Category: Christian Living

LIVING AS THE WORLD LIVES – AND CALLING YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN – AN OXYMORON

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

HERE IS AN OXYMORON

“LIVING AS THE WORLD LIVES – AND CALLING YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN”

(How to reverse the effects – Romans 7 & 8)

Dear brothers and sisters, friends, in Christ, we are living in exciting times, that is if you realize that we are living in The Last Days, as described in scriptures. (see “God has a plan for your life”).

Of course, if you read, watch or hear the secular media, you would not be so excited. The condition of the world, to the natural mind and the natural eye, looks desperate. Considering that the current condition of the world was foretold in prophetic scripture, we should not be surprised or taken unaware. The good news is that God IS aware of these matters. In fact, He is the One who pre-ordained them and set them in motion. But He has a plan for you in these days and through the End of the Age.

It is urgent, however, that we are prepared, both for what is upon us and what is yet to come. Jesus warned that you would be continually be hearing of wars and rumors of war, nations rising against nations, famines, earthquakes, and intolerable anguish around the world (see Matthew 24:4-8). He said people would betray one another, hate one another, (Matthew 24:9-10). that civility will disappear, and lawlessness will increase (Matthew 24:12).

Jesus said these things would be just the birth pangs, (see Matthew 24:8), of the tribulation, and that the Wrath of the Lamb, a Great Tribulation such as the world has never seen and never will see again, is yet to come (see Matthew 24:21). But that the ones who believe in Him, and would endure will be saved (see Matthew 24:13), now and from the coming terror, and it is these and ones like them who will inherit the kingdom of heaven!

It is telling that Jesus began His earthly ministry and teaching with these words: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand”, (see Matthew 4:17). Repentance, (see Repent, part 5), begins in your thinking, attitude, beliefs and then in your behavior. One of the key components of repentance and in your view and understanding of the Commandments of God, your relationship to Him and what this really means to you.

For example, and very importantly, do you know that we, as Christians, have been released, set free, from the legalism of religion? That is, we have been set free from the law of the ‘old covenant’, which was a set of external rules and regulations that pointed out our sinful ways and burdened us with rituals and rites that only intensified the shame and guilt of our failures, but did nothing to alleviate our suffering.

Or were you unaware that the Law has jurisdiction over a person, to rule them mentally and emotionally, as long as they live?

Therefore, fellow believers, we have died to the restrictive nature of the old covenant Law by our knowledge and acceptance of the crucified body of Christ, so that you may belong to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. This is true repentance.

However, when we were living in the flesh, trapped by sin, filled with the error of worldly thinking, and our minds were focused on sinful passions, our lower nature was awakened by something the Law identifies as “sin”. It was then that we realized that “sin” was in our mind and body, working to bear its fruit of death, and it was through that realization or awareness, that sin began its deadly work in our lives. Furthermore, and tragically, our natural willingness to sin leads to our spiritual death and separation from God.

But now, because we have voluntarily died through Christ to that old system of thinking to which we were held captive, we have now been released from that Law and its penalty. Now we can now serve God with a new attitude of the Spirit, having shed the old, domineering letter of the Law.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am I not saying that the Law or the Commandments of God are sinful. Absolutely not! On the contrary, if it had not been for the Commandments and the Law, I could not have recognized and defined my sin. For example, I could not have realized that my greed for what belongs to another person was sinful if the Law did not repeatedly tell me, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET – lust after and greedily desire the possessions of others.”

And please understand, sin is not just a concept. It is a real thing, and it finds opportunities to express itself in me and every other person, in every kind of coveting and selfish desire.

This idea may be hard to grasp at first, but without the Law constantly reminding me of my sin, sin has no power to afflict me. In other words, my recognition of sin is deactivated and I am set free from that nagging reminder and focus on the negative, when I stop focusing on sin.

I used to be alive without the knowledge of what was sinful; but when the commandments came and I understood its meaning, sin became alive and killed my freedom, and I was filled with guilt and shame, and the Law sentenced me to a spiritual and emotional death.

Those very commandments which was intended to bring a balance and healthy life to me, actually brought death to my soul. For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandments, beguiled and completely deceived me, and became a weapon that killed me, that is separated me from the freedom found with God.

Please understand that the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good, so how did that which is good, the Law that is, become death to me?

Please understand that it was not the Law which deceived and snared me. It was sin that did that. It seems contradictory, or oxymoronic, but that was a benefit in that it was made aware that sin was present within me and the reality of sin was revealed, and that is was producing death in me by using this good thing, the Law as a weapon against me. So, through the Commandments, sin would become exceedingly sinful. I.e., sin hijacked the Commandments and used them against me and my mind.

Let me try to explain this another way. We know that the Law of God is spiritual, but since I am a creature of the flesh, that is, I am worldly, self-reliant, carnal and unspiritual, and sold into slavery to sin, the passions of my mind and body, are in a way, serving sin and have come under its control. Sin deceives me in my thinking and understanding, so much that I do cannot understand my own behavior and actions. I am baffled and bewildered by them. You see, I do not act like or practice the things what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate, and I am helplessly yielding to my lower human nature, that is my worldliness, my capacity to be sinful.

This sinful thought life and behaviors become both open and secret habits. And, I habitually do what I do not want to do.

This is telling me, as crazy as it sounds, that I agree that the Commandments as good and morally excellent, because I come to see the difference between what I want to do and what I do not want to do.

So now if that is the case, then it is no longer I who am willingly doing those disobedient things which I despise, but it is the sin nature, this real and evil thing, which is living within me.

Now I see and realize that nothing good lives in my ‘flesh’, that is in my human nature. For I am willing and desiring to do good, but the ability to always do good is not in me, so I am conflicted and I struggle.

I am not actually doing the good things that I want to do. Instead I find myself doing and practicing the very evil things that I do not want to do.

So I have to realize and conclude that it is not the ‘real me’ doing these awful acts, but it is the ‘sin nature’ which lives in me and is controlling me.

I find this has become the law, so to speak, of my inner self, of my fleshly and worldly mind, which is possessed by evil. And it is present and struggling against the ‘other me’, who wants to do good.

I know this sounds like a multiple personality disorder, but there is just no other way to describe this madness.

Listen, I honestly and joyfully delight in the goodness of the law and commandments of God in my inner self with my new born again nature, but I can also see a different law and rule of action in my mind and soul, with its appetites and desires, waging war against the goodness of God’s commandments I hold in my mind. And the reality of sin in my mind is subverting and subduing my will to do good, which is making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is lurking about in my mind.

Living like this is making me a wretched and miserable person! I often cry out and ask “Who will rescue me and set me free from this mind and body of death, from this corrupt, mortal existence?

Now, however, I openly thank God for my deliverance through Jesus Christ our Lord!

On the one hand I now realize that I can serve the law of God, while on the other hand, I find that I unwillingly serve the law of sin with my flesh through my worldly human nature. Such a horrible contradiction infecting my mind.

However, I have come to now realize and to know, that by putting my faith in Jesus, that there is no condemnation, no guilty verdict, no punishment for me nor for those of us who are in Christ Jesus, that is for those who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior.

You see, there is now a NEW LAW which supersedes and overrules the old law which is the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus. This is the new law of our new being, and it has set you and me free from the law of sin and of death.

For what the old law could not do, that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power being weakened by the flesh man’s nature, is done through this NEW LAW, by way of the Holy Spirit!

You really have to get what God has done! He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son, so that the righteous and just, the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not willingly live our lives in the ways of the flesh which is guided by worldliness and our innate sinful nature. But we now willingly live our lives in the ways of the Spirit, enabled and guided by His power.

And, get this: those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, and that is the trap. I mean they are always thinking about sinful things, which excite the lusts and lower nature, those things which titillate and gratify the lower passions of the body.

But those who are living according to the Spirit, continually think about and set their minds on the things of the Spirit, that is God’s Will and Purpose, and that is the escape from the trap of sin.

The mind of the flesh lead to and brings mental, emotional, spiritual and ultimately, physical death, both now and forever, because it pursues sin.

But the mind of the Spirit brings life and peace and the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God, both now and forever.

The mind of the flesh with its sinful pursuits is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh, living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses, cannot please God.

However, you are no longer living in the flesh, being controlled by the sinful nature, but you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you, directing and guiding you.

Be aware that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him and is not a child of God.

But if Christ lives in you, even though your natural body and soul is dead because of the effects of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness which He provides. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. This is the greatest gift ever given to us by God. This is the greatest of miracles.

So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, not to our flesh, our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity to live according to the impulses of the flesh our nature without the Holy Spirit. For if you are living according to the impulses of the flesh, you are going to die emotionally, mentally, spiritually and eternally.

But if you are living by the power of the Holy Spirit, that means you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, and you will really live forever.

For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Now that you have been born again by God’s grace and through faith in Jesus, you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, through the Spirit producing sonship, by which we joyfully cry, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit, assuring us that we, as believers, are children of God. And if we are His children, then we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance. Additionally, if we really share in His suffering then we will also share in His glory.

Now, from this standpoint of faith, the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!

Amazingly, all of creation waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay and gain entrance into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit a joyful indication of the blessings to come, even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for the sign of our adoption as sons, the redemption and transformation of our body at the resurrection. For in this hope we were saved by faith.

Remember that the Spirit always comes to us and helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself knows our need and at the right time intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes before God on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will.

And we know, with great confidence, that God, who is deeply concerned about us, causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

For those whom He foreknew and loved and chose beforehand, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, and ultimately share in His complete sanctification, so that He would be the firstborn and the most beloved and honored, among many believers.

Remember that those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified, that is He has declared us free of the guilt of sin; and those whom He justified, He also glorified, raising them to a heavenly dignity.  (Adopted from Romans 7 and 8).

So please, dear friends, let’s stop thinking as the world thinks, and Let’s stop believing as the world believes. It only negates our faith and our ability to live and to serve Him.

If we are to live in the Spirit of God, let’s walk by the Spirit, in personal integrity, Godly character and moral courage, our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s think as Christ Jesus thinks. Let’s do as Jesus does. Let’s actually follow Jesus. Let’s demonstrate our faith in God, both by our attitude, behavior and works as we actually follow Him. (Adapted from Romans chapters 7 and 8).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

“God Will Break Through”

אלוהים יפרוץ

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

GOD HAS A PLAN

Have you heard that “God has a plan for your life”? The implication, often, is that God has a tailor-made plan just for you and you alone. It is as if God has planned His entire creation around your time on this earth. Wow. Unfortunately, not only is this kind of thinking incredibly myopic and shortsighted, it is misinformed and will inevitably lead you down the wrong path. A dead end.

Now, I can almost hear many people say, “but Jeremiah 29:11-13 says that God has a plan for your life”. As an example, I hear many Christians, preachers, pastors and theologians included, suggest that God’s plan for your life and that it can be found in scriptures like, Jeremiah 29:11-13. To wit: ”For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29 verses 11 through 13 are widely read, widely quoted and very popular verses.  I know many people ‘claim’ these verses as a promise from God to bless their life with a future and a hope. But this is just one example of how people will misunderstand God’s Plan by using a egocentric view of life. I.e., it’s all about ‘me’.

However, if you look at the context of these verses, you can see how many folks sadly take these verses out of context. Read what comes just before and after these verses.

Jeremiah 29:8, “For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream.

Verse 9. ‘For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD.

Verse 10. “For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.

Verse 11. ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Verse 12. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Verse 13. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Verse 14. ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

Jeremiah chapter 29 is an historical account of the Israelites in exile, as punishment from God for their disobedience.  The prophet Jeremiah confronts the false prophet, Hananiah, who had boldly proclaimed that God was going to free Israel from Babylon in two years.

So, if you don’t know this historical account, and most people don’t, are you certain you want God to ‘bless’ you with punishment and exile in order to bring you back to Himself?

