Follow JESUS!

 

Follow JESUS! 

Luke 9:57-62 “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, ‘LORD, I will follow You wherever You go.’ And JESUS said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ but he said, ‘LORD, let me first go and bury my father.’ JESUS said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and Preach The Kingdom of GOD.’ And another also said, ‘LORD, I will follow You but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But JESUS said to him, ‘No one having put his hand to the plow  and looking back is fit for The Kingdom of GOD.’”

To the first one who volunteered to follow JESUS, JESUS told him a little of what it would be like, there would be a cost in life to walk with JESUS; the Scriptures do not tell us if he decided to lay down his life to follow JESUS.

The second one, JESUS asked him to be a disciple, but he made an excuse. The Scriptures do not tell us if his father was at that time dead, or just old and dying. JESUS told him to lay down his life for the Kingdom of GOD and let the dead (those who reject JESUS) bury themselves. We are not told if the man laid down his life to follow JESUS.

The third man said he would follow JESUS but he wanted to go and tell his family what he was doing. JESUS told him he must not look back at his old life but lay down his life for The Kingdom of GOD. The Scriptures do not tell us if he followed JESUS.

JESUS says to us all, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of GOD.” He is upfront in The Gospels telling us there is a cost to follow Him; loss, rejection, persecution, trials and tribulations. He also tells us that we have to “lay down our life, take up our cross and follow (obey) Him (Mark 8:34-38).

Oswald Chambers says, “When once The call of GOD comes, begin to go and never stop going.”

“Seek First The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to you!” Matthew 6:33

https://youtu.be/Q4jL5OK2B5c

Righteousness

 

Righteousness!

The videos are Part 1 The Old Testament and Part 2 The New Testament 

What is righteousness and how do we live in righteousness?

JESUS told us to “seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), so how do we seek GOD’s Righteousness?

I have talked about Holiness, what Holiness is and that GOD has called us to be Holy because He is HOLY (Leviticus 20:7-8, 27; 1 Peter 1:15-16). GOD is HOLY – set apart – because He Is GOD. Everything exists in Him, by Him and for His Good Pleasure. So we, as those forgiven by The Blood of JESUS, who are now His Children and Servants of His Kingdom in the earth; should be set apart to Him and Him only! We can only do that if we live righteously or in righteousness.

Righteousness is the process of being Holy to GOD! (See the definitions below)

Genesis 15:1-6 GOD accounted Abraham’s Faith to him for Righteousness – Romans 4 GOD accounted Abraham’s Faith for Righteousness before he was circumcised, and after GOD told Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac.

Job 29 Job describing why he walked in righteousness;  “I put on righteousness and it clothed me.” (14)

Psalm 4:1” I call, O GOD of my righteousness” David challenges his followers to live righteously before GOD (2-5) – Jeremiah 23:5-6 “The LORD our Righteousness!” Jeremiah prophesies of JESUS The CHRIST.

Psalm 24:1-5 “…He shall receive Blessing from The LORD and Righteousness from The GOD of his Salvation.”

Psalm 35:27-28 We shall speak of GOD’s Righteousness and Praise.

Psalm 40:4-10 We are to proclaim The Good News of GOD’s Righteousness as JESUS did, Matthew 4:17, 23 (Hebrews 10:5-7).

Psalm 50:-1-6 “Let the heavens declare His Righteousness,” (Psalm 97:1-6)

Psalm 85:10-13 Righteousness and Peace have…Righteousness will go before Him.

Psalm 111:1-3 Righteousness endures forever – Isaiah 51:7-8 My Righteousness will be forever.

Proverbs 10:2-3 Righteousness delivers from death - 2 Peter 2:4-5 Preaching righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 11:3-6 The righteousness of the blameless – Proverbs 3:3-8 how to be righteousness.

Proverbs 12:28 The way of righteousness is life – Romans 5:17, 21  righteousness will reign in life.

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation – Proverbs 11:11 lack of righteousness (wickedness) overthrows a nation.

Proverbs 21:21 Righteousness produces more righteousness – Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who seek righteousness.

Isaiah 1:21-23 Righteousness can be lost – Luke 19:9-10 JESUS came to seek the lost, to restore righteousness.

Isaiah 45:24 In the LORD I have righteousness – Philippians 3:7-11 not having my own righteousness.

Isaiah 57:12 I will declare your righteousness (GOD’s judgment) – Romans 6:23 wages of sin, Gift of GOD.

Isaiah 59:15-17 Righteousness as a breastplate – Ephesians 6:10-18 the breastplate of righteousness (14).

Isaiah 62:1 GOD’s Righteousness goes forth through His servants. – 1 John 3:4-9 He who practices righteousness is righteous just as JESUS is Righteousness (7).

Jeremiah 33:15 To David a Branch of righteousness; The LORD our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

Ezekiel 18:20 The righteousness of the righteous – Acts 10:34-36 those who do the works of righteousness are excepted by GOD.

Daniel 12:3 Who turn many to righteousness – Proverbs 11:30 winning souls is righteousness.

Matthew 3:13-15 GOD has determined and established what is righteousness and how to fulfill it.

Matthew 5:17-20 It’s not the righteousness of the religious but The Righteousness of GOD that counts. (Matthew 21:28-32).

Romans 1:16-17 For The Gospel reveals GOD’s Righteousness.

Romans 3:21-26 The Righteousness of GOD by Faith is revealed.

Romans 10:1-4 Ignorant of GOD’s Righteousness (Matthew 7:21-29)

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For GOD made JESUS, Who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become The Righteousness of GOD in CHRIST JESUS!”

Titus 3:4-7 The righteousness which we have – Ephesians 2:8 is a Gift from GOD.

James 1:19-20 Wrath does not produce The Righteousness of GOD (Ephesians 4:26).

