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Meditations
on His Word, December 2012
Lucifer
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Like most Christians we were taught that Lucifer is another name of Satan’s. This is one of the teachings that was erroneously taught and has just been repeated so often that we have never taken the time to check out its validity. I Thessalonians 5:19-21 Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying (teachings of Truth). Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
I once heard a preacher say, “If what we are teaching is not true, then we will just immediately stop teaching it!” Ahh, sounds so simple. Unfortunately, we are so stubborn and prideful that admitting we are wrong on a teaching is something most people will not do. Thanks to their seminary teaching, denominational doctrines, puffed up pride of their knowledge and “just not wanting to make waves”, some teachers will never obey the awakening of the Truth by the Holy Spirit in teaching a revealed Truth. If we cannot accept that as we mature in our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior we are as a child growing and speaking false teachings that must be corrected/chastened in us, then how can our Father use us in His Kingdom of Righteousness/Truthfulness.
I Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Now, let us settle our spirits and listen to the Holy Spirit of our Master enlighten us on the teaching of Lucifer. The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible gives the definition of Lucifer, (Isaiah 14:12 the one and only time it is used in the Bible) as: to be bright and shining, to boast oneself, to make a show of oneself, foolish; to rave.
The word Lucifer is not a proper name. It is an exclamation chastising the King of Babylon, whom so clearly is the one being spoken to in Isaiah chapter 14. Remember the chastisement of the King of Babylon represents any and all of mankind that would place themselves above what is heavenly and righteous. It is making a shining boasting show of oneself before God. It is “transforming oneself” into an angel (messenger/teacher) of light (God’s Holy Truth) when there is no light within us. II Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. It is being too proud of one’s knowledge to hear the Truth. Lies, misconceptions and false teachings “weaken the nations” (God’s children) and must be “cut down to the ground.”
The teaching of Lucifer as another name for Satan has grown out of ignorance and as we are made aware of the false teaching, we must reject it and move on to maturity with our Lord. Part of that maturity is being patient and kind with those who are still misled as they grow in their union with our Father and Savior, Jesus. Entreat gently as you teach your new-found revelation and remember, it is our job to sow and water, but our Father’s job to increase that knowledge in someone’s mind.
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Meditations
on His Word, November 2012
Luke 16:27-31 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father,
that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify
unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto
him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one
went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses
and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
When we enter the presence of our Lord upon our
death we will know all that we have been seeking. When the rich man asked if Lazarus could go
back and tell what he now knew was true, he was told that they/we have Moses
and the prophets. This was Jesus
teaching before he had been crucified and resurrected, so not only do we have
Moses and the prophets, but we now have the Comforter, Christ’s Holy Spirit to
teach us Truth. John 15:26 & 27 But when the
Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even
the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall
testify of me: And ye also shall bear
witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. Christ embodied everything that Moses
and the prophets taught. He changed
nothing, but he fulfilled many commandments with His loving forgiveness for all
mankind. Matthew
5:17 & 18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Why could someone not come back to tell that what
they had taught was wrong? Because we
must all seek and learn as long as we are in the flesh. We must show ourselves as good servants by
desiring to seek and learn from our Father and the Master/Teacher. We are called to be His priesthood. I Peter 2:9 But ye
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light; It is our duty to teach what Christ,
Moses and the prophets taught to each generation that comes after us, requiring
on the students’ part the faith that God has meted out to each of them. Romans 12:3 For I
say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to
think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according
as God hath dealt to every man the
measure of faith. In that
faith we are to show ourselves approved to our Lord by desiring to study His,
Moses’ and the prophets’ teachings.
II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth. The
torment the rich man was feeling was shame and embarrassment that he and his
family did not hear Moses and the prophets and therefore; they had not repented
of their disobedient sins. The
instruction is very clear for us all: we
are to study the teachings of our Master, Jesus Christ, Moses and the prophets
and we are to repent of our sins.
Our Lord rose from the dead and yet some
still refuse to hear His teachings and repent.
