Nancy "Aunt Jemima" Green

 Nancy “Aunt Jemima” Green

A great woman erased from history by idiots.

The branding of the syrup was a tribute to this woman’s gifts and talents. Now future generations will not even know this beautiful woman existed. What a shame. The world knew her as “Aunt Jemima”, but her given name was Nancy Green and she was a true American success story. She was born a slave in 1834 Montgomery County, KY. and became a wealthy superstar in the advertising world, as its first living trademark. Green was 56 years old when she was selected as spokesperson for a new ready-mixed, self-rising pancake flour and made her debut in 1893 at a fair and exposition in Chicago. She demonstrated the pancake mix served thousands of pancakes, and became an immediate star. She was a good storyteller, her personality was warm and appealing, and her showmanship was exceptional. Her exhibition booth drew so many people that special security personnel were assigned to keep the crowds moving. Nancy Green was signed to a lifetime contract, traveled on promotional tours all over the country, and was extremely well paid. Her financial freedom and stature as a national spokesperson enabled her to become a leading advocate against poverty and in favor of equal rights for all Americans. She maintained her job until she died in 1923, at age 89. This was a remarkable woman, and sadly she has been ERASED by politics. I wanted you to know and remind you in this cancel culture period.

Credit to the respective owner

Keeping The Law?

 Keeping The Law?

“Do not think that I came to abolish The Law or The Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill...” What did JESUS mean when He said, He came to fulfill The Law and The Prophets? This is key to understanding the argument of Law or Grace. We see what JESUS said in the rest of the Gospels and what the disciples dealt with, with the Judisers who wanted to enforce the Law on gentile believers. (Study Matthew 5:17-7:29; Acts 15:1-35)

Let’s take an easy one: The Ten Commandments, which ones do we as Christians not have to keep any longer under GOD’s Grace? None of them, GOD still expects us to keep every one of The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-17!

1. Have no other gods before Me.

2. Make no graven images or likeness of anything in heaven or earth or the seas for yourself; do not worship any other gods or images (this is the first commandment with a curse and a blessing - the iniquity of the fathers on the third and fourth generation or lovingkindness to thousands of generations)

3. Do not use GOD’s Name in vain (that is not just cursing and it is the second commandment with a judgment, will not held guiltless).

4. Remember to set aside the Sabbath to GOD. So controversial in the Modern Church, but JESUS said He is The LORD of The Sabbath.

5. Honor your father and mother (the first commandment with a promise - to live long and prosper in the land).

7. Do not commit adultery (what about the other sexual sins?).

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not bear false witness (lying).

10. Do not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor (lust).

Have no other gods before Me, if you are a Christian you believe there is only one GOD, JEHOVAH (The Father, The Son and The Spirit), The Only True GOD Who created everything that exists. If you do not believe and practice this you are not a Christian! There are cultures and religions that allow you to add JEHOVAH and JESUS to their pantheon of gods like Hinduism. There are “Christian” religions that relegate JESUS to a lesser role than GOD (Jehovah Witness and Mormon). There is a religion that calls JESUS a prophet but puts their prophet above JESUS (Islam). Of course there are those who do not believe in GOD so they worship themselves. We, as Christians and as humans made in GOD’s Image are all expected to worship only The One True GOD, JEHOVAH. (Study Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Mark 12:29-30)

Make no graven image or likeness of anything in heaven or earth or the seas for yourself, do not worship or serve them for “I, ADONAI, your GOD, am a jealous GOD.” bringing judgment or Blessing on the descendants of those who hate Me or Love Me! Seems pretty clear that GOD expects all of our Love and service, no wiggle room there.

Do not take GOD’s Name in vain, does this mean just in vulgar cursing like GDI or GDI to hell? No! JESUS told us not to be repetitive in prayer like the religious people (Matthew 6:5-8); in the prayer He taught the disciples He only said GOD’s Name (Father) once in about ten sentences (Matthew 6:9-13). What about flippantly, like “omg” or “gosh darn” or other such phrases? What about just saying JESUS CHRIST! in anger or frustration?

