Monday, May 30, 2016

Prudence


Pro 29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
 
It is not race or skin color that are an abomination to the just, those who love the LORD, but it is the actions of the unjust, the bad fruit. Evil is the work of the devil. Conversely, to the unjust , those who obey God, these are an abomination to the unjust.
 
It has been the loose morals of those who call a person following God's plan "a prud". A prud, from the word prudence. Just what is prudence? Prudence: understanding, knowledge and holy love of the will of God. If understanding and following God makes one a "Prud", then it is my desire to be counted as a person of prudence.
 
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

The devil wants people to not understand the will of God.
 
2Co 4:2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
 

An abomination to the just is evil but to the unjust it is those who are of God, the Pruds who remind them that they are walking in darkness. Evil increases when good men do nothing. Make a stand for what God says is right. Our nation has been under those who care not for God's way. The righteous are being jailed for obeying their conscience, but in the end God will judge by his word, not by the laws of unrighteousness.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

He led captivity captive

 
Jdg 5:12  Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

Deborah is singing a song of triumph and trying to get the Jewish leaders to awake to the victory and to sing a song of praise to the LORD. Our leaders need to awake as well, to praise the LORD to acknowledge his victories and to not hide the light of God.
 
This is the first time the Bible has the words "lead thy captivity captive." It was not only a physical triumph over the enemy but a spiritual one as well, for the LORD had delivered the enemy before his people.
 
Psa 68:18  Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

This Psalm is prophetic speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ who ascended on high, taking captivity captive . This was the freeing of souls by his salvation given to men and women of faith. Thou hast received gifts, even the once rebellious were given gifts of the Spirit. Ephesians gives an even fuller revelation of the work of God through Jesus Christ.
 
Eph 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
 
From the prophetess Deborah to the apostle Paul we celebrate the victory of the LORD to those who trust and believe in him. Awake, awake, not to a cult, but to the true Living God and our savior Jesus Christ.




Saturday, May 28, 2016

Delivered by women of God


The LORD spoke through Deborah who was a prophetess and a judge. 

Jdg 4:4  And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

The LORD had sold Israel for a time to the Gentiles under the rule of Sisera. They were a mighty people with many iron chariots. The LORD would use a woman to defeat the mighty army. A woman who heard and obeyed God.

Jdg 4:8  And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
Jdg 4:9  And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Jdg 4:10  And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.

We musn't glorify women or men here, for it was to the LORD that all glory belongs. He uses his obedient servants, men or women.The army would not go without Deborah, because she was the closest they could come to the LORD.  You may be the closest person to the LORD in someones life. Through your faith and obedience the LORD can bring deliverance to others who are bound by sin.
They defeated the enemy because the LORD put fear into their hearts.

Jdg 4:13  And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
Jdg 4:14  And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
Jdg 4:15  And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

Sisera alone fled and took refuge in a tent.

Jdg 4:17  Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

The LORD used another woman to defeat Sisera himself as he was asleep on the floor.

Jdg 4:21  Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
Jdg 4:22  And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
Jdg 4:23  So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.

God received the glory and he used women. He can use children too if they  have faith in him. The truth is the LORD will use anyone who will trust in him. He also will not go against his word. The women were used because they were obedient to him. Authority is given by God to be used for his service.




Friday, May 27, 2016

Bought and Sold


Jdg 4:1  And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
Jdg 4:2  And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
Jdg 4:3  And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

The children of Israel sinned first by not removing the inhabitants of the land that the LORD commanded them to do. Exposure to the lifestyle and gods of the pagans would draw them away from the service of the one true God. The children again did evil in the sight of the LORD and he sold them to a  captain of the Gentiles. What is interesting to me is that as a result of their evil ways that the LORD sold his covenant people for a time, because they broke their part of the covenant by not obeying the LORD. The concept is if a people does evil and God sees all, then they may be sold. We can only sell what we own. The LORD owns his people but if they turn to sin, then the devil has access to them. Even in a Christian, if we do evil and continue in it, you are allowing satan to own you and control you. If truly born again of God's Spirit, the conviction of the Holy Spirit will grieve you until you repent and return to the Lord. If we can be sold to the enemy, then we can be bought back with a price. That is what redemption is, buying back for a price. The price of sin is death.
 
