Month: January 2021

JUST LIVE WITH IT

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (17)For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

(25 ) “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

“Walk in the Spirit” translated literally says, “I walk, in an ethical sense: I conduct my life, live according to the Spirit of God; to make the best use of my opportunities” so that I am not consumed or pursuing lustful or selfish, self-centered matters.”

It is vitally important to take notice and understand what it means that the Spirit and the flesh are ‘contrary’ to one another.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

To “walk” in the Bible is often a metaphor for practical daily living. The Christian life is a journey, and we are to “walk” it, that is, we are to make consistent forward progress. The biblical norm for all believers is that they walk in the Spirit: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”.

The statement that “the Spirit and the flesh are ‘contrary’ to one another”, besides meaning they counteract or repel one another, it literally says the Spirit pushes down on or through the flesh, “so that you cannot do the things you want to do”.

This carries the idea of being double-minded, and, James (1:7)warns that a person “ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, (8)while being double-minded, as they are unstable in all their ways.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Again, it is vitally important to take notice that the Spirit and the flesh are ‘contrary’ to one another. In other words, they counter act or repel one another “so that you cannot do the things you want to do”. Unless you correct this state of affairs, you are inert and basically, ‘good for nothing but to be trod under foot of man’, as Jesus puts it.

Secondly, and here is where it gets tricky, we are basically back to the principal of “Binding and Loosing”, and this is KEY!  (words in parentheses are my notes; words in brackets are footnotes at the bottom of this page)

Matthew 18:18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you [r] bind on earth (*the flesh)[s] shall have been bound in heaven (*the Spirit); and whatever you [t] loose on earth (*the flesh) [u] shall have been loosed in (*the Spirit) heaven.

(19) “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth (*the flesh) about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them [v] by My Father who is in heaven (*the Spirit). 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” 

BINDING AND LOOSING – A SERIOUS MATTER. The Bible says that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven; in other words, once a matter is bound in heaven, then it will be manifest on earth. It is a covenant with God and is a serious matter. God is saying that if you are going to enter into a covenant agreement with Him as His disciple, the standards of such a covenant are “high as the heavens are from the earth”, and the discipline necessary is impossibly strict, in the flesh, and can only be done by way of the Spirit of God, and the commitment is for life.

When you make a “causal statement” such as, found in James 4:13, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” (14) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. (15 ) Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that”, you are, in essence, making a VOW.

(Notice I said C-A-U-S-A-L, not casual. A statement of intent to do or create something)

When you make a statement with your mouth, it is as if you are making a vow before the Lord. (A spoken word, made “by the living voice” is translated as “Rhḗma”, from Strong’s concordance #4483, /rhéō, “to speak”) – a spoken word, made “by the living voice”.  See John 15:7).

This is an important point.  It is important enough that Matthew 12:36 warns us“…that for every idle (careless, useless, lazy, barren) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. (37) For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” So, Matthew 5:37 instructs us “But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.”

Now, back to making a CAUSAL statement of a VOW.  An idle word, by definition from the Bible, is a word that is careless, lazy, and useless. It comes to nothing except ridicule and humiliation and as the Bible states, by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

BINDING a word, to make it “useful, active and productive”, YOU MUST WALK IT OUT (i.e., “do it”) in the flesh (on earth) by way of the Spirit of God.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Finally, I will attempt to draw a word-picture as an illustration of this profound Truth.

SCENARIO 1.

Assume you are standing on earth, praying or speaking (vowing) a Rhḗma word. God hears your words or ‘vows’ or prayer from heaven and answers you, opening the way for its accomplishment.

But supposing you fail to act on God’s answer to that word, it remains idle, useless and barren, the result of a careless, lazy word; and by this you will be justified, or you will be condemned!

Can you see the importance of every word that proceed out of your mouth?

SCENARIO 2.

Assume you are standing on earth, praying or speaking (vowing) a Rhḗma word. God hears your words or ‘vows’ or prayer from heaven and answers you, opening the way for its accomplishment.

Assuming you act on God’s answer and you and you “WALK IT OUT” (i.e., ‘you do it’) and it is accomplished. The result of a carefully spoken word; and by this you will be justified!

Ephesians 2:10  ‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Now, when you read or hear that “All things are possible for him who believes” perhaps you will believe! Matthew 21:22And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: For anyone who immediately begins to pick these verses apart with a “Yeah, But” excuse, I am truly sorry for you.

This is the plain Truth. JUST LIVE WITH IT!

[r] 18 I.e., forbid
[s] 18 Gr fut. pft. pass. tense
[t] 18 I.e., permit
[u] 18 Gr fut. pft. pass. tense
[v] 19 Lit from

https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-walk.html

THIS IS FOR YOU

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

“If anyone has an ear, let him hear. Verse 10, “(1) If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; (2) if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” Revelation 13:9

“Here is the perseverance of the saints who (1) keep the commandments of God and (2) their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:12

I have written several articles on

1. “The Tribulation period we are now facing”,

2. “How Christians must respond to this Tribulation, the terror and the attacks on our Faith” and

3. “The Method and Weapons of Christian’s Warfare”.

This article is meant to emphasize the conclusions of my previous articles and to pull them all together by citing what is known as “The Perseverance of the Saints”.

There are few matters more important than how we prepare for what has been prophesied in Scriptures, and it appears, is coming to pass. It is the concurrence and the convergence of The Prophetic events from Scriptures, occurring in our day, which have never been seen before.

God is completing the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal and we are on the verge of Christ’s return for His Church and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

I am turning to the Book of the Revelation, chapters 13 and 14 for this study:

Revelation 13

1 Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been [b]slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking [c]arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who [d]dwell in heaven.

7 It was also given to him to make war with the [e] saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been [f]written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

Verse 9 “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. v10  If anyone [g] is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the [h] perseverance and the faith of the [I] saints.

Rev 14:11  Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast [j]in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform [k]in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even [l]speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, [m]to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is [n]six hundred and sixty-six.

Revelation 14:

1 “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they *[a]sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they [b]have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

6 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who [c]live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “[d]Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the [e]passion of her immorality.”

9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed [f]in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and [g]brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and [h]whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Verse 12 Here is the [I] perseverance of the [j] saints who keep the commandments of God and [k] their faith in Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

The Reapers

1st Reaping:

14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like [l]a son of man, having a golden crown on His head (also see Matthew 24:30,31) and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15 And another angel came out of the [m]temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “[n]Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth [o]is ripe.” 16 Then He who sat on the cloud [p]swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

2nd Reaping:

17 And another angel came out of the [q]temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “[r]Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters [s]from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel [t]swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, [u]for a distance of [v]two hundred miles.

“The Harvest of the Earth”

Revelation 14:14-16 says,

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for theharvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

The reaping of the harvest of the earth, is the rapture of the church. (see Matthew 24:29,30)

The Reaping of the Vine of the Earth

In Revelation 14:17-18 there is another harvest that is different from the first. It says,

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vineof the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

This is called the “reaping of the vine of the earth”. The first was the harvest. Revelation 14:19 talks about the winepress where the grapes will be trodden, “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”   The first harvest is caught up to be with Jesus Christ. The second harvest is to be thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God. Revelation 14:20 continues, “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”  

Notice several things. The winepress is to be trodden without the city. This is undoubtedly speaking of Jerusalem. Immediately outside the walls of the Temple Mount, there is a valley called the Valley of Jehoshaphat, also known as the Kidron Valley. It lies just outside the Eastern Gate where it is prophesied in scripture that Jesus Christ will enter at the time of His Second Coming. The Mount of Olives is here, also. This is where the winepress of God will be. This is describing the Battle of Armageddon. The blood will flow unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs, the equivalent of 160 miles. If you measure from the Plain of Megiddo in northern Israel, through the Jordan Valley, and then into the Gates of Jerusalem, it equals approximately 160 miles. The Battle of Armageddon will begin in Megiddo, then down through the Jordan Valley as the armies of Israel retreat. It will finally culminate in the Kidron Valley outside the gates of Jerusalem. Only Jesus Christ will save the Jewish people at that time.  “END OF EXCERPT”.

If after reading this, you still think you need to take up conventional arms of warfare and fight the onslaught of evil by way of a world war, a regional war, a civil, political war, or a social war, then go about your business.  But, remember what Scriptures tell us about the PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINT, “if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed” Rev. 13:9

2. “How Christians must respond to this Tribulation, the terror and the attacks on our Faith” and

3. “The Method and Weapons of Christian’s Warfare”.

