Am I A Peter Or A Paul?

Am I A Peter Or A Paul?

 

We are most familiar with Peter because he walked with JESUS as a disciple, then served JESUS as an Apostle and a Bondservant (1 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1). We know that he lived in Capernaum and with his brother Andrew was a fisherman by trade; they were not poor as is often portrayed, but they were not rich. We know that Peter was married and that one of the Mark’s in The Bible is his son (many believe The Gospel of Mark was written by Peter’s son).

 

We know of his failure at the trial of JESUS, where Peter denied knowing JESUS three times. And we know of his success on the Day of Pentecost, his first sermon led to 3000 people getting saved. He led the Church in Jerusalem and Judea for the first few years; where the Church was stuck.

 

The martyrdom of the Deacon Stephen let to the Church finally going into Samaria preaching The Gospel.

 

GOD gave Peter a vision of animals being let down from heaven on a sheet and told him to kill and eat; but Peter said “Not so LORD! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”, and GOD told Peter “What GOD has cleansed (Declared clean) you must not call common.”, this happened three times. Then GOD told Peter to go with the men who were knocking at the gate, this led to the Gentiles hearing and receiving the Gospel Message.

 

Peter wrote two of the Epistles, (though not in The Bible, he went to Rome and was crucified upside down).

 

We are also familiar with Paul because of his great conversion experience and his many evangelist travels. He called himself a Bondservant and an Apostle, and once a Prisoner of Christ (Philemon 1:1), to the Thessalonians he just called himself Paul. He was from Tarsus of Cilicia, a Jewish Roman citizen, brought up in Jerusalem under Gamaliel as a zealous Pharisee, but not a member of the Sanhedrin. He would have been familiar with JESUS and His teachings, which is why he said, “I persecuted this Way to the death...” He was not married as some teach, in 1 Corinthians 7, teaching about marriage, he says, “But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. For I wish that all men were even as myself. But each one has his own gift from GOD, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and the widows: it is good for them if they remain even as I am.”

 

Paul made three know and described missionary trips preaching The Gospel to Jews and Gentiles (Acts11:19-30, 12:25-28:31), making disciples and raising up local leaders. He traveled with several different people over the years and raised up many of the first century Church Leaders; he wrote 14 of the Epistles; (like Peter some of Paul’s life is not in The Bible, but we know he was beheaded in Rome during his second imprisonment there).

 

All of the Apostles did missionary travels and started Churches, discipling and raising up leaders; we just do not have their stories in The Bible. Together they wrote 7 epistles, and they were all martyred for their faith. James the brother of John of the sons of Zebedee, he was martyred by Herod Archelaus (Matthew 2:19-23; Acts 12:1-4). James (the brother of JESUS called himself a Bondservant; John did not introduce himself in his Epistles; Jude, another brother of JESUS called himself a Bondservant.

 

So what is the difference between Peter and Paul? Exuberance! Peter was more laid back taking things as they came, Paul was a go getter (type A personality). Peter was hotheaded before the Day of Pentecost, so was Paul before his meeting with JESUS, he held the cloaks of those stoning Stephen, then he started arresting and persecuting Christians. (if you have ever been persecuted by a Christian hater the one thing they all are is hatefully in your face!) Paul and Barnabas broke up their team over John Mark.

 

But Peter and Paul both did what JESUS called them to do, though Peter sometimes needed a little encouragement (shove).

 

https://youtu.be/YLvChCLwy2E

Psalm 83 With Commentary

 

Psalm 83 TLV

A song of Asaph. (A Levite in the time of David)

“GOD do not keep silent.

Do not hold Your Peace, O GOD.

Do not be still.

For look, Your enemies make an uproar.

Those who hate You life up their head.

They make a shrew plot against Your People, conspiring against Your Treasured Ones.

‘Come’, they say, ‘let’s wipe them out as a nation!

Let Israel’s name be remembered no more!”

For with one mind they plot together.

Against You do they make a covenant.

The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre, even Assyria has joined them, becoming a strong arm for Lot’s sons.”

