2018/07/19 The Apostle Paul was committed to annilate that new sect of heathens who were disrupting God's chosen people with their faith based teaching that a mortal was the Son of God, Such were worthy of death based on the law.
We are fortunate that he was converted and commissioned by Jesus to go preach the Gospel to the 'nations' Gentiles who were being called to follow the message of God's love and salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. Amen, thank you Father and Lord for taking my sins to the cross! I no longer need to be bound by the law, but am bound by the law of grace, keep me from trying to return to bondage... thus Paul's message to the Galations:
[Gal 4:1-31 NASB] "Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. I beg of you, brethren, become as I [am,] for I also [have become] as you [are.] You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus [Himself.] Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you-- but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these [women] are two covenants: one [proceeding] from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, "REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND." And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him [who was born] according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? "CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN." So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman."
We are fortunate that he was converted and commissioned by Jesus to go preach the Gospel to the 'nations' Gentiles who were being called to follow the message of God's love and salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. Amen, thank you Father and Lord for taking my sins to the cross! I no longer need to be bound by the law, but am bound by the law of grace, keep me from trying to return to bondage... thus Paul's message to the Galations:
[Gal 4:1-31 NASB] "Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. I beg of you, brethren, become as I [am,] for I also [have become] as you [are.] You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus [Himself.] Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you-- but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these [women] are two covenants: one [proceeding] from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, "REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND." And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him [who was born] according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? "CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN." So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman."
How shall they believe without a preacher?
Thomas Sees and Believes (but do you?) If you have a hard time believing, you're in good company, It appears none of the Apostles were sitting around counting the days: Let's see says Peter, it's Saturday night, which is really Sunday by our timing (it was evening and morning, the third day) and thats the first day of the week; so that makes Friday night the second night and Thursday night the first night). It was confusing only to non-jews back then and today. so, anyhow, the Apostles weren't counting the days and nights because they had ears but didn't listen to the Lord's discussion about why He was on this earth... to die as a sacrifice to be the redeemer of our soul, that Adam had sold to Satan. They didn't believe in the Lord's Resurrection, even when told the tomb was empty and the women said they had seen the resurrected Master. On a side note, the Jewish leaders had the stone sealed because they figured the Apostles would steal the body and call it a resurrection.
John 20:1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
2 So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put Him!"
3...
9 For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went home again.Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord11 But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb.
12 She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus' body had been lying.
13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "Because they've taken away my Lord," she told them, "and I don't know where they've put Him."
14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus.
John 20:24 But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called "Twin"), was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples kept telling him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "If I don't see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!"
From my study and imagination:
Adam and God were walking together in the Garden, enjoying the fruit of every type of food given to Adam by the Lord. The Lord turned to Adam and said that all the work he had accomplishe was good and asked how long did he spend naming all the animals. Adam replied that it took a thousand years in Earth time. Really said the Lord, seems to me like it has only been a day .
Adam continued his conversation as he observed that all the animals had mates and families and it made him feel, well lonely. True he had the Lord to converse with and to be taught the ways of the world, such as, there is a tree whose fruit while pleasing to the eye and good for eating, the end result is the knowledge of good and evil which would be bad for him even cause death. So I have marked that area as a place to avoid, although I see your serpent going in and out trying to persuade me to follow him. He indicated that he could be a companion because no other companiou was found in all the animal kingdom. But I kinda figure I want someone more like myself who will be my soulmate, helping me in all that I endeavor to accomplish. In short Lord, I really want a woman..
Yes, Adam, I see that you lonely and want a companion and I feel empathy so I will make you a mate; one who is a perfect helper, being a part of you and will be your constant in mind and body. Always ready to follow your lead and do your bidding. Wow said Adam, that sounds wonderful, but what will be the cost of such a one? Well said the Lord, for someone who is perfect like i described, it will cost you and arm and a leg... Oh, said Adam and sat thoughtfully for a century contemplating the cost... finally, he asked the Lord, what can i get for just a rib?
Pslm 31: 1 In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit (entrust) my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.
our Lord used the phrase, "I commit" which more fully translates in the common Jewish conversation "I deposit" which was commonly used to end the evening prayer of the faithful who believed that God would watch over them while they slept. This usage then could be what the Lord's words were meant to render the message that He was going to deposit His Spirit with God, assuredly to be reclaimed at a future time. like making a bank deposit, placing our money on hold until such time as it would be returned to us. I am engaging in a facinating study of the writing of the Bible in Hebrew, the nuances of the language gives me a fuller appreciation of the Bibles inspirational wording of the "Good News" written by those who were guided by their unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ abilitty to reclaim His chosen ones, (we'uns) from the clutches of Satan as we expectantly await the glorious day, Yes come quickly Lord! I wish I had learned Hebrew earlier in my life.. I find that as my brain ages, it starts to harden, like a fine cheese I guess, but it makes study much more difficult as i'm like one who gazes at his reflection in a mirror and when he steps away, forgets what he saw... Lord help me to 'ripen' as I age, and not become 'rotten' in my 'golden' years...
