuk was praying to the Lord about the evils he was beholding in the midst of God's people who were called by His Name. He wanted to know how long God was going to put up with it, ahd what He was going to do about it when He did take action.
The Lord assured the prophet that He had the situation under control-- it was all in His hands.
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for [I] will work a work in your days, [which] ye will not believe, though it be told [you].
What the Lord showed him surprised and scared the prophet. God said, "I'm going to send the Chaldeans." That spelled bad news, for the Chaldeans were a very cruel people. They are the ancestors of the present Iraqi people. A treacherous people.
But, the Lord also put within the prophet an assurance that He would set a limit to what the invading armies could do. Complete destruction was not in the picture. But a severe whipping of God's people was in order-- a cruel whipping. God was setting the time, and also the extent of the punishment.
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
God assured the prophet that when the dust had settled, His people would be in better shape than they presently were. Isn't that just like the Lord? He also promised that He would never abdicate His position of total control.
Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
He then gave Habakkuk a song of victory and confidence to proclaim to all the world.
Habakkuk 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
Friends, the picture of Israel of old, portrayed by Habakkuk, very closely parallels what exists in the Churches of today. Is there punishment scheduled for the churches, and if so, when and how shall it come?
I am convinced that if God should need another Chaldean to punish His flock-- He can raise up one.
If God needs another antichrist for today, He can certainly raise one up.
But my vision of Jesus is such that I am expecting Him to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Jesus came in the first place to accomplish what we could not do. Every awakening the Church and humanity in general has ever had has been the moving of God's hand over His people whom He purchased on Calvary.
The blueprint of the building of the Church of the Living God is the seven feasts of the old Levitical year. Passover is past-- Jesus became our Passover at Calvary. Firstfruits and Unleavened Bread are past-- Jesus became them to us after Calvary.
We are now (for 2000 years) in Pentecost. It was Jesus who gave us the Firstfruits Of the Spirit. It was only an Earnest deposit-- until the remainder should be delivered.
The fulness of the Spirit will arrive when it is time for the Day of Atonement. The year of release, and the Jubile always began on the Day of Atonement.
We can, like the prophet, sing our song of confidence in our God, for He will not fail us.
Habakkuk 1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! [even] cry out unto thee [of] violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause [me] to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence [are] before me: and there are [that] raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Habakkuk was praying to the Lord about the evils he was beholding in the midst of God's people who were called by His Name. He wanted to know how long God was going to put up with it, ahd what He was going to do about it when He did take action.
The Lord assured the prophet that He had the situation under control-- it was all in His hands.
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for [I] will work a work in your days, [which] ye will not believe, though it be told [you].
What the Lord showed him surprised and scared the prophet. God said, "I'm going to send the Chaldeans." That spelled bad news, for the Chaldeans were a very cruel people. They are the ancestors of the present Iraqi people. A treacherous people.
But, the Lord also put within the prophet an assurance that He would set a limit to what the invading armies could do. Complete destruction was not in the picture. But a severe whipping of God's people was in order-- a cruel whipping. God was setting the time, and also the extent of the punishment.
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
God assured the prophet that when the dust had settled, His people would be in better shape than they presently were. Isn't that just like the Lord? He also promised that He would never abdicate His position of total control.
Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
He then gave Habakkuk a song of victory and confidence to proclaim to all the world.
Habakkuk 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
Friends, the picture of Israel of old, portrayed by Habakkuk, very closely parallels what exists in the Churches of today. Is there punishment scheduled for the churches, and if so, when and how shall it come?
I am convinced that if God should need another Chaldean to punish His flock-- He can raise up one.
If God needs another antichrist for today, He can certainly raise one up.
But my vision of Jesus is such that I am expecting Him to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Jesus came in the first place to accomplish what we could not do. Every awakening the Church and humanity in general has ever had has been the moving of God's hand over His people whom He purchased on Calvary.
The blueprint of the building of the Church of the Living God is the seven feasts of the old Levitical year. Passover is past-- Jesus became our Passover at Calvary. Firstfruits and Unleavened Bread are past-- Jesus became them to us after Calvary.
