I over the past few days have found and explored the revelation of GOD as the Spirit, that is Life, and mans consciousness, when we are restored to HIM that is, "IS, the I AM" the El of the Aramaic and Pilio-Hebrew languages of the past. I showed the GOD in the Beginning filled the universe as One being and that ALL is filled with Himself including all created things, Being Him. Then yesterday I began to look at what is our victory as this has also been distorted by twisting of GOD's own Christ revelation by man. The very thing that took place with man as recorded in Genesis 3. Now before Jesus came there had been many a person who walked with GOD, some of whom it is said that they were righteous, as born out in their records as revealed in scripture. All of them having eyes and ears to both see and hear GOD the LORD. For Jesus as a young lade knew just who He and GOD his Father were One being. This I can now attest to and just maybe many of you out there can do the same. If you have been reading the growth in the LORD's knowledge that this blog reveals since day one of its being, have heard my own history from a young man to my now 69 years plus and my own walk the LORD-GOD Who's light is within us. This I know because it has been revealed visibly to me on at lease two occasions as I have stated here in. All that said, I will now turn to Pastor Hoekstra's teaching on Grace and then I will look again at the victory we have in Christ as the ultimate triumph using the ESV translation.
"Humility and the Fear of the Lord"
"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life . . . with the humble is wisdom . . . The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 22:4; 11:2; and 9:10)
"Many of our previous meditations have clearly demonstrated that walking in humility is the pathway for living by the Grace of GOD. "GOD . . . gives [Himself in] grace to the humble" (1Peter 5:5). In our present verses, we see that humility and the fear [expresses filial or a slavish passion] of the LORD are related. In Proverbs 9:10 the "fear of the LORD" there used means: the fullness of the LORD.
Humility and the fear [brings the fullness] of the LORD result in the same blessings. "By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life." The closing trio ("riches and honor and life") are an Old Testament description of a life that is fully blessed by GOD. The New Testament counterpart would be fullness of spiritual life. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Humility and the fear [fullness] of the LORD also result in wisdom. "With the humble is wisdom . . . The fear [fullness] of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
Humility is the candid acknowledgment of our absolute need for the LORD-Christ to work comprehensively in our lives day by day. The fear of the LORD is absolute respect and reverence toward our great GOD. It is not a fear involving terror or apprehension. Rather, it is based upon profound admiration and dependent devotion.
Those who humbly fear the LORD (by placing their admiration and devotion in Him) also embrace His perspectives and values. They develop a hatred for the things that He hates. "The fear [a holy awe and reverence which spring from a just view] of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate" (Proverbs 8:13). Correspondingly, those who have respect and reverence for the LORD develop a love for all that He loves. The LORD loves for His people to walk in righteousness and justice. "The LORD loves the righteous . . . the LORD loves justice" (Psalm 146:8 and 37:28). The LORD loves Israel, His chosen nation. "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples" (Deuteronomy 7:7). The LORD loves His [those who have and continue to poses Him, His fullness the] Church / Body / Family, the children of GOD. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of GOD!" (1John 3:1). The LORD loves the world, those who need to know Him. "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Promises of Ultimate (Spiritual) Triumph:
Over Evil Influences of Man,
Psalm 44:4-8 and Malachi 4:1-3 "You are my King, O GOD; ordain salvation for Jacob! Through You we push down our foes; through Your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But You have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. In GOD we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to Your name forever."
Malachi 4:1-3 "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing [Salvation] in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts."
Over Malign Spiritual Forces,
Luke 10:17-20 "The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!" And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Over Severest Afflictions,
Romans 8:31-39 and 2Corinthinas 2:14-17, 10:1-6 "What then shall we say to these things? If GOD is for us, who can be against us? HE Who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will HE not also with [through] Him graciously give us all [of Himself as] things? Who shall bring any charge against GOD's elect? It is GOD who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, Who was raised—Who is at the right hand of GOD, Who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For Your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." (Psalm 44:22) No, in all these things [GOD] we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of GOD in Christ Jesus our LORD."
2Corinthians 2:14 "Thanks be to GOD, Who always leads us in triumphal in Christ's procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to GOD among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to Life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of GOD's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by GOD, in the sight of GOD we speak in [through] Christ."
2Corinthians 10:1-6 "I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the [true accurate] knowledge of GOD, and taking every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete."
Over Worldly Allurements,
1John 5:1-4 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of GOD, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of GOD, when we love GOD and obey His commandments. For this is the love of GOD, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of GOD overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Over all Satanic Powers,
Revelation 15:2-4 "I, John saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of GOD in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses (of Exodus 15:1 and following, with Joshua 22:5), the servant of GOD, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are Your deeds, O LORD GOD the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O LORD, and glorify Your name? For You alone are Holy. All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.(of Jeremiah 10:7)"
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
I have looked into our walking in agreement and the subduing of our flesh, under the led of the LORD. Today I am looking into what is required for our "Victory" in Christ, after all that is also part of our promise as Sons of our family Patriarch and Father, GOD. The very One Who fills the universe of His Creation constantly with His presence. As HE fills our new lives by faith, in Godly Love, fear and Grace just as HE did the Lord Jesus and a host of others as the Bible witnesses when our spiritual eyes and ears have been opened to hear and see His secrets, other wise it remains just another book sitting on the table or in a bookshelf. Also when this takes place within our being we are given discernment and distinction in separation, to know the deference between the worldly renditions of what it believes the word of God is saying, which is a perversion of His Eternal Message. The earthy people focus on those misinterpretations as a child does his favorite toy, an athlete does his financial successes and a movie star his award of a Emmy, such things a health wealth and prosperity or name it and claim it kind of theology. But as we have seen so many times GOD resists the proud and those who place so much emphasis on material things as an action of rebellion. It all falls into the classification of idolatry, which is witchcraft and trusting in mans flesh above the LORD-GOD. Enough for my rant, today I am looking at the victory of Christ. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace. And then making good use of the ESV translation, what is our victory.
"Pride and Shame or Humility and Wisdom"
"When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom . . . The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools." (Proverbs 11:2 and 3:35)
"In order to live by the Grace of GOD, we must be willing to walk in humility, instead of in pride. "GOD resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1Peter 5:5). We must be willing to acknowledge our daily, desperate need for GOD. This can be done through Romans 12:1-2. Any other approach to life is based upon pride (which is a foolish, inaccurate assumption that we are adequate to produce a life on our own). Those who walk in pride end up with shame. Those who walk in humility end up with wisdom. As I pointed out in my introduction above this takes many forms in the worldly churches and individual lives, even among the young redeemed people as they are still as unschooled children of the new birth, having just received the Holy Spirit. From which sadly many do not pass on to spiritual maturity as planned and purposed by GOD. This to I have revealed many times over the years of growing in the knowledge of Christ in our posting on this blog and my other one linked on the cover page @whmaynard.blogspot.com.
The scriptures describe those who foolishly walk in pride [with pride the teaching of materialism, such as health wealth and prosperity can be added, for even pride falls under idolatry] as well as declaring the shame that they experience. "When pride comes, then comes shame . . . shame shall be the legacy of fools." One example would be the wicked way that many privileged and powerful persecute the downtrodden and the vulnerable. They are demonstrating their pride. "The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised" (Psalm 10:2). Their shame is that they can become entangled in the very schemes that they have contrived. Another example is those who arrogantly oppose the people of GOD. "This they shall have for their pride, because they have reproached and made arrogant threats against the people of the LORD of hosts" (Zephaniah 2:10). Their shame was announced as a barrenness so severe as to be likened to the end of Sodom and Gomorrah.