2 Peter 3:13 A new earth in which righteousness (Revelation 21:1-3).

1 John 2:28-29 He who practices righteousness is born of GOD (1 John 3:4-9).

 Definitions

Righteousness = adv. morally right; virtuous; law-abiding. The Oxford

American Desk Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 1998

Righteousness = The state of being upright, moral, holy, and just. Righteousness is accorded to GOD alone throughout most of Scripture (John 17:25). Human righteousness can only be achieved through Faith in CHRIST (Romans 3:21-26). Bible Dictionary Bible Facts At Your Fingertips, Publications International, Ltd., 1999

Hebrew: righteousness, righteousness’, righteousnesses: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The  Hebrew Bible, MacDonald Publishing Company

3718 Daniel 9:18 – righteousnesses (only used once) kephel (from kâphal; a primary root; to fold together; figuratively to repeat:-double.) a duplicate:-double.

6663 Daniel 12:3 – righteousness (only used once) tsâdaq; a primary root; to be (causatively make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):-cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, ify self), (be turn to) righteousness (-ness).

6664 Leviticus 19:15 – righteousness, righteousness’ (first use) tsedeq; (from tsâdaq) the right(natural, moral or legal): also (abstract) equity or (figurative) prosperity:- X even, (X that which is altogether) just (-ice), ([un-]) right (-eous) cause, -ly, -ness).

6665 Daniel 4:27 – righteousness (only used once) tsidqâh; (Chaldean) (corresponds to ts^edâqâh) beneficence:- righteousness.

6666 Genesis 15:6 – righteousness, righteousness’,  (first use) ts^edâqâh; (from tsâdaq) righteous (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity):-justice, moderately, right (-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).

Greek: righteousness, righteousness’: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The  Greek Testament, MacDonald Publishing Company

1343 Matthew 3:15 – righteousness, righteousness’ (first use) dikaiŏsunē; (from dikaiŏs; (equitable in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolute or relative):-just, meet, right (-eous).) (equity of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification:-righteousness.

1345 Romans 2:26 – righteousness, righteousness’ (first use)

1346 1 Corinthians 15:34 – righteousness (only used once) dikaiōma; (from dikaiŏō; (render (i.e. to show or regard as) just or innocent:-free, justify (-ier), be righteous.) an equitable deed; by implication a statute or decision:-judgment, justification, ordinance, righteousness.

2118 Hebrews 1:8 – righteousness (only used once) ĕuthutēs; (from ĕuthus; straight, i.e. (literally)  level, or (figuratively) true; adv. (of time)) at once:-anon, by and by, forthwith, immediately, straightway.) rectitude:-righteousness.

 

https://youtu.be/rfnJ9JL4QQE Part 1 

https://youtu.be/MmQ8CQx2I_Q Part 2

"It IS Finished!"

 

“It Is Finished!”

 

I heard this story by The Gathers during an interview on TBN. They told of an old Baptist Evangelist, whose name I did not catch, that Jerry Falwell really loved. This evangelist gave a message called “It Is Finished!” that was heard by the Gathers. This caused them to write a song about it was called “It Is Finished!”

 

As told by the evangelist as best as I understood what the Gathers said: A drop of blood and sweat dripped from JESUS’ face to the ground at the base of the cross when JESUS proclaimed; “It Is Finished!” the drop landed on a blade of grass and proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” A bird swooped down and plucked the blade of grass and the blade of grass proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” The bird flew to the top of a tall tree and proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” The tall tree proclaimed to the heavens, “It Is Finished!” The Heavens proclaimed to all creation, “It Is Finished!” There was an earthquake in Jerusalem, the rocks split and the graves opened proclaiming, “It Is Finished!”  In The Temple, The Veil was torn in two from top to bottom proclaiming, “It Is Finished!”

 

If you do not understand what “It Is Finished!” means for you and the world then you must read the 4 Gospels of The Bible. They tell the story of GOD’s Love for all humanity, whom He created in His Own Image. How JESUS as a man not born of a man but of GOD lived a sinless life as a  man so that He could go to the cross in the place of every human being ever conceived, to take upon Himself the eternal punishment of our sins and restore our relationship with GOD as it was in the beginning.

 

Since JESUS fulfilled GOD’s purpose for His Life as a man and proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” we are now able to repent (stop sinning) and live our life for GOD Who is our Heavenly Father! JESUS said that knowing our Heavenly Father and His Son JESUS is “Eternal Life!”

 

https://youtu.be/RGbq8Q3kqwI

The Choice Is Yours

 

Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after CHRIST.”

 

“Men pour themselves into creeds and GOD has to blast them out of their prejudices before they can become devoted to JESUS CHRIST.” Oswald Chambers

 

While Chambers is speaking of non-Christian verses CHRIST’s views on living life this also applies to today’s events in America.

 

Our nations is divided not by a lot of differences of opinion about how to do everything and how to live our lives. It is divided by three competing philosophies: Christianity, capitalism and socialism. To their proponents they offer the only true way life should be lived.

 

The United States of America has proved that Christianity and capitalism work well together; The People’s Republic of China has proved that socialism and capitalism can work together.

 

Capitalism is not the problem it is the process where citizens can live profitable lives while the government can control their citizens and make lots of money to fund what they care about (mostly themselves).

 

Christianity is based on the Laws of GOD as given in the Bible on how to live before GOD and to serve our fellow humans.

 

Socialism which says that everyone is equal and should have the same amount of stuff, no matter what! The government is the one that determines what that is and how it is applied. Every socialist government has become a communist dictatorship where the government keeps appointing it’s members as the ruling class.