We are now (for 2000 years) in Pentecost. It was Jesus who gave us the Firstfruits Of the Spirit. It was only an Earnest deposit-- until the remainder should be delivered.
The fulness of the Spirit will arrive when it is time for the Day of Atonement. The year of release, and the Jubile always began on the Day of Atonement.
We can, like the prophet, sing our song of confidence in our God, for He will not fail us.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
I Peter 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
How much of our walk with God does He control? How much do we control?
Perhaps thousands of discussions have taken place on the subject. Church camps have been divided over differences of opinion about it.
Indeed, there could be scriptures which would seem to favor almost any stance you would want to take.
A look at Gen 7:14-16 would lead us to believe that GOD CAUSED THE ANIMALS to come to the Ark-- two by two. Noah would have had a real job on his hands to round them up by himself. DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF GOD.
Moses, in his song (Exo 15) seems to favor the idea that the deliverance of Israel from the hand of Pharoah of Egypt was the hand of God. Of course, we know it was the result of a commitment which God had made to Abraham, recorded in Gen 15. DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD.
Hannah, in her song said: I Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
David, in Psa 37 said: Psalms 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.
Again, in Psa 51 he cried: Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.
Psalms 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. Psalms 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
The key which unlocks the mystery is the phrase "KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH FAITH". Our job is to maintain Faith in Jesus for the well being of our soul. His job is to KEEP us, in response to that Faith.
Many people are struggling under a burden which the Lord did not put on them. Try as we might, we cannot KEEP ourselves from falling, or failure. Only He can do that. And He WILL, if we maintain Faith in Him.
Faith, of course, involves OBEDIENCE. But the obedience MUST BE TO HIM-- not to a creed or doctrine or a set of rules.
Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.
Psalms 145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
I Peter 1:7 That the TRIAL 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:
I Peter 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
How much of our walk with God does He control? How much do we control?
Perhaps thousands of discussions have taken place on the subject. Church camps have been divided over differences of opinion about it.
Indeed, there could be scriptures which would seem to favor almost any stance you would want to take.
A look at Gen 7:14-16 would lead us to believe that GOD CAUSED THE ANIMALS to come to the Ark-- two by two. Noah would have had a real job on his hands to round them up by himself. DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF GOD.
Moses, in his song (Exo 15) seems to favor the idea that the deliverance of Israel from the hand of Pharoah of Egypt was the hand of God. Of course, we know it was the result of a commitment which God had made to Abraham, recorded in Gen 15. DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD.
Hannah, in her song said: I Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
David, in Psa 37 said: Psalms 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.
Again, in Psa 51 he cried: Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.
Psalms 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. Psalms 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
The key which unlocks the mystery is the phrase "KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH FAITH". Our job is to maintain Faith in Jesus for the well being of our soul. His job is to KEEP us, in response to that Faith.
Many people are struggling under a burden which the Lord did not put on them. Try as we might, we cannot KEEP ourselves from falling, or failure. Only He can do that. And He WILL, if we maintain Faith in Him.
Faith, of course, involves OBEDIENCE. But the obedience MUST BE TO HIM-- not to a creed or doctrine or a set of rules.
Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.
Psalms 145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
I Peter 1:7 That the TRIAL 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:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
FAITH
CHRISTIAN INSIGHTS
FAITH
Almost every time there is an attempt made to describe Faith,we turn to Heb. 11:1
"Now faith is--". It is a wonderful description, but I doubt if very many people REALLY
understand it. Ask a few people to explain it, and you will know what I mean.
Personally,it blows my mind. I cannot get the meaning of it. It goes without
saying, that when there is a problem with us understanding God's Word, the problem is with
us rather than the Word. Nevertheless, it still blows my mind, and I am not ashamed to
admit it.
HOWEVER, I have no difficulty with verse 6, "But without FAITH [it is] IMPOSSIBLE
TO PLEASE [HIM]: for he that cometh to God must believe THAT HE IS, AND [THAT] HE IS A
REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM." I CAN UNDERSTAND THIS VERSE.
