Unraveling False Images
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         Meditations on His Word, 2008, Jan.-Dec. 



…         …..“saw the nakedness of his father,”  Genesis 9:22

This verse has caused much embarrassing confusion for many students and teachers of God’s Word.  It also has caused many students and teachers to simply ignore it in their Bible studies.  The verse seems to say that because Ham walked in on his father and saw him naked that Noah cursed Ham’s son, Canaan.  This has created an awful lot of guilt and trepidation for those who have accidentally seen their fathers unclothed and especially those who have invalid fathers to care for and bathe.  It also seems so unfair.

In the past, we have been taught that Ham’s sin was in “not honoring his father”, because he told his brothers about seeing his father’s nakedness.  We also have heard it preached that an incestuous homosexual act is the sin that Ham committed with his father.

Our Father is not the author of confusion, so let’s listen to the teacher within us, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, and gain peace of mind and understanding on this issue. 

The definition of an idiom:  an accepted phrase or expression having a meaning different from the literal.  

Expressions such as, “the nakedness of thy father” Leviticus 18:8, The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness., “uncover their nakedness”,
Leviticus 18:6, None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD., “discover his father’s skirt” or “uncovereth his father’s skirt” are idioms used in those Biblical times and places for sexual intercourse.  Ham had sexual intercourse with his father’s wife and a child was born; Canaan.  That was Ham’s sin and that is why Noah cursed his son, Canaan, to be a servant to his kin.  That, also, is why there is emphasis put on Canaan being Ham’s son in Genesis 9:18.  And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.

Deuteronomy 22:30   A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt.

Deuteronomy 27:20   Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

I Corinthians 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

This type of perversions and abominations is what was going on in Egypt and the land of Canaan when the Lord instructed Moses to tell His people that they were not to do these things, but that they were to follow our Heavenly Father’s judgments, statutes and ordinances. 

Leviticus 18:3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.

Let us be at peace with the understanding of this verse and come out of confusion.    




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                    Meditations on His Word, November ‘08


                                        “….body of Moses”  Jude 9


Jude 9   Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Now where, in the Word of God, did this take place?

Zechariah 3:2   And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?  

We must remember that Jerusalem, Israel, Judah, Zion, “body of Moses” and “body of Christ” are all symbolic for God’s people….Christians of today.  

We’ve been taught some strange theories about what the phrase “body of Moses” means, which is what always happens when we are stumbling around in the dark (lack of knowledge) and are without light (Truth).

One such theory is that Satan wanted the actual body of Moses because he wanted to lead Israel into idolatry by worshipping it.  Another theory is that he wanted it because it held some supernatural power.  We, as Christians, know that any power Moses exhibited was from our Heavenly Father and not of himself.  Surely, Satan also would have known that, so why would he have been contending with Michael* for Moses’ corpse.  (*see our page “Michael-One of the Archangels?)

The phrase “body of Moses” is simply referring to the body (churches or assemblies) of believers and worshippers of our Heavenly Father under Moses at that time.

 
I Corinthians 10:2   And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  Baptize means to “cover”, as in belonging to and under his leadership, just as we are “covered” today when we accept the sacrifice on the cross by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and become a member of the “body of Christ”.   Ephesians 4:12   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Satan was contending, vying for and accusing Jerusalem and the “body of Moses” in Zechariah 3:2 and in Jude 9, just as he continues to contend, vie for and accuse the “body of Christ” today.

Isn’t it so wonderfully peaceful to our souls when one more piece of knowledge becomes clear and we come one more step out of confusion?  The Truth does set us free and keeps us from remaining in the captivity of lacking knowledge.

Isaiah 5:13  Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.  John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.



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                                Meditations on His Word, October ‘08


                         “Come out of her, my people” Revelation 18:4  


The “her” in this verse is Babylon.  The word Babylon means confusion.   Now we are told in I Corinthians 14:33 that God is not the author of confusion, therefore; we know clearly that if we are followers of our Father and His son, Jesus Christ, that anything causing us confusion is misconception and misunderstanding that is serving evil and not our Father.  We must use Godly instruction, wisdom and knowledge from our Teacher, Jesus Christ, to come out from under “her” ignorance, disobedience, and lack of love for our Heavenly Father, which is causing the confusion in our spiritual lives and in the world today.