" 'Therefore, as I live,' says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Surely Moab shall be like Sodom, and the people of Ammon like Gomorrah — overrun with weeds and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation' " (Zephaniah 2:9).
In contrast to the shame that comes to the prideful, is the wisdom (and resulting glory, or honor) that comes to the humble. "With the humble is wisdom . . . The wise shall inherit glory [GOD]." Those who walk humbly before the LORD find the godly wisdom that is available in the LORD's infallible word. "The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7). This wisdom from GOD brings honor to the humble ones who live by it. "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor" (Proverbs 29:23). Again, this honor for the humble is in striking contrast to the wretched and ignoble ends that pride engenders."
The Victory,
The Presence of the Victorious Christ gives Assurance:
Isaiah 53:10-12 "Yet it was the Will [plan and purpose] of the LORD to crush Him; HE has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, HE shall see His offspring; HE shall prolong His days; the Will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the many, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors."
Matthew 12:15-24 "Jesus, aware [knowing] of this, withdrew from there. And many followed Him, and He healed them all and ordered them not to make Him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: (Isaiah 42:1-2) "Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My beloved with Whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets; a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He brings justice to victory; and in His name the Gentiles [Nations] will hope."
John 16:29-33 "Jesus' disciples said, "Ah, now You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from GOD." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
1Corinthians 15:20-28 "In fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. [a distinction being made between two claims] Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to GOD the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For "GOD has put all things in subjection under His feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that He is excepted Who put all things in subjection under Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to HIM Who put all things in subjection under Him, that GOD may be all in All." [the secret of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, "GOD"]
Revelation 3:14, 15-22 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of GOD's creation.
"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. (Amos 3:3, two in agreement as One) The one who conquers [sets aside the desires of the flesh in all of it's many forms, including the worlds many religions], I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on HIS throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Revelation 6:1-2 "I [John] watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to Him, and HE came out conquering, and to conquer."
Revelation 17:8-14 "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see this beast, because it was and is not and is to come. This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for HE is LORD of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful."
"Pride and Shame or Humility and Wisdom"
"When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom . . . The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools." (Proverbs 11:2 and 3:35)
"In order to live by the Grace of GOD, we must be willing to walk in humility, instead of in pride. "GOD resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1Peter 5:5). We must be willing to acknowledge our daily, desperate need for GOD. This can be done through Romans 12:1-2. Any other approach to life is based upon pride (which is a foolish, inaccurate assumption that we are adequate to produce a life on our own). Those who walk in pride end up with shame. Those who walk in humility end up with wisdom. As I pointed out in my introduction above this takes many forms in the worldly churches and individual lives, even among the young redeemed people as they are still as unschooled children of the new birth, having just received the Holy Spirit. From which sadly many do not pass on to spiritual maturity as planned and purposed by GOD. This to I have revealed many times over the years of growing in the knowledge of Christ in our posting on this blog and my other one linked on the cover page @whmaynard.blogspot.com.
The scriptures describe those who foolishly walk in pride [with pride the teaching of materialism, such as health wealth and prosperity can be added, for even pride falls under idolatry] as well as declaring the shame that they experience. "When pride comes, then comes shame . . . shame shall be the legacy of fools." One example would be the wicked way that many privileged and powerful persecute the downtrodden and the vulnerable. They are demonstrating their pride. "The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised" (Psalm 10:2). Their shame is that they can become entangled in the very schemes that they have contrived. Another example is those who arrogantly oppose the people of GOD. "This they shall have for their pride, because they have reproached and made arrogant threats against the people of the LORD of hosts" (Zephaniah 2:10). Their shame was announced as a barrenness so severe as to be likened to the end of Sodom and Gomorrah.
" 'Therefore, as I live,' says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Surely Moab shall be like Sodom, and the people of Ammon like Gomorrah — overrun with weeds and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation' " (Zephaniah 2:9).
In contrast to the shame that comes to the prideful, is the wisdom (and resulting glory, or honor) that comes to the humble. "With the humble is wisdom . . . The wise shall inherit glory [GOD]." Those who walk humbly before the LORD find the godly wisdom that is available in the LORD's infallible word. "The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7). This wisdom from GOD brings honor to the humble ones who live by it. "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor" (Proverbs 29:23). Again, this honor for the humble is in striking contrast to the wretched and ignoble ends that pride engenders."
The Victory,
The Presence of the Victorious Christ gives Assurance:
Isaiah 53:10-12 "Yet it was the Will [plan and purpose] of the LORD to crush Him; HE has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, HE shall see His offspring; HE shall prolong His days; the Will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the many, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors."
Matthew 12:15-24 "Jesus, aware [knowing] of this, withdrew from there. And many followed Him, and He healed them all and ordered them not to make Him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: (Isaiah 42:1-2) "Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My beloved with Whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets; a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He brings justice to victory; and in His name the Gentiles [Nations] will hope."
John 16:29-33 "Jesus' disciples said, "Ah, now You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from GOD." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
1Corinthians 15:20-28 "In fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. [a distinction being made between two claims] Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to GOD the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For "GOD has put all things in subjection under His feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that He is excepted Who put all things in subjection under Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to HIM Who put all things in subjection under Him, that GOD may be all in All." [the secret of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, "GOD"]
Revelation 3:14, 15-22 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of GOD's creation.
"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. (Amos 3:3, two in agreement as One) The one who conquers [sets aside the desires of the flesh in all of it's many forms, including the worlds many religions], I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on HIS throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Revelation 6:1-2 "I [John] watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to Him, and HE came out conquering, and to conquer."
Revelation 17:8-14 "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see this beast, because it was and is not and is to come. This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for HE is LORD of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful."
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
I have been stressing Amos 3:3 as our own walking as One with the LORD-GOD. Today I am adding an other tier or level to this understanding. "In the beginning GOD created," of Genesis 1:1. This meaning that there was only One Person in all of the universe, that is HE and His whole universe is ME, the One person; That is it is His manifestation. That means that every thing IS, is some form of GOD. Or we have more than GOD. Like all the rest of humanity I had to discover life isn't GOD and.....It IS GOD! It is Not GOD and. Did you get it? If we do not get it we are in trouble. Life is GOD, or we have a multitude of ands.....and that is mans trouble. Mans fall caused this, our separation from, making separation our trouble. Jesus as Christ came to bring us all to unity, our secret of can two walk together except they be in harmony, of one mind and Spirit to spirit. Christ is our means of unification. If you prefer it that way. It is not GOD and. It's GOD only, still. GOD is me. Because every thing must be a part of Him, some of Him. When I move through scripture, I fine we are told the end. We are told the consummation is of fire, for it is by fire that all is sanctified or that salt has regained it's saltiness. Then it states that the last enemy is death and the Son destroys death, in 1Corinthians 15 and then Jesus renders up the Kingdom to the Father that GOD may be All in all. If HE is all, He is not "some." He is all there IS! Then we fine that Jesus gave and inner revelation of Who this Person is.....when He says, "HE is Spirit." This Jesus said to the lowly woman at the well and not to some lofty Theologian. As in the beginning it was man a spirit with GOD the Spirit, did you see that in Genesis 1 and 2? The strongest one is in Genesis 1:26-27 before GOD's day of rest in Genesis 2:1-2 of the seventh day. Then later GOD forms a clay image of Himself and breathed His Spirit into the clay image of Himself giving His Life to this image of His Spirit and the word, law and Will took on flesh. This was done so that we would know our real self.....our "I AM" is spirit. This is the unchangeable universe, you. Our knowing and desiring with our willing, our form of expression through our soul and body, our "I am." For the "I am" must have form to express or all is meaningless. This revelation may cause many to stumble as it did me at first. But ounce this sunk in, I had to get over my self in order to get on with GOD my LORD and Christ. When this is settled within us all becomes a clearer perspective our vision and hearing being restored, our faith has strength. With all that said, I will now look to Pastor Hoekstra as he uses Josiah as his example of Grace in operation. And then the LORD willing I will look at another area of our self-denial with the subduing of flesh. All with the use of the ESV translation.