 

What we have in America today is the war between who is going to govern the results of capitalism and determine how capitalism will be practiced going forward! The choice is between Christianity which teaches that we should obey GOD’s moral laws, do not lie, cheat or steal, remain sexually pure, love your neighbor as you love yourself and love your enemy. Or socialism who demands that you keep whatever laws they make, that you report your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers for any infraction of those laws so that you can improve your social standing with the government.

 

The choice is each of ours of how we are going to live our life!

 

My household has chosen to live a Christian lifestyle in a capitalist nation, The United States of America.

Jacob's Sorrow!

 

Jacob’s Sorrow!

 

Jacob’s sorrow begins when his 10  sons who hate Joseph because he is their father’s favorite son devise an evil plan to kill him. Reuben intervened and they put him in a dry well, when some Ishmaelite (their cousins) traders from Midian were traveling by they sold Joseph to them. The traders sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.

When Reuben found out what his brothers had done they devised a plan to tell their father that they found Joseph’s torn and bloody tunic (coat). Jacob assumed Joseph was killed by some wild animal and he mourned his son and could not be comforted (Genesis 37). Because Joseph was his firstborn son by Rachel, his true love, he suffered much in his double loss since Rachel had died in childbirth with her second son Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-21).

 

Joseph was favored by GOD and even though he spent many years in prison for his integrity GOD Blessed him. When Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret Joseph was remembered as a dream interpreter, so he was brought to Pharaoh to interpret his dream. This led to Joseph’s rise to authority in Egypt as second only to Pharaoh. This led to Egypt not only being prepared for the great famine but under Joseph Pharaoh became the richest ruler in the world (Genesis 39-41, 47:13-26).

 

Durning the famine Jacob’s family needed grain, like everyone else in the world so he sent his 10 sons to Egypt to but grain so they could live. Joseph as the head of the grain distribution met with the foreigners who came for grain and so he met and recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. He treated them badly to their face but kindly through his secret generosity (Genesis 42). Because he was accusing them of being spies he kept Simeon as a hostage until they returned with their youngest brother, Benjamin. (Genesis 42:14-24) “But Joseph said to them, ‘It is as I spoke to you, saying “You are spies!” In this manner you shall be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!’ So he put them all together in prison for three days. Then Joseph said to them the third day, ‘Do this and live, for I Fear GOD (it would not be strange for them to find people who worshipped and served GOD); if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.’ And they did so. Then they said to one another, ‘We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this destress has come upon us.’ And Rueben answered them saying; ‘Did I not speak to you, saying, “Not to sin against the boy”; and you would not listen? Therefore, behold, his blood is now required of us.’ But they did not know that Joseph understood them,  for he spoke to them through an interpreter. And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.” Joseph was testing them looking for honesty and integrity, attributes they had not show him as a child.

 

 They soon found out that their money bags had been placed in their bags of grain and they grew afraid to return so they went home and explained everything to their father. Jacob said, “My son (Benjamin) shall not go down with you, for his brother (Joseph) is dead, and he is left alone (except for his 10 older brothers. Jacob was still showing preference to his sons because of their mothers; Joseph and Benjamin were the sons of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel) (Genesis 42:25-38).

 

The severe famine continued and Jacob’s family needed grain again, but Judah spoke to Jacob, “The man solemnly warned us saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’” After much anguished discussion Jacob agree to let Benjamin go with them. “And their father, Israel said to them, ‘If it must be so, then do this; take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man – a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double money in your hand and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. And may GOD Almighty give you Mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved. I am bereaved!’” (to save his family Jacob was ready to lose another son) (Genesis 43:11-14).

 

Jacob, as his sons, were paying the price of their lack of integrity and mercy. Did GOD cause this famine to judge Jacob and his family as well as the rest of the world for their sins? Genesis 8:20-21, “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And The LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then The LORD said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination (intent or thought) of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I  again destroy every living thing as I have done.’” 2 Chronicles 7:12-15 “Then The LORD appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a House of Sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My People, if My People who are Called by My Name will Humble themselves , and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” Yes, The GOD of Creation Who Controls Everything and Judges all Humanity tries us and Judges us however He wants to get our attention so that we repent and return to Him!

 

If you know this story you know that Joseph tests his brothers one more time before revealing himself to them. They are reunited and then Jacob and his whole tribe come to Egypt where Joseph is the second leading man in all the land, fulfilling his dreams as a youth (Genesis 43-50).

 

The moral of Jacobs life is that GOD will Bless His Call on your life; even if you have sin in your life to fulfill His Purpose; we see this throughout the Bible, GOD in his Love is always provoking us to repentance!

 

https://youtu.be/K9nXkwigthQ

Man's Heart!

 

Man’s Heart!

 

GOD just cleansed the earth of all the wickedness by a great flood, where He Saved only Noah and his family (8 people). The waters had receded and Noah and his family came out of the ark and GOD made His Covenant with them, “Then Noah built an altar to The LORD, and took of every clean animal and every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And The LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then The LORD said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination (intent or thought) of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I destroy every living thing as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.’” (Genesis 8:20-22).

 

Even if you have received a New Heart and a Renewed Mind from GOD through JESUS CHRIST, you are subject to temptation and sin and you have to decide to reject it or give in to it. That is why JESUS tells us to “Seek first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness.”

 

Every day, as a Christian we have to decide to Obey GOD’s Will and Purpose for our Life! There is no shortcut or easy way (Matthew 7:13-14) to live the Christian Life! It is only Lived in Obedience by Faith, no matter the circumstances of our Life.

 

Faith equals Trust, do you Trust GOD? Do you Believe that He is going to do what He says He will do in Blessings and in Judgment? Faith is not supernatural or magic it is a Gift from GOD (Ephesians 2:8-10); but you must have Faith to Serve GOD (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

 

So GOD gives us Faith so that we can Believe and by Trusting GOD we exercise our Faith so that we are able to Obey His Commands.