Psa 25:22  Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. 
 
Psa 49:15  But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
 
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;
Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.


The Son of God without sin, Jesus, redeemed those who trust in him by dying on the cross and shedding his blood for our sins. He is risen from the grave to show us that in him is life. He will return for us so that we may be his redeemed chosen people forever, amen



Thursday, May 26, 2016

His Steadfast Love

Psa 26:2  Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 
Psa 26:3  For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
Psa 26:4  I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
Psa 26:5  I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
Psa 26:6  I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD,
Psa 26:7  proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

We are to love God above all. Our activities are to be saturated with the love of God. Bad company may take you away from the closeness to the LORD that you need. Popularity with the world is to serve another spirit. The devil wants us to want his things. He will push you to work and work to where there is no time spent in the presence of the Lord. We are to keep our eyes from evil, washing our hands, applying the spiritual blood of Jesus being thankful for his love and presence in our life. Yes, and we are to be his witness. Give his love out to people and do not be puffed up with knowledge.
 
1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.


Our fellowship should be to edify as if in the presence of the LORD. Avoid strife and walk in the spirit of peace and love.



Tuesday, May 24, 2016

From victory to weeping


Sometimes we are the problem. We weep over the consequences of our actions, or inaction. The truth is we are spiritually defiant or immature when we do this. Our hearts are not completely serving the LORD. 

Jdg 2:1  And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. 
Jdg 2:2  And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 
Jdg 2:3  Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you. 
Jdg 2:4  And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept. 
Jdg 2:5  And they called the name of that place Bochim (weeping): and they sacrificed there unto the LORD. 
Jdg 2:6  And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land. 

They wept when they heard the message, but they did not repent.

It is believed that the messenger, the angel of the LORD was an appearance of Jesus in some form as a glorified person before he came to Bethlehem in flesh and blood. He assured them that He would keep his covenant with them which meant the inheritance of the land, blessings for obedience and hardship for disobedience. The inhabitants of the land were not removed so they would be thorns in the side of Israel.

After world war two the people who were the victors settled down, coming out of the memories of the depression and war. they found jobs, they built homes and families, but for many the focus was on enjoying the abundance of things. Japan looked upon America to see what their God was and concluded that it was materialism. Israel had just finished a war with victory, but they had failed for lack of will to complete the job. They were going in to inhabit the land. To enjoy the abundance of things in the new land, no more manna, but an abundance of food. Their hearts were more on the material things than on the spiritual. They would pay the price of intermixing with the people and gods of the land."...they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you."

Eventually their land would be overrun by Babylon and the people carried away captive because they were serving other gods. What will become of our nation?



Monday, May 23, 2016

Karma?


There is a TV show called Earl, that has Earl believing in Karma. He thinks that what happens to him is the result of his previous actions. Karma is a religious concept originating in India and is found in many Eastern religions. Some believe that they will be reincarnated and depending on their Karma they will come back in a higher or lower life form.
 
The concept of sowing and reaping is in the Bible.
 
Gal 6:7  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Gal 6:8  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Gal 6:9  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up
.
 
Do not believe in reincarnation, but do believe in the new birth. We are to be born again of God, by faith in Jesus Christ. The soul will continue with the spirit in the presence of God or if the sins are not forgiven by God, through Jesus Christ, the soul is cast into hell, a place of everlasting separation from God, a place of torment. The results of our actions and belief in Jesus Christ  results in a better life now for us and for all eternity. After death there is no second chance, so come to Jesus for forgiveness of sin now.
 