This is a big one, “honor the Sabbath”, there is so much controversy over this commandment that families, churches, even denominations have divided. Before the flood there was no mention of a special day to gather and worship GOD, nor was there any mention of sacrifices made to Him. Noah was commanded to bring five extra each of clean animals on the Ark for food and sacrifices after the flood. As part of GOD’s covenants with Abraham there were sacrifices, GOD told Abraham to sacrifice Issac his son as a test.

But there was no recorded formalized requirement to gather, worship and sacrifice to GOD on any day. Not until GOD led the Children of Israel out of bondage from Egypt and He gave them The Ten Commandments. This requirement was to Israel only! Other peoples who worshiped The Living GOD were not part of the Covenant and were not required to “Honor the Sabbath”.

JESUS said He is The LORD of the Sabbath, “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, The Son of Man is also LORD of the Sabbath.’” Mark 2 :27-28 The requirement of The Law was fulfilled in JESUS.

Before the exile of the Jews under Nebuchadnezzar there were no Synagogues mentioned in The Bible. So the practice of going to Synagogue on Sabbath was still only a few hundred years old in JESUS’ day. This practice is believed to have started during the exile and after, before the Temple was rebuilt.

Paul said, “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” (Study Romans 14:1-13)

The disciples of JESUS gathered on the day of His resurrection, JESUS showed Himself several times on that Sunday.

The book of Acts does not mention any of the original believers going to Synagogue, only to the temple and house to house daily. Paul and Barnabas go to theSynagogues on the Sabbath as they traveled the world because that was where they knew they would find Jews and GOD fearers gathered together. Then they would proclaim the Gospel of JESUS.

The Holy SPIRIT of GOD was given to the believers on Pentecost (Shavuot), Pentecost always falls on a Sunday. Therefore it is reasonable that the believers in JESUS, both Jews and Gentiles, started gathering on Sunday to worship their risen Savior JESUS, since the non-believing Jews would persecute them and exclude them from the Synagogues.

Honor your father and mother; the first commandment with a Promise (Ephesians 6:1-3). The second commandment came with a Blessing and a curse, in the Law there are many Blessings and curses depending on how they were obeyed. Under the Law a child who curses their parents or dishonors their parents was commanded to be put to death (Study Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9; Matthew 15:3-11).

Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, or lie; JESUS said, “But the cowardly and faithless and detestable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars - their lot is in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8, there is no excuse for unrepentant sin!

Do not covet or desire what your neighbor, or anybody else, has. Covetousness leads to murder, sexual immorality, stealing and lying. Covetousness leads to all other sins, things that you lust for that you do not have will corrupt your soul. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by GOD’ - for GOD cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away and enticed by his own desire (lust). Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is full grown, it brings forth death.” (LSD - lust, sin, death) James 1:13-15.

2023 - 2024

https://youtu.be/MlEg-xa5nho?si=5kv03D53cMMtxwYu

 2023 - 2024

I have seen many thanking 2023 for the lessons and telling 2024 that they are ready!

I pray so!

Every year of our life there have been many lessons and as we grow older and have more responsibility before GOD, family and the world the lessons grow in severity and reward.

If we are struggling with the results of our lessons it might be that we are not seeking GOD first!

Seek First The Kingdom of GOD then you will have a successful 2024!

Time

 Time

Isaiah 33:1-4 “Oy, you destroyer, never destroyed, you traitor, never betrayed!

When you have stopped destroying, you will be destroyed; and when you finish betraying, they will betray you.

ADONAI, be Gracious to us!

We long for You.

Be our strength every morning, our Salvation in times of trouble.

From the noise of tumult people will flee; when You lift Yourself up, the nations will be scattered.

Your spoil is gathered as the caterpillar gathers; like a swarm of locusts, they are rushing over it.”

GOD does things according to His Purpose, not according to our desire, plans or timing!

