Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances…

Posted: January 4, 2013 in Shared Thoughts, Study!
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Capture

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross. (Colossians 2:13,14)

Those who have been “churched” for a while are likely to have heard this verse interpreted as the whole of God’s law being nailed to the cross as being now null and void, or no longer relevant in the life of a believer. That once we “accept” Jesus’ death as a payment for our sins, we have no further obligation than to just accept His wondrous grace by faith . . . and accept that we are always going to be messing up and still sinning all the days of our lives. But because of “grace,” no worries.  I fear that believers of such have been duped into swallowing a grace that cannot effectually save one from their sins while at the same time casting away God’s provisional lamp for their feet.

I ask the reader to be prayerfully open minded and to consider, what if what was nailed to the cross as “handwriting of ordinances that was against us” was not the ceremonial law of Judaism, but something else? That is not to say the ceremonial law did not fulfill its function and therefore has completed its course in God’s plan for humanity, for in Roman’s 7 Paul labors to persuade his Jewish brethren to acknowledge that they were now free from ceremonial rites because that which they pointed to had come, the Lamb of God which not only bore the sins of the world, but ended the sin-offerings as well. For all those were merely shadows of Christ body as an offering to come.

Certainly it was not the moral aspect of God’s law which was nailed to the cross and taken out of the way, for consider how the scriptures bare witness that Law was “perfect, converting the soul . . . making wise the simple . . . rejoicing the heart . . . pure and enlightening the eyes.”  Furthermore the scripture also records in Psalms the prayerful request that God would “grant me thy law graciously,” which seems to be an interesting twist to much that is preached today against “The Law,” that the law could actually be given in grace. Read the rest of this entry »

The riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the Mystery of God, even of the Father and of Christ

Posted: January 2, 2013 in Coffee House, Deity of Jesus Christ
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The Mystery of God

That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love,

and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding,

to the full knowledge of the mystery of God,

and of the Father and of Christ,

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Sadly this is the last message from the Coffee Shop since the restaurant is closing due to the economy. Please pray for us that Lord opens another avenue for ministry or directs us as to how we best spend the time for His glory and Name’s sake.

In the sermon I briefly address the following-

Strong’s Greek #2532 – kai, pronounced  kah’ee – apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:–and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

Sermon on the Mount

Posted: December 29, 2012 in Wake Up!
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Excellent presentation of the Sermon on the Mount. Keith Daniels quotes this from memory in a moving presentation.

From Sermonindex.com –

“Keith Daniel of Cape Town, South Africa is an evangelist with the African Evangelistic Band. He travels extensively across South Africa preaching the Word of God, and also lectures at Glenvar Bible College in Cape Town. He has made over twenty tours to North America over the past two decades. Brother Keith has a passion to preach God’s uncompromising Word to this generation and calls out to pastors and theologians of our day to believe God’s truth over man’s reason.He has preached in many conventions including SermonIndex.net Conferences in the last 5 years.”

Another excellent sermon on audio only (regrettable) is his quoting of the Book of James from memory where he prefaces it with some very interesting thoughts of James life and his coming to the revelation that his Brother Jesus was actually his God.

Getting used to the dark. . .

Posted: December 24, 2012 in Shared Thoughts
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Vance Havner

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Getting used to the dark by Vance Havner

(click link above to play)

It is really amazing to hear this man of God speak of the wickedness of the world and the apathetic condition of the church…from a perspective decades ago. I especially like his one phrase that “The end does not justify the way, the way justifies the end.” Nowadays we have settled for so many tricks, smoke and mirrors because the Holy Ghost simply isn’t welcome or working in so many churches. As Tozer once said, the Holy Ghost could leave so many churches out there  and never disrupt a thing that was happening there…and never even be missed. Sad. Guess that what happens when we allow ourselves to become used to the dark.

Where is America Headed?

Posted: December 22, 2012 in Devotionals
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 Vance HavnerWhere is America Headed? by Vance Havner

A prophetic voice from the past . . .

(27 minutes)

(Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.)

NOTE: This is an old post which still generates traffic. However, in 2015 I wrote a Book on America in Prophesy called “THE EIGHTH BEST” which was updated in 2022 and includes more info and better quality audio files, all of which you can link to the Table of Contents >HERE<
The book is free to read on line, but also available on Amazon >HERE<

*UPDATED* Rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary . . the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. *UPDATED*

Posted: December 21, 2012 in Shared Thoughts
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This shooting hit me as being very relevant so I looked into the town’s history. Not sure if the following is relevant, but since I am not one who readily subscribes to coincidence I felt it all seems too odd not to be . . . 298 years ago to date of the shooting the following agreement was signed by the founders of Newtown, Ct. I ran across this piece of history real quick last night and figured I would pass it on. The following is a contract to transfer a parcel of land to the ownership of “Samuel Sanford and his heirs and assigns forever.”

“To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come. We agents for ye town of Newtown in ye County of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut in New England authorized by ye sd Town by vote on December 14, 1714, to sign, seal and deliver an instrument on ye sd Town’s behalf unto Samuel Sanford and his heirs and assigns forever, that is to say a certain parcell of land lying under a mountain known by ye name of Pisga, that is to say, all ye land lying under sd mountain to ye bend of ye brook commonly called Pohtertuck Brook, so called, with all ye land belonging to us southward of ye sd mountain to ye farms called Old Farms all sd land thus granted bounding eastwardly on ye eastward bank of ye aforesaid brook to him ye sd Sanfor, his heirs and assigns forever, provided ye sd Sanford throw up with sizer in quantity out of his forty acres of mill land ye sd Sanford hath Liberty to take up ye same for part of his 60 acres pitch, provided that ye sd Sanford erecteth and buildeth a good grist mill sufficient for ye supply of ye Town of Newtown at or before ye 20th of August next, upon Pohtotuck Brook, provided that ye sd Sanford maketh a good mill seasonably, allways allowing suitable time for repairing or rebuilding, we ye above sd agents, in ye Town’s behalf, engage yt no other grist mill shall be erected to ye damage of sd Sanford so long as he sd Sanford doth supply ye sd Town with good mills and for ye full performance of ye above sd premises we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors or administrators or assigns forever. In witness hereof we have set our hands and seals in Newtown, this 14th day of December, 1714, in ye first year of our sovereign Lord George. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us.”

I’ve been looking at this off and on as I have had opportunity. It seems the school where the shootings happened is very close to the land of the grist mill, but more interestingly to me is the fact of how later the Sanford family developed an greater affiliation with the Sandy Hook area –

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Learn of Me . . .

Posted: December 7, 2012 in Coffee House, Wake Up!
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Learn of Me

James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Adorning the Doctrine of God our Saviour

Posted: December 1, 2012 in Coffee House, Deity of Jesus Christ, Wake Up!
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Adorning the Doctrine of God our Saviour

11-30-2012 Coffee House message.

This message was somewhat of a cross between two messages I have shared both here on Gates of the City and preaching elsewhere. One being Justified in the Spirit and the other Because of the Angels.

I hope this blesses you.

Biblical End Times Players of Revelation

Posted: November 27, 2012 in America, End Times, Prophecy, Shared Thoughts, Study!
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NOTE: This is an old post which still generates traffic. However, in 2015 I wrote a Book on America in Prophesy called “THE EIGHTH BEST” which was updated in 2022 and includes more info and better quality audio files, all of which you can link to the Table of Contents >HERE<
The book is free to read on line, but also available on Amazon >HERE<

To discern America in scripture, it helps to distinguish certain specifics regarding the main players mentioned in Revelation chapter 13-19. While we might not be able to distinguish absolutely the identities of all of them, concerning specifically who they are, we can still establish some very definite conclusions from Biblical references made regarding their particulars. I would like to say up front that this is a topic that has always seemed to be part of the focus of my walk with Christ for almost a quarter of a century. Perhaps it has to do with what the Lord impressed upon me long ago, events I addressed in another article I wrote titled, “I doubt many will believe it, though a man declares it unto you.”

The thoughts I will share here and in the next few articles are the results of years of reflection, which with much prayer was rewarded with measurable clarity as I patiently sought to know and understand these end time events and players. At times it has unsettled me, leaving me obligated to make specific adjustments in my life and commitments. It may very well require adjustments of some of you as well, or even provoke you to anger.  For sadly, sharing these convictions have more than once provoked even some of my own family members and friends to anger over the implications.

To start, I would like to say that my thoughts are very different from those who unquestioningly adopted the perspective of the admittedly fictional “Left Behind” series, which very popular even among non-Christians. It was astonishing, even making news headlines as the public impatiently waited for their next release, eager to ingest each of the “16 best-selling novels” by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Sadly, to me that fact alone seems only to affirm the truth spoken under unction of the Holy Spirit that in the latter times men would not be able to endure sound doctrine. But instead they would swallow the mere fables of men as if it were the truth of God, fables which only serve instead to promote the doctrines of devils. I still chuckle to myself when I remember a comment I once overheard someone make about Moses’ strong appearance . . . because they had seen Charlton Heston in the movie The Ten Commandments.

Before I get too deep into these things in Revelation, I want to submit a couple of thoughts for everyone’s prayerful consideration. First, it is not my conviction that there will ever be a realization of a unified one world government under one leader which many today would call the “antichrist.” I know I probably lost a lot of readers right there. But please note, I am not saying that I fail to see such a Luciferian globalist plan in the works; I just don’t see God permitting it to reach the fruition the globalists intend.

If you bear with me through this post, I will attempt to establish a few points along the way that may offer some support to my position. That does not mean my position is unshakable, it may very well be nothing more than a three-legged table, if that. However, if some of these points do in fact have any credibility, then regardless what you have always believed or been taught by whoever, scripture would obligate you to prove all things that you may hold fast to that which is in fact good and solid. Read the rest of this entry »

Be thankful — in the end God will work it out!

Posted: November 22, 2012 in Shared Thoughts
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Learning to be thankful often takes us through things that seem so contrary to us and God’s will. Nevertheless, He who sees the end from the beginning is worthy of not only our thanksgiving but our trust as well. Not that God is in any way the author of all the ill fortunes that befall mankind, for man’s sin alone is the catalyst that hastens the inescapable consequence of a hostile, polluted and toxic world that of itself can only compound such calamities. But God is ever working to show us that He is great and able to use even the worst of our life’s adversities to bring divine healing to our spirit, soul and body, if we will but only trust Him and lean not to our own understanding.

How many times have we trusted in what seemed absolutely right in our own eyes and gave unwarranted confidence to the arm of the flesh only to be disappointed. God alone is able to work all things together for the good in our lives. But the promise is made to those that love Him; those who place their trust in Him who sees beyond the moment and can lead them safely through even the valley of the Shadow of Death on a path of righteousness to the fulfillment of His own purposes for us. When all seems to be intended for your destruction, remember He who can work it for your eternal good. So today, and every day, give thanks unto the Lord for He is worthy of our praise.

That all said, I would like to share a Thanksgiving message from a precious brother in Israel –

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Be thankful — in the end God will work it out!
Thursday, November 22, 2012 – by George Whitten, Editor of Worthy Devotions
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Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Most of you know the story an Indian named Squanto and his first thanksgiving celebration with the Pilgrims. However, you might not know that over a decade before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, English traders were trading with the Indians throughout the region. Squanto’s amazing story really originated then.

An Englishman named Captain Hunter had kidnapped several Indians and sold them into slavery, one of whom was Squanto, sold into slavery in Malaga, Spain. There, Squanto was bought by a Spanish monk, who treated him well, freed him from slavery, and taught him about Christianity. Eventually, Squanto made it back to England, and worked in the stables of a man named John Slaney. It was there that Squanto learned English.

Upon Squanto’s return home in 1618, he learned that his tribe had been wiped out from an epidemic, probably smallpox brought by early English colonists. As you might imagine, he was devastated and couldn’t understand how God could allow this to happen.

Shortly afterward, a friend named Samoset introduced him to the Pilgrims. Because of Squanto’s history and understanding of English, Squanto was able to communicate with them. He also taught them how to survive there, how to fish, hunt, and how to plant corn. As a result, Governor William Bradford asked him to serve as his ambassador to the Indian tribes. Bradford accredited Squanto for the survival of the Pilgrim colony and saw that without God’s providential hand in providing Squanto — the colony would not have survived.

When I first heard the story of Squanto, it reminded me of the story of Joseph and the providence of God, even in the worst of situations. Joseph was sold into slavery, thrown into prison, accused and abused…. but all of these things were worked out for the purpose of saving the Jewish people. The story of the survival of the Plymouth colony rested on an Indian who was kidnapped, sold into slavery, returned home to see his tribe wiped out, and yet through these events was used by God to preserve the Pilgrims who came to America with this purpose, “for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith”. (Mayflower Compact, November 11, 1620)

We have so much to be thankful for this thanksgiving season – even despite the tough times in which we live. In Israel, we’re thankful there’s a lull so that we can celebrate thanksgiving without the noise of sirens sounding. While times are hard, we’re thankful to be alive for such a time as this! So we’re entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise today, knowing that our God is providentially in control of everything that is going on around us. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends in the States — we’re celebrating with you in the Negev!

Live for the King!!

Don’t settle for weak faith!

Posted: November 10, 2012 in Coffee House, Shared Thoughts
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Don’t settle for weak faith!!

11-9-2012 Coffee House message taken from Romans 14 and Colossians 1

Effective Faith versus Weak Faith

Posted: November 9, 2012 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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Paul addressed in Romans 14 some as being “weak in faith,” which we must recognize as being in contrast to those who actually possessed the faith which comes from an unmodified or polluted hearing of God’s Word. Such faith is the reward given only to hearts that are diligently seeking to hear from God’s Spirit and such hearts are then required to walk the path to obtain a true and growing understanding of God’s will. (Surely I need not expound on the error of those with double mindedness, or such as have eyes that are not singled towards Jesus Christ our King.)

Having said all that, I feel I must address the natural tendency of people when hearing such words immediately assume I am contrasting myself with the “weak in faith” and making bold claims of personal insight and clear understanding of God’s will, however that is not my claim or point, and to try to refute with many words is simply a waste of time to all.

Nonetheless, according to Paul’s word, there are those who are accepted in the Lord even though they are “weak in faith” which is evident by their actions being limited in areas of consumption or by their energy or focus being given to a specific day or time. Paul counters such with those who have what I would call an effective faith, (for the Holy Spirit did not compel Paul to contrast the “weak in faith” with the strong in faith). It should be evident to all that those with an effective faith are those who are having ears to hear and are consequently walking by the Spirit untangled from the affairs of this world and effectively laboring for the gory and Kingdom of God. Read the rest of this entry »

What we needed…or what we deserved?

Posted: November 7, 2012 in Shared Thoughts
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Was it what we needed? or what we deserved?

God always gives the people leaders according to their hearts, whether they are humble and seeking God’s glory or arrogantly promoting the lies of humanism, man first.

To the humble and thirsty for righteousness, God always gives them the leaders they NEED that will allow them the liberty from oppressive rule to seek and serve their God. For the latter, arrogant humanistic sort who selfishly seeks the glory of man over the glory of God, God gives them the leader they DESERVE.

Now please do not misunderstand me and think that I feel that Mitt Romney was what America would have needed if we were truly a God seeking people . . . God would have provided one who in truth knew the Light that they may truly see to clearly guide us in the Light, one who had “ears to hear” what God’s Holy Spirit would be speaking to those wanting to listen.

Those who voted for Romney obviously voted contrary to the wisdom and judgment of God for America. Think about that all you believers who so voted . . . you and God voted contrary to each other . . . Morality is not righteousness, goodness is not godliness. We are called to be holy, without which none are going to see God on favorable terms. We cannot compromise faith by looking to the arm of the flesh.

America truly deserves Barrack Hussein Obama.

Lay hold of Eternal Life

Posted: October 27, 2012 in Coffee House, Wake Up!
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Lay Hold of Eternal Life

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Unconditional Love

Posted: October 25, 2012 in Devotionals, Shared Thoughts, Study!, Wake Up!
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I hear it all the time, how God loves us all unconditionally. Over the years of having conducted services at a mandatory rehab for people whose crimes were drug related, ministered at homeless shelters and having countless conversations with “believers” who readily admit they are not walking with God as they should, I frequently run into those who enthusiastically confess to me how they know, absolutely know, that God loves them unconditionally and that He accepts them just as they are.

This has led me into many discussions with people about what it means to “believe” and what exactly this “grace” is that these people are boasting about since they know they are saved because of it.  Sadly, many have no real understanding of what grace really is, they simply repeat what they were once told, “It is unmerited favor.” It is as if people are convinced that when God looks at them He has on some special “Jesus only” colored glasses because they think God only sees Jesus when He looks at them and not themselves for how they truly are.

Grace is truly an amazing gift of God given to the believer, but there are four things about grace we can readily know from scripture –

1. Grace is sufficient

2. Grace can be frustrated

3. Grace while working similarly in all God’s children, still has a uniqueness to it purpose as it is given to each of us

4. Grace can be received in vain.

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