Blessing Others as God Blesses Us

 ”And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The children of Israel at Beth-Shemesh had opened the Ark of the Covenant to see inside and seventy men were killed.  So they cried out, “Who is able to stand in the Presence of the Lord, this holy God? Where can we send the Ark from here?”  To disregard, dishonour and disrespect the Presence of God brings dismay and disaster.  The Church is the Body of Christ and carries the Presence of God.  Let the Church examine itself and see if they have treated the new Covenant of God unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s Body and bring damnation upon it.  The Body and Blood of Christ Jesus our Lord must be partaken of with sanctity, honour and reverence for He is holy.  We carry the Presence of God in us.  As God blesses us, let’s be a source of blessing to others, wherever we go.  As kings and priests before God, let’s be held in the grip of Christ’s grace and continue reigning as kings in life, enjoying our regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the One and Only Jesus, the Messiah and bless others!  Hallelujah!

Teaching the Glories of Christ’s Grace

 ”to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The purpose of this mystery kept in the heart of God, was to unveil before every throne and rank of angelic orders in the heavenly realm, God’s full and diverse wisdom revealed through the Church.  The Church is the “university of angels” and every believer is a “professor” teaching the heavenly realm the mysteries and wonders of the grace of God!  The angels investigate through our lives, the treasures of grace, like the cherubim who gaze upon the mercy seat.  To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to all through those who have preached the Gospel by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.  How important is our testimony of our personal encounter with the resurrected Christ that reveals the mystery of the grace of forgiveness, the redemption of His Blood to the praise of the glory of His grace.  Hallelujah!

The Presence of God in Us

 ”And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact.  In the old covenant, the Ark of the LORD, signified the Presence of God.  No idol or false god can stand in the Presence of the Almighty Living God.  Through the shed Blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit has come to make our body the Temple of God.  The Ark of God is in our heart for those who believe in faith.  We carry the Presence of God wherever we go.  Let’s realise that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in us and was given to us  by God.  We do not belong to ourselves.  Amen!

Yielding to the Mighty Holy Spirit

 ”For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have become His poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!  Our lives are the beautiful poetry written by God that will speak forth all that He desires in life.  These good works make up our destiny.  As we yield to God, our pre-arranged destiny comes to pass and we are rewarded for simply doing what He wanted us to accomplish.  God finds inspired expression of Christ in us - He finds spontaneous and effortless expression of His character in our everyday lifestyle.  Let’s remember who we are in Christ and let the world see and desire Christ in us.  The way for that is surrendering to the mighty Holy Spirit.  Amen!

Being Holy is Being Powerful

 ”So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬, ‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Also the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were killed.  The presumption of the priesthood and the children of Israel astounds us, as we read this record, millennia later.  The stubborn stiff headedness of the Israelites to disregard the instructions of Yahweh through Moses, started gradually but at this point, the wild decision of taking the Ark of the Covenant into the battlefield, back fired.  The Ark of the Covenant signified the Presence of Yahweh among the children of Israel and their strict instructions to preserve the sanctity.  This was ignored by the priests and leadership of Israel with the result that they were soundly defeated.  Instead of Israel going into exile, God went into exile.  Separation from God is a terrible place to be in.  Let the Church learn to handle the Presence of God amongst us with sanctity to move in the power of the mighty Holy Spirit.  Amen!

Christ Alone is the Head of the Church

 ”and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Christ alone is the Leader and Source of everything needed in the Church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given Him the highest rank above all others. And now we, HIs Church, are His Body on the earth and that which fills Him Who is being filled by it!  Christ has conquered, subdued and put everything under His Feet and now rules over them.  We, the believers are His Body, the Church who are completed and  filled by Christ; and we also complete and fill Him.  God raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with Him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!This is a wonderful and humbling mystery revealed to us that doesn’t require intellectual reasoning, but rather simple child-like faith to believe our position in Christ.  Amen!

Raise Our Children to Know Christ

 ”And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.  Eli, a descendant of Aaron, was the high priest when Hannah came to Shiloh to ask Yahweh for a child.  Unfortunately Eli had disregarded the teaching of the law that Moses had given to the children of Israel.  The result was that even Eli’s sons went astray and judgment awaited him and his sons from Yahweh.  But Yahweh arranged for Samuel to be born and raised up in Shiloh under Eli.  Yahweh revealed Himself directly to Samuel and the Word of God came to him at a tender age.  At the right time, Samuel became a mighty prophet so much so that all Yahweh prophesied through Samuel’s mouth, came to pass. It is imperative that we bring up our children and the next generation in the reverence for our magnificent God Who sent His Son, Jesus, to shed His Blood as the sin sacrifice for all humanity.  Let’s teach our children the Word of God, so they will never depart from the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let’s not exasperate our children, but raise them up with loving discipline and counsel that brings the revelation of our Lord.  Amen!