JESUS told us to, ”Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (If you have been a Christian very long you have heard that preached and they tell us that in the Greek it says, “Ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking.”) JESUS goes on to say in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

And if you have been a Christian for a while you know that GOD always hears our prayers and always answers our prayers. But, it is according to His Will and timing for us. GOD is not controlled by time! GOD created time to regulate all of creation to accomplish His Will!

So, what is the point of this message?

GOD has told us some things about time:

It is out of our control! This is the most important thing about time that we need to know and live by. GOD is in control of time and what happens when, where and how. “He said to them, ‘It is not your place to know the times or seasons which The Father has placed under His Own Control.” Now do not narrow the scope of what JESUS said because their question had to do with His eternal reign from Jerusalem. What JESUS said applies to all of history, past, present and future.

Also, don’t be confused about the control of our life and GOD’s timing; we have control over our life and when we decide to do or not to do something our life is affected. We can affect other people’s lives; but we do not affect GOD’s Purpose and Timing!

We are to be Holy because He is HOLY! GOD has told humanity from the beginning to be Holy to Him. What does that mean?

Something that is holy is set apart for a special purpose, no matter its value, so how is GOD HOLY? GOD is HOLY because He is The Only GOD, there are no other gods; and He created everything that exists! He is Above everything and everyone! He created everything for His Own Good Pleasure (Genesis 1:1; Leviticus 20:7-8, 26; Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 86:10; Malachi 3:2-3; Luke 12:32; Romans 11:34-36; Ephesians 1:3-6, 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8-11 [in the KJV it says “...for Your Good Pleasure.”])! 

So we must set our desires aside for the Purposes of GOD, we must do what He tells us to do when He tells us to do it, where He tells us to do it, and how He tells us to do it.

JESUS said, “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My Own Will, but The Will of Him Who sent Me.” (Luke 22:42; John 3:15-19).

We are to obey His Commandments! “Then JESUS said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My Word. you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32. (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15; Mark 8:34-38)

We are to be patient! Patience is also translated as persevering, this is hard, waiting is not a strong human habit in our modern fast paced society, we are used to getting what we want now. But GOD requires us to grow and learn through our life so that He can trust us with His Will as He trusted JESUS. “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward GOD one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before GOD.” 1 Peter 2: 19-20. (Romans 12:10-13; James 1:3-4, 4:13-17)

Revelation 1:9, “I, John, both your brother and companion of the tribulation and Kingdom and Patience of JESUS CHRIST, was on the island that was called Patmos for The Word of GOD and the testimony of JESUS CHRIST.” What is the patience of JESUS CHRIST? His whole life, birth to death. We see glimpses of it in the Scriptures: when He was twelve and He stayed in Jerusalem in the Temple; when His mother wanted Him to save a wedding in Cana before He began His Ministry; as He taught the disciples about humility rather than greatness; washing the disciples feet; as He prepared to be arrested and crucified. (Luke 2:41-50; John 2:1-12; Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 22:24-30; John 13:1-17; Luke 22:39-46)

So we know that our life is fleeting in the balance of time, but GOD is not pressured to get us to the point of obedient service without question. For some of us it takes longer than for others, that usually means it is harder also because of us. Yet when we are ready according to GOD’s Purpose and Timing He releases us to our calling. Then the real test begins!

When Was CHRIST Born?

 When Was CHRIST Born?

No living human knows when CHRIST was born.

So since GOD did not save the date for us to celebrate, why do we?

I’m not saying it is bad or wrong to celebrate CHRIST’s birth.

CHRIST’s birth was the second step of GOD’s plan of salvation for humanity.

The first was that He ordained that CHRIST would be crucified as The Lamb of GOD for the sins of the world before He created the world. (StudyJohn 1:1-4, 3:15-21; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8)

The final step was CHRIST’s crucifixion and resurrection; the process completed CHRIST returned to Heaven.

We celebrate CHRIST’s birth, death and resurrection which is our salvation!

They should be celebrated together! When we celebrate one event we should give the same emphasis to the other events.