 

However, God does have a plan. The Bible tells us that God has a plan. In fact, the Bible shows us His Master Plan, and you can see and learn about His plan if you are willing to take the time to study and search. And, I will suggest that God’s plan is much bigger than you or me. His plan is about the entire human race, the earth, the sun, the stars and the entire cosmos. And, His Plan is revealed in the first words in the book of Genesis and continues through the last words in Revelation.

Now, don’t get me wrong. You and I are included in His plan, and we are destined to navigate His plan. But we cannot do that correctly or effectively unless WE KNOW THE WAY AND THE PURPOSE of His Plan.

Once again, from an egocentric perspective, His Plan may seem like a maze to us. His plan is full of opportunities and obstacles. You must constantly be asking yourself which path to take to reach the goal? And this becomes increasingly impossible unless you know His Ultimate Goal. And, because God has designed this maze for your life, you are simply the sojourner, trying to find your way.

Jesus knows the way. In fact, Jesus is the way! He can and will lead you to safety. But you must follow Him.

This entire matter could be compared to the age old philosophical question, “why am I here, and what is the purpose of my life?” Well, if you are willing, we can answer that question:

You are here because God put you here, or more accurately, God created a man and a woman, (Adam and Eve), who, over time, put you here. That is the “how” of why you are here.

You are here because God put you here to test you. Yes, to test you, (see 1st Peter 1:3-7), and for those who ‘endure to the end’ of this testing, they will be ‘saved’, (see Matthew 24:13). That is the ‘why’ of why you are here.

God is testing you to prove you. Yes, to prove you. God’s intention is that you be saved and transformed into the image of Christ Jesus. (See Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18).

The purpose of God’s plan is ‘perfection’. Yes, perfection. In the beginning, God said His creation was ‘good and very good’ (see Genesis 1, verses 10, 12, 18, 21, ,25 31, and Genesis 3:6).

God was creating the Masterpiece, first in the heavens and then on the earth. His work completed in just seven days, He would allow His Masterpiece to mature for millenniums, until it became His Perfection. (See Matthew 5:48, John 17:23, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 13:10, Philippians 3:12, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 12:2, James 1:4, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:5).

For us, this is a journey of discovery and revelation of God’s Grand Plan and Design, from creation through the End of the Age, then into a New Heaven and a New Earth.

 

This will lead to the reasons for WHAT God is doing in these Last Days and WHY He is doing it this way. My prayer is that, after reading this, everything you may have wondered regarding the reasoning behind God’s Plan for the world and your life, will fall into place.

In order to know God’s plan for your life – and the entirety of the cosmos, you must know the entire plan. Knowing is just the beginning, because once you know The Plan then you will know that you have to choose to join HIM in what HE is doing or go your own way. Okay?

So, let’s look at exactly what is God’s Plan for everyone and everything? What is His purpose? Let me put it as succinctly and briefly as possible:

If you will come to understand this, then all your successes and failures, all the pleasantries and the tragedies, all the good and all of the bad things of life, even death and eternity, will begin to make perfect sense.

Notice that I do not say it will be easy. It will not and is not easy. It is hard. But, if you look hard enough, you can come to see the purpose in every circumstance, the pleasant and the unpleasant, the good and the bad. You will see the outcome as the proving of your faith, even if you have to wait years after these events that come upon you to see the results (see 1st Peter 1:3-7).

I will present, first, a very brief and a very simple overview of a biblical time line to help you understand. I will begin with the Creation of the heavens and the earth, and take you on a journey through time, until the destruction, and the creation of a New Heaven and a new earth. We will see the complete Plan of God, as found in the Bible.  (And, don’t worry. It will be an abbreviated history of how God has created the world, dealt with the people He created, and why the world has gone the way it has gone and how it will conclude.)

One last note. This is not designed to please everyone, and it will not fit every different denominational doctrine. Instead, this is meant to

  • Inform you, to
  • Inspire you, and to
  • Ignite you to move toward the One Living God and to join Him in what He is doing!

I hope that my Christian friends, and others who read this, don’t find it objectionable solely because I have omitted certain events. However, it is my intention to inform and inspire, NOT overwhelm the reader with volumes of information.

PERFECTION – In the beginning, God created.

He began with the imperfect and created the Masterpiece, first in the heavens and then on the earth. His work completed in just seven days; He would allow His Masterpiece to mature for a millennium until it became His Perfection.

This is a journey of discovery and revelation of God’s Grand Plan and Design, from creation through the End of the Age, then into a New Heaven and a New Earth.

This is an introductory study and an explanation on the reasons for WHAT God is doing in these Last Days and WHY He is doing it this way. My prayer is that, after reading this, everything you may have wondered regarding the reasoning behind God’s Plan for the world and your life, will fall into place.

This will take you on a journey into the reasons for WHAT God is doing in these Last Days and WHY He is doing it this way, and it will reveal His PURPOSE.

My prayer is that, after reading this, everything you may have wondered regarding the reasoning behind God’s Plan for the world and your life, will fall into place. God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He purposed; from

  1. The Creation, through
  2. The Garden of Eden, and
  3. The Fall of Man to,
  4. The Great Flood,
  5. The Tower of Babel,
  6. The Exodus from Egypt,
  7. The possessing of The Promised Land,
  8. The Destruction of the First Temple, and
  9. The Jewish Captivity in Babylon,
  10. The birth of Jesus,
  11. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus,
  12. The Destruction of the Second Temple,

Our steady march through time has been exactly as Bible prophecy has foretold.  We have entered an era leading to the destruction and, eventually, a rebirth of the heavens and the earth.

The world has entered the final epoch of time, known by various names, such as, “The Last Days”, “The End The of Age” the “Latter Days” and “The Tribulation Period”, which was marked by the birth of Jesus.  There are reportedly visible and observable signs and ancient writings to help you, if you believe in such things. However, most people either don’t recognize the signs or writings or don’t believe. Even among those who believe these prophecies are coming to pass and see the signs, few know what they are seeing, where they are leading or what to do in response.

Daniel 12:1, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

RECAP of Daniel 12:1-13 :

  1. And there will be a time of such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, (These words are repeated by Jesus in Matthew 24:21), and,
  2. everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse
  3. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven,
  4. and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.” Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,
  5. “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that

(a)  it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.  Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so, I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.

  1. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand.
  2. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12.

(a)  Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

Not surprisingly, the main interest in this subject continues to be in the sensationalism of the matter; and sadly, both fictional and religious writers are profiteering and capitalizing on the subject financially.  All-the-while, assuming these things are true, they are grossly ignoring the urgency and the catastrophic ramifications which are being played out.

This subject is classified as “Eschatology”, which is the study of final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity. The word comes from the Greek word, éschatos, meaning “last” and ‘logy’ meaning “the study of”.  Most of the major religious denominations which teach this doctrine believe it will come on the world suddenly, with an increasing intensity and will last for just seven years. This view is a myopic view of the Bible’s history time line, but a careful study of the Bible tells a much different version of these events.

A study of the ‘long view’ of the Bible on this subject, will show that the End of This Age was  planned before creation. God, indeed “has a plan for your life” as He has had a plan for the entire world, but it is not the “Sunday school version” you heard about. This is real, dangerous, exciting and both deadly and life-giving.

It has taken many millenniums for this travail to unfold, and we may still have many years to go.  But I suppose that when you are dealing with an Eternal God who has no beginning and no end, time is not a factor. God can take all the ‘time’ He wants to execute His plan. Please come with me and let’s continue to explore God’s Plan for you and me and the entire cosmos.

WHERE ARE WE IN GOD’S TIMELINE?

The time is near. Could it possibly be that we are already in the Last Days? If so, when did they begin?

Let’s take a look at what Jesus and His first disciples had to say about the Last Days, the End of Days, the End of the Age

Matthew 24:4-31, Jesus describes a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),

(1). “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5).

(2). In the Last Days, there will be famines and earthquakes. (This has been a regular occurrence since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:7 and the 4th Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:5-8).

(3). In the Last Days, there are wars and rumors of wars. (Wars and rumors of war have been occurring since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:6 and the 2nd Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:3-4).

(4). In the Last Days, there will be a persecution and martyrdom of Christians. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:9 and the 5th tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:9-11).

(5). In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).

These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation, are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.

Jesus calls the 1st phase of the tribulation the ‘Birth Pangs’ (Matthew 24:8). Jesus then calls the 2nd phase of the tribulation, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), also known as the 6th Tribulation Seal (Revelation 6:12-14), and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), and the Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).. (Please click these links for verification and understanding). Now, what do you think?

Acts 2:14-17, the Apostle Peter says, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’ (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

If these verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS. Now, what do you think?

1 Corinthians 10:11, the Apostle Paul says, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS. Now, what do you think?

 2 Timothy 3:1, Timothy says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS. Now, what do you think?

 1 John 2:18, the Apostle John says, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).

If these verses say that John was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION in the year A.D. 95. What do you think now?

 These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at or around the time of the birth of Christ; and these mark the first 5 tribulation Seals being broken. They have been ongoing, overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation).

WHAT DOS THIS MEAN TO US?

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THE CONCLUSION OF THESE THINGS WILL HAPPEN IN A MOMENT AND THERE WILL BE NO SECOND-CHANCES. THE TIME IS UPON US.

The word “flood” is used about 28 times in the Bible. It is used eleven times in the Book of Genesis and refers to God’s Judgment on the world for sin by way of the Great Flood.

The word “flood” is used either in general terms or symbolically, twice in Job, five times in Psalms, once in Proverbs, Isaiah and Nahum, once in Luke.

It is used in reference to God’s Judgments, once in Daniel, twice in Matthew, once in Luke once in 2 Peter and once in Revelation. All of these references are related to the End of Days in some way, except for 2 Peter.

The Bible mentions a flood in conjunction with God’s Judgment and the “End of Days” as mentioned, in Daniel 9, Matthew 24 and Revelation 12.

Let’s focus on the narrative of a flood in Matthew 24:37 which speaks specifically about the “Flood”, comparing what is past and what coming.

The flood in Matthew 24:37 is a direct reference to the Great Flood of Noah’s day, which “took them all away” who were not safe in the Ark.

Matthew uses the same wording and warnings as found in the Genesis Flood account:

Matthew 24:39, tells us, “And, they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so, will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Verse 40. “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

Verse 41. “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

Verse 42. “Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Verse 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.

Verse 44. “For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Verse 45. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

Verse 46. “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”

Here is the “takeaway” and what we are to be “so doing when he comes“.

  1. In Noah’s day, although Noah warned them, they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away.
  2. So, it will be with the coming of “The Son of Man, which is Jesus. But now we understand the warnings and will have no excuse. Still, if you do not heed the warnings, you will be taken away.
  3. The warning is, “those who are not ready will be left”. They will be left. No excuses and no second chances, not even during the Tribulation.
  4. “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes:
    • Be on the alert; he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into
    • Be the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time.

This is to be our response. Get Ready and Stay Ready!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ON THE ALERT AND TO BE READY?

  1. Repent of your sin and fully trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sin. Believe in Him, and you will not perish (John 3:16). The Lord knows who are His, and He will leave none of them behind (John 10:14).
  2. Be found living your life as Jesus has modeled and taught. This is only possible if you are guided by the Holy Spirit, Who empowers you with His gifts, Guidance and the Fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
  3. Be found telling about and demonstrating the Good News of Jesus; making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to do all that Jesus has commanded.

I realize this is just a synopsis of all that the Bible teaches. But it is a starting point. Now it is up to you and to me to continue to pray and study about God’s Plan and our part in His Plan.

