This portion takes us to the little book of the Revelation of Christ and chapter ten in this book. Where we find this mystery spoken of as it relates to 18.09 and my shared statements there.
Here is what Revelation 10 says; 1-7, 8-11:6 "Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down." And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by Him Who lives forever and ever, Who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as HE announced to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, "Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey (Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 2:8, 3:1-3)." And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. And I was told, "You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings." Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Rise and measure the temple of GOD and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the LORD of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire." Now consider what is said here.
Our next mystery (19) is found in 2Thessalonians 2 verse 7 dealing with "lawlessness," we shall now progress to it; 2:7 of 1-12, 13-15 "Now concerning the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word of a messenger, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the LORD has come. (remember that these saints were in the active stages of saint development of the revelation of Christ in you) Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first (this day has been some 1945 years or so since its inception, and requiring saints maturity as Christ-ones), and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction (of Daniel 7:25 of 23-27, 8:25 of 18-26, 11:36 of 36-39), who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple (the inner sanctuary) of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work (Revelation 17:5, 7). Only He who now restrains it will (KJV says let, that is to actively impede, restrain) do so until He is out of the way (making those who grieve Him earthy by their wickedness). And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the LORD Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan (the prince of the power of the air) with all (lying) power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be (remain) saved. Therefore GOD sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
But we ought always to give thanks to GOD for you, brothers beloved by the LORD, because GOD chose you as the first-fruits to be saved, through sanctification by His Spirit and belief in the truth. To this HE called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions (not of the religious world) that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."
I will go to Revelation 17 for a moment or two to get its picture with it's mystery spoken of twice;
Revelation 17:5 and 7 of 1-7 "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute (mans false religious systems that hold the keys to finance, politics, and yes the religious forms themselves, 2:22, 18:3, 9) who is seated on many waters (the worlds populations or the nations), with whom the kings (governments) of the earth have committed sexual immorality (3:10, 17:8), and with the wine (blood) of whose sexual immorality (14:8) the dwellers on earth have become drunk." And he carried me away in the Spirit (spirit) into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads (Matthew 13:33 the leaven of false religion) and ten horns (governments). The woman (Ezekiel 28:13ff) was arrayed in purple and scarlet (Matthew 27:28), and adorned with gold (Jeremiah 51:7 of 5-11) and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery (2Thessaloins 2:7): "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations." And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints (the world wide religious systems), the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. But the angel said to me, "Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her."
The worlds systems of religion that keep the Truth of GODS Gospel as a secret and as a one day hoped for event. For Jesus rose as He returned a Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, this is recorded in Acts and in many of Paul's writings, including Hebrews.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Saturday, April 7, 2018
The Secret and Mysteries of GOD revisited, part 18.10 Stewardship
By way of reminder I will share again my targeted passages of scripture found in Collisions 4 being at verse 1 through verse 6, these can be broken down to 1, 2-4 and 5-6 which state this; "Masters, treat your bond-servants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master (LORD) in heaven.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that GOD may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Now the passage of verse 4 does not state the term "steward or stewardship," but none the less it is implied. Along with it is implied the term "ambassador," for this is what we are all called to, as free moral agents, like that of Jesus and later Paul, to the revealing of "the secret things of GOD," as spoken of in Deuteronomy 29:29 and in the new witness as mysteries. For these things Jesus Himself told His who would become His followers that they would know by way of His Spirit in Mark 4. Now in my last blog (18.09), I revealed a secret that is made known to those of GOD's kingdom and to those alone, the activity that HE is doing among us today and spoken of in the small book of Christ's battle, the Revelation of Christ, and overcoming of this worlds resistance to His Gospel. There are many of the resistance that have no spiritual sight and therefore only see as Paul saw and call these things as a future thing because for them it was so. They were bring in, as ushering in the new witness people within who GOD would be and Jesus declared in John 17.
Stewardship of the Gospel,
1Corinthians 9:17 of 15-18 "But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a compulsion, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel."
Galatians 2:7 of 1-10 "Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; GOD shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for HE who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."
Colossians 1:25, 2:6-7 of 24-25 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from GOD that was given to me for you, to make the word of GOD fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them GOD chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that HE powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of GOD's mystery, which is Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk in Him (as He walks in you as you, you walk as HE Is), rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
1Thessalonians 2:4 of 1-8 "For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we have boldness in our GOD to declare to you the gospel of GOD in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by GOD to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please GOD Who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—GOD is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles (sent out as ambassador, messengers) of Christ. For we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of GOD but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
1Timothy 1:11 of 8-11 "Now we know that the (Mosaic) Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the (this) Law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed GOD with which I have been entrusted."
Titus 1:3 of 1-4 "Paul, a servant of GOD and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of GOD's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which GOD, Who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in His word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of GOD our Savior;
To Titus (your name could well be placed here), my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from GOD the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."
Ambassadors,
Numbers 20:14 of 14-17 "Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: "Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the hardship that we have met: how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. And the Egyptians dealt harshly with us and our fathers. And when we cried to the LORD, HE heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. And here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, or drink water from a well. We will go along the King's Highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory."
Numbers 21:21 of 21-30 "Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, "Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory." But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong. And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages. For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land out of his hand, as far as the Arnon. Therefore the ballad singers say, "Come to Heshbon, let it be built; let the city of Sihon be established. For fire came out from Heshbon, flame from the city of Sihon. It devoured Ar of Moab, and swallowed the heights of the Arnon. Woe to you, O Moab! You are undone, O people of Chemosh! He has made his sons fugitives, and his daughters captives, to an Amorite king, Sihon. So we overthrew them; Heshbon, as far as Dibon, perished; and we laid waste as far as Nophah; fire spread as far as Medeba."