Sowing to the Spirit

 ”Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul teaches, ”God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest. The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit. And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!“  The good seed we sow to the Spirit includes prayer, Bible study, speaking wise counsel, giving, loving and dropping seeds every day from a life lived in our new creation life.  When we walk in the Spirit, we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh which war against our soul.  Let’s make the choice to sow to the Spirit by planting good seed.  Amen!

New Birth Rejoicing in Christ

 ”And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, Mine horn is exalted in the LORD: My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; Because I rejoice in thy salvation.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Hannah had weaned her miracle child Samuel, she took him to Jerusalem and prayed and said, “My heart rejoices and triumphs in the Lord; My horn, that is my strength, is lifted up in the Lord, My mouth has opened wide to speak boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.“ This prayer was echoed by the virgin  Mary, a millennia later. Mary said, “My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Those who have experienced God’s intervention in their life in giving birth to miracle children, will have that heart rejoicing, the soul magnifying God and the spirit being in that joyful bliss.  Mary was the first to call Jesus her Saviour because His birth was straight from God!  Today in the new birth experience when we come alive in our spirit which was once dead, such joy, rejoicing and ecstasy comes into us as Jesus is birthed in our hearts.  In truth, the whole of heaven rejoices when even one sinner comes truly alive.  Let’s bring new souls into God’s Kingdom, so that heaven experiences that joy, and so do we on earth!  Amen!

Living the Spirit-Life

 ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.  This is the harvest of the Spirit-life, we believers are called to manifest.  The greatest quality of the Spirit-life in us is agapé love.  All these virtues are made visible through actions which are never quitting.  This is the spirit-strength that others see when we walk in this Spirit-life made available to us by faith in the precious Blood of our Lord Jesus.  There is no conflict with Jewish laws.  Let’s take the help of the Holy Spirit to live this Spirit-life and win souls.  Amen!

When Down & Out, Cry Out to Jesus

 ”And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow: “Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If You’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If You’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me by giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to You. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.”  Hannah cried for grace in her situation from Yahweh.  She didn’t know that God had already chosen her to birth the last judge and first prophet for the Israelites.  It was a time of transition for the Israelites for them to enter into monarchy.  Hannah cried out in desperation to Yahweh and He heard her.  When we humble ourselves before Yahweh to seek His mercy, the gift of grace comes to us through Christ to receive His promises.  The promise depends on faith so that it can be experienced as a grace-gift, and extends to all through Christ as all God’s promises are “yes” and “amen” in Him.  Amen!

Grace Brings True Freedom

 ”But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explained from Scripture, the difference between law and grace, ”In contrast, there is a heavenly Jerusalem above us, which is our true “mother.” She is the freewoman, birthing children into freedom! For it is written: “Burst forth with gladness, rejoice, O barren woman with no children, break through with the shouts of joy and jubilee, for you are about to give birth! The one who was once considered desolate and barren now has more children than the one who has a husband!” Dear friends, just like Isaac, we’re now the true children who inherit the kingdom promises.”  Paul is showing that the law is a system of works that brings bondage and that the promise is a system of grace that brings true freedom.  Let’s wholeheartedly believe in the grace and truth that came through our Lord Jesus Christ for true freedom.  Amen!

Grace, Not Law, Our Only Hope of Salvation

 ”And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.“

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

At this, the kinsman-redeemer baulked, and said, “In that case, I’m not able to redeem it for myself without risking my own inheritance.  Take my purchase option of redemption yourself, for I can’t do it.”  The summary statement of the law is, “I can’t do it.”  Grace, not law-keeping, is our only hope of salvation.  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.  This nearer relative desired to preserve his name by not marrying the Moabite woman and his name is lost.  Boaz, on the other hand, not only preserved his name but also had his name inscribed upon the pillar in the temple of Yahweh built by Solomon.  Boaz prefigured Jesus, our gracious Kinsman-Redeemer Who has done for us what the law couldn’t.  It is not in seeking to preserve our own name but exalting our Lord Jesus’s faithfulness, that we receive an eternal name and are placed as pillars in the temple of our God.  Hallelujah!