REALITY CHECK

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Is the TRIBULATION of the current social and political unrest, chaos and uncertainty getting to you? Having trouble getting things done? It could be a problem with your ability to focus, or it could be an early warning sign of a deeper problem.

IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT BE DECEIVED. All things which you can see and touch on this earth, originate and are emanating from the “Unseen world” of the Heavens. This includes this Time of TRIBULATION we are currently experiencing.

2 Corinthians 4:18 “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old gained approval.

3 By faith we understand that the world has been created by the Word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible.

1 Timothy 1:17 “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. “

Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: 16 for 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.”

John 1:1 “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. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.”

A GREAT DELUSION

There is both A Great Delusion and A Great Deception at work.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 “That is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved.”

11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”

Do not trust your natural mind or your natural abilities to struggle against the things of this age, that is, things of this increasing time of the TRIBULATION.

THE BATTLE WITHIN AND WITHOUT

Galatians 5:17 tells us that the desires of our “Flesh” (i.e., or mind, will and emotions – our psyche, or our ‘soulfulness’) work against the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of God, Who dwells within us works against our natural mind, our will and emotions; the Bible tells us that our “Flesh” and the Spirit of God, which would dwell in you as a Christian, are in opposition to one another, and this unseen conflict keeps you from doing whatever you want. Galatians 5:17

So, ask yourself, “Do I constantly struggle with or am I prone to participate in”

      • sexual immorality, carousing, impurity, indecent behavior, whether it is physically or a constant mental obsession
      • idolatry, obsession with luck, witchcraft, horoscopes, charms
      • hostility, strife, outbursts of anger, dissensions, factions
      • jealousy, selfish ambition, envy,
      • drunkenness, excessive drinking or drug use

and things like these? The Bible forewarns us of this. I am taking notice for myself, and I am telling you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (inherit: Will not take part in, will not inhabit, will not have any right to)

The Bible goes on to teach that if you are “led by the Spirit of God”, you are not under “the Law”, that is external controls and condemnation for past actions.

You see, the manifestation or “the fruit” of the Spirit of God, when He is actually dwelling in a person, is manifest through an attitude and a behavior which demonstrates

      • love,
      • joy,
      • peace,
      • patience,
      • kindness,
      • goodness,
      • faithfulness,
      • gentleness,
      • self-control;

Again, the Bible teaches that these manifest actions are the results of the Spirit of God dwelling in and controlling your “Flesh” (your mind, your will, your emotions, i.e., your psyche) and effectively abrogate any and all effects of “the Law”, that is the external controls and condemnation for past actions.

You see, and odd as it may sound, those who actually belong to Christ Jesus “are crucifying and continue to crucify the passions and desires of their Flesh”.  (This takes the hard work of prayer and seeking and appropriating the freedom Christ has given us.)

This ‘crucifixion’ results in what the Bible calls FREEDOM.  Free to think and act and to submit ourselves to the decisive and effective power of God which would emanate from Him through our lives.

So – How do these things I have discussed, connect?  What do they have to do with one another?

 1.  What we see (the visible things) come from what we cannot see (the invisible things).

 2.  The Great Deceit and the Great Delusion

 3.  Evidence which reveal whether you are “Controlled in the Spirit of God” or you are “Controlled by the Flesh”.

The visible political and social war of Conservative ideals which are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible VERSUS the reemergence of Marxism/Communism and a One World Government, is the product of a Spiritual War that has been raging since the beginning of time.

This war is being waged by the great dragon, Satan, by means of deceit and lies and God has sent a great delusion upon those who do not believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Whether you are part of the problem and are being deceived or whether you are part of the solution of God’s Plan can be determined by your attitude and behavior – no matter what you say, what you do speak the truth.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(PS:  This was hard to write, because I am convicted of these things.  Please, pray for me and I will pray for you)

2 Corinthians 10:3 “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses

“4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

“5 We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

“6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

“7 Do you look on things on the outward appearance? If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.”

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN THIS TIME OF TRIBULATION?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Our task, our duty and our allegiance is to Jesus Christ, alone!  The warfare we now face, takes preparation, discipline, diligence, steadfast commitment and ACTION! 

It is unlike any conflict or war you have ever fought or have thought about fighting.  THIS IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE being played out on planet earth.  The root of this Tribulation Period is in the Heavens and our battle must be fought there, first!

I have, to the best of my ability, with diligence, spelled out what I read in the Bible as Jesus’ stance and instruction on what a Christian’s response should be to attacks on their person, their property, their freedoms as well as threats of terror.  I have posted these articles on my website, on my blog site and on various social media platforms.  

I am hearing responses such as:

“The Church of Jesus cannot afford to simply be passive, it must stand for biblical truth.”

“Your remarks of pacifism are like Baal worship.  We have a responsibility to defend ourselves and fight for our freedoms.”

“Christians have a right to fight back.”

Based on these replies, I apparently I am not properly communicating the plain and obvious Word of God.  I apologize.  Please, let me try again.

I.   I AM NOT ADVOCATING STANDING IDLY BY TO BE SLAUGHTERED

II.  SECONDLY, I would like to state that, in case of emergencies or crises, I have stored some extra food supplies, water, dry goods, “implements for defensive measures” and means to buy or sell or barter.  I am not a fool.  We have seen how crisis and panic causes people to act, so I am trying to be prepared for any eventuality.  And, yes, I get angry at what I see happening to our Nation or world and our way of life.  

Supplies of food, water and money may help in the short run, but they aren’t going to save me.  Getting angry may be a natural response, but it will not help me or save me.  As I have said repeatedly, government is failing us, politics have failed us, educational systems are failing us, technology is being used against us, medicine can’t save us, so, my question is now, and always has been:  

WHAT SHOULD I DO in response to this Tribulation which now encompasses me?  What can I do?  

I have written and posted about this Ad Nauseam, but once again, here is what the Bible tells us:

Luke 21:14-19, says, “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. “Yet not a hair of your head will perish. “By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

Matthew 24:42–47. says, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 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. 44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. 

45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

III.   Examples of expected result of Service and Obedience to God in Tribulation:

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 says, “Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”  (The Apostle Paul’s response to threats and ‘terrorism’.)

IV.  Scriptural description of our “WEAPONS”:

  • Ecclesiastes 9:18 tells us, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war.”
  • Isaiah 13:5 tells us,  “They are coming from a distant country, From the farthest horizons, The Lord and the weapons of His indignation, To destroy the whole land.”
  • 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, says,  “For, though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,  and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 
  • 2 Corinthians 10:7 tells us, You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:3. says, “We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.  In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.  We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.  Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”

Isiah 54:17  says,“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 51:20-23 says, “You are My war-club, My weapon of war;  And with you, I shatter nations, And with you, I destroy kingdoms.  

 “With you I shatter the horse and his rider, And with you I shatter the chariot and its rider, 

“And with you I shatter man and woman, And with you I shatter the old man and youth, And with you I shatter the young man and virgin, 

“And with you I shatter the shepherd and his flock, And with you I shatter the farmer and his team, And with you I shatter governors and officials.”

Jeremiah 50:25  says, “The LORD has opened His armory  And has brought out the weapons of His indignation, For it is a work of the Lord GOD of armies.

V.   RECAP – 

The reason we don’t understand the Biblical instruction and requirements on our response to the Tribulation which is besetting us:

  1. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. (2 Corinthians 10:7)

Our weapons are described as:

  1. Wisdom is better than weapons of war. (Ecclesiastes 9:18)
  2. The weapons of His indignation.(Jeremiah 50:25)
  3. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh.(2 Corinthians 10: 4)
  4. The weapons of our warfare are divinely powerful. (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Designated use and purpose of our weapons:

  1. The weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack.
  2. The weapons of righteousness in the left hand for defense.
  3. For the destruction of fortresses. 
  4. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, 
  5. Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
  6. we are ready to punish all disobedience.

The origin of our weapons:

  1. The weapons of His indignation.

You and I say we believe in God, but do we BELIEVE HIM?  When Jesus said, “Come to me”, Would you have gotten out of the boat with Peter and walked on the water?

We say a lot of brave things, but, now it is time to do them.  It is time for obedience to Christ Jesus, because doing things your own way can be fatal.  Taking matters into your own hands can be deadly.

