Eaglewings Ministries

A Vision of a Whirlwind

2012-01-30T17:31:00.000-08:00

Whirlwinds are mentioned in several places in the Bible.

Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind by angels in a chariot of fire.

2Ki 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Psa 68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

God speaks in a whirlwind

Job 40:6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind,...

God's judgement,

Isa 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. with four beasts

Ezekiel's vision of a whirlwind with angels

Eze 1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
Eze 1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

A fiery bright amber colored whirlwind

Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Beasts; living beings, four of them, full of eyes. These were the cherubim angels above the throne of God. The creatures in the whirlwind were similar angelic beings. Ezekiel explains in more detail what he saw in his vision.

Eze 1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
Eze 1:7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

The calf's foot in the natural is hard burnished and shiny. The heavenly creatures feet shined as brass. The Son of man was described having (burnished) brass feet in heaven.

Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Eze 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
Eze 1:9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

Four angels with wings joined together in a circle.
Eze 1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

Each body had four faces and they flew round and round looking straight forward.This is similar to Revelation 4.

Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

The four creatures, were angels or cherubim. The faces may represent the best of God's creations. The lion is king of the beasts, and also could represent Jesus in the gospel of Matthew; The lion of Judah. The calf, may refer to a strong servant animal or Jesus as the servant as in Mark's gospel. A man is God's highest creation on earth and Jesus was called the son of man in Luke's gospel. The eagle is the greatest of birds and represents the heavenlies; Jesus the Son of God from heaven, as in the gospel of John.

Eze 1:11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

These appear to have four wings, or two pairs of wings joined one to another. The Cherubs described in Revelation 4 had six wings. Cherubim were depicted above the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. These angels were always with the presence of the Lord.

Exo 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

Eze 1:12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

They travelled with the Spirit in the whirlwind. (Eze 1:4)

Eze 1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
Eze 1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

Fiery beings in a fiery whirlwind, spinning as an amber lighted wheel.

Angels can appear as light

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.

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Psa 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Psa 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Psa 104:3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
Psa 104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

Numerous testimonies of near death experiences, speak of a light coming to receive them; some were at peace and others terrified. Not all are going to heaven.

2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Angels are messengers, some are sent to destroy at the LORD's command. There are angels around the presence of the LORD, as those in the whirlwind, and there are angel's around the adopted children of God.

Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

In Jesus we are special holy spiritual people attended by angels. Thank you Lord.

Ezekiel's Captivity

2012-01-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

Eze 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
Eze 1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

In the thirtieth year, perhaps referring to his age when he would begin his priestly ministry.(Num 4:3) Jesus began his ministry at 30 years of age. Daniel had been taken captive eight years earlier. It is estimated that Daniel was at this time 35 and Jeremiah was 55.

The river Chebar, a Babylonian river near which many Israelite exiles settled; maybe the 'Habor' or the 'Royal Canal' of Nebuchadnezzar. Ezekiel was among the captives taken to Babylon with Jehoiachin King of Judah.

2Ki 24:10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
2Ki 24:11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.
2Ki 24:12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
2Ki 24:13 And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.
2Ki 24:14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
2Ki 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Eze 1:3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

The hand of the LORD; the Spirit of prophesy. Visions, dreams and prophecies are given as God chooses.

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Israel had visions of God.

Gen 46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
Gen 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Gen 46:4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

John received visions from God about Jesus and things to come,

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Although Ezekiel had been taken to a foreign land, The LORD was with him. Take this to heart; you are never alone in Christ Jesus and the LORD will guide you by his spirit even when all seems to be lost around you. In God we receive direction through his word, by inspiration of God, visions and dreams.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hypocrisy

2012-01-24T20:36:00.000-08:00

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Hypocrisy or to be a hypocrite, is to be a player, an actor being something you are not; an impersonator, a pretender. Sooner or later a liar will be found out. Beware the leaven of the Pharisees, they pretended to be righteous but Jesus saw through them.

Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Mat 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Mat 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

The Internet has it's share of players. Some have several names but they are known by their fruit. In the early days of witnessing in the chats I heard many stories of peoples broken lives. On occasion I would find that a person was just making up stories and using different names to be different people. It is hard to live a lie, for in time they will be found out. They were hypocrites, game players. Their secret would be uncovered, what was hidden would be made known.

Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Honesty and truth need no defense.

Power and Provision

2012-01-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
Luke 9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Jesus gave the twelve apostles, including Judas Iscariot power and authority over devils, and to cure diseases. This power was imparted to them by God, through Jesus the Son of God. They had Holy Ghost power before Pentecost, but apparently it was given and taken away. For Judas having forsaken him was taken over by Satan.

Luk 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Luk 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

This time the disciples were to take nothing for their journey, they were to go out by faith. They would be received by some of faith, and there they would stay. Others would reject them and by rejecting them they also rejected the power of God. They were to shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony against them. As we witness in the Internet chats, many oppose the power and the message that we have through Christ Jesus. Shake off the dust, remove them from our rooms; they oppose the work of God. Others come to hang out but do not receive what we say. Let them stay if they do not oppose the word of God.

What were the things that the apostles were not to take with them and not to depend upon? Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Staves were walking sticks or rods. They were used for walking and for protection.The root word is rhapizo, to let fall, to smite with a rod or staff. The stave could be used as offensive or defensive weapons. Staves when used by a king could be a rod of iron, as when Jesus returns to rule or it could be a royal scepter. They were to trust God for protection. A missionary friend commented," the safest place to be is in the perfect will of God."

Scrip, a wallet or sack used by shepherds to carry their provisions. Again they were to trust the LORD to provide for them in their missionary journey. They need no suit cases wallets or luggage.

Neither bread, for it would be provided by those who received them. They were to be thankful for what is provided. It is a shame to be in a restaurant or as a guest in a home and then to complain about the food or the service. If we represent the Lord, we are to be thankful.

Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

They were to take no money, from a word meaning shining, such as silver. Silver was also used in making idols.

Act 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

Act 19:25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Act 19:26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
Act 19:27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
Act 19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Money can be an idol too.They were to be focused on the gifts given to them and food would be provided along the way.

Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

They were not to take two coats, but one was allowed. Dress appropriately for the weather. Jesus said that we should share with others if we have extra.

Luk 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

We can remember Paul in a dingy prison asking for a coat or cloke. Paul also requested the parchments containing the Holy scriptures.

2Ti 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

We are to love serving the LORD more than acquiring wealth.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

In conclusion, we are to actively serve God and be faithful and he will see that we have opportunities to receive our needs, by work or by divine provision. This is having the true wealth of God.

Judas the Brother of James

2012-01-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

Luke 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Luke 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Luke 6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

I would like to focus on Judas the brother of James. He is mentioned in as one who was in the upper room when the Holy Ghost was come at Pentecost.

Act 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

Judas the apostle spoke to Jesus:

Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

In several of the newer translations it is written: Judas son of James. There is no new text, only a new interpretation of the text. The reason for this in my research was because the Greek was not specific, it literally reads: Judas of James. My next question is who wrote the book of Jude (Judas)? It is popularly assumed that this was Jude the brother of James and the half brother of Jesus. Can we be sure that Jude was not written by the disciple Jude? The KJV version says that Judas was the brother of a man named James. If he were the son of James he could not be the author of Jude. As it is written:

Jud 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

In this verse it specifically says "brother" of James in the original Greek; adelphos, brother, but which James and whose brother is he? Is he supposedly the half brother of Jesus referring to this verse?

Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Paul refers to James as the brother of Jesus.

Gal 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

James, the brother of Jesus was the head of the church in Jerusalem He was known as the brother of Jesus, so it is assumed that Jude is the brother of this James. Neither James nor Jude mentioned being brothers of Jesus, but his servants, his bond slaves.

Jude in his epistle does not give himself the title of apostle, as did Peter and Paul in their writings. The apostle John gave many first hand accounts of his personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The evidence points out that Jude was the brother of James and Jesus. Both brothers did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God until after his resurrection. The resurrection is proof that he has power over life and death We can trust Jesus as our Savior as did James and Jude; they were half brothers. We too by faith are the brothers of Jesus through adoption as children of God. Judas the apostle we know little about, but we can expect to see him in glory.

New Wine and a New Covenant

2012-01-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
Luke 5:38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
Luke 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

New wine is unfermented grape juice. As it is aged it ferments and expands so that it would burst old wine skins; new wine skins were needed. A person addicted to alcohol in wine would prefer the old wine and not the new grape juice. This is a metaphor of the old and the new covenants. The Pharisees of the Lord's time were addicted to the old wine of the law with their many man made laws added to them. The old covenant was mixed with manmade laws and traditions. Jesus warned his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees; the sinful legalism of added rules to put people into bondage.

The new wine represented the fresh and pure new covenant. The refreshing life giving gospel of faith and grace through the work of Jesus Christ. The truth of the Living Word of God delivered in person by the Son of God.

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

Heb 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Heb 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Believe It Or Not

2012-01-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Mark 16:10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
Mark 16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Mark 16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

A few thoughts from the end of this chapter. Jesus appeared first as a babe to lowly shepherds and when he was risen from the dead he appeared first to Mary Magdalene whom he had earlier cast out seven devils. She was a clean vessel for his use. She believed in him and was the first to deliver the good news of his resurrection to the Disciples who were weeping and they would not believe her. How often do we see those who are of faith acting as if they had no hope, overcome by grief and refusing to believe the true report? After that, he appeared in another form to two men as they journeyed. They were upset with what was happening in their world. We get upset too with all the evil and lack of order in our world. What if Jesus came and walked with you as a stranger, would you be complaining to him about the current events? The stranger spoke to the two men showing them all the scriptures pointing to Jesus' coming and being our Savior. The men then saw that the stranger was Jesus as he disappeared from them.

Luk 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?

They too went to the disciples to tell them the good news, but they refused to believe them. The Lord is not pleased with our unbelief. Those who should be of the strongest faith can fail too. We should be expecting to see Jesus; perhaps in the face of a homeless person or a person in need? Maybe an angel will come along side of us for a time, appearing as just a person. The angel may be sent to encourage us or to guide us in a direction for a ministry. Finally Jesus appeared before them and was upset with their unbelief. These were the men who were to go out into the world to share the good news. If they were slow to believe then what could they expect from those they witnessed too? We must believe our message and be people of faith. Our excitement and dedication will stir someone's heart. The word of God will accomplish it's purpose. Go, be faithful and share the good news like you believe it.

Salome

2012-01-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

In referencing the name Salome, most references give the daughter of Herodias who danced for Herod who said he would give her anything she wanted.

Mar 6:22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
Mar 6:23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
Mar 6:24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
Mar 6:25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
Mar 6:26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

Mar 6:27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Mar 6:28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

History books give her name, as it was not mentioned in the Bible. There was another Salome mentioned in only two verses. Perhaps because of the evil associated with the name, it was not spoken often. It is a beautiful name. Salome means peaceful. Another beautiful name that was maligned was Judas, which means "he shall be praised."

In the Bible I often wondered why Zebedee was mentioned often as the father of James and John? His name is mentioned eleven times as the father of James and Joses (John).

Mat 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

It is probably because the genealogies mention the father usually and not the mother. Who was the wife of Zebedee? It is mentioned in one of two verse with her name. The mother of James and John and the wife of Zebedee was Salome. She was one of the women who came to anoint the body of Jesus with two women named Mary.

Mar 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mar 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

I had to look hard to find who was the wife of Zebedee, the mother of James and John; Salome, a woman named peaceful.

