What is the gospel of the kingdom?
Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
The kingdom of God is come unto you.
Jesus was come unto us. Jesus said...
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
A miracle.
The greatest thing in all the world is Jesus, there is nothing greater, nothing. He is everything we need. We are so busy trying to find the answers to life we often overlook the only answer that means anything at all, Jesus. He is the gospel, He is the kingdom of God. How many people believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior? How many kneel before Him surrendering all they are to Him? How many plead for forgiveness? Jesus is the only answer and we should never get tired of proclaiming Him as the All in All! Others might get tired of hearing but we should never tire of proclaiming Him living, dying, and living again for us. All praise and honor, all glory to our Lord, our Creator, our Savior.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, in the Father's love now and forever.
Amen.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Whether in pretence or in truth-- Christ is preached.
Php 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel
The things that happened to Paul- ridiculed, jailed, set on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ, and all the hardships, beatened, bruised, abraded, all these things happened to further the message of the gospel to others, to spread the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Php 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places
Because of those bonds he was placed in Christ's message was manifested to the palace, and in other places! His tragedy was used to further God's plan.
Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Others when they witness Paul's persecution and the way he holds fast to the message of Christ are emboldened by his example to speak the gospel without fear!
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds
Some people preached Christ wrongly yet Paul says here that even those that did that thinking they'd heap more harm upon him instead gained more interest for Christ and Hisw word, His gospel.
Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ
Whether in pretence or in truth-- Christ is preached.
We don't know who might hear something to spike the interest of another, a genuine interest, a real love for Christ can come from something even preached wrongly. It's not up to us to convict a heart it's the Holy Spirit who convicts, we can spread the word, we can preach what we know but in the end the Holy Spirit is the force used by God to bring Christ into hearts opened to Him
By His grace and mercy always and forever, in His righteousness.
Amen.
The things that happened to Paul- ridiculed, jailed, set on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ, and all the hardships, beatened, bruised, abraded, all these things happened to further the message of the gospel to others, to spread the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Php 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places
Because of those bonds he was placed in Christ's message was manifested to the palace, and in other places! His tragedy was used to further God's plan.
Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Others when they witness Paul's persecution and the way he holds fast to the message of Christ are emboldened by his example to speak the gospel without fear!
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds
Some people preached Christ wrongly yet Paul says here that even those that did that thinking they'd heap more harm upon him instead gained more interest for Christ and Hisw word, His gospel.
Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ
Whether in pretence or in truth-- Christ is preached.
We don't know who might hear something to spike the interest of another, a genuine interest, a real love for Christ can come from something even preached wrongly. It's not up to us to convict a heart it's the Holy Spirit who convicts, we can spread the word, we can preach what we know but in the end the Holy Spirit is the force used by God to bring Christ into hearts opened to Him
By His grace and mercy always and forever, in His righteousness.
Amen.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May God who has performed a good work in us do so until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
May God who has performed a good work in us do so until the day of Jesus Christ.
Is there anyone you thank God for upon remembering them? Do you pray for others with joy?
All too often we get caught up in praying with despair in our hearts, pain wracking us deeply as we feel for the trials and tribulations those we are praying for are going through. Our hearts get heavy with grief for others but we need to allow joy in our hearts as well. Make requests with joy. Jesus has conquered the worst there is in life and He's done if for us. We will suffer but it is only temporary. We should rejoice in the gospel, in the message of salvation through our Lord and Savior. Joy should fill us as we believe in His return.
The other day I was waiting in a doctor's waiting room and I couldn't help but think about Jesus and wonder how many of them knew of His plan of salvation. Not being the type to strike up conversations with anyone at all, I couldn't very well even consider finding out. It brought to mind the striking contrast of the disciples of Christ preaching His word, spreading the gospel far and wide. There are a few religions that go about to spread the word but it's a VERY rare occurance to find someone preaching the gospel outside of a church setting or function. People usually seek to find someone to share the word and it's not readily given otherwise in my personal experience.