This message resulted from reading in the book of Judges.
 
Jdg 1:5  They found Adoni-bezek at Bezek and fought against him and defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
Jdg 1:6  Adoni-bezek fled, but they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and his big toes.
Jdg 1:7  And Adoni-bezek said, "Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me." And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
 
Removing the big toes and thumbs makes one dependent on others. Hands and feet are meant for work. I might add that those who will not work who have hands and feet, they are dependant on those who do work. Politically,  Socialism will run out of money as everyone becomes dependant on government and no one works. It is better to use our hands and feet to be productive. for our own needs and for the needs of others.
 
In the law of Moses, the ear, toe and thumb were anointed with blood as an act of consecration, to make one a holy servant.

Lev 8:22  And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
Lev 8:23  And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.

The blood of the Lamb of God has made us his holy servants.
 
 
(VS 1) Oh, be careful little ears, what you hear (repeat)
For the Father Up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little ears
what you hear.
 
(VS 4) Oh, be careful little hands, what you do (repeat),
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little hands
What you do

(VS 5) Oh, be careful little feet where you go (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little feet,
Where you go.

 


Sunday, May 22, 2016

Stingy


Pro 23:6  Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, 
Pro 23:7  for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 
Pro 23:8  You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words. 

When we eat and drink with friends it is a good fellowship. I know there are people who like to eat and drink another's food, but who will not or cannot bring food to share. If we love the Lord we will show hospitality. There are those who would not be a burden and who would go away hungry if they thought they were imposing on others. 

1Co 11:20  When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 
1Co 11:21  For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 
1Co 11:22  What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. 

We are not to be stingy. I know a family who had a moocher relative who would show up at supper time and the mother would hide the food until he was gone. That is being a bit stingy, but if we are the one who likes to impose on others? It is best to remember this proverb. Do not eat the food of a stingy person.

Pro 15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 

In a similar line of thinking, the LORD doesn't want your money if you are stingy. 

2Co 9:6  The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 
2Co 9:7  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 
2Co 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 

Be cheerful and do all things as unto the LORD.



Saturday, May 21, 2016

Outlandish Women


Neh 13:23  In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 
Neh 13:24  And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. 
Neh 13:25  And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 
Neh 13:26  Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 
Neh 13:27  Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? 

Their was the sin of marrying outlandish women, foreign women, aliens. Why? because their children could not even speak the language of the Jews and most of all, they worshipped foreign gods. Solomon was favored and blessed by God, but by marrying many foreign women and trying to please them, he brought in foreign gods and altars causing the people to sin.

In our own land aliens are being allowed to flow in who do not speak English and who have other gods. This is the work of the powers seeking a "new-world order", a world without borders and a world without sovereign nations. Israel was a nation under the rule of God, a theocracy. The United States is a Republic, a nation of voted in representatives for the people. The past years have seen a change to where freedoms are being eroded, morality eroded, personal responsibility eroded by outlandish people in power. "One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all." Will our pledge of allegiance be changed to say "a new-world order, without God, with no liberty and no justice for all but a few in power?" Time to vote for those who will change the direction our nation is headed. Yes a new-world order is in the future according to the Bible, but will the church be raptured before this happens?

Dan 7:23  Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 

Rev 13:16  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 
Rev 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 
Rev 13:18  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. 

These things are coming but as long as Christians are in the world, the Holy Spirit will be the power to restrain evil. When we are taken up then evil has it's way. Shine the light, people of God and do not partner with outlandish people. Show them Jesus and follow him.



Friday, May 20, 2016

Remorse and Repentance


Mat 21:23  And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 
Mat 21:24  And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 
Mat 21:25  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 
Mat 21:26  But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 
Mat 21:27  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 
Mat 21:28  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 
Mat 21:29  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 
Mat 21:30  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 
Mat 21:31  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 
Mat 21:32  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. 

