Hello world! What is it that you profess, in what or how do you believe? Is it your self, family, your church, maybe it is your denomination or how about one of the many systems of man. Such as politics, religion, government, economics, a sports athlete, to name but a few. This one could be big, how about what you believe is GOD? You know your view of Him that is unseen. Okay that said, now I wont to turn your attention over to Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace. With the LORD's help, then I will look at our living a life of submission to Divine Will. Making use of the ESV translation.
"Moses Pointing to the Lord for Battle"
"Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies; do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." (Deuteronomy 20:3-4)
"Moses is another example of those who lived by Grace in the Old Testament. He knew the necessity of relying upon the sufficiency of GOD, instead of upon the inadequate resources of man. One illustration of this is seen when he pointed Israel to the LORD of battle. The LORD of Hosts.
When the children of Israel would enter into the Promised Land, innumerable battles would lie before them. These battles were inevitable, since godless nations had entrenched themselves in the lands: "because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you" (Deuteronomy 9:5). Thus, the history of Israel documents one battle after another. These people were to be totally exterminated, was GOD's order to Israel. Among many such passages one stands out that being in Deuteronomy 20:19.
Moses announced the truth that the people of the LORD need to hear as the battle draws near. "Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies; do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them." This holds true for today as it did back then. So often, when the warfare appears, the foe seems invincible. "When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you" (Deuteronomy 20:1). The natural temptation is to "faint . . . be afraid . . . tremble or be terrified." Another temptation is to try to match the enemy horse for horse and chariot for chariot. The scriptures warn of the futility of turning to worldly resources. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 31:1).
Moses knew that GOD's people need a reminder that the LORD wants to be our hope. When we must go into the battles of life, the LORD accompanies us. "For the LORD your GOD is He Who goes with you." He is with us not only to comfort us, but also to battle on our behalf: "to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." The LORD fights for His people in an unlimited variety of ways. He can change the hearts of those who oppose us. He can bring their plans to naught. He can trap them in their own evil plans. He can cause our enemies to turn and devour one another. He can effectively save us in any manner that He chooses."
Submission to Divine Will:
The Result of Inward law,
Psalm 40:6-8 "In sacrifice and offering You have no delighted, but You have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your Will, O my GOD; Your law (Will, Word, plan and purposes) is within my heart."
Prayer is Essential,
Psalm 143:10-12 and Matthew 6:9-15 "Teach me to do Your Will, for you are my GOD! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For Your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In Your Righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! In Your steadfast love You will cut off my enemies, and You will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant."
Matthew 6:9-15 (Jesus is speaking) "Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father Will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Establishes a Divine Relationship,
Matthew 12:46-50 "While Jesus was still speaking to the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him. To this He replied to the man who told Him, "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?" Then stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the Will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
Christ the Perfect Example,
Matthew 26:42-46 and John 5:30 "For the second time, Jesus went away to pray, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your Will be done." Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, My betrayer is at hand."
John 5:30 "I can do nothing on My own. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I seek not My own will but the Will of Him Who sent Me."
Tends to Spiritual Knowledge,
John 7:14-18 and Acts 21:7-14, Romans 12:1-2 "About the middle of the Feast of Booths, Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not Mine, but His Who sent Me. If anyone's will is to do GOD's Will, he will know whether the teaching is from GOD or whether I am speaking on My own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of Him Who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood."
Acts 21:7-14 "When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people there urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. To this Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the LORD be done."
Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the Will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (John 4:23-24)
Wholeheartedness Required,
Ephesians 6:5-8 and Hebrews 13:20-21 "Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the Will of GOD from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the LORD and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the LORD, whether he is a bondservant or is free."
Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now may the GOD of Peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His Will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Rule of Every-day Life,
James 4:13-17 and 1John 2 "Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the LORD wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
1John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the Will of GOD abides forever."
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
Yesterday I looked into our being in rebellion and today I wont to look at our Resignation to GOD as seen in a few of the Bible's record men like Eli, David and Job to name but a few. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace, with the led of the LORD. And then with the use of the ESV translation I will look at our own Resignation by the use of others as my examples.
"Joshua and Caleb Entering the Promised Land"
"Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not wholly followed Me, except Caleb . . . and Joshua . . . for they have wholly followed the LORD." (Numbers 32:11-12)
"Those who live by humble faith (our being bound fast with GOD, as in our being One) enter into the fullness of GOD's provisions of grace. "GOD resists the proud (a high degree of conceit), but gives grace to the humble . . . we have access by faith into this Grace in which we stand" (James 4:6 and Romans 5:2). Joshua and Caleb illustrated this truth by entering the Promised Land.
As we have seen, GOD's great salvation is both "from" and "unto." "We have passed from death to Life" (1John 3:14). Also, this life we have been given is to be experienced in abundance. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Israel's calling by the LORD from bondage in Egypt to fullness in the land pictures this truth. "So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8).
Joshua and Caleb were the only adult Israelites in that first generation who went "into this fullness" of GOD's calling. They alone went into the land (of faith by grace). "Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land . . . because they have not wholly followed Me, except Caleb . . . and Joshua." Joshua would not only enter the land, he would lead Israel into God's victory. "Then Moses called Joshua and said to him . . . you must go with this people to the land . . . and you shall cause them to inherit it" (Deuteronomy 31:7). Caleb would not only enter the land, he would still be strengthened by faith even in his old age. "Here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war" (Joshua 14:11).
Unlike Joshua and Caleb, the other Israelites followed the LORD's calling out from Egypt, but they did not follow Him into the land. Many Christians repeat this same error today. They have followed the Lord as He led them out of the spiritual death of sin and guilt. They are "out of Egypt." They are forgiven of their sins. They have new life in Christ. However, they do not follow the LORD on "into the land (of faith by grace)." They do not follow by faith into abundance of life. They do not follow the LORD in humble dependency for transformation, for fruitfulness, for a life of spiritual victory, of peace with rest."
Resignation's examples:
Eli,
1Samuel 3:15-18 "Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." And he said, "Here I am." Then Eli said, "What was it that HE told you? Do not hide it from me. May GOD do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that HE told you." So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him."
David,
2Samuel 12:21-23 and 2Samuel 15:26, 2Kings 20:19 "Then David's servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food." He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."
2Samuel 15:24-26 "Abiathar came up, and behold, Zadok came also with all the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of GOD. And they set down the ark of GOD until the people had all passed out of the city. Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of GOD back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, HE will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place. But if HE says, 'I have no pleasure in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me what seems good to Him."
2Kings 20:16-19 "Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?"
Job,
Job 1:20-21 "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Christ,
Mark 14:32-42 "They went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." And He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And He said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch." And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. Then He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will." Then He came and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer Him. He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, My betrayer is at hand."
John 18:1-11 "When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with His disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. So He asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. So, if you seek Me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that He had spoken: "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost not one." Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me?"
Paul's friends,
Acts 21:7-14 "When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the LORD be done."
"Joshua and Caleb Entering the Promised Land"
"Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not wholly followed Me, except Caleb . . . and Joshua . . . for they have wholly followed the LORD." (Numbers 32:11-12)
"Those who live by humble faith (our being bound fast with GOD, as in our being One) enter into the fullness of GOD's provisions of grace. "GOD resists the proud (a high degree of conceit), but gives grace to the humble . . . we have access by faith into this Grace in which we stand" (James 4:6 and Romans 5:2). Joshua and Caleb illustrated this truth by entering the Promised Land.
As we have seen, GOD's great salvation is both "from" and "unto." "We have passed from death to Life" (1John 3:14). Also, this life we have been given is to be experienced in abundance. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Israel's calling by the LORD from bondage in Egypt to fullness in the land pictures this truth. "So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8).
