Forgiven much

Luke 7:36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to come to his home for a meal, so Jesus accepted the invitation and sat down to eat.

37 A certain immoral woman heard he was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with expensive perfume.

38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to himself, "This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!"

40 Then Jesus spoke up and answered his thoughts. "Simon," he said to the Pharisee, "I have something to say to you." "All right, Teacher," Simon replied, "go ahead."

41 Then Jesus told him this story: "A man loaned money to two people -- five hundred pieces of silver to one and fifty pieces to the other.

42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?"

43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt." "That's right," Jesus said.

44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You didn't give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in.

46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 I tell you, her sins -- and they are many -- have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven."

49 The men at the table said among themselves, "Who does this man think he is, going around forgiving sins?"

50 And Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace (NLT)

Show your love.

Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 
Mat 25:38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 
Mat 25:39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 
Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

He is raised from the grave. He is with us; He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own...I love you Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Thorns

The thorn of blending in with the heathen

Jdg 2:1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
Jdg 2:2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

 Jdg 2:3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

The people of Israel were told to destroy the altars and false idols, to kill and to drive out the heathen nations in their new promised land, but many of the tribes did not do this. It was a choice that they made, because God was with them to drive them out as a mighty wind would blow the autumn leaves, but they were not willing to do this. Because they took up with the heathen people, their women and their Gods, the LORD stopped helping them. He will not go before us if we are not separated unto him. We as God's people cannot expect the LORD to open doors for us, removing satanic forces if we are in the world, not separated unto him and content with the heathen idols.

A crown of thorns: Jesus took our curses to the cross

Mat 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Mat 27:30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Mat 27:31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Thorns on the head, a mock crown that brought blood to heal our heads. His cursed thorns removed our curses. In Jesus we are blessed. Our thoughts are cleansed, our minds become the mind of Christ. Thank you Jesus for healing us by your wounds taken for our salvation and healing.

Paul's thorn in the flesh

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

What was Paul's thorn? A messenger of satan, a fallen angel? A demon that buffeted him?

Some say it was bad eyes or a disease.

Strong's concordance definition for buffeted:

1) to strike with the fist, give one a blow with the fist

2) to maltreat, treat with violence and contumely.

It seems that the messenger of satan was able to inflict pain. I think perhaps it was the false Jews, those who were of the synagogue of satan, the religious people who tried to silence his message of grace by persecution. We too will experience persecution if we are separated unto Jesus Christ. Or are you one who will blend in with the world? Perhaps you will take the mark of the beast as well to escape persecution and hunger? I think not. If we suffer with Christ, his grace is sufficient for us. We are to stay separated, holy unto God through Jesus Christ. Our mind is to be renewed by reading and meditating on God's word with prayer. His grace goes with us and we are a blessed people. 

Who do you follow?

Luke 6:39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: "What good is it for one blind person to lead another? The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also.

Luke 6:40 A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher.(NLT)

It is important who you follow; follow Jesus. It is the time of year that leads to Easter. many leave Jesus on the cross. Are you on that cross with him? You must die to self before you can be raised to new life with him. Faith in Christ, a new spirit, a new heart allows us to be raised with Jesus. We are dead to the old man with the sins and now we live by the power of God. We follow Jesus and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do his will.

The unsaved are blind. They say that Jesus was an unfortunate victim; He was not able to free himself. Well friend, if you think that way, then you are the victim of false teaching. His death on the cross was the reason that the son of God came in a human body.The blood of a perfect man was required to be the substitute death for our sins. Believe in him and be saved. Be spiritually crucified with him and by the Spirit be raised with him to be with him forever. This is the good news of Easter day. Christ Jesus was raised on Resurrection Sunday. I believe in Him and will follow him to everlasting life.

Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
Luk 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
Luk 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luk 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luk 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Luk 24:8 And they remembered his words,
Luk 24:9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.  

I want to learn from and be like Jesus.

Love the Lord

Josh 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
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.

It is the same message for us today. Love God, obey him and stay close to him.

