From Everlasting
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
We have two names given by the angel, from God, to Joseph; Emmanuel, God is with us, and Jesus the savior.
The Angel speaks to Joseph in a dream
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Jesus the Savior
Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luke 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luke 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luke 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luke 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luke 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luke 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
What is it to be saved?
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
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.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Where did they get the power to witness? By the Holy Spirit they had boldness..
Immanuel, God With Us
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Isa 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Adam fell from God’s presence and we were separated from God’s presence; spiritually dead
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
The Spirit of God came to certain men
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Exo 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…
God would come to be with us
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
These are the 7 spirits in Revelation; the fullness of the Holy Spirit
Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
So in Christ we have salvation and the presence of God, the Holy Spirit. Apart from Jesus we are separated from God.
2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Cor 13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
So by faith in Jesus we are saved and if truly saved we will have the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our life. We will manifest the gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12 and 1 Cor 12) and the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23)
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Salvation is a lifetime continuation. We work out our Sanctification, being holy vessels for the master’s use. We are saved, being saved and we will be saved when he comes for us.We are the adopted son’s of God and servants of God.
He is with you now, walk with him and talk with him. Feel his presence and hear him speak to you.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Ephesians 2
Quickened
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
We were like Adam, dead in trespasses and sins, breaking the laws of God.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
You who were once dead in sins, has God made alive in Christ Jesus, giving you eternal life in the Holy Spirit. As sinners we were under the sentence of death and our spirit was dead to the things of God. We were not interested in spiritual things.
Mat 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
In times past you obeyed the prince of darkness, the prince of the power of the air. In Daniel this was described as the prince of Persia, an angelic power of satan that restrained an angel from delivering a message to Daniel for two weeks. Michael the archangel came to his rescue. Michael is the head angel, but is not the Lord of hosts, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. So then, in the air are principalities and powers, which have certain domains. This evil spirit works in the children of disobedience.
Samuel told Saul in a prophecy about the evils of rebellion:
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Paul warns the church, that once they were disobedient, but now they are alive in Christ and must obey him in all things.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
How blessed are those who have received the mercy of God and his grace by receiving his son Jesus into new life. It was not our goodness that saved us, but the finished work of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, who shed his blood for our sins. We are quickened, made alive in body and spirit by our Lord's spirit that dwells within us.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
By Grace
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
We are in Christ Jesus at the right hand of the Father, yet dwelling in the flesh here below. God is Spirit and we dwell in Jesus by our redeemed spirit. How much greater is our spirit being then our flesh. The spirit is eternal, so we should serve God in our spirits, with our flesh following in obedience.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
This is not a temporary place, but an eternal dwelling place with Jesus and in his grace. Though we are not yet completely with him, when we are with him we will inherit all things of God. We are most wealthy.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
These are oft quoted verses in witnessing. Many believe earning favor with God comes by our works of righteousness. No, believing in Jesus saves us; by grace are we saved. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus only is the atonement for our sins.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
No, works for salvation does not mean we sit after being redeemed. With the power of the Holy Spirit we are now equipped to serve our Lord in good works. Each has a pre ordained walk that only they can achieve for God. He has a plan for your life, including all the commands of Jesus, Better find out what they are and joyfully serve him. It starts with good character, the spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22,23) and then the exercise of our spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit in obedience. We willingly serve not by bondage to law but by freedom of the spirit.
By the Blood
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
In times past, you who are now in Christ were Gentiles, non-Jews, outside of the covenant with God. The law and the promises of God came through Israel. They were the covenant people, set aside for God. You were outsiders, dogs, and outcasts.
Jesus was born a Jew, keeping all the laws including circumcision.
Lev 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Lev 12:4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
Did Mary keep these laws? Yes she did.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Being poor, they offered birds; a bullock or ram was also accepted as a sacrifice. The wise men had not yet brought their gifts to the king, including the gold; they would come later into a house.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Paul reminds them, as we should be reminded, that at one time we were without Jesus, strangers from God's people and promises. The Gentiles did not have a history of a covenant relationship to God; we were sinners after the type of Adam, without hope, having no promises to hold onto and having no knowledge of a personal God. God, if he existed, was out there somewhere, separated from them.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ all has changed. We are no longer aliens, we are become one with Christ and he with God, our Father. We are brought near to God in a New Covenant relationship; children of God, all because of the precious blood of Jesus. His righteous blood shed as payment for our sins, in him is hope and eternal peace.
Jesus, keep me ever near. Without you we perish, in you is life, eternal life. Help us to share this message with family and friends, who are outside of the promises. May they too draw near to God, through the precious blood of Jesus. Amen
Reconciled
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
The temple in Jerusalem was holy and separated and for the Jewish covenant people. No Gentile could come into the Holy place; a wall separated the Jews from the outer court of the Gentiles.
Paul was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile beyond the dividing wall, and was arrested.
Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Paul used this familiar example of the temple wall to give a picture in their minds of the separation that was removed in Christ Jesus. The separation of sin caused by Adam’s transgression, was also reconciled.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Jesus is our peace; he gave the Holy Spirit of Peace to his church. He has broken down the separation of the Jews from the non-Jews (Gentiles). All are one in Christ Jesus. Whereas the law came to the Jews and the ordinances that separated Jew from Gentiles, these are abolished in the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus. We are become new creations; a spirit filled people of God, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled, restored in their relationship, unto God and each other. This was done by Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross and his resurrection, the blessed gospel. Those who receive him by hearing and believing the gospel message of peace with God through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and resurrection, are made one body. The nearby Jew and the far away Gentile all become one, upon believing in the Christ and are joined to him by his Holy Spirit.
Household of God
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Because all those in Christ are one family, you in Ephesus and you the reader, are no more strangers and aliens "but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" We are brothers and sisters to Jesus our Lord, in our spirit and soon in our new resurrected bodies as we go to be with Jesus.
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Our hope and our faith are built on the promises of God; in like manner Abraham by faith looked for a city ;
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Jesus Christ the foundation and chief corner stone of the house of God;
Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
He being the foundation upon which the Apostles and prophets were built upon. We are added to the building of the house of God, a Holy temple unto God. We are a Holy separated people, this world is not our home, but we are witnesses of the builder, our Lord Jesus Christ. He who said..."I will build my church" (Mat 16:18), used Peter and the Apostles and ourselves for this purpose,..."and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He is our confidence, in him we trust and we are all connected through his Spirit, the household of God.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
We were like Adam, dead in trespasses and sins, breaking the laws of God.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
You who were once dead in sins, has God made alive in Christ Jesus, giving you eternal life in the Holy Spirit. As sinners we were under the sentence of death and our spirit was dead to the things of God. We were not interested in spiritual things.
Mat 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
In times past you obeyed the prince of darkness, the prince of the power of the air. In Daniel this was described as the prince of Persia, an angelic power of satan that restrained an angel from delivering a message to Daniel for two weeks. Michael the archangel came to his rescue. Michael is the head angel, but is not the Lord of hosts, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. So then, in the air are principalities and powers, which have certain domains. This evil spirit works in the children of disobedience.
Samuel told Saul in a prophecy about the evils of rebellion:
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Paul warns the church, that once they were disobedient, but now they are alive in Christ and must obey him in all things.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
How blessed are those who have received the mercy of God and his grace by receiving his son Jesus into new life. It was not our goodness that saved us, but the finished work of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, who shed his blood for our sins. We are quickened, made alive in body and spirit by our Lord's spirit that dwells within us.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
By Grace
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
We are in Christ Jesus at the right hand of the Father, yet dwelling in the flesh here below. God is Spirit and we dwell in Jesus by our redeemed spirit. How much greater is our spirit being then our flesh. The spirit is eternal, so we should serve God in our spirits, with our flesh following in obedience.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
This is not a temporary place, but an eternal dwelling place with Jesus and in his grace. Though we are not yet completely with him, when we are with him we will inherit all things of God. We are most wealthy.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
These are oft quoted verses in witnessing. Many believe earning favor with God comes by our works of righteousness. No, believing in Jesus saves us; by grace are we saved. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus only is the atonement for our sins.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
No, works for salvation does not mean we sit after being redeemed. With the power of the Holy Spirit we are now equipped to serve our Lord in good works. Each has a pre ordained walk that only they can achieve for God. He has a plan for your life, including all the commands of Jesus, Better find out what they are and joyfully serve him. It starts with good character, the spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22,23) and then the exercise of our spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit in obedience. We willingly serve not by bondage to law but by freedom of the spirit.
