A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Everyone Who Is Angry – Part 11

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” – The Words of Jesus, Matthew 5:21-22

Occasionally, I need to be reminded of what we are dealing with here. So, at the risk of sounding redundant, I ask once again, “What if The Word of God is true? I mean, what if His Words are literally true in ways we fail to recognize? People who personally encountered Jesus testified and reported on the Works He did, and this caused throngs to follow Him, stirred great controversies, created deadly conflicts and gave untold millions a greater hope for a new, vibrant, changed life, full of promise now and eternal hope of a home in heaven with God.

The Words Jesus spoke, and the Works Jesus did, changed the world.

I ask again, ‘what if we have been reading and misunderstanding what Jesus meant by His Words and the intentions of His Words? What if we have been misapplying what He taught? (Jesus was always concerned about His disciple’s lack of understanding and ‘lack of faith’.)

What if Jesus has been telling us how to actively engage His Word, so we could actually do His Works, and even greater works? (“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will you do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12.)

I realize I am wading into a potentially controversial area, but I am not referring to some kind of religious mysticism or extra-Biblical teaching, heresy or religious nonsense. (I believe, practice and teach a reformed view of the Bible.) But I do believe a great majority of the church, the teaching and practices of the church and the results produced by the early church have waned if not disappeared completely.

Jesus is building a bridge for us to cross. He is building a bridge from the natural world to the spiritual world of the Kingdom of Heaven. He is building a bridge from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. He is not negating the Old Covenant. He is fulfilling it. Jesus is the New Covenant, and He is teaching, that is, The Word of God is teaching us (1), how to understand The Word of God, (2), how to revere and to properly fear The Word of God, and (3), how to perform The Word of God.

What is the PURPOSE for this? First, specifically read Daniel 12:8-10 and all of chapter 12 for the prophetic meaning of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 through Matthew 11. We are to be purged, purified, cleansed, refined and restored by His Word and made into His children and disciples, made ready for the Kingdom of God. (John 15:3. Tells us that “we are made clean by the Word He has spoken.”

Therefore, in Matthew 5:22, when Jesus says, Everyone who is angry (orgizó = be angry, as expressing a “fixed anger”. “Sinful (unnecessary) anger” focused on punishing the offender rather than the moral content of the offense. See 3709 (orgē),

with his brother (adelphos = a brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian.) will be liable to judgment;

And, whoever says “you good-for-nothing” (rhaka = empty-headed. This term expressed contempt for a man’s head, viewing him as stupid), to his brother will be liable to the supreme court;

and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ (móros = a fool, a moron), to his brother, will be liable to the hell of fire.

Why is the offense of unrestrained, vengeful anger toward a brother or sister in Christ anger and resulting resentment, hate and denigration of a brother or sister in Christ so grievous to Jesus and the penalties so severe?

It is because this kind of anger is a great obstacle to entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

Unless it is handled correctly, that is, the way Jesus teaches, your righteousness might not be ‘greater than that of the scribes and the Pharisees’. (“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – The Words of Jesus from Matthew 5:20)

Jesus gives the remedy which must be followed exactly if you are to escape the dreadful punishment that will inevitably follow:

“So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24.

It is important to note that Jesus instructs us to consider not if we are offended, but if we have offended others, we are to leave our gift at the altar and make reconciliation.

This is the only way to remove the obstacle of anger and offense which will keep us from the Kingdom of Heaven! This is how we are made clean, purified of sin and restored in our relationship with God.

This is more than ‘right or wrong’, it is a matter of life and death! Spiritual life or spiritual death.

NOTE: Being ‘saved’ is not something we do. It is what God does for the sincere repentant man, women, boy or girl, who humbly repents from their former life and submits themselves to follow Jesus in His ways. What you DO after you are ‘saved’ reflects what God has DONE and is DOING in you now.

So, if you think you have been ‘saved’ by repeating a ‘sinner’s prayer’, but you have no desire to change your lifestyle and if in fact do not begin to change how you live which conforms to the life of Jesus, you probably are not saved and will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus completes His teaching on anger and reconciliation, once again with a strong warning of caution:

 “Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”

This is a metaphor, citing the process of a plaintiff, a judge and the courts. The accuser is a brother whom you have offended; the judge is God and your conscience; the courts are spiritual realms. But this metaphor contains the literal truth regarding a prison of your own making.

Hear the Word of God. Repent and be set free.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NOTE:  God loves you, and He is endlessly merciful. He sent His Son, Jesus, to save you. Jesus has told us that He did not come to condemn us, but to save us. (Sadly, we are condemned by our own unbelief).

Do you find yourself saying, “I try to not sin, but I sin, anyway? And, the cycle of worry and doubt and fear starts over again? You are not alone, and there is a Hope that will save you!

I have met Christians who have serious challenges with alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual addiction, kleptomania, homosexuality, and other habits of thought, behavioral habits or addictions, and most will either say “the harder I try, the worse it gets” or “I am better, but…” or, they find themselves having to live in the torment. I had found myself in this dilemma, once in my life.

There are the few who say they have been delivered from this torment and have been set completely free. How do they do that? How can I do that?

Please read this page: “SEPARATED FROM GOD?”

