John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

In the words of Scofield, “The four Gospels record the eternal being, human ancestry, birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man. They record also a selection from the incidents of His life, and also from His words and works. Taken together, they set forth, not a biography, but a Personality.” I Love That! (The Scofield Reference Bible, KJV)

The book of John (The Love Book) is one of my favorites. I cry every time I read it. Until now, I never really thought about why it touches me so deeply. I think it is because it speaks to my heart about the depth of a personal relationship with Jesus.

Although the book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles) follows it, the book of John is the only one of the four Gospels that does not record Jesus’ commissioning the twelve Apostles, however John does mention “the twelve” (John6:67). I find it quite fitting that it was the last of the four Gospels written, because it is centered more on relationship. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, our works (Acts) are dead (John 15:5).

It has been debated whether or not John was one of the “two disciples” (of John the Baptist) that followed Jesus, and if he wrote the book of John. Because John refers to himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved”, I find it probable that he would also refer to himself as one of “the two” disciples according to John 1:34. I think that John makes it clear that he is author of the book in John 21:24.

The calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John are recorded in the book of Mark (1:16-20), so in reading John 1:35-49 I know that Andrew and Peter already knew who Jesus was. They abode with him for the day (John 1:39). At times when my faith runs thin it would behoove me to remember that Jesus KNEW Peter before he called him! The first time that Jesus laid eyes on him he called him Cephas (a stone) (John 1:42). It is no coincidence that at Peter’s revelation that Jesus is the Son of the living God, that Jesus said, “Thou art Peter (a small stone), and upon this rock will I build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). I also find it interesting that when Jesus ordained “the twelve”, he surnamed James and John (Boanerges) (The sons of thunder) (Mark 3:17). When a village of Samaritans would not receive him, they asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:54). HE KNOWS US!

After Jesus called Phillip, Phillip went to get Nathaniel. Phillip called Jesus “the son of Joseph”(man), but because Jesus KNEW Nathaniel, Nathaniel said, you are “the Son of God“(John 1:43-49).

When Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum that he is the bread of life, many of his disciples were offended. From that time, they went back and walked with him no more (John 6:66). This is noteworthy because my heart sank within me when Jesus said to “the twelve”, Will you also go away (John 6:67)?

It is my feeling that John is also the disciple that went into the palace with Jesus and came back to get Peter who was standing outside the door (John 18:15-16). Scripture then tells us that Peter denied the Lord three times. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus turned, and looked upon Peter, who then went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).

At the crucifixion:

John 19; 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (John), he said unto his mother, Woman behold thy son! 27 Then said he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. RELATIONSHIP!

After the resurrection:

Jesus appeared to the disciples: Thomas not present

He stood in the midst of them and showed them his hands and his side. He said, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:19-21).

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

I CRIED

John 25 (Thomas) “Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:26-28

26 Again after eight days his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing. 28 Then Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

I CRIED

John 21 (last chapter)

Here again, John has referred to himself as “one of the two” other disciples. Here again, I wept as I pictured Jesus calling out to them from the shore. They had caught nothing all night, but at his command they let down their net down on the right side. It was completely full, but it did not break. When the disciple that Jesus loved (John) said to Peter, “It is the Lord” I was again moved to tears. When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his fishers coat on and jumped overboard to meet him. As soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals with fish and bread prepared. Jesus saith to them, “Come and dine”.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus then tells Peter that when he is old, he will be bound and carried to a place that he would rather not go (speaking of what death he would glorify God). He instructs him, “Follow me”. Then in Peter’s humanness, he asked Jesus what John would do. Jesus told Peter that Johns calling was none of his concern, and again instructed him, “Follow thou me”. RELATIONSHIP

This book is so wonderful that I am finding it difficult trying to keep my scope within context! There is a scripture that means so much to me that I have to include it. When Judas brought the band of soldiers to take Jesus, when Jesus said “I am he” they All fell down backwards to the ground (John 18:6). The first time that this hit my spirit, I thought that I might shout my house down! When Jesus speaks, they All fall down! He forever stands on the shoreline of my life calling unto me, “Come and Dine”. RELATIONSHIP

In conclusion Jesus has reminded us that we will face persecution as he did. The servant is not greater than his Lord (John 15:20). He has commanded us to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).

John 4:35 Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white and already to harvest.

LOVEST THOU ME?

Song of Moses

Deuteronomy 32:1-3

1.Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. (King James Version)

Jesus said that when we pray without doubt in our hearts we can speak to the mountain, and it will be removed (Mark 11:23). I absolutely believe this, yet the Lord has taught me that the Greatest prayer that I can pray is for His Sovereign Will to be done (Matt. 6:10). My prayer is “Lord, do whatever it takes”. I know when I pray for salvation that I am praying in His will.