 

https://youtu.be/lSSR_Co8EyY

LORD I Lift Your Name On High

 

LORD I Lift Your Name On High!

 

The chorus of the song: LORD I Lift Your Name On High

“You came from Heaven to earth to show The Way;

From the earth to the Cross, my debt to Pay;

From the Cross to the grave;

From the grave to The Sky;

LORD I lift Your Name on High!”

 

You came from Heaven to earth to show The Way: JESUS lived about 33 ½ years on the earth as a human male. The first 30 He was tested, tried and tempted as any human being. He overcame all temptation that is common to humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16). He was tempted by the devil as the Son of MAN (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). He was rejected and murdered by the religious and political leaders of His own people (John 1:10-11; Acts 5:29-30). During that time He taught us how to live and serve GOD in the midst of a corrupt and evil world (Matthew chapters 5-7; John 14:6).

 

From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay: JESUS specifically came to deliver us from sin and eternal judgment (John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9-10; 1 Peter 1:17-21).

 

From the cross to the grave: JESUS gave up His Life and was buried (Matthew 27:45-66; Mark 15:33-47; Luke 23:44-24:12; John 19:28-42; Acts 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8).

 

From the grave to the sky: JESUS came back to Life (rose from the grave) and ascended to The Father’s right hand (Mark 16:18-20; Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 1:8-13, 10:12; Revelation 3:21).

 

LORD, I lift Your Name on high: we worship GOD because He is GOD! (Psalm 99:1-3; 100; 103:1-5; Matthew 6:9-10, 13; Revelation 4:8, 11).

 

https://youtu.be/LMe_-qge48I

For GOD So Loved Me!

 

For GOD So Loved Me!

 

John 3:16-17 “For GOD so Loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have Everlasting Life. GOD did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”

 

Romans 8:1  “There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who Believe in JESUS CHRIST, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to The SPIRIT.”

 

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for Good to those who Love GOD, to those who The Called according to His Purpose.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:21 “GOD made JESUS, Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the Righteousness of GOD in CHRIST JESUS.”

 

Ephesians 3:8-9 “You are saved by Grace through Faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the Gift of GOD, not of works lest anyone should boost.”

 

These and Scriptures like them apply to my life and your life because of 1 Peter 1:20-21: “JESUS indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the earth, but was manifest in these last times for you, who through Him Believe in GOD, Who Raised Him from the dead and gave Him Glory, so that your Faith and Hope are in GOD.”

 

What does that mean? It means that before GOD created anything in our creation; the whole universe, before Genesis 1:1-3; Job 38; Psalm 90:1-2; Proverbs 8:22-31; and John 1:1-5 are just a few of the Scriptures that describe GOD’s creation of our existence; He Loved us, knew we (Adam) would sin and planned our salvation!

 

While John 3:16-17 and Romans 8:1, 28 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Ephesian 3:20-21 and other Scriptures try to explain  to us how much the Love of GOD for us is; I think this might help:

 

GOD created everything that exists in our universe, in our world and in our life almost 6ooo years ago by the best true estimates of time. JESUS was crucified as foretold about 2000 years ago. What does that mean?

 

It means that about 5951 years ago (according to The Apostle Peter) that GOD Loved Me So Much that He planned my Salvation!

 

Creation to JESUS was about 4,000 years plus I was born about 1,951 years after JESUS was Crucified. That was when GOD wrote out the days of my life before they existed (Psalm 139:13-18). About 1,974 years after JESUS was Crucified I met GOD and His Son JESUS and believed in Them; and GOD started me on The Way to fulfill His Purpose for my life that He had written out when I was in my mother’s womb. That is how much GOD Loved me and how much GOD Loves you!

 

https://youtu.be/94oY49KTXrM

2 Corinthians 2:17

 

2 Corinthians 2:17

 

“For we are not, as so many ‘peddling (adulterating for gain) The word of GOD’ but as of sincerity; but as from GOD, we speak in the sight of GOD in Christ.” NKJV

 

“For we are not like men peddling The Word of GOD. Rather in Messiah we speak in the sight of GOD with sincerity, as persons sent from GOD.” TLV

 

2 Peter 2:1-3 “But there are also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying The LORD Who Bought them, and bringing on themselves swift (remember swift does not mean soon but sudden) destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom (the false prophets and false teachers) The Way of Truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness (they want your money) they will exploit you with destructive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idol, and their destruction does not (will not) slumber.” Study the whole chapter on false prophets!

 

So what is Paul saying? Something I have believed for many years, that The Gospel of JESUS Christ is not for sale! This is a simple issue that is complicated for people to work out in their ministry and life. I believe that GOD’s Call will be provided by GOD’s hand, each one’s Call is personal and GOD deals with each of us personally.

 

So first I am not condemning anyone who makes their living off The Gospel or The Ministry that GOD has given them. That is between them and GOD. Second in the current Church and world structure it will be painful and difficult to change. But we, each believer, are responsible before GOD on how we handle our finances that includes who we support.

 

I have heard it said that in The Gospels JESUS had nothing good to say about money! I have not found anything good that JESUS did say about money. Except, according to Paul who taught the Ephesian Church, “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak; and remember the Words of The LORD JESUS, that He said, ‘It is more Blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:33-35)

 

So what does JESUS say? First about the needs of life:

“Man shall not live by bread alone…” Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4 (Deuteronomy 8:3)

“You, seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness and all these things (food, shelter and clothing) will be added to you; do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself, each day has its own issues” Matthew 6:25-34 (33-34 my paraphrase) (Isaiah 55:6; Romans 8:31-32)

“…My food is to do The will of Him Who sent Me…” John 4:34 (Proverbs 13:2-3, 25; 23:1-8)

Instructions to the 12 whom He wanted to learn to depend on GOD: “Freely you have received, freely give…A worker is worthy of his hire…” Matthew 10:5-15 (8,10), Mark 6:8-11, Luke 9:1-6

Instructions to the 70 whom He wanted to learn to depend on GOD: “Go your way; behold I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.” Luke 10:1-12 (3-4) Why did He say to greet no one along the road? Don’t attract attention to yourself, either with acquaintances or strangers; don’t tell others what you are doing.

