Job's friends

Think of Jesus taking our sins and blame to the cross, being stripped of all that he was and yet having no sin of his own. Most of those who followed him had left him. His friend and disciple Judas, betrayed him with a kiss. Peter, as Jesus had predicted, had denied him three times and had fallen away in sorrow. The greatest friend we have is God. So no matter what your friends do, we have God and we love God and our friends. Our friends are human with human weaknesses as we have. Job's suffering was not helped by his well meaning friends, but we can learn from this ourselves. God's love is so much greater than any feeling or emotion, lust,  or misunderstanding that we may suffer from.

Job 16:20  My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

As Jesus wept for our sorrows and has experienced cruelty, he cares for you who trust in him.

1Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Job 19:14  My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

His closest relatives had failed him because of unbelief. I myself remember those times that I lay in the hospital and my best friends never once visited or made contact with me. We need to be a friend especially when a friend is in need.

James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Job 32:3  Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Do not bring condemnation to a friend. God was upset with Job's three friends, but Job had never spoke against God, he remained faithful. We are not to be faithful to other people by following them in sin, this is wrong. We are to be faithful to God, keeping our self from sin. In this way we becoming a true friend to others.

Job 42:10  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

A great truth here, when we pray for others we receive favor from God. One night in our Internet Bible chat room we had a woman who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was a mother of four children, she was soon to die and her concern was for her children. On this night we prayed and the woman did not pray for her own needs, but for the needs of her children and for their care. Something happened as she was praying...she felt a warmth from here head down to her feet. God was touching her and healing her. She went to the doctor the next week and they found no trace of the cancer that was there before. Her unselfish prayers for her children brought the compassion of God upon herself. Praying for others brings healing to ourselves. Unforgiveness is not good. Experience the love and power of God in your life, be faithful to God and receive Jesus, who is the only way to God and forgiveness. He is our eternal life and joy. He is our savior from our sins and separation from God. 

2Cor 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.

Tears shed for Jesus?

I remember when I was in the hospital about to go to the operating table for cancer surgery. I was surrounded by family who loved me. I  felt their love and support and it gave me peace. What of those who have no one to shed a tear for them? Jesus experienced this himself as he suffered on the cruel cross. He was always from eternity with God; he is God the Son, full power and authority. the Lord of Hosts and now he was to humble himself to be a man. He had no sin, and he did not deserve to be the one who all of our sins would be heaped upon, but the love of the Father and love for us brought him for this purpose (Phil 2:4-11)

Psa 22:1  To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Psa 22:2  O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

He experienced pain, rejection, mockings and worst of all, his father in heaven turned from him. He was stripped naked and stripped of all that he was in that brief time on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins and sin separates us from God. Jesus cried when others mourned for Lazarus, but he died alone and almost no one seemed to mourn for him. He had already shed many tears agonizing in prayer at  the Garden of Gethsemane, while his disciples slept.The Mary's were faithful to him in the end and there was faithful John, in the midst of a jeering crowd. Your tears for the lost are as tears for Jesus. He cares about the lost and so should we. Think of all the people that you know who have not received the forgiveness of sins, that was paid for on that cross. they may be all alone.

Psa 22:3  But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Psa 22:4  Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

When we feel separated and alone, then we should praise God; sing praises, for he inhabits the praises of his people. Pray and praise to him. Think now how Jesus was stripped of all that he was on that cross. We are to put aside our old self and put on the new self in Jesus Christ. We are to be resurrected with Jesus in his fulness. We are to become spiritual people, the children of the most High God. His love for us gave us a new eternal life. No need to shed tears for Jesus now. He is our eternal Lord and savior and we love Jesus are to be the bride of Christ for intimate fellowship. Thank you Jesus for taking and making. You took my sins to the cross and by faith you have made me a son of God. Praise your holy name.

Jesus Wept

There are many people who are spiritually dead, but someone may be praying for them, a mother or a sister, a relative or a friend. That sinner, the homosexual, the drug addict, the prostitute, had someone caring about them before Jesus came into their hearts and made them alive by the power of God. Jesus showed that he cares for us as he responded to two sister's whose brother Lazarus was dying and was dead.