Joshua 9:4 of 3-15 "When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us." But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?" They said to Joshua, "We are your servants." And Joshua said to them, "Who are you? And where do you come from?" They said to him, "From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God. For we have heard a report of Him, and all that HE did in Egypt, and all that HE did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, "We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us."' Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly. These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey." So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them."
2Sameul 5:11 of 11-12 "Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that HE had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his (His) people Israel."
1Kings 5:1 of 1-6 "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. And Solomon sent word to Hiram, "You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.' Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."
1Kings 20:2 of 1-6 "Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it. And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, "Thus says Ben-hadad: 'Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine.'" And the king of Israel answered, "As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have." The messengers came again and said, "Thus says Ben-hadad: 'I sent to you, saying, "Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children." Nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants and lay hands on whatever pleases you and take it away.'"
2Kings 14:8 of 8-10 "Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face." And Jehoash king of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, "A thistle on Lebanon sent to a cedar on Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' and a wild beast of Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle. You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?"
2Kings 16:7 of 7-9 "So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are attacking me." Ahaz also took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasures of the king's house and sent a present to the king of Assyria. And the king of Assyria listened to him. The king of Assyria marched up against Damascus and took it, carrying its people captive to Kir, and he killed Rezin."
Ezekiel 17:15 of 11-21 "The word of the LORD came to me: 'Say now to the rebellious house, Do you not know what these things mean? Tell them, behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took her king and her princes and brought them to him to Babylon. And he took one of the royal offspring and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath (the chief men of the land he had taken away), that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand. But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape? 'As I live,' declares the LORD God, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die. Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in war, when mounds are cast up and siege walls built to cut off many lives. He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. Therefore thus says the LORD God: 'As I live, surely it is My oath that he despised, and My covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head. I will spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare, and I will bring him to Babylon and enter into judgment with him there for the treachery he has committed against Me. And all the pick of his troops shall fall by the sword, and the survivors shall be scattered to every wind, and you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken.'"
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that GOD may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Now the passage of verse 4 does not state the term "steward or stewardship," but none the less it is implied. Along with it is implied the term "ambassador," for this is what we are all called to, as free moral agents, like that of Jesus and later Paul, to the revealing of "the secret things of GOD," as spoken of in Deuteronomy 29:29 and in the new witness as mysteries. For these things Jesus Himself told His who would become His followers that they would know by way of His Spirit in Mark 4. Now in my last blog (18.09), I revealed a secret that is made known to those of GOD's kingdom and to those alone, the activity that HE is doing among us today and spoken of in the small book of Christ's battle, the Revelation of Christ, and overcoming of this worlds resistance to His Gospel. There are many of the resistance that have no spiritual sight and therefore only see as Paul saw and call these things as a future thing because for them it was so. They were bring in, as ushering in the new witness people within who GOD would be and Jesus declared in John 17.
Stewardship of the Gospel,
1Corinthians 9:17 of 15-18 "But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a compulsion, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel."
Galatians 2:7 of 1-10 "Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; GOD shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for HE who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."
Colossians 1:25, 2:6-7 of 24-25 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from GOD that was given to me for you, to make the word of GOD fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them GOD chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that HE powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of GOD's mystery, which is Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk in Him (as He walks in you as you, you walk as HE Is), rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
1Thessalonians 2:4 of 1-8 "For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we have boldness in our GOD to declare to you the gospel of GOD in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by GOD to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please GOD Who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—GOD is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles (sent out as ambassador, messengers) of Christ. For we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of GOD but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
1Timothy 1:11 of 8-11 "Now we know that the (Mosaic) Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the (this) Law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed GOD with which I have been entrusted."
Titus 1:3 of 1-4 "Paul, a servant of GOD and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of GOD's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which GOD, Who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in His word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of GOD our Savior;
To Titus (your name could well be placed here), my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from GOD the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."
Ambassadors,
Numbers 20:14 of 14-17 "Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: "Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the hardship that we have met: how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. And the Egyptians dealt harshly with us and our fathers. And when we cried to the LORD, HE heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. And here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, or drink water from a well. We will go along the King's Highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory."
Numbers 21:21 of 21-30 "Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, "Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory." But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong. And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages. For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land out of his hand, as far as the Arnon. Therefore the ballad singers say, "Come to Heshbon, let it be built; let the city of Sihon be established. For fire came out from Heshbon, flame from the city of Sihon. It devoured Ar of Moab, and swallowed the heights of the Arnon. Woe to you, O Moab! You are undone, O people of Chemosh! He has made his sons fugitives, and his daughters captives, to an Amorite king, Sihon. So we overthrew them; Heshbon, as far as Dibon, perished; and we laid waste as far as Nophah; fire spread as far as Medeba."
Joshua 9:4 of 3-15 "When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us." But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?" They said to Joshua, "We are your servants." And Joshua said to them, "Who are you? And where do you come from?" They said to him, "From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God. For we have heard a report of Him, and all that HE did in Egypt, and all that HE did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, "We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us."' Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly. These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey." So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them."
2Sameul 5:11 of 11-12 "Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that HE had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his (His) people Israel."
