BibleWay Church: Recent Episodes
Josiah was the most righteous King that Judah had. He did not follow in the foot steps of his father and grandfather but as his father David. He did massive religions reforms, told down and burned the idols. Re-established a covenant with the people and God. Not knowing what happened why he didn't seek Jeremiah or Huldah or any of the prophets about Pharaoh Necho whether he was told of God to go to war.
Each day we have to make life and death choices as to life and death. We can choose life by denying self taking up our cross following after Jesus. We have to face a dying daily to self, that the New Man (Christ) may live His life through us as we present our bodies as living sacrifices. We are servants to who we yield our bodies to obey, whether to sin unto death or righteousness unto life.
We are born in bondage to sin, in which the Blood of Christ, His death on the cross purchased our freedom. He has set us free from sin, in which it use to be able to reign in our bodies, But now it has no longer any power over us but that we allow. Jesus imputed His righteousness to us justifying us placing us in right standing with God, our sins where atoned for in Him. He purchased (redeemed) us giving us eternal life.
We have become Bondservants (slaves) of Christ to do what is pleasing unto God which now causes us to have to mortify our members to unrighteousness, no longer yielding them to the bondage since we are now dead to sin, we can no longer serve it since we have a new master. We can not serve two masters, our loyalty now belongs to Christ, whom we are a new creation in, our bodies no longer belong to us.
We see where we have become bond-servants or slaves of righteousness when we enter into the covenant with Our Lord. It is being set at liberty from bondage to sin, to the liberty in Christ Jesus. we freely began mortifying our members not to yield our selves unto unrighteousness, for we are slaves to whom we yield our members to obey.
We need the imputed righteousness of God in Christ Jesus to rule and reign in life, which justifies us placing us in right standing with God. Having been made free from sin, we become slaves of righteousness, whereas we should no longer serve sin, but yield our members to righteousness to do good works glorifying God, presenting our bodies as living sacrifices unto Him. Being dead to the law, having been redeemed by the blood of Christ, resurrected in Him as new creation to walk in the newness of life.
The story of Job illustrates to us, that God has to come into our lives and shatter our self-righteousness, so that in humility serving Him as The Son of God who was a humble servant who never complained, non- accused God The Father falsely. It has taken me a many years to even began to see some of the depths of this story, God's Holy Spirit has to guide into this truth for Jesus to reveal it in the righteousness of Faith.
While Judaism focuses on the law and many American Christians are posting the Ten Commandments in classes, fighting those battles, but we are teaching about the Righteousness of God apart from the law. When we are saved by Grace through faith, He begins to write His laws on our heart, its the faith in Jesus, and not the deeds of the law.
It is necessary that we have a "alien" righteousness, one not our own, it has to be imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ, which comes from hearing the Gospel preached, because it is by hearing the word of God by His Grace are we saved through faith, which is the way we then walk "live" by faith in the Jesus, by being born again by the word of God.
When God first began to use us as one of His children He gives us what we need, that is the gift of His Holy Spirit, which is the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus told His disciples to tarry at Galilee till they be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). It was clothing them in His Righteousness, putting on Christ, as we see we must then put off our own righteousness, which is as filthy-rags.
We are studying where Cornelius was told to send for Peter as we know He was a devout man, who worshipped God, prayed and gave Alms. but He was as yet not born against or introduced to the Gospel whereby Faith comes by hearing the Word Preached. He had to be born again, so he could start the regeneration process of looking to his good works and deeds to looking at Jesus the object of our faith.
Through-out the Old Testament God has left scriptures showing us that He will draw all men to Himself, that all will be saved, and that there's no partiality with God
We see where Jesus began His earthly ministry preaching to the Gentiles, fulfilling the prophecy in Acts as Peter had said, That Jesus would pour out His spirit on all flesh. So when he was sent to the house of Cornelius, he saw that there was no partiality with God. Paul spoke this in Romans 11:11, that salvation had come unto the Gentiles. This mystery of God was being revealed by the spirt through God's marvelous Grace and Mercy. The spirits who sat in darkness has seen a marvelous light,
We see here where God's observing and seeing, and hearing the actions of all souls but His attentive ear is to those He has chosen for salvation. It lines up with the scriptures saying work unto man as unto God, because We see where Cornelius was not saved but feared God, which Peter said was a prerequisite of those Gentiles receiving salvation.
There's so much warnings in the scriptures about being aware of false signs, visions, and dreams. That's why it takes having a intimate relationship with Jesus, having His Spirit, studying His word to be able to make the right choices and decisions. These practices like divination, witchcraft, rebellion all fall under and abominations to God. In these times we have to fear God, which draws us closer to Him and a deeper relationship.
We are looking into how visions sometimes has to be interpreted or explained. Cornelius had one , was told to send for Peter, who at the same time had one about unclean animals, but later he came to understand it was about Jews and Gentiles. But still was fully committed to it, because Paul had to rebuke him about it, as being hypocritical as to His preaching didn't match his actions, separating himself from the Gentiles because of his Jewish friends.
Peter stood up with the other apostles and delivered the first post-resurrection Christian sermon. He explained that this event was a fulfillment of the prophet Joel's words and preached about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Not all members of the Church would have dreams and visions but all would be filled with the Spirit "poured out on all-flesh." It had no racial, ethnic, creedal boundaries, we all began to be translated from darkness into light.
We hear talk about receiving a spiritual understanding (insight, clarity) on the approaching prophesied events. Its sort of like our signpost, that we are heading toward our destination, and are still on the path. God uses His messengers (Pastor, teachers [means]) to help us as light or lamps to our path, delivering us from darkness into His marvelous light.
The vision given to Daniel in this chapter is further interpreted by a Angel God sent to give him clarity on what he was seeing. We have to study God's word, pray to Him for understanding, be a doer of His word and look to the spirit to illumine our path as the Spirit of Christ reveals to us the way to walk therein.
The word of God is the Rod of Iron that the Saints will rule with along with Jesus during the time of he Kingdom of God, a Kingdom that will never end. It is by this Word, which is the Righteousness of God, That we abide in, That we are bound by, that we live by every word. This rod is the sword that we wield, it is able to establish us in every good work.
The Times of The Gentiles is coming to an end, which then theKingdom of God shall be ushered in.
When the Ancient of Days comes and takes away dominion from the Beast, and the judgment is set, meaning ruling and authority has passed to Jesus our Savior who has all power in heaven and earth, the kingdoms of this world has become His (Re. 11:15). He then passes that rule along to the saints to rule and reign with Him. We also read where this Sovereign rule may not be seen immediately but is prolonged to the determined time
The problem of the old man plaques us all. We must continue putting him to death, cause Human nature will try to reassert its dominance in a converted person's life.
In the deceiving of ones self the blindness comes from a mind based in this world, that has to be illumined to be able to start to dispel the darkness. It has to originate from a external source entering within, the self continues to try an preserve the old man, causing a struggle between a reality an a perceived reality that has to be feed by a source which we have to develop a hunger for, because we start to perceive that it is what was lost originally.
One of the most essential warnings comes in scripture Jesus and the Apostle's focused on was that of "Taking Heed", which is to yourself, doctrine, others and it is very detrimental to your salvation because it has so many nuances of circumstances in which we need to be focused on. But the safety is in the word s of Jesus promises of us abiding in Him and His word is the assurance against deception and in-attentiveness.
We need to be alert, vigilant and circumspect in these last days to our own selves that we not allow ourselves to be deceived. This requires a deep attentiveness to God's word, prayer, meditating upon the word, being a doer of The Word and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must be disciples of Christ, using the law as a schoolmaster to help bring us to Christ, cause the Old Testament was written for our admonition to learn from in order to overcome in these perilous, seductive times we live in.
By living in this nation hearing the propaganda on the news, seeing the divisions and actually witnessing the lying and deception going on, it a Godsend to have social media also. It is amazing how much truth you can find by praying to God to direct you to the right sources, diligently searching hungering for the truth. It is a fulfilment of Daniel when it says that this beast (government) will where out the saints, as the dragon (religion) gives it it's power. Many lies will come from the Apostate Church which will have many men of renown,
The world system (Kosmo's), have been deceived, it's influence tries to pull the people of God back into it by the flood that proceeds from the mouth of the serpent. Jesus warns us to be vigilant and watch that we be not deceived, the Apostle's also warned about the false teachers especially those that would be among us,
As Jesus issues this warning not to be deceived and the appearing of false christ , false teachers, false prophets, lying signs and wonders, He admonishes us to learn, study and walk in the truth, that it is the way to combat deception. It's going to take a vigilant effort to combat the schemes and devices of Satan, the Dragon and serpent of old, for this battle is a spiritual one in which we will need the Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth taking faith and obedience to combat him with and overcome.
In the end times along with knowledge increasing, the very modern technological develops will facilitate the means whereby The Dragon (The serpent, The Devil), will carry out his massive deception upon the world even entangling those who had escaped the corruption that is in the world.
Beginning in Genesis throughout the Bible God has been warning man what to do , to not be deceived, but Eve was the first one to fall for smooth alluring talk that entraps those of us that are in the flesh, to remain in the flesh and return to dust from which we where created. He was a murderer in the beginning and now in these last days he's releasing a flood upon those of us who keep the commandments of Jesu, and hold His testimony.
Jesus here describes here the condition of the world when He returns in His judgment. They will be caring on with life as usual or normal, marrying, eating and drinking, buying homes, working on jobs, attending school, warring, all types of calamities will be happening. Just like in the time of Noah, those he's preparing for His salvation, that have come out of the world, has been born again looking for His eminent return will be saved as Satan floods the world with False-doctrine carrying away those who received not the love of the truth.
During this time a rush of information, misinformation, disinformation and a wealth of all sort of distractions are going on to take away from you seeking the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness. These things are designed for the young or new believers and seekers to get them entangled back into this world.
We see here the making of Satan spewing's forth false, twisted corrupted speech, as the dragon (Religion) gave power and life to this beast to stand up as a man sending forth a flood to carry away the woman (The Church). By sending forth this deluge of misrepresentations by his ministers (transformed into light), God allowing this strong delusion as judgment on rebellious, God rejecting men who love darkness rather than light.
No reading of the scripture verses, cause this is a continuation of the prior two messages from Daniel Chapter Seven and Revelations Chapter 12. The persecution and wearing out of the saints, is given over to the ruling beast world systems of all nations but God will break their alliances through their own devices.
We have to understand that this continued assault on the saints of God, has to be shorten or no flesh would be saved. It seems as though many are growing apathetic, conceding to a pessimistic attitudes, being worn down cause its seems as though evil is winning, but this comes from a lack of assembling together lifting up the Word of Truth.
As we realize or are quicken to whose we are, and who we are, we began to rule and reign with Christ. It is the power, authority that God gave us as His children inheriting the Kingdom that His word promises to us, who walk in obedience to His word.
We see Jesus appearing to His disciples through the Spirit, that he has come in the Spirit to lead and guide them into all truth still preparing a place for them, that where He is they may be. We begin the process of Priesthood ruling and reigning with Him here on the earth as promised. By Him using the title Son Of Man He is displaying our kinship as our elder brother the First-Fruit of the harvest that we are the Sons of God," Be it to us according to Our Faith."
It's easy to see why the Prophets' where in need of being strong and of a good courage having to stand and live in their country pointing out its flaws and faults issuing statements and decrees from God, of their demise, destruction and coming judgments of its' people and leaders. Few Americans receive messages from preachers and teachers calling them hypocrites and placing them on par as other nations to face God chastisement and judgment.
It was the excruciating death on the cross for Jesus,Him shedding His precious innocent blood for us, our sins that has granted us access to God, to be able to boldly go before the throne of Grace And petition Him in the name of our Lord and Savior. Its' a much better way, in which we can be cleansed of all our sins, being continually washed in His blood for the removal of sin.
It is preaching of the Gospel that brings us to faith to realize we are guilty of the blood of Jesus a innocent man, as Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost convicted the hearts of the hearers of just what had occurred. The same with Stephen except the fact that these where tares, the children of the wicked one that rejected the word of God. It is there own blood that will have to pay for their own sins, because the price (wages of sin) has to be paid. It's a debt no man can pay and live, its one that has been paid for those who confess their guilt.
Being washed in the blood is a bible doctrine that is taught to those who take up their cross to follow after Jesus denying themselves, because it requires death to self. It is one that you began to see that it is a reasonable service to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. We learned that His blood has a sanctifying effect on us, that separates or sets us apart from the world, and love of the world
Just like flushing the impurities from a wound the blood of Jesus Christ flushes await the sinful impurities from our minds, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. It must be actively brought to fruition in our lives, we must be actual doer's of God's word through acts of faith. When we come to Jesus, He explicitly tells us to take up our cross and deny ourselves to follow Him. This means that we are to begin the process of leaving this world's system behind, putting to death the old man, no longer yielding ourselves to it's pulls on us to yield our members as servants to sin, we have to die to self which is entangled in this world's system (Babylon).
Being washed in the blood is a bible doctrine that is taught to those who take up their cross to follow after Jesus denying themselves, because it requires death to self. It is one that you began to see that it is a reasonable service to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. We learned that His blood has a sanctifying effect on us, that separates or sets us apart from the world, and love of the world
As Jesus is Preparing His Kingdom rule here on earth, He also are washing His Bride with the water of His Word, so that she will be a chaste virgin without spot or wrinkle, no blemishes. This process begins as the spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ, and works mightily is us through obedience, as we begin glorying Him being made in His image, as we fulfill the purpose which he has created us for.
When we see Pilate taking water to wash his hands of the blood of Jesus, we are like the unbelievers that don't understand the spiritual and cleansing ability of the symbolic use of the word water as a universal solvent (cleansing and spiritual) application of water to our lives as The Word washes our sins away and sprinkles us with a clean purified heart. As in Ezekiel when the Prophets says "sprinkle us with clean water."
As we continue studying imprecatory prayers and Psalms, we look at having clean hands, because it links the spiritual reasons why those who pray the prayers and Psalms shouldn't be as the ones they are trying to imprecate. The Pharisees' was guilty of this, who Jesus pronounced woes upon because of their hypocrisy. They are as the government and religious leaders today are the reason the nati0ns are in freefall.
We see that Jesus pronounces woes upon the Pharissee's in last weeks teachings, as we where learning that imprecatory prayers and Psalms were not to be used by new believers, for personal vendettas or revenge but by the more mature believers and that against God's enemies such as the False teachers, advesaries to the cross. It is a tool or weapon in the hands of those who know how and when to use the sword of God's word.
Jesus came and laid Himself as the chief Cornstone, Giving the Apostles the Words to lay the foundation to build upon. The foundation Jesus laid is Himself—His person, ministry, death, and resurrection, often described as the "chief cornerstone". According to 1 Corinthians 3:11, no other foundation can be laid, as this divine-human foundation provides an immovable, eternal base for the church and individual lives.
Jesus came and laid Himself as the chief Cornstone, Giving the Apostles the Words to lay the foundation to build upon. The foundation Jesus laid is Himself—His person, ministry, death, and resurrection, often described as the "chief cornerstone". According to 1 Corinthians 3:11, no other foundation can be laid, as this divine-human foundation provides an immovable, eternal base for the church and individual lives.
In this series we will see that it is on the foundation of Jesus Christ that we receive our praying imprecatory prayers and singing Psalms are part of a child of Gods means to an end in His will being fulfilled to judgment and His Kingdom coming
We are to be forgiving, not carrying around others sins against us (John 20:23). We are to trust God to take care of vengeane against those who distress and trouble us (2 Thess. 1:2-7). As we grow in the faith,, we as mature believers can more accurately pray the prayers of imprecation on God's enemies, not personally upon our enemies or those who transgress us.
We're continuing learning about imprecatory prayers, and that they should not be prayed by new believers or those without a working knowledge of the Scriptures. We see that prayer is both a weapon and a tool. These prayers are one of the means whereby God deals with His enemies, bringing His Kingdom to be done in earth. They in this time probably should be aimed at governments, and false religious teachings. They are not for personal vengeance, or angry retaliation for perceived wrongs.
The Church has to be taught about one of the weapons of our warfare that can be both a tool or weapon, and should not be handled carelessly. It is one that calls into action to bring judgment upon His enemies that His will may be done in our lives. It is at odds between members of the Christian faith as to whether it should be used today. But we can see it can be one of the fiery darts, a sword or rod upon our adversaries.
