Loved, Sealed & Protected

 “saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is what John the beloved disciple was revealed as he saw the mighty angel, saying, “Do not damage the earth, the sea, or the trees until we have marked the loving servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads.”  This mighty angel has more power than the previous four angels who would damage the earth, sea and trees.  This is the angel carrying the seal of God that speaks of God’s grace and mercy, which will always triumph over judgment.  The seal marking the forehead of the loving servants of God, is the mind of Christ, the mark of the Christ.  The winds of judgment are being held back until the sons of God have the thoughts and mind of Christ.  To be sealed means to be protected from judgment.  The seal of lamb’s blood on the doors of the Israelites protected them from the death angel.  The new covenant seal is the Holy Spirit (the mind of Christ) that opens our hearts to the restoration of heaven.  We are the seven-sealed scroll that is broken open so that the all-conquering life of Christ will subdue all things.  We are living letters, written not with ink but by the Spirit of God writing truth upon our hearts.  In the volume of the book it is written about Christ.  Let our heart and mind be filled with Christ.  Amen!

Heartfelt Joyful Praise to God

 “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; With the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet Make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭98‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David’s poetic praise, “So go ahead, everyone, and shout out your praises with joy! Break out of the box and let loose with the most joyous sound of praise! Sing your melody of praise to the Lord and make music like never before! Blow those trumpets and shofars! Shout with joyous triumph before King Yahweh!”  David from a young age rejoiced in giving joyful praise to Yahweh from his heart! He wanted not only his voice but the harp and the trumpets and shofars to give loud praise to God.  Every believer’s gathering, whether in church or home or public place, needs worship from the heart, the louder the better!  It’s the religious spirit that makes believers distracted with not being heartfelt in singing joyfully.  When the Holy Spirit leads us in praise, it is heartfelt and joyful!  This is the first time when the Holy Spirit fell upon the gentiles and they began speaking in foreign languages (just as the Jewish disciples did on the Day of Pentecost), and their hearts overflowed in joyful praises to God. Peter's friends from Joppa-all of them Jewish, all circumcised-were stunned to see that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on outsiders.  Joyful praises from the heart come when the Holy Spirit is in charge!  Amen!

Being Hid in Christ

 “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John wrote the revelation he received, of the end of the age, “Then the kings of the earth and its great princes and generals, the rich and powerful, and everyone, whether they were slave or free, ran for cover and hid in the caves and among the mountain boulders.”  The heart of each person, the high ranking officers and heads of thousands, is being laid bare by the light and glory of Christ rising upon His people.  It was Adam who first wanted to hide from the face of God, but for the believer, we hide only in the Father’s love.  When we abide under the shadow of Shaddai, we are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds us and the stronghold to shelter us, the only God for us, and our great confidence. He will rescue us from every hidden trap of the enemy, and He will protect us from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around us, protecting us. We can run under His covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping us from harm.  These promises are for those of us who died on the Cross with Christ and now our life is hidden with Christ in God.  Hallelujah!

The LORD Reigns

 “The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭97‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David’s psalm when his kingdom was established.  “Yahweh now reigns as King! Let everyone rejoice! His rule extends everywhere, even to distant lands, and the islands of the sea, let them all be glad. Clouds both dark and mysterious now surround Him. His throne of glory rests upon a foundation of righteousness and justice.”  Let our conviction be sure, that our God reigns over all as King.  The entire creation, seen and unseen is His where He is the King Who reigns.  Dark and mysterious clouds are what Moses and the children of Israel saw when they came to the foot of mountain Sinai, “Then you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness.”  The children of Israel couldn’t bear it so Moses went alone to the top of the mountain to receive the Law, “These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.”  God’s plan was so glorious for through the finished work of the Cross God wrote the new covenant, “But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”  Righteousness and judgment are His Throne and Jesus was judged on humanity’s behalf taking our punishment, becoming sin for us that the righteousness of God would come to us who believe.  Hallelujah!

Consistent Revelation of Our Faithful God

 “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John, the beloved disciple’s revelation, “And I saw that the One seated on the Throne was holding in His right hand an unopened scroll with writing on the inside and on the outside, and it was sealed with seven seals.”  John saw the vision that Daniel had earlier, except that in Daniel’s vision the scroll was to be sealed and kept while in John’s vision, it had to be broken. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”  Isaiah and Ezekiel in their time had the vision of the scroll/book.  Isaiah saw, “The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, “Read this, please.” And he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”  Ezekiel said, “Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.” Long ago God spoke in many different ways to our fathers through the prophets, in visions, dreams, and even face to face, telling them little by little about His plans.  God is consistent and faithful in His revelations, it is our responsibility to receive and obey, knowing the times that we’re living in.  Amen!

