1 Cor 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
The gifts of the Spirit are appropriate for the present time, but they are not permanent; they are Spiritual gifts for us to use at this time. Love is the power behind the gifts. They are Spiritual gifts to be used in a natural world of many sins and dangers to bring the message of God's Son to a lost world. We have much to give to those in need and we must have freedom to use our gifts, for they are given from God for his good purposes.
1 Pet 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Pet 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1 Pet 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Cor 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Cor 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Some teach that the gifts, especially tongues ceased when that which was perfect; the Bible was come. These people think that the gifts of tongues, miracles, prophecy, healings and some of the other gifts ceased with the passing of the twelve apostles. Has the Spirit left the church? Are the gifts of man, or of God? Perhaps miracles, signs and wonders were greater at the beginning of the church age, but all these things are quite evident in Africa, in the Philippines and other nations where hope is totally on the power of God. We will see these things where God is moving by faith in the hearts of His people. Prophecy will end when Jesus returns to earth. Jesus is that which is perfect to come.
1 John 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.
1 Cor 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
We grow in body and mind in the natural, from childhood to adults. In the same way we are to mature in Spiritual things in our new spiritual man. We are born again as children of God and with maturity we grow and exercise our spiritual gifts. Just as a child may not learn because of neglect, we may not be learning of Spiritual things for lack of a Bible or a teacher. The great need in many lives after salvation, is to grow in the Lord and to fulfill his purposes. Trials come, the enemy tries to block the way. but greater is He that is in you.
1 John 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.
We sometimes are held back in our learning and in bondage to those who seek to control us. The Bible gives hope in Jesus.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation (trial) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
God will show you a way out of your situation. The Lord wants us to grow into maturity. In him we are free to grow. We cannot make decisions in the natural without understanding and so it is in the spiritual. We must know and understand his will to obey him.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
The glass is the mirror of the Bible. Looking in it, we see ourselves clearly as through the eyes of God. We are to learn God's will and conform ourselves to the image of Jesus; the perfect man of God.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 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:
James 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 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.
We are not mature believers if we do not follow the word of God. To know and not to do, is not to know; we are unchanged.
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
We are to be changed day by day through reading the word and walking in the Spirit in obedience. When Jesus comes for us we will be made perfect.
1 John 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.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
We are to seek to be like our Lord Jesus as mature believers. This means we are also to use the gifts he has given to us. We are to find freedom to use our gifts as he leads us day by day. When listening to a message, even if it is weak in structure, listen with Spiritual ears and apply the teaching to your life. We are servants of the most high God. He has called us to be the light of the world. Let's not let the light be hidden. Light is energy, use your energy to seek the will of God and to shine bright with His eternal flame. Shine and keep your lamp full of oil until He comes.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Body, soul and spirit
1 Tim 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Spiritual development and physical development share some similarities; with each, growth only comes with exertion and proper feeding. I find that if we focus on one, we often neglect the other. We are to find a balance, but the spiritual development is eternal, the body only for a time. My friend, Brother Freedom had a mild stroke and since this time has overcome much by proper excercise and food. Still with age comes a weakening of this body.
We are three parts: body, soul and spirit. I think of Paul under house arrest, yet he was able to pray and to write his epistles. I am sure he would have preferred to visit each church in person. Ministries need not be ended because of health problems or being confined. I do not think anyone chooses to be in poor physical condition. I think most would do exercise and eat properly to be well. What am I saying? Personally I am seeing that I can do better at exercising, walking and eating and drinking for good health. I prefer to be able to come and go to places, rather than to be confined because of ill health. For so many that I know, they have no choice, for infirmities come to many precious saints of God. Life is a gift, we make the most of it.
Life for me could have ended fifty years ago, from cancer. The LORD came to me in a dream and quickened my mortal body. From this time, he has been with me. Jesus is my Lord and savior. I wanted to live, he gave me life. I lost what I loved most, so that he would be most loved in my life. My LORD and his word are my delight. His saints are my brothers and sisters. We are to be good stewards of what he gives to us, taking care of self, sharing the blessings of God, loving and praying for one another.
For many, keeping the lusts of the flesh under submission, is an ongoing battle. We are not to go where temptation awaits, but we are to give all; body, soul and spirit to our LORD.
1 Cor 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Having put aside the sins of the flesh, pray for a ministry to help others overcome. Paul in prison was content; we sometimes are in prisons of poor health, but some of wrong choices of addictions to alcohol or drugs. These we are not to be content with. Anything we put before our LORD is idolatry. We cannot ever be content to sin. Our LORD is our contentment, He is our delight. Upon Him we wait and seek his will .
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 above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Our LORD promises us that we can escape from temptations and trials; even physical bondage by trusting in him. Many are tempted in lusts of having things. This could be idolatry. The love of money, can be called idolatry. I suppose many churches who preach the acquiring of wealth, are actually preaching "another" gospel and are practicing idolatry. Many preachers have lost their focus on preaching the blood of Jesus by being covetous and using their gifts to become wealthy. Having food and clothing is all that we are promised. To serve our LORD and to be faithful to Him, is my calling.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Sin comes through the desires of the body. Sin may spred like a cancer to the soul and spirit. We must not allow the devil to take what God has created for himself.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Let us be more aware of the health of our bodies. We are body soul and spirit beings, made alive by Jesus with a new Holy Spirit to lead us in the things of God. Why not seek him with all that he has given to us? Let's not be in bondage to poor choices, we shall seek to be all we can be to serve our LORD as best as we can.