By the Blood
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
In times past, you who are now in Christ were Gentiles, non-Jews, outside of the covenant with God. The law and the promises of God came through Israel. They were the covenant people, set aside for God. You were outsiders, dogs, and outcasts.
Jesus was born a Jew, keeping all the laws including circumcision.
Lev 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Lev 12:4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
Did Mary keep these laws? Yes she did.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Being poor, they offered birds; a bullock or ram was also accepted as a sacrifice. The wise men had not yet brought their gifts to the king, including the gold; they would come later into a house.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Paul reminds them, as we should be reminded, that at one time we were without Jesus, strangers from God's people and promises. The Gentiles did not have a history of a covenant relationship to God; we were sinners after the type of Adam, without hope, having no promises to hold onto and having no knowledge of a personal God. God, if he existed, was out there somewhere, separated from them.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ all has changed. We are no longer aliens, we are become one with Christ and he with God, our Father. We are brought near to God in a New Covenant relationship; children of God, all because of the precious blood of Jesus. His righteous blood shed as payment for our sins, in him is hope and eternal peace.
Jesus, keep me ever near. Without you we perish, in you is life, eternal life. Help us to share this message with family and friends, who are outside of the promises. May they too draw near to God, through the precious blood of Jesus. Amen
Reconciled
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
The temple in Jerusalem was holy and separated and for the Jewish covenant people. No Gentile could come into the Holy place; a wall separated the Jews from the outer court of the Gentiles.
Paul was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile beyond the dividing wall, and was arrested.
Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Paul used this familiar example of the temple wall to give a picture in their minds of the separation that was removed in Christ Jesus. The separation of sin caused by Adam’s transgression, was also reconciled.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Jesus is our peace; he gave the Holy Spirit of Peace to his church. He has broken down the separation of the Jews from the non-Jews (Gentiles). All are one in Christ Jesus. Whereas the law came to the Jews and the ordinances that separated Jew from Gentiles, these are abolished in the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus. We are become new creations; a spirit filled people of God, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled, restored in their relationship, unto God and each other. This was done by Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross and his resurrection, the blessed gospel. Those who receive him by hearing and believing the gospel message of peace with God through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and resurrection, are made one body. The nearby Jew and the far away Gentile all become one, upon believing in the Christ and are joined to him by his Holy Spirit.
Household of God
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Because all those in Christ are one family, you in Ephesus and you the reader, are no more strangers and aliens "but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" We are brothers and sisters to Jesus our Lord, in our spirit and soon in our new resurrected bodies as we go to be with Jesus.
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Our hope and our faith are built on the promises of God; in like manner Abraham by faith looked for a city ;
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Jesus Christ the foundation and chief corner stone of the house of God;
Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
He being the foundation upon which the Apostles and prophets were built upon. We are added to the building of the house of God, a Holy temple unto God. We are a Holy separated people, this world is not our home, but we are witnesses of the builder, our Lord Jesus Christ. He who said..."I will build my church" (Mat 16:18), used Peter and the Apostles and ourselves for this purpose,..."and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He is our confidence, in him we trust and we are all connected through his Spirit, the household of God.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Ephesians 1
Chosen In Christ Jesus for Spiritual Blessings
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
An apostle is chosen and sent by Jesus, by the will of God, not man. The letter is sent to the believers in Jesus, the saints (no longer called sinners) which are in Ephesus, a major shipping port in Asia. In this city was the great temple to the goddess Diana. So this was a pagan city with believers in it, much as our own cities. Notice he addresses the saints, and the faithful in Christ Jesus. Perhaps not all who were saved saints were also faithful followers.
Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace is the favor of God and peace, the fruit of the Spirit from God our Father, and his son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
We are blessed not only with peace but also with all spiritual blessings because we are in Christ Jesus in heavenly places. What are these heavenly places? Where Christ is we are and he is at the right hand of the Father. This means we have access to the very presence of our Father God.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And in the epistle to the Hebrews;
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We have the blessings and full resources of Jesus at the throne of God. Just think of that. We must live as children of the most high God in an evil world.
Chosen
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Wow, think of this, we were chosen by our heavenly father to be in Christ before the foundation of the world! You may have heard from a parent that you were a mistake, not wanted, no good, but God has overruled this foolish talk. God your Father has chosen you, knowing who would also choose him. We need not figure out how this was done, God is to be praised; his ways are beyond our understanding. We are chosen in Jesus, for he is the way for the chosen to come to God the Father; He is the way of forgiveness this is the predetermined way to salvation and eternal life. The finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross was not by accident or misfortune. As Peter spoke to the Jews;
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
It was God's purpose to make a way for our being saved from the punishment of sins. Jesus took our sin and punishment upon himself. Now we have taken with him, his position as a child of God, we are adopted into his family, this also by the will and foreknowledge of God.
1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Yes our faith is required to receive his predetermined salvation for us. I believe that I am your adopted son, Thank you Abba Father. You too who read this are the chosen if you desire to be his child. Whosoever will may come to Jesus for salvation.
Accepted In the Beloved
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We praise you Jesus, for the great honor of your grace given to us. As we confess you with our lips, and believe in you with a whole heart we receive undeserved favor with God. Let everyone who names the name of Jesus, praise him forever.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Redemption means that we are bought by Jesus' shedding of blood and death, from the devil and the destination of hell. Our sins are forgiven and remembered no more and we receive the riches of his glory as adopted children of God. He has given us an abundance of his grace through his divine wisdom and will. We are chosen and adopted, no longer are we undesirable, but God himself has desired us to be his own children and Jesus has paid to make this possible. What a wonderful big brother we have in Jesus, our savior, our friend and our Lord God.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Gathered in Christ
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
A mystery is something not revealed before. What is the mystery of his will? According to his good pleasure God is to gather all things that belong to Christ, both in heaven and on earth and gather them unto himself. The Church belongs to Christ; the body of believers in heaven and on earth. A dispensation is an era of time during which man is tested in respect to obedience to some definite revelation of God's will. The dispensation of the law under the Mosaic Covenant was replaced by the dispensation of grace. The end of all eras will be when we are with God in heaven.
1 Cor 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1 Cor 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Cor 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1 Cor 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
What other things may be gathered in Christ? I think also, the prayers and praises of the saints and the tears of the saints, the word of God and the love of God and all things that belong to Christ. How about our testimonies and works, even our crowns of rewards given?
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In Jesus we have obtained an inheritance of eternal life as an adopted child of God. Being predestined; His plan was salvation for us from the beginning of the world; Jesus was the planned way. He has a plan for us too in this life: good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
We are redeemed, bought with a price; the blood of Jesus. We believed the gospel message of truth, that Jesus Christ was our substitute for God's penalty for sins and now we can sing "amazing grace" with all the saints.
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
We are sealed, identified as owned by the King of Kings. His seal on us is the Holy Spirit of grace and truth. He is the earnest, the down payment and the promise for our eternal future hope. We are purchased and freed to serve our Lord in love. For in Christ Jesus is love and eternal peace. The mystery revealed is the church; the people redeemed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. We are a chosen people to live with Christ Jesus forever in his love.
Wisdom and Revelation
Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Nothing pleases the apostle or witness more then to see those led to Christ Jesus continuing in faith and in the love from God. True repentance is turning away from the old life and turning to the new life in Christ. Paul realizes that it is God who builds his church. He gives thanks and prayers for the new church members. They need prayer covering until they learn of the power within, which is the Holy Spirit of truth.
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Paul knows what they need as he prays for them. They must learn to ask as well. God is eager to grant them wisdom and this wisdom is from God.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Revelation knowledge is an insight previously not known by us concerning our Lord and his promises. The knowledge of his will and plans for your life as revealed by God and new understanding of the things of God. A revelation to a new believer may be a well-known promise of God to a mature believer. We always should learn new things from the Bible through the Holy Spirit, our teacher. None of us have perfect revelation of the things of God.
1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Paul received revelation from being alone with Jesus, who was risen and glorified with the Father. This same Jesus reveals himself to us, first through his Bible and then through his Spirit and by prayer.
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
The hope of his calling is eternal life with the saints of God. May your eyes be opened to understand and to see God's truth. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) in him we are called unto God's eternal family. We inherit all things with Christ Jesus and have received the earnest of his power, the Holy Spirit to become children of God and the channels of light and blessings to others. His mighty power works in and through us as we submit to his will.