1Kings 5:1 of 1-6 "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. And Solomon sent word to Hiram, "You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.' Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."
1Kings 20:2 of 1-6 "Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it. And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, "Thus says Ben-hadad: 'Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine.'" And the king of Israel answered, "As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have." The messengers came again and said, "Thus says Ben-hadad: 'I sent to you, saying, "Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children." Nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants and lay hands on whatever pleases you and take it away.'"
2Kings 14:8 of 8-10 "Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face." And Jehoash king of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, "A thistle on Lebanon sent to a cedar on Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' and a wild beast of Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle. You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?"
2Kings 16:7 of 7-9 "So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are attacking me." Ahaz also took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasures of the king's house and sent a present to the king of Assyria. And the king of Assyria listened to him. The king of Assyria marched up against Damascus and took it, carrying its people captive to Kir, and he killed Rezin."
Ezekiel 17:15 of 11-21 "The word of the LORD came to me: 'Say now to the rebellious house, Do you not know what these things mean? Tell them, behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took her king and her princes and brought them to him to Babylon. And he took one of the royal offspring and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath (the chief men of the land he had taken away), that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand. But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape? 'As I live,' declares the LORD God, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die. Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in war, when mounds are cast up and siege walls built to cut off many lives. He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. Therefore thus says the LORD God: 'As I live, surely it is My oath that he despised, and My covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head. I will spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare, and I will bring him to Babylon and enter into judgment with him there for the treachery he has committed against Me. And all the pick of his troops shall fall by the sword, and the survivors shall be scattered to every wind, and you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken.'"
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Secret and Mysteries of GOD revisited, part 18.09 Prayer
We are fast approaching the last mystery of Paul's revelation of Christ in you. There are two or three mysteries spoken of in the small of conflict between the world that was and that is spoken of as "to come," Revelation of Christ is that book, I wont look at it for now. But this I will offer the old testament prophets and a few individuals heard from GOD and spoke His word to their audiences which in many made no change in them.
The following was posted on a social media site and I share it as it speaks to what I feel the LORD has been leading me through in my journey of many years, of searching Him out as asked of my in 2007, Aug. 14th at 9:45 PM. When with an audible voice I heard this asked of me, 'Are you ready to take My yoke upon you and learn of Me?' The shared post speaks to this wise and to back it up I will also share from John Gill's Exposition on the Entire Bible Commentary, then I will continue with my next subject of requested prayers, at it's end, but please take the moment or two it takes to read this article for your thoughtful consideration.
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Context:
Time: Last generation of the last age.
Place: Judah
Audience: Jewish and Gentile converts to Christ.
"Circumstances: the transition period between the kingdom of Israel and the "kingdom of God". Its impossible for you and me to be conformed to "this world" spoken of in this text because it was the world of the Jews and eventually "passed away" -- some 1,940 years ago, to be precise. It was the old covenant creation world with its types and shadows and figures.
There is a religion which thinks it's possible to be "conformed" to that world, and that's because it sees itself as participants of the story of that world. (Then there are those who think "this world" refers to our world today.) Living in the past is a dangerous thing to do. It means you have a serious problem living in the present. It means you haven't awaken to and aren't experiencing "the powers" of our present age, which for Paul's audience, was "YET TO COME" and which they were TASTING only IN PART (Heb 6:5) because they were SEEING only IN PART (1Cor 13:12)." ---Brian O'herts---
John Gill's statement: Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world,.... By this world is meant, either the Mosaic dispensation, and Jewish church state, so called in opposition to עולם הבא, "the world to come", the Gospel dispensation; in which there were a worldly sanctuary, with it's rites and ceremonies of which are styled the rudiments and elements of the world; to which believers in the present state are by no means to conform, there being sacrifices and ordinances of another nature, it is the will of God they should observe and attend unto: or else the men of the world are designed, carnal and unregenerate men, among whom they formerly had their conversation, from among whom they were chosen, called, and separated, and who lie and live in wickedness, and therefore should not be conformed unto them: which is to be understood, not in a civil sense of conformity to them in garb and apparel, provided that pride and luxury are guarded against, and decency and sobriety observed, and the different abilities of persons and stations in life are attended to; or to any other civil usages and customs which are not contrary to natural and revealed religions design; but of a conformity in a moral sense to the evil manners of men, to walk vainly, as other Gentiles do, to go into the same excess of riot with them; for this is contrary both to the principle and doctrine of grace, which teach men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts: and of a compliance with the men of the world in a religious sense, by joining with them in acts of idolatry, superstition, and will worship, and in anything that is contrary to the order, ordinances, and truths of the Gospel.
"But be transformed by the renewing of your mind; which regards not the first work of conversion and renovation; for in this sense these persons were transformed, metamorphosed, changed, and renewed already; but the after progress and carrying on the work of renovation, the renewing of them day by day in the spirit of their minds;" see Ephesians 4:23; which believers should be desirous of, and pray for, and make use of those means which the Spirit of GOD owns for this purpose, attending to the spiritual exercises of defunct religions, as reading, meditation, prayer, conference, the ministration of the word and ordinances, which is the reverse of conformity to the world: and the end to be attained hereby is, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of GOD; by which is meant the secret will of GOD, which cannot be searched into, proved, and known, till time and facts discover it: but the revealed will of God, both in the law, as in the hands of Christ, which contains nothing but what is good; and which when done in faith, from a principle of love, and to the glory of God, is acceptable through Christ; and is perfect as a law of liberty, and rule of walk and conversation; and which is to be proved and approved of by all the saints, who delight in it after the inward man: and also that which is contained in the Gospel; as that all that the Father had given to Christ should be redeemed by Him, that these should be sanctified, and persevere to the end, and be glorified; all of which is the good will of God, an acceptable saying to sensible sinners, and such a scheme of salvation as is perfect and complete, has matured and needs nothing to be added to it; and is, by such who are daily renewed in the spirit of their minds, more and more proved, tried, discerned, and approved of, even by all such who have their spiritual senses exercised to discern things that differ."
