Jesus Christ unsettles the Temple

“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.' (Mark 11:15-17 KJV)

'What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

(1 Corinthians 6:19,20 KJV)

Clearly, Jesus knew the working of those mentioned activities was counter-productive for the temple as a house of prayer. His acts testified of His intentions toward each believer personally, as the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in us.

'Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.'

(Hebrews 12:11)

Understanding His Coming

‘And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David;) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them unto heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has MADE KNOWN UNTO US.' (Luke 2:1-15 KJV)

'And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, EVEN IN his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourself from idols. Amen.' (1 John 5:20, 21 KJV)

'Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of thy 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 4:5-9 KJV)

Recognize that we must proceed in the understanding that God has given of His Son: for promotion and honour, grace for glory in Him. Merry Christmas, as we celebrate with understanding.

Confounded: Certain in Transgression

‘Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but chosen of God, and precious, YE ALSO, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that on him shall not be CONFOUNDED." Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.' (1 Peter 2:1-8 KJV)

'Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are CERTAIN men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.' 

(Jude 1:1-5 KJV)

'And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever TRANSGRESSETH, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.' (2 John v.6-9 KJV)

A compromised consideration of Christ's commandment to us is aggravated by the unwillingness to recognize our transgression.

Does Your Confidence Lie?

‘So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " And the scribes and the chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. When evening had come, He went out of the city.' 

(Mark 11:15-19 NKJV)

'If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.'  (1 John 5:9-15 NKJV)

Scribes and chief priests confidently desired to destroy Him; yet John's confidence, and his requests, are in Him and His will. As the testimony of God's Son is made manifest, will you confidently destroy, or confidently continue to ask and be heard by Him?

Greater Works in Righteousness

'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and GREATER WORKS than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.' (John 14:12-14 NKJV)

'But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you ask Me, "Where are you going?" But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of RIGHTEOUSNESS, BECAUSE I GO TO MY FATHER and you see Me no more; of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.'(John 16:4-11 NKJV)

In these verses, Jesus informs His disciples that there were 'greater works' than what they had seen Him do, that He said they also would do, because 'I go to My Father'; and that the Helper would convict 'of righteousness, because I go to My Father.' I ask you, what did Jesus have yet to do? He had evangelized, pastored, taught and prophesied. Now was the time finish His ministry on the cross, and be resurrected.

'I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister ACCORDING TO THE STEWARDSHIP FROM GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.' (Colossians 1:24-29 NKJV)

Each of us should be willing to ask, in the name of Jesus Christ, what is lacking in our understanding as we work toward that end.

Have No Fellowship with Unfruitful Works

‘Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.'

(Ephesians 5:6-11 KJV)

'This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

(1 John 1:5-7 KJV)

'And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1John 5:20,21 KJV)

Ask for the understanding that the Son of God has come and given to John. Keep asking! We may know Him-that is true. We may be in Him-that is true: even in the testimony of His Son, Jesus Christ. Prove what is acceptable to the Lord!

Are You Certain? Bring Your Self to Him!

'And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is a lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? BRING HIM HITHER TO ME.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.' (Matthew 17:14-21 KJV)

When the certain man eventually came to Jesus, He cured his son. Later, when His disciples came to Jesus apart, He taught them how their unbelief could be removed. Lord! We ask you to help our unbelief! We bring ourselves to You!

This One will Have whatever this One says

‘Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.' 

(Mark 11:12-14 NKJV)

'Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away." So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.'

(Mark 11:20-23 NKJV)

'I do not pray for these alone (His disciples at that time), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as you have loved Me.'

(John 17:20-23 NKJV)

Jesus ended the expression of that fig tree. It's out-of-season fruitlessness was now subject to the true vine. If we follow what Jesus proclaimed to His disciples: speaking to remove this mountain which stands in the way, we should begin to see, and have the testimony by which the Father glorified the Son and His disciples.

