Meditations on His Word, December, 2018
 
Luke 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
 
What a beautiful and spirit awakening explanation of our purpose as followers of Christ!  What was about to take place for the world’s sake was and is to be glorified by all believers!  Our Father’s plan of salvation for all mankind was being fulfilled right before the eyes of our Christ’s disciples of that day.  Such a time shook all of God’s creation…man, animal and even the stones.  His crucifixion and resurrection would be glorified, if not by mankind then by God’s earthly creations.

We should be honored and humbled to glorify our Lord and His only begotten Son.  We are to teach, share, sow and water all that our Lord has entrusted to us as present day disciples of His Son our Savior.  We are to be happy to spread all that our Lord has commanded us to enlighten and encourage others.
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Before our Savior ascended to His throne in Heaven He commanded us to learn and share all that He gives us to share.
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Matthew 28:19 & 20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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Our Father WILL be honored and glorified, if not by us then by His other creations.  Who doesn’t want to be a loving participant in glorifying our Father and His only begotten Son?  It is a wonderful privilege we have been offered by accepting our Father’s plan of salvation for all mankind and the glorifying of our Heavenly Father!


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       Meditations on His Word, November, 2018
 
Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
 
When we go through life without taking control and responsibility of our own actions and words we are left open to any and all influences from unholy and spiritually immature people.  We must be uncompromising in protecting our spirit from evil, rebellious and disobedient spirits.  We must not be lax in controlling our own spirit, mind and body.  We must not let others have domination in our lives with their own lack of discipline and maturity.

How much clearer could we be told that if we don’t have control over our own spirits others are free to take that control?  Cities without walls have no protection from those who would take control and break down a city.

Now, in this day and time we must understand that this verse is teaching us with symbolism about spiritually protecting our souls and lives here on earth.  It is not literally telling us to put up walls to keep the world out.

John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

We are to represent Christ to ALL.  John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

How can we do that if we hide behind walls? How can we represent Christ if we are not among those who would benefit from our representation?  We are to be in this world, but not of this world.

John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

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     Meditations on His Word, October, 2018
 
                                     Purgatory?  Paradise?
 
It is always fascinating to see where some teachings originate and whether they are actually taught in the Holy Word of God.  Any time someone teaches that a word describing the doctrine they are teaching is not in the Bible warning bells should go off! Any time someone is adding to the concept of a word we must examine that teaching!  Creating our own conceptions/misconceptions of words and doctrines cause us to stray from the Truth of our Father’s Word.  We should be seeking the Truth and nothing but the Truth, so help us God.
 
Our Father’s Word is given to us for instruction, knowledge, wisdom, faith, chastisement, correction and harmony with our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus our Christ.  We must never be satisfied with a teaching or word that does not align with the Holy Word of God. We must be willing to do our own research into a doctrine.  We must seek to come to a peaceful understanding with the Holy Spirit’s pricking of our spirit that something is not right with a teaching. 
 
Purgatory is taught by one denomination as a place where we wait to be forgiven for unrepentant sins before Christ returns.  In another denomination paradise is taught as a waiting place before we are resurrected into our old bodies when Christ returns.  In both these teachings there seems to be an element of the teacher who believes there is somehow another step than faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus before we can have salvation.  These teachers are erroneously making the simplest commandment of God more confusing and complicated.  It seems to bother some that Christ told the thief on the cross that because of his faith-based request to be remembered by Him that he would be with Christ in paradise that day.  They seem to want something more required of a sinner than just to accept Christ as the Savior.
 
Christ defeated death and the grave in three days so that we do not have to.  The dead were set free by His resurrection so that we may be with Him in Paradise immediately upon being absent from this body.  There is no waiting place before we can join our Father and our Savior.  Thank you, Heavenly Father!
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Ephesians 2:4-9  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 
I Corinthians 15:54-57 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.   O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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            Meditations on His Word, September, 2018
 
Luke 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
 
This verse brings to mind a very important message from our Master to His Father’s children.  It is a maturing and loving message about showing His love and patience (fruits of His Spirit) to each other as we mature in our union with our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus.