Testifying of God’s Goodness with A New Song

 “O Sing unto the LORD a new song: Sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; Shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: But the LORD made the heavens.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭96‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is attributed to king David when he brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.   “Go ahead—sing your new song to the Lord! Let everyone in every language sing Him a new song. Don’t stop! Keep on singing! Make His Name famous! Tell everyone every day how wonderful He is. Give them the good news of our great Savior. Take the message of His glory and miracles to every nation. Tell them about all the amazing things He has done. For the Lord’s greatness is beyond description, and He deserves all the praise that comes to Him. He is our King-God, and it’s right to be in holy awe of Him.  Other gods are absolutely worthless. For the Lord God is Creator-God, Who spread the splendor of the skies!”   Every new thing God does requires a new song to make it known.  That’s why our testimonies that glorify God are so key in our walk with our Lord Jesus.  As Christ’s Body, let’s learn to sing a new song to glorify Jesus of all that He is doing in our life. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! It’s time to sing to God a brand-new song so that all His holy people will hear how wonderful He is!  Amen!

God Made Us Alive Together With Christ

 “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬

John the beloved disciple was in a prophetic trance as he was shown things in the spiritual realm.  “Encircling the great throne were twenty-four thrones with elders in glistening white garments seated upon them, each wearing a golden crown of victory.”  These twenty-four elders were the union of the Jews (the twelve tribes of Israel) and the Church (the twelve apostles of Jesus) - serving as God’s cabinet officers, the actual council of elders who are subordinate to God but ruling with authority and wisdom.  They are enthroned and have crowns which speaks of regal authority.  Made up from the overcomers from among the community of the redeemed, the twenty-four elders are robed in Christ’s righteousness (white garments), enthroned with Him and crowned with glory.  God has made us alive together with Christ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  Amen!

Our Creator God and the Power of the Cross

 “For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: The strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: And his hands formed the dry land.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭95‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David is said to be the author of this psalm.  “For the Lord is the greatest of all, King-God over all other gods! In one hand He holds the mysteries of the earth, and in the other He holds the highest mountain peaks. He’s the owner of every ocean, the engineer and sculptor of earth itself!”  This is our God, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen, and now He is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming!  Everything was created by Him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for Him.  At the Cross Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the Cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph!  This is the Great God Whom David worshipped and we do today for Christ is worthy of all worship.  Amen!

The Key of David

 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John was revealed, “Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia, for these are the solemn words of the Holy One, the True One, Who has David’s key, Who opens doors that none can shut and Who closes doors that none can open: I know all that you’ve done. Now I have set before you a wide-open door that none can shut. For I know that you possess only a little power, yet you’ve kept My Word and haven’t denied My Name.”  Philadelphia means brotherly love be and had a devastating earthquake in 17 AD, so hearing these words of encouragement from Christ would have greatly helped them, and given them security in the world shaking around them.  The key of David unlocks intimacy and prayer.  David was a man who lived in grace, centuries before the Gospel of grace was unveiled.  In that sense, the key of David allowed him to view the future and live in the grace it would reveal.  Isaiah had prophesied of the Messiah having the key of David.  “I will place upon His shoulders the key to the treasures of David’s palace. He will open doors that no one can shut, and He will shut doors that no one can open.”  The open door is likely an invitation to come into the fullness of God’s Kingdom of joy and power in the Holy Spirit.  It could also be a door of opportunity to give witness to others of God’s power and grace.  It takes little power to obey God’s Word and not deny His Name.  Imagine what having great power would look like!  Amen!

Trust God to Turn Evil for Good

 “They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, And condemn the innocent blood. But the LORD is my defence; And my God is the rock of my refuge. And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; Yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭94‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David’s psalm was sung by the Levites in the temple every Wednesday.  “For they gang up against the lovers of righteousness and condemn the innocent to death. But I know that all their evil plans will boomerang back onto them. Every plot they hatch will simply seal their own doom. For You, my God, You will destroy them, giving them what they deserve. For You are my true tower of strength, my safe place, my hideout, and my true shelter.”  Those who are made righteous by the Blood of the Lamb of God, will face enmity from evildoers.  But the righteous trust in the God Who loves us more than His Life, rather than trusting in the ways of this world.  For as Joseph said to his brothers who sold him to slavery, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”  That’s why, whenever the enemy brings evil, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  So we continue to trust God in all our problems, confident that He Who is our Rock of Refuge, will turn it for good.  Amen!

