I am sitting on my lanai (screened patio) watching the sun rise, drinking a cup of coffee and reading my morning devotions.
The Rabbit
I spy a rabbit appearing to also be enjoying the same sunrise as he sits quietly, eating the dew wet grass, just outside my patio area.
I thought, “Rabbits are such cute creatures. They hurt no one and seem to enjoy what life they have, playing, eating and hiding. Yes, hiding. They are also food for predators. So, they have their nests or burrows or warrens, I like to call them their “hidey-holes”.
The Plant
I glance around and notice what appears to be a new plant in our landscaping. It is noticeable because it isn’t like the rest of the plants and flower. It is growing more quickly than the other plants and is beginning to loom above them.
So, I get up and go out into the landscaping to inspect this plant. It is a small tree indigenous to southern Florida. It is not an attractive tree and is considered to be an invasive plant. If it is not controlled, it will grow and spread quickly, overcoming the other plants in an area.
I pull the plant out by the roots and toss it aside and return to my seat on my lanai.
The Eagle
I am back in my chair and I continue to read. I hear a slight screech from above. I look and see and eagle, circling. The pond behind our house has fish, so I suspect this eagle is looking for a morning meal. Then my eyes catch the rabbit who is unaware of what is now overhead. I realize the rabbit may become the meal.
The Lesson
Rabbits are cute creatures. They contribute little except as a meal for predators. They live in relative fear, always staying close to their “hidey-holes”. Beyond that, they are just cute little creatures descended from the rodent family. Oh, yes, and they multiply.
When the come to an area they contribute little, barely change the environment and when they are gone, they are soon forgotten.
Invasive plants contribute little except as unwanted shade for other plants. Other plants will eventually die from the overwhelming influence of surrounding weed-like-plants. Invasive plants and trees are actually nothing more than a plant doing the work of a weed.
When these plants come to the environment they are considered a nuisance and are removed. No one misses them and are glad to be rid of them. Oh, yes, and they multiply.
Eagles are a spectacle. Eagles are large, powerfully built birds of prey, with heavy heads and beaks. Due to the size and power of many eagle species, they are ranked at the top of the food chain as apex predators in the avian world.
When an eagle comes to an area, the dynamics of that world are changed. Other animals in the eagle’s area are put on notice and go on guard. The area becomes the domain of the eagle to be of service to him and his offspring.
Eagles will probably live between 20-30 years. Some eagles in captivity have lived up to 50 years.
The Bald Eagle mates for life only mate with it’s own kind. If one of the pair dies, the other will find a new mate and usually keep going in the same territory.
Adults eagles may withhold food as the eaglets get near fledging, and encourage them to fly to a nearby perch to get their meal, but that’s about it. Usually, no coaxing is necessary and the eaglets are all too anxious to test their wings!
Given the option, eagles will choose a “super-canopy” for their nests, trees which rise above the rest of the trees with sturdy limbs and a commanding view of the surrounding terrain, which is also always very near to water. Typical nest heights are 50-125 feet high. The higher the better!
1. Don’t just be a rabbit. Don’t live in fear. Don’t be just a ‘meal ticket’. Don’t stay hidden. Don’t be a forgotten footnote.
2. Don’t be like an invasive weed. Don’t be a negative influence. Don’t overshadow others just to silence them. Don’t be the type others are glad to be rid of.
3. Be an Eagle. Change things around you for the better. Bring positive order to the world, make your domain serve for good. Be faithful to your own. Live long and prosper!
IMAGINE with me that a person stands up in the congregation of a church and loudly makes a statement, ending it with or implying, “This is what God says!”
It is a strange or risky thing, is it not, that someone using words which are not from the established Word of God, The Bible, would presume to speak for God? Saying or implying that God had given them some special words or special revelation?
They may be good and encouraging words. They may have even been the thoughts or images this person would think relating to God or what they think God might say.
BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THEY SAID they were saying – They were saying it is a WORD FROM GOD – BUT, IT IS NOT THE WORD OF GOD!
It is indeed presumptive to instruct the Assembly in extra-scriptural sayings.
It is one thing to repeat or to closely paraphrase the Word of God to a congregation, proclaiming “THUS SAYS THE LORD”, but it is quite another to imagine a saying or a clever word and deliver it as BEING A WORD FROM GOD.
WORDS OF CAUTION
1 Corinthians 14:20 , says, “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. Verse 21. In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord. Verse 22. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Verse 23. Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?
Matthew 5:18, says, “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Verse19. “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Revelation22:18, says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
GOOD INSTRUCTION
2 Timothy 3:14 , instructs, “You, however,continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4:1 , says,“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: Verse 2. preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ” John 3:5-7
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Have you ever walked into the middle of a conversation? You haven’t heard what the subject is about nor do you know what preceded the remarks you have just now heard. You might be puzzled? Nicodemus was puzzled.
It was as if Jesus is speaking from a different paradigm than Nicodemus. Jesus mind is set on His Father’s Words, so, anything you say to Him or ask of Him will get the response of the Father.
Nicodemus, (#1) a man of the Pharisees, (#2) a ruler of the Jews, (#3) came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. (John 3:2)”
Notice that Nicodemus is (#1) educated among the elite, and lawyer of renown; (#2) He is a ruler among the rulers of the Jews; (#3) Yet, he is sneaking around at night? Even the great Nicodemus is more concerned with appearances than with the Truth. Also notice that his statement is actually a confession and an interrogatory.
