THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT
Have you ever noticed how the Holy Ghost often sandwiches precious truths right into the middle of a seemingly unrelated discourse? Such is the case in Hebrews, chapter 12.
He is giving Pastoral instructions-- urging folks to take heed to their lives, and to avoid sins. Then:
Hebrews12:18-24 For ye are NOT come unto the mount that might be TOUCHED, (THE law of Moses) and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they COULD NOT ENDURE that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And SO TERRIBLE was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) BUT ye ARE come unto MOUNT SION, (The City Foursquare, A PERFECT CUBE,THE MOST HOLY PLACE) AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, (not TOUCHABLE, NOT BUILT WITH HANDS, WITH ITS FOUNDATION IN HEAVEN) and to an innumerable company of angels, To the GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT (MEN WHO HAVE LOOKED FOR HIM BY FOLLOWING HARD AFTER THE WORD AND SPIRIT),And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.
This scripture tells us WHERE WE ARE in the economy of God.
Not ONLY have we come to the NEW JERUSALEM and MOUNT SION, we have come to the time of THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.
Almost every time I have mentioned this, I am confronted with retorts such as, That is not what God is doing now.
I beg to differ. I choose to believe what the Holy Ghost said through the writer of Hebrews. WE ARE COME.
But my critics reply, Anyone can see that those conditions do not yet exist. And, I have to agree-- WE DON'T SEE THEM YET.
But, when I was teaching this at Emmanuel Assembly during the 50's and 60's, I used an homely illustration to explain what I knew to be true. I had been doing interior decorating prior to that time.
When our crew went into a home to paper a room, the FIRST thing we did was to throw a drop sheet on the floor and over the furniture. If someone were to have come along and asked us what we were doing, we would have said, We are papering this room.
Obviously, we only had a drop sheet on the floor. Later, it would have also been obvious that we were only sanding down the seams of the previous coats of paper. Still later, it would have been obvious that we were only painting the woodwork.
These activities were each a PART of the WHOLE JOB, and must be done in their proper times for the job to be satisfactory and complete.
But, IN EACH SEGMENT OF THE WORK, WE WERE PAPERING THE ROOM.
GOD IS NOW SELECTING AND BUILDING A BODY OF SONS WHOM HE WILL SHOW, BOTH TO SPIRITS AND MORTALS.
I CAN NOT TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT STAGE OF THE WORK IS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS ALL A PART OF THE JOB.
These SONS OF GOD will have a work to do in the earth, which can not be accomplished in any other way, nor by any other people.
I am confident they are described in scripture as being the angel which has achain, and binds satan. (They cut off his influence in the earth, and replace it with the influence of the Spirit that has birthed them from the midst of the church as we know it today.) (See Rev12)
Satan operates in the realm that is called AIR in the scripture. He is called the PRINCE of the POWER of the AIR. He will be bound and cast out of that realm. The OVERCOMERS will be caught up into that realm (AIR), and spread the INFLUENCE OF GOD (Holiness, peace, love, etc.) around the globe, IN THE SAME MANNER THAT EVIL (hatred, warfare, deceit, etc.) is being spread today
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
BLESSED--REVILED
BLESSED---REVILE
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you (give you a bad name), and persecute you (are cruel to you), and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely (tell lies about you), for my sake.
One quick question I need to ask myself, “Am I living in such a way that my life and demeanor are enough of a contrast to my neighbor as to cause him to hate me because of my better lifestyle?” “Do I have enough of the Spirit of God in me as to annoy and anger him just by being in my presence?”
We are still writing about the Traits of Character that Jesus will be looking for when He “Makes up His Jewels” for membership in the KINGDOM (Royalty) OF GOD here on the earth.
Our Ministers have, to a great extent, shied away from teaching and preaching about the Kingdom, probably due to a lack of understanding it as much as they would like to. Many have relegated the Kingdom as being equal to Heaven and Eternity, but, according to my understanding, this is a mistaken view.
Fact is, we have so very little teaching (in the Bible) about what, where, when Heaven will take place, that most of our learning about the subject is still “on the back burner.” It is just as well to have been left there, for we don’t seem to have a much better “grip” on the subject than the early Disciples had. They perceived of it as a POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC system when they asked Jesus about it, according to the Gospels. Most Christians today have the same general idea about the matter, though an increasing number of readers are catching a glimpse of the fact that it will actually materialize RIGHT HERE ON THE EARTH, before what is known as Eternity or Heaven begins.
Jesus did VERY LITTLE teaching about when and where Heaven would be. Most of what He taught was concerning the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Men have tried to interpret with their human, natural minds, what He said in the SPIRIT. It didn’t work then—it won’t work now. We are IN that proverbial “Swamp” of (mis)understanding. We need someone to come along with a Rhema from God to set us on the right path to a proper understanding and interpretation, similar to Elihu with Job and his “friends”.
Job 32:7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding (ability to sort out).
Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
Job 32:10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
Only the Spirit of God can enable us to properly “sort out” the teachings of Jesus. The “ink on the paper” is not sufficient for the task. Neither is it sufficient for guiding us in our daily life. WE NEED THE RHEMA OF GOD.
When we listen for, and pay heed to, the Rhema of God, changes begin to take place in our life that set us apart from other folks—even other Christians. A “division” in lifestyle soon begins to become manifest in our daily routine that will become a rebuke to those around us who are more careless about their relationship to Jesus. “Attitudes” begin to raise their ugly heads, and we are “in trouble”.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 IF YE BE REPROACHED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
“He drew a circle that cut me out—
Heretic, Renegade, a thing to flout--
But Love and I had a wit to win---
We drew a circle that cut him in”.
WHO IS THAT GOD?
The king of ancient Babylon "talked when he should have been listening" one day, to the three Hebrew children. While we have to admit that he was not much different than a lot of us folks living today, we should realize that it is wise to know whom we are talking about when we boast ourselves in what we believe we are able to do. If it is another mere man, we might get away with our boastings, but if our vaunting ourselves involves the God of the universe, we may get more than we have bargained for. Listen:
Daniel 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; AND WHO [IS] THAT GOD THAT SHALL DELIVER YOU OUT OF MY HANDS?
A wicked queen said a bit too much one day, and the Lord took note of it.
I Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do [to me], and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
Dogs licked up her blood at about the time she had threatened the Prophet of God. It is risky business.
The king of Assyria sent a message to King Hezekiah one day to tell him that his God would fall before the Assyrian armies the same as the other gods of the country had fallen.
II Kings 18:34 Where [are] the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who [are] they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?
Good question, but not a wise one. Isaiah, the Prophet of God sent a message to King Hezekiah, telling him: II Kings 19:21,22 This [is] the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy [One] of Israel.
II Kings 19:27 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
The arrogance of the Assyrian king brought forth a speedy and very severe penalty. It is very foolish to defy our God.
II Kings 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.
Of course, we don't have anybody who dares to defy our God these days. Right? WRONG.
Such an attitude on the part of mankind is perhaps a bit more subtle and polite than it was in days of yore, but it is still present, none the less.
And, although the longsuffering of the Lord is more pronounced than before, the penalties are similar to those experienced in historical times.
Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will GRIND HIM TO POWDER.
OUR GOD WILL DO WHAT HE CHOOSES TO DO, and "all the king's horses, and all the king's men" will not be able to stop, or even retard Him in His plan.
Are there agencies of Government that are opposing our God? Are the governments of the world, any of them, defying our God? Are there any segments of society that are aligning themselves against the knowledge of God? You know the answer.
But, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM!!! YOU CAN'T STOP THEM. BUT GOD INTENDS TO-- in His own time, and in His own way.
Psalms 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
We will be wise to fix our attention on God, rather than what our enemies are trying to do to the cause of Christ. Our help will come from Him. Our defense is in Him.
He created the Universe-- not those who oppose Him. He has declared the decree, not His enemies.
His enemies will be made a footstool for Jesus Christ. It will be accomplished by the Hand of God.
Let's look at Him. Let's trust in Him.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you (give you a bad name), and persecute you (are cruel to you), and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely (tell lies about you), for my sake.
One quick question I need to ask myself, “Am I living in such a way that my life and demeanor are enough of a contrast to my neighbor as to cause him to hate me because of my better lifestyle?” “Do I have enough of the Spirit of God in me as to annoy and anger him just by being in my presence?”
We are still writing about the Traits of Character that Jesus will be looking for when He “Makes up His Jewels” for membership in the KINGDOM (Royalty) OF GOD here on the earth.
Our Ministers have, to a great extent, shied away from teaching and preaching about the Kingdom, probably due to a lack of understanding it as much as they would like to. Many have relegated the Kingdom as being equal to Heaven and Eternity, but, according to my understanding, this is a mistaken view.
Fact is, we have so very little teaching (in the Bible) about what, where, when Heaven will take place, that most of our learning about the subject is still “on the back burner.” It is just as well to have been left there, for we don’t seem to have a much better “grip” on the subject than the early Disciples had. They perceived of it as a POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC system when they asked Jesus about it, according to the Gospels. Most Christians today have the same general idea about the matter, though an increasing number of readers are catching a glimpse of the fact that it will actually materialize RIGHT HERE ON THE EARTH, before what is known as Eternity or Heaven begins.
Jesus did VERY LITTLE teaching about when and where Heaven would be. Most of what He taught was concerning the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Men have tried to interpret with their human, natural minds, what He said in the SPIRIT. It didn’t work then—it won’t work now. We are IN that proverbial “Swamp” of (mis)understanding. We need someone to come along with a Rhema from God to set us on the right path to a proper understanding and interpretation, similar to Elihu with Job and his “friends”.
Job 32:7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding (ability to sort out).
Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
Job 32:10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
Only the Spirit of God can enable us to properly “sort out” the teachings of Jesus. The “ink on the paper” is not sufficient for the task. Neither is it sufficient for guiding us in our daily life. WE NEED THE RHEMA OF GOD.
When we listen for, and pay heed to, the Rhema of God, changes begin to take place in our life that set us apart from other folks—even other Christians. A “division” in lifestyle soon begins to become manifest in our daily routine that will become a rebuke to those around us who are more careless about their relationship to Jesus. “Attitudes” begin to raise their ugly heads, and we are “in trouble”.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 IF YE BE REPROACHED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
“He drew a circle that cut me out—
Heretic, Renegade, a thing to flout--
But Love and I had a wit to win---
We drew a circle that cut him in”.
