Dan. {9:26} And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself
The Messiah would be cut off- but not for himself.
This was foretold many years before Christ came. Jesus was cut off... Jesus' life was cut short and why? Not for himself, but us, for all others.
I looked it up- the predictions of Christ in the Old Testament, fulfilled in the New Testament and I want to go through them one by one.
Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
Isa. {7:14} Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall
call his name Immanuel.
Matt. {1:21} And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save
his people from their sins. {1:22} Now all this was done,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by
the prophet, saying, {1:23} Behold, a virgin shall be with
child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his
name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
(A sign from the Lord himself. Could there be a greater sign? The Lord God created man who better to create a child in the womb of a virgin? God is a creator, the Creator. All that is create has been so by the Lord. We live in a world we tend to take for granted, a world we say just is, but the very ground we walk upon was created. The air we breathe was created. The sun, the moon, the stars were created. We are surrounded by God's majesty and we have the audacity to proclaim it has all just become in a mystery by itself that there is no God. Things just are. We just are. We believe we always have been and yet that isn't true. We measure things in a time frame that has no real basis because we didn't even creat time. Yes, we say the words scientifically and yet all things scientific are formulated by man with limited knowledge trying to put pieces together, to make them fit in a way that doesn't call for faith. It's ludicrous and yet accepted. Those who don't accept it are told they are dense, told they are ignorant, told they don't have the brains to comprehend. People call God mere fantasy and fairy tale, and cling to their own suppositions.
How can man look to the sky and not believe? And yet, so many don't believe.
How can people look into the face of a newborn babe, a life created, a miracle, and not believe?
'A virgin shall be with child.'
'...a sign, behold a virgin shall conceieve.'
God, our creator, created life within a virgin womb. Truly a sign of His majesty. God would be with us and He chose the vessel of a human to do so, taking on humanity, to become like us those created. The Uncreated One became Created in Jesus.
God is love, such amazing love, love beyond our comprehension.
May the Lord open our hearts to His amazing love, His sacrifice.
When the world insists to believe is to be deceived, may we continue to believe knowing those with delusions are those who won't believe.
*******
A descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16)
Gen. {12:1} Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out
of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s
house, unto a land that I will shew thee: {12:2} And I will
make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make
thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: {12:3} And I
will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth
thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen. {22:18} And
in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Matt. {1:1} The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.
Gal. {3:16} Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one,
And to thy seed, which is Christ
*******
Of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14)
Gen. {49:10} The sceptre shall not
depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the
people [be.]
Luke {3:23} And Jesus himself began to be about thirty
years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,
which was [the son] of Heli.
Luke {3:33} Which was [the son] of Aminadab, which was [the
son] of Aram, which was [the son] of Esrom, which was
[the son] of Phares, which was [the son] of Juda.
Heb. {7:14} For [it is]
evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe
Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
*******
Of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)
2 Sam. {7:12} And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt
sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee,
which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish
his kingdom. {7:13} He shall build an house for my name,
and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
{7:14} I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he
commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and
with the stripes of the children of men: {7:15} But my
mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from
Saul, whom I put away before thee. {7:16} And thine house
and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee:
thy throne shall be established for ever.
Matt. {1:1} The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.
*******
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)
Micah {5:2} But thou, Bethlehem
Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is]
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of
old, from everlasting.
Matt. {2:1} Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea
in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men
from the east to Jerusalem
Luke {2:4} And Joseph
also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) {2:5}
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child. {2:6} And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. {2:7}
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there
was no room for them in the inn.
*******
Taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15)
Hos. {11:1} When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and
called my son out of Egypt.
Matt. {2:14} When he arose, he took
the young child and his mother by night, and departed into
Egypt: {2:15} And was there until the death of Herod: that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
*******
Herod´s killing of the infants (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18)
Jeremiah {31:15} Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in
Ramah, lamentation, [and] bitter weeping; Rahel weeping
for her children refused to be comforted for her children,
because they [were] not.
Matt. {2:16} Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of
the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and
slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the
coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to
the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
{2:17} Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy
the prophet, saying, {2:18} In Rama was there a voice
heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not.
*******
Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17)
Isaiah {11:2} And
the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD
{3:16} And Jesus,
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the
water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him: {3:17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
*******
Praise the Lord!
More to come...
By the mercy and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
He had compassion on her
God of wonders!
Luke
{7:11} And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. {7:12} Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
{7:13} And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
{7:14} And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare [him] stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
{7:15} And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
{7:16} And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
{7:17} And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
When the Lord saw her he had compassion on her.
Weep not.
The Lord was moved by the grief of the mother who had lost her only son.