Joshua and Caleb were the only adult Israelites in that first generation who went "into this fullness" of GOD's calling. They alone went into the land (of faith by grace). "Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land . . . because they have not wholly followed Me, except Caleb . . . and Joshua." Joshua would not only enter the land, he would lead Israel into God's victory. "Then Moses called Joshua and said to him . . . you must go with this people to the land . . . and you shall cause them to inherit it" (Deuteronomy 31:7). Caleb would not only enter the land, he would still be strengthened by faith even in his old age. "Here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war" (Joshua 14:11).
Unlike Joshua and Caleb, the other Israelites followed the LORD's calling out from Egypt, but they did not follow Him into the land. Many Christians repeat this same error today. They have followed the Lord as He led them out of the spiritual death of sin and guilt. They are "out of Egypt." They are forgiven of their sins. They have new life in Christ. However, they do not follow the LORD on "into the land (of faith by grace)." They do not follow by faith into abundance of life. They do not follow the LORD in humble dependency for transformation, for fruitfulness, for a life of spiritual victory, of peace with rest."
Resignation's examples:
Eli,
1Samuel 3:15-18 "Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." And he said, "Here I am." Then Eli said, "What was it that HE told you? Do not hide it from me. May GOD do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that HE told you." So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him."
David,
2Samuel 12:21-23 and 2Samuel 15:26, 2Kings 20:19 "Then David's servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food." He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."
2Samuel 15:24-26 "Abiathar came up, and behold, Zadok came also with all the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of GOD. And they set down the ark of GOD until the people had all passed out of the city. Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of GOD back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, HE will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place. But if HE says, 'I have no pleasure in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me what seems good to Him."
2Kings 20:16-19 "Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?"
Job,
Job 1:20-21 "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Christ,
Mark 14:32-42 "They went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." And He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And He said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch." And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. Then He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will." Then He came and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer Him. He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, My betrayer is at hand."
John 18:1-11 "When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with His disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. So He asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. So, if you seek Me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that He had spoken: "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost not one." Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me?"
Paul's friends,
Acts 21:7-14 "When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the LORD be done."
Monday, August 29, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
I wont to take a moment or two to look at what it means to rebel against GOD. Because this term like so many others has suffered violence under the watchful eye of a heavy handed task master of sin. Which causes mans perception of GOD and His Divine revelation to be skewed. If one is listening to my words of introduction in this blog they should have notices that man has from the beginning had a few witness to GOD's Grace working within and then through them. This is GOD's doing within the Bible, an account of mans failures and records of successes. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and then with the Led of the LORD I will under take rebellion of man making use of the ESV translation. And as always when the LORD provides more light I will add it there and then.
"Living by God's Grace in the Old Testament"
"Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes . . . "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us . . . Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land . . . the LORD is with us." (Numbers 14:6, 8-9)
"Throughout the Old Testament record, we can find examples of people living by the grace of GOD. They may not have been able to describe their experience in terms of grace. Yet, their reliance upon GOD to work on their behalf was just as valid as ours. Living by grace involves GOD work in people's lives. Even though they may have been born under the law, or even apart from it's condemnation power, they could not live by means of the law. Because the law of the Hebrews supplied no resource for life. Without GOD at work, the only resource is from the flesh, from natural human sufficiency. This has always been inadequate for living as GOD intended. Joshua and Caleb were two men who realized that GOD's sufficiency (His grace) was the only reliable hope.
Twelve Israelites had just returned from spying out the Promised Land. Ten of them had a similar perspective. "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey . . . Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large . . . We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we" (Numbers 13:27-28, 31). Their bad report was based upon what they saw (having a skewed perception because it was), measured against their own resources. By this evaluation, they concluded: "We are not able to go up against the people." They were comparing two sets of human resources. "They are stronger than we."
Joshua and Caleb were deeply distressed by this inappropriate evaluation. "And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes." They knew that this outlook ignored what God had promised and what God could do. "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us." They realized that this majority report, which was based on human sight and human capabilities, was actually a form of rebellion against the Lord. "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land." Their rebellion was in fearing man and not trusting GOD. All the children of Israel needed to do was remember the LORD was committed to them. "The LORD is with us." The LORD is willing and able to give them the land."
Rebellion:
Deuteronomy 9:22-24 "At Taberah also, and at Massah and at Kibroth-hattaavah you provoked the LORD to wrath. When the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, 'Go up and take possession of the land that I have given you,' then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God and did not believe Him or obey His voice. You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you."
1Samuel 15:20-23 "Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." To this Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, HE has also rejected you from being king."
Nehemiah 9:16-25 "For they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey Your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that You performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and had committed great blasphemies, You in Your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold Your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. "And You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and You brought them into the land that You had told their fathers to enter and possess. So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and You subdued it before them, even the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in Your great goodness."
Psalm 68:5-6 "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is GOD in His Holy habitation. GOD settles the solitary in a home; HE leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."
Isaiah 30:1-5 "Ah, stubborn children," declares the LORD, "who carry out a plan, but not Mine, and who make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for My direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation. For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes, everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace."
Isaiah 65:1-7 "I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, "Here I am, here I am," to a nation that was not called by My name. I spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke Me to My face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks; who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig's flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels; who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." These are a smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day. Behold, it is written before Me: "I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their lap both your iniquities and your fathers' iniquities together, says the LORD; because they made offerings on the mountains and insulted Me on the hills, I will measure into their lap payment for their former deeds."
Jeremiah 5:4-6 "I said, "These are only the poor; they have no sense; for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their GOD. I will go to the great and will speak to them, for they know the way of the LORD, the justice of their GOD." For they all alike have broken the yoke; they had burst the bonds. Therefore a lion from the forest shall strike them down; a wolf from the desert shall devastate them. A leopard is watching their cities; everyone who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces, because their transgressions are many, their apostasies are great."
Ezekiel 2:1-7 "HE said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you." As HE spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. And HE said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against Me. They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD GOD.' Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. As for you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. For you shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house."
Ezekiel 12:1-6 "The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel."
"Living by God's Grace in the Old Testament"
"Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes . . . "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us . . . Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land . . . the LORD is with us." (Numbers 14:6, 8-9)
"Throughout the Old Testament record, we can find examples of people living by the grace of GOD. They may not have been able to describe their experience in terms of grace. Yet, their reliance upon GOD to work on their behalf was just as valid as ours. Living by grace involves GOD work in people's lives. Even though they may have been born under the law, or even apart from it's condemnation power, they could not live by means of the law. Because the law of the Hebrews supplied no resource for life. Without GOD at work, the only resource is from the flesh, from natural human sufficiency. This has always been inadequate for living as GOD intended. Joshua and Caleb were two men who realized that GOD's sufficiency (His grace) was the only reliable hope.
Twelve Israelites had just returned from spying out the Promised Land. Ten of them had a similar perspective. "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey . . . Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large . . . We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we" (Numbers 13:27-28, 31). Their bad report was based upon what they saw (having a skewed perception because it was), measured against their own resources. By this evaluation, they concluded: "We are not able to go up against the people." They were comparing two sets of human resources. "They are stronger than we."
Joshua and Caleb were deeply distressed by this inappropriate evaluation. "And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes." They knew that this outlook ignored what God had promised and what God could do. "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us." They realized that this majority report, which was based on human sight and human capabilities, was actually a form of rebellion against the Lord. "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land." Their rebellion was in fearing man and not trusting GOD. All the children of Israel needed to do was remember the LORD was committed to them. "The LORD is with us." The LORD is willing and able to give them the land."