"More on Josiah Humbling Himself before the Lord"
"Thus says the LORD GOD of Israel: "Concerning the words which you have heard — because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before GOD when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD . . . "your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants." (2Chronicles 34:26-27)
"King Josiah was a godly ruler, who purged the land of idolatrous activities. When the neglected word of GOD was discovered in the temple, he responded humbly as he heard it read. "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes." He thereby escaped the judgment that was deserved by a rebellious people. Also, this appropriate wrath was postponed until after his reign.
These blessings of Grace were related to Josiah's humble response to GOD's word. His heart was soft when he heard the word of the LORD. "Concerning the words which you have heard — because your heart was tender." The attitude of the heart toward the scriptures is pivotal if a person is to experience the Grace of GOD at work in his life. A hardhearted response to the word of GOD does not receive the Grace of GOD. The Israelites in Zechariah's day were a sad example of this. The LORD sent His word to them, "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the Law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 7:11-12).
Josiah's attitude was a vivid contrast. "You humbled yourself before GOD when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants." He did what James would later call GOD's people to do. "Receive with meekness the implanted word" (James 1:21). Josiah's humility was so evident. "You humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me." The result was that Josiah would enjoy the Grace of GOD. His time of leadership would not have to go through the wrath that the people deserved from their previous rebellions and hardheartedness. "Your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants."
Self-denial by Subduing or Mortifying the Flesh,
Matthew 5:27-30; 18:8-9 (Jesus is speaking) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery [lust or cravings of worldly things no matter the object falls into this term Jesus uses the following to describe this truth].' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."
Matthew 18:8-9 (Jesus is speaking) "If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire."
Romans 6:1-7; 8:12-17 "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."
Romans 8:12 "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of GOD are sons of GOD. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs—heirs of GOD and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
Galatians 5:16-24, 25-26 "I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (look at the struggles of Paul in Romans 7:14-8:8 to see this.) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law (the Law of Moses now being rolled up by destruction in death of the flesh of Christ Jesus, the benefit of promise). Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of GOD. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Amos 3:3 and Genesis 1 and 2) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Colossians 3:5-11 "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of GOD is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."
1Peter 2:11-12 "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul [or spirit]. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify GOD on the day of visitation."
1Peter 4:1-11, 12-19 "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the Will of GOD. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him Who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead (separated from GOD), that though judged in the flesh the way people are, that they might live in the spirit the way GOD does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of GOD's varied Grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of GOD; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that GOD supplies—in order that in everything GOD may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him [who does these things] belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of GOD rests in you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify GOD in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of GOD; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of GOD? And "If the righteous are scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to GOD's Will [plan and purpose] entrust their souls [spirit] to a faithful Creator while doing good."
"More on Josiah Humbling Himself before the Lord"
"Thus says the LORD GOD of Israel: "Concerning the words which you have heard — because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before GOD when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD . . . "your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants." (2Chronicles 34:26-27)
"King Josiah was a godly ruler, who purged the land of idolatrous activities. When the neglected word of GOD was discovered in the temple, he responded humbly as he heard it read. "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes." He thereby escaped the judgment that was deserved by a rebellious people. Also, this appropriate wrath was postponed until after his reign.
These blessings of Grace were related to Josiah's humble response to GOD's word. His heart was soft when he heard the word of the LORD. "Concerning the words which you have heard — because your heart was tender." The attitude of the heart toward the scriptures is pivotal if a person is to experience the Grace of GOD at work in his life. A hardhearted response to the word of GOD does not receive the Grace of GOD. The Israelites in Zechariah's day were a sad example of this. The LORD sent His word to them, "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the Law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 7:11-12).
Josiah's attitude was a vivid contrast. "You humbled yourself before GOD when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants." He did what James would later call GOD's people to do. "Receive with meekness the implanted word" (James 1:21). Josiah's humility was so evident. "You humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me." The result was that Josiah would enjoy the Grace of GOD. His time of leadership would not have to go through the wrath that the people deserved from their previous rebellions and hardheartedness. "Your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants."
Self-denial by Subduing or Mortifying the Flesh,
Matthew 5:27-30; 18:8-9 (Jesus is speaking) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery [lust or cravings of worldly things no matter the object falls into this term Jesus uses the following to describe this truth].' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."
Matthew 18:8-9 (Jesus is speaking) "If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire."
Romans 6:1-7; 8:12-17 "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."
Romans 8:12 "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of GOD are sons of GOD. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs—heirs of GOD and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
Galatians 5:16-24, 25-26 "I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (look at the struggles of Paul in Romans 7:14-8:8 to see this.) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law (the Law of Moses now being rolled up by destruction in death of the flesh of Christ Jesus, the benefit of promise). Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of GOD. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Amos 3:3 and Genesis 1 and 2) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Colossians 3:5-11 "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of GOD is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."
1Peter 2:11-12 "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul [or spirit]. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify GOD on the day of visitation."
1Peter 4:1-11, 12-19 "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the Will of GOD. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him Who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead (separated from GOD), that though judged in the flesh the way people are, that they might live in the spirit the way GOD does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of GOD's varied Grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of GOD; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that GOD supplies—in order that in everything GOD may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him [who does these things] belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of GOD rests in you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify GOD in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of GOD; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of GOD? And "If the righteous are scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to GOD's Will [plan and purpose] entrust their souls [spirit] to a faithful Creator while doing good."
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
GOD, in His infinite wisdom may choose to use with each of us a different way to bring us to the same result and outcome our transformation to the identity that is Christ in you and me. In each of us Christ is renewed and restored as He was in the beginning the very essence that man lost in Genesis 3 where mankind became the nature of the evil one which is hostility, even resentment of GOD. When we come to grips with this which for many takes place at redemption when we receive GOD Spirit. It is then the Spirit Who begins to open our spiritual eyes and ears by teaching us as a young child is taught. With each new lesson there comes a life crisis a trail or tribulation in our learning to get GOD's truths or the pattern of Christ's image and likeness deep into our being, again. As shown in Jeremiah 31:33-34 and elsewhere throughout scripture by GOD's prophets who were given Grace in His righteousness. Here the word "law" is used for Christ, for the LORD-Christ is the very personification of law. Pastor Hoekstra uses Josiah as another example of this action of GOD's doing. From there I will look at the restraining of mans appetites as my targeted subject area for today. And as has become my habit of following Christ in me, the LORD of Glory and Righteousness, and making use of the ESV translation I will get into the subject.
