Follow JESUS!

 

Follow JESUS! 

Luke 9:57-62 “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, ‘LORD, I will follow You wherever You go.’ And JESUS said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ but he said, ‘LORD, let me first go and bury my father.’ JESUS said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and Preach The Kingdom of GOD.’ And another also said, ‘LORD, I will follow You but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But JESUS said to him, ‘No one having put his hand to the plow  and looking back is fit for The Kingdom of GOD.’”

To the first one who volunteered to follow JESUS, JESUS told him a little of what it would be like, there would be a cost in life to walk with JESUS; the Scriptures do not tell us if he decided to lay down his life to follow JESUS.

The second one, JESUS asked him to be a disciple, but he made an excuse. The Scriptures do not tell us if his father was at that time dead, or just old and dying. JESUS told him to lay down his life for the Kingdom of GOD and let the dead (those who reject JESUS) bury themselves. We are not told if the man laid down his life to follow JESUS.

The third man said he would follow JESUS but he wanted to go and tell his family what he was doing. JESUS told him he must not look back at his old life but lay down his life for The Kingdom of GOD. The Scriptures do not tell us if he followed JESUS.

JESUS says to us all, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of GOD.” He is upfront in The Gospels telling us there is a cost to follow Him; loss, rejection, persecution, trials and tribulations. He also tells us that we have to “lay down our life, take up our cross and follow (obey) Him (Mark 8:34-38).

Oswald Chambers says, “When once The call of GOD comes, begin to go and never stop going.”

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

https://youtu.be/Q4jL5OK2B5c

Righteousness

 

Righteousness!

The videos are Part 1 The Old Testament and Part 2 The New Testament 

What is righteousness and how do we live in righteousness?

JESUS told us to “seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), so how do we seek GOD’s Righteousness?

I have talked about Holiness, what Holiness is and that GOD has called us to be Holy because He is HOLY (Leviticus 20:7-8, 27; 1 Peter 1:15-16). GOD is HOLY – set apart – because He Is GOD. Everything exists in Him, by Him and for His Good Pleasure. So we, as those forgiven by The Blood of JESUS, who are now His Children and Servants of His Kingdom in the earth; should be set apart to Him and Him only! We can only do that if we live righteously or in righteousness.

Righteousness is the process of being Holy to GOD! (See the definitions below)

Genesis 15:1-6 GOD accounted Abraham’s Faith to him for Righteousness – Romans 4 GOD accounted Abraham’s Faith for Righteousness before he was circumcised, and after GOD told Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac.

Job 29 Job describing why he walked in righteousness;  “I put on righteousness and it clothed me.” (14)

Psalm 4:1” I call, O GOD of my righteousness” David challenges his followers to live righteously before GOD (2-5) – Jeremiah 23:5-6 “The LORD our Righteousness!” Jeremiah prophesies of JESUS The CHRIST.

Psalm 24:1-5 “…He shall receive Blessing from The LORD and Righteousness from The GOD of his Salvation.”

Psalm 35:27-28 We shall speak of GOD’s Righteousness and Praise.

Psalm 40:4-10 We are to proclaim The Good News of GOD’s Righteousness as JESUS did, Matthew 4:17, 23 (Hebrews 10:5-7).

Psalm 50:-1-6 “Let the heavens declare His Righteousness,” (Psalm 97:1-6)

Psalm 85:10-13 Righteousness and Peace have…Righteousness will go before Him.

Psalm 111:1-3 Righteousness endures forever – Isaiah 51:7-8 My Righteousness will be forever.

Proverbs 10:2-3 Righteousness delivers from death - 2 Peter 2:4-5 Preaching righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 11:3-6 The righteousness of the blameless – Proverbs 3:3-8 how to be righteousness.

Proverbs 12:28 The way of righteousness is life – Romans 5:17, 21  righteousness will reign in life.

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation – Proverbs 11:11 lack of righteousness (wickedness) overthrows a nation.

Proverbs 21:21 Righteousness produces more righteousness – Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who seek righteousness.

Isaiah 1:21-23 Righteousness can be lost – Luke 19:9-10 JESUS came to seek the lost, to restore righteousness.

Isaiah 45:24 In the LORD I have righteousness – Philippians 3:7-11 not having my own righteousness.

Isaiah 57:12 I will declare your righteousness (GOD’s judgment) – Romans 6:23 wages of sin, Gift of GOD.

Isaiah 59:15-17 Righteousness as a breastplate – Ephesians 6:10-18 the breastplate of righteousness (14).

Isaiah 62:1 GOD’s Righteousness goes forth through His servants. – 1 John 3:4-9 He who practices righteousness is righteous just as JESUS is Righteousness (7).

Jeremiah 33:15 To David a Branch of righteousness; The LORD our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

Ezekiel 18:20 The righteousness of the righteous – Acts 10:34-36 those who do the works of righteousness are excepted by GOD.

Daniel 12:3 Who turn many to righteousness – Proverbs 11:30 winning souls is righteousness.

Matthew 3:13-15 GOD has determined and established what is righteousness and how to fulfill it.