I love those times when I can feel God listening to me pray! Sometimes I listen for God to tell me what to pray, and sometimes I come before Him with my petition. There are times when I am as dry as a bone. One thing is for sure, I can speak (Drop) the Word of the Lord over any situation! It is Quick and Powerful, and Sharper than any twoedged sword (Heb. 4:12). Amen!

I have been praying for some time that the Lord would excite my heart with His Word and anoint me to write about it. He has answered that prayer! I started reading Jeremiah Chapter 43. God told him to prophesy to the remnant of Judah warning them Not to flee into Egypt to escape Babylonian captivity. They did not obey.

I somehow ended up in Ezekiel Chapter 20. It came to pass that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the Lord. The Lord said, “As I live, I will not be enquired of by you”. When He brought them out of the land of Egypt, He told them to cast away their abominations, and not to be defiled with the idols of Egypt.

As I was reading Chapter 21 the excitement hit me!

21:2 Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word (20:46) toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel. In verse 6 he instructs Ezekiel to sigh with bitterness before their eyes, so that when they ask him why he can answer to them, because of what is coming upon you. In verse 12 God instructs him to cry and howl for the terrors to be brought upon His people by reason of the sword. He also instructs him to smite his thigh. God tells him in verse 14 to clap his hands as he prophesies in representation of the sword being doubled the third time.

In reading these scriptures I tried to Invision these things. I even laughed with great joy. He Is a Radicle God! I thought of the times that I had the unction to walk around my kitchen table while clapping my hands and setting my face toward the people that I was praying for while I spoke the Words, “Dry bones hear the word of the Lord and LIVE”.

I pray that I will always remember to set my face in the in the proper direction, and to practice dropping the Word of God. It would be the greatest honor to be radical for my Lord, Amen.

Isaiah 55:10-11

10. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11. So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Crooner: Typically, a male singer who sings sentimental songs in a soft, low voice.

I had this word in my head for two days, but I didn’t know what it meant, so I googled it. For the next two days I had a song in there as well. It goes as follows:

“I keep falling in love with him over and over and, over and over again. He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. Oh, what a love between my Lord and I, just keep falling in love with him over and over and over and over again.”

I do not think that this was a mere coincidence. I have been seeking God for quite some time to let me hear His voice again. My actual prayer was this, “Lord let me fall in love with you again. Teach me to keep my eyes and ears open and My Mouth Shut! Please let me hear Your Voice. ” As I lotion my feet each day I also pray that He will guide and direct my steps.

I have not fallen away from God, in fact, God has been moving mightily in the lives of my family and doing works that Only He could do, yet I have been exposed to an atmosphere that has caused me to face my scars.

The truth is that I have some ugliness inside of me. The good news is that God is faithful. He Sings Songs of Deliverance Over Me. He is the first and Greatest Crooner of All Time.

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah (musical pause) KJV

I have come to the realization that the longer we live, the more baggage we can carry. God has shown me that this is not an excuse to be controlled by the Flesh in my attitudes and behavior.

Sometimes we separate sin. God does not. This is clear in the 5th chapter of Galatians. Variance, (quarreling), Strife (discontentment), Lasciviousness (wantonness), and Envy (jealousy) are listed right along with Witchcraft, Idolatry, Adultery, Murder, and Drunkenness.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 4 goes hand in hand with this teaching, stating that we are to Walk worthy of the vocation of our calling, with Lowliness, Meekness, and Longsuffering, forbearing one another in Love.

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto the quickly, and I will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

I am not saying that I have overcame my shortcomings. I cannot acquire the fruits of the Spirit on my own. I am saying that I have heard His voice. He speaks to us in many different ways. I can repent. His Mercy is new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23). If I draw nigh unto Him, He will draw nigh unto me (James 4:8).

Psalm 32 1 Blessed is he whose transgression is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was upon me: my moisture is turned into drought of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6 For this shall every one that is Godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held with a bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

For the past year God has thumped me with Galatians 5 and Ephesians 4, now with Psalm32 and Revelation 2 He has encouraged me and given me direction. As you have read this, I hope that you can see the Relationship between a frail human being and an All Knowing, Merciful Savior. I also hope this is an encouragement for those who feel that they are falling short. Just keep talking to God and Listen for His Voice. Do Not Give Up! He Is Faithful, Amen.

