Are You One?

https://youtu.be/6uM8kB3W0eA?si=N9A-VJ3M5BbNV5IT

 Are You One?

One - a few worldly things about One:

According to the Bee Gees, One is the loneliest number.

According to the US Army, you can be an Army of One.

In all forms of math one plus one equals two.

What does The Bible say about One?

There is One True GOD Who is triune!

Before GOD a man and a woman joined together are One!

Those who believe in the One True GOD can be One with Him through JESUS.

What does this say about being an individual? That we were never meant to be an individual! GOD created humanity in His Image so that we can be One with Him. He ordained before He created the earth that JESUS would take away the sins of humanity so that we could be One with Him through adoption. GOD Calls and Gifts us in our mother’s womb so that we can be One with Him.

So why do we want to be an individual alone - on our own? Before I became a Christian and since I became a Christian I have desired to be alone and enjoyed being alone, even though I’ve been married for 48 years. There are times when we all need to be alone, usually not for very long. We certainly need to be alone with GOD regularly.

Over the years I have thought that if I was alone I could serve GOD better, more dedicated. That may not be true. But from the beginning of creation GOD has meant for us to not be alone; that is why after Adam reviewed and named all the creatures that GOD had made on the earth, GOD saw that he needed a helper, a companion. So, GOD made Adam into male and female beings, He had made Adam as a complete human being both male and female, One.

GOD saw that it would be better to separate them and have them joined in marriage (which He created just for the purpose of rejoining the male and female into One being).”This is why a man leaves his father and his mother, and clings to his wife; and they become One flesh.” Genesis 2:24

Wait! When GOD did that there were no fathers and mothers! The only humans were Adam and Eve who He just separated from Adam. So GOD separated Adam into Adam and Eve (male and female) so that they could be joined together again in marriage. That is why GOD puts such a high emphasis on marriage.

Marriage between a man and a woman represents the unity we have with The Father through JESUS CHRIST, in fact in The Bible believes in JESUS are called the Bride and JESUS is called the Groom and there will be a Marriage of The Church with JESUS so that we are One. Believers are also called The Body of CHRIST and JESUS is the Head of the body, so that we are One with each other and One with JESUS.

If you have a hard time with what I’m saying it is probably because you are not reading The Bible to learn what GOD is saying to you. Read it slowly, read it everyday, if you do not have a lot of time then read one or two chapters in the Old Testament and one or two chapters in the New Testament. Start with Genesis and Matthew and read through, I try to read at least six chapters of the Bible a day, but I have been doing this for a long time. I divide The Bible into Genesis to Job, Song of Solomon to Malachi, Matthew to Acts and ! Corinthians to Revelation, plus I try to read a couple of Psalms and the chapter of Proverbs of the day’s date.

As you read the Scriptures thoughtfully asking The HOLY SPIRIT to teach you what He wants you to know you will be amazed how much you find the same themes throughout The Bible. Like Unity, being One with GOD and others, from the beginning when He made us in His Image to Revelation where we are One with CHRIST in His Eternal Kingdom.

Shine

 https://youtu.be/db6ljIYBsXI?si=JPEFmX6DxVHGs2XC

Shine

What does it mean for GOD’s Face to Shine on us?

Numbers 6:22-27 is the Aaronic Blessing GOD commanded the Priests to speak over the Children of Israel; “ADONAI Bless you and Keep you! ADONAI make His Face to Shine on you and be Gracious to you! ADONAI turn His Face toward you and grant you Shalom!” TLV

Psalm 80:4, 8, 20 TLV

“O GOD, restore us, make Your Face Shine, and we will be Saved.”

“Elohei-Tzva’ot, restore us , and make Your Face Shine, and we will be Saved.”

“Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot, restore us, Make Your Face Shine, and we will be Saved.”

The Hebrew word used in these passages is ’ôwr, ore; a primary root; to be (cause make) luminous (literally and metaphorically):-x break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine. Strong’s Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary #215 

This is what happened to Moses when he was on the mountain with GOD for forty days, so that he had to wear a veil to hide the fading of GOD’s Glory over time.