"Josiah Humbling Himself before the LORD"
"Then Hilkiah answered and said . . . "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD" . . . Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes . . . [and said] ". . . great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD." (2Chronicles 34:15, 19 and 21)
"When Nebuchadnezzar and Manasseh humbled themselves before the LORD, our great GOD poured out amazing Grace upon these formerly godless and prideful kings. Of course, it is not necessary to first be rebellious [because that is the evil nature within each of us because of one mans action and by that action took on the personification or persona, his very nature and character of the evil one] in order to be humbled and to become a recipient of further Grace from GOD. This truth is illustrated in Josiah's humbling himself before the LORD.
Josiah began to reign in Jerusalem at a very young age. "Josiah was eight years old when he became king" (2Chronicles 34:1). When he was yet in the teen years, he began to pursue the LORD. "For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the GOD of his father David" (2Chronicles 34:3) His quest for GOD led him to serve the LORD faithfully and courageously by destroying the implements of idolatry in the land. "In the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images. They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars which were above them he cut down" (2Chronicles 34:3-4).
Later, he ordered the temple to be repaired. "Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the temple, he sent . . . [various leaders] . . . to repair the house of the LORD his God" (2Chronicles 34:8). There, they found copies of GOD's word, which had been neglected for many years. "Then Hilkiah answered and said . . . 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD'." Immediately, they took these precious writings to King Josiah. "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes." Signifying a contriteness of heart.
The LORD had instructed His leaders to rule by the truth of His word. "It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this Law in a book . . . And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this Law and these statutes" (Deuteronomy 17:18-19). Josiah was humbled with intense grief [the significance of his tearing of his kingly cloths], knowing this had been neglected and that severe judgment was in order. "Great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD." Today we find this to be at the heart of all worldly problems in this Age of the everlasting Blood Covenant of GOD the gospel in Christ. For it is the Power of His Blood that all of mankind has been set free from the bondage of mans former slave master. Who replaced Christ essence with his own by encapsulating Christ seed in man.
Self-denial by Restraint of Appetites,
Proverbs 23:1-3 "When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food."
Proverbs 23:17-21 "Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
Luke 12:22-32 "Jesus said to His disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet GOD feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if GOD so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will HE clothe [in His righteousness] you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Luke 21:34-36 (Jesus is speaking) "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man [being an overcomer by His Grace and faith in us....ie clothed in His righteousness]."
1Corinthians 9:24-27 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
"Josiah Humbling Himself before the LORD"
"Then Hilkiah answered and said . . . "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD" . . . Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes . . . [and said] ". . . great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD." (2Chronicles 34:15, 19 and 21)
"When Nebuchadnezzar and Manasseh humbled themselves before the LORD, our great GOD poured out amazing Grace upon these formerly godless and prideful kings. Of course, it is not necessary to first be rebellious [because that is the evil nature within each of us because of one mans action and by that action took on the personification or persona, his very nature and character of the evil one] in order to be humbled and to become a recipient of further Grace from GOD. This truth is illustrated in Josiah's humbling himself before the LORD.
Josiah began to reign in Jerusalem at a very young age. "Josiah was eight years old when he became king" (2Chronicles 34:1). When he was yet in the teen years, he began to pursue the LORD. "For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the GOD of his father David" (2Chronicles 34:3) His quest for GOD led him to serve the LORD faithfully and courageously by destroying the implements of idolatry in the land. "In the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images. They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars which were above them he cut down" (2Chronicles 34:3-4).
Later, he ordered the temple to be repaired. "Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the temple, he sent . . . [various leaders] . . . to repair the house of the LORD his God" (2Chronicles 34:8). There, they found copies of GOD's word, which had been neglected for many years. "Then Hilkiah answered and said . . . 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD'." Immediately, they took these precious writings to King Josiah. "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes." Signifying a contriteness of heart.
The LORD had instructed His leaders to rule by the truth of His word. "It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this Law in a book . . . And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this Law and these statutes" (Deuteronomy 17:18-19). Josiah was humbled with intense grief [the significance of his tearing of his kingly cloths], knowing this had been neglected and that severe judgment was in order. "Great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD." Today we find this to be at the heart of all worldly problems in this Age of the everlasting Blood Covenant of GOD the gospel in Christ. For it is the Power of His Blood that all of mankind has been set free from the bondage of mans former slave master. Who replaced Christ essence with his own by encapsulating Christ seed in man.
Self-denial by Restraint of Appetites,
Proverbs 23:1-3 "When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food."
Proverbs 23:17-21 "Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
Luke 12:22-32 "Jesus said to His disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet GOD feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if GOD so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will HE clothe [in His righteousness] you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Luke 21:34-36 (Jesus is speaking) "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man [being an overcomer by His Grace and faith in us....ie clothed in His righteousness]."
1Corinthians 9:24-27 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Monday, September 26, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
Yesterday, I looked at our call to self-denial. Today I will go just a bit farther with that same theme our renunciation of all things for Christ. And as with the first, many of us do not want to do the second because we treasure our worldly stuff, which is itself in a constant state of deterioration. Because stuff is a broad term which includes idol worship and a host of other evil practices, even mans religions and all that is associated within them. Why O Why is this so? At first thought it grips us with a flood of emotions, as we have placed great value on our stuff and because it is an emotional kind of thing we must of all necessity get rid of the things. Because our acquiring Christ and the true an accurate knowledge of Him is so essential to our own well being, any thing less is hypocrisy. And could keep one out of the Kingdom of GOD and heaven. After all we are NO longer our own. Today Pastor Hoekstra is looking at Grace and the person of Manasseh. Then I will move on using the ESV translation with all done under the watchful eye of my LORD. As I do all things through His name, being One with Him.
"Manasseh Humbling Himself before the Lord"
"Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was GOD." (2Chronicles 33:12-13)
"Manasseh's prideful rebellion against the LORD was astoundingly extensive. He was deeply engaged in abominable practices. He "caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists" (2Chronicles 33:6). Nevertheless, when he humbled himself before the LORD, GOD gave him Grace.
In the place of humility, phenomenal spiritual recovery can be experienced. The abominations that Manasseh perpetrated would seem to leave him no path for restoration. Yet, the scriptures are replete with declarations and testimonies of GOD's gracious response to those who humbly cry out to Him. The LORD invites such entreaties in the midst of great need. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15). Even when the trouble would be captivity that resulted from rebellion, the LORD promised to hear and to deliver. "Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I Will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I Will be found by you, says the LORD, and I Will bring you back from your captivity; I Will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I Will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive" (Jeremiah 29:12-14). To some this is spoken only to those of Abraham's seed, not realizing that those who exhibit the kind of trust that Abram first did, are counted as being in his righteousness making GOD's Promises their own.
This is the gracious heart of our GOD toward genuine humility. No wonder that the LORD would give Grace even upon a prideful rebel like Manasseh. "Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom." This was no casual entreaty. In the midst of his shameful agonies, he was overtaken with humility. He begged, implored, the LORD to rescue him. The LORD restored him. The wonderful result of this gracious work of GOD was the spiritual reality it planted in the heart of this former rebel. "Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was GOD."