(All of the Arab nations are descendants of Abraham or his nephew Lot: “And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sari, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there…So Abram departed as The LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him; and Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” [Genesis 11:31, 12:4] “Then Sari, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan…So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.” [Genesis 16:3, 15] “And He (GOD) said, ‘I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.’…And The LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and The LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which The LORD had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him – Isaac.”  [Genesis 18:10, 21:1-3] “Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah; and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian (Judges 6:1-3, 1 Chronicles 1:32-33), Ishbak and Shua…But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away for Isaac his son, to the country of the east.” [Genesis 25:1-2, 6]

So Abraham had at least eight sons;

Ishmael had twelve sons they became the Ishmaelites [Genesis 25:12-18, 1 Chronicles 1:29-31]

Isaac had two sons Jacob and Esau [Genesis 25:19-28; 1 Chronicles 1:34]; Esau had five sons and they became the nation of Edom (Genesis 36; Deuteronomy 2:1-8; 1 Chronicles 1:34-37, 43-54); Jacob had twelve sons and they became the nation of Israel. [Genesis 35:23-26, 1 Chronicles 2:1-2]

“…Thus both daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The first bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day (Deuteronomy 2:9-12). And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day (Deuteronomy 2:17-29).” [Genesis 19:30-38])

“Selah” (A pause – a good time to think about what you just read) 

“Do to them as You did to Midian, to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River, who perished at En-dor – they became as dung for the ground.

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb – all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take possession of the pasturelands of GOD.’

My GOD, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind.

As a fire burns a forest, and as a flame sets mountains ablaze, so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.

Cover their faces with shame, so they may seek Your Name–ADONAI.

Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever.

Let them be humiliated and perish.

Let them know that You alone–Whose Name is ADONAI – are El Elyon (GOD Most High) over all the earth.” 

GOD’s protection is for Israel, His chosen people, they are only defeated when He is judging and punishing them. GOD is accomplishing His Will in all the nations of the earth through Israel GOD Blesses those who bless Israel and He curses those who curse Israel. “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.” Genesis 12:1-3 We see that almost all of the Middle East Nations; the cousins of the Israelites; are at war with them still. This is older than Mohammad’s religion Islam which he started about 610AD.

 https://youtu.be/5Ns0mHEkII4 

Swallowing A Camel!

 

Swallowing A Camel!

 

Matthew 23:24 “Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” is in the middle of JESUS’ woes to the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocritical practice of The Torah; verses one through thirty-six.

 

This is pure hyperbole just like, “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven.” Matthew 19:24

I do not understand why there is so much controversy in the Church about this verse. JESUS had just spoken to a rich young man who did not want to give up his riches so he could have eternal life; that was his question to JESUS in verse sixteen, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” He just wanted to earn his way in.

 

Verses 21-24 “ JESUS said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then JESUS said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter The Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven.”

 

JESUS explains His statement so there should be no question about what He meant, it is impossible for a worldly rich man to be saved, because he cannot give up his wealth and prestige.

 

Just like Matthew 23:24, JESUS is not saying that the Pharisees can swallow camels; and no one ever tries to teach there is some alternative meaning for straining gnats and swallowing camels. Verses one through thirty-six are the explanation for His hyperbolic statement; there is no hope for them because, “But all their works they do to be seen by men. …” 23:5.

 

This passage is in Matthew 19:16-30, but most who try to make an alternative teaching out of this saying stop at verse twenty-six, where JESUS says, “…With men this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.”

 

But the disciples understood the greater context of JESUS’ message; “Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ So JESUS said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in The Regeneration, When The Son of Man Sits on The Throne of His Glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’” Matthew 19:27-36

 

The point of both of these statements is not an impossible task set before us! It is not some mystery we have to unravel! It is being obedient to the Will and Purpose of GOD for our life. GOD can and does what He wants with our life and we have to be willing to give up everything in this world to obey.

 

https://youtu.be/0AdbHozQ7IA

Hebrews Chapter 10

 

Hebrews Chapter 10

 

:1-4 For The Law, having a shadow of the Good things to come (Colossians 2:16-17), and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year after year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshippers, once purified (cleansed), would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins (Micah 6:6-8).