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Meditations on His Word, October 2013
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Mark 16:17 & 18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Some people today attack others who are teaching the Truth of God’s Word, as it is being revealed by our Master, Jesus Christ, with questions like these: Where is your anointing? Where are the illnesses that you have healed? Where are the dead you have raised? Where are the blind you have made to see? Where are the deaf you made to hear?
The above accusatory and condemning questions are brought about by ignorance of the lack of knowledge of our Father’s Truth. People have been trying for many years to make the words of our Master/Teacher literal in the above verses. Because of this many fake preachers or even well meaning preachers have tried to convince their audiences that they do have the anointing of the Holy Spirit by pretending or claiming to heal the deaf, blind and the ill and by holding snakes (that have been milked of venom), speaking gibberish, etc. Sadly, of course, when their ruses are exposed they have done Christianity serious harm, but it is a necessary "coming out of her".
Jesus says a true follower will do greater works than the ones He did in front of them because they/we must do them in faith after He returned to the Father. John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. We must teach/share/sow/water His Truth among a world that is being controlled by the one who was cast down and defeated by the Savior’s sacrifice for all mankind. We must go up against false teachings that have been upheld for many, many years (taking up false teachers/serpents). This is what He means when He says we will “speak with new tongues”, we will be speaking the Truth.
We do these glorious works/signs by His Holy Spirit and thus, His Anointing. We are told that the Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth, John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. It is His Truth that heals illnesses (those who are spiritually ill or dead), deafness (those who cannot hear the Truth), and blindness (those who cannot see the Truth). His Truth gives us peace of mind, joy in coming out of confusion and love, empathy and compassion for those still spiritually ill, blind or deaf.
We must hear our Savior’s symbolic teaching meant for all mankind on these verses. We must do as we are instructed by our Master and heal all spiritual illnesses with His Truth so that no harm may come to all eternal souls. Hallelujah!!!
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Meditations on His Word, September 2012
“The Love of our Heavenly Father and our love for Him”
Obviously, everyone has their own definition of love, because we see everyone describing love as many different emotions, thoughts and ideas. We are told what love is in God’s Word, but somehow we only attribute that description to those we want to love us, not to how we love others, especially in how we think God should love us.
“God has to love me no matter what I do.”
“I will live any way I want and He still has to love me.”
“I will ignore what He commands of me and He still will love me.”
“Since He is my Father, He has to love me.”
“He created me so He has to love me.”
Well, we may be right, but look at the kind of person we must be to demand this kind of love from our Father, but never from ourselves. Could we sound any more like a petulant selfish brat than with these statements? We show quite clearly that we have a very long way to go to be formed into the likeness of our loving Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus. II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Let’s see what our Father teaches us about love in His Holy Word.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;
6 rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;
7 beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Jesus showed us by example how to love our Father. He obeyed our Father’s commandments, he desired to please our Father over His own desires and He fulfilled our Father’s plan for all mankind’s salvation. We use the word our because we have a tendency to think that who Jesus was and what He was meant to do was just for Him and not for us. Well, Jesus’ Father is our Father too with the same love, commandments and plans for us, as His children, as for His only begotten Son. As our Father loved Jesus, He loves us. Should we not love Him as our Christ did?
How about we love our Father with the love we receive from Him? With a love that is selfless, patient, rejoicing in His Truth, obeying His commandments for us because we trust Him to know what is best for us, submitting to Him in awe and reverence.
I Corinthians 13:13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. Why is that? Because….I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
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Meditations on His Word, August 2012
Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND
ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Isn’t it interesting that God’s Word uses the word Mystery
to describe Babylon, the Mother (those who give life to and nurture false
teachings) of harlots (those who betray God’s love with other teachings than His Truth) and
abominations (those who are unfit to be used in bringing about His Kingdom) of
the earth.
Definition of
Mystery: To shut the mouth, a secret, silence
imposed as in initiation into religious rites.
The word Mystery was written on the forehead,
meaning the mind, as with someone’s understanding, beliefs and teachings. What is shut up is the teaching of the Truth
of God’s Word. What is kept secret is
the teaching of the Truth of God’s Word.