Let me conclude by saying that everything that occurs in these Last Days is part of God’s Plan. You don’t really have to fully understand each and every event or occurrence and how they fit into this Plan. You just have to know, by faith, that God is sovereign and that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher that our ways. His word which goes out of His mouth will not return to Him empty, but will accomplish exactly what He has planned. It will succeed in the Purpose for which He has sent it. Therefore, your and I can go out with joy and be led in peace. This is what God says, “Guard justice and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come and My righteousness is to be revealed. Blessed is a man or woman who does this, and who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. I will give you an everlasting name which will not be eliminated.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

For further reading and a complete teaching go to “The Journey to Perfection” on this website, or you can view it in digital book format at “The Journey to Perfection – digital”.

MORALITY? How do you define it?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

MORALITY?

A Gallup Poll from June 2023 states:

54% say the state of moral values in U.S. is poor; 33% only fair.

83% think U.S. moral values are getting worse.

74% of Republicans say moral values are poor; 97% think they are worsening.

Dr. Tracy Munsil, Executive Director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University says that our nation is facing a potential moral freefall unthinkable to earlier generations – with a majority of Americans today no longer embracing values of honesty, respect for the rule of law, the sanctity of life, and traditional sexual morality when facing moral issues.

As a result, as a nation we are radically redrawing moral boundaries. For example, those surveyed were more likely to say it is morally unacceptable to renege on repaying a small debt to a relative than to have an abortion.

Less than half said it was morally unacceptable to tell a lie to protect their personal interest or reputation, with 27% saying it was morally acceptable or that it was not a moral issue at all.

Lying, stealing, killing, murdering, sexual perversion, alcoholism, drug addiction, and increasing violence of all kinds have been on the rise for decades.

When a society loses its ability to trust its institutions, its authority figures, its government, then it will cease to function which can lead to the kinds societal chaos and anarchy we are now witnessing.

When members of society cannot trust or depend on one another it will descend into widespread violent discord, and eventually, it will cease to exist.

There are those who claim that statistics show that things are no worse today than they have ever been in America. But statistics can be subject to several variables. In this case, there are three standards of judgment.

(#1). Some are based on situational ethical standards, which are subject to the interpretation of the individual based on their personal view of the situation or circumstances at hand. This standard is highly subjective and is never static.

EXAMPLE: It is okay to steal food if you are hungry and cannot afford to pay for it.

EXAMPLE: It is okay to lie if you don’t think it will hurt anyone or if you think it will protect someone from a hurtful truth.

#2).  Next are conditional ethics which highly subjective to the desires, needs, wants and opinion of the those making the judgment. This standard is unreliable and subject to manipulation. It says “I will give you my approval if you give me what I want”.

EXAMPLE: It is okay to gossip and hurt the reputation of someone if they will not support you in a project or in your efforts; or to promote them above others who are less qualified, because they support you – even if your behavior, project or effort is questionable. A tit-for-tat ethos.

(#3). Finally, a moral absolute – an absolute standard of truth. Coincidentally, the moral values and standards underpinning the foundations of the American Experiment, which sprang from a Judeo-Christian ethos, postulates a moral absolute – an absolute standard of truth. (This absolutism is stated in the second paragraph of our Declaration of Independence, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident…”).

EXAMPLE: You do the honest and the right thing simply because it is the right thing, regardless of how it benefits you – because the Bible says it is the only way.

Now I ask, using one of the standards are listed above, where do you stand? Please review the list below, of the TEN COMMANDMENTS which are taken from the Bible, and decide which of the three standards of ethics most closely defines your view of good morals and acceptable ethical standards. (at the end of each choice you received a score of 1, 2 or 3. Keep your score and total it when completed):

  1. “You shall have no other gods before me.” God desires our complete loyalty and allegiance for our own benefit, not to forget His divine providence. This command forbids placing anyone or anything above God. (New Testament References: 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5).

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below….”  This command forbids the use of any man-made image for the purpose of worship. No human has the ability to create a piece of artwork or construct a statue that accurately represents God. He alone is worthy of worship. (New Testament References:

1 John 5:21, Galatians 4:8, Romans 1:21-23)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Don’t misuse God’s name—This command forbids mishandling, lightly using, or speaking in vain the name of God. (New Testament References: 1 Timothy 6:1, Matthew 5:33-37)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy—This commandment required the Israelites to set aside a specific day of the week to dedicate as a day of rest to the Lord—the Sabbath. (New Testament References: Hebrews 4:1-11 tells us that Jesus fulfilled this law completely. Christians find their Sabbath rest in the person of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:16 confirms that New Covenant Believers are no longer required to adhere to Sabbath laws.)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Honor your mother and father—This command requires that parents be shown honor and respect. It’s also the only command that comes with a promise. “so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (New Testament References: Ephesians 6:1-2, Matthew 15:4-9)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Do not murder—This command forbids the premeditated killing of another human being. (New Testament References: Romans 13:9; 1 Peter 4:15)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Don’t commit adultery—This command forbids breaking the sacred marriage covenant by having sexual relations with anyone other than one’s spouse. (New Testament references: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, John 8:1-20)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Don’t steal—This command forbids taking someone else’s possessions without permission. (New Testament References: Ephesians 4:28, Luke 19:8)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Don’t give false testimony against your neighbor—This command forbids testifying falsely against someone in court, but the context also implies that lying is forbidden. New Testament References: Revelation 21:8, John 8:44)

   Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

  1. Don’t covet—This command forbids harboring a desire for someone else’s possessions, spouse, or property. (New Testament References: Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:3)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances.’  (score 1 point).’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return.’  (score 2 points).’

  Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it.’  (score 3 points).’

Now, total your score.

(1). If you scored between 10 and 15 points, you lean toward situational ethics. You tend to be your own judge and jury and the judge and jury of others depending on how you view circumstances and situations. (You can be what some consider as a nice, caring person, and tend to take up matters of perceived social injustice with a driving passion, but often times your passions can cloud your judgment and will polarize people against you. Your circle of friends tends to be small and highly opinionated. You would be considered, by many, as a social and political liberal or a progressive.

(2). If you scored between 16 and 25 points, you lean toward conditional ethics. You tend to be self-centered. This one is hard to admit, but you know if you are. Your decisions and judgements based almost solely on how  circumstances and situations affect you first and foremost, and what will benefit you most. I.e., what you will gain or get in return. You are probably a thoughtful person and a deep thinker. You might be considered as a social or political moderate, with friends on both the social and political right and left. Some people may consider you non-committal and undecided on many issues and would have a hard time trusting your views or opinions.

(3). If you scored between 25 and 30 points, you may lean toward an absolute standard of morals. You can tend to be a rule keeper and you could be hard on yourself and harsh toward others at times, unless you balance justice with mercy. You may tend to be more closeminded on issues as you have your mind settled on matters. You are probably a very transparent and dependable person and many will call on you for help. You would probably be considered a social and political conservative by most and far right by the progressive-left.

Next, regardless of what you chose as your standard of ethics, choose a word from these two sets of motivations, from the ones in red text or the ones in blue text. Find the motivating word or the word that most closely describes how you feel about the foregoing list of the Ten Commandments:

For example, “I shall have no other gods,(other than the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac)”. This implies you must believe absolutely, in the One True God of the Bible. You do not give room for other religious beliefs systems or other religion’s gods.  Choose a word from either the red letter list or the blue letter list that best describes the most likely outcome of having the ‘only the One True Living God in your life’:

I DISAGREE that having OTHER gods in my life will result in :

sexual immorality,                                                               impurity,

sensuality (total irresponsibility,                                      lack of self-control),

idolatry,                                                                                 sorcery,

hostility,                                                                                strife,

jealousy,                                                                                fits of anger,

disputes,                                                                                dissensions,

factions [that promote heresies],                                      envy,

drunkenness,                                                                        riotous behavior,

OR

I AGREE that having OTHER gods in my life will result in :

love – unselfish concern for others,                                joy,

inner peace,                                                                          patience

kindness,                                                                              goodness,

faithfulness,                                                                         gentleness,

self-control.

The main points here are:

Point number 1.

(a). If you lean toward ‘situational ethics’ you tend to be your own judge and jury and the judge and jury of others depending on how you view circumstances and situations.

(b). If you lean toward ‘conditional ethics’ you tend to be self-centered. This one is hard to admit, but you know if you are. Your decisions and judgements based almost solely on how  circumstances and situations affect you first and foremost, and what will benefit you most. I.e., what you will gain or get in return.

(c). If you lean toward an ‘absolute standard of morals’ you can tend to be a rule keeper and you could be hard on yourself and harsh toward others at times, unless you balance justice with mercy.

Point number 2.

Knowing the motivations for your ethical standard can help you better understand others response toward you. For example, if you are constantly in personal conflicts it may be because you think others are ‘out to get you’ or that you deserve better than others, so your decisions and ethical standards are geared to that motivation.

If you want a better life for yourself and for others your motivation may be to apply kindness, self-control, patience and a modicum of love when making judgments of circumstances, situations and of others.

You might make better decisions if you know your motivations.

Point number 3.

(a). The social and political liberal-progressive left tends to adhere to the red letter list, above. They not only adhere to such thinking and behaviors, they promote and defend it and excuse or define the outcomes as ‘freedom’, i.e., being free to do as you choose despite the natural outcomes and consequences of hostility, selfishness, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envy, riotous behavior, disease, sickness, mental illness, poverty, divorce, broken relationships, broken families and premature death.

(b). The social and political moderate or libertarian may appear to straddle the fence on many of the issues found in both the red letter and the blue letter lists. They usually seem to be neither hot nor cold on many issues but tend to be lukewarm on most issues. They seem to adopt a ‘live and let live’ or that ‘everyone is entitle to their own view’ attitude toward life. I say ‘they seem to’ but they really to hold fast to their centrist views. I would dare to guess that this might define a majority the middle class.

(c). The social and political conservative and Christian right tends to adhere to the blue letter list, above. They not only adhere to such thinking and behaviors, they promote and defend it and define the outcomes and benefits as ‘freedom’, i.e., being free to do as God has directed and chosen for you, with the natural outcomes of love, (the unselfish concern for others), joy, inner peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, right thinking, strong mental health, prosperity in your soul, mind and body, fewer diseases, less sickness, strong marriages, families and relationships and a longer healthier life.

NOTE TO SELF

It can be easier to follow and keep the letter of the law, i.e., keeping rules. It can much more difficult to follow and keep the spirit of the law, i.e., make your ethical decisions from a motivation of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness and self-control. Justice balanced by mercy.

A FINAL WORD

Regarding the red text, the Bible says that if you use these standards, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit is the result of God’s presence within us. “Walk habitually in the Holy Spirit, seek God and be responsive to His guidance, and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts.”

“For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the desire of the Spirit opposes the sinful nature”.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  I will leave you with this video. I do this cautiously because it has political overtones and is strictly secular in its approach to morals and ethics. It is a TED talk on The moral roots of liberals and conservatives by Jonathan Haidt. But it makes some good points.

DO YOU BELIEVE – OR DO YOU JUST BELIEVE IN?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

DO YOU

Can you say…

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day He rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Do you also believe in…

         

Please listen, dear friends, Many will say to Jesus on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then He will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

There is an important difference between believing IN something and BELIEVING. Those who BELIEVE Jesus, what He said and how He lived and what He has commanded us, are the ones who obey and keep His words.

But, those who do things because they just “BELIEVE IN” them, are the ones who are ‘practicing lawlessness’, and this is because they do things by their own will and volition.

So, if you say you believe IN Jesus, but do not do what He says, the way He says it, perhaps you simply believe IN Him.

The demons believed IN Jesus and shuddered, (see James 2:19). Interestingly, however, they shuddered because they also BELIEVED HIM. They BELIEVED and KNEW that Jesus meant every word He said, and He had the authority to do what He said.

Do you believe In Him – AND – Believe Him at His Word?

Do you know that Jesus said what He meant and meant every word He said – exactly as He said it?