References

King James Bible

Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness came by the law; then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV)

This post goes out to those who struggle with Self-Condemnation and Religion. Life is a Journey, and We All fall down sometimes. The spirit is at war with the flesh. We All have our own life struggles and personal demons to fight. The One Element of Survival is Faith. It is what gives us the Strength to Get Up, Dust ourselves off, and move forward.

It is Ironic that Paul wrote not only the book of Galatians, but three-fourths of the New Testament, since he was a Hebrew of Hebrews (Pharisee) (Phil. 3:4-6), and a persecutor of Christians (Gal. 1:9). He counted all of that dung that he would win Christ, and be found in Him, not having his own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is the righteousness of God by Faith. He was a chosen vessel of God for a Greater picture of Grace (Acts 9:15).

In the Old Testament (Covenant) men lived under the Levitical Law. That law could not change the hearts of men (Heb. 8:10) or disannul the PROMISE that God gave to Abraham four-hundred-thirty years earlier. That PROMISE was JESUS CHRIST. When we are Baptized into Christ we become the Seeds of Abraham, and heirs according to the PROMISE (Galatians 3).

Therefore, let us Stand fast in the Liberty in which Christ has made us free, knowing that God is looking on the Inner Man. Let us come Boldly to the Throne of Grace with An Open and Honest Heart. No matter what personal demons we are fighting (Drugs, Pornography, Alcoholism, Hatred, etc…). God Is Bigger! The Blood of bulls and goats could not cleanse a man, but the Blood of Christ and the Indwelling of His Spirit can (Heb. 9:12). We are no longer under the law of sin and death. We are under a Greater Law, which is Love Unfeigned.

This Love not only gives us the Grace that we need on our Journey, but it empowers us to walk in this Higher Calling along the way. God is So Faithful! He knows that we will fall down, so He teaches us Line Upon Line, Precept upon Precept (Isaiah 28:9-10).

The Book of Galatians was my inspiration for this post. I have read it many times before, but this time God has given me a Life Changing Revelation. It is so Evident in these scriptures how Personal God is, and how He really does look on the Heart (1 Sam. 16:7). No matter how many times that I attend church, or tithe, or how I present my bodily appearance, my connection (openness) with God Must be Strong enough to Change My Inner Man, To Create the Kind of Faith in me that Makes me get up when I fall.

I can’t worry about how someone else is walking. God wants me to look at how I am walking. He has filled me with His Spirit, and Tabernacles within My Heart. I am now Empowered to overcome the works of the flesh, such as living in Wantonness, Jealousy, Competition, and Debate. These may appear to be small things, but in God’s eyes they are big things that can cost me Heaven (Gal. 5:17-21), but when I submit myself wholly unto the Lord, it produces the Fruit of the Spirit in which I cannot attain on my own. These Fruits are not only necessary in my effectiveness for Christ, but they are also necessary for my own Peacefulness of Life as well. I must also say that these are areas in which I have failed miserably in times past, but I have been learning how fulfilling Meekness, Humbleness, and Giving of myself can be. It is truly Amazing!

Let us be like Paul, putting our yesterdays behind us, and reaching forward for the prize of the High Calling of God (Phil.3:13-14), which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1) (Lifestyle).

May We All Grow in Grace and Knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen

References

Photo Tabernacle in the Wilderness https://www.amazon.com

Photo https://www.salvationandsurvival.com

Bel bows down and Nebo stoops (Isaiah 46:1).

They are set in their place having No Power to Move or to Save (Isaiah 46:7). Who hath formed a god, or molten an image that is profitable for nothing (Isaiah 44;10)? The Lord Hates Idolatry (Deuteronomy 16:22) (KJV).

This is not a suggestion. It is a commandment. “Thou shall have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…. (Exodus 20:3-5)”

Thus saith the Lord and King of Israel, and his redeemer (Holy Spirit) the Lord of hosts, I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6)

In this day and time, the effects of globalism are being felt around the world. While we walk in love toward our fellow man, we must Hold On to our Unwavering Faith. We no longer have to travel the world to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), but God has placed the reaping field in our own back yard.

We are surely living in the end times. While some are in desperation they are being drawn away from the truth. Some having itchy ears (2Timothy 4:3), and some being Puffed Up in Their Own Knowledge, “Ever learning and never able to come to the Knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). They practice Occultism (Wicca) and idolatry. Their earthly wisdom and knowledge has perverted them. Their enchantments and sorceries will not prevail. Their astrologers, stargazers, and prognosticators (fortune tellers) will not be able to save them from the things to come (Isaiah 47).

Death is hard, and a certainty of life. While we all would like to believe that that every one goes to heaven, that is Surely Not the case. There is only one door ( John 10:7), and His Name Is Jesus (Philippians 2:9-10). You Must be born again (John 3:17). “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God (Romans 2:29).