The Convert

2012-01-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

Salvation is something urgently needed. Do not be surprised if many do not continue in faith after accepting the LORD. Each one has things to overcome and the new mind comes from reading the Bible. The change is instant and it takes a life time. That seems like a contradiction, but God is master of contradictions that lead to his perfect truth. His way is perfect but our thinking often is flawed. God knows who are his. Some saved by the blood of the Lamb as by fire, nothing remaining but their acceptance of the gospel message. These are as it were saved by the skin of their teeth, it is a God thing by their believing in the name of Jesus. It is sad to see people receive Jesus and then run from the church, the word and themselves. Satan doesn't let go easy; old habits continue. The thoughts people have can keep them from growing. They need the thoughts of God. They need the mind of Christ.

How fast did you grow after salvation? If in a Bible teaching church the growth is faster. A new believer is as a babe and needs care and discipling. The young want to experience life, often it is closer to death, for sins lead to death. Jesus has paid for our sins and we owe him our very lives. There is the picture of carrying our cross daly, dying to self. We are to be renewed by reading the word of God and doing what it says. Remember, that new convert has many choices to make, they need focus and growth. Many start out good, faces glowing like angels, but life crushes their faith until that time of renewal. What if one could receive the LORD and as a runner continue with all his best for Christ running the race? Paul did it, it is possible.

Seeming Contradictions

2012-01-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

What is the distinction between these two scripture passages? How are they rightly divided to find the truth?

Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mark 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Sometimes we see passages of scripture that seem to to be saying the same things but with opposite conclusions. It is good to seek the LORD about these and sleep on it. In the morning I usually have insights about what are the differences.Let me begin with this last verse. The time is judgment day when the thoughts and intents of the heart are made known. First off, are these people saved by faith in Jesus Christ? Apparently they were not even connected to Jesus by faith for he said "I never knew you". They may have had miracle revival meetings, drawing huge crowds and made lots of money. They may have been well know, a big name in ministry. They may have been using Jesus name and by the faith of the one in need, God had mercy on them even healing them. The false teachers may have read the gospel message and it may have been followed by signs and wonders, but they never were born again, it was all hypocrisy and their hearts were not seeking to please God, but to glorify themselves. They made disciples unto themselves, perhaps being a leader of a very large church.The end result was "depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Why did this happen and in the verses from Mark 9, Jesus was seemingly saying something opposite?

In Mark 9, Jesus said leave them alone, for who is not against us is for us. Can anyone cast out demons in Jesus' name if we are not in Jesus?

Act 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Act 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Act 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Act 19:17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Act 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Act 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

The difference I see in the two Bible passages is that the disciples were doing the judging before judgment day in Mark 9 and Jesus was doing the judging at judgment day in Matthew 7. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, it spoke of the kingdom of God being of wheat, the saved and of tares or weeds that resemble the wheat. They are to be left alone until the final day, and then the angels would sort the good from the evil. Jesus will exam every heart and life.

How many times have we served God half heartedly? How often have we done things for God with the wrong motives? How often have we done things in the flesh, not seeking God? What if Jesus had come then and we were examined? Many may be serving God with the wrong motives.

Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

What if satan were to send false teachers and prophets? These would appear as servants of God , but with false motives.

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

It is in the final judgment that every work will be revealed for it's worth. False ones will not get by Jesus.

1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

From this study I see that I must be careful about how I serve God and what is in my heart. We are to be connected to Jesus through faith and being born again of his spirit, children of God for his service. It is not our job to condemn anyone's ministry. We are disciples who know and do the will of God through knowing his scriptures. We are not to judge people before the time. But we are to be careful to keep evil from taking over; not letting false ones speak to the sheep we care for. Jesus is the final judge and we are not to judge other before the time, lest we be judged. But we are to check their spirit and be careful. In one verse Jesus said leave them alone if they cast out demons they are for us. In the last verse he was condemning people for saying they cast out demons, because they did not have a relationship with him, they were unsaved and maybe were liars. We stumble around in the dark until we are saved. God had patience and so must we have patience. Jesus will judge, so we must be in him if our work is to remain. All we do is by His Spirit.

Saved From Our Past

2012-01-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

We were not always single hearted in love. Remember back at how we thought something else was so important? We all lusted for something or someone thiinking that our heart would find fulfillment. Oh satan is a master of baiting his trap. What was a great desire turned out to be a perversion of God's love. Anything in place of love for God and loving our neighbour as our self satan twists into something ugly. Bondage's of lust, perversions of body and soul. Addictions and desires that take over ones life. Demons of lust pushing us down to the brink of hell.

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Oh my Lord and my God. Thank you for lifting me up out of the miry clay and setting my feet on the Rock! I Sing praises unto the Lord all the day long. He is worthy, He is worthy!

Use Your Gifts

2012-01-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

2Ti 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
2Ti 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Gifts are to be used. Often a great deal of effort goes into the use of a gift. A teacher must study and know the word of God. All are to use the gifts of God to glorify him. Why are gifts not in use? Perhaps they never were exercised? We must do something and as we go deeper in our gift we grow. The parable of the talents is an example of this. Our gifts are to bring forth fruit. The last person mentioned in the parable hid his gift and was fearful. This was not good.

Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

If you are saved you will not be cast away. One way we know if someone belongs to Jesus is by their fruit. Spiritual fruit is important and is found in one word: love. Without love all that is done is worthless. Galatians 5:22,23 shows us the fruit of the Spirit. We belong to Jesus and are to do his will. He gave us gifts to be used for his glory. We should love to use our gifts. I suppose Jeremiah did not love to be a prophet with hard words to say to a disobedient people, nevertheless he was compelled to prophesy. LORD we want to serve you and when we are not using your gift we need your direction. Help us to not be double minded so that we will serve you with a whole heart.

Blessed and not Cursed

2012-01-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

Mal 2:1 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
Mal 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

If God puts a curse on someone then they had better take heed and repent, for God is to be glorified. We who are his servants are not to put curses on anyone. Jesus corrected the two "sons of thunder" John and James, because they wanted to bring fire down on a people who refused to come to Jesus.

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.

Be careful what you say and hear for again last night in a chat someone came into our midst speaking the good word of the Bible, but it turned into the person cursing and condemning those around him. The Lord came to save and not to curse. There was much anger and a hostile spirit in this person.

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

If we are the people of faith in Jesus Christ we are the spiritual children of Abraham. Through Abraham and through Jesus we are a blessed people.

Num 22:10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
Num 22:11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
Num 22:12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Num 23:8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?

Pro 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

It is evil to put curses on another. We are not to judge before the time of the Lords coming. He is the righteous judge.

Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

The old covenant relied heavily on the mercies of the LORD for no man could keep all the laws of Moses.

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Jesus took our curses upon himself when he was crucified on the tree. Remember this, that by faith in the work of Jesus we receive grace. We are the blessed of Abraham, the blessed children of God, to do his commands from a heart of love. An evil heart seeks to curse, a sin washed heart should be gratefully serving God and others from a heart of love. Curse not what God has blessed and glorify the LORD.

Faith Like Abraham

2012-01-10T17:32:00.000-08:00

Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Righteousness by faith in the only God. Faith is good, but first we must be approached by God; are you listening? Are you responding to his call as did Abraham, the father of faith? Abraham heard the calling of God and he obeyed. Do you obey when God has called you? Do you come to Jesus to be reconciled to God?

Joh 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:

Will you come by faith to Jesus Christ the Son of God and begin your new eternal life? First the call and then obedience to every command of God. Faith like Abraham leads us to seek a city made without hands. Our citizenship is in God's kingdom; we are to be his witnesses to bring others too him. Have you believed me?

Joh 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.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Make his paths straight

2012-01-08T21:06:00.000-08:00

Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mark 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

A messenger was sent before Jesus to prepare the way before him. What needs preparation? Isn't it our hearts? We must acknowledge our sin before a righteous God and repent, turn another way, the way of seeking God to please him. A straight path is made for the coming messiah. Some make the path full of obstacles. The way to Jesus is the way to God. Come to him by faith, turn from your sins and allow God to change you with a new heart and a new life of serving God through Jesus his Son. The messenger was John the Baptist, preaching and baptizing people for repentance of sins.

Mark 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

One greater than John was to come, Jesus the Son of God and the eternal king after the lineage of King David. John baptized with water, but Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Salvation brings the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit to connect us with God the Father. We are become the adopted children of God. Keep the path to Jesus clear of religious obstacles, repent of your sins and receive him by faith. There are no works to do in the path way of salvation. It is a straight path of receiving his invitation to be born again of his spirit through the remission of our sins, by faith in the name of Jesus.

King of the beasts

2012-01-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

I finished reading through Job in the New Living Testament. It was good to read and easier in this version until I got to the section describing Leviathan. The LORD was speaking to Job from a whirlwind.

Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

In the NLT they used crocodile as a substitute for Leviathan. Does this sound like a crocodile?

Job 41:18 "When it sneezes, it flashes light! Its eyes are like the red of dawn.

19 Fire and sparks leap from its mouth.

20 Smoke streams from its nostrils like steam from a boiling pot on a fire of dry rushes.

21 Yes, its breath would kindle coals, for flames shoot from its mouth.

22 "The tremendous strength in its neck strikes terror wherever it goes.

23 Its flesh is hard and firm, not soft and fat.

24 Its heart is as hard as rock, as hard as a millstone.

25 When it rises, the mighty are afraid, gripped by terror.

26 No sword can stop it, nor spear nor dart nor pointed shaft.

This is no crocodile. It describes a dragon, like the Chinese draw in their drawings. He is described as the king of beasts.

Job41:34 Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts."

Some have thought that this was a spiritual beast. Who is proud in the spirit? Who is the king of the beasts? The antichrist is described as the king, inhabited by satan. He is the beast from the sea of humanity. He has a heart of stone and is indestructible by the efforts of man.

One man, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of Lords has defeated the dragon, taking away his power from the children of God. Leviathan is king of the mass of humanity, those not yet made the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.

Leviathan is mentioned in Isaiah.

Isa 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Isa 26:21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Isa 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Satan will be bound during the Millennium and loosed at the end to deceive many.

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Finally he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire by the LORD.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

We can overcome the dragon in our lives because we are in Christ Jesus. Do not fight him in the flesh, but by the word of God. We overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimonies. There will be no more Dragon and no more satan, but those who trust in the Lord shall live forever.

Justice

2012-01-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

Mat 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Mat 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there;

Mat 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Mat 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Mat 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Mat 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Mat 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Mat 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Mat 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Mat 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

All there mocked Jesus and said evil things to him. He was a public spectacle as they sat and watched him, looking up at him shouting evil words. One thief repented and was saved. The other people continued in cruel unbelief crucifying the Son of God. They still mock him in the public chat rooms and on street corners when a man preaches the gospel message. Come down from the cross, then we will believe you, they said. No, they would not. He was raised from the dead and they still didn't believe in him. Their time would come to meet the righteous King of Kings who will be their judge.

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Other people like those who crucified Jesus, who are mockers and who despise him will look up and wish that they could hide from him when he returns with his angels.

Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Each person will receive righteous Judgment.