Do you know and believe Jesus has the authority to DO what He said – and He will do it?

Do you ever shudder at the words of Jesus – knowing He will do what He says?

The Apostle James explains to us that, “faith works WITH your works. It is the result of your works that faith is perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called a friend of God. You see, that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”. (see James 1:22-24).

So, if you say you BELIEVE IN Jesus. But do you really BELIEVE HIM, if you neglect to DO exactly what He has said?

Not everyone who says to Jesus, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of His Father who is in heaven will enter.

You might say, “this isn’t fair. I am trying to do what He has commanded. I love Jesus. I honestly love Him!”

Okay, let’s talk about loving Jesus.

Jesus says, “If you LOVE ME, you will KEEP My commandments”, (see (John 14:15). In fact, a deeper look at this verse you will discover that the word “keep”, “téreó” in the Greek language, means to guard and to watch over, to continue to observe. This can be compared to the relationship between a baby and his or her mother. The mother watches and guards over the infant, lovingly nourishing her baby emotionally and physically. And the baby watches his or her mother intently, attaching to her in every way, until the infant, out of the deepest love only a baby can have for a mother, begins to reflect and imitate the mother’s expressions and behaviors which will endure of its lifetime.

So it is with us, who truly LOVE Jesus. As He watches over and guards us and nourishes us in every way, we watch Him in a true love relationship that only a born again believer can experience, until we begin to take on His attitude, expressions and behaviors out of a love only a child of God can truly know.

Additionally, this word “keep” could also be used to mean “obey”. For example, John 14:21 says, “The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be LOVED BY My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” This is from the word, as we have discussed, “téreó”.

There is the word, “peithó”, as used in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you”. This word means to “obey” in the sense of obligation through persuasion. An external influence and control.

There is also the word, “hupakouó”, found in Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”, which is to “obey” and authority figure out of duty. This is also used as a soldier would obey orders. Again, and external influence and control.

There are other meanings and uses of this word “obey”, all related to external commands.

But God is using the word “téreó” to express obedience through a relationship built on love and trust.

It is the one who not only BELIEVES IN JESUS, but the one who both BELIEVES IN HIM and BELIEVES HIM is the one who LOVES Him

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is the one who is the child of God. (John 1:12).

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is the joint-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17).

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is called a friend by Jesus. (John 15:15).

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is the one who shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:3).

Conversely, and in love,

If you think you are important in the Kingdom of God, then you are not.

If you think you are not arrogant, then you are.

If you are proud of your accomplishments in the Church, you are simply proud.

If you think your ministry is vital in the Kingdom of God, it is not – and you need to check your vitals.

You have heard it said to Love God first. I say, Love the Lord your God, alone. Only He is worthy.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength. Then, Love others as God loves.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(PS: I talk to many Christians who misquote scriptures or say, “but here is what I believe” with little or no scriptural basis for their thoughts. It is like driving a car for the first time, with no steering wheel.)

(PSS: These are things I also need to learn, and that, I pray, I am learning, late in life, but thanks be to God, He is still teaching, and it’s never too late!)

HOW TO GO FROM LOUSY TO GREAT – in a thousand little steps.

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

HOW TO GO FROM LOUSY TO GREAT – in a thousand little steps.

YOU GOTTA’  BE LOUSY BEFORE YOU CAN BECOME EVEN BAD – AND BAD BEFORE BECOMING FAIR – AND FAIR BEFORE BECOMING GOOD – AND GOOD BEFORE YOU CAN BECOME GREAT.

I hear people, who are preparing to start a new venture or a career, talk about the potential, and how they hope to become really good at what they will do. They might even privately hold dreams of grandeur, wealth and fame. You can talk and dream all you want because talk is cheap, and it costs you very little – except maybe a little embarrassment later. But you had better realize the steps to greatness before you begin, and count the cost (see Luke 14:28)..

 

A neophyte might see everything as a maze, an obstacle, a puzzle. And when developing a lifestyle, a worldview, or a method of living their life, they likely will have to decide how far they are willing to go to solve their puzzle of life and how much of a commitment they are willing to make. They are often considered ‘lousy’ at what they do. But if they stick with it long enough, they might even become a rookie. The cost is low, here.

A rookie might see everything as an exciting challenge, an opportunity filled with promise. They will likely have decided the hard work is worth it and have made a full commitment to succeed and have a do-or-die attitude. They are often considered ‘bad’ at what they do. But if they stick with it long enough, they might even become a pro. The cost is modest, here.

A professional might see everything as a work of art or a scientific achievement. They likely don’t see hard work as a chore, but as a pleasure – as no work at all. They are busy refining their craft into a calling. Their calling is now who and what they have become. Their life goals are now about discovery and exceeding limits. They are often considered ‘good’ at what they do. But if they stick with it long enough, they might even become a legend. The cost is high, here.

A legend has exceeded the realms of the normal. They have become great at what they do. Sometimes they are seen as ‘unreal’, no longer of this world. Speculations and stories are circulated that mystify and create even greater and more mysterious legendary tales about them and their accomplishments. You have paid the price, here.

A similar thing can be said about becoming a Christian, except a wonderful and amazing thing happens for those who choose to follow Jesus: They are fully equipped from day one! Then the work begins as they begin to learn how to follow Jesus.

 

A new Christian convert could be compared to the neophyte. However, unlike the neophyte, they will definitely see everything as a maze, an obstacle, and a puzzle. As they are developing this new Christian and spiritual lifestyle, worldview, and method of living, they absolutely will have to decide how far they are willing to go to solve this puzzle of a spiritual life and how much of a commitment they are willing to make BEFORE they start. They are often considered ‘lousy’ at figuring out what to do and how to do it. The cost is extremely high, even from the start. (The convert must completely surrender themselves to God and His cause. They must forsake their former identity and, as the Bible says it, ‘die to self’ and become a new creation being conformed to the image and with the mind of Christ.)

A rookie Christian might see everything as an exciting challenge, an opportunity filled with promise. They will likely have decided the hard work is worth it and have made a full commitment to succeed and literally develop a do-or-die attitude. They are often considered ‘bad’ at what they do. But if they stick with it long enough, they might even become a servant. The cost is extremely high here.

A professional Christian, as we see in the postmodern church, will most likely have drifted off the path of a disciple of Jesus. They see everything as a work of art, an efficient business model or a spiritual achievement. They likely don’t see hard work as a chore, but as a pleasure – as no work at all. Furthermore, they are busy refining their calling into a craft. Their craft is now who and what they have become. Their life goals are now about discovery and exceeding limits. They are often considered ‘good’ at what they do. And if they stick with it long enough, they might even become a legend. The cost is extremely high, and is never worth it.

There are no legendary Christians, except those who are created only in the minds of cheap professional Christians.  They will have escaped the calling of Christ for servanthood. They have become great only by the standards of the natural and sensual, base desires of humanism. Sometimes they are seen as ‘unreal’, no longer of this world, but it is an illusion. Speculations and stories are circulated that mystify and create even greater and more mysterious legendary tales about them and their accomplishments, but they are fabricated and misleading. They have paid the price of falling away into apostasy, here.

UPSIDE DOWN – INSIDE OUT

The Word of God, according to scriptures, is the very ‘Breath of God’. It is and always has been counter-cultural and considered by most as counter-intuitive and enigmatic.

So, it should come as no surprise, when comparing a natural or humanistic view of the matters of life with a Biblical view of those same matters, they are at least converse to one another if not completely at odds.

Consider what has been said about in this article to this point from the view of Matthew 23:6-12, (from the New Living Translation version of the Bible):

How they (the professional Christians, the so-called legendary Christians) love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the reserved pews in the synagogue! How they enjoy the deference paid them on the streets and to be called ‘Rabbi’ and ‘Master’.  Don’t ever let anyone call you that. For only God is your Rabbi and all of you are on the same level, as brothers. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven should be addressed like that. And don’t be called ‘Master,’ for only one is your master, even the Messiah.

The more lowly your service to others, the greater you are. To be the greatest, be a servant. But those who think themselves great shall be disappointed and humbled; and those who humble themselves shall be exalted.

(Please see Matthew 23:6-12. Please note: I have added, for definition and descriptiveness, the words contained in parentheses in the preceding two paragraphs.)

AND THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST – AND THE LAST, FIRST

I pray that you, the reader, will consider that this article is not just random thoughts and ideas I am expressing, but it is a reminder that Christianity and the Kingdom of God are not of this natural world. Everything that is seen comes from what is unseen (see Hebrews 11:3). And that His Thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His Ways are greater than our ways (see Isaiah 55:9), and that He alone is the way to life. (see John 14:6).

So that we must purify ourselves of the things of this world, have the mind is us which is in Christ Jesus, and take on the form of a bond-servant of Christ and walk by faith and not by our natural sight.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

 

“Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.”  Genesis 22:17

The pastor of a mega-church we attended, several years ago, announced that the next Sunday’s sermon would be titled “Dangerous Christianity”.

This is a Gospel-centered church and the senior pastor was undoubtedly a Godly man, so the title created a stir of excitement in the congregation and I felt a positive anticipation rising in me. DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY was exactly what I needed. It was exactly what I wanted to dish out to the devil: DANGER FROM GOD!

The next Sunday came, and we sat in our comfortable theater-style cushioned seats, eagerly waiting to hear about “Dangerous Christianity“.

“Beware, Devil”, I thought, “we are going to be a threat to you and yours from now on!”

The pastor started by saying, “It is Dangerous to take the Bible literally. Believing that everything in the Gospel is meant for your benefit can be DANGEROUS to your faith.”

I listened, and I thought, “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”

He repeated his opening statement.

Curious and a bit concerned, I listened to his lecture, but I didn’t hear too much after the introduction.

I kept thinking, over and over, that this respected man of God just said that the Bible presented a danger to the Believer’s faith, if he or she takes it literally.

Grammar, figures of speech, parts of speech, literary style, usage of nouns, pronouns, and verbs all aside, about all I remember about this “lecture” was the opening statement.

I understand metaphors, similes, idioms and hyperbole, and the Bible uses these figures of speech in various places to communicate an idea, a thought or a message.

But, the Bible is GOD BREATHED and is meant for every man, woman, boy and girl to understand. And the Bible indicates what is meant to be literal and what is not literal.

So, I decided to see if there was such a thing as Dangerous Christianity in the Bible, and here is what I found:

Genesis 22:17 “Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.”

1. Christians are a danger to possess the gate of our enemies!

Psalms 125:1, “Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. Verse 2. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.”

2. Christians are a danger to anyone or anything that would try to separate us from God.

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

3. Christians are a danger to weapons formed to be used against us and our accusers will be condemned!!

John 10:28, ‘and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. Verse 29. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

4. Christians are a danger to death or any kind of separation from our Father’s Hand.

Romans 8:35, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Verse 36. Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” Verse 37. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Verse 38. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

5. Christians are a danger to tribulation, or

    • distress, or
    • persecution, or
    • famine, or
    • nakedness, or
    • peril, or sword or
    • death,

because we are more than conquers through Christ!!

Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.”

6. Christians are a danger to upheaval or turmoil.

Matthew 16:19, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

7. Christians are a danger to the evil of this world because we pray in Jesus’ Name and

    • Jesus possesses the keys to the kingdom of heaven and
    • Jesus binds evil,
    • Jesus binds death,
    • Jesus binds poverty,
    • Jesus binds sickness,
    • Jesus binds doubt,
    • Jesus binds fear,
    • Jesus binds hopelessness and the like.

Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Verse 11. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Verse 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. Verse 13. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

8. Christians are a danger to schemes of the devil.

Mark 16:17, “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues.”

9. Christians are a danger to demons.

Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.”

11. Christians are a danger to sickness, death, disease and evil!!

Now, this is what I call DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY.