What about the soul and spirit? They are close together, but are not the same thing.
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.
A quick definition: the soul is our individual thoughts, character, personality. emotions and memories. The soul is given to each human from God and it is eternal. The body goes back into the ground, the soul goes to where God sends it to; in heaven or to hell.
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
We have a human Spirit and if born again, we have God's Holy Spirit within us; this is how we relate to God and other spirits.
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Our spirit was dead in sins, separated from God, until Jesus made us alive in His Spirit.
1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
1 Cor 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
There is a lot of human "soul" talk in the chats. Can we speak spiritual things; speaking love one to another Glorifying God through His Spirit within us?
We are alive in him if His Spirit dwells in us. If not, our human spirit is subject to other ungodly spirits. Let us seek things that edify and glorify our LORD. We are to love God and to serve him, body, soul and spirit, all for his glory. Amen
Spiritual development and physical development share some similarities; with each, growth only comes with exertion and proper feeding. I find that if we focus on one, we often neglect the other. We are to find a balance, but the spiritual development is eternal, the body only for a time. My friend, Brother Freedom had a mild stroke and since this time has overcome much by proper excercise and food. Still with age comes a weakening of this body.
We are three parts: body, soul and spirit. I think of Paul under house arrest, yet he was able to pray and to write his epistles. I am sure he would have preferred to visit each church in person. Ministries need not be ended because of health problems or being confined. I do not think anyone chooses to be in poor physical condition. I think most would do exercise and eat properly to be well. What am I saying? Personally I am seeing that I can do better at exercising, walking and eating and drinking for good health. I prefer to be able to come and go to places, rather than to be confined because of ill health. For so many that I know, they have no choice, for infirmities come to many precious saints of God. Life is a gift, we make the most of it.
Life for me could have ended fifty years ago, from cancer. The LORD came to me in a dream and quickened my mortal body. From this time, he has been with me. Jesus is my Lord and savior. I wanted to live, he gave me life. I lost what I loved most, so that he would be most loved in my life. My LORD and his word are my delight. His saints are my brothers and sisters. We are to be good stewards of what he gives to us, taking care of self, sharing the blessings of God, loving and praying for one another.
For many, keeping the lusts of the flesh under submission, is an ongoing battle. We are not to go where temptation awaits, but we are to give all; body, soul and spirit to our LORD.
1 Cor 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Having put aside the sins of the flesh, pray for a ministry to help others overcome. Paul in prison was content; we sometimes are in prisons of poor health, but some of wrong choices of addictions to alcohol or drugs. These we are not to be content with. Anything we put before our LORD is idolatry. We cannot ever be content to sin. Our LORD is our contentment, He is our delight. Upon Him we wait and seek his will .
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 above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Our LORD promises us that we can escape from temptations and trials; even physical bondage by trusting in him. Many are tempted in lusts of having things. This could be idolatry. The love of money, can be called idolatry. I suppose many churches who preach the acquiring of wealth, are actually preaching "another" gospel and are practicing idolatry. Many preachers have lost their focus on preaching the blood of Jesus by being covetous and using their gifts to become wealthy. Having food and clothing is all that we are promised. To serve our LORD and to be faithful to Him, is my calling.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Sin comes through the desires of the body. Sin may spred like a cancer to the soul and spirit. We must not allow the devil to take what God has created for himself.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Let us be more aware of the health of our bodies. We are body soul and spirit beings, made alive by Jesus with a new Holy Spirit to lead us in the things of God. Why not seek him with all that he has given to us? Let's not be in bondage to poor choices, we shall seek to be all we can be to serve our LORD as best as we can.
What about the soul and spirit? They are close together, but are not the same thing.
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.
A quick definition: the soul is our individual thoughts, character, personality. emotions and memories. The soul is given to each human from God and it is eternal. The body goes back into the ground, the soul goes to where God sends it to; in heaven or to hell.
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
We have a human Spirit and if born again, we have God's Holy Spirit within us; this is how we relate to God and other spirits.
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Our spirit was dead in sins, separated from God, until Jesus made us alive in His Spirit.
1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
1 Cor 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
There is a lot of human "soul" talk in the chats. Can we speak spiritual things; speaking love one to another Glorifying God through His Spirit within us?
We are alive in him if His Spirit dwells in us. If not, our human spirit is subject to other ungodly spirits. Let us seek things that edify and glorify our LORD. We are to love God and to serve him, body, soul and spirit, all for his glory. Amen
Monday, January 12, 2009
Intercessors
Our church theme for the year is intercessory prayer. Pastor Paul had five couples come forward to be ordained by laying on of hands. They will be prayer intercessors who at the end of each church service come and stand and those with needs come forward to be prayed for. The ordaining minister anointed the right ear of each intercessor with oil, for their hearing from God and the needs of those thy pray for. He also annointed the right thumb of each intercessor for the work of their hands.
We need to hear from God always. When a need comes up, we must seek direction from our Holy Father.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our intercessor to the Father. He prayed for us on earth and he prays for us now. Through the Holy Spirit he hears our prayers.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
We are united as one unit, one body in the Lord Jesus Christ. As members one of another and with God, we do intercede for those needing help. Our Father supplies the need and he answers our prayers. There are old testament types of cleansing for service.