Ask

2012-01-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

I came close to being in an automobile accident this morning, but by the grace of God I swerved at the last moment. This is the third time I was almost in an accident coming or returning from our morning Bible study breakfast. I had no time to speak but swerved just in time. Two other times I spoke the name of Jesus to come within inches of colliding with trucks who pulled out or were stalled in the rain. There is a supposed Bible saying " The LORD helps those who help themselves". Well, there are times when we cannot help ourselves and for a Christian, we are never to help ourselves apart from God's grace. We can do all things through God who gives us grace. We may help ourselves into sin, but anything good comes from the LORD. Now then knowing all good comes from God and knowing that there are many things only possible because God who is our help, we can see the importance of asking in prayer.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

If you are going to ask of God, ask in faith believing. If we are going to "help ourselves" why ask? We ask for things beyond our abilities. We ask for wisdom and guidance from above. We ask knowing that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. We ask in Jesus' name. He wants us to ask and he wants us to thank him, for we are his through Jesus Christ by grace, not of ourselves. Sometimes we have no words, so the Holy Spirit hears our groanings and delivers our message to the throne of God.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

In times of emergency we can speak JESUS! and he hears and sends his angels. Thank you my Lord and my Savior for hearing me.

Faithful Job

2012-01-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Job was a man of faith who never turned against the LORD in spite of his afflictions from the devil. Afflictions can remove feelings of being right with God; it takes more than feelings when the body is plagued by boils and suffering great pain and distress. You must have conviction based on true faith in the living God and be a person who has lived a life doing the good work that is pleasing to God. Job was being tested and I believe all those of faith will have their faith tested. From his sufferings Job spoke gems of spiritual truth. I have selected three of his statements from one on the oldest books of the Bible. The first statement is an encouragement for the new year.

Job 17:9 The righteous will move onward and forward, and those with pure hearts will become stronger and stronger.

This emphasizes the importance of holiness and purity in a believers heart and life. The world is sinking deeper in evil lusts and demonic sins. If we are to move forward we must by faith move onward and forward in the will of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Read the word, the water of the word cleanses our hearts and we become stronger and stronger in our soul and spirit.

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Job understood that his redeemer lived even back before Abraham. Did he know the story from Genesis of a righteous seed, a redeemer?

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Now we know the seed, the redeemer as the Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed us from the serpent, the devil, by his shed blood on the cross. The redeemer lived in Jobs time and the eternal Redeemer lives today to intercede for the Children of God. We shall see him.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

True wisdom starts with the fear of the LORD who made us and decides our eternal future. David repeated these words in the Psalms and Solomon in Proverbs.

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

It was through sufferings that Job brought to us wisdom from God, tried in the fire. It was the sufferings of King David that the LORD used to bring forth the comforting Psalms. Paul encouraged us as he approached his execution with these words.

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

2Ti 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Thank God for these men who did not give up but who overcame by faith. Their words are given to us to strengthen us as we move onward and forward, and those with pure hearts will become stronger and stronger.

I have heard the Lord say to preach the word and this is why I send these messages to you. We do not preach in a closet, but for people to see or hear the word. To God be the glory in all that is said and done.

Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

2012-01-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Both the wheat and the tares are in church and are not easily distinguished. The devil is a copier of what is good, only his copies work for evil. Where would his tares do the most harm in the church? I believe that many of the tares are in leadership. They are pastors, teachers, elders and in other positions of authority. They do not preach the whole word of God, but only things that do not offend. They leave out the scriptures about sin, repentance and eternal damnation. They water the wheat and tares with feel good messages and this way they attract many people and appear to be successful and prosperous.

How important is the whole word of God?

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

We need the conviction of God through his word and the working of his spirit. Our lives should show the fruit of the spirit and not the fruit of the accuser. Some false teachers and prophets are quick to accuse a person of God who may be a threat to them. The religious leaders accused Jesus and he gave them a rebuke.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 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.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Are we the wheat or the tares? Do you love the truth? Do you love the LORD? Does your life bring forth good fruit of the Holy Spirit or the works of the devil? Are you an encourager bringing unity and peace or a divider and a strife maker. The angels know who God's people are. They will gather the good wheat unto God and the tares will be thrown into the fire.

Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

A final thought. We should leave the tares alone if they are not aggressively serving satan. Perhaps as sinners they will be convicted by God through his faithful servants who preach his word and are led by his spirit. We must be careful who we weed out, because in the past many of the best people of God were burned at the stake and martyred by the leaders who were serving satan blindedly. Lord give us your eyes, your mind and your heart to serve you wisely in these last days, to choose what is eternally good and to bring others to your saving grace. In Jesus' name, amen.

Wisdom's Children

2012-01-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

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.

The Pharisees were proud of the way they kept the laws and ceremonies, but they were selfish, thinking they knew all about what God required. When John came dressed in repentance garments, they accused him of having a devil. They saw no need for personal repentance, for they were proud of their outward observance of the laws. God looks on the hearts and indeed their hearts needed to repent. Their perception of what was of God was not accepting what their eyes saw, so they rejected John and they would reject Jesus.

They did not like the freedom and liberty that they saw in Jesus. So they accused him of being a drunk who associated with sinners. They would use their perception of the law to condemn Jesus. Their evil hearts twisted the laws and misapplied them to condemn Jesus. Jesus broke no laws, but he did not fit their view; too many were giving him praise and they were jealous. Wisdom is justified of her children. The wisdom of the Pharisees was tainted by envy and malice. They brought forth the death of their Messiah. The wisdom of God flowed from Jesus, bringing life and mercy and healing. The children of the fruit of Jesus become the children of God. Through the ages those who repent and receive Jesus by faith, became the children of God. The wisdom of God brought Jesus Christ our savior and millions of children are born again into the kingdom of God.

Are we wise? Wisdom comes from God. The wise come to Jesus and are given his spirit of truth. What kind of fruit do we have? Our children justify our wisdom. Have we spiritual fruit? Or are we making little selfish Pharisees?

Above All

2011-12-26T18:38:00.001-08:00

Let's look at a few important verses that say above all. What is important above all else?

Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Let us look again at the above all's that we need to heed.

Jesus Christ is above all, He is one with the one God who is above all. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the one God above all. We need faith above all as our armour of God. Without faith we are lost in confusion. His word is the faith builder. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. The most important character trait above all is to have love or charity which will make us more perfect in Christ Jesus. Finally above all things prosper in God's things, putting on Christ Jesus being found in him so that you may prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers. Do these things and you will live above all of the evil and Jesus in you will be a light for others to see.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T09:27:00.001-08:00

When Angels Came

2011-12-23T11:58:00.000-08:00

Angels are messengers from God. In the past they delivered important messages and they were expected to be acted on with faith. The LORD requires that his people be people of faith. Angels were angry when the message was taken lightly, perhaps because God was angry too?

Sarah

Gen 18:9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
Gen 18:10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
Gen 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Gen 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
Gen 18:13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Gen 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Gen 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

Sarah laughed within herself, but God searches our hearts. He discerns what is real faith and what is not. The angel spoke to her unbelief. She had already messed things up by giving her handmaiden to Abraham to make them a son. This resulted in Ishmael, the son of the flesh and the enemy of God's promised chosen people through Isaac. The son's of Ishmael, the Arab nations fight with Israel until the end.

Zacharias, father of John the Baptist

Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Luke 1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

His prayers were answered to have a son, but he probably had given up praying for this, because of their old age. Zacharias could not believe the angel, so the angel gave him a sign and a punishment; he would be unable to speak until the child was born nine months later. Keep praying for your loved ones, you people of faith for God hears and respects your faith.

Mary, the birth mother of Jesus

Mary was a humble virgin probably about sixteen years old.

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month(of Elizabeth's pregnancy) the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

She responded in simple faith. The LORD honors humble faith and very much does not like unbelief and those who mock his word. Too many have no fear of God. God's word is truth and we are to believe and fear him who created us for his glory. God loves us through His Son Jesus Christ. Abide in him and abide in God's love.

The LORD Protects Israel

2011-12-21T18:00:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 29:1 On January 7, during the tenth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, this message came to me from the LORD:
2 "Son of man, turn toward Egypt and prophesy against Pharaoh the king and all the people of Egypt.
3 Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: I am your enemy, O Pharaoh, king of Egypt -- you great monster (dragon), lurking in the streams of the Nile. For you have said, 'The Nile River is mine; I made it for myself!'
4 I will put hooks in your jaws and drag you out on the land with fish sticking to your scales.
5 I will leave you and all your fish stranded in the desert to die. You will lie unburied on the open ground, for I have given you as food to the wild animals and birds.
6 "All the people of Egypt will discover that I am the LORD, for you collapsed like a reed when Israel looked to you for help.
7 Israel leaned on you, but like a cracked staff, you splintered and stabbed her in the armpit. When she put her weight on you, you gave way, and her back was thrown out of joint.
8 So now the Sovereign LORD says: I will bring an army against you, O Egypt, and destroy both people and animals.
9 The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD."Because you said, 'The Nile River is mine; I made it,'
10 I am now the enemy of both you and your river. I will utterly destroy the land of Egypt, from Migdol to Aswan, as far south as the border of Ethiopia.

The LORD protects Israel; the LORD protects his covenant people. Woe to the nations who go against Israel. Woe to Egypt who was supposedly their friend and who was not their protection as they said they would be. Woe for a nation today who deals treacherously with Israel. They will answer to the Almighty God of Israel. Pharaoh was considered as a god by his people. He liked to boast of himself. "For you have said, 'The Nile River is mine; I made it for myself! A king is not made great by his boasting or his ability to debate. The LORD puts kings in power for his purpose, sometimes to punish a wayward people. Learn from this, repent you wayward people and repent high and mighty king and humble yourself before Almighty God. The God of Israel is greater than all gods. He will not share his glory. His righteousness will judge the nations through Jesus his Son. The same Jesus that you hide from will be your judge. Turn from your idols and foreign gods and bow to the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.

Isa 45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

End Times

2011-12-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 24:10 The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out looters.
11 Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine. Joy has reached its lowest ebb. Gladness has been banished from the land.
12 The city is left in ruins, with its gates battered down.
13 Throughout the earth the story is the same -- like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest, only a remnant is left.
14 But all who are left will shout and sing for joy. Those in the west will praise the LORD's majesty.
15 In eastern lands, give glory to the LORD. In the coastlands of the sea, praise the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
16 Listen to them as they sing to the LORD from the ends of the earth. Hear them singing praises to the Righteous One!But my heart is heavy with grief. I am discouraged, for evil still prevails, and treachery is everywhere.
17 Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth.

The people of God are the remnant. We may experience all the hardships and evil of the end times, but we are God's people and are not to be like the world. Isaiah is prophesying the end time days of tribulation. Believers will rejoice that the Lord is coming soon. Probably these are Jewish believers, many will be killed by the antichrist. There is a mixture of joy and sadness. Isn't this our condition? We joy in the Lord for he is everlasting and we are with him, but we sorrow for the world and it's bad condition and we are concerned in our flesh for our surroundings. Let us learn now to walk in the spirit, to stay close to Jesus and to live lives full of joy and praise, looking ahead to our completeness in him as we arrive in his presence! His grace is sufficient for anything that comes to us in this body of flesh. Rejoice that your names are written in the book of life because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Be a witness of his overcoming life, bringing others to him.

Wise Men Came

2011-12-18T06:40:00.000-08:00

Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

wise men; magoi in the Greek

Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Tradition has it that they were three kings, but they were astronomers and probably more then three. Perhaps these were influenced by Daniel and his revelations? The wise men knew what they were looking for and were looking for a sign. They came to worship the Messiah. They were following a star, a sign in the heavens. We are not to go to seers, diviners, or sorcerers for spiritual direction, but many do. We go to the LORD. The wise men had to hear from the scriptures to know where the Messiah was to be born.

Dan 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
Dan 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

Worldly Counsel

Mic 3:7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.

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.

Mat 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

The people had no idea that a king had come. Herod was troubled and filled with jealousy and fear. Perhaps the people knew of Herod's ways and feared for what would be coming. Herod was a ruthless cruel king even killing members of his own family.