Rebellion:
Deuteronomy 9:22-24 "At Taberah also, and at Massah and at Kibroth-hattaavah you provoked the LORD to wrath. When the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, 'Go up and take possession of the land that I have given you,' then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God and did not believe Him or obey His voice. You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you."
1Samuel 15:20-23 "Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." To this Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, HE has also rejected you from being king."
Nehemiah 9:16-25 "For they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey Your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that You performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and had committed great blasphemies, You in Your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold Your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. "And You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and You brought them into the land that You had told their fathers to enter and possess. So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and You subdued it before them, even the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in Your great goodness."
Psalm 68:5-6 "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is GOD in His Holy habitation. GOD settles the solitary in a home; HE leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."
Isaiah 30:1-5 "Ah, stubborn children," declares the LORD, "who carry out a plan, but not Mine, and who make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for My direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation. For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes, everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace."
Isaiah 65:1-7 "I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, "Here I am, here I am," to a nation that was not called by My name. I spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke Me to My face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks; who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig's flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels; who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." These are a smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day. Behold, it is written before Me: "I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their lap both your iniquities and your fathers' iniquities together, says the LORD; because they made offerings on the mountains and insulted Me on the hills, I will measure into their lap payment for their former deeds."
Jeremiah 5:4-6 "I said, "These are only the poor; they have no sense; for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their GOD. I will go to the great and will speak to them, for they know the way of the LORD, the justice of their GOD." For they all alike have broken the yoke; they had burst the bonds. Therefore a lion from the forest shall strike them down; a wolf from the desert shall devastate them. A leopard is watching their cities; everyone who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces, because their transgressions are many, their apostasies are great."
Ezekiel 2:1-7 "HE said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you." As HE spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. And HE said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against Me. They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD GOD.' Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. As for you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. For you shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house."
Ezekiel 12:1-6 "The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel."
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
I looked at part of our being the scourge of the world sometimes looked at as our being a reproach and of our suffering for the witness of Christ's Spirit within us. Today I will look into the Saints being despised more then the rest of the world. Scripture states that judgment begins at the house of GOD, which is family unit of GOD. This may just be miss understood because when GOD allows us to be a living witness (remember satan has been judged, condemned) of Christ in man, we become a scourge or whip to the worldly, this may appear as judgment on His Family. Because mans sight and thinking is a skewed (having nature of satan within them) from the moment of the fall. If we have not the witness of Christ by this means we are none of His. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace as we acquire Christ's character we live daily by His Grace and Truth active within each of us as being One with GOD again. After that I will look at the Saints Despised with the led of the LORD. Making use of the ESV translation.
"The Certainty of All the Promises of God"
"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2Corinthians 1:19-20)
"As we have seen, some of the promises of GOD are "exceedingly great and precious." Others are very "unpopular." The former category of promises brings encouragement, strength, hope, comfort. For example, "The LORD Will perfect that which concerns me" (Psalm 138:8). The latter category warns, awakens, humbles, prepares. For example, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus Will suffer persecution" (2Timothy 3:12). Yet, whether we gladly embrace a "precious" promise or struggle with an "unpopular" promise, there is the absolute certainty of all the promises of GOD being fulfilled. Our present verses explain the basis of this certainty. The assurance is related to the very nature of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34; Jeremiah 15:10; Luke 12:49-53, Acts 13:45-50, 14:2; Job 18:5). In another passage it states the HE makes His ministers a flame of fire (Hebrews 1:7).
When Paul and his missionary team preached about the Lord Jesus, it was not a "yes-and-no" message. "For the Son of GOD, Jesus Christ, Who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No." The character and message of Jesus is not characterized by uncertainty. He is faithful and sure. The message concerning Him, as well as the messages He proclaimed, are "Yes." They are all guaranteed realities. It is not that Jesus could be the Son of GOD. He IS certainly such. It is not that Jesus might save all who call upon Him. Such is totally assured. It is not that some of His promises could possibly be fulfilled. Rather, all of them will absolutely be fulfilled. Ezekiel declared this Truth concerning all of the Godhead. "For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass . . . the word which I speak will be done" (Ezekiel 12:25, 28). Later, John added a particular word concerning our reliable Savior: "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness" (Revelation 1:5). No wonder then that "all the promises of GOD in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of GOD through us." Our GOD is going to faithfully do everything that HE has ever stated in every one of His promises. The result will be great glory for Him, as HE fulfills His promises in and through our lives.
Day by day throughout the family of GOD, some Christians live in the blessed certainty of GOD's promises, while others do not. The determining difference is faith versus unbelief. Joshua and Caleb of old entered into the promised land. The rest of that generation "could not enter in because of unbelief"" (Hebrews 3:19).
Saints Despised:
1Samuel 17:41-47 "The Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field." Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and HE will give you into our hand."
2Samuel 6:15-16 "David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.
As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart."
Nehemiah 2:17-20 "Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem."
Nehemiah 4:1-3 "Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?" Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!"
Job 12:1-6 "Then Job answered and said: "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and HE answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock. In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for those whose feet slip. The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand."
Tsadhe.
Psalm 119:137-144 "Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are Your rules. You have appointed Your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget Your words. Your promises are well tried, and Your servant loves them. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is righteous forever, and Your law is true. Trouble and anguish have found me out, but Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding (light) that I may live."
1Corinthians 1:26-31 "Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But GOD chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; GOD chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; GOD chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of GOD. Because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from GOD, Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD."
1Corinthians 4:8-13 "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that GOD has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things."
"The Certainty of All the Promises of God"
"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2Corinthians 1:19-20)
"As we have seen, some of the promises of GOD are "exceedingly great and precious." Others are very "unpopular." The former category of promises brings encouragement, strength, hope, comfort. For example, "The LORD Will perfect that which concerns me" (Psalm 138:8). The latter category warns, awakens, humbles, prepares. For example, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus Will suffer persecution" (2Timothy 3:12). Yet, whether we gladly embrace a "precious" promise or struggle with an "unpopular" promise, there is the absolute certainty of all the promises of GOD being fulfilled. Our present verses explain the basis of this certainty. The assurance is related to the very nature of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34; Jeremiah 15:10; Luke 12:49-53, Acts 13:45-50, 14:2; Job 18:5). In another passage it states the HE makes His ministers a flame of fire (Hebrews 1:7).
When Paul and his missionary team preached about the Lord Jesus, it was not a "yes-and-no" message. "For the Son of GOD, Jesus Christ, Who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No." The character and message of Jesus is not characterized by uncertainty. He is faithful and sure. The message concerning Him, as well as the messages He proclaimed, are "Yes." They are all guaranteed realities. It is not that Jesus could be the Son of GOD. He IS certainly such. It is not that Jesus might save all who call upon Him. Such is totally assured. It is not that some of His promises could possibly be fulfilled. Rather, all of them will absolutely be fulfilled. Ezekiel declared this Truth concerning all of the Godhead. "For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass . . . the word which I speak will be done" (Ezekiel 12:25, 28). Later, John added a particular word concerning our reliable Savior: "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness" (Revelation 1:5). No wonder then that "all the promises of GOD in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of GOD through us." Our GOD is going to faithfully do everything that HE has ever stated in every one of His promises. The result will be great glory for Him, as HE fulfills His promises in and through our lives.
Day by day throughout the family of GOD, some Christians live in the blessed certainty of GOD's promises, while others do not. The determining difference is faith versus unbelief. Joshua and Caleb of old entered into the promised land. The rest of that generation "could not enter in because of unbelief"" (Hebrews 3:19).
Saints Despised:
1Samuel 17:41-47 "The Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field." Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and HE will give you into our hand."