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
To release God's power we must pray in his will and obey him. He leads us by his Holy Spirit, which is the power of God in our lives.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
...according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
God is all-powerful and well able to fulfill his purposes. Jesus had finished his work, even to death on the cross. But, death cannot hold God's son. By the power of God's Holy spirit he has raised up Jesus and placed him beside himself in power and in glory. He will raise us up also, to be with him.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Jesus is above all principalities and power, Father God having put all things under his feet.
Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
And gave Jesus to be the head over all things in the church. The church is the body of believers, Christ the head. The head is above the mind and controls the movements of the body, which is the church. We are the body who is with Christ in heavenly places. He is the all in all and we are his. Praise God to be so honored! We shall live eternally with our King.
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
An apostle is chosen and sent by Jesus, by the will of God, not man. The letter is sent to the believers in Jesus, the saints (no longer called sinners) which are in Ephesus, a major shipping port in Asia. In this city was the great temple to the goddess Diana. So this was a pagan city with believers in it, much as our own cities. Notice he addresses the saints, and the faithful in Christ Jesus. Perhaps not all who were saved saints were also faithful followers.
Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace is the favor of God and peace, the fruit of the Spirit from God our Father, and his son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
We are blessed not only with peace but also with all spiritual blessings because we are in Christ Jesus in heavenly places. What are these heavenly places? Where Christ is we are and he is at the right hand of the Father. This means we have access to the very presence of our Father God.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And in the epistle to the Hebrews;
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We have the blessings and full resources of Jesus at the throne of God. Just think of that. We must live as children of the most high God in an evil world.
Chosen
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Wow, think of this, we were chosen by our heavenly father to be in Christ before the foundation of the world! You may have heard from a parent that you were a mistake, not wanted, no good, but God has overruled this foolish talk. God your Father has chosen you, knowing who would also choose him. We need not figure out how this was done, God is to be praised; his ways are beyond our understanding. We are chosen in Jesus, for he is the way for the chosen to come to God the Father; He is the way of forgiveness this is the predetermined way to salvation and eternal life. The finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross was not by accident or misfortune. As Peter spoke to the Jews;
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
It was God's purpose to make a way for our being saved from the punishment of sins. Jesus took our sin and punishment upon himself. Now we have taken with him, his position as a child of God, we are adopted into his family, this also by the will and foreknowledge of God.
1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Yes our faith is required to receive his predetermined salvation for us. I believe that I am your adopted son, Thank you Abba Father. You too who read this are the chosen if you desire to be his child. Whosoever will may come to Jesus for salvation.
Accepted In the Beloved
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We praise you Jesus, for the great honor of your grace given to us. As we confess you with our lips, and believe in you with a whole heart we receive undeserved favor with God. Let everyone who names the name of Jesus, praise him forever.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Redemption means that we are bought by Jesus' shedding of blood and death, from the devil and the destination of hell. Our sins are forgiven and remembered no more and we receive the riches of his glory as adopted children of God. He has given us an abundance of his grace through his divine wisdom and will. We are chosen and adopted, no longer are we undesirable, but God himself has desired us to be his own children and Jesus has paid to make this possible. What a wonderful big brother we have in Jesus, our savior, our friend and our Lord God.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Gathered in Christ
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
A mystery is something not revealed before. What is the mystery of his will? According to his good pleasure God is to gather all things that belong to Christ, both in heaven and on earth and gather them unto himself. The Church belongs to Christ; the body of believers in heaven and on earth. A dispensation is an era of time during which man is tested in respect to obedience to some definite revelation of God's will. The dispensation of the law under the Mosaic Covenant was replaced by the dispensation of grace. The end of all eras will be when we are with God in heaven.
1 Cor 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1 Cor 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Cor 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1 Cor 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
What other things may be gathered in Christ? I think also, the prayers and praises of the saints and the tears of the saints, the word of God and the love of God and all things that belong to Christ. How about our testimonies and works, even our crowns of rewards given?
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In Jesus we have obtained an inheritance of eternal life as an adopted child of God. Being predestined; His plan was salvation for us from the beginning of the world; Jesus was the planned way. He has a plan for us too in this life: good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
We are redeemed, bought with a price; the blood of Jesus. We believed the gospel message of truth, that Jesus Christ was our substitute for God's penalty for sins and now we can sing "amazing grace" with all the saints.
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
We are sealed, identified as owned by the King of Kings. His seal on us is the Holy Spirit of grace and truth. He is the earnest, the down payment and the promise for our eternal future hope. We are purchased and freed to serve our Lord in love. For in Christ Jesus is love and eternal peace. The mystery revealed is the church; the people redeemed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. We are a chosen people to live with Christ Jesus forever in his love.
Wisdom and Revelation
Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Nothing pleases the apostle or witness more then to see those led to Christ Jesus continuing in faith and in the love from God. True repentance is turning away from the old life and turning to the new life in Christ. Paul realizes that it is God who builds his church. He gives thanks and prayers for the new church members. They need prayer covering until they learn of the power within, which is the Holy Spirit of truth.
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Paul knows what they need as he prays for them. They must learn to ask as well. God is eager to grant them wisdom and this wisdom is from God.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Revelation knowledge is an insight previously not known by us concerning our Lord and his promises. The knowledge of his will and plans for your life as revealed by God and new understanding of the things of God. A revelation to a new believer may be a well-known promise of God to a mature believer. We always should learn new things from the Bible through the Holy Spirit, our teacher. None of us have perfect revelation of the things of God.
1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Paul received revelation from being alone with Jesus, who was risen and glorified with the Father. This same Jesus reveals himself to us, first through his Bible and then through his Spirit and by prayer.
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
The hope of his calling is eternal life with the saints of God. May your eyes be opened to understand and to see God's truth. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) in him we are called unto God's eternal family. We inherit all things with Christ Jesus and have received the earnest of his power, the Holy Spirit to become children of God and the channels of light and blessings to others. His mighty power works in and through us as we submit to his will.
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
To release God's power we must pray in his will and obey him. He leads us by his Holy Spirit, which is the power of God in our lives.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
...according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
God is all-powerful and well able to fulfill his purposes. Jesus had finished his work, even to death on the cross. But, death cannot hold God's son. By the power of God's Holy spirit he has raised up Jesus and placed him beside himself in power and in glory. He will raise us up also, to be with him.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Jesus is above all principalities and power, Father God having put all things under his feet.
Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
And gave Jesus to be the head over all things in the church. The church is the body of believers, Christ the head. The head is above the mind and controls the movements of the body, which is the church. We are the body who is with Christ in heavenly places. He is the all in all and we are his. Praise God to be so honored! We shall live eternally with our King.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Hosea 3
Restoration of Gomer
Hosea 3:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.
The LORD commands Hosea to go love a woman beloved of her friend (or husband), who is still an adulteress, unfaithful to her husband. This do even as an example of the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who commit spiritual adultery with other gods, and love the raisin cakes used in the sacrificial feasts of the pagans. Hosea was to be a natural example, in loving an unfaithful woman of what Israel was doing spiritually to the LORD who loved them. They had broken their covenant promise to not worship other gods. God still loved his people and He wanted Hosea to continue to love his wife, in spite of her infidelity. The LORD is not showing us that we should divorce an unfaithful partner. What did Jesus say?
Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Divorce and remarriage is considered adultery in God's eyes. God is showing in Hosea, that adultery is not even grounds for divorce. The law of Moses was much more strict concerning sins.
Deu 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Jesus brought grace; for when a woman who was caught in adultery was brought to him to be stoned, he reminded the accusers of their own sins. He said to the woman "go and sin no more". Those who are under grace are to be forgiving of one another's sins.
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Hosea 3:2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
Hosea 3:3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.
He had to buy her time in order for her to stay with him for several days as a wife. When a marriage gets to the point that one must buy affection, then the hearts need to repent. People who marry for money are covetous and idolaters. An attractive woman may demand a certain lifestyle in order to give herself to her husband; she would be playing the harlot in her marriage. Another may withhold herself as a way to get power or out of anger from some past experience; these are wrong attitudes of behavior. Paul explains this to us in 1 Corinthians.
1 Cor 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
1 Cor 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1 Cor 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Cor 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Restoration of Israel
Hosea 3:4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
Israel would be dispersed as a nation into other nations and places. They would lose their national identity as a nation, having no King or prince. There would be no temple or place of sacrifice for their sins. They would be without ephod, a priestly garment and without teraphim which are idols. They would lose their identity as a people and yet God still knew where they were and he still loved his covenant people. Their behavior would result in their calamity.