Our place of refuge

  

Josh 20:1  The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Josh 20:2  Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
Josh 20:3  That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Josh 20:4  And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
Josh 20:5  And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
Josh 20:6  And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.

I think of the women's refuge places when I read this. Often a woman will put up with physical and emotional abuse and have no place to turn. A Christian refuge place is a good place for them to go to be safe and to seek godly counsel. The devil has his places to go to that are just places for abortion and others flee to the arms of strangers and end up as sex slaves. It is a nasty world of lusts out there and we must be wise. God's world and his ways are beautiful and we are to go to Him for help. He loves us.

Runaway, the lure of the city

God is our refuge and hiding place and Jesus is our place of rest and peace.

2 Sam 22:1  And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 Sam 22:2  And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
2 Sam 22:3  The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
2 Sam 22:4  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
2 Sam 22:5  When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
2 Sam 22:6  The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
2 Sam 22:7  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

For those who are in bondage, God through Jesus has promised you a way out, to be free.

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.

Prov 14:25  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Prov 14:26  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Prov 14:27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

God is our hiding place and Jesus is our salvation and peace. Come to Jesus and enter into his rest for your soul and a place for the healing of your body.

Fishermen

  

Luke 5:4  Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luke 5:5  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luke 5:6  And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Luke 5:7  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luke 5:8  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Luke 5:9  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
Luke 5:10  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 5:11  And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Before we can be fishers of men we must realize who Jesus is and we must humble ourselves before him, for we are sinners before a holy God. We are not to take credit for what God does through us. All glory is to God the Father and God the Son. Just as Peter obeyed and received a great catch, so are we to obey his commands. Just how much are we willing to give to God? They forsook all...and followed Jesus. The biggest fish that must be caught is a slippery one. We are that fish. Has Jesus caught you completely? You must be willing to follow him.

Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Peter thought that he had given all to Jesus and later bragged that he would never forsake him, but he then denied him three times. Jesus did not give up on Peter. We have a self centered society that has entered the church "it is all about me, I am powerful, I am anointed, I say do this"...Give glory to God. He is anointed, he through us does the good work. It is Jesus not me, not you. Give all to Jesus and follow him. I am glad that Jesus is in control. He must increase and I must decrease.

Great man of faith

Caleb and Joshua were men of faith and courage. Caleb was of the tribe of Judah and Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, a son of Joseph. Jesus would come from the tribe of Judah and Joseph was a type of Jesus. These two princes of the 12 tribes believed God and came back from spying the promise land with a good report. The other 10 tribes were afraid; especially of the giants in the land, the sons of Anak. Forty five years have past and only Caleb and Joshua are left of all the adult men who left Egypt. Caleb is speaking to Joshua who is now the leader of Israel.

 

Josh 14:7  Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
Josh 14:8  Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
Josh 14:9  And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
Josh 14:10  And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
Josh 14:11  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Josh 14:12  Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
Josh 14:13  And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

 

Josh 15:13  And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
Josh 15:14  And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

 

What an example of faith is this man of courage. He held onto the promises of God and God gave him strength. His faith never wavered and in the end his people overcame the giants and received the promised inheritance.

 

We have a promised inheritance as joint heirs with Christ Jesus. We too are to have faith and continue until the promise is received. God will give us strength to overcome our natural and spiritual giants and we shall overcome them all. We are to be like Caleb an heir with Jesus by faith. Be of good courage. The grace of God will be with you all the way to the promise land.

Palm Sunday

Many Christians celebrate the Sunday before Easter as Palm Sunday. Some perform traditional rituals marking this day when Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph on a lowly donkey.

Prophecy and fulfillment

Zec 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

John 12:12  On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
John 12:13  Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
John 12:14  And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
John 12:15  Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
John 12:16  These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
John 12:17  The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
John 12:18  For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
John 12:19  The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

The jealous Pharisees were not impressed with this outcry of support for Jesus, their Messiah. Satan works in hearts to oppose the glory of God. No one fears meek and mild Jesus and his message of love. The world mocks him, the religious leaders crucified him. The devil fears him and works in hearts and minds to block him and his message of redemption.