Counsel from the Scriptures

Mat 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Mat 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
Mat 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

A ruler is born in Bethlehem who came from old, from everlasting. The everlasting king of the Jews is born in Bethlehem.

Mat 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired 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.

Herod sends the wise men to Bethlehem to inform him when the Messiah is found. The lying King said that he would worship him too, but the devil was in him. He would try to destroy the Messiah. Satan opposed Jesus from the start and will oppose his servants today and until he is judged by Jesus, the Christ, at the end time.

Gifts for the Messiah

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.

They saw the star in the east, they were from the east. The star would lead them west to Bethlehem.

I remember once riding a motorcycle with a full moon before me. The trees seemed to move by swiftly, but the moon remained in its distant position. Real stars are like the moon, distant and unreachable. A rocket may go to the moon, but the stars remain distant. To go to the sun, a star, you would burn up. This was a special star, a glowing star made by God that led the wise men to where the Christ child was staying. Perhaps it was a special fire like that led the Jews in the wilderness coming out of Egypt?

Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

True worshippers rejoice at the presence of the Lord. The scribes and pharisees and the people that the Messiah came to bless, were uninterested and at the most frightened. How will you feel at the presence of our Lord?

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.

The baby no longer was in the stable. This meeting occurred sometime afterwards, for they were living in a house, but still in Bethlehem. It was not a permanent home, there home town was Nazareth.

The wise men fell down and worshipped him. They knew he was the Messiah. The Lord that guided them by the strange star also guided them in their hearts by His Spirit.

The wise men brought gifts to the messiah:

gold for his royalty as king of kings; spiritually it stands for purity
frankincense, a sweet smelling fragrance for the great high priest, (Exo 30:34-37) who would offer himself a sacrifice, being the atonement for our sins. Incense spiritually are the prayers of the saints.

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

myrrh, a spice for his burial. They wrapped the body with white linen, using aloe and Myrrh, as spices. (John 19:39-40)

Spiritually I see this as the cleansing of our sins by his death, burial and resurrection.

Warned in a Dream from God

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.

They were following God and hearing him in a dream. They were believers connected by the spirit of God to God the Father. They obeyed the Father and not the wicked king. They went home another way, not giving any information to the King.

When it comes to living and walking in truth, we obey God before earthly authorities. The apostles said it well when they were told to not witness for God.

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

There are many perils in the lives of those serving our Lord. Satan is our enemy and he controls most of the world. God is our help, His Spirit our guide. As he guided the wise men and Joseph, he will guide us. We are of the light and the truth. Our God is greater then the god of the world.

Wise men and women still seek Jesus. We give him the gift of our needy lives and he gives us eternal life and the gifts of his Spirit. He makes us vessels of honor for his glory.

Into Egypt

Mat 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

The angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream, apparently soon after the wise men departed with a warning and a command from God. Arise now, take the baby and Mary and flee into Egypt. Joseph had heard from the Lord before and believed. The just shall live by faith obeying God. There was no need to question, we are to obey. God sees the future and He is our guide.

He was told to stay until he heard again from God. How many of us let God direct our paths? Do we go as the Spirit leads us and do we stay until He says to move again? This requires a closeness to God, to be able to know his will. God wanted to be sure Joseph understood, because Jesus was in danger from Herod. " Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." I believe that they were still in Bethlehem because that is where the wise men went to find him in his house.

Mat 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
Mat 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Mat 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Herod was so mad with jealousy, that he would kill his potential rival, to be sure of this, he had all the children under 2 years old killed who were in the region of Bethlehem. Another prophecy is fulfilled.

Mat 2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
Mat 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Jer 31:15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Rachel had been buried in Bethlehem.

Gen 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
Gen 35:20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.

Mat 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Mat 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

All is clear, come home again. Satan seeks to steal and kill and to destroy but we have the Lord protecting us. Who satan has divided and scattered, the Lord will bring back home. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.

Prov 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Prov 10:29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Prov 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Jesus of Nazareth

Mat 2:21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Mat 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

The angel having told Joseph to return to his home, because Herod was dead. They returned to Nazareth.

Mat 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Nazareth comes from the Hebrew word "netzer" meaning "branch" or "sprout." It is used figuratively for that which is lowly or despised. The Messiah was lowly and despised by the world who knew him not. The old testament prophecy was probably Isaiah 11:1, concerning the branch of David.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Isa 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Jesus is the one spoken of here; Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and the wisdom above all men, the wisdom of God .

A False Teacher

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One of the troubling things about false teachers is that they often quote the Bible and seem to be as other Christians, but if you ever question them, then they begin attacking you; you are accused of being a false one. The arrogance of this usually is dressed in a person of great authority; just ask him? He has the real truth and everyone else is in error. Even if you try to go along with him or her, they will accuse you. This is where the Holy Spirit shows us something is wrong. We will know something isn't right, even if they quote the Holy Bible, because the spirit of the person is wrong. They are not out to build the church, but to tear down the leaders. When confronted with their own methods of discernment, they deny everything and accuse you more. It becomes personal. They bring accusations against you and say that you are one of the "false teachers." Be careful little sheep (and big ones), If the talk gets too personal you are dealing with the accuser. Usually they know scriptures, but change the application or meanings, painting their destructive picture, white washing with a broad brush, but inside are dead men's bones, as Jesus commented concerning his accusers.

You just need to watch their fruit. Is the fruit holy and good? Is it the fruit of the Spirit?

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

There are many who say they are Christian who are desirous of vain glory, provoking and envying. A false teacher is not of God, nor his Spirit, yet he says that he is and claims to be in the Holy Spirit. It gets hard to discern, but the true church is not divided and Jesus is lifted up. A false one will glorify his own standing and condemn the body of Christ. If he has disciples, they will not receive love from him, but accusations. That is what the devil does and the devil tries to imitate the real thing.

Iniquity in the Land

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Eze 9:9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.

Eze 9:10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.

A nation cannot hide from the LORD who sees all.

Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Psa 33:13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
Psa 33:14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
Psa 33:15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Psa 44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
Psa 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

More and more the nation turns from God, removing crosses, removing the ten commandments from public places and denying the name of Jesus. The antichrist spirit in the land is even against Christmas. Schools teach godless evolution and the homosexuals and their money and votes have put fear in the politicians to make abominable laws favoring them and have even invaded the schools teaching profane things to the children. Our once Christian nation is promoting gay rights to other nations. What has happened to our nation with the motto "In God We Trust"? We sacrifice the unborns to the goddess of self and cry over a tree being cut for lumber. If we do not clean house, The LORD will clean it for us by allowing every evil thing to come against us.

The LORD sees this, he knows what is happening.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

The people of God are to do good works and to be witnesses of our Lord. The wrath of God will not be upon we who trust in Jesus, but we are to pray for our nation and be watching and hearing what God is saying. Judgement is coming and shame upon a shameless people who have turned from God. It is time to make a decision to make Jesus Lord of your life or to be identified with the transgressors. Time is running out.

Overcomers

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What is it that we are to overcome? Anything that separates us from God or prevents us from doing his will. The attacks in and on our body; afflictions or darts from the devil. Darts can come in our thoughts or in another s words that we receive. Our enemies are the flesh, the worlds thinking and the devil. We cannot overcome in the flesh because at the root is spiritual authority. We overcome having received Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior with the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We overcome through the Holy Spirit that opens up the word of God to us.

Who is in charge?

Jas 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

We like to plan things and make goals for ourself, but we should seek the Lord first. We like to be in control and the flesh can be pretty selfish.

Trust in the LORD

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Pro 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

A full barn should not be our goal, but to serve God and walk in His path should be our goal. We are to be prosperous in our soul. The Bible is the truth of God from it we learn the will of God.

Prosperity

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3Jn 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
3Jn 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Your soul belongs to God

Luk 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Luk 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
Luk 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luk 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Luk 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Law keeping is good, but it cannot save you

Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

The faith walk in the Spirit

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Mighty spiritual weapons

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

What are these mighty weapons?

Christ in you, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth

The word of God is our offensive weapon

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Faith in Jesus and the LORD

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

In the name of Jesus

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Overcoming through the Lord Jesus Christ

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

I believe that Jesus took the power from satan by his death on the cross and resurrection. Satan no longer has access to God directly, but those who are under the blood of Jesus can come directly to the throne of God. The Holy Spirit in the Christian sends every accusation of satan to our great high priest, who is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

We overcome by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus shed his righteous blood to redeem a people unto God. Greater is He that is in us and the power of the word of God, our testimonies is the power for salvation to those held in bondage to the devil.

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Satan is very angry and making a mess down here, but we are overcomers by faith in the blood of the Lamb. Keep testifying of the word of God and speak the gospel of salvation. It is not a time to live only for the flesh. We are God's mighty army, the light of the world.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

2011-12-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

Having difficulties? Why blame God? Jeremiah had his moments of weakness, giving in to the flesh. I suppose Job had his weak moments of self pity too. So we are in good company, but they were faithful to the LORD. So shall we be. I am sorry if I have offended anyone by not speaking with love. Can we really know what is going on in a person's life to make them seem ungrateful, harsh, or not as spiritual as we think they should be? One thing all of us who wish to serve the LORD will endure, is the attacks of our enemy; sometimes from our thoughts and at other times from even those we serve. Jeremiah was lamenting.

Lam 3:12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
Lam 3:13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
Lam 3:14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
Lam 3:15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
Lam 3:16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
Lam 3:17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
Lam 3:18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
Lam 3:19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Lam 3:20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

Jeremiah faithfully spoke the LORD's words as a prophet, warning his people in Judah to repent. They would not listen to him. Why LORD when I do your will am I being persecuted?

2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

When you are going through a time of affliction, remember what Jeremiah said under the inspiration of God. Like David he encouraged himself in the LORD and the LORD poured out these words of encouragement for him and for us.

Lam 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lam 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lam 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Lam 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Unlike most of Judah, Jeremiah was faithful and God showed him favor in the end. Perhaps he encouraged a young Daniel who as a young man went into captivity? Daniel became God's anointed servant in a time of bondage. He was favored because he believed in and served the LORD. How much more shall we be favored in dark times, with his Holy Spirit in us if we are faithful? We can have His peace in all situations and always be loved by our LORD who redeemed us through faith in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Great is thy faithfulness!

Steve Green - Great is thy faithfulness - YouTube

Living a Holy Life

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2 Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Like Precious Faith

Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Life and Godliness

2 Pet 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue

2 Pet 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

His divine power comes through His Holy Spirit. He will give us all that we need.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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.

Where do we get this knowledge? From hearing the word of God and doing the things to receive the promises of God, guided by the Holy Spirit.

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.

Think of how many people are trying to please God and be good enough; they need to be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they need to hear the word of God and believe his promises,. Salvation by faith, then we do the good works ordained of God. We are the children of God with the inheritance of many promised blessings.

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
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;
Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Steps to a Fruitful Life

Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

2 Pet 1:5 And beside this, having exceeding great and precious promises:

giving all diligence,( earnest care with urgency, )

add to your faith virtue;( moral goodness, excellence of character,)

Luk 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

and to virtue knowledge;( understanding, especially of the word of God.)

2 Pet 1:6 And to knowledge

temperance; (self control, especially of the passions of the flesh )

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

and to temperance

patience;( steadfastness and endurance )

Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

and to patience

godliness; (holiness, reverence and respectful behavior)

God came down in Jesus, spoke to us, touched and saved us by his spirit.