With the joy of Christ in our lives we need to reflect Him and if we don't... why don't we.
May God help us to live in His joy, in His love, and help us to share the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Amen.
Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
May God who has performed a good work in us do so until the day of Jesus Christ.
Is there anyone you thank God for upon remembering them? Do you pray for others with joy?
All too often we get caught up in praying with despair in our hearts, pain wracking us deeply as we feel for the trials and tribulations those we are praying for are going through. Our hearts get heavy with grief for others but we need to allow joy in our hearts as well. Make requests with joy. Jesus has conquered the worst there is in life and He's done if for us. We will suffer but it is only temporary. We should rejoice in the gospel, in the message of salvation through our Lord and Savior. Joy should fill us as we believe in His return.
The other day I was waiting in a doctor's waiting room and I couldn't help but think about Jesus and wonder how many of them knew of His plan of salvation. Not being the type to strike up conversations with anyone at all, I couldn't very well even consider finding out. It brought to mind the striking contrast of the disciples of Christ preaching His word, spreading the gospel far and wide. There are a few religions that go about to spread the word but it's a VERY rare occurance to find someone preaching the gospel outside of a church setting or function. People usually seek to find someone to share the word and it's not readily given otherwise in my personal experience.
With the joy of Christ in our lives we need to reflect Him and if we don't... why don't we.
May God help us to live in His joy, in His love, and help us to share the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Amen.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Jesus Christ in Sincerity
Eph 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
In Sincerity.
Loving our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
Are you sincere in your love for Jesus Christ?
sincere (sîn-sîr´) adjective
sincerer, sincerest
1. Not feigned or affected; genuine: sincere indignation.
2. Being without hypocrisy or pretense; true: a sincere friend.
3. Archaic. Pure; unadulterated.
Do you love Jesus with a genuine love?
Do you love Jesus without any pretense?
Do you love Jesus unfeigned?
How is a sincere love revealed?
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
If you love God... people will know. Loving God isn't something you keep a secret it's something you share. Not everyone can share in all ways but if you love God people will know. We have a light and we can't hide it but we have to let it shine. Maybe we aren't going to climb on a soapbox and preach but there are other ways aren't there? There is NO shame in being a Christian. So many have no problem showing that they're goth, or hiphop, cool, cold, classy, divas, jocks, business-like. We can look at people and generally get a little idea about them. Of course we can't know everything in a glance and there are a lot of people who don't reveal anything other than what we might term - ordinary. But when someone is quite passionate about their beliefs they let people know, don't they? Do we have passion for our Lord and Savior? Do we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity?
May God bless and keep us in Him, loving Him, sharing Him, with a true sincerity through the righteousness, through the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Amen.
In Sincerity.
Loving our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
Are you sincere in your love for Jesus Christ?
sincere (sîn-sîr´) adjective
sincerer, sincerest
1. Not feigned or affected; genuine: sincere indignation.
2. Being without hypocrisy or pretense; true: a sincere friend.
3. Archaic. Pure; unadulterated.
Do you love Jesus with a genuine love?
Do you love Jesus without any pretense?
Do you love Jesus unfeigned?
How is a sincere love revealed?
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
If you love God... people will know. Loving God isn't something you keep a secret it's something you share. Not everyone can share in all ways but if you love God people will know. We have a light and we can't hide it but we have to let it shine. Maybe we aren't going to climb on a soapbox and preach but there are other ways aren't there? There is NO shame in being a Christian. So many have no problem showing that they're goth, or hiphop, cool, cold, classy, divas, jocks, business-like. We can look at people and generally get a little idea about them. Of course we can't know everything in a glance and there are a lot of people who don't reveal anything other than what we might term - ordinary. But when someone is quite passionate about their beliefs they let people know, don't they? Do we have passion for our Lord and Savior? Do we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity?