2Samuel 6:15-16 "David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.
As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart."
Nehemiah 2:17-20 "Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem."
Nehemiah 4:1-3 "Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?" Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!"
Job 12:1-6 "Then Job answered and said: "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and HE answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock. In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for those whose feet slip. The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand."
Tsadhe.
Psalm 119:137-144 "Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are Your rules. You have appointed Your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget Your words. Your promises are well tried, and Your servant loves them. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is righteous forever, and Your law is true. Trouble and anguish have found me out, but Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding (light) that I may live."
1Corinthians 1:26-31 "Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But GOD chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; GOD chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; GOD chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of GOD. Because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from GOD, Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD."
1Corinthians 4:8-13 "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that GOD has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things."
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
Today as I look around and listen to what is being said in the church and by the worldly I have notice not much in its difference of language used by either. Some churches proclaim peace and love is stress and some a day futuristic gospel, as in when we get there kind of thing. Some proclaim our soon coming King and that Jesus is today King as in king kind of thing. The worldly remain totally indifferent and lackadaisical. When those of the church get back to every day life, the rest of their week, is the same as that of the worldly in lackadaisicalness as if they have not a care, in other words they just blend in with, the rest of the fabric by doing and saying and acting like the rest. Where is the identity and character and nature of Christ in them? When they come together in their religious normal fashion and special ritualistic fashion or occasions is the only time for an identity with the Lord. Their perception is skewed. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching words on Grace. And then my focus point the righteous will suffer for their identity in the LORD, with the Led of the LORD and the use of the ESV translation.
"An "Unpopular" Promise Regarding Persecution"
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2Timothy 3:12)
"For a final visit, we return to the category of "unpopular" promises. This promise guarantees persecution for serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many treasure comfort and popularity, this promise is not well-received. And in many circles is not known as in these they have adopted a more "progressive religion" of the world and a one world religion of unity with all.
This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness: "who desire to live godly." Godliness is the Will of the LORD for His people. "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1Timothy 6:11). Our LORD Himself declared that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). The blessing is GOD's pledge to satisfy that heart which yearns for Righteousness. "For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Notice the comprehensive, inescapable dimension of this promise. "All who desire to live godly . . . will suffer persecution." There are no exceptions. There are no exemptions.
All who sincerely desire to be one the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met, as He walked in righteousness. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). Jesus was not universally hailed for His righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. He was greatly hated by the religious leaders of Israel. We need not be startled when measures of similar persecutions befall us.
Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down the path of godliness. Rather, it is offered to prepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek to grow in Christlikeness. The LORD even adds gracious encouragements to Righteousness, so we will be strengthened to pursue His Holy Will in this matter. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are headed in the right direction, heaven bond. Persecutions can bring us heavenly measures of sustaining Grace along the way."
Reproach Suffered:
Luke 6:20-26 "Jesus lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of GOD. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."
1Timothy 4:6-10 "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have (received by belief) followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of (greater) value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (this is the stumbling block that keeps many from unity with GOD in His active Now I AM.). The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living GOD, Who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."
Hebrews 10:32-39 "Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves have a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the Will of GOD you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure (the meaning of Psalm 5:4) in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."
Hebrews 11:23-29 "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of GOD than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing Him Who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned."
Hebrews 13:7-16 "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of GOD. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by Grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent (earthly alter of the temple) have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp (as Jesus was crucified). So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own (death) blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach HE endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to GOD."
1Peter 4:12-19 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial (crisis of afflictions) 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 upon 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 (our crisis's of affliction, [Paul's wrestling's within him of Romans 7] which perfects GOD's Godliness within us [of 2Corinthians 4:17]) to begin at the household (our spiritual body within our physical body) 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 is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to GOD's Will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
"An "Unpopular" Promise Regarding Persecution"
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2Timothy 3:12)
"For a final visit, we return to the category of "unpopular" promises. This promise guarantees persecution for serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many treasure comfort and popularity, this promise is not well-received. And in many circles is not known as in these they have adopted a more "progressive religion" of the world and a one world religion of unity with all.
This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness: "who desire to live godly." Godliness is the Will of the LORD for His people. "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1Timothy 6:11). Our LORD Himself declared that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). The blessing is GOD's pledge to satisfy that heart which yearns for Righteousness. "For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Notice the comprehensive, inescapable dimension of this promise. "All who desire to live godly . . . will suffer persecution." There are no exceptions. There are no exemptions.
All who sincerely desire to be one the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met, as He walked in righteousness. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). Jesus was not universally hailed for His righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. He was greatly hated by the religious leaders of Israel. We need not be startled when measures of similar persecutions befall us.
Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down the path of godliness. Rather, it is offered to prepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek to grow in Christlikeness. The LORD even adds gracious encouragements to Righteousness, so we will be strengthened to pursue His Holy Will in this matter. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are headed in the right direction, heaven bond. Persecutions can bring us heavenly measures of sustaining Grace along the way."
Reproach Suffered:
Luke 6:20-26 "Jesus lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of GOD. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."
1Timothy 4:6-10 "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have (received by belief) followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of (greater) value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (this is the stumbling block that keeps many from unity with GOD in His active Now I AM.). The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living GOD, Who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."
Hebrews 10:32-39 "Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves have a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the Will of GOD you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure (the meaning of Psalm 5:4) in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."
Hebrews 11:23-29 "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of GOD than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing Him Who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned."
Hebrews 13:7-16 "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of GOD. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by Grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent (earthly alter of the temple) have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp (as Jesus was crucified). So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own (death) blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach HE endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to GOD."
1Peter 4:12-19 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial (crisis of afflictions) 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 upon 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 (our crisis's of affliction, [Paul's wrestling's within him of Romans 7] which perfects GOD's Godliness within us [of 2Corinthians 4:17]) to begin at the household (our spiritual body within our physical body) 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 is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to GOD's Will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
Friday, August 26, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
This morning I was without a thought until I came upon Pastor Hoekstra's teaching on GOD's Grace and our Union with Him through our restored relationship of constant communication of spirit with Divine Spirit. So I will look at Union as my subject target area because of what Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace shares. Remember my "en" of the Greek language which is the "in" of our English language. This little two letter word is used more often in our Bible translations than any other as a preposition. Then with the LORD's led I will make use of the ESV translation and as always when the LORD provides more light I will add His thought on it.
"More on the Most Precious Promise of Shared Life"
"By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (2Peter 1:4 and John 15:4-5)
"This promise of our shared life is so "exceedingly great and precious" that we would do well to consider it further. Being "partakers of the divine nature" (without becoming divine ourselves) is a difficult concept to grasp. The scriptures clearly invite us to live day by day through Christ sharing His life in us. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). Yet, how to walk in this truth can seem quite elusive. In His teaching on the vine and the branches, Jesus provided a wonderful physical illustration of this tremendous spiritual [divine] reality.
Jesus' visible example involves actual grapevines, grape branches, and the grapes that can potentially result. For grapes to grow, the appropriate life must be available and developing to maturity. The grape branches do not have this life in themselves. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." In order to bear grapes, the grape branch must share in the life of the vine. "The branch cannot bear fruit . . . unless it abides in the vine." This can be irrefutably demonstrated by separating a grape branch from its vine. No grapes can ever be produced on the branches, if the life of the vine is not flowing through the branches. The life of the vine is essential.