Let’s exercise our gifts of the Spirit, the rights as brothers of Jesus, joint heirs of the Son, and as sons of God and remember that it is The Spirit doing His Work through us! Let’s let the power of God and His love, kindness, patience, gentleness, self-control, goodness, and faithfulness flow through us.

Let’s speak the Logos of God. Let’s speak the Rhema of God. Let’s walk in the Spirit of God and carry His Word before us.

Let’s live the life of a ‘Dangerous Christianity’ and bring glory to our God.

Your Brother and Friend,

Me2.jpg

Mike Young

PS – Can you think of other ways we can be ‘Dangerous Christians’ for the Glory of God and a credit to His Kingdom?

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AVOID THE PIT

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

AVOID THE PIT

ESCAPE THE PIT

WE SHOULD KNOW THIS. IT WILL SAVE OUR LIFE AND OUR SOUL

Really. We can actually DO this for our benefit – and for God’s glory!

Psalms 103:1-4, (A Psalm of David).

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;

So, what exactly is THE PIT, God rescues us from?

The Bible defines “THE PIT” as

  • corruption,
  • destruction,
  • a ditch and
  • a grave.
  • It is also referred to as a “pit of hell”.

This definition is from the Hebrew language and comes from a root word or meaning

  • “to sink down,
  • be bowed down,
  • be humbled;
  • depression of the mind.

(taken from Psalms 103:4)

What is the PIT we can fall into which become our corruption, our destruction, a ditch a grave and a “pit of hell”? What are these PITS which cause us to sink down, to be bowed down, humbled and depressed in our mind? Here are a few:

The PIT of fear.
The PIT of anger.
The PIT of poverty.
The PIT of hatred.
The PIT of anxiety.
The PIT of lack and want.
The PIT of revenge.
The PIT of selfishness.
The PIT of resentment.
The PIT of addiction.
The PIT of lust and perversion.
The PIT of self-pity.
The PIT of envy.
The PIT of pride.
The PIT of self.

These and many more can become (or have become) a snare to our soul and mind. They can dictate our every thought and act and lead us into daily captivity of depression, destruction. A living hell. An above ground grave.

ESCAPE THE PIT!

Avoiding the PIT takes discipline and work on our part. We must consciously tell our soul to Bless the LORD. The Bible tells us to “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits”

If we follow this command – in other words, actually DO this – God redeems your life from the pit, and will crown you with loving kindness and compassion

Do it now. You will see, if you DO IT NOW. SAY THESE THINGS, NOW

“I Bless you LORD with my soul,

“I Bless you LORD with my mind, will and emotions.

“My soul says ” I Bless you LORD for you have rescued me, and You give me Your peace.

“You give me Your Joy.

“Today, I am full of Your Peace and Your Joy.

“Today, I am redeemed.

“Today, You have given me a strong and sound mind. I Bless you LORD for You are my redemption.”

I am FREE of fear.
I am FREE of anger.
I am FREE of poverty.
I am FREE of hatred.
I am FREE of anxiety.
I am FREE of lack and want.
I am FREE of revenge.
I am FREE of selfishness.
I am FREE of resentment.
I am FREE of addiction.
I am FREE of lust and perversion.
I am FREE of self-pity.
I am FREE of envy.

I am crowned with the courage of God.
I am crowned with the peace of Jesus.
I am crowned with all of God’s provisions of plenty.
I am crowned with God’s Love.
I am crowned with the confidence with comes from knowing God.
I am crowned with all the riches of Christ Jesus.
I am crowned with God’s reconciliation.
I am crowned with freedom in from the flesh.
I am crowned with God’s contentment.
I am crowned with a pure heart and a clean mind.
I am crowned with God’s satisfaction in my soul.
I am crowned with the gift of giving.

Bless the LORD, Oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His Holy Name!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

HOPE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

HOPE

I am borrowing an excerpt from Pastor Trent Casto’s sermon from February 25, 2024, taken from Ephesians 2:11-22, (Covenant Church of Naples, PCA, Naples, Florida), and I am focusing on the matter of ‘hope’. Pastor Casto asks,

“What is the hope that sustains you in life? You may be sustained by a short-term hope such as getting through school, or beyond a challenging phase of parenting, or through a particular medical treatment. But what if you don’t get through? What hope do you have? It may be hope for your children, that they will grow and be happy and successful however you define it. That’s a wonderful desire, but if it doesn’t happen, what hope do you have left?

 “The hope that carries you may be for a better tomorrow, a peaceful retirement, a financial windfall. But what if tomorrow never comes?

 “The Christian hope runs deeper than all these things and can sustain us even if these other hopes do not come to fruition.

 “The Christian hope is not simply a wish for the future but a certainty that God will do what He has promised. (It is hard to overstate the significance of having such a hope.

“If you are without hope today, or you realize that your hope is on shaky ground, there is a hope which can serve as a firm foundation that will not give way no matter what else in life does give way.” (End of sermon excerpt).

Let me continue by explaining that this word, ‘hope’ is not a wistful longing of uncertain outcome. This ‘hope’ as it used in Ephesians 2:12, comes from the Greek word ‘elpís’, meaning, to anticipate and to welcome – correctly used, it speaks of a confident expectation of what is sure to occur; a certainty. If you are without this kind of hope, sadly, you are walking in the blind, and it need not be that way.

Faith – Certainty – Hope – Proof.

 (#1). Hebrews 11:1 prophetically proclaims that “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” (NASB). Faith – Certainty – Hope – Proof.

Another way to say this is, “Now faith is the assurance – the title deed, the confirmation – of things hoped for – divinely guaranteed, and the evidence of things not seen – but is the conviction of their reality—it is faith that comprehends, as fact, what cannot be experienced by the physical senses. (Amplified Bible Version).

In simpler words, you have to be dogged in and stubborn about your faith. You must be firmly planted on the conviction that God will finish what He has begun in you. You must be firm in your mind that God hears and answers your prayers. Furthermore, you must know that He will answer all your prayers in ways that conform to His great gift of salvation to you, and which will benefit you maturing into the image and likeness of Christ.

You must know that to be saved, literally means to be made safe, to heal, to preserve, to do well, to be made whole; rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety, rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin. (‘Saved’ in the Greek is the word sozo, pronounced sode-zo).

This is a certainty. It will come to pass; It has come to pass; receive it.

 

Proximity Is Everything.

(#2). Ephesians 2:13 prophetically proclaims, “But no win Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near, by the blood of Christ.”

Romans 10:6-10, explains it this way, “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL GO UP INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 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, 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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

It is – that is the Word of Faith – is as near to you as the words in your mouth!

Believe it. Speak it. Embrace it. This is a certainty.

This is a certainty. It will come to pass; It has come to pass; receive it.

 

AND WE KNOW.

(#3).  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” (see Romans 8:28-29).

And we know, or at the very least we should know (and understand), these Four Grand Principal Truths:

  • God causes all things to work together for good,

 

  • to those who love God,

 

  • to those who are called according to His

 

  • For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.

Let’s re-review this carefully.

  • It is God – alone – who is the cause.
  • This is exclusively for those who love God.
  • This is exclusively for those who are (the) called according to His purpose.
  • It is God alone who predestined those whom he foreknew to be conformed to the image of His Son. (This is God’s Primary Purpose and Plan. For by this single offering – the sacrifice of His only Son – He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.)

This is a certainty. It will come to pass; It has come to pass; receive it.

 

Keeping All This In Mind.

(#4). Scriptures tell us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8).

 “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.” (Matthew 21:21).

 “If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7).

OUR PART is to ask, seek, knock, have faith, doubt not, and it will be done.

GOD’S PART is to answer. His thoughts and His words are higher.

 

OUR PART is to have faith and accept what comes from the Hand of God and put it to good use.

GOD’S PART is to create, give, bestow, love us unconditionally, cause all things to work together for our good, whether we understand it, at first, or not.

 

OUR PART is to endure to the end and be saved!

GOD’S PART is to save.

This is a certainty. It will come to pass; It has come to pass; receive it.

 

Your Brother and Friend – In Christ Alone.

Mike Young

Now I Know

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In this beloved verse, God reassures His people that He has plans for their welfare, prosperity, and a hopeful future. It reminds us that God’s intentions toward us are good, and He has specific purposes and blessings in store.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This verse reminds us that God is actively working for the good of those who love Him and are aligned with His purpose. Even in challenging circumstances, God can turn things around and bring about His perfect plan for our lives.

Psalm 37:4

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

When we delight in the Lord and seek Him wholeheartedly, He aligns the desires of our hearts with His own will. As we prioritize our relationship with Him, He graciously grants us the desires that are in line with His purpose.

Isaiah 55:8-9

“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher and wiser than ours. This verse reminds us that sometimes we may not fully understand God’s plans in the present moment, but we can trust that His ways surpass our limited understanding and He works everything for our ultimate good.

Philippians 4:19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

When we put our trust in God, He promises to meet all our needs abundantly, drawing from His limitless resources and the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

This verse encourages us to place our complete trust in God and acknowledge His lordship over our lives. By surrendering our own understanding and seeking His guidance, He will direct our paths and make them straight, leading us to His perfect will.

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When we prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else, He takes care of our needs. He is a faithful provider, and as we align ourselves with His purposes, He grants us the blessings and provisions we require.

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

This verse highlights that we are God’s masterpiece, created with a unique purpose in Christ Jesus. He has prepared good works in advance for us to accomplish, and when we walk in alignment with His plan, we experience fulfillment and impact in fulfilling His purposes.

2 Corinthians 12:9

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

In our weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. This verse reminds us that God’s grace is more than enough to sustain us and empower us to overcome challenges. We can trust that He equips us with the necessary strength to fulfill His purpose in our lives.

Psalm 84:11

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”

This verse assures us that God is our protector and provider. As we walk blamelessly before Him, He withholds no good thing from us, showering us with His favor, honor, and blessings.

Isaiah 43:19

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

God is a God of new beginnings. This verse encourages us to remain attentive to His work in our lives. Even in the most challenging situations, He can create a way where there seems to be no way, bringing forth new life and refreshing streams of His provision.

THE THINGS GOD HAS FOR YOU:

Psalm 138:8

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

In this verse, the psalmist expresses confidence in God’s faithfulness to fulfill His purpose for his life. It reminds us of God’s unending love and reassures us that He will bring to completion the work He has started in us.

Also Read: 27 Bible Verses About Bad Friends (With Commentary)

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

To experience the fullness of God’s plan, we are called to break away from worldly influences and allow our minds to be renewed according to God’s truth. As our thinking aligns with His will, we gain discernment and clarity to recognize and embrace His good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives.

Psalm 32:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

God desires to guide and teach us in the paths we should take. This verse assures us of His personal and loving guidance, providing wisdom and counsel as we seek His will and direction.

Proverbs 16:9

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

We may make plans, but ultimately, God determines our steps. This verse reminds us to submit our plans and desires to God’s sovereignty, trusting that He will guide and establish our paths according to His perfect purposes.

Psalm 37:23

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.”

When we find our delight in the Lord, He establishes and upholds our steps. This verse reassures us that as we seek intimacy with God, He actively leads and supports us along the path of His choosing.

Jeremiah 33:3

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

God invites us to call upon Him, and He promises to respond. When we seek Him in prayer and inquire of Him, He reveals hidden treasures and profound insights that surpass our understanding.

Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

In this passage, Jesus encourages us to persistently seek God and ask Him for what we need. He assures us that those who earnestly seek, ask, and knock will receive answers, find what they are seeking, and have doors of opportunity opened for them.

Proverbs 10:22

“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”

God’s blessing is the source of true wealth and abundance. This verse reminds us that as we align with God’s ways and walk in obedience to Him, He blesses us with prosperity that does not require excessive toil or hardship.