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A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Your Righteousness – Part 10

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – The Words of Jesus from Matthew 5:20

These words of Jesus are spoken in the context to say, ‘I am putting an end to this matter’. It is another way of saying, “I am putting this matter to rest and this is the end of it.” So, pay close attention and take heed: ”Unless your righteousness far exceeds – super abounds – that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”!

Righteousness, by definition, is ‘God’s judicial approval’. It is what the Lord deems is right after His examination, that is, what is approved in His eyes.

Previously, Jesus said If you decide not to follow His commandments and His  teachings as presented, or if you choose a different method and teach others likewise, you “will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven”, at the very best.

Many Christians find other ways, more convenient ways, or methods that make one feel more comfortable. Then, these same people wonder why they cannot ‘do the works’ that Jesus does, and certainly cannot do the greater works’ He commanded and promised.

Failure to obey or to follow these commandments and teachings does not mean you are no longer saved, far from it. But when Jesus says you “will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” , He is telling you that you will be ‘weak’ and will be able to do ‘very little’.

By contrast, ”whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven”. By this, Jesus is saying you will be able to do ‘very much’ in the kingdom of heaven.

Now, however, Jesus is warning, in the strongest terms, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!

So, just what is this ‘righteousness’ that puts the ‘professing Christian’ at such great risk?

A simple way of saying this is, “don’t be like the scribes and the Pharisees. Matthew 23 tells us, “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.”

A better way to understand what Jesus is saying, please take a close look at the context of this verse and the words that Jesus spoke before and after these words, for a complete understanding.

Jesus is demonstrating and teaching about His salvation and His method of sanctification to prepare you (to test you, try you and to prove you; to purge you, cleanse you, refine and restore you), making you into His disciple, His son or daughter and a joint heir with Jesus, preparing you for entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus next teaches and demonstrates to His disciples what Godly Righteousness is all about as He teaches on:

Anger, (Matthew 5:21-26).

Lust, (Matthew 5:27-30).

Divorce, (Matthew 5:31-32).

Oaths, (Matthew 5:33-37).

Retaliation, (Matthew 5:38-42).

Loving your enemies, (Matthew 5:43-48).

Jesus’ teaching on this matter continues through Matthew Chapter 11.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you previously thought the process of becoming a ‘fully devoted follower of Jesus’, that is to say, becoming a Christian and a disciple of Jesus was going to be as easy as reciting or repeating a little prayer and ‘PRESTO’, you are saved, sanctified and ready for heaven, well, I pray that you think again!

Philippians 2:12, says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. This should give new and additional meaning to what it means to become a Christian.

Let me close this Part 9 by saying, ‘do not despair’ at what I have written from the Word of God. These words are meant to prepare you, so you will not turn back or faint because of what comes upon you as Jesus readies you for The Kingdom of Heaven!

Remember, this is not a thing you can do on your own. There is nothing you can do that will ‘earn your salvation’. We are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus, alone; none of us are righteous on our own – no, not even one of us.

Our righteousness is a gift from God and is found in Jesus. We do not have a righteousness of our own (that comes from the law), but our righteousness is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

 Again, we are filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

“Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:7.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Here is a Disciple’s Guide containing all these teachings of Jesus from Matthew chapter 4 through Matthew chapter 11.)

“And You Shall Be My Disciples – The Book”

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A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Least In The Kingdom Of Heaven – Part 9

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”  (The Words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 5:17-19).

These words and remarks of Jesus can seem to veer away from what He has been teaching in the preceding verses. However, we must consider the context of this teaching: It is a spiritual discourse and teaching about entering or inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus began His sermon and teaching with a new, radical sounding and revolutionary message on salvation and sanctification. The first time, ever in scriptures, salvation is no longer based on ‘keeping the law’, i.e., a ‘rule book’ of required practices, a book of ‘dos and don’ts’. Instead, salvation is now based on God’s free gift of grace through your faith in Jesus.

Jesus, also for the first time, teaches about a process known as sanctification. This revolutionary teaching reveals the steps of the most difficult process of purging, cleansing, purifying by which each and every believer will be restored to God as His child and son and prepared for the Kingdom of Heaven!

Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”, so we can understand that He is not replacing the ‘old ways with something new and strange’, but that He is the living fulfillment and completion, of that which was incomplete, (the Law). The Apostle Paul reiterates this in Galatians 3:21-26:

^“Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

“Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

Jesus is making clear that the Law is now completed by Him, through Him and in Him! Jesus has set us free from the impossible requirements, restrictions and bondage of the Law.

The New Covenant is alive and active and its name is JESUS! It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and its name is JESUS!

It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and its name is JESUS!

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Now, He dwells within us!

 

Next, in order to emphasize His teaching that the Law is not abolished, but is alive, He says, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

Finally, speaking directly to His disciples both then and now, Jesus warns, “Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Keeping the context of this teaching in mind, ‘these commandments’, or teachings to which Jesus is referring, begin in Matthew 5:1 and continue through Matthew 10:41.

I say again, Jesus is teaching, first, about your salvation and explaining the process of your sanctification.  He then follows up (in subsequent chapters and verses), with examples and details of His commandments and teaching on this Truth.

NOTE: This is IMPORTANT. If you decide not to follow His commandments and teachings as presented, or if you choose a different method, you “will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven”, at the very best.

Many Christians find other ways, more convenient ways, or methods that make one feel more comfortable. Then, these same people wonder why they cannot ‘do the works that Jesus does, and certainly cannot do the greater works’ He commanded and promised.