John 11:32  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:33  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34  And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
John 11:35  Jesus wept.
John 11:36  Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Jesus would command that Lazarus come forth from the grave. He showed that he was the Lord over life and death.

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

He also showed a human heart of compassion in the heart of the Son of God. He was moved by the weeping of the people. Even though he knew he was going to raise up Lazarus, he still felt the sorrow of those around him and he too wept. Jesus wept, the shortest verse in the Bible that speaks a very large message to us. What does this mean to us today? It means that we have a friend in Jesus. When we moan and groan in our spirit, he feels our suffering. When we pray, he hears our prayers.

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.

Jesus knows are sufferings for he has experienced them.

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.

Keep praying for the lost or the afflicted and know that you are not alone. If you are a friend of Jesus, he is with you and he cares because Jesus wept for us and he will respond to our heartfelt needs. Pray knowing that he hears your prayers and feels your pain. He really does care.

Stop this abomination

Just a couple of things on my mind. Remember when AIDS was first diagnosed. It was a disease primarily from fornication of homosexuals. Why was this not addressed as a disease and the source not confronted as a disease and isolated. Fleas on rats brought the bubonic plague. Should not this disgusting lifestyle have been isolated as if they were lepers? Instead, a homosexual lobby with voting power and money has bought out the crooked and immoral politicians. Now look at what a mess our nation is in?"  Homosexual marriage legalized and honored? No way, it is dishonorable. It is time to put our children in private or home schools, because this aberrant lifestyle is being taught to young school children as normal. What is wrong with the thinking of those who do this?

 

Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

 God opposes unnatural unions.  God will not bless these people. Am I hating them? No, one of my near relatives is in a same sex relationship, even with a child by artificial insemination. I do not hate them, I feel sorry for them. They are confused and doing what God does not approve of. This should concern us all and our nation cannot keep standing if the families fall apart, it is much confusion and God will bring judgement to this nation. All the people may want this gay thing and join hands dancing around the Astoreth pole, but God will bring a stop to it. Why has this been allowed to grow? Sodomy is not gay, it is immoral and depraved. Repent before God, he is your judge, I am only speaking the truth.

Remembering wars

It is Memorial day morning, the rain is falling. For the past month our city band his been practicing patriotic music to play at a gathering at the cemetery to honor our veterans. I was thinking about how many in our military have suffered for our freedom. At Arlington cemetery an honor guard stands in rain, in severe storms in honor of our men who have given their lives in war. Brave soldiers endure searing heat in Afghanistan, some without God and without hope have taken their own lives. Life is not worth much when God is taken away, and yet this is happening in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are to keep God in our hearts for, We are a Christian nation with the motto  In God We Trust and Jesus gave his life to bring us eternal life and freedom.

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Many have given their lives to secure our freedom's. I had an uncle who died in the Bataan death march in WW 2. We can trace our family history and find other's who fought in wars, foreign and domestic. My son was a Marine in the Gulf war. My oldest brother was in the navy in WW2 and my other brother served in the army in combat in Korea. A young man who came to faith in Jesus through our Internet ministry gave his life in Iraq, to secure their freedom. Some wonder if we are losing our freedom today from within our own nation. We must be diligent to preserve our freedom. A people at ease may become slaves. The devil is sneaky and subtle and he often appears to be something he is not. We are to discern words and actions and to trust our God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Our nation is losing discernment as the love of God is replaced by social programs. If we give up the love of God we have lost the war.

Psa 55:21  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
Psa 55:22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Remember Jesus who said:

John 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Freedom begins in a heart that has received forgiveness and new life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are then in the Lord's army. He is righteous and loyal to God. He is God the Son, the very Living Word of God. and we follow him in victory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyIFw0NWu7g  (Veteran's Walk of Honor)

God Loves Israel

 

King David reflects on the goodness of the one true God who loves the people of Israel.

1Ch 17:20  O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
1Ch 17:21  And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
1Ch 17:22  For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.
1Ch 17:23  Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.
1Ch 17:24  Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

 

The God of Israel is the Almighty God. He chose Israel as his people, through which an eternal king would be born from the house and lineage of King David. The other nations have their gods and their prophets, but only the God of Israel is the true God and creator of all. The good news is this one true God loves you and wants to give you eternal life through faith in the only begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

John 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Jonh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Put away all of your gods and come to the only true God who loves you and will give you eternal life. If your god hates Israel, then he is not the one true God, because the God of Israel loves Israel and has given all nations the hope of salvation through faith in their Messiah, Jesus Christ. I love the God of Israel.