I Cor. 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Now how, exactly, do we “come out of her”?  By seeking understanding, wisdom and knowledge of our Father and His Word for self-examination.  We must allow our Father to purify our hearts toward our fellow man.  We must allow our Father to purge us of all deceptions, misconceptions, lies and false teachings so that we may have righteousness, joy and peace in our hearts as we exhibit His kingdom here on earth and His Son, Jesus Christ, is revealed in us. 

Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

One would think “Coming out of her” would be a very simple and peaceful thing to do, but it is the epitome of taking up your cross and following Jesus Christ through suffering, persecution, rejection and sorrow.  Have you ever thought or spoken, “I don’t care what strangers think of me, only those I love can really hurt me!”?  Well, get ready for the hurt because there is no way to come out of false teachings without implying that those still believing in them are wrong. This will cause great offense and disharmony among even the most loving and respectful family and friends.  Our perfect example, Jesus Christ, illustrated this for us.  John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  To have a loved one say to you, "If their own children don't want to listen to them teach, then that should tell them something!" and knowing that this thinking is exactly what Christ experienced and warned us about, and how it can cause much sadness to those trying to share the Truth.

We are to do our best to be gentle peacemakers while still upholding the Truth, but our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ warned us in Luke 12:51-53 that there will be divisions and these divisions are extremely emotionally painful.  Luke 12:51-53  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:  For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three  against two, and two against three.  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.   Prophets (teachers of Truth) receive no honor for their teachings among the ones most closely to them.  

Matt. 13:57  And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 

Mark 6:4    But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

This is why we are to love our Father and Savior more than we love our family and friends or else we would never continue on in our service to our Father.  

Matt. 10:37 &38  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Luke 14:26 & 27  If any man come to me, and hate (love less) not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior,
May God, our Heavenly Father, bless each of you with His strength, courage, boldness, comfort and peace as you take up and carry your cross in teaching the Truth.  Amen 




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                       Meditations on His Word Sept. ‘08

                      “Is this not the carpenter’s son?  Matthew 13:55
                              “Is not this Joseph’s son?”  Luke 4:22


These questions posed in these verses show the most carnal nature of mankind.  God is not a respecter of persons, but mankind sure can be.  Today one must have a Master of Divinity degree or a financially successful mega-church before some will seriously listen to his or her teachings of the Word of God.

Acts 10:34 and 35  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

We all would like to believe that if we had lived in Jesus’ time that we would have recognized him as our Lord and not have acted like “those people” who rejected, persecuted, threatened him with bodily harm (Luke 4:29), and later crucified Him, and for what?... teaching the Word of God.  The truth is we are exactly like “those people” when we only want to hear from God through seminary-educated, religiously-credentialed, crowd-drawing or seemingly-righteous and acceptable teachers of God’s Word.   We, too, may have said, “Who does this carpenter’s son think he is trying to teach us the Word of God?”


Luke 4:29   And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

One aspect of these verses we do not want to overlook is that at first they were “astonished at His wisdom and mighty works” and “wondered at His gracious words”, but then became offended and filled with wrath.  Having experienced this first hand while hosting a Bible study group, we know all it takes is one person, with the carnal attitude of “Who are you to teach me the Word of God, I am as holy and righteous as you are!”, to spread discord and offense through the group like a cancer.  Like a cancer we must cut it off with spiritual discipline and admonishment to save the Truth from being destroyed or halted in its spreading upon the earth.  Remember Miriam and Aaron exhibited these carnal thoughts and feelings in Numbers 12:2. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 

To be a disciple of God means to discipline with the Word of God and then leave the rest of the correction and chastisement to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We all must examine ourselves to see if we are missing wisdom, knowledge and instruction from God because He is using “vessels” to deliver it that do not live up to our preconceived “respecter of persons” ideals.  Doesn’t our Father have a wonderful sense of humor when he shows us in Numbers 22:28-33 that he can use even an ass to deliver a message to His children?  Let us all pray for open eyes and ears to discern Godly Truth, wisdom and knowledge from whatever “vessel” God chooses.  