The Power of Christ’s Redemption

 ”And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.“

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV

Boaz asked, “Who are you?”  Ruth replied, “I am Ruth, your servant girl.  Spread the corner of your garment over me because you are a close relative by marriage, one who is my kinsman-redeemer.”  The garment of faithful Israelites had a tassel at each corner and which Ruth acknowledged when she asked Boaz to cover her with his garment as the sign of his covenant toward Naomi and her.  Yahweh’s faithfulness is manifest in Christ to fulfill His promise to dwell under His wings.  The woman with the issue of blood touched the tassels of Jesus’s garment and was healed.  Teachers of law in Jesus’s time, wore extra long tassels as if they were extra faithful to Yahweh!  Ruth boldly requested grace from Boaz and had no false humility, as she sincerely and confidently spoke to Boaz, calling herself his servant. We too come boldly to the Throne of Grace.   Christ, through His redemption, has promised His protection and provision over us as His garment covers us.  Let’s believe in the power of Christ’s redemption.  Amen!

The Glorious Work of the Cross

 ”O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul calls out the Galatians, “What has happened to you foolish Galatians? Who has put you under an evil spell? Did God not open your eyes to see the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion? Was He not revealed to you as the Crucified One?”  The revelation of the Cross had been supernaturally given to the Galatian church, but they were diluting the glorious work of the Cross by adding to it the works of religion.   The law had bewitched them to distort the revelation of what the Cross of Christ accomplished in the Galatians.  The Cross had been clearly predicted in Scripture and they were still not persuaded by the Truth!  Jesus did not die an individual, He died every individual’s death.  Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.  Hallelujah!

Made Righteous by Grace

 ”knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains, “we know that no one receives God’s perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but only by the faith of Jesus! His faithfulness has saved us, and we have received God’s perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws!”  It is not simply our faith, but His - the faithfulness of Jesus to fulfill the Father’s pleasure in His life and the sacrifice for our sins in His death.  Salvation is found in the “faith of Jesus.”  Jews were the first to know that righteousness is not a reward for good behaviour according to the requirements of the law, having pursued righteousness for generations under the system of personal performance but failed miserably!  Jesus Christ embodies God’s belief concerning mankind’s redeemed righteousness and this is the only valid basis of our belief.  Jew and gentile were equally disqualified by the law but now are equally justified because of Jesus and for no other reason!  Jesus is the Author and Finisher of faith.  Hallelujah!

Harvest of Souls

 ”And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.“

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

At that moment, Boaz came from Bethlehem to survey his harvest.  He greeted the harvesters, “May Yahweh be with you.” They replied, “May Yahweh bless you.”  Jesus too, came from Bethlehem to bless His harvesters.  Today’s harvesters are the evangelists who go to the nations of the earth to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  May Yahweh’s blessing indeed be upon them as they seek a global harvest of souls.  The Holy Spirit is the Lord of the Harvest Who equips and places each believer in the harvest fields where we will be the most effective.  Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.”  As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, let’s obey Him in faith.  Amen!

Love, Grace & Peace in Christ

 ”grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s opening words to the church in Galatia, present day Turkey, “May God’s undeserved kindness and total well-being that flow from our Father God and from the Lord Jesus be yours. He’s the Anointed One Who offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins! He has rescued us from this evil world system and set us free, just as our Father God desired. May all the glory be to God alone, throughout time and eternity. Amen!”  Peace included health, prosperity and total well-being.  Grace was not just a message that Paul taught, but the way he dealt with deceived people.  Even over the confused churches that were mixing works and grace, Paul spoke blessing and peace.  When we learn to bless and release “undeserved kindness” and “well-being” over those who oppose us, perhaps then they will listen to us.  This “evil world system” includes the religious system that is based on duty and performance instead of love and grace.  Let’s learn to walk in love and grace.  Amen!

Continuous Clinging to Christ in the New Covenant

 ”And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.“

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When they heard Naomi’s words to go back to their homes, Orpah and Ruth wailed and sobbed again.  Then Orpah embraced and kissed her mother in law goodbye and went back home, but Ruth clung tightly to Naomi and refused to let go of her.  Ruth clung to Naomi as a covenantal devotion, whereas Orpah went back to Moab, living and dying there.  Naomi is a type of Israel and the gentle Ruth is a type of the Church.  Ruth stayed connected to Naomi who led her to Boaz, a type of our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus.  Ruth the Moabitess,  typified the gentile believers in Christ.  We cleave and cling to the new covenant He made with us and He is our Kinsman Redeemer.  Jesus said in His last meal with His disciples, “This cup seals the new covenant with my blood. Drink it—and whenever you drink this, do it to remember me.”  We cling to Him in the new covenant and receive every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.  Hallelujah!

