Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Golden Rule

Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

This verse is called "the golden rule." The world claims these precepts as the basis for human rights. It would be wonderful if we all could apply this verse. What keeps us from doing this? Probably our own selfish hearts. One will demand from another, an argument starts, hurt feelings and on and on.

Jesus gave us the example of a perfect human.

Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The unsaved of the world often have another spirit controlling them that gets them into trouble.

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

It takes a new heart to be able to have love and compassion for one another.

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Read the love chapter (1Cor 13) for without love, we are nothing.

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Do unto others as you would have them do to unto you. I am fortunate to have a relationship where we do attempt to put the others needs first and there is peace and love in our home.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Are You Really Clean?

Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

I am okay, but I don't know about that other person? In our own eyes all our ways are clean? but the LORD weighs the spirits. He places them on the scales of his righteousness. Other Bible versions say that he knows our motives, our thinking. We do not know our heart as well as does the LORD.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

We are told to examine our heart to see if there be any unclean thing.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Jesus is our righteousness, by faith in him. We are to examine our hearts before we partake of the ordinance of communion.

1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Better that we examine our self and ask the LORD to show us any unclean ways.

Psa 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

We must confess that we have sins and that we seek God for cleansing and restoration. David went to God in prayer after he had sinned with Bathsheba and had her husband killed in battle. God is greater than our wicked ways.

Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Ultimately if we have the Lord's Spirit convicting us, we must come to Jesus confessing our sins and seeking cleansing.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

What Spirit is in you? There is a test given in scriptures whereby we may know the spirit.

1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Glory for Me

Exo 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
Exo 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
Exo 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

To see the LORD with our sin is to die, for our God is a consuming fire. (Deut 4:24)

Moses speaking to the angel of the Lord on Mt. Sinai asks to see the glory of the LORD. What is the most important thing that a sinner wants to see of God's glory? For a sinner the most glorious thing we can see from God is mercy and grace.

The passage in Exodus is repeated in Romans.

Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.

The LORD is sovereign LORD OF LORDS and King of kings. His will be done for we see many are lost and a remnant are saved from His wrath. Some teach that all are saved. This is false doctrine, such as the universal church. They base this on a few chosen verses; this is one of the verses.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We must respond to the calling of God and continue with him by faith. We have a part in our salvation.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and was not given mercy, he sought forgiveness from the leaders who betrayed Christ and he was rejected, proving that he was as Jesus called him: the son of perdition.

Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Was Judas chosen to betray Christ? Only God knows. Other unlikely people received grace, such as Saul of Tarsus, who was a killer of Christians in the name of the law. He was stopped in his tracks and converted to be the great apostle Paul.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Word, is the grace and mercy of God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the way of salvation by faith.

Luk 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

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:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Are we vessels of honor, chosen of our sovereign God or are we vessels of wrath?

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee (Hosea) , I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
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.
Rom 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Grab hold of Jesus through faith; hold fast to sound doctrine, prove your salvation.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Thank you Jesus for grace and mercy for you are our salvation and our peace with God.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Swearing

Mat 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Mat 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Mat 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

I suppose a person used to swear by things greater than himself to give the words more power and authority. Jesus said that we are not to do this. I think of swearing as the use of the Lord's name in vain, Such expressions degrade and blaspheme the holiness of God.

Lev 22:32 Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you,

Casual slang has become common place, even sometimes in a church setting popular expressions are used. Where do these expressions come from? Jesus says they are evil. Humor is often used to degrade someone or to make fun of someone, we must watch out for this too, for it's origins often are evil. Comedians in the 1940's were witty, but most of what is heard today is evil and degrading, not even funny.

Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Does this sound boring to you? Well, how about speaking in psalms and proverbs or singing of hymns?

Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Speak the word of God and words that build up the hearer. Words of truth from the Holy Bible are powerful and constructive. People need truth and love. This is what God offers and we are to share these with others.

