Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

Why God Created Us Male And Female

Posted: July 10, 2017 in Shared Thoughts, Study!
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Whom shall God teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isaiah 28:9, 10)

In order for anyone to understand anything, they must first be made aware of some basic principles. In math, for instance, one could not very well understand multiplication without first understanding addition.

True understanding can only come from knowledge founded upon God’s precepts. Therefore, this post is an effort to present those precepts that are necessary to know in order to understand the role of male and female, and “why” God created us such.

God created humanity to be both male and female so they could “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” In Titus chapter 2 there are many examples for this are given, husbands and wives, masters and servants, and the young with their elders. We can especially see it in children honoring and obeying their parents according to the commandment, the only commandment with a promise, and that of a long life, and the way it easily reflects how we as God’s children through our faith do honor and obey Him and likewise have the promise of eternal life.

To begin, we must first acknowledge how it was the male who was first created in the image of God with a position on the earth similar to God in the heaven. Even nowadays, when in a right relationship with God, a man will faithfully represent God in all his dealings, both in his own household and with his neighbor.

Since true love and commitment must be of one’s free will, God designed humanity with the ability to choose to be either His glory or His shame in the earth. When a man (male) humbles himself and chooses to submit to the precepts of God, he becomes the glory of God in the earth. His life will then both affirm and reflect both the righteous judgments and attributes of God.

Next, we need to acknowledge how the Bible teaches that the foundation for woman was taken from man and then perfectly made for the man. By God’s Royal design the woman should be to man what man was meant to be to God, his glory.

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man,” (1Co 11:3-9).

Since woman was created for the man, when a woman aligns her life with the principles that God established to guide the role of a wife, she truly does becomes the glory of her husband. However, if she rejects God’s order and challenges her husband’s position of authority as established by God, it only results in her becoming a shame unto him, for as it says in Proverbs, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”

When a woman is resolved in her heart to serve God by faithfully tending to her husband’s home and personal needs, she then represents that part of humanity (the true church) which has resolved to fear God and to keep his commandments. “This is the whole duty of man,” (Eccl. 12:13). Through her relationship with her husband the righteous woman literally preaches through her actions and life to all humanity the personal relationship God desires each of us to have with Him. The proof of our love is absolute trust and submission. The result of our love will be true and total intimacy.

In Ephesians we see how our role of man and woman, husband and wife proclaim the gospel.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, EVEN AS Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify it and cleanse it by the washing of the water by the word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church. Not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth it and cherisheth it, EVEN AS THE LORD THE CHURCH. For we are member of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.” (Ephesians 5:22-30)

At this point I believe it would be profitable for the sake everyone’s understanding the point I am trying to make to go to Genesis.

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He HIM, male and female created He them. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’ And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a help meet.’ And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called each living creature, that was the name thereof. But for Adam there was not found a help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and God took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib which the Lord God had taken FROM MAN made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is bone of MY BONES [not God’s], and flesh of MY FLESH: she shall be called woman, BECAUSE she was TAKEN OUT OF MAN.”

By these scriptures we can see it was the man, who was created in the image of God, and is symbolic of God. It is also very important to point out here that, while even in the midst of a creation full of living creatures, man was alone. The woman was taken FROM man and is for the man. Therefore, if man is symbolic of God, the woman is symbolic of humanity and should rightly represent humanity.

But here is a question that needs to be asked, why didn’t God create man and woman at the same time?  No doubt God could foresee Adam’s need. Why therefore was woman taken from man and not made from the dust like man?

Because it was God’s intention to placed the male in a position parallel to His own–with an authority over his (man’s) kingdom and alone with no suitable mate. God did this so Adam could identify with God, both positionally and emotionally. God brought all the animals to Adam not only to name them, but so he could see that among all of them there was no suitable helper for him. Because God in His realm of the heavens, like Adam in the earth below, found none among the angelic beings suitable to be His helper. It was only after Adam realized just how alone he was, after his naming all those animals, that God finally created for him the woman. From a place close to his heart woman was taken. For it was man’s heart, and not his strength, that was incomplete.

The creation of humanity was prompted out of a yearning of God’s heart for His own bride, a suitable helper and mate. Adam being created first and living among all the animals alone, and then God creating Eve gives us a great picture into the whole divine purpose of humanity and why we must be holy. It even reveals why the greatest commandment God has ever given to man is to love God with all his heart, soul, strength, with the entire essence of man’s being, for this is the same commitment God requires a wife to have toward her husband. For the husband, God’s requirements are that he loves, protect, cherish and provide for her, honoring her as the weaker of the two, for such is God’s commitment toward man. “Therefore” as both Adam prophesied and Paul wrote, “for this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24, Eph. 5:3 1).

Becoming “one flesh” reflects the merging of two hearts and minds in an endeavor to live as one through the covenant of marriage. This covenant is sealed and confirmed by the physical joining of a man and woman together through sexual intimacy. By Royal design the male and female bodies fit together as one, with the male (representing God) entering into the female (representing humanity), face to face and heart to heart. Then the man imparts his corruptible (able to perish) seed into the woman and life springs forth. But God causes us to be “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” Yet this union of male and female is lawful only when the two have agreed to enter into a covenant, for better or worse, to be mutually committed to each other for the rest of their lives.

Humanity’s union with God can only be obtained alter there’s a heart resolve to serve God, as God has instructed the woman to serve her husband (Gen. 3:16). Without a commitment to pick up our cross and deny ourselves daily, we cannot be His disciples; true oneness can never be obtained.

The importance of this commitment was given by Jesus Himself, “He that hath My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me: and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself unto him and We will come and make Our abode with him” (John 14:21,23).

Jesus said” “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many [so-called Christians] will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you, depart from me ye that worked iniquity”‘ (Matthew 7:21-23).

Should Jesus one day say to us, “I never knew you,” He won’t be saying, “I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’ve made your acquaintance.” Jesus knows every person who has ever lived and has all the hairs on our heads numbered. What Jesus meant by “knew” was “total intimacy and oneness”. It’s in this manner that the Bible refers to how Joseph “knew” not Mary till alter Jesus was born Matthew 1:25).