“…but whoever drinks of The Water that I shall give him will never thirst again…” John 4:9-15 (14) “…If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink.” John 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

“I Am The bread of Life!” John 6:22-59 (33-35, 48) 1 Corinthians 10:1-3

 

Then about money and treasure:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth…You cannot serve GOD and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24 (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12).

“It is hard for a rich man to get into Heaven”  Matthew 19:23, Luke 18:23

“To you who are rich…” Luke 6:24

John 10:1-11“…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Mark 10:23-31 The only time JESUS says He will give us more in this life is – but it comes at a high cost.

 

What do others say about riches and money!

Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin are death but the (Free) Gift of GOD is Eternal Life in Christ JESUS.”

2 Corinthians 1:15-17 Paul was looking for help on his trip to Judia.

2 Corinthians 11:5-15 Paul was supported by other Churches and by his own hand (Acts 18:1-4, 11)

2 Corinthians 12:11-19 Paul was not a burden to the Church in Corinth.

Ephesians 3:14-21(“…that He would grant you, according to His Riches…”

Philippians 4:10-20 Paul was supported by them while he was in Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Work for your own support and to help support others.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 Paul paid his own way and each man must do the same. (Ephesians 4:28).

1 Timothy 3:1-3, 8-9 Leaders are not to be greedy for (loving) money. (1 Timothy 6:9)

Hebrews 7:4-10 Men receive tithes for the Work of The Kingdom. (Numbers 18:21-26)

James 2:1-8 Poor of this world to be rich in GOD’s Kingdom. (Proverbs 13:7)

Revelation 3:17-18 Be rich in The Kingdom not the world.

Revelation 18 The world gets rich from Babylon the Whore.

 

https://youtu.be/QW731gp2xHU

Priority!

 

Priority!

 

GOD made man in His Image and Likeness and gave him responsibility over His creation; that is our first responsibility! “So GOD created man in His Own Image; in The Image of GOD He created him; male and female He created them. Then GOD Blessed them, and GOD said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; Fill the earth and Subdue it; have Dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves about on the earth.’” The first thing GOD told Adam was, “Blessed” that is Highly Favored; “have lots of children and as you fill the earth bring it into order.” (Genesis 1:27-28)

 

GOD Saved Noah and his family from the destruction of the earth and all life and gave them the priority of fulfilling Adam’s failed priority, “So GOD Blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand.’” (Genesis 9:1-2)

 

GOD called Abraham to become a nation (Israel) through his descendants; “Now The LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I Will Bless you and make your name Great; and you shall be a Blessing. I Will Bless those who Bless you, and I Will Curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be Blessed.’…And The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: ‘Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward and westward; for all the land that you see I Give to you and your descendants Forever. And I Will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. (Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-16)

 

Israel’s priority was to present Yahweh as the Only True GOD, The GOD of Creation, Power and Grace, but they failed. “This day The LORD your GOD Commands you to Obey and Observe these Statutes and Judgments; therefore you will be careful to Observe Them with all your heart and with all your soul. Today you have Proclaimed The LORD to be your GOD, and that you will walk in his Ways and keep His Statutes, His Commandments and His Judgments, and you will Obey His Voice. Also today The LORD has Proclaimed you to be His special People, just as He Promised you, that you should Keep all His Commandments, and that He Will set you high above all nations, which He has made, in Praise, in Name and in Honor, and that you may be a Holy People to The LORD your GOD, just as He has Spoken.” (Deuteronomy 26:16-19)

 

JESUS’ priority was to present Yahweh; The GOD of Creation, Power and Love as The Heavenly Father of Eternal Salvation. He succeeded! “For by Grace you have been Saved by Faith, and that not of yourselves; it is The Gift of GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His Workmanship, Created in CHRIST JESUS for Good Works, which GOD Prepared Beforehand (Psalm 139:13-18) that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

 

The Church – The Body of CHRIST’s priority is to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through JESUS CHRIST and to make disciples of the nations of the earth. “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table, and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, for they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had Risen; and He said to them: ‘Go into all the world and Preach The Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is Baptized will be Saved; but those who do not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons, they will speak with New Tongues; they will take up serpents and if they drink anything deadly it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.’” (Mark 16:14-18) “And JESUS came and spoke to them saying, ‘All Authority has been Given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make Disciples of all the nations, Baptizing them in The Name of The Father and of The Son and of The HOLY SPIRIT, Teaching them to Observe all things that I have Commanded you; and lo, I Am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen!” (Matthew 28:18-19)

 

Every Believer has a Call and Destiny from GOD, each of us has the priority to Seek and Obey our Call. “You, Seek First The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to you!” (Matthew 6:33) “And we know that All Things work together for Good to Those who Love GOD, to Those who Are the Called According to His Purpose. For whom He Foreknew, He also Predestined to be Conformed to the Image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many Brethren. Moreover those He Predestined He also Called; whom He Called He also Justified; and whom He Justified, these He also Glorified.” “For The Gifts and The Calling of GOD are Irrevocable.” (Romans 8:28-30; 11:29)

“Therefore brethren, be even more diligent to Make your Call and Election Sure, for if you do these things (2 Peter 1:1-9) you will never stumble; for so an Entrance Will be Supplied to you Abundantly into The Everlasting Kingdom of our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)

 

https://youtu.be/xymyq_3PiSA

2 Corinthians 3:18

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

 

“But we all, with unveiled face beholding in a mirror the glory of The LORD, are being transformed into the same Image from glory to Glory* – just as from The LORD, Who is The SPIRIT.” TLV (…by ADONAI The SPIRIT.” CJV) (..just as by The SPIRIT of The LORD.” NKJV) (…”even as by The SPIRIT of The LORD.” KJV)

 

So the two Jewish translations of The Bible say that The SPIRIT of The LORD is The LORD, but the two King James versions say this process is done by The SPIRIT of The LORD! What’s the difference?