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Law and the Prophets

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled
.

When Jesus came he kept all the laws and in him were many prophecies fulfilled. When he returns again all the prophesies shall be fulfilled.

Jesus met on the mountain with Moses, representing the law and with Elias or Elijah, who represented the prophets.

Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

God the Father spoke that now we are to hear the Son, he is the living embodiment of the word of God. Christ the Word, eternal in Spirit, hear him.

In another story the rich man in Hades called out to Lazarus the beggar who was with Abraham in Paradise, he wanted Lazarus to warn his five brothers of the torment in hell.

Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Evangelism is for those living on earth. We are called to warn the people not by law but by faith and God's grace and to bring them to Jesus who is risen from the dead. Jesus fulfilled the law, in him is the fulfillment and now we are under the New Covenant of salvation by faith, with the laws written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks not of himself, so we are not to exalt ourselves and call it His Spirit.

Joh 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.

The LORD Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the indwelling Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prophecy. He will show us all truth.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Spiritual Food

Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus is the Living Word of God. We are to hear him.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Joh 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Joh 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The word of God is Spiritual. The Bible is a Spiritual book. The natural man may say that it is only a book. Some claim to have read the Bible through, but without understanding and faith.

1Co 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.

Eat the word

Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Psa 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. spiritual meat

Joh 4:31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
Jon 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Joh 4:33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Jesus, the bread of life

Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

This refers to the Lord's table, Spiritual communion and the indwelling of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

We need Jesus, the Word inside and we need to eat the word of God, our Spiritual food.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Gentle Spirit

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized , went up straightway out of the water: and, lo , the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying , This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.


Jesus is the son of man, the promised king from David and the Son of God. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased .

This was a voice from heaven that was God, not thunder. Jesus had called James and John "the sons of thunder."

Mar 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

James and John were wanting to call fire down from heaven, lightning with thunder, to punish the Samaritans who would not receive Jesus.

Luk 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luk 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luk 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
And they went to another village.

You know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Jesus received the Holy Spirit at the baptism, the Spirit of God descended as a dove. The Holy Spirit is a gentle Spirit, as God is gentle and slow to anger. A dove is a gentle bird, harmless with a quiet voice. Let us see some verses describing this Gentle Spirit.

He is harmless.

Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

He is gentle.

1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

He is the Comforter.

Joh 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.

This same gentle Spirit was in Elijah as he spoke fire down from heaven. God is long suffering but he is also the avenger. Gentle Jesus went to the cross and destroyed the power of Satan. King Jesus will return with a rod of iron to destroy the ungodly, but now we are sent to save, not to destroy, so remember what Spirit you are of and how we are called to witness to the nations. Be gentle for you were once lost and without hope.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Guiding Star

Mat 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
Mat 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Mat 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.


I do not think the star that went before the wise men to Bethlehem was a natural star. If you listen to the world's thinking they will explain that two planets aligned making the appearance of a new star. I believe that this was a star sent from God to lead the wise men. It could have been an angel, for I have heard that they make light and they sometimes guide people. An angel shined in the dark prison where Peter was held and he set him free.

Act 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

An angel was sent to guide Israel after they left Egyptian slavery.

Exo 23:20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Angels are sometimes called stars.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

The Bible said a star guided them. Herod wanted to know when the star appeared. He was going to kill all the male children in Bethlehem two years and younger, this based on the time the star was first seen.

The wise men saw the star that stood over where the young child was. A star does not come over a place. The place was not the stable where Jesus was laid in the manger, but this was perhaps up to two years later in a house.

Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Mat 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.


This was the coming of the Messiah. There were angels announcing his birth and messages were given to certain people in their dreams.

The time we live in is near the return of Jesus. Once again we are hearing much about angels, but a great many are satan's angels.