The Bible doesn't need to be rewritten, but it needs to be reread!
2 Cor 4: 13b I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak,
14 knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and present us with you....
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2 Cor 4:14. knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus] Here we have the source of the Apostle’s faith and confidence. He knew that the Resurrection of Christ was an accomplished fact (see notes on 1 Corinthians 15, and Introduction to First Epistle). Hence arose his persuasion that a life was given to him which should survive and overcome even death itself.
by Jesus] All recent editors substitute with Jesus, which, however, does not mean at the same time with, but by virtue of the operation of the same life and spirit. For the life that dwells in Jesus dwells also in His disciples, John 6:54. We are the members, Christ the Head; we are the crop, Christ the firstfruits, 1 Corinthians 15:23. Cf. Romans 1:4, as well as ch. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, and Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:13. Chrysostom omits the words altogether. Meyer remarks that though St Paul believed that he and the majority of his readers would live to see the actual coming of Christ in the flesh, the possibility that this might not be the case was ever before his eyes. See 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15.
and shall present us with you] i.e. shall place us in His own Presence. Cf. Romans 14:10; Colossians 1:22; Jude 24; ch. 2 Corinthians 5:10, and 1 Corinthians 8:8, and note.
[2Co 4:3-5 NASB] "{3} And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, {4} in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. {5} For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake."
Lord, may all whom I love, be sighted and believing of the Gospel message we have received from our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. I pray this especially for those whom you have given me to Love and Cherish in this lifetime. May they know You personally... Your servant, PaulR
**************************************************** Cogitations Continued (click) ****************************************************************
Meanwhile, Israel turns 70, April 18, 2018 read how this vibrant country is in sharp contrast with Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) describes the land of Palestine (the land of the Jews, including Jerusalem). Note: much of what Mr. Clemens saw still exists outside Israel's reclamation of Palestine. http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=2199
"Sancified"! What does it mean? If you missed it, Jesus is the one who sanctifies...and calls us brothers! Defined: set apart as or declare holy; consecrate...
The answer to eternal life is faith in the grace found only in the blood sacrifice of the only perfect One, Jesus Christ sent by God to redeem us from the sin curse of Adam.🤔👍
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives.
2 Cor 4: 13b I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak,
14 knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and present us with you....
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2 Cor 4:14. knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus] Here we have the source of the Apostle’s faith and confidence. He knew that the Resurrection of Christ was an accomplished fact (see notes on 1 Corinthians 15, and Introduction to First Epistle). Hence arose his persuasion that a life was given to him which should survive and overcome even death itself.
by Jesus] All recent editors substitute with Jesus, which, however, does not mean at the same time with, but by virtue of the operation of the same life and spirit. For the life that dwells in Jesus dwells also in His disciples, John 6:54. We are the members, Christ the Head; we are the crop, Christ the firstfruits, 1 Corinthians 15:23. Cf. Romans 1:4, as well as ch. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, and Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:13. Chrysostom omits the words altogether. Meyer remarks that though St Paul believed that he and the majority of his readers would live to see the actual coming of Christ in the flesh, the possibility that this might not be the case was ever before his eyes. See 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15.
and shall present us with you] i.e. shall place us in His own Presence. Cf. Romans 14:10; Colossians 1:22; Jude 24; ch. 2 Corinthians 5:10, and 1 Corinthians 8:8, and note.
[2Co 4:3-5 NASB] "{3} And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, {4} in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. {5} For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake."
Lord, may all whom I love, be sighted and believing of the Gospel message we have received from our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. I pray this especially for those whom you have given me to Love and Cherish in this lifetime. May they know You personally... Your servant, PaulR
**************************************************** Cogitations Continued (click) ****************************************************************
Meanwhile, Israel turns 70, April 18, 2018 read how this vibrant country is in sharp contrast with Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) describes the land of Palestine (the land of the Jews, including Jerusalem). Note: much of what Mr. Clemens saw still exists outside Israel's reclamation of Palestine. http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=2199
"Sancified"! What does it mean? If you missed it, Jesus is the one who sanctifies...and calls us brothers! Defined: set apart as or declare holy; consecrate...
The answer to eternal life is faith in the grace found only in the blood sacrifice of the only perfect One, Jesus Christ sent by God to redeem us from the sin curse of Adam.🤔👍
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives.
Luke 23:26 Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.
Musings of a child of the King!
Click on the door for the home page
From my study and imagination:
Adam and God were walking together in the Garden, enjoying the fruit of every type of food given to Adam by the Lord. The Lord turned to Adam and said that all the work he had accomplishe was good and asked how long did he spend naming all the animals. Adam replied that it took a thousand years in Earth time. Really said the Lord, seems like it has only been a day to me.