Renunciation of ALL Things for Christ:
Leaving Home and Friends,
Mark 10:28-31 and Luke 5:1-11 "Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left everything and followed You." To this Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the Age to come eternal life. [what Age? in that which now is. The Age through which the LORD is building His and the Fathers family unit, one soul of man at a time. The Christ Ones.] But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Luke 5:1-11 "On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the word of GOD, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and He saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, He asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O LORD." For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed [to walk in agreement (Amos 3:3) with while learning (Matthew 11:29) of] Him."
Leaving Business,
Luke 5:27-28 "After this Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And said to him, "Follow me." Leaving everything, he rose and followed Him."
A Condition of Discipleship,
Luke 14:25-33 "A great crowds accompanied Jesus, and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in comparison to our own loyalty and reverence of Him, love of Him], he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross [our place of offering of ourselves as a living sacrifice Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20] and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple."
Reward Promised,
Luke 18:28-30 "Peter said, "See, we have left our homes and followed You." To this Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of GOD, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the Age to come eternal life."
Paul's Renunciation,
Philippians 3:7-11 "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from GOD that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
"Manasseh Humbling Himself before the Lord"
"Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was GOD." (2Chronicles 33:12-13)
"Manasseh's prideful rebellion against the LORD was astoundingly extensive. He was deeply engaged in abominable practices. He "caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists" (2Chronicles 33:6). Nevertheless, when he humbled himself before the LORD, GOD gave him Grace.
In the place of humility, phenomenal spiritual recovery can be experienced. The abominations that Manasseh perpetrated would seem to leave him no path for restoration. Yet, the scriptures are replete with declarations and testimonies of GOD's gracious response to those who humbly cry out to Him. The LORD invites such entreaties in the midst of great need. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15). Even when the trouble would be captivity that resulted from rebellion, the LORD promised to hear and to deliver. "Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I Will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I Will be found by you, says the LORD, and I Will bring you back from your captivity; I Will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I Will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive" (Jeremiah 29:12-14). To some this is spoken only to those of Abraham's seed, not realizing that those who exhibit the kind of trust that Abram first did, are counted as being in his righteousness making GOD's Promises their own.
This is the gracious heart of our GOD toward genuine humility. No wonder that the LORD would give Grace even upon a prideful rebel like Manasseh. "Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom." This was no casual entreaty. In the midst of his shameful agonies, he was overtaken with humility. He begged, implored, the LORD to rescue him. The LORD restored him. The wonderful result of this gracious work of GOD was the spiritual reality it planted in the heart of this former rebel. "Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was GOD."
Renunciation of ALL Things for Christ:
Leaving Home and Friends,
Mark 10:28-31 and Luke 5:1-11 "Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left everything and followed You." To this Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the Age to come eternal life. [what Age? in that which now is. The Age through which the LORD is building His and the Fathers family unit, one soul of man at a time. The Christ Ones.] But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Luke 5:1-11 "On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the word of GOD, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and He saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, He asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O LORD." For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed [to walk in agreement (Amos 3:3) with while learning (Matthew 11:29) of] Him."
Leaving Business,
Luke 5:27-28 "After this Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And said to him, "Follow me." Leaving everything, he rose and followed Him."
A Condition of Discipleship,
Luke 14:25-33 "A great crowds accompanied Jesus, and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in comparison to our own loyalty and reverence of Him, love of Him], he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross [our place of offering of ourselves as a living sacrifice Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20] and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple."
Reward Promised,
Luke 18:28-30 "Peter said, "See, we have left our homes and followed You." To this Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of GOD, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the Age to come eternal life."
Paul's Renunciation,
Philippians 3:7-11 "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from GOD that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
I know that some could be getting tired of my harping on Amos 3:3 but after all is said and done our spiritual awakening and with it our learning of Christ is paramount to us all. And after spending some time looking as a minor for the gold hidden in the ground we will hit our pay day for our efforts of seeking GOD. That said, I will look into our ability of self-denial as the subject of this posting. An area that most people will resist because of what they fear, the outcome of the unknown, even rebuking the enemy of GOD and man. Because of misunderstanding and church religious error. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and those resistant to it's call in this worldly life. Then I will look into my targeted subject matter using the ESV translation all being done under the watchful eye of the LORD.
"Manasseh Pridefully Rebelling against the Lord"
"Manasseh . . . did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel . . . And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the LORD brought upon them . . . the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon." (2Chronicles 33:1-2, 10-11)
"Manasseh was another king who walked in prideful rebellion against the LORD. "He did evil in the sight of the LORD." His pride was even more shocking than Nebuchadnezzar's (who ruled in Babylon), since Manasseh ruled in Jerusalem and had been raised by a godly father, King Hezekiah.
Manasseh was heavily influenced by the remaining presence of the godless nations that dominated the land before GOD gave it to Israel. His evil was "according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel." The spiritual behavior of these Canaanite nations was abominable in GOD's sight. They indulged in licentious worship of idols on the hills and mountains. Manasseh "rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them" (2Chronicles 33:3). Manasseh also brought idolatry into the very Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. "He also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, 'In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.' " (2Chronicles 33:4)
The nations that preceded Israel in the land were even engaged in sacrificing their children and seeking demonic guidance. Shockingly, Manasseh also "caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists" (2Chronicles 33:6). Actually, Manasseh brought more evil into the land than his abominable predecessors. "So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel" (2Chronicles 33:9). Lovingly, the LORD reached out to this pridefully rebellious king. "And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen." The ultimate result of this persistent resistance was humiliating and painful captivity. "Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon."
Our Duty of Self-Denial,
Matthew 16:24-27 "Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then HE will repay each person according to what he has done."
Luke 14:25-33 "Now great crowds accompanied Him, and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in comparison to our love of Him for pure Love brings obedience with sacrifice, the denying of all others, to walk as One], he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? [this reveals what takes place while we are in redemptions school of the Holy Spirit and by Him learn of our true condition of nakedness and bankruptcy, our need for more Christ] Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple."
Romans 8:9-11, 12-17 "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of GOD dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, HE Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of GOD are sons of GOD [now living as a Genesis 2 person again]. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons (Psalm 2), by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs—heirs of GOD and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer [by way of self-denial of all worldliness] with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
Romans 15:1-13 "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on me." (Psalm 69:9) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the GOD of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (Amos 3:3) that together you may with one voice glorify the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of GOD. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show GOD's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs [by the greater Patriarch], and in order that the Gentiles might glorify GOD for His mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name." (Psalm 18:49) And again it is said, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." (Deuteronomy 32:43) And again, "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol Him." (Psalm 117:1) And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope." (Isaiah 11:10) May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Galatians 5:16 [5:15]-24, 25-26 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Romans 7:14-20, 21-25) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of GOD. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no Law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Amos 3:3) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
"Manasseh Pridefully Rebelling against the Lord"
"Manasseh . . . did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel . . . And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the LORD brought upon them . . . the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon." (2Chronicles 33:1-2, 10-11)
"Manasseh was another king who walked in prideful rebellion against the LORD. "He did evil in the sight of the LORD." His pride was even more shocking than Nebuchadnezzar's (who ruled in Babylon), since Manasseh ruled in Jerusalem and had been raised by a godly father, King Hezekiah.