We know this intimacy (spiritually) is Jesus’ desire by His prayer to the Father –

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they ALL may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be ONE IN US, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou hast given Me [the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit] I have given them; that they may be one, EVEN AS we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in oneness]; that the world know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, even as We are one,” (John 17:20-23).

In regards to the marriage of man and women we do well to remember that their intimate sexual union is only a shadow of the greater spiritual intimacy God desires. The intimacy God desires with His church is infinitely greater and rewarding than a man and women’s mere physical union of flesh because it’s the fulfillment of God’s desire and man’s purpose. In Ephesians we see this confirmed, “A man . . . shall be joined unto his wife, and the two shall be ONE flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning (Jesus) Christ and the church!!!” (Eph. 5:31, 32).

Because of the churches their failure to clearly teach the righteous precepts of God and just saying “no sex before marriage” that few nowadays realize what it is sexual intimacy prophetically represents and why exactly God hates fornication, or “free sex.” Fornication is man’s vain attempt to satisfy that void without making a commitment which can only be satisfied by God Himself. Nevertheless, humanity foolishly attempts to satisfy that void through their sexual misconduct, or as they profess, “their sexual liberties.”

Because man’s true needs are spiritual, and not physical, his sexual endeavors can never accomplish more than a momentary gratification of his flesh. His sin will only worsen his state while true need remains unfulfilled. Therefore, his momentary gratification soon fades and he returns to his unsatisfied condition. Like an addict, seduced by today’s reprobate morality, man becomes a hopeless slave to this vicious cycle.

Yet, like the scriptures ask us, “Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals and his feet not be burned?” Can a man be fulfilled by casual sex with another which no commitment? No. Not only does he commit sin by neglecting God’s precepts, but he then becomes accountable for contributing to the other person’s sins as well.

One major problem preachers have had in presenting AIDS as the judgment of God when it first became an epidemic was the lack of infection in the female homosexual community. Way back in 1988 a lesbian wrote to a religious columnist pointing out Romans 1:26: “Even their women exchanged the natural relations for unnatural ones.” She then asked, “If AIDS is the judgment of God, then why are there so few reported cases of AIDS among us?” This was a question which stumped both the columnist and me as well for some time. But God is faithful and He’ll enlighten any man who diligently seeks understanding. Just let him ask God with the intention of embracing His wisdom and faithfully obeying it, (James 1:5-7).

To understand and explain the error in the homosexual’s sin it is necessary to review so as to understand the true purpose for God creating man. Otherwise we will never recognize that the sin God is judging is not the homosexual’s sexual perversion, rather it’s their misrepresentation of God as men created in His image. Likewise the lesbian’s error is their failure, as women, to represent the church’s uncompromising love for God by their lack of affection to the male.

Romans chapter 1 exposes the foundation of the homosexual’s of error in sin.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men [the male part of the species], who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, BECAUSE WHAT MAY BE KNOWN OF GOD IS [is to] MANIFEST IN THEM [the male], for God has shown it to [or through] them. For the invisible things of Him [God] from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made [the male and female roles], even [God and] His eternal power and Godhead [are made apparent], so that they [male and female] are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful [for the glorious life God gave them and called them to], but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and CHANGED THE GLORY OF THE INCORRUPTIBLE GOD into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies between themselves, who changed the TRUTH OF GOD INTO A LIE, AND WORSHIPED AND SERVED THE CREATURE MORE THAN THE CREATOR, who is blessed forever. Amen,” (Romans 1:18-25).

The “truth of God” that males homosexuality changed into a lie is how “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). God loves the world so much He gave His only Son to die for its redemption. Yet when men reject their natural passion for women and turn to other men to satisfy their God given desire for “oneness through intimacy,” their actions present to the world the lie that “God has no affection for humanity! God only loves Himself!” This is blasphemy!!!

There’s no greater love than a man laying his life down for his friends, and Jesus laid down His life on the cross for all humanity; homosexual, straight, black, white, and green!! There is no greater love anywhere than God’s love or His commitment to man!!!

“For this cause God gave them [men] up unto vile passions: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another; men with men working that which is unseemly [anal intercourse], and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet,” (Romans 1:26,27).

Again, the error of the homosexual is not their profane method of sexual intercourse. That is only a “fruit” of their error. The “root” is their failure to correctly represent God as a lover of the weaker vessel. By Royal design, man’s role in life is to be that of affectionate concern for woman–loving her, cherishing her, protecting and providing for her. The woman in turn, is to return her love through willful and uncompromising service to the man, even as unto the Lord, thus adorning “the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”

Homosexuals fail in all these areas. But that still doesn’t explain why the female counterparts of the homosexual community have not contracted AIDS in like proportion, if indeed AIDS is a judgment of God.

Let’s review Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things… are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are…” Now please bear with me, I’m not taking this scripture out of context, rather I’m using the principle of the scripture for understanding. The principle is this; a man (male) when in a right relationship with God will be a righteous representation of God in the earth. This will be evident by his effectiveness as both a covering and instructor of righteousness to his wife and children. The woman, in turn, will happily love her husband with submissive service. The children, if properly instructed in righteousness from their youth, will not depart from it when they grow old (Proverbs 22:6).

However, when men who are to be the image and glory of God, reject God as their covering and forsake the natural affection they should have toward God–then “even their women” will “change the natural use into that which is against nature.” Although bearing like fruit of error, the female’s error is merely evidence of the man’s. And yet, though the man’s error may blasphemously misrepresent God, the lesbian’s life-style sadly proclaims the truth about humanity, they have become lovers of their own selves instead of lovers of God! On the other hand, God does not afflict the lesbian because in the midst of her sin she does accurately represent today’s mass of humanity.

Still, it is very important that as Christians we understand that AIDS is God’s judgment and not His wrath, there is a difference. God has so judged the male homosexual for the reproach they’ve brought to God’s glory, both on earth and in heaven. The fallen angels rejoice at the lie of the homosexual’s lifestyle, mocking and accusing God of being a lover of “self” more than a lover of humanity.