May God bless and keep us in Him, loving Him, sharing Him, with a true sincerity through the righteousness, through the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Amen.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Beauty for Ashes
The promises of God to His people are many. Promises of a future with Him. Promises of a life in Him with great eternal rewards. 'Beauty for ashes'
We mourn now and rightly so. We mourn with a great heaviness of heart, with a spirit heavy with grief, because we live in a world that offers us so much pain. We lay off the mourning and feel joy, we begin to praise rather than dwell in the heaviness of a broken spirit. We can only do that when we are freed from the captivity of sin that threatens to have us drown in our sins, die in our pain. We live in a world that isn't right for us, trying to fit in and failing because all the superficial trappings that we suppose might make us happy fail us. We turn to one thing after the other trying to fill the emptiness, the pain of life and disappointment still finds us. Some people settle for mediocre existence, not seeking happiness but rather becoming content with what life throws their way, making the best of whatever befalls them- not realizing that they are truly captives in another way. It's good when we mourn, when we weep, when we feel that spirit of heaviness because then we can realize there is something wrong. Seeking relief from pain whether emotional or physical is a natural response and the true life pain reliever is faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the world He offers, salvation in Him.
Salvation.
Salvation isn't just a promise for life hereafter, it's a promise for life now.
How would you act if you were promised 100,000,000 dollars? You would feel rich even before that money was realized. The promise of it enough to give you the thrill of that richness.
We are promised salvation and we can grasp hold of that thrill now.
Just as someone promised a great amount of money has to count their pennies until it's in their hands, living in their means until it's a reality- those promised salvation have to continue to live in a life that warrants mourning, brings them pain, and causes heartache. The joy of the promise makes life bearable. The promise needs to be real to us though. We have to believe in the promise. If we fail to believe in the promise then we lose hope and begin to live in despair. Without a promise, without hope we might settle for life with no future salvation.
May God help us to claim the promise of salvation in Christ now and live with the promise real in our lives believing its truthfulness, believing in the reality as if we've won the race, the prize before us is real.
By the mercy and the grace of our Lord and Savior through His righteousness now and forever! Amen.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isa 61:4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Isa 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Isa 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We mourn now and rightly so. We mourn with a great heaviness of heart, with a spirit heavy with grief, because we live in a world that offers us so much pain. We lay off the mourning and feel joy, we begin to praise rather than dwell in the heaviness of a broken spirit. We can only do that when we are freed from the captivity of sin that threatens to have us drown in our sins, die in our pain. We live in a world that isn't right for us, trying to fit in and failing because all the superficial trappings that we suppose might make us happy fail us. We turn to one thing after the other trying to fill the emptiness, the pain of life and disappointment still finds us. Some people settle for mediocre existence, not seeking happiness but rather becoming content with what life throws their way, making the best of whatever befalls them- not realizing that they are truly captives in another way. It's good when we mourn, when we weep, when we feel that spirit of heaviness because then we can realize there is something wrong. Seeking relief from pain whether emotional or physical is a natural response and the true life pain reliever is faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the world He offers, salvation in Him.
Salvation.
Salvation isn't just a promise for life hereafter, it's a promise for life now.
How would you act if you were promised 100,000,000 dollars? You would feel rich even before that money was realized. The promise of it enough to give you the thrill of that richness.
We are promised salvation and we can grasp hold of that thrill now.
Just as someone promised a great amount of money has to count their pennies until it's in their hands, living in their means until it's a reality- those promised salvation have to continue to live in a life that warrants mourning, brings them pain, and causes heartache. The joy of the promise makes life bearable. The promise needs to be real to us though. We have to believe in the promise. If we fail to believe in the promise then we lose hope and begin to live in despair. Without a promise, without hope we might settle for life with no future salvation.
May God help us to claim the promise of salvation in Christ now and live with the promise real in our lives believing its truthfulness, believing in the reality as if we've won the race, the prize before us is real.