Worship the LORD

We are to sing praises to the Lord daily and we are to do His will. We worship with a song in our hearts to our Creator who is worthy of all our praise.

 

1 Chron 16:23 Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

24 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

25 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be revered above all gods.

26 The gods of other nations are merely idols, but the LORD made the heavens!

27 Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty are in his dwelling.

28 O nations of the world, recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.

29 Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship him. Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. (NLT)

 

The creation proclaims the glory of the Creator and we who are redeemed by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are commanded to tell all the world the good news of salvation, through faith in the Son of God.

 

Psa_33:8  Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mar 16:19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mar 16:20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.  

 

Forget all the bad news, sing forth the good news with a heart of thanksgiving!

 

The Joab Christian

1 Chron 11:4 Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (or Jebus, as it used to be called), where the Jebusites, original inhabitants of the land, lived.

5 The people of Jebus said to David, "You will never get in here!" But David captured the fortress of Zion, now called the City of David.

6 David had said to his troops, "Whoever leads the attack against the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!" And Joab, the son of David's sister Zeruiah, led the attack, so he became the commander of David's armies.

7 David made the fortress his home, and that is why it is called the City of David.

8 He extended the city from the Millo to the surrounding area, while Joab rebuilt the rest of Jerusalem. (NLT)

I find it interesting to see the origin of Jerusalem. It was first called Jebu and inhabited by the Jebusites. They were a fortified city and it was there that Joab distinguished himself as a battle commander: "Whoever leads the attack against the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!" And Joab, the son of David's sister Zeruiah, led the attack, so he became the commander of David's armies. Jerusalem became known as the city of David.

Joab was David's sister's son, his nephew. He was a mighty warrior showing no mercy to his enemies. When David's son Absalom rebelled against his father and took the kingdom from him, it was Joab who killed Absalom as he was hanging from a tree by his hair. This upset David who did not want his son killed. David was after God's own heart, but Joab had not the spirit of God. Joab would lead Israel's armies and be victorious in many battles. I see Joab as a type of a Christian that is zealous for fighting against the enemies of Christ, but doing it in the flesh and not the spirit. There was little grace or mercy in Joab. He even turned against some of the warriors who fought for David. General Abner was a great general, sort of like Robert E Lee was as he led the South in the civil war. When Abner joined with David to serve him it was Joab who found an occasion to kill him. The Joab Christian does not have forgiveness. Those who have been received by Christ and forgiven, sometimes are attacked by the Joab Christian and virtually destroyed because Joab would not forgive them. Abner had killed Joab's brother in battle. We must put away past hurts because eventually they may cause us to fall away. Joab fell away from serving David and when David asked his son Solomon who became king after David, to kill him. Joab then grabbed ahold of the horns of the altar, but it was too late as it was there that he was killed.

Sometimes the unforgiving and unloving battling Christian will fall away, perhaps because they never had the evidence of God in their life. They will like Joab seek to call on God for mercy, but not be able to find it. Hopefully none of us are like this, a Christian in name only, vengeful, unforgiving, for we may not be able to find God because of our sin hardened heart. If you think that you may be a Joab Christian pray with me David's words and .If you were truly saved, God will receive you back.

Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Join ranks with the army of God; love one another, encourage and forgive your brother's and sister's in the Lord as Christ Jesus has forgiven you.

The causes of Saul's death

The Holy Spirit writes through the author the transgressions that resulted in the LORD withdrawing from King Saul and allowing his death. The Bible shows the accounts of Saul's death. First came a mortal wound by a Philistine arrow, and then Saul not wanting to be tortured, fell on his own sword. (1 Sam 31:3-6) Later an Amalekite came to David with a story of seeing Saul leaning on his sword but still alive: ""So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord' (2 Sam 1:1-10)

1Ch 10:13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
1Ch 10:14 And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

The Spirit of the LORD had left Saul years before because he would not obey God. He also blamed someone else for his own transgressions.

1Sa 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.
1Sa 15:24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
1Sa 15:25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
1Sa 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

1Sa 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel,...