He is coming again, not to die on a cross, not to be spit on and whipped, but he is coming as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords with a rod of iron in his hands on a majestic white horse. Every knee will bow to him and satan will be cast into a bottomless pit for a thousand years. The good days are ahead for those who trust in Jesus. You haven't seen anything yet. Look ahead and stand fast on his word and promises. Proclaim his name and cause the devil to tremble.

The sun stood still

  

Josh 10:9  Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.
Josh 10:10  And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
Josh 10:11  And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
Josh 10:12  Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
Josh 10:13  And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
Josh 10:14  And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

 

I  have been tricked into signing a contract by someone who lied to me. This is what happened to Israel when they were tricked into signing a treaty with Gibeon. They honored the treaty and later when Gibeon was attacked by five local kings, Gibeon called upon Israel for help. Israel honored their treaty and God honored Israel. He fought for them with hail stones and at Joshuas request the sun and the moon stood still until the battle was over.

 

Joshua was not educated like our scientists today who say that it is impossible for the sun and moon to stand still. He just believed God for a miracle and God did the impossible for him. He held the sun and moon and earth in his hands and holds us in his hands. There is nothing impossible with God if we keep our word, honor his word and trust in him. 

 

Enforcing the law

Joshua 7:11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen the things that I commanded to be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them; they have also lied about it and hidden the things among their belongings.

12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. (NLT)

 A man named Achan had taken the forbdden things.

Josh 7:19  And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
Josh 7:20  And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
Josh 7:21 For I saw a beautiful robe imported from Babylon, two hundred silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest."

The law required that he be killed.

Josh 7:25 Then Joshua said to Achan, "Why have you brought trouble on us? The LORD will now bring trouble on you." And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.

26 They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the LORD was no longer angry.

This was how it was under the law. Thank God for Jesus and the New Covenant of grace by faith. Is there sin in your camp? In your family? In your nation? Our God is a Holy God, do not fail him.


1 John 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 John 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Crossing Jordan

Josh 4:14  On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

Josh 4:15  And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
Josh 4:16  Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
Josh 4:17  Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.
Josh 4:18  And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.

Josh 5:1 When all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings who lived along the Mediterranean coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan River so the people of Israel could cross, they lost heart and were paralyzed with fear. (NLT)

This was an important event for Israel, it showed that God was still with them and that they had a new commander to replace Moses, a commander who was a prophet who heard from God and who spoke for God and as an intermediary, he was able to plead for his  people when necessary. Only Moses had been spirit filled as the go between for God and Israel. Now God showed that he was still with Israel by parting the Jordan river as he had parted the Red Sea. Joshua was the new commander, the spokesman between God and man.

They had to obey the laws to be blessed. Always before it was Moses, the law and the prophets. Jesus said that it was from these two ways that God spoke to them.

Luke 16:16  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Luke 16:17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

John 1:45  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Jesus now is the intermediary between God and his people. When Jesus was raised from the dead and returned again to God the father, he left the Holy Spirit with his believers. Now each Spirit filled person has access to the throne room of God.

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Jesus intercedes for us concerning our failure to keep all the laws, for we are no longer under the penalty of the law, but we are given grace. Each man may pray to God and he forgives them through Jesus our Lord and savior.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

No longer is it a Moses or a Joshua or just one spirit filled man on earth who hears and speaks for God; all Spirit filled believers have this right. We are to fear and obey God and not fear what man can do to us. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.

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.
Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are to hear from God and speak to him as the children of God interceding for others and our nation. We are God's miracle people filled with the power of God and when we pass the spiritual Jordan to the promised home of God we will not be alone. We will be with all those who are saved by the blood of the Lamb and who love and worship God.

