Is There No Longer Wisdom?

Thursday, July 31, 2014, 4:21 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put this song in mind:

Tell Me the Story of Jesus / Fanny J. Crosby / John R. Sweney

Tell me the story of Jesus,

Write on my heart every word;

Tell me the story most precious,

Sweetest that ever was heard…

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,

Writhing in anguish and pain;

Tell of the grave where they laid Him,

Tell how He liveth again.

Love in that story so tender,

Clearer than ever I see;

Stay, let me weep while you whisper,

“Love paid the ransom for me.”

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Jeremiah 49:7-22 (NIV).

Has Counsel Perished?

This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“Is there no longer wisdom in Teman?

    Has counsel perished from the prudent?

    Has their wisdom decayed? ~ v. 7

The Lord Jesus gave me an interesting picture of what this passage is saying here, in all practicality and application to our world today. He gave me a picture of our modern-day internet and cloud computing. The internet is a vast source of knowledge. You can Google just about anything, and there is an article about it somewhere, or someone has blogged about it, or there has been a discussion on that topic on social media sites or on public discussion sites. The various news sites are also loaded with all kinds of information, as well as we have Wikipedia and various other encyclopedia and dictionary resources. If someone has ever asked your question, there should be a record of it out there somewhere, and you can learn how that question was answered. So, we are certainly not lacking in knowledge or in information resources in our day and time. They are at our fingertips, literally.

Yet, the question is asked here if wisdom and counsel have perished and/or decayed, and if they no longer exist. You see, there is a big difference between information and wisdom, just as there is a vast difference between Google and godly counsel. We may take into our minds a vast array of information via the internet, and we may even retain it as knowledge, but involved with wisdom is experience, common sense, good judgment, discernment, and prudence (forethought, caution and discretion). That is what is lacking, and the lack of it is seriously astounding in our day and age. So many people, including so many Christians today just believe everything they see, hear and read, particularly everything that fits with their political bent, personal prejudices, religious upbringing, culture, heritage, etc. It is a sad reality how many Christians do not use prudence, good judgment or common sense, but they buy into whatever sounds good without even bothering to check it out to see if it even makes sense, or if it is the truth, or even if it directly defies the teachings of scripture.

Take the news media, for example. How many people just believe what they read, hear or see in the news, or on talk radio, or talk TV shows, et al, without ever questioning if it is real (not fake), if it is true, if it makes sense, or particularly if it even agrees with scripture? I am sad to say that my experience has been that the vast majority don’t ask questions, they don’t bother to check it out, but they just accept that it is real and that it is true because they heard it, read it, or particularly if they saw it (on TV or on the Internet) with their eyes. Hollywood can make things look very real that are totally fake. The Bible warns us of a time of great deception. It says that false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So, why do we seem to think that we are beyond being deceived? Why are so many so gullible as to believe everything they see and hear, when the Bible warns us about deception, and it cautions us to be discerning, and to exercise wisdom, and to test everything?

I see so many today who have been confronted with the reality of why they should not just believe everything they hear, read, or see, and they have been challenged with the knowledge that there is so much deception going on in the world around them. They are being cautioned to use good judgment and discernment, and they are even being presented with evidence to the contrary to what they now hold to be truth and fact. And yet I see so many of them just close their minds, hearts and ears to that reality, and they literally refuse to even consider that they might be buying into a lie, even to the point to where they may attack you if you even try to suggest that what they are believing may, in fact, be a very clever lie and deception, and that what they perceive to be real may be totally fake. And, that is what concerns me the most, that they won’t even listen to wise counsel, and they won’t even look at the evidence and consider that just maybe they might be wrong. It is so unwise of us to be so easily persuaded about some things without checking them out, and then to turn around and refuse to listen to the voice of reason and to the word of truth.

Uncovering What is Hidden

Turn and flee, hide in deep caves,

    you who live in Dedan,

for I will bring disaster on Esau

    at the time when I punish him…

I will strip Esau bare;

    I will uncover his hiding places,

    so that he cannot conceal himself…

This is what the Lord says: “If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it… ~ vv. 8-12

The Lord has a time when he will visit this world of ours in judgment. Then he will expose all these lies and deceptions for what they are, and all will be revealed; all will be laid bare. There will be no more hiding and concealment of truth. I believe God will judge his adulterous church, too. I believe scripture teaches this, particularly in Isaiah and in Revelation, as well as in other books of the Bible. This is saying here that many innocents suffer because of the sins of others, so why should God’s people who are living in adultery against him, and who are following after the gods of this world, and their lies and deceptions, think they should somehow escape God’s hand of divine discipline when they won’t listen to God? So many in the church in America are holding on to the teaching of the pre-trib rapture, thinking that just because they are Christians that they can live however they want but that nothing bad will ever happen to them. That is pure arrogance.

They Have Deceived You

The terror you inspire

    and the pride of your heart have deceived you,

you who live in the clefts of the rocks,

    who occupy the heights of the hill.

Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s,

    from there I will bring you down,”

declares the Lord.

“Edom will become an object of horror;

    all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff

    because of all its wounds.

As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown,

    along with their neighboring towns,”

says the Lord,

“so no one will live there;

    no people will dwell in it…

Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down,

    spreading its wings over Bozrah.

