If-Then-Observe-Hear

 

If – Then – Observe – Hear

GOD said:

“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 Will Forgive their sin and Heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

 

JESUS said:

“SEEK you first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness, And All These Things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34

 

GOD said:

“OBSERVE and HEAR all these Words which I Command you, THAT it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, WHEN you do that which is Good and Right in the sight of The LORD your GOD.” Deuteronomy 12:28

 

JESUS said:

“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

 

What do these verses have in common? That what we get from GOD depends on what we do which is based on what we believe!

 

“When we are perfectly related to GOD, no matter where He places us or what the inner desolations (loneliness, grief, ruin, barren) are, we can Praise Him that all is well.” Oswald Chambers

 

First we see that it is GOD’s judgment that causes the calamities of life when we turn away from Him. It is the removal of His Grace, Blessings and Protection because of our sin. The only remedy is our humble repentance – turning back to a personal relationship with Him.

 

We are always seeking GOD’s Blessings but He wants us to seek Him! In John 15:1-8 JESUS tells us that we must abide in Him. In John 17:20-26 JESUS prayed for all believers to be one with Him and one with The Father as He is One with The Father.

 

Do you understand? It is better to obey than to sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Sacrifice becomes a ritual (religious), but so can obedience. That is why JESUS quoted, “Mercy is better than sacrifice.” (Matthew 9:13, 12:6-8; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8) They all refer to knowing GOD, not academically but personally.

 

By GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT Who lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) and by His Word which cleanses us (1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:4-6) we can grow in our personal relationship with GOD our Father and JESUS our LORD

 

IF… We do – THEN… GOD does

OBSERVE… HEAR…WHEN… We do – THAT… GOD does

SEEK FIRST…  We do – WILL BE… GOD does

IF…  We do – SHALL… GOD does

 

Every action we take has a corresponding action by GOD! “The labor of the Righteous leads to Life, the wages of the wicked to sin.” “The wages of sin is death, but the Gift of GOD is Eternal Life in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.” Proverbs 10:16; Romans 6:23

 

It is just not that hard to understand, if you surrender your life to JESUS you will save it, “For whosoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whosoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

Proverbs 15:33

 

Proverbs 15:33

 

“The Fear of The LORD is the Discipline of Wisdom, and Humility comes before Honor!”

 

JESUS said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead Fear The One Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

 

Fear is a great motivator! When GOD’s Wisdom is involved it motivates us to obedience no matter the situation or the cost. The Discipline of Wisdom is better than the Discipline of Judgment.

 

That is where Humility comes in; Humility is the Discipline of Wisdom! Obedience and Self Sacrifice are the keys to living in the Discipline of Wisdom!

Revelation 12

 

Revelation 12

 

There is much teaching on Revelation and on chapter 12, here is what GOD showed me. Verses 1-5 happened before the foundation of the earth was laid, in Eternity.

 

“Now a great sign appeared in Heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head a garland of twelve stars.” Many believe that this is Israel and I believe this also, but not physical Israel – Eternal Israel. The twelve stars are the twelve Eternal tribes of Israel.*

 

“Being with Child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.” CHRIST JESUS was conceived and born Eternally then in the physical and Spiritual realm (1 Peter 1:15-20; Revelation 13:8; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20; John 1:45)

 

“And another sign appeared in Heaven: behold, a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.” The first sentence happened in Eternity the second happened after creation (Genesis 3:14-15; Luke 10:17-20; John 8:44; Romans 16:20)

 

“And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to GOD and His Throne.” CHRIST being caught up to GOD and His Throne happened in Eternity, CHRIST has not ruled with a rod of iron yet. (Revelation 19:1-6)

 

“Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by GOD; that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred sixty days.” So where was this wilderness, Mary, the mother of JESUS did not flee to a wilderness for three and a half years without her Child! This was in Eternity! In Revelation times are usually done in days or months that when divided come out to about three and a half years, with the exception of Revelation 2:10, and 9:10.

 

“And war broke out in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was any place found for them in Heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angles were cast out with him” This was after creation (Genesis 3:1-15; Job 1:6-12, 2:1-9; Isaiah 12:14-15; Matthew 25:41)

 

‘”Then I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, ‘Now Salvation and strength and the Kingdom of our GOD, and the Power of His CHRIST have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our GOD day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the Blood of The LAMB and by the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice O Heavens, and all you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.’” (Romans 16:19-20; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 John 5:4-5)

 

“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman (Israel) who had given birth to the male Child (CHRIST). But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the Commandments of GOD and have the Testimony of JESUS CHRIST.” There are lots of interpretations for this passage of scripture (Revelation 12:13-17), there is only two things that are clear. That Lucifer is cast to the earth and persecutes Israel and the Church. The time, times and half a time could be the first three and a half years of the anti-christ’s reign where there is a peace accord with Israel.