We study prayers here that we have or need a working use of God's word to pray these types prayers, which should be seldom used against your personal enemies but for the enemies of God or His work, those against the Spirit of Truth. We must also realize the consequences' for answers to these prayers are up to God. It is up to Him to address them in the way He what's and when.
God in His search for a man to stand in the gap, lands on us to whom the Old Testament was written. As we learn it's not an eye for an eye but as Jesus said pray for our enemies and those that despitefully use us. We through the spirit develop Agape love, in which we have the love of God shed abroad in our hearts to where we can Love with that kind of love for immigrant's (foreigner's) those we don't know, for the oppressed and those suffering from social injustices. we focus on the unity of the body of Christ.
The Church has to learn, that it is a command (duty) that we should pray for others. We must have our own lives unencumbered by the weights and sin that besets us, by studying the word of God, being a doer of it, not just having knowledge of it. we also must be born again, not rebellious or disobedient to His commandments and precepts.
Just as Christ entered the world becoming our High Priest, we are to see ourselves as preparing for the priesthood of the believer's. We need to learn to talk to God for man, just as Jesus spoke for us in John 17 we are to talk for one another as in 1 John 5:10-18.We have to know and understand the word of God, so that we intercede according to His will, learning not trying to go beyond it.
The Prophet is a fine example of how we should pray, coming to God confessing our sins, acknowledging we've been wrong and praying according to His word. It shows he was as tudent of the Bible watch and taking heed to the time of fulfillment of God's prophecy about what would happen when they violated His word and what the ppunish would be. It was inclusive of himself laso, even though there's no reported sin of his in the Bible ( Ezekiel 14:14-20 ).
in dealing with conceit concerning self it is one of the most toughest issues to deal with, not just a character flaw that one acknowledges orcan see, because ones own pride blinds you to this issue.
I think of all the writers, that Solomon had the most to say about being conceited, whether he was talking from lessons he learned like in Ecclesiastes about all being vanity. He made lot's of statements about be wise in your own conceits which is astounding given he was given wisdom as a gift from God, but seems as it was earthly cause he even caused the dividing of the tribes and his alliances by marriage's was his his downfall into pagan idolatry, Built pagan shrines, raised taxes, it seems it was cause everything was about him and not denying himself any pleasures.
As the world moves closer to the end times, it is as Paul told Timothy that it would be perilous times with men lovers of themselves. covetous, lovers of pleasure more than God. We have to examine the Book of Daniel as The Book of Revelation, in more of spiritual sense than the physical because we are fighting spiritual wickedness, powers and principalities.
We have to be careful to critically analyze our thoughts, motives, intents and action throughout the day. It is in exercising the word of God to bring every thought into captivity, realizing how wicked and sin bound the old man rally is, putting it to death not allowing ourselves to yield to obey its sinful pulls of the old human nature. It is hedonistic, narcissistic in everyway through the strongholds that Satan has on us.
Self-control, being a fruit of the Spirit and a gift of the Spirit, allows the individual to be part of the process of working out their own salvation. We must, by being a doer of the word of God, begin to put the self to death, by denying it of its fleshly pleasures that control us. We must begin to mortify the members of our body, bring them under our control, being led by the spirit of God, taking up our cross and following Jesus.
We have to learn to subject the body to Jesus, or it will have us serving the desires, passions, emotions, pleasure, and the material world. It never goes away; it forms the old man. When born again, we get a new nature that struggles against this old carnal nature. It has to be brought under consisently, we need to be aware of it.
These are characteristics (fruit), and gifts that can be seem maturing in the believers lives, as they increase in faith and being doer's of God's Word. They are fertized by so many differing processes in the regeneration on the New Man, but requires dying to Self, self-denial being led by the spirit of God. It is one of those that's both a fruit and gift, that God gives through His grace by faith.
What of the processes that the Spirit undertakes in the New believer is developing the fruit of self-control (temperance) and bridges it as a gift of the Spirit, which the believer operates by being a doer of God's word. In denying self, putting to death the old man, mortifying the members of his body actually taking up his cross to follow after Jesus, causes a fruit growing process that consistenly matures over time.
We derived a mind(conscience) contrary to God, by willful subjection of Adam to transgressing God in willful disobedience, which made us self-centered, self-pleasurers, selfish all the attributes and character of our father the devil. God had to redeem some, being born again by faith into Jesus (the Second Man), who was made a quickening spirit, that would regenerate us transforming our mind, being conformed to His image by the obedience of faith to His word.
Sir Walter Scott put it this way, "O what a tangled web we weave / When first we practice to deceive." Some just enter into Church's not actually hungering for God, desiring change in our lives, many began to profess or confess something they don't really haveA BornAgian Experience with the Lord. in which they deceive themselvwes and try to deceive others that they are now children of God, which is a really serious offense, believeing a Lie, never being convered
It lead Adam and Eve away from God , the Paradise they once called home, it was self-deception and until this day remains the biggest obstacle to eternal life that is self-deception. We convince ourselves everything is alright, and causes us to trust or have confidence in the imaginations of our own my or creation. It is a pipe dream which says we can live according to our own dictates.
In being born again it is primary that we seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, without seeking stuff. Our Father know what we have need of, as we seek Him and The Kingdom He says" All these things will be added unto you." We must by faith help to establish the Law, which will help us in our ruling and reigning with Him.
This is one of the hardest lessons to get into the body of the Church, because there's so much erroneous teaching from the many false teachers and so-called Prophets. As Paul had to deal with the "Super Apostles" of his day, we have to bring a message of death to self to a people who are influenced by self-ambition, self-pleasure, the most covetous (idolatrous) generation in history, those of the perilous times that where to come.
Self- denial, death to self a litany of things are necessary as Jesus teaches us to deny our selves and take up our cross if we want to become His disciples. As the Apostle Paul puts it, we must die daily, keep putting the old man to death is the only way to dethrone him with his selfish pride. Submit ourselves to God, humble ourselves under His hand.
As Daniel prophesies the Kingdom being given to the Messiah (Son of Man), and Him turning it over to the saints of the most High to rule and reign with Him, we see the re-establishing of the earth to fulfill His purpose bringing about the Kingdom of God, with His will being done here on earth. The Saints of God being given the power of loosening and binding.
To those of us looking for the coming Kingdom of God, we're preparing for it by obeying the Gospel, continuing to trim our lamps be ready for the calling out of the bride Groom, knowing that it says in His Word that the bride has made herself ready (Re. 19:7-8). We have to through obedience to the faith, have washed our selves in the blood of the Lamb, that we may have on dazzling white garments.
The establishment of the Kingdom upon the earth will not have a line of demarcation to the unbelievers who are looking for a sign. Jesus tells us that it comes without observation, but to His followers walking by faith will understand the signs of the times (Epoch). We must be born again to yoke up with Jesus and learn of Him, study to show our selves approved (2 Ti. 2:19).
We are dealing with the Prophecy in chapter 7 of Daniel, which should help us dispel the teaching that in the last days, He's talking about Israel only but the Church. This is where He says the true worshippers of God worship in Spirit and truth. That it would not be just from Jerusalem but wherever they worshipped in Spirit and Truth, and that the mountain of God (The Lord's house) would be in the whole earth, That people would flow in to learn of Him.
God's people throughout scripture has been warned and admonish about the treatment they would receive at the hands of the world He was leaving, to represent Him in (Luke 23:31;Matthew 10:24-26).If they treated Him in a reprehensible way they would do it unto us. We will also be partakers of His sufferings if we are to be partakers of His eternal life.
In the Book of Daniel when it speaks of the wearing out of the Saints, puts me in remembrance of two new Testament passages, about the unjust judge who aid "this woman weary me with her continual coming", and Peter saying "righteous Lot's was vexed by the inhabitants of Sodom. We in this world are being wore down by it's culture and the social injustices, wickedness and the spiritual darkness continual seemingly winning.
We have to be born again, so we will not be viewing the world from the under the sun perspective as Solomon was. We need to realize that spiritually God is achieving something in our lives strengthening our faith that we be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. The world system is continually wearing out the saints of the Most High.
We have to understand that this continued assault on the saints of God, has to be shorten or no flesh would be saved. It seems as though many are growing apathetic, conceding to a pessimistic attitudes, being worn down cause its seems as though evil is winning, but this comes from a lack of assembling together lifting up the Word of Truth.
Most children has it built in them, to know or learn about their parents, to have a healthy relationship with them trying to please them in everyway. The same is true of us after being born again, we seek to learn about the Father who has adopted us into His family, and the things we can do to please Him. It's only after seeking Him with our whole heart are the treasures of the relationship fully revealed to us, to where we can readily access them.
When we are needing direction their a wonderful counselor that will guide us through the paths of light before we turn to the left or right. His advice leads to blessing, life eternal neither lets you down, won't forsake you that is always present. We have to have someone to get advice from on which way, what decision to make, how to treat each other during our course through this life day by day till those principles, His precepts are formed in us. Till we come to posse that same mind that is in Christ Jesus.
In seeking God through direct contact with His word, prayer and meditating in and on His word daily, we will draw nigh to Him, and He to us. By us mimicking Him, we began thinking His thoughts after Him, desiring those things in which He desires, loving what He loves, hating what He hates. Remember that David was a man after God's heart, seeking to please Him.
we have to learn how to approach God, just as it is with people in the world. The attitude in which we petition (plead), or supplicate our request to God also determines our receiving, not as the Pharisee who prayed to himself about how deserving he was and all his accomplishments (works) instead of humble dependence on God did not receive and answer from God because he really didn't ask for anything.
Understanding the prayers disposition to his Sovereign, submission to His rule and fighting his battle. There's a conversation going around now about not carrying out illegal orders which brings to mind Peter saying man ought to obey God rather than man. Because Satan has infiltrated the Church his ministers have been translated into angels of light preaching another Jesus.
When we genuinely repent, we begin to receive directions from the word of God, which puts us in communication which the Sovereign God of who created the earth, the whole world and all that exist. This places us under His governing of our lives. Jesus died to remove the veil which prevented us from going boldly, directly to the throne of grace. Now as children of God we are told to access the Father in the name of Jesus, which whatever we ask the father will do.
True genuine repentance carries a humbling of ones self, which is the denying of self, picking up your cross, that is of your own volition, putting the old man to death. It's one losing his life to save it. We are to mortify the flesh, by not yielding to the lust or making provisions for it to obey its carnal pulls. It takes submission to God, resisting the devil (self, the old man) for to be carnally minded is death. It takes an attitude of humility not thinking more highly of ones self, than you should.
It may not be a total way of knowing, but the old say "You can tell a tree by the fruit it bears", is a good indicator or should I say a indicator of some Christians, or professing Christians. There should be some transition away from their old behaviors and conduct, the crowds or their interest they follow.
If we study the New Testament we see that the command to repentance runs throughout it. It must be a repentance where we turn to God, submitting ourselves fully to Him. He will allow all sorts of things, or situations and circumstances to bring this about, which is part of our being brought to see that He does everything, which granting repentance is one of the gifts we receive from Him.
This statement began to be made by John the Baptist to the Pharisees attending his baptisms and has been echoed through the time to follow. The Christian has to be proactive in his life, to have actions that displace his old life, with the new creation of being Sons of God. We can't continued as we once walked, but have to deny ourselves taking up our cross to follow Jesus, continuing in His word to be His disciples.
This statement began to be made by John the Baptist to the Pharisees attending his baptisms and has been echoed through the time to follow. The Christian has to be proactive in his life, to have actions that displace his old life, with the new creation of being Sons of God. We can't continued as we once walked, but have to deny ourselves taking up our cross to follow Jesus, continuing in His word to be His disciples.
It's a impossible task for one that is carnal to put themselves under submission to God, one has to be born again, because there will be constant warfare because of the enmity God place against the flesh, that it could not be subject to the law of God. One has to be born again to start a regeneration internally to start the struggle that the mind has to wage against the flesh
We are to humble ourselves in submission to God, in His rule and authority over our lives being obedient through faith in Jesus Christ, fully dependent on Him supplying all our needs, protection, wisdom and understanding.
As we turn to God in repentance He restores us to Sonship making us joint heirs with Christ inheritors of the Kingdom "now are we the Sons (Daughters) of God" there is neither male or female in Him. we can eat freely of the bread of Life, for He says take eat this is my body given for you, man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God .
We see theirs conditions that attaches to us entering into the Kingdom of God. It's not something you just join on your own accord, still living as you please. We must first of all hear the preaching of the Gospel which contains the invitation to join, which has to by faith fall on fertile ground to germinate to produce the right crop.
We see this stone that smote the image began to establish His own Kingdom by the Zeal of the Lord, which shall never be destroyed, or passed to others.
Throughout the New Testament where the Gospel is preached we already have Eternal life, give to us by God's grace through faith if we believe. It's something we don't have to work for, but we can exchange it for a lie, or the deception of the devil through the many antichrist that are in the world.
The Apostolic doctrine is how we judge any and all other teachings or instructions. Jesus said I've given them the truth, sanctify them by your word. In the 17 chapter of John He emphasized he prayed for those whom He had given His word to. It's foundational to the true preached Gospel, it is able to make you wise unto salvation. The word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
The most distinguishing aspect of the antichrist is it's doctrines, those of devils. We must learn and now the word of God because the famine to come will be in the instructions spoken by the beast and his adherents, which will be heretical teachings. The words of their mouths betray them, is why we must study to show ourselves approved rightly dividing the word of truth, because they will wrest the words of God to their own destruction.
We need to understand when it is said there are many antichrist, that this is a spirit (spirit of this age, seducing spirit, lying spirit) that starts to influence the people within the Church ranks. No wonder Jesus said to it unless you repent I shall fight against it.
We exam the spirit behind the "little horn" in the seven chapter of Daniel, which is the Spirit of Antichrist. It's not so much as a man but travels through the ages as the Spirit of the age, because of it's changing nature, unlike The True Holy Spirit (The Godhead), which is unchangeable.
As Amos speaks of the times they are living in, just how evil and unjust it was, it would be prudent to keep silent. He's not being hypocritical by him continuing to preach because it is given to some to be spokesmen during such times, but as we are witnessing now , it could mean loss of income, physical violence against ones person, a cause of division or in some cases even death.
In studying the Parable of the Five wis and Five foolish virgins seems as though all where in the Church but only five (5) where saved, due to a lack of a relationship with The Bridegroom. We have to continue to be filled with the Spirit which oil here is a symbol of. Wisdom helps develop prudence in everyday living, its' a attribute that is developed, but wisdom comes from asking God for it.
Prudence is something that denotes a great deal about God's children because it does not come in a vacuum but by real world experiences of our interacting with it through God's word and leading of His spirit. It develops over time, as we see with all the wisdom of Solomon we see at times where he lacked prudence.
I want to finish talking about the fellowship of Christ suffering in which the believer is enjoined to be a partaker of. But just as Jude had to address a pressing issue of the times, I want also to remind you Amos said we're living in a evil time, and that the prudent will keep silent.
We now look at the fellowship of His suffering, which really brings us to the New Testament meaning of the word. As in Luke 23:31 and other places, like drinking of the cup we see Jesus telling us that we must learn to deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Him, is that we shall present our bodies as sacrifices for His cause to partake in the glory to be revealed.
We need to know what true fellowship is, which warrants a look at the early Church of Acts 2:42, exactly what is meant by fellowship today have lost all of it' cohesiveness. What binds together today in fellowship are shear works of the flesh and corrupt human nature (depravity). The tongue being the instrument that sets all ablaze, with political and religious division.
It is not good that man should be alone, was what God said in the beginning. God has created us for fellowship, As part of a family, in which He instills His character, writing His laws upon our hearts, us by His Spirit teaching, us leading us into all truths.
Th scripture tells us to be continuing filled with the spirt, which is what we do , praying, studying, meditating on the scriptures and doing the truth (walking in the word). But Jesus was born full or Grace and Truth, in all the purity that was Holiness.
It seems as though Pilate ask a rhetorical question "What is Truth", because he leaves out without answering it, or Receiving a response from Jesus. We know that Jesus is "The Truth, a real embodiment of truth. Biblical truth refers to the objective and absolute reality revealed in God's Word, rooted in God's unchanging character and will.
We study truth according to how God defines truth, in which Jesus answered Pilate when he asked "What is truth." We learned that Jesus is the truth, the way and Life, which is a way of living with all the attributes in which God's Holy spirit gifts us with spiritual purity and mature perfection.