Failure to obey or to follow these commandments / teachings does not mean you are no longer saved, far from it. But when Jesus says you “will be called least in the kingdom of heaven”, He is telling you that you will be ‘weak’ and will be able to do ‘very little’.

By contrast, ”whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven”. By this, Jesus is saying you will be able to do ‘very much’ in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus has told us that The Kingdom is within you now, and after your earthly life, you will dwell with Him in His Kingdom.

What are you to do with these words? For me? I am serious about studying them, meditating on them, so I can do them by way of the Holy Spirit Who lives within me. I encourage you to do the same, and more. Jesus has told us, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – When You Mourn – Part 8

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

These words of Jesus are part of a larger discourse which should be read as a whole to get the correct meaning and progression of His teaching. Each verse, if taken individually or apart from the other related verses, will leave you will a partial understanding, which in this case is a failed understanding. Let me explain in natural terms:

Jesus’ teaching, which has become popularly known as “The Sermon on the Mount”, is a spiritual teaching, a spiritual discourse about entering or inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven, alternatively known as the Kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3, tells us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, is discussed in the previous lesson, part 7.

The main theme, the guiding principle and the main objective, not just for Matthew chapter five, but for the entire ‘Sermon on the Mount’, chapters five through nine is:  How you shall enter or inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, how you become a ‘son of God’ doing the works of Jesus, and are made into the salt and light of this world.

Matthew chapter five, however, is specifically an outline for and a picture of God’s method of salvation and the process of sanctification. (Jesus modeled the testing the ‘Christ follower’ will face in a precursor event, when Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1-11.)

Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”, as it is called, can be viewed as a (1), human response to a spiritual phenomenon, (2) a description of the psychology of how your mind, will and emotions work, or (3) as the steps and stages of being transformed into a true disciple of Jesus through the renewing of your mind. In any case, the person who ‘endures to the end will be saved’, and

The Apostle Peter adjures us, in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.“

Although enormously difficult, bewildering at times and sometimes heartbreaking, this is what each and every believer in Christ must face:

You will be made poor in spirit, verse 3,

You will be made to mourn, verse 4,

You will be made meek, verse 5,

You will be made to hunger and thirst for righteousness, verse 6,

You will be made merciful, verse 7,

You will be made pure in heart, verse 8,

You will be made a peacemaker and a son of God, verse 9,

You will be persecuted, verse 10,

You will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, verse 10,

You will be reviled, persecuted, falsely accused, verse 11,

You will gain a great reward in heaven, verse 12,

You will be made the salt of the earth, verse 13,

You will be made the light of the world, verse 14.

Put another way, that is in a simple, plain language of the human experience:

You will suffer testing, temptation and chastisement for the purpose of purging, cleansing and restoring your soul. This will come either by the Hand of God or will be allowed by God.

This normally will be followed by a ‘deep heartfelt cry’; an attitude of meek humility is the result, and it settles over your heart, body and soul. You will sense a desire for things to be made right in your life.

Instead of a critical spirit, you now will see through new eyes of mercy. You will now begin to be controlled by a pure heart. You will have an attitude of mercy toward others who are afflicted by sin, as you have been afflicted.

You will have been changed. Some family, old friends and acquaintances may tease or even ridicule your changed heart and attitude.

It is now that you have inherited the Kingdom of Heaven.

You will suffer false accusations and new persecutions. But your heavenly rewards will begin to shower upon you, both now and in the future, eternal rewards.

There is little doubt that you are becoming the salt of the earth by your life and your words. Your life will emanate the Light of Christ, and it will be visible to all.

Take heart as you endure these things, because, just like with Jesus, so it will be with you, when your testing is complete, “Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – The Poor In Spirit – Part 7

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

Matthew 5:3 “

As a way of reminder, this series is saying that the Bible says that Jesus’ Words are creative, causative, prophetic and instructional; and asking the questions, “Can this really be true? WHAT IF WHAT THE BIBLE IS SAYING IS REALLY TRUE?”  I mean, not only without error, but literally true and factually accurate in ways we fail to recognize?”

Please remember, this is not just a study ‘about the Bible’ or ‘about Jesus’. This is not just a story.

The verses being studied are The Word of God (the Words of Jesus), being demonstrated in real life situations. These Words are for our learning, our rebuke, our correction and our training in righteousness, so that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

I say again, the Word of God, is creative, causative, prophetic and instructional, to you, for you and ultimately, ‘through you’.

So, again I ask, “what do these Words mean? And, are they true”?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit”. Matthew 5:3 begins with the word ‘blessed’. This word is so vitally important both to what Jesus is saying and what it ultimately means to the believer that I encourage you to take careful notice.

This word, blessed, as it is used here, translates as, ‘supremely blessed and by extension means fortunate and well off’. It carries the idea of these blessings ‘being long and large’ specifically when God extends His benefits and the advantages He confers.

Being ‘blessed’ in these verses describe a believer in an enviable and fortunate position from receiving God’s provisions and His favor, which literally extend His grace to you. This happens with receiving (obeying) the Lord’s in-birthing of faith.

What makes Jesus’ statement about being blessed so remarkable is what comes next:  “are the poor in spirit”.

Being ‘poor in spirit’ literally means ‘one who crouches and cowers, hence beggarly, poor and destitute. Someone who is both spiritually poor, and materially destitute.