 

* Physical Israel demonstrates what happened Eternally, the physical realm is playing out what happened Eternally. Eternity exists because GOD exists; within Eternity every Spiritual and physical thing and event has played out, but we are just now experiencing it. In Eternity there is no time, GOD knows the end from the beginning, 1000 years (physically) is 1 day (24 hours) to GOD and 1 day is 1000 years to GOD. GOD did not invent time until the fourth day of creation. (Genesis 1:1-5, 14-19; Psalm 90:3-4; Proverbs 8:22-31; Isaiah 46:8-10; John 1:1-5, 8:44; 2 Peter 3:5-9)

 

Many believe as I do that the seven days of creation represent the seven thousand years of humanities rule over creation; the last day (thousand years) being the reign of CHRIST over the nations from Jerusalem (The Sabbath Millennium) before time ends and all who are redeemed to The Father by The Blood of JESUS enter into Eternity. (Revelation 20-22)

 

Many believe as I do that time is divided in to four eras, three two thousand year eras and one one-thousand year era. Creation to Abraham; Abraham to JESUS CHRIST; The Church to CHRIST’s Reign from Jerusalem; CHRIST’s Reign from Jerusalem over the nations. Then Eternity!

2 Corinthians 12:10

 

2 Corinthians 12:10

 

For those who want to live the good life, the blessed life, the prosperous life:

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for CHRIST’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

JESUS said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Abundance means a very great quantity; more than enough.

What did JESUS say He was giving an abundance of? Life – being alive. Not prosperity or blessings or goodness but division and persecution through obedience. Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 6:24; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 8:19-22; Matthew 10:16-39.

“And you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22

What Does Proverbs Say For Today Part 17

 

What Does Proverbs Say For Today Part 17

 

Envy and Jealousy

 

 ¹ Jealousy = (1) Suspicion between married persons of their fidelity one to another. (2) An earnest desire and concern for the welfare of others, joined with some degree of fear of them. (3) The hot displeasure and indignation of GOD.

² Envy = n. discontent because of the possessions or good fortune of another; covetousness.

v.t. to begrudge, covet.

Envious = adj. feeling or showing envy.

 

“Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; for the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD. For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will accept (Lit. lift up the face of any) no recompense, nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts. A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking. Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 3:31-32; 6:34-35; 14:30; 23:17-18; 24:1-2, 19-20; 27:4)

 

Envy and jealousy can be synonymous, if you have one you may be the other.

 

Solomon for all his wisdom and seeking of knowledge and understanding saw how futile life lived for itself was. In Ecclesiastes 4:4 and 9:5-6 he reminds us of that, “Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind…for the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun.” In Psalm 73 Asaph tells of his envy of evil doers and GOD’s faithfulness to deliver. “Truly GOD is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs (pains) in their death, but their strength is firm…When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful (troublesome in my eyes) for me—until I went into the sanctuary of GOD; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors…Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But GOD is the strength (Lit. rock) of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You (are unfaithful to You) for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to GOD; I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, that I may declare all Your works.” King David teaches us in Psalm 37:1-4 that envy of evil doers is a waste, “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Job says in 5:2, “For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one.” Paul sums up what envy is opposed to in 1 Corinthians 13 while describing love, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up (arrogant);…”

 

While envy is always bad jealousy can be both good and bad. Solomon in Song of Songs 8:6, “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel (severe, lit. hard) as the grave (or Sheol); its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame (lit. a flame of YAW, poetic form of YHWH, the LORD).” One of GOD’s names is Jealous (Qanna), “…(for you shall worship no other GOD, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous GOD),” Exodus 34:14. Jealousy is often used to describe GOD’s heart towards Israel and the Church. “You shall not go after other Gods, the Gods of the peoples who are all around you (for the Lord your GOD is a jealous GOD among you), lest the anger of the Lord your GOD be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth. GOD is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies; then the Lord will be zealous for His land, and pity His people. So the angel who spoke with me said to me, ‘Proclaim (lit. cry out), saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:’ “I am zealous (or jealous) for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal (or jealousy).”’ Again the Word of the Lord of hosts came, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous (or jealous) for Zion with great zeal (or jealousy); with great fervor (lit. heat or rage) I am zealous for her.”’ (Deuteronomy 6:14-15; Nahum 1:2; Joel 2:18; Zechariah 1:14, 8:1-2)

Even Paul was jealous for the church in 2 Corinthians 11:1-3, “Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with Godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to CHRIST. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity (NU adds and purity) that is in CHRIST.” 

 

More scriptures on Envy: Psalm 112:10; Isaiah 26:11; Ezekiel 35; Acts 7:9-10, 13:42-47, 17:5-9; Galatians 5:16-26.

More scriptures on Jealousy: Exodus 20:4-6, 34:14-17; Deuteronomy 4:23-24; 5:6-10; Joshua 24:19-20; 1 Kings 19:9-18; Ezekiel 39:21-29.