But, Jesus knowing that men cannot be trusted, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men (John 2:24).
Jesus has said before, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” (John 8:23), and this is reflected in this conversation with Nicodemus.
So, rather then engage Nicodemus on the pretense that he actually wants to know more about Him, Jesus goes to the point of Nicodemus’ visit and says to him “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Which, on the surface has nothing to do with what Nicodemus had posed. But, Nicodemus takes the bait and replies with, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
JESUS SEPARATES THE KINGDOMS – AGAIN!
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Nicodemus, the great teacher, now confounded, said to Jesus, “How can these things be?”
THIS SHOULD BE THE QUESTION ON ALL OF OUR MINDS
Shortly after this time, during a discussion between a Jew and disciples of John the Baptist, John repeats this teaching of “Separate Kingdoms” of Jesus by saying, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” (John 3:27)
John continues by uttering this most profound Truth:
“He who comes from above is above all,
he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth.
He who comes from heaven is above all. (verse 31)
Being born of water,“a natural earthly birth”, must be followed by being born of the Spirit, or literally, “born from above” in order to live as God has designed.
THE BIG LIE
It is Satan’s Lie, “You surly shall not die” that has cause untold billions of men, women and children to die having failed to complete the “True Life Cycle” of being “born of water and of the Spirit” so they could “enter into the kingdom of God”.
Do not be amazed that Jesus said that you must be born from above!
Are the seemingly “good coincidences” in our life good luck or are they a sign or an act of a gracious God? Are they a special gift or a miracle?
Are the seemingly “bad coincidences” in our life just a run of bad luck, a sign we are doing wrong or headed in the wrong direction in our life? Are they an obstacle to teach us or turn us aside? Are they an act of the devil?
When the farmer prays for rain and the vacationer prays for sunshine, whom does God favor? Who gets the “miracle” from God?
God says:
Matthew 5:45 “..,God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Lamentations 3:38 “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both good and ill go forth?
Isaiah4 5:6 “That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other,
7 “The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these.”
The potential for good fortune and for bad fortune is always present. Good and evil both exist. The presence of one does not validate the presence of the other; and the absence of one does not give room to the other. Both good and evil exist. And since they both exist we need to know how to discern and navigate our lives for good.
One of the Gifts and abilities given of the Holy Spirit is the ability to see and discern from a heavenly perspective, that is, from God’s perspective.
For example, the Apostle Paul prayed this for the Ephesian Christians: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling…and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe (Ephesians 1: 18-19).
Also, in 2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
The problem is that we don’t always see things clearly. It is like we are squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But we can have the weather clear and the sun shine bright! We can see it all as clearly as God sees.
(“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12)
We need our eyes opened so we may see what God would have us see. So we can see our way.
The Good News is that God has made a way – even when there doesn’t seem to be a way.(1 Corinthians 10:13)
He has made the “crooked paths straight” for anyone who can “See” and is willing to trust Him. (Isaiah 45:2)
He sees the beginning from the end on our behalf and He is providing a way for you and for me. (Isaiah 46:10)
Deuteronomy 30:15 tell us to, “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.”
When you have trained your mind and the “eyes of your heart” you will “see God” and you will see as God sees.
“1 Timothy 6:16 says that no one can see God and yet Matthew 5:8 tells us that the pure in heart WILL see God. Is there a sense in which we will be able to ‘see’?
“There are the two ways we can see God:
“1. We use the word “see” to mean that we finally understand and discern the beauty and glory of God after being blind to it. Like when we say: Oh, now I see. Our soul is tuned in to the glory so that the glory of God that shines through the gospel is seen as glorious, and we are no longer spiritually blind to it. That is the first way we see him.
“To see God’s glory is to understand and discern the beauty of God after being blind to it.”
“2. And the second way is that, in the narrative of the Bible, we see the glory of God and finally we will see him face to face through Christ — by seeing Christ. So, John 1:14, 18 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. So, we see God by seeing Jesus. And 1 John 3:2, “We know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
“So, the implication is: Pursue purity of heart, purity of faith, purity of life so that your heart is able to see God’s beauty as what it really is in the Scripture, and so that, when he comes or when he calls us in death, we will see him face to face and be glorified with him. (John Piper)
It is then that our “miracle” occurs.
Having the Living Christ within us, and straining to obtain the mind of Christ as our own, we are thereby being transformed through the renewing or our minds, and in our mortal bodies proving the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Then, almost imperceptibly, though we were once blind, we now SEE! A special discernment or knowing overcomes us and we are drawn to that which is good and right, to that which is pure and honorable and lovely in His Sight.
It is no mistake that your soul will abide in prosperity, and your descendants will inherit the land. (Psalm 25:13)
And you will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever your do, you prosper. (Psalm 1:3)
Now, set your eyes on things above!
Colossians 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Luke 24:12 “But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.
v13 “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. v14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.”
Most have their own self-image of Jesus and self perception of how He must act. How could they recognize Him?
FUTHERMORE, I am pretty sure most self-described Christians in the year 2020 would not like Jesus once they encountered Him.
Most have failed to read about Jesus in the right context of the Bible, so naturally they would have a twisted and misconstrued view of Him.
Jesus was plain spoken, except when He wasn’t.