Deuteronomy 28:12

“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”

When we honor God and walk in His ways, He opens the floodgates of heaven and pours out abundant blessings upon us. This verse speaks of divine favor, productivity, and sufficiency in all our endeavors.

Psalm 31:19

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”

God has an abundance of good things stored up for those who reverence Him and find their shelter in Him. This verse assures us that God delights in blessing His people openly and lavishly.

Isaiah 40:31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

As we place our hope and trust in the Lord, He renews our strength. This verse describes the supernatural empowerment and endurance God grants to those who rely on Him, enabling them to soar, run, and walk without growing weary or faint.

Matthew 6:25-26

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Jesus urges us not to worry but to trust in God’s provision. This passage emphasizes that if God takes care of His creation, such as the birds of the air, He will undoubtedly provide for our needs as well. Our value to God far surpasses that of the birds, reinforcing the assurance of His faithful care.

1 Corinthians 2:9

“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ — the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

God has prepared unimaginable and glorious things for those who love Him. This verse reminds us that the blessings and rewards awaiting us in God’s eternal kingdom far exceed anything we can comprehend or envision in our present earthly lives.

Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

As our Shepherd, the Lord provides and cares for our every need. This well-known verse highlights the sufficiency and completeness we find in Him, assuring us that we lack nothing when we place our trust in His faithful guidance and provision.

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

This comforting verse reminds us that God is present with us in every situation. We need not fear or be discouraged because He is our God. He promises to strengthen, help, and support us with His righteous hand. His unwavering presence and assistance assure us that what God has for us is indeed for us.

1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

God’s care for us is deeply personal and compassionate. This verse encourages us to cast all our worries, anxieties, and burdens upon Him, knowing that He genuinely cares for us. It affirms that God is attentive to our needs and desires to bear the weight of our concerns.

Matthew 6:31-33

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Jesus instructs us not to worry about basic necessities but to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. When we place God first in our lives, He graciously provides for our material needs. This verse emphasizes the importance of aligning our priorities with God’s purposes and trusting His faithful provision.

Matthew 6:31-33

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

God is our constant refuge and source of strength. This verse reminds us that He is ever-present and ready to assist us in times of trouble, offering solace, protection, and the inner fortitude we need to face any challenge.

MORALITY IN AMERICA – AN OXYMORON?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

HAS THE IDEA OF ‘MORALITY IN AMERICA’ BECOME AN

A Gallup Poll from June 2023 states:

54% say the state of moral values in U.S. is poor; 33% only fair.

83% think U.S. moral values are getting worse.

74% of Republicans say moral values are poor; 97% think they are worsening.

Dr. Tracy Munsil, Executive Director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University says that our nation is facing a potential moral freefall unthinkable to earlier generations – with a majority of Americans today no longer embracing values of honesty, respect for the rule of law, the sanctity of life, and traditional sexual morality when facing moral issues.

As a result, as a nation we are radically redrawing moral boundaries. For example, those surveyed were more likely to say it is morally unacceptable to renege on repaying a small debt to a relative than to have an abortion.

Less than half said it was morally unacceptable to tell a lie to protect their personal interest or reputation, with 27% saying it was morally acceptable or that it was not a moral issue at all.

Lying, stealing, killing, murdering, sexual perversion, alcoholism, drug addiction, and increasing violence of all kinds have been on the rise for decades.

When a society loses its ability to trust its institutions, its authority figures, its government, then it will cease to function which can lead to the kinds of societal chaos and anarchy we are now witnessing.

When members of society cannot trust or depend on one another it will descend into widespread violent discord, and eventually, it will cease to exist.

There are those who claim that statistics show that things are no worse today than they have ever been in America. But statistics can be subject to several variables. In this case, there are three standards of judgment.

(#1). Some are based on situational ethical standards, which are subject to the interpretation of the individual based on their personal view of the situation or circumstances at hand. This standard is highly subjective and is never static.

EXAMPLE: It is okay to steal food if you are hungry and cannot afford to pay for it. (If you were the victim of such a theft, how would you then feel?).

EXAMPLE: It is okay to lie if you don’t think it will hurt anyone, or if you think it will protect someone from a hurtful truth. (How would you feel, however, if you were the one being lied to?).

#2).  Next are conditional ethics which are highly subjective to the desires, needs, wants and opinion of the those making the judgment. This standard is unreliable and subject to manipulation. It says “I will give you my approval if you give me what I want”.

EXAMPLE: It is okay to gossip and hurt the reputation of someone if they will not support you in a project or in your efforts; or to promote them above others who are less qualified, because they support you – even if your behavior, project or effort is questionable. A tit-for-tat ethos. (How would you feel if you were the victim of the gossip?).

(#3). Finally, a moral absolute – an absolute standard of truth. Coincidentally, the moral values and standards underpinning the foundations of the American Experiment, which sprang from a Judeo-Christian ethos, postulates a moral absolute – an absolute standard of truth. (This absolutism is stated in the second paragraph of our Declaration of Independence, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident…”).

EXAMPLE: You do the honest and the right thing simply because it is the right thing, regardless of how it benefits you – because the Bible says it is the only way. (How would you feel if someone treated you fairly at their own cost or peril?).

Now I ask, using one of the standards which are listed above, where do you stand? Please review the list below, of the TEN COMMANDMENTS which are taken from the Bible, and decide which of the three standards of ethics most closely defines your view of good morals and acceptable ethical standards. Put a check mark by your choice. Additionally, regardless of what you chose as your standard of ethics, choose a word from the two sets of what I will call motivations, from the ones in red text or the ones in blue text. Find the motivating word or the word that most closely describes how you feel about the 10 Commandments:

  1. “You shall have no other gods before me.” God desires our complete loyalty and allegiance for our own benefit, not to forget His divine providence. This command forbids placing anyone or anything above God. (New Testament References: 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5).

   Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below….”  This command forbids the use of any man-made image for the purpose of worship. No human has the ability to create a piece of artwork or construct a statue that accurately represents God. He alone is worthy of worship. (New Testament References: 1 John 5:21, Galatians 4:8, Romans 1:21-23)

  Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Don’t misuse God’s name—This command forbids mishandling, lightly using, or speaking in vain the name of God. (New Testament References: 1 Timothy 6:1, Matthew 5:33-37)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy—This commandment required the Israelites to set aside a specific day of the week to dedicate as a day of rest to the Lord—the Sabbath. (New Testament References: Hebrews 4:1-11 tells us that Jesus fulfilled this law completely. Christians find their Sabbath rest in the person of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:16 confirms that New Covenant Believers are no longer required to adhere to Sabbath laws.)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Honor your mother and father—This command requires that parents be shown honor and respect. It’s also the only command that comes with a promise. “so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (New Testament References: Ephesians 6:1-2, Matthew 15:4-9)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

  Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Do not murder—This command forbids the premeditated killing of another human being. (New Testament References: Romans 13:9; 1 Peter 4:15)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Don’t commit adultery—This command forbids breaking the sacred marriage covenant by having sexual relations with anyone other than one’s spouse. (New Testament references: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, John 8:1-20)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Don’t steal—This command forbids taking someone else’s possessions without permission. (New Testament References: Ephesians 4:28, Luke 19:8)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Don’t give false testimony against your neighbor—This command forbids testifying falsely against someone in court, but the context also implies that lying is forbidden. New Testament References: Revelation 21:8, John 8:44)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

 

  1. Don’t covet—This command forbids harboring a desire for someone else’s possessions, pouse, or property. (New Testament References: Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:3)

 Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’

 Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’

 Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’

Motivational or descriptive word from list below                                   .

For example, “I shall have no other gods (other than the Christian God)”. This implies you must believe in God. Choose a word from either list that best describes how that statement make you feel.

(These lists are from the New Testament, Galatians chapter 5)

sexual immorality,                                                             impurity,

sensuality (total irresponsibility,                                      lack of self-control),

idolatry,                                                                                 sorcery,

hostility,                                                                                strife,

jealousy,                                                                                fits of anger,

disputes,                                                                                dissensions,

factions [that promote heresies],                                      envy,

drunkenness,                                                                        riotous behavior,

OR

 

love – unselfish concern for others,                              joy,

inner peace,                                                                          patience

kindness,                                                                              goodness,

faithfulness,                                                                         gentleness,

self-control.

Two main points here are:

Point number 1.

(#1). If you lean toward ‘situational ethics’ you tend to be your own judge and jury and the judge and jury of others depending on how you view circumstances and situations.

(#2). If you lean toward ‘conditional ethics’ you tend to be self-centered. This one is hard to admit, but you know if you are. Your decisions and judgements based almost solely on how  circumstances and situations affect you first and foremost, and what will benefit you most. I.e., what you will gain or get in return.

(#3). If you lean toward an ‘absolute standard of morals’ you can tend to be a rule keeper and you could be hard on yourself and harsh toward others at times, if you do not balance justice with mercy.

Point number 2.

Knowing the motivations for your ethical standard can help you better understand others response toward you. For example, if you are constantly in personal conflicts it may be because you think others are ‘out to get you’ or that you deserve better than others, so your decisions and ethical standards are geared to that motivation.

If you want a better life for yourself and for others your motivation may be to apply kindness, self-control, patience and a modicum of love when making judgments of circumstances, situations and of others.

You might make better decisions if you know your motivations.

A FINAL WORD – A NOTE TO (SELF) and to CHRISTIANS.

It can be easier to follow and keep the letter of the law, i.e., the rules. It can much more difficult to follow and keep the spirit of the law, i.e., make your ethical decisions from a motivation of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness and self-control. Justice balanced by mercy. This is our calling and our responsibility.

A FINAL WORD – PERIOD.

Regarding the red text, the Bible says that if you use these standards, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit is the result of God’s presence within us. “Walk habitually in the Holy Spirit, seek God and be responsive to His guidance, and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts.”

“For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the desire of the Spirit opposes the sinful nature”.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  I will leave you with this video. I do this cautiously because it has political overtones and is strictly secular in its approach to morals and ethics. It is a TED talk on The moral roots of liberals and conservatives by Jonathan Haidt. But it makes some good points – although, beware of any form of seductive Hegalianism.

THESE WORKS

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

What would you think, if in passing, you were to ask me, “What are you up to nowadays?”, and I were to answer, saying…

“Oh, just testifying to the Truth,

“Bringing a sword to the world and

“Turning sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers.

“I am working at fulfilling the Hebrew and Judaic law and that of their prophets, and

“Calling sinners to righteousness.  

“I am bringing fire upon the earth and to creating a lot of division.  

“I guess you might say I have been busy working at saving the world”.  

 WHICH WORKS?

It is interesting that Jesus commanded His disciples (Christians) to do the works that He has done and even greater works than these.  We are to continue in His mission, using His methods and His ways. (John 14:12, Matthew 10:1)

It can be a bit confusing, but He promised us that He will be with us, in His authority, giving us direction and even giving us the words we should use.  (Matthew 28:16-19, Luke 21:15, Luke 12:12)

WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?

“For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”  This, too, is our calling!

 TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”  This, too, is our calling!

TO BRING A SWORD

Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35. For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; Verse 36 and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”  This, too, is our calling!

 TO FULFILL THE LAW

Matthew 5:17, “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”  This, too, is our calling!

TO CALL SINNERS

Mark 2:17, “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  This, too, is our calling!

TO SAVE THE WORLD

John 12:47, If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”   In a very real sense, This, too, is our calling, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him

TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH

Luke 12:49, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50. But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51. Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division;  This, too, is our calling!

 WHAT HE REALLY MEANT, WAS…

John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

I have heard so many preachers and bible teachers try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited.  These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12.  They will begin their commenary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.

Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said.  We need to get over it and get on with it.

CONTEXT

The year is now 2024.  A recent-past president of the United States has declared that America is no longer a Christian nation.  Postmodernism is a term used to describe this new paradigm.  Our churches are practicing a new version of the Gospel of Jesus Christ often described by a “3-line motto” which can be seen across the spectrum of churches in America:  “Gather, Grow, Give” or “Love each other, Enjoy Jesus, Share Him with others”, etc.