My God is Not an idol! He has hands that move, eyes that see, ears that hear, and a heart that can be touched with feelings of my infirmities ( Hebrews 4:15). He is the Creator of ALL things (Acts 17:22-28) (Genesis 1:1-3). He will Carry Me from the Cradle to the Grave. He has made me. He will deliver me (Isaiah 46:4). There is None like Him. He has declared the end from the beginning. He Is God All By Himself! He will do His pleasure, and His Counsel Will Stand (Isaiah 46:10).

Isaiah 44-48 is such an Awesome read! Babylon was the center of Intellectual life in Western Asia (Merril Unger). It was home to magicians, sorcerers, diviners, and other Occults. Chaldean astrologers were proficient in the practice of astrology, ( Daniel 2 “conjurers”). Israel was under their captivity for seventy years for punishment for the practice of Idolatry. As you will find, My God is a God of Covenant. Although He may feed us with the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, He Always Redeems us ( Isaiah 30:20-21). He will never break Covenant or alter what His lips have uttered (Psalm 89:34).

As I noted earlier, God knows the end from the beginning. He knew that we would be transgressors from the womb (Isaiah 48:8), but He says “;from the time that it was, there am I: (Isaiah 48:16)”. King Josiah (of Judah) was mentioned 300 years before his birth (1Kings 13:2) . He put down the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the city of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven (2Kings 23:5).

Jeremiah preached for 40 years, appealing to Judah to repent from idolatry and to turn back to God. He prophesied that God was going to give Judah over to the king of Babylon, and it would be burned with fire (Jeremiah 34:2), also in the first year of King Zedekiah’s reign (son of Josiah), Jeremiah prophesied again that Judah would go into Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 27). Nine years later Babylon besieged it (Jeremiah 39). My God confirms the words of his servants, and performs the counsel of His messengers ( Isaiah 44:26).

Because He is a God of Covenant and Redemption, we are sometimes chosen in the furnace of affliction, and refined in the fire (Isaiah 48:10). Although He gives us the Rod of Correction, like our earthly parents, He doesn’t take it kindly when we are mistreated. Therefore, He would not meet Babylon as a man (Isaiah 47:3). He anointed King Cyrus (Gentile), called him by his name, and surnamed him, even though Cyrus did not know him (Isaiah 45:1-4). Babylon fell in 39BC to this Persian King. God says, “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else (Isaiah 45:5-6).

Isaiah 44:12-17

The smith with the tongs both works in the coals and fashions it with hammers, and works with the strength of his arms: yea he is hungry, and his strength fails, and he drinks no water and is faint. The carpenter stretches out his rule; he marks it out with a line; he fits it with plains, and marks it out with a compass, and makes it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. He cuts down the cedars and the cypress and the oak which he replenished in the forest: he plants an ash and the rain nourishes it. Then he burns it to warm himself with, and to bake bread; then he makes a god, and worships it; he makes a graven image, and falls down to it. He burns part of it; and roasts flesh to eat; and is satisfied. With the residue he makes a god, even his graven image; he falls down to it, and worships it, and prays for it to deliver him.

Isaiah 44:19-20

And none considers in his heart, neither is there knowledge or understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yes, also I have baked bread on the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh and eaten it: and I shall make the residue thereof an ABOMINATION? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feeds on ashes: a deceived heart has turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his own soul, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand?

God did not speak in secret, in a dark place of the earth: He did not say to the seed of Jacob (Israel, a Jew Inwardly) to seek Him in vain ( Isaiah 45:19). He said ” They have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20). In His mercy and grace He is still calling, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, All the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else “(Isaiah 45:22).

References

Merrill F. Unger, D.H. (1988). The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago.

Photo – https://www.worldhistory.org/Nabu/

Photo – https://freethinkerjon.blogspot.com/2019/07/ancient-god-bel-baal-main-character-in.html

Hebrews 12:12-14

Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight the paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (KJV). (Holiness – State of Purity) ( Strong’s, 1992)

From the beginning God called us to be a separate people unto Himself. This is clearly seen in the first Abrahamic Covenant, the Covenant of Circumcision (Genesis 17:13). This Covenant of the flesh was a betokening of the Consecration of the Heart to God (Barnes’ Notes). God called it an Everlasting Covenant.

This site is called “my heart”, so that is what I must share. Not only has the state of our world been weighing heavy upon me, but the state of our churches is burdensome to me as well.

