Isaiah 40

Isaiah 40

Just The Highlights

“‘Comfort, comfort My people,’ says Your GOD. ‘Speak kindly to the heart of Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed. For she has received from ADONAI’s hand double for all her sins. A voice calls out in the wilderness, prepare the Way of ADONAI, make straight in the desert a highway for our GOD. …The Glory of ADONAI will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together.’ For the mouth of ADONAI has spoken…Get you up on a high mountain, you who bring Good News to Zion! Lift up your voice with strength, you who bring Good News to Jerusalem! Lift it up! Do not fear! Say to the cities of Judah: ‘Behold your GOD!’...Who can fathom the SPIRIT of ADONAI? Or instruct Him as His counselor? With whom did He consult, and who instructed Him? Who taught Him in the path of justice or taught Him knowledge? Who informed Him about the way of understanding? ...To whom then will you liken GOD? To what likeness will you compare Him? ...Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? He sits above the circle of the earth-its inhabitants are like grasshoppers-He stretches out the skies like a curtain, spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”

“‘To whom then will you liken Me? Or who is My equal?’ says The Holy One.”

“Lift up your eyes on high and see! Who created these? The One Who brings out their host by number, The One Who calls them all by name. Because of His Great Strength and Vast Power, not one is missing. …Have you not known? Have you not heard? ADONAI is The Eternal GOD, The Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary. His Understanding is unsearchable. He gives strength to the weary, and to one without vigor He adds might. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but they that wait for ADONAI will renew their strength. They will soar up with wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They shall walk, and not be faint.”

Tree of Life Version

Unity!

https://youtu.be/-GW1zgVIgYI?si=OTxDrUU-xy7p5p3O 

Unity!

I had a dream during my second sleep (7:30-10am) today (12-31-23) in it, I was with a group of people who were getting ready for a Christmas gathering at a church. I asked a question (I do not remember it) and no one gave a good answer so they asked me what the answer was.(I do not remember my answer). Then someone asked me what I meant.

I said, There is no unity in the Church, there are many Protestant Churches and they are divided by Denomination and they do not work together or with other Churches. There are also many independent Churches and they are trying to become mega churches, not working together. Even the Catholic Church has no unity, the Diocese across the street (from where we were) does not work with the one by where I live.

Then I wandered off and organized packages.

Sadly this is true that there is no real unity in the Church and I have touched on it in some of my teachings. JESUS is The Head of His Body (The Church). Paul has a pretty good teaching on this in his second letter to the Corinthian Church (1st Corinthians). We are all different members of the body with our own calling, not just as individuals, also as groups, fellowships and organizations.

JESUS has given all of us different gifts and callings in our mother’s womb and The HOLY SPIRIT is trying to get us to recognize them and live accordingly. When we are where GOD has planned for us to be and doing what He has planned for us to do (after much training and preparation) then we will be more effective for the Work of His Kingdom in the earth as it is in Heaven, and the most satisfied in our life.

The Bible is full of commands on unity: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” “Do not covet your neighbor’s stuff.” “Lay down your life for your brothers and sisters in CHRIST.” “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” “Love your enemies and pray for those who spitefully use you.” These are commands from JESUS Who did all these things to bring Salvation, which unites us in Him as one body.

A Psalm of David about an event that happened decades before he was born is the clarion call for unity, Psalm 133 TLV.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brothers to dwell together in unity!

It is like precious oil on the head, coming down upon the beard - Aaron’s beard - coming down on the collar of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the mountains of Zion. For there The LORD commanded the Blessing - Life Forevermore!” (Study Hebrews 10:23-25)

There is One GOD, One Father, One Son, One Spirit, one baptism, one body!

We are not saved to be on our own, we are saved into The Eternal Body of CHRIST!

If we reject GOD’s Salvation we will die into a lonely life of torment in the Lake of Fire!

GOD’s ordination of family: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife and they shall become one flesh…and GOD said ‘Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.’” We are not meant to be alone, we are meant to be in a natural family and a spiritual family. “You must be born again!,,,Born of Spirit and water.”

Unity is the only way to live united with CHRIST; JESUS said we must abide in Him and He in us. Paul teaches us that we are a living body, each having their place and responsibility; Peter teaches us that we are living stones built on the Foundation of CHRIST!

Paul said, “One plants, one waters and another harvests.” Unity is each doing what GOD had called them to do, blending together our gifts for the harvest of souls.

“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent Love for one another, for Love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospital to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a Gift, Minister it to one another, as Good Stewards of the Manifold Grace of GOD.” 1 Peter 4:7-11 NKJV

Praying GOD's Will!

https://youtu.be/HVbTT9mAgXA?si=nkhrJSiXYfarBica

 Praying GOD’s Will!

Today is Monday January 1st, 2024 and GOD’s Will is being done in the heavens, in the earth and in the seas; just like it had been since the beginning!

Everyday of every week of every month of every year the Will of GOD has been done! 

Everyday of every week of every month of every year the Will of GOD will be done for eternity!

No matter what is happening around us, no matter how we perceive the events of the world GOD’s Will has been done, is being done and will be done.

Our problem as humans, especially as Christians is that we remain focused on our life and what is happening to our life. We, for the most part, do not see or want to participate in the bigger picture of GOD’s Will for all of creation. It is hard and dangerous to do GOD’s Will because it goes against the grain of human desire and the purpose of the devil to destroy humanity. After all humanity is made in the image of GOD and from before the beginning GOD planned our redemption from sin. We carry within us the Glory of GOD Almighty, The Creator of everything that exists. We are The Hope of Glory to all Creation. Because we as Christians carry the presence of GOD Almighty in our very being.

The heavenly host was made to reflect GOD’s Glory and there was and is no redemption plan for those who rebelled against GOD’s Will.

The Bible tells us that all of creation groans in expectation of humanities redemption. Why? Because it is human (Adam and Eve’s) sin that has corrupted all of creation. Because of Adam and Eve who were created sinless, but decided to sin; we are born with a sin nature and that sin nature has corrupted all of creation. That is why all of creation works against humanity rather than being protected by and as a benefit for humanity.

Today all over the world people are celebrating the New Year with hope and expectation for good things for their lives. Many are making vows (New Year’s resolutions) to improve how they live their life, mostly for personal gain, comfort and enjoyment. Many Christians are praying for GOD’s Will to be done this year without understanding that it is not their prayers that bring to fruition The Will of GOD.

When we (all humans) pray for “GOD’s Will to be done in the earth as it is in Heaven” we do not really understand what we are praying! GOD’s Will is being done no matter how or what we pray. Study how JESUS taught the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:5-13 and how He prayed in John 17 and Luke 22:39-46.

GOD’s Will is and will be done no matter how we pray if we pray! Our prayer is supposed to bring us into agreement with GOD’s Will, not direct it; and that is why we are so disappointed when we are not in sync with GOD’s Will.

“If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

“Seek The LORD while He may be Found! Call on Him while He is near” Isaiah 55:6

“Seek The LORD and His Strength; Seek His face evermore.” Psalm 105:6

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

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

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!