 

Grammatically quite a bit, but Eternally nothing. Think about it!

 

The KJV and The NKJV are based on the ancient Authorized King James Bible, 1611.

The Tree of Life Version is a modern translation, 2015; the Complete Jewish Bible is a modern translation, 2016, both based on the Messianic interpretation.

 

The King James versions make it sound like The SPIRIT of The LORD and The LORD are separate entities. The Father, The Son and The SPIRIT.; but GOD is not three in one He is One!

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear O Israel: The LORD our GOD, The LORD is One!” (Or The LORD is our GOD, The LORD Alone, i.e. The Only One.)  NKJV

1 Corinthians 8:4-6 “Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and there is no other GOD but One. For even if there are so called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is One GOD, The Father, of Whom are all things, and we for Him; and One LORD JESUS CHRIST, through Whom are all things, and through Whom we Live.”

We see from this Scripture that all things are of GOD The Father and All things are of JESUS CHRIST; that is because GOD The Father and JESUS CHRIST are the One GOD, along with The Holy SPIRIT!

 

John 8:41-43 “You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have One Father – GOD.” JESUS said to them, “If GOD were your Father, you would Love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from GOD; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word.” The Jewish people and JESUS both believe that GOD is The Father and JESUS is saying that He came for GOD by Birth and Mission.

 

John 10:30-33 JESUS says, “I and My Father are One…Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him…The Jews answered Him saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You being a man, make Yourself GOD.’”

 

John 17 JESUS’ prayer: verse 5 “And Now Father, Glorify Me together with Yourself, with The Glory which I had with You before the world was.” Verse 11 “…Holy Father, keep through Your Name those You have given Me, that they may be One as We Are.”  Verses 21-24 “that they may be One, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they may be One in us, …that they may be One just as We Are One; I in them and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in One…for you Loved Me before the foundation of the world” This last line plus John 1:1-4; 1 Peter 1:20 and Revelation 13:8 tell us that JESUS has always existed and is equal with the Father and The SPIRIT in creation because they Are One!

 

More Scriptures about The Oneness of GOD!

Romans 8:8-11 If JESUS and The SPIRIT are in you then you are GOD’s!

Galatians 2:19-20 CHRIST Lives in me!

Ephesians 1:23 JESUS is the Head of The Body (The Church) so we have to be One.

Ephesians 4:4-6 One Body, One SPIRIT, One LORD, One Faith, One Baptism, One GOD and Father of all Who is above all and through all and in all.

Colossians 1:15-19 “He is The Image of The Invisible GOD…He was before all things and in Him all things consist…He is the Head of The Body…The Beginning…The Firstborn of the dead…For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fulness should dwell.”

Colossians 2:6-10 “As you therefore have received CHRIST JESUS The LORD, so walk in Him…For in Him dwells All the Fulness of The GODHEAD Bodily; and you are Complete in Him…”

1 John 5:7-8 “For there are Three that bear witness in Heaven: The Father, The Word (JESUS), and The Holy SPIRIT, and These Three are One. And there are three that bear witness on the earth: The SPIRIT, the water and the Blood, and these three agree as one.”

 

We are one with GOD!

Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, 18-25 We’re made in His Image and Likness.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 We are GOD’s Living Temple in the earth because His SPIRIT Lives in us.

1 Corinthians 11:7 Man is the Image and Glory of GOD.

2 Corinthians 6:16 We are The temple of The Living GOD Who dwells in us.

James 3:8-9 Men are made in the Similitude of GOD.

 

https://youtu.be/g7n9UArT1nM

Revelation Chapter 3

 

Revelation Chapter 3

Introduction

Chapters 2 and 3 are the letters from CHRIST to the seven Churches in Asia (modern day Turkey): Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Each was a separate letter to that specific Church; The Body of Christ has all seven letters to study and live by.

:1-6 And to the angel of* Sardis write, These things says He Who has the  seven Spirits of GOD and the seven stars: “I know your Works (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Revelation 20:11-15), that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead (Proverbs 11:2, 16:2). Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your Works perfect before My GOD (John 20:17). Remember therefore how you have received and heard (Mark 4:21-25; 1 Timothey 6:20-21); hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief (Matthew 24:42-44), and you will not know what hour I will come upon you (Acts 1:6-7).

Nevertheless you have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments (since Noah there has always been a remnant who truly worship and serve GOD) and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy (Revelation 7:9-10).

**He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from The Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to The Churches (Matthew 11:15; Mark 11:16; Luke 8:8).”

*Each letter starts with this phrase, :To the angel of the Church at…” angel means messenger or pastor and includes a description of JESUS as given in Chapter 1.

**The two statements, “He who has an ear, let him hear what The SPIRIT says to the Churches…” and “ To him who overcomes I will give…” are at the end of all seven letters.

So what is The Spirit saying to The Churches? 1 John 2:12-14.