Numbers 22:32, 33  And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:  And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive..

  

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                                Meditations on His Word, Aug. ‘08

                                   

John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

In other words, “Mind your own business”, “Mind your own beeswax”, “Attend your own affairs”, “Stop meddling” or “Don’t be a busybody”.

I Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
  I Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 

Too many preachers, teachers and religious people spend way too much time pointing out what other preachers, other churches or other denominations are doing or saying that is wrong.  Yes, we know it is always easier to see the mote in others eyes than the boulder in our own, but we need to spend more time in self-examination and listening to what Christ is refining in ourselves.  If we would only be still and listen, every time we criticize or condemn someone else, the Holy Spirit will bring to mind where we also are guilty of some aspect of our accusations of others (yes, just thinking about sinning is also wrong).  If we all will spend more time planting and watering the seeds of Truth, then our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will multiply and draw all people unto Him as He says He will. 

Preaching such things as “It’s OK to HATE people who teach differently because they are leading our brothers and sisters astray” and “We must destroy those who are false teachers and false prophets” are teachings which provoke some to threats and violence in the name of the Lord. This is pure ignorance of the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He told us clearly in Luke 9:55,56 and Matthew 13:29 how we are to handle those who have not come to the understanding of the Truth yet. We are to
spiritually destroy all ignorance by teaching and upholding the Truth of God’s Word. 


Luke 9:55, 56  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.   For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.  And they went to another village.
Matthew 13:29  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 

It is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ’s responsibility to refine and purify His disciples, not ours. We have very little knowledge of where anyone else is in their maturing and purifying process to become the perfect (mature) Christian to honor and serve our Heavenly Father. We all start out as babes needing milk, but when we listen to the Teacher within us, Jesus Christ, then we desire strong meat to help us to become perfect (mature) servants for our Father. In Malachi 3:3 we are told the Father and Son will do the purifying, so let us not try to usurp that authority. 

Malachi 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 

Our Lord tells us that whoever is not against us is for us. Luke 9:49, 50 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

If they are holding up the name of Jesus Christ and not
denying that He is the only begotten Son of God that came in the flesh, (which is the definition of antichrists), then leave them alone. If they are God’s children, then He loves them and will chasten, teach and discipline as He sees fit.   Our responsibility and commandment is to make sure that the Truth is available to all, to open eyes and ears and to become better servants in the Kingdom of God here on earth. As our Lord and Savior exemplified for us, “We must be about our Father’s business”, not everyone else’s.


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                                 Meditations on His Word, July ‘08

        The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Luke 18:10-14


Luke 18: 10-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
 
Pharisee:  A separatist or religious exclusionary. 

Publican:  A collector of public revenue, at that time they could use any means of collection and were considered traitors to their people. 


This parable is one that can quickly bring us to tearful convictions, if we listen with our hearts, minds and spirits. Observing a loved one who believes they are not worthy to even pray to our Heavenly Father or that He could possibly love them because of their sinful bondage exemplifies this parable clearly. To witness this kind of humble faith and belief in God is something we should all learn from and practice in our lives.


Our Father warns us many times about our being puffed up in our knowledge, our self-righteousness, our pride in our salvation and our judgment of others. Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, taught all of these aspects in this parable.
It is very interesting that the word Pharisee means “exclusionary”. Human carnal nature wants to set oneself apart from others as being superior in some aspect, in this case, holiness and righteousness. Too many of us think that if we have been given salvation, knowledge or understanding, then that gives us the right to be “exclusive” in who can be as “holy or acceptable to God” as we are, (or as we THINK we are). 