1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

2 Pet 1:7 And to godliness

brotherly kindness;( love for the brethren )

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

and to brotherly kindness

charity.( love, the love God gives to us, loving each other, agape love.)

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

2 Pet 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These things, these behaviors in you will keep you from being barren and unfruitful. Jesus came to give us abundant life and our Father desires that we glorify Him with spiritual fruit.

The devil opposes us as we seek to live a holy life in Jesus Christ. We are always in a spiritual battle, so by being closely in fellowship with Jesus we live abundant and victorious lives.

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Remember these things

2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

2 Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

calling; invited by God for a purpose;

and election; the elect are the chosen to receive salvation

Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

2 Pet 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2 Pet 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
2 Pet 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
2 Pet 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.

Paul wrote to Timothy, to stir up his gifts:

2 Tim 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Pet 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

These words were to be remembered, so that we will be fully equipped to survive without the elders assistance. Look to God, look unto Jesus, read the word, hear it and obey, then you shall abound in all good things. The things you have learned will equip you for life.

2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2 Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Onward Christian soldiers...

Acceptable Offerings

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Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The LORD will not receive our offerings if there is anger in our heart towards a brother. If we are no different then the ungodly, how is our life useful to the Lord?

Mat 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

When I first heard this Bible passage in a church service, I thought of my own brother. I wanted to be sure that there was no anger between us, so I went to him and even brought him to church. Whatever the reason, guilt or conviction of the LORD, we are to keep our fellowship open between the Lord and ourselves. This also means we must keep the fellowship open with our brothers and sisters. We are not to live only for our own needs.

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
1Jn 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Looking back to the beginning we see Cain and Abel; two brothers. Abel's sacrifice was acceptable to God but his brother's offering was not accepted. It was not accepted because of his lack of love for his brother. This jealousy ended with Cain killing his brother. He had no love for his brother or for God.

Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Gen 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Gen 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Gen 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

We all want the blessings of God. We must love God and our brothers. Love brings the blessings of God and love fulfills all the commandments. If we want our prayers to be heard we must not have anger towards a brother, sister or spouse.

1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

LORD forgive us of our lack of love. We do not want to wander over the earth with a curse upon us. Fill us Lord with your love and your Holy Spirit so that we can be examples of your disciples, full of light and truth to an angry and lost people. Help us to bring them into your loving fellowship. In Jesus name, amen.

Take Another Look

2011-11-17T06:09:00.000-08:00

There has been something on my mind, a new revelation of a scripture passage that I thought I understood.

Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Let's take another look at what we see in the mirror. Do we see a natural face, a natural man with all of it's flaws and short comings? Do we turn from the mirror and hide in the world or play games as though we are trying to hide from what we see? Stop! Take a deeper look. In your mind do you hear satan's voice condemning you? Are you defeated in that mirror? Okay, you may have flaws, but listen to what God said to Jeremiah and apply it to yourself.

Jer 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Jer 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Be not afraid of your own face first. See yourself as God sees you. Depart from sin and be God's person in this sinful generation. Who will stand up for God? Who will stand against the evil that is flooding our nation and the world? You are called to represent God through Jesus Christ. Stand up and see yourself as a person of God to do his will in a sinful time. It is an absolute must that we be the people of God in word and in actions. Obey God, in the covenant of grace. The just shall walk by faith. Moses was under the law, how nuch more can we do good having the Spirit of God with us?

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Exo 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.
Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

Evil is taking over places that are called Christian. Speak out against it with the authority of God, not to condemn people, but to warn them in clear words. Jesus came to save, not to destroy, yet in our land that was called Christian and that was established on godly wisdom, we are being swept over by floods of demons. The antichrist spirit is in full attack mode. Rise up ye people of God, turn back the tide of evil and filth. Be the light and salt of the world. Take another look in that mirror and see yourself as a blood bought child of God. We are ambassadors of Christ, soldiers in his spiritual army. Rise up and walk the talk. Onward Christian soldier, speak good words and do good for the name of our LORD. Put off the old man and put on the new man created in the image of God. Stand up for righteousness and be an example, having his righteousness. Walk in his spirit, resist the devil and he will flee. Can we stand with Jesus and make a difference in this generation? YES WE CAN!

A cursed seed and a blessed seed

2011-11-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

Jer 22:24 As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

Jer 22:25 And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Jer 22:26 And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.
Jer 22:27 But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
Jer 22:28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
Jer 22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
Jer 22:30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary through Nathan a son of David; so He was a blood descendent of King David. His legal father also was a descendent of King David through Solomon, but there was a curse on the descendants of King Jehoiakim and his son Coniah, who were descendants of Solomon. " for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." Joseph could not have been the blood Father of Jesus because of this curse, but he was legally a son of David. This is a proof that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. The LORD God is the father of Jesus conceived of the Holy Ghost through a virgin of Israel.

Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Judah's sin; Jeremiah's lament

2011-11-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

As a believer in a wicked land, we see the sins and it brings remorse to our hearts. Some have gone too far and like Judah are under the LORD's judgement. We seek to bring them to Jesus but so many have hearts of stone. This is as the time of Jeremiah who prophesied to his people over a fifty year period of time. A lot can happen in fifty years and time was and is running out then and now. Fifty years ago hearts were more open for receiving the Lord in our land. We were a Christian nation governed by godly precepts; sin had not yet permeated the government and schools. Children were allowed to pray for their schools, homes and the nation. Now there is idolatry, the threat of communism, socialism and Islam, because many have rejected Jesus Christ. Godless leaders we know little about are shaping our nations future. Like Jeremiah we are called to speak out to a people who have grown hard with sins. Nothing moves their hearts but there own desires. As the LORD engraved the laws in stone, those who do not want God have their hearts marred by sin.

Jer 17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

Sins were engraved on their hard hearts and their altars of stone.

Jesus gave us a soft heart because he removed the sins of those who have trusted in him.

2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Jer 17:2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.

Even their children were idol worshippers under the green trees on the high hills.

In our schools our children are taught about idols of humans and the devil, but the Bible is not allowed. How sad is that?

Jer 17:3 O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.

My mountain, Mt. Zion.

Jer 17:4 And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.

The LORD was angry with them and He would give them into the hands of their enemies.

Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Psa 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Jer 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

Like a desert plant, those who trust in flesh shall be on their own apart from the blessings of the LORD.

Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

This is similar to Psalm one.

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

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

So many follow their hearts. This verse shouts a warning to those following their own hearts who are not close to God.

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.

Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Out of the heart come the words and the fruit to show what kind of a person you are. The heart is deceitful, follow God.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God

A warning to those seeking to get rich by any means.

Jer 17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Jer 17:12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
Jer 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Not as written in the dust of the earth, dust to dust. Some have said that they do not want to go to heaven, they also speak evil words against Jesus and there are many accusers. This reminds me of those who brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus. He stooped down to right in the dust of the temple floor.

Joh 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
Joh 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Joh 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Jeremiahs lament

Jer 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

save; yasha, To rescue, save, defend; to free, preserve, avenge, deliver, help. To release to open wide the gates of the captives.

Psa 107:19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Deu 10:21 He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

Jer 17:15 Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.

2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

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!

Jer 17:16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
Jer 17:17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

Jer 16:19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

Jer 17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

Psa 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

All Glory to God

2011-11-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

We are not to glory in ourselves. What is meant by the word glory?

Glory; halal, To shine; to praise or boast or to be boastful. What do we have that we have not received from the LORD?

The LORD has all wisdom, He is Almighty and He owns all things.

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

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( "the existing One") was I not known to them.

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

What is man?

Psa 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Psa 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

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.

We glory in the LORD

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.

If we have wisdom, if we have might or strength, if we have riches, then praise God for he has gifted you to serve him and to bring glory to him.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Psa 57:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Charity, faith, in spirit and purity

2011-11-09T12:31:00.000-08:00

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

in charity; agape, affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love, as Christ loves us.

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

agapao, the verb

Joh 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.

in spirit; pneuma, the Holy Spirit, spirits

The word for spirit is pneumos. Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit is the Greek word pneumos. The type of spirit is known depending on the context of the verse.

Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

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

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

in faith, pistis, conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it

Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

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 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

in purity, hagneia, sinlessness of life, (only found in two verses.)

1Ti 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

meditate; meleteo,

1) to care for, attend to carefully, practise

2) to meditate i.e. to devise, contrive

a) used of the Greeks of the meditative pondering and the practice of orators and rhetoricians

Ponder, think on these things with a whole mind.

wholly; isthi, give yourself completely to

Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

profiting, prokope, progress, advancement

Php 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Php 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

All things are motivated by God's love. God loves me through Jesus Christ my savior.

Your Word and Your Life

2011-11-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

in word; logos, a word, uttered by a living voice, in speaking and in doctrine

Jesus was known as the Word of God

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

We get into trouble when we speak words, for often something evil will come out.

Mat 5:37 But let your communication (logos) be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

The Bible words are inspired of God for our instruction and edification.

Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings (logos) of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation,

conversation; manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment , your lifestyle

We think of conversation as the exchange of words and ideas, it also includes our works and

lifestyle.

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Our words and our life should be good to build others up. We are not to be angry and curse people.

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

To be a Christian, one must give all of their self to him.

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
Joh 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Our life will show to others who we believe in and serve.

Faithful Believers

2011-11-07T11:56:00.000-08:00

1 Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Be an example of the believers,

believers; pistos, trusty, faithful; the NT one who trusts in God's promises
1) one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead
2) one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation

A believer is faithful to Jesus his Lord and savior. We are saved by faith in him, so a believer believes in the one who saves us from our sin and it's punishment. Jesus took our punishment; death on that cruel cross. We receive grace by faith in him. Are you a believer? If so, then you are to be faithful.

John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

How do we know if a person is a believer?

1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 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.

Confessing Jesus and living for him, As James said "James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." We may fool someone, even ourselves about being saved, but we cannot fool God. We are saved by faith, unto good works.

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.

1 Cor 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

To be an example of a believer we must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and live our lives through this faith, being faithful by His Spirit in all good works.

Be An Example

2011-11-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit gives Timothy his young minister friend some timeless encouragement about how we should conduct ourselves as Christians and as servants of the LORD." Let no man despise your youth." I have found when witnessing in the Internet chats speaking by the Spirit that some will resort to the put down: "How old are you?" As if their age somehow gives them more wisdom and understanding. Usually these are proud people, not wanting to lose an argument, even if it is God they argue with. The word of God has power and authority over someone's age. We are to respect one another, especially is the man or woman of God to be above reproach in their life before those of the world.

"...but be thou an example of the believers" An example; typos, a type,a figure formed by an impression; a pattern to be imitated, worthy of imitation. I think of a kings ring that made an impression in wax, sealing a document, making it official. We are impressed upon by God by the seal of his Holy Spirit. We are his authentic followers.We are to be imitators of Jesus, true examples of his believers. We are to faithfully do what he did and what he commanded us to do.

Be servants

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Longsuffering

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Good works

Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Do greater things

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

How is it possible for us to do greater things than Jesus did? First, we realize that it is not our doing, but he is working in us by the Holy Spirit. All good that we do is by his presence in our lives. We can do nothing of ourselves, but we can do all things through his Spirit.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We must walk by the Spirit in order to do the work of God. There is no list to follow, but we are to know God's word in our hearts and be led by his Spirit. This is to live a life as an example of how a Christian is to live.

We should take this calling seriously as dedicated servants and sons of God. Anything less is to take away from his glory. LORD be glorified in your servants, amen.

Avoiding a Bitter Spirit

2011-10-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

Correction for good

Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Pro 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

We respected our father's correction, shall we not be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, who gives eternal life? God is over all flesh and spirits. He has all wisdom and knows what we need.

Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Some had good fathers who corrected us with fatherly wisdom. Others had drunks and worse as fathers, still they were obeyed. How much more important is it to obey the righteous and holy heavenly Father, so that we may be like His Son?

Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

God will seek to correct his son or daughter. Even a child feels better having been corrected. He has paid for his bad behavior. We can be at peace knowing that through our trials and chastening we are received by our eternal loving Father in heaven. If not his, the devil will try to destroy you, so come to Jesus and receive a blessed future.

1 Pet 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1 Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Pet 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Straight paths

Heb 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

If you are being corrected by God, it is because he loves you. So, get over it, no longer feel sorry for yourself, realize that you are loved and straighten up. Lift up those arms that hang down, and the feeble knees. Accept your correction and obey God, or you may become as Cain when God corrected him.

Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

The anger in Cain resulted in his murdering his righteous brother, Abel.

Heb 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Jesus is in the straight path. He is the narrow road, the way to life. Do not let depression and a bad attitude control your walk. Come to Jesus and be healed.

Psa 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

Prov 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Prov 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Prov 5:1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
Prov 5:2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Isa 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Bitterness

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

With all men, seek peace. Peace comes from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, goodness, faith, long suffering, meekness, self control...these are positive things, so we avoid the negative spirits.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

It is total submission to the Lord. Holiness is being separated from the world and sin and serving God, committing our lives to him, leaving sins behind. It is a close relationship with God. A holy person cannot fellowship with a devil, so watch who you hang out with.

Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Anger can defile. We can get carnal and negative, avoid letting this happen .When things seem beyond our control, we must not be angry or bitter. By being bitter, many are defiled. We must cut off all that offends. Jesus spoke in strong words about our attitudes and our sins. Here he speaks of the lusts of the eyes and the hands that sin.

Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

In truth a bitter spirit is not of God. It brings no peace. It is as a raging fire, destroying everything in its path. Often bitterness is revealed by a sharp tongue.

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
James 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Apply the tree to the bitter waters.

Exo 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
Exo 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
Exo 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
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.

Jesus died on the tree to set you free. Hearken to him. Give him all your bitterness and spare those around you. Bitterness will have a bad affect on your health. Come obey the Lord who heals you.

Esau

Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

A fornicator seeks sexual pleasure outside of marriage. Those who defile another outside of marriage, can be called fornicators.

Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Esau is put in this verse as an example of a profane person, because he desired pleasure of the flesh more than the covenant blessings of God. He sold his birthright for the immediate pleasure of a bowl of soup. Some of the worst acts of profanity and fornication come from those who willfully follow satan. They take the beautiful things of God given to all and defile them. Children are abused and starved and manipulated. A life can be given over to demonic influence. Do not go that way. Jesus has broken the yoke of satan's bondage, there is new life in Jesus.

Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Our days are numbered and God will not always strive with man. A time may come when he says...no more and he may turn away because of the hardness of your heart. You may say your sorry, but is it true repentance? It may be too late for you, so come to Jesus now when he is here calling you. God knows if you are his or not, we can't fool God.

2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Cor 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Obey God, seek his will and his direction. Avoid those who grieve the spirit in us. Follow peace with all people. Do not expect the unsaved to see spiritual things. Trust God, pray keep the peace and follow after peace.

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.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We can do nothing good of ourselves

2011-10-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

I had a dream where everything was going wrong. I was under pressure at an important event, hired to do a job and everyone had to wait, and as hard as I worked, everything went wrong. I woke to find it was all a dream, but with an important message. We can do nothing apart from God. We must take everything to God in prayer.

Last night in our chat a man came in quoting scriptures, but he was concerned that he had not truly come to the place that he knew God and that he was saved. He had analyzed a lot of verses and just couldn't make it to Christ to where he was one with him. Well, we all gave him help from God's word, but there comes a time that we must let go of self thinking and walk by faith. The walk of faith has no confidence in self, in positions held or the achievements of men. We walk by faith new each day in him. He supplies the next step that we take. He gives us our thoughts our actions and our plans. Are we worn out from doing things ourselves? Hear God and follow him. Jesus gave us an example; we are to do as he did.

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Joh 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

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Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

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Joh 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.

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Paul had to give up self to serve Christ Jesus.

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2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
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?
2Co 13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
2Co 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

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Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

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Jesus Christ has done a wonderful complete work of salvation in you, by your faith in him. Now we walk to manifest this change inside, by our actions. Our direction comes from him, through the Holy Spirit. Walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh In the flesh we fail, let God work through your flesh the supernatural things of God. We walk by faith.

Perplexed

2011-10-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

Perplexed; to be entirely at loss, (clueless as to what is going on and concerned about it)

Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
Luk 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
Luk 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luk 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luk 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Luk 24:8 And they remembered his words,
Luk 24:9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
Luk 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
Luk 24:11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
Luk 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Perplexed

The Ministry; Honest , not deceitful

2 Cor 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 Cor 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.

2 Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Paul spoke the gospel, in truth by the grace of God. If we are in the Lords leading, we do not wear out. Remember we are yoked together with Christ, he being the greater. He is our good shepherd, we follow him, not pulling in our own direction opposing him. His mercy comes in obedience, his grace comes as we serve him.

1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

"craftiness" -- unscrupulous conduct

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Cor 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.

"gospel" -- good news

2 Cor 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

People believe foolish things to avoid the voice of their conscience. They invent a chance evolution when the Bible teaches that God created. If all is by chance, then there is no accountability to a righteous God. You're OK, I'm OK, we do what we want. No, God has a better way, a way that we shall go in. Jesus is the way of forgiveness and a new life. There is no other way. God is creator, we are not to be creating our own way when God has provided his son, Jesus, to bring us to himself, free of sin and guilt.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

2 Cor 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

the gospel from Jesus

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.

2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

1 Cor 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;
1 Cor 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:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The Ministry; Earthly afflictions, Eternal Glory

2 Cor 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

"troubled" -- to afflict "not distressed" --anguished, in a narrow space "Perplexed" -- mentally finding no way out "not in despair" -- not utterly without a way

The truth is, that with God there is always hope and life and blessings. If we don't see the way out of a difficulty, trust God, he will be your help. Too often people turn to the world's cure, and end up putting a psychological label on their problem while being medicated. Go to God first, trust him and his promises.

1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted ( or afflicted ) above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2 Cor 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Paul needed no letter of recommendation to the church that he founded. His ministry was proof of his authority; his life completely dedicated even with many afflictions.

1 Cor 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1 Cor 4:13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

2 Cor 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

In a society absorbed with "self," this may indeed sound strange, but God's way is usually opposite of our way. "Self" glory does not honor God, or anyone else. The way to God is through Jesus, for all who will receive. The sharing of Jesus with a troubled world requires self sacrifice.

2 Cor 4:11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor 4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

We die to self, so that you, who are in need may receive. A servant must be obedient to his master, to please him with his work. Which has the most lasting value, a trip to Disneyland's magic kingdom or a soul delivered from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God? A silly comparison, maybe, but if our life is about self pleasure, where is the witness of Jesus? Being obedient to God is life's greatest joy and adventure. The joy continues through eternity with souls brought into God's family, many people of one heart in the Lord.

Same Spirit

2 Cor 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
2 Cor 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; [Psalms 116:10]

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Having the same spirit of faith as Jesus, we believe his written word and we can speak his word with authority. As Jesus was risen from death we shall be risen, and be with him. We do not act out a religious experience, but are truly annointed by the Holy Ghost to minister and to live forever, with the chosen of God, let us praise him.

Hope of Glory

2 Cor 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

2 Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Afflictions, persections, reviling, mockings will come to those witnessing for Jesus, our flesh is weak, our emotions may shatter, but the Lord is our strength. We are renewed each day in his word and through his presence. He is all we need for life.

2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2 Tim 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Tim 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

2 Cor 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.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

We walk by faith, believing in God and in his word. By his word the worlds were brought into existence. By his word we receive Jesus and pass from death unto life. I believe and witness for my Lord, I am not ashamed.

Apollyon the destroyer

2011-10-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Rev 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

The seventh seal is opened and the fourth trumpet sounded, a star fell, an angel with the key to the bottomless pit. This is probably is where the fallen angels are kept that were mentioned in Jude.

Jud 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Rev 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

The bottomless pit was hot, so it refers to hell. A physical place in the center of the earth where the angels were kept in bondage. It was exceedingly hot, but with no light, a place of torment for the angels and people too.

Rev 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Rev 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

Demonic creatures that John described as winged creatures sent to torment those who refused to come to God. Those with God's mark, His Spirit were passed over.

Rev 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
Rev 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

A period of torment, probably a sample of the torment that awaited them in hell. No relief, but this was only for five months. Perhaps they would repent after this? If men knew what hell was like, then they should desire the refuge of God in our Lord Jesus Christ. To the reader, these things are coming to earth. Hell's torment is forever, you do not want to go there

Rev 9:7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
Rev 9:8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
Rev 9:9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
Rev 9:10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

Some attempt to explain these things looking back in history, but these are things coming to earth during the tribulation. No earthly king would spare God's chosen, usually the chosen are attacked and hated just as Israel is hated by the nations today. Those with the seal of God will not experience the wrath of God. Even the demons are subject to the LORD.

Rev 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

A ruling king came from the bottomless pit. I do not think this was satan, for he is not yet cast into the bottomless pit. This must have been a high ranking angel named Abaddon; in the Hebrew, "Destruction" and Apollyon; in the Greek "Destroyer".

Satan is loosed still, the prince of the air, going where he will. Notice the reference verse is 911, this reminds us of what happened on that day in 2001 to the twin towers. The destroyer now is satan, and he is described by Jesus our Good Shepherd.

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

The thief is satan, he comes to steal, kill and destroy. We saw his work in New York on 911. We see him in those who strap explosives to themselves in the name of allah. He is a liar, a deceiver and only seeks to destoy, especially the people of God. We as a people of God have the Holy Spirit, sealed and the property of God. The devil may find a way to kill us, but not to destroy us, for we who are in Christ Jesus are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. We are eternally his. Our work will continue in his presence. Rejoice for we shall not see the torment of hell. We shall be with Jesus in a place prepared for us.

Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Stay close to Jesus, watch and pray always for he is coming again for those watching for him.

Watch and Pray

2011-10-07T17:59:00.000-07:00

Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

His words are truth. Beware of false prophecies, for they are false ones. God's word is truth, and it shall come to pass. Every word is eternal truth. So we are to watch and pray with His eternal word in our hearts and minds. See with the eyes of the Lord.

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Concerning his return for us; first is the rapture and the church shall be caught up to meet him. Do not believe anyone who says they know the day of Christ's return. No one knows, but the Father and now Jesus is with the Father. He will know the day before we will and he will show us things to let us know his coming is near.

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Take heed, be aware and watch and pray; you may not know the exact time but you shall know the times as they are coming to pass. What are we to look for?

Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Watch

Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

The Son of man, Jesus used this name. It is found eighty-eight times in the new testament. He has taken a far journey, to be at the right hand of the Father; God almighty. He has given authority to his servants.

Luke 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

...and to every man his work.

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.

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:

He commanded the porter to watch. The porter kept the gate of the sheep.

John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

The porter is the Holy Spirit who will show you all things that are coming, whatsoever Jesus reveals, he reveals through his Spirit to those watching.

Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

watch and be prepared

Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Sleeping, when you were supposed to be serving him. Spiritually asleep, the mind on something else perhaps seeking entertainment? This is where most people fail. They are not looking for his return, instead they are seeking things to entertain the mind, emotions and their flesh. Shouldn't we be seeking God with all our attention and praying, speaking and hearing from the LORD? Even when we seek the LORD their are distractions and annoyances sent from the devil to keep us unfocused and busy.

Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

watch; phylakē, to guard, to watch, keeping watch

The words: watch and pray are used one more time by Jesus.

at Gethsemane

I think we miss great needs in another's life, because we do not take time to watch and pray. Perhaps we are concerned about our own problems, needs or desires? We need to take time to watch and to pray. At the time when Jesus, in the flesh needed the comfort of his closest friends, they slept.

Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mat 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

Peter, James and John were with Jesus, before Judas would betray him. We should know the friends that we can trust and go to them when in need. Jesus knew that he was going to suffer more than any man and be crucified on a cruel cross.Sometimes we need to watch out for others to protect them from dangers, especially from those who wish to do harm. Watch and pray, watch for the trouble coming and sound an alert. Watch the countenance of Jesus, see that he is sorrowful and carrying a heavy burden. Come along side and pray with him, encourage him; watch and pray. Can we apply this? Yes, trouble is coming to our nation, the signs are everywhere; watch, sound the gospel message forth unto all in the land; repent and come to Jesus, now is the time of salvation. Backslider, repent and come back to the Lord who has given you his own life, to save your soul. Do we want to help Jesus? Then we are to take care of our brothers and sisters who are in need.

Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Jesus speaks his need to his friends. How will we know of a need if we do not share, one with another? Share with trusted friends, not a Judas, but those who are faithful. My soul is exceedingly sorrowful; he was grieved so very much even to the point of death. He just wanted to die and cast off the body of flesh, but he always did the Father's will. We must not seek death; watch and pray, there are others grieving more than you are, they need your help and love. Watch with me, love me and understand with me what I am suffering. Yes, there is much to watch for.

Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Here is the power of prayer. We may ask anything, in His will and we will receive it. Always submit your request to the will of the Father and as much as possible pray using his promises in the Bible. Watch and pray in the Spirit and he will reveal the deep things of God to you.

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Jesus was not allowed to escape the cross, because God the Father used this to defeat satan and to bring a multitude of souls to Himself. Jesus always submitted to the will of the Father. It was time for him to make our salvation possible. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, who takes away our sins. We are bought with the price of the blood and death of Jesus, followed by His resurrection to glory. We are become as Jesus, son's of God, our sins are removed in him, for he took them all to the cross never to be remembered again. This great sacrifice was not easy, for he suffered greatly for us. Now Jesus our savior stands up for us being our Great High priest to make intercessions for us.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Another Greek word for watch: gregorio, to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.

Jesus was asking them to stay awake. He was asking them to stay awake and pray, trouble is coming. Be alert and perhaps share with me my sorrows by bearing them with me. Most of us have casual fellowship. When asked, "how are you", we say fine, because we know they do not want to take time to really hear our needs and perhaps we have enough of our own concerns to be concerned for others? Jesus wants us to wake up, to watch and pray, showing concern for our brothers and sisters.

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

The law of Christ is to love the brethren.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Do not expect the world to help you when in afflictions, unless you have money.

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Watch and pray for yourselves as well, that ye enter not into temptation, the temptation of lust or idolatry.

Seek to be like Jesus, not to seek personal glory. He gave up all, so are to give up all to do his will. Look up, your redemption is near; watch and pray and do the work of an evangelist. Love one another and seek to share with one another until he comes to wipe away all tears.

Asleep on the watch

Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

A second time Jesus goes to pray in the Father's will, not in his emotions, although he felt the emotions of a human.

Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

His appointed night watch and prayer team were heavy in sleep. Often satan will keep people from sleep, but when it is time to pray and watch, they get sooo sleepy.

Isa 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
Luke 22:46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Mat 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

They missed an important calling. When it is past, then they looked back with regrets. Use those missed opportunities as a lesson to seek God and to stay close to him. Watch and pray for yourself and for your family of God. Keep watching, keep praying and be faithful, He is coming back for us. Watch and pray for his return so that you will be accounted as faithful. Reach out to the lost and those in need so that you will do his work until he comes. Watch and pray hear and do his will.

The antichrist spirit

2011-09-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
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.

One test of the spirit of a teacher is to ask them who Jesus is. Is Jesus only a spirit to them? Is he in every man? Some believe this, but do not see the Jesus who came as a man and who died for our sins. This is the spirit of antichrist. Jesus was with God, the Living Word, a Spirit, for God is a Spirit. This Spirit of Jesus came to us, born of a virgin, a living human who was God the Son. He showed us the nature of his heavenly Father and became our atonement for sin. By his grace we are saved from the wrath of God. When he returned to the Father he left the Holy Spirit for us to discern all truth. The Holy Spirit shows us all that God the Father and God the Son have said. He does not speak of himself. We do not worship an unconnected spirit, but we worship God through the Holy Spirit. A spirit that refuses to see Jesus as the Christ, the one who died for our sins is an antichrist spirit.

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.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

More and more the world is moving away from God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. The world has another spirit, the antichrist spirit. Some believe that they hear from God by an angel or by a spirit, a god or a goddess, but they are believing the lie. The antichrist spirit is of satan. Some may think that they are very spiritual, if so then ask them who Jesus is? The Spirit of God speaks the word of God and does not contradict the Holy Bible.

Finally, we are to love one another. For God is a Spirit of love. We also love the truth and his justice. We need discernment with his love. Use the Jesus test in love. If they are in error, then lovingly show them the truth. If they refuse, you have done your part. Remember, until we have come to God through faith in Jesus, we were once deceived. Speak the truth in love, not to condemn, but to save them. Greater is He that is in you.The one thing I see for those testing the spirits is they often are not filled with the love of Christ. Our Christian love and truth are to be an example to the lost. Jesus saves the lost and he saved me. If they oppose the truth, then leave them alone. You gave them the seed of his truth, let the Holy Spirit work to convict them.

Pride and Transgression

2011-09-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

2Ch 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

2Ch 26:17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:

Azariah the priest withstood him, for he had overstepped his position. He was followed by 80 priests, valiant men who withstood him. This reminds me of the ministers who withstood Hitler regarding their position with the LORD as spiritual leaders. Even the king must follow the laws of God and the laws of the land. There is one king who also is the Great High Priest and he is the Son of God; the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone has the title of King and High Priest. Sometimes kings overstep their position and make themself a god. The LORD God will not allow this for long. For example king Herod wanted to be called a god, and God punished him.

Act 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

Act 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

Act 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

2Ch 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.

Uzziah's heart was lifted up he thought that he could do anything and was full of pride. He entered the sacred altar to burn incense. He was not a priest of Aaron's lineage nor was he prepared. There was ceremonial cleansing of the priests and I believe their hearts had to be right to minister the incense to the Lord.

Now we can boldly enter into the holy presence of God through the work of Jesus. His blood cleanses us and makes us acceptable. Our prayers are as the incense. We are to stay clean in our hearts; for example, when we take communion we are to examine ourselves, confess our sins, make things right with our brothers, for if we partake of the communion unworthily we may suffer. Our sin may cause us to fall.

1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

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.

Leprosy

2Ch 26:19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.

Uzziah was angry with the priests for trying to stop him and God gave him leprosy.

2Ch 26:20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.

2Ch 26:21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

There were other incidents of leprosy being given to those who rebelled against God's appointed servants. Miriam, Moses' sister rebelled wanting to take leadership from Moses and she was made a leper for a time.

Num 12:10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

Gehaza, Elishas servant disobeyed and took bounty from Naamon against the will of Elisha and was given leprosy.

2Ki 5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

The two son's of Aaron the high priest disobeyed the law of God and offered strange fire and they were killed, which was a just punishment of God.

Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Lev 10:2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

2Ch 26:22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

2Ch 26:23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

The words of Isaiah the prophet:

Isa 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Isa 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Isa 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Isa 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Isa 1:5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Isa 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Isa 1:7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

Isa 1:8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Isa 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Again Isaiah speaks of Uzziah in a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ on a throne.

Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

King Uzziah had accomplished much with the LORD's favor. He reinforced the walls, added towers. He built towers and dug wells in the desert for cattle and crops. He established an important sea port, had made inventions and military engines. His country enjoyed prosperity, but in the end he disobeyed God's commands and lived the rest of his life as a leper. Perhaps through this he again learned to trust the Lord.

The prophet Isaiah was sent to correct the Lord's people and to call a people to be his witnesses. Will we accept his calling?

Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Engines and Prosperity

2011-09-27T14:30:00.001-07:00

Uzziah's accomplishments

He fortified Jerusalem

2Ch 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.

Under the Lord's direction Uzziah reinforced the walls and built towers for defense.From these towers the war machines cast boulders and arrows at invading enemies. A portion of the wall had been destroyed by the Israelite King Jehoash during his father's reign.

The wealth of the temple and palace had also been taken.

2Ch 25:24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

One reason for this calamity was that Uzzuah's father had turned to foreign gods. The enemy was allowed to come in and to plunder. We are not to trust in anything more than our LORD. Our LORD is our strong tower and our defense as described by the Psalmist.

Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psa 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

2Ch 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

Towers in the desert probably were for watchng and for protection. When we are raised higher we can see further. We are raised higher in Christ Jesus and we are his watchmen. Many wells were dug to water the cattle. Water was also used for agriculture as food was required to feed the people and Uzziah enjoyed growing things. Many were employed to care for the cattle and agriculture, his time was prosperous. Water is symbolic of God's word, so we are to watch and hear the word of God and prepare ourselves to meet the enemy and to meet the LORD. The enemy will attack many times to discourage, but if we continue to trust in the Lord of our salvation we shall reap an eternal reward.

2Ch 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.

2Ch 26:12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.

2Ch 26:13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

Two thousand six hundred military leaders and three hundred seven thousand five hundred men of war for defence purposes. Sometimes they had to go into enemy territory to insure the peace. Victory is the LORD's.

Deu 23:14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

Weapons of war

2Ch 26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.

¹⁴Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones to sling. (Amplified)

2Ch 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

Engines were mechanical devices, such as catapults to hurl stones. One type was like a giant crossbow to hurl large arrows.

"This is the very first imitation on record of any warlike engines for the attack or defence of besieged places; and this account is long prior to any thing of the kind among either the Greeks or the Romans. . . . The Jews alone were the inventors of such engines; and the invention took place in the reign of Uzziah, about eight hundred years before the Christian era. It is no wonder that, in the consequence of this, his name spread far abroad, and struck terror into his enemies." (Clarke)

The Jewish people are inventive. In World War 2 Hitler tried to exterminate all the Jews but it was a Jewish invention, the atomic bomb that ended the war. The Jewish military is making many new weapons in league with the United States. God will protect his people if they will seek his face. Uzziah was strengthened and helped by the LORD. When we are famous and at our best, we need to be careful that we not become prideful.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jer 13:15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

Jer 13:16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

King Uzziah (Azariah)

2011-09-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

When Israel was one nation the people wanted a king like the other nations. This was bad, because the LORD was their king, but he allowed them to choose a king and they chose king Saul because of his physical stature . He soon disobeyed the LORD and the Spirit of God left him and he was given bad spirits.

King David was the king that carried the lineage leading to the birth of Jesus, so he was the most important king, the king after God's own heart.

Solomon was known for wisdom and the wealth and splendor of Israel, but too many wives led to too many gods and his decline. After Solomon Israel was divided. The Northern 10 tribes were called Iarael and all of their kings were bad. The two southern tribes were Judah and Benjamin. Judah was called the southern kingdom and there was the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God.