Too many times we see downright anger and hatred espoused from one denomination to the other about their differences in teaching the Word of God.  Jesus put it simply when he said if they are teaching Jesus crucified and risen for our sins then be patient with their misunderstood teachings. As knowledge is imparted to us we should be even more loving and empathetic to those who are also in the maturing stage.  We should not argue, debate, encourage or support their childlike ignorance, but we should be loving, kind and patient with all.

Let us learn from Paul as he humbly teaches about himself being in the learning and growing process.  I Corinthians 2:1-4 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
   
We are all in a growing and learning process in this life here on earth.  To bring the Kingdom of God to the Kingdom of earth we must accept that we do not understand everything, but as our Lord imparts wisdom and knowledge to us we will be made perfect/mature.

Matthew 6:10  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
I Corinthians 13:11 & 12  When 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.  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.

So how do we mature as Christians and be transformed into Christ’s image?  By putting the Word of God in our minds and hearts and by obeying it. By showing the Fruits of the Spirit to others.  We will only be perfect/mature when we see Jesus, but we should be making progress of maturing in our lives here on earth.


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    Meditations on His Word, August 2018
 
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
 
In our lives we come across many well-meaning Christian people discussing, arguing, debating, disputing and thrashing out the age-old question of whether or not mankind has free will.  Too many times these deliberations can become anything but Christian-like.  Many end up condemning those in disagreement with them to hell and judging their very salvation.  We must wonder why the question of free will upsets so many.

For many (to their spiritual maturity credit), they choose to follow the Word of God in II Timothy 2:23 to avoid contentious debates.  This is very good counsel as it will avoid awkward, unloving and uncomfortable feelings with those who wish to debate the issue.  Doing so will avoid strife and help to have a peaceful countenance in dealing with others as we all are in the process of learning and maturing in coming into union with our Father and our Savior, Jesus.

II Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Is it not more important to our spiritual lives that above all we desire the will of our Heavenly Father rather than if we have free will or not?  Jesus, in His human form had His will, just as we in our human forms have our wills, but as we mature spiritually we lovingly and faithfully submit that free will unto our Father.
 
Our Savior was our perfect example of submitting to the will of our Father’s plan for our lives.  We pray and beseech our Father in the name of His Son for our wills/desires to be done, but we must yearn for the obedience of conceding our will in love and faith to our Heavenly Father.  Then we will experience the loving strength and comfort that only our Father can give.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

   
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      Meditations on His Word, July, 2018
 
II Timothy 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men……
 
Hearing of yet another televangelist asking for millions to purchase an additional jet brings the above verse to remembrance.  We are told in the following verse that this is to be expected.  We are being told that we should be aware of this and not be one of their deceived followers.  II Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

We may ask, “Why does our Heavenly Father allow them to deceive so many into supporting their deceptions?”   Mankind exposes itself in our words and actions.  What more can our Father do but to warn us of these in His Holy Word and then for them to be revealed before us.  We must mature to where we recognize them.  We must be willing to dust off our feet and walk away from them.  

The amazing thing is so many are so blatant and obvious about their boasting, bragging, coveting and pride in their pleasures of this life.  No one can say that they never show the desire of their hearts. 
We must ask ourselves why we keep supporting them in their folly.  They could never continue without the money that so many continue to give them.  Are we too lazy to do our own studying that we need someone else to do it for us and are willing to pay them?   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.  Are we so afraid to lose social connections and networking systems that we stay in a supporting role to these charlatans?

In II Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness., we are told that if we do not walk away and stop supporting these profane and vain babblings from those who are deceived by lack of knowledge or who are intent on deceiving others, they will only increase unto more deception and ungodliness.  We witness this every day with their greed to have more and more for their pleasure and to feed their egos and self-righteousness. But we are to accept responsibility for our part in perpetuating their ungodliness.

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             Meditations on His Word, June, 2018
 
I Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
 
Provide what?  Food, shelter, safety?  Of course, we should provide these things for our families.  Not only these things, but most of all love, because out of love will come the desire to take care of our spouses, children and family members in need of our love.  Many do very good jobs providing necessities for their families while saving loving elements for those in their more public lives.
 