It is not what we claim to believe that saves us, but belief followed by repentance and obedience. Jesus had authority from God the Father and  the chief priests and elders did not believe in him. They supposed that by their high positions of importance that they could ignore or even kill Jesus who was under a higher authority. They claimed to serve God but their actions proved otherwise. Later Jesus would say that they were of the synagogue of satan. 

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 
Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 
Joh 8:45  And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 

Rev 3:9  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 

Belief requires repentance, acknowledging Jesus as your Lord and master and a life of service in his name. He calls all who will hear him to believe and repent. Even the worst sinner he will love and receive, if they have sorrow and trust in him.

Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 



Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Naked Shame


Isa 20:1  In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; 
Isa 20:2  At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. 
Isa 20:3  And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia; 
Isa 20:4  So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. 
Isa 20:5  And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory. 
Isa 20:6  And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape? 

The LORD had Isaiah to walk naked for three years as a sign of the coming judgement of Egypt and Ethiopia. God allowed this. I wonder how much God will allow of the immoral laws of our nation? Why the forcing of Transgenders on the innocent? To me it is like the devil pushing and pushing and the LORD allowing it to see if his people will cry out against it. It is surprising how many businesses, schools and states blindly follow this Obomination. When will God's people cry out, enough! Stop! When will the law makers seek God's laws? What will God do to such a nation that calls evil good?

Isa 5:18  Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 
Isa 5:19  That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! 
Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 
Isa 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 
Isa 5:22  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 
Isa 5:23  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 
Isa 5:24  Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 



Saturday, May 14, 2016

We preach Christ crucified


1Co 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 
1Co 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 
1Co 1:25  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 
1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 
1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 
1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 
1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence. 
1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 
1Co 1:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

Why Jesus and not God? Many refuse to see Jesus as equal to God, but to the chosen he is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (vs 24) The key is that we are in Jesus Christ, born again, spirit filled. Then we see Christ Jesus made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and redemption. (vs 30) By the cross we through faith receive the nature of God through Jesus our savior. He gives us the heart of God , the same spirit that filled King David who was said to be after the heart of God. Remember that those who gloried in the flesh and pride of man sent Jesus to die on the cross. The worldly wise do not understand, because they do not have the wisdom of God in Jesus Christ. They need the spirit of God to see spiritual things. We preach Christ crucified as payment for our sins. The just died for the unjust. Jesus is calling you, will you respond in faith? Believe in Jesus the only begotten Son of God.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Interruptions


Neh 6:1  Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 
Neh 6:2  That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 


Sanballat, Toviah and Geshem had tried to mock and interfere with the building of the wall of Jerusalem from the beginning. The work of God was to be done, but the enemy of our souls has his workers too. They will come after you with authority, but there is no greater authority than God. The servant of God must be diligent to continue in the work that he has to do. The enemy will try to use words to convince,to persuade, to discourage, to mock and belittle you. Do not go their way, for they have evil plans for you. 

Neh 6:3  And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 

It took courage and dedication to continue in the service of the LORD. When distractions come and they will, can we see clearly what the work of God is for us to do? I suppose some hide in the "busy" work and may not really be seeing and hearing what God has for them in the moment. There were two religious people who passed by an injured man, but a good Samaritan saw what was important and ministered to the hurting man.(Luke 10:30-36) The two busy Jewish Levites were the servants of the temple, but what of needs outside of the temple? We must discern the needs of people, to show love for God and for our neighbor, as well as avoiding the nuisance of the Sanballats and Geshems who seek to stop us from doing the LORD's work.

Luk 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 

Luk 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 

The LORD's work may be in the interruptions, but beware of those who are sent to wear you down by the spirit of antiChrist.


Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, ...






A Heart Prepared


Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 
Pro 16:2  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 
Pro 16:3  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 

The preparations of the heart, God has prepared our hearts to seek after him. The answers to our questions come from the LORD.

John 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

Ask in the name of Jesus, every living creature shall bow to his name.