Too many think that if they have been saved, go to church, are baptized and pay their tithes, that they are in better standing with our Father than the addicted drunkard, drug user, liar, thief or other abominable sinner, who hangs their head in shame. The word abomination means “unfit to be used”, as in unfit to be used in the kingdom of God here on earth. Do we really think these people do not know that they are not partakers of the Kingdom of God here on earth? They are tortured in the lack of peace and joy that they so desperately need, as do we all. We need to remember that when we are angry, prideful, jealous, envious, reviling, judgmental, rebellious and disobedient that we are an abomination (unfit to be used) in the kingdom of God also and our Father is ashamed of us.   The difference between "us" and the “publican-sinners” is that we are exalting ourselves in our self-righteousness and they are humbled and ashamed before God for their sins. Therefore, we must be abased and convicted of our own sins and repent unto our Father. 


Luke 6:41 & 42 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

             

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                       Meditations on His Word, June ‘08

                    “…freely ye have received, freely give.” Matt. 10:8

                                         
                 

In John 21:15-17, Jesus tells Peter to “Feed my sheep.” Feed them what?...Truth, wisdom and knowledge of the gospel of our Father’s plan of salvation through His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.  If we desire to be disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, then these instructions are for us also.  We are told to not hide our light (truth) under a bushel, nor to bury our talent (truth) and that if we are the salt of the earth that we are to not lose that flavor (truth) or we are useless in the kingdom of God here on earth.

Recently, we have read articles about priests, ministers and religious authors upset that their sermons or writings are being plagiarized. How can that be in spreading the Word of God, as we have been instructed? 

The word “plagiarize” means to claim credit for someone else’s work. Any knowledge of our Father’s truth must come from Him and not from any man or woman’s teachings.  If our Father’s Word is truly being taught, then it is not possible for anyone to be “plagiarizing” a person’s work because it is not their words that they are spreading.  All true wisdom and knowledge comes from our heavenly Father and it is not ours for gaining prosperity or notoriety.  “freely ye have received, freely give.”    It is shocking to see preachers selling their sermons.  I Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 


I John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 

If we are to sow seeds of truth and hope that another, somewhere in the world, will water those seeds and then our Father will multiply that growth, why would we want to stop this process by trying to take credit for something our Father has imparted to our care?  We are servants!

I Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 

Notoriety, fame and fortune are not the rewards one should seek in serving our Father.  The reward we hope for, above all, is to hear from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matt. 25:21
We have never, knowingly, “plagiarized” anyone’s work, but as for this website we would like to say to all……..PLAGIARIZE US, PLEASE!!!


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                                   Meditations on His Word, May ‘08 
            

           “Regard not them that have familiar spirits,” Leviticus 19:31

                                              

We are told by many religious people that it is OK to seek out mediums, clairvoyants, psychics and other “spiritual” people, IF you are mature enough to handle it, but what does our Heavenly Father say about this?

Many people say there are no such people with these abilities, so why address this issue?  Well, when our Heavenly Father addresses it in His Word for us, then we know these people do exist.  For example, in Acts 16:16-19, Paul and Silas dealt with a woman involved in divination for financial gain.  We offend and insult our Father when we go to these people to be comforted about our loved ones who have gone on to the Lord, our health, our finances or romantic relationships, instead of trusting in His grace and love for us.   In Isaiah 8:19, we are told clearly not to do this.

Isaiah 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Our Father is a jealous God! Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 4:24

Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Deut. 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

We are all spiritual beings.  Our spirits are the very essence, mental disposition, rational soul and character of who we are.  It is by our spirits that we come into our understanding and worship of our Heavenly Father. We could not know Him otherwise!

John 4:23 and 24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Our Father does not arbitrarily make commandments or rules for us.  He created us and therefore; He knows our weaknesses better than we ever could.  It is these weaknesses that He is trying to purify and cleanse from us daily so as to give us a new nature (name)….a Godly, spiritual nature.

People cannot handle this type of spiritual knowledge without becoming arrogant, prideful, haughty and independent of God.  As to thinking that if you are mature enough you can handle dealing with the spiritual realm, remember what our Father tells us about being careful about what we think we know or can handle, lest we fall !

I Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

II Peter 3:16-18 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.


We, too, have had some spiritual experiences in our lives, but we did not seek them nor entertain them.  We know spirits, good and bad, do exist but we will obey our Father’s instructions because we know that He loves us, cares for us and knows what is best for us.