The words charity and love mean the same thing in God’s Holy Word: agape.  To be charitable/loving in tangible things is righteous.  But let us not forget to be charitable/loving in showing the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
 
Galatians 5:22 & 23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Too many times we show these holy attributes to others while we show none of them to our own families.  We want the recognition/glory/praise from church members, co-workers, friends and strangers rather than those of our own families. Are we not guilty of hypocrisy if we do not exhibit loving qualities at home in the same way we do in our more public lives?
 
Do we really think our Heavenly Father and our Savior is pleased with our lack of respect. patience, tenderness, temperance, love, etc. for our own parents, children and spouses?  How can we deceive ourselves into believing we are pleasing our Father God by treating our families carelessly while seeking to impress others with our righteousness?
 
The old adage, “Charity/love begins at home”, is a worthy precept to follow, (as long as it doesn’t end at home), but ONLY exhibiting it outside of your family is a shame and disgrace before our Heavenly Father.  We must work on being truly loving to those who know us best, as to the glory of our Heavenly Father. 
 
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     Meditations on His Word, May, 2018
 
                              Is Judas in Hell?
 
So many teach that Judas is in Hell for all eternity.  If that is so, then why would we have been commanded to repent?  Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

We are told clearly that Judas repented, gave back the money and went so far in his remorse as to hang himself.  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.

Judas is a perfect example for us all to think about our own sins and to examine ourselves to see if we are remorseful and want with all our hearts to repent.  We have not been commanded as to go so far as to hang ourselves (Thank you, Jesus!), but we do want to be as convicted as he was that we have transgressed and seek absolution from our Heavenly Father.
 
We may tell ourselves that we would never have done what Judas did by betraying our Savior, but when we disobey the teachings of our Master, are we not betraying Him also?  Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Let us not think that we could never be taken over by Satan, because if we are not submitting to God in doing what is righteous, then we are open to Satan’s possession into doing what is wrong.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  
Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
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What spiritual maturity Judas showed in his sorrow, his acknowledging/confessing of his sins and his trying to make amends.  Are we spiritually maturing?

To teach that Judas is in Hell or will still yet be judged to Hell goes against all that we believe of our Heavenly Father’s love and forgiveness for us when we repent.  Why would He love us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for us to have a way to repent and be forgiven if our repentance is not accepted?
 
To make the judgment and teach joyfully that Judas is in Hell puts one in danger of:  Matthew 7 1 & 2  Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Let us repent. 
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      Happy Resurrection Day!
 
     Meditations on His Word, April, 2018
 
Luke 13:17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
 
We need to take note of the word ashamed in this verse.  In our world today we are taught to never be ashamed of anything we think or do.  We are to flaunt and parade our sins as if there is nothing to be ashamed of before our Heavenly Father.  The world encourages us to never be ashamed and therefore; we are never convicted or repentant.  
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The Word of God tells us that we are to be in this world, but we are not to be OF this world and its’ ideas, morals or opinions.  When we find ourselves choosing the views and actions of this world over the Word of God’s instructions and commandments, we should most definitely feel ashamed and penitent.

It is a sad situation that the world is the enemy of the commandment from our Heavenly Father and His only begotten Son that we “Must Repent!” Too many religious people and organizations do not even speak up or teach that we must repent of our sinful ways. They are afraid of offending us who should be aggrieved at our actions or thoughts.  Should we not be more afraid of offending our Heavenly Father?

Without the feeling of shame, why would we ever apologize or feel remorse when we have wronged someone?  Why would we even let ourselves examine our actions or thoughts?  What would ever bring us to deep regret or feelings of guilt? 

We should be thankful for the feeling of shame. The most wonderful part of feeling shame is that we can ask forgiveness from our Heavenly Father and others that we have wronged.  Receiving that forgiveness is an amazing feeling and replaces our feelings of shame and guilt!  Thank you, Father!