 

:5-7 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no Pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold I have come – in the volume of The book it is written of Me – to do Your Will, O GOD.’” (Psalm 40:6-8)

 

:8-11 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had Pleasure in them” (which are offered according to The Law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your Will, O GOD.” He takes away the first so that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified (John 17:18-19) through the offering of the Body of JESUS CHRIST once for all.  And every priest stands ministering daily and offering daily the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins (Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 John 1:5-10).

 

:12-14 But This Man after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down the at the right hand of GOD (Ephesians 1:15-23), from that time, waiting till His enemies are made His footstool(Psalm 110:1-2). For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (set apart) (1 Corinthians 6:8-11),

 

:15-18 But The Holy SPIRIT also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the Covenant that I will make with them after those days, says The LORD: I will put My Laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write Them.” Then He adds, “Their sin and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)” For now where there is remission (forgiveness) of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

 

:19-23 Therefore, brethren, having boldness (confidence) to enter The Holiest by the Blood of JESUS (Ephesians 2:14-18, 3:11-12), by a new and Living Way (John 14:4-6) which He consecrated for us, through the Veil, that is His flesh (Hebrews 9:11-12), and having a High Priest over The House of GOD, let us draw near with a True heart in fill assurance of Faith, having our hearts sprinkled from evil conscience and our bodies washed with Pure Water. Let us hold fast the confession of our Hope without wavering, for He Who Promised is Faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13).

 

:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up Love and Good Works, not forsaking  the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another (1 Corinthians 14:26, and so much the more as you see The Day approaching (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2…11).

 

:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries (Zephaniah 1:17-18; 2 Peter 2:18-22).

 

:28-31 Anyone who rejected Moses’ Law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:2-7). Of how much worse punishment do you suppose will he be thought worthy who has trampled The Son of GOD underfoot, counted the Blood of the Covenant by which he was Sanctified a common thing, and insulted The SPIRIT of Grace (Matthew 12:31-32)? For we know Him Who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I Will repay,” says The LORD. And Again, “The LORD Will Judge His People (Deuteronomy 32:35-36).” It Is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of The Living GOD (Luke 12:4-5)!

 

:32-34 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (enlightened), you endured a great struggle with sufferings (Galatians 3:1-4): partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations (1 Corinthians 4:9), and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains (those who had been imprisoned) (Philippians 1:3-7) , and joyfully accepted the plundering of your good (possessions), knowing that you have a better and more enduring possession for yourselves in Heaven (Matthew 5:10-12, 6:19-21).

 

:35-38 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance(Luke 21:17-19; Revelation 21:7), so that after you have done The Will of GOD, you may receive The Promise (Luke 18:7-8; Colossians 3:23-25): “For yet a little while, and He Who (or that which) is coming will come and will not tarry (delay). Now the Just (My Just One) shall live by Faith (Habakkuk 2:3-4); but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him (Matthew 10:37-39; Luke 9:61-62).”

 

:39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition (destruction), but of those who believe in the Saving of the soul (Romans 1:16; Galatians 5:1).

 

https://youtu.be/Yh8w7vgyL2c

Hebrews Chapter 9

 

Hebrews Chapter 9

 

:1-5 Then indeed, even the first  covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the Lampstand, the Table, and the Showbread, which is called the Sanctuary (Holy Place) Exodus 25:8; and behind the second veil (Exodus 26:31-35, 40:3), the part of the Tabernacle which is called The Holiest of All, which had the Golden Censer (Leviticus 16:12) and the Ark (Exodus 25:10) of the Covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the Golden Pot (Exodus 16:33) that had the Manna, Aaron’s Rod (Numbers 17:1-10) that budded, and the Tablets of The Covenant (Exodus 25:16, 34:29); and above it were the Cherubim of Glory (Leviticus 16:2) overshadowing the Mercy Seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

 

:6-10 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the Tabernacle, preforming the services (Numbers 18:2-6, 28:3). But into the second part the high Priest went along once a year (Exodus 30:10), not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins (Leviticus 9:7, 16:6) committed in ignorance; The Holy SPIRIT indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest (John 14:6) while the first Tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience–concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of Reformation (Hebrews 7:25-28; Number 19:7).