JESUS said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” John, in describing JESUS said, “In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men. The Light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.” Matthew 5:14; John 1:4-5

The Greek word for light in these passages is phōs, foce; from an obsolete phaō (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; comparable 5316, 5346); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literally of figuratively):-fire, light. Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament #5457

So The Bible teaches us that GOD is Light and Life and that we are created in GOD’s image. JESUS says that we are the light of the world when we abide in Him and He abides in us. (John 15:1-17)

Are you being the light of the world through JESUS CHRIST or is the light in you darkness? (Matthew 6:22-23)

The days in which we live are dark! The days of the world since the sin of Adam have been dark because Adam surrendered his will to satan and now satan is lord of this world (John 12:30-32; Revelation 12:7-17) The Call of The Church has always been to take The Light of JESUS into the world so that people can be saved from eternal judgment; “JESUS said to her, ‘I Am The Resurrection and The Life! Whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, shall live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26)

“Do you believe this?” is the question that JESUS is asking all who claim to be Christians. Do you believe it? There is much talk in the world and the Church about CHRIST’s return to the earth. When JESUS taught about The End of Days and His Return He emphasized two things:

First that we will not know when it is going to happen, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven nor The Son, except The Father alone” “He said to them, It is not your place to know the times or seasons that The Father has placed under His Own control.” (Matthew 24:32-36, Acts 1:7-8)

Second His parables about His return always emphasized being watchful and ready. “So you must be ready, for The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” “But while they were going off to buy, the Bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with Him to the Wedding feast, and the door was shut.” (Matthew 24:37-44, 25:1-12)

The point is not to be trying to figure out if this is the time of CHRIST’s return, people have been doing that since His ascension into Heaven. Believe and therefore live accordingly that today is the day of Salvation! Preach the Gospel of The Good News of Salvation through JESUS CHRIST; lay hands on the sick, baptize new believers in the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy SPIRIT; cast out demons, raise the dead; these are the things that every believer should be doing.

Did I answer the question, What does it mean for GOD’s Face to Shine on us? I hope so. It means that we abide in JESUS by trust and obedience and He abides in us by His SPIRIT and Word. Thus we are compelled to fulfill His command to make disciples of the nations.

Pray In Faith

https://youtu.be/GE6MMJFYy0Y?si=htjQVO8V0N7YOXj5

Stop Thinking Small About GOD!

Most people in the world do not know or understand Who and What GOD is and therefore have no consideration of What He Wills and Does.

Every human at some point in their life prays - most do not know to whom or what they are praying. Sometimes they are sending “good thoughts” to others, sometimes people send evil thoughts against others. Sometimes people pray to what they believe or hope is a god that can help them. Sometimes in desperation people call out to the True and Living GOD, JEHOVAH, or His Son JESUS. All of these are people who do not know GOD.

Many Christians also do not know or understand Who and What GOD is and therefore have no consideration of What He Wills or Does.

Many Christians pray in “faith”, hoping that GOD will hear and answer them. He does, but not always the way we think and expect; or in the timeframe we desire. Many Christians practice a type of prayer that is always asking GOD for something for themself or family and friends.

Most people in the world and many Christians do not understand the Will and Purpose of GOD. They do not understand the Authority and Power of GOD. They do not understand the Grace and Mercy of GOD. They do not understand the Omniscience, Omnipotence nor Omnipresence of GOD.

GOD hears, sees and remembers everything! GOD created everything that you see, hear, touch, smell and taste! GOD is everywhere always!  GOD is Life, Light and Love; GOD is Truth!

So when you pray you should follow JESUS’ example and teaching: not only did He teach that when we pray we should do it in private, except for public prayer gatherings, which He did. Several times The Scriptures tell us that JESUS went off alone to pray. But He also prayed during The Last Supper for the disciples and the future believers. Then He prayed about His impending death for the human race within eyesight and earshot of the disciples. Times of being alone with His Father are not recorded; and times of praying in public we have in The Scriptures.