Nevertheless God stands justified. Yes, “great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifested in the flesh [and became obedient to His own precepts of righteousness, even to the death of the cross redeeming humanity back to Himself. By the cross, [God] was justified [of angelic and human accusation] in the Spirit, [His unselfish love was confirmed by His death] seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, [because God loves man so much, He left His throne to become clothed with human flesh to die for our redemption and therefore He was] received up into glory!” (I Timothy 3:16).

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Eph. 3:8-11).

“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into,” (II Pet. 1:2).

I know by now those who have read this far are asking the question, “If AIDS is the judgment of God on the homosexual, then why do heterosexuals get AIDS?” The answer is found in II John 6-11.

“And this is love, that we walk after His commandment. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed): for he that biddeth him God speed is a partaker of his evil deeds.”

When liberal minded heterosexuals stand up for the “rights” of homosexuals who improperly “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior,” they too will be identified with the homosexuals. We cannot stand up for the unrighteousness of the wicked and still stand with Jesus. The two are opposed to each other. We are either with and for Jesus, or we’re against Him.

God has allowed AIDS to take its course in the heterosexual populace because they demanded their government to “protect” the “rights” of homosexuals. God has warned us, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Nevertheless, there are in fact many AIDS patients who are indeed truly victims, just like the casualty of a Red Cross worker in a war zone. They are not at fault; rather they are victims of another man’s sin. God knows it and will do what is right by the victim.

Still, we must be careful how we sympathize with those whose affliction of AIDS is brought on by their sin. While we are always to be compassionate and labor in love to recover the sinner back to God, sympathy can cause us to feel that their affliction is unfair. Remember, God in His righteousness has rewarded the sinner according to their sin. To side with the sinner in feeling that their “reward” is unfair would foolishly put us in the position of judging God. With God there is no “fair” or “unfair,” only justice and mercy. Let us always be compassionate to all men, but let us reserve our sympathy for the true victims of the HIV virus, the hemophiliac, the health care worker, the policeman, the patient infected because of a HIV positive doctor or dentist, etc.

Nevertheless, we must be compassionate, for compassion has divine redemptive qualities. With AIDS, effective compassion can only be a humble presentation of the truth, that they might see their error, repent, and be reconciled to God. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,” (Tim. 2:25,26).

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, which walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways. You have commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep your statutes! Then would I not be ashamed, when I look into all your commandments. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Thy word. With my whole heart I have sought you; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You, (Psalm 119:1-6, 9-11).

Live for the King!

Why judgment must begin in the Lord’s house, with those who are called by His name.

Posted: April 2, 2017 in Devotionals, Uncategorized, Wake Up!
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A timely repost…

Sadly, what is mostly offered to the world as “The Church of Jesus Christ” is in truth nothing more than an apostate whoring religious system which, though naming the name of Jesus Christ, has succumbed to the worldly wisdom of marketing experts in order to increase their numbers. To avoid offending the attending ignorant, they eagerly embrace the latest fashionable watered down translations of Holy Writ reducing God’s word into a flimsy weapon useless against the adversary and too dull to pierce the heart of unrepentant sinners . . . many who already proudly boast in their illusion of “salvation.” Have they forgotten the warning “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life?” Or are they just so arrogant and lacking of fear?

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Being born again, of incorruptible seed, by the word of God (Hell – part 2)

Posted: August 11, 2016 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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Part 2 of 2  of my series on hell 

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

God’s word is more glorious than even the wonder of birth; for in it He has given us some incredible insights into His own heart’s desire. His word is not merely a bunch of rules and laws made to regulate every aspect of men’s behavior and to oppress their freedom in life. No, God’s word is actually the only true wellspring of life, in addition to the only effectual means for guarding what He gives unto His people. Some may immediately feel compelled to challenge that statement, but I am not speaking about the bible you have on your shelf, I am speaking of that which came by unction of God’s Holy Spirit unto His prophets and apostles, that which is spirit and not merely “letter.”

The bibles we have are but books made of paper and ink, filled with letters that cannot do anything of their own, there is no power in them anymore than a flashlight has the ability to illuminate without batteries being in it. It is only a means, a tool whereby the supremacy of God’s spoken word which is ultimately spirit can be revealed unto us . . . that is if and when our heart is in the right condition.

Through God’s holy word comes first the revelation of His supremacy and preeminence, that “God is,” meaning there is in fact a God to whom all men are accountable. Secondly it teaches us how He has created all things in a state of “good.” God created the realms for life to flourish, the sea, the air and the land and then brought forth all manner of life and gave them not just the command to be “fruitful and multiply,” no much more than that, God gave forth the blessing of life.

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It’s Easter again, what exactly happened at the tomb?

Posted: March 22, 2016 in Shared Thoughts
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Trips to the Tomb

I know it;s an old post, but since it is Easter this coming Sunday I figured it would be a good repost it once more for those who may have missed it. I hope it blesses you.

For centuries there has been much confusion when people try to reason the different accounts of Jesus’ resurrection as recorded by the apostles. The fact that they all seem to have a different story to tell does not help. Perhaps, a good way to consider their seemingly different reports is to view them like transparent overlays, similar to the one’s we have seen in books showing the skeleton, then the nerves and blood vessels, organs, muscular and finally the skin and hair.

The Gospels, similarly, are each reporting different events which had taken place around a major singular occurrence, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The fact is that these different events are recorded in God’s word and are therefore true. Perhaps the answer to the confusion is to consider that there were multiple trips made to the tomb.

The best way to determine the possible order of these trips to the tomb is to consider the different details that have been given about the time of day and light of the sun. Was the sun going down or coming up? These questions are actually quite easy to answer. However, we must remember that the Sabbath, like all the other biblical days, began and ended with sundown, see Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31 and Lev. 23:32.

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The Lord’s Christ is Christ the Lord, the only “ONE LORD” of scripture.