Adam continued his conversation as he observed that all the animals had mates and families and it made him feel, well lonely. True he had the Lord to converse with and to be taught the ways of the world, such as, there is a tree whose fruit while pleasing to the eye and good for eating, the end result is the knowledge of good and evil which would be bad for him even cause death. So I have marked that area as a place to avoid, although I see your serpent going in and out trying to persuade me to follow him. He indicated that he could be a companion because no other companiou was found in all the animal kingdom. But I kinda figure I want someone more like myself who will be my soulmate, helping me in all that I endeavor to accomplish. In short Lord, I really want a woman..
Yes, Adam, I see that you lonely and want a companion and I feel empathy so I will make you a mate; one who is a perfect helper, being a part of you and will be your constant in mind and body. Always ready to follow your lead and do your bidding. Wow said Adam, that sounds wonderful, but what will be the cost of such a one? Well said the Lord, for someone who is perfect like i described, it will cost you and arm and a leg... Oh, said Adam and sat thoughtfully for a century contemplating the cost... finally, he asked the Lord, what can i get for just a rib?
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.…
25"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit withinyou; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.…
New American Standard Bible
Tablets of Stone versus Human HeartsYou are manifestly an epistle of Christ…written…not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
1 cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple...Everything belongs to you, ... 3:23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
"{4} For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." [1Co 4:4 KJV]
Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work; ... this quote from 2 Tim leads me to believe that the Bible is it's own best teacher with little need for college level expositon on whatever subject is being discussed. True there are fantastic nuggets of wisdom to be found if one has the resources and mental acuity to delve that deeply into the language, customs and geography of the words written on it's pages. I am not so well equipped to be able to expound on these somewhat hidden gems (now I look through a dim looking glass, but then face-to-face)... I therefore offer these 'scriptoids' that pique my interest while I read as deeply as I can into the words of love sent by the Lord through men who were led by the Holy Spirit to write the message that God would have us read and believe. If you read my cogitations and are blessed, then vicariously, I am doubly blessed. I pray sincerely that all who read, will be led by the Holy Spirit to a deeper, richer walk with the Lord, my Lord Jesus Christ!
[Rom 10:13-14 KJV] "{13} For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. {14} How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"...
John 3:10 Jesus answered (Nicodemus), 20 “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don’t understand these things? 21 3:11 I tell you the solemn truth, 22 we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but 23 you people 24 do not accept our testimony. 25 3:12 If I have told you people 26 about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 27 3:13 No one 28 has ascended 29 into heaven except the one who descended from heaven – the Son of Man. 30 3:14 Just as 31 Moses lifted up the serpent 32 in the wilderness, 33 so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 34 3:15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 35 3:16 For this is the way 36 God loved the world: He gave his one and only 37 Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish 38 but have eternal life. 39 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 40 but that the world should be saved through him. 3:18 The one who believes in him is not condemned. 41 The one who does not believe has been condemned 42 already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only 43 Son of God
John 6:53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, 82 unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, 83 you have no life 84 in yourselves. 6:54 The one who eats 85 my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.86...
[ Cogitate: So then, if I interpret just these verses that belief = salvation... is this correct? If yes, how then do we intrepret the verses that follow that we must drink His blood and eat His flesh? it was so hard for His followers that many, turned away and left... did they never believe in the first place? another of the Apostles made mention that even the devils believe and tremble..
So then, if we let the Bible do it's own intrepretation and not try to force the round pegs into the square holes, we should consider what Jesus said a little later in this teaching (note He is the ultimate teacher and preacher);\]
John 6:65 So Jesus added, 110 “Because of this I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has allowed him to come.”111
Musings of a child of the King!
Click on the door for the home page
T2018 Apr 23 - 2Co 3:4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 2Co 3:5 Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, 2Co 3:6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life.
[Do you wonder, as I do, how it is that God knows our thoughts?]. Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words Rom 8:27 And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
On my own, I'm incapable of obeying the written law of God, so Jesus, gives me the Holy Spirit to intercede for me and knowing my inner desire to obey the law, gives me a law of the Spirit which, with faith in Christ, I can obey and live. not that I of myself could obey, but the Spirit within me gives me hope and belief that Jesus saves me from all my iniquity. ...thus, I obey the Spirit's law.
Where then do I gain Christ's Holy Spirit as promised? Acts2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was* at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them*, Have ye received theHoly Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him*, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, UntoJohn's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the LordJesus.
So the Bible answers our questions about things scriptural. God who is Omnipotent, Omniescent, and Omnipresent, allows that we, in Christ, are predestined to belong to Him and to be justified, by Christ's blood...Rom 8:28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
We, at the very least I, struggle to know God's will.
Unless we are blessed to receive a direct God breathed message from our Lord, such as the OT prophets and writers or the new testament Apostles, we now must rely on the scripture found in the Holy Bible which carries the Good News, that God sent his son to redeem the Earth from Satan's grasp.
At the beginning, God gave the Earth to Adam and Adam lost it to Satan. Presently, we live in a time of the redemption of the Earth by the perfect sacrifice; Jesus Christ. So the Jews were given a set of laws to point out that they were doomed to fail, that covenant was then a covenent of death, pointing out man's sin and inability to save himself. But praise be to God, that covenant has been replaced by a new covenant; signed, sealed and delivered by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. His covenant is of grace! So, as Moses was glorified by tablets of stone (so much so that he had to wear a veil when he came down from the mountain); even so, we, who are in Christ, are glorified by the Spirit sent by our Lord.