He wanted to look good before the people instead of following God and obeying him. We have the seem problem in our nation today. Deception and cover up. The final transgression was when he consulted a medium instead of the Living God of Israel.

Exo_20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Continuously disobeying God will cause him to withdraw from a king or a nation. The final act of disobedience was to trust in another god. Our nation and it's leaders are guilty of withdrawing from God. The supreme court is deciding whether or not to allow prayer in public meetings. The final condemnation will be to remove our motto "In God We Trust", and to serve another god. That god could even be an antichrist person. When tragedies come to our nation, do we blame God whom we have ignored and removed from our midst? Who will the blamers blame? Who else but the children of God who trust God and obey him. Hang on to the Lord it is going to be quite a ride -  but we shall be with him the Lord now and forever more. Praise God and pray that America and it's leaders will repent and turn back to the God of our fathers.

Who is your father?

The Jewish religious leaders were entrusted with the responsibility of the word of God and the laws of God. When God the Father sent his Son Jesus, who is the Word of God come in a living person, he was harassed and rejected by them. Those who were to be examples to God's people of righteousness and truth, were themselves self righteous murderers and liars. Those who oppose the Word of God that was sent by God have another god. The god of this world is the devil.

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John  8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

This is not a condemnation of the Jews, for Jesus was born a Jew; the king of the Jews. It is a picture of the children of darkness, who follow the ways of their father the devil. They accused the Son of God who was born of a virgin, as being born of fornication. The devil is a false accuser and a liar and where there is power, he will try to take over.

Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Jesus was not against Jewish synagogues when he spoke to John about the synagogue of satan. The devil will come into some synagogues and some churches through people who are not able to see the truth. These may pose as being the leaders, they act out the part of being spiritual leaders but they are only hypocrites, playing a part that they are not given by God. You will know them by there words and actions. Jude described them very graphically.

Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

We are to test the spirits. Almost everything is of a spirit of good or of evil.

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

The devil will lure many after his ways, promising them fame and fortune only to then  die apart from God. We are not of the devil, but of God by faith in the Living Word. Beware of these false ones who oppose the true work of God. Continue as witnesses of the Word and the truth. Endure persecution and know that we will be with God and not be condemned with those who follow the devil.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

All praise and glory to God.

.

Witnesses of truth

It seems that in the world there is much sin and darkness. Instead of finding truth we hear more lies and the blaming of someone else. There is no truth and righteousness. Jesus came to bring the light of truth and righteousness. The leaders denied him then and they deny him now, but those who receive his truth are made the children of light and the adopted sons of God. We need the true light of the world.

John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

13 The Pharisees replied, "You are making false claims about yourself!"

14 Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me.

15 You judge me with all your human limitations, but I am not judging anyone.

16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone -- I have with me the Father who sent me.

17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.

18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."

19 "Where is your father?" they asked. Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, then you would know my Father, too."

20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.

Jesus knew who he was and he knew that he was the light and truth for all to follow. He came from his Father in heaven to show us the way of life in a sin darkened world.

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

Two witnesses were required by the law to confirm a truth. Jesus spoke that he spoke the truth and the Father in heaven is the second witness. They did not see the other witness, the Holy Spirit that was with Jesus. The Spirit witnesses the truth of Jesus and the Father, almighty God. The Holy Spirit's witness is true, although the Spirit does not speak of himself, he is one with God the Father and Jesus his son.

1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1Jn 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

We are to be witnesses also of the three witnesses of truth. God has revealed himself in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the three are one God. We are to be one in spirit with God through faith in Jesus Christ. His blood paid for our sins, the water of his word cleanses our minds and the Spirit makes us alive in him; we receive eternal life with God. Now we are to witness to others the way of life. Jesus is the light of the world, follow him. 

The birthplace controversy

John 7:40 ... "This man surely is the Prophet."

41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?

42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born."

43 So the crowd was divided in their opinion about him.

44 And some wanted him arrested, but no one touched him.

45 The Temple guards who had been sent to arrest him returned to the leading priests and Pharisees. "Why didn't you bring him in?" they demanded.

46 "We have never heard anyone talk like this!" the guards responded.

47 "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked.

48 "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?