Hosea 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Afterwards, would be after Israel was again declared to be a nation in 1948. This returning is going on now and will be fulfilled when Jesus returns again to reign on earth for a thousand years; this will be the Millennium.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Those of the Jews who seek the LORD their God, and David their king; shall come to their Messiah Jesus, and they shall be saved.
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Hosea 3:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.
The LORD commands Hosea to go love a woman beloved of her friend (or husband), who is still an adulteress, unfaithful to her husband. This do even as an example of the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who commit spiritual adultery with other gods, and love the raisin cakes used in the sacrificial feasts of the pagans. Hosea was to be a natural example, in loving an unfaithful woman of what Israel was doing spiritually to the LORD who loved them. They had broken their covenant promise to not worship other gods. God still loved his people and He wanted Hosea to continue to love his wife, in spite of her infidelity. The LORD is not showing us that we should divorce an unfaithful partner. What did Jesus say?
Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Divorce and remarriage is considered adultery in God's eyes. God is showing in Hosea, that adultery is not even grounds for divorce. The law of Moses was much more strict concerning sins.
Deu 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Jesus brought grace; for when a woman who was caught in adultery was brought to him to be stoned, he reminded the accusers of their own sins. He said to the woman "go and sin no more". Those who are under grace are to be forgiving of one another's sins.
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Hosea 3:2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
Hosea 3:3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.
He had to buy her time in order for her to stay with him for several days as a wife. When a marriage gets to the point that one must buy affection, then the hearts need to repent. People who marry for money are covetous and idolaters. An attractive woman may demand a certain lifestyle in order to give herself to her husband; she would be playing the harlot in her marriage. Another may withhold herself as a way to get power or out of anger from some past experience; these are wrong attitudes of behavior. Paul explains this to us in 1 Corinthians.
1 Cor 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
1 Cor 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1 Cor 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Cor 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Restoration of Israel
Hosea 3:4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
Israel would be dispersed as a nation into other nations and places. They would lose their national identity as a nation, having no King or prince. There would be no temple or place of sacrifice for their sins. They would be without ephod, a priestly garment and without teraphim which are idols. They would lose their identity as a people and yet God still knew where they were and he still loved his covenant people. Their behavior would result in their calamity.
Hosea 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Afterwards, would be after Israel was again declared to be a nation in 1948. This returning is going on now and will be fulfilled when Jesus returns again to reign on earth for a thousand years; this will be the Millennium.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Those of the Jews who seek the LORD their God, and David their king; shall come to their Messiah Jesus, and they shall be saved.
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Galatians 6
Restoration
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.
We are one spiritual body in Christ. If one of the body is overtaken in a fault, what is that? A fault is a falling away from truth or a sin. The natural man would accuse him and perhaps gossip about him. Satan wants us to do that, but God has a better way. Those who are spiritual, those who are listening to God and who see with his eyes are to restore him, in a spirit of meekness. This is as the golden rule; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Consider your own temptations and do not be swift to judge. It is best to show love and truth and to restore their standing in Christ. Satan’s helpers come to whisper discontent, fear and confusion. The Holy Spirit is constructive and positive. We all fail at times and need a loving person to help us back to the true way.
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.
Pray for those with a burden and show them Jesus. If you can help them in some way, do so.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
We do not act as if we are "holier than thou" but we are to be meek and lowly servants, not lifting ourselves up as Pharisees but rather as brothers in Christ, or sisters in Christ. God will judge us according to who we are in Christ and what we do. No condemnation, but rewards will be given according to our obedient faith.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Each person has a burden. We must learn to give them to God and to praise him. We are to become like Jesus in the world so that others may see him. We are responsible for our own behavior. Be faithful and true to God. Be loving and helpful to those around you, for all are tempted to fall into sin.
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.
Do Good
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
A teacher prepares a message through study and meditation on the word of God. As a teacher we benefit most, because we must know something before we can teach it. It is not a one way communication, those who are taught should also respond in all good things to the teaching. I like to keep the comments on what is being taught; if the Holy Spirit speaks to you something that you want to say; if it is good then share it. On another level, all are to be taught by the Holy Spirit, for he is our teacher.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Are you growing in faith as you read his word aloud? Do you understand what you read, or worse yet are you running from God? The word will bring you closer to the heart and will of God.
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.
This is a solid law of cause and affect. We sow and it always makes an increase. Some receive corruption from acts sown in rebellion before they came to Christ. The result on the body may be corruption or death. The good news is our soul is saved in Jesus. We are to sow to the Spirit the good behavior as children of God.
James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Well doing, the fruit of the Spirit, the actions of a God centered heart. Keep going, keep being faithful doing good works, for the reward is everlasting life and honor in the presence of God our Father.
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.
Yes, amen, do good and show that you are a child of your heavenly Father. We shall be judged by what we do or fail to do.
Those who did not give to the need were rejected by God. I think that we should be careful to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Gal 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Paul points out that he has written this last part with large letters; perhaps because he had poor eyesight and could not read or write small print.
Gal 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ
Gal 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Their motive was to make a good showing in the flesh, and to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ; this is why they are trying to compel you [the Galatians] to be circumcised. It isn't really that they have a passion for the law and pleasing God; they don't even really keep the law themselves. But they want the Galatians to be circumcised so that they may wear the submission of the Galatians as a badge of achievement. Jesus is Lord, let no other person place you into bondage to their rules for salvation.
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
No glorying in self-works or self-righteousness. Christianity is something God does in us, (grace through faith) not something we do for God; (law and works) this can simply define the difference between grace and law . This is the theme of Galatians.
Conclusion
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
And as many as walk according to this rule; glorying only in the cross of Christ. Being crucified to the world and are born-again; peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel, that is, the Church, of God which consists of all those, and those only, of every nation and people, who walk by this rule.
Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
From henceforth let no man trouble me: in dividing words, in wishing to cut and circumcise Gentiles after the law. For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus; the scars, marks, and afflictions of my sufferings for Him from teaching His gospel of grace.
2 Cor 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2 Cor 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2 Cor 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2 Cor 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Gal 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for their strength, salvation and encouragement. Grace comes by faith and without the works of the law. We are saved unto good works; not under the Old Covenant for the Jews, but we are new creations under the New Covenant. Jesus Christ accomplished our salvation on the cross of Calvary. It is by grace that we are saved.
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.
We are one spiritual body in Christ. If one of the body is overtaken in a fault, what is that? A fault is a falling away from truth or a sin. The natural man would accuse him and perhaps gossip about him. Satan wants us to do that, but God has a better way. Those who are spiritual, those who are listening to God and who see with his eyes are to restore him, in a spirit of meekness. This is as the golden rule; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Consider your own temptations and do not be swift to judge. It is best to show love and truth and to restore their standing in Christ. Satan’s helpers come to whisper discontent, fear and confusion. The Holy Spirit is constructive and positive. We all fail at times and need a loving person to help us back to the true way.
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.
Pray for those with a burden and show them Jesus. If you can help them in some way, do so.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
We do not act as if we are "holier than thou" but we are to be meek and lowly servants, not lifting ourselves up as Pharisees but rather as brothers in Christ, or sisters in Christ. God will judge us according to who we are in Christ and what we do. No condemnation, but rewards will be given according to our obedient faith.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Each person has a burden. We must learn to give them to God and to praise him. We are to become like Jesus in the world so that others may see him. We are responsible for our own behavior. Be faithful and true to God. Be loving and helpful to those around you, for all are tempted to fall into sin.
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.
Do Good
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
A teacher prepares a message through study and meditation on the word of God. As a teacher we benefit most, because we must know something before we can teach it. It is not a one way communication, those who are taught should also respond in all good things to the teaching. I like to keep the comments on what is being taught; if the Holy Spirit speaks to you something that you want to say; if it is good then share it. On another level, all are to be taught by the Holy Spirit, for he is our teacher.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Are you growing in faith as you read his word aloud? Do you understand what you read, or worse yet are you running from God? The word will bring you closer to the heart and will of God.
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.
This is a solid law of cause and affect. We sow and it always makes an increase. Some receive corruption from acts sown in rebellion before they came to Christ. The result on the body may be corruption or death. The good news is our soul is saved in Jesus. We are to sow to the Spirit the good behavior as children of God.
James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Well doing, the fruit of the Spirit, the actions of a God centered heart. Keep going, keep being faithful doing good works, for the reward is everlasting life and honor in the presence of God our Father.
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.
Yes, amen, do good and show that you are a child of your heavenly Father. We shall be judged by what we do or fail to do.