Read this extensive description of what Jesus is saying about being ‘poor in spirit’: to be thoroughly frightened, to cower down or hide oneself for fear; one who slinks and crouches, often involving the idea of roving about in wretchedness.

Destitute of the Christian virtues and the eternal riches, Revelation 3:17; equivalent to helpless, powerless to accomplish an end.

Lacking in anything, destitute of the wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford.

Can this be true? You are ‘supremely blessed and by extension means fortunate and well off’, when you are poor to the point of having become crushed in your spirit, cowering in fear, destitute in all manners and means and without hope?

If what Jesus has said to this point isn’t confusing enough, He completes His opening remarks to this most amazing sermon and teaching, saying, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.

This kingdom of heaven (of God), is one of royal power, kingship, dominion and rule; not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom. Jesus as the triumphant Messiah confers royal power and dignity on Christians in His Kingdom.

These final words are spoken in the present tense. This is not a future event, but is now, in the present. Many Bible versions will translate this to say that the Kingdom of God is ‘near’ or ‘in your midst’. But, the literal translation says, “within you”. (“Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21). This is truly more accurate because once you surrender your life to Jesus, the Spirit of God comes into your mortal body, soul, mind and spirit and takes up residence within you! (“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Astounding as it seems, Scriptures tell us that it is people of this class who most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and prove themselves fit to lay hold of the heavenly treasure!

Knowing these things is not enough. Words may lay idle until put to use. We must use these Words of Life. The Kingdom of God is within you, now.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Follow Me – Part 6

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Jesus’ words seem pretty straight forward, as He says, “Follow me”. But what if these words are profoundly, literally true, without any error and factually accurate in ways we fail to recognize? Without the proper understanding of what each word means, the context in which they are spoken and Jesus’ intent, we might fail to complete our mission as Christians and never reach the full potential that Jesus has for us! Now, that would be a real tragedy.

If we look deeper into the language and look at the context of what Jesus is saying, we will find that He isn’t making a calm, polite request. His words are an interjection, and an emotional imperative command; “Come here now, and follow Me!”

Jesus is telling His disciples not to just follow Him, but to follow Him closely, as if to be leaning upon His back, peering over His shoulder, intently watching and learning. Ultimately, being closely identified with Him.

Jesus goes on to say, “I will make you fishers of men“. The word Jesus uses, “make”, (poieo), is rich and extensive in meaning. He is saying that He will fashion you, appoint you and ordain you into the very thing by which it is to be called. In this case, His disciple.

This complex word also has a dual or interchangeable use:  “To make into” and “To practice” (prasso). You will be made for a designated purpose for an intended, earnest and habitual, performance; and a definitely directed action to the scope and character of the result: Jesus’ disciple.

This cannot and should not be understated. Jesus is saying to His disciples, then and now, “Be aware. You are entering into an irreversible contract with God. You are to be refashioned and transformed into an object for My use.”

Imagine with me; Jesus looks at you and says your name, and says: “Come here                        ! Come and follow me, very closely. You will become my disciple. Walk closely by Me. Watch my every move, practice what I do so you can do the same. I will fashion and transform you into my likeness as my disciple, and will make you a brother, a friend, and a child and son of God. You will perform and practice what I teach you, and there will be no turning back. What I make you into is permanent and eternal.”

How would you then feel? What would you then do?

He has called you. You have been transformed. It is urgent that you do not misunderstand these Words of God. Please know that you could likely be numbered among the Elect who will stand in the Gap, boldly proclaiming the Words of God, calling the lost and the straying, laying hands on the sick and the infirm, caring for the poor, the oppressed, the widows and the orphans and ‘Sounding the Shofar’ in the Last Days, if you will only follow Him.

May God keep and protect us as we work out this great and wonderful salvation!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

This is one of the greatest pronouncements and calls to readiness for all Christians:  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repent, in the Biblical sense, literally means, “To change one’s mind; reversing how you think, to change one’s mind for the better”. The word ‘repent’ comes from two root words which mean, “Hereafter, have this understanding or perception”.

Repenting is the act of changing your mind which means your mindset, your values, and your worldview is changed.  Some would say you then live by new standards.  But it is much greater than just living by new standards.

Again, I say, a person of sound mind cannot simultaneously think one thing and do another, repentance results in a complete change of mind and direction of one’s life.

Another way of saying this is, “As a man or woman thinks, so are they”.

This is not a metaphor.  It is not hyperbole.  It is the literal call from God through His Son, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

BOTH A COMMAND AND A PROPHETIC WORD

Interestingly, Jesus, the Son of God, in fact God Himself, said these very words which are recorded in Matthew 4:17.  Remembering, this is both a Command and a prophetic Word from God.

Jesus said this is what we are to do – Repent – in order to become His disciple and to follow Him, and, this is what will happen is we repent.

The disciples echoed and repeated these very words as they continued to do the Works of God, This is His command and commission to us, as His disciples, in these last days. Let us, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand” and let’s go and tell others.

Jesus says for each of us to repent as an act of our will and that Repentance will allow the Holy Spirit to come into our bodies, our minds and regenerate our spirits.  We will become One with Him.

Our fleshly desires begin to fade, and our new desires emanate from the Holy Spirit of God.  It is not us producing Spiritual Fruit, it is from The Holy Spirit, and it should pour out of us, liberally.