The Triune God

 ”The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.“

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s benediction to the church in Corinth, ”Now, may the grace and joyous favor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the unambiguous love of God, and the precious communion that we share in the Holy Spirit be yours continually. Amen!“ For the Law was given through Moses, but grace (the unearned, undeserved favor of God) and truth came through Jesus Christ.  Grace tells us that Jesus Christ took upon Himself the judgment of God for all mankind when He identified Himself as the Son of Man.  Mankind had to be made righteous to receive the unconditional love of God in us and that came to us by the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus, so that we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who lives in us!  They who are joined to the Lord are one spirit with Him.  Through this communion, we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  Hallelujah!

Reverence Christ

 ”In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.“

‭‭Judges‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In those days, Israel had no king,  and everyone did whatever they wanted to.  This book was compiled by Samuel, the last judge, who when the twelve tribes of Israel asked him for a king, he told them that they were refusing the true King for an earthly king.  They insisted on it even after Samuel warned them of having an earthly ruler.  When we become familiar with the splendour and majesty of our God, and forget to thank Him, we lose accountability with Him and the reverence for God departs from us.  Hearts are hardened today because people’s conscience is deadened to the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice and finished work of the Cross.  When the Body of Christ recognises the awesomeness with reverence, of the Blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, our consciences will be cleansed from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  Let’s bow down with thanksgiving to the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.  Worthy is the Lamb.  Amen!

Enjoying Heaven on Earth

 ”I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)“

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬

Paul says, “Someone I’m acquainted with, who is in union with Christ, was swept away fourteen years ago in an ecstatic experience. He was taken into the third heaven, but I’m not sure if he was in his body or out of his body—only God knows. And I know that this man (again, I’m not sure if he was still in his body or taken out of his body—God knows)“. It was a common literary practice to avoid speaking directly of oneself but to refer to themselves as “someone I’m acquainted with”.  But we know that it was Paul himself because he knew the exact time he had this ecstatic experience,  overhearing in the third heaven inexpressible things, not to be repeated.  He was not certain whether it was an embodied or disembodied experience.  Paul goes on later to say that a “thorn in the flesh was given to me” because of his extraordinary experiences and revelations.  It was his humility that Paul didn’t want to boast but knew when to share such experiences.  Let’s learn from Paul to walk in lowliness of mind and yet enjoy third heaven on earth.  Amen!

Unity of Spirit in the Church

 ”So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.“

‭‭Judges‬ ‭20‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV

So all the men of Israel united as one man to come against Gibeah.  Moses and Joshua had kept the tribes together but after that it is striking that the tribes refused to come together to help one another throughout the period of the judges until this clear moment of uniting to destroy one of their own tribes.  God is glorified through unity.  For all those who believe in the finished work of Christ and are in the Body of Christ, through obedience of faith, the God of Peace has called us to unity.  Peace only comes through unity.   Instead, we bite and devour one another, and are consumed by one another!  We continue to criticize and come against each other over minor issues, and we act like wild beasts trying to destroy one another!  We are called to lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Finally, all of us are to be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.  This is the calling of the Body of Christ, the Church, in the unity of the Spirit.  Amen!

The Father, the Word and the Spirit are as One

 ”For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.“

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul warned the church in Corinth against the false gospel preachers. “For they are not true apostles but deceitful ministers who masquerade as “special apostles” of the Anointed One. That doesn’t surprise us, for even satan transforms himself to appear as an angel of light!”  Even in the early Church there were false preachers of the Gospel who deceived believers, as there are today.  Jewish spurious writing “Apocalypse of Moses” mentioned the temptation of Eve describing satan masquerading as an angel of light.  In Paul’s time and even now, in the same way, false apostles claim to be sent from Christ and peddle another gospel.  That is why Jesus said, ”“And I will send you the Divine Encourager from the very Presence of My Father. He will come to you, the Spirit of Truth, emanating from the Father, and He will speak to you about Me.”  Let’s listen to the Spirit of Truth Who, through His Word, helps us discern what is false and deceitful.  Let’s learn from Him.  For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these Three are One. Amen!

Only Through Jesus is Mankind Delivered

 ”Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.“

‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

They were enjoying themselves when suddenly some perverted and depraved men of the town surrounded the house and pounded on the door.  They called to the aged owner of the house, “Bring out the man you invited into your house so that we can have sex with him.”  The sons of Belial was the evil spirit of the underworld that possessed the men of Gibeah to indulge in licentious living.  This was the time among the children of Israel when everyone did what was right in their own eyes.   Today’s culture is such that the freedom of speech and liberal thinking has caused so many opinions that one doesn’t know which is right.  Tolerating lifestyles that are promiscuous causes the destruction of society eventually, when everyone does what they think is right.  God loves mankind but He does not tolerate sin.  That’s why He loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  Only through faith in the Blood Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ does mankind get deliverance from sin.  Thank You Jesus!