WHO IS THAT GOD?
The king of ancient Babylon "talked when he should have been listening" one day, to the three Hebrew children. While we have to admit that he was not much different than a lot of us folks living today, we should realize that it is wise to know whom we are talking about when we boast ourselves in what we believe we are able to do. If it is another mere man, we might get away with our boastings, but if our vaunting ourselves involves the God of the universe, we may get more than we have bargained for. Listen:
Daniel 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; AND WHO [IS] THAT GOD THAT SHALL DELIVER YOU OUT OF MY HANDS?
A wicked queen said a bit too much one day, and the Lord took note of it.
I Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do [to me], and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
Dogs licked up her blood at about the time she had threatened the Prophet of God. It is risky business.
The king of Assyria sent a message to King Hezekiah one day to tell him that his God would fall before the Assyrian armies the same as the other gods of the country had fallen.
II Kings 18:34 Where [are] the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who [are] they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?
Good question, but not a wise one. Isaiah, the Prophet of God sent a message to King Hezekiah, telling him: II Kings 19:21,22 This [is] the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy [One] of Israel.
II Kings 19:27 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
The arrogance of the Assyrian king brought forth a speedy and very severe penalty. It is very foolish to defy our God.
II Kings 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.
Of course, we don't have anybody who dares to defy our God these days. Right? WRONG.
Such an attitude on the part of mankind is perhaps a bit more subtle and polite than it was in days of yore, but it is still present, none the less.
And, although the longsuffering of the Lord is more pronounced than before, the penalties are similar to those experienced in historical times.
Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will GRIND HIM TO POWDER.
OUR GOD WILL DO WHAT HE CHOOSES TO DO, and "all the king's horses, and all the king's men" will not be able to stop, or even retard Him in His plan.
Are there agencies of Government that are opposing our God? Are the governments of the world, any of them, defying our God? Are there any segments of society that are aligning themselves against the knowledge of God? You know the answer.
But, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM!!! YOU CAN'T STOP THEM. BUT GOD INTENDS TO-- in His own time, and in His own way.
Psalms 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
We will be wise to fix our attention on God, rather than what our enemies are trying to do to the cause of Christ. Our help will come from Him. Our defense is in Him.
He created the Universe-- not those who oppose Him. He has declared the decree, not His enemies.
His enemies will be made a footstool for Jesus Christ. It will be accomplished by the Hand of God.
Let's look at Him. Let's trust in Him.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
YE ARE---LIGHT
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
We must keep in mind that Jesus was giving a brief description of the KINGDOM OF GOD when He preached the Sermon On The Mount. He was NOT uttering platitudes and high-sounding phrases. He was describing the ULTIMATE INTENT OF GOD for the Church that He was starting. NEITHER WAS HE TALKING ABOUT MAKING HEAVEN OUR ETERNAL HOME—SALVATION. The subject was THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Comparatively few Christians believe that God is able to do what He has said He will do. We have been so programmed for failure that we can not comprehend the magnitude of what He is intending to do. We have been told so many times that the final outcome depends on what WE do, that we cannot believe that HE will get the job done by Himself.
Sometimes it nearly staggers our imagination to even THINK about what the Kingdom of God will be like. This much we know: IT WILL NOT BE A POLITICAL SETUP SUCH AS WE KNOW NOW. The Statute books will all be blank pages. The Police blotters will be blanks—in fact there will not be any policemen, no Mayors nor City Councilmen. All penal institutions will be non-existent, and no court sessions will be conducted. What money we have will be as safe in the kitchen cupboard as if it were in the First National Bank. We can throw away the house keys, the ignition keys and door locks to our automobiles. Our women can walk the streets at night without fear or danger. Sickness and disease as we know it today will have vanished from among God’s People. Hospitals and institutions will be empty and abandoned. Health workers will be idle.
We are NOT writing about HEAVEN! THIS WILL BE TAKING PLACE RIGHT HERE ON EARTH.
Isa 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den.
Isa 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. (every square inch)
Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Isa 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Isa 11:13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
Isa 11:14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
Isa 11:15 And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry-shod.
Isa 11:16 And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Jer 16:14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 16:15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. (This is describing the LAND OF THE SPIRIT, rather than a geographical location—the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, if you will.) “Unto HIM shall the gathering of the people be.” Isa 49:10
Let me hasten to say right here that the Church of today will have undergone a thorough overhaul by this time described in the Bible. The denominational system will have been completely demolished (by God’s own Spirit), and the people will be held together by that same Spirit. No other binding force will be needed.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: FOR I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SIN NO MORE.
Jer 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Jer 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.
Jer 31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
We must never forget that God caused Jeremiah to foretell the destiny of the Northern ten tribes of Israel in chapter 18. THEY WERE TO BE RE-MADE INTO ANOTHER VESSEL THAN THEY HAD FORMERLY BEEN when they failed God so miserably. They would hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and believe that He is the SON OF GOD. They would then begin to proclaim (as the Church) the Gospel around the world, and be the instrument through which God would do what He needed to do to bring about a world-wide reaping of the vast multitudes of humanity. (Three Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) tell the story, though it sounds like they might be describing something else while they were writing). God will make up His Royalty (Kingdom) from among these people (whom we now know as the Church. NEVER FORGET THAT IT WILL BE ENTIRELY A WORK OF THE SPIRIT, RATHER THAN THE LABORS OF MANKIND.
How many times have we (you and I) miserably failed God? It doesn’t matter. He intends to forgive and forget them all, when we ask Him to. We can stand before Him—JUSTIFIED (declared innocent, absolved of all guilt--acquitted).
Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (COMPLETELY AND DECISIVELY)--GW
We reach into the sixth century BEFORE Jesus was born for a clue to the identity of the person who is scheduled (yes, I said “Scheduled”) to “Build the Temple” that we have heard so much about the last few years. Listen to the Prophet:
Zec 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Zec 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
Here is a “strange” (to quote Paul Harvey). Listen to John the Revelator: Rev 21:22 And I SAW NO TEMPLE THEREIN: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 3:12 HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I MAKE A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is NEW JERUSALEM, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name
The disciples of Jesus were as helpless to understand the things Jesus taught them as we are-- until Jesus, BY AN OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT, performed a miracle on their minds. One of the last things Jesus did before ascending to Heaven is recorded in Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, (minds) that they might understand (sort out and put together) the scriptures, (a simpler translation, based on Strong's Conc.)
Try as they might, the disciples had not been able to comprehend the scriptures nor the words of Jesus, because they did not have access to, nor see the need of, the operation of the Holy Ghost. Jesus told Peter (Mk 8:33) "Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." (That is our problem today also).
So Jesus gave them a "Preview of Pentecost" with a Spiritual Illumination of the scriptures.
Spiritual understanding does not come from education. We educate fools, and produce educated fools, whom we send to the Pulpits or to Congress, with varying degrees of disaster.
Nor does understanding spring from human ingenuity or cleverness. In fact, human intelligence is at a total loss to comprehend Spiritual Truths. Mk 8:21 "How is it that ye do not understand?"
I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. Mk 9:32 "but they understood not--"
It is only as we humble ourselves in obedience to the Gospel (accepting the Salvation which is offered us through the Blood of Jesus) that we can have access to Spiritual Understanding which reveals the Truth to us.
Hebrews 11:3 THROUGH FAITH WE UNDERSTAND--
Psalms 25:14 The SECRET OF THE LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Part of the problem with Job and his friends was that THEY WERE SPEAKING WITHOUT THE INSPIRATION OF THE ALMIGHTY. Instead of solving problems, it created a bunch more.
Job 32:8 But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Ghost would be their instructor in Spiritual things.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you
.
There is a COMMUNION, an EDIFICATION, an INSPIRATION, in speaking in the unknown tongue which CAN NOT BE RECEIVED in ANY OTHER WAY. Our spirit is made aware of things which our mind can not teach it, for the mind can not know them. When we pray in the unknown tongue, OUR SPIRIT is IN COMMUNION with the SPIRIT WHICH SPOKE THE WORLDS INTO EXISTENCE, and KNOWS EVERYTHING. OUR SPIRITS ARE TAUGHT BY HIS SPIRIT.
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.
If we commune with God in the unknown tongue, we soon discover that we KNOW things which we didn't learn. Our Spirit has been taught things which our mind cannot comprehend. We do things without knowing WHY we do them. The prompting of the Spirit.
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
The Apostle Paul became excited while writing to the Romans about the plan of Salvation. He exclaimed:
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!
In Collosians he again referred to the Wisdom and Knowledge of God: Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
In Ephesians, he again mentions the magnitude of the message of Jesus Christ, and His Salvation. Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
David had a little "Glory Spell" also as we read: Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.
Again in Psalms 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
Listen to Job: 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
Wisdom speaks. Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.
The Prophet says. Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
The Apostle declares. I Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
2Co 4:6 FOR GOD, WHO COMMANDED THE LIGHT TO SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS, HATH SHINED IN OUR HEARTS, TO GIVE THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.
A “City” (The New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God, the “Paradise of God”) that is set on a hill (The Hill of His Holiness, My Holy Hill) cannot be hidden. (Mat 5:14)
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
We must keep in mind that Jesus was giving a brief description of the KINGDOM OF GOD when He preached the Sermon On The Mount. He was NOT uttering platitudes and high-sounding phrases. He was describing the ULTIMATE INTENT OF GOD for the Church that He was starting. NEITHER WAS HE TALKING ABOUT MAKING HEAVEN OUR ETERNAL HOME—SALVATION. The subject was THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Comparatively few Christians believe that God is able to do what He has said He will do. We have been so programmed for failure that we can not comprehend the magnitude of what He is intending to do. We have been told so many times that the final outcome depends on what WE do, that we cannot believe that HE will get the job done by Himself.
Sometimes it nearly staggers our imagination to even THINK about what the Kingdom of God will be like. This much we know: IT WILL NOT BE A POLITICAL SETUP SUCH AS WE KNOW NOW. The Statute books will all be blank pages. The Police blotters will be blanks—in fact there will not be any policemen, no Mayors nor City Councilmen. All penal institutions will be non-existent, and no court sessions will be conducted. What money we have will be as safe in the kitchen cupboard as if it were in the First National Bank. We can throw away the house keys, the ignition keys and door locks to our automobiles. Our women can walk the streets at night without fear or danger. Sickness and disease as we know it today will have vanished from among God’s People. Hospitals and institutions will be empty and abandoned. Health workers will be idle.