Like most Christians I have a long list of things that I pray about and for: I pray for The Church and GOD’s Mercy as His Judgment is upon us for our many sins. I pray about the war in Israel and the continued persecution of Israel because they are favored by GOD. I pray for family and friends - salvation, healing, provision, etc. I pray about the political situation in America because it has become so corrupt at every level. And I have many more things and people I pray for and about. Sometimes I pray in great detail and sometimes I pray short in a hurry prayers.

So what does all this have to do with the title of this message, “Stop Thinking Small About GOD!”?

Our prayers are a reflection of how we think about GOD: like a sugar daddy always there to give us what we want, or more like a fulfiller of dreams and promises. We should see GOD as the One Who is in control (LORD) of our life and Whose Will we must be fulfilling.

We should go to GOD first to be in His Presence, remember JESUS told us “...to seek first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness.” When JESUS went on His private prayer times He came back refreshed, even after being up all night. There are two good examples of this:

The first is when JESUS had been ministering all day both in public and then at Peter’s house. (Matthew 5:1-8:17; Mark 1:14-45; Luke 4:14-44) After the crowds had finally left and everyone else went to bed, JESUS went off to be with His Father in private. In the morning they did not know where JESUS was and went looking for Him. When they found Him and asked Him what He had been doing, He said let us go to other villages to share the Gospel. So He had been up the day before traveling and ministering into the night, then He went off alone to pray. In the morning when they found JESUS He said let’s go and they traveled and ministered all day.

The second is after He had taught all day and then they fed over 5000 people (Matthew 14:13-36; Mark 6:30-56). After feeding the people He sent the disciples on ahead by boat and He stayed behind to dismiss the crowd and be alone with His Father. Then in the middle of the night He walked across the sea and got into the boat, when they landed He continued to minister that day.

If you really want GOD to answer your prayers, first get in His Presence, spend time worshiping Him and thanking Him, then ask Him to reveal Himself to You and give you understanding of His Presence in you and what He has Called you to do. Then bring your petitions to Him. Remember JESUS told us He already knows what we need and it may not be what we want. That is why we have to get to know GOD and His Will and Purpose.

Answers by Pastor Kim

 Answers

By Pastor Tony Kim

 Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

   Did you catch that phrase, “for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right.” Eliphaz was one of Job’s closest friends. Job honored and respected him. The fact that he came as a friend to Job during Job’s worst time proves his loyalty. I have always said that a friend is a person that when you’ve really blown it doesn’t think you did a permanent job. Eliphaz thought Job had blown it somewhere, but the problem was, Job did nothing to deserve what was happening and God’s word confirms this. This is a truth Christians want to ignore, but the scriptures teach that trouble can come upon us even when we are obedient. It is time that we realize that being a sinner made us one with those in a sinful world and that being a Christian separated us from being one with those in a sinful world. This alone creates problems, yet, this is not the problem here.

   What Job is going through is something altogether different. Eliphaz didn’t have the discernment to see that. Many times it is like that. The world sees differently than we. Our friends, as Christian as they may be, even with good intentions, can see differently than we. How about this one, we can even see differently than both of them.

   So, who is right? The correct answer is only God is right and only what He says in his word is right. What Eliphaz said contained some truth, but not the truth. Here is a hard principle I have had to learn over and over. We can have right words, even true words, but they might not be the right and true words needed at the moment. Eliphaz was Job’s friend. He meant him well. But it would have done Eliphaz well to talk to God before he talked to Job because God rebuked Eliphaz.

   Here is a scripture God brought to my attention as I considered writing this devotion from all the places in the scriptures possible, right from the very book of Job itself. Job 6:25 “How forcible are right words! But what doth your arguing reprove?” This has taught me when ministering to hurt people to keep my mouth shut unless they or God asks me to speak. I have found this to be true also. When I am hurting the most there is no therapy, nothing that works better than just getting alone in God’s presence. Consider that sometimes just being there is caring enough. It is so hard for us at times to see the work that God does in people when they are hurting or even understand His working in them when they are hurting, but perhaps, just being there with them, silently praying for them is the best ministry we can give.

By Pastor Tony Kim

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.