In get the understanding from John that Jesus was in the beginning with God, and was the one who actually was the spokesman that said :Let there be light." That The Word, was God and came to dwelt among us, in which in touched, handled and had a knowledge of, which disputed the Gnostics teachings of the day.
As children of God we have been called to walk in the light as He is in the light, so we should make the most out of glorifying Him, not pleasing ourselves or trying to be seen for self edification.
In Genesis and 1 John 1 read study about light, and that that light was in the beginning with God, it was the Word, and was made flesh. Jesus is that light, so we must exam all of the metaphors, symbols and meanings of what Light is. We see where He would be a light of the Gentiles and would light every man that comes into the world.
There's a change that comes about when we are walking in the light, as Peter took on a boldness to address, the Sanhedrin and Pharisees' as that "man ought to obey God rather than man." Then they said this man has been with Jesus, noting his steadfast loyalty to this new "Way."
John is addressing here a statement that one can SAY but what is said is not the truth, if the life they are living doesn't match up to the light of God's word. It shows one is a liar , and does not the truth. It has to be within obedience to God's word whether we are walking in the light and have fellowship with Him.
As the storms of life bring trials and tribulations we have to continue to abide in Christ, trusting Him to help us weather the storms. He has to be the rock that we're hued from our very strong foundation when life seems to shake the ground beneath us. He the one that is our refuge, the one to help us to overcome what is to come upon this world that lies in darkness.
When we know what walk means biblically it helps us to condition our mind of faith. It allows us to see ourselves being translated into His Kingdom, out of darkness. We develop our relationship with His presence as, Enoch did for he walked with God.
We see where Jesus has redeemed man and delivered him from the power of darkness (evil), into His Kingdom of Light. Then comes about from hearing the Gospel (Word of God), in which births us into His Body, The regeneration, being born again, we began a process of regeneration.
We have to realize as we ask God for our daily bread, He gives it to us as being the bread of life, it is necessary for our growth in Him. It has to be assimilated into our very being, our spiritual essence, the nature and attributes of God, in which it is sanctifying us, washing us from all sins the cleansing action is in being a doer of the word.
As the Stone smote the image, it was Christ bruising the serpents head. His Kingdom has started to grow since at that time, with Him transitioning His people "The Saints of God" into their ruling and reigning. It's a progressive growth as the manifestations of the Sons of God come.
As the Stone smote the image, it was Christ bruising the serpents head. His Kingdom has started to grow since at that time, with Him transitioning His people "The Saints of God" into their ruling and reigning. It's a progressive growth as the manifestations of the Sons of God come.
We have to be as Jesus was in seeing the Kingdom within and among us. We pray that "Thy Kingdom Come", not realizing that we are helping to bring that spiritual reality to life in this present-age. We are to be the light bringers that rule and reign with Christ, Him giving us the Kingdom to posses it, and have dominion here on earth.
There's coming a time of the restoration of all things, as The Man Christ Jesus overcame the world, dying for us, redeeming us to rule and reign with Him in the Kingdom of God. He has been the workman through which the Spirit has made all things new.
Daniel was distressed, He dread it when given the interpretation of the dream, or vision. It seems overwhelming to comprehend some of the things God is giving us, we need further instructions sometimes to fully grasp what we are seeing or being described and just what to do with it.
As disciple's of Jesus we are told to learn of Him, so when shown the four beast dream Daniel reacted sort of with consternation wondering what was the meaning of the dream. The interpretation was given him, because Jesus calls us friends not servants , and reveals to us what He is doing.
We see that Daniel here agonizes with what he saw. He's fill with dread, ats the interpretation is delivered. The Son of Man, receive the Kingdom, dominion and the majesty which will never cease or be overcome.
As we near the end of the times of the Gentiles, whereas all of the Kingdoms of the world become those of our Lord, our preparation for ruling and reining with Him comes to the forefront. Those that He's working in to come out of Babylon begin to do the works of God, manifesting our light unto the world. The brightness of His coming destroys the wicked ones. As He commissioned us to go forth preaching the Gospel making Disciples of all nations, for today is the day of salvation.
The Temple that God is building to dwell in will be built with Integrity because of His Holiness. The material that goes into it encompasses acting with consistency, trustworthiness, and a commitment to ethical behavior at all times, it's who we are, the essence of our character. For through His spirit along with The Father, Son and us we are made into His image.
We are given Daniel's experience in this chapter to show that throughout his life, he like Job had held his integrity. We as Christian, have to allow that light to shine, even when it means sacrificing. Daniel did not have to openly show his loyalty to God in front of his window, but it was written for us living in the end times. There are far too many Christians not realizing that all of creation (Ro. 8:19) is waiting on the manifestation of the Sons of God.
We are given Daniel's experience in this chapter to show that throughout his life, he like Job had held his integrity. We as Christian, have to allow that light to shine, even when it means sacrificing. Daniel did not have to openly show his loyalty to God in front of his window, but it was written for us living in the end times. There are far too many Christians not realizing that all of creation (Ro. 8:19) is waiting on the manifestation of the Sons of God.
We can't expect to be able to read the hand writing on the wall if we are not in the family of God. Those that are initiated into the family of God, that are born again, walking by faith, being a doer of God's word, hungering and thirsting for His righteousness will be the one's that receive illumination, to whereas His word becomes a light on our paths of life, a lamp unto our feet. He will open our understanding to where we can understand the scriptures.
After being born-again, the believer begins to do good works, sowing the right seeds that will bring him into proper balance in life (redeeming the time, showing mercy, living for God and others, making sacrifices, learning true suffering for Christ). He begins to lay aside every weight and sin that's hindering him from running this race,
We have to look at Scripture from God's perspective, and to do that we have to be born again. In these last days we realize that God no longer winks at our ignorance, but as Belshazzar we should have known these things. We will be held accountable to God, for our actions, we're being weight in the scales.
We all need to realize that the Church's judgment has begun, we need to examine a few parables to understand just what is happening in all of our lives at that judgment is a continuous process, hopefully we are not in the place as Belshazzar was with its finality. He died that very night Daniel pronounced it, his kingdom came to an end. We have to realize the Judge is standing at the door
God's word has been expounded starting with Adam telling Eve what God had said, though man has been disobeying the Word preached starting with Adam. We are responsible for the word we have heard, and to search after and seek it as God allows us to. During the time we lacked hearing or proper interpretations of it, God winked at this ignorance. But we are still sinners never-the-less. we are held to obedience to the word.
We today are responsible for accepting or rejecting the Word of God, that's being proclaimed to us. We are commanded to seek God, (the Truth), after receiving the hearing of the word, you are to grow in the Grace and knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to continue in His word.
We in this world who are unbelievers or false professors, are walking in Belshazzar's' shoes, as the devil we believe and tremble but are not doer's of God's word. So it's not a holy fear we have, as the Pharisees we reject or fight against the unknown, that we don't understand we reject instead of submitting ., some as Peter said of those hearing Paul wrestle with the scriptures to their own destruction.
We've been looking at wine from two different perspectives, and we see here where it exceeds the warnings given by God as to it's deception as a mocker when used in excess. The King and his princes at a drunken festival commits sacrilege and dishonor God treating the vessels of God with contemptibility.
We are to enjoy wine in a festive way, or as a pleasure or blessing of life according to God's word. There are admonitions as to access drinking of it to drunkenness. But it is part of lot's of sacraments that God gives us. It is also meant metaphorically, or symbolic of such things as doctrine.
Some of the Churches I know of, especially those seeking to be more religious, erroneously preached that the Bible prohibited wine and all alcoholic beverages. This in turn may have prevented lot's of well meaning people to avoid religion or the Church, also is why I understand why God is so upset with false teachers and preachers "that cause His name to be Blasphemed among the Gentiles".
In studying the word of God on a subject like wine and the Church, we have to be careful about our views and opinions. There are different camps trying to strain out a gnat swallowing a camel on someone consuming alcohol, determine whether if non-alcoholic or not, or totally prohibited, when the Bible is very clear on the subject.
Praise properly terminates in God, on account of His natural excellencies and perfections, and is that act of devotion by which we confess and admire His attributes. We praise God for all His glorious acts of every kind, that regard either us or other men… but we thank Him, properly speaking, for the instances of His goodness alone, and for such only of these as we ourselves are some way concerned to.
The only thing we can give to God is the fruit of our lip giving Him praise, everything else already belongs to Him, we have nothing He doesn't have that we can give to Him. It is a obligation or duty to offer up praise as a reasonable sacrifice.
Unless we turn to God, start doing good works, searching and seeking after Him, we have no life in us. We will be brought to destruction, for we came from dust and shall return to death.
We just as Nebuchadnezzar have been warned to turn to God, His longsuffering has endured our trespasses but there's a time limit on God's mercy, for Today is the day of salvation. God goodness just like during the time of Noah gives us time while the Ark (Church) is being prepared, till the fulness of the "Times of The Gentile."
Just as He did with Gideon's starting army, all cowards and those that are fearful will have to be pruned out from among God's people. Those that have a spirit of fear, has a spot or blemish that has to undergo the knife, for He has not given us a spirit of fear which has torment. That part of the Churches washing and cleansing through the Word, in which Christ comes looking for a bride without spot, wrinkles or blemishes.
God works on all of us as He did with Nebuchadnezzar. We are trees of His planting, which He shapes us as vessels of honor to be a spiritual dwelling place for Himself.
Just as Nebuchadnezzar and many today, serve God not knowing who He really is and our mission or purpose, for there will be many on that they who will have done many works in His name and He will say depart from Me, I never knew you. We have to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him by the understanding and clarity of life spiritually only He can give.
It's hard trying to get people to understand that Nebuchadnezzar was really addressing the world and those of us to come, about the insanity of worldly thinking and that the truth understanding comes from being awaken to God who opens your understanding to where you can communicate and understand Him, for the whole world lays in darkness, and is foolishness to God.
Here when it say's that King Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men, into the wilderness, I've tried to research this as best I could but not much about it. He must have been going through issues that taught him about God, even with what the Babylonians called his mental decline, it was part of his discovering God period which brought him to conclude rightly about God, with a restoration of His sanity or understanding.
Those of God's children who fail to humble themselves He will humble. It is a non-negotiable trait that all His children must posse, because He resist the proud. We must not be high-minded, thinking more highly of ourselves than we should.
Listening at the Apostle Peter about us submitting to one another, the younger men to the Elder men, was from his experience of Satan sifting him like wheat, Jesus told him when he had come through to strengthen his brethren. Just as Daniel warned Nebuchadnezzar to turn from his ways to God, then him rejecting the (Gospel Message), God had to humble him, which we should humble ourselves.
The Old testament was written also for our admonition, we do ourselves a great disservice by not studying it more, reflecting and putting ourselves in some of their places as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar with his self-centered pride and not listening at Daniel's admonition of repentance toward God.
There's a work being done in which Jesus is accomplishing all of the Fathers will perfectly. In the latter days He's working through the Church to accomplish this mighty work. Wherein we should not think more highly of ourselves, than we should, realizing it is Christ that works in us both to will and do, and without Him we could do nothing.
When we look back at the origins of man, we see where we inherited a sin nature at the fall of man. Within that nature was the father of all sins Pride, it is very deadly, and deceptive. It is one that can only be humbled by the spirit of God working in the individual to cause him to see himself as he really is a " depraved-sinner" with no hope but in Jesus by His Grace through faith.
Daniel is called in to the King for an interpretation of his dream. No mention of prayer here before as, the king had told the dream to the astrologers, Chaldeans and magicians already. Daniel was grieved saying that he wished the application of it was not for the king but his enemies. But it was about the kings pride, his disposition was one that needed humbling unto God, that would follow with a repentant life.
we'll see where Nebuchadnezzar a servant-of-God who wrote the chapter in which Daniel included in Holy Writ, for time and peoples to come, as a testimony to The Sovereignty of The Most High God, who rules in Heaven and earth and exalts who he will, even from the most bases of men. He had humbled His prideful arrogance to cause him to realize his equality with other men and could be as base as a animal in thinking.
We are told that Nebuchadnezzar war at ease resting in pleasure and prosperity when God caused him to have this terrifying dream. It was a warning which was not heeded but helped him to learn and become a witness for the Most High God, that He rules in Heaven and earth, sets up Kings and Kingdoms and abases them.
Jesus told us what we have to do, Him being the author and finisher of our faith, "Take My yoke upon you and Learn of Me.' As we do that He says we must continue in His word to be His disciples, as Disciples we are no longer slaves but friends (John 15:15).
Jesus was asked by the Pharisees'' for a sign of when would be the end of time or of the things in which He was preaching to them about. But by not being born again or accepting Jesus, they did not an could not come to a understanding non was willing to do what it would take to become knowledgeable of what He was saying, because that required becoming one of His disciples.
We as members of the body of Christ have to start acting upon those things we experience or believe according to the word of God, for it to have an effect upon our lives. We hear the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar about the Most High God, but we have to not only have a testimony but produce fruits meet for repentance. It have to be like the people of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonah.
We have to realize that we have no peace, that we have to seek peace after being born again. It is something God provides for His children, which grows or is multiplied in Jesus Christ as we continue in the process or growth He has placed in obedience to his word.
As with Peter in 2 Peter 1:2-9 which tells us how to have this multiplied peace that King Nebuchadnezzar pronounce to the reader or hearers of his word, Is a peace of God from God, that comes by growing in grace and knowledge being obedient to his word.
We have to learn whatever the circumstances or the situation, we must be trusting in God working for our good, and that He has us in control of whatever it is, proving our faithfulness to Him
We are put together in The New Testament dispensation by The Gospel, which is hearing the word of God preached, which is able to establish us.
We are put together in The New Testament dispensation by The Gospel, which is hearing the word of God preached, which is able to establish us.
If we worship our created, we are being made in His image, by us worshipping anything or anyone or thing we are idolizers and we become like that we worship. God knew man has a propensity to worship the reason He commanded us to worship Him only, as usual all He does or commands is for our good.
Worship of God is commanded of Him, and worship of Him only is also. Being the creator of all things He is a jealous God and will not allow in other thing or person to be worshipped. There's not enough study of His word with the proper teaching is the reason there's so much idolatry in the land today, it's as if they don't realize covetousness is idolatry that leads to we become what we worship being mammon and you cannot serve it and God.
Worship of God is commanded of Him, and worship of Him only is also. Being the creator of all things He is a jealous God and will not allow in other thing or person to be worshipped. There's not enough study of His word with the proper teaching is the reason there's so much idolatry in the land today, it's as if they don't realize covetousness is idolatry that leads to we become what we worship being mammon and you cannot serve it and God.
The rest of the Hebrews that chose to bow to the image shows you just because everyone else is doing it, that does not make it right. Idolatry was one of the reason they where in captivity the first Commandment of God forbids worshipping anything other than the true God. The second commandment forbids making or bowing down to graven-images.
Just as Israel lacked belief (faith) in God delivering through Moses, Judah, Israel and all of God's people that where taken to Babylon just as we do today, know it is wrong to bow down to idols or worship any other god, BUT our GOD WHICH IS THE ONLY GOD. We have to drawn the line somewhere and fear Him only that can destroy the soul, mind and body in hell.
I think we are the most Idol making culture or society ever in history, probably one of the reason's I see these as the end-times. Man has never been so vain, Covetous, self-centered and self-pleasure than any before us, even knowing there's nothing new under the sun. We need to gain knowledge as to what idolatry is now in comparison to image making of old. The selfie is Satan's gift to man, as Paul told Timothy men would be lovers of themselves.
We as children of God must eat our daily bread which is the word of God, if we are to grow spiritually mature. We must feed the mind with the right knowledge if the person is going to do right as a way of life. We need the doctrines put together in the correct way so they lead in the right direction—toward God's purpose. Be careful what you meditate and study, it is what you become . He told Peter to feed His sheep, it has to be a proper diet, which we can assimilate into a way of life.
There's a hunger in God's children that are praying for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. This seems to be a gift of the spirit that's available but not achieved by all of God's children. Just as it was with Daniel and his three friends there are certain ones in the body of Christ like Peter, James and John whom was always in the inner circle that pursue after certain gifts that God doesn't condemn us for desiring.
As in the Book of Daniel where the wise increase in faith and spiritual understanding, that's what us Sons of God will be doing in these end- times. For the whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God. We are being called to do that greater work that Jesus spoke of us doing cause He was going to His Father. It is time for us to help establish the Kingdom of God right here on earth.