Lev 14:12 And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
Lev 14:13 And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy:
Lev 14:14 And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:
Lev 14:15 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:
Lev 14:16 And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:
Lev 14:17 And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering:
Lev 14:18 And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD.
Lev 14:19 And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering:
Lev 14:20 And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.
There are two important symbols for cleansing and ordaining for service: The blood of the lamb and the sacred oil. We know that the blood is a symbol of the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. No person may serve God unless he be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We come to him, repenting of our sins and we receive of him by faith. It is the work of God. His baptism is the Holy Spirit. The oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Spiritual gifts come to those cleansed and made the sons and daughters of God. They are given by him. The church sometimes will recognize and confirm these gifts, in an ordaining service. They sometimes ordain not by the spirit, but by programs of man. God will do the chosing, whether or not the elders of a church are obedient to ordain. Ideally, the church is to be obedient to God's will through the Holy Spirit.
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
We must submit to Christ, not just religious things. We need to hear from God.
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
There are people of God who hear from God who recognize the spiritual gift that God has given to you. These may lay on hands to confirm these gifts. Elders may ordain you for service and send them out. If you have a gift or gifts you are to use them, for you serve God first, whether or not mans church recognizes your gift. The church are those given the spirit of God who are blood washed believers in Jesus Christ. The local meeting places of the church have shepherds, pastors, teachers and elders to protect and to guide you.
Now that we have spoken of the church, let us speak of using the power of prayer. We are to interceed to God for others in prayer.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
In our Internet chatroom Bible studies, many people come in. Some have needs. We should be sensitive to these needs and if they are not saved, bring them to Jesus. We also are to speak to the needs using God's word in His spirit. We are to show the love of Christ and pray as intercessors for those in need. There are some who come to destroy others with false teaching. Others seek to bring others under there power through deception and appealing to pride or lust. These are not blood bouught spirit filled believers. We are to allow the righteous ones, those with the righteousness of Christ Jesus, to interceed in prayer.
The teacher is also shepherd, to keep the Spirit of God in the room. Where confusion and strife are allowed, there is no gentle spirit of peace. The rooms are being sent missiles from satan called "bots". These are computer generated names with links to evil rooms. These can be avoided in private rooms. If we go to a private room, it does limit access so that those seeking help that are not invited cannot find us. Let us look at the verse again.
The effectual fervent prayers...(Strongs concordance) to be operative, be at work, put forth power. It is work to pray, but the work is aided by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray earnestly in the Spirit.
Pray in groanings and the Spirit still prays.
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.
Intercession
1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Pray like Anna
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Her prayers were answered in seeing her redeemer as a baby. We see him as our Lord and Savior. Seek him in prayer and wait for the answer. He will answer you.
Prayer in Unity is powerful
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Let me say that we must continue stedfastly, devoted and constant. These are good words: to be devoted to prayer, to our God with heart and soul and to continue, be constant, never letting down our guard. He is our strength. The enemy will send "bots" as dreams and thoughts in our minds to cause us to worry or fret or to lose hope. Boot the bot from your brain, from your thoughts, from your presence..
Be constant in prayer.
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Prayers of deliverance and safety
Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Rom 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
The LORD hears our prayers
1 Pet 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1 Pet 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1 Pet 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
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.
Intercessors in prayers are needed, for our nation, our leaders, for Israel, Christian brothers and sisters and all those bound. Will you join others and be prayer intercessors? Some send prayers to ministries, that is good, but do not to have others do the praying you should be doing. Make your requests known and pray.
We need to hear from God always. When a need comes up, we must seek direction from our Holy Father.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our intercessor to the Father. He prayed for us on earth and he prays for us now. Through the Holy Spirit he hears our prayers.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
We are united as one unit, one body in the Lord Jesus Christ. As members one of another and with God, we do intercede for those needing help. Our Father supplies the need and he answers our prayers. There are old testament types of cleansing for service.
Lev 14:12 And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
Lev 14:13 And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy:
Lev 14:14 And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:
Lev 14:15 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:
Lev 14:16 And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:
Lev 14:17 And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering:
Lev 14:18 And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD.
Lev 14:19 And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering:
Lev 14:20 And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.
There are two important symbols for cleansing and ordaining for service: The blood of the lamb and the sacred oil. We know that the blood is a symbol of the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. No person may serve God unless he be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We come to him, repenting of our sins and we receive of him by faith. It is the work of God. His baptism is the Holy Spirit. The oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Spiritual gifts come to those cleansed and made the sons and daughters of God. They are given by him. The church sometimes will recognize and confirm these gifts, in an ordaining service. They sometimes ordain not by the spirit, but by programs of man. God will do the chosing, whether or not the elders of a church are obedient to ordain. Ideally, the church is to be obedient to God's will through the Holy Spirit.
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
We must submit to Christ, not just religious things. We need to hear from God.
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
There are people of God who hear from God who recognize the spiritual gift that God has given to you. These may lay on hands to confirm these gifts. Elders may ordain you for service and send them out. If you have a gift or gifts you are to use them, for you serve God first, whether or not mans church recognizes your gift. The church are those given the spirit of God who are blood washed believers in Jesus Christ. The local meeting places of the church have shepherds, pastors, teachers and elders to protect and to guide you.