2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

The children of God are protected by angels but now we hear from God through the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit discern truth and to be sure search the Holy Bible, for he will never go against the written word. Do not follow an angel guide who leads you away from God's word.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Moses

Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Faith began for Moses with his parents, who disobeyed the king's command that newborn Hebrew children were to be killed. His mother made a small basket to float downstream with her baby, and God had the princess of Egypt to find him and to care for him as her own son.

Exo 2:10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. Moses: taken out; drawn forth.

Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Moses left the rewards of treasures in Egypt, not caring what the world thought so that he may identify with his people. He was a servant of the God of Israel, Jehovah who is Christ Jesus. Esteeming the reproach, rebuke, scorn of Christ above all. Moses had respect unto, he looked away from everything else so that he may be counted with his people. We too have been called to a better kingdom.

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 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Moses killed an Egyptian who was striking a Hebrew. His time as deliverer of his people had not yet come. Often we must wait and be prepared, be humbled, before a great calling is to be fulfilled.

Exo 2:11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
Exo 2:12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

Moses fled to Midian and spent forty years shepherding for Jethro, the father of his Midian wife. After forty years, the number of testing, Moses was called by God to lead his people out of Egypt. He felt unworthy, but God made him worthy. When God calls us he equips us to serve him and to accomplish his will.

Exo 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
Exo 3:12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
Exo 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

The blood of the Passover lamb was applied around the doors of the Hebrews in Egypt, and the death angel passed over them. The Passover was to be kept as was the rite of circumcision.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

By faith, God opened up the Red sea so that three million Hebrews could cross it on dry land. When the Egyptian chariots came after them, God let the waters come back again upon them and they were drowned in the sea.

When Miriam his sister and Aaron his brother and the high priest came against the authority of Moses, they came against God who gave him that authority. Do not be swift to criticize another who serves God.

Num 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

A lesson here: it is God who works through us. When we are attacked as servants of God, it is God who will deal with the attacker. He is our strength. God and you are a great majority.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Moses was the most humble of men and God used him greatly. If we are to be used of God, we must humble ourselves before him. He will supply us with all we need, fill us with his Spirit and pour out His great love into our hearts. The way of faith is through Jesus, God then makes us useful.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Faith Healing

Let us examine this verse given to Israel in light of of the New Testament doctrine of Justification by faith.

Exo 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Faith in Christ is greater than the law. No one can meet all the requirements of the law, although we should obey God from our hearts. Did Jesus heal by our law keeping or by his grace by faith? Did he heal some who came to him? or all who came to him? When he walked the earth he healed all who asked of him to be healed.

Mat 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

His healing was limited in places that did not believe in him.

Mat 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Mat 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

The Gentile Roman Centurion believed in Jesus to just speak healing and he knew his servant would be healed.

Mat 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

So healing today is not as much about our law keeping as it is by faith in Jesus, our righteousness and our healer. We may pray for others in faith based on our righteous standing in Him. He will answer if we pray in faith and in his will.

Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

A righteous man is righteous by faith in Jesus. Our righteous faith in fervent prayer is aided by confessing our sins, forgiving others and seeking to do his will. What we cannot do, God is able to do through his grace. Be available to others saved and unsaved to pray for them. As we get to know them better we can also pray for their salvation. The only hindrance is no faith to ask for prayer.

Some are angered by "faith healers" thinking that a man is claiming to heal, when healing is from God. This title requires the gift of healing and it is by the Spirit of God. God is to be glorified, not a person.

1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

God is to be glorified, not a person. Healing is of God by his grace through faith. Never are we to accuse another who is not healed, that they lack faith; this is hypocritical and wrong. The act of healing is the sovereign will of God, in his time in his choosing and for his purpose.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A Healing Verse

Exo 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Often we hear this verse, especially the last part: "I am the LORD that healeth thee". Proper understanding of the Bible is to understand the passage in it's context. The message was to the people of Israel who were newly freed from Egyptian slavery and who were learning to obey the LORD. The LORD requires faith and obedience.