What makes a good king is one who follows the LORD, a bad king does not. No one perfectly follows the LORD, so even the good kings failed in some ways. We should apply this principal to our leaders and to ourselves. Do we obey and follow the LORD?

There were twenty kings of Judah and Uzziah was the tenth. There were bad and good kings of Judah; here are the kings listed in order:

Rehoboam,was a bad king, Abijah was a bad king, Asa was a good king, Jehoshaphat was a good king, Jehoram was bad, Ahaziah was a bad king, Athaliah, a woman was bad, Joash was good, Amaziah was good, Uzziah or Azariah, was a good king, He is who we will be studying. After Uzziah was Jotham, a good king, Ahaz was bad, Hezekiah was good, Manasseh was bad, Amon was bad, Josiah was good, Jehoahaz was bad, Jehoiakim was bad, and Jehoachin was bad. Jerusalem falls into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He sets up a bad king Zedekiah for eleven years.

King Uzziah

Uzziah, "My Strength is Jehovah"; other names for Uzziah that are in the Bible; Azariah, and in the New Testament in Matthew's lineage chart he was listed as Ozias.

He began to reign as king at the age of sixteen.

2Ch 26:1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

Uzziahs father was Amaziah, "Jehovah is Mighty"

2Ch 26:2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

Elath or Eloth = "grove of lofty trees"; a port on the north-east arm of the Red Sea in the land of Edom.

Like Uzziah's fathe, he had a strong army and he followed the LORD.

2Ch 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

We need to pray that our hearts be perfect before the LORD; the only way is through receiving Jesus as our Lord and saviour and continuing with him. We are not to have a divided heart.

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

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.

2Ch 26:3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

Jecoliah, "The LORD is Able", was his mother's name.

2Ch 26:4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

This is good, he continued in the good things of his father. Most importantly he went to the LORD for direction.

2Ch 26:5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

He had the prophet Zechariah who heard from the LORD and understood the visions of the LORD and as long as he sought the LORD he prospered. Prosperity tends to draw our attention away from God. He will not bless a people who will not come to him for their needs. Our real needs are not only physical, but also spiritual.

We must love God above all else.

Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

The LORD spoke through Zechariah:

Zec 1:2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.

Zec 1:3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zec 1:4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

Zec 1:5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

Zec 1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

King Uzziah prospered and had success as he trusted the LORD. There were three prophets in his time: Zechariah, Hosea and Amos. The LORD was speaking in this time period. Do we seek the LORD's voice? We are to be watchmen and the LORD has other watchmen. He does nothing without telling us first.

2Ch 26:6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.

God helped him in his military strength as well. Gath was the place where the giants dwelled. Goliath came from Gath.

2Ch 26:7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.

2Ch 26:8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.

His fame spread even to Egypt, may the LORD receive the glory for the battles are his. May we also prosper in our spiritual battles. How may we gain spiritual ground? It begins with standing fast and not letting the enemy take any ground within the spiritual kingdom of God. The devil owns the nations, but those who trust in the LORD belong to God almighty.

Reprove

2011-09-18T08:49:00.001-07:00

reprove, elegchō

1) to convict, refute, confute

a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted

b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose

2) to find fault with, correct

a) by word

1) to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove

2) to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation

b) by deed

1) to chasten, to punish

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

People will be convicted of sin, some will believe, but many will not believe in the savior of the world.

Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

The Holy Spirit continues to show us all things that Jesus said. This is for correction, rebuke, conviction and for our good works.

Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Lucifer is judged and condemned. He is the father of lies and sin. All his works are judged and condemned by the laws of God. If we are not in Christ, then we are condemned with satan. Conviction of sin leads us to repentance. Judgment is to understand right from wrong. There is little judgment in the world, but where judgment is, there is the spirit of God.

If there were no law, there would be no sin. If Jesus had not come to save us from the wrath of God, there would be no righteousness. Righteousness is in Jesus Christ. We are found in him by our faith and the work of God. There is no law keeping that will make us righteous, only by being covered by the blood of the Lamb are we righteous. Those who are not in christ are judged already and condemned, because they have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. The world hates Jesus and his messengers, because they are the children of the devil. When God touches their hearts and removes the veil from their eyes and they seethe savior and are born again of his spirit, then they become the adopted sons of God. Whose son or daughter are you? Have you the conviction and reproof of God? The Holy Spirit is gentle, so let his gentle heart be seen in you.

Athaliah

2011-09-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

2Ki 8:16 And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat (Jehovah has judged) being then king of Judah, Jehoram ( the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.

Jehoshaphat the good king of Judah made a political alliance with the wicked king Ahab and Jezebel; he made peace with the wicked king Ahab of the Northern Kingdom and married his son Jehoram (Jehovah is exhalted) to Athaliah (afflicted of the LORD). This often was done, marrying into the families of other nations to bring about a political alliance. Athaliah (was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel of Israel who worshipped the pagan god, Baal. It is dangerous to make alliances with non believers.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Ki 8:17 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
2Ki 8:18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.

2Ki 8:19 Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, and to his children.

His wife Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab, king of Israel influenced her husband to worship Baal.

2Ki 8:24 And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
2Ki 8:25 In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign.
2Ki 8:26 Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.

Actually Athaliah was the grandaughter of Omni whose son was Ahab. Her husband was king Jehoram or Joram and their son's name was Ahaziah.

2Ki 8:27 And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab.

Ahaziah died from his wounds in battle in a visit to Israel and his mother Ahaziah, daughter of Ahab did wickedly.

2Ki 11:1 And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.

Athaliah wishing to keep her power as queen mother, ruler of Judah had all the descendents of king David slain, except one that was hidden from her named Joash.

2Ki 11:2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
2Ki 11:3 And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.

Throughout history, satan has tried to prevent there from being a successor to the throne of David, from which Jesus the Messiah would come to be the everlasting king after the lineage of King david. Athaliah placed herself in power as the monarch Queen of Judah. She reigned in Judah for seven years, serving Baal and not the God of Israel.

We must understand that we do not elect a man because he looks good or speaks well. Saul was a king with these qualities.We do not elect a woman to prove that women are as equal as a man. We should not elect a person because he is a race or color. We are to choose rulers that fear the God of Israel and serve him. We should know that he or she loves our nation and the constitution and is not guided by foreign ways. Queen Athaliah was a pagan worshipping Baal. She had contempt for the laws of God. She took power by cunning violence. Like her mother Jezebel she had the spirit of intimidation and destroyed those in her way.

Enter Jehoiada, (whom Jehovah cared for) a priest of the God of Judah.

2Ki 11:4 And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.

Athaliah had reigned in Judah seven years when Jehoiada the priest of Judah revealed to the rulers in Judah the presence of Joash, an heir of king David.

2Ki 11:5 And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;
2Ki 11:6 And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
2Ki 11:7 And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
2Ki 11:8 And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
2Ki 11:9 And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
2Ki 11:10 And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
2Ki 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
2Ki 11:12 And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

They made seven year old Joash king of Judah in place of wicked Queen Athaliah.

2Ki 11:13 And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
2Ki 11:14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
2Ki 11:15 But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
2Ki 11:16 And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.
2Ki 11:17 And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.

The restoration of the Worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

2Ki 11:18 And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
2Ki 11:19 And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
2Ki 11:20 And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
2Ki 11:21 Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.

Jehoash (whom Jehovah gave) was only seven years old when he became King and he reigned for forty years.

2Ki 12:1 In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
2Ki 12:2 And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

He was instructed in the things of the LORD by Jehoiada the priest.

2Ki 12:3 But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
2Ki 12:4 And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD,
2Ki 12:5 Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
2Ki 12:6 But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.

Making a spiritual application.

Money was given to repair the house. Money poured in for this purpose but nothing was repaired. Compare this to the church that receives money year after year, but their was no repairing of the breach in the temple. The breaches, the separation, the lack of holiness in the church, an idolatrous people were not seeking God in true holiness. Things continued year after year with no restoration in the temples of the Holy Spirit.

Consider your ways.

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

2Ki 12:7 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
2Ki 12:8 And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.
2Ki 12:9 But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD.
2Ki 12:10 And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD.
2Ki 12:11 And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,
2Ki 12:12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.

2Ki 12:13 Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD:

Like some churches, they are built, but what about the sacred vessels within? Are they being built up?

2Ki 12:14 But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.
2Ki 12:15 Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
2Ki 12:16 The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests'.
2Ki 12:17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
2Ki 12:18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

All the wealth of the temple and treasury went to fight against terrorists. It was bribe money.

2Ki 12:19 And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2Ki 12:20 And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.

2Ki 12:21 For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

Let's list the kings in order.

Jehoshaphat - Jehorum (married Athaliah) - Ahaziah - Athaliah - Joash

Jehoshaphat the good king of Judah had his son Jehor married the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, to Athaliah. They had a son Ahaziah who was king, but died from battle wounds. The kings mother, Athaliah took power and killed the descendents of king David who were rightful heir to the throne. One of David's kin survived, Joash was hid and later revealed by the priest Jehoiada. After seven years of Jezebels daughter, the priest and the prominent people brought Joash who was only seven, to be the king. They had Jezebels daughter Athaliah killed and Joash reigned for forty years and restored the breaches in the temple. He gave away all the sacred vessels to a king that he feared. Later he was killed by a conspiracy.

One final thought: We do not give the treasures of the Lord to a king that we fear. Satan is a type of that king. Do as Jesus spoke to us.

Mar 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Hated by King Ahab

2011-09-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

2 Chr 18:4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
2 Chr 18:5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
2 Chr 18:6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?
2 Chr 18:7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

I am thinking of all the prophets and pastors today who only want to hear and speak good things. I want to hear from the LORD. Where are the watchmen, the Micah's, the Jeremiah's who must speak the truth? Look how the truth is being hidden by the King Ahab's of the world. Those who speak the truth, that makes the king look bad are attacked and maligned, by the accusers of the spirit of the wicked king. Look at the political conservatives who are being attacked because they speak of good values and truth. Then there is the liberal organization who always opposes truth, goodness, values and morality in the name of "liberty." Using the courts to harass and to get their way as they sue those with no funds to defend thmselves. News media controlled by the spirit of Ahab, the spirit of antichrist, and no wonder for the king of this world is satan.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 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.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

John 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
John 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

If we are going to believe in Jesus we are going to have to come out of the world and follow him and not seek the approval of people. This may mean persecution or even death. We are to be as Jesus; his servants in his likeness hearing and following as he leads us along.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Those Who Stumble

2011-09-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

Any man can see in the daylight, so that he will not stumble. But, what of spiritual things? We are in Christ Jesus to walk in his light, to see what is happening in the world through the light of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. We see what is happening in the natural with spiritual eyes; all the evil, the death, the destruction, the removal of good laws that were made to protect and guide men in freedom. I see that the world is gettng to be as the Bible warned us it would be in the last days.

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

John 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

The night, is the absence of light, the blind of the world who walk by their own light and not the light of God stumble in the night.

John 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

There is no blindness like spiritual blindness. Most of the world is blind to the things of God. Jesus is the way, he is the light of the world. I see more and more how he is being removed from public life. One school district wanted to stop the Gideon's from passing out Bibles to school children. They thought this to be some evil? Evil blind leaders are stumbling in the dark and they have no love of truth.

Isa 3:11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

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 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Walk in the light of God by walking in his spirit of truth. We are not of those who seek to remove Jesus from public life. We are to be the light of the world while we are in this evil world.

LORD God, give us your vision and help us to walk in your light. In Jesus name, amen.