Those who did not give to the need were rejected by God. I think that we should be careful to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Gal 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Paul points out that he has written this last part with large letters; perhaps because he had poor eyesight and could not read or write small print.
Gal 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ
Gal 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Their motive was to make a good showing in the flesh, and to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ; this is why they are trying to compel you [the Galatians] to be circumcised. It isn't really that they have a passion for the law and pleasing God; they don't even really keep the law themselves. But they want the Galatians to be circumcised so that they may wear the submission of the Galatians as a badge of achievement. Jesus is Lord, let no other person place you into bondage to their rules for salvation.
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
No glorying in self-works or self-righteousness. Christianity is something God does in us, (grace through faith) not something we do for God; (law and works) this can simply define the difference between grace and law . This is the theme of Galatians.
Conclusion
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
And as many as walk according to this rule; glorying only in the cross of Christ. Being crucified to the world and are born-again; peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel, that is, the Church, of God which consists of all those, and those only, of every nation and people, who walk by this rule.
Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
From henceforth let no man trouble me: in dividing words, in wishing to cut and circumcise Gentiles after the law. For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus; the scars, marks, and afflictions of my sufferings for Him from teaching His gospel of grace.
2 Cor 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2 Cor 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2 Cor 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2 Cor 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Gal 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for their strength, salvation and encouragement. Grace comes by faith and without the works of the law. We are saved unto good works; not under the Old Covenant for the Jews, but we are new creations under the New Covenant. Jesus Christ accomplished our salvation on the cross of Calvary. It is by grace that we are saved.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Restoration of Israel in the Last Days
Our LORD does not give bad news without also giving hope. Israel would be restored again in the last days, beginning with the return to their homeland in 1948, following the holocaust destruction of six million Jews. From evil, the LORD will bring good to those who trust in him.
Hosea 2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
I will allure, open wide the way, and bring her into the wilderness, a place of privacy, and speak comfort to her.
Hosea 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
Vineyards will be restored in the land. The valley of Achor, meaning "trouble", will be for a door of hope. Hope: expectation; something yearned for and eagerly anticipated. God's blessings on the land will change it from Achor, "trouble, to the door of hope. When the LORD opens a door we must go through it to receive His blessings. Joy and singing will come back as the days of your youth as you were freed from captivity from Egypt. This is the expression of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Remember where you came from and rejoice in the LORD. Israel will again return to their promise land of blessing and like Abraham, spiritual Israel will go into that heavenly city. We also can apply joy and hope to our life in Christ Jesus. We follow his lead through open doors of opportunity and service, hoping and trusting in Him for our future home with him in glory. Continue in faith and overcome this life by your faith and hope. We walk in His Spirit and do His will.
Hosea 2:16 And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.
Ishi refers to "my husband" whereas Baali refers a husband of "ownership". In Ishi, the relationship of a wife to a husband is of intimate fellowship. Baali, is the ownership of a wife as a piece of property. These are as different as being the bride of Christ or the property of "Baal" or the devil. Jesus bought us from the slave ownership of the devil and has given to us intimate fellowship in him, through the Holy Spirit.
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
He purchased us, who were the property of the devil and he has loved us and set us free. We choose to serve him of our own free will.
Hosea 2:17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.
The worship of Baal would be removed from the land. It was not of the LORD, for It was seeking after material things, sensuality and witchcraft; prosperity messages, unbridled lusts and spiritual empowerment, in ways not of God. God's people are to seek holiness and put off the evil from among them.
Hosea 2:18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
During the millennial reign of Jesus.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Hosea 2:19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
Hosea 2:20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
They would be betrothed, given new vows and a new covenant. The new creation will be known by righteousness, judgment, loving kindness and mercies. The Lord is faithful and we shall know him intimately; not as property, but as a loving bride to her faithful loving husband.
Hosea 2:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;
Hosea 2:22 And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.
God will hear the needs of Israel. The earth shall hear and not reject, the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel "God will sow".
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
The LORD will sow Israel unto him in the earth; there will be an increase, for He shall have mercy and grace upon all who will receive of him. There will be one people calling upon the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Pet 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The LORD will have mercy on Israel and the Gentiles who receive him by faith.
Hosea 2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
I will allure, open wide the way, and bring her into the wilderness, a place of privacy, and speak comfort to her.
Hosea 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
Vineyards will be restored in the land. The valley of Achor, meaning "trouble", will be for a door of hope. Hope: expectation; something yearned for and eagerly anticipated. God's blessings on the land will change it from Achor, "trouble, to the door of hope. When the LORD opens a door we must go through it to receive His blessings. Joy and singing will come back as the days of your youth as you were freed from captivity from Egypt. This is the expression of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Remember where you came from and rejoice in the LORD. Israel will again return to their promise land of blessing and like Abraham, spiritual Israel will go into that heavenly city. We also can apply joy and hope to our life in Christ Jesus. We follow his lead through open doors of opportunity and service, hoping and trusting in Him for our future home with him in glory. Continue in faith and overcome this life by your faith and hope. We walk in His Spirit and do His will.
Hosea 2:16 And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.
Ishi refers to "my husband" whereas Baali refers a husband of "ownership". In Ishi, the relationship of a wife to a husband is of intimate fellowship. Baali, is the ownership of a wife as a piece of property. These are as different as being the bride of Christ or the property of "Baal" or the devil. Jesus bought us from the slave ownership of the devil and has given to us intimate fellowship in him, through the Holy Spirit.
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
He purchased us, who were the property of the devil and he has loved us and set us free. We choose to serve him of our own free will.
Hosea 2:17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.
The worship of Baal would be removed from the land. It was not of the LORD, for It was seeking after material things, sensuality and witchcraft; prosperity messages, unbridled lusts and spiritual empowerment, in ways not of God. God's people are to seek holiness and put off the evil from among them.
Hosea 2:18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
During the millennial reign of Jesus.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Hosea 2:19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
Hosea 2:20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
They would be betrothed, given new vows and a new covenant. The new creation will be known by righteousness, judgment, loving kindness and mercies. The Lord is faithful and we shall know him intimately; not as property, but as a loving bride to her faithful loving husband.
Hosea 2:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;
Hosea 2:22 And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.
God will hear the needs of Israel. The earth shall hear and not reject, the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel "God will sow".
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
The LORD will sow Israel unto him in the earth; there will be an increase, for He shall have mercy and grace upon all who will receive of him. There will be one people calling upon the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Pet 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The LORD will have mercy on Israel and the Gentiles who receive him by faith.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The God of Justice
Hosea 2:8 For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.
God, Israel's spiritual covenant husband and provider, supplied her with all the blessings that she gave to other gods.
Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Hosea 2:9 Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
God keeps his covenant promises with Israel. Because she has turned to other gods, the LORD must turn from her and remove his blessings.
Deu 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Deu 11:17 And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
Hosea 2:10 And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.
She will be seen for what she is. God has hands of mercy and grace, or hands to correct and chasten. Will we be in his hands bowing to another god? I fear that many serve themselves and give lip service to the LORD who holds them in his hands. If we will not repent, we will be corrected by him. Israel's correction would be severe under the law. We who are under grace will be corrected as well. Some may not be under grace because they are not truly of the Lord's New Covenant. Your lack of deep rooted faith will be exposed to you and for others to see.
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
Hosea 2:12 And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.
All the feasts shall cease, the days of observing the LORD in a special way. Look around now at our nation. The Holy days (the holidays) are being removed and not honored. Christmas and Easter have lost their meaning in the world. The world is afraid to say Christmas, because of the spirit of the age; the antichrist spirit. The nation of Israel was being punished, losing it's purpose and joy, even the economy would get bad. The land will be turned back to overgrown weeds and forests, with wild animals shall eat what crops that remain. Israel would be taken captive and taken to other lands.
Hosea 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.
Judg 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: (heathen gods and idols)
Judg 2:12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
Judg 2:13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Hosea 2:1-7
Israel's Spiritual Adultery
Hosea 2:1 Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Ammi means "my people", say unto my people: and to your sisters, Ruhamah, meaning "mercy". Say to my people to show mercy.
Hosea 2:2 Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
Plead with your mother, who was my wife, but her heart is elsewhere, neither am I her husband: literally; bring charges against or confront her with her sins. Let her repent of her whoredoms and return to her spiritual marriage. Referring to Israel and her loving other idols, leaving her covenant God and spiritual husband. Let me add, that we are not to be looking to accuse people of wrongs, but we do have the responsibility to try to restore those we see falling into sin.