The spiritual application concerns Jesus as the vine and us as the branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches." For Christlike fruit to develop in us, the appropriate life must be available to us and maturing in us. We branches do not have this life in us: "neither can you [bear fruit], unless you abide in Me." This truth is lamentably demonstrated daily by Christians who live self-sufficiently, not depending upon the life that is in Jesus, the vine. "Without Me you can do nothing." Day by day Christian living is only possible by the shared life of Jesus at work through us.
Once again, we are reminded that humility and faith are the practical application for living as GOD intends. We must humbly depend upon Jesus for true fruitful living, just as grape branches must depend upon their vine for grapes."
Union with Christ,
Romans 7:4-12 "Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him Who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for GOD. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good."
1Corinthians 6:12-16 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and GOD will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the LORD, and the LORD for the body. And GOD raised the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh."
2Corinthians 11:1-6 "I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things."
Ephesians 5:25-6:3 "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that HE might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that HE might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. (as seen in Genesis 2) "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."
1John 2:18-25 "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the Truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the Truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that HE made to us—eternal life."
"More on the Most Precious Promise of Shared Life"
"By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (2Peter 1:4 and John 15:4-5)
"This promise of our shared life is so "exceedingly great and precious" that we would do well to consider it further. Being "partakers of the divine nature" (without becoming divine ourselves) is a difficult concept to grasp. The scriptures clearly invite us to live day by day through Christ sharing His life in us. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). Yet, how to walk in this truth can seem quite elusive. In His teaching on the vine and the branches, Jesus provided a wonderful physical illustration of this tremendous spiritual [divine] reality.
Jesus' visible example involves actual grapevines, grape branches, and the grapes that can potentially result. For grapes to grow, the appropriate life must be available and developing to maturity. The grape branches do not have this life in themselves. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." In order to bear grapes, the grape branch must share in the life of the vine. "The branch cannot bear fruit . . . unless it abides in the vine." This can be irrefutably demonstrated by separating a grape branch from its vine. No grapes can ever be produced on the branches, if the life of the vine is not flowing through the branches. The life of the vine is essential.
The spiritual application concerns Jesus as the vine and us as the branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches." For Christlike fruit to develop in us, the appropriate life must be available to us and maturing in us. We branches do not have this life in us: "neither can you [bear fruit], unless you abide in Me." This truth is lamentably demonstrated daily by Christians who live self-sufficiently, not depending upon the life that is in Jesus, the vine. "Without Me you can do nothing." Day by day Christian living is only possible by the shared life of Jesus at work through us.
Once again, we are reminded that humility and faith are the practical application for living as GOD intends. We must humbly depend upon Jesus for true fruitful living, just as grape branches must depend upon their vine for grapes."
Union with Christ,
Romans 7:4-12 "Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him Who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for GOD. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good."
1Corinthians 6:12-16 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and GOD will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the LORD, and the LORD for the body. And GOD raised the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh."
2Corinthians 11:1-6 "I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things."
Ephesians 5:25-6:3 "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that HE might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that HE might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. (as seen in Genesis 2) "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."
1John 2:18-25 "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the Truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the Truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that HE made to us—eternal life."
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
This morning as I ponder which of two areas that I should look at first, should it be Divine Guidance or the Greatness of Christ. Think that I'll do the Greatness of Christ, because yesterday it was the Greatness of GOD. So it is fitting to follow suit with Christ my LORD. That settled lets look at Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace as seen in the light of Christ. And then with the Led of the LORD I will make use of the ESV translation to look at the Greatness of Christ. Also keep it in mind that when the LORD gives me more light that I will add it there and then without hesitation of forewarning, as is my usual practice.
"The Most Precious Promise of Shared Life"
"By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine (His) nature . . . Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law . . . that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (2Peter 1:4 and Galatians 3:13-14)
"Here, we get at the heart of GOD's "exceedingly great and precious promises." That are active within those who are part of His "so great a Salvation" program, while we remain here on earth as His students. By means of promise, the LORD has made it possible for us to share in His life: "that through these [God's promises] you may be partakers of the (His) Divine Nature."
What a remarkable prospect this is — that man could participate in [the] His divine nature. Yet, the promises of GOD make this available to all of man. Of course, this does not mean that man becomes divine (as many false religions and some aberrant theologies espouse). GOD alone is, and will ever be, Divine. "I am GOD, and there is no other; I am GOD, and there is none like Me" (Isaiah 46:9). Nonetheless, man can share in the Life of GOD, even though he will never become "a god" himself. This is accomplished by Jesus Christ coming to dwell within the lives of those who believe [in] en Him. The Lord Jesus died for us that He might give His divine life to us. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life" (John 6:47). This life that Jesus wants to share with us is His own life. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life' . . . Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' " (John 11:25 and 14:6).
The Apostle Paul taught this great truth extensively. "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the Will (plan and purpose) of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus" (2Timothy 1:1). He understood that his apostolic ministry was not only anchored in GOD's will, but it also depended upon the life that GOD promised. Thus, he confessed Christ as his very own life: "Christ Who is our life" (Colossians 3:4). Paul was not the source of the daily Christian life that he lived. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). The LORD Jesus was Paul's life source. As HE is my own life source and thou my flesh may sin there is no condemnation tied to it, as I renounce it immediately. As I stated else where that when people simply memorize scriptures, that they have only the words in memory, that they are not active within them. Whereas when we learn Christ through Christ the words become a living Life imparting source of Christ's character and nature within us by our own speaking them out. What do I mean? As the LORD by His Spirit shows us a passage and / or a picture of one, and we speak of it, it becomes a living reality within.
This is what the promise of the Spirit is about. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law . . . that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." At new birth, the Holy Spirit also comes to indwell those who believe. The Spirit reveals these great truths to us through the word of GOD. Then, the Spirit gives forth the life of Christ through every humble, dependent child of GOD. "It is the Spirit Who gives Life" (John 6:63).
Of Christ's Greatness,
Isaiah 53:10-12 "Yet it was the will 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 (good pleasure) 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."
Isaiah 63:1-6 "Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, HE Who is splendid in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save." Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like His Who treads in the winepress? "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me; I trod them in My anger and trampled them in My wrath; their lifeblood spattered on My garments, and stained all My apparel. For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and My year of redemption had come. I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so My own arm brought Me salvation, and My wrath upheld Me. I trampled down the peoples in My anger; I made them drunk in My wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth."
Matthew 12:1-7 "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless."
Luke 11:29-32 "When the crowds were increasing, He began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."
Philippians 2:1-11 "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of GOD, did not count equality with GOD a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore GOD has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father."
"The Most Precious Promise of Shared Life"
"By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine (His) nature . . . Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law . . . that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (2Peter 1:4 and Galatians 3:13-14)
"Here, we get at the heart of GOD's "exceedingly great and precious promises." That are active within those who are part of His "so great a Salvation" program, while we remain here on earth as His students. By means of promise, the LORD has made it possible for us to share in His life: "that through these [God's promises] you may be partakers of the (His) Divine Nature."
What a remarkable prospect this is — that man could participate in [the] His divine nature. Yet, the promises of GOD make this available to all of man. Of course, this does not mean that man becomes divine (as many false religions and some aberrant theologies espouse). GOD alone is, and will ever be, Divine. "I am GOD, and there is no other; I am GOD, and there is none like Me" (Isaiah 46:9). Nonetheless, man can share in the Life of GOD, even though he will never become "a god" himself. This is accomplished by Jesus Christ coming to dwell within the lives of those who believe [in] en Him. The Lord Jesus died for us that He might give His divine life to us. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life" (John 6:47). This life that Jesus wants to share with us is His own life. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life' . . . Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' " (John 11:25 and 14:6).