We must pray to God for the wisdom to be able to apply the understand that He gives to us to practical life situations in our daily walk. It must be that which comes through the spirit in use of establishing His Kingdom allowing our light to shine that lifts Him up causing Him to be glorified in us.
God has given us minds that have desires, but in their fallen state they can be depraved, inordinate desires that lead to disobedience to Gods way of abundant life, and leads to the wages of sin and death. We despairingly grasp after carnal things that don't satisfy, not knowing it breaking the law of God.
We have to learn contentment with God's way of life for us, which dispels covetousness from us. The Apostle Paul said he didn't know about covetousness till the law said not to covet. contentment has to be learned from following God's word, being obedient walking in faith daily as we ask Him for wisdom to overcome in this present-age, not to be conformed to this world.
As born again believers we in the fear of God began praying to Him everyday, for wisdom to carry out and conduct ourselves, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all we do. Our prayers and supplications to Him becomes less material and more along the lines of the promises in His word, turning not to the left or right but with His hidden word in our hearts patiently wait upon the prompting of the Spirit, bringing every thought into captivity and obedience of the Lord.
We need to read the Book of proverbs through at least once a year, what I tell my members and my family is to pick a month with 31 days and read a chapter a day. According to the first chapter verse 1-9, this was one of the reasons the Book was written was to give wisdom to the simple, prudence and light to live in todays world but to be separate from the world.
We gain wisdom from God through our union with Christ, being born again of His Spirit, which guides and leads us into all truth. It's studying His word which is able to make us wise unto salvation.
We have to be converted to have the same mind as Christ, which requires asking of God for daily wisdom to walk in the right paths of life, making right decisions guided by His Spirit. To be able to gain spiritual wisdom that we need in forming us in the image of God.
As children of God we learn that wisdom from God is something that we ask of Him to give, which He freely gives to us, desiring that we consistently bring this specific request to Him. This is seen in Daniel that he conducted himself wisely among the fallen Babylonians which is a good example to us in this date and time, that we deal prudently in this fallen nation in which we live.
Before we can really trust someone you have to know them. Daniel here shows his knowledge and trust of God, Jesus tells us to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him. The way to do this is by studying His word, being a doer of it, and praying to Him consistently. As the relationship grows the intimacy develops to that of friendship to close confidant. He begins to lead and guide you by the prompting of His spirit.
We continue in looking into the confident assurance that we will have answered prayer as children of God crying to our Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus. He has consistently told us to petition the Father, in whatever we need let our request be known to God, and not grow weary in well doing.
As children of God, who have heard the saying "Dare to be a Daniel', we come to the Epistle of 1 John where it was written during assaults on the Church by Agnostics and Gnostics, is one of the reason the word "know " is emphasized several times. We are confident and have assurance of our salvation and being children of God, having eternal life by being born again of the spirit by grace through faith.
Daniel was not afraid to come before the King, to supply Him with a light shining for God Almighty being the Sovereign of the world, who dwells in the Heavens and among men. Who reveals secrets unto His friends, allowing Him to give the King the dream and the interpretation in confident assurance that God answers his prayers.
We as the Followers of Christ left in the world to be lights to the world, just as Daniel and his friends was in Babylon, we are to should confidence, faith, and conduct becoming as of the children of God. But the wisdom we must acquire the wisdom from above that given by God through His Spirit, communicating with our spirit. We see where Daniel conducted himself wisely, which was noticed by all in Babylon that came in contact with him.
We need to learn of just how large Babylon was and that the wisdom of the Magi men and Magi, sorcerer's was much different than what we think of these professions today, these was the Priest and cabinet level officials of their time.
For us as children of God, we must know our God as Daniel and his friends did, so that our faith will not fail. We have to realize that He's in charge of all events, circumstances, with full knowledge of us, our needs, bringing us to be shaped and formed in the image of Jesus. It is only seeing Him as Sovereign can we endure the life we are to live now.
We need to see what is the purpose of this hidden dream, and interpretation being given to Daniel to show Nebuchadnezzar. It seems to show both of them the Sovereignty of God, which Daniel seems to already know. But that the King and his court of magicians astrologers and the Babylonians who are polytheistic that there's one Sovereign God.
We have to dedicate ourselves to personal holiness, like some of the Saints in the Church at Sardis. Jesus said that it was some names among them who have not defiled (Soiled) their garments, with the world or things of the world. In this modern day Babylon, which God has called us out of so that we be not partakers of her plaques or you will be punished with her
The conviction that Daniel shows when he had purposed not to defile himself with the Kings food, should be the same with us not defiling ourselves with the Spirit of the Prince of this world (the Babylon that each of us lives in). We cannot eat of the table of the Lord and of devils, which takes on spiritual implication in the New Covenant. We have to not yield our members unto unrighteousness as still being in bondage to Satan.
We start in the very fist chapter with Daniel making a personal choice not to defile himself with the Kings table. Each one of us must make choices each day to grow in the lord, doing that which is right in His sight being a light in the world glorifying Him. There are no recorded stumbles in Daniel's life, but victories in the Lord. He always puts God first in every decision He makes, always giving Him the glory.
We have to more than survive exile, we must overcome in exile. We have to let our lights so shine as to bring down the judgment of God on Babylon, by our works of righteousness, praying to God the Father for vengeance on our adversary and to come quickly. The "world" is not the created order. John is not telling believers to hate the created order, culture, society, or the people of the world
Daniel a young man carried away in the captivity of the exiles to Babylon, was wise and of nobility whom was a man that knew His God and fully believed in Him as witnessed by the events in His life and God using him as a Prophet and one to stand before Kings delivering the uncompromised word of God without fear. Who was kept by God during the hour of trials such as in the lions den.
This is to those of us who Jesus has redeemed and allowed to enter into His rest. We begin to realize all of the great things He has accomplished for us, which strengthen our faith where we rise up and walk in the newness of life as a new creation that was created for good works. we no longer strive to keep the law but are led by the Spirt through "obedience of faith" to help establish the law, resting in the finished work of Christ, knowing all we have to do is walk therein.
We have the Old Testament Israel to see that those with unbelief, lack of trust in God, not having faith which without is impossible to please God, they could not enter into His rest. We have to take earnest heed unless we, fall short of the grace of God in vain, not having our faith that's increasing causing us to be overcomers to sin seeking God while He still may be found, our hearts being hardened by not have faith in Our redeemer we fail to obtain the promise left for us.
As we realize that we're being regenerated, and sitting in Heavenly places with Christ, we enter into His rest whereby the Spirit does the work, as we present our bodies as living sacrifices. God has set us free from bondage, sin and death we've been redeemed and enter into His rest.
There's been years of wrong or misleading teaching on just what born again really is, as some think it is us choosing Jesus or professing Christ, instead of the supernatural work that it is whereas we're placed into the family of God by a regenerating effect of giving new life (a spiritual-birth).
I've been trying to drive home about regeneration and born again, in which in the 80's through 2010 the Born-Again movement mislabeling it or what it really is. Getting confused about those confessing Christianity and believing from actually the experiencing of the Spirit working a change upon the person.
Being born again we should desire the sincere milk of the work, to grow thereby. God has birth us into His family with a plan and purpose for our lives. He has created us for good works, as a new creation in Him we have to learn to walk therein and grow in the grace, knowledge and understanding of our Lord with ever increasing Faith.
We all have heard of the Fatherhood of God, but less about the Motherhood of God. This is part of what He means by taking His yoke upon us and learn of Him. It comes with increasing knowledge of Him and His word, prayer-time, doing the word, meditating on in it day and night, It's what the spirit does in guiding and leading us into all truth's.
When we bring self into worship we begin to build a golden calf (Idolatry).When we focus on stuff and it's acquisition we begin to covet (idolatry). God's word tells us to seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. We need to start to see that worship involves the totality of our lives which the first commandment tells us of God's positioning our lives.
We have to study Gods' word study His regulative principal of worship to come to know from the Old Testament as to how we should worship Him, being He consistently warned His people that they should not worship Him as the prior inhabitants or the other nations worshipped their gods.
We must understand the roll of God essence of motherhood, which He, and Jesus refers to several or more times. As a Hen to her brood to gather us up, His spirit brood over the earth in the beginning. Why is God first seen as masculine and paternal in biblical thought? I don't believe it's in order to negate his maternal, feminine nature.
Just like the physical body needs differing nutrients across the spectrum to grow, the spiritual body needs every word contained in the Bible to grow in the perfect character God desires. We should live by every-word that proceeds, from the mouth of God, we are charged to declare the whole counsel of God. Not just blessings and prosperity, but the consequences' for lack of obedience.
We as born again believers receive out strength by not only desiring the sincere milk of the word, but assimilating it in our lives till it becomes our life, the way in which we live. We can not over emphasize this that we have to continue in His word to be His disciple's and overcome the word, and for Him to bring us through the fire.
Just as in the days of Noah the world is going on about it's business, seeking pleasures and living for themselves. While Jesus comes back, starts judgment at the Church, separating the wheat from the tares with His fiery-judgment. The children of God has been judging themselves and washed in the Word.
There's three different types of mourning, the one we are looking at here is the one that comes from Godly sorrow produced by God through the Spirit producing character created in the image of God.
Jesus gives us a stern warning against what we have heard saying He say's to love our enemies so that we can be perfect as Our Father in heaven is. Who rains on the just and the unjust, and that we should not be as the Pharisee's or the Gentile's who love those that love them only. His own brothers didn't believe on Him while He was alive.
Jesus gives us a stern warning against what we have heard saying He say's to love our enemies so that we can be perfect as Our Father in heaven is. Who rains on the just and the unjust, and that we should not be as the Pharisee's or the Gentile's who love those that love them only.
We as Children of God understand that the opposite of love is sin, in the spiritual world. That those of us given to sin hate God, and know not God. To walk in the light, and fellowship with Him, we have to practice the love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts and learn to love even our enemies. That feelings is down the list behind doing the Will of God and truth plays a much larger role. Love is keeping God's commandments, and sin, then, is the breaking of His commandments, which are for those that hate God.
God tells us of the outcome of those who show hatred toward us and in dealing with them we should solicit His help in prayer to follow peace as much as possible and in trying to reconcile our brother or the offended party to peace. We must always try to be as diplomatic as possible, but keep things handled in a Godly way by asking for His leading us by The Spirit
We as the body of Christ need to realize the significance of this that God said that He will choose the delusion, in both Testaments because they carry a different meaning in each, with one being more or less in the physical, such as disasters, calamities -evils- and the other being spiritual -vexation, false preachers, misleading information, deception-, all of the vices that where used to carry out their rejection of His word, will He turn to use against them
We study in this chapter the correlation with the strong delusion, in 2 Thessalonians of the people that God would turn love to darkness since they did not receive the love of the truth. They are those that depress the truth in unrighteousness. We need to study more now than ever before Satan's minister's have been transformed into ministers of light. They are very pervasive in the Church, these tares which are hypocrites to the point where God is beginning to Judge them.
God's Prophets has been warning and threatening the people as to what would happen if they depart from His truth. In the outright rejection, twisting and ignoring His word, He says that He would send or choose the ways in which they would be punished or their delusions would come, since they mocked Him to His face.
We seek first the Kingdom of God then, all these things will be added to us. this comes in doing the will of the Father, in obedience to His word. We need to follow sound doctrine, trying to do that which is pleasing to Him, as was David a man after God's heart. This is the key to answered prayer.
The Righteous are having their prayers answered cause they do the will of God, speak those things which become sound doctrine, live their lives in accordance to being led by the Spirit of God. They have learned to seek those things from above, thus having found God, He's adding those things unto them.
We are exhorted to pray unceasingly, about everything we need, through asking God is the way we are to receive from God the Father, directed by Jesus Christ who tells us to ask the Father in His name. We should be representatives of Jesus working for the betterment of the Kingdom, helping to establish it bringing glory to God.
We exam here the prosperity and abundant health, that God is ready to give his people. False religions, teachers and the world has us kind of made us weary of receiving or expecting these things from God, but according to 3 John 3 this is what He wants for His people and promises in His reign and the world-to-come. Now we study the word to see that there are conditions and stipulations around some of these things, but they are for His children.
we need to embrace the prosperity taught by the scriptures, all the promises that God gave us in Christ where with to glorify Him, that He wants us spiritually and physically to prosper and be in health in abundance. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Jesus did not come promising us wealth, prestige, and authority on earth -although He does promise us these things in the world to come-.
We have to be born again to even see the Kingdom of God, introduces us into a journey from this world to the world to come that comes as a translation through faith. It puts us into Christ, that is baptized into His death, because we have to die to self. which denying ourselves taking up our cross to follow Him, We must walk with God as Enoch did. we have to come out of Babylon -This world-.
As we study the scriptures, Jesus reveals to His followers that the Kingdom is being establish here on earth starting within the individual believers, it comes among, in the midst of until it suddenly appears to all without observation. He working a new thing where the old world is passing away being replaced by the Kingdom of God.
There are those that are of the evil seed that hate instructions, are wicked influencers, that love darkness cause their deeds are wicked.
In this chapter the Prophet speaks of a new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness, meaning He's vanquishing evil, those that do wickedly. He said that He would deal with the hypocrite. He is separating the wheat from the tares dealing with those rebels who refuse to have -This Man Rule Over Us.-
Within this chapter we can see where God is mindful of the rebels against Him, as He told Moses in Exodus that He would deal with those that sin against Him. Judgment delayed, is portrayed throughout scripture. He tells them here that He will repay into their bosoms the sins of their fathers.
That which we are we become, is why we must be born again. We came from dust and shall return to dust. We are no longer natural man, but spiritual man. There has to be a complete eradication of the old man, purging away all the old leaven, to leave a new lump.
Those of us as parents can relate here as to children beginning to rebel or reject, not listening to the parent or instructions being given.
As the promised seed to the woman in Genesis, the Gentiles has been in the mind of God, them being saved by Grace just as Noah was saved by Grace through faith. In the Father of Faith Abraham being the -Father of All Nations of Faith. '
We look at this 1st verse from the New Testament perspective that what was written was for our admonition. So this is about us Gentiles being called into a relationship with The God of Creation, who has reconciled us unto Himself through Jesus. As in Hosea, and Romans we are the people who He said where not His people But now are His people, called by His name.
It is God who instructs us in Christ in restoring Divine fellowship with Him in His mercy towards us. It is through Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith, that sent the Holy Spirit in His name to lead and guide us in all truth, as we walk in obedience to His word, which washes and cleanses us that this process of regeneration with the transformation of our minds in being made in Their Image does this process, causes us to pray to the Father in Jesus name.
This verse reminds me of Cornelius in the New Testament of a Gentile who believed in God offered up prayers and gave alms, was a up standing man that looked for God. Peter was sent to him to bring the Gospel, with salvation that would deliver him from his sins. We've been such a long time in, but deliverance has finally came to us who were in darkness.
As we pray our Father, we need to internalize the idea of John 14-23 in the Amp. saying they would come and dwell in us. That internalizes a relationship, developing an intimate knowledge of them, that brings us into oneness with the Family of God, enjoying the peace of God and resting in Jesus Christ.
We have God The Father adopting us into His Family where by now we cry Abba Father, Jesus tells us to ask anything of The Father in His name and The Father will give or do it.
We see here where the Prophet puts us Gentiles in a position of understanding that the Old Testament was written for our admonition. We can claim God as our Father through faith in Jesus for it was by God's Grace to reconcile us unto Himself, that He was in Christ. Now Jesus tells us to Pray to the Father in His name, Paul says cry Abba Father.
After six years in the Book of Isaiah we start to wind down, here in Chapter 63-15- 64-5, we have the Prophets plead in prayer for God to come down, may His presence be seen and known. Which we are echoing in this end times some 2700 years later. In this battle where God say's Matthew 24-22, the days was shorned for the Elecst's sake.
We see mostly it's the older saints that speak and know of the presence of God, who should try be trying to teach the younger generation about His presence. There's a difference from omnipresence and him sharing His presence with us personally.It creates a assurance that causes us to overcome all the circumstances of this life, becoming overcomers.
In our walk of faith, one of our greatest assurances is that God is with us, and that His presence will always be with us. We realize that no circumstances or situation can remove His presence, but our not walking in the light. or rebellion to His word and our wilful disobedience separates us from Him. It is our iniquity which hides His face from us.