In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors

    will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

The Lord Jesus gave me a picture here of those who occupy the heights of the hill and who build their nest as high as the eagle’s as those who run and operate “The Internet.” The United States of America has had the control of the Internet since its inception, I believe. Purportedly the internet was scheduled to be turned over to ICANN, yet other sources say that the U.S. isn’t giving up its control. It would appear that the internet is now being controlled by “The Cloud,” alias the New World Order, depending on what source you read. I see a lot of dangers with the Cloud. So many people trust all their private and even financial and business information to Cloud Computing, again another area where I believe we need to exercise much discernment, common sense and reason and good judgment, and I don’t believe that is being done much. Do we really think we can give all our information to this global giant in the sky and that it won’t be stolen, traded, sold to the highest bidder or otherwise used against us in some way? When we do this, we are giving up our own privacy and personal control over our own information, and that is unwise and dangerous.

Bottom Line

So, what is the bottom line here? I believe it is that too many Christians, myself included, have for too long been too trusting, too naïve, and too gullible concerning what they give out and what they take in, and it is going to come back and bite us. From this point on we need to exercise the godly wisdom and counsel of the Word of God, and of the Spirit within us, and even from those who are walking closely with the Lord Jesus, who walk in his ways and in his truth, and who are not caught up in the world’s system themselves. We need to stop believing everything we read, hear and see on TV, or in the news, or on Talk radio or TV or on the internet, and we need to stop trusting others with our private information thinking that nothing bad will happen to us, because it may. And, we need to begin to be in the practice of inquiring of our Lord Jesus about everything to make sure we are not falling prey to those who would “molest” (abuse; assault or otherwise take advantage of) us. And, we need to start to say “NO” to being taken advantage of by exercising prudence.

Jesus Christ paid the ransom for our sins so that we could be free from the control of sin over our lives, and so that we would no longer be held in slavery to the control of Satan. Let’s make sure we don’t give up that freedom willingly through our own stupidity, because we failed to exercise the godly wisdom and counsel our Lord has provided for us.

He Reached Down / An Original Work / February 3, 2014

Based off Psalm 18

How I love You, Lord,

My Rock and my strength.

My God is my fortress;

I hide in Him.

He is my shield and the horn of

My salvation, whom I praise.

I have found my refuge in Him.

He reached down from heaven

And rescued me;

Drew me out of waters

So deep, I’d sink.

He delivered me from Satan

And my slavery to sin;

Gave me hope of heaven with Him.

My God turned my darkness

Into His light;

Opened up my blinded eyes;

Gave me sight.

As for God, his way is perfect.

He gives strength to stand secure.

I have found my vict’ry in Him.

My Lord lives!

Praise be to my Savior God,

Jesus Christ, who died

On a cruel cross.

He is my Rock and the source

Of my salvation, whom I trust.

I will give praise always to Him.

http://originalworks.info/he-reached-down/

The Children of Promise

Monday, July 28, 2014, 6:00 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song in mind, “Praise Be Told.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Galatians 1-4 (NIV).

Correcting Error

Summary of Chapters 1:1-4:20

There was a certain group of people called “the circumcision group,” who may have been the Judaizers of that time, who were trying to convince Gentile Christians that they had to follow certain Jewish customs, and that they had to obey certain Old Testament Laws in order to be saved. They were especially pushing circumcision as a necessary requirement for salvation. So, Paul was writing to correct this error, and to bring the Christians back to the knowledge of the truth. “We are not justified by observing the law,” he said. “Righteousness cannot be gained through the law. If it could, Christ died for nothing,” he exclaimed. He asked the Christians, “After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal (of salvation) by human effort?”

So, Paul sought to correct this error by teaching them the truth about Abraham and the promised seed. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are the children of Abraham, he told them. In fact, the gospel was announced in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So, those who have faith in Jesus Christ are blessed along with Abraham. “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse.” God “redeemed us in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” The blessing of Abraham is Christ and his gospel for all who would believe on Jesus Christ. All who are under the law are under a curse. Unbelieving Jews are under a curse. They are not the children of promise.

The promises of God were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. “The scripture does not say, ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ. The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God, and thus do away with the promise.” You see, the promise to Abraham was always the promise of Jesus Christ and the gospel of our salvation. The Jews of old were saved by faith in that promise, and we are saved by faith in the promise fulfilled. So, anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ as the promised seed of Abraham is not of God, is not a child of God, and is not heir of the promise of God. They are under a curse.

Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. ~ 1 Jn. 2:22

“The scripture declares the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.” We are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ. There is not Jew or Gentile – all are one in Christ. Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, did away with the barrier of hostility between Jew and Gentile and he made one new human out of the two so that we are no longer divided by Jew and Gentile, but we are divided by saved and unsaved (See Eph. 2:14-18). We are either prisoners to sin and under a curse, or we are free in Christ through faith in Jesus. These are the two people groups on the earth, not Jew and Gentile. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

God sent Jesus Christ to redeem those under the law. If we go back to the law, we are being enslaved all over again. The Judaizers, or their equivalent today, are zealous to win us over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate us from Christ and his gospel so that we might be zealous for them. And, that is why Paul was perplexed about the Christians.

Slave or Free?

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written:

“Be glad, barren woman,

    you who never bore a child;

shout for joy and cry aloud,

    you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

    than of her who has a husband.”

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. ~ Gal. 4:21-31

Paul used the illustration of Abraham’s two sons – one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman – in a figurative sense, in order to teach us the relationships now between God and the Israel of old, who rejected his Son, Jesus Christ, and between God and true Israel, true believers in and followers of Jesus Christ. Ishmael, the son born in the ordinary way, was of Hagar, the slave woman. Isaac, the son born as the result of a promise, was of Sarah, the free woman. The two women represent two covenants.

Physical Jerusalem, formerly the Holy City, is now associated with Hagar, the slave woman, for she is in slavery (to sin) with her children. She is no longer associated with Isaac, the son born as the result of promise, and the son of the free woman, unless she believes in Jesus Christ. She is, in essence, among the unsaved of the world, so no different from any other unsaved people group as far as the gospel is concerned presently, though a remnant will be saved in due time, I believe. In association with Hagar, she will no longer share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son. As well, in association with Hagar, now the son of the slave woman, physical Jerusalem is also characterized as being a persecutor of Christians, those born of the Spirit of God. The Jews were the ones to crucify Jesus Christ.

Believers in Jesus Christ, nonetheless, are associated with Sarah, the free woman. They are the Jerusalem that is from above. We, like Isaac, are children of promise. We are not the children of the slave woman, so we should not return to slavery to the requirements of the law or to living in sin, because Jesus Christ, by his death on the cross for our sins, put our sins to death so that we might be set free, not only from the penalty of sin – eternal damnation – and not only so we could go to heaven one day, but so we would be free from slavery to sin, changed in heart and mind of the Spirit of God, and so we would be free to love and honor our Lord Jesus, and to walk in all of his ways. [See: Ro. 6-8; 2 Co. 5:15; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:17-24; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 Jn. 1-5; Ro. 9:6b-8; Ro. 11; & Matt. 12:30.]

Praise Be Told! / An Original Work / December 28, 2013

Based off Various Scriptures

He was pierced for our transgressions.

He was crushed for all our sin.

Our chastisement was upon Him.

By His stripes, we now are healed.

He has witnessed all our trials,

And the sins we choose to wear.

Yet, while we were dead in our sin,

Jesus died, our sins to bear.

He himself bore all of our sins

In His body on a cross,

So that we might die to our sin,

And live for His righteousness.

By faith in the pow’r of Jesus

And His blood shed for our sins,

We can be forgiven our sin,

And have life with God in heav’n.

He will lead us and He’ll guide us

In the way that we should go.

He will comfort and protect us,

Because Jesus, we do know.

Though He disciplines for our good,

He will heal us – Praise be told!

Do not fear, your Lord is with you.

Just have faith in Christ your Lord.

http://originalworks.info/praise-be-told/

Very Concerned

I am very concerned over the vast number of Christians who are strongly standing with the physical nation of Israel and believe that in doing so they are standing with God. I DO NOT STAND with nor do I SUPPORT the physical nation of Israel. The reason why is:

·         They are not true Israel – Ro. 9:6b-8

·         They are not Abraham’s children (offspring) – Ro. 9:6b-8

·         They are not the children of promise – Ro. 9:6b-8

·         They are not God’s children – Ro. 9:6b-8

·         We, the true church, are all the above – Ro. 9:6b-8

·         They were broken off from God’s vine due to unbelief – Ro. 11

·         They are enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ – Ro. 11

·         Although a remnant will be saved, they are still enemies of the gospel – Ro. 11

·         Jesus Christ made believing Jews and Gentiles one in Christ – Eph. 2:14-18

·         In Christ, there is neither Jew or Gentile – all one in Christ – Gal. 3:28

·         In Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith – Gal. 3:26

·         If we belong to Christ, we are Abraham’s seed – Gal. 3:29

·         If we belong to Christ, we are heirs according to the promise – Gal. 3:29

·         Those who do not belong to Christ are none of the above (3) – Gal. 3:26-29

·         Physical Jerusalem is of Hagar, the slave woman – Gal. 4:22-31

·         Physical Jerusalem is in slavery with her children – Gal. 4:22-31

·         Physical Israel is a son born according to the flesh – Gal. 4:22-31

·         Physical Israel is a persecutor of Christ and his offspring – Gal. 4:22-31

·         Believers in Jesus Christ are of the Jerusalem that is above – Gal. 4:22-31

·         Believers in Jesus Christ are the children of promise – Gal. 4:22-31

·         Believers in Jesus Christ are the children of the free woman – Gal. 4:22-31

·         Physical Israel is against the God of Abraham – Matt. 12:30

·         Physical Israel does not worship the God of Abraham – Jn. 8:19

·         Physical Israel does not belong to God but to Satan – Jn. 8:42-47

So, if I were to stand with the physical nation of Israel I would be supporting a people group who does not believe in the God of Abraham, does not worship him, are not the children of promise, are not the children of God, are enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, are persecutors of Christ Jesus and his offspring, are of Satan, and they do the work of the devil. These are not my words. This is what scripture teaches. If you are standing with this godless nation, and you are supporting them, scripture would thus indicate that you are supporting godless people who oppose the gospel of Christ, who are enemies of the cross, who persecute and perhaps even put to death believers in Christ, and who are of Satan. Physical Israel is antichrist. They could be The Antichrist, so you could be supporting the antichrist in the murdering of Christians, who are the true descendants of Abraham. Please think about this. Please pray about this. Would God be pleased with you giving your support to the enemy of Christ, and of his gospel and his people? We who are believers in Christ are the ones Christians are to support and stand with, not in sin, but in the faith.

A Lesson

Sunday, July 27, 2014, 3:00 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song in mind, “In Keeping Them.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Jeremiah 35 (NIV).

The Rekabites

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: “Go to the Rekabite family and invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.”

So I went to get Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the whole family of the Rekabites. I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper. Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, “Drink some wine.”

But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab[a] son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.’ We have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine or built houses to live in or had vineyards, fields or crops. We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab commanded us. But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded this land, we said, ‘Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian[b] and Aramean armies.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.”

The Rekabites came from the Kenites, who lived among the people of Israel for a very long time. They even accompanied the Israelites into the holy land, it would appear. They were nomads and Gentiles, but they worshiped the God of Abraham. Moses’ father-in-law was a Kenite. Over the years the Kenites showed many kindnesses to God’s chosen people.

God wanted to teach the Israelites a lesson, so he used the illustration of the Rekabites to make his point. He told Jeremiah to invite the Rekabites to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and to give them wine to drink. God, of course, knew what was going to happen next. The Rekabites kindly declined the wine, explaining that they did not drink wine because their forefather had commanded them not to. They went on to explain that their forefather had also commanded them not to build houses or to plant vineyards, but they were to live in tents, and so that is what they did. They fully obeyed everything their forefather commanded them to do. But when King Neb of the Babylonians invaded their land, they fled to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian and Aramean armies.

Go and Tell

Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying: “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord. ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’

God commanded Jeremiah to go speak to the Israelites and to ask them this question: “Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?” He set before them the example of the Rekabites and their faithful obedience to their forefather (a mere human). How is it that these Gentiles by birth could exercise such faithful obedience to their human father, and yet God’s chosen people would not obey him?

At that period of time, the Israelites, Jews by birth, were God’s chosen people. Yet, since Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the dead, and people have believed on Jesus Christ for their salvation, the Jews, if they do not believe in Jesus, are no longer God’s chosen people. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection he made Jew and Gentile one in Christ, i.e. he formed one new “man” out of the two. Physical Jerusalem is now of Hagar, the slave woman, and only followers of Jesus Christ are the children of promise. Those who are physical descendants of Abraham only are not the children of Abraham, and they are not Israel unless they believe in Jesus Christ. Israel is now the church. [See Ro. 9:6b-8; Ro. 11; Gal. 3:26-29; Gal. 4:22-31; Eph. 2:14-18; Matt. 12:30]

So, is there a lesson that the church today can learn from this? I believe God is posing this same question to his church today: “Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?” God has spoken to his church again and again. He has given his Holy Word to us via his messengers of old, and the Holy Spirit within us to teach us all things. Are we listening?

As well, he has sent out his watchmen (and women) of today - his servants and messengers - to give his church warnings against lies, deceptions, and false gospels, and against spiritual adultery and idolatry. They have been calling the adulterous church of today to repentance and renewed faith in their Lord. They are calling out to the adulterous and idolatrous church of today to turn from their wicked ways and to reform their actions; to not follow after and serve the gods their hands have made, but to forsake their idols. They have been calling the church to obey their Lord and all his teachings and instructions, which he has given to us through Christ and through the apostles. And, they have been proclaiming to the church the blessings of repentance and obedience - all in the power and working of the Spirit in the life of the believer in Jesus Christ.

Yet the vast majority of today’s modern and worldly church is not obeying his words. They are not even paying attention to his commands. They are not listening to the Spirit speaking God’s words to their hearts, but they are running after the gods of this world full-speed ahead.

Consequences and Rewards

“Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’”

Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’”

This reminds me a lot of the letters of Jesus to the seven churches in Asia, as recorded by John in the book of Revelation. Although these letters were written to seven specific congregations of that time, as was the book of Revelation, still these letters serve to encourage, instruct and warn the church of all ages, i.e. the book of Revelation was meant for the church of all time. Many of these letters have both words of affirmation and rebuke. Only one had no words of praise at all, and that was the letter to the church in Laodicea. Many people believe that is the church of the west today. Yet, there are aspects in all of these letters to which we can identify in one way or another in the church of today.

It is no mistake at all that the book of Revelation, prior to the announcement of all the judgments at the end of time, gives affirmation of faithful service to the Lord, spells out the specific sins of the churches, calls them to repentance and obedience, warns of judgment if they do not repent and obey, encourages them with the blessings of repentance and obedience, and inspires and urges faithfulness and perseverance in faith to the end.

Jesus Christ died for our sins, not just so we could escape the flames of hell and have the promise of heaven. He died so that we would no longer live for ourselves but for him who gave himself up for us (See 2 Co. 5:15). His grace is not a free license to continue in willful sin. His grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled and upright lives in this present age while we wait for our Lord’s return (See Tit. 2:11-14). He died so that we might die to the sins which once enslaved us, so we could be transformed in heart and mind of the Spirit of God away from sin and to God, and so we could walk daily in Christ’s righteousness and holiness, in the power and working of the Spirit within us (See Ac. 26:16-18; Ro. 6-8; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:17-24; & 1 Jn. 1-5).

God says he disciplines those he loves. He will judge his adulterous and idolatrous church of these last days. He will send a strong dose of divine discipline as his mercy come running to us. If we do not listen, and we close our ears to what is right, and we continue in willful rebellion against him, following the ways and gods of this world instead of following him as our “first love,” he will discipline us, but not to destroy us, but to save (deliver) us from ourselves and from those who have deceived us. So, be earnest and repent.

In Keeping Them / An Original Work / June 3, 2014

Based off Ps. 111:10; 19:7-11

Stand in awe of your Lord.

Harken to His teachings.

Follow where He leads you.

Live for Him today.

Through Him you gain wisdom;

Knowledge; understanding.

To my Lord belongs all

Worship and my praise.

Perfect is the Word,

Refreshing souls in His love.

His commands are faithful,

Guiding us each day.

Joy comes to the heart of

Those who love His teachings;

Follow His instructions.

He will light their way.

Abide in the Lord, and

Obey His commandments.

His Word is more precious

Than all of our gold.

By His Word He warns us,

Comforts, and implores us.

When we follow His Word,

There is great reward.

http://originalworks.info/in-keeping-them/

Peace and Security

Friday, July 25, 2014, 6:00 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song in mind, “To Be Like Him.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Jeremiah 30 (NIV).

A Time of Trouble

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.”

These are the words the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: “This is what the Lord says:

“’…How awful that day will be!

    No other will be like it.

It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,

    but he will be saved out of it.

“‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty,

    ‘I will break the yoke off their necks

and will tear off their bonds;

    no longer will foreigners enslave them.

Instead, they will serve the Lord their God

    and David their king,

    whom I will raise up for them.

“‘So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;

    do not be dismayed, Israel,’

declares the Lord.

‘I will surely save you out of a distant place,

    your descendants from the land of their exile.

Jacob will again have peace and security,

    and no one will make him afraid.

I am with you and will save you,’

    declares the Lord.

‘Though I completely destroy all the nations

    among which I scatter you,

    I will not completely destroy you.

I will discipline you but only in due measure;

    I will not let you go entirely unpunished.’ ~ vv. 1-11

It appears, from historical accounts, that this prophecy was at least partially fulfilled somewhere between 609 BC and 539 BC. The Israelites were taken captive by King Neb of Babylon as a judgment of God upon them, and they remained in captivity for a period of 70 years. At the end of that time, Cyrus conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. The city was restored and the second temple was built (the temple rebuilt).

From what I can gather, and from what I have read in Isaiah and Jeremiah, it appears to me, and I am not alone in this thought, that the 70 years of captivity was a prefiguring of the 7 years of tribulation, and Cyrus was a prefiguring of Christ, who is “David,” our king. He will return for his people, will judge those he allowed to judge us, and he will restore the land to us in his millennial kingdom, at which time we will rule and will reign with him.

And, yet, I see another 70 years present here, and another Babylon of our day and time which I believe is spoken about in the book of Revelation. I believe Mystery Babylon, the Great Prostitute, is the U.S. government and their allies in the U.N. (+ the institutional church of the west, which is in bed with the government). When WWII ended in 1945, the U.S. rose to become the world’s super power. Next year may mark the 70^th anniversary of their superpower status, though I am making NO predictions here whatsoever.

The statistics vary, depending upon the source, but it would appear that the U.S. has established control over perhaps as many as 200 countries worldwide and that we have military deployments in more than 150 countries. Depending upon the source, we may have as many as up to 1,000 U.S. military bases outside of our own country worldwide. And, we are 70% of the NATO forces in Afghanistan alone. Our nation (plus their allies) creates situations (false flag operations) so that they can go in to other countries to take them over. We have been doing this a very long time. We are the world terrorists. First we kick the squirrels out of their nest, and then we go in to “save” them – NOT! We go in as conquerors bent on conquest. We kill, pillage, rape and destroy in order to gain control.

The things talked about in Revelation concerning the antichrist and concerning the conquering of peoples and nations and the persecution and murdering of the saints of Almighty God are happening now, and they are happening at the hands of the U.S. government, under the orders of the Elite and powerful of the world, and in cooperation with the U.S.’s allies, including the nation of Israel. So, are we already in the period of time known as the tribulation? I don’t know. And, I also don’t know if the seven years are a literal seven years or not, either. Maybe these are the birth pains. If they are, they are pretty bad in some parts of the world. “Cries of fear are heard – terror, not peace.”

Another thing that occurs to me here, with regard to the fulfillment of this passage in the end of time, is that Israel is now the church, because the physical nation of Israel is no longer God’s people, and the city of Jerusalem is now of Hagar, the slave woman. Only the children of promise, i.e. the true Body of Christ, the church, are God’s chosen people, so only we can be in adultery against our Lord. The Jews, if they do not know Jesus, are the same as the Gentiles who do not know Jesus. They need to be saved, but they are not God’s people being judged for their idolatry and spiritual adultery. This can only apply to the adulterous church of the last days.

Future Restoration

“This is what the Lord says:

“‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents

    and have compassion on his dwellings;

the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,

    and the palace will stand in its proper place.

From them will come songs of thanksgiving

    and the sound of rejoicing.

I will add to their numbers,

    and they will not be decreased;

I will bring them honor,

    and they will not be disdained.

Their children will be as in days of old,

    and their community will be established before me;

    I will punish all who oppress them.

Their leader will be one of their own;

    their ruler will arise from among them.

I will bring him near and he will come close to me—

    for who is he who will devote himself

    to be close to me?’

declares the Lord.

“‘So you will be my people,

    and I will be your God.’”

See, the storm of the Lord

    will burst out in wrath,

a driving wind swirling down

    on the heads of the wicked.

The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back

    until he fully accomplishes

    the purposes of his heart.

In days to come

    you will understand this. ~ vv. 18-24

We read in Revelation 2-3 concerning warnings to the church which is living in spiritual adultery and idolatry that they must repent of their wickedness or face the judgment of God. I believe God will judge his adulterous church, and perhaps this has already begun, yet not to destroy her, but to save her out of slavery to those who have taken her captive to do their will, and/or from those who have deceived her, and to whom or to which she is now giving her allegiance and devotion. He will judge her in order to revive her and to bring her back into proper fellowship with him. Then he will come to deliver her from this earth, and she will reign and will rule with him on the earth during his millennial kingdom reign. That is when she will truly experience peace and security, and no one will make her afraid. Amen!

So, when we think of Jerusalem and the temple being restored and rebuilt at the end of days, we have to interpret this in light of the cross of Christ. Since Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected, only those who have believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are the people of God; the children of promise. We are the heavenly Jerusalem, the City of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit in whom Christ dwells by his Spirit. So it is us who will be restored and rebuilt, i.e. the church will be revived and we will become what God intended us to be all along. Amen! No longer will the church be in captivity to those who now deceive her and who wield power over her, for God will wake her in judgment so that her eyes are opened and she will see what she is now blinded to. Amen!

When Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, he crucified our sins with him, and through his resurrection he conquered hell, Satan, death and sin. Through faith in him, we can be delivered from the ultimate penalty of sin – eternal damnation – and from slavery to sin, and we can be set free to love, honor, worship, and obey our Lord Jesus, and to walk in his ways the rest of our lives, in the power and working of the Spirit within us. That is the captivity that Jesus came to deliver us out of. Our relationship with God is then restored to what it was before the fall of man in the Garden. And, we now have the hope of eternal life with God in heaven. [See: Ro. 6-8; 2 Co. 5:15; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:17-24; Tit. 2:11-14; & 1 Jn. 1-5.]

So, in some ways, we have been in a period of tribulation ever since the church had its beginnings, and Jesus’ return for us will be our deliverance. Our physical restoration will be during the millennial kingdom reign of Christ, during which time we will rule and will reign with him on the earth. Oh, how I look forward to the day I get to be with him forever!

To Be Like Him / An Original Work

March 16, 2014 / Based off Scripture

Crucified you are with Jesus.

To be like Him, oh, you’ll be,

Because He died at Calv’ry,

So from sin you’d be free.

Oh, what joy He brings into your life,

Giving life with Him endlessly.

Oh, what plans He has for your life.

Share the gospel faithfully.

Show the people He loves them.

Now His witness you’ll be.

Tell the world of sin about Jesus,

How He died for them on a tree.

Purifying hearts, He saves them,

Who believe on Christ, God’s Son.

Turning now from their idols,

New lives they have begun.

Jesus saves from sin; we’re forgiven.

Over sin, the vict’ry He won!

When He comes again to take us

To be with Him evermore,

There will be no more crying.

Gladness will be in store.

Heavens joys will now overtake us:

We’ll be with our Lord evermore.

http://originalworks.info/to-be-like-him/

Two Choices

Thursday, July 24, 2014, 7:10 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song in mind, “Give God the Glory.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Jeremiah 24 (NIV).

Baskets of Figs

After Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and the officials, the skilled workers and the artisans of Judah were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Lord showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the Lord. One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten.

Then the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

“Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the bad ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.”

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

“‘But like the bad figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the Lord, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt. I will make them abhorrent and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a curse and an object of ridicule, wherever I banish them. I will send the sword, famine and plague against them until they are destroyed from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.’”

The Exile

God called Jeremiah to speak to his children Israel concerning their spiritual adultery against God, and concerning their idolatry. Time and time again the Lord had sent his messengers and prophets to speak to his people about their rebellion, to warn them of judgment, and to call them to repentance, but they would not listen. So, God told them that judgment was coming in the form of King Neb of Babylon, and that they would be in captivity for a period of 70 years. They were to cooperate with the king and they were to submit to his rule.

Presently God is calling his people Israel – not the physical nation, but the people of God, his church – to repent of their idolatry, spiritual adultery and rebellion against God. He has sent his messengers throughout the world proclaiming the truths of his word (the Bible, in particular the teachings of Christ and the apostles), calling the church to repentance, and warning them of judgment if they do not repent (See the book of Isaiah and Rev. 2-3). We read in the book of Revelation where the saints of God will be persecuted severely for their faith in Christ, will be taken into captivity, and that many will be put to death for their faith. I believe this is already happening in many nations throughout the world, and at the hands of the New World Order (Beast), and that the USA government is leading the charge in this.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were among the exiles who were taken into captivity into Babylon. They serve as examples for us in the manner in which we are to submit to the rulers over us, and even the manner in which we should submit to the “beast” of Revelation, should we happen to be here when the day arrives when he has truly risen to the place of king of the world and he sits as conqueror and as ruler of all nations and all peoples. We are to submit to even evil rulers as long as what we are asked to do does not go against God and against his word. We are not to resist those God places in authority over us unless they order us to do what is contrary to the will of God for our lives, such as we are not to make anything or anyone our god in place of God, we are not to deny the name of Jesus, and we are not to stop speaking or praying in the name of our Lord.

Good and Bad

Jeremiah was shown two baskets of figs. In one basket, the figs were good. In the other basket, the figs were bad. I wanted to learn the significance of the illustration of the figs, so I did a little research on the subject. What I learned, which I know I have read before, is that in the Old and New Testaments God used the fig tree as a symbol of his people Israel, i.e. the children of promise, i.e. now the church of today. The condition of the figs, whether good or bad, represents the spiritual condition of those who claim to be God’s people, now what is called the church of today. [Ref: http://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html.]

In the gospels we read the account of Jesus Christ cursing the fig tree because it had no fruit. It was not yet the season for bearing fruit, but since the tree already had leaves on it, the expectation was to find fruit there, as well. It had the appearance from a distance of a fruit-bearing tree, but up close it was obvious that no fruit was to be found. That is the way it is with many who call themselves Christians today. They give off the appearance of being in relationship with Jesus Christ, but upon closer examination it becomes obvious that they do not know the one they claim to follow. He may be on their lips, but he is not in their hearts. They are the bad figs. The good figs are those in genuine relationship with Jesus.

Two Baskets

The interesting thing of note here is that both baskets contained figs. The figs represented the nation of Israel. At the time this was written, though, it appears that both groups were not listening to the Lord, which is why they were both being judged (See Jer. 29:15-23). Yet, God knew who would turn to him or who would return to him with all their heart. They were the good figs. They were the ones he would watch over, build up, plant, and give them a heart to know him. They would be his true people, and he would be their God. The bad figs would never turn to the Lord, but would always live in rebellion against him. They were not the true children of God, though they may have had the appearance of being so.

Another interesting thing of note, going along with this idea here, is that the figs represented two separate groups of people. Although they were both figs, one was good and one was bad. They were not blended together, either. So, it is today with the physical meetings of the church, especially as the church meets in the culture of today here in America. Within our church congregations exist those who truly believe in Jesus, and those who clearly do not, and/or those who give only the appearance of faith in Christ but who have never truly ever been born from above of the Spirit of God. They are not all the true church (the basket containing the good figs), yet they meet with the church and they may even think themselves to be Christians, but they are not, for they are in form only.

I believe scripture teaches us that when this time of judgment comes upon the earth at the end of time, which may have already begun to some degree, and the church is revived, and the people God foreknew would turn to him with all their hearts do return to their Lord, there will no longer be this blending of good and bad figs, but truly they will be separate as God has commanded us to be separate from the world. While it is true that we are to go out into the world to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to lead them to be followers of him, we are not to immerse ourselves in the culture around us, or to blend in with the ungodly in order to “connect” with them so that we can “reach” them. We are to be set apart (unlike; different) from the world and set apart to God and to his service.

Two Choices

In the Old Testament, the people were divided Jew and Gentile, i.e. God’s people and the people who were not God’s people. The same is today, only different. Today the two groups are Saved and Unsaved; regenerate and unregenerate. Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, made both Jew and Gentile one in Christ, forming “one man” out of the two. Only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives are truly Israel. They are the good figs. All others, including Jewish people, are the bad figs, i.e. those who are not God’s people by faith in Jesus Christ. So, in essence, God made it that unbelieving Jews are now numbered among the Gentile nations, for they are of Hagar, the slave woman, and most likely they are numbered among those who are trampling the Holy City, the heavenly Jerusalem, the true church, the Body of Christ via severe persecution and even beheadings.

Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, taking upon himself the sins of the entire world. When he died, our sins died with him, and when he rose from the dead, he conquered hell, Satan, death and sin. By faith in him we can be forgiven of our sins, can be set free from the penalty of sin – eternal damnation – can be delivered out of bondage to sinful lifestyles, and can be set free to walk daily in his righteousness and holiness in the power and working of the Spirit within us (See Ro. 6-8; Eph. 4:17-24; Gal. 2:20; & 1 Jn. 1-5). This is why he died, so that we would no longer live for ourselves but for him who gave himself up for us (See 2 Co. 5:15). In fact, his grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled and upright lives in this present age while we wait for his return (See Tit. 2:11-14). This is true grace! This is true freedom! This is our salvation!

The choice is yours. Do you want to end up in the basket with the good figs or in the basket with the bad figs? Will you turn or return to Jesus Christ with all your heart, and to truly make him the Lord of your life? Will you turn from living for sin and self and submit your life to Jesus Christ and allow him to rule your life? Will you follow him in obedience and do whatever he asks you to do? Will you allow him to give you a heart to know him? Or, will you reject him, rebel against him, and say “No” to his call?

Give God the Glory / An Original Work

Based off Psalm 19 / March 10, 2014

All of creation now proclaims:

“Give God the glory; honor His name!”

Each day the stars in heav’n above

Show forth His wisdom; tell of His love.

They do not speak. They have no voice.

Yet, they declare we have a choice:

“Worship the God of heav’n above;

Believe in Jesus; trust in His love.”

God’s word is perfect, just and good,

Refreshing souls who trust in the Lord;

Makes wise the simple; radiant -

Lighting our lives with God’s righteousness.

Joy to the heart His words now speak;

Pure and enduring, now we seek.

They are more precious than our gold;

Sweeter than honey; never grow old.

Keeping the word brings great reward.

By the word Jesus speaks and He warns,

Convicting hearts of all their sin;

Forgiving all who call upon Him.

Praying You keep me, Lord, from sins.

May they not rule my life again.

Then will I walk in all Your ways,

Following Jesus all of my days.

http://originalworks.info/give-god-the-glory/

Truth Thrown Down

Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 7:47 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song in mind, “Blessed Assurance.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Jeremiah 23 (NIV). Due to its length, I will quote some and summarize some.

Woe to Shepherds

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. (Cf: Ezekiel 34) Vv. 1-4

A shepherd is “somebody who is responsible for caring for and guiding a group of people, especially a Christian minister” (Encarta). He can be a pastor, an elder, a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, a husband, a father, and/or a Bible study leader, etc. Although I would hope that there are many good shepherds of the people of today, who truly shepherd their flock in the way Jesus Christ intended for them to do so, sadly enough so many do not.

Many shepherds within the church today are engrossed in the world, are following all the latest fads and techniques (marketing schemes) for how to grow their “churches,” and are being led more by human philosophy and reasoning than they are being led by the Spirit of God and the Word of Truth. They have adopted the ways of the world in order to attract the world to their “churches.” If you go from church to church, and denomination to denomination, you might find many common threads among them that are cross-cultural, and cross-denominational, but that have little to do with the Word of God or the power and working of the Holy Spirit in their midst. So many are like carbon-copies of the other, using all the same buzz-words and catch-phrases and terminology. They may act like what they have discovered is unique only to them, but it sounds just like a clone of the other guy.

Much of the church has become so much like the world that it is barely distinguishable between the church and the world anymore. Entertainment and fun get top billing. Pastors are more like comedians and actors than they are like men of God. The worship service is more like a big show. Movies and books written by mere humans have replaced the Bible in small groups and in Sunday school classes. Gimmicks and giveaways are used to bring people into the church. Many unsaved people find the church of today fun, entertaining, friendly, non-threatening, and non-judgmental, and they feel “at home” there. What is wrong with this picture? The world should not feel “at home” in a meeting of the church. The gospel of Jesus Christ is diluted to make it more appealing, acceptable and palatable to the world, so that the cross is no longer an offense. Coming to Christ seems to be nothing more than a decision to escape hell and to have the promise of heaven, but with no death to sin, and no teaching on repentance and obedience, or on the importance of holy living.

The prophets follow an evil course

    and use their power unjustly.

“Both prophet and priest are godless;

    even in my temple I find their wickedness,”

declares the Lord. Vv. 10b-11

Many church leaders are being trained in how to draw in or to target certain people, usually the unchurched, unsaved or nominal Christian who knows little of the Bible, and how to “filter out” those who are not a “good fit,” usually those who know the Bible and who stand on the word of truth and who will challenge false teaching when they see it. These leaders are told to avoid people such as these with “strong convictions,” or to discourage what they call the “doctrine police,” who might point out false teaching, as well as they will sometimes discourage even the presence of Bibles and the teaching from the word as it tends to turn people away, and they don’t want to offend anyone. Movies and movie clips are often shown to illustrate Biblical truth, or at least that is the concept, and yet many of these movies are ones which promote sexual immorality and sinful behaviors, so that would be counterproductive, as these movie clips might lead their people into sin instead of away from sin.

Many of these shepherds are addicted to pornography, or to other vices, and/or spend hours upon hours watching TV and movies with sexual situations in them, containing filthy language, or that glorify and laugh at the sins of others. They spend hours upon hours in marketing their church and finding new ways to attract the world and/or in setting up the show and finding all the right props. They immerse themselves in the culture around them and will even utilize what they know is sinful to attract the world, because the more edgy it is, the more the world will like it. They manipulate their congregations with tone of voice, certain phrases, fake tears, quivering voices at just the right place in the sermon, a sad story intended to move people emotionally, fake sincerity, and the twisting of truth to support what message they want to get across and to “sell” to the people. They are more like “used car salesmen” than they are like men of God, born of the Spirit.

“And among the prophets of Jerusalem

    I have seen something horrible:

    They commit adultery and live a lie.

They strengthen the hands of evildoers,

    so that not one of them turns from their wickedness.

They are all like Sodom to me;

    the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” V. 14

Because these shepherds of the people dilute the gospel so that it is no longer the gospel taught by Jesus Christ and by the apostles, they give their listeners a false hope of heaven absent of the necessity of dying with Christ to the sins which once enslaved them, absent of genuine new birth of the Spirit of God, and absent of a walk of faith in Christ’s righteousness and holiness. They make up their own version of the gospel that gets people in the door and that keeps them coming back, but that gives them a free license to continue in willful sin and in sexual immorality. They promise these people that God is pleased with them just the way they are, that all is happy, that God will not discipline them, and that nothing is required of them at all in the way of holy living in the power of the Spirit within them. So, the people are convinced that it doesn’t matter at all how they live because they figure God’s grace has it all covered. So, why did Christ die? He died so that we would no longer live for ourselves but for him who gave himself up for us (See 2 Co. 5:15).

But if they had stood in my council,

    they would have proclaimed my words to my people

and would have turned them from their evil ways

    and from their evil deeds. V. 22

Many of these shepherds today do not even get their sermons directly from the Lord. They borrow them from each other, or they make them up out of their own imaginations, and yet they declare they are sharing the message the Lord has given to them to give to the people. Yet, God is against them because they lead His “people astray with their reckless lies.”

The Righteous Branch

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

    and do what is just and right in the land.

In his days Judah will be saved

    and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

    The Lord Our Righteous Savior. Vv. 5-6

This is a prophecy concerning our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God the Son came to earth, took on human flesh, suffered as we suffer, and was tempted in like manner in which we are tempted, yet without sin. He healed the sick, raised the dead and he preached repentance (turning from sin) and obedience (following him) as necessary to a having a relationship with him and with the Father, and to gaining eternal life with them in heaven. Many of his followers deserted him when he explained to them the cost of being one of his disciples. They said his teaching was too hard. The religious leaders of his day hated him and hounded him, looking for any way in which they could discredit him. They were threatened by his teaching and by his following, as it threatened their own positions of power and influence over the people. They hated him so much that they had him crucified on a cross as though he was a common criminal, and although he did nothing wrong.

When Jesus died, our sins died with him. When he rose from the dead, he conquered death, hell, Satan and sin. Amen! When we come to him in faith we willingly submit ourselves to the cross of Christ, dying with him to the sins which once enslaved us, yielding to the Spirit of God in allowing him to transform our hearts and minds away from sin and to God, and we surrender our wills to the will of the Father as we choose to now walk by the Spirit in Christ’s righteousness and holiness. [See: Ac. 26:16-18; Ro. 6-8; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:17-24; Tit. 2:11-14 & 1 Jn. 1-5.] Amen!

This is the true gospel of our salvation for it actually delivers us from slavery to sin and it empowers us to live for Christ and to walk in his holiness, and to no longer live for ourselves or according to our own fleshly desires. This is God’s amazing grace! It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled and upright lives in this present age while we wait for his return. Amen!

Blessed Assurance / Fanny Crosby

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.