Now that we have spoken of the church, let us speak of using the power of prayer. We are to interceed to God for others in prayer.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
In our Internet chatroom Bible studies, many people come in. Some have needs. We should be sensitive to these needs and if they are not saved, bring them to Jesus. We also are to speak to the needs using God's word in His spirit. We are to show the love of Christ and pray as intercessors for those in need. There are some who come to destroy others with false teaching. Others seek to bring others under there power through deception and appealing to pride or lust. These are not blood bouught spirit filled believers. We are to allow the righteous ones, those with the righteousness of Christ Jesus, to interceed in prayer.
The teacher is also shepherd, to keep the Spirit of God in the room. Where confusion and strife are allowed, there is no gentle spirit of peace. The rooms are being sent missiles from satan called "bots". These are computer generated names with links to evil rooms. These can be avoided in private rooms. If we go to a private room, it does limit access so that those seeking help that are not invited cannot find us. Let us look at the verse again.
The effectual fervent prayers...(Strongs concordance) to be operative, be at work, put forth power. It is work to pray, but the work is aided by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray earnestly in the Spirit.
Pray in groanings and the Spirit still prays.
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.
Intercession
1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Pray like Anna
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Her prayers were answered in seeing her redeemer as a baby. We see him as our Lord and Savior. Seek him in prayer and wait for the answer. He will answer you.
Prayer in Unity is powerful
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Let me say that we must continue stedfastly, devoted and constant. These are good words: to be devoted to prayer, to our God with heart and soul and to continue, be constant, never letting down our guard. He is our strength. The enemy will send "bots" as dreams and thoughts in our minds to cause us to worry or fret or to lose hope. Boot the bot from your brain, from your thoughts, from your presence..
Be constant in prayer.
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Prayers of deliverance and safety
Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Rom 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
The LORD hears our prayers
1 Pet 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1 Pet 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1 Pet 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
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.
Intercessors in prayers are needed, for our nation, our leaders, for Israel, Christian brothers and sisters and all those bound. Will you join others and be prayer intercessors? Some send prayers to ministries, that is good, but do not to have others do the praying you should be doing. Make your requests known and pray.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Warnings
I watched a science fiction movie that had one bit of dialogue that stood out in my hearing. There was much evil in the land that came out in the night and the person said, the darkness never quits, so we must also continue, but in the light.
We are to warn those in the darkness who can receive and hear our message of new life in Christ Jesus. We are to warn the wicked and guide or nudge the fallen back into the right way and we are to stay in the light of God's love and truth.
The LORD speaks to the prophet Ezekial
Ezek 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ezek 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
A prophet must share the message that God has given to him for a certain people; If not? their blood is on His hands. Wait a minute, does this apply to those in Christ? I ask, do we always obey the Holy Spirit? Do we warn those who are wicked, or do we just get angry with their crude comments? are we quick to remove them from our room? First, we are to warn them and tell them what will happen to them without Jesus, then we offer them the gospel hope of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. The order may be reversed; sharing Jesus and then warning them, but the important thing is to share the gospel message.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
In love have compassion, making a difference, perhaps they will respond to Jesus. Many are hurt, lost, filled them despair and darkness. These we are to be gentle with, loving them and leading them to the knowledge of the truth that in Jesus we are forgiven, made new, restored and made a son or daughter of God!
Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Some we must go after before they perish, even into the fire, out of love to bring them to salvation. Not loving their sin, but loving them and caring with great concern for them; for Jesus came with them on his heart. He gave his flesh and blood for them, so that they may be made alive in soul and spirit to dwell with Christ Jesus in heavenly places.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
There is no greater joy than to see someone come to Jesus and be saved.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 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.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
We must walk in his love and in truth.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Sound doctrine is essential. Many may be saved by trusting in Jesus, but their doctrine may be off. We must be taught sound doctrine or we may be giving a false message. If part is false, then how will they know and trust the truth? Only by being in a cult that believes that they are the only truth can one live in truth and error. The Church is by faith in Jesus Christ. To be in fellowship with him and with one another, we must live and walk in truth.
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
We must Worship our LORD in Spirit and in truth.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
sound: free from any mixture of error
doctrine: teaching of God's truth
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Our words and our works reveal what we really believe. If we say we are his, but teach another gospel. It is up to those of discernment to correct such an one, in love. Now minor differences we may have to overlook, but the basic doctrines, with these we are to be in agreement.
Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
The Holy Spirit speaks that an elder man should show maturity of godly character.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
The older women likewise and it is important that they are be examples and teachers to the younger women, especially in keeping the family together. A good marriage is a testimony in a world of broken families. Do not allow your marriage and family to fall apart. Do not try to witness to others and neglect your own family; be accountable.
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Titus 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.
The young are to keep themselves pure from the world and be good examples too.
Ezek 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ezek 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
We are not to condemn those who fall, being a stumbling block to them, but we are to restore them.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
1 Cor 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1 Cor 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1 Cor 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Pride, thinking we are something higher and exalted? No way, we cannot help anyone by being a Pharisee. An elder? yes, a fellow believer? yes; we must be careful towards them and avoid thinking of ourselves as better than they. If a brother is fallen, get down to where he is at, bind his wounds with sound words and lift him back up into the ranks of the Lord's army.