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                      Meditations on His Word, April ‘08

          …..they be blind leaders of the blind. Matthew 15:14

                                                           

In Matthew chapter 15 Jesus is warning us of those who speak as though they are Christians, but their hearts are not right with God. They are teaching doctrines and traditions that are of men and not from our Heavenly Father.  Christ tells us that this kind of worship is all in vain (useless in the kingdom of God). It is what is being taught and observed in our churches that “defileth a man”, if it is not the Truth. 

In verses 18 and 19 of Matthew chapter 15 Jesus tells us that the things that come from our hearts (minds) are evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies. These are spiritual sins that keep us blind to the Truth and keep our hearts (minds) stony and defiled.  Our Father wants to destroy these false beliefs and traditions of men and give us a new heart (mind), a new spirit (mental disposition) and a new name (nature). 


Ezekiel 36:26   A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 


Revelation 2:17   He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 


We need pastors, teachers, leaders and all Christians to be more like Moses, Joseph, Joshua, David, Elijah, Deborah, Esther, Jeremiah, the disciples, Paul and of course, Jesus Christ.  We need brave and courageous men and women who will lead God’s people out of false teachings and beliefs.  We need those who are not afraid to cease observing traditions of men and will lead their congregations in turning away from those things which defile us and make us of no use to our Father and His kingdom.  We need leaders who are not afraid of the deacons, elders, cliques and the financial supporters of their churches to teach the Truth, to repent of their ignorance and turn their congregations to serving the Lord in Truth and nothing but the Truth.

We can see the shackles that have been put on religious teachers today: the livelihood of their spouses and children being at stake, having to be politically correct to keep their jobs and to fill their pews, having to keep their congregations entertained but not convicted by the Truth, protecting and validating their educations that they received in the seminaries and the old “but that’s what has always been taught in our church” excuse. These shackles have not only put mankind in bondage , but has also put the Truth in bondage and mankind is suffering the terrible consequences today.


John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Let us remember who is the Truth, Jesus Christ, and that we want with all our hearts to be His good and faithful servants!  Let us step out with all boldness and courage to serve our Heavenly Father and teach and uphold that Truth.  Let us not continue to be the blind being led by the blind, for we know they both fall in the ditch, and become useless in the kingdom of God here on earth.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.


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                                        Meditations on His Word, March '08

                         “…Satan entered into him.” John 13:27

                                              

The word Satan means: opponent, adversary, enemy, accuser, devil, slanderer, wicked one and man of sin. The word is not only descriptive of just one entity in the scriptures, but describes any who are the opposers or enemies of God’s plan.

Let us not think that we could never be one of those serpents, devils or instruments of Satan’s will against our Heavenly Father’s will. Our Father gives us examples throughout His Word that it can happen to the best of His children.

One example is when David was provoked by Satan to number (count your army size for strength and might) instead of trusting in our Father as his strength and might. God had to chasten David.  
I Chronicles 21:1.
 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

Another example is when Jesus told PETER, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me….”   Matthew 16: 23  But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

It’s almost unbelievable for us to imagine that PETER was that Satan or adversary/enemy of God’s plan and had to be rebuked. Let us remember what Jesus told Peter in the garden in Matthew 26:41.  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

In John 13:27, when Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, we tell ourselves that that was because Judas was somehow more evil than most, but Judas believed that he was doing what was best for himself and  the “religious society” at that time. We must examine ourselves and realize that we, too, have probably been an enemy or opposer of God’s plan with what we have done, thought or taught at some time in our Christian walk. Thank God, we have repentance and forgiveness just as Judas repented.   Matthew 27: 3-5  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

We all mean well in our service to God but we must remember that it is possible to give in to our emotions and thoughts and be out of God’s plan without realizing it.  We must always be vigilant and take captive every thought as we go about serving our Father.   I Peter 5: 8 and II Corinthians 10: 5
I Peter 5: 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We can take comfort and peace in trusting our Father and knowing that He is faithful to His Word that He will chasten us when we are out of His plan. Thank you, Father!