:7-13 And to The Church at Philadelphia write, These things says He Who is Holy (Mark 1:23-24), He Who is True (1 John 5:20), He Who has the Key of David*** (Isaiah 9:6-7, 22:22), He Who opens and no one shuts (Matthew 16:19), and shuts and no one opens (Job12:14): “I know your Works. See I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it (1 Corinthians 16:8-9); for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My Name.

Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie – indeed I Will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have Loved you. Because you have kept My Command to persevere (Lit. the Word of My Patience), I also Will keep you from the Hour of Trial which shall come upon the whole world (Luke 21:34-36), to test those who dwell on the earth (Isaiah 24:17-23).

Behold (pay attention), I Am coming quickly (Revelation 22:12, 20)! Hold fast what you have (1 Thessalonians 5:14-22) that no one take your Crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; James 1:12). He who overcomes I Will make a pillar* in The Temple of My GOD and he shall go out no more (Psalm 23:6); John 14:1-4. I Will write on him The Name of My GOD (Revelation 14:1, 22:3-4) and the name of The City of My GOD, The New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My GOD (Revelation 21:1-2). And I Will write on him My New Name. He who has an ear, let him hear what The SPIRIT is saying to The Churches.”

*Pillar = Greek word used four times in The Bible: stulŏs from stuō to stiffen; probably akin to the base of histĕmi a post (“style”), i.e. (figuratively) support:-pillar. (Galatians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:15, Revelation 3:12, 10:1)

** Key = Hebrew word used 2 times in The Bible: maphtêach from pâthach an opener, i.e. a key:-key. (Judges 3:25; Isaiah 22:22)

**Key = Greek word used 6 times in the Bible: klĕis from klĕiō a key (as shutting a lock), literally or figuratively :-key. (Matthew 16:19; Luke 11:52; Revelation 1:18, 9:1, 20:1-3)

***Key of David = JESUS is a direct descendent of King David though His mother (Luke 3:23-38) and His stepfather (Matthew 1:1-17).

Key = In The Bible, a key is a symbol of authority. JESUS gave Peter the Keys of The Kingdom of Heaven so he could open the Kingdom for all men to enter and be saved. (Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 10:9-16, 34-48) Bible Dictionary, Publications International, Ltd.

The Key of David is a term found in Revelation and Isaiah. A key indicates control or authority; therefore, having the Key of David would give one control of David’s domain, i.e., Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel. The fact that, in Revelation 3:7, Jesus holds this key shows that He is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, the Ruler of the New Jerusalem, and the LORD of the Kingdom of Heaven. Got Questions .org.

:14-22 And to the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write: These things says The Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20), The Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 1:5, 3:7, 19:11), The Beginning of The Creation of GOD (Colossians 1:15);

:15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot, I could wish you were either cold or hot. So then, because you are luke-warm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” There is no middle ground in GOD’s Kingdom; you either lay down your life and take up your cross and follow JESUS or you live your Christian Life as you wish and hope for the best (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Matthew 7:21-23).

:17-18 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Luke 12:16-21) – I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich (Matthew 6:19-24); and white garments that you may be clothed (Revelation 6:9-11), that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed (2 Corinthians 5:1-4); and anoint your eyes with save, that you may see (Matthew 6:22-23).

:19-20 As many as I Love, I rebuke and chasten (discipline) (Job 5:17-27; Proverbs 3:11-12). Therefore be zealous (eager) and repent (Matthew 4:17). Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice (Luke 12:35-38) and opens the door, (John 10:7-10 ), I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (John14:1-3, 23).

:21-22 To him who overcomes I Will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat on My Father’s Throne (Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19).” Wow! “He who has an ear, let him hear what The SPIRIT says to The Churches.”

 

https://youtu.be/OQB_5iQ00G0

Revelation Chapter 4

Revelation Chapter 4

After receiving the seven letters to the seven Churches in Asia (Now Turkey) John is called up into Heaven to receive the rest of The Revelation of the future (current) events. 

:1-2 After these things, I looked and behold a door standing open in Heaven; and the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying: “Come up here and I will   show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in The SPIRIT; and behold a Throne set in Heaven, and One sat on The throne (Revelation 1:10). Because the vision and Word are so big GOD actually opens Heaven for His servant (Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4).

:3 And He Who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around The Throne, in appearance like an emerald (Some believe that this is a description of The throne and not a description of GOD.) (Genesis 9:13-16; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Revelation 10:1).

:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the twenty-four thrones I saw twenty-four elders (Revelation 5:8, 7:11, 11:16, 19:4) sitting, clothed in white robes (3:5, 7:9, 19:14); and they had crowns of gold on their heads (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:8).

:5 From The Throne proceeded lightnings ( Exodus 19:16, 20:18Daniel 10:6; Matthew 28:3), thunderings (Revelation 8:5, 11:19, 16:18)  and voices (Exodus 19:19, 20:1, 19; Angels are speaking all over the place in The Bible; Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 9:7; Revelation 8:13 eagle, 10:1-4 thunder). Seven lamps of fire were burning before The throne, which are The Seven Spirits of GOD (Isaiah 11:1-2; Revelation 1:4, 3:1).

:6-8 Before The Throne there was something like a sea of glass (Revelation 15:2), like crystal; and in the midst of The Throne and around The Throne, were four living creatures (living beings) (Ezekiel 1:5-14) full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within (Ezekiel 10:12-14 – all of GOD’s Heavenly creations seem to have wings and multiple eyes). They do not rest day or night (apparently there is no sleeping in Heaven), saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy (in the Majority Text Holy is said nine times), LORD GOD Almighty, Who Was and Is and Is to come!” GOD is Eternity; “In the beginning GOD…” means He existed before the beginning! Holy, Holy, Holy means that He is set apart from all things! He Is The Only GOD and there is no one or nothing  that can compare or be likened to Him, He is Complete within Himself and everything that exists, exists within Him.