The heart of man apart from God is wicked. People counsel to follow after your heart, but an unredeemed heart is evil. As the prophet Jeremiah wrote:

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 
Jer 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 

The LORD weighs the spirits. The heart is not empty, it follows something, usually some foul spirit. The lusts of the flesh and the temptations of the devil if followed fill the heart with sin. There are spirits of anger, of lust, all these negative things have spirits attached to them. When we hear a politician lie continuously, we know that he is controlled by the devil, for the devil is the father of lies. We are told to love the soul but not the sins of a person The truth is if they die in sin apart from the salvation through Jesus Christ, they will be condemned.

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

Commit your works unto the LORD and your thoughts will be established. Seek the LORD and hear him, read the Bible and then do what he says. Then you will soar as an eagle above the problems of mankind. He has all the power, all the answers and all the resources to bring his will about through your obedience.

Isa 40:29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 
Isa 40:30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 
Isa 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

The Holy Spirit of God fill you and guide you.









Wednesday, May 11, 2016

A Mothers influence


Mat 14:6  But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 
Mat 14:7  Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 
Mat 14:8  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 
Mat 14:9  And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 
Mat 14:10  And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 
Mat 14:11  And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 

This is an extreme example of a mothers influence on her daughter. Mothers and fathers are given God given authority to raise their children. It is not the state that has been given authority, unless the parent does harm to a child.  (Unfortunately as things are going, righteousness is counted as sin in a wicked and perverse nation.) A flawed parent may cause the children to be flawed. Some children recognize the flaws in a parent and attempt to live a better life. A better life needs guidance and help from God. God is the enabler for  changing for good. Our good works come from the presence of God in in our lives.Without God we can do no good thing. With God we come to Jesus and receive forgiveness and a new heart. The more of God's heart, His word, we place in our heart, the more we become like him. Remember that good is greater than evil and greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. (1John 4:4) Our new life begins in Christ and in him there is no end.

Psa 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 
Psa 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 
Psa 40:4  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 
Psa 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. 


Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Treasure


Mat 13:52  Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
 
I must have read this several times, but only now does it seem new to me. Every scribe, a scribe knows the word of God, he knows every word carefully writing it without error. He is instructed unto or about the kingdom of heaven. He is like a householder that brings forth new and old treasures. The spiritual kingdom of heaven treasures are both the old and the new testaments. The prophets spoke and many prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament and will be fulfilled in the coming years or days.
 
The apostle Paul was one who knew the old testament and by revelation of God he applied his knowledge in speaking of the New Covenant. We are to read the whole Bible so that the Holy Spirit can reveal things to us, new and old things in a new light. The Old Testament often is as parables or symbols of spiritual truths revealed in the New Testament. The types and shadows in the old are met by the revealing light of God in the new. If there are shadows it is because we have not enough of the light. With God there are no shadows for he is light and truth.
 

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.


 

Monday, May 9, 2016

The Establshment


Mat 11:16  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
Mat 11:17  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
Mat 11:18  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
Mat 11:19  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

This is how it is when those in power view a newcomer. In politics those who are in control, control the media and the minds of the simple. When something happens that they are not in control of they spin lies and try to discredit. They act as if they were the standard of perfection and are become judges of what is right and wrong. It gets so bad that evil is called good and good is spoken of as evil. It is as spoken by the prophet Isaiah. We are close to this today in our new laws.
 
Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 
Isa 5:22  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Isa 5:23  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Isa 5:24  Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Jesus endured sinful men for a season. He knew he must go to the cross in our place to pay for our sins. He is returning with a rod of iron to judge the nations. We are to get our thinking in order. Call sin as it is and stop replacing God's moral laws. Jesus is coming back with a sword, the word of God, to judge mankind. Are you trusting in Jesus. Is his blood covering your sins? Come to Jesus now and be made right in his eyes.
 

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.
John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.