We begin to desire the Things of God.  We are made new, and we can now walk with certainty, with purpose and power in our New Life.

MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Once we repent, our new desires move us to a new way of living, new actions, which are the direct manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance means it is no longer you, or I who lives, but it is Christ, literally, living in us.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

If you are living in the sin of doubt or fear,  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

If you are living under the oppression of poverty, sickness, lack or want, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Rise up.  Proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness, help all who are ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; heal them all.  Matthew 4:24

Go and tell others this exceedingly Good News, and let us all, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Let’s stop thinking as the world thinks and see things from a heavenly perspective (Colossians 3:2), let’s have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), and begin to really live!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Follow me – Part 6

PREVIOUS:  A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Begone Satan – Part 4

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God.” Matthew 4:10

Outrageous, ingenuous and insane? Or The Omnipotent, Omniscient Omnipresent Son of God? It has been said that Jesus was either a demon possessed fraud, a liar and insane, or He truly is the Son of God.

Jesus made statements that, for many, are hard to believe. For example, Jesus once said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down out of heaven, so that anyone may eat from it and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats from this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I will give for the life of the world also is My flesh.” (John 6:47-51)

Many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is very unpleasant; who can listen to it?” As a result of this, many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him.  (John 6:60, 66)

How can you tell which is true of Jesus?  Ask yourself, did Jesus do what He said could be done? A careful study will show the prophecies He fulfilled. Jesus, Himself, said, “even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:38).

A simple face value reading of Jesus’ Words and a careful study of the results, will either completely confound you or thoroughly convince you that He meant what He said and said exactly what he meant.

So, I ask, ‘what if we have been reading and misunderstanding what Jesus meant by and the intentions of His Words? What if we have been misapplying what He taught? Could this be one of the main reasons our faith has grown weak and our works have faded?

The full context of this verse begins with Verse 8, “Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Verse 9. And the devil said to Jesus, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Verse 10. Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Remembering that Jesus’ Words are always creative, causative, prophetic and instructional, there is very much to learn from these few words:

First, Jesus is submitting Himself to this temptation and testing in order to teach and instruct. Jesus is showing those who would follow Him will also face temptations and testing by the devil. This is not a metaphor. It is a fact. You must be ready.

Speaking the Word of God is how we defeat the temptations and trials of the evil one. This is the first step and the only way!

“For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Secondly, we are to remember that the Word of God is creative and causative and that His Words “Accomplish the very thing which He purposes, and they shall succeed in the things for which He sent them”. (Isaiah 55:11).

Jesus is exercising the authority given Him by the Father, and He has told us He will be with us ‘until the end of the age’. Additionally, Jesus has conferred His authority to His disciples.

Jesus, is quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, the Jewish Bible (also called the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh), which Christians call the Old Testament, instructing us and demonstrating the creative, causative and prophetic power of God’s Word.

Next, when Jesus says, “For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”, He is making a grand proclamation of truth and of finality. Spoken in the future tense, Jesus is literally saying ‘from this moment forward and for all time, hence’, you are to fully and meekly surrender yourself as a lowly and menial servant or slave to God, giving yourself to Him in the deepest admiration, love and dependence.

This is spoken within the context, “For is it written” (i.e., “It is written in The Word of God”). Jesus, once again, is speaking the Word of God from Deuteronomy 6:13-15, “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.  You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the Lord your God who is in the midst of you is a jealous God; so follow Him, or else the anger of the Lord your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.”

In doing so, Jesus is both vanquishing the devil, (“Be gone, Satan”!) and is setting the example for His disciples to follow.

Finally, Jesus’ words address one audience: ‘‘You shall worship the Lord God and Him only shall you serve’.’, (meaning only the people of God, i.e., those who are called by His Name), Authority over the devil is granted only to the people of God.

If you know Him, you can’t help but worship and serve Him. He is your sanctuary.

If you don’t know Him, you have to admit, He is a pretty scary man! I beg you, lose your fear. Come to know Him. He has words of eternal life (John 6:68).

Know His Words. Speak His Words. Live His Words.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Repent – Part 5

PREVIOUSLY: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Testing God – Part 3.

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

 “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Matthew 4:7.

This is a continuing series on “THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Am I To Do With Them?” We have discussed and discovered that the Word of Jesus is the Word of God. (“Jesus and the Father are One”) . I have extracted the words of Jesus from scriptures in an effort to evaluate, study, discuss and understand

• What Jesus really said,
• What Jesus meant by what He said,
• What is the nature of what Jesus has said,
• What He said and what it means to me,
• How I should respond to what He said,
• What I should do with what He said,
• If what He said is literal and if it is really true.

We began this study with the questions, “Do you read the Bible? If so, how do you read and understand the Bible?”

What I am asking is, do you read the Bible as ‘stories’ about people, places and ‘about God’? Do you read the Bible for prophecies? For promises? For power?

Do you read the Bible to learn? And if you read to learn, what have you learned? And most importantly, what do you DO with what you learn?

We have looked at several examples of what the Bible says about The Word of God, and finally, we are asking, “What if the Word of God is true? I mean, what if His Words are literally true in ways we fail to recognize?”

People who personally encountered Jesus testified and reported on the Works He did, and this caused throngs to follow Him, stirred great controversies, created deadly conflicts and gave untold millions a greater hope for a new, vibrant, changed life, full of promise now and eternal hope of a home in heaven with God. The Words Jesus spoke, and the Works Jesus did, changed the world.

I ask again, ‘What if we have been reading and misunderstanding what Jesus meant by and the intentions of His Words? What if we have been misapplying what He taught? (Jesus was always concerned about His disciple’s lack of understanding and ‘lack of faith’.) In Part 2, we considered Jesus’ meaning of ”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”, and that we need both physical food and spiritual food, ’every word that comes from the mouth of God’, in order to survive and to thrive, both now in this world and in the age to come.

“Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

These words of Jesus, are also found from Deuteronomy 6:16, when God cautioned the Israelites, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah”.  Massah is a reference to the place where circumstances gave the Israelites cause for complaining to Moses, and to doubt whether God was present in their need (testing God); and, it was a sign of unbelief and of challenging the ability, dependability, the provision and sovereignty of God.

(Rather than go into further detail here, please refer to this article on Massah, and this article on what it means to ‘test God’.)

The consequences of putting the Lord God to the test can be severe. In this case, God was merciful. But in a similar and subsequent event years later, Moses and Aaron were denied entrance into the Promised Land because of their disobedience to God at Kadesh Barnea. God had instructed Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water for the grumbling Israelites, but he disobeyed by striking the rock twice (Numbers 20:12). Because the Israelites had failed to believe and obey the Lord, their arrival into the land “flowing with milk and honey” was postponed until Joshua led the younger generation out of the wilderness by the command of the Lord.

There are volumes being said in this short, terse statement by Jesus, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’”.

“ON ONE SIDE OF THIS COIN”

• Do not challenge the Lord your God, for it is a sign of a rebellious and ungrateful heart.
• Do not question the sovereignty of the Lord your God, for it is a sign of pride and arrogance.
• Do not doubt the Lord your God, for it is a sign of unbelief.

The Psalmist warns, Do not be a “stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

“The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.

“They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law.
They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them. In the sight of their fathers, he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan”. (Psalm 78:8-12)

“He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light.

“He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

“Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?

“He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?”

“Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.

“Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind; he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas; he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings. And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.

“But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.

“In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.” (Psalms 78:13-33)

Again, James instructs and warns, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8

“ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN”

These few words spoken by Jesus are prophetic and instructional. They have been spoken to you, and are meant to be active and will come alive, through you!

Jesus’ words are causative and creative. “They shall accomplish the very thing which He purposes, and they shall succeed in the things for which He sent them”. (Isaiah 55:11).

When beset with trials and temptations, when faced with lack, need or want, speak the Word of God and repel the devil, negate his attacks and  temptations. Be steadfast and completely dependent on God, in faith. He will not fail you. He will deliver you!

• • This is what Jesus really said,
  • This is what Jesus meant by what He said,
  • This is the nature of what Jesus has said,
  • This is what He is saying and what it means to you and me,
  • This is how you should respond to what He said,
  • This is what you should do with what He said,
  • What He has said is literally true. Depend on it!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Begone Satan – Part 4

PREVIOUSLY: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Bread Alone – Part 2

This is the promise to all of God’s children – First to the Jew, then to the Gentile. This is THE WORD OF GOD for you:

“And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you.

“If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.

“And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” Deuteronomy 30:1-6

THE PROPHETIC WORDS OF JESUS

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

Do you read the Bible? If so, why do you read the Bible? What I am asking is,

• • • Do you read the Bible as a narrative (stories) about people, places and ‘about God’?
    • Do you read the Bible for prophecies? For promises? For power?
    • Do you read the Bible to learn? And if you read to learn, what have you learned?
    • And most importantly, what do you DO with what you learn?

Reading the Bible and knowing about God can be a good thing – or it can be just an exercise to gain information or to make us feel better about ourselves.

But that is NOT necessarily knowing God, and He wants us to know Him and His ways and to walk with Him, daily, then He becomes our sanctuary.

Please consider these Bible facts:

• Did you know that the Bible is alive? Alive, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword? That it penetrates as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and that it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart? (Hebrews 4:12).

• Did you know that all Scripture is actually the Breath of God? And that The Scriptures, (The Bible), is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work? (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

• Did you know that the Word is God? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God? (John 1:1).

• Did you know that The Word became flesh and dwelt among us?  Did you also know that many have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth, and that Word is Jesus? (John 1:14).

• Did you know that the Word of God that goes out from His mouth shall not return to Him empty, but it shall accomplish that which He purposes, and shall succeed in the thing for which He sent it? (Isaiah 55:11).

• Did you know that you are made clean because of the Word He has spoken to you? (John 15:3).

• Did you know that whoever believes in Jesus, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water?’” (John 7:38).

• Did you know that the Gospel, the Good News found in The Word, is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek? (Romans 1:16).

• Did you know that God’s Word like fire and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29).

• Did you know that the Word of God is eternal and will not pass away?  (Matthew 24:35).

The Bible says that Jesus’ Words are creative, causative, prophetic and instructional. Can this really be true?

Please ask yourself – “WHAT IF WHAT THE BIBLE IS SAYING IS REALLY TRUE?”  I mean, not only without error, but literally true and factually accurate in ways we fail to recognize? What if the Bible is truly a gateway to an unseen (Spiritual) realm from which all things originate? A place where you can have peace in the midst of the tribulations of this physical world, knowing for certain that He who dwells in you has overcome this world?

Regardless whether this Truth is spoken through plain language, as metaphors, similes or as an idiom? Let me give you an example before you answer.

The Bible says, “For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  These words were written about 2,000 years ago, and there was no such thing as a discipline of psychology. So, can these words really be true?  And, how could the Bible look 2,000 years into the future to make such a statement?

These Words would seem to have been written as a metaphor, containing a simile. But, are they true? Can the Word of God this actually make these things happen?  Or are the Words of Jesus just metaphors and similes, an invention of a poetic mind?

Sadly, a friend of mine who is also a pastor, has said that Jesus’ words are largely, if not completely, metaphorical, communicating an idea but not facts, especially when it comes to His miracles. This pastor would say that when the Bible says Jesus raised the dead, it was a metaphor, actually meaning that people who are ‘dead’ are only emotionally or spiritually dead. So, by Jesus’ words of encouragement, they would come alive with new purpose in life, but no one actually came back from being dead.

This preacher would say the same of Jesus healing the blind and lame. The blind and the lame did not actually see or walk again, (and perhaps were never really physically blind or lame), but this preacher was asserting that Jesus could motivate the infirm to a ‘see life in a new way’ and would find a new way of ‘walking through life’.

But the Bible says Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and the savior of the world. Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. Jesus and the Word of God is not an invention of a perverse and unbelieving person and generation. (John 14:6)

I say, ‘how sad and absurd’ of this pastor to say such things. I ask if, therefore, if what he says is true, if you believe the things Jesus and the Bible say are hyperbole at best and a lie at worst then why bother studying scriptures! And, what gives you the insight a temerity to change what is plainly written in this ancient document (The Bible) paid for by the blood of thousands, to satisfy your own limited opinion and lack of understanding?

This pastor and many others would choose to stand in judgement of the Bible because they just cannot and will not believe? They are, in essence, saying that Jesus is either a liar, a fraud a hypocrite, a lunatic, a motivational speaker or grossly mistaken, and that the Bible is a scam – a book of errors or fantasies.

A STEP FARTHER – What if The Word of God is True?

I mean, what if His Words are literally true in ways we fail to recognize? People who personally encountered Jesus testified and reported on the Works He did, and this caused throngs to follow Him, stirred great controversies, created deadly conflicts and gave untold millions a greater hope for a new, vibrant, changed life, full of promise now and eternal hope of a home in heaven with God.

The Words Jesus spoke, and the Works Jesus did, changed the world.

I ask again, ‘what if we have been reading and misunderstanding what Jesus meant by His Words and the intentions of His Words? What if we have been misapplying what He taught? (Jesus was always concerned about His disciple’s lack of understanding and ‘lack of faith’.)

What if Jesus has been telling us how to actively engage His Word, so we could actually do His Works, and even greater works – or more accurately, so He could do His Works through us? (“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will you do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12.)

I realize I am wading into a potentially controversial area, but I am not referring to some kind of religious mysticism or extra-Biblical teaching, heresy or religious nonsense. (I believe, practice and teach a reformed view of the Bible. I believe it is God Who does His works through us and not us, in and of ourselves, doing these Works.) And, I do believe a great majority of the church, the teaching and practices of the church and the results produced by the early church have waned if not disappeared completely.

So, I ask one last time: What if the Word of God is

•  Somehow, literally Alive, and
• Somehow, literally Active, and
• Producing the effect of being Sharper than any two-edged sword,
• Capable of literally Penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit,
• Dividing both joints and marrow, and
• Somehow, literally able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart? (See Hebrews 4:12)
  

Ask yourself, “Why would the Bible and Jesus say such things if they were not true?”

“Why would Jesus and His disciples be willing to suffer and die for a lie or a scam?”

If The Word of God is absolutely true, and in light of what we have discussed and in light of what you have read, what do you now think about the Word of God? If you believe the Bible can live up to its claims, how would you now approach the Bible?

Would you even dare pick up The Word of God, suspecting or knowing it is somehow “actually alive, and active and able to penetrate your mind, spirit and body, having the ability to ‘cut you to pieces’ and reveal the deepest secrets and thoughts of your heart mind and soul?

What would you now DO with such a strange and exciting potential?

Would you still read the Bible just as ‘stories’ about people, places and ‘about God’?

Would you still read the Bible for just for prophecies? For promises? For power?

Would you still you read the Bible just to learn about it?

And, if so, what would you DO with what you would learn?

If all of this is True, it is truly life changing – it is truly world changing! And It has already changed the world; and since it is True, it will also change your life for the better, if you will just believe and act!

I hope that perhaps these Words now have a clearer meaning, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

COMING NEXT: THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are We To Do With Them? “‘Man shall not live by bread alone”?, Part 2.

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – AN INTRODUCTION

THE WORLD IS SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

Are you stressed? Drifting? Are you distracted by fear, worry and doubt about your future? Are you finding that your life has lost meaning? Every day is just another day without purpose?

Are you sad, depressed, feeling hopeless and seeing no way out of current conditions? Perhaps you are living in poverty, spoil and sickness? Or maybe you have resources but are beaten down emotionally, mentally or physically. Is life failing you? Have people turned away from you or against you?

Do not give up just yet. It does not have to be this way. There is a Way to find relief. It has been tried and proven by hundreds of thousands and even millions of people who have been in a similar situation or worse.

This Way, as I have called it, will literally change your life and will lift you out of your current circumstance and deliver you to a life full of purpose and promise. A life, plentiful, peaceful, full of resources – and all you have to do is decide, then ask, seek and knock at this Door of Hope and Promise. It will be opened to you – and if you are willing to walk through this Door, and keep walking forward, you can enter into all that is being promised.

Even if you are currently a Christian, this will probably be unlike what you have been hearing and thinking lately. This goes deep into what it means not to just ‘believe IN Jesus’, but to literally ‘BELIEVE Him’. It is about not just knowing about God, but to KNOW Him, intimately. It is not just about knowing what Jesus said to do, but to actually HAVE HIM DO HIS WORKS THROUGH YOU! 

This Way will bring peace and prosperity to your soul.

But know this: Because you may have traveled a long way down a road filled with trouble, you will have to travel an equal distance back up that road to find your relief. Just remain faithful and be willing to complete your travels to receive your freedom.

Also know that the evils of ignorance, poverty, sickness, disease, habits, addictions, lack and want can exert a powerful grip on your soul, mind and life. But, you can pull away from that, and be set free, If you choose. You can enter a life complete with all you could hope for – and more.

The working out of this transformation will come slowly at first, then in time, goodness will chase you down and overcome you. Then your freedom can begin “in a blink of an eye”.

You may be asking, “what kind of “deal is this?” It could be called a pursuit of God. But it is much more.

It is not enough just to ‘believe in God’ or to ‘know about God’. You and I must believe Him. You must pursue Him and come to know Him personally and intimately. You must come to trust Him and follow and obey Him – which is not the way of the world in this 21^st century.

This pursuit, this journey, will be counter-intuitive and counter-cultural. It will bring about a radical change in how you think and live. You will ‘die to your old self’ and be recreated, made into a new and wonderful creation – you will\, in a sense of speaking, be reborn. You will crucify – put to death – your old fleshly desires, your old belief system, your old ways of viewing life, your old corrupt appetites and desires, and you will be given a new and exciting way to see and live life.

It will no longer be the ‘old you’ who lives, but Christ Jesus will come to live in you. This new life you can choose to live, by faith, in the Son of God, Jesus, Who loves you and gave himself for you.

Come along and step out of a life of doubt, fear, lack, sickness or poverty and be transformed into a life of peace and joy! It can happen, and it will happen – if you will.

For my part, I will provide, to the best of my ability, a friendship if you accept this offer. I will offer instruction and assistance on how to find and walk in this new Way of life. For your part, you have to provide an enduring willingness to follow. This is a gift. Your only cost is your willingness, and the only thing you have to lose is your misery. Let’s walk up this path together, as friends.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  YOUR JOURNEY – THE PROPHETIC WORDS OF JESUS.

THE PROPHETIC WORDS OF JESUS

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 2

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’” – Matthew 4:3.

What does this mean, and can it be true?

The context in which Jesus spoke these words is found in

Matthew 4:1, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Verse 2. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Verse 3. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Verse 4. But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus’ response to temptation and testing by the devil, even in the most extreme of circumstances, was to say, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Please remember, this is not just a study ‘about the Bible’ or ‘about Jesus’, and, this is not just a story.

This is The Word of God being demonstrated in real life situations. These Words are for your learning, your rebuke, your correction and training in righteousness, so that you may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This Word of God, is creative, causative, prophetic and instructional, to you, for you and ultimately, ‘through you’.

So, again I ask, what do these Words mean, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”   And, are they true?

It is true that we need food for nourishment and for life, but natural food will only sustain and strengthen you temporarily.

The Word of God is the true food, the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.  Jesus is the bread of life, and whoever comes to Him shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Him shall never thirst. (John 6:27-40).

What do these Words mean to you? And are they true?

In this case, when Jesus says, ”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”, He uses the word ‘Rhema’ which is the spoken Word of God. Jesus speaks the known, written Word of God to counter and to negate the tests and temptations of the devil.

Can this be true for us? Likewise, you also are to speak the known Word of God, (the ‘Rhema-word)’, that is the known, written Word of God to counter and to negate the tests and temptations of the devil.

Why is this necessary? Because Jesus has told us, ‘this is the way’.

Is it possible for you to do this?

Being a Christian, a disciple of Jesus, is not a casual relationship nor is it a convenient pursuit. It is hard. It takes work, discipline, dedication and commitment. But It is the only way to life and true peace. (Romans 8:6b).

So, if you prefer a life with purpose and meaning, a life full and abundant, then don’t “live by bread alone, but live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

If you prefer a life with peace in your heart in mind, at peace with people and with God, don’t “live by bread alone, but live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

If the Word of God is absolutely true, and in light of what we have discussed and in light of what you have read, what do you now think about the Word of God?

How would you now approach the Bible?

Would you now pick up The Word of God, and breathe in it? Suspecting or knowing it somehow leads to life and life worth living?

What would you now DO with such a strange and exciting potential?

Would you still read the Bible just as ‘stories’ about people, places and ‘about God’?

Would you still read the Bible just for prophecies? For promises? For power?

Would you still read the Bible just to learn about it? And, if so, what would you DO with what you would now learn?

“I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly”. (John 10:10 b)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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