These things you have heard and seen in this blog since the day of it's inception.
Requests for Prayer, Prayer Sought,
1Sanuel 7:8 of 5-11 "Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you." So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that HE may save us from the hand of the Philistines." So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car."
1Samuel 12:19 of 18, 19-25 "Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king." And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things HE has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."
1Kings 13:6 of 1-10 "Behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings. And the man cried against the altar by the word of the LORD and said, "O altar, altar, thus says the LORD: 'Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.'" And he gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign that the LORD has spoken: 'Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.'" And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, "Seize him." And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king said to the man of God, "Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me." And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before. And the king said to the man of God, "Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward." And the man of God said to the king, "If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.'" So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel."
Acts 8:24 of 14-24 "Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of GOD, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for HE had not yet fallen (been given to) on any of them, but they had only been (water) baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received (by transference) the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of GOD with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before GOD. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the LORD that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the LORD, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Romans 15:30 of 30-33 "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to GOD on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by GOD's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the GOD of peace be with you all. Amen."
Ephesians 6:19 of 16-20 "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
1Thessalonians 5:25 of 24-25 "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us."
2Thessalonians 3:1 of 1-5 "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. For the Lord, Who is LORD is faithful. HE will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the LORD about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the LORD direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ."
Hebrews 13:18 of 18-19 "Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner."
The following was posted on a social media site and I share it as it speaks to what I feel the LORD has been leading me through in my journey of many years, of searching Him out as asked of my in 2007, Aug. 14th at 9:45 PM. When with an audible voice I heard this asked of me, 'Are you ready to take My yoke upon you and learn of Me?' The shared post speaks to this wise and to back it up I will also share from John Gill's Exposition on the Entire Bible Commentary, then I will continue with my next subject of requested prayers, at it's end, but please take the moment or two it takes to read this article for your thoughtful consideration.
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Context:
Time: Last generation of the last age.
Place: Judah
Audience: Jewish and Gentile converts to Christ.
"Circumstances: the transition period between the kingdom of Israel and the "kingdom of God". Its impossible for you and me to be conformed to "this world" spoken of in this text because it was the world of the Jews and eventually "passed away" -- some 1,940 years ago, to be precise. It was the old covenant creation world with its types and shadows and figures.
There is a religion which thinks it's possible to be "conformed" to that world, and that's because it sees itself as participants of the story of that world. (Then there are those who think "this world" refers to our world today.) Living in the past is a dangerous thing to do. It means you have a serious problem living in the present. It means you haven't awaken to and aren't experiencing "the powers" of our present age, which for Paul's audience, was "YET TO COME" and which they were TASTING only IN PART (Heb 6:5) because they were SEEING only IN PART (1Cor 13:12)." ---Brian O'herts---
John Gill's statement: Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world,.... By this world is meant, either the Mosaic dispensation, and Jewish church state, so called in opposition to עולם הבא, "the world to come", the Gospel dispensation; in which there were a worldly sanctuary, with it's rites and ceremonies of which are styled the rudiments and elements of the world; to which believers in the present state are by no means to conform, there being sacrifices and ordinances of another nature, it is the will of God they should observe and attend unto: or else the men of the world are designed, carnal and unregenerate men, among whom they formerly had their conversation, from among whom they were chosen, called, and separated, and who lie and live in wickedness, and therefore should not be conformed unto them: which is to be understood, not in a civil sense of conformity to them in garb and apparel, provided that pride and luxury are guarded against, and decency and sobriety observed, and the different abilities of persons and stations in life are attended to; or to any other civil usages and customs which are not contrary to natural and revealed religions design; but of a conformity in a moral sense to the evil manners of men, to walk vainly, as other Gentiles do, to go into the same excess of riot with them; for this is contrary both to the principle and doctrine of grace, which teach men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts: and of a compliance with the men of the world in a religious sense, by joining with them in acts of idolatry, superstition, and will worship, and in anything that is contrary to the order, ordinances, and truths of the Gospel.
"But be transformed by the renewing of your mind; which regards not the first work of conversion and renovation; for in this sense these persons were transformed, metamorphosed, changed, and renewed already; but the after progress and carrying on the work of renovation, the renewing of them day by day in the spirit of their minds;" see Ephesians 4:23; which believers should be desirous of, and pray for, and make use of those means which the Spirit of GOD owns for this purpose, attending to the spiritual exercises of defunct religions, as reading, meditation, prayer, conference, the ministration of the word and ordinances, which is the reverse of conformity to the world: and the end to be attained hereby is, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of GOD; by which is meant the secret will of GOD, which cannot be searched into, proved, and known, till time and facts discover it: but the revealed will of God, both in the law, as in the hands of Christ, which contains nothing but what is good; and which when done in faith, from a principle of love, and to the glory of God, is acceptable through Christ; and is perfect as a law of liberty, and rule of walk and conversation; and which is to be proved and approved of by all the saints, who delight in it after the inward man: and also that which is contained in the Gospel; as that all that the Father had given to Christ should be redeemed by Him, that these should be sanctified, and persevere to the end, and be glorified; all of which is the good will of God, an acceptable saying to sensible sinners, and such a scheme of salvation as is perfect and complete, has matured and needs nothing to be added to it; and is, by such who are daily renewed in the spirit of their minds, more and more proved, tried, discerned, and approved of, even by all such who have their spiritual senses exercised to discern things that differ."