Be of good courage

  

Josh 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Josh 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Josh 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Be strong and of good courage, not bad courage. Some are bold to do evil, this is not God's command. We are to observe to do all according to God's word. We fail when we leave his word. Our courage is not just our bodies strength but also our soul, our godly Character and trust. Our faith in God keeps us going and not with many words but by his word and promises.

1 Cor 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1 Cor 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1 Cor 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Cor 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Watch out for lusts of the flesh and pride of life. Submit all to God as the Proverb says.

Prov 3:1  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Prov 3:2  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Prov 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Prov 3:4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Prov 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Prov 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Prov 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Prov 3:8  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Have good courage and obey God.

Lev 26:6  And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
Lev 26:7  And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Lev 26:8  And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

The people of God are to have courage, for God goes with them. Pray for our military and our government leaders that they trust God and are of good courage. We are not to serve the devil, but the Living God. We take our orders from above, not from evil but from our righteous commander. Be a good soldier of the LORD, stay in his word and his will so that we will go forward as the victorious people of God.

Our Warrior God

  

Deut 23:26 "There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.

27 The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He thrusts out the enemy before you; it is he who cries, 'Destroy them!'

28 So Israel will live in safety, prosperous Jacob in security, in a land of grain and wine, while the heavens drop down dew.

29 How blessed you are, O Israel! Who else is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword! Your enemies will bow low before you, and you will trample on their backs!" (NLT)

This blessing from Moses stands today. Israel does not seek to make war, but if threatened, then Almighty God fights for them. He has ordered his people to fight and even to destroy an entire people. Evil will be destroyed in God's time.

Exo 17:14  And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

He warned his people of His wrath against idolaters.

Exo 22:20  He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

Lev 26:44  And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God.

God would keep his covenant with Israel, his covenant people. He would punish them for turning away from him, but in the end times they would be gathered again as a nation and then they would receive their Messiah.

We, who believe in Jesus were once rebels and outcasts.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
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.
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are under the New Covenant of God's mercy and grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God is greater than any power. God protects his covenant people. He holds us in his arms and goes before us to destroy his enemies. Fear God, but do not fear the devil and his words. Evil cannot stand before God. He has cleansed us from our sins and we are seen  in Jesus as the righteous people of God.

Rom 16:20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Chosen before birth

John the Baptist was chosen by God from the womb. He was the answer to the persistent prayers of his elderly parents. They prayed for a son, but God made him to be His prophet.

Luke 1:15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

Luke 1:16  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
Luke 1:17  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

The parents may not have seen John as he baptized people for repentance in the Jordan River. God sees and calls his people into service. John had a special calling to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Repentant hearts bring restoration to families to the community and to the nation.

Some do not want children but I wanted my children. Some people were mistakes, not planned while others have aborted their mistakes. Let the babies live, God has a purpose for them to fulfill. He has called them from the womb to be his witnesses.

Jeremiah was called from the womb.

Jer 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jer 1:6  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Jer 1:7  But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Jer 1:8  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Jer 1:9  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Jer 1:10  See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

We are chosen before the womb.

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,

Jesus' birth was foretold

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.

The everlasting king will come from David's family and he will bring many to God's family to a restored earthly kingdom where there are no harmful creatures.

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Isa 11:3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isa 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isa 11:5  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Isa 11:6  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

All are foreknown of God and are his creation. A woman has rights over her own body, but not of the babies life. God has placed the baby in the womb for his purpose. We are not to interfere with his chosen vessels. Those who respond to the calling of God are his chosen. Be at peace with God. If you have sinned and made mistakes in the past, Jesus will forgive you and restore you. Come to Jesus as the chosen of God. He loves you and will receive you.

Secret things

Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Hold onto the things that God has revealed to you and trust him for what you do not know. We do have the responsibility to learn what he has told us and to obey him.

Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Job 38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Job 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

There is so much we are told and yet so much is a mystery. One mystery revealed to us is the church. We are the body of believers, the body of Christ and he is the head.