We are NOT writing about HEAVEN! THIS WILL BE TAKING PLACE RIGHT HERE ON EARTH.
Isa 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den.
Isa 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. (every square inch)
Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Isa 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Isa 11:13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
Isa 11:14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
Isa 11:15 And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry-shod.
Isa 11:16 And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Jer 16:14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 16:15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. (This is describing the LAND OF THE SPIRIT, rather than a geographical location—the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, if you will.) “Unto HIM shall the gathering of the people be.” Isa 49:10
Let me hasten to say right here that the Church of today will have undergone a thorough overhaul by this time described in the Bible. The denominational system will have been completely demolished (by God’s own Spirit), and the people will be held together by that same Spirit. No other binding force will be needed.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: FOR I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SIN NO MORE.
Jer 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Jer 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.
Jer 31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
We must never forget that God caused Jeremiah to foretell the destiny of the Northern ten tribes of Israel in chapter 18. THEY WERE TO BE RE-MADE INTO ANOTHER VESSEL THAN THEY HAD FORMERLY BEEN when they failed God so miserably. They would hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and believe that He is the SON OF GOD. They would then begin to proclaim (as the Church) the Gospel around the world, and be the instrument through which God would do what He needed to do to bring about a world-wide reaping of the vast multitudes of humanity. (Three Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) tell the story, though it sounds like they might be describing something else while they were writing). God will make up His Royalty (Kingdom) from among these people (whom we now know as the Church. NEVER FORGET THAT IT WILL BE ENTIRELY A WORK OF THE SPIRIT, RATHER THAN THE LABORS OF MANKIND.
How many times have we (you and I) miserably failed God? It doesn’t matter. He intends to forgive and forget them all, when we ask Him to. We can stand before Him—JUSTIFIED (declared innocent, absolved of all guilt--acquitted).
Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (COMPLETELY AND DECISIVELY)--GW
We reach into the sixth century BEFORE Jesus was born for a clue to the identity of the person who is scheduled (yes, I said “Scheduled”) to “Build the Temple” that we have heard so much about the last few years. Listen to the Prophet:
Zec 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Zec 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
Here is a “strange” (to quote Paul Harvey). Listen to John the Revelator: Rev 21:22 And I SAW NO TEMPLE THEREIN: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 3:12 HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I MAKE A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is NEW JERUSALEM, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name
The disciples of Jesus were as helpless to understand the things Jesus taught them as we are-- until Jesus, BY AN OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT, performed a miracle on their minds. One of the last things Jesus did before ascending to Heaven is recorded in Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, (minds) that they might understand (sort out and put together) the scriptures, (a simpler translation, based on Strong's Conc.)
Try as they might, the disciples had not been able to comprehend the scriptures nor the words of Jesus, because they did not have access to, nor see the need of, the operation of the Holy Ghost. Jesus told Peter (Mk 8:33) "Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." (That is our problem today also).
So Jesus gave them a "Preview of Pentecost" with a Spiritual Illumination of the scriptures.
Spiritual understanding does not come from education. We educate fools, and produce educated fools, whom we send to the Pulpits or to Congress, with varying degrees of disaster.
Nor does understanding spring from human ingenuity or cleverness. In fact, human intelligence is at a total loss to comprehend Spiritual Truths. Mk 8:21 "How is it that ye do not understand?"
I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. Mk 9:32 "but they understood not--"
It is only as we humble ourselves in obedience to the Gospel (accepting the Salvation which is offered us through the Blood of Jesus) that we can have access to Spiritual Understanding which reveals the Truth to us.
Hebrews 11:3 THROUGH FAITH WE UNDERSTAND--
Psalms 25:14 The SECRET OF THE LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Part of the problem with Job and his friends was that THEY WERE SPEAKING WITHOUT THE INSPIRATION OF THE ALMIGHTY. Instead of solving problems, it created a bunch more.
Job 32:8 But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Ghost would be their instructor in Spiritual things.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you
.
There is a COMMUNION, an EDIFICATION, an INSPIRATION, in speaking in the unknown tongue which CAN NOT BE RECEIVED in ANY OTHER WAY. Our spirit is made aware of things which our mind can not teach it, for the mind can not know them. When we pray in the unknown tongue, OUR SPIRIT is IN COMMUNION with the SPIRIT WHICH SPOKE THE WORLDS INTO EXISTENCE, and KNOWS EVERYTHING. OUR SPIRITS ARE TAUGHT BY HIS SPIRIT.
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.
If we commune with God in the unknown tongue, we soon discover that we KNOW things which we didn't learn. Our Spirit has been taught things which our mind cannot comprehend. We do things without knowing WHY we do them. The prompting of the Spirit.
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
The Apostle Paul became excited while writing to the Romans about the plan of Salvation. He exclaimed:
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!
In Collosians he again referred to the Wisdom and Knowledge of God: Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
In Ephesians, he again mentions the magnitude of the message of Jesus Christ, and His Salvation. Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
David had a little "Glory Spell" also as we read: Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.
Again in Psalms 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
Listen to Job: 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
Wisdom speaks. Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.
The Prophet says. Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
The Apostle declares. I Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
2Co 4:6 FOR GOD, WHO COMMANDED THE LIGHT TO SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS, HATH SHINED IN OUR HEARTS, TO GIVE THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.
A “City” (The New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God, the “Paradise of God”) that is set on a hill (The Hill of His Holiness, My Holy Hill) cannot be hidden. (Mat 5:14)
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Friday, November 07, 2008
YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH
YE ARE---SALT
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Salt was used for flavoring food, and for preserving food.
When used in right proportions for flavoring, it is taken for granted, but most of us know what happens when it is left out of the gravy. Ugh!
I know very little about salt as a preservative, but that is not a crucial point right now. What IS IMPORTANT is that Jesus likened the lives of certain humans to the combination of elements that make up what is known as salt.
Our manner of life is IMPORTANT to the KINGDOM OF GOD on the earth. It is, perhaps, the MOST COMPELLING reason for us to endeavor to live according to the Plan of God for our life while here on earth.
Salvation, being a GIFT, does not require as much attention to our manner of life as does a place in the KINGDOM OF GOD. It doesn’t take a great amount of effort to maintain a “run-of-the-mill” type of Christian life. Following the crowd will usually suffice very well. When the crowd moves to a new fad or a new location—simply follow them. “Go with the flow”, as the saying goes. Staying in the “popularity circuit”, and moving with the “majority crowd” is gratifying to the flesh, and sometimes exciting. It is also somewhat un-productive, Spiritually.
Striving for KINGDOM STATURE, on the other hand has a far-reaching effect—both on us, and on those around us. It requires more strict attention to the things that are important to God and His Word. God has placed a very high value on motives and desires of the heart, whereas humans place more value on behavior that is acceptable in our Christian Society.
Close scrutiny will reveal that MOST of the New Testament—especially the Epistles of Paul and the others,-- consist primarily of INSTRUCTIONS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, without which there is absolutely no hope of ever seeing the KINGDOM. Millions of “saved” people will never see the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Luk 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.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Kingdom Living will have a profound effect upon the rest of the world, and especially the community in which we are living. When we obey the Word and the Spirit of God, an influence is released into the area surrounding us, and conditions are created that we probably know nothing about at the time. BUT GOD KNOWS, and He is greatly pleased. Our Obedience creates an atmosphere in which the Spirit of God can work in the lives of those around us. Thus, a “flavor” is created in the community that is scarcely noticed by the majority of the people who are affected by it.
The BEST way that we can “help” others is to obey God ourselves.
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Salt was used for flavoring food, and for preserving food.
When used in right proportions for flavoring, it is taken for granted, but most of us know what happens when it is left out of the gravy. Ugh!
I know very little about salt as a preservative, but that is not a crucial point right now. What IS IMPORTANT is that Jesus likened the lives of certain humans to the combination of elements that make up what is known as salt.
Our manner of life is IMPORTANT to the KINGDOM OF GOD on the earth. It is, perhaps, the MOST COMPELLING reason for us to endeavor to live according to the Plan of God for our life while here on earth.
Salvation, being a GIFT, does not require as much attention to our manner of life as does a place in the KINGDOM OF GOD. It doesn’t take a great amount of effort to maintain a “run-of-the-mill” type of Christian life. Following the crowd will usually suffice very well. When the crowd moves to a new fad or a new location—simply follow them. “Go with the flow”, as the saying goes. Staying in the “popularity circuit”, and moving with the “majority crowd” is gratifying to the flesh, and sometimes exciting. It is also somewhat un-productive, Spiritually.
Striving for KINGDOM STATURE, on the other hand has a far-reaching effect—both on us, and on those around us. It requires more strict attention to the things that are important to God and His Word. God has placed a very high value on motives and desires of the heart, whereas humans place more value on behavior that is acceptable in our Christian Society.
Close scrutiny will reveal that MOST of the New Testament—especially the Epistles of Paul and the others,-- consist primarily of INSTRUCTIONS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, without which there is absolutely no hope of ever seeing the KINGDOM. Millions of “saved” people will never see the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Luk 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.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Kingdom Living will have a profound effect upon the rest of the world, and especially the community in which we are living. When we obey the Word and the Spirit of God, an influence is released into the area surrounding us, and conditions are created that we probably know nothing about at the time. BUT GOD KNOWS, and He is greatly pleased. Our Obedience creates an atmosphere in which the Spirit of God can work in the lives of those around us. Thus, a “flavor” is created in the community that is scarcely noticed by the majority of the people who are affected by it.
The BEST way that we can “help” others is to obey God ourselves.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
BLESSED--PERSECUTED
BLESSED--- PERSECUTED
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (emphasis added)
We are continuing our studies in the Beatitudes of Jesus. They are an outline of the Attributes of Character that He will look upon favorably when He “Makes Up His Jewels” for entry into the KINGDOM (Royalty) of God.
We find many references in the Bible that testify to the fact of the irreconcilable hatred (enmity) of the carnal mind against the Will of God. It is a SPIRIT that pits neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother, etc.. We were each born with the Fleshly Mind, but some of us have invited the Mind of Christ into our lives, with the resultant open warfare—both in our own life (which can become rather severe at times) as well as in the community. This ill will intensifies as we continue our efforts to become more like Jesus in our demeanor.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Act 9:16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Phi 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Little wonder, then, that Jesus gave the instruction, “Strive to enter in—for many will not be able to do it.” See Luke 13:24
We can not emphasize too often that the Kingdom of God will probably NOT be a political/economic Kingdom such as many of us have visualized from the past understanding and teaching of our instructors.
Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (ocular evidence)
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom (Royalty) of God is within (inside of) you.
Yesterday, at lunch time, I had a conversation with a man of French ancestry that we call “Chuck”. I can not even pronounce his last name, let alone try to spell it. He told me about some of his forebears who had lived in the late 1500’s, about the massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day (Aug 24, 1572), and the Edict of Nantes, and about the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. I may not have all of the details correct, but I’ll give you some of the highlights. The Massacre was only the beginning of what would go on for many, many years, but in this one incident there were soldiers and Ministers (Priests) of the dominant Church who attacked a gathering of Christians (Protestants) whom they had lured into a religious convocation of Good Will. They killed an estimated 100,000 Protestants at that time, and their blood ran like little rivers into the natural rivers, killing fish and other creatures and contaminating the rivers so much that the fish could not be eaten from them for many months. The remaining Protestants (who were the Master Craftsmen of France) scattered to other countries or went into hiding and practiced their religion in secret. The economy of France was devastated, and the nation was plunged into depression. On April 13, 1598 the Edict of Nantes was issued, granting Freedom of Worship to the Calvinists (Huguenots) in a country that was predominantly Catholic, in an effort to attract skilled workmen back to France. It worked, and in time France became a prosperous nation again. The Edict, however, cost the King his life—he was stabbed to death by a Jesuit Priest who disliked the idea of religious freedom for the Huguenots.
The Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, and the Church-sponsored persecution was vigorously resumed, forcing many into other countries or into hiding again. During that period, the Geneva Bible was published by John Calvin who was in exile in Geneva, Switzerland. (1595)
England was also having “religious convulsions” at the same time (1500’s). King Henry V111 wanted to divorce his wife, who had not been able to produce a male heir for him, and marry another woman who possibly could. The Pope said, “No Way”. Henry replied, “You go fly a kite. I’ll make my own Church—with all the trimmin’s.” He did, and the Church of England was born, and Henry got a new wife with the blessing of the Archbishop of Canterbury. (who was later burned at the stake by Queen MaryI) Mary did not look with favor on England being protestant, and started a “cleansing of the Faith”. In less than six years she burned over 300 of the most prominent people, including the Archbishop, at the stake for not recanting their Protestant views. (An average of one burning a week). Her subjects referred to her as “Bloody Mary”. England actually rejoiced when she lay in her coffin.
“WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND.”
In 1590 a book was published by a couple of Jesuit priests who had been commissioned by the Pope to “get the heat off the Catholic Church”. (The Reformers had all been calling the Papal System the Antichrist) In their book, they re-wrote the curriculum of Prophetic teachings. They “sold” their new doctrine to the Archbishop of Canterbury (Henry’s official Church of England). We have been “looking for” the “appearance” of the Antichrist, in the last seven years of the world, since that time.
If you “see” him, be sure to alert me.
I have no fears that any of you can produce “him”. In my lifetime there have been many “men” who have been suspected or accused of being “him”, but they have, mostly, all died without “producing the goods” that “he” is supposed to produce when “he” appears. In 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to be President of the United States. We were in a deep Depression, and his NRA (National Recovery Act), CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and other ingredients of the dubbed “Alphabetical Soup” he was initiating, caused many to look at him as the “one who comes in with flattery, but turns on his subjects and tries to destroy them”. Many of my relatives could maneuver the Scriptures into such a position as to “prove” that “he was him”. Before FDR was dead, he was replaced by Benito Mussolini, who, in turn, was replaced by Adolf Hitler Somewhere along the line, the EEC (European Common Market) would become the Revived Roman Empire consisting of 10 Nations (the Roman Dragon). That one is dying a slow death, but in its “heyday” it “drew a lot of water”. Poor old Henry Kissinger commanded some “suspicion” himself at one juncture.
The “Persecution” that Jesus was talking to His Disciples about is much, much more than having our feelings hurt by someone else. It is much more than thinking that someone doesn’t like us or is “out to get us”.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run (agon) with patience the race (agon) that is set (by the Lord) before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Jesus was talking about a DETERMINATION in the heart of each believer that “come hail or high water” we will remain faithful to the One who paid the price of our Redemption. We will NOT turn our back on Him who loved us enough to give His Life for us, no matter what others may say, do, or think of us.
Jesus will be looking for that kind of dedication when He “makes up His Jewels” on that Day—the Day of Jesus Christ. (The Day of the Kingdom)
Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
David furnishes us with a very good example of one who was persecuted. We should read some of the Psalms in which he complains TO GOD ONLY about what is happening to him.
Psa 7:15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
Psa 7:16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Psa 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
Psa 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Psa 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Psa 35:1 A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
Psa 35:2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
Psa 35:3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
Psa 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
Psa 35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
Psa 35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
Psa 35:7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
Psa 35:8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
Psa 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Psa 35:10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
Psa 35:11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
Psa 35:12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
Psa 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
Psa 35:14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
Psa 35:15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
Psa 35:16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Psa 35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
Psa 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Psa 35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
Psa 35:20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
Psa 35:21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
Psa 35:22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
Psa 35:23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Psa 35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
Psa 35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
Psa 35:26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me.
Psa 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psa 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
If you are ever tempted to question whether the Lord hears and sees when others indulge in persecution of the righteous, it is good to remember some things that Jesus spoke and did in response to how the Jews rejected Him and His Workers. He will do the same for us when we cry to Him in our times of persecution and distress caused by our adversaries—IF we keep our eyes on Him and our attitude correct. Our attitude can be a BIG problem.
Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Mat 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Mat 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zechariah son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Mat 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jeremiah gives us another very good example of what REAL persecution is all about.
Jer 17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
What is our goal as candidates for KINGDOM STATURE? Should we make a demonstration to demand our rights as citizens? Should we file for “minority status”?
Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (emphasis added)
We are continuing our studies in the Beatitudes of Jesus. They are an outline of the Attributes of Character that He will look upon favorably when He “Makes Up His Jewels” for entry into the KINGDOM (Royalty) of God.
We find many references in the Bible that testify to the fact of the irreconcilable hatred (enmity) of the carnal mind against the Will of God. It is a SPIRIT that pits neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother, etc.. We were each born with the Fleshly Mind, but some of us have invited the Mind of Christ into our lives, with the resultant open warfare—both in our own life (which can become rather severe at times) as well as in the community. This ill will intensifies as we continue our efforts to become more like Jesus in our demeanor.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Act 9:16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Phi 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Little wonder, then, that Jesus gave the instruction, “Strive to enter in—for many will not be able to do it.” See Luke 13:24
We can not emphasize too often that the Kingdom of God will probably NOT be a political/economic Kingdom such as many of us have visualized from the past understanding and teaching of our instructors.
Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (ocular evidence)
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom (Royalty) of God is within (inside of) you.
Yesterday, at lunch time, I had a conversation with a man of French ancestry that we call “Chuck”. I can not even pronounce his last name, let alone try to spell it. He told me about some of his forebears who had lived in the late 1500’s, about the massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day (Aug 24, 1572), and the Edict of Nantes, and about the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. I may not have all of the details correct, but I’ll give you some of the highlights. The Massacre was only the beginning of what would go on for many, many years, but in this one incident there were soldiers and Ministers (Priests) of the dominant Church who attacked a gathering of Christians (Protestants) whom they had lured into a religious convocation of Good Will. They killed an estimated 100,000 Protestants at that time, and their blood ran like little rivers into the natural rivers, killing fish and other creatures and contaminating the rivers so much that the fish could not be eaten from them for many months. The remaining Protestants (who were the Master Craftsmen of France) scattered to other countries or went into hiding and practiced their religion in secret. The economy of France was devastated, and the nation was plunged into depression. On April 13, 1598 the Edict of Nantes was issued, granting Freedom of Worship to the Calvinists (Huguenots) in a country that was predominantly Catholic, in an effort to attract skilled workmen back to France. It worked, and in time France became a prosperous nation again. The Edict, however, cost the King his life—he was stabbed to death by a Jesuit Priest who disliked the idea of religious freedom for the Huguenots.
The Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, and the Church-sponsored persecution was vigorously resumed, forcing many into other countries or into hiding again. During that period, the Geneva Bible was published by John Calvin who was in exile in Geneva, Switzerland. (1595)
England was also having “religious convulsions” at the same time (1500’s). King Henry V111 wanted to divorce his wife, who had not been able to produce a male heir for him, and marry another woman who possibly could. The Pope said, “No Way”. Henry replied, “You go fly a kite. I’ll make my own Church—with all the trimmin’s.” He did, and the Church of England was born, and Henry got a new wife with the blessing of the Archbishop of Canterbury. (who was later burned at the stake by Queen MaryI) Mary did not look with favor on England being protestant, and started a “cleansing of the Faith”. In less than six years she burned over 300 of the most prominent people, including the Archbishop, at the stake for not recanting their Protestant views. (An average of one burning a week). Her subjects referred to her as “Bloody Mary”. England actually rejoiced when she lay in her coffin.
“WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND.”
In 1590 a book was published by a couple of Jesuit priests who had been commissioned by the Pope to “get the heat off the Catholic Church”. (The Reformers had all been calling the Papal System the Antichrist) In their book, they re-wrote the curriculum of Prophetic teachings. They “sold” their new doctrine to the Archbishop of Canterbury (Henry’s official Church of England). We have been “looking for” the “appearance” of the Antichrist, in the last seven years of the world, since that time.
If you “see” him, be sure to alert me.
I have no fears that any of you can produce “him”. In my lifetime there have been many “men” who have been suspected or accused of being “him”, but they have, mostly, all died without “producing the goods” that “he” is supposed to produce when “he” appears. In 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to be President of the United States. We were in a deep Depression, and his NRA (National Recovery Act), CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and other ingredients of the dubbed “Alphabetical Soup” he was initiating, caused many to look at him as the “one who comes in with flattery, but turns on his subjects and tries to destroy them”. Many of my relatives could maneuver the Scriptures into such a position as to “prove” that “he was him”. Before FDR was dead, he was replaced by Benito Mussolini, who, in turn, was replaced by Adolf Hitler Somewhere along the line, the EEC (European Common Market) would become the Revived Roman Empire consisting of 10 Nations (the Roman Dragon). That one is dying a slow death, but in its “heyday” it “drew a lot of water”. Poor old Henry Kissinger commanded some “suspicion” himself at one juncture.