Joining in the world’s celebration of CHRIST’s birth (CHRIST’smas) and His resurrection (Easter) is not wrong as long as we emphasize CHRIST over what the world is celebrating. At least at Easter we emphasize His crucifixion as much as His Resurrection.

CHRIST’smas and Easter are not about an overweight man who never dies, travels the  whole earth in one night on a snow sleigh pulled by reindeer; or a rabbit that lays hardboiled chicken eggs and candies.

They are about GOD in the flesh (Son of GOD and Son of Man) who lived a sinless life so He could be crucified for our sins, then raised from the dead to give us eternal life, and now seated at GOD The Father’s right hand waiting for The Church - His Body in the earth to make disciples of the nations.

This is what we should be celebrating! Merry CHRIST’smas!

CHRIST'mas Eve 2023

CHRIST’mas Eve 2023

Happy Sunday - CHRIST’mas Eve!

Today we panic because we are not ready for CHRIST’mas or we relax and enjoy the day before CHRIST’mas.

But let us who call on the Name of JESUS remember that CHRIST’mas is about GOD’s Love for us.

In the final preparations let us not forget Who CHRIST’mas is about and why the whole world celebrates it, even if they do not know.

JESUS CHRIST - The Son of GOD - Savior of humanity.

Isaiah 26:7-11

 Isaiah 26:7-11

Believers See GOD (7-9)

“The way of the righteous is straight. Upright One, You make straight the path of the righteous. Yes, in the Way of Your Judgments, LORD, we have waited for You. Your Name and Your Remembrance is the desire of our soul. My soul longs for You at night, yes, my spirit within me seeks You. For when Your Judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn Righteousness.”

Unbelievers Do Not See GOD (10-11)

“Though Grace is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness. Even in a land of uprightness he will act wrongly, not perceiving the Majesty of The LORD. LORD Your hand is lifted up, yet they do not see it; they will see Your Zeal for the people and be put to shame. Yes, fire will devour Your enemies.”

Isaiah 17:7-9

 Isaiah 17:7-9

“In that Day a man will look to his Maker and his eyes will turn to The Holy One of Israel. He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, nor will he look to what his fingers have made - neither the asherah poles nor the sun-images. In that day the strong cities will be like forsaken forests and treetops that were abandoned, because of The Children of Israel - they will be laid waste.”

In context this passage is part of a prophecy about Damascus, but when I see “in that day” I always think of That Day, the day JESUS returns to begin His millennial reign over the nations.

In that sense this is a true statement about That Day! On That Day many things are going to happen and all the earth will see them as they happen, there will be no darkness anywhere, everyone will see these events in real time.

JESUS' Messages

https://youtu.be/XXswx37b2Mo?si=khLlfkBYkE7KHibX 

JESUS’ Messages:

Love:

GOD - “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our GOD, The LORD is One! You shall Love The LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these Words which I command you today shall be  in your heart” Deuteronomy 6:4-6

“JESUS answered him, ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our GOD, The LORD is One! And you shall Love The LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the First Commandment.’” Mark 12:29-30 (Study Matthew 22:37-38; Luke 10:27)

Neighbor - “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall Love your neighbor as yourself: I Am The LORD.” Leviticus 19:18

“And the second is like it: ‘You shall Love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all The Law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:39-40 (Study  Proverbs 14:20-21; Mark 12:31)

Brethren - “A new Commandment I give to you, that you Love one another; as I have Loved you, that you also Love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have Love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (Study Ephesians 4:25-32; 1 Peter 3:8-12)

Enemies - “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall Love your neighbor and hate your enemy (Deuteronomy 23:3-8).’ But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44 (Study Psalm 35:11-14; Matthew 5:10-12)

Serve:

GOD - “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My Own Will, but The Will of Him Who sent Me.” John 6:38 (Study Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46)

“If anyone Serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I Am, there My Servant will be also. If anyone Serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26

Each other - “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as The Son of Man did not come to be Served, but to Serve, and to give His Life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27-28 (Study Matthew 20:20-28; Luke 12:35-48, 22:24-30; John 13:1-17)

Watch:

Be ready - “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which The Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13 (Study Matthew 24:36-44, 25:1-13)

“Behold, I Am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who Watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

SEEK

https://youtu.be/PATm0YYIwpo?si=4RBiTOZBPijYyr7n

SEEK!