Posted: January 21, 2016 in Deity of Jesus Christ
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Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Luke  2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Due to the significance of this subject matter, I occasionally re-post this particular message (normally titled “Justified in the Spirit“) to refresh and expound on the glorious mystery God wrought in our Redeemer to help reveal (in my limited understanding and way) why God is so worthy of our love, adoration, worship and all glory.

Rewards for the Diligent

God has promised to reward us in Hebrews 11:6 with understanding if we would “diligently” seek Him. Answering His call to personal holiness, picking up our crosses and following Him is how we seek Him. To those who obey this mandate Jesus said He would give to them “to know the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11). “To know” we are required to “diligently seek” if we are to have any hope to find, just as we must actively knock if the door of understanding is to be opened unto us. We must humbly acknowledge our ignorance and ask for understanding if we are to be enlightened by God’s Holy Spirit. That is because nothing is more blinding or hindering to our receiving truth than the “light” one proudly thinks himself to have, as such light most often prove to be strongholds that cause men to bunker down in defense of their own historic position or greed. But even one is willing to consider that the part they know may not be correct or complete, they must remember that all one’s seeking, knocking, and asking must be with an intention of true faithfulness if one is to receive anything from God. Even then, it is still only when “our hearts condemn us not” of sin that we can have true “confidence” toward God, for it is only in that place that “whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (I John 3:21, 22).

The revealing of God’s precious truths is often times progressive, as is witnessed to God’s names being revealed over time to humanity. Therefore we can see throughout history how so many others of God’s truths have been given one tidbit at a time is not rare. Holy men of old often prophesied of future events in fragments, “here a little” and then in another text, perhaps even another prophet, “there a little.” This method of enlightenment is in exact accordance with what the bible teaches us. I Corinthians 13:9 tells us straightforwardly that we all only “prophesy in part.” However, when we allow the Holy Spirit  to help us properly assemble these parts by His illuminating touch, these fragments give valuable insight into otherwise veiled truths of scripture. Such is true for a verse which would otherwise be a puzzling piece of scripture –

“For without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, [God was] justified in the spirit, [God was] seen of angels, [God had] preached unto the Gentiles, [God was] believed on in the world, [God was] received up into glory” (I Timothy 3:16).

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Do you love me more than these?

Posted: June 9, 2015 in Devotionals, Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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“Do you love me more than these,” Jesus asked of Peter who had not too long before boldly stated before all the disciples “Though all men forsake Thee, I will not.”

Here Jesus was graciously administering some much needed comfort and healing to Peter because of his earlier three denials with three precious opportunities to confirm his love for Christ. Yet Jesus takes Peter further as He continues with His instruction to Peter as to how He wants Peter to love Him; 1. Feed my Sheep and 2. Follow me. What a blessing it is that the Lord instructs us how to pray, love, serve and worship Him.

Certainly nobody could deny Peter loved Christ in view of the fact that he had been willing to lay down his life for Jesus who tells us there is no greater love than that . . . however, love needs to be . . . no, actually love must be given to the honoring of its proclaimed point of affection. Godly love doesn’t merely seek its own expression; rather it pursues the gratification of the other. (more…)

Is “love” God?

Posted: May 15, 2015 in Devotionals, Shared Thoughts
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Everybody enjoys hearing about how “Jesus is a God of love” and undeniably many sermons entitled “God is love” have brought much needed comfort to the heart of the truly repentant. Nonetheless, while these statements are certainly true, as believers we must remember that they are not complete statements of truth. An unwavering truth is that God is no respecter of persons and sometimes the holiness and righteousness of God requires a change in His posture with individuals, a concept some believers have a hard time believing. But consider the following two verses.

“And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it,” (Deuteronomy 28:63).

“After the number of the days in which ye searched the land . . . ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise,” (Numbers 14:34).

Certainly, God is a God of love, yet in Rev. 2:6 Jesus said “. . . this thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.” Again in Proverbs it says, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren.” Now, I am not trying to present God as a God of hate, just establish the fact that God is capable of hate.

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He that has ears to hear…

Posted: May 3, 2015 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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A couple of years ago I had written an article about the unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods, I discussed the attitudes of the Pharisees that were there listening. Amazingly, instead of agreeing with Jesus that the steward’s behavior was sinful, they instead began to deride Jesus to publicly mock Him. The more I ponder this reactive attitude towards Christ the more I am amazed at just how hard an arrogant and religious heart can be. Not only were they failing miserably at being faithful stewards of the oracles of God which they openly boasted to be the keepers and teachers of, they failed miserably in their living by them. Such is why all who will live godly for Jesus will not only be rejected, but likewise persecuted by today’s arrogant religious leaders.

Jesus said such men were “those who justified yourselves before men,” but warned all that God knows the hearts of all men. But what was it the Pharisees had been “justifying” themselves about? They were the prominent religious leaders of the day . . . that is up until the Light of the world appeared unto men exposing them for what they really were. They were covetous not only of worldly things, but also of the praise and admiration of men. No wonder Jesus spoke such sharp condemning words to them that what they “highly esteemed” was an abomination in the sight of God.

If you are an America Christian who is faring well and yet yearn for, or look for the praise and approval of men, then I strongly urge you to listen to Jesus words against these religious men –

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

In the Gospel of John it was recorded how many of the chief rulers actually believed on Jesus, but only two of which are mentioned in scripture and eventually came forward and stood for Jesus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. However, many of them would not openly confess Jesus because they feared the Jews, i.e., the Pharisees –

John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Please take notice that Jesus did not state they were indifferent concerning “the praise of God” for their life and ministry, but rather how “they loved the praise of men more.” Nowadays, the churches are being “led” by ministers out there who are guilty of serving men more than they serve God. Many ministers are simply more concerned with their own position and career as a pastor and therefore their “godly service” is tainted by their trying to keep the deacons that hired them happy with their performance.

Other ministers are motivated in “their calling” by an eagerness to hear praise from the members of their congregation on just how wonderful their message was. They love hearing how the message was precisely the encouragement and comfort their congregants “needed to hear,” as once more they were told how much God loves them just as they are, unconditionally. Meanwhile, they continue living in sin and would be almost impossible to differentiate from non-believers if they were not going to a church on Sunday.