The “Persecution” that Jesus was talking to His Disciples about is much, much more than having our feelings hurt by someone else. It is much more than thinking that someone doesn’t like us or is “out to get us”.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run (agon) with patience the race (agon) that is set (by the Lord) before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Jesus was talking about a DETERMINATION in the heart of each believer that “come hail or high water” we will remain faithful to the One who paid the price of our Redemption. We will NOT turn our back on Him who loved us enough to give His Life for us, no matter what others may say, do, or think of us.
Jesus will be looking for that kind of dedication when He “makes up His Jewels” on that Day—the Day of Jesus Christ. (The Day of the Kingdom)
Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
David furnishes us with a very good example of one who was persecuted. We should read some of the Psalms in which he complains TO GOD ONLY about what is happening to him.
Psa 7:15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
Psa 7:16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Psa 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
Psa 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Psa 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Psa 35:1 A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
Psa 35:2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
Psa 35:3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
Psa 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
Psa 35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
Psa 35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
Psa 35:7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
Psa 35:8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
Psa 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Psa 35:10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
Psa 35:11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
Psa 35:12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
Psa 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
Psa 35:14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
Psa 35:15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
Psa 35:16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Psa 35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
Psa 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Psa 35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
Psa 35:20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
Psa 35:21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
Psa 35:22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
Psa 35:23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Psa 35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
Psa 35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
Psa 35:26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me.
Psa 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psa 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
If you are ever tempted to question whether the Lord hears and sees when others indulge in persecution of the righteous, it is good to remember some things that Jesus spoke and did in response to how the Jews rejected Him and His Workers. He will do the same for us when we cry to Him in our times of persecution and distress caused by our adversaries—IF we keep our eyes on Him and our attitude correct. Our attitude can be a BIG problem.
Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Mat 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Mat 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zechariah son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Mat 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jeremiah gives us another very good example of what REAL persecution is all about.
Jer 17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
What is our goal as candidates for KINGDOM STATURE? Should we make a demonstration to demand our rights as citizens? Should we file for “minority status”?
Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Monday, October 20, 2008
BLESSED---RIGHTEOUSNESS
BLESSED--- RIGHTEOUSNESS
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
We are continuing our pursuit of the meaning of ATTAINING TO KINGDOM STATURE.
In this segment we will explore what we have referred to as ACQUIRED RIGHTEOUSNESS, which we need to desire and seek for, after the Righteousness of Jesus has been IMPUTED to us at Calvary. Imputed righteousness will assure us a place in Heaven, but it will NOT guarantee us entrance into the Kingdom of God.
You see, Jesus came to earth to SEEK and to SAVE that which was lost. (Luke 19:10). All of humanity was lost in their sinful condition. Any human being can be saved by simply acknowledging Jesus to be the Son of God and accepting the forgiveness that He has offered to us.
We feel that right here is a good time to remind ourselves of what John 1:12 says. Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power (privilege, authority) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (emphasis added)
As I have previously pointed out, a great gulf exists between having our sins (nature of sin—rebellion) forgiven, and having been really born again of the Spirit of God. We are forgiven in an instant, but the NEW BIRTH is a process of refinement of character and learning the Nature of God and the WAYS of GOD as the Holy Ghost teaches us.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and LEARN OF ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Emphasis added)
1Jo 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1Jo 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Nothing that is degrading or harmful to others will ever gain entrance to citizenship in the Society of the Kingdom.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
I did, before my pacemaker was implanted, go through the airport scanners before a flight. They would detect anything they were designed to find—with unerring accuracy. GOD’S WORD will provide us with the same type of protection from “ourselves”. The Law of God in our hearts will protect us from others and protect others from what may be luring within us.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; (if they seek for it) and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait (difficult, confining) gate (hunger and thirst after righteousness) for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (I can not see My Own Likeness in you. I still see your self-life)
Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. (Attendance awards)
Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (you did as you pleased—you did not desire character refinement)
Luk 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (sins forgiven, but could not enter the Kingdom of God)
Luk 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, (all over the world) and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (unfit for service)
1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
When I was a young man I tended to worry about some of these things—fearing that I might lose my Salvation if they were still a part of my makeup. I feel that many today are laboring under the same wrong impression about their relationship to God. While I realize that a person would be capable of “backsliding” and annulling the Forgiveness of God, John Dearing told us in 1939 that it would be much harder to do than many are teaching today. You would want to “bring your lunch”, because God will put every obstacle He can in your way to keep you from turning away from Him. It would take a strong, deliberate intent on your part to get the job done. He has a tremendous investment in you and me.
But it is not so when we consider an entrance into KINGDOM STATUS, or being “fit for the Kingdom” (see Luke 9:62) There is where we run into the “flaming sword” that guards the “Paradise of God” as the Kingdom is described.
1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
We are continuing our pursuit of the meaning of ATTAINING TO KINGDOM STATURE.
In this segment we will explore what we have referred to as ACQUIRED RIGHTEOUSNESS, which we need to desire and seek for, after the Righteousness of Jesus has been IMPUTED to us at Calvary. Imputed righteousness will assure us a place in Heaven, but it will NOT guarantee us entrance into the Kingdom of God.
You see, Jesus came to earth to SEEK and to SAVE that which was lost. (Luke 19:10). All of humanity was lost in their sinful condition. Any human being can be saved by simply acknowledging Jesus to be the Son of God and accepting the forgiveness that He has offered to us.
We feel that right here is a good time to remind ourselves of what John 1:12 says. Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power (privilege, authority) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (emphasis added)
As I have previously pointed out, a great gulf exists between having our sins (nature of sin—rebellion) forgiven, and having been really born again of the Spirit of God. We are forgiven in an instant, but the NEW BIRTH is a process of refinement of character and learning the Nature of God and the WAYS of GOD as the Holy Ghost teaches us.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and LEARN OF ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Emphasis added)
1Jo 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1Jo 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Nothing that is degrading or harmful to others will ever gain entrance to citizenship in the Society of the Kingdom.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
I did, before my pacemaker was implanted, go through the airport scanners before a flight. They would detect anything they were designed to find—with unerring accuracy. GOD’S WORD will provide us with the same type of protection from “ourselves”. The Law of God in our hearts will protect us from others and protect others from what may be luring within us.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; (if they seek for it) and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait (difficult, confining) gate (hunger and thirst after righteousness) for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (I can not see My Own Likeness in you. I still see your self-life)
Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. (Attendance awards)
Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (you did as you pleased—you did not desire character refinement)
Luk 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (sins forgiven, but could not enter the Kingdom of God)
Luk 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, (all over the world) and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (unfit for service)
1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
When I was a young man I tended to worry about some of these things—fearing that I might lose my Salvation if they were still a part of my makeup. I feel that many today are laboring under the same wrong impression about their relationship to God. While I realize that a person would be capable of “backsliding” and annulling the Forgiveness of God, John Dearing told us in 1939 that it would be much harder to do than many are teaching today. You would want to “bring your lunch”, because God will put every obstacle He can in your way to keep you from turning away from Him. It would take a strong, deliberate intent on your part to get the job done. He has a tremendous investment in you and me.
But it is not so when we consider an entrance into KINGDOM STATUS, or being “fit for the Kingdom” (see Luke 9:62) There is where we run into the “flaming sword” that guards the “Paradise of God” as the Kingdom is described.
1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
WHO ART THOU THAT JUDGEST?
(log of the Good Ship Grace)
Don't find fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view
The burden he bears, placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused him to fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.
Don’t be too harsh with the man who sins,
Or pelt him with words or stone,
Unless you are sure—yes doubly sure
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps, if Satan’s voice
Should whisper as softly to you
As it did to him, when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.
--the log
Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
A reminder is in order here that we are NOT writing about SALVATION. Our subject is the KINGDOM OF GOD. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME SUBJECT.
SALVATION is obtained and maintained by FAITH in the integrity of Jesus Christ. But to gain entrance into KINGDOM STATURE requires much more.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge (epignosis) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off (short-sighted), and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election (choosing) sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the EVERLASTING KINGDOM of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Emphasis added)
Mat 22:14 For many are called (invited), but few are chosen (selected).
Mercy is NOT a natural trait of human beings. It is a LEARNED RESPONSE, developed with the influence of the Spirit of God in our lives. Salvation does not require that we be merciful, but KINGDOM STATURE WILL require such a response in our lives (even to those who do not deserve it).
It is an attribute of God, and we must incorporate it into our lives if we hope to become citizens of the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Exo 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Pro 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
The whole of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness seemed to be centered around the Mercy Seat. It was from off the Mercy Seat that God spoke with Moses, and Jesus now speaks with us from the Seat of His Mercy—Calvary.
Many of the scriptures give us clues about the importance of the attribute of “mercy” in our lives.
Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Num 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
“His Mercy endureth forever’—occurs with almost monotonous repetition.
We can Hope in His Mercy.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Pro 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Mic 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Zec 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Pro 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Luk 10:37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Jam 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Psa 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
Pro 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
WHO ART THOU THAT JUDGEST?
(log of the Good Ship Grace)
Don't find fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view
The burden he bears, placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused him to fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.
Don’t be too harsh with the man who sins,
Or pelt him with words or stone,
Unless you are sure—yes doubly sure
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps, if Satan’s voice
Should whisper as softly to you
As it did to him, when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.
--the log
Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
A reminder is in order here that we are NOT writing about SALVATION. Our subject is the KINGDOM OF GOD. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME SUBJECT.
SALVATION is obtained and maintained by FAITH in the integrity of Jesus Christ. But to gain entrance into KINGDOM STATURE requires much more.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge (epignosis) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off (short-sighted), and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election (choosing) sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the EVERLASTING KINGDOM of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Emphasis added)
Mat 22:14 For many are called (invited), but few are chosen (selected).
Mercy is NOT a natural trait of human beings. It is a LEARNED RESPONSE, developed with the influence of the Spirit of God in our lives. Salvation does not require that we be merciful, but KINGDOM STATURE WILL require such a response in our lives (even to those who do not deserve it).
It is an attribute of God, and we must incorporate it into our lives if we hope to become citizens of the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Exo 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Pro 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
The whole of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness seemed to be centered around the Mercy Seat. It was from off the Mercy Seat that God spoke with Moses, and Jesus now speaks with us from the Seat of His Mercy—Calvary.
Many of the scriptures give us clues about the importance of the attribute of “mercy” in our lives.
Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Num 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
“His Mercy endureth forever’—occurs with almost monotonous repetition.
We can Hope in His Mercy.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Pro 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Mic 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Zec 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Pro 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Luk 10:37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Jam 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Psa 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
Pro 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
Another study in the Beatitudes
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
We are continuing the series on the PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM. We are trying to “get a handle” on the ATTRIBUTES WE SHOULD HAVE IN OUR LIVES in order to qualify for KINGDOM STATUS. We use that term, for lack of a better one that will fit the situation. For, you see, there are no “admission tickets” as such. There are no “rites of passage” no “passwords” and no “entrance fees” But that is not to say that there are no “requirements” for a place in the KINGDOM OF God on Earth. There are, and they are listed at the very front of the Sermon on the Mount.
It can not be said too often that Salvation is the first requisite to being in the Kingdom, but the two are different. Salvation is free to humans, having been paid for in full by Jesus at Calvary, but it only gives us the PRIVILEGE or CONSENT to become the SONS OF GOD and achieve (yes, I wrote “Achieve”) Kingdom Status.
KINGDOM STATUS consists of having incorporated certain attributes, such as the ones listed by Jesus in the Sermon, into our own lives by seeking God for the Refinement of Character that He desires to see in our lives. We probably will never attain to Perfection, but we can make enough progress to satisfy our God, who knows our individual capabilities and incapabilities.
Today we are focusing on the attribute that is called “Peacemakers” in the KJV. It is translated thus in Mat 5:9. It is also used once, in Rom 12:18 “peaceably”. Three times it is used to denote “peace” . In Mar_9:50 it means “to have peace”. In 2Co_13:11 it means to “live in peace”, and in 1Th_5:13 it means to “be at peace”. Those “uses” of the original word would tend to “flavor” its meaning toward a condition of our OWN character, rather than being a go-between in a dispute of some kind. I believe that to be closer to the proper understanding of what Jesus is recorded as having said.
Most of us would look at ourselves as being a “person of peace”, but it is NOT a natural human trait. We only have it when things are “going our way” Neither is it a result of training or discipline. It is something that must be acquired from the Spirit of God. It is a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. The Spirit produces it, or we don’t have it. Yet, the real PEACE OF GOD will be necessary for us to enter into KINGDOM STATUS. Perhaps we could use another term that might be more easily understood, How about ROYALTY STATUS? Actually, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance uses the term “Royalty”.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (quietness rest), longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
1Th 4:11 And that ye study (labor) to be quiet (at peace), and to do your own business,----
What is the recipe for obtaining the trait of “peace—rest” in our lives? Since we can not achieve it from our own efforts, we must seek it from its source—the Spirit of God. We must ask God to give it to us. In our asking, we must maintain a willingness to be obedient to the Spirit as He begins to produce the desired qualities in our lives. For me, it has sometimes been a “wild ride”, because peacefulness (peacemaking) has not been a natural forte. I dare not consider the “ride” over with yet. But, the Spirit has made a lot of progress (with my consent and co-operation) since we embarked on the project many years ago. Simply put, “I can not do it by myself, but the Spirit will not do it without my consent and co-operation.” It MUST be a joint operation.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE (Holy Ghost), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off---
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall NEVER FALL:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting (eternal) kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Phi 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Look at Isaiah 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD.
Isaiah was speaking of a group of people, who "tremble at My Word" (vs 2), and were not mentioned as being of the tribe of Levi.
What does it mean to tremble at the Word of the Lord?
Whatever it means, there will be a people who qualify for the category.
It is doubtful if their qualifications are based as much on the sovereignty of God as on their response to the Word of God. Our response is very crucial.
I wonder sometimes, if we should not be more diligent in seeking the face of God for an inward purification, rather than going after material prosperity. One endures-- the other will perish.
Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
What does it mean to "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness?" In my book, it means that we will always be able to do the RIGHT thing in any given circumstance. That quality is absolutely foreign to the human being. It is an ability that can be acquired from God alone. It is a product of our obedience to, and reliance on, the Spirit that “worketh in us”.
Another study in the Beatitudes
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
We are continuing the series on the PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM. We are trying to “get a handle” on the ATTRIBUTES WE SHOULD HAVE IN OUR LIVES in order to qualify for KINGDOM STATUS. We use that term, for lack of a better one that will fit the situation. For, you see, there are no “admission tickets” as such. There are no “rites of passage” no “passwords” and no “entrance fees” But that is not to say that there are no “requirements” for a place in the KINGDOM OF God on Earth. There are, and they are listed at the very front of the Sermon on the Mount.
It can not be said too often that Salvation is the first requisite to being in the Kingdom, but the two are different. Salvation is free to humans, having been paid for in full by Jesus at Calvary, but it only gives us the PRIVILEGE or CONSENT to become the SONS OF GOD and achieve (yes, I wrote “Achieve”) Kingdom Status.
KINGDOM STATUS consists of having incorporated certain attributes, such as the ones listed by Jesus in the Sermon, into our own lives by seeking God for the Refinement of Character that He desires to see in our lives. We probably will never attain to Perfection, but we can make enough progress to satisfy our God, who knows our individual capabilities and incapabilities.
Today we are focusing on the attribute that is called “Peacemakers” in the KJV. It is translated thus in Mat 5:9. It is also used once, in Rom 12:18 “peaceably”. Three times it is used to denote “peace” . In Mar_9:50 it means “to have peace”. In 2Co_13:11 it means to “live in peace”, and in 1Th_5:13 it means to “be at peace”. Those “uses” of the original word would tend to “flavor” its meaning toward a condition of our OWN character, rather than being a go-between in a dispute of some kind. I believe that to be closer to the proper understanding of what Jesus is recorded as having said.
Most of us would look at ourselves as being a “person of peace”, but it is NOT a natural human trait. We only have it when things are “going our way” Neither is it a result of training or discipline. It is something that must be acquired from the Spirit of God. It is a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. The Spirit produces it, or we don’t have it. Yet, the real PEACE OF GOD will be necessary for us to enter into KINGDOM STATUS. Perhaps we could use another term that might be more easily understood, How about ROYALTY STATUS? Actually, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance uses the term “Royalty”.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (quietness rest), longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
1Th 4:11 And that ye study (labor) to be quiet (at peace), and to do your own business,----
What is the recipe for obtaining the trait of “peace—rest” in our lives? Since we can not achieve it from our own efforts, we must seek it from its source—the Spirit of God. We must ask God to give it to us. In our asking, we must maintain a willingness to be obedient to the Spirit as He begins to produce the desired qualities in our lives. For me, it has sometimes been a “wild ride”, because peacefulness (peacemaking) has not been a natural forte. I dare not consider the “ride” over with yet. But, the Spirit has made a lot of progress (with my consent and co-operation) since we embarked on the project many years ago. Simply put, “I can not do it by myself, but the Spirit will not do it without my consent and co-operation.” It MUST be a joint operation.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE (Holy Ghost), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off---
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall NEVER FALL:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting (eternal) kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Phi 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Look at Isaiah 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD.
Isaiah was speaking of a group of people, who "tremble at My Word" (vs 2), and were not mentioned as being of the tribe of Levi.
What does it mean to tremble at the Word of the Lord?
Whatever it means, there will be a people who qualify for the category.
It is doubtful if their qualifications are based as much on the sovereignty of God as on their response to the Word of God. Our response is very crucial.
I wonder sometimes, if we should not be more diligent in seeking the face of God for an inward purification, rather than going after material prosperity. One endures-- the other will perish.
Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
What does it mean to "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness?" In my book, it means that we will always be able to do the RIGHT thing in any given circumstance. That quality is absolutely foreign to the human being. It is an ability that can be acquired from God alone. It is a product of our obedience to, and reliance on, the Spirit that “worketh in us”.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies
We are still writing about the qualities of life that will determine our ELIGIBILITY OR INELIGIBILITY for the KINGDOM OF GOD.
It has NOTHING TO DO with, and NO BEARING on whether we are SAVED or NOT, except to say that it is a perfect “Exercise in Futility” to hope and plan for Kingdom Membership WITHOUT first being saved by the Blood of Jesus.
Salvation is “non-selective” in that it is AVAILABLE TO ANYONE who believes and declares that Jesus is the Son of God, and accepts the Forgiveness that Jesus made available on the Cross of Calvary. IT WILL ASSURE A PLACE IN HEAVEN when death overtakes us.
But, MEMBERSHIP IN THE KINGDOM is a different ball game altogether, and is mainly dependent on what we make of ourselves AFTER WE ARE SAVED.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord (SAVED), shall enter into the KINGDOM of heaven; but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Psa 51:10 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, AND IN WHOSE SPIRIT THERE IS NO GUILE.
2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the FLESH AND SPIRIT, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (True Holiness is INTERNAL rather than EXTERNAL) mf.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the KINGDOM OF GOD? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the KINGDOM of God.
Kingdom membership is EXTREMELY SELECTIVE, with many candidates being rejected because their lives lack some key qualities that God has decreed that all entrants should possess
Mat 13:47 Again, the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away (Rejected as unfit). Mf.
Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the WICKED FROM AMONG THE JUST,
Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Luk 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Isa 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; BE YE CLEAN, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
Isa 35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called THE WAY OF HOLINESS; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Isa 35:9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
Please bear in mind that the following verses were written to folks who had GIVEN THEIR HEARTS TO THE LORD.
1Co 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid.
1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1Co 6:18 FLEE FORNICATION. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 FOR YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that WALK AFTER THE FLESH in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2Pe 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2Pe 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. SPOTS THEY ARE AND BLEMISHES, SPORTING THEMSELVES WITH THEIR OWN DECEIVINGS WHILE THEY FEAST WITH YOU;
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever.
2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
We are much more safe if we walk in Repentance rather than in pride or arrogancy.
Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jam 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jam 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jo 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Listen to the testimony of Paul while in active, productive Ministry
Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (HE USES A SPECIAL WORD HERE).
Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Phi 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
1Th 3:13 To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire
Rev 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies
We are still writing about the qualities of life that will determine our ELIGIBILITY OR INELIGIBILITY for the KINGDOM OF GOD.
It has NOTHING TO DO with, and NO BEARING on whether we are SAVED or NOT, except to say that it is a perfect “Exercise in Futility” to hope and plan for Kingdom Membership WITHOUT first being saved by the Blood of Jesus.