49 These ignorant crowds do, but what do they know about it? A curse on them anyway!"

50 Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, then spoke up.

51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.

52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself -- no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"

53 Then the meeting broke up and everybody went home. (NLT)

The birthplace controversy was happening regarding Jesus' being a true prophet. It was a test from scriptures to prove that he was the real messiah of the Jews. The religious leaders saw his works and his words, they were wonderful, yet they did not want to believe in him, so they used his birthplace as evidence that he was not their messiah. They assumed that Jesus was from Nazareth. Mary, his birth mother was from Nazareth as was his legal father Joseph. He lived and increased in wisdom and stature, living in Nazareth.

Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

The prophet Micah gave his birthplace as the city of David with another proof, that he was from everlasting. Only God is 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.

We know from the Bible that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where Mary and Joseph went to be registered for taxation purposes, because both he and Mary were of the lineage of king David. The Messiah was to inherit an eternal kingdom and be of the house of David.

Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

There are so many proofs that Jesus is the Messiah that came to save the Jews and then the Gentiles, through faith in his works. The very works of Jesus proved that he was from God. I will let the reader look for all the evidence and proofs that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the savior from our sins through our belief in him. It takes little evidence for an unbeliever to continue in unbelief. A believer should find many reasons for believing, for there are many proofs.

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. 

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 

John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Jesus is Lord and his life was lived in truth. There is another birthplace controversy regarding our president.  People believe because they choose to believe in him. Others do not believe him, they say that he is not a man of truth. Truth matters and we are to know a true or false ruler by their fruit. Again, it comes down to belief or unbelief and it is up to each of us to believe either the truth or the lie. I want to believe and live in truth. Truth is important to me and the children of God. We can think we know something and not know enough truth to really know. There is an abundance of proof that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal Son of God. The Bible tells us so and we are to make our salvation sure. We will be tested. Will we live and die believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior? I believe in him and my eyes are fixed on him. He is faithful and true and he is my Lord and Savior.

The best teaching

John 7:14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.

15 The Jewish leaders were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't studied everything we've studied?" they asked.

16 So Jesus told them, "I'm not teaching my own ideas, but those of God who sent me.

17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

18 Those who present their own ideas are looking for praise for themselves, but those who seek to honor the one who sent them are good and genuine.

19 None of you obeys the law of Moses! In fact, you are trying to kill me."

20 The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?" (NLT)

It was at the feast of Tabernacles that Jesus came alone and taught openly at the temple. The religious leaders were plotting to kill him because they were jealous of the power of God in him. He knew more than they did without all the studies that they had gone through in their schools of the traditions of the Rabbi's. Here is an important message from Jesus. He did not speak from his own thoughts but he spoke from the Father, God in heaven. His words came from the source of truth and they were holy words.

Hear this now, all who would be teachers Jesus said that those who teach their own ideas are seeking honor for themselves. They are seeking self glory. It is important for a teacher of God's word that he speak accurately the word of God. Some have gone to Bible schools while others have gone to theological schools where man's thoughts were taught and God's word was not believed. Some call these the cemetery schools, because they teach the dead words of man instead of the word of God. We are to speak from God through the Holy Spirit.

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.

Teach the word of God through the Holy Spirit who shows you the word of God. First you must study to put the word of God in your mind so that the Spirit can use it. Be careful that you not make God's word to say your own thoughts and not the true interpretation of God's word. It is not spiritual to make up your own words and to ignore the Bible.

John the Baptist said it first.

John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Then he spoke of Jesus.

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.
Jonh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

On the pulpit of a preacher was written a note: "We would see Jesus."(John 21:12) We hunger and thirst for God's word. There is a famine in the land for the hearing of God's word. Some will reject the word of God and the messenger even accusing that the witness is demon possessed. Often the enemies of God will tell you to speak your own words, do not play their game. They know that if you speak your own words that they can easily destroy you. Speak God's word, then they are fighting against God and the truth. Some people still want to hear from God, speak the word of God that these may be uplifted and encouraged from the voice of truth.

A nations stolen wealth

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:...

A wonderful young lady who was saved from prostitution by the power of God through our Internet ministry, would often say, "do not be wanting a gift from a stranger, because there will be a price to pay"

2 Kings 20:12 ...Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick.

13 Hezekiah welcomed the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses -- the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them all his other treasures -- everything! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did those men want? Where were they from?"Hezekiah replied, "They came from the distant land of Babylon."