We have put our hand to the plow of the Gospel and if you take your hand off that plow, now, or look back now, you will find yourself LEFT BEHIND!

Our task, our duty and our allegiance is to Jesus Christ, alone!  This warfare takes preparation, discipline, diligence, steadfast commitment and ACTION!  It is unlike and conflict or war you have ever fought or thought about fighting.  THIS IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE being played out on planet earth.  The root of this Tribulation is in the Heavens, and our battle must be fought there, first!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

AM I REALLY SEEING WHAT I THINK I AM SEEING?

WHEN DOES THE 7 YEARS BEGIN?

THE SONS OF OUR FATHER

SONS OF YOUR FATHER

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

MATTHEW 5:43-48 – SONS OF YOUR FATHER

v43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven;”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Once again, “Jesus is turning the world right side up” in its thinking, using the Law of Moses (the Torah). Jesus is taking one teaching of the Law, at a time, and is saying, “I have come to fulfill the Law and to show you” the one and only way to successfully navigate this world in order to be made ready for the next world, which is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus began His ministry saying, “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand.”  His command and warning is resonating in these teachings. He is saying, in these most profound revelations of Truth, that how you think and believe, (which, naturally, results in how you behave) are the keys to eternal life. The first and foremost Truth is believing on the One whom God has sent: Jesus.

Jesus is saying that it is not enough to simply think a certain way. You must believe with an unwavering and unmovable certainty of the Truth. This requires faith which is full of the substance of the Truth and certain of the thing hoped for, and then is manifest as the proof of things not yet seen.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus is telling His listeners (readers) that they although have been loving the lovable, the friendly, the relative, those with whom you live in peace, it is not enough; because they have been hating those they consider to be an “enemy”, those who are unlovable, unlovely, not-so-friendly those who cause discomfort, are considered a threat of strife or war.

But, Jesus says, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven”.  This can be one of the most difficult things to understand and to do without the right understanding.

First things first:   Jesus is speaking to Jews and to His Christian Disciples, and  these Truths are meant for His disciples (followers), present and future.  Anyone can listen to Jesus, but, not everyone can hear and understand what He is saying.  Anyone can attempt to apply these Truths to their life because the Truth is universal.  But, a person cannot live the Truth without Christ Jesus because Jesus is the Truth, bodily. (John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”)

Secondly, “sin” is THE obstacle that causes you to separate yourself from the presence and love of God.  Sin is rebellion toward God and to His Word, and it is THE obstacle to entering the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God.

Notice that the keys words here are “Love” and “Hate”.  Remembering that these words of Jesus, these Eternal Truths are written

          • TO THE CHRISTIAN,
          • ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN AND
          • FOR THE CHRISTIAN,

So, 1 John 4:20 tells us that “If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.”

Again, 1 John 3:15 says, “Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Simply put, God is Love.   Hate is not of God.  If these two coexist in the life of a Christian, you will stumble. If they persist in the life of a Christian, there is a deeper and darker problem embedded in your soul.

Additionally, you must “know the enemy” or more correctly put, know who and what is the enemy. The Bible tells us “who is the enemy.” 

“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 places.” Ephesians 6:12

You can and must understand (1) Who the enemy is, and (2) How to withstand and overcome the enemy.  This is done only by way of the indwelling Presence of God (The Holy Spirit).  Anything less should cause you grave concern about your life now, your effectiveness in the Kingdom work, and perhaps, even your eternal security.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Will you take the time and apply the discipline necessary to prepare and equip yourself?  It will take submission to Jesus as your Lord and savior and, you must study to become equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16)

Remember, one of the hallmarks of a Disciple of Christ is that you will be able to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” Just doing this without know WHY and HOW is works without faith.

Additional resources for your Journey:

(This video study series is from The Fuel Project and has over 37 informative, helpful and eye-opening lessons)

Let’s Gird up!  The enemy is at the gates!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  Jesus is moving us from engaging the world in “wordly matters” and leading us to serve Him in His Father’s Mission.

This is what these teachings do:  They move us into His Kingdom, doing Kingdom matters in preparation for His return.

BEWARE – IT’S A TRAP

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

MATTHEW 5:38-42 – IT’S A TRAP

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘EYE FOR EYE, and TOOTH FOR TOOTH.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Many contemporary and postmodern Jewish teachers will argue that these verses were never meant to be a means of retaliation, retribution or revenge, and instead were meant to maintain social and legal justice and equilibrium. But, the Bible, the Torah and history show otherwise.

Jesus is equally clear that an “EYE FOR EYE, and TOOTH FOR TOOTH” were like-kind compensation based on retaliation, and it is evil. This is why He says, do not show opposition against an evil person”, comparing this law of retribution to evil. So, it is no wonder Jewish teachers were making volumes of excuses and alternate explanations as to the meaning of this Law.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The expression “lex talionis” is a Latin word meaning “retaliation” and comes from the first compilation of the Roman law, written in 450 BC and known as the Twelve Tables and written: “If a man has broken the limb of another man, unless he makes his peace with him, there shall be like for like, talio esto.” Different legal documents of the Ancient Near East sorts three kinds of retaliation that pattern the logic of the lex talionis, that is to say, based on a substantial restitution. The first is restitution in kind for someone’s property that someone else has damaged. To Rothkamm, this is a civil talio.

The second is an identical and equivalent retaliation that affects a bodily part of the perpetrator who has bodily harmed his victim. To Rothkamm this is a criminal talio.

Finally, there is what he calls the vicarious talio, which consists inharming or killing a relative of the perpetrator because the latter has harmed or killed someone’s relative. This solution is obviously violent and unfair since it ends up harming an innocent who is strange to the conflict.

Jewish law (The Torah) with all the subsequent additions, meant exactly what it said. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”, and if you live by this law, you shall die by this law. There is never fulfillment or satisfaction of this Law. It breeds resentment, sorrow, hatred and the continuing need for revenge.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Christianity should not reflect the culture of the world around it because Christianity is “Counter Cultural” and her mission is to influence and change the culture to reflect the image. Person and mind of Christ Jesus. Therefore, this teaching and these verses are exactly that: COUNTER CULTURAL, reflecting the image and mind of Christ Jesus.

Jesus, first reveals and then teaches the Eternal Truth, which has always been in existence, “do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. “

A contemporary or postmodernist is likely to argue that Jesus’ teaching makes no sense whatever. But, then again, Spiritual matters are Spiritually discerned, so they are foolishness to the natural man or woman because they do not have the Spirit of God within them.

It is unfortunate that many, if not most, churches are no longer COUNTER to the current culture, instead, they are teaching you to mirror the culture as an attempt to appear relevant, thinking their relevance will attract them to the Truth. Another word for that is “Pandering”; the postmodern church is pandering to the current culture in order to appear relevant. It does not work.

God is calling people out of the world’s culture of false images, deception, and atheistic or religious humanism which promulgates fear, resentment, greed and ultimately, death, disease and destruction of the human soul.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Jesus says to Christians:

“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

DON’T

Don’t surrender. Surrender is a trap to draw you away from God.

Don’t pander. Pandering is deceitful and it makes you a liar.

Don’t shrink back. That is cowardly and God takes no pleasure in that.

DO

DO 10 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

DO 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

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 places.

DO 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

DO 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all,

DO take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

DO 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The “bottom line” is that the “power of our strength” comes from Him.

It is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, Who gives you and me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.  The eyes of our hearts have been enlightened, so that you and I can know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in us, His saints, so you and I can know the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe.  This is in accordance with the working of the strength of His might (Ephesians 1:17-19, paraphrased)

IT IS A TRAP of Satan, to lure you away from His Holiness and from His and to snare you with evil thoughts of retribution and sin thereby rendering you exposed and ineffective in the Kingdom.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I was part of a church which decided they could be more successful  if they built a bigger building

 

A popular movie in 80’s was “Field of Dreams”. Field of Dreams is a 1989 American sports fantasy drama film  The film stars Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster in his final film role.

An Iowa farmer, Ray, (Kevin Costner) hears a mysterious voice one night in his cornfield saying “If you build it, he will come,” he feels the need to act. Despite taunts of lunacy, Ray builds a baseball diamond on his land, supported by his wife, Annie (Amy Madigan). Afterward, the ghosts of great players start emerging from the crops to play ball, led by “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. But, as Ray learns, this field of dreams is about much more than bringing former baseball greats out to play. Field of Dreams is sentimental, but in the best way; it’s a mix of fairy tale, baseball, and family togetherness.