Steps of Repentance

 

Steps Of Repentance

 

Forgiveness and water baptism go together and they lead to repentance (Matthew 3:1-12; John 1:19-34, 4:1-3). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16

 

Being Born Again is by SPIRIT and water!

The SPIRIT of GOD comes into our life and Seals us with The Mark of GOD that the whole spiritual realm can see. Without that Mark (Seal) JESUS will not recognize us no matter how Christian or Religious we are (Matthew 7:21-23, Ephesians 4:30). “JESUS answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and The SPIRIT, he cannot enter into The Kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of The SPIRIT is spirit.’” John 3:5-6

 

Forgiveness is the first step in repentance!

The Cross is where we go when we know we are a sinner and condemned to eternal damnation, or when we are at our wits end and know only GOD can save us. We call out to GOD for forgiveness and He forgives us (Ephesians 2:1-10), His SPIRIT comes into our life (John 14:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17) and we are Born Again.

 

Water baptism is the second step in repentance!

It represents what has happened Spiritually!

The death of the flesh and the resurrection to new creation, burying our old nature and rising a New Creation in JESUS (Colossians 2:11-14). While a person can become a Christian and not be water baptized, it is a command of JESUS (Mark 16:14-18; Acts 2:40-42) and should be obeyed.

 

Water baptism is not Baptism in The Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)!

 

The Bible tells us that the natural is first (birth by flesh and blood) then the Spiritual (birth by water and Spirit)! (1 Corinthians 15:46)

 

When we are Born Again GOD’s SPIRIT (HOLY SPIRIT) comes into our life to teach us how to repent. JESUS said He would teach us, counsel us, comfort us and remind us of everything that He did and said (John 16:5-15).

 

The Baptism in The HOLY SPIRIT brings us the gift of a Heavenly Language (Speaking in Tongues), the Fruit of the SPIRIT and the Gifts of The SPIRIT! These aid us in our growth and service as a Christian (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 14:1-25).

 

Growth is the third step in repentance!

Growth is the step that never ends!

Natural and Spiritual growth will take all of our life, changing our thought process and our physical habits. Learning to Seek first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness. Learning to pray and fast, to learn GOD’s Word (The Bible) and hear GOD’s voice. We have to learn to leave our sinful past habits in the grave and live in the New Life in JESUS that salvation is (john 8:10-12; Philippians 2:12-16; 2 Timothy 2:14-26; James 1:21-27; 1 John 3:1-3).

 

Physical death is the final step in repentance!

Giving up this physical life altogether and entering into the Eternal Life that began when we were Born Again. The place that JESUS has prepared for us is Eternal (John 14:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:1-11; Revelation 20:11-15).

Trials - Tribulations - Testings

 

Trials –Tribulations – Testings

 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for Righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12.

JESUS told us that if we serve Him we will be persecuted; that He did not bring peace but a sword; that families would be divided against each other and that we should not fear men but GOD. Study Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 10; John 14:1-4; Romans 8:18-30.

 

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but GOD is Faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear (endure) it.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-13.

Paul tells us to expect temptation but to trust GOD as we resist it, to take note of the results to others from how they handled temptation. Study 1 Corinthians 10; 2 Corinthians 4:9-11; Philippians 2:5-18; Hebrews 10:26-39; Hebrews 11.

 

“Therefore humble yourselves under The Mighty Hand of GOD, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for You. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may The GOD of all Grace, Who Called us (you) to His Eternal Glory by CHRIST JESUS, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. To Him be the Glory and Dominion forever and ever.” 1 Peter 5:6-11

Peter reminds us that it is GOD Who uses the circumstances of our life to fulfill His Purpose in and through us. Study Matthew 11:25-30; Romans 5:1-4, 8:31-39.

 

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance). But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of GOD, Who Gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from The LORD; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8

James reminds us that we will be tempted, tried and tested, but by faith and obedience we will have the victory. Study 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Revelation 12:7-12, 17.

 

Remember Job, who was righteous enough for GOD to brag about but proud, enough to complain against GOD for the change in his circumstances. Study Job 1-3, 38-40; Ezekiel 14:12-23; James 5:7-12.

 

Remember Lot, who was righteous enough for GOD to rescue him and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah but not GOD focused enough to not be overcome by his circumstances. Study Genesis 14, 18-19; 2 Peter 2:6-11.

 

Remember Noah, who was righteous enough to be saved with his family from the Great Flood, but weary enough to give in to drunkenness. Study Genesis 5-9; Ezekiel 14:12-23; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:4-5.

 

Remember Paul, who was righteous enough to write most of the New Testament but proud enough that GOD gave him a thorn in the flesh, “My Grace is sufficient for you.” Study 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Philippians 4:10-13; 2 Timothy 4:16-18.