It’s interesting to see that silence imposed as in initiation into religious
rites is so clearly what we have going on today in our lives. People who are beginning to “come out of her
my people”, Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice
from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of
her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues., are keeping silent
about the Truth because it would upset denominational doctrinal teachings,
religious rites, ceremonies and traditions.
How much clearer could we be told to come out of her and let these false
teachings be burned up and destroyed by the Truth. Does not the following verse make your spirit
rejoice? Revelation
18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth
their merchandise any more: (The Truth has replaced false
teachings! Hallelujah!!). We must come to the understanding that it is we who
are the “Great Whore” and it is we who must repent and break the silence,
secrecy and disobedience. As long as we
keep thinking that Babylon the Great and the Great Whore is one entity we will never
“come out of her” and be fit to serve our Father
in His Kingdom here on Earth.
It is a Mystery how we continue to
allow the harlots and abominations which are fornicating with evil, yet
masquerading as Christians, to represent the Kingdom of God here on earth. Now, whether their actions are intentional or
unintentional, we are to teach the Truth, stand for the Truth and not weep and
mourn when we see the destruction of Babylon taking place in our churches,
doctrines, rituals and teachings. We are
beginning to hear how liberal churches that are teaching falsely are losing
membership. People have a tendency to
weep and mourn for having to leave because they will miss their social lives
and affiliations with their denominations and churches. That is not how we are told to feel about
destroying places of false teachings.
Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy
apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
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Meditations on His
Word, July, 2012
Hebrews
10:20 By a new and living way,
which he hath consecrated for us, through
the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
The symbolism in the Bible is so beautiful and
comforting to us as we seek to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and Master,
Jesus our Christ. As we are told in our
Father’s Word, our flesh bodies war with our spiritual bodies, Romans 7:23 But I see another
law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into
captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. The flesh has to be
subdued and spiritually killed for our spiritual bodies to mature and become
useful to our Father in His Kingdom here on Earth. This is what our Master and Savior literally
accomplished for us with His death on the cross and set as His spiritual example
for us to follow. Just look at the fruit (believers) that have
been produced in 2000 years since His sacrifice on the cross. In John 12:24 we are told that a seed must
die before it can bring forth abundant new fruit. Our flesh bodies and mindsets must
symbolically “die” before we can spiritually see and hear our Father and
Master, Jesus, and bear the fruits of His Holy Spirit. John 12:24 Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it
abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
His flesh, like our flesh, is the veil that separates us from our Father and as His flesh
died on the cross for us the veil was lifted or torn apart so that we may enter
the spiritual realm of our Father/The Holy of Holies. Mark 15:38 And the
veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
The veil that keeps those from seeing/accepting
Christ today is the fleshly pride, self-righteousness, misunderstanding, lack
of knowledge and faith. We must overcome
these fleshly traits and shortcomings to see through the veil of flesh and into
the Spiritual union with our Father. II Corinthians 3:14 But their
minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in
the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. We must never judge or condemn
someone who seems to have a veil over their ability to see, hear and accept our
Lord and Savior. We, too, have that same
veil of flesh over our minds and hearts and, hopefully, it is being lifted more and more as we mature.
When Moses came down from the mountain and his face
shone with the glory of having looked into the Spiritual realm of our Heavenly
Father, he put a veil on his face because those observing the Glory he had
witnessed must have their own individual veils destroyed. We must not look upon someone else’s
spiritual connection, but seek our own. Exodus 34:33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he
put a vail on his face. Moses’
face shone with the Glory of God. The
veil he put over his face represented the flesh of Christ that was still to
come to mankind to carry out our Father’s plan of salvation for all His
children.
Jesus being born of a flesh woman and taking on the
form of a flesh man represents the veil that now we see darkly through, but as
we spiritually mature we see more clearly until the day that we see ALL as we
are united with our Father and His Son. I Corinthians
13:12 For now we see through a glass,
darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even
as also I am known. It is our
belief and faith in His being born of flesh and dying as flesh that permits us
to begin to spiritually see and hear and mature into the servants of God we are
meant to be.
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Meditations on His Word, June, 2012
Psalms 110.1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Hebrews 10:12 & 13 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
These verses tell us the prophesy and the fulfillment of that prophesy by the birth, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus our Christ.
Some teach that Jesus is not yet on the throne, but we see by Hebrews 10:13 that our Lord is at the right hand of God on the throne. We fleshly beings get so caught up in our Pharisaical teachings that we lose our peace about the beauty and unity of the Truth our Master taught. The first thing we must have peace about is the use of idioms and symbolism in the Word of God. “Sit thou at my right hand” and “sat down on the right hand of God” means “Rest, My Child, because you have accomplished the service for which you were created.” To be at the “right hand of God” means to be “right or righteous” with God. It means His revelation and enlightenment with Truth has fallen upon you and you are at peace and in unity with our Father. It means that His Power to destroy all lies and misunderstandings with Truth is being taught and upheld by you. Since the right hand of God represents our Father’s Power and Glory, then His left hand represents correction and chastisement. Our Father uses both hands to bring His children into His Kingdom here on earth and for His Glory. Remember with much comfort the teachings in Proverbs chapter 3 and Hebrews chapter 12 that when we endure chastisement and correction from our Father then we are His children and not bastards. Our Father promises to scourge and purify each of His children for our profit of sharing in His Holiness. In this respect shouldn’t we truly want to be our Father’s “Right Hand man!”?
Now as to the phrase, “until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” we may not want to hear this, but WE are the enemies of Christ that is being referred to here. When we have been disobedient to His commandments, slothful in seeking Him, teachers of lies and misconceptions and lacking love for one another, we are the enemies of everything Christ is and what He came to testify of with His sacrifice on the cross. This is what our Father has to chasten, scourge and correct in us. We should never spend time looking for others who are enemies of Christ because we need look no further than our own reflections. You can bet when you are feeling your most self-righteous, holy and judgmental you are being one of the biggest enemies of our Lord and Master. We become our Lord’s footstool when we humbly submit to our Father’s will in obeying Him and standing for His Truth. Our hearts must desire to always be under his feet in worship, love and obedience. We love the image of our Lord resting His feet upon all His enemies which have been turned into loving obedient servants in His Kingdom.
I Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. What a glorious time to look forward to when ALL know His Truth and are no longer His enemies!
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Meditations on His Word May 2012
Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
Fire is our Father’s Glorious Truth that purifies, edifies and matures the earth (His children) to serve Him in His Kingdom here on earth as He is served in Heaven. He sent His Son/Truth (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.) to teach and spread that Truth throughout all time so that we could be enlightened, matured and unified with Him by that Truth.
Fire is the Holy Spirit of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Comforter. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. And the Comforter is still teaching and bringing all things to our remembrance as we seek the Truth about His Holy Word. That fire is revelation and enlightenment with knowledge and understanding of our Father and His Son.
Some say that Truth is as each one sees it, but we know that Truth is not multiple choices nor is it optional, but that we are promised that we will be guided into all Truth as we mature before our Lord. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. We must be careful that we are not hanging on to childish teachings and doctrines taught by those who have not yet matured in His Holy Truth. Everyone in their own season will be called to “come up hither” in their maturity and service to our Father. Moving on from teachers who have not come into their season, yet, does not mean we criticize them or badmouth them. But we must learn and obey our Teacher, Jesus our Christ, above all earthly teachers or we will become men pleasers and not disciples of our Lord. Ephesians 6:5 & 6 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
The fire that sat upon all of the disciples on Pentecost was that confirmation from the Holy Spirit that all Christ had taught and witnessed before their very eyes was The Truth and they now knew it and were comforted by it. Acts 2:3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
The part of the verse that says, “if it be already kindled?” should touch and excite us to the very depths of our souls. This is our commandment from our Teacher and Savior, Jesus our Christ, to spread the gospel/Truth throughout the ages. As His servants it is our duty to keep the fire of Truth burning in the minds and hearts of all who desire it. For our Lord to find His Truth already kindled in the hearts and minds of those He comes to and knocks on their hearts is evidence that His servants are being “good and faithful servants”. Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Just as we know that wonderful kindling that was in our hearts when Christ called us to maturity, we must want to make sure others have the opportunity to feel that kindling, also.
We, as His servants, must never be satisfied with false teachings or have lazy slothful attitudes about whether or not Truth is being taught and shared with all. As we are told in Luke 12:42 & 43, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat (Mature Truth) in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. We must not think we can plead ignorance on this instruction from our Teacher because we have been clearly informed and as He tells us, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”, Luke 12:48.
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Meditations on His Word, April, 2012
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
We may think that faith means that we believe in our Heavenly Father, His only begotten Son and His plan for all mankind’s salvation by the birth, death and resurrection of that Son, Jesus. We may like to rest on that belief and take great comfort in it. It seems the part in the above verse that says, “O vain man” would certainly apply to us though, if we believe that faith only encompasses believing. Vain means useless and of no consequence and that is exactly what we are if we try to represent our Lord with only faith. We must remember in verse 19 where James teaches us, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. We must hear the instructional chastisement that even though devils believe, they show no good works to honor or represent our Father and they intentionally mean to bring spiritual death to all mankind. We must desire to be the complete opposite by bringing forth spiritual life in all that we do and say; our works.
Believing in our Father, Jesus and His sacrifice takes faith, but as we are instructed, “faith without works is dead”. Unfortunately, because of organized religion or Pharisaical teachings most people today do not understand what works truly are. The word works means to toil, labor or to make an effort, and it also means an act or deed. What has happened is that we have lost the Holy Spiritual meaning of works and replaced it with duties, obligations and doctrines of religious denominations. Granted, going to church three times every week, putting tithes in the offering plates every time it is passed and listening to sermons may feel like the works James is talking about, but we know in our spirits that something is not quite right or fulfilling. Some have gotten very lazy about performing works with their faith because it is easier to let their pastor’s teachings and their membership in a church represent their works. Meanwhile, outside of their congregations they show no mercy, love, compassion, patience, kindness or empathy to anyone, except for those with their same doctrinal beliefs. They look right through their fellow man as if he/she does not exist. If you ask them if they have done a good work in the name of Jesus today, they surely will answer that since they have not looked upon those whom they consider sinful, indeed they have done good works. Being judgmental and condemning about others may feel like a self-righteous work that one enjoys, but it is not what our Lord and Savior instructed us to be. It is carnal and exhibits none of the wisdom from above that we should desire.
Our Master did not wish to have followers or disciples that think representing Him meant church membership, tithing and denominational ritualistic doctrines. We must represent Him with love, smiles and words of encouragement, help in times of need, blessing each other with gifts, tips and aid during these financially stressed times. We must express sympathy and empathy for the trying times in which we live. If we cannot feel what others are feeling then our faith appears very much fake or dead to those witnessing our lack of love and compassion. All of the church memberships and doctrines are truly vanity.
Let us remember II Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers (of good works) of the new testament; not of the letter (denominational doctrines and rituals), but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
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Meditations on His Word, March, 2012
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
We may think, “I have never, nor would I ever deny Christ before any men!” Well, we would be intentionally or unintentionally telling a lie.