Verse 8 says of Abraham, that "When he was CALLED, he OBEYED, and he WENT OUT, NOT
KNOWING WHITHER HE WENT." Also, in verse 17, "When he was TRIED, OFFERED UP ISAAC,---HIS
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON". I UNDERSTAND.
The "Faith" we are hearing so much about these days has a tendency to be a little
nebulous, or hazy --a little difficult to identify with any great degree of certainty. It
seems to fluctuate with our moods and feelings, and this causes us to gravitate to those
circumstances which promote good moods and feeling.
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS.
To my thinking, enduring faith springs out of a definite contact with the VOICE OF
ETERNITY, speaking from God's dwelling place, to me. In other words, "GOD SPEAKS, and I
HEAR" becomes a solid foundation for my faith. God is capable of speaking in many various
ways to our hearts.
I do say HEARTS, not MINDS. Not EMOTIONS. My mind is capable of garbling and
perverting any message that it has access to. With my mind I can REASON myself away from the
reality of what God is saying. "WITH THE HEART (SPIRIT) MAN BELIEVETH"
So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema) of God."
My emotions, at their best, serve only as a blind guide, leading me astray.
FAITH
Almost every time there is an attempt made to describe Faith,we turn to Heb. 11:1
"Now faith is--". It is a wonderful description, but I doubt if very many people REALLY
understand it. Ask a few people to explain it, and you will know what I mean.
Personally,it blows my mind. I cannot get the meaning of it. It goes without
saying, that when there is a problem with us understanding God's Word, the problem is with
us rather than the Word. Nevertheless, it still blows my mind, and I am not ashamed to
admit it.
HOWEVER, I have no difficulty with verse 6, "But without FAITH [it is] IMPOSSIBLE
TO PLEASE [HIM]: for he that cometh to God must believe THAT HE IS, AND [THAT] HE IS A
REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM." I CAN UNDERSTAND THIS VERSE.
Verse 8 says of Abraham, that "When he was CALLED, he OBEYED, and he WENT OUT, NOT
KNOWING WHITHER HE WENT." Also, in verse 17, "When he was TRIED, OFFERED UP ISAAC,---HIS
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON". I UNDERSTAND.
The "Faith" we are hearing so much about these days has a tendency to be a little
nebulous, or hazy --a little difficult to identify with any great degree of certainty. It
seems to fluctuate with our moods and feelings, and this causes us to gravitate to those
circumstances which promote good moods and feeling.
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS.
To my thinking, enduring faith springs out of a definite contact with the VOICE OF
ETERNITY, speaking from God's dwelling place, to me. In other words, "GOD SPEAKS, and I
HEAR" becomes a solid foundation for my faith. God is capable of speaking in many various
ways to our hearts.
I do say HEARTS, not MINDS. Not EMOTIONS. My mind is capable of garbling and
perverting any message that it has access to. With my mind I can REASON myself away from the
reality of what God is saying. "WITH THE HEART (SPIRIT) MAN BELIEVETH"
So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema) of God."
My emotions, at their best, serve only as a blind guide, leading me astray.
Monday, September 17, 2007
WHAT GOES AROUND
WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND
A few years ago, a man I was working with made the statement that the law of Karma meant, basically, that "What Goes Around, Comes Around". We had been talking about "Chickens Come Home To Roost" and a few other aspects of the law of Sowing and Reaping.
Today, I was reminded of some scriptures in the Old Testament which could add credence to those wise sayings of yester year.
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe [and] to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
What the Lord was saying to His People in this passage is: If you "send around" obedience to the principles of the Word of God, as you make choices of conduct and habit in your everyday life as you deal with other men and women, you can expect something to "come around" in response to those actions and motives.
Imagine being OVERTAKEN and RUN OVER by the blessings of the Lord! What a happy "catastrophe" to have befall you. Overtaken by the Blessing of the Lord! Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
I'm sure we would all like to brush some of that kind of "DUST" off of ourselves-- every now and then.