By the mercy and the grace of our Lord and Savior through His righteousness now and forever! Amen.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isa 61:4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Isa 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Isa 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
Sunday, May 2, 2010
We can't be like the pharisees
Joh 9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
Joh 9:27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Joh 9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
Joh 9:29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
Joh 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Joh 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Over a thousand and then some years removed from Moses and the Pharisees uttered these words- 'We know that God spake unto Moses' How did they know except by believing in history, believing in things taught to them? They didn't witness first hand God speaking to Moses, they believed because they were taught to believe. They believed their forefathers and accepted Moses law as a law from God and why not, history related the many miracles wrought by God though Moses. Miracles. Those in Moses day didn't readily believe He was from God either, did they? At first they did, when they thought He was going to miraculously set them free, but then Moses, following God's orders went to Pharoah and Pharoah was angry making the people's work harder than ever at which point this was said--
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Exo 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
Exo 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
They hearkened NOT.
Exo 10:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:
Exo 10:2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.
Moses came with many signs, many miracles were wrought and the people of Israel believed finally but at first they did what... they hearkened NOT unto Moses. The Pharisees in Jesus' day were confronted with miracles unexplainable miracles, miracles that surely had to be from God because like the blind man said-- Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
This wasn't a sign that a magician could work in any way at all under any pretense. Healing flesh, making eyes for a man born blind to see from. This was of God! Yet the Pharisees just as Pharaoh hardened their hearts to God. This time the Pharisees held fast to the fact they were believers of Moses and therefore would not change their ways to believe any other. Even though the books (scrolls) they took their history from revealed a 'Messiah' to come. They wanted the Messiah to be their IDEA of a Messiah, another Moses that would work signs and wonders to free them from Roman bondage, they didn't want a Messiah who was going to free them from their sin bondage.
Today many don't believe in Jesus Christ as a personal, real Savior. He's a fable of old, he's explained away with natural phenomena, as people have done to Moses. Jesus Christ isn't here on earth today but in heaven on our behalf preparing for us. He wants to live in us, the Holy Spirit was sent by Him to us to live in us. We can't be like the Pharisees who held fast to a past. We have to be like the blind man who believed. Our spiritual sight can be returned to us by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Lord of all, Creator of all now and forever! By His Will.
Amen.
Joh 9:27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Joh 9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
Joh 9:29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
Joh 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Joh 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Over a thousand and then some years removed from Moses and the Pharisees uttered these words- 'We know that God spake unto Moses' How did they know except by believing in history, believing in things taught to them? They didn't witness first hand God speaking to Moses, they believed because they were taught to believe. They believed their forefathers and accepted Moses law as a law from God and why not, history related the many miracles wrought by God though Moses. Miracles. Those in Moses day didn't readily believe He was from God either, did they? At first they did, when they thought He was going to miraculously set them free, but then Moses, following God's orders went to Pharoah and Pharoah was angry making the people's work harder than ever at which point this was said--
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Exo 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
Exo 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
They hearkened NOT.
Exo 10:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:
Exo 10:2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.
Moses came with many signs, many miracles were wrought and the people of Israel believed finally but at first they did what... they hearkened NOT unto Moses. The Pharisees in Jesus' day were confronted with miracles unexplainable miracles, miracles that surely had to be from God because like the blind man said-- Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
This wasn't a sign that a magician could work in any way at all under any pretense. Healing flesh, making eyes for a man born blind to see from. This was of God! Yet the Pharisees just as Pharaoh hardened their hearts to God. This time the Pharisees held fast to the fact they were believers of Moses and therefore would not change their ways to believe any other. Even though the books (scrolls) they took their history from revealed a 'Messiah' to come. They wanted the Messiah to be their IDEA of a Messiah, another Moses that would work signs and wonders to free them from Roman bondage, they didn't want a Messiah who was going to free them from their sin bondage.