These are only a couple of reasons why most ministers are hesitant to give their whole counsel of God, because they know if preach on the “hard texts” the church would rapidly clear out for many are there with self-serving motives and have no intentions of ever picking up their crosses to follow Jesus Christ. So these ministers excused themselves as being “servants of men,” having blindly compromised the Gospel, and have chosen instead to likewise make themselves comfortable in the religious social centers they dare to call Church.

Doubtless these church leaders were convicted by the Holy Spirit with similar admonitions as those that were giving to the Seven Churches, yet they were too weak and carnal and therefore intimidated by the board of deacons in their churches to obediently stand up and boldly preach the whole counsel of God. Or perhaps even now many people in their church feel the Holy Spirit convicting them through their personal study of God’s holy Word and are too intimidated by their authoritarian pastors to even ask or share what the Lord has been impressing on their own hearts? The verses below show how this intimidation existed and affected the parents of the one born blind which Jesus had healed –

John 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then does he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now sees, we know not, or who hath opened his eyes, we know not. He is of age ask him, he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day (like many nowadays) had made quite a living for themselves by taking wages of the people who had little to spare while they themselves fared sumptuously. Because of their riches they could not be convinced of their sin unto repentance since they believed they were obviously blessed while others were poor, supposing their prosperity was a sure sign of their godliness. Foolishly they perpetuated this lie deeper into their darkened hearts by exchanging honor among themselves as being the most venerable and praiseworthy leaders of the poor and ignorant. All too often we hear the same foolish clamor in lengthy introduction of certain preachers at public assemblies. Yet listen to Jesus explanation to them as to why such would not be saved –

John 5:44 How can you believe which receive honor one of another and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

What a powerfully strong and indicting question. Hear also the sharp judgment from Enoch recorded Jude against them, yet not only against those in Jesus’ days, but still loudly echoing in ours as well. Razor-sharp words to be applied against all the hypocritical leaders of religion everywhere who “appear to be somewhat” and trust in of their illusion of position, authority and knowledge; yet don’t walk according to the truth of the Gospel.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speak great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

These apostate covetous leaders unwittingly separated themselves from God because of their carnality and refusal to walk by the leading of Spirit of God. These are they who have run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward. Such leaders nowadays are now governing mega-church-empires all over the globe making merchandise of another gospel to carnal believers convinced they too are heaven bond. Dare to examine these men’s ministry and your own pastors in the light of Paul’s words to the Church –

I Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Beloved, Jesus once warned a man who came wanting Jesus to settle a dispute about an inheritance, beware of covetousness. It is a lie from hell that “He with the most toys when he dies, wins.” Riches cannot save a man’s soul, rather they tend to be the very weight that pulls them down into the depths of hell. Some may protest and say, “But wait, with Jesus it is possible for the rich to be saved.” True, but Jesus was the one who warned it is still easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle. Why then make it harder when even with the poor, the righteous are still scarcely saved. Are those things that perish with the using worthy of risking one’s eternal soul?

Luke 12:15 And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

Nevertheless, after Jesus’ reference to the unjust steward who wasted his lord’s good the Pharisees began to openly mock Jesus.

Lu 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. 15 And He said unto them, “You are they which justify your selves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

Because the Pharisees openly ridiculed Christ and His sermon against worldliness, He proceeded to tell everyone about “certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously … and a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores.” Now nowhere is it implied by Luke that this rich man and Lazarus were mere fictitious characters created for a parabolic lesson and to assume these were not two actual people lacks any support of scriptural implication. It can be seen in 16 other places in his Gospel account how Luke clearly records “Jesus spoke a parable” unto the people, but not here.

It is therefore more than reasonable to believe that the Pharisees and all those around wholly understood who Jesus was speaking about . . . and were therefore immediately brought back to a sober temperament as the fate of this once highly esteemed and respected individual was declared unto them. Nothing takes the wind out of the prideful mockery out of hypocrites faster than exposing the fate of one of their own, and such seems to be the intention of Jesus so addressing the rich man and Lazarus after the Pharisees deriding Him.

The modern church would do well to listen to the Jesus’ words above, as well as these other words He said later to the disciples once again in front of those who came trying Him with clever questions.

Luke 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people He said unto His disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes and love the greetings in the markets and take the highest seats in the synagogues and chief rooms at feasts. 47 These are they who devour widows’ houses and for a show make their long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

These religious leaders had all the outward appearance of being teachers and authorities on matters of religion, but they were nothing more than “whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” They publicly paraded themselves as spiritual leaders from God to the world while they really lived only for themselves neglecting the weightier matters of the Law; judgment, mercy and faith.

So what exactly is the difference from those pharisaical hypocrites then and so many of the chief leaders in modern churches today? Once again too many have neglected the warning that the covetous would again confuse gain with godliness and begin to preach prosperity over holiness, that Christians should be healthy, popular, happy and prosperous as a witness to God blessing us. But how does message that convict a dying world of sin, righteousness and judgment?

Where in this day and age is that lowly servant mentality that our Lord and Savior showed us among all those now confidently claiming to be King’s kids? Is it because we don’t remember when Jesus returns He is going to separate the sheep from the goats? Dividing those who served God and those who didn’t? Just as surely as the rich man pleaded with Abraham to “have mercy on me,” so will many of these confident believers one day beg for mercy and not find any because they too are guilty of neglecting the weightier matters of the Law.

Lu 16:25 But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, which would come from thence.”

I cannot help but consider Abraham’s words, “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot.” It seems that the torment of those on the other side is so great and extreme, that some like Lazarus might be compassionately compelled to try to pass over even at their own peril to try to offer some relief to the tormented, even though they were neglected and suffered greatly in this life. But the wisdom and righteous judgment of God has made this impossible. They had their opportunity to choose life and live, to repent and draw nigh to God and He would have drawn nigh unto them, but the opportunity is now forever gone.