     
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    Meditations on His Word, March, 2018
 
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
 
We are living in a time when we are encouraged by media to make judgments of others for their sins, but not to take stock of own sins.  Political parties align themselves to be against certain sins; therefore, making them the “religious” party (that any Christian must cast their votes for), while concurrently committing their own sins.
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Psalm 5:4 & 5 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.  The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Where does it say in God’s Word that one sin or one wickedness is greater than another?

Whichever sins are making the latest headlines we self-righteously determine that our own sins are insignificant compared to those.  "I have never done that sin, so I can pass judgment", “After all, no one has brought my sins to light so I can be as sanctimonious as I want.”

Perhaps what we should contemplate in this verse is the word “why”.  Our Lord is asking us to examine our thoughts, emotions and opinions as to “why” we look at others’ sins, but choose not to take assessment of our own sins.  What is in mankind that makes him only feel spiritually superior to others if that superiority is based on hypocrisy?   Do we really get spiritual peace by harshly judging others while absolving ourselves?  When we self-absolve we never come to conviction and repentance and are in more spiritual disobedience than those we are judging.    Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

There is great joy in not judging others because as our Lord says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  Matthew 7:1 & 2

What peace we have when we leave the judgment of others to our Heavenly Father as He instructs.  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, February, 2018 
 
Heard a minister this morning on the local Christian radio station answering a question from a listener about if he could tithe of his time instead of his money.  He was going through hard financial times and wanted to do the right thing.  The minister said, “No, you cannot tithe of your time, it must be with money!”

Too many of today’s ministers, pastors and teachers are still instructing their followers as if we are even now under the Old Covenant Laws.  Jesus fulfilled those laws with his life, death and resurrection.
 
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. 
 
Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

The New Covenant Law on tithing concerns Spiritual Tithing, not money.

In Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it., the meat is spiritual food for His Children;  spiritual food of mature Truth being taught in His holy places; places such as churches, homes, schools, books, websites, etc.

Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The prior Old Testament contractual requirements were not destroyed or added to, but elevated from the physical level to the spiritual level!  Just as the law of circumcision of the flesh became spiritual instead of literal, so did the law of tithing.
 
Now let us be convicted and obedient of one thing, we are to freely tithe of the spiritual knowledge we are given by God to others. We are to lovingly sow and share as we have been commanded.  If we are spiritually being fed the Truth, of course, it is up to us if we want to keep it coming with donations of prayers, time and money, as we see holy fit.

Physical tithing was essential to the proper operation of Israel before our Savior completed our Father’s plan of salvation. Spiritual tithing is essential to the proper operation of Christianity today.   

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             Meditations on His Word, January, 2018
 
Matthew 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
 
For some there’s a simplistic, but unrighteous belief in this country that we can be free of the poor by teaching them to pull themselves up by their boot straps or withdrawing all aid and let them sink or swim.  Politicians campaign on the premise that these regulations are the way to eliminate the poor from our population.  Concurrently these leaders of our country proclaim to be Christian and Godly people. 

Let us understand what our Father and Savior have to say about this situation and how much we need to be convicted and repent in our ways of dealing with the poor.  First, we have the Holy Word of God telling us in the verse above that we will always have the poor.  That’s a fact.  Second, without the poor how would mankind be taught empathy and sympathy?  This seems to be a major problem with our country today.  We don’t want to have to deal with the feelings of empathy or sympathy.  “If the poor had made better choices or did as we did, we wouldn’t have to deal with this”.  The poor are an embarrassment and a scary living example of what could have happened to us or what still could happen to us.  Therefore; they really should just disappear and not make us have to observe their state of affairs; or our fears of experiencing the same plight.

The poor or less fortunate will always be with us.  It can be very relative as to who is poor or wealthy.  Once heard a Christian use the Bible verse Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God., to justify their judgment of a multi-millionaire going to hell because of his wealth.  What this person wasn’t considering was those less fortunate in his own neighborhood could be saying the same thing about him because from their positions this person was very well off.

The word poor can be used to describe those lacking in many things:  money, intelligence, spiritual knowledge, health, peace, love, kindness, compassion, sympathy, etc.  We need to examine our own lives for areas that we, too, are poor.  What is it that we need to acquire to become better people and to get a better understanding of what our Lord was teaching us about the poor always being with us?