Today many don't believe in Jesus Christ as a personal, real Savior. He's a fable of old, he's explained away with natural phenomena, as people have done to Moses. Jesus Christ isn't here on earth today but in heaven on our behalf preparing for us. He wants to live in us, the Holy Spirit was sent by Him to us to live in us. We can't be like the Pharisees who held fast to a past. We have to be like the blind man who believed. Our spiritual sight can be returned to us by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Lord of all, Creator of all now and forever! By His Will.
Amen.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Earnest of the Spirit
2Co 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
God establishes us, no one else. God establishes us in Christ. God seal us. God gives us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
The earnest of the Spirit.
ar-hrab-ohn'
Of Hebrew origin [H6162]; a pledge, that is, part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest: - earnest.
A pledge, a part of the purchase in advance as SECURITY for the rest.
The SPIRIT, part of the SPIRIT in our hearts. We need the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts if we are to live in this world surrounded by so much evil. It is only with the Spirit in us, in our hearts that we can hope to live for Christ. God seals us, God gives us the Spirit.
It is true...
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
We receive part of the Spirit now as earnest, as a promise, a pledge, a security for the rest. We know in part now, we are seeing through a dark glass and we all know looking through dark glass isn't easy, or rather it isn't easy to see through the darkened glass to what is on the other side of the glass, it obscures our vision. We only see part of the mysteries of God, we only see dimly what life is all about. We see in part, we have part of the Spirit in us and yet we have a promise with that Spirit, a promise of more, of the Spirit fully in us. We shall one day see clearly, not darkly. One day we'll see it all face to face. We shall one day know as we are known. And we are known to ourselves- we know ourselves better than any one else. For as much as others might assume they know us, they truly only know what we allow them to know. Yes, some people wear their hearts on their sleeve so to speak and people believe they have some inner knowledge of them that the person doesn't even have of themselves but it's not true. We know ourselves and one day we will know even as we are known. We shall see others as we see ourselves. We will understand things that are mysteries to us now. We have a promise of this and the promise given to us by God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior is the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
May God through Christ seal us and give us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Please Lord this is our prayer that the promise within us is grasped hold of tightly never let go, that we cling to the Spirit in our hearts as a surety of the fulness of the Spirit upon Your return.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior now and forever.
Amen.
2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
God establishes us, no one else. God establishes us in Christ. God seal us. God gives us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
The earnest of the Spirit.
ar-hrab-ohn'
Of Hebrew origin [H6162]; a pledge, that is, part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest: - earnest.
A pledge, a part of the purchase in advance as SECURITY for the rest.
The SPIRIT, part of the SPIRIT in our hearts. We need the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts if we are to live in this world surrounded by so much evil. It is only with the Spirit in us, in our hearts that we can hope to live for Christ. God seals us, God gives us the Spirit.
It is true...
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
We receive part of the Spirit now as earnest, as a promise, a pledge, a security for the rest. We know in part now, we are seeing through a dark glass and we all know looking through dark glass isn't easy, or rather it isn't easy to see through the darkened glass to what is on the other side of the glass, it obscures our vision. We only see part of the mysteries of God, we only see dimly what life is all about. We see in part, we have part of the Spirit in us and yet we have a promise with that Spirit, a promise of more, of the Spirit fully in us. We shall one day see clearly, not darkly. One day we'll see it all face to face. We shall one day know as we are known. And we are known to ourselves- we know ourselves better than any one else. For as much as others might assume they know us, they truly only know what we allow them to know. Yes, some people wear their hearts on their sleeve so to speak and people believe they have some inner knowledge of them that the person doesn't even have of themselves but it's not true. We know ourselves and one day we will know even as we are known. We shall see others as we see ourselves. We will understand things that are mysteries to us now. We have a promise of this and the promise given to us by God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior is the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
May God through Christ seal us and give us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Please Lord this is our prayer that the promise within us is grasped hold of tightly never let go, that we cling to the Spirit in our hearts as a surety of the fulness of the Spirit upon Your return.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior now and forever.
Amen.
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