1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Cor 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
1 Cor 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
1 Cor 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
The LORD is speaking. When he speaks we had better hear and obey him.
Hosea 2:3 Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
God who blessed her, is bound by the old covenant of the law to curse her if she leaves him and does evil in his sight. Strip her naked, revealing her sins, make her as a wilderness, alone in a dry place and slay her with thirst. There are some would be Christians who enjoy cursing others, accusing and seeing faults, as if they were without sin. Do not abuse the grace of God, by acting as a judge of others. Judgement begins in us first. There is plenty to clean up in our own hearts and our own clouded vision. Show grace and seek to restore the lost and do not be quick to judge others. God is our judge and only God can bless or curse. Nothing can satisfy like fellowship with our LORD.
We are supposed to be spirit filled with living water coming out of our innermost being. He spoke that the adulterous woman will be dry and that thirst will overcome her. Remember what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well.
John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Jesus offered this spiritual water to a woman of whoredoms, as were his people Israel, spiritually unfaithful and promiscuous. He did not come to condemn her. He cares for lost souls. He desired for her to repent and come to God and Jesus and be given the living waters of his spiritual presence. He knew her need by the Holy Spirit. Some quote the word, but use it to condemn and accuse, these are not of God's Spirit. Jesus came to restore that which was lost. He is gentle and kind.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Those of us who like to condemn sinners, had better repent and be like Jesus who showed mercy and grace to the woman caught in adultery.
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
John 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Apart from grace, they were under the law. Every sin under the law had a judgement.
Hosea 2:4 And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
The word "bastard" refers to a child of adultery or fornication. It was a word of shame, but because this sin is so wide spread today, we do not use this term, except as a curse word. Now we are to be "tolerant", but we see God's view of this in Hosea. Are you a Christian? Are you under his grace? Then your soul is saved, but God is not pleased with adulterous behavior. Are children born of fornication or adultery cursed now? If one parent in a marriage is a Christian, then the children are holy to the LORD.
1 Cor 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
If the children continue in the sins of the adulterous parent, they will be judged by God.
Hosea 2:5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
The spirit of whoredom seeks after material things, flesh things above relationships of honor and trust. The mother in this verse is Israel the nation and the children are the individuals who live there. A nation may be judged by God, which affects all the children. Some may be children of faith. If so, God will be their strength. We of faith are to pray for our nation.
Hosea 2:6 Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
Woe to a people apart from God. They sin for a season and prosper, but the time of God's withdrawing will come and their blessings will no longer be there. God places a curse on the disobedient apart from him. Moses however, chose to be with his people above the riches and power of Egypt.
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Hosea 2:7 And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
Again, God is the husband and adulterous Israel is the woman. This is as the story of the prodigal son. He had squandered his inheritance, ran out of friends, even ate the pig slop until he repented.
Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
His older brother was not pleased that he returned. This is as the vengeful church member who knows of someones past sin, and will not forgive them. We have been forgiven much and are to seek to restore and forgive the sinner. We are not to get in the way of their restoration by our foolish actions. Love suffers long. Forgiveness may require suffering in order to restore the wayward one.
Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
We must be directed by the Holy Spirit, not by our flesh minds.
Hosea 2:1 Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Ammi means "my people", say unto my people: and to your sisters, Ruhamah, meaning "mercy". Say to my people to show mercy.
Hosea 2:2 Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
Plead with your mother, who was my wife, but her heart is elsewhere, neither am I her husband: literally; bring charges against or confront her with her sins. Let her repent of her whoredoms and return to her spiritual marriage. Referring to Israel and her loving other idols, leaving her covenant God and spiritual husband. Let me add, that we are not to be looking to accuse people of wrongs, but we do have the responsibility to try to restore those we see falling into sin.
1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Cor 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
1 Cor 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
1 Cor 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
The LORD is speaking. When he speaks we had better hear and obey him.
Hosea 2:3 Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
God who blessed her, is bound by the old covenant of the law to curse her if she leaves him and does evil in his sight. Strip her naked, revealing her sins, make her as a wilderness, alone in a dry place and slay her with thirst. There are some would be Christians who enjoy cursing others, accusing and seeing faults, as if they were without sin. Do not abuse the grace of God, by acting as a judge of others. Judgement begins in us first. There is plenty to clean up in our own hearts and our own clouded vision. Show grace and seek to restore the lost and do not be quick to judge others. God is our judge and only God can bless or curse. Nothing can satisfy like fellowship with our LORD.
We are supposed to be spirit filled with living water coming out of our innermost being. He spoke that the adulterous woman will be dry and that thirst will overcome her. Remember what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well.
John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Jesus offered this spiritual water to a woman of whoredoms, as were his people Israel, spiritually unfaithful and promiscuous. He did not come to condemn her. He cares for lost souls. He desired for her to repent and come to God and Jesus and be given the living waters of his spiritual presence. He knew her need by the Holy Spirit. Some quote the word, but use it to condemn and accuse, these are not of God's Spirit. Jesus came to restore that which was lost. He is gentle and kind.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Those of us who like to condemn sinners, had better repent and be like Jesus who showed mercy and grace to the woman caught in adultery.
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
John 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Apart from grace, they were under the law. Every sin under the law had a judgement.
Hosea 2:4 And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
The word "bastard" refers to a child of adultery or fornication. It was a word of shame, but because this sin is so wide spread today, we do not use this term, except as a curse word. Now we are to be "tolerant", but we see God's view of this in Hosea. Are you a Christian? Are you under his grace? Then your soul is saved, but God is not pleased with adulterous behavior. Are children born of fornication or adultery cursed now? If one parent in a marriage is a Christian, then the children are holy to the LORD.
1 Cor 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
If the children continue in the sins of the adulterous parent, they will be judged by God.
Hosea 2:5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
The spirit of whoredom seeks after material things, flesh things above relationships of honor and trust. The mother in this verse is Israel the nation and the children are the individuals who live there. A nation may be judged by God, which affects all the children. Some may be children of faith. If so, God will be their strength. We of faith are to pray for our nation.
Hosea 2:6 Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
Woe to a people apart from God. They sin for a season and prosper, but the time of God's withdrawing will come and their blessings will no longer be there. God places a curse on the disobedient apart from him. Moses however, chose to be with his people above the riches and power of Egypt.
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Hosea 2:7 And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
Again, God is the husband and adulterous Israel is the woman. This is as the story of the prodigal son. He had squandered his inheritance, ran out of friends, even ate the pig slop until he repented.
Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
His older brother was not pleased that he returned. This is as the vengeful church member who knows of someones past sin, and will not forgive them. We have been forgiven much and are to seek to restore and forgive the sinner. We are not to get in the way of their restoration by our foolish actions. Love suffers long. Forgiveness may require suffering in order to restore the wayward one.
Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
We must be directed by the Holy Spirit, not by our flesh minds.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Hosea 1
Rebellious Israel
Hosea 1:1 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings of the southern kingdom of Judah. Jeraboam and Joash were the kings of the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Hosea lived in the northern kingdom from 755-715 B.C. His ministry was for 40 years. Forty is a number of testing and trials. Moses was in the desert forty years, the children of Israel wandered in the desert forty years because of unbelief. The ministry of Hosea was to an adulterous people who left their God for other things. Hosea, is the same name for Joshua or Jesus. It means "salvation."
Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Israel here is as the covenant wife of God. The LORD wanted to use the life of Hosea as an illustration of His love for His adulterous people. Hosea was to take a wife of whoredoms. Not a wife who had been saved from a life of whoredom and redeemed and made new, but a wife who was a whore, unchanged. He was to have children from this confused and unfaithful woman. By this relationship of Hosea and his unfaithful wife, it is an illustrated message of God's love for his unfaithful people. God's love is true and faithful, in spite of the moral weakness his covenant people. In Exodus, the LORD calls his covenant people, his firstborn son. Jesus is the only begotten son, from heaven.
Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
In Hosea, the unfaithful covenant people were described as an unfaithful wife. The land had committed great whoredoms, departing from the LORD.
"If Hosea's story cannot be real (because 'God could not ask a man to marry an unfaithful woman'), then neither is the story of salvation real, because that is precisely what Christ has done for us." (Boice)
Jesus did not choose a perfect bride, the church. We were all lost and unclean, but we are bring made into His image, holy and unblamable, covered by his blood: redeemed, justified and made his righteousness, by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Israel is not the only nation who left God for idols. America has turned away from God in the pursuit of other things. Any nation that leaves God out of their land, has committed whoredoms. This is the adulterous spirit of Babylon.