These things you have heard and seen in this blog since the day of it's inception.
Requests for Prayer, Prayer Sought,
1Sanuel 7:8 of 5-11 "Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you." So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that HE may save us from the hand of the Philistines." So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car."
1Samuel 12:19 of 18, 19-25 "Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king." And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things HE has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."
1Kings 13:6 of 1-10 "Behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings. And the man cried against the altar by the word of the LORD and said, "O altar, altar, thus says the LORD: 'Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.'" And he gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign that the LORD has spoken: 'Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.'" And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, "Seize him." And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king said to the man of God, "Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me." And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before. And the king said to the man of God, "Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward." And the man of God said to the king, "If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.'" So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel."
Acts 8:24 of 14-24 "Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of GOD, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for HE had not yet fallen (been given to) on any of them, but they had only been (water) baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received (by transference) the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of GOD with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before GOD. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the LORD that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the LORD, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Romans 15:30 of 30-33 "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to GOD on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by GOD's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the GOD of peace be with you all. Amen."
Ephesians 6:19 of 16-20 "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
1Thessalonians 5:25 of 24-25 "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us."
2Thessalonians 3:1 of 1-5 "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. For the Lord, Who is LORD is faithful. HE will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the LORD about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the LORD direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ."
Hebrews 13:18 of 18-19 "Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner."
The Secret and Mysteries of GOD revisited, part 18.08 Prayer
Continuing with our look into a prayer life of Colossians 4:1-4, 5-6 of our subject passage, where we are admonished to be steadfast in prayer.
Some general references to A Walk of Spiritual Conversation:
Used in Everyday Life,
Deuteronomy 6:7 of 4-9 with 11:19 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 11:19 of 18-25 "You shall therefore lay up these words of Mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the LORD your God, walking in all His ways, and holding fast to Him, then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea. No one shall be able to stand against you. The LORD your God will lay the fear of you and the dread of you on all the land that you shall tread, as he promised you."
Concerns the Things of GOD,
Psalm 145:11 of 8-13 "The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that HE has made. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, and all Your saints shall bless You! They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and tell of Your power, to make known to the children of man Your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works.]"
The Habit of the Saints,
Malachi 3:16 of 16-18 "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed His name. 'They shall be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves GOD and one who does not serve Him.'"
Christ the Topic of,
Luke 24:13 of 13-27 "That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, 'What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?' And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, 'What things?' And they said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before GOD and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find His body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that HE was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see." And Jesus said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?'And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."
Tends to Spiritual Fervency,
Luke 24:32 of 28-35 "So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if He were going farther, but they urged Him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread."
Spiritual expressed in Heart Music,
Ephesians 5:19 of 15-21 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be [being] filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to GOD the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
The Mouth of the Righteous,
Psalm 37:30 of 27-34 "Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the LORD loves justice; HE will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the earthy children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his GOD is in his heart; his steps do not slip. The earthy wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and HE will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the earthy wicked when they are cut off."
Proverbs 10:11 of 6-14 "Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near."
Proverbs 31:26 of 21-31 "She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."
Malachi 2:6 of 1-9 "And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to My name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that My covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts. My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear (terror), and he feared (reverenced) Me. He stood in awe of My name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep My ways but show partiality in your instruction."
Romans 15:6 of 1-6 "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written (in Psalm 69:9), "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the GOD of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1Peter 2:22 of 18-25 "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of GOD, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of GOD. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He was HE Who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him Who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to His righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed (made free from errors). For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Revelation 14:5 of 1-5 "Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father's name (the anointed, Messiah-Christ) written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the (earthy of the) earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever HE goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for GOD and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless."
Some general references to A Walk of Spiritual Conversation:
Used in Everyday Life,
Deuteronomy 6:7 of 4-9 with 11:19 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 11:19 of 18-25 "You shall therefore lay up these words of Mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the LORD your God, walking in all His ways, and holding fast to Him, then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea. No one shall be able to stand against you. The LORD your God will lay the fear of you and the dread of you on all the land that you shall tread, as he promised you."
Concerns the Things of GOD,
Psalm 145:11 of 8-13 "The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that HE has made. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, and all Your saints shall bless You! They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and tell of Your power, to make known to the children of man Your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works.]"
The Habit of the Saints,
Malachi 3:16 of 16-18 "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed His name. 'They shall be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves GOD and one who does not serve Him.'"
Christ the Topic of,
Luke 24:13 of 13-27 "That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, 'What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?' And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, 'What things?' And they said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before GOD and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find His body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that HE was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see." And Jesus said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?'And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."
Tends to Spiritual Fervency,
Luke 24:32 of 28-35 "So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if He were going farther, but they urged Him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread."
Spiritual expressed in Heart Music,
Ephesians 5:19 of 15-21 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be [being] filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to GOD the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
The Mouth of the Righteous,
Psalm 37:30 of 27-34 "Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the LORD loves justice; HE will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the earthy children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his GOD is in his heart; his steps do not slip. The earthy wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and HE will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the earthy wicked when they are cut off."
