"When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, 'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' ". (Luke 22:14-16)
"Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, 'Peace to you.' But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, 'Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.' When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, 'Have you any food here?' So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in there presence. Then He said to them, 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.' And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."
(Luke 24:36-45)
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come IN THE FLESH is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus has come IN THE FLESH is not of God. And this is the spirit of Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." (1 John 4:1-3)
Is it your understanding that simply THINKING that Jesus has come in the flesh will honor Him, or please God? Or, must this confession be made in those who think?
"Then He said to them, 'Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.’ “ (Luke 24:46-48) Necessary for the Christ! Necessary for the Christian, the body of Christ, by the Promise of the Father upon and within.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Monday, June 24, 2019
The Days of Vengeance
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath UPON THIS PEOPLE. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captives into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near."
(Luke 21:20-28)
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare ON ALL THOSE WHO DWELL on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
(Luke 21:20-28)
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare ON ALL THOSE WHO DWELL on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
(Luke 21:34-36)
Jesus recognized "a certain poor widow" for she, out of her poverty put in the offering to God all the livelihood she had. (Luke 21:1-4) Pray the Lord that He show you how to become the offering!
Jesus recognized "a certain poor widow" for she, out of her poverty put in the offering to God all the livelihood she had. (Luke 21:1-4) Pray the Lord that He show you how to become the offering!
Thursday, June 20, 2019
“Let Us Walk by the Same Rule”
"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; AND IF IN ANYTHING you think otherwise, God will reveal even THIS to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, LET US WALK BY THE SAME RULE, LET US BE OF THE SAME MIND." What rule?
(Philippians 3:12-16)
"Brethren, JOIN IN following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." What pattern? (Philippians 3:17)
"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. YET INDEED I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is THROUGH faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11)
Other than Paul's "zeal" for persecution of the church, which of the things listed that he considered rubbish would be thought badly of? Yet as he followed the "rule" or "pattern", all those things he was "confident" in were removed for that which is vital: Christ. The rule/pattern removes those confidences in the flesh. Yet indeed we should understand and walk accordingly. If, in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you!
"Brethren, JOIN IN following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." What pattern? (Philippians 3:17)
"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. YET INDEED I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is THROUGH faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11)
Other than Paul's "zeal" for persecution of the church, which of the things listed that he considered rubbish would be thought badly of? Yet as he followed the "rule" or "pattern", all those things he was "confident" in were removed for that which is vital: Christ. The rule/pattern removes those confidences in the flesh. Yet indeed we should understand and walk accordingly. If, in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you!
Saturday, June 15, 2019
“Come, for All Things are Now Ready”
"Then He said to him, 'A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, '''Come, for all things are now ready.''' But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, '''I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask that you have me excused.''' And another said, '''I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.'''
Still another said, '''I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.''' So that servant came and reported these things to the his master: Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, '''Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.''' And the servant said, '''Master, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room.''' Then the master said to the servant, '''Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.''' ' "
(Luke 14:16-24)
Notice that each of those who made excuses had something more important to them than that great supper. I think you could say that they were devoted to other things than what was needful. Or were they 'asking to be excused' because they had an idea what those (all) things would entail? Jesus gave, at His last supper, words for His disciples to hold fast to: to eat the bread and drink the cup, worthily.
"Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 'If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it---lest, after he had laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish'? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:25-33)
You see how hard it was for that master to fill his house for that great supper! Many recognize the cost and ask, or decide, to be excused. How narrow is the gate? Only He, Jesus Christ, by the Father's Holy Spirit can show you through the word of faith!! The word of faith in Christ Jesus will empower to 'meet him who comes against' with twice as many, or more.
Still another said, '''I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.''' So that servant came and reported these things to the his master: Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, '''Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.''' And the servant said, '''Master, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room.''' Then the master said to the servant, '''Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.''' ' "
(Luke 14:16-24)
Notice that each of those who made excuses had something more important to them than that great supper. I think you could say that they were devoted to other things than what was needful. Or were they 'asking to be excused' because they had an idea what those (all) things would entail? Jesus gave, at His last supper, words for His disciples to hold fast to: to eat the bread and drink the cup, worthily.
"Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 'If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it---lest, after he had laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish'? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:25-33)
You see how hard it was for that master to fill his house for that great supper! Many recognize the cost and ask, or decide, to be excused. How narrow is the gate? Only He, Jesus Christ, by the Father's Holy Spirit can show you through the word of faith!! The word of faith in Christ Jesus will empower to 'meet him who comes against' with twice as many, or more.
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Leaven That Makes the Vessel for Honor
When we consider 'leaven', we remember that Jesus taught His disciples to 'Beware the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.' (Luke 12:1)
"And again He said, 'To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.' "(Luke 13:20,21)
leaven- an element that produces an altering or transforming influence; to permeate with an altering or transforming element
(2 of 5 from WCD)
So, the process of leavening can be for good or bad, depending upon what 'element' we are permeated with. We see that the woman in the parable hides leaven in meal until all the meal is leavened- permeated with that good element.
"And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, 'Lord, are there few who are saved?' And He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door; and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where are you from,' then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' "
(Luke 13:22-27)
So we strive to be leavened, or built, with that element which sanctifies completely (wholly), faith in Jesus Christ, believing in Him. We desire to be wholly, or completely built in Him.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may you whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24)
"And again He said, 'To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.' "(Luke 13:20,21)
leaven- an element that produces an altering or transforming influence; to permeate with an altering or transforming element
(2 of 5 from WCD)
So, the process of leavening can be for good or bad, depending upon what 'element' we are permeated with. We see that the woman in the parable hides leaven in meal until all the meal is leavened- permeated with that good element.
"And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, 'Lord, are there few who are saved?' And He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door; and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where are you from,' then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' "
(Luke 13:22-27)
So we strive to be leavened, or built, with that element which sanctifies completely (wholly), faith in Jesus Christ, believing in Him. We desire to be wholly, or completely built in Him.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may you whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24)
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Ask, Seek and Knock for Bread, Day by Day
"And He said to them, 'Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, '''Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'''; and he will answer from within and say, ''' Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'''? I SAY TO YOU, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him ALL HE NEEDS."
"So I say to you, ask, and it (bread) will be given to you; seek, and you will find (bread); knock, and it (bread) will be opened to you. For whoever asks receives, and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
"So I say to you, ask, and it (bread) will be given to you; seek, and you will find (bread); knock, and it (bread) will be opened to you. For whoever asks receives, and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
(Luke 11:5-15)
"As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so He who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven---not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."
"As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so He who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven---not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."
(John 6:57,58)
So we see that the Holy Spirit is the entity that brings those good things, the bread, to the Church. Ask, seek and knock, day by day (Luke 11:3) for His bread. You will receive what He knows you need to hear!
So we see that the Holy Spirit is the entity that brings those good things, the bread, to the Church. Ask, seek and knock, day by day (Luke 11:3) for His bread. You will receive what He knows you need to hear!
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