1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
This is important. We need to learn this in witnessing to the lost.
1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1 Cor 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Cor 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
We cannot win souls to the Lord, by being judges or Pharisees. We must relate to them where they are, remembering that we were once lost and without hope. I am talking to those who are not enemies of Christ. We do not give a wolf access to the body. We warn them and if they continue to fight we remove them.
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Tim 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Tim 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
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.
1 Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.1 Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
In summary, we are debtors to all people, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not witness as Lords over them, but on their level, by love and sound doctrine. We protect the sheep from false teaching and dangerous predators who come to deceive and destroy. Be faithful, but do not get puffed up. To God be all glory and praise. Amen
We are to warn those in the darkness who can receive and hear our message of new life in Christ Jesus. We are to warn the wicked and guide or nudge the fallen back into the right way and we are to stay in the light of God's love and truth.
The LORD speaks to the prophet Ezekial
Ezek 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ezek 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
A prophet must share the message that God has given to him for a certain people; If not? their blood is on His hands. Wait a minute, does this apply to those in Christ? I ask, do we always obey the Holy Spirit? Do we warn those who are wicked, or do we just get angry with their crude comments? are we quick to remove them from our room? First, we are to warn them and tell them what will happen to them without Jesus, then we offer them the gospel hope of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. The order may be reversed; sharing Jesus and then warning them, but the important thing is to share the gospel message.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
In love have compassion, making a difference, perhaps they will respond to Jesus. Many are hurt, lost, filled them despair and darkness. These we are to be gentle with, loving them and leading them to the knowledge of the truth that in Jesus we are forgiven, made new, restored and made a son or daughter of God!
Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Some we must go after before they perish, even into the fire, out of love to bring them to salvation. Not loving their sin, but loving them and caring with great concern for them; for Jesus came with them on his heart. He gave his flesh and blood for them, so that they may be made alive in soul and spirit to dwell with Christ Jesus in heavenly places.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
There is no greater joy than to see someone come to Jesus and be saved.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 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.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
We must walk in his love and in truth.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Sound doctrine is essential. Many may be saved by trusting in Jesus, but their doctrine may be off. We must be taught sound doctrine or we may be giving a false message. If part is false, then how will they know and trust the truth? Only by being in a cult that believes that they are the only truth can one live in truth and error. The Church is by faith in Jesus Christ. To be in fellowship with him and with one another, we must live and walk in truth.
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
We must Worship our LORD in Spirit and in truth.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
sound: free from any mixture of error
doctrine: teaching of God's truth
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Our words and our works reveal what we really believe. If we say we are his, but teach another gospel. It is up to those of discernment to correct such an one, in love. Now minor differences we may have to overlook, but the basic doctrines, with these we are to be in agreement.
Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
The Holy Spirit speaks that an elder man should show maturity of godly character.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
The older women likewise and it is important that they are be examples and teachers to the younger women, especially in keeping the family together. A good marriage is a testimony in a world of broken families. Do not allow your marriage and family to fall apart. Do not try to witness to others and neglect your own family; be accountable.
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Titus 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.
The young are to keep themselves pure from the world and be good examples too.
Ezek 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ezek 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
We are not to condemn those who fall, being a stumbling block to them, but we are to restore them.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
1 Cor 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1 Cor 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1 Cor 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Pride, thinking we are something higher and exalted? No way, we cannot help anyone by being a Pharisee. An elder? yes, a fellow believer? yes; we must be careful towards them and avoid thinking of ourselves as better than they. If a brother is fallen, get down to where he is at, bind his wounds with sound words and lift him back up into the ranks of the Lord's army.
1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
This is important. We need to learn this in witnessing to the lost.
1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1 Cor 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Cor 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
We cannot win souls to the Lord, by being judges or Pharisees. We must relate to them where they are, remembering that we were once lost and without hope. I am talking to those who are not enemies of Christ. We do not give a wolf access to the body. We warn them and if they continue to fight we remove them.
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Tim 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Tim 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
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.
1 Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.1 Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
In summary, we are debtors to all people, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not witness as Lords over them, but on their level, by love and sound doctrine. We protect the sheep from false teaching and dangerous predators who come to deceive and destroy. Be faithful, but do not get puffed up. To God be all glory and praise. Amen
Monday, January 5, 2009
Unprofitable and Profitable
worthless, unprofitable servant
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 strowed:
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 strowed:
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.
This servant may brag about a gift that he does not have. I am a prophet, Prophet Pat is my name, admire me. I am, going to do great works for the LORD; someday. I like to be around important people and to be respected. Unfortunately they never did use the one gift that was given to them, because they were fearful. They loved to pretend to be something they were not.
worthy unprofitable servant
Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Luke 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
We are not to seek to be served, but to be servants. We are not to look for praise from others, we are to do what we were called to do. It is enough to be given a place in the masters house.
faith not law
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Rom 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Rom 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Some are busy doing the works of the law. They are under bondage to external rules and want to put others in bondage. They must put faith with their works, for works cannot save them.