Salvation is “non-selective” in that it is AVAILABLE TO ANYONE who believes and declares that Jesus is the Son of God, and accepts the Forgiveness that Jesus made available on the Cross of Calvary. IT WILL ASSURE A PLACE IN HEAVEN when death overtakes us.
But, MEMBERSHIP IN THE KINGDOM is a different ball game altogether, and is mainly dependent on what we make of ourselves AFTER WE ARE SAVED.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord (SAVED), shall enter into the KINGDOM of heaven; but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Psa 51:10 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, AND IN WHOSE SPIRIT THERE IS NO GUILE.
2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the FLESH AND SPIRIT, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (True Holiness is INTERNAL rather than EXTERNAL) mf.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the KINGDOM OF GOD? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the KINGDOM of God.
Kingdom membership is EXTREMELY SELECTIVE, with many candidates being rejected because their lives lack some key qualities that God has decreed that all entrants should possess
Mat 13:47 Again, the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away (Rejected as unfit). Mf.
Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the WICKED FROM AMONG THE JUST,
Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Luk 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Isa 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; BE YE CLEAN, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
Isa 35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called THE WAY OF HOLINESS; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Isa 35:9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
Please bear in mind that the following verses were written to folks who had GIVEN THEIR HEARTS TO THE LORD.
1Co 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid.
1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1Co 6:18 FLEE FORNICATION. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 FOR YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that WALK AFTER THE FLESH in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2Pe 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2Pe 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. SPOTS THEY ARE AND BLEMISHES, SPORTING THEMSELVES WITH THEIR OWN DECEIVINGS WHILE THEY FEAST WITH YOU;
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever.
2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
We are much more safe if we walk in Repentance rather than in pride or arrogancy.
Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jam 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jam 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jo 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Listen to the testimony of Paul while in active, productive Ministry
Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (HE USES A SPECIAL WORD HERE).
Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Phi 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
1Th 3:13 To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire
Rev 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Monday, October 13, 2008
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else
DICTIONARY:
1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
Now the man Moses was very meek, above all men. Num 12.
2. Appropriately, humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. Christ says, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." Mat 11.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Mat 5.
We are still writing about qualities of character that make us fit for the Kingdom of God. I sort of envy those folks who seem to have been born with a mild nature, because I was not so fortunate. Any of those traits that I have are the result of hard-learned lessons. I have been left with some rather unpleasant memories of what can happen when I allow my own nature to get in the way of community or Christian tranquility.
Jesus did very little teaching about Salvation from our sinful nature, but spent almost all of his energies on telling the people how to enter the Kingdom. Much the same is true of most of the Epistles of the New Testament—telling people HOW TO LIVE after they are forgiven of their sinful condition.
I remember Charlie Yadon preaching when he was a young man, “There are two kinds of Christians in the world—those who please God, and those who don’t.” I don’t remember hearing too much of the rest of the sermon, for my mind was going miles per hour on just that one statement.
It is enlightening to see how many places where the trait of Meekness is mentioned in the Bible.
Zep 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: IT MAY BE YE SHALL BE HID in the day of the LORD's anger.
2Co 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
When we spend time and effort yielding to the Voice of The Spirit, we will find that the Fruit is beginning to grow. We DO NOT produce the Fruit by our own efforts. It HAPPENS as a result of us obeying the Spirit. It is the natural result of our communion with God.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Jam 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jam 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jam 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jam 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jam 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Jam 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jam 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jam 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jam 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Many of our Church leaders are now stressing Unity among the believers, and while that is certainly to be desired, it would fall short of the goal if they COULD accomplish it, for it would be patterned after what THEY think unity to be. It almost always embodies their creeds and dogmas and methods.
But, the real truth is that KINGDOM PEOPLE (those who are reaching Kingdom Status) are actually ONE right NOW, though they may not presently even know each other personally. That “Oneness” is brought about by the Spirit of God in EACH INDIVIDUAL HEART, rather than church affiliation or doctrine. It is a COMMON RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS. It is a plain geometrical illustration of how two objects that are each equal to a common object are also equal to each other. (I learned that in High School in 1935)
I often stand back and look at the condition of the World today, and wonder “how will God ever accomplish what He seems intent on doing?” His intent goes far beyond the Church world today. It embodies the entire spectrum of human affairs—including the political, business and financial realm. We glibly say that it all belongs to Jesus, but I’m quite certain that we don’t realize what we are saying. It ACTUALLY WILL HAPPEN!
Zec 4:6 ----This is the WORD OF THE LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but BY MY SPIRIT, saith the LORD of hosts. (emphasis added)
John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
There is an experience in God, which, if we attain to it, there is no question about turning back or away from God. But if our experience in God is shallow-- the "sinner's prayer" type, we might be in real danger of losing faith in Jesus at some point in our lives. A deep experience in God is vital to a robust Christian Life. WE NEED TO SEEK GOD FOR SUCH AN EXPERIENCE WITH HIM.
David had obtained an experience with God which transformed and shaped his life. He became an outstanding example of one whose love for God and His House. The depth of our love is also determined largely by the depth of our experience in God.
Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.
It is an exercise in futility for us to put trust or hope in any other but Jesus Christ, and the Salvation which He offers to us.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else
DICTIONARY:
1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
Now the man Moses was very meek, above all men. Num 12.
2. Appropriately, humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. Christ says, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." Mat 11.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Mat 5.
We are still writing about qualities of character that make us fit for the Kingdom of God. I sort of envy those folks who seem to have been born with a mild nature, because I was not so fortunate. Any of those traits that I have are the result of hard-learned lessons. I have been left with some rather unpleasant memories of what can happen when I allow my own nature to get in the way of community or Christian tranquility.
Jesus did very little teaching about Salvation from our sinful nature, but spent almost all of his energies on telling the people how to enter the Kingdom. Much the same is true of most of the Epistles of the New Testament—telling people HOW TO LIVE after they are forgiven of their sinful condition.
I remember Charlie Yadon preaching when he was a young man, “There are two kinds of Christians in the world—those who please God, and those who don’t.” I don’t remember hearing too much of the rest of the sermon, for my mind was going miles per hour on just that one statement.
It is enlightening to see how many places where the trait of Meekness is mentioned in the Bible.
Zep 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: IT MAY BE YE SHALL BE HID in the day of the LORD's anger.
2Co 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
When we spend time and effort yielding to the Voice of The Spirit, we will find that the Fruit is beginning to grow. We DO NOT produce the Fruit by our own efforts. It HAPPENS as a result of us obeying the Spirit. It is the natural result of our communion with God.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Jam 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jam 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jam 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jam 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jam 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Jam 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jam 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jam 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jam 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Many of our Church leaders are now stressing Unity among the believers, and while that is certainly to be desired, it would fall short of the goal if they COULD accomplish it, for it would be patterned after what THEY think unity to be. It almost always embodies their creeds and dogmas and methods.
But, the real truth is that KINGDOM PEOPLE (those who are reaching Kingdom Status) are actually ONE right NOW, though they may not presently even know each other personally. That “Oneness” is brought about by the Spirit of God in EACH INDIVIDUAL HEART, rather than church affiliation or doctrine. It is a COMMON RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS. It is a plain geometrical illustration of how two objects that are each equal to a common object are also equal to each other. (I learned that in High School in 1935)
I often stand back and look at the condition of the World today, and wonder “how will God ever accomplish what He seems intent on doing?” His intent goes far beyond the Church world today. It embodies the entire spectrum of human affairs—including the political, business and financial realm. We glibly say that it all belongs to Jesus, but I’m quite certain that we don’t realize what we are saying. It ACTUALLY WILL HAPPEN!
Zec 4:6 ----This is the WORD OF THE LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but BY MY SPIRIT, saith the LORD of hosts. (emphasis added)
John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
There is an experience in God, which, if we attain to it, there is no question about turning back or away from God. But if our experience in God is shallow-- the "sinner's prayer" type, we might be in real danger of losing faith in Jesus at some point in our lives. A deep experience in God is vital to a robust Christian Life. WE NEED TO SEEK GOD FOR SUCH AN EXPERIENCE WITH HIM.
David had obtained an experience with God which transformed and shaped his life. He became an outstanding example of one whose love for God and His House. The depth of our love is also determined largely by the depth of our experience in God.
Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.
It is an exercise in futility for us to put trust or hope in any other but Jesus Christ, and the Salvation which He offers to us.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN (from Christian Insights)
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN (from CHRISTIAN INSIGHTS)
In the beatitudes of Jesus, one "grabbed" me the other day. It is Matthew 5:4 Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
We all know what mourning means to human beings. It means to be sorrowful or downcast over a loss or some other catastrophy. This is as it should be. We MUST give expression to our grief. Grief and grieving are NOT WRONG. In fact, they are a NECESSARY PART of life. "Happy" are they that mourn.
But someone mentioned that the word which Jesus used on the Mount could also mean "Blessed are those who REPENT."
The mourning, in this case, would be because of our lives coming short of the Ways of God. We all do-- every day.
We all are falling far short of the Glory of God. Failure is the story of each of our lives.
We were never promised eternal life and the blessings of God because of any goodness we have within ourselves. It is always based upon our faith in His Atonement for us at the Heavenly Mercy Seat. We can NEVER get good enough to earn it.
"Happy" are we, if we walk in continual repentance, and thanksgiving to God for His Mercy toward us. "Happy" or "Blessed", because walking in repentance opens the way for added blessings from God, over and above being saved from our sins.
"For they shall be comforted." The word "Comforted" comes from the word used to describe the work of the Holy Ghost in our life-- One called alongside-- the Paraklete.
The main purpose of the Holy Ghost is to lead into Truth. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
I Corinthians 2:10 -- for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
It is as simple as that. If we want to know more about God, walk in repentance rather than pride of man.
Have you noticed that most of the real scholars of the Word are men of great humility? Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
This formula for personal revival was quoted by Larry Lundstrom is his January 1998 news letter.
1) Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself. Complacency is the deadlyenemy of spiritual progress.The contented soul is a stagnant soul.
2)Set your face like a flint toward a sweeping transformation of yourlife. Timid experiments are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our whole soul into our desire for God.
3)Put yourself in the way of blessing. Its a mistake to expect Gods help to comeas a windfall apart from conditions known and met. To desire revival, and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion, is to wish one way and walk another.
4)Do a thorough job of repenting. Hasty repentance means a shallow spiritual experience. Let Godly sorrow do her healing work. It is our wretched habit of toleration sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition.