1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus paid the price for our sins with his blood and we became joint heirs with Christ, the children of God. He died on the cross in my place and has been raised from the tomb to give us eternal life. We have access to the mind of God our father, through the Holy Spirit who is our comforter.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Jesus told us to ask of him and we will receive.

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Many are going through afflictions. God knows and he is there for you.

Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

We are destined to eternal life with God. Jesus is our Lord and King.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know

Jesus is the way to God; hear him and believe him. We are not to make mysteries out of what is revealed. Everything important to us he reveals to us. Believe in him always and take time to see and understand what he has shown to us.

Joseph of Arimathaea

Mar 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 

Mar 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
Mar 15:45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
Mar 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
Mar 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

Joseph was described as honourable

honorable: (from Strong's concordance)

1) of elegant figure

a) shapely, graceful, comely, bearing one's self becomingly in speech or behaviour

2) of good standing

a) honourable, influential, wealthy, respectable

Joseph was an honourable counsellor

counsellor: a Senator or member of the ruling counsel of the Jews

Joseph was a man of wealth and influence; Pilate respected him enough to allow him to take the body of Jesus to be buried in Joseph's own tomb. This was the fulfillment of a prophecy.

Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Matthew described Joseph as a rich man and a disciple of Jesus.

Mat 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
Mat 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
Mat 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Mat 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

John tells us that another secret believer joined him in preparing the body of Jesus for burial. We know of this other man as Nicodemus who came to speak to Jesus in John 3, and was told that ye must be born again of God. Nicodemus was a Pharisee.

Joh 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
Joh 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Two secret witnesses in high places. Both did not actively witness that they were believers, but they did have some influence in the governing body of the Jews. We need people of influence in our government that are believers of Jesus Christ. They need to speak out for righteousness and so do we. There is a song about "secret service Christians", well we are not to keep Jesus a secret but to tell all that he is the Son of God, who came to save us, to make us free from the bondage of sin and to deliver us as free people into the kingdom of God.

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

Mary the mother of Joses was the sister of Mary the birth mother of Jesus.

Joh 19:25  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 

Salome was the mother of Zebedee's sons, James and John. It takes some figuring out to get these names straight.

Joh 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
Joh 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

The garden tomb was nearby. There they lay him because it was the Passover preparation day. The blind religious people were to observe the Passover where the blood of a lamb was shed to spare them from the death angel. As they celebrated this symbolic event, they were spiritual dead, unaware that they had just killed their Messiah, the Lamb of God, the one that John the Baptist pointed to.

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

They had killed the Passover Lamb, the Son of God, who would be raised from the grave on the third day.

Mind Control

If ever there was a time that we need discernment, it is now. It is a time like the time of Christ's first coming. There is a spirit of antichrist controlling minds , swaying public opinion, just like when Hitler controlled Germany; they repeat something over and over and the uninformed masses repeat what they hear. Today it is class warfare; tax the rich, but the very rich are seeking to control the whole world. The street organizers and mind controlling entertainment makers are as the chief priests that moved the people according to their devious plans, speaking emotionally to incite the crowd.

Mar 15:9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Mar 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
Mar 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
Mar 15:12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?
Mar 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
Mar 15:14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
Mar 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

We need to be informed and follow our conscience. They knew Jesus to be a healer, a man who spoke with authority explaining the scriptures. He had done miracles and had compassion for the lame and the blind. Jesus was never fooled because the Father showed him what was to come. He was one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. If we are born again of God's Spirit we should have judgement as to what is right or wrong. Perhaps we have not been trained to know good from evil, yet if we listen to the heart of God, we will know. What is not by faith is sin to you. Do not let the voices of evil move you, but stand fast in your liberty in Christ Jesus. If we go along with the mob inciters we will betray truth and righteousness and loose our freedom.

Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mar 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Guard your mind as you would guard your flesh against seducers. Keep yourself holy in all of your thoughts and ways. Jesus is coming again and the devil is inciting the minds of many people. Wash your mind daily with the word of God and stay under the blood of Jesus. His spirit is in you to guide you through the lies by keeping you in the truth of God.