We are All just people! We all fall down sometimes, but there is a difference between falling down and falling away. I believe that we are living in the last days, and there is a shaking going on that those things that cannot be shaken may remain (Hebrews 12:26-27), (Haggai 2). It is also in my mind that in these trying times many will turn to God. He is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any would perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

I started out to write a post on Hebrews 12 because it spoke so much to my heart in the clarity of a relationship, not a religion. It speaks about how we should not despise the chastening of the Lord. Whom He Loves He Does Chastise. We are dealt with as sons, not bastards. Much more than we have reverenced our earthly fathers, we should be under subjection to the Father of spirits, and live (12:9).

It is impossible to read Hebrews 12 without first reading Hebrews 11, which is referred to as ,”the faith chapter”. There the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 can be found. In remembering the miracles, hardships, sacrifices, and martyrdoms, we are Called to lay aside Every weight and sin that so easily besets us, and to Run with patience the race that is set before us (12:1). We are reminded to consider the sufferings of Christ as not to become weary and faint in our minds.

It is also Vital to understand that by Grace we are saved Through Faith (Ephesians2:8-9). We are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 4:23). It is sad that many people think that grace gives us a cloak to sin. If that were so, then there would have been no need for Jesus to call us to repentance (Mathew 4:17). The Ark pictured above carried the Ten Commandments, Not the ten suggestions. In keeping His Commandments we are honoring our Covenant with God, and they are not grievous to us(1John 2:3).

I so.. Love this Word! This 12th chapter of Hebrews calls us to persevere in our Faith. It appears to me that it’s no about the falling down, but it is about the getting up again. It is a matter of the heart, as David was a man after God’s own heart. We are not called to Mount Sanai that burned with fire as in the Old Testament, but we are come to Mount Sion, and unto the city of the LIVING GOD (12:22), and to Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant (12:24). Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom that cannot be moved, Let Us Have Grace, Wherefore We May Serve God ACCEPTABLY With Reverence and Godly Fear: For our God Is a Consuming Fire.

Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight the paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (KJV). (Holiness – State of Purity) (Strong’s, 1992)

My prayer is that we would lay these words to heart. That we would straighten our paths and be healed, and not forever turned side-ways. That we would lift up our hands in praise, not because of who we are, and no matter what we have done, but because we know that there is NO life outside of Christ, and that He Loves us. His heart can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and His Mercies are new everyday. That we would bend our feeble knees, and learn to follow peace, without bitterness in our hearts, and that we would come apart and be separate from this present world, without such No man shall see God, Amen.

There are no changes in the attributes of God, or the principles of His government. He is not a friend of sin. We should fear the displeasure of God as much as they did under the old Covenant. We should serve God with profound reverence and unwavering Fidelity (Barnes’ Notes).

References

James Strong, S. L. (1992). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible. World Bible Publishers, Inc.

Barnes, A. (1834). Internet Sacred texts Archive. Retrieved from Bible Hub: biblehub.com

Photo –Webbe Holy Ark of the Covenant Bloomsbury Market retrieved from www.wayfair.com March 3, 2021

 Zechariah 4:7 
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

In the past year I have been going through many changes. Personally, I have found my life to be very challenging, and very rewarding at the same time. Considering the state of our government, Covid, and our economy, I am sure that I am not the only one who has been feeling the strain. It is my heartfelt hope that as we Overcome, our roots will be planted deeper in Christ, and that each coming day brings the excitement that Only comes from Knowing the Lord.

I am only flesh, and sometimes I feel weary. I have been going through one of those times lately, feeling like the mountain is too high to climb. God is good and has encouraged me with his Word, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts (heavenly armies)” (Zech 4:6). Oh, My Goodness! I had to read the book.

The book of Zechariah is one of the most apocalyptical and Messianic books of the Old Testament. Although God was calling Zechariah to preach repentance to Israel, and to rebuild the temple, prophesy about Christ (The Branch) and His return to rule as King Sovereign are given more than 500 years BC. Even the thirty pieces of silver, and the potters house are foretold. They took Nothing from Jesus, but He laid his own life down. Judas sold him out for the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32). I am sure that I will never understand the fullness of God’s word, but I do understand what God spoke into me as I read this book. Satin had a plot, BUT GOD, had a plan. I believe these Myrtle trees could be symbolic of God’s healing. Oh how He Loves us!

Today’s world offers a lot of watered-down Christianity. To be Sold-Out to Christ is often considered to be Fanatical. The truth is that we must choose who we will serve each day. God has called us out to be separate from the world (2 Cor. 6:17), to be Biblically correct, not politically correct. That will never change. There is not even a shadow of turning in Him (James 1:17). He is and will Always be The God of Covenant, The Only God. The great I AM (Exodus 3:14)!

God called Abraham, our founding father, out of Idolatry (Genesis 12). Genesis is the Book of Beginnings, and from the Beginning, He is the God of Covenant (Genesis 9:13). Circumcision was a token of Covenant that was carried in the flesh (Genesis 17:9-11). We are under the New Covenant (Testament) of Jesus Christ, and our circumcision is of the heart (Col. 2:29).

He is a Jealous God (Zech. 8:2). The First Commandment is, “Thou shalt have No other gods before thee”, and the Second is like unto it, “Thou shalt Not make unto thee Any graven image” (Ex. 20:3-4). Idolatry was the reason God’s people went into captivity in Babylon (Jer.20). He gave Commandments, Not Suggestions.

The Book of Zechariah is still relevant in our lives today. We suffer the consequences of our sin, but God is Always waiting for us to repent, and eager to restore. Sometimes we are refined in the fire. We are spiritual people on this carnal journey. We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).

My heart melts as God refers to His children as the apple of His eye (Zech. 2:8). He see’s every tear that falls, and says to Babylon, “I will not meet thee as a man” (Isaiah 47). There have been times in my life when I thought that I wanted to see God’s hand of vengeance on my enemy. Thanks be to God who has circumcised my heart that I found no joy in It. It has Always been about the heart with God (1 Sam 16:7).

Many times, in our frail lives we look at our past, present, and future, feeling like we are past restoration. We comprehend Overcoming as a Mountain too Big to climb. The reality is that, not by our might or by our power, but by the Spirit of God we can Overcome the mountains in front of us and turn the mountains of our past into plains. Jesus is the stone that remains. He is our strong foundation, and the Chief Cornerstone of our faith (Eph. 2:20). He has given us Power to speak to the mountains (Matt. 17:20).

The photo above is a visual that I have chosen to keep in my mind. It says to me, “Fear Not, but let your hands be strong (Zech. 8:13). The mountain of your past is gone. Jesus is the rock that remains, and I am saved by Grace. I am a Jew inwardly, grafted in by the circumcision of my heart (Romans 2:29). I Am The Apple of God’s Eye, An Overcomer. (Rev.3:21).

References

King James Bible

Photo – West Memorials Headstones Designs & Cemetery Monuments Nationwide http://www.westmemorials.com

Ecclesiastes 1:9

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing  under the sun. (KJV)

After reading the book of Ezra, the above scripture in the book of Ecclesiastes was so relevant in my mind! Just as God’s people have forsaken him in times past, here we are again, living in a world where everything that exalts it’s self against God is excepted in our society, and Christians are living under persecution. The good news is that God always comes to our rescue, and at this present time we are awaiting our final redemption               (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Ezra 1:1-2

(1) Now the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, (2) Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, the Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is at Judah.

I spent some time cross referencing and I was excited to learn that the prophet Jeremiah had prophesied about King Cyrus more than one hundred thirty years before his time (Merrill F. Unger, 1988). Gods people had gone into Babylonian captivity for the sin of Idolatry. Jeremiah 25:12-14 is a prophecy pertaining to the fall of the Babylonian empire upon the completion of the seventy years of Jewish captivity,  which is followed by a prophecy of God’s goodness towards his people.

Jeremiah 29:10-11

(10) For thus saith the Lord, that after seventy years be accomplished in Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. (11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts  peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

I was also excited to learn that the Prophet Isaiah had prophesied about King Cyrus approximately one hundred and sixty years before his reign (Merrill F. Unger, 1988). Isaiah 44:24-28 and 45:1-4, speak of how God confirms the word of His servant and performs the counsel of His messengers. He calls Cyrus His shepherd and proclaims that Jerusalem will be built, even to the temple, and it’s foundation shall be laid. I love it how God speaks to Cyrus before he is even born, “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches in secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me (45:3-4).

My heart was touched in so many ways in the reading of this book! Here we see that God does indeed confirm the word of his servant and perform the word of their counsel. The total number of people returning from exile was 42,360 Jews and 7,337 servants and maids. They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 asses (Ezra 2:64-67).

It was in the second year of their coming into the house of the Lord that the foundations of the temple were laid. When I read Ezra 3:10-13 my heart melted. Oh how I long to see this kind of praise in the churches today! The people shouted a great shout, and the ancient men who had seen the first house were either weeping or shouting aloud. It was so loud that people heard it far afar off, and they could not discern between the shouting or the weeping.