:9-11 Whenever the living creatures give Glory and Honor and Thanks to Him Who sits on The Throne, Who Lives Forever and Ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him Who Lives Forever and Ever, and casts their crowns before The Throne, saying: “You Are Worthy, Our LORD and GOD, to receive Glory and Honor and Power; for You Created all things, and by Your Will they exist and were created (Psalm 90:1-2).” GOD is worshipped continuously in Heaven and should be worshipped continuously in the earth (Matthew 6:9-13). GOD created everything that exists (Genesis 1; Job 26:6-14; Proverbs 8:22-36; John 1:1-4)!

https://youtu.be/RQvwhurMBmk

2024 - 2025

 

2024-2025 

This is a popular Scripture at this time of year: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you nor know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Or: “Therefore, if any one is in CHRIST he is a New Creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of GOD, Who has Reconciled us to Himself through JESUS CHRIST, and has given us the Ministry of Reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

Or: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for CHRIST. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the Excellence of The Knowledge of CHRST JESUS my LORD, for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count these as rubbish, that I may gain CHRIST.” (Philippians 3:7-8)

What do these mean in regard to a new year? Nothing more than at any time of year!

Isaiah 43:18-19: this passage is clearly speaking to Israel about their return after their exile in Babylon. But it also speaks to all of creation about GOD’s plan of Salvation for the human race. As those created in His image and likeness this whole chapter speaks to us of GOD’s Love and Salvation. Specifically verse 19, “Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you nor know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” GOD as man living a sinless life is a new thing, and it was not only proclaimed in prophesy beforehand, it has also been proclaimed to all the world for 2000 years. The road in the wilderness is the “Way” the difficult way and narrow gate (Matthew 713-14; John 14:6) Rivers in the desert is The HOLY SPIRIT – The River that flows from our soul (John 7:37-39).

2 Corinthians 5:17-18: this is the beginning of our New Life in CHRIST JESUS when we are Born Again (John 1:10-13, 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:22-25) We are dead in baptism and raised in New Life (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 19:1-7; Romans 6:1-14; Colossians 2:11-14).

Philippians 3:7-8: here Paul is talking about the cost of obeying GOD, JESUS said that we have to give up everything  to serve Him (Mark 8:34-38). JESUS told us that we have to abide in Him the question is how? John 8:28-32 was a public statement, John 15:4-8 was a private statement to the twelve, these two statements answer the question “We have left all for You, what is our reward?” (Mark 10:28-31).

Matthew 6:33 We “Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness! And all our daily needs will be met.” Do we?

Matthew 5:6 :Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

JESUS said He came to serve not be served. Matthew 20:27-28 “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.”

JESUS said He only did what the Father told Him to do.

Matthew 10:16-17 “Behold! I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Be aware of men for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues”

John 20:21

These things are hard, we are busy, we have to earn income to support our families, we have to take care of our homes and autos, etc., we have family obligations, and we have Christian obligations.

So where do we find the time to serve GOD?

So we see that it is not just at the start of the year that we must take inventory of our life, we must do it daily if we are to serve GOD as He Called us too.

https://youtu.be/kTfAhN9snn4

Dream 01-04-2025

 

Dream on 1-4-25 

Sometime after I awoke at 2AM I started dreaming, I awoke a couple of times because on the afternoon of the third I had strained my right groin muscle and the pain when I rolled over woke me up. Parts of my dream may be prophetic because GOD is trying to show me what is ahead or because I understand the times in which we live and my spirit is reminding me of possible future events.

The early part of my dream is muddled memory of being with my wife and son and other people who did not stand out to me. Charlene and I are in our thirties and Greg is a teenager. We are going about our lives when suddenly there are government officials telling us we have to give up our home (in my dream this is not anyplace we have actually lived) and do what they want or we will lose everything. We and those around us are resistant but the government officials are always present in our homes as we go about our lives, telling us we have to do what they say. There is no threat of danger except they tell us that if we do not give up our life to do what they want, we will lose everything and they will not help us.*

Everyone is discussing this, the government officials are telling us that if we do what they say we will be taken care of, if they want us to go to school or to work at some place they designate or just do nothing, it has to be what they want us to do, where they want us to do it. Some people give in to the pressure and go with the government officials, but we hold out.

Around 4AM I woke up and when I went back to sleep the memory of my dream was with me, but it had morphed; now I was with a group of 5 or 6 men and we were going to meet with someone about the government demands. We went to the back of a strip mall and watched the back entrance of a restaurant. We gathered at the door and it opened and we went in, we spread out and walked through the kitchen into the bar-dining area. Then I and another of our group were talking to the man we came to see, our early conversation with the whole group is not remembered but now the three of us were talking about the man’s desire to be an entertainment producer. We encouraged him and then the other man left the discussion. When I was alone with the man we came to see we were headed to his room and he became Mike Huckabee. He was telling me that he and his wife were having issues (I do not know anything about his personal life) and he was showing me his new traveling bag because he was going to be traveling.**

Now I am back with my family and we are in a car leaving the area of our home, as we are driving I can see the unkempt yards of some of my neighbors, unlike my well kept yard. We get to the end of the street and it is a tee (left or right turn only). There is a line of cars going to the right in the left lane making a left turn at the intersection downhill from here we are. There is no one in the right land turning right at the intersection. We know the people in the car across from us at the end of the line,  see there are more cars coming down the hill in the left lane. I pull out like I’m going to get in the end of the line behind our friends, but instead I make a wide turn and get in the right land and drive to the intersection to turn right.***

My dream ends at this point.

*This is a false version of what JESUS tells believers (Mark 8:34-38)

** Maybe because he is about to become America’s ambassador to Israel?

***It felt to me like everyone was obeying the government officials except us.