Unprofitable Heretic
This one you cannot convince of wrong, He loves to teach laws and he picks certain scriptures to make his kind of religion the only truth. He teaches error and loves to argue and debate using his selected Bible scriptures. Really he is not in the truth, but following a false way, with some truth mixed with error.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
Titus 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
profitable
This one is a born again disciple. He or she is not looking for self glory, but to gorify the LORD who saved him. He shares with others the things God has given to him, for they are not his, but of God.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
A profitable servant serves the LORD and is not looking for approval from others. He is not telling others about their gift, nor seeking to be recognized as an important person. The profitable servant shares what is received of the LORD and has a heart for the lost and the humble of heart. He only cares that the LORD is glorified and that others come to the LORD. There are many new believers seeking the path that God has for them. My advice is to study, to pray and to be active. Share the gospel, find a need and fill it. Do not look for glory or praise, in fact stay invisible as much as possible when you do something for another. All have work to do and a lot can be accomplished if we are not concerned about how we are received by others, or how we look as we serve. There is much more to do; search your own path in prayer and do what God says for you to do,
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Faithful
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 25:24 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 strowed:
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 strowed:
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.
This servant may brag about a gift that he does not have. I am a prophet, Prophet Pat is my name, admire me. I am, going to do great works for the LORD; someday. I like to be around important people and to be respected. Unfortunately they never did use the one gift that was given to them, because they were fearful. They loved to pretend to be something they were not.
worthy unprofitable servant
Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Luke 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
We are not to seek to be served, but to be servants. We are not to look for praise from others, we are to do what we were called to do. It is enough to be given a place in the masters house.
faith not law
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Rom 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Rom 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Some are busy doing the works of the law. They are under bondage to external rules and want to put others in bondage. They must put faith with their works, for works cannot save them.
Unprofitable Heretic
This one you cannot convince of wrong, He loves to teach laws and he picks certain scriptures to make his kind of religion the only truth. He teaches error and loves to argue and debate using his selected Bible scriptures. Really he is not in the truth, but following a false way, with some truth mixed with error.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
Titus 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
profitable
This one is a born again disciple. He or she is not looking for self glory, but to gorify the LORD who saved him. He shares with others the things God has given to him, for they are not his, but of God.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
A profitable servant serves the LORD and is not looking for approval from others. He is not telling others about their gift, nor seeking to be recognized as an important person. The profitable servant shares what is received of the LORD and has a heart for the lost and the humble of heart. He only cares that the LORD is glorified and that others come to the LORD. There are many new believers seeking the path that God has for them. My advice is to study, to pray and to be active. Share the gospel, find a need and fill it. Do not look for glory or praise, in fact stay invisible as much as possible when you do something for another. All have work to do and a lot can be accomplished if we are not concerned about how we are received by others, or how we look as we serve. There is much more to do; search your own path in prayer and do what God says for you to do,
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Faithful
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.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hezekiah
Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
In those days before the Assyrians invaded Judah, king Hezekiah of Judah was sick unto death. The LORD sent his prophet Isaiah unto him: Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. In verse 38 it says that he had a boil, perhaps he had cancer? It was time for him to die. We should seek to live, but if the LORD says it is time, in my opinion we should accept his word; It may keep us from falling into sin if our life is extended. It was time to set his house in order. A time to make his final will known and a time to get his personal life in order. We are to die to self as Christians each day. We are to confess our sins and be cleansed to be of service to the LORD who called us.
Isa 38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
Isa 38:3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
It was a lonely time and a very personal time of sorrow, seeking the favor of the LORD. He said that he had walked in truth, amen, a man of God must walk in truth, for God knows all things. He had done what the law required, but it was his faith in God's promised Messiah that saves him. Even when we know we are saved, we can feel sorrow about departing this life. Who can say that they are deserving of eternal life? Who can say that they always obeyed God? Even knowing we shall go to the Lord, we have sorrow about leaving loved ones behind. As we come to salvation alone, so we depart alone; but no, God is with us in all of this; praise His name.
Isa 38:4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
Isa 38:5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
Never say that our prayers cannot change things.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The LORD spoke to Isaiah, to tell the king that he saw his tears; the heart of the LORD was moved: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
Jesus showed us the heart of God the Father as he ministered to people in need. When he saw the sorrow over the death of his friend, Lazarus, he wept.
John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
John 11:35 Jesus wept.
John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
Isa 38:6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
Isa 38:7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
The LORD would send an angel to destroy the Assyrian invaders.
Isa 37:35 For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
Isa 37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
Isa 38:8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
A sign from the LORD. He was moving the sun dial clock hand backwards 10 degrees, a sign of extending Hezekiah's life for fifteen years.
Isa 38:9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness.
Isa 38:10 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
Isa 38:11 I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
Hezekiah was describing his thoughts, before God raised him up. These are not the words of a man of faith, but of anguish. We in Christ Jesus know that we shall see the Lord at his return and live with him forever.
Isa 38:12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
Isa 38:13 I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
Isa 38:14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
His description was pictorial, like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove, the cooing so soft. He would make loud grieving noises or soft murmurings in his fear of dying. Death would overtake him as a lion breaking his bones, but before this a pining away. The Old Testament has little clear revelation about the after life, so he was reluctant to face death. We as Christians know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We should not fear death, but when it comes be filled with peace in our hearts.
2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Hezekiah praises the LORD for life
Isa 38:15 What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
God has said it, he shall live fifteen more years. What shall Hezekiah's response be? I shall go gently through the last years remembering the bitterness that was felt.
Isa 38:16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
In the hardships of life our spirit grows and we learn to live. So it is good that you have given me new life to live.