If we apply the verse and that promise of healing for today as the people of God under the New Covenant, we still should examine the conditions of the promise.

1. If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God
2. Will do what is right in his sight.
3. Give ear to his commandments
4. Keep his statutes

We must read the word of God, listen in the Spirit and obey all that God says to do. We are under the covenant of grace, but these were commands of God given through Moses who would bring about a covenant of law. Pardon me for saying this, but I do not see Christians being all that aware of what God wants. Under grace we are free, but the truth is we are to be bond slaves of Jesus. A slave must obey the master. Jesus loves us and calls us friends, but did you see the rest of his verse? Let's read it.

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Let's be true friends of Jesus and obey him.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Firstborn

Exo 13:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 13:2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
Num 3:13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.

All the firstborn of Egypt were killed by the angel of death; all but the Children of God who applied the blood of the lamb to the doorposts, there were none of their firstborn killed. The firstborn male child of Israel were sanctified unto the LORD. This practice continues and it pointed to the sanctified firstborn Son of God, who came through the virgin Mary.

Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Jesus is the firstborn of a new spirit man.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Paul shows Christ as being preeminent in God's plan of redemption because He is the Savior and Redeemer.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Jesus is the firstborn over all creation, Lord of all and head of the church.

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

The firstborn male child of Israel is sanctified unto the LORD and received a double portion of the physical inheritance of the family. The firstborn of the anmal flock were prized as sacrifices. Jesus the firstborn is God the Son and the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for our sins. Being holy and preeminent Jesus returned to the Father in Glory and he is the Great High Priest and the head of the church body.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hail and Fire

Exo 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
Exo 9:19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.
Exo 9:20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
Exo 9:21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

This was one of the Egyptian plagues that came by the will of God through Moses. Hail fell that was flashing with fire, it destroyed all living things that it fell upon. The land of Goshen and God's people were spared from this plague. The wise will obey the warnings of the LORD. If the warnings of God are ignored, then sudden disaster may come to the people of the world. Those who left their servants and cattle in the field because they did not believe God suffered the loss of them all. If the people ignore the word and protection of God, then they shall find that calamities shall fall upon them.

2Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Spirit of God is not easily provoked. When Jesus was traveling into Samaria and they did not receive him, his disciples wanted to call fire down upon them, but he was more compassionate.

Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luke 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Jehovah is the deliverer of his people. He used Moses as a deliverer and then Jesus came to deliver people from their sins. People hear them and flee from the wrath to come by believing and obeying the LORD. Hear the voice of Jesus and receive him as your Lord and savior. Flee the wrath to come by coming to the one who delivers us from sin and death.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Forgiven and the Unforgiven

Pro 2:21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
Pro 2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

As the time of the return of Jesus draws near there is more and more wickedness, yet he is coming for a holy people. It is up to us to stay pure and separated from those who desire to do evil. The wicked are not yet cut off. Jude speaks of certain evil men to avoid.

Jud 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jud 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

You shall no them by their fruit or utter lack of fruit.

When Jesus returns to earth he will gather together his elect chosen people, but the angels shall also go forth destroying the evil ones; the heathens shall mourn, but the forgiven shall rejoice.

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The forgiven elect are those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and savior whose sins are forgiven; born again of the Holy Spirit through the grace of God by faith in the shed blood of Jesus.

The unforgiven evil people are all those who neglected so great a savior, whose sins remain. You have been warned. Be ready for his coming, it could be at any time.

Friday, February 11, 2011

JEHOVAH

Exo 5:22 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
Exo 5:23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
Exo 6:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
Exo 6:2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

The name JEHOVAH is also used for Jesus.

Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD (JEHOVAH); and beside me there is no saviour.

Jesus is the savior.

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

There are many scriptural proofs that Jesus is God, I AM, JEHOVAH.