These mottoes are an attempt to describe the church and its ministry to the watching world or to the ‘church shopping Christian’.  But, if these mottoes or labels are supposed to describe Jesus and His Church, they fail.

Jesus’  purpose in coming to earth was not to teach a social gospel, create a ‘family life center’, to make you a better you or to shake up the existing religious institutions.  Jesus was on a specific Mission from God the Father as is reflected in the foregoing Bible verses.  Jesus confirms that He is on His Father’s mission,, in John 5:19,  “Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way.”

With this in mind, can you, in your most vivid imagination, see Jesus announcing “mother’s morning out”, “cookies and campfires for kids”, “fishing with fathers and sons”, “financial workshops”, etc?  You might say “what’s wrong with that?”.  I would respond that there is nothing wrong with these activities, but, they have nothing to do with Jesus Mission and our calling to that mission.

THE BOTTOM LINE

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”

FACING REALITY

Everything Jesus has done is IN THE CONTEXT of what God the Father said. But, the world, both Christian and secular worlds seem to have decided that Jesus is exclusively a gentle little lamb.  But, if you make a closer inspection and take an honest look a what the Bible says, you see a different picture:  Jesus is both the Lion of Judah and the Sacrificial Lamb.  He is both careful with His words and brutally honest.  He is both gentle and forceful.

THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE

If you came home and saw your house on fire, knowing your family was inside, what would you do?  Would you politely suggest everyone might want to step outside or would you take immediate action, sparing no effort or words to alert everyone to the immediate danger and move them to safety at any cost?

Likewise, God’s creation is perishing because of lack of knowledge of Him and Jesus is doing what is necessary to save the world.  We may not always understand His words, His methods or His ways, but it would be prudent to observe, listen, think and obey Him.

The world has long held a misconception, a distorted view of God.  We have made Him into a “kinder and gentler” image which we would prefer.

Jesus is setting that record straight in order to save the world from itself.

SO, WHAT ABOUT JESUS BEHAVIORS?

Most who have read this far, should have been shocked by the opening paragraphs of this article, but, that is EXACTLY what Jesus said and did.  These are EXACTLY the behaviors of our Savior.  Jesus’ words and behaviors are the perfect balance of love for this world coupled with rebuke, correction, and training in righteousness  This, too, is our calling!  

His words and actions must be kept in context, lest we misuse them, ourselves.  Read John 3:16 again, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”

Jesus’ words and behaviors are the perfect balance of love for this world coupled with rebuke, correction, and training in righteousness.  This, too, is our calling!

WE ARE IN AN END DAYS WAR

We are locked in the eternal Spiritual struggle.  Millions upon millions of souls are at risk.  We cannot fight and win this battle using our own means, methods and ways.  It is urgent that we return to Jesus, to His methods and His ways.  It is urgent that we have the mind of Christ at all times and in all matters.  Anything less ends in defeat.

If you dispute or dismiss the idea that God’s ways may seem strict harsh or unfair, remember, God sacrificed His own Son for you.  That seems strict, harsh and unfair.

Jesus willingly gave up His own life for this Cause which also seems strict, harsh and unfair.

And, if God did not spare the natural branches (His own Jewish / Hebrew people), how will you stay secure in this Cause without following Him?  Does this also seems strict, harsh and unfair?  Perhaps.  But it is the only way!

WE MUST GET THIS RIGHT

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.  We cannot fight this war with conventional earthly method, means or way.  WE MUST GET THIS RIGHT in our minds and do this in real-time!

This is the only way, for as it is written.  This will shake the very foundations of your life, your church and the world!

  • TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH
  • BRING A SWORD
  • FULFILL THE LAW
  • CALL SINNERS TO REPENTANCE
  • SAVE THISWORLD
  • CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH
  • WHAT HE REALLY MEANT, WAS “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.  And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”  (John 14:12 ).

Time is short.  His return is near.  It is time each of us, individually and collectively, to pick up our cross and really follow Him.  Now!  Today!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Contact me and let’s work, together!)

whitestonefellowship1@gmail.com

PS:  Just in case you were wondering.  The Bible is clear:  I am not talking about us saving ourselves.  No one can earn their way into the Kingdom of Heaven by what they say or do apart from Jesus.  Our salvation and place in heaven is secured solely by God’s Grace and through our faith in Jesus.

How we act, that is, our words and our behaviors are a reflection of our attitude.  And our attitude, our mind set, must be the same as Christ. Philippians 2:5,  exhorts us to “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus”.

Your attitudes and resultant words and behaviors are what will free you or will limit you.

You will overcome because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of your testimony, and that you do not love this life even when faced with death!

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD – It is not about you or me.

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD: It is not about you – or me.

I have heard preacher after preacher say that “It is not about you. It is about Jesus.” I agreed then, and I agree now…sort of, that is. (What I mean is I want to agree with Jesus and I mean to agree with Jesus, but when it comes down to sacrificing my comfort, my rights, my little space on this earth and yes, my life, I become conflicted. I find it becomes a struggle within my mind.

But the truth is that it really is not about me and my comfort, my rights or the survival of my physical body  – or yours – nor any of the things of this natural world.

And, yes, I know that the Apostle Paul warned that this kind of thing may happen when he confessed: “I do not do the things I wish to do, but I do the very things I detest. Wretched man that I am. Who will save me from this body of death?” (see Romans 7:21-25)

Of course, God cares about our earthly and physical needs. He provides what you and I will eat or what we will drink, and for our bodies, that is, as to what you will put on. But, life is more than food, and clothing. Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. (see Matthew 6:25-33)

But God’s primary purpose was not to come to feed and clothe us, He came to seek and save the lost – to buy us back from the curse of sin and death. He came to rescue us and give us a home with Him, for all eternity.

There are times that we are tempted and seduced to follow our own desires – the desires of our flesh, as the Bible calls it. We may even begin to think that it is perfectly normal to want the better things of life, possessions, some degree of wealth and status. And there are many instances that God grants these things to His dedicated followers. But this life is not about us and what we want. It is about God and what He wants for us. Anything else we might think can be a form of idolatry.

Jesus asks why we call Him Lord when we do not do what He says? Let’s be clear.  Jesus says that His own, that is His disciples, His sheep, know His voice and they follow Him. They do His bidding and not their own desires. He warns that if we continue doing things our own way for our own purposes, He will tell us to depart from Him because He does not know us!

It is not about us. It is about Him. It is about His purpose and His plan for this world and for us as His followers. And if you and I want to experience the peace, the power and the spiritual prosperity He offers, then we must forsake the things of this world and live to walk in His ways, in His Spirit.

Listen to how the Apostle Peter describes how it is about God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Again, in Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

The answer to Paul’s question, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” is this: Thanks be to God for my deliverance through Jesus Christ our Lord, because even though I find that I serve my human nature, my worldliness, and my sinful capacity, through the law of sin with my flesh, on the other hand with I serve the law of God my mind.  And I praise God that “there is no condemnation whatsoever, (despite this seeming contradiction), for those who are in Christ Jesus.” And praise God that the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (see Romans 8).

So, let’s set our mind on the things above. Let’s set our mind on the things of the Spirit of God. Let’s think on, dwell on, meditate on and practice whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, pure, lovely, and whatever is commendable. If there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds.

So, what is the point of all of this? IT IS NOT ABOUT US. IT IS ABOUT GOD, HIS PLAN, HIS PURPOSE AND HIS WAYS. It is not about what we want. It is about what God wants for us. And if you and I want to experience the peace, the power and the spiritual prosperity He offers, then we must seek first the Kingdom of God. We must forsake the things of this world and live to walk in His ways, in His Spirit.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

BECOMING a Christian is simple – BEING a Christian is something else

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Knowing how to become a Christian is simple, but being a Christian is anything but!

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7).

Such a succinct and simple sounding statement by Jesus is in reality a profound oracle of God. It is the portal to the ‘Other Side’ – from the natural world into the realm where all things originate. It is the ‘Basileia Ouranos’, the Kingdom of Heaven.

There are times when the Words of God are easy to read yet seem to be too deep for our complete understanding. Perhaps at these times we are tempted to ask God, “why tell me this if I cannot grasp and do it?”  It takes the diligent work of study, prayer, meditation, seeking and of asking God. Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all of God’s Word is for our learning, our rebuke, correction, and for our training in righteousness so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. God’s Word is written for us to understand and to perform.

The greatest of all tragedies would be to lazily ignore or to misunderstand what Jesus is saying, and to either ignorantly miss or foolishly forfeit this great gift of God and your place in the Kingdom.

Let’s take a deeper look at John 15:7. First, Jesus is saying “If you abide in me”. Any and every synonym of the word abide could help us understand: We are to stay in Him, to remain in that state, relationship or expectancy; to continue with Him, dwell with Him, endure in Him, be present with Him, remain in Him, stand, tarry, remain in Him as our own.

This is an open secret to answered prayer and inheriting the Kingdom of God! The Bible repeatedly speaks of meditating and setting your mind on Him and His words, thinking on Him and His words, dwelling on Him and His words day and night; praying to Him without ceasing. And in each instance we are told that for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success, he God of peace Himself will sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

We must abide in Him and His words must abide in us – and He will perform His promises in and through us.

The work of knowing and obeying the word of God is no easy task. It takes time and work. (Someone once said they just could not memorize scriptures. Then they were asked about their home address, which they rattled off with ease. The questioner asked how they could do that with such ease? Excuses are cheap. You will do what you prioritize and find necessary.

This is not meant to be harsh or critical of anyone. This is to point out (to me and others) that knowing how to become a Christian is simple, but being a Christian is not something to be taken lightly – it can be difficult. And if you or I want the benefits of a true relationship with God, we must fully enter into that relationship. We must do what He says. (I.e., the door is open, but we must walk through it!)

Now, make these verses your abode (Memorize, personalize and internalize them. Hear these words from the mouth of Jesus or recite them directly to Jesus as you memorize them):

John 15:7, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Verse 8. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

John 15:15, “And if we know that He hears us in whatever<mg3739, 1437=””> we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”

John 14:13. “And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

John 16:23, “And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Verse 24. Until now, you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

1 John 3:22, “and whatever<mg3739, 1437=””> we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.”

(The following verses have been personalized for our memorization.)

Deuteronomy 28:1, “Now it shall be, as I diligently obey<mh8085, 6963=””> the LORD my God, being careful to do all His commandments which He is commanding me today, that the LORD my God will put me high above all the nations of the earth. Verse 2. And all these blessings will come to me and reach me as I obey the LORD my God:

Verse 3. “Blessed will I be in the city, and blessed will I be in the country.

Verse 4. “Blessed will be the children of your womb, the produce of my ground, and the offspring of my animals: the newborn of my herd and the young of my flock.

Verse 5. “Blessed will be my basket and my kneading bowl.

Verse 6, “Blessed will I be when I come in, and blessed will I be when I go out.

Verse 7. “The LORD will cause my enemies who rise up against me to be defeated; they will go out against me one way and will flee at my presence seven ways.

Verse 8. The LORD will command the blessing for me in my barns and in everything that I put my hand to, and He will bless me in the land that the LORD my God is giving me.

Verse 9. The LORD will establish me as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to me, if I keep the commandments of the LORD my God and walk in His ways. Verse 10. So all the peoples of the earth will see that I am called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of me.

Verse 11. And the LORD will give me more than enough prosperity, in the children of my womb, in the offspring of my livestock, and in the produce of my ground, in the land which the LORD swore to my fathers to give me.

Verse 12. The LORD will open for me His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to my land in its season and to bless every work of my hand; and I will lend to many nations, but I will not borrow.