We read the teaching example from our Master in Luke 22:57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. Peter was used as a perfect example for us that no matter how much we may love our Lord as Peter did, we have in the past or are now denying Him before mankind. How? Jesus told us plainly who He is in 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. When we seek Truth and are blessed with finding it, we must be whole-heartedly willing to stand for it, acknowledge it and share/sow it with others who are seeking it, or else we are denying Jesus our Christ/Truth. Peter was overtaken with fear of what would happen to him if he confessed he was with Christ. Today, we fear losing social companionships, admiration, respect and credibility if we stand for Christ/Truth amongst our churches, gatherings or associations. We are told clearly that we have not been given the spirit of fear, so we must stand against it and represent our Lord/Truth. II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
If we know in our spirits that we have found another wonderful maturing piece of Truth, then we must be willing to share/sow it with others because it is our duty as servant in our Father’s field. If we deny that piece of Truth because it will go against the teachings of our pastors, denominations or relatives, then we have denied Christ, because He is that Truth. And, yes, keeping our mouths shut when given the opportunity to share/sow is also denying Christ. Please wait until you are given the opportunity and do not disrupt someone else’s gathering or class. If question time is offered at such gatherings then you are free to ask questions and hopefully share/sow Truth with others. Peter did not go around shouting, “Hey, I don’t know that man!” He was asked. Just as He had the opportunity to acknowledge Christ, he also had the opportunity to deny Him. When we have these opportunities, and we will have them, we will be tested as to whether we will deny Him and His Truth or if we will serve Him and stand for His Truth. If we claim to be a Christian and then disclaim association with His Truth, then we are denying Him and as He says, “Him I will also deny before my Father.” What a horrible thought that our Lord would have to disclaim association with us because we are repudiating His Truth and disowning Him/Truth! There’s great comfort in knowing His Word says He does not disown or disclaim association of anyone UNTIL they deny Him first. This is how He loves the ENTIRE world; selflessly, forgivingly and patiently.
Peter denied Christ three times. Three symbolizes: Resurrection and Divine Completeness. Jesus/Truth resurrects us into His likeness, experience by experience, by teaching and maturing us. We are on His path for us of Divine Completeness. Instead of three times denying Him we may have or will deny Him thirty, three hundred or three thousand times before we reach His Divine Completeness for us. The number of denials is not what is important, but the learning from our mistakes in what we have been taught and what we believed to be Truth. What is important is maturing into the Divine Servant He desires us to be. We all make mistakes, but our Lord has promised to purify and change us into His glorious likeness. II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
It is when we become puffed up with our own self-righteousness and we think we have already become just like Him that our pride will keep us from hearing His maturing instructions and teachings for us. We should accept that learning, maturing, purifying and molding does not stop as long as we are in this flesh body. Then we will be ready to hear and see with spiritual ears and eyes the maturing Truth that our Master is teaching and revealing to us.
This is the Truth/Jesus that we should never deny.
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Meditations on His Word, February 2012
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” Matthew 6:33
“How do we seek the Kingdom of God, which is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit?” Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. We seek by desiring the wisdom from above that James teaches us about in 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. Our Savior instructs us clearly to seek and we will find, Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Seek is a verb. Seeking requires action on one’s part. Taking action shows obedience to our Master to do as He instructs and guides. We must not be lazy and slothful servants by letting someone else do our seeking and then being satisfied with whatever they say or discern. Many of our Master’s parables have to do with servants He admonishes for being lazy/slothful and uninterested in seeking His Truth for sowing and watering. If we truly want to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21, then we must take action in serving Him by seeking His Truth and representing Him with love. Obviously, we cannot exhibit, teach or glorify Godly righteousness until we have the wisdom and knowledge of what is right. As we read His holy commandments for us in His Holy Word and listen to the pricking of our Master’s Holy Spirit, we will mature in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of His righteousness. His righteousness is what makes up His kingdom that will dwell within us.
So much wisdom is written for us in the book of Proverbs. The definition of proverbs is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. In seeking wisdom and knowledge of Truth we must never overlook that our faith in our Father is not based on just hearsay that has been passed down for generations by pastors and Sunday school teachers, but by the common sense realities that we experience in our daily lives. Our common sense should tell us that when we are teaching or being taught, what we or someone else believes to be wisdom from above, we should feel peaceful, loving towards others and merciful to those who are in error. If we are not at peace with our teachings or are being hypocritical with our teachings, then we are not exhibiting righteousness and therefore; we will not feel the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit that envelopes our spirit in our Father’s Kingdom. Many people today know that something is missing in their wisdom which should bring them peace and joy as they strive to exhibit the Kingdom of God that is within us. They have forsaken seeking for the complete Kingdom of God because they do not want to admit they may be in the wrong place and under the wrong tutelage of pastors and denominations. We must never think that we have achieved complete maturity in the Kingdom of God and stop seeking His wisdom. We must forever be open to hearing and learning the Truth from our one and only Master/Teacher and not settle for the teachings of any man or woman which may be intentionally or unintentionally false.