Now lets look at what was happening when Moses was given authority from JEHOVAH to free his people from bondage; it did not happen all at once. The peoples faith was being tested and Pharaoh was not about to let them go without a fight.

Many who come to salvation in Christ Jesus complain that troubles have come. Just like the Egyptians had troubles when Moses asked Pharaoh to set them free., "Now we have to supply our own straw for making the bricks." Perhaps to the one who has trusted in Jesus as Savior, he has lost his income, and things same to be getting worse. Expect opposition, for the devil does not let go without a fight. Have faith, trust God and keep going because God knows and he is greater than the devil. Jesus JEHOVAH is your deliverer.

Do not flee to an antichrist cult for help, no matter how helpful they may be.

1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

I AM THAT I AM

Exo 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
Exo 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Exo 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
Exo 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
Exo 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

The burning bush had the presence of God described as "the angel of the LORD", the "LORD" and "God". The three names are one God manifested in a spirit form in the burning bush.

Exo 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Now the angel of the LORD gives a name to Moses to speak to the children of Israel: "I AM THAT I AM", I AM hath sent me unto you.

This is a very powerful encounter with God. Some cults claim to know Jehovah as God. Israel worships the one God. They recognize him as "I AM THAT I AM". Well they need the Spirit of God to see Spiritual things. Where was Jesus before the man Jesus was born of a virgin? He was with God, God the Son, God the word and God the "I AM".

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
John 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Jesus is the "I AM" and many believe as I do that he existed as God, the LORD, the angel of the LORD, the LORD of Hosts, before coming into the form of the human called Jesus.
The cults don't see Jesus as God and that is why they are cults. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and the "I AM."

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

LORD Be Magnified

Psa 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

There is a trend in our nation to teach self esteem and to ignore personal sin and I think in some part it is also in the church. We list all the ways we are blessed and how we are over comers and that is good for a Christian, because God through Jesus has exalted us to be children of God, but do we give our LORD as much praise as we give ourselves? I find that the closer I come to the Lord that I am more aware of my old nature and the utter lack of worth apart from Jesus.

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

That which is good and worthy in us is God. The LORD be magnified, yes LORD you are worthy. Let us praise him for his grace and mercies and his goodness to us. One way to magnify him is through a song and with thanksgiving.

Psa 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psa 70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

The word of God is backed up by the authority of God. Some say that it is only words in a book. The LORD magnifies his word above his name.

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Jesus is to be magnified too.

Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Luke 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Lift up the name of Jesus, magnify him with all your being for he is worthy of all honor and praise.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Shiloh is Come

Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Jacob was giving prophetic blessings to his sons and he came to Judah to speak into the future. God knows the future and he spoke through holy inspired men. This is one way to prove the Holy Bible is truth.

2 Pet 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Judah is the greatest, for out of him would come a Lion who would prevail and have all power. The devil is often called a lion, but he is a pretender, the false prince of this world. There is a lion from God out of the tribe of Judah who is the prince of peace and the king of the people of God. He came to open the way for us to eternal life.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.


Kings will come through Judah. King David was from the tribe of Judah and his blood line would bring forth Shiloh. This is a word meaning peace and it is used in this verse as a person who is a king and a law giver. Shiloh from the lineage of king David from the tribe of Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah prophesied of him.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

"...and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."

Isaiah again spoke of him as the one the people would come to.

Isa 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isa 60:4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

The sad thing is that he came for the Jews, for the prophesies were to the Jews of a coming prince of peace, but most of the Jews rejected him.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Shiloh has come and he is your peace. Come Israel and come all people to the eternal king from the tribe of Judah. Come out of sin and evil and be received by the king of glory into eternal life.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Monday, February 7, 2011

God the Son

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Heb 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Consider the description of Jesus given in these verses to the holy brethren, those who are called in Christ Jesus.

He was faithful to his calling as was Moses to those he was called to serve.

He was greater than Moses because Moses was a good steward over Israel, but Jesus created Israel. God chose a people beginning with Abraham, Jesus was with God and was God the Son.

Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus was an apostle of God, sent on a mission as was Moses, by God the Father. Moses prophesied of one coming like him who would be greater than him.

Deu 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Jesus is also our Great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, who had no known beginning or end and he was greater than Abraham because Abraham gave tithes to him.

Jesus is God who created the worlds (John 1:1, Genesis 1:1,)

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Abundantly Satisfied

Psa 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psa 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Psa 36:10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

If the children of man will come to Jesus, they will receive all these blessings. It is not our doing: How excellent is thy lovingkindness o God, your kindness and grace for those who trust and submit to Jesus.

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!

Abundance and drinking of the river of his pleasures. His pleasures are good. His abundance is the flowing river of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus is the fountain of life, his blood shed for our sins, his word given to us to cleanse our hearts and minds. In thy light, in thy truth is our light and our life. His loving kindness continues to flow as we continue in him. His righteousness makes us righteous before Father God and we can walk as children of God in His Spirit.

Are you blessed and abundantly satisfied in Jesus Christ? Come by faith and receive the living waters.

Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Jesus Master

Master Teacher

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar? Both died the rich man went to hell and was in torment. Lazarus was above in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them of hell. Abraham said to him:

Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Jesus begins to expound to the two disciples that he met on the road to Emmaus all the scriptures pertaining to himself, beginning with Moses and the prophets.

Expound, the Greek word diermeneuo, has the idea of staying close to the text, Letting the Bible speak for itself. A good teacher lets the Bible speak, not their own thoughts. Jesus is the Master teacher, and he still teaches through the word of God and the Holy Spirit.

What were some of these scriptures?

Starting with Moses

Deu 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

To Joshua, Jesus showed himself (before becoming flesh)

Josh 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
Josh 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
Josh 5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

There are many other prophecies, such as Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. Describing the crucifixion of Jesus.

One by one Jesus brought these scriptures from the old testament that spoke of him. They are there as proof to us and encouragement. What greater proof is needed then the teacher, risen from the dead?

Luke 24:28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
Luke 24:29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

Abide with us. We are to abide always in Jesus, by the spirit.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luke 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

He broke bread, he is the living bread from heaven, broken for us.

1 Cor 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

When they finally saw Jesus by faith, he was no longer visible in the natural. Faith does not require that we see him in the natural, we see with Spiritual eyes the things of God and his promises.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

The word of God still burns within us, the presence and power of God. Some are healed with a burning from head to toe; the mighty presence of the Master teacher, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Behold your master

Luke 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Luke 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

The two disciples who Jesus taught on the road to Emmaus, return to testify to the eleven. They spoke that the Lord had risen and had appeared to Simon, Simon was probably among the eleven as they spoke. They told him of Jesus, the Master Teacher telling them his story from the old testament and how he broke bread with them. Were the eleven believing these two witnesses? They had Simon Peter and the witness of Mary Magdalene, but still they were not believing.

Luke 24:36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Out of nowhere Jesus suddenly appeared, saying Peace be unto you.
Luke 24:37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

Luke 24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

They thought he was a spirit, much like when he appeared in a storm walking on the sea.

Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

Jesus was risen bodily.

Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luke 24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Luke 24:41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

They examined the proof, the nail holes, left for them to see it was he. They were perplexed and full of joy, but still in wonder.

Luke 24:42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
Luke 24:43 And he took it, and did eat before them.

He ate before them. This was proof his body was risen, does a spirit eat food? What about in our glorified bodies, not of flesh and bones? Will we be able to eat? I believe so, for their will be prepared for us a wedding feast.

Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Jesus was risen in a fleshly body and is now at the right hand of the Father in his glorified body. We shall be like him, partaking of the eternal bread of life. Jesus is the bread of life.