Being Strong in Weakness Through God’s Power

 ”For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.“

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV

For I can imagine some of you saying, “His letters are authoritative and stern, but when he’s with us he’s not that impressive and he’s a poor speaker.”  Greece was known as a land of eloquent speakers.  It seems some people were judging Paul by comparing his speaking gift to the eloquent speeches of others.  Yet Paul was a brilliant teacher, not a trained orator.  True leadership is much more than our speaking ability.  Our influence is not limited to a rousing sermon, but we will affect the lives of many if we walk in purity, led by the Holy Spirit.  Both Moses and Jeremiah saw themselves as poor speakers, yet God used them to impact Israel.  God used Paul to impact the nations and bring many souls to Christ all across those many nations. Paul said, “I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.”  Let’s follow Paul’s example.  Amen!

The Lord Jesus Christ is Preeminent

 ”And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.“

‭‭Judges‬ ‭18‬:‭31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So they enshrined the idol Micah had made, and they made it their own even though the proper house of God stood at Shiloh.  This was the tabernacle Moses had made during their days in the wilderness.  It had the ark of the covenant which was the Presence of Yahweh amongst His people.  God,  through Moses, had given in detail how the high priest approached the Most Holy Place but once a year with fear and trembling to make the annual restitution of sins by the blood of bulls and goats.  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.  By God’s will we have been purified and made holy once and for all through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus, the Messiah!  Micah’s graven image was a travesty of the Presence of God.  There was a judgment for this in Moses’ law.  How much more severely do you suppose a person deserves to be judged who has contempt for God’s Son, and who scorns the Blood of the new covenant that made us holy, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?  Let’s not have any idols in our hearts but give the Lord Jesus Christ the preeminence.  Amen!

The Things that God Loves

 ”Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.“

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity!  Paul teaches the Church on how to trust God in giving and in every area of our life, by having a loving and intimate relationship with Him and not out of a sense of religious duty. In Scripture, there are seven things God loves - for the Church to show kindness and acceptance to the resident foreigner or immigrant; righteousness in our affairs with others; justice; the gates of Zion; His righteous people; a hilarious or cheerful giver; those He disciplines!  Let’s conduct ourselves as people whom God loves.  Amen!

Grow and Mature in Faith

 ”And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.“

‭‭Judges‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Now Micah had a shrine, and he made some idols and a counterfeit ephod and ordained one of his sons as his priest.  Micah means “Yahweh the Incomparable”.  Micah attempted to begin his own religious system of worship, complete with a priestly ephod to be worn by Micah’s priest, not God’s.  The Tent of Yahweh’s Presence was in Shiloh.  False idols and worship began in spite of God’s commandments.  This troubled Israel then and now troubles the Church today.  Man-made spirituality brings its own cycle of self-deception.  Mankind still offends God by replacing objective divine standards with anarchy and moral relativism.  Even though Jesus Christ has freed humanity from the bondage of all sin, people still disregard His Supreme Sacrifice and the Word of God, choosing to do whatever they want to.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the people of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to all good works.  Let’s choose to mature in our faith to serve God in truth, especially in this time of great deception and false Gospel preaching.  Amen!

God’s Grace Empowers Our Generosity

 ”And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.“

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul said of the generosity of the Macedonian churches that they exceeded their expectations by first dedicating themselves fully to the Lord and then to them, according to God’s pleasure.  These churches were Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea, who gave more than just an extravagant offering.  They fully surrendered themselves to the Lord and gave out of a longing to fulfil God’s pleasure.  This really is the key to generous giving.  First we dedicate our hearts to God, which includes our finances, then we give to God’s work as He directs us.  Giving is described as a “grace” that God places on our lives, which empowers our generosity.  Let’s learn to be generous in God’s way Who gives freely and expects us to give freely.  Amen!

Don’t Compromise Your Faith

 ”And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.“

‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Delilah lulled Samson to sleep with his head in her lap.  Then she called in a barber to cut off the seven locks of his hair.  In this way she weakened him, and his strength drained from him.  Samson’s true strength was not from some magical power in his long hair, but in his devotion to God and in his vow to be pure.  The seven braids of hair remind us of the sevenfold Spirit of God that was the true source of strength and anointing for God’s servants.  Unfortunately Samson’s moral failures outweighed his physical strength, and he left a legacy of compromise and moral weakness.  Inspite of all this, Samson is listed as a man of great faith - ”And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:”. Let’s not compromise our faith, for those who are in Christ and not be part of the end of this age where many will depart from the true faith one after another, devoting themselves to spirits of deception and following demon-inspired revelations and theories. Let’s remain true to the Word.  Amen!