Jesus understood the love of a mother, he understood the heartache a mother felt when she lost her son. Jesus' mother would lose her son. The pain of grief, the overwhelming agony of loss, it can be all consuming and Jesus' heart was torn by the grief he was witnessing. He could have walked by. The woman didn't go to him, the woman didn't beg him, the woman was lost to her pain. When Jesus saw her he had compassion on her. He went to her, he told her to weep not.
Upon hearing those words what do we suppose the woman thought?
Weep not.
But the pain was so intense. The grief so raw.
Do you suppose she looked up with her tear-filled eyes and saw His compassion and something in her instantly believed Him, believed that she should no longer weep, believed that when he said to 'weep not' that she could trust Him, that she should stop the tears, that He would take care of her pain?
I like to think it happened just like that. She turned her gaze up to Him and she believed, she knew, there was something in His eyes, His voice that told her here was someone to believe, someone she could trust even though she'd never met Him before.
That gaze probably lasted all of a few long moments and the Jesus was moving to the bier.
He went to where the woman's son was laid out in his burial shroud. He saw the dead man there upon the bier that was carrying him off to his grave where he'd be buried. Dead. The young man was dead and Jesus moved over to where the dead boy lay and touched the moving bier and all the men carrying him stopped. Jesus then spoke to the dead man, not to those carrying him. He spoke to the dead. He said, 'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.'
Arise.
Jesus said...
'I say unto thee, arise.'
Arise.
Jesus' power flowed through His words bringing life to the dead. Jesus commanded the dead man to rise.
The dead had no choice but to listen, none. Jesus' word brought life and the compassion He felt for the mother was realized in the act He performed on her son. Life. Sorrows abated. Death defeated.
God of wonders!
What person who has ever lost a loved one to death wouldn't do all they could to bring the loved one back. Their heart is aching, their grief raw, the loss overwhelming and it could all be wiped away, all of it.
Miracles of miracles! The impossible wrought by the compassion of the Lord.
Death has no power over the Lord, none.
Death cannot win over Him.
Death, something none of us can defeat. Death that none have power over, none save the Lord. There isn't a single other entity that can bring the dead to life. I'm not talking cpr type dead to life, the dead who are way past the possibility of being brought back to life, the dead who are cold skin and long past revival. Jesus has the power of the creator and bringing life to the dead is another form of creation.
There is no other God before God, none!
Jesus, our Lord.
Jesus, our Savior.
The wonders of God. So amazing!
Our Creator, our Redeemer!
The compassion Jesus has towards that woman's pain, that woman's loss. He has the same compassion towards us all. He promises to ease our pain, promises to bring life to those we love, to us and what does He ask for in return? Our love. And how, how can we not love someone that embodies all love is?
God is love.
Praise and glory to God, now and forever.
All mercy, all grace, flows from God.
Please Lord, have compassion upon us all by your grace.
Amen.
Luke
{7:11} And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. {7:12} Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
{7:13} And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
{7:14} And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare [him] stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
{7:15} And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
{7:16} And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
{7:17} And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
When the Lord saw her he had compassion on her.
Weep not.
The Lord was moved by the grief of the mother who had lost her only son.
Jesus understood the love of a mother, he understood the heartache a mother felt when she lost her son. Jesus' mother would lose her son. The pain of grief, the overwhelming agony of loss, it can be all consuming and Jesus' heart was torn by the grief he was witnessing. He could have walked by. The woman didn't go to him, the woman didn't beg him, the woman was lost to her pain. When Jesus saw her he had compassion on her. He went to her, he told her to weep not.
Upon hearing those words what do we suppose the woman thought?
Weep not.
But the pain was so intense. The grief so raw.
Do you suppose she looked up with her tear-filled eyes and saw His compassion and something in her instantly believed Him, believed that she should no longer weep, believed that when he said to 'weep not' that she could trust Him, that she should stop the tears, that He would take care of her pain?
I like to think it happened just like that. She turned her gaze up to Him and she believed, she knew, there was something in His eyes, His voice that told her here was someone to believe, someone she could trust even though she'd never met Him before.
That gaze probably lasted all of a few long moments and the Jesus was moving to the bier.
He went to where the woman's son was laid out in his burial shroud. He saw the dead man there upon the bier that was carrying him off to his grave where he'd be buried. Dead. The young man was dead and Jesus moved over to where the dead boy lay and touched the moving bier and all the men carrying him stopped. Jesus then spoke to the dead man, not to those carrying him. He spoke to the dead. He said, 'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.'
Arise.
Jesus said...
'I say unto thee, arise.'
Arise.
Jesus' power flowed through His words bringing life to the dead. Jesus commanded the dead man to rise.
The dead had no choice but to listen, none. Jesus' word brought life and the compassion He felt for the mother was realized in the act He performed on her son. Life. Sorrows abated. Death defeated.
God of wonders!
What person who has ever lost a loved one to death wouldn't do all they could to bring the loved one back. Their heart is aching, their grief raw, the loss overwhelming and it could all be wiped away, all of it.
Miracles of miracles! The impossible wrought by the compassion of the Lord.
Death has no power over the Lord, none.
Death cannot win over Him.
Death, something none of us can defeat. Death that none have power over, none save the Lord. There isn't a single other entity that can bring the dead to life. I'm not talking cpr type dead to life, the dead who are way past the possibility of being brought back to life, the dead who are cold skin and long past revival. Jesus has the power of the creator and bringing life to the dead is another form of creation.
There is no other God before God, none!
Jesus, our Lord.
Jesus, our Savior.
The wonders of God. So amazing!
Our Creator, our Redeemer!
The compassion Jesus has towards that woman's pain, that woman's loss. He has the same compassion towards us all. He promises to ease our pain, promises to bring life to those we love, to us and what does He ask for in return? Our love. And how, how can we not love someone that embodies all love is?
God is love.
Praise and glory to God, now and forever.
All mercy, all grace, flows from God.
Please Lord, have compassion upon us all by your grace.
Amen.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Revelation of the mystery
Romans
{16:25} Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began
{16:26} But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith
{16:27} To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
According to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began.
The mystery revealed.
The secret revealed.
The preaching of Jesus Christ.
Until the Messiah came, there was the looking for the Messiah. The mystery of His coming was unrevealed. The prophets spoke of His coming and men envisioned it as men do. We tend to add our own interpretation of things to the unknown, it's all we have to do right? Use our imaginations to envision situations presented to us. Sometimes the things we imagine come to pass just as we picture them, but most times they don't. We get things wrong, we skew them and then we either try to save face by changing our tune and calling our former beliefs still true and the actual facts wrong, or we accept them. It's harder to accept when we are wrong about something so vital to our future. It's hard to admit that we could have facts so confused. Yes, sometimes it's hard for us to break down our own self importance and we condemn ourselves because we can't admit we could be so amazingly wrong.
The future holds many things and the one thing we have to look to above all else, is Jesus. Without envisioning it all we have to cling to the hope in him. We have to cling to salvation through Him.
The mystery was revealed, the secret unfolded and Jesus Christ, the Son of God appeared, the Messiah came to bring salvation to all who would believe in him.
Jesus alone has the power to establish us according to His words.
The obedience of faith.
And yes... to God only wise be the glory through Jesus Christ forever.
By His grace and His mercy.
Amen.
{16:25} Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began
{16:26} But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith
{16:27} To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
According to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began.
The mystery revealed.
The secret revealed.
The preaching of Jesus Christ.
Until the Messiah came, there was the looking for the Messiah. The mystery of His coming was unrevealed. The prophets spoke of His coming and men envisioned it as men do. We tend to add our own interpretation of things to the unknown, it's all we have to do right? Use our imaginations to envision situations presented to us. Sometimes the things we imagine come to pass just as we picture them, but most times they don't. We get things wrong, we skew them and then we either try to save face by changing our tune and calling our former beliefs still true and the actual facts wrong, or we accept them. It's harder to accept when we are wrong about something so vital to our future. It's hard to admit that we could have facts so confused. Yes, sometimes it's hard for us to break down our own self importance and we condemn ourselves because we can't admit we could be so amazingly wrong.
The future holds many things and the one thing we have to look to above all else, is Jesus. Without envisioning it all we have to cling to the hope in him. We have to cling to salvation through Him.
The mystery was revealed, the secret unfolded and Jesus Christ, the Son of God appeared, the Messiah came to bring salvation to all who would believe in him.
Jesus alone has the power to establish us according to His words.
The obedience of faith.
And yes... to God only wise be the glory through Jesus Christ forever.
By His grace and His mercy.
Amen.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.
All puffed up with our selfish desires to put ourselves first and foremost in all things we are quick to see where we are offended by others. We note right off when others aren't being considerate of our needs, of our right to have things just so. We feel put upon when we do give to others only to be given no gratitude for all we do for them. We feel sorry for ourselves and we're quick to tell others when we've been slighted so they can feed into our selfishness by commisserating with us. We don't want to hear that we might be at fault we only want others to agree that we've been slighted and therefore deserving of pity or at least recognition that in some way we are the downtrodden not the one doing the downtrodding. When we see the subservient ones, when we hear of one allowing themselves to be badly used we shudder and wonder why they're not standing up for their rights, standing up for themselves against such abuse. We don't consider that it might not be abuse in the sense we believe. We are just so warped in our thinking by all these 'rights' people have that we are blinded to the truth. We don't want to be told that love is being selfless, not when the world is telling us to think of ourselves first and not let anyone step on our feelings in any way.
People want to know how they as Christians should be and all the while they cling to the bumper sticker saying that shouts, Christians aren't perfect just forgiven. Yes, that's the sort of Christian I am. That gives me the license to do as I'm inclined by my warped nature rather than hold myself accountable for my actions. Instead of repenting and by the grace of God putting off the old man and taking on the new, I can keep the old man and just keep asking for forgiveness without true repentance. This what people want.
Then we get the hounding from the devil that we don't even want to acknowledge as being hounding because it's thoughts we are thinking, so it makes it even worse when we hound ourselves with the thought that it's all too hard, too much, impossible for us to attain and well, just not going to happen. The despair quickly sets in and rather than cling tighter to Christ we loosen our hold letting it slip away as we condemn ourselves by saying it's just too hard, we're too weak. We don't realize that it is that very weakness we are proclaiming that brings the realization home that we need to be closer to Christ than ever, clinging to His love, His salvation, love and salvation we can never produce on our own.
The Bible tells us...
Romans 12:9-12:21
Let love be without dissimulation. ((dissimulation meaning- not being feigned, not pretended, not hidden, not diguised))
Abhor that which is evil.
Cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.
In honour preferring one another.
Not slothful in business.
Fervent in spirit.
Serving the Lord.
Rejoicing in hope.
Patient in tribulation.
Continuing instant in prayer.
Distributing to the necessity of saints.
Given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you.
Bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice.
And weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things.
But condescend to men of low estate.
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.
But rather give place unto wrath.
For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him.
If he thirst, give him drink.
For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
We justify our anger, our upset, our wrath by feeling put upon and pointing our fingers at those who have caused this in us, not realizing that they don't cause it at all. Our reactions are not determined by anyone's behavior. We determine our own reactions and if they are less than charitable it's not because anyone else has caused them to be so but rather our own failings have. Instead of pointing our finger and making excuses we need to ask for forgiveness for our responses no matter how much the world tries to convince us that we are justified in our anger, our upset, our vengence.
Please Lord, we would be Yours.
We know how unworthy we are and how Satan would have us ever despair of being truly Yours.
We cling to You Lord! We cling to You! You're our only hope!
By Your grace Lord, by Your mercy!
Save us!
Help us!
Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.
Help us!
By Your Love, Your Grace and Mercy, we cling to You Lord!
By Your Will now and forever!
Amen.
People want to know how they as Christians should be and all the while they cling to the bumper sticker saying that shouts, Christians aren't perfect just forgiven. Yes, that's the sort of Christian I am. That gives me the license to do as I'm inclined by my warped nature rather than hold myself accountable for my actions. Instead of repenting and by the grace of God putting off the old man and taking on the new, I can keep the old man and just keep asking for forgiveness without true repentance. This what people want.
Then we get the hounding from the devil that we don't even want to acknowledge as being hounding because it's thoughts we are thinking, so it makes it even worse when we hound ourselves with the thought that it's all too hard, too much, impossible for us to attain and well, just not going to happen. The despair quickly sets in and rather than cling tighter to Christ we loosen our hold letting it slip away as we condemn ourselves by saying it's just too hard, we're too weak. We don't realize that it is that very weakness we are proclaiming that brings the realization home that we need to be closer to Christ than ever, clinging to His love, His salvation, love and salvation we can never produce on our own.
The Bible tells us...
Romans 12:9-12:21
Let love be without dissimulation. ((dissimulation meaning- not being feigned, not pretended, not hidden, not diguised))
Abhor that which is evil.
Cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.
In honour preferring one another.
Not slothful in business.
Fervent in spirit.
Serving the Lord.
Rejoicing in hope.
Patient in tribulation.
Continuing instant in prayer.
Distributing to the necessity of saints.
Given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you.
Bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice.
And weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things.
But condescend to men of low estate.
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.
But rather give place unto wrath.
For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him.
If he thirst, give him drink.
For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
We justify our anger, our upset, our wrath by feeling put upon and pointing our fingers at those who have caused this in us, not realizing that they don't cause it at all. Our reactions are not determined by anyone's behavior. We determine our own reactions and if they are less than charitable it's not because anyone else has caused them to be so but rather our own failings have. Instead of pointing our finger and making excuses we need to ask for forgiveness for our responses no matter how much the world tries to convince us that we are justified in our anger, our upset, our vengence.
Please Lord, we would be Yours.
We know how unworthy we are and how Satan would have us ever despair of being truly Yours.
We cling to You Lord! We cling to You! You're our only hope!
By Your grace Lord, by Your mercy!
Save us!
Help us!
Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.
Help us!
By Your Love, Your Grace and Mercy, we cling to You Lord!
By Your Will now and forever!
Amen.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wake Up! Wake Up!
Romans
{13:11} And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we
believed.
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Knowing the time.
That now it is high time.
High time to awake out of sleep.