The Apostle Paul taught this great truth extensively. "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the Will (plan and purpose) of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus" (2Timothy 1:1). He understood that his apostolic ministry was not only anchored in GOD's will, but it also depended upon the life that GOD promised. Thus, he confessed Christ as his very own life: "Christ Who is our life" (Colossians 3:4). Paul was not the source of the daily Christian life that he lived. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). The LORD Jesus was Paul's life source. As HE is my own life source and thou my flesh may sin there is no condemnation tied to it, as I renounce it immediately. As I stated else where that when people simply memorize scriptures, that they have only the words in memory, that they are not active within them. Whereas when we learn Christ through Christ the words become a living Life imparting source of Christ's character and nature within us by our own speaking them out. What do I mean? As the LORD by His Spirit shows us a passage and / or a picture of one, and we speak of it, it becomes a living reality within.
This is what the promise of the Spirit is about. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law . . . that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." At new birth, the Holy Spirit also comes to indwell those who believe. The Spirit reveals these great truths to us through the word of GOD. Then, the Spirit gives forth the life of Christ through every humble, dependent child of GOD. "It is the Spirit Who gives Life" (John 6:63).
Of Christ's Greatness,
Isaiah 53:10-12 "Yet it was the will 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 (good pleasure) 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."
Isaiah 63:1-6 "Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, HE Who is splendid in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save." Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like His Who treads in the winepress? "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me; I trod them in My anger and trampled them in My wrath; their lifeblood spattered on My garments, and stained all My apparel. For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and My year of redemption had come. I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so My own arm brought Me salvation, and My wrath upheld Me. I trampled down the peoples in My anger; I made them drunk in My wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth."
Matthew 12:1-7 "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless."
Luke 11:29-32 "When the crowds were increasing, He began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."
Philippians 2:1-11 "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of GOD, did not count equality with GOD a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore GOD has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father."
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
I am continuing on with the greatness that is en Christ. When we finally become Christ Inside Minded ones and by so doing carry GOD's name as a son. GOD used to His advantage many people of different walks of life in the beginning such as Seth the third son of Adam, Enoch a son of Seth, Noe or Noah also a son of Seth, Abram who became Abraham also of the heritage of Seth. And the father of those who come to his kind of trust and obedience with Isaac, to whom the promise was given, "in you all the nations of the earth will be blessed." Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace, as found in the person of Christ and which by the way the Gospel of this Age. Then with the LORD's Led I will look into the Greatness of GOD. Making use of the ESV translation while doing so.
"An "Unpopular" Prophetic Promise of Apostasy"
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." (1Timothy 4:1-2)
"As we continue to alternate between "precious promises" and "unpopular" promises, we come to a prophetic promise of apostasy. Which fits like the glove of notoriety of the OJ Simson court case. Among those who are actually drifting into apostasy, this promise is certainly "unpopular." Additionally, in a church world that wrongly accepts what sounds positive and rejects what sounds negative (instead of rejecting error and accepting truth), this promise is often met with disinterest or, worse, disdain. This being our present situation today.
"The Faith" is the message of the word of GOD. It is the Divine Truth in which we are to place our faith, our trust our hope and confidence. It especially includes the good news of the Grace of our LORD, Who is Jesus Christ. Our present promise forewarns that there will be those who fall away from "the faith" as the days press closer and closer to the end of the church era. The end of the era of Grace as the window of heaven then will be closed. "In latter times some will depart from the faith." Since this is a departure, they seem to adhere to the word of God for a season. Then, they turned away from it. If they remain active in the church world, their message will no longer reflect the true content of the scriptures. Peter gave a similar warning. "There were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them" (2Peter 2:1). As sure as Israel had false prophets, the church will have false teachers.
Paul provided some insights into their path of apostasy. They would be "giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." Their errors would result from paying attention to concepts that were perpetrated by demonic deception. The devil and his army of evil spirits are intent on confusing and distorting the teaching of the word of God. Typically, such errors feed man's fleshly desires to glorify self. Of mans humanity, placing trust in it more than in the GOD Who Created man. An easier way or so it is projected to be.
These apostates would also be "speaking lies of ever swelling hypocrisy." Not only would their teaching be erroneous, their lives would be marked by falsehoods related to pretense. They would add untrue testimony to their inaccurate message. Perhaps, the reports of their ministerial prowess would be grossly exaggerated. Or in the name of being a progressive they would lay a foundation on lies and deceit. The likes of which boggle the mind and mans emotions.
They would also be "having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." They would teach errors and live lies until their consciences were no longer convicted of sin. Be forewarned. Such apostates undoubtedly abound in these last days."
The Greatness of GOD,
Deuteronomy 3:23-28 "I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying, 'O LORD GOD, You have only begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.' But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the LORD said to me, 'Enough from you; do not speak to Me of this matter again. Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.'"
Psalm 77:11-15 "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Your way, O GOD, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the GOD Who works wonders; You have made known Your might among the peoples. You with Your arm redeemed Your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph."
Psalm 95:1-5 "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great GOD, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for HE made it, and His hands formed the dry land."
Psalm 104:1-4 "Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my GOD, You are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of His chambers on the waters; HE makes the clouds His chariot; HE rides on the wings of the wind; HE makes His messengers winds, His ministers a flaming fire."
Psalm 135:5-7 "I know that the LORD is great, and that our LORD is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, HE does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is Who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, Who makes lightings for the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses."
Psalm 145:1-7 "I will extol You, my GOD and King, and bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness."
Isaiah 12:1-6 "You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to You, O LORD, for though You were angry with me, Your anger turned away, that You might comfort me. "Behold, GOD is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, for HE has become my salvation." With joy You will draw water from the wells of salvation. For You will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for HE has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Jeremiah 32:16-25 "After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying: 'Ah, LORD GOD! It is You Who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You. You show steadfast love to thousands, but You repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty GOD, whose name is the LORD of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for Yourself, as at this day. You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror. For You gave them this land, which You swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. (As witness for Your Greatness and Faithfulness) And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey Your voice or walk in Your (ways or) law. They did nothing of all You commanded them to do. Therefore You have made all this disaster come upon them. Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What You have spoken has come to pass, and behold, You see it. Yet You, O LORD GOD, have said to me, "Buy the field for money and get witnesses"—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.'"
Malachi 1:6-14 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My fear? says the LORD of Hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?' By offering polluted food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted You?' By saying that the LORD's table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of Hosts. Now entreat the favor (graciousness) of GOD, that HE may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will HE show Grace to any of you? says the LORD of Hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on My altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of Hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense (Romans 12:1-2) will be offered to My name, and a pure offering. For My name Will be great among the nations, says the LORD of Hosts. But you profane it when you say that the LORD's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. But you say, 'What a weariness this is,' and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? asks the LORD. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the LORD what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of Hosts, and My name will be feared among the nations."
"An "Unpopular" Prophetic Promise of Apostasy"
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." (1Timothy 4:1-2)
"As we continue to alternate between "precious promises" and "unpopular" promises, we come to a prophetic promise of apostasy. Which fits like the glove of notoriety of the OJ Simson court case. Among those who are actually drifting into apostasy, this promise is certainly "unpopular." Additionally, in a church world that wrongly accepts what sounds positive and rejects what sounds negative (instead of rejecting error and accepting truth), this promise is often met with disinterest or, worse, disdain. This being our present situation today.
"The Faith" is the message of the word of GOD. It is the Divine Truth in which we are to place our faith, our trust our hope and confidence. It especially includes the good news of the Grace of our LORD, Who is Jesus Christ. Our present promise forewarns that there will be those who fall away from "the faith" as the days press closer and closer to the end of the church era. The end of the era of Grace as the window of heaven then will be closed. "In latter times some will depart from the faith." Since this is a departure, they seem to adhere to the word of God for a season. Then, they turned away from it. If they remain active in the church world, their message will no longer reflect the true content of the scriptures. Peter gave a similar warning. "There were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them" (2Peter 2:1). As sure as Israel had false prophets, the church will have false teachers.