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Thank God that we are saved, the saved remnant of a once great Christian nation. Our kingdom is the kingdom of God, He is our master.
Hosea 1:3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
His wife was named Gomer, which means complete. He had a son by her. You know we can love someone with all of our heart, but that person may not be able to respond, because of a life of whoredom or fornication. So many casual relationships so that the ability to make a covenant relationship with one, is difficult for them. With God all things are possible. If he changes you, you are made new. We once were fornicators or adulterers, but he has taken us out of that and we are being made faithful, as He is faithful.
Hosea 1:4 And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
Jezreel means: "God scatters or God sows". Jezreel was the name of the place where Jehu had killed the seventy sons of wicked king Ahab.
2 Ki 10:11 So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
As God brought an end to the line of Ahab, so He would cause to cease the nation of Israel. By 722 B.C. the northern kingdom of Israel and it's capital, Samaria, would fall.
Hosea 1:5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
Israels miltary power would be broken in the valley of Jezreel.
Hosea 1:6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
Loruhamah, meaning "no mercy." God would not show mercy to the rebellious nation of Israel. They would cease to be a people until 1948, when Israel again became a nation. That was a period of time of about 2670 years. With the rebirth of Israel we are truly living in the last days.
Hosea 1:7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
Judah and Jerusalem still worshipped the LORD and he showed mercy upon them. They were not saved by their own military might or the warriors of another land; God sent angels to protect them. How awesome is that?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
2 Ki 19:34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
2 Ki 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
Hosea 1:8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
Hosea 1:9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
Loammi means: "not my people." That is a terrible judgement to be rejected by God, but they had rejected Him. They had no use for him, so he had no use for them. Israel had seen better days. Woe to a people who no longer wants God. We do not realize that all we have comes from Him. Our gifts and abilities he gives to us. They had rejected him and God said, that's all for now. The baby was called "not my people", what a sad name.
The names tell a story. Jezreel, "God scatters." Woe to those separated from God our help. Loruhamah, "no mercy" to a adulterous and rebellious people. We are so fortunate to be under the blood of Jesus. In him we are one with God and one another. He gives us mercy and grace. The final name of the children of Hosea was Loammi: "not my people." We are the people of God. If one in our midst falls away and is scattered, we are to leave the 99 sheep and go find him.
Mat 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
We may say we no longer want God, but that is foolishness. He keeps us in His hand, we need to repent from our sinful thoughts, words and actions. Let us restore the wayward brothers and sisters; not act as their judges. They may be being sifted by satan.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
If we fall away, maybe we are living on yesterdays faith. It is time to be revived, to find God afresh. Pastors may fail you, people may fail you, we may fail all and give up. Do not give up, the saints are praying for you. You are not as Israel of old a rebellious and disobedient people, without His Spirit. If we are in Christ, His Spirit dwells in us, to show us truth and to comfort us; we are never alone.
Hosea 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
The prophet speaks the mercy of God to the covenant people of God through Messiah, Jesus Christ. They will not be forgotten forever.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
I always saw this verse as referring to a backslidden Christian. It primarily is referring to Israel. The gifts, plural, and the calling. God called them unto himself and finally when Jesus comes in the end times, they will hear his calling to them and be saved. When saved then they will receive the gifts for ministry. Some people on their death bed have said, "I know I was to teach", but I ran from God. What a sad thing to miss God. Be strong in him, he is our refuge and strength and our gift giver.
Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Hosea 1:11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
In the day of Messiah as king. No longer will Jezreel mean "to be scattered," but it is a time "to sow" and be planted. The good seed of God's word is scattered on good soil and hearts receive Jesus, son of David, the everlasting King.
Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Ezek 34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
Jesus is coming again, very soon. Let us be waiting revived and excited to meet him. Do not lose faith now as we are being tempted and attacked. Realize this and stay faithful, so that you will be commended at his coming.
Hosea 1:1 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings of the southern kingdom of Judah. Jeraboam and Joash were the kings of the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Hosea lived in the northern kingdom from 755-715 B.C. His ministry was for 40 years. Forty is a number of testing and trials. Moses was in the desert forty years, the children of Israel wandered in the desert forty years because of unbelief. The ministry of Hosea was to an adulterous people who left their God for other things. Hosea, is the same name for Joshua or Jesus. It means "salvation."
Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Israel here is as the covenant wife of God. The LORD wanted to use the life of Hosea as an illustration of His love for His adulterous people. Hosea was to take a wife of whoredoms. Not a wife who had been saved from a life of whoredom and redeemed and made new, but a wife who was a whore, unchanged. He was to have children from this confused and unfaithful woman. By this relationship of Hosea and his unfaithful wife, it is an illustrated message of God's love for his unfaithful people. God's love is true and faithful, in spite of the moral weakness his covenant people. In Exodus, the LORD calls his covenant people, his firstborn son. Jesus is the only begotten son, from heaven.
Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
In Hosea, the unfaithful covenant people were described as an unfaithful wife. The land had committed great whoredoms, departing from the LORD.
"If Hosea's story cannot be real (because 'God could not ask a man to marry an unfaithful woman'), then neither is the story of salvation real, because that is precisely what Christ has done for us." (Boice)
Jesus did not choose a perfect bride, the church. We were all lost and unclean, but we are bring made into His image, holy and unblamable, covered by his blood: redeemed, justified and made his righteousness, by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Israel is not the only nation who left God for idols. America has turned away from God in the pursuit of other things. Any nation that leaves God out of their land, has committed whoredoms. This is the adulterous spirit of Babylon.
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Thank God that we are saved, the saved remnant of a once great Christian nation. Our kingdom is the kingdom of God, He is our master.
Hosea 1:3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
His wife was named Gomer, which means complete. He had a son by her. You know we can love someone with all of our heart, but that person may not be able to respond, because of a life of whoredom or fornication. So many casual relationships so that the ability to make a covenant relationship with one, is difficult for them. With God all things are possible. If he changes you, you are made new. We once were fornicators or adulterers, but he has taken us out of that and we are being made faithful, as He is faithful.
Hosea 1:4 And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
Jezreel means: "God scatters or God sows". Jezreel was the name of the place where Jehu had killed the seventy sons of wicked king Ahab.
2 Ki 10:11 So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
As God brought an end to the line of Ahab, so He would cause to cease the nation of Israel. By 722 B.C. the northern kingdom of Israel and it's capital, Samaria, would fall.
Hosea 1:5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
Israels miltary power would be broken in the valley of Jezreel.
Hosea 1:6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
Loruhamah, meaning "no mercy." God would not show mercy to the rebellious nation of Israel. They would cease to be a people until 1948, when Israel again became a nation. That was a period of time of about 2670 years. With the rebirth of Israel we are truly living in the last days.
Hosea 1:7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
Judah and Jerusalem still worshipped the LORD and he showed mercy upon them. They were not saved by their own military might or the warriors of another land; God sent angels to protect them. How awesome is that?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
2 Ki 19:34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
2 Ki 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
Hosea 1:8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
Hosea 1:9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
Loammi means: "not my people." That is a terrible judgement to be rejected by God, but they had rejected Him. They had no use for him, so he had no use for them. Israel had seen better days. Woe to a people who no longer wants God. We do not realize that all we have comes from Him. Our gifts and abilities he gives to us. They had rejected him and God said, that's all for now. The baby was called "not my people", what a sad name.
The names tell a story. Jezreel, "God scatters." Woe to those separated from God our help. Loruhamah, "no mercy" to a adulterous and rebellious people. We are so fortunate to be under the blood of Jesus. In him we are one with God and one another. He gives us mercy and grace. The final name of the children of Hosea was Loammi: "not my people." We are the people of God. If one in our midst falls away and is scattered, we are to leave the 99 sheep and go find him.
Mat 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
We may say we no longer want God, but that is foolishness. He keeps us in His hand, we need to repent from our sinful thoughts, words and actions. Let us restore the wayward brothers and sisters; not act as their judges. They may be being sifted by satan.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
If we fall away, maybe we are living on yesterdays faith. It is time to be revived, to find God afresh. Pastors may fail you, people may fail you, we may fail all and give up. Do not give up, the saints are praying for you. You are not as Israel of old a rebellious and disobedient people, without His Spirit. If we are in Christ, His Spirit dwells in us, to show us truth and to comfort us; we are never alone.