Just when things were going good the adversary tried to put a stop to them. I can relate to that! In chapter four their enemies try to hinder their work. The people weakened their hands, and troubled them in the building. They hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, and a letter is even sent to the king. The work was ceased for nearly two years. Oh, but how I love what happens in chapter five! The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied unto them in the name of the God of Israel. Then they rose up to build, and the prophets with them. They could not be stopped because the eye of God was upon them, moreover in chapter six King Darius makes a decree that whosoever shall alter his word concerning the matter would be hung on a timber that was pulled from his own house (6:11).

The next turn of events are that the temple was completed, the Passover was celebrated, and a ready (quick, skillful,and diligent) scribe by the name of Ezra enters the scene (James Strong, 1992). He had the favor of the king because the good hand of the Lord his God was upon him. He had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgements (7:10).

I loved the picture of humanity in chapter eight. Ezra is bringing over 2,000 more Jews back to Jerusalem with him, but says that he was Ashamed to ask the king for a band of horseman to help them against their enemies along the way, because he told the king that the hand of God was upon All them for good who seek him. He calls for a fast instead, and they are entreated of God (8:21-23).

Now as this book nears the end Ezra mourns because the Jews had mingled themselves with the people of the lands.

Ezra 9:5-6

(5) And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God, (6) And said, Oh my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Ezra 9:11-12 are clear in stating the separation that God requires of his people. We are not to marry into Idolatry, nor to seek the Peace or the Wealth of this world for ever. We are reminded of this in the New Testament as well, (2 Corinthians 6: 17-18) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

I have named this entry “Free Indeed”. I found it fitting because the Son has made us free, therefore we are free indeed (John 8:36). Because Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave, we are now the temple of God, and have received the Spirit of adoption. Whether we see the rapture or the grave, nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39). Therefore I shall flee this present Babylon with singing (Isaiah 48:20). There may not be anything new under the sun, but there will be new heaven and a new earth under the Son. Surely our redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28). We shall be Free Indeed!

References

Merrill F. Unger, D.H. (1988). The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago.

James Strong, S. L. (1992). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible. World Bible Publishers, Inc.

Photo by Pixaby on Pexels.com

As I was driving to work one morning last week, I just wanted to give God a Big, Radical Praise! Then I started thinking about how the world sees such a thing. As I watch many shout for their favorite ball teams and such, I am puzzled that they think some of us are crazy for giving the One in whom we Live, and Move, and Have Our Being; a Radical Praise!, (Acts 17:28).

As I pondered on these things it came into my mind to do a word study, so I googled it. As I read the meaning of the word “Radical”, my heart melted because I understood that My God Is, and Was Radical For Me.

Radical

adjective

1. (especially of change or action) relating to or effecting the fundamental nature of something; far reaching or thorough.

“a radical overhaul of the existing regulatory framework”

synonyms: thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, entire, absolute, utter, comprehensive, root and branch, sweeping, far reaching, wide-ranging,extensive, profound drastic, severe,serious, major,desperate, stringent, violent, forceful, rigorous, draconian

“radical reform is long overdue”

I LOVE THIS!!!

Relative to this meaning, I think that the photo (pictured above) is perfect for the theme of this post. This is a perfect picture of that “root to branch” connection that’s keeping us alive. He knew that the blood of bulls and goats could not perfect our hearts, pertaining to our conscious, so He sent Jesus to shine in our hearts (Hebrews 10:1-23). Because He conquered death, hell and the grave, we have received the Spirit of adoption, which is the Power by which we stand in this present dark world (Rev. 1:18, Rom. 8:15).

(Holy Bible, King James Version)

In the words of Christ:
“But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26). “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7).

Because He is so Absolute in His love for me, in His far reaching, wide-ranging mercy, He reached Way…. down for me. He knew that I was going to need a change in my fundamental nature, a “radical overhaul of my existing regulatory framework“. I was eighteen years old when I received the baptism in the Holy Ghost. A gift (the Power) that He knew that I was going to need for the radical reform that was much needed, and long overdue in my life. He knew me before any of my members were formed (psalm 139), and like Jacob, I was a transgressor from my mothers womb (Isaiah 48:8), also like Jacob, I am chosen in the furnace of affliction, and refined in the fire (48:10).

Some may say that those scriptures were for a different time, and a different people, but the two-fold application can’t be understood in the flesh. It is opened unto us through the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:4-6). We should never compromise the power and healing that flows from the word of God. “It is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discern-er of the thoughts and intents of the heart” ( Heb. 14-2).