The ‘motto’ later in the film, becomes, “If you build it THEY will come”.  And, sure enough, word gets out and almost magically, lines of cars fill the country roads for miles, as far as they eye can see, making their way to the baseball diamond on this rural farm.

Disneyland may have been an amazingly successful forerunner of a similar idea.  So, perhaps the writer and producer of “Field of Dreams” had Disney’s idea in mind when they made the movie.

It seems that the idea caught on in future years. Entrepreneurs, dreamers and business people alike, have been coming up with their own fantasy-like ideas to promote their dreams, causes or money-making schemes.  Most of these ‘dream builders’, however, have not been so successful.

I was part of a church organization in the recent past, which decided they could be more successful (or, as they would say, “so we can serve the Kingdom of God better) if they built a bigger building on a busy roadway near big neighborhoods.  They didn’t say the exact words, “Build it, and they will come”, but that is exactly what they were saying.  Here are some examples of how they would say what they would say:

  1. “Our church facility is too small, and studies show that more people will come if we had more inside space per person.”
  2. “We are landlocked and can’t expand and grow, and studies show that if we had more parking space, more people would come”.
  3. “People can’t find us so we need more visibility so we can expand and grow.  Studies show that if we are more visible on a heavily traveled road, more people will come”.
  4. “We need more land for future expansion, so we can (yep) expand and grow.  More people would come if they knew we had a plan for the future.”

The difference is that the ghosts of great preachers will not start emerging from any of the nearby crops, like in the movie.

The similarity between the movie and this real life event are that a pastor instead of a farmer heard a mysterious voice saying, “If you build it they will come.” The ideas are sentimental, but in the best way; it’s a mix of hopeful thinking, church growth, and family togetherness.

Do I sound to harsh?  Listen to the reasons they listed and excuses offered for not growing:

  1.  The reason we can’t grow is because of our small building. It’s the fault of our small building.
  2. It’s the fault of our location and lack of parking space.
  3. It’s the fault of lack of visibility.
  4. It’s the fault of our lack of excess land and acreage.

Now, listen to what God says:

  1.  John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself.
  2. Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 
  3. 1 Thessalonians 3:9 “Now as to the love of the brothers and sisters, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to excel even more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
  4. Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
  5. Acts 2:43 “Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all the believers were together and had all things in common; 45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

(I am a pickleball enthusiast.  I play for fun, but, I am also a student of the game because I want to become better at the game.  I guess I should say, “The better I play, the more fun I have”.

I play ‘doubles pickleball.  That means I play with a partner.  It seem that when my partner plays well, I play better, and vice versa.  Good players always compliment their partner’s good play.

I occasionally have a partner who does not play well.  I know players who don’t practice, they do not study the game, and they do not play well, but, they always blame their partners for their poor play, missed shots and failures in court strategy.  I don’t criticize, but, they are just no fun, so I avoid playing with them when I can.

There is a saying that goes something like this:  “Successful people correct their mistakes and give credit to others; unsuccessful people make excuses and lay blame”.  Be the former, not the latter.)

Maybe I am just too old-fashioned, or perhaps my life experiences have distorted or tainted by view on these matters.  But, after 11 years at this church, and seeing a repeated pattern from other churches, I think I am seeing clearly.

My prayer is that God will come though and fill this, and all the understaffed, small, isolated and cramped churches to overflowing – to the point that they, the Church, builds newer and bigger facilities to accommodate what God has already done!

I have more to say, but, I will just leave you with this audio sermon from Truth For Life, the teaching ministry of Alistair Begg: 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

LET’S DO IT FIRST – THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

 

God Provided.  But, the Israelites still had to get up, go out, bend down and pick up the “mana”, put in their own mouth and eat it! 

And, so must we.

 

 

Exodus 16:4  “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, so that I may test them to see whether they will walk in My instruction. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, “At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt; 7and in the morning.”

I remember, early in my career as a salesman, how my colleagues would talk about all they were going to accomplish, thanks to the big company they worked for.  They would talk about how much they were going to sell, how big a business they were going to build, how much money they were going to make.  They always seemed to have a big plan, complete with details.  They talked about it all the time, and studied their plan daily.  But, very few ever accomplished anything close to what they promised.  They would do what was convenient but never what was required.  Then, when year-end conventions came around and accomplishment awards were given, they would stand, gazing at those who had said very little in public about what they were going to accomplish, but, in the end, those getting ther rewards, had actually DONE what needed to be done, to win the prize.

The president of our company must have heard what sounded a lot like bragging from those who only did what was convenient, and I assume he was tired of hearing their empty talk. So, he gave a speech he titled, “JUST DO IT, then talk about it”.  It became one his favorite speeches, and he gave it often.  He would love to say, “Just do it, and do it, and do it, and do it, until you can’t do it anymore.  And when you’ve done what you said, THEN TALK ABOUT IT!”  I thought it was great advice, and I did my best to DO IT that way!

Now-a-days, I am still hearing and reading remarks and memes about what people are going to do.  But now, it’s from us who are Christians, and it goes something like this:

“God’s got this.  (Just sit back and watch)”

“Stop worrying. Relax. We win in the end”

“God is still on the throne”

“Were “good”.   We are in God’s Hands”

“God’s in control”

“It is 100% God winning the day.”

All these remarks are true, and they are great reminders – but, all-to-often, nothing changes.  So, I have t ask, “Why do we just keep gazing into the sky and waiting”?

The problem is, what is being said seems more like wishful thinking than marching orders or a battle cry.

Look at Exodus 16 again:

  • v4  ”Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you;”  
        • In other words, “GOD’S GOT THIS” – He is doing His part.
  • and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, so that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.   
        • In other words, WE HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN GOD’S PROVISION – I.E., WE MUST BE OBEDIENT AND DO WHAT HE SAYS – this is our part.
  • v5  On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”
        • In other words, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS AND EXECUTE HIS PLAN, HERE ON EARTH
  • v6  So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, “At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt; 7and in the morning.  
        • In other words, AFTER GOD HAS DONE HIS PART AND WE HAVE DONE OUR PART, WE CAN THEN TRUTHFULLY, CONFIDENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY SAY,

“God’s got this”

“Stop worrying. Relax. We win in the end”

“God is still on the throne”

“You are in God’s Hands”

“God’s in control”

“It is 100% God winning the day.”

Again, in the New Testament, we are reminded (reprimanded):

Acts 1:10 “And as they (Jesus’ disciples) were gazing intently into the sky while He was ascending into heaven,, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

In other words, STOP JUST STANDING THERE AND GET ABOUT DOING WHAT I HAVE JUST TOLD YOU TO BE DOING:  

Jesus was clear (Matthew 28:16-19)

  •  Go, therefore,
        • In other words, “GO”
  • and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you;
        • In other words, “DO”
  • and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
        •  In other words, when the Works are finished, and we have DONE what HE has told us to DO, then, we can TRUTHFULLY, CONFIDENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY SAY,

“God had this. all along”

“Stop worrying. Relax. We won”

“God is still on the throne”

“We are in His Hands”

“God’s in control”

“It is 100% Jesus”

Jesus teaches on making ‘vows’ or statements about what you are going to do.  It’s interesting and helpful.  Read it?  (click here)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

I SWEAR IT!

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Have you ever heard the idiom, “cross my heart and hope to die”?

Simply put, it is sort of a vow that someone is being truthful.  For example, I did lock the door-cross my heart and hope to die!  This phrase most likely originated as a religious oath based on the sign of the cross; it is generally accompanied by hand gestures such as crossing one’s hands over one’s breast and then pointing the right-hand skyward.  Sadly, there may be more truth to this idiom than one may realize.
 

MATTHEW 5:33-37 – “I  VOW”

v33 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ 34 But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. 36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.”

WHAT DOES IT SAY

The Torah taught that if you made any vow or promise or told others you would do something, it was the same as telling God you would do it.  In contemporary terms, “your word became your bond”.

Jews were notoriously guilty of common swearing especially when making vow, for which our Lord particularly reprehends them, and warns his disciples against.  They swore by heaven, by earth, by Jerusalem, by their head, their own writings, adding a false sense of importance or weight to their vow and avoiding using the name of God in the vow in order to avoid profaning the Name of the Lord.

Jews would also swear by the prophets, the books of Scripture, the Temple, the altar, the lamb, the Temple’s chambers, the Temple’s dishes, the sacrifices on fire, the moon, stars, the sun, their hair, their beard, and on and on.  