Made not to Stumble

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are you going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see me no more; of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged. "

(John 16:1-11 NKJV)

'And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble." '(Mark 4:13,14;16,17 NKJV)

Simply put, righteousness is what Jesus did: EVERYTHING that He did! Sin is unawareness of, ignorance of or the departure from what He did. The Helper, the Spirit of truth, convinces those who have begun to believe of these things yet have stumbled in one way or another. The ruler of this world is judged because, as Jesus said, 'he has nothing in Me'. So, also, will those be judged who are persuaded by that 'ruler'. Therefore, be convinced by the Helper, the Spirit of truth, regarding the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are willing and obedient, you will be made not to stumble as you experience tribulation/persecution, recognizing and rejoicing in the hope of His calling.

Correction precedes Deliverance and Appointment

‘And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.'

'Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind goes out not but by prayer and fasting." '(Matthew 17:14-21 NKJV)

We see that individual desire to receive deliverance and the disciples’ desire to minister deliverance were unsuccessful until correction came from the Lord. It seems Jesus always dealt with the root of the problem rather than the fruit of it. We all know that if we pull the leaf of a weed, unless the root comes out with it, the weed will manifest again. The father brought his son to Jesus' disciples, hoping they could minister the cure. The disciples were unable, at that time, to awaken the father to his faithless and perverse approach; rather trying to pull off the leaves of the weed. The disciples had to be brought to maturity through the prayer declared by Jesus (Matthew 17:20) and fasting illegitimate attempts to remove leaves of weeds. 'Nothing will be impossible for you' is the promised result as faith is in Him, believing.

Do You have Enough Faith to Finish Well?

'And there went great multitudes with him; and he turned, and said unto them, "If any man come to me, and hate (an idiom of preference toward God) not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold 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, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.' (Luke 14:25-33 KJV)

So, the criterion for building the tower and making war against many is forsaking all that YOU have: your confidence in the flesh.

'And the disciples came, and said unto him, "Why speaketh unto them in parables?" He answered and said unto them, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but unto them it is not given. For whoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." ' (Matthew 13:10-12 KJV)

So, if you forsake to follow Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit shows you how to have enough to finish well the good fight of faith: Christ in you, the hope of glory. Those who begin to build and begin to make war against another king must know what to HAVE to finish.

What shall we say then?

‘What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness that is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written. Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offense: and whoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.' (Romans 9:30-33 KJV)

'But what sayeth it (the righteousness which is of faith)? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' 

(Romans 10:8-10 KJV)

'Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.' (Hebrews 3:1,2 KJV)

Therefore begin, or continue, to confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus daily, even throughout the day. This confession: the Lord Jesus and his testimony is made unto salvation.

‘Done for Them of My Father which is in Heaven'

‘Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' (Matthew 18:19,20)

'Ye ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts.' 

(James 4:3)

'And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.' 

(1 John 5:14,15)

SHALL is the present tense of SHOULD. Any two agree, presently, as touching any thing they should ask, it will be done for them of the Father which is in heaven.

'He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.' (1 John 5:10,11)

When two can agree as touching any thing that they must ask, in His name and according to His testimony, there He is in the midst of them.

No Deals with the Debtors: Ask the Master how NOT to Waste His goods

‘He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' Then the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'

So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home." (Luke 16:1-9, NKJV)

'Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.'

(1 John 5:14,15)

Then the stewards of the Lord said within themselves, 'I have resolved what to do: I will not continue in my unfaithful and wasteful stewardship; I will ask the Lord God to show me how to carry on from this point according to His will!' No more shrewd, unrighteous, failed testimony.

The Things That John Worked For ( NKJV)

'Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.'

'For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we (you) do not lose those THINGS WE WORKED FOR, but that we (you) may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.'

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.' (2 John v.3-11)

A number of translations exchange the 'we' for 'you', in reference to 'yourselves' in 2 John v.8. It should not be difficult to consider that John understood and believed these 'things', working out his salvation, abiding in the doctrine of Christ. He admonishes us to DO the same.

'If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.'

(1 John 5:9,10)

He gives more Grace

‘From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? You lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.’

'Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, "The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.'

'Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.' (James 4:1-10, KJV)

He gives more grace, to the humble; who ask to see the Lord's testimony, and follow Him.

Remain Repentant for the Holiness of the Spirit of God

'Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.'

'When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.' (Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1)

'There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." ' (John 3:1-6)

'What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore WE were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:1-4)

Jesus came up immediately from the water, but I think we better understand that we will be under for a while: learning how to remain repentant to the holiness of the Spirit of God, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Ordained of Old for this Condemnation

‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept unawares, who WERE BEFORE OF OLD ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.'

(Jude v.3-5)

'Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.' (Jude v.8)

'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Romans 8:1-4)

'Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.' (Romans 8:34)

Christ that died condemns those who will not follow in the wisdom of God! There is no condemnation for those as they do. But, the spirit to walk wantonly against Christ's way is still at work, manifest is those described above. That same spirit caused men of old to separate themselves from Christ's way.

'Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.'

(Matthew 16:24,25)

‘Sit at My Right Hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’

'While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The Son of David." He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord' saying: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make your enemies your footstool" '? 'If David then calls Him '"Lord," how is He his Son?' And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.' (Matthew 22:41-45)

We should have no problem recognizing the enemies that are outside: it is clear by what they do! What about the enemies within us? Pride, vengeance, greed will keep us from walking as Jesus also walked. If we understand and are willing to sit ourselves at Jesus right hand, He will show us how these enemies be firmly situated under our feet.

'Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, "Rabbi, Rabbi." But you, do not be called "Rabbi": for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father: for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12)

At Jesus Christ's righteous right hand!

Attaining to Righteousness, EVEN the Righteousness of Faith

‘What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith: but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." '(Romans 9:30-33)

Is a person righteous because they have been born of the stock of Israel? What about those who are sympathetic to the ideal of the God of Israel? Is one righteous because they have received God's mercy and have been born again: washed by the blood of the Lamb of God?

What about those who have received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, so that they may become witnesses to Him? The steps discussed certainly lend a form of righteousness; but unless we recognize the hope of His calling, counting it all joy when we fall into various trials, letting patience have its perfect work, so that we might perfect and complete, lacking nothing; which is our reasonable service, we won't have 'attained to the righteousness of faith'. Faith is the testimony the Lord, Jesus Christ left for us. It is what He did!

Strength to Become Weak

‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.' 

(Acts 1:8)

'For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? ---unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.'

(2 Corinthians 13:4-9)

'And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." '

(2 Corinthians 2:7-9)

We will need to receive the power that the Holy Spirit brings upon: for in order to be witnesses to Him, we need the strength to resist the temptation to rejoice only in His mercy and forgiveness, but ultimately His grace, His testimony. We need strength to become weak in Him, to persevere, for 'His strength is made perfect' there.

Every Man According to His Works

‘From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not happen unto thee." But he turned, and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS." '

(Matthew 16:21-27)

Which works? We must recognize when the Father reveals Christ Jesus to us; employ the keys of the kingdom of heaven, binding and loosing here on earth that which has been so in heaven. As the Holy Spirit reveals the testimony of Jesus, repent when correction comes, understanding how to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. The design of your salvation is in His hands, which we are required to WORK out with fear and trembling.

Being Predestined according to His Purpose

‘In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, BEING PREDESTINED according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ SHOULD BE to the praise of His glory.' (Ephesians 1:7-12)

As Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, prophesies in proportion to his faith; we must understand that 'no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation'. Therefore we are all predestined, and should understand and persevere to the praise of His glory. Each one's inheritance is obtained as we are being the predestined of God in Christ Jesus.

Let each Esteem other Better (Philippians 2:1-11)

‘If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.'

'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.'

'Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'

Are you willing to esteem Paul's testimony as better, relative to your current beliefs? Paul esteemed the lordship of Jesus Christ better; as Jesus Christ esteemed the calling and glory of God the Father. Let us esteem other better when it becomes obvious to us that it is better!

Recognize when Your Work is being burned. Paul did!

‘Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and ASKED letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." '(Acts 9:1-6)

'So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

 (1 Corinthians 3:7-15)

We see that Saul's works were burned on that Day on the road to Damascus. He asked the Lord: "What do You want me to do?" From that point on, his works were rewarded by God, through the fire.

Be Wise and Keep Asking!

‘And the foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the wise answered, saying, "No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves." And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.' 