Jesus concludes His accounting of the rich man and Lazarus fates with Abraham’s clear response to the rich man’s desperate pleading for him to send Lazarus back to warn his five brothers lest they too come to the same end, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.” Like a sharp sword thrusted skillfully into the very heart of the matter, since that was the confidence of these Pharisees who believed their knowledge of the scriptures would save them.

Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And you will not come to Me, that you might have life. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive Me not, yet if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.

How can you believe which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses you would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me. But if you believe not his writings, how can you believe My words? (John 5:39-47)

There are five articles I wrote all dealing with the apostasy that is now in the churches today. I wrote about “Why judgment must begin in the Lord’s house, with those who are called by His name,” because so many seem believers truly think heaven is going to be so much better off and lucky to have them once they get there. They are proud and arrogant thinking they have been God’s gift to the church. Meanwhile their hypocrisy has been the cause for the Lord’s name to be blasphemed among the unbelievers. We are to walk worthy of the Name of Jesus Christ if we call ourselves a Christian.

Next, “Faith, faithfulness and forgiveness,” in which I reasoned how it seems many are so-called believers are not truly pressing into the Kingdom of God, nor does it appear that they even understand the concept thereof. Maybe because they have been taught they are “king’s kids” and it’s their entitlement. Perhaps because they think that just because it is the Father’s good pleasure to give them the Kingdom all they have to do is wait for it to come to them. Foolishly they are strolling down the broad way that leads to hell itself.

Thirdly, “The rights of man,” and how since the fall of Adam this illusion of “rights” has been repackaged and resold over and over again only to keep men in conflict with each other and their Creator. God has indeed given rights to men, but they are His to give and not a man’s to claim. They are the blessings He bestows upon those who have embraced their responsibilities and so labored and walked accordingly.

Then, “The unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods,” and how our good stewardship requires our keeping God’s word with what it defines as defines as unambiguous righteousness, and likewise not allowing sin to creep into our lives disguising itself as something acceptable.

Lastly, “Faith as a grain of mustard seed,” the last in the series on faith, such faith which if truly obtain, Jesus said we could “say unto this sycamine tree, “Be you plucked up by the root and planted in the sea and it will obey you.” Oh how I pray always for this gift of faith that I might effectually minister the gospel in power to the needs of the afflicted and those tormented in this life. Oh, that all God’s children possessed and lived by such faith.

Now, before we finish, I want to share a conversation I had with one believer many years ago. After one of our house meetings, this individual came up to me and told me he wanted to do something great for God. I told him that was great, to be patient and God may so use him. However, he repeated himself as almost correcting me as if I did not correctly hear him, “Listen, I mean I want to do something really great for God.” To which I again said to him “Good. Be patient.”

At my reply he seemed almost agitated as if I wasn’t quite getting it, so he said again to me, “No, I am saying I want to do something really great for God, something that other believers aren’t doing for Him.” At that I then told him, “Good, I know just the thing.”

“What? What is it?” he eagerly replied, “I’ll do anything!”

I told him “This is something God looking for and really wants done but hardly anyone will do it because it costs too much.”

“I don’t care what it costs, I’ll do it. I want to do something great for God,” he insisted again.

“This is the greatest thing you can do for Him,” I told him, “But you have to be willing to give up everything if you want to successfully do it.”

“I don’t care, it’s OK no matter what it costs! I am the one that will do it!” he insisted “I just want to do something great for God.”

“OK,” I said, “Love Him with all your heart, mind and strength. That’s what God wants, but many can’t or simply won’t do it because it cost them too much.”

“Aaaaaaw man!” he said, “I said I want to do something really great for God.”

Sigh . . . most believers just don’t get it. Why is it so many fail to see the greatest commandment is also the greatest thing we can do? Why is it so many want to do the “really great” thing . . . do they really think that will make them a great person or man of God? If so, then their service is all about them and not God.

Why can’t believers just humble themselves and let God be God, and love and serve Him as He is worthy? Have they forgotten that he who willingly becomes the least, the same shall be great?

Lord Jesus, increase our faith, we desperately need real living faith . . .

Remember that true faith works by love. If we are ever to do great things for God, we must first give Him all our heart and mind and serve Him with all our being. Anything less is not loving Him with pure hearts; anything less is a falling short.

Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question tempting him and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Luke 16:31 And He said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

I Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Lord, we entreat You again, give us open hearts and ears that hear, for Your name’s sake Lord Jesus.

Wretched Men

Posted: November 22, 2014 in Devotionals, Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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There was a time when I honestly thought I was a Christian, meaning, that I was a real “follower of Christ.” But like so many others professing Christ nowadays, I was believing what so many religious teachers out there teach as the Christian’s dilemma, that we will always be stuck in doing those things we hate and many times completely unable to do those right things we want. My question was and still is, just how is that being “free indeed?”

John 8:31 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed ;32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 7:19 – For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

So, how are we supposed to reconcile those words of the Apostle Paul with the words of Jesus? Are we “wretched men,” or are we “free indeed?” Like so many, I was taught that Bible teaches that sin “dwells in me,” and therefore, evil is always going to present with me. Thus, like Paul himself supposedly admitted, I too was always going to be sinning, and that like it or not, I am therefore incapable of ever becoming the person I pray to become in Christ. That if I want any real peace of mind and heart, I just needed to accept all that as fact and quit being so hard on myself. If I did not simply accept who I was “in Christ,” I would never have any peace.

To this day I am continuing meet believers who wholly accepted it as sound doctrinal fact and therefore teach it as so. Consequently, many of these have absolutely no real motivation to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” To me, that is both alarming and frightening, since without holiness no man shall see God on favorable terms.

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In the beginning was the Word – Part 2

Posted: June 28, 2014 in Deity of Jesus Christ, Shared Thoughts
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 In part 1, at the end I asked these questions, “So what does this all mean? And what “beginning” is the Holy Spirit referencing here? Plus, exactly how can the Word be both with God and yet be God? Long ago I looked at this verse and ponder these questions and more. Certainly, each written word of this verse is deliberate and true, but exactly how and why they are true was outside the grasp of my meager ability to comprehend.  Nonetheless, I accepted their immediate and obvious implications as accurate, believing them to be the words of God which still needed to be firmly embraced by faith, even if I didn’t understand them.