Manasseh was heavily influenced by the remaining presence of the godless nations that dominated the land before GOD gave it to Israel. His evil was "according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel." The spiritual behavior of these Canaanite nations was abominable in GOD's sight. They indulged in licentious worship of idols on the hills and mountains. Manasseh "rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them" (2Chronicles 33:3). Manasseh also brought idolatry into the very Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. "He also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, 'In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.' " (2Chronicles 33:4)
The nations that preceded Israel in the land were even engaged in sacrificing their children and seeking demonic guidance. Shockingly, Manasseh also "caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists" (2Chronicles 33:6). Actually, Manasseh brought more evil into the land than his abominable predecessors. "So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel" (2Chronicles 33:9). Lovingly, the LORD reached out to this pridefully rebellious king. "And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen." The ultimate result of this persistent resistance was humiliating and painful captivity. "Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon."
Our Duty of Self-Denial,
Matthew 16:24-27 "Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then HE will repay each person according to what he has done."
Luke 14:25-33 "Now great crowds accompanied Him, and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in comparison to our love of Him for pure Love brings obedience with sacrifice, the denying of all others, to walk as One], he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? [this reveals what takes place while we are in redemptions school of the Holy Spirit and by Him learn of our true condition of nakedness and bankruptcy, our need for more Christ] Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple."
Romans 8:9-11, 12-17 "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of GOD dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, HE Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of GOD are sons of GOD [now living as a Genesis 2 person again]. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons (Psalm 2), by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs—heirs of GOD and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer [by way of self-denial of all worldliness] with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
Romans 15:1-13 "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on me." (Psalm 69:9) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the GOD of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (Amos 3:3) that together you may with one voice glorify the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of GOD. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show GOD's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs [by the greater Patriarch], and in order that the Gentiles might glorify GOD for His mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name." (Psalm 18:49) And again it is said, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." (Deuteronomy 32:43) And again, "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol Him." (Psalm 117:1) And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope." (Isaiah 11:10) May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Galatians 5:16 [5:15]-24, 25-26 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Romans 7:14-20, 21-25) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of GOD. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no Law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Amos 3:3) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
Accept two be in agreement they can not walk as one. When we as individuals finally hear our call GOD ward we are often puzzled, because we do not usually know how to respond or because we are taken back. For years while in church we were told, maybe not out rightly but by way of implication or suggestion that this was for another time and place, meaning not for today or for you and me. That I am here to tell you is poppycock. I am looking to what the Lord Jesus stated about our need of spiritual necessity, which the church pushes off or lacks all together, as no longer needed. Implying that all there is we now have while we remain connected to that church or religious denomination or faction, I am here to tell you that is all baloney. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace, I have seen what todays sharing is and he is still using Nebuchadnezzar as the person of interest. After he is finished I will draw from our need of Spiritual Necessities with the use of the ESV translation. All being done under the watchful eye of the LORD.
"Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Grace for Humility"
"And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him Who lives forever . . . He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth . . . At the same time . . . I was restored to my kingdom . . . Now I . . . praise and extol and honor the King of heaven . . . and those who walk in pride He is able to abase." (Daniel 4:34-37)
"When Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself, he exemplified GOD's opposition to pride. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? . . . a voice fell from heaven . . . 'the kingdom has departed from you' " (Daniel 4:30-31). When he humbled himself, he exemplified GOD's Grace for humility. "GOD resists the proud, but gives Grace to the humble" (1Peter 5:5).
Nebuchadnezzar had been driven into the fields to live as an animal. "That very hour the word was fulfilled . . . he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen . . . till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws" (Daniel 4:33). This season of GOD's opposition for Nebuchadnezzar's pride would end when he looked to the LORD above. "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me." Now, with his mind enabled to think clearly, he began to give blessing and praise and honor to the LORD God Most High. "And I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him Who lives forever."
This represented a completely transformed perspective for the king. Previously, he was glorifying himself. Now, he glorified the LORD. Previously, he thought he had established himself upon his throne. Now, he saw the Will of GOD behind his ascendancy to power. "He does according to His Will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth." The LORD then granted Grace to this humbled king, who had formerly walked in rebellious pride. "At the same time . . . I was restored to my kingdom." Seated again in authority, he gave honor to the King of heaven (instead of to the king of Babylon). "Now I . . . praise and extol and honor the King of heaven." Then, he added a remark that reveals the new conviction he received during his humbling. "And those who walk in pride He is able to abase."
Spiritual Necessities:
Inward Righteousness,
Matthew 5:20 (Jesus is speaking) "I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
A Childlike Spirit,
Matthew 18:1-6 "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."
Repentance,
Luke 13:1-5 "There were some present at that very time who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. To this He answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
The New Birth,
John 3:4-8 "Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Spiritual Worship,
John 4:15-26 "A woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered Him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He Who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am HE."
Spiritual Food,
John 6:52-59 "The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no Life in you. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has Eternal Life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (Amos 3:3, two in agreement have sight and understanding) For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as He taught at Capernaum."
Personal Faith,
John 8:21-30 and Acts 4:5-12, Hebrews 9:15-22, 11:3-7, 12:14-17 "Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot (yet) come." So the Jews said, "Will he kill himself, since he says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?" He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am HE you will die in your sins." So they said to Him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but HE Who sent Me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from Him." (Jesus here reflects upon His being by way of mans flesh Humble before GOD, for HE is GOD) They did not understand that He had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am HE, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but speak just as the Father taught Me. And HE Who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." As He was saying these things, many believed in Him."
Acts 4:5-12 "The next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had set them (John and Peter) in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, Whom GOD raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Hebrews 9:11-14, 15-22 "When Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) HE entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (the setting of "All" to freedom from satan's sin in slavery and bondage of it) For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to GOD, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the Living GOD.
"Therefore HE is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will [covenant or testament] is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the Law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you." In the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the Law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
Hebrews 11:3-7 "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word [Will] of GOD, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, GOD commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek Him. By faith Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Hebrews 12:14-17 "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the LORD. See to it that no one fails to obtain the Grace of GOD; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears."
"Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Grace for Humility"
"And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him Who lives forever . . . He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth . . . At the same time . . . I was restored to my kingdom . . . Now I . . . praise and extol and honor the King of heaven . . . and those who walk in pride He is able to abase." (Daniel 4:34-37)
"When Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself, he exemplified GOD's opposition to pride. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? . . . a voice fell from heaven . . . 'the kingdom has departed from you' " (Daniel 4:30-31). When he humbled himself, he exemplified GOD's Grace for humility. "GOD resists the proud, but gives Grace to the humble" (1Peter 5:5).
Nebuchadnezzar had been driven into the fields to live as an animal. "That very hour the word was fulfilled . . . he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen . . . till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws" (Daniel 4:33). This season of GOD's opposition for Nebuchadnezzar's pride would end when he looked to the LORD above. "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me." Now, with his mind enabled to think clearly, he began to give blessing and praise and honor to the LORD God Most High. "And I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him Who lives forever."
This represented a completely transformed perspective for the king. Previously, he was glorifying himself. Now, he glorified the LORD. Previously, he thought he had established himself upon his throne. Now, he saw the Will of GOD behind his ascendancy to power. "He does according to His Will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth." The LORD then granted Grace to this humbled king, who had formerly walked in rebellious pride. "At the same time . . . I was restored to my kingdom." Seated again in authority, he gave honor to the King of heaven (instead of to the king of Babylon). "Now I . . . praise and extol and honor the King of heaven." Then, he added a remark that reveals the new conviction he received during his humbling. "And those who walk in pride He is able to abase."