Isa 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
You have removed my bitterness and given me true peace. You have taken self pity and given to me mercy. You have delivered me from the grave and forgiven my sins.
Isa 38:18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
Isa 38:19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
Hezekiah reasons that it is the living that can praise God, the old covenant had no assurance of life after death; not the assurance we have in the New Covenant in Jesus. The living shall praise you; All who trust in the Messiah, Jesus shall live. We do not have to bargain with God for extra time; we may praise him in person in the Spirit in life eternal.
The father to the children shall make known thy truth. Yes, it is our responsibility to teach faith. Unfortunately the good intentions of training his son, did not work out as planned. Manasseh would take the throne at age twelve and he was a wicked king.
2 Ki 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.
2 Ki 21:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
2 Ki 21:3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
2 Ki 21:4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.
2 Ki 21:5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
2 Ki 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
2 Ki 21:7 And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
From this, it was obvious that Judah would have been better off without Manasseh and the original plan of ending Hezekiah's life at God's time, was the best thing. We should always pray God's will, not our own. I had a personal friend who played the trumpet with me in worship. He was a commander of the local Salvation Army. We used to take morning walks together with a sister in Christ. Later in life he had a heart attack and was not expected to live. We prayed that he could live longer. The LORD answered our prayers, but in the remaining years of his life he committed adultery and was removed from his position of trust. I thought then of Hezekiah. My friend's marriage was bad, his reputation lost in those last years given to him. Be it God's will that we ask for, He knows best.
Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Isa 38:20 The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
Hezekiah would praise God all the rest of his life. Each person must choose to worship the LORD. Even the blessings of being the king's son with all good training, does not assure a son will follow God's will. We are Spiritual son's of the King of Kings through Jesus Christ who gave us assurance of eternal life and we will follow him, for we have entered into life everlasting.
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isa 38:21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaster upon the boil, and he shall recover.
Isa 38:22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?
Hezekiah required a sign before he would go and worship? The sign would be his healing. The figs on the boil were used to heal him. Jesus healed with spit and mud. Others are healed by prayer, the gift of healing and more are healed by the doctors hand. Ultimately all must come to the creator for eternal healing and life.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
In those days before the Assyrians invaded Judah, king Hezekiah of Judah was sick unto death. The LORD sent his prophet Isaiah unto him: Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. In verse 38 it says that he had a boil, perhaps he had cancer? It was time for him to die. We should seek to live, but if the LORD says it is time, in my opinion we should accept his word; It may keep us from falling into sin if our life is extended. It was time to set his house in order. A time to make his final will known and a time to get his personal life in order. We are to die to self as Christians each day. We are to confess our sins and be cleansed to be of service to the LORD who called us.
Isa 38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
Isa 38:3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
It was a lonely time and a very personal time of sorrow, seeking the favor of the LORD. He said that he had walked in truth, amen, a man of God must walk in truth, for God knows all things. He had done what the law required, but it was his faith in God's promised Messiah that saves him. Even when we know we are saved, we can feel sorrow about departing this life. Who can say that they are deserving of eternal life? Who can say that they always obeyed God? Even knowing we shall go to the Lord, we have sorrow about leaving loved ones behind. As we come to salvation alone, so we depart alone; but no, God is with us in all of this; praise His name.
Isa 38:4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
Isa 38:5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
Never say that our prayers cannot change things.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The LORD spoke to Isaiah, to tell the king that he saw his tears; the heart of the LORD was moved: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
Jesus showed us the heart of God the Father as he ministered to people in need. When he saw the sorrow over the death of his friend, Lazarus, he wept.
John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
John 11:35 Jesus wept.
John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
Isa 38:6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
Isa 38:7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
The LORD would send an angel to destroy the Assyrian invaders.
Isa 37:35 For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
Isa 37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
Isa 38:8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
A sign from the LORD. He was moving the sun dial clock hand backwards 10 degrees, a sign of extending Hezekiah's life for fifteen years.
Isa 38:9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness.
Isa 38:10 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
Isa 38:11 I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
Hezekiah was describing his thoughts, before God raised him up. These are not the words of a man of faith, but of anguish. We in Christ Jesus know that we shall see the Lord at his return and live with him forever.
Isa 38:12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
Isa 38:13 I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
Isa 38:14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
His description was pictorial, like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove, the cooing so soft. He would make loud grieving noises or soft murmurings in his fear of dying. Death would overtake him as a lion breaking his bones, but before this a pining away. The Old Testament has little clear revelation about the after life, so he was reluctant to face death. We as Christians know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We should not fear death, but when it comes be filled with peace in our hearts.
2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Hezekiah praises the LORD for life
Isa 38:15 What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
God has said it, he shall live fifteen more years. What shall Hezekiah's response be? I shall go gently through the last years remembering the bitterness that was felt.
Isa 38:16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
In the hardships of life our spirit grows and we learn to live. So it is good that you have given me new life to live.
Isa 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
You have removed my bitterness and given me true peace. You have taken self pity and given to me mercy. You have delivered me from the grave and forgiven my sins.
Isa 38:18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
Isa 38:19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
Hezekiah reasons that it is the living that can praise God, the old covenant had no assurance of life after death; not the assurance we have in the New Covenant in Jesus. The living shall praise you; All who trust in the Messiah, Jesus shall live. We do not have to bargain with God for extra time; we may praise him in person in the Spirit in life eternal.