Paul provided some insights into their path of apostasy. They would be "giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." Their errors would result from paying attention to concepts that were perpetrated by demonic deception. The devil and his army of evil spirits are intent on confusing and distorting the teaching of the word of God. Typically, such errors feed man's fleshly desires to glorify self. Of mans humanity, placing trust in it more than in the GOD Who Created man. An easier way or so it is projected to be.
These apostates would also be "speaking lies of ever swelling hypocrisy." Not only would their teaching be erroneous, their lives would be marked by falsehoods related to pretense. They would add untrue testimony to their inaccurate message. Perhaps, the reports of their ministerial prowess would be grossly exaggerated. Or in the name of being a progressive they would lay a foundation on lies and deceit. The likes of which boggle the mind and mans emotions.
They would also be "having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." They would teach errors and live lies until their consciences were no longer convicted of sin. Be forewarned. Such apostates undoubtedly abound in these last days."
The Greatness of GOD,
Deuteronomy 3:23-28 "I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying, 'O LORD GOD, You have only begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.' But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the LORD said to me, 'Enough from you; do not speak to Me of this matter again. Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.'"
Psalm 77:11-15 "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Your way, O GOD, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the GOD Who works wonders; You have made known Your might among the peoples. You with Your arm redeemed Your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph."
Psalm 95:1-5 "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great GOD, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for HE made it, and His hands formed the dry land."
Psalm 104:1-4 "Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my GOD, You are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of His chambers on the waters; HE makes the clouds His chariot; HE rides on the wings of the wind; HE makes His messengers winds, His ministers a flaming fire."
Psalm 135:5-7 "I know that the LORD is great, and that our LORD is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, HE does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is Who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, Who makes lightings for the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses."
Psalm 145:1-7 "I will extol You, my GOD and King, and bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness."
Isaiah 12:1-6 "You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to You, O LORD, for though You were angry with me, Your anger turned away, that You might comfort me. "Behold, GOD is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, for HE has become my salvation." With joy You will draw water from the wells of salvation. For You will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for HE has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Jeremiah 32:16-25 "After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying: 'Ah, LORD GOD! It is You Who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You. You show steadfast love to thousands, but You repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty GOD, whose name is the LORD of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for Yourself, as at this day. You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror. For You gave them this land, which You swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. (As witness for Your Greatness and Faithfulness) And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey Your voice or walk in Your (ways or) law. They did nothing of all You commanded them to do. Therefore You have made all this disaster come upon them. Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What You have spoken has come to pass, and behold, You see it. Yet You, O LORD GOD, have said to me, "Buy the field for money and get witnesses"—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.'"
Malachi 1:6-14 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My fear? says the LORD of Hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?' By offering polluted food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted You?' By saying that the LORD's table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of Hosts. Now entreat the favor (graciousness) of GOD, that HE may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will HE show Grace to any of you? says the LORD of Hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on My altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of Hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense (Romans 12:1-2) will be offered to My name, and a pure offering. For My name Will be great among the nations, says the LORD of Hosts. But you profane it when you say that the LORD's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. But you say, 'What a weariness this is,' and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? asks the LORD. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the LORD what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of Hosts, and My name will be feared among the nations."
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
I am still currently looking into the Bible term "light" and for todays journey I have chosen the Holy Spirit and His part that He plays. This is because He is so active in all areas of our growth, if not held back by religion and religions many traditions. As in most cases it is these that cause mans blasphemous ways to exist. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace in which we are grow into the perfection of Christ's character as man had before the fall. Then with the LORD gracious help I will look at His Holy Spirit as our teacher. Using the ESV translation as has become my habit of late.
"A Precious Promise of God's Perfecting Work"
"The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." (Psalm 138:8)
"Again, we look at one of GOD's "precious promises." (2Peter 1:4). This one pertains to His perfecting work in the lives of those who know Him and humbly depend upon Him. This priceless promise is the Old Testament antecedent of the one we recently considered from Philippians 1:6. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it."
Think of the astounding implications of our present promise. "The LORD Will Perfect that which concerns me." Think of the young boy,, just passing being a lad, Jesus. When his mother read this same passage to him and the spirit within him acknowledge to him that this spoke of him directly. Our God has pledged to fully accomplish His Will and His plan and purposes in every matter that pertains to our lives. Whether it is growth in biblical insight, development in godliness, progress in marriage, or whatever, "the LORD Will perfect that which concerns [us]."
If we have given even minimal attention to GOD's word, we know that He wants us to grow in sound biblical understanding. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of GOD; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). If we will humbly feed on GOD's word, seeking Him for spiritual insight, He "will perfect that which concerns [us] " in this area of life. In yesterdays blog post we found that Christ is the Living Oracle.
If we care about the Will of GOD for our overall spiritual development, we know His word calls us to godliness. "For the Grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present Age" (Titus 2:11-12). If we seek the LORD and trust in Him for ongoing growth in godliness, He "Will Perfect that which concerns [us] " in this area as well.
With respect to family life, the scriptures reveal GOD's Will to be a household of mutually submissive servants, each serving the other out of reverence for the Lord: "submitting to one another in the fear of GOD" (Ephesians 5:21). The servant wife would follow the spiritual leadership of the husband. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the LORD" (Ephesians 5:22). The servant husband would love His wife with sacrificial Christ-like love. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25). As each seeks the LORD for His transforming grace, He "Will Perfect that which concerns (us) " in this area of life also."
The Spirit as out Teacher,
Nehemiah 9:16-25 "But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey Your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that You performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a GOD ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and had committed great blasphemies, You in Your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. "And You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that You had told their fathers to enter and possess. So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in Your great goodness."
Luke 12:8-12 (Jesus is speaking) "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of GOD, but the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of GOD. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit Will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
John 14:25-31 (Jesus is speaking) "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father Will send in My name, He Will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard Me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, for I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father."
1Corinthians 2:6-13 "Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of GOD, which GOD decreed before the Ages for our glory. Which none of the rulers of this age understood, for if they had, they would not have (continue to) crucified the LORD of glory. For, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what GOD has prepared for those who love Him"— these things GOD has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of GOD. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of GOD except the Spirit of GOD. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is GOD, that we might understand the things freely given us by GOD. We impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting Spiritual Truths to those who are spiritual."
1John 2:26-27, 28-29 "I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. For the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. For His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him.
And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when HE appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him."
"A Precious Promise of God's Perfecting Work"
"The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." (Psalm 138:8)
"Again, we look at one of GOD's "precious promises." (2Peter 1:4). This one pertains to His perfecting work in the lives of those who know Him and humbly depend upon Him. This priceless promise is the Old Testament antecedent of the one we recently considered from Philippians 1:6. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it."
Think of the astounding implications of our present promise. "The LORD Will Perfect that which concerns me." Think of the young boy,, just passing being a lad, Jesus. When his mother read this same passage to him and the spirit within him acknowledge to him that this spoke of him directly. Our God has pledged to fully accomplish His Will and His plan and purposes in every matter that pertains to our lives. Whether it is growth in biblical insight, development in godliness, progress in marriage, or whatever, "the LORD Will perfect that which concerns [us]."
If we have given even minimal attention to GOD's word, we know that He wants us to grow in sound biblical understanding. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of GOD; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). If we will humbly feed on GOD's word, seeking Him for spiritual insight, He "will perfect that which concerns [us] " in this area of life. In yesterdays blog post we found that Christ is the Living Oracle.