Spiritual Necessities:
Inward Righteousness,
Matthew 5:20 (Jesus is speaking) "I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
A Childlike Spirit,
Matthew 18:1-6 "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."
Repentance,
Luke 13:1-5 "There were some present at that very time who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. To this He answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
The New Birth,
John 3:4-8 "Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Spiritual Worship,
John 4:15-26 "A woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered Him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He Who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am HE."
Spiritual Food,
John 6:52-59 "The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no Life in you. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has Eternal Life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (Amos 3:3, two in agreement have sight and understanding) For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as He taught at Capernaum."
Personal Faith,
John 8:21-30 and Acts 4:5-12, Hebrews 9:15-22, 11:3-7, 12:14-17 "Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot (yet) come." So the Jews said, "Will he kill himself, since he says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?" He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am HE you will die in your sins." So they said to Him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but HE Who sent Me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from Him." (Jesus here reflects upon His being by way of mans flesh Humble before GOD, for HE is GOD) They did not understand that He had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am HE, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but speak just as the Father taught Me. And HE Who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." As He was saying these things, many believed in Him."
Acts 4:5-12 "The next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had set them (John and Peter) in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, Whom GOD raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Hebrews 9:11-14, 15-22 "When Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) HE entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (the setting of "All" to freedom from satan's sin in slavery and bondage of it) For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to GOD, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the Living GOD.
"Therefore HE is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will [covenant or testament] is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the Law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you." In the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the Law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
Hebrews 11:3-7 "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word [Will] of GOD, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, GOD commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek Him. By faith Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Hebrews 12:14-17 "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the LORD. See to it that no one fails to obtain the Grace of GOD; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears."
Friday, September 23, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
For the past few days now I have been using Amos 3:3 as a pattern for our own call to walk with GOD as One. In which mans original position of Genesis 2 is restored to him as promised in Genesis 3:15. Because this was the out come of GOD's many promises and mysteries of scripture held in silence until the day of the LORD came and GOD's transformation that then took place. This day was the day of Pentecost for all who would seek GOD, an acquire a contriteness and humbleness of heart. And still today there are many people who do not know this secret because their own church does not know it either. In fact they deny GOD by denying His Revelation of Christ. Today under the led of the LORD I will look at Christ's indwelling of redeemed, receptive man. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace, by making use of Nebuchadnezzar a former ruler of Babylon, which lies close to the seat of Satan. And then with the use of the ESV translation I will look at Christ's indwelling of man.
"Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Opposition to Pride"
"All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar . . . he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you." (Daniel 4:28-31)
"Our lofty and holy GOD is committed to graciously revive the hearts of all who walk in humility and lowliness. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6). Those who walk in pride experience quite a different response from the LORD. King Nebuchadnezzar exemplified GOD's opposition to the prideful.
Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king in Babylon. One day, he was in his royal palace reflecting upon the greatness of his kingdom. He concluded that it all came to pass because of his own might and for his own glory. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" This prideful evaluation was in stark contrast to David's earlier humble profession. "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our GOD, we thank You and praise Your glorious name" (1Chronicles 29:11-13).
Before Nebuchadnezzar had finished his self-centered pronouncement, heaven declared GOD's opposition to his pride. "King Nebuchadnezzar . . . the kingdom has departed from you." The consequences would be appropriately severe. "And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:32). This radical action was much like another proud ruler experienced in the days of the early church. "So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of a god and not of a man!' Then immediately an angel of the LORD struck him, because he did not give glory to GOD. And he was eaten by worms and died" (Acts 12:21-23)." GOD in His wisdom has filled His record with all kinds of examples of wayward people of mans kingdom for our learning of Him and His greatness.
Christ's Dwelling in:
Revealed in the Coming of the Holy Spirit,
John 14:18-24 (Jesus is speaking) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and WE will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's Who sent Me."
Demonstrates to the World Christ's Mission,
John 17:20-24 (Jesus is speaking) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in US, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as WE are One, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me. [the meaning of marriage, Genesis 2:23-24] Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me (Psalm 2:6-8), may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
The Old Life dies that the New may Live,
Galatians 2:15-21 "We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works required of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law, because by works of the Law no one will be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to GOD. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I [the "I" of sin] who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of GOD, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not nullify the Grace of GOD, for if righteousness were through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose."
Obtained by Faith,
Ephesians 3:14-19, 20-21 "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory HE may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in His love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of GOD. Now to Him Who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the [family of which HE is the Patriarch His] church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
A Glorious Mystery,
Colossians 1:24-29 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from GOD that was given to me for you, to make the word of GOD fully known, the mystery hidden for Ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them GOD chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me."
Obedience Essential to,
1John 3:23-24 "This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. Whoever keeps His commandments abides in GOD, and GOD in him. And by this we know that HE abides in us, by the Spirit Whom HE has given us."
Possible to All,
Revelation 3:14, 15-22 (Christ Jesus is speaking) "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of GOD's creation.
"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
"Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Opposition to Pride"
"All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar . . . he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you." (Daniel 4:28-31)
"Our lofty and holy GOD is committed to graciously revive the hearts of all who walk in humility and lowliness. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6). Those who walk in pride experience quite a different response from the LORD. King Nebuchadnezzar exemplified GOD's opposition to the prideful.
Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king in Babylon. One day, he was in his royal palace reflecting upon the greatness of his kingdom. He concluded that it all came to pass because of his own might and for his own glory. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" This prideful evaluation was in stark contrast to David's earlier humble profession. "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our GOD, we thank You and praise Your glorious name" (1Chronicles 29:11-13).
Before Nebuchadnezzar had finished his self-centered pronouncement, heaven declared GOD's opposition to his pride. "King Nebuchadnezzar . . . the kingdom has departed from you." The consequences would be appropriately severe. "And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:32). This radical action was much like another proud ruler experienced in the days of the early church. "So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of a god and not of a man!' Then immediately an angel of the LORD struck him, because he did not give glory to GOD. And he was eaten by worms and died" (Acts 12:21-23)." GOD in His wisdom has filled His record with all kinds of examples of wayward people of mans kingdom for our learning of Him and His greatness.
Christ's Dwelling in:
Revealed in the Coming of the Holy Spirit,
John 14:18-24 (Jesus is speaking) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and WE will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's Who sent Me."
Demonstrates to the World Christ's Mission,
John 17:20-24 (Jesus is speaking) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in US, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as WE are One, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me. [the meaning of marriage, Genesis 2:23-24] Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me (Psalm 2:6-8), may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
The Old Life dies that the New may Live,
Galatians 2:15-21 "We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works required of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law, because by works of the Law no one will be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to GOD. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I [the "I" of sin] who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of GOD, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not nullify the Grace of GOD, for if righteousness were through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose."
Obtained by Faith,
Ephesians 3:14-19, 20-21 "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory HE may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in His love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of GOD. Now to Him Who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the [family of which HE is the Patriarch His] church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
A Glorious Mystery,
Colossians 1:24-29 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from GOD that was given to me for you, to make the word of GOD fully known, the mystery hidden for Ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them GOD chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me."
Obedience Essential to,
1John 3:23-24 "This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. Whoever keeps His commandments abides in GOD, and GOD in him. And by this we know that HE abides in us, by the Spirit Whom HE has given us."
Possible to All,
Revelation 3:14, 15-22 (Christ Jesus is speaking) "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of GOD's creation.