Jesus always told it “like is was”, which was not always pretty. The modern and postmodern scribes and theologians have sanitized and scrubbed Bible language to be palatable to a modern and postmodern audience.
When He did not speak plainly it was because it was in a parable in order to hide the Truth from those who do not believe. Jesus was clear that non-believers do not have the right to possess the power which comes from the Truth! So, He leaves them in the dark. None-the-less, even His parables, once understood, were profoundly simple and powerfully true!
Jesus was kind and gentle, except when He wasn’t.
I have met some men who have a unique balance between justice and mercy. They are a very rare breed. They are so confident in what they know and believe as right, that they rarely lose their composure or temper.
They are slow to make a judgment, but once it is made, they are even slower to undo what they have decided or decreed.
They extend mercy to the merciful and to those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. But, their judgment to one who has shown no mercy will be merciless. But always, their mercy is just and it triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12-13; Matthew 5:7)
Once you understand Jesus, you will understand true justice, and you will understand real mercy, and you will understand that every response of Jesus is according to His Purpose and His Plan:
John12:44 “And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45“He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47“If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48“He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
WE ARE TO BE men and women who have a unique balance between justice and mercy. We are to be a very rare breed. We are to be so confident in what we know and believe as right, that we rarely lose our composure or temper.
We are to be slow to make a judgment, but once it is made, We are to be even slower undoing what we have decided or decreed.
We are to extend mercy to the merciful and to those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. But, our judgment to one who has shown no mercy will be merciless. But always, our mercy is just and it triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12-13; Matthew 5:7)
May God grant us the wisdom, courage and ability and show us mercy and to KNOW HIM!
“While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;
” for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26–28).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Disciples of Jesus, are commanded by Him, to practice this ordinance in memory of Him. It was meant, then, and is still meant today, to remind us, the disciples of Jesus of what He has done and continues to do for us.
It is also to remind us to stay vigilant, always ready, in season and out of season, to spread the Good News and to give The Reason for our Hope.
His Body and Blood must be constant and intimate reminders of Who and What Jesus is to the believer. The images and emotions we plant in our heart and mind through this intimate act is one of His Body and His Blood coming into our mortal body and mind and cleansing us, strengthening us, saving us, protecting us and providing for us.
We should dwell, ruminate and meditate on these matters, often, allowing them to sink deep into our conscious mind, our subconscious mind, our soul and spirit:
1. The Body of Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35
YOU WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. v54
YOU WILL LIVE IN THE SAFETY AND POWER OF CHRIST: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. v56
YOU WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE: “This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.” v58
2. The Blood of Jesus is the remission of sins.
In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1Cornithians11:25
YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN: For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28
“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:56
YOU ARE MADE CLEAN: And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews9:22
3. A caution and a warning.
“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27
“But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. v28
“For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. v29
“For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep (die). v30
“But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.” v31, v32
The New Testament tells us that this rite was instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper as He was giving His disciples bread and wine during a Passover meal. Jesus commanded his disciples to “do this in memory of me” while referring to the bread as “my body” and the cup of wine as “the new covenant in my blood”. Through the eucharistic celebration Christians remember both Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His commission of the apostles at the Last Supper. (Wikipedia)
Now, it is your turn:
HOW MUST YOU DO IT?
HOW MUST YOU TEACH IT?
Dear Friends, please remember, “The State” would tell you otherwise, but, Jesus and The Bible tells you…
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, Aroyal PRIESTHOOD, AHOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FORGod’sOWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9
THE SECRET OFMEDITATING ON AND MEMORIZING THE WORD OF GOD
THE ORACLE: John 15:7 is an oft overlooked or misunderstood and often misused verse. When taken in the correct context and applied diligently, a door to the Kingdom of God is opened which no man can shut.
It is “The Key of David”, a term found in Revelation and Isaiah. A key indicates control or authority; therefore, having the Key of David would give one control of David’s domain, Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel. The fact that, in Revelation 3:7, Jesus holds this key shows that He is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, the ruler of the New Jerusalem, and the Lord of the kingdom of heaven.
John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
THE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS: The effects and benefits of abiding in Christ and having His Words abide in you and vast and wide ranging. The following list is by no means exhaustive. Perhaps starting here will motivate you to begin a regular time of meditating on and memorizing God’s Word.
REDUCES STRESS: Many styles of meditation can help reduce stress. Meditation can also reduce symptoms in people with stress-triggered medical conditions.
Romans 8:6 “…the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace”.
REDUCES ANXIETY: Habitual meditation helps reduce anxiety and anxiety-related mental health issues like social anxiety, phobias and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
Psalm 4:4 Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.
PROMOTES EMOTIONAL HEALTH: Some forms of meditation can improve depression and create a more positive outlook on life. Research shows that maintaining an ongoing habit of meditation may help you maintain these benefits long term.
Proverbs 3:1 ¶ My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.
PROMOTES PHYSCIAL HEALTH: Good emotional health helps promote good physical health. Research shows that maintaining an ongoing habit of meditation could help develop lasting benefits and so much more if you memorize the Word of God.
Proverbs 3;5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 ¶ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
ENHANCES AWARENESS: Meditation can help you know your surrounding, environment, situations and conditions. This can be a starting point for making positive changes.
IMPROVES ATTENTION SPAN: Meditating on God’s Word may build your ability to redirect and maintain attention. As little as four days of meditation may have an effect.