In the Book of Proverbs we are warned over and over about the seduction of false wisdom that is not from above. This false wisdom is referred to as a harlot/whore (as in the whore of Babylon). Proverbs 23:27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. This harlot’s lies and deceptions are in stark contrast to the holy, mature, righteous and pure Bride that our Lord desires to embody His Kingdom. The harlot’s false wisdom encourages us in being judgmental, unmerciful, unloving, impatient, un-empathetic and unkind. This false knowledge and wisdom will appeal to our carnal natures of pride, arrogance and self-righteousness. It will cause us to be stubborn in admitting we have been wrong in our teachings of God’s Holy Word. It will keep us from repenting. It will prevent us from shaking the dust of those teachings from our feet and having no more involvement with the sowing or watering of false seeds.
Proverbs 4:5-9 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Seeking the Kingdom of God first in our lives will bring us the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit that our Lord and Savior gives to us.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
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Meditations on His Word, January 2012
Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Many, too many, preachers and teachers of God’s Word seem to have a problem with this verse and especially the phrase, “knew her not”. They teach that Jesus was conceived by a virgin, but was not born of a virgin. This is very troublesome and confusing as to why anyone would want to teach contrary to what it clearly says in God’s Word.
What is it that bothers some about believing that Joseph did exactly as he was instructed by the messenger of God? Is it that they just can’t believe any man (especially themselves) could be married to a woman they love and not consummate their marriage? Are they afraid that Joseph represents a more obedient, trusting and loving servant of God than they perceive themselves to be? If they have to change the Word of God to fit their own image of what they want to have happened, then it appears that their perception of their shortcomings is true.
To teach that Jesus was not born of a virgin, only conceived of one, is to also deny the prophetic teachings of Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Again, what is the carnal motive for denying teachings that are clearly stated and confirmed by messengers of God? We must examine our fleshly selves to answer this question. This is a perfect example of the flesh warring with the spirit. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. The flesh says, “No man could do what Joseph did, so it must not be true.” Now if the flesh can reject what Joseph did, then how about the faith and obedience shown by Noah, Moses, David, the Old Testament Prophets, the disciples and, of course, Jesus Christ? We can’t take the Word of God and say, “Well, this part I believe, but I find some other parts incredulous to believe.” The Holy Spirit of our Teacher, Jesus Christ, wants us to learn Truth, which brings about all the comfort He promised to send us. John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: If we cannot accept the Truth as it is written, but succumb to others teachings who are being led by their carnal insecurities, pride and ignorance, then we will never know that comfort that our Lord wants us to have as we represent His Kingdom here on earth.
There are some that teach that Paul did not mention the virgin birth; therefore, he didn’t believe in it either. Wow, that’s a major assumption based on an omission of one of the servant’s of God’s teachings! So if Paul didn’t say something about each and every teaching in God’s Word then those teachings are invalidated?! We had better be careful that we don’t think more highly of Paul than we should. (which he also warned about in his teachings I Corinthians 1:12-13) because our God is a jealous God and it is HIS WORD that we are to be searching and studying to draw nearer to HIM and HIS SON, OUR SAVIOR, JESUS OUR CHRIST.
This brings to mind those who teach that Jesus committed the sin of doubting Our Father when he said on the cross, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 They say this proves he was not without sin and was more like us in the flesh. The Word of God says he was without sin and was a lamb without blemish. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin., I Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: I Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Christ was simply quoting Psalm 22:1 from the cross to let all know that He was the ONE and that this was HIS sacrifice for all mankind. Again, we can only suppose they are letting their carnal motives lead them in their teachings. They fear that they are sinful (which we are) so therefore; let’s bring Jesus down to our likeness. One can excuse a lot of personal sins and disobedience with this way of thinking and, therefore; not be willing to submit to correction, discipline and repentance before our Father. Instead, we must realize that Christ is purifying and transforming us into His likeness.
We must prayerfully ask our Father to be able to discern when someone is being led by his/her carnal being in their teachings and not exhibiting wisdom from above, by simply being comforted by the Truth, as it is written.