The use of all these names gave the Jew an excuse to avoid filling their vow.  And, with so much swearing it was impossible not to profane God.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN

The word “Vow” here, literally translates to perjure oneself or to swear an oath falsely which is closely related to the 9th Commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” which means to “give false testimony” against a neighbor;  It is also tantamount to taking the Name of God in vain.  Either way, it was a very serious matter.

What is crystal clear, however, is that whether you are lying or taking the Name of God in vain, you are sinning and the consequences of being separated from God, as we have already discussed, can be dire. – Isaiah 59:2. “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

There is a distinction you must make between sinning, (in this case by making “false vows”) versus your sins being covered (forgiven) by the “sacrificial Blood of Jesus” – that is, being saved by God’s Grace through faith in Jesus.  

You can be certain that surrendering your life to Jesus, repenting of your sins and by confessing Jesus as Lord, that you will be saved and are forgiven, and you are “washed clean”.

The Bible teaches, however, that there is a difference  between repenting of those sins and continuing to practice those sins (without restraint or remorse).

Galatians 5:19-21  “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“

 You can read https://whitestone2020.com/2020/07/17/sin-no-more/ for more on this, but for now, just know that God is not mocked.  He understands your heart, which is “more deceitful than all else, and is desperately sick; who can understand it?  The Lord searches our heart and tests our mind and will deal with each person according to his or her own intentions, your ways and the results of your deeds.”  (Paraphrase of Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Jesus finishes His teaching with the admonition with, Just make sure your statement is, Yes or No’ because anything beyond that is has questionable and evil intentions.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

This important teaching of vows, honesty and honoring God, is just one more reminder that “unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

You and I can find real peace, security, genuine power and can live forever in the Presence of God, if we will 

“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 achieve success wherever you go.   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 ]achieve success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:7-9

We tend to remember:

  • 10% of what they read.
    • 20% of what they only hear.
    • 30% of what they only see.
    • 50% of what they see and hear.
    • 70% of what they say and write down.
    • 90% of what they DO

You have seen it, you have read it, you have heard it, NOW, LET’S GO DO IT!

Your Brother and Friend, 

Mike Young

DID GOD REALLY SAY THAT?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

MATTHEW 5:31,32 –  SAY, WHAT?

v31 “Now it was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY IS TO GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 

WHAT DOES IT SAY

The language in these verses is so plain that very little more need be said, except perhaps to comment that we should not be lulled into complacency by the brevity of this verse.  This may be THE VERSE that will save a marriage and leads to a lifetime of peace and security – for some of those who read it and/or share it.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN

(The following explanation in quotes is an excerpt from the got questions.org website.). 

“First, in order for a divorce to be granted, there had to be a problem related to “indecency.” Verse 1 reads, “If then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her . . .” (ESV). The Hebrew phrase used here was generally a reference to sexual indecency such as adultery (Leviticus 18:6–18) or indecent exposure (Deuteronomy 23:14). Jewish leaders would long debate what was considered “indecent,” but the original wording clearly referred to indecent sexual behavior.

“Second, a formal divorce certificate was required: “He writes her a certificate of divorce [and] gives it to her” (verse 1). A husband could not simply express his desire to be divorced and move on with his life. He was required to provide a written legal certificate, which would have required witnesses to the event.

“Third, the divorced couple was no longer to live together: the husband “sends her from his house” (verse 1). Living together as an unmarried couple was not acceptable, and a divorced couple was considered unmarried.

“Fourth, the divorced woman could remarry another man: “After she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man” (verse 2). The text does not explicitly teach the woman must remarry, but neither does it prohibit a divorced woman from doing so. In that society, a single woman would have had few other options than to seek another husband or to return to her father’s household.

“Fifth, the divorced spouse could not later remarry the first partner, if that partner had remarried: “Her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again” (verse 4).

The New Testament teachings regarding divorce offer additional insight into this topic. Jesus reminded the religious leaders that God never intended divorce: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning” (Matthew 19:8). The “beginning” refers to Adam and Eve as one man and one woman in lifelong marriage—God’s original design.

Jesus also taught that sexual immorality was one legitimate reason for divorce: “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery” (Matthew 5:31). The apostle Paul added, “A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife” (1 Corinthians 7:10–11). Another instruction is also provided for Christians with an unbelieving spouse: “If the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances” (1 Corinthians 7:15).

Though divorce was not part of God’s original plan for marriage, sinful humanity demanded it, and the Mosaic Law addressed occasions when it was permissible. Jesus and the New Testament teachings affirm the original intent of marriage as being a lifelong relationship between a man and woman while specifying limited occasions when divorce is acceptable. “  (End of excerpt)

Although there may be times when divorce is acceptable, according to the Bible, (1) the results of divorce are still the acts of selfish and sinful men and women who are in rebellion against God and His plan for their lives (2) and, it is destructive.  The pain and damage to the family, can go on for generations. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

I can remember a day, as a young boy, when divorce was socially unacceptable, it was at best, a social embarrassment, and at worst, a divorced person was somewhat of a social  outcast.  What I didn’t understand, at the time, was why a young child of a divorced mother would be shunned.  The hurt and resentment that was being planted in my psyche which would plague me for decades.

Society at large and Christians in particular have discarded God’s Word as their Guiding Principal, and as the divorce rate in America has climbed to 50%, the damage being done to future generations in incalculable.

(NOTE:  The following are excerpts are from Focus on the family  – How could divorce affect my kids?  website)

  • Life expectancies for divorced men and women are significantly lower than for married people (who have the longest life expectancies). 
  • One study found that those who were unhappy but stayed married were more likely to be happy five years later than those who divorced.
  • The health consequences of divorce are so severe that a Yale researcher concluded that “being divorced and a nonsmoker is slightly less dangerous than smoking a pack a day and staying married.”
  • After a diagnosis of cancer, married people are most likely to recover, while the divorced are least likely to recover, indicating that the emotional trauma of divorce has a long-term impact on the physical health of the body.
  • Men and women both suffer a decline in mental health following divorce, but researchers have found that women are more greatly affected. 
  • Some of the mental health indicators impacted by divorce include depression, hostility, self-acceptance, personal growth and positive relations with others.

While virtually every child suffers the lost relationship and lost security described above, for many, the emotional scars have additional, more visible consequences. More than 30 years of research continues to reveal the negative effects of divorce on children. Most of these measurable effects are calculated in increased risks. In other words, while divorce does not mean these effects will definitely occur in your child, it does greatly increase the risks. The odds are simply against your kids if you divorce.

Research comparing children of divorced parents to children with married parents shows:

  • Children from divorced homes suffer academically. They experience high levels of behavioral problems. Their grades suffer, and they are less likely to graduate from high school. 
  • Kids whose parents divorce are substantially more likely to be incarcerated for committing a crime as a juvenile.
  • Because the custodial parent’s income drops substantially after a divorce, children in divorced homes are almost five times more likely to live in poverty than are children with married parents.
  • Teens from divorced homes are much more likely to engage in drug and alcohol use, as well as sexual intercourse, than are those from intact families. 
  • Children from divorced homes experience illness more frequently and recover from sickness more slowly. 
  • They are also more likely to suffer child abuse. 
  • Children of divorced parents suffer more frequently from symptoms of psychological distress. 
  • And the emotional scars of divorce last into adulthood.

(End of excerpt)

Additionally, statistics show that once divorced:

  • Second Marriages: 60 percent will terminate with a divorce as the result.
  • Third Marriages: 73 percent will terminate with a divorce as the result.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

(These are 2 real-life examples of people who made decisions about marriage and divorce)

I.  My wife and I were on a cruise ship in one of their specialty restaurants waiting for our meal to be served, when the restaurant manager, a lady, came by our table to greet us.  She asked if we were celebrating any occasion.  We told here we were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary.  The lady smiled broadly, congratulated us and asked “How did you do it?  How did you stay married for 50 years?” And laughed, as if she was communicating humor.  I assumed she laughed because so many people get divorced.

My wife, Betty, look at this lady and answered, very matter-of-factly, “Just never get a divorce.”  The lady laughed out loud.  But, when she saw my wife was not laughing, she turned serious and asked, “Really?  What do you mean?”

My wife proceed to briefly explain what the Bible says about marriage and divorce and why ‘sticking with it is worth it’.