Power From On High

Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Jesus explains to them the gospel of salvation
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Repentance, a change of mind, and coming to Jesus for the remission of sins. This should be preached in the name of God, in Jesus' name beginning where you are and among all nations.

Luke 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
You have seen these things and are to be witnesses, but you will need God's power, the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.


This power of the Holy Ghost came down at Pentecost.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This was not for show, nor an end to itself, but the presence of God the Holy Spirit, the teacher to be with you, giving you power to witness the gospel message and to serve him.

Carried Up Into Heaven

Luke 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

This was where the Mount of Olives was.

Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, ...
He lifted up his hands and blessed his disciples, one last time.

Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Carried up into heaven, as the angels carry us to Jesus. Luke tells more of this time in the book of Acts.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Luke 24:52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

They knew he would return again for them. This is the hope of every age. And, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2Cor 5:8)

Luke 24:53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Not once a week, but continually they were in the temple, praising and blessing the Lord. We are in our temple, doing the seem. Everyday is a holy day unto the Lord, Amen.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Joseph Wept

Gen 43:29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
Gen 43:30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Joseph had been hated by his half brothers and sold into slavery as a young man. Now Joseph is reunited with his brothers and with Benjamin who was his full brother, both having been the Children of Jacob and Rachel. There was much emotion as Joseph cried in a secret place.

Many people have been hurt by family members and carry the hurts for years, perhaps silent tears in secret places, but so important is forgiveness. Joseph forgave his brothers who betrayed him, but to Benjamin he gave five times more food. We do favor those who are near to us who have never done us wrong. We also love those family members who may have offended us. Do not let un forgiveness from the past keep you from loving your family. When one dies, there is remorse and thoughts of how it may have been if we had more forgiveness in our hearts. Maybe with more showing of love, they would have been reconciled, especially do we want them reconciled to God. Tell those brothers and sisters who may be distant just how much you love them. Restore fellowship and maybe Jesus will restore their souls.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A Blessed Nation

Psa 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

What two nations were founded on trust in God? What two nations do the Islamics hate the most? Yes, Israel and the United States. Now I ask you, if we throw out our God and start acting like his enemies, what do you think might happen? Will our enemies like us more? No, they will use our weakness to defeat us. If we really believe "In God We Trust", then we really will honor and trust God. God loved Israel first and has a covenant with that nation. He has no covenant with the United States but with those who believe and are in Jesus Christ does he have a covenant relationship. There are promises of blessings and curses depending on what a nation believes and does about Israel. The LORD prophesied a blessing through Abraham to a nation; Israel.

Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The Muslims claim the promise was through Ishmael, but the Spirit born son of the promise was Isaac who gave the blessing on Jacob who would be named Israel. This prophecy applies to the nation of Israel.

Gen 27:29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Moses blessed the children of Israel

Deu 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Blessings on those who honor Israel and curses on them who curse Israel. The United States is not mentioned in the Bible in the last days, but Israel is prominent in the plans of God. To them was said:

Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Even those in the nation of Israel must believe in Jesus as their Messiah. Those who believe and are saved are the Spiritual children of Abraham and the adopted children of God. God's blessings are on Israel and on those who trust in Jesus for salvation. In Him are all one in Christ and we are the family of God.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Being Taught

Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psa 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

A well taught child hears his father's voice, he knows his ways and one look from him is all he needs to be corrected or to be given permission to do something. We are the adopted children of our Father God and we are to know his will and be guided by his Spirit.

We are to be close to the LORD as our source of wisdom and we are to live out our lives as he teaches in his word. We are guided and given direction through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. We must be attentive to understand and to do his will as he guides us in all our steps. We are not as brute beasts held in place by bit or bridle. Pay attention to the word of God, do as you are taught and you will see clearly what to do.

The Holy Spirit is the best teacher

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

unction, chrisma, the special endowment (“chrism”) of the Holy Spirit: - anointing, unction.

You are chosen and anointed for service as the adopted children of God, to learn and to obey in all holiness.