I am not blessed with such direct knowledge, but praise God I have the scripture that God breath to others and that has been carried down to us; the Holy Bible, Good News to Men everywhere! 2Co 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2018-Apr 20-21 To all Y'all; Enjoy a banquet of the Father, the Word that is given to us, sweeter than honey, able to fill us up completely so that we can never hunger again. Not this poor attempt to unlock the precious messages that are contained in the Holy Bible, for I am most humble in my understanding, but that those Words of Scripture contain all the sustenance needed to insure a soul that is healthy, wealthy and wise in the sight of our Saviour, Jesus Christ..
Those of us believe and have faith in the sin cleaning power of the shed blood of that Word, even Jesus Christ; we are predestined, because those He foreknew would have faith in Jesus, to those (even us), He gave the power to become sons of God and be like Him. Those (we who have faith), to whom He gave to the Son, the Son would never lose:
John 6: 35 "I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.
36 But as I told you, you've seen Me, and yet you do not believe.
37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39 This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise them up on the last day.
Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions operated through the law in every part of us and bore fruit for death.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,
20idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,
21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance-as I told you before-that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.Matthew 3:10 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
2 Pet 1: ..5 make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,
6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness,
7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.2018-Ap11 An allegory? Yes, an illustration from God comparing being a child through Christ or being under the law. Answering which is best:
Gal 4:1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world. 4 But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God......19 My children, again I am in the pains of childbirth for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I'd like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don't know what to do about you.
Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don't you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born according to the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. 24 These things are illustrations (or allegories), for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery-this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, O barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? Throw out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never inherit with the son of the free woman. 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Can the Old Testament law save us? Matt 22:35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him:
36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
37 He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38 This is the greatest and most importantcommandment.
39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."
We have the answer from the true Master about keeping the commandments. Jesus said; Matt 19:16.. someone came up and asked Him, "Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask Me about what is good?" He said to him. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" he asked Him. Jesus answered, Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself. 20 "I have kept all these," the young man told Him. "What do I still lack?" 21 "If you want to be perfect," Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."
So we are to follow the example of the monks who eschew any earthly riches and live a life of poverty... but Jesus gave Christians a better answer because He proved that keeping the old law cannot save you!
John 6:28-29 Jhn 6:28 Then said they unto him (Jesus), What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
2018-Apr09 Jesus said I am the Vine..without Me you can do nothing..
As a young adult, at ACC I heard a girl's trio sing the song
' "Without Him"
Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I'd surely fail
Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail
Without Him I would be dying
Without Him I'd be enslaved
Without Him life would be worthless
But with Jesus thank God I'm saved
Oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost I would be
Without Him how lost I would be
John 15;JohnThe Vine and the Branches1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesso that it will be even more fruitful.
3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
My Lord Jesus, may I proclaim Your love by loving others, even those who are unlovely; it is easy to love your loved ones, and maybe some find it easy to love your neighbors, I find it very hard to love my enemies...Please send me Your Spirt of love! Amen
2018-Apr06 1Cor3:18 Guard against self-deception, each of you. 18 If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise. 3:19 For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 19 3:20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 20 3:21 So then, no more boasting about mere mortals! 21 For everything belongs to you, 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas orthe world or life or death or the present or the future.
2018-Apr05 Hebrews is a rich book, full of the glory of Christ, but yet also his humanity. my feeble brain can't begin to understand the Lord, my God, Jesus Christ. My prayer of Lord is to read with understanding and faith that your Word is true; even though it is beyond my abilities to comprehend...
The Apostle Paul (or his companion, Barnabus, who may be the author) tells the Hebrews (Jews,who had converted to Christianity) that there are elementary foundations that mature Christians must comprehend and use as stepping stones to become full 'meat eater' maturity, digging into the heart of the Scripture, God's love letter to us through various people who are inspired by the Holy Spirit to write 'God's Breathed' instructions for moving beyond being babes to full blown spiritural warriors.
These foundation stones are listed as: repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Our Father, Who abides in Heaven, Holy is your name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven... and by Thy will guide me as I listen to Holy Spirit speak the words of My High Priest, Jesus Christ, through your Word to us through the Holy Bible. Refined by the fire of numerous attempts to quell it's message. The message that God's Love for the world is so great, He gave his only begotten Son as the perfect blood sacrifice for my sins.
“The Bible says my king is a seven way king.
He’s the king of the Jews, that’s a racial king.
He’s the king of Israel, that’s a national king.
He’s the king of righteousness.
He’s the king of the ages.
He’s the king of heaven.
He’s the king of glory.
He’s the King of kings. And He is the Lord of lords.
That’s my king. Well, I wonder do you know Him?
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore we must progress beyond 1 the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 6:2teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
A. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD’S FINAL REVELATION TO US (1:1-3).
