The Choice Is Yours

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Jacob's Sorrow!

 

Jacob’s Sorrow!

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

https://youtu.be/K9nXkwigthQ

Man's Heart!

 

Man’s Heart!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

https://youtu.be/lSSR_Co8EyY

LORD I Lift Your Name On High

 

LORD I Lift Your Name On High!

 

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

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

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

From the Cross to the grave;

From the grave to The Sky;

LORD I lift Your Name on High!”

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

https://youtu.be/LMe_-qge48I

For GOD So Loved Me!

 

For GOD So Loved Me!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

https://youtu.be/94oY49KTXrM

2 Corinthians 2:17

 

2 Corinthians 2:17

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Then about money and treasure:

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

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

“To you who are rich…” Luke 6:24

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

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

 

What do others say about riches and money!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Revelation 18 The world gets rich from Babylon the Whore.

 

https://youtu.be/QW731gp2xHU

Priority!

 

Priority!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

https://youtu.be/xymyq_3PiSA