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and SEEK My face, and will turn from their wicked way, THEN I Will Hear from Heaven, and Will Forgive their sin and Heal their land”

Psalm 119:2 “Blessed are those who Keep His Testimonies, who SEEK Him with the whole heart!”

Isaiah 55:6 “SEEK The LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”

Matthew 6:33 “But you SEEK first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”

Colossians 3:1 “If you then were raised with CHRIST, SEEK those things which are above, where CHRIST is sitting at the right hand of GOD.”

What do these Scriptures have in common besides the command to seek GOD?

They are all written to believers, Jews and Christians, not to the lost.

In the beginning everyone knew Who GOD was, after the flood everyone knew Who GOD was. GOD called the Children of Jacob to become a nation dedicated to Him so that those who did not know Him could see and know Him (but they failed for the most part). Now it is the Christians who are called to reveal GOD and His Salvation through JESUS The CHRIST to those who do not know Him.

If Christians are not SEEKING GOD then the lost will rarely find GOD, only those who truly seek the truth (which GOD is) and those who are desperate and in their despair call out to GOD.

That is why JESUS said we are a city on a hill, to light (Matthew 5:13-16, John 8:12) the way (Matthew 7:13-14, John 1:6) to Salvation (John 3:16-17).

If you are not SEEKING GOD and are not doing His Will, you may not be saved (Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 9:60-62)!

Nehemiah 8:8-12

https://youtu.be/maxLHLidgi8?si=rxqB3Sfc2axUyYUg 

Nehemiah 8:8-12

“So they read distinctly from The Book, The Law of GOD; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the Priest and Scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to The LORD your GOD; do not mourn nor weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the Words of The Law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the Joy of The LORD is your strength.’ So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, ‘Be still for the day is holy, do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the Words that were declared to them.”

Two things come to mind from this passage: 

First, it is the leader’s responsibility to teach the people what GOD’s Word says and means. It says in verse 8 that they read distinctly from The Book.

They did not pick and choose portions of The Scriptures, they read the context of The Scriptures. Plus they explained what The Scriptures meant to the people for their daily lives. They did not leave the people having to figure out what the Law was saying and how they should live their life.

It says in verse 3 that Ezra read from first light to mid-day, about 6 hours and the people stood and listened and verses 4-7 says that the leaders taught the meaning of The Scriptures to the people.

In verse 6 the worship was short and humble!

Second the Word of GOD causes us to repent of our sin and to love our brothers and brings us joy no matter our situation.

Verse 9 says the people wept when they heard The Words of The Law; they were convicted of their sin when they heard The Law and the priests taught them repentance so that they could live in joy not despair because of The Law.

Verse 12 says they continued the day in joyful fellowship with one another.

Oswald Chambers said of this passage; “Whether or not you are exhausted will depend upon where you get your supplies. Be exhausted for GOD, but remember that your supply comes from Him.”

Study the whole chapter: verses 1-3 is what happened; verses 4-7 is how it happened and verses 8-12 is the result.

Remember today we have Salvation through JESUS CHRIST, we have The SPIRIT of GOD living in us and we have the complete Word of GOD. Why can we not spend one day a week in worship of GOD, the study of His Word and fellowship with one another? Or at least one day a month? We rush through everything in 2 hours or less, why? We have multiple services so they are short, why not have a day long service where worship, teaching, ministry and fellowship just keep happening? Why do we have multiple services happening via video at several locations, did the pastor not disciple and raise up pastors for the other locations? It is not church planting if you control everything from your base and do not release those you have discipled to do what GOD has called them to do!