B. JESUS EXCEEDS THE ANGELS IN GLORY (1:4-14).
C. JESUS IS NOT ONLY FULLY GOD, BUT ALSO FULLY HUMAN (2:5-18).
D. JESUS IS GREATER IN GLORY THAN MOSES (HEBREWS 3).
E. JESUS PROVIDES THE ETERNAL REST THAT JOSHUA COULD NOT PROVIDE (HEBREWS 4).
Jesus Christ is my high priest, he is also my king: the Bible positions him thusly:
“The Bible says my king is a seven way king.
He’s the king of the Jews, that’s a racial king.
He’s the king of Israel, that’s a national king.
He’s the king of righteousness.
He’s the king of the ages.
He’s the king of heaven.
He’s the king of glory.
He’s the King of kings. And He is the Lord of lords.
That’s my king. Well, I wonder do you know Him?
2018/04/05 After the order of Melchizedek; prophet, high priest, king (king of kings): Heb 6:13 Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he sworeby himself, 6:14 saying, “Surely I will bless you greatly and multiply your descendantsabundantly.” 12 6:15 And so by persevering, Abraham 13 inherited the promise. 6:16 For people14 swear by something greater than themselves, 15 and the oath serves as a confirmation to end alldispute. 16 6:17 In the same way 17 God wanted to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise that his purpose was unchangeable, 18 and so he intervened with an oath, 6:18 so that we who have found refuge in him 19 may find strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us through two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie. 6:19 We have this hope asan anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain, 20 6:20 whereJesus our forerunner entered on our behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. 21 ......Heb 4:12 - 5:10 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercingeven to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desiresand thoughts of the heart. 4:13 And no creature is hidden from God, 14 but everything is naked andexposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest
4:14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Sonof God, let us hold fast to our confession. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 4:16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and findgrace whenever we need help. 15
5:1 For every high priest is taken from among the people 1 and appointed 2 to represent them beforeGod, 3 to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 5:2 He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 5:3 and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 5:4 And no one assumes this honor 4 on his own initiative, 5 but only when called to it by God, 6 as in fact Aaron was. 5:5 So alsoChrist did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, 7 who said to him, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,” 8 5:6 as also in another place God9 says, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 10 5:7 During his earthly life11 Christ 12 offered 13 both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion. 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. 14 5:9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 5:10 and he was designated 15 by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek. 16
1Cor 15: 1ff1 Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it.
2 You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you-unless you believed to no purpose.
3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
8Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me. ...
Resurrection Essential to the Faith12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, "There is no resurrection of the dead"?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised;
14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without foundation, and so is your faith.
15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ-whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
18 Therefore those who have fallen asleepin Christ have also perished.
19 If we have placed our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.
Christ's Resurrection Guarantees Ours20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man.
22For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, the people of Christ.
24 Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.
27 For He has put everything under His feet. But when it says "everything" is put under Him, it is obvious that He who puts everything under Him is the exception.
28 And when everything is subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all.
Resurrection Supported by Christian Experience
29 Otherwise what will they do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are people baptized for them? .....
Victorious Resurrection50 Brothers, I tell you this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption.
51Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
53 Because this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality.
54 Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
55 O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?
56 Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
2018/Mar22 Heb 2: 1 We must therefore pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding, and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. 4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions [of gifts] from the Holy Spirit according to His will.
Jesus and Humanity
5 For He has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But one has somewhere testified: What is man, that You remember him, or the son of man, that You care for him? 7 You made him lower than the angels for a short time; You crowned him with glory and honor 8 and subjected everything under his feet. For in subjecting everything to him, He left nothing not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him. 9 But we do see Jesus- made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God's grace He might taste death for everyone-crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death. 10 For it was fitting, in bringing many sons to glory, that He, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying: I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing hymns to You in the congregation. 13 Again, I will trust in Him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave Me. 14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death-that is, the Devil-
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2018-03Mar21 [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know ...HIM!
Apostle Paul's prayer to the Ephesians. My prayer for you and esp my own. Read the book of Ephesians, short read full of God's work in His children's (us) lives:
Prayer for Spiritual Insight
15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 [I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
God's Power in Christ
20 He demonstrated [this power] in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens- 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way. Ephesians 1:15-23 CSB
2018-03Mar 20John 8:32 you will know the truth and the truth will set you free..Jesus Christ is the Truth!
The Way to the Father John 14:
1 "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; , a traveler's resting place. The Gk word is related to the verb meno , meaning remain or stay, which occurs 40 times in John. if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way where I am going." 5 "Lord," Thomas said, "we don't know where You're going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.09-28-2017 Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. so we obfuscate what is currently politically and socially incorrect today by tearing down what was built by yesterday's standards. Yes, mankind is never perfect, if we could be perfect, Jesus would not have been crucified as we could save ourselves. But we sin and are sinful, even as it was in the days of Noah and Lot, every thought and activity is filled with sinfulness. Ecc 3:16 Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
Ecc 3:17I said [fn]to myself, “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every [fn]matter and for every deed is there.