For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Salvation is close, always close, just hope away. No one can wait. No one is safe in waiting. If we wait for a certain time it could be too late. Thinking that salvation is nearer than when we believed. Thinking that the time is now, high time to wake up from our slumbers that keep us from salvation, is a bit frightening and a bit worrisome.
We're like children who are playing grown ups and getting all mixed up in our grownup things, we have momma's fun make up to wear, daddy's suit coat and we're prancing around playing our game not wanting our real momma or daddy to come home to spoil our fun. We watch the clock and we get a call that tells us that they'll be home soon but we still don't know exactly when. Are we wise? If we are wise we'd quickly put up those things we were playing with and prepare for their homecoming. If we're not wise we'll keep playing and take the risk of facing the wrath of our parents when they find us having toyed with their belongings.
We are told to prepare. We are told to accept. We are told today is the day of salvation and yet the devil fools us into believing that we have time to accept later because now is the time to play, have fun, not think of anything beyond our carnal existence and making it as pleasurable as we can.
Hope and faith grasp hold of the eternal, of the unseen, while the principalities and powers in high places keep us focused on now, and our immediate future, at most a few years, maybe several of them with the intention of keeping us earth bound, devil bound.
Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
If you're hearing the call to wake up out of sleep you need to obey it. You need to push aside the foul dreams that cloud your sleep and try to trap you there in your slumbering. Salvation is now. You may not have tomorrow. Salvation is now. Developing our spiritual life now is necessary if we are to live eternally. Spiritual things with spiritual things.
Romans
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The night is far spent. The day is at hand.
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness.
Let us put on the armour of light.
We are covered in the works of darkness aren't we? We cling to them. We use them as security, they're the familiar things we've lived with for so long. We can cast them off, we don't have to keep them upon us. In fact we need to cast them off and we need to put on the armour of light. Christ's armour, Christ's ways.
Let us walk honestly as in the day.
Not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantoness, not in strife and enyving.
All that -- the rioting, drunkeness, chambering, wantoness, strife and envying are works of darkness.
We need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for our flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We need stop making provisions for our flesh. Stop making excuses to keep the dark ways in our lives.
We need to walk in Christ now and forever.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord, and of our Savior we can live, only by the mercy and grace of our Lord.
Let us determine to grow closer to Christ.
Now is the day of Salvation!
The hour is at hand, it is high time to wake out of our sleep.
Wake up! Wake up!
In Christ's love.
Amen.
{13:11} And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we
believed.
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Knowing the time.
That now it is high time.
High time to awake out of sleep.
For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Salvation is close, always close, just hope away. No one can wait. No one is safe in waiting. If we wait for a certain time it could be too late. Thinking that salvation is nearer than when we believed. Thinking that the time is now, high time to wake up from our slumbers that keep us from salvation, is a bit frightening and a bit worrisome.
We're like children who are playing grown ups and getting all mixed up in our grownup things, we have momma's fun make up to wear, daddy's suit coat and we're prancing around playing our game not wanting our real momma or daddy to come home to spoil our fun. We watch the clock and we get a call that tells us that they'll be home soon but we still don't know exactly when. Are we wise? If we are wise we'd quickly put up those things we were playing with and prepare for their homecoming. If we're not wise we'll keep playing and take the risk of facing the wrath of our parents when they find us having toyed with their belongings.
We are told to prepare. We are told to accept. We are told today is the day of salvation and yet the devil fools us into believing that we have time to accept later because now is the time to play, have fun, not think of anything beyond our carnal existence and making it as pleasurable as we can.
Hope and faith grasp hold of the eternal, of the unseen, while the principalities and powers in high places keep us focused on now, and our immediate future, at most a few years, maybe several of them with the intention of keeping us earth bound, devil bound.
Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
If you're hearing the call to wake up out of sleep you need to obey it. You need to push aside the foul dreams that cloud your sleep and try to trap you there in your slumbering. Salvation is now. You may not have tomorrow. Salvation is now. Developing our spiritual life now is necessary if we are to live eternally. Spiritual things with spiritual things.
Romans
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The night is far spent. The day is at hand.
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness.
Let us put on the armour of light.
We are covered in the works of darkness aren't we? We cling to them. We use them as security, they're the familiar things we've lived with for so long. We can cast them off, we don't have to keep them upon us. In fact we need to cast them off and we need to put on the armour of light. Christ's armour, Christ's ways.
Let us walk honestly as in the day.
Not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantoness, not in strife and enyving.
All that -- the rioting, drunkeness, chambering, wantoness, strife and envying are works of darkness.
We need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for our flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We need stop making provisions for our flesh. Stop making excuses to keep the dark ways in our lives.
We need to walk in Christ now and forever.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord, and of our Savior we can live, only by the mercy and grace of our Lord.
Let us determine to grow closer to Christ.
Now is the day of Salvation!
The hour is at hand, it is high time to wake out of our sleep.
Wake up! Wake up!