 

:11-12 But Christ came as High Priest of the Good Things that have come, with the Greater and more Perfect Tabernacle not made with hands, that is not of this creation! Not with the blood of goats and claves (Psalm 40:6; Hosea 6:6), but with His Own Blood (Ephesians 1:7-10) He entered The Most Holy Place once for all (Mark 15:37-38), having obtained Eternal Redemption (John 17:3; Romans 5:20-21.

 

:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and goats (Leviticus 16:14-15) and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean (Numbers 19:2), sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the Blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal SPIRIT offered Himself without spot to GOD, cleanse your conscience (1 John 1:7-9) from dead works (Galatians 2:15-16) to serve The Living GOD (Matthew 20:27-28; John 13:12-17)?

 

:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of The New Covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgression under the first Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the Eternal Inheritance (Romans 3:21-26).

 

:16-22 For where there is a testament there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Therefore not even the first Covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to The Law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which GOD has commanded you (Exodus 24:3-8).” Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the Tabernacle and all the vessels of the Ministry (Exodus 29:12, 36). And according to the Law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Leviticus 17:11).

 

:23-26 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in Heaven should be purified with these (blood of animals), but the Heavenly things themselves with a better sacrifice than these (Hebrews 7:27-28). For Christ has not entered the Holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself (Hebrews 8:1-2), now to appear in the presence of GOD for us (Romans 8:34); not that He should offer himself often, as the high Priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another – He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

 

:27-28 And as it is appointed for men to die once (Genesis 3:19; Revelation 20:11-15), but after this the Judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53:12; 1 Peter 2:24). To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time apart from sin, for salvation (John 14:1-4, 18; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

 

https://youtu.be/EdtBmVQLjzM

You Can Sit Next To Me At Church by Unknown

 

You Can Sit Next To Me At Church!

By Unknown

 

You got hammered at the bar on Saturday but came to church on Sunday….

You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’re a drug addict but came to church on Sunday….

You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’re divorced and the last church you attended condemned you for it….

You can sit me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’ve had an abortion and it’s slowly eating away at your heart but you came to church on Sunday….

You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’ve been unfaithful to your spouse but came to church on Sunday….

You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

Here’s the thing, people don’t come to church on Sunday for you to sit in the pew and quietly judge them because you feel that you’re somehow better than them!

People come to church because in their deepest, darkest, most painful moments they heard about a man named Jesus that could save their soul and they’d like to know him!

The man that just snorted cocaine off his kitchen table isn’t a bigger sinner than you who told your boss a lie on Monday so you could leave work early.

The woman that had an abortion 10 years ago isn’t a bigger sinner than you who flipped a man off in traffic last week because he cut you off.

The drunk man lying on the barroom floor isn’t a bigger sinner than you who occasionally has too much to drink at home in private.

The woman that just got caught cheating on her husband isn’t a bigger sinner than you who had sex with your now husband before you were married.

Stop judging others because their sin is different than yours!

Romans 3:23-24 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

There isn’t a person in this world too bad, too broken, too mean, or too damaged for Jesus to save.

Romans 10:13 says “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

 

The Watcher And The seeker by Suleman Javed

 

The Watcher And The Seeker

By Suleman Javed

 

"The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God." Psalm 14:2 God perfectly knows our thoughts, actions, desires, and passions. It is in His heart to be involved in His creation. He is never distant and unconcerned but constantly watching over us with righteousness, love, and care. Seeking God is about intentionally dedicating time to commune with Him in prayer, knowing Him more by reading and meditating on Scripture, enjoying His presence in worship, and applying His teachings in how we live. It needs a deliberate and sincere discipline to pursue Him.

Beloved, knowing that God constantly watches over us and pursues us, we must seek Him with the desire to build an intimate relationship with Him and allow that to shape the way we live. It is by wholeheartedly pursuing God that we grow in spiritual maturity. It is by living to please Him that we find true and lasting happiness. And it is by putting Him above all our priorities that we find true value and purpose in life! Hallelujah!