Ecc 4:1
Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.
Ecc 4:2
So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.
Ecc 4:3
But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.
Tear down those reminders of our past activities and let's pretend by doing so, we can change who we are... Vanity all is Futile.2018-03Mar19 We are born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pe 1:4
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 1Pe 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
2018-03Mar16 Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to Me- 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God. He has seen the Father. 47 "I assure you: Anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh." 52 At that, the Jews argued among themselves, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves. 54 Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, 55 because My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. 56 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood lives in Me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your fathers ate-and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever."
2018-03Mar15 if in this life we have hope in Christ only, of all men we are most to be pitied. 1Cor 15:3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present,
Resurrection Essential to the Faith ....
....12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, "There is no resurrection of the dead"? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without foundation, and so is your faith. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ-whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have placed our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.
Christ's Resurrection Guarantees Ours
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive
2018-03Mar10 If you have Jesus in your heart and are being led by His Holy Spirit, then Never Give Up!
2Ch 15:2 So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.....2Ch 15:7 “But as for you, be strong; don’t give up, for your work has a reward.”
[Do you wonder, as I do, how it is that God knows our thoughts?]. Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words Rom 8:27 And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
On my own, I'm incapable of obeying the written law of God, so Jesus, gives me the Holy Spirit to intercede for me and knowing my inner desire to obey the law, gives me a law of the Spirit which, with faith in Christ, I can obey and live. not that I of myself could obey, but the Spirit within me gives me hope and belief that Jesus saves me from all my iniquity. ...thus, I obey the Spirit's law.
Where then do I gain Christ's Holy Spirit as promised? Acts2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was* at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them*, Have ye received theHoly Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him*, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, UntoJohn's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the LordJesus.
So the Bible answers our questions about things scriptural. God who is Omnipotent, Omniescent, and Omnipresent, allows that we, in Christ, are predestined to belong to Him and to be justified, by Christ's blood...Rom 8:28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
We, at the very least I, struggle to know God's will.
Unless we are blessed to receive a direct God breathed message from our Lord, such as the OT prophets and writers or the new testament Apostles, we now must rely on the scripture found in the Holy Bible which carries the Good News, that God sent his son to redeem the Earth from Satan's grasp.
At the beginning, God gave the Earth to Adam and Adam lost it to Satan. Presently, we live in a time of the redemption of the Earth by the perfect sacrifice; Jesus Christ. So the Jews were given a set of laws to point out that they were doomed to fail, that covenant was then a covenent of death, pointing out man's sin and inability to save himself. But praise be to God, that covenant has been replaced by a new covenant; signed, sealed and delivered by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. His covenant is of grace! So, as Moses was glorified by tablets of stone (so much so that he had to wear a veil when he came down from the mountain); even so, we, who are in Christ, are glorified by the Spirit sent by our Lord.
I am not blessed with such direct knowledge, but praise God I have the scripture that God breath to others and that has been carried down to us; the Holy Bible, Good News to Men everywhere! 2Co 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2018-Apr 20-21 To all Y'all; Enjoy a banquet of the Father, the Word that is given to us, sweeter than honey, able to fill us up completely so that we can never hunger again. Not this poor attempt to unlock the precious messages that are contained in the Holy Bible, for I am most humble in my understanding, but that those Words of Scripture contain all the sustenance needed to insure a soul that is healthy, wealthy and wise in the sight of our Saviour, Jesus Christ..
Those of us believe and have faith in the sin cleaning power of the shed blood of that Word, even Jesus Christ; we are predestined, because those He foreknew would have faith in Jesus, to those (even us), He gave the power to become sons of God and be like Him. Those (we who have faith), to whom He gave to the Son, the Son would never lose:
John 6: 35 "I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.
36 But as I told you, you've seen Me, and yet you do not believe.
37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39 This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise them up on the last day.
- 40 For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up onthe last day."
- 1 John 6:40: 2 Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is.
- Matt 4:3 Then the tempter approached Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. "
- trust in the goodness of the Lord. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Psalm 34:8)
- those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit,
tasted God's good word and the powers of the coming age, 6and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt. For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it, and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for, receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end. Heb 6:5-8 - How I love Your teaching! It is my meditation all day long. ...
How sweet Your word is to my taste- [sweeter] than honey to my mouth. Psalm 119:97-103 - Doesn't the ear test words as the palate tastes food? Job 12:11
- A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body. Prov 16: 23-24
Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions operated through the law in every part of us and bore fruit for death.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,
20idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,
21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance-as I told you before-that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.Matthew 3:10 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
2 Pet 1: ..5 make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,
6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness,
7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives.
- Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
- Galatians 5:22 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Eph 5:9 for the fruit of the light [results] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth- 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.
- Phil 1:9..I pray this: [ Emphasis mine: To all my children and their children to the coming of the Lord, I ask the Lord to help me remember to pray this prayer of the Apostle Paul and that the Holy Spirit will take it to the Lord's throne on my behalf] that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that [comes] through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- Col:1:10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.
- Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous that it will go well [for them], for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.
- James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace
- Rev 22: The Source of Life1 Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 down the middle of the broad street [of the city]. On both sides of the river was the tree of life bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations,
3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him.
4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
5 Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.2018-Ap11 An allegory? Yes, an illustration from God comparing being a child through Christ or being under the law. Answering which is best:
Gal 4:1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world. 4 But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God......19 My children, again I am in the pains of childbirth for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I'd like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don't know what to do about you.
Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don't you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born according to the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. 24 These things are illustrations (or allegories), for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery-this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, O barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? Throw out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never inherit with the son of the free woman. 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Can the Old Testament law save us? Matt 22:35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him:
36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
37 He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38 This is the greatest and most importantcommandment.
39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."
We have the answer from the true Master about keeping the commandments. Jesus said; Matt 19:16.. someone came up and asked Him, "Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask Me about what is good?" He said to him. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" he asked Him. Jesus answered, Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself. 20 "I have kept all these," the young man told Him. "What do I still lack?" 21 "If you want to be perfect," Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."
So we are to follow the example of the monks who eschew any earthly riches and live a life of poverty... but Jesus gave Christians a better answer because He proved that keeping the old law cannot save you!
John 6:28-29 Jhn 6:28 Then said they unto him (Jesus), What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
2018-Apr09 Jesus said I am the Vine..without Me you can do nothing..
As a young adult, at ACC I heard a girl's trio sing the song
' "Without Him"
Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I'd surely fail
Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail
Without Him I would be dying
Without Him I'd be enslaved
Without Him life would be worthless
But with Jesus thank God I'm saved
Oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost I would be
Without Him how lost I would be
John 15;JohnThe Vine and the Branches1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesso that it will be even more fruitful.
3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
My Lord Jesus, may I proclaim Your love by loving others, even those who are unlovely; it is easy to love your loved ones, and maybe some find it easy to love your neighbors, I find it very hard to love my enemies...Please send me Your Spirt of love! Amen
2018-Apr06 1Cor3:18 Guard against self-deception, each of you. 18 If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise. 3:19 For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 19 3:20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 20 3:21 So then, no more boasting about mere mortals! 21 For everything belongs to you, 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas orthe world or life or death or the present or the future.
2018-Apr05 Hebrews is a rich book, full of the glory of Christ, but yet also his humanity. my feeble brain can't begin to understand the Lord, my God, Jesus Christ. My prayer of Lord is to read with understanding and faith that your Word is true; even though it is beyond my abilities to comprehend...
The Apostle Paul (or his companion, Barnabus, who may be the author) tells the Hebrews (Jews,who had converted to Christianity) that there are elementary foundations that mature Christians must comprehend and use as stepping stones to become full 'meat eater' maturity, digging into the heart of the Scripture, God's love letter to us through various people who are inspired by the Holy Spirit to write 'God's Breathed' instructions for moving beyond being babes to full blown spiritural warriors.
These foundation stones are listed as: repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Our Father, Who abides in Heaven, Holy is your name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven... and by Thy will guide me as I listen to Holy Spirit speak the words of My High Priest, Jesus Christ, through your Word to us through the Holy Bible. Refined by the fire of numerous attempts to quell it's message. The message that God's Love for the world is so great, He gave his only begotten Son as the perfect blood sacrifice for my sins.
“The Bible says my king is a seven way king.
He’s the king of the Jews, that’s a racial king.
He’s the king of Israel, that’s a national king.
He’s the king of righteousness.
He’s the king of the ages.
He’s the king of heaven.
He’s the king of glory.
He’s the King of kings. And He is the Lord of lords.
That’s my king. Well, I wonder do you know Him?
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore we must progress beyond 1 the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 6:2teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
A. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD’S FINAL REVELATION TO US (1:1-3).
B. JESUS EXCEEDS THE ANGELS IN GLORY (1:4-14).
C. JESUS IS NOT ONLY FULLY GOD, BUT ALSO FULLY HUMAN (2:5-18).
D. JESUS IS GREATER IN GLORY THAN MOSES (HEBREWS 3).
E. JESUS PROVIDES THE ETERNAL REST THAT JOSHUA COULD NOT PROVIDE (HEBREWS 4).
Jesus Christ is my high priest, he is also my king: the Bible positions him thusly:
“The Bible says my king is a seven way king.
He’s the king of the Jews, that’s a racial king.
He’s the king of Israel, that’s a national king.
He’s the king of righteousness.
He’s the king of the ages.
He’s the king of heaven.
He’s the king of glory.
He’s the King of kings. And He is the Lord of lords.
That’s my king. Well, I wonder do you know Him?