Matthew 5:17-20 It’s not the righteousness of the religious but The Righteousness of GOD that counts. (Matthew 21:28-32).

Romans 1:16-17 For The Gospel reveals GOD’s Righteousness.

Romans 3:21-26 The Righteousness of GOD by Faith is revealed.

Romans 10:1-4 Ignorant of GOD’s Righteousness (Matthew 7:21-29)

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

Titus 3:4-7 The righteousness which we have – Ephesians 2:8 is a Gift from GOD.

James 1:19-20 Wrath does not produce The Righteousness of GOD (Ephesians 4:26).

2 Peter 3:13 A new earth in which righteousness (Revelation 21:1-3).

1 John 2:28-29 He who practices righteousness is born of GOD (1 John 3:4-9).

 Definitions

Righteousness = adv. morally right; virtuous; law-abiding. The Oxford

American Desk Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 1998

Righteousness = The state of being upright, moral, holy, and just. Righteousness is accorded to GOD alone throughout most of Scripture (John 17:25). Human righteousness can only be achieved through Faith in CHRIST (Romans 3:21-26). Bible Dictionary Bible Facts At Your Fingertips, Publications International, Ltd., 1999

Hebrew: righteousness, righteousness’, righteousnesses: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The  Hebrew Bible, MacDonald Publishing Company

3718 Daniel 9:18 – righteousnesses (only used once) kephel (from kâphal; a primary root; to fold together; figuratively to repeat:-double.) a duplicate:-double.

6663 Daniel 12:3 – righteousness (only used once) tsâdaq; a primary root; to be (causatively make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):-cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, ify self), (be turn to) righteousness (-ness).

6664 Leviticus 19:15 – righteousness, righteousness’ (first use) tsedeq; (from tsâdaq) the right(natural, moral or legal): also (abstract) equity or (figurative) prosperity:- X even, (X that which is altogether) just (-ice), ([un-]) right (-eous) cause, -ly, -ness).

6665 Daniel 4:27 – righteousness (only used once) tsidqâh; (Chaldean) (corresponds to ts^edâqâh) beneficence:- righteousness.

6666 Genesis 15:6 – righteousness, righteousness’,  (first use) ts^edâqâh; (from tsâdaq) righteous (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity):-justice, moderately, right (-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).

Greek: righteousness, righteousness’: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The  Greek Testament, MacDonald Publishing Company

1343 Matthew 3:15 – righteousness, righteousness’ (first use) dikaiŏsunē; (from dikaiŏs; (equitable in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolute or relative):-just, meet, right (-eous).) (equity of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification:-righteousness.

1345 Romans 2:26 – righteousness, righteousness’ (first use)

1346 1 Corinthians 15:34 – righteousness (only used once) dikaiōma; (from dikaiŏō; (render (i.e. to show or regard as) just or innocent:-free, justify (-ier), be righteous.) an equitable deed; by implication a statute or decision:-judgment, justification, ordinance, righteousness.

2118 Hebrews 1:8 – righteousness (only used once) ĕuthutēs; (from ĕuthus; straight, i.e. (literally)  level, or (figuratively) true; adv. (of time)) at once:-anon, by and by, forthwith, immediately, straightway.) rectitude:-righteousness.

 

https://youtu.be/rfnJ9JL4QQE Part 1 

https://youtu.be/MmQ8CQx2I_Q Part 2

"It IS Finished!"

 

“It Is Finished!”

 

I heard this story by The Gathers during an interview on TBN. They told of an old Baptist Evangelist, whose name I did not catch, that Jerry Falwell really loved. This evangelist gave a message called “It Is Finished!” that was heard by the Gathers. This caused them to write a song about it was called “It Is Finished!”

 

As told by the evangelist as best as I understood what the Gathers said: A drop of blood and sweat dripped from JESUS’ face to the ground at the base of the cross when JESUS proclaimed; “It Is Finished!” the drop landed on a blade of grass and proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” A bird swooped down and plucked the blade of grass and the blade of grass proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” The bird flew to the top of a tall tree and proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” The tall tree proclaimed to the heavens, “It Is Finished!” The Heavens proclaimed to all creation, “It Is Finished!” There was an earthquake in Jerusalem, the rocks split and the graves opened proclaiming, “It Is Finished!”  In The Temple, The Veil was torn in two from top to bottom proclaiming, “It Is Finished!”

 

If you do not understand what “It Is Finished!” means for you and the world then you must read the 4 Gospels of The Bible. They tell the story of GOD’s Love for all humanity, whom He created in His Own Image. How JESUS as a man not born of a man but of GOD lived a sinless life as a  man so that He could go to the cross in the place of every human being ever conceived, to take upon Himself the eternal punishment of our sins and restore our relationship with GOD as it was in the beginning.

 

Since JESUS fulfilled GOD’s purpose for His Life as a man and proclaimed, “It Is Finished!” we are now able to repent (stop sinning) and live our life for GOD Who is our Heavenly Father! JESUS said that knowing our Heavenly Father and His Son JESUS is “Eternal Life!”

 

https://youtu.be/RGbq8Q3kqwI

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