Today, it is with earnest appreciation that I’m persuaded His Holy Spirit has graciously allowed, as it were, the very fingertips of my understanding to ever so lightly touch the certainty of these words, permitting an ever so-slight awareness of the magnitude of their significance. Consequently, I have been persuaded these words of truth are saturated with profound implications and consequence, of which there is rich evidence to the strength of their authority everywhere,  waiting to be acknowledged by the earnest seeker of Truth.

However, before I get too far into this post, there is a distinction between knowledge and understanding which I believe would be beneficial to briefly discuss first. Certainly there are a variety of things we each may have considerable knowledge of and yet still not possess a comparable understanding about. For an example, we know a vacuum cleaner needs to be plugged in and the switch in the on position if it is going to function and get the job done; but exactly “why” is there power in the wall outlet and “how” it was generated, or “what” exactly is going on inside the vacuum cleaner are simply not necessary pieces of information required by the user in order to get the floor clean.

But yet, what an incredible difference an understanding of how and why something works makes in one’s life. It is like turning on a light in a dark and undiscovered place. Suddenly hidden things become clear and we gain the ability to see further, and even to correctly discern and anticipate possibilities when we begin to understand the concepts of “how” and “why.” (more…)

In the beginning was the Word – Part 1

Posted: June 19, 2014 in Deity of Jesus Christ
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The opening of Apostle John’s gospel account of Jesus’ deity is a profound verse that confronts the reader immediately with the testimony that the historical Jesus of Nazareth was there “In the beginning… with God,” and then with incredible simplicity and clarity of speech affirms His deity absolutely, proclaiming “the Word was God.”

“How?” people often ask, “Can Jesus be with God and be God?” Good question, but just because something is a mystery doesn’t negate its reality, the mystery only attests to a lack understanding. Now the Jehovah Witnesses solved this problem simply by reinterpreting the verse to agree with their own theological misunderstanding of Jesus’ true identity –

“In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”

That’s their erroneous solution, admit “the Word” was “with God” and then just state that “the Word” was just another (little “g”) god. They explain this with verse 2 being translated to say “This one was in the beginning with God.” Their answer is simply that there were two gods at the beginning, the Almighty God Jehovah and then the lesser created “mighty god” Jesus. However, if Jesus was created, then His beginning would have to be separate from “the beginning,” which doesn’t really set well with their interpretation of the following verse –

“All things came into existence through him and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.”

Are there two beginnings? Would not a created lesser god with such a beginning be part of “all things” that “came into existence?”

Now, before I quickly lose some readers because they think I am writing this article about Jehovah Witnesses, I’m not. This article is about John 1:1 and how through it the Holy Spirit reveals volumes of truth about “the gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.” Therefore I hope many of you will continue to read this in its entirety. (more…)

He that has ears to hear… they that know their God… will do something really great for Him.

Posted: June 11, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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A couple of years ago I had written an article about the unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods, I discussed the attitudes of the Pharisees that were there listening. Amazingly, instead of agreeing with Jesus that the steward’s behavior was sinful, they instead began to deride Jesus to publicly mock Him. The more I ponder this reactive attitude towards Christ the more I am amazed at how just how hard an arrogant and religious heart can be. Not only were they failing miserably at being faithful stewards of the oracles of God which they openly boasted to be the keepers and teachers of, they failed miserably in their living by them. Such is why all who will live godly for Jesus will not only be rejected, but likewise persecuted by today’s arrogant religious leaders.

Jesus said such men were “those who justified yourselves before men,” but warned all that God knows the hearts of all men. But what was it the Pharisees had been “justifying” themselves about? They were the prominent religious leaders of the day . . . that is up until the Light of the world appeared unto men exposing them for what they really were. They were covetous not only of worldly things, but also of the praise and admiration of men. No wonder Jesus spoke such sharp condemning words to them that what they “highly esteemed” was an abomination in the sight of God.

If you are an America Christian who is faring well and yet yearn for, or look for the praise and approval of men, then I strongly urge you to listen to Jesus words against these religious men –

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

In the Gospel of John it was recorded how many of the chief rulers actually believed on Jesus, but only two of which are mentioned in scripture and eventually came forward and stood for Jesus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. However, many of them would not openly confess Jesus because they feared the Jews, i.e., the Pharisees –

John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

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So you’re an atheist . . .

Posted: January 5, 2014 in Deity of Jesus Christ, Shared Thoughts, Study!, Wake Up!
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Hey, so you don’t believe in God and you’re an intelligent person? Well then, certainly you’re not going believe you found truth already before you’ve exhausted your life time truly seeking and proving it? Don’t you think that alone would be the height of foolishness? Look at the vastness of it all, the immeasurable expanse of the universe and consider the infinitesimal perspective that your meager little life has afforded you thus far. You may feel and even openly declare that only fools would arrogantly proclaim they know God, but a truly honest person would only admit that they don’t see him as others proclaim they do.

Personally, I will be the first to admit that there is a whole lot of the religious rhetoric out there which is absolute nonsense; endless dogmas saturated with egotistical men’s own silly imaginations that are being peddled to the world by these self-righteous hypocrites. But that doesn’t mean that there is not truth, divine truth out there. Rather to me it is credible evidence of a war that goes beyond our dimension where the real hidden enemies of truth have cleverly sought to discredit it by perverting it and intentionally dressing it up like a self satisfying gluttonous whore that simply exists to pray on the weak of mind.

I would highly recommend any person skeptical of a “divine being” or a “higher power” to posture themselves as students of life who are actively seeking and ever learning, resisting the temptation to get arrogant because you’ve been discerning enough to see the blatant flaws in the cesspool of religions. Certainly all these belief systems cannot all be right since throughout history and even now in many places they are literally killing each other. This world has no shortage of theologies and every religion has fractions that are against each other screaming condemnations of damnation back and forth. Seems to me that if one is really seeking to find truth, it is in fact the proverbial needle in a haystack of mysticism which seems to turn to ashes under the fiery test of genuine, sincere, open and objective evaluation.