Hosea 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
The prophet speaks the mercy of God to the covenant people of God through Messiah, Jesus Christ. They will not be forgotten forever.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
I always saw this verse as referring to a backslidden Christian. It primarily is referring to Israel. The gifts, plural, and the calling. God called them unto himself and finally when Jesus comes in the end times, they will hear his calling to them and be saved. When saved then they will receive the gifts for ministry. Some people on their death bed have said, "I know I was to teach", but I ran from God. What a sad thing to miss God. Be strong in him, he is our refuge and strength and our gift giver.
Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Hosea 1:11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
In the day of Messiah as king. No longer will Jezreel mean "to be scattered," but it is a time "to sow" and be planted. The good seed of God's word is scattered on good soil and hearts receive Jesus, son of David, the everlasting King.
Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Ezek 34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
Jesus is coming again, very soon. Let us be waiting revived and excited to meet him. Do not lose faith now as we are being tempted and attacked. Realize this and stay faithful, so that you will be commended at his coming.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Spiritual Testimony
Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. Prophecy is speaking the word of God; the word of truth. To testify we must speak truth by the Spirit of God. I have heard too many testimonies of dark things of the past, while seeming to glory in the telling of these things. We are not to glory in past sins, but we are to glorify God with our Spiritual testimonies.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
God is not interested in a man's testimony. The world receives the testimonies and thoughts of men, this is humanism. John the Baptist testified of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit. We are men and women who testify of God, through His Spirit.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
John 5:33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
John 5:41 I receive not honour from men.John 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
The Holy Spirit witnesses the Word of God through us. The works that we do are to be in obedience to God and to glorify him. Someone said that our witness is without words. Yes, but also with the words of God, the Spirit speaking through us. We are witnesses and ambassadors of our Lord.
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
People need our witness of Jesus. Mormons do good works and Buddhists do good works, it is the Spiritual testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that glorifies God and He is the power to change a heart. Our good behavior must be accompanied by the word of truth. I have heard witnesses of the word who had a wrong spirit, who used the word to condemn, this is not the spirit of Christ. Condemnation comes from rejecting the witness of the Holy Spirit. An accusing spirit, anyone will reject. Be careful of what spirit speaks through you.
Isa 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isa 8:15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Isa 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Isa 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
Isa 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
The people of God are a peculiar people, chosen to allow the flow of God's Spirit of truth. We are sanctified unto Him as his beloved servants. The word of our testimony shall be accompanied with signs and wonders. The greatest sign is a new life in Christ. What a wonder to see a person changed. Healings and miracles are also confirmations of the power and presence of God. The weak and the lost seek magic from wizards, Wicca, the occultic practices of witches and familiar spirits. We are not to seek magic and the works of darkness, this is an abomination to the Spirit of God. We are chosen and sent forth as witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Mat 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Expect opposition, even from your close friends and family. We are servants of God and not all are of his Spirit, nor do they want us to interfere with their sin filled lives. We are sent by God and His Spirit speaks through us the gospel power of God.
Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Mark 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
Mark 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Mark 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Mark 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
They were sent only with the staff, a symbol of the Holy Spirit; He is enough. If people refuse your testimony then you have permission to shake off the dust of their city, as a testimony against him. I have heard people in the chats speak of God's love while being trampled by ungodly people. We are not to continue to cast pearl's to swine. Pray for them, but move on so that others may hear the gospel message. If the antichrist spirit continues to speak against the gospel message, remove them so that others may find the way of truth. This is a common practice in witnessing on the Internet chats.
John as a human witness must decrease, as we decrease, so that He (Jesus) may increase.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
The testimony of two
John 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
It is a simple truth; only through Jesus are we forgiven. He alone has paid the price for sin by going to the cross: the just for the unjust. Our message is Jesus, the cross and his resurrection to eternal life.
1 Cor 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1 Cor 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1 Cor 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1 Cor 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Cor 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
The testimony of Christ is confirmed in you by the Spiritual gifts you receive. At Pentecost it was speaking in tongues. There are many gifts of the Spirit to be the evidence of His ownership and our service to him. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. We should be speaking his message as a confirmation of his gifts. We cannot speak what we do not know. He will reward our faithfulness at his coming.
1 Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 Cor 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 Cor 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
We cannot fake the power of God's Spirit. You may try to fake a gift, but those of His Spirit know if it is of God, or just the words of a man.
2 Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2 Tim 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
We are to endure through sufferings and afflictions. We are soldiers in the Lord's army and we must be faithful to our calling.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Christ Jesus has overcome for us, by shedding his blood on the cross. We speak the word by His Spirit, not loving our lives in this world, but as living sacrifices and willing bond slaves we obey Him even as we are the adopted children of the most high God. Thank you Jesus. Use us as your Spiritual witnesses. Not my words, but yours, so that your power will be shown.
The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. Prophecy is speaking the word of God; the word of truth. To testify we must speak truth by the Spirit of God. I have heard too many testimonies of dark things of the past, while seeming to glory in the telling of these things. We are not to glory in past sins, but we are to glorify God with our Spiritual testimonies.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
God is not interested in a man's testimony. The world receives the testimonies and thoughts of men, this is humanism. John the Baptist testified of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit. We are men and women who testify of God, through His Spirit.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
John 5:33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
John 5:41 I receive not honour from men.John 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
The Holy Spirit witnesses the Word of God through us. The works that we do are to be in obedience to God and to glorify him. Someone said that our witness is without words. Yes, but also with the words of God, the Spirit speaking through us. We are witnesses and ambassadors of our Lord.
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
People need our witness of Jesus. Mormons do good works and Buddhists do good works, it is the Spiritual testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that glorifies God and He is the power to change a heart. Our good behavior must be accompanied by the word of truth. I have heard witnesses of the word who had a wrong spirit, who used the word to condemn, this is not the spirit of Christ. Condemnation comes from rejecting the witness of the Holy Spirit. An accusing spirit, anyone will reject. Be careful of what spirit speaks through you.
Isa 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isa 8:15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Isa 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Isa 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
Isa 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
The people of God are a peculiar people, chosen to allow the flow of God's Spirit of truth. We are sanctified unto Him as his beloved servants. The word of our testimony shall be accompanied with signs and wonders. The greatest sign is a new life in Christ. What a wonder to see a person changed. Healings and miracles are also confirmations of the power and presence of God. The weak and the lost seek magic from wizards, Wicca, the occultic practices of witches and familiar spirits. We are not to seek magic and the works of darkness, this is an abomination to the Spirit of God. We are chosen and sent forth as witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Mat 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Expect opposition, even from your close friends and family. We are servants of God and not all are of his Spirit, nor do they want us to interfere with their sin filled lives. We are sent by God and His Spirit speaks through us the gospel power of God.
Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Mark 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
Mark 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Mark 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Mark 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
They were sent only with the staff, a symbol of the Holy Spirit; He is enough. If people refuse your testimony then you have permission to shake off the dust of their city, as a testimony against him. I have heard people in the chats speak of God's love while being trampled by ungodly people. We are not to continue to cast pearl's to swine. Pray for them, but move on so that others may hear the gospel message. If the antichrist spirit continues to speak against the gospel message, remove them so that others may find the way of truth. This is a common practice in witnessing on the Internet chats.
John as a human witness must decrease, as we decrease, so that He (Jesus) may increase.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
The testimony of two
John 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
It is a simple truth; only through Jesus are we forgiven. He alone has paid the price for sin by going to the cross: the just for the unjust. Our message is Jesus, the cross and his resurrection to eternal life.
1 Cor 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1 Cor 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1 Cor 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1 Cor 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Cor 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
The testimony of Christ is confirmed in you by the Spiritual gifts you receive. At Pentecost it was speaking in tongues. There are many gifts of the Spirit to be the evidence of His ownership and our service to him. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. We should be speaking his message as a confirmation of his gifts. We cannot speak what we do not know. He will reward our faithfulness at his coming.
1 Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 Cor 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 Cor 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
We cannot fake the power of God's Spirit. You may try to fake a gift, but those of His Spirit know if it is of God, or just the words of a man.
2 Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2 Tim 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
We are to endure through sufferings and afflictions. We are soldiers in the Lord's army and we must be faithful to our calling.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Christ Jesus has overcome for us, by shedding his blood on the cross. We speak the word by His Spirit, not loving our lives in this world, but as living sacrifices and willing bond slaves we obey Him even as we are the adopted children of the most high God. Thank you Jesus. Use us as your Spiritual witnesses. Not my words, but yours, so that your power will be shown.
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