The lady responded with, “I don’t know if I could do that.  You see, I have been in a relationship for 10 years and things aren’t working out, so we are thinking about splitting up.”

My wife asked, “You’ve been married for 10 years?”

The lady answered, “Well, no, noT married.  But, we have been living together.”

My wife answer with, “Well, when you start wrong you won’t finish right.  A commitment of Marriage is an agreement, that can help you get past the tough times.  God wants you to be happy and happy in a marriage.  I’m sorry you are having a hard time.  God can help you through this, if you would like.”

The lady appeared nervous at this point, thanked my wife and said she need to attend to the other diners, and excused herself.  It seemed as if this lady had made her choice.

II.  I was out for a walk around the deck of this cruise ship one morning when I notice a couple sitting, drinking coffee and talking at one of the deck tables.  I recognized them as a couple I had seen at breakfast before we boarded the cruise ship.  They appeared to be in their early thirties.  The man had been loudly and publicly berating the woman for eating too slowly at breakfast, telling her that she would make them late boarding the ship.

I stopped and greeted them with a ‘good morning’ and they smiled and responded.  I initiated some light conversation by asking them where they were from and other small talk.  I discovered they were on their honeymoon.

I congratulated them and told them that we were celebrating our 50th anniversary.  The man remarked, “I hope we can make it that long.  What is your secret?”, he asked.

“Do you really want to know?”, I asked.  They both said yes, enthusiastically.

I sat down with them and said, “My wife and I were married in our teens.  Sometimes we would argue over small things – like you guys did at breakfast this morning.”  They both looked surprise and embarrassed.

“It’s normal to argue from time to time.  But, our marriage wasn’t going well after a few years.  We argued more and more, to the point we were drifting apart.  Then, through circumstances, we turned to God for help and we found the direction we needed.  It gave us a security and a sense of peace that got us through tough times.  Now, here we are 50 years later!”

This couple agreed that what they wanted was a way to find peace and security.  I told them how to come to Jesus.  They were obviously grateful and thanked me.  I left the table, honestly feeling humbled.

It seemed, like the lady in the restaurant, they too, had made their choice.

So, what about you?  What will you do when faced with similar circumstances?  What is your choice?

I pray for us all that we have the courage and the conviction to decide to follow Jesus and find our peace and security in Him.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  If you have been through a divorce, just remember, there is hope for healing and restoring.  Although it is not always easy, it is always worth it.  What is done is done, and the future can be bright with opportunities and hope of peace, secuity and prosperity for your soul, in Christ!  Please, make the right decision.

SAYS WHO?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

MATTHEW 5:27-30 / YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID

Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; v28  but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Jesus continues to contrast and compare the Old Covenant Law (Torah) with His New Covenant Truth. And, again, He is using the Mosaic Covenant and the Ten Commandments, specifically the “Second Five” which deal with personal relationships. Specifically, in these verses, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY”.

Jesus is warning against lusting after a woman even in your heart. There is much more that could be said, but, Jesus go straight to the point: “If you think it, you’ve done it!”  

He warns of the consequences of being ‘swept or dragged away and imprisoned’ by your sin (from the Greek language used in the Bible) and offers a radical and unthinkable remedy as opposed to spending an eternity in hell.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

What this means must be framed by the “Why” of the matter. Why did God warn against adultery (and murder), besides the obvious penalties stated, such as “Your whole body will go to hell” – and why that?
God is warning against a much greater threat. He is warning against separation from His Presence.

  Isiah 59:2. “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,  And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

The willful lust of adultery (or murder), is Sin against God, and it separates you from the presence of God.  It is the litmus test of self-centeredness. It shows a deliberate rebellion against and a disregard for God and others. And, being absent from the presence of God opens the door to every sort of destructive harm and damage to the human condition, now in this life, and later, eternal separation from God, “

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

We, who call ourselves Christians, should experience God in the ways described in the Bible. Yet, we suffer needlessly because of our failures, blaming the ‘weaknesses of our flesh’.

Look at the example of Job:

Job 1:5 tells us that “When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send word to them and consecrate them, getting up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did so continually.”

Consider that Job was obsessed with the sins of his sons. So much so, that he was gripped with doubt and fear. Suddenly …

Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job?

Now the ‘spiritual door’ was opened and Satan came among them, and, God allows Job to suffer at the hands of Satan. Now read …

Job 3:25. “For what I fear comes upon me, And what I dread encounters me. 26 “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, And I am not at rest, but turmoil comes.”

We call on the Name of God and beg for mercy, yet we fail to repent of our own rebellious ways, and a ‘spiritual door is opened’ and Satan comes among us, and we can no longer obey God and His Word. So, we say “All of these things you are asking are too difficult for me. This is a far-off thing you are asking of me. I won’t be able to do these things until I get to heaven!”

But, God says, in Deuteronomy 30:11

“For this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you could say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us, and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you could say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and get it for us and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 14 On the contrary, the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may follow it.”

And again in Romans 10:6

“But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 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 are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13f or “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

The contemporary postmodern Church in America, and most parts of the world, will tell you, if you are a Christian, that God is your loving “Daddy” (Abba), and that is true.  They will tell you that He understands your frailty to sin, and that you should “do your best and forget the rest” because “He loves you so much, He can never love you any less”. But, these are lies of a religion fallen into apostasy.  They neglect to tell you about the consequences of sin, rebellion against God and that continued deliberate sin separates you from Him.

NOW – WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The Bible tells us that “we don’t have to sin”, but when we do, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ, Who is before the Father on our behalf, Who is the atonement (payment) for our sins. But, that we must turn to Him, confess our sins to Him and repent (acknowledge sin is wrong and turn away from sin).

1 John 2:3  “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked.”

You can be assured that …

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“

I pray that, as we who confess the Name of Jesus, will overcome by the word of our testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE WORD OF GOD – Believe it or not!

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment
The Word of God 2.jpg

DON’T JUST “KNOW ABOUT IT” – “KNOW IT”

The Bible is the Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Inerrant, Infallible, Living Word and Breath of God.  Once the Word lives in you, it will tell the Truth to you and through you, and nothing will ever be the same!

John 15:7  “If you remain in Me, and My words remain 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.”

THE BIBLE IS

A ‘fence’. It gives you boundaries to keep you safe.

A ‘map’. It gives you directions on the way to travel through life.

A ‘compass’. It points you in the right direction.

A ‘mirror’. It gives you a reflection of yourself.

A ‘painting’. It gives you a picture of God.

A ‘lion’. It is able to defend itself and you.

An ‘instruction book’. Giving instructions for any matter.

THE BIBLE SAYS

“There is nothing else like it”.

It is “Alive”.  It will live in you and through you.

It is sharper than any “Two-edged sword”. Piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

It is a “Lamp”.  It is a lamp unto my feet and keeps me from stumbling.

It is a “Light”.  It is a light unto my path and lets me see each step of where I am going.

It is a “Door”.  Anyone who enters by Him will be saved and can go in and out and find rest.

It is a “Fire”. It cleanses and purifies and burns up chaff, wood, hay and stubble.

It is a “Hammer”. It breaks rocks of obstruction.

It is a “Seed”. Imperishable, growing, giving life.

It is a “Vine”. A vine through which we find nourishment, and we bear righteous fruit.

It is The WORD of GOD.

It is With GOD.

It is GOD.

It is LIFE.

John 1:1 “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. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”

You must know and believe that the Word of God (The Bible) IS the breathed Word of God.

Knowing the Bible, alone, stands above every other thing, gives it Supremacy.

The Bible is a collection of stories, parables, similes, anecdotes ONLY TO THE UNTRAINED HUMAN MIND which is not filled by the Holy Spirit of God.

THE BIBLE IS THE PROPHETIC, BREATHED (PNEUMA), WORD OF GOD.

Breathe it in and let the Breath of God breathe through you. Consume it and let It consume you.

John 6:53 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

Verse 54. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Verse 55. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Verse 56. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

Verse 57. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.

Verse 58. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

DON’T JUST “KNOW ABOUT IT” – “KNOW IT”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Mike and Betty on the Beach.jpg

HAVE YOU HEARD?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

MATTHEW 5:21-26 – YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID

v21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ v22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell”

v23  “Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, v24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

v25  “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. v26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

This section of Matthew is usually referred to as “The Sermon on The Mount”.  In it, Jesus is teaching and instructing His disciples in Kingdom principles and practices.