When we began to praise God placing Him at the center of our lives, not focusing on our circumstances, situations, or emotional feelings we began to rise to the level of pleasing God in which our spiritual lives began to be strengthened. It is what brings joy to our lives giving Him the Hallelujah.
We may praise God in many different ways during this New Testament age, some different than done in earlier times but it still is a sacrifice of praise. Our whole outlook gets much better when we give God the glory, and start praising Him, which gets us away from self-centeredness, causing a whole new life glorifying God and not our circumstances when praise is not tied to them or emotions.
There's coming a day When Jesus pays everyone for the deeds done in the body. Tragically some will be receiving the vengeance of God facing the wrath that is to come to those who know not God or those who reject or disobey the Gospel. He will trample some in the winepress of His wrath while redeeming with His salvation to others.
We need to continually give God praise in all of our circumstances, knowing that He presence within them with us,
In the simultaneous Day of The Lord, there will be judgment and vindication. It will be a time the redeemed of The Lord will receive blessings and recompense in the earth.
We hear of God doing a special work in earth, not realizing that since the beginning when God said let us make man in Our image, He has been doing that very thing. It's just that now in the fullness of time, it's being manifested or revealed to His people, to whom has come the end times as children of God. He's judging and redeeming saving by His Grace just as He saved Noah.
In the Day of The Lord, everyone will not rejoice in its coming because this is the Second coming of Jesus which is entirely different from His first coming, where He stopped midway in verse 2 of the 61st chapter -the day of vengeance of our God- to comfort all that mourn-. This will be a day or time of retribution to the enemies of God, where the wicked receive for all their evil acts .
We in this time of the Church have inherited the wealth of the saints in former times as to understanding, which the Old Testament was written for our admonition on whom the ends of the time as fallen. We have more light than ant other time, as the times of the Gentiles comes to an end, with the Church age growing dominant into the Messianic reign of Christ -millennial reign-, where we rule and reign with Him. We know that all the promises in Him are Yea. We are Robed in His Righteousness, in which we are being made a Glorious Church, magnifying Him as we put on His Righteousness, growing in it.
God has planted us as trees of righteousness, to grow and bring forth fruit unto Him. Part of bringing forth this fruit is to be rooted and grounded in His word. To complete the purpose for which we were created we need the unity of the body of Christ, which comes from assembling in the Church. For the Church has the gifts in it to equip us, to go forth with power.
God has planted us as trees of righteousness, to grow and bring forth fruit unto Him. Part of bringing forth this fruit is to be rooted and grounded in His word. To complete the purpose for which we were created we need the unity of the body of Christ, which comes from assembling in the Church. For the Church has the gifts in it to equip us, to go forth with power.
We are unclean, defiled, depraved without any means of redeeming ourselves, going through the fires and trials of life perishing until God snatches us from the fire and transforms us, purging us from who we used to be, sanctifying us and placing us in a justified state,, then placing His Robe of Righteousness upon us. It is Him that adorns us with the garments of praise and beauty.
We are admonition to put on Christ, which seems paradoxical because His Righteousness is imputed to us, so we have to study this more deeply asking the Lord to reveal this unto us more giving us understanding and knowledge which Peter tells us to add these things -2 Peter 1-5-8-.
The Robe of Righteousness that we wear results from us actively putting on the new man of Christ that Jesus imputed, with His righteousness, pulling off our old man with his filthy garments of unrighteous, self-centered, self-serving. narcissistic, unclean ways and thoughts.
There were various trees in the Garden of Eden, we are not all of the same kinds of trees -Oaks, Cedars, Pine, Dogwood, Crape Myrtle-, whether fruit trees we all have attributes that make up the children of God. Tree here is used as a Simile. So we have to see that God is the Husbandman and that we abide in Him or are cast away and are burned by men, any tree that the Father had not planted will be hewn down at the root of the tree.
We need the nourishment of God's word to grow strong as Oak trees, it's like a plum line that causes us to be strong and straight as Palm trees, and Cedars. We should grow Jesus' righteousness through grace by faith. Righteous character can not be created through fiat.
When The Lord plants us, we need to commit to growing in the Lord, growing strong, secure, majestic, unmovable, and growing in the nourishment that His word provides for us, being obediently led by The Spirit of The Lord. Using all of what He supplies through His gifts to the Church for us to produce good fruit.
In the Sermon on The Mount or The Beatitudes, it's not different people that they apply to in various area but these would be the blessings for each of His disciples in all of these areas of their lives they are to contemplate when going through various trials, persecutions, affliction, and calamities in life. It's the attitude we should have looking to Him in all these circumstances.
Modern-day Christian seems to have lost the whole experience of mourning, because of the influences that the world teaches of what their description of what a man or what should be, and not do. We have grown so insensitive, and inured to the violence, and suffering injustices done in the world that it's is fastly staggering to the end of time.
Modern-day Christian seems to have lost the whole experience of mourning, because of the influences that the world teaches of what their description of what a man or what should be, and not do. We have grown so insensitive, and inured to the violence, and suffering injustices done in the world that it's is fastly staggering to the end of time.
We have a deceitful heart that was conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity, that has to die, as God creates in us a new heart. One on which He writes His laws, by Grace through faith, us walking in the word of God being led by the Spirit of God grow into the maturity of the image of Jesus. He has to break us to make us anew, whereby we are laborers with Him in this mighty work which we were created for.
When God breaks our will, humbling us in His own way, He begins a healing process of regeneration by His Word through His Spirit leading and guiding us into all truths, which makes us fre -sets us at liberty- and causes us to have joy, peace of mind replacing all the things which held us in bondage through the lust of the flesh, that is the sin that lies within our flesh.
In mending a broken heart it has to be first broken by God. The renewing or transforming of our mind to the mind of Christ has to be a process that we undertake in this circumcision that Jesus performs in us. We are healed by the word, -He sent it to heal us.-
We are all anointed, but we don't all have the same gifts. There are different administrations or differing gifts according to as the Spirit gifts. We have to make sure of our calling or vocation and through exercise of use develop into a mature Christians. When we are anointed its an appointment from God that should reassure us in what we are doing for Him.
There's a bit of difference in word use with anointing and receiving the Holy Ghost -Holy Spirit-, especially doing the New Testament dispensation. Jesus told His disciples to wait for the Power from on High at Galilee, this was the anointing of the Holy Ghost which is available to the royal Priesthood and Kings in this time in which we are commissioned to go out into all the world with this good news message.
We are adopted into the body of Christ, He becomes our salvation, a wall of protection, which will take some work on our part in rebuilding the interior walls and knocking down the old walls, which have become strongholds in our lives. We must build character, and integrity, and strengthen ourselves if to be trees of righteousness. Planted by the Lord to bring Him glory and Honor.
We have to begin along with Christ building the interior walls of our lives. There will come a time of trying us to see how we have built them, because we are the temple of God, a Holy building unto the Lord. He's our wall, our fortress, but our inner lives must be re-created anew in Him.
Jesus is our wall. fortress in which is our protection to be hid in Him, if not we shall be tossed in the fire and burned. We have to be careful how we build because it will be tested how we build.
Those of us who have been enlighten by Jesus coming into our life, after being given to Him by the Father.
It has come the time for us to rise as God's children to let our light of Him that is in us to glorify Him in our lives. We where created for good works, it's part of our mission statement. We hear the word of God preached which the entrance of produces light -Psalms 119-130-.
The command to arise, to let your light shine is a call through the Gospel, which germinates the the seed of faith planted in the hearts of the believer. The water, washing, and entrance of the word, all comes through that word which was made flesh that lighted every man that comes to Him for life. The word comes in its fullness to the believers to give them life more abundantly, it causes the growth, by our exercise of use. As we do it becomes brighter within us changing our outward countenance so that Christ shines through.
The Prophet here speaks to those in His New Testament Church with the Born-again experience who are the Sons of God, That has His Spirit admonishing them to let their lights shine that everyone to see. It's a call to arms in battle terminology.We are arising to help establish the Kingdom of God by Faith.
We keep using the metaphor of putting on the whole armor of God, not literally but being aware each morning that we are soldier enlisted in Jesus' army. He's the Lord of host, sending us out to be overcomers as He's the captain of our salvation, who is going to bruise Satan under our feet -Ro. 16-20-. We have to use the sword of the Spirit to fight offensively as Jesus did during the temptation in the wilderness.
We have been enlisted as soldier in th army of The Lord of Host, to fight a battle to help establish the Kingdom of God. He gives us spiritual armor to fight this battle with, God being our rereward. The battle is the Lord, we pray to Him to clothe us with Christ righteousness, which in it's imputation justifys us. We are not fighting with carnal weapons, but those that are mighty through God.
Since we have been enlisted as soldiers in a war, we need to put on the proper clothing to fight the battle, as Ephesians states put on the whole armor of God. Since we are talking about fighting invisible forces, principalities, and wicked spirits in high places, we have to be armed with spiritual weapons provided by the one sending us into battle.
This covenant that Jesus the Messiah makes with us, is not Him asking us, He chooses us as part of what He's doing, like we as children don't ask our parents to be born. He chooses the family that He is going to make in His image, as Author and Finisher of them. He fixes it so that we can not sin, as this new creation.
The Covenant that the Messiah makes in this chapter and verse is of Grace -Spiritual Circumcision-, it is how Noah, Job, and Old Testament saints were saved just as we are of the New Testament. By Grace through faith as Abraham was the father of faith. It's the same Gospel that Eve received the promised of a Kinsman redeemer.
God doesn't have to ask permission but by His grace begins to work in the lives of those He has chosen to make His covenant with. These He gives to the Son who is the author and finisher of our faith. By him through the Spirit, He begins to write His laws on our heart which in walking by faith, etches them there just as the ten commandments was etched in stone.
We have to understand, that once redeemed our body no longer belongs to us, so we no longer can serve sin. We are now the bondservants of Jesus, who and times calls us friends allowing us to know what is not revealed to others. The relationship is that of one who is a Co-heir, in which now God is our Father with the priviledges of sonship being restored.
Our relationship to Jesus has changed since our redemption by Him. We are now as a friend in some instances, even thou we are bond-servants, along with being joint heirs we are in a process, that is finished but has to be carried out, if spiritually you understand that. That are certain obligations we carry out to gloryfying of Him.
The Day of the Lord will have dual purposes, in one it will vindicate, exalt and raise God's children above and to their places of blessing not to be downcast, frustrated persecuted anymore, but it will be a day of vengeance on the enemies of God. A day of recompense of their deeds back upon their own heads. It is of the Lord to trouble those who have troubled you.
We have to study into this to understand what's happening, with both parties involved. It's a time of vengeance from God, in which He repays to His adversaries, for their transgressions, but since it's a time of judgment, reciprocity comes upon the people of God also, who haven't fully repented but are being sanctified by His word. Those are the ones that are judging themselves while crying out to God for mercy.
We see as there was no intercessor or one standing in the breach while there was no justice, truth had fallen in the street, and it was then the Messiah -Jesus- who stepped in with victory and salvation. The day of God's vengeance, whereas each man received for the deeds done in the body.
We see in the last chapter of Revelation 22-11, that some will remain unjust, those that have rejected God's word who wickedly follow after their own righteousness. These know what God's word says, but Isreal and Judah were stiff-necked, rebelling against God's word, statues, and judgments refusing to walk in them. Just as the Pharisees who knew the laws of God but were blind guides of the blind.
We have to learn that there are so many injustices in this world we are not able to address, or change, but that will be here till Jesus comes and removes all the governments of this world and replaces them with His one-world government. All mankind has corrupted itself and is incapable of incorruptible governing of itself. All is vanity and vexation of Spirit from an under the Sun point of view.
We have to be teaching the Church how to cope with the ills of social injustice in the world. It involves strengthening through the Holy Spirit, wisdom -prudence-, knowledge and understanding. It is required of us to live justly and try to assure that it is promoted to the healing of the Body of Christ.
We need to examine our lives thoroughly before we try to pray to God, to remove some of our wickedness, so that our prayers can get through to Him. The people where coming before God knowing the wrongs they where committing against one another thinking God would answer their prayers.
Do you have problems not knowing about who to pray for, what not to pray for, when to stop praying for something or someone-- How specific are you in prayer, it's no wonder the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. The more I learn about prayer and depend on the Spirit to guide me, the more I understand the personal giving of the Spirit to each individual to equip him for the Kingdom of God.
Their are certain conditons and things we do, to prevent God from hearing or answering our prayers. It's not that He's unable to but that we are in known sin, being hypocritical, living life contrary to His word, regarding iniquity in our hearts. There's a casual approach to sexual sin today that causes the whole nation to be defiled as a people. Abortion is just an underlying sympton of part of the problem.
Those of us who are saved, and being saved know the answer to that question. Acts 2-47, that the Lord kept adding to The Church such as should be saved. His power is inherent within Himself, can not be diminished, He's self-sustaining not needing anything. As Jesus declared All power in Heaven and earth has been given to Him.
As the Prophet states the arm of the Lord is not shorten, it's kind of directed toward those who are failing or apostatize from God. They where unrepentant, violating God's spirit of the law. It was a corrupt people whom had not truly been converted as the Church's in the Book of Revelation. Those that believe as the devils in the Book of James, but lacked faith.
God's ability to save His people, has not diminished but our sins have caused Him to turn His face from us. He has told His Ministers to cry aloud and show His people their sins -transgressions -. They have dumb dogs too ignorant to bark, blind leaders of the blind. They in their Laodicean state think they have no need of anything but are wretched, naked, blind, with some turned over to reprobate minds.
We find delight in The Sabbath of God looking forward to every day being as such. As 1 John says His commandments are not grievous to us. Studying His word and promises for us, they become our desires, seeing He has the best in store for us.
We are seeing God make a new creation -a new Heaven and Earth, and a new man -Spiritual--. we are resting in Christ to do the work which is our Sabbath rest, typed and shadowed by the Sabbath day of first creation in the beginning of creation when God rested. Now it is no longer us doing the work but Christ who dwells in us. So we keep the Sabbath being led by the Spirit and not by man's condition or tradition, in which He told us to do no work.
In Observance of the Sabbath, we need to be able to be led by the Holy Spirit, because under Grace and Truth, there's more of an approach that does away with the ceremonial approach of the Law and tends to guide us in can I say a more humanitarian approach. In which we relieve burdens, and help the afflicted as with Jesus healing the man with the withered hand, which was a chronic condition but was in Jesus' power to do good on the Sabbath.
It is encumbered upon us, of the end-times to rebuild the waste, desolate and ruins of the ancient pathways and place of Worship -Temple of God-. We are to work on the restoration of Man's relationship with God. Jesus has come and reconciled us unto God, giving us the Ministry of Reconciliation. We as gifts of God to the Body of Christ are to help build it up with what each part supplies, so that we are fitly joined together as a unified dwelling place of God.
We look at the Prophet's early words saying cry aloud, and tell my people of their sins and transgressions. We see in Amos also, that He would not pass over their sins. As they where fasting and praying wondering why God wasn't noticing their actions. But it was because of the dogs that would not bark, false-teachers, and preachers daubing the peoples' wounds with untempered mortar.
We must individually assume the job of repairers of the breach, starting with us, mending our fractured relationship with God. Hoping He works through us to bring our spouses, children, other relatives and family members friends, neighbors, community, and nation together as one in Jesus reconciled to God. A restoration as was in the well watered garden of Eden.
God seeing our hopeless condition made a way back to communion and fellowship with God. Now through the death of Jesus, we can boldly approach the throne of grace in time of need and petition the Father in The Name of Jesus. We are no longer alone, He sent a comforter to dwell within us, and if we meet the conditions the Father and Son would come in and Sup with us and make an abode. He will never leave or forsake us
The Prophet here touches on a key component of whats vital to this whole thing, which is calling -praying- to God for help. Acknowledgment of your need, developing a line of communication with Him through the submitted life of humble prayer as stated in 2 Chronicles 7-14. The humility and obedience that have been lacking from the beginning with Adam.
We here see where the Prophet tells us here to get attached to the promise of God of guidance from God into all truths, to be a well-watered garden, bringing forth its fruit in due season. It is to us, all children, and to whosoever will partake of it. It's a voluntary choice by us to submit, humble -yield- ourselves to Him in faithful obedience.