REDUCE MEMORY LOSS: The improved focus you can gain through regular meditation on God’s Word may increase memory and mental clarity. These benefits can help fight age-related memory loss and dementia.
GENERATE KINDNESS: Loving-kindness focused meditation increases a positive mindset, can create empathy and compassion toward others.
Psalm 77:6 I will remember my song in the night; I will meditate with my heart, And my spirit ponders:
7 Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again?
8 Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.
10 Then I said, “It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed.”
11 ¶ I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples.
15 You have by Your power redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
MAY HELP FIGHT ADDICTIONS: Meditation develops mental discipline and can help you avoid triggers for unwanted impulses. This can help you recover from addiction, lose weight and redirect other unwanted habits.
IMPROVES SLEEP: Meditation can help you relax and control the “runaway” thoughts that can interfere with sleep. This can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and increase sleep quality.
Psalm 63:6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 ¶ For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek my life to destroy it, Will go into the depths of the earth.
10 They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; They will be a prey for foxes.
11 But the king will rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him will glory, For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.
HELPS CONTROL PAIN: Meditation can diminish the perception of pain in the brain. This may help treat chronic pain when used as a supplement to medical care or physical therapy.
CAN DECREASE BLOOD PRESSURE: Blood pressure decreases not only during meditation, but also over time in individuals who meditate regularly. This can reduce strain on the heart and arteries, helping prevent heart disease.
CAN INCREASE EFFICIECNY AND SUCCESS: Help focus your attention on the important details needed to increase efficiency, effectiveness which can lead to greater success and profitability.
Joshua 1:7“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
PROVIDES SAFETY IN THOUGHT AND ACTIONS: Meditating on the promises of God for provision and safety can create and peaceful mindset in many circumstances.
Psalms 27:3Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.
4One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
5For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
6And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
I pray that the Lord direct you in the way of wisdom and lead you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble. Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
I don’t mean to be irreverent or impolite, but sometimes when you are feeling alone, even in a crowd, you just need a friend, a pal, like Jesus. So, try this. (I trust it will help)
“I no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I call you friends”. (paraphrase) John 15:15
Feeling overwhelmed sometimes? Feeling Alone? Sit. Quiet yourself. Call out softly to God. Now wait – expectantly.
You just call out My Name And you know wherever I am I’ll come runnin’ to see you again Winter, spring, summer or fall All you have to do is call And I’ll be there You’ve got a friend
If the sky above you Grows dark and full of clouds And that ol’ north wind begins to blow Keep your head together And call my name out loud Soon you’ll hear Me knockin’ at your door
You just call out My Name And you know wherever I am I’ll come runnin’ to see you again Winter, spring, summer or fall All you have to do is call And I’ll be there
Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend When people can be so cold They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you And take your soul if you let them Oh, but don’t you let them
You just call out My Name And you know wherever I am I’ll come runnin’ to see you again Winter, spring, summer or fall All you have to do is call And I’ll be there You’ve got a friend
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would
have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
“For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” Matthew 24:42-44
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
These are some to the most dire and clearest warnings given by Jesus about His Return and the necessity of our readiness. Pay close attention and do what He says or be left behind!
The context of these words start in
Matthew 24:32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;
33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
First, some literary housekeeping: There are various discussions and debates about the supposed complexity and intricacies of these verses.
Some theologians say these verses lead one to believe there will be “two Second Comings of Jesus” – which is utter nonsense. Believe it or not, Jesus can do more than one thing at a time!
Others wrestle with the wording of the metaphor in verse 32 which says, “you will know when summer is near” and a seeming contradiction found in verse 42 which says “you do not know which day your Lord is coming”. This too is nonsense. Clearly, it reads that you will know the “season” but not “the exact day”.
Some “theologians” wrestle with the idea of Jesus being compared to a “thief in the night”. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” Once again, this is nonsense. These are two separate statements, connected only by sequence of events.
#1 – “be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” is a stand-alone statement of fact.
#2 – “the thief” is a warning and a direct reference to the breaking of the 6th Seal, The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb, which will seem like a “thief breaking into your home, stealing your goods and harming you and your family”.
The wording of our focus verses (Matthew 24:32-44) is made clear when you and read these verses in context of the preceding verses in Matthew 24:29-31.
v29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.
31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
IMPORTANT: Verse 29 says “But immediately after the tribulation of those days“which is a reference to the beginning of the tribulation period, also known as the “Days of Distress”. This period is described by Jesus in Matthew 24 verses 3 through 28.
They are also found in Revelation 6:1-11 and are named the “Seals” of the tribulation. Seal ONE through Seal FIVE have already been opened or are being opened and are ongoing events, all of which began sometime between AD 1 and AD 90.
NOTE:The 6th Seal will mark the beginning of the a period, known variously as “The Day of Wrath”, “The End of Days”, “The Wrath of the Lamb” and “The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”.
If you read our focus verses in Matthew 24 in the context of the entire chapter you will see why this is such an important warning.
AN ONGOING ALERT
Jesus words, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” take on a new and urgent meaning when you realize we are on the verge of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Seal 6).
The ALERT mentioned in Matthew 24:42 is an ongoing ALERT! We must stay ever vigilant and ready for Jesus’ return.
Finally, and just before the opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal, two important events must occur:
These events are likened to a thief breaking into your home at night and robbing you, destroying your home and harming you and your family.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
These events could occur at any moment. You and I must be ready in a moment’s notice in “a blink of the eye”. We must stay on alert if we are to escape this calamity, keep our homes and family safe, and join Jesus when “He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
The world is suffering convulsions. Some parts of America are in chaos. Too many Christians are wondering, WHAT NOW, WHAT NEXT? We stand by and watch in disbelief and some in despair.
That is not our calling! The Bible says “fear not” repeatedly. “Be of strong courage”.
Here is a self-described SPIRITUAL CONSTITUTION and a BILL OR OUR RIGHTS according to the Bible!
This is A CALLING and our MARCHING ORDERS. The time is at hand. His return is near. Don’t be found sitting and watching. TO ACTION, ALL!
(Videos at end of this page)
GOD APPOINTED RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A disciple of Jesus, also known as a child of God, also known as a Christian, you have certain secure and inviolable rights and responsibilities.
(NOTE: This preamble is derived from Matthew 18:19; the interpretation is from the New Testament Greek text, NASB version, using Strong’s lexicon and dictionary and printed in all CAPITAL letters.)
PREAMBLE:
You have been given you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever YOU DISCERN AND DECIDE TO bind on earth, WHETHER PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE, shall have been bound in heaven, AND THAT ACTION IS COMPLETE, ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME AND EVERYONE SHALL BE BOUND BY THAT ACTION FOR ALL TIMES, and whatever YOU DECIDE TO loose RELEASE, ANNUL, DISOLVE, DESTROY, OVERTHROW OR DO AWAY WITH on earth shall have been loosed in heaven AND THAT ACTION IS COMPLETE, ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME AND EVERYONE SHALL BE BOUND BY THAT ACTION FOR ALL TIMES. (*Matthew18:18, Matthew 16:19)
Hereby considering that you have confessed with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved; for with the heart you believe, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth your confessed, resulting in salvation. (*Romans 10:9, 11)
Hereby considering that you confess and believe That Jesus is The Christ, The Son of the living God.” (*Matthew16:16)
And, considering that all things are created by God through and by His Word; (*John 1:3)
And considering that the lower kingdoms of this world are subject to the higher Kingdom of God; (*Hebrews 10:13, Romans 14:11)
And considering that Jesus has all authority granted to Him in heaven and earth; (*Matthew 28:18)
And considering that He has granted His Authority to His Disciples to bind or loose what is on the lower kingdoms to be subject to the righteous, permanent and inviolable powers of God in heaven; (*Matthew18:18, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 10:1)
You are hereby appointed to go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; (*Matthew28:18-20)
You are hereby conferred the authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. (*Matthew10:1)
It has hereby been granted to you that all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. (*Matthew21:22))
It has herby been granted that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses even to the remotest part of the earth. (*Acts 1:8)
TO WIT:
ARTICLE I. CREATION – CAUSE – CAUSATION
You were created for by God for His purpose. You come from the Invisible God, and you are sustained by God. You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
KINGDOM PRINCIPLES:
WHAT IS SEEN, COMES FROM THE UNSEEN.
GOD IS THE INVISIBLE GOD.
THE WORD IS WITH GOD.
GOD, BY HIS WORD, IS THE CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF ALL THINGS.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
Colossians 1:13 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Hebrews11:3 “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
ARTICLE II. DIVIDING THE KINGDOMS
You are not of this world because He chose you out of this world. You are from God, little child, and you have overcome those of the world; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
KINGDOM PRINCIPLES:
THE GREATER RULES OVER THE LESSER.
THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE SUBJECT TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
GOD HAS CHOSEN US OUT OF THIS WORLD AND INTO HIS KINGDOM.
HE WHO IS IN ME IS GREATER THAN HE WHO IS IN THIS WORLD.
John 8:23, Jesus says“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.”
In John 18:36, Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Jesus tells us in John 15:19 that we are not of this world, either, because He chose us out of this world.
1 John 4:4 “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
ARTICLE III. BINDING AND LOOSING
Jesus has said to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
Again He has said to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst, remembering this it is God Who does the works though you, an obedient and yielded friend of Jesus – His disciple.
KINGDOM PRINCIPLES:
GOD. ALONE, CONFERS AUTHORITY.
YOU MAY “BIND” ONLY BY GOD’S AUTHORITY.
YOU MAY “LOOSE” ONLY BY GOD’S AUTHORITY.
YOU, ALSO, WILL BE BOUND OR LOOSED BY THE AUTHORITY GOD GRANTS YOU.
“BINDING” AND “LOOSING” ARE SERIOUS MATTERS AND THEIR EFFECT IS PERMANENT.
Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.
17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
21 ¶ Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
THIS SOLEMN APPOINTMENT ATTESTED TO AND SIGNED BY JESUS: “And, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Witnessed by your Brother and Friend, Mike Young
PS: By scrolling further down this page you will find the scripture references used and related to this article and Spiritual Constitution.
THEOLOGIAN, FRANCIS SCHAEFFER
RECAPITULATION & FOOTNOTES:
Interpreted, subscribed and taken from the text in Matthew18:18 “Truly I say to you, whatever YOU DECIDE TO bind on earthWHETHER PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE, shall have been bound in heaven AND THAT ACTION IS COMPLETE, ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME AND EVERYONE SHALL BE BOUND BY THAT ACTION FOR ALL TIMES; and whatever YOU DECIDE TO loose RELEASE, ANNUL, DISOLVE, DESTROY, OVERTHROW OR DO AWAY WITH on earth shall have been loosed in heaven AND THAT ACTION IS COMPLETE, ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME AND EVERYONE SHALL BE BOUND BY THAT ACTION FOR ALL TIMES.”
19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:13 “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earthshall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
BIND = DEO aorist/active/subjunctive = no regard to past present of future time/the subject is the doer of the action/the mood of possibility and
BOUND = DEO perfect/passive/participle = the action has been completed in the past once and for all not needing to be repeated/the subject is the recipient of the action/ ing or ed, a verbal noun, has the characteristics of both a verb and an adjective
Binding and being bound referred to as having or granting authority in decision making and the granting the authority to act on that decision and the power to complete it.
Footnotes:
Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:19 “And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:23 “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
Matthew 9:37 “Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. v38 “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
Matthew 10:1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Mark 16:17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; v18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. v19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
v20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus is The Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Jesus and He in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Jesus you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in Jesus, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
If you abide in Jesus, and His words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. The Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be Jesus’ disciples.
No longer does Jesus call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but Jesus has called you friends, for all things that I have heard from His Father, He has made known to you.
You did not choose Jesus but He chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in Jesus name He may give to you.
We are at war. Like it or not. So, what shall we do? First, we must understand the CONTEXT!
As an example: I was talking with friends about the rapture. One of them said the rapture could happen at any moment because all scripture had been fulfilled.
I suggested that 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 says differently.
My friend became a bit animated and says, “That is talking about the Tribulation and not the raptures because it is about our gathering with Him after the rapture. We will never experience the tribulation.”
I then suggested they might try reading 2nd Thessalonians 2:1 for CONTEXT which says, “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being…
Furthermore, the CONTEXT for “The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him” can be found in Matthew 24:29, which says,
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”
This event is also found in Revelation Chapter 6, verse 12 and says,
“I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;
13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Which, IN CONTEXT of the whole Bible, shows that “the gathering to Him” which is found in 2nd Thessalonians 2:1occurs after the 5th Seal of the Tribulation is opened, which means we will experience the first 5 Seals of Tribulation.
NEXT, 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 goes on to say, ” Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first.”
Which is a great falling away from God through faith in Jesus Christ, which is just now beginning. It is a world-wide phenomenon.
FINALLY, 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 also says, “3 ¶ Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction”
This man is also known as the anti-Christ and the son of perdition. He has not be revealed yet.
My friend retorts “He (the anti-Christ) won’t be revealed until after the Rapture!”
I simply said, please re-read 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction”.
My friend blinked at me and said, “Well…..” Unconvinced and uninformed.
NOW TO MY MAIN POINT about CONTEXT
The End of Days are well under way. We now find ourselves in world-wide circumstances which strongly suggest that we are into the breaking of the 5th Seal of the Tribulation which marks the beginning of the Great Apostasy, the love of many growing cold, a period of great persecution, anarchy and the revealing of the anti-Christ.
And let me say, if you believe you will escape the first 5 Seals, just relax. You have already been through most of the first 5 Seals!
It is the 6th Seal you better hope you will miss because the Wrath of God begins with the 6th Seal and the 6th Seal marks the beginning of the 7 Years (Daniel’s Seventieth Week) of THE GREAT TRIBULATION which is the period of GOD’S WRATH, also known as the GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD, and the RAPTURE)
– TIME IS SHORT –
THE WAR HAS BEGUN – WE ARE UNDER ATTACK
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?
Most of what I read, outside the Bible, which is being written or said by Christian Leaders is a muddled mix of
“Be kind and gentle like Jesus”,
“We are sheep to the slaughter”,
“Win people to Christ while we have time” and
“Don’t Worry – God’s Got This”
There is truth scattered around in those types of statements, but it is OUT OF THE CONTEXT of the entire Bible.
But, most of what I read inside the Bible says another thing all together. But it must be read INCONTEXT of the entire Bible!
In this article, I will only address what our response to the End of Days should be ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, and not about our preparation FOR the End of Days.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
In the entire Old Testament, when the House or Nation of Israel (God’s People) was under assault for reasons other than God’s Discipline, they responded according to their circumstances – IN CONTEXT OF THE ASSAULT. (I.e., when their lives were threatened they defend their lives with a violent forceful response. When their food source was threatened by famine they responded with the agricultural technology they had. When their water source was threatened by drought, they didn’t go to war, they looked for alternate sources. CONTEXT!) The instances of how ISRAEL responded to EVIL and threats on their lives, are so numerous that I will only cite this one example but I will add a link to other great battles SO YOU CAN SEE THE CONTEXT AND THE PATTERN OF THE BIBLE:
DAVID’S CAMP WAS RAIDED AND DAVID RESPONDED
1 Samuel 30:1 “Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; 2 and they took captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great, without killing anyone, and carried them off and went their way.”
1 Samuel 30:8 “David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” And He said to him, “Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all.”
1 Samuel 30:16 “When he had brought him down, behold, they (the Amalekites) were spread over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.
17David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.
18 So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. 19 But nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that they had taken for themselves; David brought it all back.
20 So David had captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, “This is David’s spoil.”
What is the CONTEXT of David’s response?
David and his camp were attacked by evil men
David inquired of the Lord
God told David that he would prevail
David hunted the evil men down
David and his men attacked and slaughtered the evil men
David and his men took their property back
David also took the Amalikite’s property as spoils of war
David divided the spoil among the faithful men in his camp
That is the pattern and THE CONTEXT of the correct response. Here Other Great Battles In Ancient Israeli And Biblical History to help with CONTEXT:
The New Testament does not diminish our right and our capacity to fight battles, resist and overcome the enemy – it enhances it. But it must be kept in CONTEXT.
The CONTEXT begins with Jesus teaching about 2 Kingdoms:
1. The Kingdom of Heaven a.k.a., The Kingdom of God
2. The kingdoms of this world.
Jesus always separates the two kingdoms in His Teaching, and instructs us that the kingdoms of this world are subject to the Kingdom of God!
In other words, you cannot successfully respond to an earthly threat (attacks, assaults, etc.) from an earthly perspective. You see the CONTEXT from a heavenly perspective!
Jesus’ Teaching and Response about confronting evil and the End of Days
Let’s see what the Bible really says about how we are to prepare and how we should respond, using Jesus as our model.
Many times we see a circumstance from our own personal earthly mindset or worldview. This can cause us to misread or misinterpret what is really going on and how we can understand what we are actually seeing and how we should respond.
We, as Christians,
must know what the Bible really says
in the context of how it was said,
why it was said and
we must know how to apply it.
And, Jesus is the only place we can find The Truth of these matters.
A pastor and friend of mine liked to say, “Remember to be kind and gentle like Jesus”. And, yes, that is right. But keeping Jesus’ behavior and words in context of the situations He found Himself, you will find that there were times when Jesus would respond to evil and say things you may not have expected. For example,
Jesus’ response was always IN CONTEXT. Jesus’ response was always RIGHTEOUS and sometimes indignant! But, make no mistake, when called for, He was not always gentle, but He was always Right!
EPHESIANS 6 gives us the Perfect outline for CONTEXT: (The red lettering tells you what it says and what to, the black lettering tells you what it means)
6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
6:15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil
6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and
with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly,as I ought to speak.
6:21 But that you also may know about my circumstances,
OUTLINED:
Be Strong in the Lord
Put on His Full Armor
Stand firm against evil
Pray at all times
Know your circumstances (CONTEXT)
What about the END OF DAYS?
Jesus tells us in Mathew 24:31-50 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;
So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
v 50 “For, the Master will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
CONTEXT: These are serious and terminal matters. And, God is calling. CONTEXT: You are called and you must respond. You have a role to fill. CONTEXT: You will engage and be engaged by the enemy which is evil. CONTEXT: Prepare. Engage. Endure. Overcome!
Some of you will be called on as Pastors by way of a “field promotion”
Some of you will be called on as Evangelists by way of a “field promotion”
Some of you will be called on to resist the devil and his armies by way of a “field promotion”
Some of you will be called on as martyrs and will die for your testimony and because of His Word
We all will be called to engage the enemy and to preach the Gospel
Finally, a word of encouragement. Hebrew 10:35-38 tells us “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
“FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.
“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.“
Consider what Jesus has taught us, shown us and commanded of us – and let’s not shrink back for He goes before us.
CONTEXT: The battle is ours! Let’s get on with it!
“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:39–40).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The face-value reading of these verses explains it all.
Is it any wonder why so many professing Christians are called “hypocrites” by those outside the faith? So few of us are practicing this commandment: “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF”.
Most of what Jesus taught goes against our human nature which makes His Teachings so very hard to do.
But, why should this be difficult if the Spirit of God changes our nature:
Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Read what the Apostle Paul has to say about this conundrum:
Romans 7:18 “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
Why is this so important?
1. The mark of a True Christian is being sanctified, daily.
Leviticus 20:7 says, “You shall sanctify yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. 8‘ You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”
2. The mark of a True Christian practices Spiritual discipline.
Philippians 2:12 “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
3. The entire Law of God and all the teaching of the Prophets rests on these two “Greatest Commandments”.
“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Matthew 22:37-39
“Biblical Prosperity” may not be what you thought. Keeping your understanding and practice of the Word of God in context of His Word – it will be the difference.
Here is where to start:
1. Know and follow Jesus as His disciple. This is the hard one. So many people believe they are Christians because they followed some “Plan of Salvation”.
But, John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (Matthew 3:16)
And, verse 21 tells us that “He who practices the truth comes to the Light (Jesus), so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
One way to check on this is by your prayer life, your attitude toward others and your humility before God.
Another test is do you exercise Spiritual disciplines or do you do what seems right or feels right or do you do what is right? If you only do what ‘feels good’ you are on the wrong basis.
(Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.)
Until you are truly a follower and a disciple of Jesus, what is written here will NOT work for you.
2. Know and understand the CONTEXT of what Jesus represents and taught.
(a) Jesus came into the world to save people from perishing.
(b) Jesus became ‘sin’ on our behalf and took the punishment of sin for us. His teachings and actions reflect and work to this end.
(c) Jesus’ mindset regarding everything He said or taught was from a Spiritual (Heavenly) Perspective. (Philippians 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,)
In other words, the material world emanates from the Spiritual realm and is controlled by the Spiritual realm. We come from the Spiritual realm and will return to that realm, whether it is with God in Heaven or you perish into outer darkness and into Hell. Jesus teaches this and until you understand this and adopt it as your basis for learning, you will never receive His Blessings and you will miss the Prosperity Jesus is offering.
3. Abide in Him and put His Word in you. Dwell, Meditate, Speak and Act.
John 7:15“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
Matthew21:21 “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Sound easy? Think again. Read what Jesus says about His Teachings.
I. You must be born of water and The Spirit in order “to see and hear”
(that is, “to understand and to do”)
Matthew 13:1 “That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.
2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.
3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying,“Behold, the sower went out to
sow;
4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.
5 “Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.
6 “But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 “Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.
8 “And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.
9 “He who has ears, let him hear.”
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
(THE ORACLE)* 11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
(THE ORACLE)* V14 “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
17 “For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower.
19 “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
20 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.
22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
23 “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”
II. Blessings and Prosperity must begin on the ‘inside’ (the Spiritual Realm) in order to manifest in the natural world.
3 John 3:2“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
1. Every good material gift (blessing) comes from, emanates from, originates as, a Spiritual Blessing. Even then, the material gift fades, but the Spiritual Gift remains. It is never the other way around. PUT YOUR FOCUS, YOUR MIND, ALWAYS ON THE SPIRITUAL, on the things above.
2. Matthew 6:19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.23“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
II. Blessings & Prosperity of the Soul are Eternal,
material blessings fade
1. Another way to see that the ‘material world’ is fading is found in Romans 8, which tells us that the mind set on the flesh, is DEATH. But, the mind set on The Spirit of God, is life and peace (Spiritual Blessings and Prosperity).
but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
III. BIBLICAL PROSPERITY
Now that we have established that
You must be born again to experience the blessing and prosperity from God
The Blessings and Prosperity from God are of a Spiritual Nature
The natural blessings which manifest or flow from the Spiritual (life) are temporary and fade (death)
Spiritual Blessings and Gifts are Eternal
You cannot serve both God and wealth
You must stay focused on things Above, that is, on the Spiritual (GOD)
IV. Here are the Blessings of Spiritual Prosperity
1. ETERNAL LIFE:John3:14“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
John 3:16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
2. ABUNDANT LIFE:John10:9“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
3. PROSPERITY AND GOOD HEALTH: 3 John 3:2“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
4. MANIFEST BLESSINGS:
OBEY GOD: Deuteronomy28:1“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, The LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
IRRESISTIBLE BLESSINGS: v2“All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:
OMNIPRESENT BLESSINGS: 3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.
GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS: 4 “Blessed shall be the offspring of your bodyand the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock.
NATURAL BLESSING: v5“ Blessed shall be your basketand your kneading bowl.
CONTINUAL BLESSINGS: v6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
PROTECTIVE BLESSINGS: 7“The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.
OMNISCIENT BLESSINGS: 8“The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to,and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
HOLY BLESSINGS: 9“The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. 10“So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you.
ABUNDANT BLESSINGS: 11“The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.
ESTABLISHED BLESSINGS: 12“The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
BLESSINGS OF AUTHORITY:13 “The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully,
Do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
THE LEFT and THE RIGH translates from the Hebrew language as:
When you have a need or are praying for a blessing, do not turn to the “RIGHT” hand of personal effort or in your own strength
Nor to the “LEFT” hand of wrapping yourself up in the cares of this world so as to make your request in your own image (imagination)
As Joshua 1:7 says “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.
This is a long read, but, put into practice is a BLESSING!
“And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment.
“But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
“and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
And Jesus said to them, When He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching Him closely.
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
Jesus asks, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But the Pharisees kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him and sent him away.(The Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath)
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus.
When you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
STOP THE SELF INDULGENCE
In Luke 18:22, Jesus told the ‘rich young ruler’ if he wanted eternal life that he would need to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, then come and follow Jesus.
GIVE – WITH NO REWARD IN MIND
The last item in this list can be the most difficult. We are to give with no reward in mind. It should remind us of at least two other profound Teachings of Jesus:
Luke 6:38 which tells us to “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Now, it is your turn:
HOW MUST YOU DO IT?
HOW MUST YOU TEACH IT?
All we do is for the Glory of God, alone.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
We are living in a time where the “State” has largely replaced God in our lives. What the Church used to do (or does in a very limited fashion) The “State” now does, but with serious consequences.
The “State” provides food, clothing, housing, medical care, social welfare income, social security retirement income, disability income, mandated education, government funded abortions, job training, etc., regardless of your beliefs, lifestyle or habits, morals or ethics.
WE, the CHURCH are abdicating our role and responsibility. We must care for and provide for our pastors. But, the average church spends 70% to 80%+ of its buildings, debt, income on salaries, retirement plans, healthcare plans, perks, etc., for pastors and staff. Even the best missions programs top of their giving at an average of just 5%. Even once the mission money is delivered, it to goes largely to the same budgetary items.
We go to our church buildings and worship in relative luxury while the world around us becomes more and more secular, more hostile to Christianity and lost to God.
WE, THE CHURCH, THE SAINTS OF GOD, HIS CHILDREN, MUST RECLAIM THIS TERRITORY!
I pray that God will forgive me – forgive us – and that we will submit ourselves, our luxuries, our wants to Him. That I – that we – have the will and the courage to repent and follow Him, fully devoted, fully surrendered, all in!