(Matthew 25:8-10)

'So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who 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 11:9-13)

No matter how dark or bright 'the understanding' (1 John 5:20) is to you, if you ask the heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit, of the Holy Spirit you shall receive; leading you and guiding you into all truth. At some time you will recognize that you need it! Better to act right now than in distress at midnight.

‘Master, carest Thou not that We perish?'

‘And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them; and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.'

'And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, "Let us pass over to the other side." And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" '(Mark 4:33-41 KJV)

Their fear of the storm was exceeded by their amazement as to 'what manner of man' commands the storm, and it obeys. There are always going to be opportunities to fear circumstances, but in the storm these called out to the Master! He quelled the storm, and the fear of their demise, with supernatural power. Now they had another testimony with which to follow!

And LO, I am with You always

‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and LO, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen. 

(Matthew 28:19,20)

'And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' (Matthew 5:1-10)

So, as we understand what 'lo' could mean, we recognize that high-mindedness has no place in what Jesus taught and commanded His disciples.

Will He be with YOU always?

‘And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, HOW LONG SHALL I BE WITH YOU? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief (or, little faith); for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." '(Matthew 17:14-21)

'Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to OBSERVE ALL THINGS that I have commanded you; and lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even to the end of the age." Amen.' (Matthew 28:16-20)

Jesus asks the faithless and perverse, 'How long will I be with you?' He instructs those who had 'little faith' how to move from where they were to a place where they could be fruitful. And, He informs the disciples who would follow Him there that He would be with them always, even to the end of the age. Faith brings to Him, follows Him, ultimately fellowshipping with Him, always!

Ask in Faith, which was Once for All delivered to the Saints

‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ASK IN FAITH, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For (that doubting) let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.' (James 1:5-8)

'Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith WHICH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS.' (Jude v.3)

The testimony of Jesus Christ, from birth through death and resurrection, is the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Wisdom from God shows us how to proceed to and through 'the testimony that God has given of His Son' (1 John 5:10).

'In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Justice is TURNED BACK, and righteousness stands AFAR OFF; for truth has FALLEN in the street, and equity CANNOT enter.' (Isaiah 59:13,14) Asking is faith shall deliver us from duplicity to simplicity.

'He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.' (John 14:21)

His commandments lead to us to His testimony unto His victory!








































Ask in Faith, which was Once for All delivered to the Saints




'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ASK IN FAITH, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For (that doubting) let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.'(James 1:5-8)


'Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith WHICH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS.'(Jude v.3)


The testimony of Jesus Christ, from birth through death and resurrection, is the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Wisdom from God shows us how to proceed to and through 'the testimony that God has given of His Son'(1 John 5:10).


'In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Justice is TURNED BACK, and righteousness stands AFAR OFF; for truth has FALLEN in the street, and equity CANNOT enter.'(Isaiah 59:13,14) Asking is faith shall deliver us from duplicity to simplicity.


'He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.'(John 14:21)


His commandments lead to us to His testimony unto His victory!

Cretans and Their Prophets

‘For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but IN WORKS THEY DENY Him, being abominable (detestable), disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.' (Titus 1:10-16)

I hear many speakers disqualifying their listeners, and themselves, regarding works in the 'common faith' which Paul discusses with Titus. They regularly say "I'm not telling you that a person is saved by works!", or "salvation is though faith, and that a gift of God, not by works that we should boast!". Then, they go on to bring to light all the things that those folks won't DO; like pray, share their faith, gather together etc. When you inform a person that they are not saved by works, you had better qualify it: not by the works of the law of Moses, not by our own self-willed design, but by the message of the cross of Jesus Christ and believing in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead! Through faith in Christ, believing in the word/works of faith, no longer liars, evil, or lazy; nor prophets to those, allowing them to remain defiled and unbelieving.

Ask, Seek, Knock; Receive; Believe

‘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 as many as he needs.'

'So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who 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 11:5-13)

'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall RECEIVE power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' (Acts 1:7,8)

'But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way,' (Romans 10:6)

'But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and BELIEVE in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one BELIEVES unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' (Romans 10:8-10)

If you ask, seek, and knock for God to give you the Holy Spirit, you will not receive a stone, serpent, or scorpion; but power to be witnesses in understanding the righteousness of faith, and believe.