Psalms 94: 12
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  

 

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                          Meditations on His Word, Feb. ‘08

                                                 “I and my Father are one”

                                                  John 10:30
                                               

In the past few years we have heard some very disturbing religious explanations for questions people have about such things as war, gun control and homosexuality. Well known religious ministers and authors have given as their intellectual teachings of these topics the following explanation. “No where in the New Testament does Jesus say anything about going to war, bearing arms or condemning homosexuality, therefore; it is insignificant to our Father and so we can condemn or condone as we see fit!”

We were warned in II Timothy 4:3 that there would be self-proclaimed preachers of God’s Word who would “itch or tickle ears” with what people want to hear and not what is the written Truth.

Let’s begin with gun control and going to war. In Luke 22:36, did not our Savior, Jesus Christ tell his disciples to sell their garments and buy swords. He instructed them to do that so that they could protect themselves from those who would try to harm or kill them. He told our Father in John 17:12 and 18:9 that He had not lost one of those that He had been given, except Judas Iscariot.  He wanted the disciples to be able to carry on their great commission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Whether an individual or a nation is being attacked by an enemy, we have been given permission by God’s Word that we are to defend and protect ourselves, our families and our country.


As to homosexuality, Moses addresses clearly in
Leviticus 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” and in 20:13  "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."     Likewise, Paul addressed in Romans 1:26-32: “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”    

 This is what our Father inspired Moses and Paul to teach on this issue. Now we either believe their teachings are of God or we are going to have to dismiss an awful lot of the Bible for which they are responsible. Since this teaching does not literally come from the mouth of Jesus, do you really believe that you are pleasing Him by teaching people to ignore teachings that were passed down from our Father through Moses and Paul? Jesus taught what Moses taught and ordained Paul and his teachings. It should send shivers down the spine of anyone who would even want to separate the teachings of the Son from the Father.

Homosexuality is a sin. It is no greater sin than any other, but it is a sin and must be repented for, as in all sins.  Ministers who somehow believe they are more tolerant, loving and understanding than our Father have been deceived by pride in their own self-righteousness. They are lying, whether intentional or not, to people about what God has commanded for mankind.  Is it love to teach people that that their sin is insignificant to God and therefore, they never repent for it?

The next time someone tells you that Jesus didn’t say anything about these issues, just send them to
John 10:30. “I and my Father are one.”
                      

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                                    Meditations on His Word, Jan. ‘08

                                             “The Symbolism of the Talents”
                                 



In Matthew 25:15-28, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us about the meaning of spreading the truth of His Word by using beautiful symbolism. The word “Talents”, in Hebrew, means a “round loaf, a morsel, a piece” and in Greek it means “to bear or carry, to endure, supporting the weight or balance of, to be driven, to lead, to bring forth and to uphold”. The word “Talents” is symbolic for truths and the abilities to teach those truths. When we are entrusted with these “talents” from above and the teaching of it, we are never to bury it, as one servant did. We are to share it with all and perhaps it will, with our Father’s multiplying, produce an amazing return of the Gospel/Truth. As servants of our Lord it is our duty to share the truths of His Word as it is revealed to us. We are to help the spiritually sick and dead and to cast out or destroy devilish lies and deceptions that are being taught to God’s children.

Like most people, we were taught, by well-meaning teachers, that the “talents” discussed in Matthew 25 were talking about tithes and offerings. This teaching has always been quite a money-maker for preachers and their churches, therefore; we can understand the reluctance to teach differently than what they have been taught.

When did the church become a business? When did the calling on our lives to spread the Gospel/Truth become a job? The Gospel/Truth is not about financial gain or prosperity. The Gospel/Truth is meant to be freely shared with all the world!  Jesus Christ is FREE to all the world!
 Matthew 10:7&8 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.   Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Money, financial gain or prosperity has nothing to do with sharing what we have been freely given.  We see the greed and overindulgence that is happening to the body of Christ when misleading teachings about money are taught.  We must keep our hearts right in the sight of God!  


  Acts 8:18-23
 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.   But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.   Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.   Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.   For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.