5)Make restitution wherever possible. If you owe a debt pay it. If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can to achieve reconciliation. As fully as possible, make the crooked straight.
6)Bring your life into accord with the Sermon on the Mount and other such New Testament Scriptures as are designed to instruct in the way of righteousness. An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what’s wrong with him quickly.
7)Be serious minded. The people of the world used to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God and religion. There must be a radical change in your habits, or there will not be any permanent improvement in your interior life.
8)Deliberately narrow your interests. Too many projects use up time and energy without bringing us nearer to God. The mansions of the heart will become larger when the doors are thrown open to Christ and closed against the world and sin.
9)Begin to witness. Find something to do for God, and your fellowman. Make yourself available. Do anything you are asked to do. Learn to obey.
10) Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up toward the throne. All heaven is on your side. God will not disappoint you.
These suggestions constitute a formula for personal revival. When personal revival is experienced, there is no knowing how far it may spread. The Church is in desperate need of a spiritual resurrection and it can only come through the revived individual
In the beatitudes of Jesus, one "grabbed" me the other day. It is Matthew 5:4 Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
We all know what mourning means to human beings. It means to be sorrowful or downcast over a loss or some other catastrophy. This is as it should be. We MUST give expression to our grief. Grief and grieving are NOT WRONG. In fact, they are a NECESSARY PART of life. "Happy" are they that mourn.
But someone mentioned that the word which Jesus used on the Mount could also mean "Blessed are those who REPENT."
The mourning, in this case, would be because of our lives coming short of the Ways of God. We all do-- every day.
We all are falling far short of the Glory of God. Failure is the story of each of our lives.
We were never promised eternal life and the blessings of God because of any goodness we have within ourselves. It is always based upon our faith in His Atonement for us at the Heavenly Mercy Seat. We can NEVER get good enough to earn it.
"Happy" are we, if we walk in continual repentance, and thanksgiving to God for His Mercy toward us. "Happy" or "Blessed", because walking in repentance opens the way for added blessings from God, over and above being saved from our sins.
"For they shall be comforted." The word "Comforted" comes from the word used to describe the work of the Holy Ghost in our life-- One called alongside-- the Paraklete.
The main purpose of the Holy Ghost is to lead into Truth. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
I Corinthians 2:10 -- for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
It is as simple as that. If we want to know more about God, walk in repentance rather than pride of man.
Have you noticed that most of the real scholars of the Word are men of great humility? Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
This formula for personal revival was quoted by Larry Lundstrom is his January 1998 news letter.
1) Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself. Complacency is the deadlyenemy of spiritual progress.The contented soul is a stagnant soul.
2)Set your face like a flint toward a sweeping transformation of yourlife. Timid experiments are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our whole soul into our desire for God.
3)Put yourself in the way of blessing. Its a mistake to expect Gods help to comeas a windfall apart from conditions known and met. To desire revival, and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion, is to wish one way and walk another.
4)Do a thorough job of repenting. Hasty repentance means a shallow spiritual experience. Let Godly sorrow do her healing work. It is our wretched habit of toleration sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition.
5)Make restitution wherever possible. If you owe a debt pay it. If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can to achieve reconciliation. As fully as possible, make the crooked straight.
6)Bring your life into accord with the Sermon on the Mount and other such New Testament Scriptures as are designed to instruct in the way of righteousness. An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what’s wrong with him quickly.
7)Be serious minded. The people of the world used to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God and religion. There must be a radical change in your habits, or there will not be any permanent improvement in your interior life.
8)Deliberately narrow your interests. Too many projects use up time and energy without bringing us nearer to God. The mansions of the heart will become larger when the doors are thrown open to Christ and closed against the world and sin.
9)Begin to witness. Find something to do for God, and your fellowman. Make yourself available. Do anything you are asked to do. Learn to obey.
10) Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up toward the throne. All heaven is on your side. God will not disappoint you.
These suggestions constitute a formula for personal revival. When personal revival is experienced, there is no knowing how far it may spread. The Church is in desperate need of a spiritual resurrection and it can only come through the revived individual
MOURNING (from Christian Insights
MOURNING—(from CHRISTIAN INSIGHTS)
Several years ago, I asked the Lord to show me the real meaning of Repentance, because of the apparent lack of understanding about its true nature. It seemed that most everyone had a different idea about what it consisted of.
To some folks, it meant a changing of the mind about God and His Son Jesus Christ. Some others didn’t believe it was genuine without tears, and a show of remorse.
I have learned that when we ask God to show us something, we should pay heed to what He shows us in our spirit after that time. He is more anxious for us to know the truth of the matter than we could ever be.
I have almost never heard an audible voice, but almost always received an answer in various ways. Many times He will give me an illumination of ANOTHER scripture, and in it will be a portion of the answer to a prior question.
Such was the case when I questioned about why the Mourners would be blessed.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
It seemed that the Spirit spoke to me and said, “There is the true meaning of Repentance.”
Was Jesus telling His disciples that they should walk around with a long face if they expected to be blessed? Should they cry most of the time? You know, there are folks who actually believe that way, though it is not necessarily true.
I asked, “But, Lord, what is the true meaning of this “mourning” you spoke to your first disciples about?” “Why should they mourn?”
The answers did not come until I had, long afterward, made a word study about Iniquity and the Workers of Iniquity. Seemed like I had all the back burners loaded while I worked with Iniquity on the front burner. It was a labor-intensive study, and I had to drop it at times and return to it with a fresh vigor after a while. This was before the time of computer programs, and my chief tool was the Robert Young’s Analytical Concordance
But, in the end, I believed that I could safely say that the biblical definition of “Iniquity” is a reference to the indwelling nature of sin that we all inherited from Adam.
Workers of Iniquity are those folks who freely indulge that fallen nature, and follow where it would lead them.
Immediately, a “light turned on”, and I could clearly see the answers to both of the other questions—mourning, and repentance. And I also had the answer to a question I had not even asked yet-- Overcoming.
If I had had the benefit of a computer and a Bible program, I could have arrived at a satisfactory answer much sooner than I did while using the Analytical Concordance
I began to ask the Lord to let me really enter into Repentance. (Don’t do that unless you really mean it) It is a “wild ride”, but it is probably the ONLY method to achieve the status of Overcoming.
I couldn’t believe what the Lord would bring to the surface of my life, for me to “own” and then denounce and ask to be forgiven for. There were far more “motives” than “acts” that He brought to my attention, for I had first given my heart to the Lord at age 11, and had tried to “live by the book” since that time. And, although I KNEW there was “something dragging”, I didn’t know what it was.
Here are some scriptures that “popped up” before me while I was searching, and help to solidify my conclusion about the situation.
Eze 7:16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
Eze 36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
Jer 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim (the Nation of Israel) bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
After a while, the Lord seemed to impress me with the prayer of David in
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
It seemed to be all I could think about, or pray for. I had not known it was possible to be so hungry for God’s Spirit.
I had already learned that it does no good to try to EDUCATE bad traits out of myself.
Neither could Emily Post help me.
If there was no help for me in seeking the Face of God, I was a “gonner” for sure.
THANKS BE TO GOD, it DOES work! I did not call on God in vain! My life began to take on a different dimension as I continued to call on Him for Mercy and Grace.
God is doing for me what I could not do for myself.
Several years ago, I asked the Lord to show me the real meaning of Repentance, because of the apparent lack of understanding about its true nature. It seemed that most everyone had a different idea about what it consisted of.
To some folks, it meant a changing of the mind about God and His Son Jesus Christ. Some others didn’t believe it was genuine without tears, and a show of remorse.
I have learned that when we ask God to show us something, we should pay heed to what He shows us in our spirit after that time. He is more anxious for us to know the truth of the matter than we could ever be.
I have almost never heard an audible voice, but almost always received an answer in various ways. Many times He will give me an illumination of ANOTHER scripture, and in it will be a portion of the answer to a prior question.
Such was the case when I questioned about why the Mourners would be blessed.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
It seemed that the Spirit spoke to me and said, “There is the true meaning of Repentance.”
Was Jesus telling His disciples that they should walk around with a long face if they expected to be blessed? Should they cry most of the time? You know, there are folks who actually believe that way, though it is not necessarily true.
I asked, “But, Lord, what is the true meaning of this “mourning” you spoke to your first disciples about?” “Why should they mourn?”
The answers did not come until I had, long afterward, made a word study about Iniquity and the Workers of Iniquity. Seemed like I had all the back burners loaded while I worked with Iniquity on the front burner. It was a labor-intensive study, and I had to drop it at times and return to it with a fresh vigor after a while. This was before the time of computer programs, and my chief tool was the Robert Young’s Analytical Concordance
But, in the end, I believed that I could safely say that the biblical definition of “Iniquity” is a reference to the indwelling nature of sin that we all inherited from Adam.
Workers of Iniquity are those folks who freely indulge that fallen nature, and follow where it would lead them.
Immediately, a “light turned on”, and I could clearly see the answers to both of the other questions—mourning, and repentance. And I also had the answer to a question I had not even asked yet-- Overcoming.
If I had had the benefit of a computer and a Bible program, I could have arrived at a satisfactory answer much sooner than I did while using the Analytical Concordance
I began to ask the Lord to let me really enter into Repentance. (Don’t do that unless you really mean it) It is a “wild ride”, but it is probably the ONLY method to achieve the status of Overcoming.
I couldn’t believe what the Lord would bring to the surface of my life, for me to “own” and then denounce and ask to be forgiven for. There were far more “motives” than “acts” that He brought to my attention, for I had first given my heart to the Lord at age 11, and had tried to “live by the book” since that time. And, although I KNEW there was “something dragging”, I didn’t know what it was.
Here are some scriptures that “popped up” before me while I was searching, and help to solidify my conclusion about the situation.
Eze 7:16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
Eze 36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
Jer 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim (the Nation of Israel) bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
After a while, the Lord seemed to impress me with the prayer of David in
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
It seemed to be all I could think about, or pray for. I had not known it was possible to be so hungry for God’s Spirit.
I had already learned that it does no good to try to EDUCATE bad traits out of myself.
Neither could Emily Post help me.
If there was no help for me in seeking the Face of God, I was a “gonner” for sure.
THANKS BE TO GOD, it DOES work! I did not call on God in vain! My life began to take on a different dimension as I continued to call on Him for Mercy and Grace.
God is doing for me what I could not do for myself.
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