Verse 13. And the LORD will make me the head and not the tail, and I will only be above, and not be underneath, as I listen to the commandments of the LORD my God which He is commanding me today, to follow them carefully, verse 14, and I will not turn aside from any of the words which He is commanding me today, neither to the right nor the left, to pursue other gods to serve them.

Now, as we make Him our Abode, may the LORD bless you, and keep you; May, the LORD cause His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; May the LORD lift up His face to you, and give you peace.’

Your Brother and Friend,

 

Mike Young

BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND – What Does It Really Mean?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND

What does that really mean?

New American Standard Version

Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Verse 2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Amplified Version

Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. Verse 2. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

From the Greek

Verse 1. I exhort therefore you, brothers, through the compassion of God, to present the bodies of you a sacrifice living, holy, to God well pleasing, which is (the) reasonable service of you.

Verse 2. And not be conformed to the age this, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for to prove by you, what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and perfect.

This exhortation by Paul is not ‘a magic formula’. This ‘transformation’ comes from the Greek word, metamorphóō, which is the root word of the English terms “metamorphosis” and “metamorphize.” It is an irreversible transformation, and it does not come miraculously. It comes by exercising your spiritual disciplines. For examples:

Read Ephesians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things. Verse 9. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

ALSO

Read Romans 8:5, “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. Verse 6. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

ALSO

Read Joshua 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. Verse 8. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Verse 9. 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.”

Dwelling on, thinking on, meditating on and memorizing scriptures is always a good thing. But strategically studying and dwelling on, thinking on, meditating on and memorizing ‘targeted scriptures’ is highly effective in renewing your mind and thus being transformed in your thinking and behaviors.

What I mean by ‘targeted scriptures’ is scriptures and texts that speak directly to your thoughts and behaviors in life. It is useful, then, to ‘personalize’ those verses from the ‘third party’ to the ‘first person’. For example:

John 8:31 says, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”

Personalized, I would recite to myself thus, “Because I believe Jesus, and Because I abide in Your word, I am Your disciple indeed.”

 Matthew 21:21 says, “And Jesus answered them, ’Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”

 Personalized, I would recite to myself thus, “And Jesus is telling me, ’Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”

 Therefore, “since I have faith and do not doubt, I will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if I say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”

Personalized, I would recite Joshua 1:7, thus, “I will be strong and very courageous; I will be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses commanded; I will not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that I may achieve success wherever I go. Verse 8. This Book of the Law shall not depart from my mouth, but I shall meditate on it day and night, so that I may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then I will make my way prosperous, and then I will achieve success. Verse 9. Has God not commanded me to be strong and courageous! Not to be terrified nor dismayed? The LORD my God is with me wherever I go.”

PLEASE NOTE:  This is not a ‘name it and claim it’ methodology. And please do not be mistaken by thinking it is you who is doing these things – it is God, through you, doing His Works.  By following the teachings and methods found in scriptures, you will be transformed by the renewing (the reprogramming) of your mind, in order to prove to yourself, what is the will of God in and through your daily life!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Text Analysis (From Biblehub.com).

Go to Parallel Greek

Strong’s Greek English Morphology
3870 [e] Παρακαλῶ
Parakalō		 I exhort V-PIA-1S
3767 [e] οὖν
oun		 therefore Conj
4771 [e] ὑμᾶς,
hymas		 you, PPro-A2P
80 [e] ἀδελφοί,
adelphoi		 brothers, N-VMP
1223 [e] διὰ
dia		 through Prep
3588 [e] τῶν
tōn		 the Art-GMP
3628 [e] οἰκτιρμῶν
oiktirmōn		 compassions N-GMP
3588 [e] τοῦ
tou		 – Art-GMS
2316 [e] Θεοῦ
Theou		 of God, N-GMS
3936 [e] παραστῆσαι
parastēsai		 to present V-ANA
3588 [e] τὰ
ta		 the Art-ANP
4983 [e] σώματα
sōmata		 bodies N-ANP
4771 [e] ὑμῶν
hymōn		 of you PPro-G2P
2378 [e] θυσίαν
thysian		 a sacrifice N-AFS
2198 [e] ζῶσαν
zōsan		 living, V-PPA-AFS
40 [e] ἁγίαν
hagian		 holy, Adj-AFS
3588 [e] ««τῷ
tō		 – Art-DMS
2316 [e] Θεῷ» ⇔
Theō		 to God N-DMS
2101 [e] εὐάρεστον,
euareston		 well-pleasing, Adj-AFS
3588 [e] τὴν
tēn		 which is Art-AFS
3050 [e] λογικὴν
logikēn		 [the] reasonable Adj-AFS
2999 [e] λατρείαν
latreian		 service N-AFS
4771 [e] ὑμῶν·
hymōn		 of you. PPro-G2P

Verse 2

 

2532 [e] καὶ
kai		 And Conj
3361 [e] μὴ
mē		 not Adv
4964 [e] συσχηματίζεσθε
syschēmatizesthe		 be conformed V-PMM/P-2P
3588 [e] τῷ
tō		 to the Art-DMS
165 [e] αἰῶνι
aiōni		 age N-DMS
3778 [e] τούτῳ,
toutō		 this, DPro-DMS
235 [e] ἀλλὰ
alla		 but Conj
3339 [e] μεταμορφοῦσθε
metamorphousthe		 be transformed V-PMM/P-2P
3588 [e] τῇ
tē		 by the Art-DFS
342 [e] ἀνακαινώσει
anakainōsei		 renewing N-DFS
3588 [e] τοῦ
tou		 of the Art-GMS
3563 [e] νοός,
noos		 mind, N-GMS
1519 [e] εἰς
eis		 for Prep
3588 [e] τὸ
to		 – Art-ANS
1381 [e] δοκιμάζειν
dokimazein		 to prove V-PNA
4771 [e] ὑμᾶς
hymas		 by you, PPro-A2P
5101 [e] τί
ti		 what [is] IPro-NNS
3588 [e] τὸ
to		 the Art-NNS
2307 [e] θέλημα
thelēma		 will N-NNS
3588 [e] τοῦ
tou		 – Art-GMS
2316 [e] Θεοῦ,
Theou		 of God, N-GMS
3588 [e] τὸ
to		 – Art-NNS
18 [e] ἀγαθὸν
agathon		 good Adj-NNS
2532 [e] καὶ
kai		 and Conj
2101 [e] εὐάρεστον
euareston		 well-pleasing Adj-NNS
2532 [e] καὶ
kai		 and Conj
5046 [e] τέλειον.
teleion		 perfect. Adj-NNS

 

 

WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE – PART 2

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Right Order of God’s Creation

As found in Matthew Chapter 5

BLESSED ARE…

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This “Sermon on the Mount” starts by telling us that we are Blessed, when we are poor in spirit.  We all have heard that this means we are “spiritually bankrupt”.

Yes, I suppose this can be one very basic and rudimentary meaning.

Being “Poor in Spirit” however, means so much more:

“Poor in spirit” in verse 3, from the Greek is ‘ptochos’ which literally means to be 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms, 2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor; 2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches; 2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end; 2c) poor, needy; 3) lacking in anything as respects to their spirit. 4) Being destitute of the wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure). All of this comes from a root Greek alternate word meaning, “to be terrified”, and “as a decaying corpse”.

It should cause us to wonder, how could we possibly be considered “Blessed” if we are “poor in spirit”. But this is the Right Order as opposed to pride, wealth and self-reliance!

These verses go on to tell us we are “Blessed” if we are “mourning” loss, “hungering and thirsting”, or being “persecuted for the sake of righteousness”.  How can this be?

“Poor in spirit” is, more literally, to be crushed in your spirit; to be pinched by toil, hopelessness and extreme poverty; A beggar with no hope of rescue on the verge of death and perishing.

It is when life deals you crushing blows, which seem to be your end with no way of escape, that this marvelous work of salvation, redemption and sanctification can begin; and not before.

The world tells us that we find happiness in ego, admiration, material wealth, possessions, power, status, education and lording it over others.  But the Bible tells us, “you must come to the end of yourself to enter the Kingdom of God”. Although, few of us have the will power to bring ourselves to such a desperate state.  It is God, alone, who will allow or bring crushing circumstances to bear on our lives which will cause us to turn to God for help.  And only God can save us from such desperate circumstances, redeem us to a state of wholeness, health and safety which is His Sanctification (holiness) of our lives.

Please read the following verses and take note of the process.  Here, the Bible explain to us, ahead of time, what we must endure (yes, endure) in the Right Order to “inherit the Kingdom of God”.

THOSE WHO MOURN

Verse 4:  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

“Mourning”.  An understandable response upon finding yourself severely pinched by poverty, reduced to begging; destitute with no influence, no position; lowly, afflicted and helpless; powerless to change your circumstances for the better; lacking in anything and terrified.

Think with me.  Have you ever endured an especially difficult time?  Perhaps, as a child, you were punished for bad behavior?  Besides receiving a scolding you may have been spanked or had privileges taken from you?  Or perhaps you endured a time of suffering and loss?  “Mourning” was the natural response.  What did you experience next?

GENTLE IN SPIRIT

Verse 5:  “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Do you remember after enduring a time of suffering or loss and “mourning” your loss, having a good cry, your emotions or spirit was quieted for a time?  You may have now had time to reflect on what has happened, and you lapse into a time of quiet, gentle appearing reflection.

HUNGER AND THIRST

Verse 6:  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Do you remember coming through a difficult time, having a good cry, either mentally or actually shedding tears, and then the ‘calm the followed the storm’ in your soul?  Do you also remember that, for some reason, with the storm of your life behind you, you were actually hungry?

It is the same in our spirit.  It is usually at this point that we begin to make life-decisions.  We’re either getting angry and defiant or we decide to do better and to “be better”.

For those being redeemed by the mercies of God, the process is to ‘hunger and thirst for right-thinking and right living’:  which is the very definition of Righteousness.

It is through this process that we gain new insights and understanding.  How apt are scriptures to remind us in the next verse that

MERCIFUL

Verse 7  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

The word ‘mercy’ in this verse literally means “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them; of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one’s self merciful

We are indeed being “Sanctified”:  Being made holy and set apart for God’s use.

PURE IN HEART

Verse 8:  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Our attitudes are changing.  Showing mercy is a sign that our hearts are changing and become pure in the sight of God.  We are being transformed in what we see and in how we see.  We are beginning to see matters as God sees them.

PEACEMAKER

Verse 9:  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

A peace will begin to settle over the heart and mind of the redeemed and sanctified Believer.  We, not only, begin to experience ‘a peace that passes understanding’ from our deepening relationship with God, but we begin to demonstrate and practice that peace of God which earns us the title “sons (and daughters) of God”.  We are being made into His image.

PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Verse 10:  “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The bible tells us, it is at this time, we inherit and possess the Kingdom of Heaven with all the rights, responsibilities, and authority of a son of God, a joint heir with Jesus.

This statement is staggering, even for the fully devoted and fully surrendered follower of Jesus.  And, it is too rich and too profound for the “casual Christian” or “casual Believer” to begin to understand.

The Kingdom of Heaven is a place 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, God’s Kingdom.  It is of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah.  It is the Place of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.  (From Strong’s concordance, definitions and translations of the Greek and Hebrew languages)

Here is what “Entire Sanctification” Looks Like:

LIGHT

Matthew 5:14  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;”

Verse 15:  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Verse 16:  “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

These verses should leave the child of God breathless. In John 8:12  Jesus calls Himself, the Light of the World.  “Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  

Dear Friends, let’s not be deceived by this world or by its schemes and distractions:

“It is not what we see with only with our eyes, but by faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible”. (Hebrews 11:3).

“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”. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” (Psalm 119:15)

THIS IS THE RIGHT ORDER OF GOD’S CREATION!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Click here for part 1: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE)