Habakkuk 2

Then the Lord replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Race Marked out for Us

Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 11:25 p.m. – My husband and I had just spent the evening together. We talked about some things, we worked on a song together, I did some song recording, paper work, and filing, etc. My husband went to bed, but I was still not sleepy. Then, the Lord brought the song into my mind, “Fear Not!” So, I sat down on the sofa with pen, paper and Bible in hand and on my lap, in order to hear from the Lord and to write what he would teach me. And, I asked the Lord Jesus to speak to my heart.

Then, I read Hebrews 12:1-3:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

My Understanding: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” The witnesses spoken of here are the saints who have gone before us, many of whom were mentioned in the previous chapter, commonly known as the “faith chapter” of the Bible, Hebrews 11. We learned there that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see, and this is what the saints of old were commended for. It requires no faith if we can see everything before us. We don’t know all that the future holds for us. Plans can change, even at the last minute. So, our hope and trust must be in the Lord Jesus, in his word, in the hope of our salvation, and in our eternity with God.

The saints of old stepped out in faith and did what they believed God was prompting them to do in their spirits, even if they didn’t know where they were going or where this was all going to lead them in this life. They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on this earth. They knew this world was not their home, and they longed for their heavenly dwelling. God was not ashamed to be called their God, for he had prepared a city for them, an eternal home with him in glory, the scripture says. Some of these saints of old “faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith…” And, many since then have experienced the same for their Lord Jesus Christ.

Run with Perseverance

Recently I participated in a Walk for Alzheimer’s with some members of my family. One of my daughters-in-law had just lost her grandfather to that disease. My husband’s father has the disease, as well. Interestingly enough, the two men shared the same first and middle names. We were walking to raise money and awareness to help find a cure for the disease. And, at the end of the walk, there were people standing there on both sides of the path, applauding us and cheering us on for having made it to the finish line. I immediately thought of this verse in Hebrews 12 about the great cloud of witnesses cheering us on to make it to the finish line in our race. They serve as great encouragers to us through their inspiring testimonies as to the power of faith (proved genuine) and of God’s faithfulness. They serve as great examples to us of what faith truly means, which is faith in action.

Because we have these great examples of faith and perseverance, especially of those who suffered greatly for their faith and who did not give up, we should throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. If a runner is carrying too much weight, it can slow him down, so the idea is to lighten the load so as to be able to run freely without hindrance. I took note of the fact that sin is listed separately from “everything that hinders,” so this is not just speaking of getting rid of sin in our lives. Sometimes good things can be a distraction from us running the race, too. We can fill our lives with all kinds of good activities, yet if they keep us from hearing the Lord, and from obeying what he has called us to do, then even the good things serve as hindrances to our faith and perseverance. So, we must throw off all things that are barriers, including and most importantly getting rid of sins in our lives, and we must run the race marked out for us with perseverance.

We can learn about this race marked out for us and what it means to run it by reading the Bible, in particular the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Bible. We can’t run the race by the rules if we don’t know what the rules are. And, we can’t know what God expects of us if we don’t read his word daily and seek his face for how practically his word is to be applied to our daily lives. And, we can’t do what the word teaches us if we are holding on to sin, and/or if we are not willing to obey. We can read the word for knowledge. We can read it out of habit or duty. But, we must read it prayerfully, asking the Lord for understanding, through praying about specific situations in our lives, and then in asking the Holy Spirit to speak directly to those situations through his word. We should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to where we should be reading in scripture. I believe we should read in context (chapter by chapter) as much as is possible, and we should not just be flipping pages with no direction, or going to specific passages that give us the answers we want to hear. And, we can’t obey if we look into the mirror and then walk away and forget what we look like. So, journaling helps, too, so that we have a record of how God has spoken to us, how he has answered our prayers, and what he requires of us.

We, as well, must stay focused on the goal. If a runner gets distracted by things happening on the sidelines and he keeps wandering off to see what else is going on, he will never win any races. We must be resolute in our commitments to stay the course and to obey our Lord Jesus Christ in all that he requires of us to be and to do. He, most importantly, serves as an awesome example to us of perseverance in running the race. He was/is God, and yet he left his throne in heaven to take on human flesh, to suffer as we suffer, to be tempted of Satan, yet without sin, to be persecuted, forsaken, rejected, betrayed, mocked and beaten, and then to be hung on a cross as a common criminal. Yet, he did this all “for the joy set before him.” The joy was/is the joy of our salvation and our freedom from sin and our restoration to a right relationship with God. And, we should run the race God has marked out for us, persecutions and beatings included, for the same reason, including for the salvation of others. We are to consider what Jesus did for us and how he endured such opposition from sinful men, so that when we face the same kind of opposition, we do not grow weary and lose heart, but we persevere and run the race marked out for us by God.

Fear Not! / An Original Work / October 20, 2011

Based off of Philippians 4

Rejoice in the Lord!
Gentle be always.
The Lord is near you.
Fear not in all things.
But in ev’rything
By prayer, with thanksgiving,
Share your requests.
God will guard your hearts
With His peace always.

Think about these things:
Whate’er is honest;
Pure and is lovely;
And is praiseworthy.
Whate’er you have learned,
Or you have received, or
You heard from Christ,
Make it your practice.
God will be with you.

I can do all things
Through Him who gives strength.
Whate’er I go through,
Satisfied I’ll be.
My God will meet all
My needs according to
His riches in
Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Praise Him forever!


Song Lyrics @ Public Domain

Audio, song lyrics and sheet music at (free):
https://sites.google.com/site/psalmshymnssongs2/home/songs/fear-not

Song on video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oZOuR7S8eY

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Do Your Best

Do Your Best / An Original Work / November 7, 2011
Based off of 2 Timothy 2

Soprano / Bass

Love You, Father, love You, Lord. / Love You, Father, love You, Lord.
Be strong in the grace of Christ. / Be strong in Christ.
Endure hardship for your Lord. / Endure hardship.
Your commander, live to please. / Live to please God.
You’ll receive the victor’s crown. / Receive the crown.
By the rules, run in the race. / Run in the race.
Your Lord, you’ll see face to face. / Live by the rules.
Jesus Christ, raised from the dead; / Jesus Christ was
Of your life, He is the head. / Raised from the dead.
Endure all for the elect. / Endure all for...

Love You, Father, love You, Lord. / Love You, Father, love You, Lord.
If we died, we live with Him. / If we died, we
If we last, with Him we’ll reign. / Will live with Him.
If we disown Him today, / If we last, with
He will have to look away. / Him we will reign.
Even if we faithless be, / Disown Him and
Faithful He’ll remain always. / He’ll disown us.
He cannot disown Himself. / Faithless we are –
He’s our Lord and Savior, King. / Faithful He’ll be.
He will reign o’er ev’rything. / He’s our Savior.

Love You, Father, love You, Lord. / Love You, Father, love You, Lord.
Do your best; present yourself / Do your best as
As one who’s approved by God. / One approved by
Work as one who’s not ashamed; / God; as one who’s
Rightly share the Word of truth. / Not ashamed of,
Wander not from what you know. / And who rightly
Destroy not the faith of some. / Handles the Word.
God’s foundation; it stands firm. / Do not wander
The Lord knows those who are His: / from the truth, nor
Those who turn from wickedness. / Others’ faith kill.

Love You, Father, love You, Lord. / Love You, Father, love You, Lord.
In a house are wood and clay, / In a house are
Gold and silver, all array. / Many items.
Some are noble, some are bad - / Some are noble.
Cleanse your life, and you’ll be glad; / Get rid of bad;
Useful to the Master’s work. / Useful you’ll be
A pure heart - in righteousness, / for the Master.
Pursue faith and love and peace. / A pure heart have -
Bad desires you want to flee. / Pursue the faith,
Gentle servant you must be. / Gentle servant.

Song lyrics @ Public Domain

Audio, Song lyrics and sheet music (free)

Song on video

He Refused

Wednesday, November 09, 2011 (11/9/11), 6:46 a.m. – The song, “Fear Not!” was playing in my mind when I awoke this morning. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Hebrews 10 (quoting vv. 19-39):

A Call to Persevere

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,

“He who is coming will come and will not delay.
But my righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him.”

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

My Understanding: The beginning of Hebrews 10 states that the law is only a shadow (a prefiguring) of the good things that are coming – not the realities themselves. In other words, Jesus Christ was/is the fulfillment of the law. He is the reality. The law was merely a prefiguring of Christ, set in place to lead us to Christ. We cannot be saved by observing the law alone. We are saved by grace, through faith, and not of ourselves (of our own efforts). That leads me to something I believe the Lord was showing me through this thought, and that is this picture of a human priest offering the same sacrifices over and over again, and yet those sacrifices never being able to make perfect those who draw near to worship. The priests are also described as standing and performing religious duties again and again, and again and again offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

Many people go through the motions of worship, i.e. through forms of worship, and they offer up to God the same sacrifices over and over again, and yet those human sacrifices of the flesh are not able to perfect them, and only serve as continual reminders of their sins. And, that is why they still feel guilty, because they have not truly been cleansed of their sins. The only way to be cleansed of sin is through acceptance of what Christ Jesus did for us on the cross in reality in how we live our lives, i.e. for us to truly be crucified with Christ so that we (our flesh) no longer lives, but Christ is the one living in and through us as the one on the throne. That is our only hope of salvation. Going through the motions, through a sense of religious duty, will never cleanse us of our sins, and will leave us feeling guilty.

And, that leads us into the next section of this first part of Hebrews 10 where Jesus is quoted as saying that God did not require sacrifice and offering, but a body he prepared for Christ. With burnt offerings and sin offerings God the Father was not pleased. Then Jesus said, “Here I am… I have come to do your will, O God.” The point of this, I believe, is that God does not want our sacrifices (things we do for him or give up for him) that we choose to give to him out of our own wills, thinking he will be pleased with us, but the kind of sacrifice he is looking for is for us to lay our lives down on his altar as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him, no longer conformed to the pattern of this world, but being transformed daily by the renewing of our minds (see Rom. 12:1-2). This, I believe, is what is meant by “a body you prepared for me” and “I have come to do your will, O God.” What pleases God is when we listen to what he says and then we do what he commands. His laws then are written in our hearts and in our minds through the Word dwelling within us.

Therefore

As a result of what Jesus did for us in dying on the cross for our sins, and in providing the way for us to come confidently into God’s Holy presence, and for that reason, and the other reasons listed in this passage, we should draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts and lives purified, cleansed and made holy by the working of the Holy Spirit of grace within us. And, we must hold unswervingly (not swaying back and forth by various teachings or doctrines, or not riding a spiritual roller coaster ride) to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And, in addition to this, we should be encouraging each other in the faith to hold fast to the faith we profess and to show our faith to be genuine by fruit in keeping with true righteousness and repentance. And, we need to do this with the understanding that the Day of Judgment is coming and many will not make the cut because either they had no faith at all or their faith was not genuine.

In relation to this next section of this passage, the Lord gave me some mental illustrations of what this looks like, including an illustration of what it looks like when someone does not hold unswervingly to the hope he or she professes. A profession can be just that, i.e. a public statement, which can be a false statement if it is not backed up by the lifestyle of the individual. The illustration the Lord put in my mind here was of one who was traveling a road in which he or she was the one driving, and too fast for the road conditions, where he/she was having to swerve continually due to sharp turns in the road, where the road had no lines (no rules) and where the road ended in damnation for the one who continued on and did not stop. This illustration was borrowed from something another person shared with me, and yet I believe the Lord was bringing it to my recall as I read this passage. This is a person who is in control of his own life, has chosen his own path – a lawless and a crooked path – that ends in judgment. As well, someone was riding beside him, and that person did not stop, as he did, and ended up plunging to his death at the end of the road (at a dam).

Under Foot

In this next section, it warns us that, if we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment. This fits with Hebrews 5:11-6:12, which is a warning against falling away. The two passages parallel each other in thought. I also saw this in relation to the previous illustration about the two people traveling a road side by side, in control of their own lives, choosing their own path – lawless and crooked – that ends in damnation. The one person finally put on the brakes at the end and was saved, but the other continued and plunged to his death and eternal damnation. The one who did stop, though, waited until the very last minute. We can’t count on that ability to have that last minute, though, before we decide to stop going our own way, and we decide to go God’s way, instead. And, by the one waiting until the very last minute to stop, he led the other person straight to hell.

Then, the passage went on to describe 3 ways in which we injure God when we treat his grace with disregard by continuing in willful sin: 1) We trample the Son of God under foot; 2) We treat as unholy the covenant of blood that sanctified us; and 3) We insult the Spirit of Grace. The Lord gave me 3 mental pictures or illustrations of this, which parallel these 3 ways in which we injure God and our relationship with him:

In one picture, 1) he showed me a man in his bare feet trampling on top of the bedding that was taken off of the bed shared by him and his wife (a covenant relationship). This was an illustration to show a husband who was showing disdain for his marriage bed with his wife. He is not only rejecting her, but he despises her. 2) In another mental picture, I saw the same man step up on a chair (authority) with just one foot, as though he was going to step up all the way on that authority (which symbolized the authority of Christ, based upon the location of the chair), and as though he was going to remove something from the wall (an obstacle; a barrier to his relationship with Christ). Yet, he only used the authority of Christ (the chair) as a footstool for him to prop his foot up on, and he never did fully stand on the authority of Christ, nor did he ever remove that barrier. Thus, he took lightly what Christ did for him, and he took lightly Christ’s authority upon which he should have taken his stand. In this way, as well, he was treating as unholy the blood of the covenant that sanctified him. And, 3) I had a picture of this same man cheating on his wife with another woman and his wife finally publicly declaring his adultery. I saw this in relation to “insulting the Spirit of Grace,” for his wife forgave him 100 times over for his marital infidelity and he promised her on oath that he would never be unfaithful again. When we continue in willful sin, it is an insult to the grace which God has graciously provided us via Jesus’ shed blood for our sins.

These illustrations, as well, fit with the next section, only in a negative context. Instead of this man standing his ground in a great contest (our spiritual race) in the face of suffering (persecution for our testimony for Christ), he used that authority of Christ merely as a place to rest his foot and he never did step up and do the right thing by removing the obstacle that stood between him and his wife and between him and God. Instead of him standing side by side with those who were so treated, in particular his wife, in this case, he trampled their marriage bed under foot in disdain, in rejection of her and in showing that he despised her. And, instead, he rode side-by-side with a man of the world on a path leading to judgment which was a lawless and a crooked path of open rebellion against Almighty God. Instead of sympathizing with his wife, and joyfully removing the obstacle, he refused.

The encouragement here for us all is for us to remain faithful to God in all that we do and say, to not walk in willful sin, to listen to God’s voice speaking to us, and to obey. Our obedience and perseverance in faith will be richly rewarded when Christ returns.

Fear Not! / An Original Work / October 20, 2011

Based off of Philippians 4

Rejoice in the Lord!
Gentle be always.
The Lord is near you.
Fear not in all things.
But in ev’rything
By prayer, with thanksgiving,
Share your requests.
God will guard your hearts
With His peace always.

Think about these things:
Whate’er is honest;
Pure and is lovely;
And is praiseworthy.
Whate’er you have learned,
Or you have received, or
You heard from Christ,
Make it your practice.
God will be with you.

I can do all things
Through Him who gives strength.
Whate’er I go through,
Satisfied I’ll be.
My God will meet all
My needs according to
His riches in
Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Praise Him forever!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oZOuR7S8eY

As I was writing this, the Lord brought another song to mind, “I Will Uphold You.”

http://youtu.be/i0LFPI-isSU

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

All for Show

Tuesday, November 08, 2011, 7:32 a.m. – The song, “Your Grace Divine,” was playing in my mind when I got up this morning to have my quiet time with the Lord. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Hebrews 5:11-6:12:

Warning Against Falling Away

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

DREAM: I also woke this morning from a dream – The dream ended in a musical production. Some people were dressed in black, while others were dressed in colors. At least the people wearing colors were also wearing coats. The coats looked a whole lot like bathrobes with tie belts around the waist. It was cold outside, and it had begun to snow. The production was being performed on a stage outdoors, so some of the players were cold, evidently. The production ended up with the people in black lining up behind the people wearing colors. Then, for the end of the final number, the people in black all pulled out their rifles and aimed them at the audience. This is where the dream ended and I woke up.

Prior to this, two people were having babies at a hospital. I was with one of the families. The first family had their baby, and they were now on the outside of the hospital, awing over their new arrival. They had an older daughter who was with them, too.

The other family was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their baby, too. There was a big sis in this family, too. Someone brought some paper work, supposedly with her picture and name on it, only they had the wrong last name for her. I pointed that out immediately. On close examination of the photo, I also noticed that it was a photo of her younger sister, Heather. Heather seemed to be looking over or hovering over her younger sister, Elizabeth. I mentioned to the person who brought us the paper that the information was incorrect, but at least they had the right family.

At some point I looked outside the window and saw there was snow on the ground. I exclaimed, “It’s snowing!” Vehicles were leaving the building, as were people on foot. They all had to travel down a hill (snow covered and icy). One vehicle nearly ran into a person on foot at the base of the hill. I seemed to be observing all of this, and I was telling what I observed to someone. Then, I believe I walked up the hill, or else I imagined walking up the hill.

Back inside the hospital, my family had their baby, too, so they were getting ready to leave the hospital. Evidently this musical production at the end was supposed to be a ceremony to honor those who had just given birth, but one by one, the recipients of the ceremony deserted and went home. So, a group of women, mostly, went up on stage and took their place. These women were hecklers or busy bodies or something regarded as silly. Yet, the moderator seemed content that at least someone was up there on the stage. And, next was the production. END

My Understanding: I read four news stories, which I will reference below. The first story was about Greece, the second about Italy, the third about Cain/U.S., and the fourth about France/Israel. I read through these stories prayerfully in reference to this dream and scripture, and I will share, to the best of my understanding, what I believe the Lord is showing me about each of these stories, and how they connect to one another.

What’s in a Name?

Concerning the two new babies, I saw those as the new coalition governments (N.W.O.) in Greece and Italy. Greece’s new interim PM was to be named today, I believe. There is uncertainty surrounding whether or not Italy’s premier remains. A person’s name is his character, and in the Cain story, there is an issue concerning his character. Sarkozy has purportedly accused Israel’s PM of lying and Obama reportedly did not object to that characterization of Netanyahu. Again, a person’s name is his character, so all four of these stories are talking about a person’s (or entity’s or country’s) name/character.

In relation to the dream, I saw these names (characters or characteristics) as related to the paper work I received with the person’s (Big Sis) last name wrong, and with the photo being that of her younger sister, Heather, hovering over their younger sister, Elizabeth. “Big Sis” has often been a title given to Janet Napolitano, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, though it may not be limited to her, as Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is also a “Big Sis.” The Lord has had the name “Heather” in several of my dreams now in relation to a Prussianized army (German/strict/rigid discipline/authoritarian control/Hitler-like) of the New World Order (a precursor to or “the beast”). And, Elizabeth’s name is in reference to an oath (promise/commitment).

So, in reference to the new interim PM in Greece, the concept here is that the last name is wrong, but it’s the same family (noted by the photo of Heather and Elizabeth). Heather is the name of a flower but is also the name of the Prussianized army, which is German. Supposedly Greece’s financial partners were requiring Greek officials to co-sign some specific letter of commitment. I saw this paper as the paper work that was brought to me with the wrong last name of “Big Sis” and with an image of the Prussianized army hovering over the “oath”, i.e. this commitment to be signed. So, this signing of this document was under the pressure of this army (N.W.O.)

In the story about Italy, there was reference made to how the Italian leader’s government is viewed and how it will perform. I immediately saw this in connection with the photo (how the government looks) of the Prussianized army hovering over the “oath,” i.e. over the commitment of the government with the N.W.O., perhaps. So, this is another case of N.W.O. military guns pressuring government leaders to concede to the N.W.O. I also saw the word “perform” in relation to this performance (the stage production) which I will explain further in this writing. I also saw the reflection (photo image) of uncertainty in relation to Italy’s future as this name that had the wrong last name, but the right family, and this photo of the Prussianized army hovering over the “oath”, i.e. agreement. I also saw this in relation to the men in black on stage surrounding the silly women and the men drawing their guns and aiming them at the audience (citizens/voters/the people of nations).

In the story about Herman Cain (interesting Biblical name), it stated that he was promising (an oath) to tell it like it is and to make corrections to wrong information. In the dream, I was making corrections to wrong information. So, that would mean that the truth that he is trying to tell is that “Big Sis” goes by a different last (final or family) name (country of origin, perhaps, or political association) and it means that this Prussianized army of the N.W.O. is forcing the hand of government leaders throughout the world to step aside or to step down so that the N.W.O. (the new babies in countries) can rule in place. So, that means that “free elections” is really an illusion. The article also states that one of his accusers gave a name, which takes me back to the name being of another origin and the photo of this Prussianized army hovering over these agreements in the countries of the world to have “new governments.” She also provided a face, which was the face of Heather (the N.W.O.’s private military police) hovering over these “oaths.” As well, the article stated that Cain had an “outsider image,” which I saw as this photo of “Heather,” the snow (whitewash) outside and the outside production that ends with guns aimed at us.

Lastly, on the subject of a name, I saw, in the story about Sarkozy and Israel, with Sarkozy supposedly calling Israel’s PM “a liar,” that this is in relation to me correcting the image on the photo and the last name of the “Big Sis.” Then, the article said that Obama did not object to this image of Israel’s PM, which brought me again to the image of “Heather,” i.e. the Prussianized army and her being in the same family as “Big Sis,” which then would mean that there is a parallel between the image of Heather hovering over Elizabeth and this image of Israel’s PM, as well as it means that the Prussianized army is in the same family with Israel’s PM, i.e. Israel, but with a different last (final) name than what is on the paperwork. This would mean that Israel is equivalent to the N.W.O. which may have the final name of “the beast.” Israel is like a little U.S. (a younger sister of “Big Sis”).

Talking

There was talking going on in most all of these news articles. I was talking to someone in my dream about vehicles descending the hill (government), as well as people on foot were descending (vacating; deserting; leaving post). I thought I was going up the hill, but I could have imagined it. In the Greece article, the talks were about a power-sharing deal and the creation (birth/baby) of a new government. It becomes real obvious that there is no power-sharing going on here but leaders are being forced out of office at gun point and are being forced to agree on oath with the takeover of their countries. Greece’s current leaders reportedly withdrew some suggestion, which I saw as this leaving the stage and descending the hill, because they had given birth to the new baby (government).

I don’t understand stock markets and all the financial information in the Italy article, but what I do understand is that the “trigger point” that forced various countries to accept the “bailout,” i.e. their governments (vehicles) and leaders (people on foot) leaving the stage before the performance, and descending the hill because a new baby (gov.) had been born, was this Prussianized army hovering over the agreement. I saw the uncertainty of Italy’s future as the men in black at the end of the performance with their rifles aimed at us, the people of these nations. The article stated that a new Italian government would be more serious. The women who took the place of the people who “deserted” were silly women, so that means that the new government in Italy is not Italian. I saw Wall Street poised to open higher as these men in black on the platform poised to open fire on the people. I saw the euro “up modestly” as these silly women on stage dressed in their robes (kings) to cover them (cover-up who they really are). As well, I saw the “underlying sentiment” in the markets as the cold bodies underneath these robes/coats, i.e. cover-up for cold (dead) bodies, perhaps.

The Final Act

In the article about Cain it stated that his campaign style of unorthodoxy revolved into “uncertain new territory,” which I saw as the final act of this production, performance and play with the silly women in colors (of nations/flags) surrounded and backed by the men in black with the guns aimed at us. I saw Cain shooting to the top as these guns. I saw these silly women as tea party activists. The article said that “one by one” the women accused Cain, and here I saw that one by one these people (nations/leaders) who had given birth were leaving the stage (the platform) and were descending the hill. The tea party activists (the silly women) thus replaced the people who were on the hill (true of our last election in the US) and they were backed by the men in black with the guns aimed at us – the same guns being used to force resignations (descending the hill) and to get leaders of nations to agree (oath) to this new order (the new babies) with the final name still not revealed.

In the article about Sarkozy and Israel, I saw the conversation between him and Obama as this conversation I was having with someone where I was telling him or her about the vehicles (governments) and people (leaders) descending the hill (kingdoms). The people descending were replaced by tea party activists (the silly women) who were backed by the men in black with their guns aimed at the people.

Going back to the issue of the wrong name, what jumped out at me here of primary significance is that Obama did not object to the characterization of Israel’s PM. That characterization was represented by the photo with the Prussianized army hovering over these “oaths” of new governments in the nations of the world, so this would mean that Israel is synonymous with the activities of what we call the N.W.O. but may not be its final name. It was the right family though, which was both Jewish and German. And, it was the “Big Sis” who was right (she didn’t change) but they just had the wrong final (or last) name for her. This was also my family. I am American by birth and of English, Irish and Welsh ancestry.

What If

What if Israel is the “little horn” of Daniel? What if Israel is the anti-Christ? Who killed Jesus the first time (referencing this passage here in Hebrews about putting Christ to death a second time)? Israel did. What if Iran is not after Israel but Israel is after Iran? What if Christians get behind Israel and support them against Iran and they are really helping the beast to take yet another nation? We already know that the US is in bed with the N.W.O. and that we are the “terrorists” of the world. We know about the false flags and what we are really doing in these other nations, and we know it is coming to the USA, too.

These supposed demonstrations in the capitals of our states and of our nation are symptomatic of the uprisings in these other nations at the hand of the N.W.O. so that they could take them by force, though I believe there were insiders in the governments of many of these nations, too, who stepped aside and allowed them to come through the door, and did not resist them, such as in the case of the U.S. government opening the door to this Tea Party backed by the men in black with the guns. Obama and his team are definitely party to the New World Order (or whatever last name it will go by). And, so are many of the “conservatives” and definitely the Tea Party activists (the silly women). So many Christians are following these Tea Party people, thinking they will bring about good change. They support Israel, and they support what our troops are doing in these other countries, without even knowing what Israel or our troops or the tea party people are really all about. We should never follow men with such blind faith.

To the Word

This passage is a warning against falling away. The last days before the return of Christ will not happen until there has been a falling away. I believe we are seeing much evidence of such a “falling away” in our time. Christians, or professing believers in Jesus, who have known the Lord (or known about him and have been taught the word) for some time should be teachers by now, and yet so many still have not gotten past the elementary teachings, because they have remained infants due to them not developing their relationships with Jesus Christ to spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4 describes these infants as those who are tossed here and there by various teachings and the cunning and craftiness of men who lead people astray by their deceitful scheming.

This dream, in relation to these news articles, is showing us this cunning and craftiness of men in deceitful scheming, yet it is also a sad picture of the spiritual immaturity of Christians who follow whatever they hear or see in the news, or they follow political figures who give out a false image of good (wolves in sheep’s clothing), and/or they believe whatever political propaganda (lies) is told them about our nation, about Israel, and about what is going on with NATO, our troops, and these uprisings in various nations in the world, and these “births” of new governments. Infant Christians in adult bodies are thus not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness, so they are not able to distinguish good from evil. I truly believe that if we are in tune with God, God will reveal to us, his servants, through dreams or whatever means he chooses, the evils of our society. And, he will show us what is going on with our own respective governments, with NATO, with our troops, with these uprisings, with Israel and Iran, etc. We just have to be willing to hear God.

The next section of this passage (chapter 6) is one that is very controversial and difficult to interpret, yet I believe it is supported by so, so many other passages of scripture that talk about the meaning of what it truly means to believe in Jesus Christ. I don’t know how one can fall away from something they never had, yet it is possible this is speaking about those who have been given much knowledge turning their backs on what they were taught, yet that would not explain the part about having shared in the Holy Spirit. We cannot share in the Holy Spirit if we have not made a decision to receive Christ. All through the New Testament we are warned to not take our salvation for granted and that only those who have persevered, have remained faithful to the end, who kept the confidence they had at first, that have obeyed, who have repented of their sins, etc. will be saved.

Then, this passage continues with that theme when it says that we must show the same diligence to the end, in order to make our hope sure. Hm. The diligence it is speaking of here has to do with things that accompany salvation, such as the work we do for the Lord, the love we show him as we help others (other believers) and continue to help them. This is not works-based salvation, and yet salvation is not absent of works, as is clear most certainly throughout the book of James, but actually in the whole of the N.T. If we don’t bear fruit in keeping with repentance, then we don’t show ourselves to be disciples of Christ. If we say we love God but hate our brother, we are liars. If we say we love God and yet we continue in willful sinful lifestyles after we have received the knowledge of the truth, we are liars, according to I John. All throughout the New Testament are “IF” verses which state that we must remain in Christ, we must continue in him, we must have the same devotion to God we had at first, etc. Folks, we cannot take our salvation for granted.

Everything we have, we have been given by God, and we are to give it back to him to be used for his purposes and his glory. We are to offer our whole lives as living sacrifices on his altar, forsaking conformity to the world, and instead making it our goal to live lives pleasing to God, being daily transformed in heart and mind by the mighty working of the Holy Spirit within us in maturing us and in making us holy vessels fit for the Master’s use.

Your Grace Divine / An Original Work / November 6, 2011

All I have is Yours, Lord.
You gave all to me,
When You died at Calv’ry
On that cruel tree.
Crucified for my sins;
You paid what I owe,
So I’d be forgiven;
My God come to know.
All I have is Yours, Lord.
You gave all to me,
When You died at Calv’ry
On that cruel tree.

Lord, I am so thankful
For Your grace divine.
I invited You, Lord,
In this heart of mine.
I have been forgiven
For all of my sins,
So I’d live with Jesus;
His grace flow within.
Lord, I am so thankful
For Your grace divine.
I invited You, Lord,
In this heart of mine.

Growing in Your grace, Lord;
Live for You each day;
How I love to worship
You throughout my day.
Sitting at Your feet, Lord,
List’ning to You speak,
Leads me to love You, Lord,
More throughout the week.
Growing in Your grace, Lord;
Live for You each day;
How I love to worship
You throughout my day.


Song Lyrics @ Public Domain

Audio, Song Lyrics and Sheet Music (free):
https://sites.google.com/site/psalmshymnssongs2/home/songs/your-grace-divine

Song on Video:
http://youtu.be/JmJkwp-jhz4

References:
New Greek premier expected to be named Tuesday
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_GREECE_FINANCIAL_CRISIS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-11-08-08-19-24

Shares up on hopes Italy will rein in debts
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-11-08-06-42-39

Cain vows to "set the record straight"
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAIN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-11-08-07-52-23

Sarkozy overheard telling Obama Netanyahu's a liar
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_FRANCE_US_ISRAEL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-11-08-07-58-40

Monday, November 7, 2011

A Holy Priesthood

Monday, November 07, 2011, 6:30 a.m. – The song, “I Will Uphold You,” was playing in my mind when I awoke this morning. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Hebrews 5:1-10:

Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”

And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

My Understanding: As I prayerfully read through this passage of scripture, especially in relationship with the song, “I Will Uphold You,” the Lord reminded me first of all that there is no longer a need for human priests, such as were in the Old Testament times, to be mediators between us and God. Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, became our only High Priest and mediator between man and God. He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He died once for all men, so that all may come to God through him. No longer do we have to go to human priests to have them offer sacrifices for our sins, because Jesus Christ was the ultimate and the final sacrifice. Through faith in him we can be forgiven of all sin, and can come into fellowship with him and with the Father, and can be one with them.

Yet, the Lord reminded me, as well, that we, as believers in Jesus Christ, in whom Christ dwells by his Spirit, are called of God and chosen by him to be a holy priesthood. So, although we do not serve in the same function exactly as the priests of the Old Testament, yet, as servants of Christ, we do serve our Lord as priests, “offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (See 1 Peter 2:4-5).

I Peter 2:9-10: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Revelation 1:5b-6: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

So, with that understanding, I believe the Lord would have me examine these qualifications of priesthood that apply to us today and/or in a manner in which they are applicable to us today, as well as to examine the example of Jesus Christ, and in what ways we are to follow his example in being the Lord’s servants and his kingdom priests, holy unto him.

Chosen by God

Human priests had to be chosen by God and appointed by God to his service. They had to be called of God. They could not take this function upon themselves of their own accord. Jesus Christ, as well, even though he was/is God’s son, and he was/is God the Son, still he had to have this honor of becoming our high priest bestowed upon him by God the Father. The Son is always in submission to the Father. And, we, as well, as followers and as disciples of Jesus Christ, must first of all be chosen of and called by God. We cannot become believers in Jesus Christ of our own accord. The Father must draw us to Jesus Christ. We can do nothing in and of ourselves to bring about our own salvation. It is by God’s grace that we are saved, through faith, and this is not of ourselves – not of works lest any man should boast (see Eph. 2:8-9). Yet, we are called, not only to salvation from sins and to eternal life with God, but we are called to be the Lord’s servants, to live holy lives pleasing to God, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (see Rom. 12:1-2), and to publicly proclaim praise and thanksgiving to God for all he has done for us, especially with regard to him delivering us from darkness and bringing us into his wonderful light.

Obedience through Suffering

Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered so that he could become our perfect sacrifice for our sins. It seems a strange concept to think that Jesus Christ, God the Son, had to learn obedience, yet he was fully man and fully God. He suffered just like we suffer and he was tempted just like we are tempted, yet without sin. He became a man, not only so he could become our perfect sacrifice for our sins, but he became a man and suffered like we suffer so that he could sympathize with our weaknesses, so he could become our compassionate and faithful high priest. He knows what we are going through from personal experience. He feels what we feel. That is awesome that we have such a God! And, we, too, must follow Christ’s example and learn obedience from what we suffer. When things go well with us and we face little resistance or suffering, persecution, etc., we may become complacent and lazy about our commitment to the Lord Jesus. Yet, when we go through difficulties, it should lead us straight to the heart of God. And through our obedience in suffering, it should lead us to maturity, to wisdom, and to being more resolute in our pledge to God to obey him in all things and to follow him wherever he leads us. We do not have to fear these difficulties or opposition, because our Lord God is with us wherever we go.

Humility and Submission

Human priests were able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, because they were also subject to weakness. Jesus Christ was also subject to weakness, yet he did not sin. Yet, that is how he is able to be sympathetic and compassionate with us. The human priests had to first of all offer sacrifices for their selves, and then they could offer for the sins of the people. Jesus, as well, had to take all our sins upon himself and bring them to death on the cross before he could become our high priest in bridging the gap between us and God the Father via his blood, so that we could be forgiven of our sin. Jesus’ prayers for the people were heard by God the Father because of Jesus’ reverent submission to the Father.

If we are to be the Lord’s servants, we must also be in a right relationship with God through repentance and obedience, through humility (recognizing our own sinfulness and/or propensity toward sin) and through submission (turning from sin and obeying God). When I considered how this applied to our lives today, the Lord reminded me of the passage of scripture in Galatians 6:1-5:

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.

This is one of the ways in which we function as priests. When we see our brothers and sisters involved in sin, we should not ignore the sin or placate it. We should not be afraid to speak to them about their sins out of fear that they may reject us. We should love them more than our own lives. Yet, before we can present to them gently their need to forsake their own sins, we must make certain we are in a right relationship with God and we are not holding on to any sins in our own hearts. Then, we should go to our brother or sister in love, compassion, mercy, sympathy and with gentleness of spirit to restore him or her to a right relationship with Jesus Christ. We need to do this in all humility, considering that we, too, are sinners saved by grace, and with full understanding that we, ourselves, are subject to weakness, so that we are not tempted in the process due to pride. We should test our own hearts and motivations before we speak to a brother or sister to make certain we have the mind of God in this, and that we are not going to him or to her for the wrong reasons. In all that we do, love should be our motivating force, and all should be bathed in prayer.

Sacrifice for Sins

A high priest’s function was to offer gifts and sacrifices for the sins of himself first, and then for the people. During Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions to God the Father on our behalf. Jesus Christ had to go through so much more than just his crucifixion in order to become our sacrifice for our sins and our high priest. He first of all had to leave his throne in heaven and his place next to the Father in glory to become a man and to take upon himself human flesh, and to become our servant. He had to suffer rejection, persecution, mocking, beatings, false accusations, harassment at every turn, misunderstandings, misperceptions of who he was and is and why he existed, blasphemy, abandonment, denial, betrayal, temptation to sin, human suffering, being spit upon, scourged, and ultimately death on a cross as though he as a common criminal. These were the sacrifices he made for us and for our sins so that we could go free.

We, as kingdom priests of God Almighty, are also called upon to make spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We cannot do this in our own willpower or in our own strength. It must be done through Jesus Christ and through his strength and power within us. The first sacrifice we must make is presenting ourselves to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him, which is our spiritual act of worship to God (See Rom. 12:1-2). We must give our entire being to God wholly for his service, holding nothing back. We must be his and his alone, ready to do his will for his glory. We must forsake conformity to the world and to the world’s way of doing things, i.e. we must not be like those who are ruled by the flesh and fleshly desires. We must daily be renewed in our thinking by the power of the Holy Spirit of God within us. Then we will be able to prove by our lives the will of God for our lives.

Then, as the Lord’s servants who are committed to obeying him in all things, we will, as his kingdom priests, serve others in showing them the love of Jesus and in teaching them how they can come to know Christ, and how they can also live obedient and faithful lives to God. When we do this, i.e. when we make this decision to be fully devoted to our Lord in all things in being his kingdom priests and in ministering his love, grace and mercy to the legitimate needs of others, we will face opposition. Jesus said we would be hated as he was hated. He was mainly hated by the religious and the religious leaders, and so we should expect that even those within the walls of the institutional church may hate us, too, if we are truly walking in obedience to Christ and in surrender to his perfect will for us.

We should expect to be persecuted, mocked, misunderstood, misinterpreted, falsely accused, rejected, pushed aside, forsaken, abandoned, denied, betrayed, and possibly beaten and killed, as well, for our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We should expect to have to serve long hours, at times, and to have to sacrifice our own personal time, our own resources, our emotions, physical energy, our own wants and desires, and even our own reputations. We must humble ourselves and forsake pride. We must be willing to have people give us little regard, praise or honor. And, we must be willing to teach what is in accord with sound doctrine, to not compromise the truth of the gospel just to be accepted of men, and to be faithful in being ministers of the whole gospel of Jesus Christ. And, we are not to fear men or what man might do to us, because God is with us and will help us.

I Will Uphold You / An Original Work / November 4, 2011

Based off of Isaiah 41:8-20; Ephesians 6:10-18

You are My servant; I’ve chosen you.
I’ve not rejected you; I’ve been true.
Do not be fearful; I am with you.
Don’t be alarmed, for I am your God.
I will give you strength, and will help you.
I will uphold you with My right hand.

All who’re against you will be disgraced.
Those who oppose you, they will perish.
Enemies you search, but will not find.
They war against you; nothing will be.
I am your Lord God, who takes your hand;
Says, “Do not fear, for I will help you.”

The poor and needy, water they need.
Their tongues are thirsty; no drop to drink.
I will give answer; not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow from within.
My living water I will outpour
On those who seek Me; and Me adore.

Jesus provided the sacrifice;
For our sins blood bought; He paid the price,
So we’re forgiven all of our sins,
When we invite Him to come within.
He cleanses us from our impure hearts.
His life within us gives a new start.


Song Lyrics @ Public Domain

Audio, song lyrics and sheet music (free):
https://sites.google.com/site/psalmshymnssongs2/home/songs/i-will-uphold-you

Song on Video:
http://youtu.be/i0LFPI-isSU

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Your Grace Divine

Your Grace Divine / An Original Work / November 6, 2011

All I have is Yours, Lord.
You gave all to me,
When You died at Calv’ry
On that cruel tree.
Crucified for my sins;
You paid what I owe,
So I’d be forgiven;
My God come to know.
All I have is Yours, Lord.
You gave all to me,
When You died at Calv’ry
On that cruel tree.

Lord, I am so thankful
For Your grace divine.
I invited You, Lord,
In this heart of mine.
I have been forgiven
For all of my sins,
So I’d live with Jesus;
His grace flow within.
Lord, I am so thankful
For Your grace divine.
I invited You, Lord,
In this heart of mine.

Growing in Your grace, Lord;
Live for You each day;
How I love to worship
You throughout my day.
Sitting at Your feet, Lord,
List’ning to You speak,
Leads me to love You, Lord,
More throughout the week.
Growing in Your grace, Lord;
Live for You each day;
How I love to worship
You throughout my day.

Song Lyrics @ Public Domain

Audio, Song Lyrics and Sheet Music (free)

Song on Video

True Faith

Sunday, November 06, 2011, 7:41 a.m. – The old hymn, “And Can It Be That I Should Gain,” was playing in my mind when I awoke this morning.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain / Charles Wesley / Thomas Campbell

And can it be, that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shoulds't die for me?

He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace,
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMCOyY0Rlus

Then, when I went out to the kitchen, another song, “I Will Uphold You,” also began playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Hebrews 4:

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

My Understanding: Before I was really able to delve into this passage of scripture this morning, my husband sat down in the living room with me, and he began sharing with me what the Lord was teaching him this morning. He shared with me that the Lord woke him up this morning with a song in his head, “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us,” by Philips, Craig and Dean. The last words of the song are:

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2zMZ-nZ7k

I immediately recognized how this song and the hymn I had playing in my mind this morning paralleled each other, i.e. the songs were in complete agreement with each other. Then, my husband told me how God had spoken to him through his reading of Psalms 2 and 3. Psalms 2 speaks of nations conspiring against the Lord and against us, his servants. God laughs at the nations. He rebukes them in his anger. God the Father has made the nations to be Jesus Christ’s inheritance. He will rule them with an iron scepter and he will dash them to pieces like pottery. Yet, blessed are those who take refuge in the Lord.

Psalms 3 continued with this theme of physical enemies. David lamented to God concerning the number of his foes and the many that were rising up against him. This is a common theme in the Psalms of David. People were mocking him, saying that God would not deliver him. Yet, his confidence was in knowing that God was a shield around him, and that when he cried aloud to his God, that God would answer him. As well, he understood that he was in the Lord’s care and that nothing could happen to him but what the Lord had allowed it. He could lie down and sleep at night, and wake again because it was the Lord who sustained him. He did not need to fear the tens of thousands that were drawn up against him on every side, for the Lord was his comfort, joy, crown, deliverer, Rock, fortress and salvation.

As I considered the words to these two Psalms, I saw how they, as well, were in complete agreement with this second song the Lord had placed in my mind this morning.

I Will Uphold You / An Original Work / November 4, 2011

Based off of Isaiah 41:8-20; Ephesians 6:10-18

You are My servant; I’ve chosen you.
I’ve not rejected you; I’ve been true.
Do not be fearful; I am with you.
Don’t be alarmed, for I am your God.
I will give you strength, and will help you.
I will uphold you with My right hand.

All who’re against you will be disgraced.
Those who oppose you, they will perish.
Enemies you search, but will not find.
They war against you; nothing will be.
I am your Lord God, who takes your hand;
Says, “Do not fear, for I will help you.”

The poor and needy, water they need.
Their tongues are thirsty; no drop to drink.
I will give answer; not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow from within.
My living water I will outpour
On those who seek Me; and Me adore.

Jesus provided the sacrifice;
For our sins blood bought; He paid the price,
So we’re forgiven all of our sins,
When we invite Him to come within.
He cleanses us from our impure hearts.
His life within us gives a new start.


http://youtu.be/i0LFPI-isSU

A Sabbath-Rest

The Sabbath-Rest being spoken of here in Hebrews 4 is not the Sabbath-Rest under the old covenant of God with his people. This Sabbath-Rest is under the new covenant, and the rest being spoken of here is our salvation, i.e. our eternal rest with God, which begins at the point when we make the decision to enter that rest through faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. There is a warning or a cautionary statement here to be careful that none of us are found to have fallen short of it. This reminds me of Romans 3:23 where it says: “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Our sins separate us from God, and it is only by the grace of God, through faith, that we are made right with God and we can enter into his eternal rest.

And, then the writer of Hebrews continued by describing for us what that genuine “faith” looks like. He said that the gospel message is of no value to us if we do not combine it with faith. For those who have had the gospel message preached to them, yet did not enter into God’s eternal rest, they did not enter because of their obedience. So, we can take from this that faith = obedience to God. This passage continues by stating that we should not harden our hearts against the voice of God, so we can take from this that faith = open and receptive hearts to God’s voice, his conviction, instruction, commands, etc. And, we show our reception to his words through obedience to all that he commands. So, again, faith = obedience to God.

Then, the writer went on to explain that, just as God rested from his work on the seventh day, our entering into God’s eternal rest means we rest from our own work. I don’t know that I ever noticed this before, but what struck me here is that, if this is speaking about a spiritual rest, not a physical one, which it is, then the work that we are to rest from comprises our own human efforts to try to attain God and his salvation. So, from this we can ascertain that faith is not something we earn or work to attain, but faith is a free gift from God, by his grace, and by the power of the Holy Spirit within us in cleansing our hearts from sin and in transforming us into new creatures in Christ Jesus. We can never be good enough. Our good will never outweigh our bad. No amount of good deeds will ever gain for us this eternal rest. So, when we enter into God’s rest, we rest (cease) from trying to please God in our own flesh, and instead we rest in God’s saving grace. And, then the author encourages us to enter this rest, which is free from human effort, so that none of us will fall by following the example of disobedience. So, it appears to me that if human effort is to be equaled with disobedience, then entering into a relationship with Christ by his grace, through faith, should equal obedience to Christ and to his commands.

Then, the author began his next paragraph with the word “for…,” which is a word that refers back to the previous statement or statements, and is “indicating a reason why something happens or is done” (Encarta). The last phrase of the previous paragraph stated that we must be careful to make every effort to enter God’s eternal rest, so that we will not fall short of it by following an example of disobedience. For the word of God is… and then it goes on to explain that because God’s word is sharper than any double-edged sword and is able to penetrate even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and because it judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts, and because we must all give an account to God one day, we should make sure that we have truly entered into God’s eternal rest through faith. Yet, what this also says to me is that faith here has to do not only with obedience to Christ and his commands, found in his word, but that faith is equivalent with repentance, i.e. with turning from our sins, i.e. the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts that stand in opposition to God.

Lastly, we, because of what Jesus Christ did for us in paying the price for our sins so that we could be free from the control of sin in our lives, are encouraged to hold firmly to the faith we profess. A profession of something can be a false profession as well as it can be genuine, but the common theme is that it is a claim we make openly before men that may be supported by our lives or it may not be. So, we need to make sure that our lives match our profession. If we claim to have been saved from sin and yet we continue willfully in sin, then that does not say much for our profession. Some people might use the excuse that they are just weak and they can’t help themselves, and yet the word of God disputes that excuse over and over again. Jesus was a man and he was tempted, yet he did not sin, so he sympathizes with us in our weaknesses, yet he never condones sin on the basis of human weakness. He has provided a way out if we will take it. We can come to him in prayer and he will give us the grace we need to not yield to sin in our lives.

So, in summary, faith equals obedience to Christ and his commands, it is equivalent to hearts that are open and receptive to hear God’s voice speaking to us, we cannot earn salvation through our own human effort, faith is equivalent with repentance, i.e. with turning from our sins, i.e. the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts that stand in opposition to God; it does not allow for or make excuses for sin, and true faith is evidenced through how we conduct our lives, and in whether or not our talk (profession) matches our walk. May we all make sure today that we are found to have true faith that enters into God’s eternal rest, and that we are not found to have fallen short of it.

The Ransom / An Original Work / September 8, 2011

Jesus paid the ransom, so we’d be forgiven;
Purified from our sin, so we’d be set free.
Crucified on a tree; took on him our sin.
Buried our sin with Him; rose in victory.
Jesus calls us to Him; asks that we flee from sin;
Obey His commandments; live eternally.

God our Father loves us, which is why He gave us
His Son to die for us on a cruel tree.
God created us to walk in fellowship
With Him, daily trusting in His righteousness.
He has a plan for us to abide in His grace;
Be transformed in our hearts; live for him always.

Won’t you trust in Jesus? Be your Lord and Master?
He wants to forgive you; give you victory
Over sin and yourself; Jesus set you free.
Daily walking with Him, live victoriously.
Invite Him in your heart. He’ll give you a new start.
Your old life behind you, a new creature be.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8itooCN1I3k