If we care about the Will of GOD for our overall spiritual development, we know His word calls us to godliness. "For the Grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present Age" (Titus 2:11-12). If we seek the LORD and trust in Him for ongoing growth in godliness, He "Will Perfect that which concerns [us] " in this area as well.
With respect to family life, the scriptures reveal GOD's Will to be a household of mutually submissive servants, each serving the other out of reverence for the Lord: "submitting to one another in the fear of GOD" (Ephesians 5:21). The servant wife would follow the spiritual leadership of the husband. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the LORD" (Ephesians 5:22). The servant husband would love His wife with sacrificial Christ-like love. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25). As each seeks the LORD for His transforming grace, He "Will Perfect that which concerns (us) " in this area of life also."
The Spirit as out Teacher,
Nehemiah 9:16-25 "But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey Your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that You performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a GOD ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and had committed great blasphemies, You in Your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. "And You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that You had told their fathers to enter and possess. So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in Your great goodness."
Luke 12:8-12 (Jesus is speaking) "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of GOD, but the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of GOD. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit Will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
John 14:25-31 (Jesus is speaking) "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father Will send in My name, He Will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard Me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, for I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father."
1Corinthians 2:6-13 "Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of GOD, which GOD decreed before the Ages for our glory. Which none of the rulers of this age understood, for if they had, they would not have (continue to) crucified the LORD of glory. For, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what GOD has prepared for those who love Him"— these things GOD has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of GOD. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of GOD except the Spirit of GOD. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is GOD, that we might understand the things freely given us by GOD. We impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting Spiritual Truths to those who are spiritual."
1John 2:26-27, 28-29 "I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. For the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. For His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him.
And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when HE appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him."
Monday, August 22, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
Continuing my quest for the "light" of scripture that those who have received the ontological essence of Christ and Christ's revelation have within them. Having passed through the likeness of His death and resurrection into Eternal Life as the LORD and many other saints of GOD have done. This being not of the world or mans attempt to acquire it by simply memorizing scripture a lie of the devil. But instead by placing their wholehearted trust to Christ Jesus' charge as did Abram before he became Abraham which signified the change within him. The Bible is an account of people who have passed through such crises' when read through the eyes of light and understanding of the secret things hid by GOD for His children's understanding and knowledge of Him. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on the Grace that is of Christ. And then with the LORD's help I will look into the One Who is the living Oracle of GOD Who takes up residency within receptive man. Who establishes us in GOD's eternal plan and purposes of His Will and law of spirit to Spirit.
""Unpopular" Promises Regarding Sowing and Reaping"
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:7-8)
"We now revisit the category of "unpopular" promises. This set of promises concerns the absolute certainties of the reaping and sowing process. "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." In a world that has rejected accountability, these promises are very "unpopular."
Many people are deceived in this matter. They wrongly assume that they will not have to face the consequences of the "daily seeds" they are planting. To hold such an inaccurate perspective is actually a mockery against GOD, Who established this principle. "Do not be deceived, GOD is not mocked." The pattern of planting and harvesting is clearly demonstrated in the case of physical seeds. Whenever a farmer sows corn, he always reaps corn. He never reaps wheat. This pattern is just as certain in the realm of spiritual seeds. Every person is sowing spiritual seeds every day of their lives: either, seeds of "his flesh" or seeds of "the Spirit." The harvest for each person is thereby determined: either, "corruption" or "everlasting life."
Throughout the world (and, sadly, in many instances within the church world of mans religions) seeds of flesh are sown day by day. In word, deed, attitude, or relationship, people are planting seeds that are characterized by this fleshly list in Galatians 5:19-21. "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like." These seeds bring forth a harvest of destruction. "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption." Such seeds diminish and destroy every life that engages in them. Such seeds bring multiplied condemnation and judgment for unbelievers. When believers are caught in such carnal indulgences for a season, these seeds bring forth spiritual dryness, fruitlessness, and lack of appetite for communion with the LORD.
On the other hand, far different seeds are available for sowing, and they produce a distinctly different crop. "He who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." The seeds that are planted by dependency upon the Spirit of GOD bring fruit as described in Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
Christ's Revelation speaking as the Oracle of GOD,
Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.' The LORD said to me, 'They are right in what they have spoken. I Will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And whoever will not listen to My words that He shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.' And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him."
John 8:21-30 "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 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." 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."
John 12:44-50 "Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is Eternal Life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me."
John 14:8-14, 15 "Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father Who dwells in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. For "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes Me Will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, this I Will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I Will do it.
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
John 17:6-19 and Acts 3:17-26 (Jesus is speaking) "I have manifested Your name to the people Whom You gave Me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in Truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are One. While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hates them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the Truth; Your word is Truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I send them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in Truth.
Acts 3:17-26 (Peter is speaking) "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, HE thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD, and that HE may send the Christ appointed for you, even Jesus, Whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which GOD spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago. Moses said, 'The LORD God Will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to Him in whatever He tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that GOD made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' GOD, having raised up His servant, sent Him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."
""Unpopular" Promises Regarding Sowing and Reaping"
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:7-8)
"We now revisit the category of "unpopular" promises. This set of promises concerns the absolute certainties of the reaping and sowing process. "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." In a world that has rejected accountability, these promises are very "unpopular."
Many people are deceived in this matter. They wrongly assume that they will not have to face the consequences of the "daily seeds" they are planting. To hold such an inaccurate perspective is actually a mockery against GOD, Who established this principle. "Do not be deceived, GOD is not mocked." The pattern of planting and harvesting is clearly demonstrated in the case of physical seeds. Whenever a farmer sows corn, he always reaps corn. He never reaps wheat. This pattern is just as certain in the realm of spiritual seeds. Every person is sowing spiritual seeds every day of their lives: either, seeds of "his flesh" or seeds of "the Spirit." The harvest for each person is thereby determined: either, "corruption" or "everlasting life."
Throughout the world (and, sadly, in many instances within the church world of mans religions) seeds of flesh are sown day by day. In word, deed, attitude, or relationship, people are planting seeds that are characterized by this fleshly list in Galatians 5:19-21. "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like." These seeds bring forth a harvest of destruction. "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption." Such seeds diminish and destroy every life that engages in them. Such seeds bring multiplied condemnation and judgment for unbelievers. When believers are caught in such carnal indulgences for a season, these seeds bring forth spiritual dryness, fruitlessness, and lack of appetite for communion with the LORD.
On the other hand, far different seeds are available for sowing, and they produce a distinctly different crop. "He who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." The seeds that are planted by dependency upon the Spirit of GOD bring fruit as described in Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
Christ's Revelation speaking as the Oracle of GOD,
Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.' The LORD said to me, 'They are right in what they have spoken. I Will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And whoever will not listen to My words that He shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.' And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him."
John 8:21-30 "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 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." 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."
John 12:44-50 "Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is Eternal Life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me."
John 14:8-14, 15 "Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father Who dwells in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. For "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes Me Will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, this I Will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I Will do it.
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
John 17:6-19 and Acts 3:17-26 (Jesus is speaking) "I have manifested Your name to the people Whom You gave Me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in Truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are One. While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hates them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the Truth; Your word is Truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I send them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in Truth.
Acts 3:17-26 (Peter is speaking) "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, HE thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD, and that HE may send the Christ appointed for you, even Jesus, Whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which GOD spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago. Moses said, 'The LORD God Will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to Him in whatever He tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that GOD made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' GOD, having raised up His servant, sent Him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."
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