When Jesus said that His followers would fast, He also explain to them some do's and don'ts of fasting. It was not to be a outward show, but something done in secret and that they would receive a reward. In His promises, one of those would be that of the Holy Spirit being given to them, in talking about this we see that it would be those whom repented, turned from them public proclamtion of not being seem. Those whose faith would have works, not just a formal dead religious-ritual.
When Jesus said that His followers would fast, He also explain to them some do's and don'ts of fasting. It was not to be a outward show, but something done in secret and that they would receive a reward. In His promises, one of those would be that of the Holy Spirit being given to them, in talking about this we see that it would be those whom repented, turned from them public proclamtion of not being seem. Those whose faith would have works, not just a formal dead religious-ritual.
When John's disciples were inquiring to Jesus about why His disciples did not fast, from Jesus's word His disciples would fast without a doubt. It is one of the spiritual weapons that He has given us because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal -fleshly-.
Jesus said when we fast, what not to do as others did. This statement meant that He was expecting us to fast, as a matter of fact, He said that when the Bridegroom was taken away they would fast. Our fasting must be accompanied with prayer and meditation on God's word and on our relationship with Jesus and the Father. We desire to be At-one-ment with Him, to live in harmony with His word in total obedience and submission with all humility.
The Church has a long way to go in New Testament studies on fasting. We see that Jesus didn't command it, but said His disciples would fast. He left a promise that He would hear when done properly, and what not to do when we fast. We can not use it in the attitude, and expectations that God has to do something for us cause we fast and that it's not being mixed with prayer and looking unto Him in meditation.
It is the gospel that God has sent His servants out to proclaim, hat gives His people life, but also warns the wicked among them of the wrath to come. The word of god has a cleansing effect for his people for we are sprinkled by the word, which sanctifes us. Unlike the law which was given because of transgressions, that shows us how we are opposing god, Grace and truth came by jesus Christ.
The Prophet here says we are to make a loud proclamation of God's people's sins. They come before Him acting as if they delight in His words and Laws, wanting to follow Him, even fasting. But they were for the wrong reasons with Hearts -Attitudes- that were not right with God. There was no humility or repentance of wrong they were committing any contrition whatsoever. They are hard callous, hypocritical people, that He would not hear because they would not hear Him.
We see the failure in the culture in that day was at the level of the Priest and family leaders. they were the ones responsible for teaching and instruction in the law. The Prophet was sent to rebuke and warn the people of their transgressions against God. It was normally a time of judgment when the Prophet came. The Preacher today in the New Testamet age is different, his duties carry forth more of -rebukes, exhortations proclamtions and instructions-.
We have to be broken, become contrite hearted before God can come and dwell within us, to produce the type of growth that's lasting. In true repentence our contrition leads to a life of brokeness, which God does not despise.
There are no sacrifices required of us for salvation, but God does dwell with those who have a broken and contrite heart. This is a condition that leads God's people to present their bodies as sacrifices unto God, because He has caused brokenness and a contrite heart to be produced in them, which is necessary for a true relationship with Him where He, The Son, and Holy Spirit would dwell within us.
God promises Peace, peace to His people with Jesus being the Prince of Peace, who makes an Everlasting Covenant of Peace with His people. But it is still where we have to have a relationship with Jesus, the Spirit guiding and leading us into all truths. Being obedient to His word
When we see the Prophet here declares that God says, to us Peace, peace unto His people, it's like the white robes given the saints as to where they have fought to keep them from being soiled. We have to be strong in faith and the spirit to not let the forces of wicked prevail against us. We are given peace but we can not let the world or something else disturb that peace.
God has stated that He will create a new thing, by the people whom He restores, heals, and gives salvation through Jesus Christ, as He brings forth a sort of recreation of the earth. We speak by faith the words -The Gospel- that can establish us. As we speak those things which become sound doctrine. we see the removal of the wicked.
When we take a close look at stumbling we realize that it is part of our everyday lives as unbelievers, because we are walking in the dark. When we are born again walking in the light of the word we begin to see that there are no occasions of stumbling when we are obedient to it, humbling ourselves under His mighty hand.
Stumbling blocks comes from a word stumbling -hindrance, obstacle- or those things, actions, apperances or speech that cause a brother to be weak, fall, be discouraged or impede their spiritual progress. It can be used metaphorically for darkness, walking in a manner that causes error in learning or teaching the word of Goed.
We look at being a stumbling block, or one who causes others to stumble -Walk in darkness-. The removal of all such obstacles by God, which a great majority of them are in the Church. Looking at this from a point of view of a clearing of the highway to God, allowing for smoother , safer passage to His Kingdom and promises, in which we are to inherit along with His Blessings.
we are to come out from among the world -the in crowd-, and stand as lights in the world. We are the wheat in this world, growing along with the tares, who are sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. We are to allow God's word and Spirit to work in us richly through faith in Jesus through His Grace and truth reveal to us His brethren who are joint heirs with Him. The process we are going through separates the wheat from the chaff.
The Prophet hear makes some aware of who they are or from what stock they came from. We have to find our identity and purpose in Jesus, sometimes through our parentage we learn of some our character flaws. Remembering the sins of the fathers and mothers are sometimes visted to later generations. We may have to work on certain vices to may them virtues. It is stated in scripture where the child did not walk in the evil of his father.
The Prophet hear makes some aware of who they are or from what stock they came from. We have to find our identity and purpose in Jesus, sometimes through our parentage we learn of some our character flaws. Remembering the sins of the fathers and mothers are sometimes visted to later generations. We may have to work on certain vices to may them virtues. It is stated in scripture where the child did not walk in the evil of his father.
As we go through life we need to be aware of the relationships we form after being Born again. We have to learn to come out from among the world Spiritually and be careful with relationships -associations- with the people in this world making sure we are not equally yoked. Because the word of God tells us not to love the world nor the things of the world, not to be friends with the world.
There's a bleak future for the world -Seed of Satan-, which the Prophet speaks of the stock in which it is coming from, that is bearing the characteristics of their Father the Devil. Some would be those described in Romans chapter 1, those also called cursed children, Brood of Vipers, Jesus said they do the deeds of their father the devil.. An all-time low of morality among men, especially the women where they are called adulterers and adulteresses.
We here see the generational curses come into effect. Whereas, each person is responsible for his own sin, it is by God's grace that we are ones that can be chosen from a family.
We hear the Prophet speak to the death of the righteous, without the world, especially those of us who are so-called Christians who are blind to the goings on in the world as they were during the times of Noah. There are some that will increase in knowledge as we fight this fight in the last days, but there are those that will rest in the graves and be killed as their graves brethren were, till He vindicates His people and carries out the Day of The Lord on earth.
We here talk about death and those who enter into the rest of the Lord. As their demise comes they are not pondering what's happening as it was during the time of Noah. There's a judgment being made and eve of destruction that's coming upon the world unknown not seen. They are being removed from the evil as Enoch was.
We here talk about death and those who enter into the rest of the Lord. As their demise comes they are not pondering what's happening as it was during the time of Noah. There's a judgment being made and eve of destruction that's coming upon the world unknown not seen. They are being removed from the evil as Enoch was.
God speaks about His people being given to slaughter, because of the dumb, blind, ignorant, slumbering, and sleeping Shepard's. It was the blood leading the blind, rejection, and rebellion against His word, till He just decided to pour out a spirit of slumber over them. It was a self-driven, pleasuring greedy, covetous people never satisfied.
We see here where the Prophet is speaking to a people whom God has poured out a spirit of slumber on. It's because of several factors that He's allowing this to happen to His people, mainly because of its leadership, that they blindly follow, giving power to it. The leaders failure to warn them comes from their ignorance, greed and self-pleasuring.
We are so busy building our dynasty's, homes, self-pleasures, that we have forgotten the big picture as to why we are here, that is to glorify God, being made in His image and likeness, being a family that is one in Him. It's everyman for his own greed, personal satisfaction and not warning others of the moral decay, the wolves ravenging the flocks, the dangers of self-centereness.
In the description of the leaders of the people, it is inclusive of what the people are like also. Being written for our admonition -1 Cor. 10-11-, we see the euphemisms for slumber, sloth, and sleep- in the New Testament describing the people's spiritual state as of the Laodiceans. In their lack of aggressive understanding and knowledge of the spiritual.
A lack of understanding is being blinded or groping in the dark. The eyes being opened and blindness more or less in the New Testament is metaphorically for spiritual blindness, not necessarily Him literally opening eyes and understanding but figurative for understanding awareness, not slumbering and sleep but vigilant, sober and watchful.
We began here to examine God's indictment of the False teachers and leaders of His people. Allowing them to devour some of His professing flock, that did not heed His earlier warnings. We should be careful to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, because we are warned that ravenous wolves would rise among us, not sparing the flock. a case of the blind, and ignorant to be invited to a feast against against Church.
Here when the Prophet begins to warn the people about the Shepherds, it's false Pastors and teachers in these latter days that we have to be careful of, also it's also false professors among the people of the blind leading the blind. It's a case where the Church is like Isreal was before the captivity, the reason God calls them out of Babylon -The World-. There will be a flood of false doctrine, and misinformation coming upon the earth.
We see the Prophet here calling the false teachers and preachers to task, for their lack in warning and caring for the flock. He points out some of their characteristics that we could be aware of, that should serve as open warnings of themselves, if we indeed study the word of God ourselves, and in prayer seek to be guided by the spirit of discernment, You can tell a tree by the fruit it bears.
We are talking about the spiritual blindness, of the Laodicean Church, just as the leaders and the people were in Israel -Judah- in Isaiah 56-10, where they were said to be ignorant and could not bark. They were more like the Emperor Has no clothes on, because they thought they were wealthy and had no need of anything. Their spiritual condition was hidden from them, lacking an anointing from Jesus, their wretchedness stood out, making it so He was about to spew them out.
There are different reasons one can be blind -accident, certain diseases, birth defect-, we can be blinded by God both physically and spiritually but Satan also can can be a agent of blindness -2 Cor. 4-4-. That was one of the curses according to De. 28-28-29, levied for disobedience.
We need to realize thatwe are under a deception of the god of this world -2 Cor. 4-4-. . Our walking with sight in this world shows darkness in the Spirtual world, because this whole world lies in darkness and loves the dark. We need a light bringer to open our blind eyes that we may really be able to see with comprehension and understanding.
Jesus is our Sabbath rest from all our labors and toils. He bids all that are heavy laden to come unto Him and rest. We need to start comprehending the spiritual meaning to the words of the Bible if we are to have a blessed, abundant life, enjoying a relationship with Christ as He draws near to us. We must seek Him through a understanding of His word, increasing in knowledge and wisdom.
We are discussing the defiling and polluting of the Sabbath, not on what day of the week it is. The ways some people have said it should be observed, not really seeing that Jesus didn't give a list of what to do or not do on it, but showed the precept of it. The paralytic that He healed and some others with chronic illnesses could have waited a day, but He raised the issue of doing good on the Sabbath and that the Pharisees had missed the significance of what it really meant about the weightier matters of mercy.
Not only has man polluted and defiled the Sabbath, but since my youth, I can see how he has gradually polluted Modern-day Christian beliefs on Sunday the Lord's Day.. It leaves the others that are leaving the Church with confusion because the Church trying to enforce or promote a day as Holy that, they have to twist scripture to say God changed His day, leaving confusion about God's immutability of Him changing, plus such a drastic change with subtilty if what false religion says is true.
we live in a time when changes for Biblical standards are a non-starter with some. They have this attitude of self-righteousness, having it their way and that justice is relative. The preacher still has to preach Repent for the Kingdon of Heaven is at Hand. That fire and brimstone of turn or burn, not trying to turn goats into sheep, realizing there are two seeds in the earth.
As Sons and Daughters of God, it is our obligation -responsibility- to do what is right and just on the earth, so that God's will be done. To maintain the character of those being made in His image and likeness we must not grow weary of well-doing for such where we created. It is His glorying in us as lights in this world, that's His joy which is our strength.
we have a duty after God's salvation to walk in justice according to Micah 6-8. A faith that has works, begins to do the work of God, and the Church will be in the process of being judged at the present time so that we will not face judgment later. He that is spiritual judges all things through the spirit led life in Christ Jesus, helping to establish the Law by Faith.
We need to look at this joy in the light of what it means spiritually. Because carnal -worldly- joy which is temporal, depends on circumstances and feelings has a way of waning losing it's effects on the person. That which God gives is everlasting, and is not dependent on circumstances and feelings, and emotions. It can include these but the precept is larger.
We understand that true joy is Spiritual as is a fruit of the spirit that God gives and one that grows, and that through our actions we can dull the sense of enjoying it. We can not lose our salvation but not experience joy because of sin and lack of proper relationship with God
We examine one of the purposes of the word is to nourish the sheep. We only can grow strong, vibriant, healthy sound mind of mind with a well-balanced spiritual diet. The whole counsel of God is what Paul and the Apostles preached. Jesus told Peter three times to feed His sheep. That's one of the main purposes of The Word is to create right character in us.
The Prophet here gives hope, inspiration and a proclamation about the success God's Word brings, carries to its recipients, and the accomplishing of the purpose whereby it was sent, and that it never returns to Him void. We may never see or realize the effects but as He told Habakkuk -But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. -
God here through the Prophet speaks to His people about their wicked ways caused by their thoughts and imaginations. We see here that a transformation has to take place through the Spirit of God working in us, to cleanse our minds through the washing of the water of His Word, that sprinkles us, cleansing us by the renewing of our minds.
The prophet introduces a new concept here, it's that we have to have a heart change, which is a new way of thinking. The Christian goes through a mind transformation process. We have to begin thinking like God does. This is what discipleship is about, crucifying our ways, thoughts, and life, then adopting that of our Teacher, Our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. Let that mind be in us that was in Him.
We have to seek the Lord, which means actively doing something -studying, praying, and daily practical good works-. It is seeking not trying to discover but already know, but don't have an relationship with Him. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing , we need to turn back to Him.
We continue to determine the definition of Seeking the Lord, which is not looking in an attempt to find, but in repentance to search for the path of righteousness in duplicating ourselves into His image. To turn from our wickedness of seeking after this world, the things of Mammon, and self-pleasure, and start living every day in Holiness and seeking the Kingdom of God.
We need to seek the Lord in turns of turning back to Him in repentance, as ones that have been trespassing an everlasting Covenant that we have made with Him. To embrace HIm, come to the point of performing actions showing the responsibilities or obligations of one who has breached a contract. Our actions should be commensurate with one that has been born again, being regenerated
We have to practice righteous in our everyday life to form Christ righteousness in us, doing good works, which we where created to do. It is following in the steps of Jesus, who went around doing good.. The Gospel which is able to establish us, with power, ever-increasing in Faith, we help to establish the Law.
civic righteousness in working with others, the community, the Church, the Government, and social interactions with the people in the world, Jesus attended weddings, and funerals and dined with the Pharisees. We need to be able to let our light shine in the world, living a life of obedient righteousness as Jesus did, working out our salvation.
We are looking at righteousness in social or civic matters, in other words the way we live in our community, and how do we serve the government we live under. Are we representing the Kingdom of God as good Ambassadors-- Do we obey those who have rule or authority over us-- Are we productive in praying for the peace of the land.
The Fruit of the Spirit grows as we walk in the Lord, it like any other give is one that the believer exercise by use of it through faith. We sometimes have to fight for peace because even though He gives us His peace, it's an internal a spiritual gift. This means we are not free from hostile environments, people, circumstances, and situations. It's not like a magic wand is waved and no more problems for the children of God.
We are taking a study of the Covenant of Peace that the Prophet alludes to here, whereas God says it's an everlasting covenant. We know Jesus said that He would give us peace that the world can not take away and that peace builds the House of God.
Jesus coming as a kinsman redeemer not only freed us from death, but from bondage to our wills. It gives us the ability -power-, by being born again to shape our lives by overcoming self, those things central to us, our selfishness, and self-centeredness. The character that defines us as children of the devil, just the enmity presented by being in the flesh.
Although we become brothers of Jesus, we will only have Him as the one redeemer -The Only Begotten Son-, it does become our responsibility to glorify God as Jesus did. It was one of His reasons for bringing many sons unto glory. We focus in on the requirements and goals of the Kinsman Redeemer. He was linked to us by blood, as the promised seed of the woman, God incarnate in the Son that was given.