Proverbs 10:11 of 6-14 "Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near."
Proverbs 31:26 of 21-31 "She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."
Malachi 2:6 of 1-9 "And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to My name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that My covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts. My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear (terror), and he feared (reverenced) Me. He stood in awe of My name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep My ways but show partiality in your instruction."
Romans 15:6 of 1-6 "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written (in Psalm 69:9), "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the GOD of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1Peter 2:22 of 18-25 "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of GOD, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of GOD. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He was HE Who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him Who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to His righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed (made free from errors). For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Revelation 14:5 of 1-5 "Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father's name (the anointed, Messiah-Christ) written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the (earthy of the) earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever HE goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for GOD and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless."
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
The Secret and Mysteries of GOD revisited, part 18.07 Prayer
In our study of prayer we find our Christ like walk spoken of man ways of expression but for today I will face it head on.
Characteristics of a Believers Walk:
New Life,
Romans 6:4 of 1-8 with 8:1 "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism (of water) into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised (into His baptism) from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a (baptism of His) resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved (to the prince of the power of the air that rules in the sons of disobedience) to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we [will] also live with Him."
Romans 8:1 of 1-8 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law (this is not the Law of Moses) of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the (universal) law of sin and death. For GOD has done what the (Mosaic) Law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, HE condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the (Mosaic) Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile (enmity) to GOD, for it does not submit to GOD's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please GOD."
Faith,
2Corinthains 5:7 of 6-10 "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the LORD, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the LORD. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body (this carries a double meaning as we shall soon see), whether good or evil."
Spirituality,
Galatians 5:16 of 16-24 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. For if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the (Mosaic) Law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of GOD. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Consistency,
Ephesians 4:1 of 1-6 "I therefore, a prisoner for the LORD, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is One Body and One Spirit—just as you were called to the One Hope that belongs to your call--One LORD, One faith, One (Spiritual) baptism, One GOD and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in All."
Love,
Ephesians 5:2 of 1-2 "Therefore be imitators of GOD, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to GOD."
Caution,
Ephesians 5:15 of 15-21 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be [being] filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to GOD the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Illumination,
1John 1:7 of 5-10 "This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that GOD is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (an even day operation of faith as seen in Romans 12:1-2). If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us (apart of our being)."
Christ-likeness,
1John 2:6 of 3-6 "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says "I know Him" but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of GOD is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which HE walked."
Walk in Truth,
Psalm 26:3 of 1-7 "Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in Your faithfulness. I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, O LORD, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all of Your wondrous deeds."
Psalm 86:11 of 11-13 "Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear (reverence of) Your name. I give thanks to You, O LORD my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your (hidden) name forever. For great is Your steadfast love toward me; You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol."
2John 4 of 4-6 "I rejoiced greatly to find some of Your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by (have received of) the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it."
3John 3 of 2-4 "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Characteristics of a Believers Walk:
New Life,
Romans 6:4 of 1-8 with 8:1 "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism (of water) into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised (into His baptism) from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a (baptism of His) resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved (to the prince of the power of the air that rules in the sons of disobedience) to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we [will] also live with Him."
Romans 8:1 of 1-8 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law (this is not the Law of Moses) of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the (universal) law of sin and death. For GOD has done what the (Mosaic) Law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, HE condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the (Mosaic) Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile (enmity) to GOD, for it does not submit to GOD's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please GOD."
Faith,
2Corinthains 5:7 of 6-10 "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the LORD, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the LORD. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body (this carries a double meaning as we shall soon see), whether good or evil."
Spirituality,
Galatians 5:16 of 16-24 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. For if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the (Mosaic) Law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of GOD. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Consistency,
Ephesians 4:1 of 1-6 "I therefore, a prisoner for the LORD, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is One Body and One Spirit—just as you were called to the One Hope that belongs to your call--One LORD, One faith, One (Spiritual) baptism, One GOD and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in All."
Love,
Ephesians 5:2 of 1-2 "Therefore be imitators of GOD, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to GOD."
Caution,
Ephesians 5:15 of 15-21 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be [being] filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to GOD the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Illumination,
1John 1:7 of 5-10 "This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that GOD is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (an even day operation of faith as seen in Romans 12:1-2). If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us (apart of our being)."
Christ-likeness,
1John 2:6 of 3-6 "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says "I know Him" but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of GOD is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which HE walked."
Walk in Truth,
Psalm 26:3 of 1-7 "Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in Your faithfulness. I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, O LORD, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all of Your wondrous deeds."
Psalm 86:11 of 11-13 "Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear (reverence of) Your name. I give thanks to You, O LORD my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your (hidden) name forever. For great is Your steadfast love toward me; You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol."
2John 4 of 4-6 "I rejoiced greatly to find some of Your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by (have received of) the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it."
3John 3 of 2-4 "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Monday, April 2, 2018
The Secret and Mysteries of GOD revisited, part 18.06 Prayer
We are still look into prayer and all that is contained within its parameters. Based on that the next subject though it may sound to be disconnected it is not as it deals with our being watchful or vigil at all times.
Watchfulness:
For the coming of the LORD Christ,
Matthew 25:13 of 1-13 with Mark 13:33 (Jesus is speaking) "'Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.'"
Mark 13:33 of 33-37 (Jesus is speaking) "'Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the Master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.'"
Reward Promised the Vigilant,
Luke 12:37 of 35-38 (Jesus is speaking) "'Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, He will dress Himself for service and have them recline at table, and He will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!'"
The Children of the Light will not Sleep,
1Thessalonians 5:5-6 of 1-11 "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For GOD has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
The Imminence of the Advent,
Revelation 3:11 of 8-13 (Christ is speaking) "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My GOD. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My GOD, and the name of the city of My GOD, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from My GOD out of heaven, and My own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
His Appearance will be Unexpected,
Revelation 16:15 of 12-16 "The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of GOD the Almighty. ('Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!') And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon."
Watchfulness against Sin and Temptation,
(Deuteronomy 4:9 of 9-14 and Psalm 39:1 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.' And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. And HE declared to you His covenant, which HE commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments, and HE wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, that you might do them in the land that you are going over to possess.
Psalm 39:1 of 1-6 "I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence." I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: "O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!")
Matthew 26:41 of 39-41 "And going a little farther Jesus fell on His face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.' And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, 'So, could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'"
Acts 20:31 of 25-35 "Now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of GOD. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of GOD, which HE obtained with His own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to GOD and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
1Corinthians 10:12 of 6-13 "Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written (in Exodus 32:4, 6, 19), "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. GOD is faithful, and HE will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation HE will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
1Corinthians 16:13 "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
Colossians 4:2 of 2-4 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that GOD may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."
1Peter 5:8 of 6-11 and Revelation 3:2 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of GOD so that at the proper time HE may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because HE cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, stand firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the GOD of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him belongs the dominion forever and ever. The Amen."
Revelation 3:2 of 1-6 (Christ is speaking) "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of Him Who has the seven spirits of GOD and the seven stars. 'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
'Wake up!, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of My GOD. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Watchfulness:
For the coming of the LORD Christ,
Matthew 25:13 of 1-13 with Mark 13:33 (Jesus is speaking) "'Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.'"
Mark 13:33 of 33-37 (Jesus is speaking) "'Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the Master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.'"
Reward Promised the Vigilant,
Luke 12:37 of 35-38 (Jesus is speaking) "'Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, He will dress Himself for service and have them recline at table, and He will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!'"
The Children of the Light will not Sleep,
1Thessalonians 5:5-6 of 1-11 "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For GOD has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
The Imminence of the Advent,
Revelation 3:11 of 8-13 (Christ is speaking) "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My GOD. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My GOD, and the name of the city of My GOD, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from My GOD out of heaven, and My own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
His Appearance will be Unexpected,
Revelation 16:15 of 12-16 "The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of GOD the Almighty. ('Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!') And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon."
Watchfulness against Sin and Temptation,
(Deuteronomy 4:9 of 9-14 and Psalm 39:1 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.' And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. And HE declared to you His covenant, which HE commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments, and HE wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, that you might do them in the land that you are going over to possess.
Psalm 39:1 of 1-6 "I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence." I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: "O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!")
Matthew 26:41 of 39-41 "And going a little farther Jesus fell on His face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.' And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, 'So, could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'"
Acts 20:31 of 25-35 "Now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of GOD. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of GOD, which HE obtained with His own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to GOD and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
1Corinthians 10:12 of 6-13 "Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written (in Exodus 32:4, 6, 19), "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. GOD is faithful, and HE will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation HE will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
1Corinthians 16:13 "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
Colossians 4:2 of 2-4 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that GOD may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."
1Peter 5:8 of 6-11 and Revelation 3:2 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of GOD so that at the proper time HE may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because HE cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, stand firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the GOD of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him belongs the dominion forever and ever. The Amen."
Revelation 3:2 of 1-6 (Christ is speaking) "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of Him Who has the seven spirits of GOD and the seven stars. 'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
'Wake up!, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of My GOD. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Sunday, April 1, 2018
The Secret and Mysteries of GOD revisited, part 18.05 Prayer
Today's thought begins with 2Corinthians 5:17 and enlarges from their. For We are New Creatures in Christ; "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2Corinthians 5:17)
Everyone who is "in Christ," through His faith not in His name old, are a "new creation." We are a new breed of people. We are no longer who we were before we put our trust in teachings of the Lord Jesus. We are not the old person reformed or improved; we are a "new creation." Yes, we have the same outer body shell, but that is a mere tent in which we and the Spirit of GOD dwells. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from GOD, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Corinthians 5:1). The worlds earthy religions tell you "Some day in glory, we will trade this temporal, earthly tent for an eternal heavenly one." Meanwhile, though we live in the same old tent we had in Adam, we are now actively new tenants, a "new creation." The old man is dead by its self-for-self-will is dead in its sin and dead nature. We may have the same old physical brain, but we are learning to think an entirely new way. "We have the mind of Christ... be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 and 1Corinthians 2:16). GODS Spirit is Christ living in us, and His Spirit also dwells in us. His Spirit takes the word of GOD and makes it a living reality as it unfolds the thinking of our LORD for us. As we embrace GOD's way of thinking more and more, we are transformed to walk in this newness that is ours as "in Christ."
In all the ways that matter before GOD, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The old guilt and shame of an evil conscience is replaced by new forgiveness. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... in whom we have... the forgiveness of sins" (Romans 8:1 and Colossians 1:14).