As I read the 48th chapter of Isaiah I can understand that He is the first and the last. My heart leaps with joy to know that from the beginning; from the time that it was, He said, “there am I”;

Taking that down to a personal level, my heart is overwhelmed with a Crazy, Radical Praise! Oh if only I would have hearkened to His commandments! then my peace would have been as a river! Therefore I will flee “this Babylon” with the voice of singing, and I will declare that He hath redeemed me. I will tell of the great and mighty acts that He has done in my life.

I am now a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God, through the Spirit of God; I am built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians. 2:20)

I am God’s building (1 Cor. 3:9).

“1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also has given us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight) 8 We are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 1-10).

In conclusion, I think that it is fair to say that God is Radical for me! He has covered me from the cradle to the grave. I am so thankful for the “radical overhaul of my existing regulatory framework”! Again, Therefore I will flee “this Babylon” with the voice of singing, and I will declare that He hath redeemed me. I will tell of the great and mighty acts that He has done in my life, Amen!

I had a dream once. It looked like this, except the word “problem” was the numerator, and the word ” answer” was the denominator. I was the little spec, and I knew that All of the white was God.

I supposed at that time, that God was telling me that in the equation of life, for every problem, there is an answer. Looking at my journey since that time, I realize that God Himself is the determining factor in the equation. For every problem, He Is the answer.

I have known many people who were born with much more potential than myself, yet they are gone, and I still remain. I know in my heart that it is because of the God Factor. I am ashamed that sometimes I question why. I am just a little spec of flesh. My journey has been hard, and the road seems so long. From day to day His Word is my strength to go on.

John 6:63

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life, (King James Version).

This year has been one of my hardest. The enemy tries to trouble me with doubt. He keeps reminding me that I am getting older now, telling me that my circumstances may never change. He was a liar from the beginning, and I choose to believe God! I know that He is a moving on God! He doesn’t just sit in one place like and idol! He has hands that move, ears that hear, and a heart that is touched with the feelings of My infirmities! He breathed on me, and I received His Spirit (John 20:22)! If God so chooses I will say along with Caleb,” I am now eighty-five years old, and I am still strong enough to take that mountain.”

The world sees this kind of faith as foolish, and that is sad. In all of it’s knowledge, the eyes of the world cannot see, nor can a worldly heart understand . The technological explosion has blown apart cultural living around the world, and idolatry has become common place. We are reminded that He is the ONLY God, and that Is our witness, (Is. 44). He Utterly voids out the signs of liars, and makes fortune tellers mad; He makes the knowledge of wise men foolish. He confirms the word of His servant, and performs the counsel of His messengers (Is.44). He is Not as Bel and Nebo, stooping and bowing as they are carried away. Our God doesn’t need for us to carry Him, for He is the one who carries us (Is.46:1-4). Idolatry is a Big Deal! COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT SUGGESTIONS, 1st AND 2cd: You shall have No other gods before you; you shall not worship false gods. God destroyed many for this reason, and that is why His people were in bondage in Babylon.

I pondered on why God called Babylon the Virgin daughter of the Chaldeans . I am sure it was because the city was beautifully adorned, like a virgin in her coat of many colors, yet it was polluted just like its mother, referring to the Chaldean’s skillful practice in astrology (Unger, 2005). This text is a great example of the love that God has for us, and the aspect of Relationship is clearly seen. Although His children were being punished, as a father would punish his child, the Chaldeans had shown them no mercy. For this reason, when God took His vengeance, He did Not meet them as a man (Is. 47). I LOVE THAT!

He has already redeemed us, yet we put ourselves into bad situations. Sometimes we are fed with the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but it is for our own good. When we finally get it, we toss sin aside like a dirty menstrual garment. We learn to hear his voice behind us saying, ” This is the way, Walk ye in it,” (Is.30).

Personally, my life has been a mess from the floor up, but God Loves me! He has been working on me for a long… time. He is so personal! I had been praying for provision when I ran across these words,

” From the time that it was, there I AM

I am the Lord that teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth by the way that thou shouldest go.

O that thou hadst harkened to my commandments! then had thy Peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:, (Is 48:16-22)”

As I feed on His word, I understand that this world has Nothing to offer. Looking out, I see a world that is groping in darkness, as I use to be. Most are in and out of superficial relationships because they are looking for a savior. I have learned that there is only one; that is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 17:28

For In Him we live and move and have our being;

It is the God factor that determines the equation in all of our lives.

Factor- any of the circumstances, conditions, ect. that bring about a result; element or constituent that makes a thing what it is (Websters New World dictionary, 1988).

References

Unger, M.F. (2005). Unger Bible Dictionary. Oxford: Lion Hudson

Simon and Schuster. (1988). In Websters New World Dictionary (3rd ed.).

New York, New York