In this second teaching, we see that it is required that we are in Christ, walking according to His word. Our relationship with God is of supreme importance as to whether we are going to have the proper resources to fight this battle. We must be in prayer to God, letting our request be known to Him. Tell Him as David did in some of his prayers of imprecations, about how you feel about your enemies, release don't suppress these feelings but have on His breastplate of righeousness.
The believers in the Church have to come to understand, know and walk in the faith once delivered unto the saints, overcoming the spiritual weapons Satan uses against the Church today, including realizing our tongues are the major weapon that he yurns to his advantage, if we do not take heed to ourselves. The power of the Gospel to increase your strenght with faith-filled words, to help dispel the devils seeds of doubt, unbelief, self defeating thoughts and deceptive schemes and devices that we must know of.
The Prophet here brings God's charge to King Hezekiah, which in studying it opens up the stewardship charge to all of us both physically and spiritually. It is one of the last days that specifically points to the Church as the House of God, our bodies as the temple of God. We serve a God of order, which gives talents and responsiblities to us all.
We need to examine ourselves to purge all of the things that the spirit reveals to us by His Word plus pray that He will reveal the hidden sins within us because the presumption is part of our carnal nature that we have to put death the old man. As the Apostle Paul said he died daily, pride is one of those sins that has many attributes or character flaws that destroy us.
It all began with Adam who inherited the nature of Satan when he presumptuously ate of the tree God forbade him to eat. It is ingrained in all men from that point, it's one of the children of pride that we have to mortify. It is consistently caused problems for all of humanity since the fall, we've all become self-willed, arrogant, high-minded not thinking like God.
There is within man's carnal nature the desire to be god, or higher than that one should be is inherent within carnal man. It is only when we start to humble ourselves through the spirit of God leading us, we can began to fight this monstrous effect of what's bringing us into the captivity leading to death. High-mindedness, haughtiness, pride and arrogance all come from Satan.
We really have to be prayer warriors to trust in God, obtain faih, and fellowship with God. It is through daily walking in His presence, conversing with Him humbling submitting to His Spirit's guiding. It is through studying the word of God, Him writing it upon our hearts that sanctifies us, as we are being purified by continuing in His word.
In this chapter we see King Hezekiah doing what he should have done in 2 Kings 18-13-16 the first time The King of Assyria came up against him, instead of compromising and giving him God's money, He should have called Isaiah and prayed to God. Just as all us have failed, he learned to go to God first trusting Him more than any King before or after him.
Knowing what they had been through with Hezekiah, his deeds for the Lord, the people who knew what Gods words really said trust in the King as a man of God, thus their faith wasn't shaken by the threat and intimidation of the Assyrians.
We have to learn of Jesus to know God better and have fellowship with Him, and The Father. To have the faith that Jesus speaks of finding when He returns to earth, we must study His word to show ourselves approved workers that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing His word. With the knowledge of God trust and faith can increase to we wholly have a confidence that can not be shaken.
We have to be able to be steadfast immovable in the face when the enemy comes to intimidate us. Knowing our God and what His word says will be our greatest comfort with prayer our greatest weapon. We have to have confident trust in the reliability of God in every situation no matter how dire. Trusting that He has our best interest and care at heart.
In trusting it sometimes takes a period of time getting to know the individual, to develop a bond of trust. With all the signs and miracles God had worked before the children of Isreal, they still provoked Him and was not trusting in His word. At times His prophet Jeremiah had doubtful thoughts to the point where God had to rebuke him.
When looking and thinking about the Kingdom of God and the Millenial reign of Christ, it also gives you a sense of hope and enjoyment in this life. as Jesus told Peter about receiving some material things here in this life-present age-. We also know that we have ever-increasing faith that can empower us to walk more reward in this world, so as to enjoy the promises of some of these in this life and eternal life to come in the coming age.
We have an actual flesh and blood man that has walked the way of perfect obedience to God, in Whom He stated that He was well pleased with. He has shown us the way, and path to holiness, as a pioneer, scout, captain, Prince, forerunner, and Captain of our salvation. As, He told Thomas that He was the way, The Truth and The Life. He's the only way to God, be ye holy for I am holy. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
While on this highway of holiness, we have One that's the complete essence of what we will be and has gone before us to make sure we are in the family of God's image. He's our only example to follow who said -I'm the way, truth, life, and light-. That pattern that He gave us is a way of life that is walked by faith in Him and of Him.
We need to learn that the highway of holiness is a way of life, it is how we live in our everyday life. Taking heed to His word, and being guided by His Holy Spirit what is makes us holy. Only God can make anything holy like what He did with the Sabbath Day. He separated it from other days by sanctification which is what His word does for us, it causes us to come out from among the world.
When Jesus tells us that He is the way, meaning His way of life leads to God, Eternal life, heaven, The Kingdom of God. it means we have to go through the process of a daily walk by faith in Him, as the path, highway to the place He has prepared for us. He's in the process of making us into His image from Genesis let us make man in the image of God.
The way of Holiness is the theme throughout the Bible. It is what The Godhead is creating in us, His character and likeness. It is His original purpose for creating us, to be made in His image and likeness with us voluntarily helping to walk in the way that He had come and did for us, as our pattern to follow. It takes us dying daily to self to attain unto that purity, in which He said all that had that hope would purify themselves. We take up our cross and follow Him, which is the way, truth and life.
We see a combination of The Davidic Covenant, Kingdom of God -Heaven- and The Millenial reign in this chapter. It really requires knowing all of scripture to get the best perspective on God's word, as I've seen many different teachings presented during my life. The Jehovah Witnesses teaches about the Kingdom but not knowing without Jesus being the object of their faith, and the way, it excludes them from the entrance to it.
In the tramplingly of the grapes wrath we see the judgment of God on the tares and the disobedient among His people. It's part of the day of vengeance of God on the ungodly, false professors, false teachers, preachers and those who have known the ways of God but are bitter enemies of the cross.
We take a small detour to study The Davidic Covenant and his Prophecies of the Messianic Kingdom. They are both included within the Kingdom of God. We have to incorporate the whole word of God, Line upon Line, precept on precept, here a little and there a little. All of His promises and covenants , especially the unconditional ones that are meant for perpetuity.
When we hear the restoration of The Kingdom, or prophetic language of what we call the Millenial reign of Christ, we know it's inclusive of all mankind that have faith in The Lord Jesus Christ and has been born again. In John when he says, we who have this hope, immediately we think of us as children-Sons of God-. Those promises that it speaks of are ours in the Kingdom of God.
When God begins to judge the nations, within that day will be the times of His Vengeance on the enemies of the people of God. When He hears our prayer, He answers them by repaying our enemies with those things they have done to His people, for He say's vengeance is mine, I will repay. It is He who chooses our judgments.
As we see the sovereignty of God in Him judging the nations, it also shows the vengeance of God taken against the enemies of God who have touched the apple of His eye -The Church-, His people. The chastening of His Church occurs at this time also, for judgment begins at the House of God. The desolation signifies that there's no return to normal for His enemies.
I can mostly, only speak about the nation I live in but I know God is judging all nations without exception. There are those who act like this is such a Godly nation but actually it seems to be part of the Great Babylon. The problems in my state and city convinces me of the thoroughness of the injustice, hypocrisy, oppresion and corruption politically and religiously I can see why God has to judge it.
While walking in this life we pray to God to be Gracious and strengthen us while waiting upon Him, for there be many deceivers and various schemes that constantly try to hinder us from serving Him and growing in knowledge and wisdom. So many close friends, relatives and snares along the way.
We must see the Grace of God and wait on it, for God to strengthen and empower us to overcome, and not yield ourselves to sin. That sin should not have dominion over us. We have to continue to come to God, praying to and calling on Him to be Gracious to us.
while we wait on to God to be gracious to us. and strengthen us during the times we live in from the struggles, enemies of His, those that oppress us, it is only by faith that we can grow in Him in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We are enlightened by His word as we are doers of it.
It's hard dealing with treachery and deceit within the Church without seeming as an enemy to the cause, but it must be dealt with because the Church just as Judah and Isreal are infiltrated by false professors and deceitful workers as Paul called them -enemies of the cross. They have to be dealt with in a manner that doesn't cause you to fall from Grace.
The Prophets here talks of a time that more or less points to the Church Age, where God is dealing with the enemies of The Church. We need to allow Him to deal with vengeance on our enemies, but we need to know our to coduct our selves, identify them, try to stay separate from them, and not be partakers where we empower them, even if just by tolerating and compromising with them.
We go further looking at God pouring out of His Spirit on the earth -people, land, and whole creation-. deserts shall become fertile, righteousness reigning, the princes and people having God's word -law, statues precepts- written on thier hearts. There are conditions for this to the people whom God has chosen from the foundation of the world. Those that are in the process of His word sprinkling them with clean water.
The Prophet speaks here of the Spirit being poured out upon the people, but we will examine a closer aspect of this pouring out. This is not something that's done any just a capricious manner. He list some conditions of it. and that it is partial to certain times, not just a once and done from one Prophets perspective as they didn't understand the time or other things about their prophecy's.
When speaking about being at ease He not only speaks to the women but men also. Remember He told Peter that the spirit is willling but the flesh is weak. We must stay weak because the weak goes about seeking who he may devour. those that are at ease in Zion are in just as much jeopardy as those outside the Church.
We have to be careful studying the scriptures, because what applies to one sometimes apply to all. When the Prophet here speaks to the women about living luxurious lives with ease, it also apllies to the men, city nation, and above all the Church. We are getting to be at ease, not carrying about the others or the condition the nation is in and is headed. Seems as the majority of Christians today are Laodiceans.
The propheyHere admonishes the women on their slothfulness, pleasure seeking, ease. They will face devastating consequences for this and a ironic twist to the outcomes. In the New Testament era this is frown upon by the preachers that are hirlings because they know women is the glue and attraction for holding their churches numbers high.
There's a Millenial Kingdom of God being established, but the Saints have to be familiar with the word of God because it is the Power of God unto salvation. Making sure the saints realize the obedience of faith, that we walk in daily, mortifying the old man, contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. We, that is all nations belong to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and are his servants.
During these latter times in which Paul describes as perilous times, men being lovers of themselves. It will be a time of being obedient to the will of God or falling into deception by the powerful seducing spirits. The preachers will be deceiving saying that some are carnal Christians which really are great swelling words because Gods people will be struggling to enter in at that narrow gate.
What we read in the first chapter of Romans is about a people that God had turned Over to reprobate minds, to suffer the penalty. The vile passions is the worst part maybe, showing man and woman degrading basest form in disobedience in rejecting the truth of God, the rest of the characteristics mention are the descending consequences, with God choosing their delusions who love darkness rather than light.
When the topic of vile comes up, usually nowadays everyone runs to their favorite hobby horse Homosexuality and abortion. In the book of Roman's when Paul is talking about the subject, it includes a laundry list of other sins that are vile, unclean and makes one to be considered as vile and contemptible. As in Hebrews, we must go on to the perfecting of the saints, because of so much other vileness lying in the midst of the Churches.
During this time of Christ judging the earth, it will be more evident of the children of God those that walk contrary to sound doctrine with those who twist God's word. There deeds will be exposed, their character as God's wrath began to fall on them, the rod and sword beginning to do it's marvelous work by His Spirit.
We not only have eternal life if we are born again but we can rule and reign with Christ, in which His word gives us assurance in the work He's doing in us and will complete it because He's the author and finisher, it not being up to us.
The prophet speaks about a time of assurance when the judgments of righteousness bring an end, which leads us to a majority study in the Book of 1 John which theme throughout was written so that we would know we are children of God in possession of eternal life. The assurances of God's word through faith is really revalent in this book.
Sometimes we all doubt whether we are saved-children of God-. During these moments we can get assurance from the word of God, but as Paul told Timothy, sometimes we just need to stir up the spirit in us, for his Spirit witness to our spirit that we are the Sons of God.
To be a joint heir, ruling and reigning with Him, we have to have out Him on, that is His righteousness. It requires a daily walk with HJim in His word, how can two walk together unless they agree. Our righteousness has to exceed that of the Pharisees.
There's a time when the righteous rule of Christ Jesus the Messiah comes, this seems to be what's portrayed here, which also could have applied the Hezekiah maybe also. But as we are a royal priesthood reigning with Christ we must work to help establish His righteous rule by Faith, that His Kingdom come, and His will be done on earth as in heaven.
There's a time when the righteous rule of Christ Jesus the Messiah comes, this seems to be what's portrayed here, which also could have applied the Hezekiah maybe also. But as we are a royal priesthood reigning with Christ we must work to help establish His righteous rule by Faith, that His Kingdom come, and His will be done on earth as in heaven.
Repentance is something -duty- that we are called to, which is a daily death to self. Turning away from, the old man, denying self taking up our cross to follow Jesus. It a new way of living our life, glorifying God which we once lived in darkness but now we live according to the Word of God.
we look tonight at the type of repentance that brings salvation, which is one that comes from God that produces Godly sorrow not just regret and remorse. There are numerous examples in the Bible of people repenting of themselves that don't end in salvation, as that of Judas, who repented and went and hung himself. There's a purpose when God brings this type of sorrow into your life, it changes your attitude, conduct, way of thinking and your whole walk in the Lord.
We start a study on the repentance that God has to grant, that is to salvation. Any other repentance, sorrow, remorse, and or regret is that of the world and only leads to death, as in Judas committing suicide, being sorry he betrayed Jesus. Only godly sorrow leads to repentance to salvation, not that sorrow from just being caught.
There are those who have turned away from God. who He is calling back to Himself. In our day and time there's a work that He's working through Jesus, and the circumcision of the heart to walk in His word, way and overcome Egpt -the world-. We should trust in Him, with a daily repentance from dead works, to the purpose for which we where called and created.
This chapter is a continuation of the previous one, about Gods rebellious children not trusting in Him. They violate His word about not going back to Egypt -The World-.It tells of a promise to deal with those who go to Egypt for help and Egypt for helping them. It also contains Him promising divine intervention against Assyria, and the restoration, protection, and preservation of His children -People-.
We have to be obedient to our commitment to being married to Christ. We have to trust in Him, be faithful to never leave or stop trusting Him to provide all our needs, and being a very present help not ever looking unto the world, man, or anything other than Him. We can never look back -Go to Egypt-the world--, for he who looks back is not worthy to follow Him.
We need to be very careful of our associations, alliances and dealings with the world, that is the alliances in which we develop not becoming to close relationships. We will start to trust in things other than God, such as wealth, health, material things and military power. We did go to the ultimate curse -Woe- of trusting in man.
We need to be very careful of our associations, alliances and dealings with the world, that is the alliances in which we develop not becoming to close relationships. We will start to trust in things other than God, such as wealth, health, material things and military power. We did go to the ultimate curse -Woe- of trusting in man.
We see in this parable a simile of what The kingdom of God is like. We have here a wicked servant whom was not like his master, The King is like God, forgiving, merciful and compassionate, but the servant didn't share the attributes, so like those that was cast out of the Kingdom he was given over to prison and the tormentors. For if we are not forgiving God will not forgive us.
If we really study to show ourselves approved, we will see much more of God's attributes of mercy in dealing with His people, than dealing in judgment or harshly being a hardnose tyrant making sure we are law-abiding scrupulously. His character attributes of mercy and forgiveness are what we should be trying to develop in our lives.
If we really study to show ourselves approved, we will see much more of God's attributes of mercy in dealing with His people, than dealing in judgment or harshly being a hardnose tyrant making sure we are law-abiding scrupulously. His character attributes of mercy and forgiveness are what we should be trying to develop in our lives.
We as a Church need to start letting our light so shine in the world, by living more mercifully with our brothers, and those in the world outside of our fellowship. that's one of the character traits the Church is missing today. Not just feeding the poor, and other missions from the perspective of duty or obligation, but one that can be seen in a way that shows who we are individually. With the nataure of God really exuding from us.
We have to not follow the culture today that has invaded the Church through politics, making us unmerciful, oppressors, unyeilding, and lacking the ability to show empathy to others. When scolding the Pharisee's Jesus said they nad neglected the weightier matters of the Law.
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations, that are not of our own making but somehow, we manage to make them worst -Ge. 16- 1-21-21-. There are also sometimes we bring things on ourselves and others -16-1-4- 21-9-21-. It is nice to know that there is a God , in that whatever circumstances we are in we can cry out to Him to be merciful unto us and He hears and receive Glory from being gracious unto us.