In Christ's love.
Amen.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
...The Sciptures Might Have Hope
Romans {15:4} For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Hope is something we need.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
Hope, we can get hope through the patience and comfort of the scriptures.
Things written aforetimes were written for our learning.
When this was said the writer was speaking of the Old Testament writings.
A lot of times people today tend to lean towards the New Testament. I can understand it. The Old Testament writings speak of the Messiah to come, the New Testament has the words of Jesus in them, the words of God's Son as a man on earth. There are whole groups that use only the New Testament doing away with the Old. Yet we are told that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Ps. {31:24} Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Ps. {33:22} Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
We need hope.
Heb. {11:6} But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is hope.
Romans {15:4} For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
We get hope through the scriptures. We can't keep ourselves from the scriptures and expect to keep hopeful. Cut off the source of hope and what is left?
Once again it just hits home how many people have died for the Word of God.
We take if for granted, we so take if for granted. What people hide and sneak to read, what people risk their lives for just to hear, we have at our fingertips and neglect so. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves really. Deeply ashamed. We wonder why our hope slips away and our lives seem to have a hopeless to them, meaningless because of our inability to keep close to God, and yet we neglect the one thing that can give us hope and keep us close to God- His word.
May the Lord help us, may the Lord show us mercy! Mercy Lord. Forgive us our neglect. Help us, Lord. Help us.
By the mercy and grace of Our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Hope is something we need.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
Hope, we can get hope through the patience and comfort of the scriptures.
Things written aforetimes were written for our learning.
When this was said the writer was speaking of the Old Testament writings.
A lot of times people today tend to lean towards the New Testament. I can understand it. The Old Testament writings speak of the Messiah to come, the New Testament has the words of Jesus in them, the words of God's Son as a man on earth. There are whole groups that use only the New Testament doing away with the Old. Yet we are told that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Ps. {31:24} Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Ps. {33:22} Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
We need hope.
Heb. {11:6} But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is hope.
Romans {15:4} For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
We get hope through the scriptures. We can't keep ourselves from the scriptures and expect to keep hopeful. Cut off the source of hope and what is left?
Once again it just hits home how many people have died for the Word of God.
We take if for granted, we so take if for granted. What people hide and sneak to read, what people risk their lives for just to hear, we have at our fingertips and neglect so. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves really. Deeply ashamed. We wonder why our hope slips away and our lives seem to have a hopeless to them, meaningless because of our inability to keep close to God, and yet we neglect the one thing that can give us hope and keep us close to God- His word.
May the Lord help us, may the Lord show us mercy! Mercy Lord. Forgive us our neglect. Help us, Lord. Help us.
By the mercy and grace of Our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Spiritual Birth
Romans
{11:33} O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
{11:34} For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
{11:35} Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
{11:36} For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
{12:1} I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
{12:2} And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Titus
{3:5} Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
{3:6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour
{3:7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
{3:8} [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Renewing of our minds.
Renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Washing of regeneration.
We are saved.
Made new.
Revived.
Reborn.
renew (rî-n¡´, -ny¡´) verb
renewed, renewing, renews verb, transitive
1. To make new or as if new again; restore: renewed the antique chair.
2. To take up again; resume: renew an old friendship; renewed the argument.
3. To repeat so as to reaffirm: renew a promise.
4. To regain or restore the physical or mental vigor of; revive: I renewed my spirits in the country air.
5. a. To arrange for the extension of: renew a contract; renew a magazine subscription. b. To arrange to extend the loan of: renewed the library books before they were overdue.
6. To replenish: renewed the water in the humidifier.
7. To bring into being again; reestablish.
verb, intransitive
1. To become new again.
2. To start over.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
regeneration (rî-jèn´e-râ´shen) noun
1. The act or process of regenerating or the state of being regenerated.
2. Spiritual or moral revival or rebirth.
3. Biology. Regrowth of lost or destroyed parts or organs.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
Renewing of our minds.
Renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Washing of regeneration.
We are saved.
Made new.
Revived.
Reborn.
By the mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we are reborn.
1 Peter
{1:23} Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
{1:24} For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away
{1:25} But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
{2:1} Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings
{2:2} As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby
{2:3} If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Born again by the Word of God.
The Gospel preached.
John
{3:1} There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews
{3:2} The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these
miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
{3:3} Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. {3:4} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? {3:5} Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God.
{3:6} That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
{3:7} Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
{3:8} The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
{3:9} Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
{3:10} Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
{3:11} Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
{3:12} If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things?
{3:13} And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.
Born of water and of the Spirit.
That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The wind bloweth where it listest...
...and thou hearest the sound thereof.
But canst not tell whence it cometh
and whither it goeth.
So is EVERYONE that is born of the Spirit.