He teaches and contrasts the edicts of the Torah (the Law of the Old Testament) against the teaching, the fulfillment and the application of the New Covenant brought about by Jesus.

It is fitting that He starts His teaching with the words, “You have heard that the ancients were told” (verse 21), referring to the Old Covenants; and then begins this teaching with the 6th Commandment from the Mosaic Covenant, which deals with our relationships with one another.

It is worthwhile to highlight the main points:

1.  The Old Covenant Law says, “You shall not commit murder and whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court”.

 (a)  But. Jesus says, “everyone who is angry with his brother is guilty before the court”

(b)  And, Jesus goes on to explain, “Whoever call his brother ‘raca’ or him ‘you good-for-nothing’, shall be guilty before the Supreme Court”

 (c)  And, “Anyone who call his brother a “fool” shall be guilty enough to go to the fires of hell.”

2.  Verse 23 clarifies the matter by saying “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you…”

(b) You are to “leave your offering at the altar and go;

(i) first be reconciled to your brother
(ii) and then, come and present your offering

 3.  Jesus, then goes beyond simple reconciliation and says, “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way,

 (a)  so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge,
 (b)  and, the judge to the officer,
 (c)  and, you be thrown into prison.

 4.  Jesus completes His instruction, with emphasis, by saying, “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

 1.  Jesus is fulfilling the Old Testament law, which was written on tablets of stone which are an external standard for observance and practice and is bringing the new Covenant of His Grace and forgiveness and is writing it on the hearts of His people, so they will want to obey Him. (Ezekiel 11:19, 20 “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”)

 2.  Jesus is also telling us that continuing to think evil thoughts has the same effect as doing the act. Additionally, He is showing us that dwelling on an evil or sinful thought takes a person progressively deeper into evil thinking which will culminate in an evil act.  Finally, He is telling us the punishment that follows sin is self-inflicted and deadly.

 3.  Jesus then moves (literally) to the heart of the matter when He turns our attention to our offerings to God which originate in the attitude of our heart.

Proverb 3:9 admonishes us to “Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first, your produce; 10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

 1.  Jesus has extrapolated the meaning of “murder” to include anger, hatred, loathing or dismissing a person as worthless.

 (a)  If you treat someone as such, it means you are in jeopardy of being tried by God, found guilty and sentenced to a “prison” separated from God.

 (i)  Matthew 6:14-15. “If you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.”

 (ii)  Matthew 13:41,42 “ The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 2.  “Presenting an offering before the altar” is not a reference, strictly to money and belongings.  God is referring to the entire value of our being, which springs from the heart.

When our heart is right, God says, our “vats will overflow with new wine”. The vats are symbols of our natural being – our body, soul and spirit – and the new wine is the fruit of The Holy Spirit.

This means you cannot be right with God and at variance with your brother or sister and expect to prosper physically, emotionally or mentally.

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”

 3.  Finally, Jesus is saying you should make friends quickly with your opponent on your way to the “court” or you may be judged, convicted and imprisoned. And you will remain imprisoned until you repay the offended person, in full.

There is no judgment as harsh, no prison cell as secure and sentence as long as one handed down by an offended person with whom you cannot make amends. Never let the offense go that far, or you may suffer a life sentence of misery and regret.

This means that you must always seek forgiveness quickly and forgive even more quickly. Initiate reconciliation and seek a lasting bond of friendship. This is what brings true peace, prosperity and freedom for your soul.

(There is a lot of preaching and teaching about God’s Grace without the corresponding teaching of His Holiness and requirements that we also be Holy, just as He is Holy.  God will discipline the one He loves, but, if you knowingly sin without conscience and never experience God’s discipline in your life, then, something is amiss.)

1 John 2:9  “The one who says that he is in the Light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. 10The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling. 11But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

Jesus uses similes of courts, judges, judgments and prisons to explain the Spiritual consequences of anger, hatred and murder.  He is reminding us that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heave; in other words, once a matter is bound in heaven, then it is manifest on earth.

Romans 8:5 Is the perfect translation and explanation –

“For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because 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, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

The word “flesh” in these verses comes from two root, Greek words:

 1.  “Saróō” – to sweep, clean by sweeping (to be swept away by)

 2.  “Sýrō” – to draw, drag, of one before the judge, to prison, to punishment\

The words “life” and “peace” in these verses translate as:

 1.  LIFE:  “Zōḗ” –  life, every living soul

 (a)  The state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate

 (b)  Of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God.

 (c)  Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

 2.  PEACE:  “Eirḗnē” – Peace; a state of national tranquility; exemption from the rage and havoc of war.

 (a)  Peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord

 (b)  Security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)

 (c)  Of the Messiah’s peace; the way that leads to peace (salvation)

 (d)  Of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

 (e)  The blessed state of devout and upright men after death

This means we have the power to choose.  Let’s begin today by setting our minds the things of the Spirit and find Life and Peace, and all that it brings. 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

WHAT ARE YOU GETTING for what you are doing?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

You probably already know the perceived condition of America in 2021, as well as the state of the world. Some are saying we are in a state of political and social chaos. New diseases, wars, political intrigue and poverty, to name a few things that are holding our attention and draining our treasury.  Many people are turning to religion, God or the Church for answers.

Millions of people (approximately 52 million) “attend church” in one of the 300,000+ churches in America, at least once a week each month. However, when people were asked the topic of the “sermon” they heard after 24 hours, only about 10 percent could tell you. When asked to cite the most important lesson they received, most just shrugged.

An estimated 1.2 million hours each week, (#1), are spent in sermon preparations; it takes about another 300,000 hours in delivery of these sermons, (#2), at a staggering potential cost of over $750 millions dollars nationally, each week. (#3,. Yet, only 5% of those hearing these sermons, remember anything about them after 72 hours.

If you are normal, you have the potential of remembering 10% of what you hear, and that is only the potential. Pastor and Bible teacher, Rick Warren, says we forget 95% of what we hear after 72 hours.

So, what are you getting for $750,000,000 in offerings? And, if you are a preacher or a pastor, what are you giving? Are you preaching, sermonizing, teaching, discipling, lecturing, giving a religious address or discourse which improve peoples’s lives or that they can even remember?

Review these methods used by churches, and determine which of these your are getting on Sunday mornings – and decide if it is worth the time and money:

      • Religious Lectures
      • Religious Addresses
      • Religious Discourses
      • Gospel Preaching
      • Bible Sermons
      • Religious Teaching
      • Christian Discipleship training

Studies show that most people don’t remember sermons, lectures, address or speeches—they don’t even remember paragraphs. What people remember are simple statements, slogans, and phrases. I don’t remember any speech John F. Kennedy gave, but most of us of a certain age remember his statements,

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” and, “I am a Berliner!”

I don’t remember any sermon preached by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I do remember his famous phrase,

“I have a dream!”

People tend to remember:

      • 10% of what they read.
      • 20% of what they only hear.
      • 30% of what they only see.
      • 50% of what they see and hear.
      • 70% of what they say and write down.
      • 90% of what they DO

People will more frequently remember simple repeated statements, slogans, and phrases.

Jesus ministry was modeled on:

  • Jesus personally and actively setting the example for making, teaching and sending disciples. (I can find no example that Jesus wrote anything.)
  • Jesus speaking and teaching and showing His disciples by His own example (50% retention rate).
  • Jesus teaching His disciples to repeat His Words as He went with them to do His Works (90% retention rate).

So, Christian, how about you? How effective is your ministry?

  • Is your church primarily using reading materials to disciple? (10% retention)
  • Is your church primarily giving you sermons to disciple? (20% retention)
  • Are you seeing videos and overhead projections and bulletins with outlines?
  • When was the last time you went out with your pastor and preached, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’  (And, as it says in Matthew 10:8-15), attempted to), “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Verse 9.  Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. Verse . And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. Verse 12. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. Verse 13.  If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Verse 14.  And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Verse 15.  Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city. ” (90% retention)

And, Preacher / Pastor, how about you? How effective is your ministry?

  • Do you have a blog? (10% retention)
  • Do you give a weekly sermon or lecture? (20% retention)
  • Do you use overheads projectors, videos or bulletin outlines? (50% retention)
  • Do you take others and go and make disciples?  “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.  Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts,  or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city.  As you enter the house, give it your greeting.  If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.  And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet.  Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city. (90% retention)

The current way of “doing church” seems to be changing monthly.  This has been going on for the last 40 years and it is causing the church to falter in influence and to lose its “savor”, as the Bible puts it.