Last time we described different types of prayers but began to look at crying, moaning, and sighing that they were more unless spontaneous, looking for quick answers or results, comforting or reassuring. It is one that comes about from oppression, affliction, adversity, hopelessness, seeking of God and abandonment of self.
When the Bible speaks about crying unto God, moaning sighing unto Him it's a effectual act in which involves the whole man. Not just a passing plead but a internal disruption of the whole being because of circunstances, events, tragedy, and actions within our lives in which we call to God. It one that He's waiting to be graciousand merciful to us in.
In following our teacher we have to be able to distinguish by the Word of God, our leadership whether it is of God. He said try the spirits because there be many spirits in the world, that are not from God-. We worship what we follow becoming like it is that we follow, so to attain Holiness we must follow Jesus to be made in His likeness and image.
To learns of Jesus, we must be obedient to The Spirit, not grieve or quench it. It is a small still voice that guides and leads us into all truths. it directs us on the path, as those that are led by The Spirit of God. We have to be submissive and obedient looking for opportunities to please the Lord and have fellowship with Him.
When we speak of perishing, it's mainly about the second death, because we are all appointed to the first death, but Jesus comes along and offers eternal life. If there's a repentance through Godly sorrow which leads to salvation we will not perish but have everlasting life.
The -Day of The lord- has been taught and preached iin such a wide ranging ways, that it is hard to find common ground. But to those being led by the Spirit of God it unfolds itself enough for them to understand as they grow in the Lord. When Jesus said, in His humanity that only the Father knows the time, but that He reveals to His friends as He did with Abraham, we would kind of know the proximity of it.
When a nation descends into perversions like homosexuality, its decline accelerates, its fibers weaken, and it becomes ripe for disaster, either natural or political-military. We become unequally yoked if we do not know God's word because oftentimes we become aligned with the forces we see as fighting against things we are dogmatic about but are becoming tolerant of their views and amoral lives.
We are all like the Prodigal -wasteful- Son in the parable, in which God has to allow the waters of adversity and affliction to bring us to a point of confession that we have been rebellious, unthankful children that need the Grace of Our Father for life and salvation. We all have went astray, til the hound of heaven brings us to ourselves.
We really need to understand God's Grace more than we do, and the enabling power that it has. We look at it sometimes just as God's unmerited favor but not in light of ability to it is shown as counseling, comforting, encouraging, admonishing, guiding, convicting, rewarding, even restraining. Grace penetrates a person's life in the same way that light penetrates the darkness.
Those of the wicked seed -Devil- are also manifest by their charactristics, by light and the words that they say. That's the reason Jesus told them that they were of their Father the Devil, because they went about to kill Him. Their inner being is corrupt, defiled and pleasure seeking, proud, self-centered.
In this walk with God we have to develop an ever-increasing faith, that grows through the trials, tribulations and suffering that we encounter in life. Being an overcomer can only happen if Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. We should keep in mind all those what they endured to enter into the hall of faith.
By the people of God going to Egypt, paying Pharoah for protection, disobeying God, shows that they really was not His children. Characteristics that define us as children of God are humility, shamefacedness, and obedience. They took many hardships just trying to appease the Egyptians, whereas all they had to do was stand still, waiot and see the salvation of the Lord.
We must know the Word of God to be able to trust God through faith in Jesus. The tempter will come to you trying to twist or pervert the word of God, into a form of doctrine contrary to sound doctrine. We have to have a personal relationship with Jesus as He reveals the Father to us, and unravel the Mystery of Godliness.
We must have faith in Jesus to trust God because we have to come to a knowledge and understanding of His word. The word is what the ultimate means of learning of God through faith in Jesus because faith comes by hearing the Word of God. We then are born again of the Spirit and the son in turn reveals the Father unto us. We have to be yoke fellows, in other words take His yoke upon us.
The generation we're living in seems as though it's a cursed generation, which all the signs of those who are in direct rebellion against God as His children, being the most Church attending in history. Everyone seems to be a Christian, well say they are but in actions and character they deny Him. They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.
We just as with our rebellious children, haven't taken the time to know our Father.To trust and honor Him or our parents we must know them. That's why Jesus said take my yoke upon you and learn of me. We must continue in His word to be His disciples and obey all the Spirits leading and guiding us into all truth.
Just as Israel and Judah did, we are seeing I'm our nation where political rebellion is merging with religious rebellion -Apostasy-. These people ceased to walk or respect the callings or vocations God had for them but each was seeking popular opinion or coveted what others where or their positions. Misinformation just as today led the people in this rebellion.
We have a sin that's running rampant in the nation today -Rebellion-, which is as the sin of witchcraft. We've experienced in our day sedition against the government of the United States in an open insurrection, while the people in the nation go on about their everyday lives not realizing what's at stake or the consequences of this rebellion.
We take a three part look at Korah's rebellion against Moses -God-, whom rebellion is directly against and not the physical individual involved. He had been brought close to God, to serve Him in a capacity God appointed, but instead of being content with this his human nature caused him to raise uo against Aaron and Moses.
Isaiah addressing the nation is tantamount to God's preachers today addressing our nation. It's a people whom have rebelled against God in their day to day life, and refuse to walk in His ordinances. The average christian today doesn't think twice about not being subject to those who have authority over them. Most of today's politicians and church leaders are at the forefront of coup attempts.
Here the Psalmist pleads with God for a continuation of His Holy Spirit and restoration of the joy that he has allowed his sin against God to rob him of. The iniquity he was shaped in has separated him from fellowship with God that he once knew. It was like having his bones broken.
There has always been rebels among God's people, whose nature it is to simply disobey, murmur and complain, never being content with what God is doing. They will need a new heart to follow God, because the human heart is desperately wicked and can not be known by man. That's what God refers to when referencing them by saying -your people- or -these people-.
There will be a binding of Satan in the Millennial reign of The Kingdom of God where man will be friend of deception to follow God, with only his carnal nature that he will have to overcome. There would still be the need of being born again to have a new heart in which to truly serve God
We are looking forward to a literal establishment of Gods Kingdom upon this earth, as it is in Heaven, according to our prayer that -Thy Kingdom Come.- Some call it the Millennial Reign of Christ, it is also part of The Davidic Covenant, which has a earthly rule of Humans here on earth, ruling as the faithful seed of Abraham.
Those of us who are born again looks forward to the redemption and restoration of all things. There's a process that's ongoing we are made aware of as firstfruits of God. We see it clearer as time passes waiting for the manifestation of The Sons of God. We know that His purpose in our lives are being fulfilled through the gifts He left to the CHurch for the perfecting of The Saints
There are those in the latter day Church that have a drunken Spirit, or have fallen under the spirit of slumber. It's a spiritual stupor manifesting itself in the physical. As great as the Apostle Paul was Eutycus fell asleep to his death while listening to the Gospel message.
Isaiah here utter's a dual prophecy, whereas it was fulfilled then and is being fulfilled now. We see it in Revelation as Laodiceanism's from the Church at Laodica. It is a spirit that has come upon the Church, being self-decieved, self-centered, materialistic and full of pride. No knowing there Spiritual condition is poor, wretched and naked. It is a time the people love darkness mre than light, a lie than the truth, thus God sends them such a strong delusion they believe lies -a Lie-.
We are in that period, the whole world is being deceived, drinking of the wine of God's wrath. The influence of misinformation that floating around is only a shadow of the Spiritual misinformation of darkness that going about. The physical always mirrors the spiritual but gives a backward view of reality.
We see here where the Prophet speak on Spiritual Drunkness of his day and dually in our last days. We see that false religion has flourished in our time, with the many-headed down the broad road of destruction. We see in the physical that it is only mirroring the spiritual on the total corruption of our nation politically and religiously.
As customary in Jewish culture where the King provide the wedding Garment, Jesus Christ provides our garment -robe, covering-, adequate for our wedding as the Bride of Christ. It is His Righteousness because our own righteousness is as filthy rags. At the beginning with Adam and Eve trying to cover themselves with fig leaves and ending in Revelations the Laodicean's attire was not adequate, before God they were naked.
We see David instructing Solomon to carry out sentences against some wicked works that was done against him. There's some evil works that are not judged at the time we do them, some God's goodness is meant to lead us to repentance, but there will be those that are just unjust, whom will have to give account of the deeds done in the body.
We have to be robed in Christ righteousness, whenever God begans laying judgment to the plummet, which will be the standard of His word. Our character has to be perfected in the holiness of God, not having our own righteousness which is as filthy rags. The false professors and those who have made a covenant with death through a refuge of lies, which shall be washed away by the storms God will send upon the earth to test each man's foundation and how and with what he has builded with.
As a nation we start to see greater social injustices rise as we grow in the Lord Spiritually, while the rest of the nation grope in darkness, some trying to correct it through secular government, others through False professors in hypocritical religion with blind guides leading the blind. While Jesus calls His people out of this Babylonian world system, That Babylon has fallen, we know as in the time of Jerusalem's overthrow is to escape from the world.
We are as a nation living through such a time as the Prophet mentions here, when there was so great social injustices, political social injustice with the religious leaders leading the blind they all received the judgment of God using the plumbline as His measuring rod.
When studying The Old Testament we understand about blessings, and some of the things required of us to receive them, one is in Micah 6-1-9. It ells us we should be merciful, doing good and maintaining justice in the world by being just. The Book of Peter describes Lot as being just, and we all know from reading that Lot made many mistakes.
The rest we see in this and Matthew chapter eleven is mainly Spiritual, even though a physical one is used to help establish the precept or statue. It is the foreshadowing the coming of Jesus and the rest the all of mankind would have in Him. Notice that not even the entrance into the promised land was a total physical rest to the people, but only to those who would believe and that there was another day of rest that Joshua promised.
When God offers us rest, it is Offering us to come to Christ, our rest is in Jesus. I will begin explaining this by showing the contrast of Jesus with the Sabbath. Jesus is The Lord of The Sabbath and states that we should come unto Him for Rest. He is that promised rest that we came enter into on the day of our salvation.
Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is as Paul found out, calling everything up until that point all lies, and dung.Most lives are built upon lies because of the bondage of the will. When converted we have a new , so everything else is just rubbish, we have to be made in His image and likeness, He's our example to fo--ow, we must pattern our lives after His
Those true believers in the Church by applying the rules of God walking in the truth, steadfast and immovable causes the light to shine on those within the Church as -Cains- who offer to God unacceptable offerings who really hate their brothers and the truth. The spirt of judgment resting on those who stand at the gate prevails the refuge of lies are swept away.
Lies and Lying begins in Genesis, with the Father of lies and continues to this day with his children hiding seeking shelter in a refuge of lies that Jesus will soon sweep, wasp and bring destruction, and the elimination of. The political and religious leaders has made lies their refuge, leading the people to uncleanness and sure destruction, whereas God turns them over to strong Delusions to believe a lie.
Being filled with the Spirit making sober choices is what the Christian is commanded to do, never the less we should not try to explain away the fact that Bible does not prohibit wine. We spend time in the conversation of whether it was real alcohol or the amount it or one can have before being intoxicated. This argument will continue on just as other things that are questionable but the disciple trying to grow in the body of Christ knows to continue to be filled with the spirit.
We are studying here the action of being drunken, not whether the act itself is prohibited by the bible. It is in being formed in the image and likeness of Jesus, walking as He did, making correct choices, as He has said choose life. We may make certain indulges that are not necessarily sins but weights that beset us from running this race, that becomes sin to us.
I think the Prophets message plays out in more of a Spiritual Drunkenness mode for the Church and people of today. Just as was this time it was before a major calamity befell them, in which the world is on the fringe of or in the midst of a worldwide calamity, Christ returning and establishing His Kingdom. That it is darkest before the light dawn shines in.
We're seeing here where drunkeness causes Ephraim to lose their inheritance, just as the New Testament tells us such shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. This could be both literal and figurative drunkness -physical, spiritual-. They had gone into golden calf worship, all the true priest had migrated to Judah. There was plenty of false doctrine circulating.
As God plants His people, watering, tending to cause them to be rooted and grounded, we are talking about the true Israel of God -His Church- which is inclusive of the Gentiles also. Notice they are called branches, meaning they were grafted in not from a seed but it is He that does everything. They shall bloom throughout the whole earth.
We ourselves must make sure of our calling, by being firmly attached to the vine. Being rooted and grounded will take work from us -Bible Study, prayer and doing the Word of God-, so that we will not be cutoff from the vine. It was the unbelief in The Word of God that caused Isreal to be severed from Christ.
Each one of us are planted, -grafted- into the Body of Christ by God. Any tree not planted byHim, will be cut down at the root and cast into the fire. He is the one who waters, tend, and keeps us, not we ourselves. We can do nothing apart from Him, neither can we fall away, for He's the AUTHOR and finisher of our faith.
Notice there are two types of vines in the Lord's vineyard. One He allows the enemy to trample and removes the hedge, and stops the care of it, the other He waters, tends, dresses, and keeps. It just like as there are two seeds in the earth the wheat and the tares, it is He or His Angels that are able to distinguish between the two.
We are obsessing over the larger things in our lives, whereas it's the little foxes that are destroying the vines -our fruit- from producing and ripening. It's those particular little sins or weights that we hold on to that hindering us from running this race. we will have to start tending our own garden-vineyard-, lest weeds and thorns grow up and choke the life out of us.
Again in this chapter, the Prophet seems to be giving different portions of sermons from differing points. After delving into the vanquishing of Leviathan. He begans a victory song of the vineyard of the Lord, that has overcome. The Lord, tending, watering, dressing, and protecting it like it's the millennial reign. Unlike the vineyard in the 5th chapter, He trod it down, stops the clouds from watering it and removes the hedge of protection. But this one comprises all nations exulting in the Lord.
We have the Prophet here looking into the Millennial reign of Jesus, where everything sort of -coming up roses for God's people-. For those who are His faithful, but there is a hint of judging the Church in this because of the language of the vineyard of some of the branches being burned and those of His enemies demise, maybe the false professorsis what is referred to here.
There-s so many avenue's for Satan to work through today, he has permeated this world with tares, wrong ideas, philophy's, false teachers flooding the world with bad doctrine, and there are so many people not realizing the chaos, thinking that Christianity is spreading but not realizing the downside of with the quality of what's really being taught.
We as older -elders-, parents and leaders, have to realize we have the use that Spirit of Elijah that turns our hearts back to our children. The only way this generation overcomes the Levithan is through the blood of the lamb. The younger generation have to look back for the old paths, learn about the God of their father, for He's the same yesterday, today and forever.
The Prophet was trying to get over the magnitude of his weakness against Satan. The political world system in which we are reared -The world-matrix--, is against us, we are dependent on God to keep us from the Evil that's in the world. We have to be consecrated unto God, sanctified by His Word.
When God talks about destroying the world, He's not talking the physical earth or world, because it is what He so Loved He gave His only Begotten Son, but it is this world's system -Satanic-. Which God created but has become Behemoth -Monster-, full of the ism of The Devil -Satan, The Dragon, That Old Serpent-, of only He can vanquish.
We are looking at a single verse from Isaiah that seems to be the culmination of Gentile Rule, A time when God intervenes to vanquish the enemies of God and His Church. We find references to Leviathan as a Crocodile -maybe Dragon or some other monster of the sea- with so much power only God could dare rule or have any authority over.
As God calls His people into Thy Chamber, to keep them from the wrath He's about to deliver to the inhabitants of the earth, we must still judge ourselves that we be not judged. There are false professors among us that are in the process of being judged for their crimes -transgression - against the servants of God, plus those who are disobedient to the Gospel.
God's wrath is a part of His judgment, in the earth, that His will be done on earth as is in heaven. Here in Isaiah where He bids His people come into thy chambers while He takes vengeance on the inhabitants of the earth. He does not pour His wrap unto His bride.He bids us to be hidden in Christ, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
When God tells His people to come into thy chambers, we need to kind of view this from the aspect of the content. It may not necessarily be a geographical place but may have a spiritual overture to it like -Come out of Babylon- or -come out of The World and be separate-. It could be a type like the Ark was a place of safety, it may be hiding in Christ, -with Him being your fortress and refuge.
Just as Baptism is a symbol of being buried with Christ in Death, Rising from the water is symbolic of being raised to life with Him to walk in the newness of life. As new creations in Christ, we must go on with the great commission of making disciples, teaching, and preaching of the Word in the Name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. Our new life must shine through from the fabric of the old man, with him dying daily and Christ living through us, in our body.