We can look forward to that, if we "send around" a goodly portion of "obedience to God" in our daily course of life.
But the same law of "sowing and reaping" works in the reverse fashion also.
Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
If we take the attitude that it doesn't really matter too much whether we follow Godly principles in our dealings with other people-- if we "fudge" a little here and there for personal advantage or gain, we can expect a return which is fitting for such a pattern of conduct.
Perhaps Abraham Lincoln wasn't so "dumb" after all when he walked that great distance to return the very small amount of money he had, unknowingly, shorted a customer of the store where he was working. How far would we go, to make right a wrong we had done to another human being? Will it make any difference in the long run?
A few years ago, a man I was working with made the statement that the law of Karma meant, basically, that "What Goes Around, Comes Around". We had been talking about "Chickens Come Home To Roost" and a few other aspects of the law of Sowing and Reaping.
Today, I was reminded of some scriptures in the Old Testament which could add credence to those wise sayings of yester year.
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe [and] to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
What the Lord was saying to His People in this passage is: If you "send around" obedience to the principles of the Word of God, as you make choices of conduct and habit in your everyday life as you deal with other men and women, you can expect something to "come around" in response to those actions and motives.
Imagine being OVERTAKEN and RUN OVER by the blessings of the Lord! What a happy "catastrophe" to have befall you. Overtaken by the Blessing of the Lord! Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
I'm sure we would all like to brush some of that kind of "DUST" off of ourselves-- every now and then.
We can look forward to that, if we "send around" a goodly portion of "obedience to God" in our daily course of life.
But the same law of "sowing and reaping" works in the reverse fashion also.
Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
If we take the attitude that it doesn't really matter too much whether we follow Godly principles in our dealings with other people-- if we "fudge" a little here and there for personal advantage or gain, we can expect a return which is fitting for such a pattern of conduct.
Perhaps Abraham Lincoln wasn't so "dumb" after all when he walked that great distance to return the very small amount of money he had, unknowingly, shorted a customer of the store where he was working. How far would we go, to make right a wrong we had done to another human being? Will it make any difference in the long run?
Saturday, September 15, 2007
CONVICTIONS-- Cook
CONVICTIONS
DAVID COOK at Mirror Lake Chapel 1985
A conviction is a principle that
we determine to follow, whatever the
Circumstance.
1. The Bible is the inspired
Word of God, and is the final
authority for my life. 2 Tim 3;16
Mat 4:4
2. My purpose in life is to seek
God with all my heart, and to build
my goals around His priorities. Mt
6:33 Phil 3:8
3. My body is the temple of God,
and must not be defiled by the lust
of the world. 1 Cor 3:16-17 19-20
1 Pet 2:11
4. My Church must teach the
Foundational truths of the Bible,
and reinforce my basic convictions.
1 Pet 4:17 2 Cor 6:14-17
5. My children and grandchildren
belong to God, and it is my respons-
ibility to teach them Scriptural
Principles, Godly character and bas-
ic convictions. Pro 22:6 Deut 6:7
6. My activities must never
in. weaken the scriptural convictions of
another Christian. Rom 14:13-15 1
Cor 8:9-13
7. My marriage is a life-long
commitment to God and to my
partner. 1 Cor 7:10-11, 17, 39
8. My money is a trust from God,
and must be earned and managed
According to Scripture. Pro 3:9-10
Mal 3:10
9. My words must be in harmony
with God's Word--especially when
reproving and restoring another
Christian. Rom 12:18 Gal 6:1
10. My affections must be set on
things above, and not on things of
earth. Col 3:1
DAVID COOK at Mirror Lake Chapel 1985
A conviction is a principle that
we determine to follow, whatever the
Circumstance.
1. The Bible is the inspired
Word of God, and is the final
authority for my life. 2 Tim 3;16
Mat 4:4
2. My purpose in life is to seek
God with all my heart, and to build
my goals around His priorities. Mt
6:33 Phil 3:8
3. My body is the temple of God,
and must not be defiled by the lust
of the world. 1 Cor 3:16-17 19-20
1 Pet 2:11
4. My Church must teach the
Foundational truths of the Bible,
and reinforce my basic convictions.