The church, it seems, is becoming little more than a religious institution delivering “drive-in” or “drive-up fast food style” preaching, sermons, religious lectures, addresses, discourses and entertainment in competition with NFL Sunday, Youtube TV, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Now I have said it and you have read it, will it make any difference or will you just shrug your shoulders and trundle back to “doing your church thing” this Sunday?

Or will you, do like Peter, Andrew, James, Zebedee and John, who dropped everything about the current ways they were living, and followed Jesus, step by step?

The Answer?  Follow the pattern and method established by Jesus. Nothing more, nothing less.

I can hear (because I have heard) people and pastors saying, “But, all the things we are doing are necessary and part of our ministry.”

And I say, “Yes? But, Jesus did not say to do it your way and He did not do it your way. Everything else you might say about Jesus, and those things which flow from Him, may be “Necessary, but they are Secondary”.  Jesus is the MAIN THING! (And, by the way, if you say all the ‘extras’ are necessary, who are you trying to convice?”)

 

Audio by Pastor Alistair Begg at Truth for Life

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Footnotes and references:

  1.   300,000 churches (x) 4 hours preparation time = 1.2 million hours for sermon preparation.
  2.   300,000 churches (x) 1 hour sermon deliver time = approximately 300,000 hours
  3.   1.2 millions hours in sermon preparation + 300,000 hours is sermon delivery time = 1.5 millions hours (x) $500 one day operating costs for building, utilities, salaries, etc., = $750,000,000,

Explanation of NOTES:

Take a look at these definitions, and determine which of these your are getting and if it is worth the time and money:

Religious Lectures: noun
a speech read or delivered before an audience or class, especially for instruction or to set forth some subject: a lecture on Picasso’s paintings.
a speech of warning or reproof as to conduct; a long, tedious reprimand.
to give a lecture or series of lectures: He spent the year lecturing to various student groups.

verb (used with object), lec·tured, lec·tur·ing.
to deliver a lecture to or before; instruct by lectures.
to rebuke or reprimand at some length: He lectured the child regularly but with little effect.

Religious / Church Addresses
[ noun uh-dres, ad-res; verb uh-dres ]

a speech or written statement, usually formal, directed to a particular group of persons: the president’s address on the state of the economy.
a direction as to the intended recipient, written on or attached to a piece of mail.

verb (used with object), ad·dressed, ad·dress·ing.
to direct a speech or written statement to: to address an assembly.
to use a specified form or title in speaking or writing to:Address the president as “Mr. President.”

verb (used without object), ad·dressed or ad·drest, ad·dress·ing.Obsolete.
to make an appeal.
to make preparations.

Religious Discourses
[ noun dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs; verb dis-kawrs, -kohrs ]
noun
communication of thought by words; talk; conversation: earnest and intelligent discourse.
a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.
Linguistics. any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.
verb (used without object), dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.
to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.
to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.
verb (used with object), dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.
to utter or give forth (musical sounds).

Gospel Preaching
[ preech ]
verb (used with object)
to proclaim or make known by sermon (the gospel, good tidings, etc.).
to deliver (a sermon).
to advocate or inculcate (religious or moral truth, right conduct, etc.) in speech or writing.
verb (used without object).
to deliver a sermon.
to give earnest advice, as on religious or moral subjects or the like.
to do this in an obtrusive or tedious way.

Synonbym for Preach: advocate, profess, pronounce, expound.

Bible Sermons
[ sur-muhn ]
noun
a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service.
any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, especially on a moral issue.
a long, tedious speech.

Religious Teaching
[ teech ]

verb (used with object), taught, teach·ing.
to impart knowledge of or skill in; give instruction in: She teaches mathematics.
to impart knowledge or skill to; give instruction to: He teaches a large class.
verb (used without object), taught, teach·ing.
to impart knowledge or skill; give instruction.
noun
Informal. teacher.

Synonms for teach: coach. inform, enlighten, discipline, drill, school, indoctrinate; coach.

Discipleship Training
[ dih-sahy-puhl ]
noun
Religion.
one of the 12 personal followers of Christ.
one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ. Luke 10:1.
any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime.
any follower of Christ.
(initial capital letter) a member of the Disciples of Christ.
a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower: a disciple of Freud.
verb (used with object), dis·ci·pled, dis·ci·pling.
Archaic. to convert into a disciple.
Obsolete. to teach; train.

THE END

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

IMAGINE – II

Imagine with me, if you will, that you have obtained reliable information contained in classified documents that a series of asteroids are going to hit earth, perhaps similar to what happened on Jupiter in 1994.

These classified documents don’t give the exact day or hour, but they do predict it will be soon.

 You have learned that these impacts will most likely create devastating worldwide earthquakes and that the force of these impacts could destabilize the earth mantle causing upheaval of the earth’s crust; the geography of the earth will likely become unrecognizable, as mountains and oceans would be displaced. Debris from these collisions will be blown into the atmosphere, with the potential darkening the sun and causing the moon to appear a reddish color. (Reference Index)

These reports estimate that as many as one in three inhabitants of earth could die from the resulting effects of these collisions.

The information you have obtained says the only chance of surviving the initial impact is to take refuge in deep underground bunkers.

Here are some of the predicted after affects:

There could be what appears to be “hail and fire mixed with blood” raining back down on earth from these impacts, as the polar icecaps, magma from the subterranean earth and human and animal remains fall back to earth; as much as a third of the earth would be burned up, destroying possibly as much as a third of all the earth’s vegetation. (Reference index)

Volcanic activity will most likely erupt across the globe.  Some of the most devastating effects would come from pyroclastic flows, a mixture of ash, volcanic gas, rocks, and lava that generally reaches temperatures of 300 to 1,300 degrees which can move at speeds greater than 50 miles per hour and can travel for miles. These pyroclastic flows will destroy almost everything in their paths, causing fires and floods, and would bury everything under a mixture of rock, ash, and accumulated debris. They would be hurled into the sea; and it is estimated that as much as a third of the sea would appear blood-like and that a third of the creatures in the sea will die-off and a most of the world’s seaborne ships could be destroyed. (Reference index)

It is predicted that the surviving inhabitants on earth would suffer radiation exposure, causing painful sores and even death.

The oceans and all the fresh waters on earth would be contaminated and become virtually dead; much of the earth’s atmosphere would be compromised and the sun would scorch people with intense heat; the planet, at this point, would look more like an alien world of molten lava, flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and great earthquakes, such as there had not been since mankind came to be upon the earth. (Reference index)

If this were true, what would you do to get ready?

Whom would you tell?

How would you explain this to others?

ALERT:  This scenario is not imaginary.  This is recorded as a coming event, and now, you have been informed. 

For those who doubt the veracity or accuracy of this report, please read here: “What are the Odds?”

There is a means of escape, but time could be very short. You need to decide.

NOTE: If you have knowledge of this event, and you have been largely silent, it is time to inform yourself and to speak out and warn others.

If you are a Christian, especially if have been trained and have knowledge of Bible eschatology, and you have been silent, you could be held complicit in the deaths of billions. It is past the time for you to inform yourself and others.

If you are a pastor, preacher, evangelist or a Bible teacher, please consider that the Main Bible Subject is “Jesus” and His Gospel.  Jesus warns of these coming events and provides a way of escape.  Everything else you might say about Jesus, those things which flow from Him, may be “Necessary, but they are Secondary”.  Jesus is the MAIN THING!

Every sermon or teaching should start and end with the subject of Jesus.  All of His teachings and anything else you might have to say may be “Necessary, but they are Secondary”.  Jesus, alone, is the MAIN THING.

Every Church program should start with and end with Jesus as the Subject and Object.  Everything else may be “Necessary, but it is Secondary”.

Audio by Pastor Alistair Begg at Truth for Life, on our need as disciples to stay focused on doing the Will of God and being about His Work.  Please – this is a MUST-LISTEN.

The Gifts of the Spirit are given to you but they are build up, to edify and serve the Church, but they are NOT the main thing.  They are “Necessary, but they are Secondary” to Jesus.

YOU and I and every Christian are frontline soldiers of the Cross.  Our mission is 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 follow all that Jesus commanded.”  Everything else may be “Necessary, but it is Secondary”.

Please stop talking “about it” and LET’S GO & GET THIS DONE!

Your Brother and Concerned Friend,

Mike Young

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