15 "What did they see in your palace?" Isaiah asked."They saw everything," Hezekiah replied. "I showed them everything I own -- all my treasures."

16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to this message from the LORD:

17 The time is coming when everything you have -- all the treasures stored up by your ancestors -- will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.

18 Some of your own descendants will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king."

19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." But the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime." (NLT)

Hezekiah had become self centered and careless in his final years. He allowed the enemy to come and to look at all the secret treasures of Jerusalem. They would be coming back to steal it all. Our nation's secrets are being stolen too. It seems that the leadership cannot give away and waste our resources fast enough to accomplish their vision, but whose vision is it? The "ME" generation wants it all now, putting the nation's future in debt and in danger, including our ability to defend ourselves. Hezekiah showing his treasures to his enemies reminds me of what Jesus said.

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Hezekiah who had been on his deathbed requested life and God gave him 15 more years. He was in a good mood when he exposed the nation's treasure to the enemy. When we witness for God, sometimes the enemy will attack and trample the word of God. This is like the swine who tramples our treasure under his  feet. We are to seek the true treasure and it is most precious to us. Daniel would be one of the ones who were taken into exile and made a eunuch in the king's palace, but he remained faithful to his God. Regardless of what comes to us because of careless leaders and the sins of the people, we are to remain faithful as God is faithful to us.

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 

We are to be humble and faithful servants of God with his light shining in and through us to give hope in the darkest of times. He is our strength and comforter, now and forever more.

John16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We follow Jesus, looking to him who has gone before us and secured the victory.

Healing and the bronze serpent

The Old Testament had many types and shadows of the New Covenant We are not to worship shadows but we are to worship the true God of Israel and his Son Jesus Christ. This lesson about King Hezekiah shows how a good follower of God removed the stuff, the junk idols that got in the way of worshipping God. We are to get beyond the useless "stuff" of life and worship our God in Spirit and in truth.

2 Kings 18:1 Hezekiah son of Ahaz began to rule over Judah in the third year of King Hoshea's reign in Israel.

2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

3 He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight, just as his ancestor David had done.

4 He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and knocked down the Asherah poles. He broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the people of Israel had begun to worship it by burning incense to it. The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan.

5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time.

6 He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses.

7 So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did. He revolted against the king of Assyria and refused to pay him tribute. (NLT)

I wish to focus on the bronze serpent, a type of healing and a type of Jesus on the cross. The symbol of a physician healer is the serpent on the pole. Jesus was lifted up on the pole or cross to heal our soul and body.

Isa_53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Nehustan, a thing of brass. It was also called a fiery serpent in Numbers 21.

Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Num 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

The problem was that the brazen serpent became an object of worship, instead of God who is our healer. The people would come to the serpent to be healed; it became an idol and people were burning incense to it. So when king Hezekiah was cleansing the land by removing the idols, he cut up the brazen serpent. The serpent was mentioned by Jesus as a symbol of his own death to bring healing of the soul and body.

Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

There is no greater healing than to have our sins forgiven and to be translated into the kingdom of God. His death was also for the healing of our bodies. Sure, we all must die someday, but until the appointed time, God will heal us. God may also use a physician in our healing, but all healing comes from God.

Jas 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Jas 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Jas 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.

Follow God's word, obey him and he will respond and bless you. Last night I heard that a dear missionary teacher and friend, sister Wilma, was taken to the hospital. We were asked to pray for her. The effectual prayer of faith is a prayer to the true God, not an idol and through the name of Jesus. A fervent prayer is a prayer focused and with passion, not with a double mind. We pray knowing that God hears our prayer. The prayer of a righteous person, is a prayer of one who trusts God with all their heart, praying on the authority of his word.

Hezekiah cleared the nation of idols and trusted the promises of God. This was counted to him for righteousness. We who have our hearts cleansed by the blood shed on the cross by Jesus, may come to God by faith, removing the junk from our hearts and he will hear our prayers. Pray with me for those you know who need prayer this very hour and pray for sister Wilma to be healed and filled with God's spirit. In Jesus name, amen.