We have no clue where the wind comes from. People can say all sorts of things about the wind--
Simply put, wind is the motion of air molecules. Two concepts are central to understanding what causes wind: air and air pressure.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=where-does-wind-come-from
Here scientists explain all about molecules and air pressure, they talk about this, that, and the old other thing as well. We can take it further and go on to asking what is air.
What is air made of?
The air is made up of atoms, mostly those of nitrogen and oxygen.
http://education.jlab.org/qa/air_01.html
So we know air is made up of atoms and an atom is?
What is an atom?
An atom a fundamental piece of matter. (Matter is anything that can be touched physically.) Everything in the universe (except energy) is made of matter, and, so, everything in the universe is made of atoms.
An atom itself is made up of three tiny kinds of particles called subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and the neutrons make up the center of the atom called the nucleus and the electrons fly around above the nucleus in a small cloud. The electrons carry a negative charge and the protons carry a positive charge. In a normal (neutral) atom the number of protons and the number of electrons are equal. Often, but not always, the number of neutrons is the same, too.
http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/Propulsion/1-what-is-an-atom.html
Wow, right? Unless you're into all this science jargon it's not really what it's all about. What I mean is, we can take it down to the lowest form, the tiniest bit and still we come back to the word what is that. It's an never ending question, because where there is something there is the question what is the something and there will never be nothing because then there is no reason to ask the question- what is that?
Inevitably we are faced with the realization that what is has been created by something we have no clue about. Yes, you can go with your theories all you want about the cosmic recipe just banging together just right and poof we are here. But I can't believe that, because there would be constant poofing all over the place and we know that just doesn't happen.
So when we talk about wind and where it comes from and Jesus says we don't know where it comes from or where it's going, it's true. It exists, we can feel it- some days more than others - and we don't know really where it is coming from. Our weather men can tell us that it's coming from the north east due to a system of low pressure and such, but in reality where did it begin? Where will it end? These answers cannot be given to us. We don't know. But we know it is.
Being born of the Spirit is like that.
We don't know where the Spirit is, we can't see the Spirit, but we know the Spirit exists.
John
{3:8} The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Those born of the Spirit are born and we know they are born but we don't know how, we don't know the mysteries of the Spirit.
They are born of the Spirit. ~We~ are born of the Spirit. All those who are God's must be born again of the Spirit. We cannot walk after the flesh, we cannot hold to our carnal natures, there is something beyond the flesh, beyond the carnal and that is the Spirit. Flesh, blood, and Spirit.
If we are born again, our spirit is awakened to the Holy Spirit. Things of the Spirit become our concern, not things of the flesh.
Spiritual matters.
Spiritual awakenings.
Spiritual living.
Born in the Spirit.
The Spirit within us must be brought to life, it must be born. It lives within each of us, it exists and it must be born. We all have the capability of the Spirit within us living, all of us. Being born again brings the spiritual life in us to life, it wakes up the slumbering spirit within us.
To have the Spiritual side in us born means living in the Spirit, growing in the Spirit. Feeding our spirit, nurturing our spirit, so that it grows.
The word of God alone has this power.
Is it no wonder people die to read God's word? They know that within His word is eternal life through Jesus Christ their Savior.
We need to feed our spirit.
If the spirit born within us isn't fed, it will languish and possibly die.
If you don't know if you have the spirit, if you don't know how to get the spirit, you have to have faith and hope, you have to believe you are given the spirit when you accept the sacrifice of Jesus as your Savior. And in believing you must renew your minds with the Word of God. Don't stop feeding the Spirit no matter how you feel. Feelings don't matter they are temporal. We can know we are saved and the knowing comes through faith.
May God bless and keep us, forgiving us of our failings, or our sins. We need the Holy Spirit within us, we need the love of God in us. By the mercy and grace of Jesus, now and forever!
Amen.
{11:33} O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
{11:34} For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
{11:35} Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
{11:36} For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
{12:1} I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
{12:2} And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Titus
{3:5} Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
{3:6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour
{3:7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
{3:8} [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Renewing of our minds.
Renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Washing of regeneration.
We are saved.
Made new.
Revived.
Reborn.
renew (rî-n¡´, -ny¡´) verb
renewed, renewing, renews verb, transitive
1. To make new or as if new again; restore: renewed the antique chair.
2. To take up again; resume: renew an old friendship; renewed the argument.
3. To repeat so as to reaffirm: renew a promise.
4. To regain or restore the physical or mental vigor of; revive: I renewed my spirits in the country air.
5. a. To arrange for the extension of: renew a contract; renew a magazine subscription. b. To arrange to extend the loan of: renewed the library books before they were overdue.
6. To replenish: renewed the water in the humidifier.
7. To bring into being again; reestablish.
verb, intransitive
1. To become new again.
2. To start over.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
regeneration (rî-jèn´e-râ´shen) noun
1. The act or process of regenerating or the state of being regenerated.
2. Spiritual or moral revival or rebirth.
3. Biology. Regrowth of lost or destroyed parts or organs.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
Renewing of our minds.
Renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Washing of regeneration.
We are saved.
Made new.
Revived.
Reborn.
By the mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we are reborn.
1 Peter
{1:23} Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
{1:24} For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away
{1:25} But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
{2:1} Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings
{2:2} As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby
{2:3} If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Born again by the Word of God.
The Gospel preached.
John
{3:1} There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews
{3:2} The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these
miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
{3:3} Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. {3:4} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? {3:5} Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God.
{3:6} That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
{3:7} Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
{3:8} The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
{3:9} Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
{3:10} Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
{3:11} Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
{3:12} If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things?
{3:13} And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.
Born of water and of the Spirit.
That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The wind bloweth where it listest...
...and thou hearest the sound thereof.
But canst not tell whence it cometh
and whither it goeth.
So is EVERYONE that is born of the Spirit.
We have no clue where the wind comes from. People can say all sorts of things about the wind--
Simply put, wind is the motion of air molecules. Two concepts are central to understanding what causes wind: air and air pressure.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=where-does-wind-come-from
Here scientists explain all about molecules and air pressure, they talk about this, that, and the old other thing as well. We can take it further and go on to asking what is air.
What is air made of?
The air is made up of atoms, mostly those of nitrogen and oxygen.
http://education.jlab.org/qa/air_01.html
So we know air is made up of atoms and an atom is?
What is an atom?
An atom a fundamental piece of matter. (Matter is anything that can be touched physically.) Everything in the universe (except energy) is made of matter, and, so, everything in the universe is made of atoms.
An atom itself is made up of three tiny kinds of particles called subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and the neutrons make up the center of the atom called the nucleus and the electrons fly around above the nucleus in a small cloud. The electrons carry a negative charge and the protons carry a positive charge. In a normal (neutral) atom the number of protons and the number of electrons are equal. Often, but not always, the number of neutrons is the same, too.
http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/Propulsion/1-what-is-an-atom.html
Wow, right? Unless you're into all this science jargon it's not really what it's all about. What I mean is, we can take it down to the lowest form, the tiniest bit and still we come back to the word what is that. It's an never ending question, because where there is something there is the question what is the something and there will never be nothing because then there is no reason to ask the question- what is that?
Inevitably we are faced with the realization that what is has been created by something we have no clue about. Yes, you can go with your theories all you want about the cosmic recipe just banging together just right and poof we are here. But I can't believe that, because there would be constant poofing all over the place and we know that just doesn't happen.
So when we talk about wind and where it comes from and Jesus says we don't know where it comes from or where it's going, it's true. It exists, we can feel it- some days more than others - and we don't know really where it is coming from. Our weather men can tell us that it's coming from the north east due to a system of low pressure and such, but in reality where did it begin? Where will it end? These answers cannot be given to us. We don't know. But we know it is.
Being born of the Spirit is like that.
We don't know where the Spirit is, we can't see the Spirit, but we know the Spirit exists.
John
{3:8} The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Those born of the Spirit are born and we know they are born but we don't know how, we don't know the mysteries of the Spirit.
They are born of the Spirit. ~We~ are born of the Spirit. All those who are God's must be born again of the Spirit. We cannot walk after the flesh, we cannot hold to our carnal natures, there is something beyond the flesh, beyond the carnal and that is the Spirit. Flesh, blood, and Spirit.
If we are born again, our spirit is awakened to the Holy Spirit. Things of the Spirit become our concern, not things of the flesh.
Spiritual matters.
Spiritual awakenings.
Spiritual living.
Born in the Spirit.
The Spirit within us must be brought to life, it must be born. It lives within each of us, it exists and it must be born. We all have the capability of the Spirit within us living, all of us. Being born again brings the spiritual life in us to life, it wakes up the slumbering spirit within us.
To have the Spiritual side in us born means living in the Spirit, growing in the Spirit. Feeding our spirit, nurturing our spirit, so that it grows.
The word of God alone has this power.
Is it no wonder people die to read God's word? They know that within His word is eternal life through Jesus Christ their Savior.
We need to feed our spirit.
If the spirit born within us isn't fed, it will languish and possibly die.
If you don't know if you have the spirit, if you don't know how to get the spirit, you have to have faith and hope, you have to believe you are given the spirit when you accept the sacrifice of Jesus as your Savior. And in believing you must renew your minds with the Word of God. Don't stop feeding the Spirit no matter how you feel. Feelings don't matter they are temporal. We can know we are saved and the knowing comes through faith.
May God bless and keep us, forgiving us of our failings, or our sins. We need the Holy Spirit within us, we need the love of God in us. By the mercy and grace of Jesus, now and forever!
Amen.
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