2018/04/05 After the order of Melchizedek; prophet, high priest, king (king of kings): Heb 6:13 Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he sworeby himself, 6:14 saying, “Surely I will bless you greatly and multiply your descendantsabundantly.” 12 6:15 And so by persevering, Abraham 13 inherited the promise. 6:16 For people14 swear by something greater than themselves, 15 and the oath serves as a confirmation to end alldispute. 16 6:17 In the same way 17 God wanted to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise that his purpose was unchangeable, 18 and so he intervened with an oath, 6:18 so that we who have found refuge in him 19 may find strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us through two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie. 6:19 We have this hope asan anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain, 20 6:20 whereJesus our forerunner entered on our behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. 21 ......Heb 4:12 - 5:10 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercingeven to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desiresand thoughts of the heart. 4:13 And no creature is hidden from God, 14 but everything is naked andexposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest
4:14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Sonof God, let us hold fast to our confession. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 4:16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and findgrace whenever we need help. 15
5:1 For every high priest is taken from among the people 1 and appointed 2 to represent them beforeGod, 3 to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 5:2 He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 5:3 and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 5:4 And no one assumes this honor 4 on his own initiative, 5 but only when called to it by God, 6 as in fact Aaron was. 5:5 So alsoChrist did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, 7 who said to him, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,” 8 5:6 as also in another place God9 says, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 10 5:7 During his earthly life11 Christ 12 offered 13 both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion. 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. 14 5:9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 5:10 and he was designated 15 by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek. 16
1Cor 15: 1ff1 Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it.
2 You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you-unless you believed to no purpose.
3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
8Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me. ...
Resurrection Essential to the Faith12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, "There is no resurrection of the dead"?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised;
14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without foundation, and so is your faith.
15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ-whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
18 Therefore those who have fallen asleepin Christ have also perished.
19 If we have placed our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.
Christ's Resurrection Guarantees Ours20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man.
22For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, the people of Christ.
24 Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.
27 For He has put everything under His feet. But when it says "everything" is put under Him, it is obvious that He who puts everything under Him is the exception.
28 And when everything is subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all.
Resurrection Supported by Christian Experience
29 Otherwise what will they do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are people baptized for them? .....
Victorious Resurrection50 Brothers, I tell you this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption.
51Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
53 Because this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality.
54 Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
55 O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?
56 Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
2018/Mar22 Heb 2: 1 We must therefore pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding, and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. 4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions [of gifts] from the Holy Spirit according to His will.
Jesus and Humanity
5 For He has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But one has somewhere testified: What is man, that You remember him, or the son of man, that You care for him? 7 You made him lower than the angels for a short time; You crowned him with glory and honor 8 and subjected everything under his feet. For in subjecting everything to him, He left nothing not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him. 9 But we do see Jesus- made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God's grace He might taste death for everyone-crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death. 10 For it was fitting, in bringing many sons to glory, that He, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying: I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing hymns to You in the congregation. 13 Again, I will trust in Him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave Me. 14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death-that is, the Devil-
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2018-03Mar21 [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know ...HIM!
Apostle Paul's prayer to the Ephesians. My prayer for you and esp my own. Read the book of Ephesians, short read full of God's work in His children's (us) lives:
Prayer for Spiritual Insight
15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 [I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
God's Power in Christ
20 He demonstrated [this power] in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens- 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way. Ephesians 1:15-23 CSB
2018-03Mar 20John 8:32 you will know the truth and the truth will set you free..Jesus Christ is the Truth!
The Way to the Father John 14:
1 "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; , a traveler's resting place. The Gk word is related to the verb meno , meaning remain or stay, which occurs 40 times in John. if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way where I am going." 5 "Lord," Thomas said, "we don't know where You're going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.09-28-2017 Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. so we obfuscate what is currently politically and socially incorrect today by tearing down what was built by yesterday's standards. Yes, mankind is never perfect, if we could be perfect, Jesus would not have been crucified as we could save ourselves. But we sin and are sinful, even as it was in the days of Noah and Lot, every thought and activity is filled with sinfulness. Ecc 3:16 Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
Ecc 3:17I said [fn]to myself, “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every [fn]matter and for every deed is there.
Ecc 4:1
Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.
Ecc 4:2
So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.
Ecc 4:3
But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.
Tear down those reminders of our past activities and let's pretend by doing so, we can change who we are... Vanity all is Futile.2018-03Mar19 We are born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pe 1:4
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 1Pe 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
2018-03Mar16 Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to Me- 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God. He has seen the Father. 47 "I assure you: Anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh." 52 At that, the Jews argued among themselves, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves. 54 Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, 55 because My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. 56 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood lives in Me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your fathers ate-and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever."
2018-03Mar15 if in this life we have hope in Christ only, of all men we are most to be pitied. 1Cor 15:3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present,
Resurrection Essential to the Faith ....
....12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, "There is no resurrection of the dead"? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without foundation, and so is your faith. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ-whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have placed our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.
Christ's Resurrection Guarantees Ours
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive
2018-03Mar10 If you have Jesus in your heart and are being led by His Holy Spirit, then Never Give Up!
2Ch 15:2 So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.....2Ch 15:7 “But as for you, be strong; don’t give up, for your work has a reward.”