We all know atheists who reject the concept of a god, and to a degree I respect their position exactly for the reasons I mentioned above; the world’s religions are a cesspool of obvious lies, and that includes some of the man-made doctrines in Christianity too. After all, what other religion in the world is as fractured as Christianity with its tens of thousands of denominations and cults all over the world claiming to be the true church? Having visited too many of these churches I am often amazed that anyone seeking God would actually go to some of these churches; seems most go just for the social status, or for business contacts, some out of personal guilt and others out of self-righteousness. But to practical and honest person it is clear that what many of these “believers” are saying versus what they are doing is often light years apart. How can any honest person with their eyes wide open embrace such obvious hypocritical “blind faith?”

One of my favorite quotes concerning the integrity of all faith which should be compelling men forward in their religion is from a book titled Creeds of the Churches. This book is evidence to the presence of falsities in some aspects of Christian faiths as readily obvious in the various creeds recorded from the past to the present, with many conflicting with each other about what is truth. The man who compiled it, John H. Leith, stated this in the first few pages of the book –

“What cannot be thought through critically and expressed with reasonable clarity cannot demand the allegiance of man’s whole being. Understanding is necessary for man’s full commitment. Hence faith must be spoken and be made intelligible. This is not to say that faith must be enclosed within the limits of reason, but it does mean that faith must require neither the closing of the mind nor the sacrifice of the integrity of the mind”

To me, a truly honest seeker trying to determine the credibility of a sovereign deity would look to those events which no  person can deny happened,  indisputable facts, “reality,”at least to the measure that all men can readily see. If there is a sovereign being, than certainly there has to be evidence for all the world to see. With that in mind, one would be prudent to consider how the Bible boldly proclaims that they that bless Israel will be blessed and they that curse it will be curse. My years of watching Israel seems to have the witness of history that the covenant above is true, and not only history,  for the present seems to be a continuous news feed of evidence that demands serious scrutiny. Only the arrogant and willfully blinded would reject that there something is going on globally with the little nation from which scripture clearly declares for all who will hear that God has chosen to send for His name from this proclaimed “Holy Land” unto all the earth that all men may know that there is a God which made the heavens and earth.

I trust most who have read this far are intelligent people who would agree atheists can certainly be good and decent people. But I do believe many self proclaiming atheists are merely honest people who have been fittingly turned off by the corrupt presentation of religion, yet still maintain their integrity doing what their heart feels is right and good. I would therefore recommend a book for everyone’s review concerning Israel and our own country America. It is an excellent  documentation of events that no one in the world can deny has happen or the time element in which they have happen. Facts are facts, and if we are to be honest with ourselves, one must admit when they are so and search for the common denominator. Today, there are many events that have unfolded since the printing of the book that could be added since this is a story still being documented concerning Israel in these last days, but amazingly much of it has already been written in the Bible itself for these things were foreseen thousands of years ago.

Here is a link to the book, take some time to read up about the author and then humbly consider these things. If you are truly intelligent, I know you will be compiled to seek answers to the questions that will come to your heart. In the Hebrew there wasn’t a word which one could translate to mean coincidence, they didn’t believe in it. It is in fact an atheistic concept,  that “things just happen.” The Bible warns all men to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good and sound, worthy of one’s faith and belief.

William Koenig’s Web Page

Also, if you have time,  I would encourage taking the time to read something I wrote a long time ago endeavoring to explain why Jesus wasn’t just another man, but God manifested in the flesh, and why He went to the cross.

Justified in the Spirit

faith, faithfulness and forgiveness

Posted: December 9, 2013 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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Sometimes it seems life takes you in circles, different people but the same ole’ situations whereby you witness other believers hearts being harden against the truth because of their pride. That is why I am reposting this article again. Brothers and sisters, we must always remember our battles must always be fought in a spirit of humility if they are to truly be won, for that is the path of righteousness the Captain of our salvation showed us as he openly defeated His enemies by willingly enduring the cross. Therefore, let us too pick up our crosses and follow Him into victory.

Ephesians 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.

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. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Re-posted article –

It has been several months that I felt the Lord has been speaking to me about faith, faithfulness and forgiveness. Throughout it all I have found myself wanting to write about what He has been showing me regarding having “faith as a grain of a mustard seed” where Jesus tells His disciples, “you might say unto this sycamine tree, ‘Be you plucked up by the root, and planted in the sea,’ and it should obey you.” I have sought various opportunities of late to so write concerning faith and a few other topic concerning spiritual things that I might leave my own children a record of what I feel the Lord has revealed to me pertaining to the promises and conditions of the Kingdom of God of which Jesus testified “every man presses into it.” However, I have felt restrained by His Spirit prior till now that it wasn’t time to write. Why, I am not really sure, the Lord knows though. Perhaps so will I when I am finished.

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Why judgment must begin in the Lord’s house, with those who are called by His name.

Posted: October 28, 2013 in End Times, Wake Up!
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(I am presently writing an article today on a passage the Lord has laid heavily on my heart. It is not a message that I have any desire or eagerness to give; saving it may stir some out of their lukewarmness into repentance and absolute surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. However, while praying over what God has placed upon my heart, I felt the need to repost this older one as a prelude for those who may have ears to hear…)

Sadly, what is mostly offered to the world as “The Church of Jesus Christ” is in truth nothing more than an apostate whoring religious system which, though naming the name of Jesus Christ, has succumbed to the worldly wisdom of marketing experts in order to increase their numbers. To avoid offending the attending ignorant, they eagerly embrace the latest fashionable watered down translations of Holy Writ reducing God’s word into a flimsy weapon useless against the adversary and too dull to pierce the heart of unrepentant sinners . . . many who already proudly boast in their illusion of “salvation.” Have they forgotten the warning “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life?” Or are they just so arrogant and lacking of fear?

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