The old foolishness of this worlds religions is replaced by new wisdom. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with GOD... But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God" (1Corinthians 3:19 and 1:30). The old unrighteousness is replaced with His own righteousness. "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags... For He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in ["en" through Christ] Him" (Isaiah 64:6 and 2Corinthians 5:21). The old hope of changing (self-help) is replaced by new hope of changing (sanctification, GOD changing us). "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength... You are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us... sanctification" (Jeremiah 17:5 and 1Corinthians 1:30). This is grace upon grace.
Now we move on to today's subject of thanksgiving being enjoined in our prayer life of communion with GOD our Master and Father.
Thanksgiving enjoined,
1Chronicles 16:8 of 7-36 "Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! (Share the) Glory in His Holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that HE has done, His miracles and the judgments HE uttered, O offspring of Israel His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the LORD our GOD; His judgments are in all the earth. Remember His covenant forever, the word that HE commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that HE made with Abraham, His sworn promise to Isaac, which HE confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, "'To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance.'" When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, HE allowed no one to oppress them; HE rebuked kings on their account, saying, "'Touch not My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm!'" Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of His [Redemption that brings His] salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and HE is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens [that contain this earth]. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring [your worship and praise as] an offering and come before Him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of [His] Holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for HE comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! Say also: "Save us, O GOD of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the [earthy] nations, that we may give thanks (to) in Your Holy name and glory in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD."
Psalm 50:14 of 7-15 "Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am GOD, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before Me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is Mine. 'If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are Mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to GOD a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
Psalm 92:1 of 1-4 "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy."
Ephesians 5:20 of 15-22, 23-24 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will [law of His word, plan and purpose] of the LORD is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit [His anointing], addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to GOD the Father in [His greatness of name] the name of our Lord Jesus, Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands."
Philippians 4:6 of 4-7 "Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The LORD is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:18 of 12-22 "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the LORD and admonish you, to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil (calling evil good and good evil in these days of darkness), but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of GOD in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything (Deuteronomy 18:15-22); hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
1Timothy 4:4 of 1-5 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by GOD is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made Holy by the word of GOD and prayer."
Everyone who is "in Christ," through His faith not in His name old, are a "new creation." We are a new breed of people. We are no longer who we were before we put our trust in teachings of the Lord Jesus. We are not the old person reformed or improved; we are a "new creation." Yes, we have the same outer body shell, but that is a mere tent in which we and the Spirit of GOD dwells. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from GOD, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Corinthians 5:1). The worlds earthy religions tell you "Some day in glory, we will trade this temporal, earthly tent for an eternal heavenly one." Meanwhile, though we live in the same old tent we had in Adam, we are now actively new tenants, a "new creation." The old man is dead by its self-for-self-will is dead in its sin and dead nature. We may have the same old physical brain, but we are learning to think an entirely new way. "We have the mind of Christ... be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 and 1Corinthians 2:16). GODS Spirit is Christ living in us, and His Spirit also dwells in us. His Spirit takes the word of GOD and makes it a living reality as it unfolds the thinking of our LORD for us. As we embrace GOD's way of thinking more and more, we are transformed to walk in this newness that is ours as "in Christ."
In all the ways that matter before GOD, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The old guilt and shame of an evil conscience is replaced by new forgiveness. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... in whom we have... the forgiveness of sins" (Romans 8:1 and Colossians 1:14).
The old foolishness of this worlds religions is replaced by new wisdom. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with GOD... But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God" (1Corinthians 3:19 and 1:30). The old unrighteousness is replaced with His own righteousness. "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags... For He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in ["en" through Christ] Him" (Isaiah 64:6 and 2Corinthians 5:21). The old hope of changing (self-help) is replaced by new hope of changing (sanctification, GOD changing us). "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength... You are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us... sanctification" (Jeremiah 17:5 and 1Corinthians 1:30). This is grace upon grace.
Now we move on to today's subject of thanksgiving being enjoined in our prayer life of communion with GOD our Master and Father.
Thanksgiving enjoined,
1Chronicles 16:8 of 7-36 "Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! (Share the) Glory in His Holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that HE has done, His miracles and the judgments HE uttered, O offspring of Israel His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the LORD our GOD; His judgments are in all the earth. Remember His covenant forever, the word that HE commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that HE made with Abraham, His sworn promise to Isaac, which HE confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, "'To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance.'" When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, HE allowed no one to oppress them; HE rebuked kings on their account, saying, "'Touch not My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm!'" Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of His [Redemption that brings His] salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and HE is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens [that contain this earth]. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring [your worship and praise as] an offering and come before Him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of [His] Holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for HE comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! Say also: "Save us, O GOD of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the [earthy] nations, that we may give thanks (to) in Your Holy name and glory in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD."
Psalm 50:14 of 7-15 "Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am GOD, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before Me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is Mine. 'If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are Mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to GOD a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
Psalm 92:1 of 1-4 "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy."
Ephesians 5:20 of 15-22, 23-24 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will [law of His word, plan and purpose] of the LORD is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit [His anointing], addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to GOD the Father in [His greatness of name] the name of our Lord Jesus, Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands."
Philippians 4:6 of 4-7 "Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The LORD is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:18 of 12-22 "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the LORD and admonish you, to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil (calling evil good and good evil in these days of darkness), but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of GOD in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything (Deuteronomy 18:15-22); hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
1Timothy 4:4 of 1-5 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by GOD is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made Holy by the word of GOD and prayer."
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