"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Divine Spiritual Richness (Individual call to Consecration)
While under the led of the LORD, I will continue with the theme of Amos 3:3 and our walking in harmony or agreement as One with the LORD. With that said todays targeted area is man being filled with the Spirit. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace. As we remain within the New Covenant purchased by the Eternal Blood of Christ Jesus, to bring man to His Salvation. In this our Relationship with GOD is reestablished as seen in Genesis 1:26-27 and chapter 2. Where in chapter 2 beings with man, as a spirit, in the rest with GOD, in His Sabbath [rest] before man is formed of the clay of the earth on the eighth day, in the same fashion as any clay pot is molded and formed. For this I will use the ESV translation and as always should the LORD add to what is already there I will add it. Before I get into the subject at hand I want to say this about man today. Many out there are in no way humble or of a contriteness of heart because they are condescending rude and show no respect for themselves or others. Man has become a demanding disobedient people of lawlessness and chaos. There is one more thing I must point out, and it is this from the beginning there have been people who possessed the essence of GOD's Spirit within them, such people as the Prophets of whom Israel's King David is one. This fact is seen in his Psalms record.
"More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite"
"The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap." (Psalm 113:4-7)
"In our previous meditation, we considered the LORD's loftiness, coupled with His interest in man's lowliness. "I dwell in the high and holy place [the location is the core of mans being, when in His Salvation, for until then this remains a far far off kind of thing, an impossibility], and with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15). In our present verses, we again see the LORD's desires to dwell within the humble and contrite.
Our great GOD dwells in the heaven of heavens, ruling over all the nations of the world. "The LORD is High above all nations." His glory is even more majestic than the galaxies, which He hung throughout the stellar heavens: "His glory above the heavens." There is no one in all the universe who could be likened unto Him. "Who is like the LORD our GOD?" Nevertheless, though He rightly inhabits the highest realms of existence, He is willing to consider our lowly estate and become involved in the affairs of humanity: "Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth."
From His high and lofty position, the LORD observes the family of man. He is not looking for the boastful and the arrogant. He is looking for the humble and the contrite. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6). Although our GOD is the creator of all the universe, HE is looking for the spiritually bankrupt and those whose hearts are crushed. " 'For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,' says the LORD. 'But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word' " (Isaiah 66:2). This last phrase gives a key characteristic of those who are truly humble and contrite. They respond with reverence when hearing GOD's word.
What does the LORD desire to do for the humble and contrite? He wants to bring spiritual restoration: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me" (Psalm 138:7). Our great GOD is a God of compassion. He wants to restore the crushed heart. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves [heals...ie restores] such as have a contrite spirit . . . He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 34:18 and 147:3). Our mighty, compassionate LORD "raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap." In other words HE indwells us.
Spirit-filled Men,
Luke 1:8-17 Now while he [the priest Zachariah] was serving as priest before GOD when his [allotted appointment] division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the LORD to burn incense. A the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. To this Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayers have been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the LORD. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. For he will turn many of the children of Israel to the LORD their God, and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the LORD a people prepared."
Luke 4:1-4 "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and being led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, He was hungry. The devil said to Him, "If you are the Son of GOD, command this stone to become bread." To this Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
Acts 2:1-4 "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. When suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. When divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 4:5-12 "The next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. They had set them [John and Peter] in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, Whom GOD raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is Salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved [redeemed from perils of slavery]."
Acts 4:23-31 "When they [Peter and John] were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together toward GOD and said, "Sovereign LORD, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, Who through the mouth of our father David, Your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the LORD and against His Anointed'— for truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed [Christ], both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. And now, LORD, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal [restore spiritual health to our soul or spirit, the LORD's Salvation], and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of GOD with boldness.
Acts 7:54-60 "Now when they heard [Stephen's message] these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of GOD, and Jesus standing at the right hand of GOD. To this he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of GOD." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "LORD, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
Acts 11:19-26 "Those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. For there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the LORD was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of GOD, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the LORD with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the LORD. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the home churches and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."
Acts 13:4-12 "Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of GOD in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of GOD. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the LORD? And now, behold, the hand of the LORD is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time." Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the LORD."
Acts 13:44-47, 48-52 " On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the LORD. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. To this Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of GOD be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the LORD has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the LORD, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the LORD was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. For the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."
"More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite"
"The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap." (Psalm 113:4-7)
"In our previous meditation, we considered the LORD's loftiness, coupled with His interest in man's lowliness. "I dwell in the high and holy place [the location is the core of mans being, when in His Salvation, for until then this remains a far far off kind of thing, an impossibility], and with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15). In our present verses, we again see the LORD's desires to dwell within the humble and contrite.
Our great GOD dwells in the heaven of heavens, ruling over all the nations of the world. "The LORD is High above all nations." His glory is even more majestic than the galaxies, which He hung throughout the stellar heavens: "His glory above the heavens." There is no one in all the universe who could be likened unto Him. "Who is like the LORD our GOD?" Nevertheless, though He rightly inhabits the highest realms of existence, He is willing to consider our lowly estate and become involved in the affairs of humanity: "Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth."
From His high and lofty position, the LORD observes the family of man. He is not looking for the boastful and the arrogant. He is looking for the humble and the contrite. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6). Although our GOD is the creator of all the universe, HE is looking for the spiritually bankrupt and those whose hearts are crushed. " 'For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,' says the LORD. 'But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word' " (Isaiah 66:2). This last phrase gives a key characteristic of those who are truly humble and contrite. They respond with reverence when hearing GOD's word.
What does the LORD desire to do for the humble and contrite? He wants to bring spiritual restoration: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me" (Psalm 138:7). Our great GOD is a God of compassion. He wants to restore the crushed heart. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves [heals...ie restores] such as have a contrite spirit . . . He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 34:18 and 147:3). Our mighty, compassionate LORD "raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap." In other words HE indwells us.
Spirit-filled Men,
Luke 1:8-17 Now while he [the priest Zachariah] was serving as priest before GOD when his [allotted appointment] division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the LORD to burn incense. A the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. To this Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayers have been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the LORD. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. For he will turn many of the children of Israel to the LORD their God, and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the LORD a people prepared."
Luke 4:1-4 "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and being led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, He was hungry. The devil said to Him, "If you are the Son of GOD, command this stone to become bread." To this Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
Acts 2:1-4 "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. When suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. When divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 4:5-12 "The next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. They had set them [John and Peter] in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, Whom GOD raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is Salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved [redeemed from perils of slavery]."
Acts 4:23-31 "When they [Peter and John] were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together toward GOD and said, "Sovereign LORD, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, Who through the mouth of our father David, Your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the LORD and against His Anointed'— for truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed [Christ], both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. And now, LORD, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal [restore spiritual health to our soul or spirit, the LORD's Salvation], and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of GOD with boldness.
Acts 7:54-60 "Now when they heard [Stephen's message] these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of GOD, and Jesus standing at the right hand of GOD. To this he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of GOD." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "LORD, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
Acts 11:19-26 "Those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. For there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the LORD was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of GOD, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the LORD with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the LORD. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the home churches and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."
Acts 13:4-12 "Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of GOD in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of GOD. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the LORD? And now, behold, the hand of the LORD is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time." Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the LORD."
Acts 13:44-47, 48-52 " On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the LORD. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. To this Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of GOD be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the LORD has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the LORD, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the LORD was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. For the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."
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