1 Pet 4:17 2 Cor 6:14-17
5. My children and grandchildren
belong to God, and it is my respons-
ibility to teach them Scriptural
Principles, Godly character and bas-
ic convictions. Pro 22:6 Deut 6:7
6. My activities must never
in. weaken the scriptural convictions of
another Christian. Rom 14:13-15 1
Cor 8:9-13
7. My marriage is a life-long
commitment to God and to my
partner. 1 Cor 7:10-11, 17, 39
8. My money is a trust from God,
and must be earned and managed
According to Scripture. Pro 3:9-10
Mal 3:10
9. My words must be in harmony
with God's Word--especially when
reproving and restoring another
Christian. Rom 12:18 Gal 6:1
10. My affections must be set on
things above, and not on things of
earth. Col 3:1
Friday, September 14, 2007
THAT THY FAITH FAIL NOT
THAT THY FAITH FAIL NOT
Jesus told Peter one day that He had PRAYED FOR HIM. He had NOT prayed that Peter would
stay out of trouble-- desirable as that may have been. He had NOT prayed that Peter would
never become confused or disoriented along the way. He had NOT prayed that Peter would
never stand at the place where the road forks, and wonder which way he should go. Rather,
He had prayed that:
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that
he may sift [you] as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that THY FAITH FAIL NOT: and when
thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Success, in our Christian walk, is not gaged by how well we avoid making mistakes and
becoming confused or disoriented. Neither is our progress dependent upon how many times we
fall or do not fall.
Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock
crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Psalms 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
Psalms 145:14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all [those that be] bowed
down.
So many times we become discouraged with ourselves, as we endeavor to walk the walk of Faith
(trusting Jesus for the welfare of our soul), because of our failings and fallings. But the
Lord views them in an entirely different light.
Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he
shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
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].
We are admonished to jealously guard one thing. Not perfection-- not Spiritual
correctness-- not avoiding mistakes and confusion, etc., but:
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.
The verb "fight" and the noun "good fight" both come from the Greek work from which we get
our word "agony". It is often (more times than not) a painful experience when we struggle
to hold on to our confidence that Jesus is willing and able to keep our soul from the
destruction of hell, and bring us into victory.
II Timothy 4:7 I have FOUGHT a good FIGHT, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the
faith:
Whatever you are struggling with today, HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH IN JESUS!
Jesus told Peter one day that He had PRAYED FOR HIM. He had NOT prayed that Peter would
stay out of trouble-- desirable as that may have been. He had NOT prayed that Peter would
never become confused or disoriented along the way. He had NOT prayed that Peter would
never stand at the place where the road forks, and wonder which way he should go. Rather,
He had prayed that:
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that
he may sift [you] as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that THY FAITH FAIL NOT: and when
thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Success, in our Christian walk, is not gaged by how well we avoid making mistakes and
becoming confused or disoriented. Neither is our progress dependent upon how many times we
fall or do not fall.
Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock
crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Psalms 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
Psalms 145:14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all [those that be] bowed
down.
So many times we become discouraged with ourselves, as we endeavor to walk the walk of Faith
(trusting Jesus for the welfare of our soul), because of our failings and fallings. But the
Lord views them in an entirely different light.
Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he
shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
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].
We are admonished to jealously guard one thing. Not perfection-- not Spiritual
correctness-- not avoiding mistakes and confusion, etc., but:
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.
The verb "fight" and the noun "good fight" both come from the Greek work from which we get
our word "agony". It is often (more times than not) a painful experience when we struggle
to hold on to our confidence that Jesus is willing and able to keep our soul from the
destruction of hell, and bring us into victory.
II Timothy 4:7 I have FOUGHT a good FIGHT, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the
faith:
Whatever you are struggling with today, HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH IN JESUS!
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