The father to the children shall make known thy truth. Yes, it is our responsibility to teach faith. Unfortunately the good intentions of training his son, did not work out as planned. Manasseh would take the throne at age twelve and he was a wicked king.
2 Ki 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.
2 Ki 21:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
2 Ki 21:3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
2 Ki 21:4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.
2 Ki 21:5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
2 Ki 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
2 Ki 21:7 And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
From this, it was obvious that Judah would have been better off without Manasseh and the original plan of ending Hezekiah's life at God's time, was the best thing. We should always pray God's will, not our own. I had a personal friend who played the trumpet with me in worship. He was a commander of the local Salvation Army. We used to take morning walks together with a sister in Christ. Later in life he had a heart attack and was not expected to live. We prayed that he could live longer. The LORD answered our prayers, but in the remaining years of his life he committed adultery and was removed from his position of trust. I thought then of Hezekiah. My friend's marriage was bad, his reputation lost in those last years given to him. Be it God's will that we ask for, He knows best.
Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Isa 38:20 The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
Hezekiah would praise God all the rest of his life. Each person must choose to worship the LORD. Even the blessings of being the king's son with all good training, does not assure a son will follow God's will. We are Spiritual son's of the King of Kings through Jesus Christ who gave us assurance of eternal life and we will follow him, for we have entered into life everlasting.
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isa 38:21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaster upon the boil, and he shall recover.
Isa 38:22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?
Hezekiah required a sign before he would go and worship? The sign would be his healing. The figs on the boil were used to heal him. Jesus healed with spit and mud. Others are healed by prayer, the gift of healing and more are healed by the doctors hand. Ultimately all must come to the creator for eternal healing and life.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Anti Christ in Daniel 7
Dan 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;.
Daniel is interested in the truth of the vision of the fourth beast
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
It is exceedingly dreadful: Teeth of iron; iron was symbolic of the Roman empire. Nails of brass: brass was representing Greece and perhaps the great warrior Alexander the Great. It would devour, brake in pieces, and stamp the residue with his feet. A ruthless dictatorship.
Dan 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Ten horns represented the ten nations of the Roman empire. From the ten horns came another, uprooting three horns. This horn could see, a man of vision, a persuasive speaker and with the look of a strong leader. He would make war with the saints, and prevailed against them. If the church had been raptured, then these saints were those saved during the tribulation, probably the 144,000 chosen Jewish saints and those saved by the witnesses of the two prophet witnesses.
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Jesus would come, sharing His Father's title: the Ancient of Days; the saints were given judgment to rule with him as kings and priests and the saints shall possess the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the Millennial kingdom.
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
He shall speak great words, great swelling speeches promising change. He will change times, probably holy celebrations and laws. The constitution will no longer be used and the laws of God will be ignored and broken. He will run down those who were in power and be made as a god and supreme ruler. He shall rule for three and a half years as supreme ruler of the earth until Jesus comes; the ancient of days, to destroy him in the lake of fire. The last seven weeks of Daniel will have the anti christ as a peace maker for three and a half years; the last three and a half years he will set himself up in the temple as a god and will make war on the saints.
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
The Millennial kingdom on earth.
Dan 7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations (thoughts) much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
All these things troubled Daniel, for he saw his nation in captivity and great evil was coming upon the earth. Finally the Lord will return and take control of the earth and establish his kingdom. Daniel and Revelation reveal the anti christ that will come in the last days. Even now the nations are coming together with common currency; worldwide banking and one world government will lead to the antichrist coming into power.
Daniel is interested in the truth of the vision of the fourth beast
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
It is exceedingly dreadful: Teeth of iron; iron was symbolic of the Roman empire. Nails of brass: brass was representing Greece and perhaps the great warrior Alexander the Great. It would devour, brake in pieces, and stamp the residue with his feet. A ruthless dictatorship.
Dan 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Ten horns represented the ten nations of the Roman empire. From the ten horns came another, uprooting three horns. This horn could see, a man of vision, a persuasive speaker and with the look of a strong leader. He would make war with the saints, and prevailed against them. If the church had been raptured, then these saints were those saved during the tribulation, probably the 144,000 chosen Jewish saints and those saved by the witnesses of the two prophet witnesses.
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Jesus would come, sharing His Father's title: the Ancient of Days; the saints were given judgment to rule with him as kings and priests and the saints shall possess the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the Millennial kingdom.
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
He shall speak great words, great swelling speeches promising change. He will change times, probably holy celebrations and laws. The constitution will no longer be used and the laws of God will be ignored and broken. He will run down those who were in power and be made as a god and supreme ruler. He shall rule for three and a half years as supreme ruler of the earth until Jesus comes; the ancient of days, to destroy him in the lake of fire. The last seven weeks of Daniel will have the anti christ as a peace maker for three and a half years; the last three and a half years he will set himself up in the temple as a god and will make war on the saints.
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
The Millennial kingdom on earth.
Dan 7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations (thoughts) much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
All these things troubled Daniel, for he saw his nation in captivity and great evil was coming upon the earth. Finally the Lord will return and take control of the earth and establish his kingdom. Daniel and Revelation reveal the anti christ that will come in the last days. Even now the nations are coming together with common currency; worldwide banking and one world government will lead to the antichrist coming into power.
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