Getting Back to Our First Love for Jesus

 “and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬

John delivers the message Jesus has for the Church through His messenger, “I also know how you have bravely endured trials and persecutions because of My Name, yet you have not become discouraged. But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for Me at the beginning. Think about how far you have fallen! Repent and do the works of love you did at first. I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent.”  Believers here have endured suffering without complaining but they have abandoned the exclusive and foremost love for the Lord Jesus that has first place in their hearts above all else.  The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ needs to be known for: working for the Kingdom of God; persevering and yet not being tolerant of sin; examining the claims of ministries and enduring trials bravely.  Yet doing all this without a passionate love for Jesus Christ weakens our power and witness in the world.  This calls for repentance which is simply changing one’s mind.  Every believer needs to turn from his or her error and take “another mind” - the mind of Christ.  For  “who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct him?”  But we have the mind of Christ.  Hallelujah!

God’s Inner Sanctuary is in Those Who have Christ in Them

 “Thy testimonies are very sure: Holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭93‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This psalm composed by king David was sung every Friday by the Levites according to Jewish tradition. “Nothing could ever change Your royal decrees; they will last forever! Holiness is the beauty that fills Your house; You are the One Who abides forevermore!”  All believers who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation, are now God’s house, made holy by the Blood of Jesus.  Together with God, we have become His inner sanctuary and that the Spirit of God makes His permanent home in us.  Now, if someone desecrates God’s inner sanctuary, God will desecrate him, for God’s inner sanctuary is holy, and that is exactly who we are.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son in charge of God’s house. And now we are part of His house if we continue courageously to hold firmly to our bold confidence and our victorious hope which Christ won for us through the Cross.  We are no ordinary beings. We are God’s house, His inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies is in us.  Amen!

Blessings for Reading & Hearing Revelation

 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the beloved disciple received this from our God, “A joyous blessing rests upon the one who reads this message and upon those who hear and embrace the words of this prophecy, for the appointed time is in your hands. From John to the seven churches in western Turkey: May the kindness of God’s grace and peace overflow to you from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is coming, and from the seven Spirits Who are in front of His throne, and from Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from among the dead and the ruling King, who rules over the kings of the earth! Now to the One Who constantly loves us and has loosed us from our sins by His own Blood.”  The book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a rich blessing to those who read and obey what it states. The full understanding of this book is ready to be unveiled when the reader is ready to receive it.  The time for this revelation is now, not the past nor the future, because God dwells in all these three realms, the I Am, Who was and is and is to come.  As God is Three in One, so the Holy Spirit is Seven in One.  Jesus is the Faithful Witness Who speaks only the Father’s words; as our High Priest, He is the Firstborn from the dead and as the King, He is the Ruler of the kings of the earth, Who washed us in His Own Blood.  Hallelujah!

Good to Thank God for His Faithfulness

 “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, And to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, And thy faithfulness every night,”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Ancient Jewish tradition holds that Adam composed this psalm on the first Sabbath of creation.  It was sung every Sabbath by the Levites in the temple.  “It’s so enjoyable to come before You with uncontainable praises spilling from our hearts! How we love to sing our praises over and over to You, to the matchless God, high and exalted over all! At each and every sunrise we will be thanking You for Your kindness and Your love. As the sun sets and all through the night, we will keep proclaiming, “You are so faithful!””  When we identify with the love that God has shown us through the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, so that we would know that we are His true children, God released the Spirit of Sonship into our hearts—moving us to cry out intimately, “My Father! My true Father!”  To all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ and who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God.  To be a child of God has nothing to do with human parents. Children of God are not born because of human choice or because a husband wants them to be born. They are born because of what God does.  In God’s eyes there are only two men, Adam and Christ.  Every human being is a copy of one or the other.  To be in Adam is to be lost and merely human, but to be in Christ is to be one with God who carries the life of Christ within.  The last Adam is Jesus Christ Who ended Adam’s race and began a new species of humans who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and carry the life of Christ within us.  It is good to give thanks to our God and LORD.  Hallelujah!

Building Up the Kingdom of God

 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jude, the brother of James, put his spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus above his biological one, calling himself a servant of Jesus Christ.  “But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit. Fasten your hearts to the love of God and receive the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gives us eternal life. Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts, and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with the fear of God. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh.”  Jude calls us to continuously pray in the power of the Spirit. Let’s keep building up our inner life on the foundation of faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; fastening our life to the love of God; receiving more mercy from our Lord Jesus Christ; having compassion on the wavering; sharing the Gospel with those who are lost; hating any compromise that will stain our lives.  As we do this in the power of the Spirit, we are able to stand before Him to Whom all glory belongs.  Amen!

Under the Shadow of El Shaddai

 “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This famous psalm that we confess often, “You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil be launched against you.”  This is a reference not merely to pestilence and natural dangers but to the realm of darkness that would come against God’s servants.  These spirits are equated to “arrows that fly in daytime” or “a pestilence that walks” in the darkness.  God’s sheltered ones are kept from the harm that would come from natural sources or supernatural sources.    This sheltered place in the new covenant is the Cross of Calvary, the mercy seat where Christ’s Blood was offered as a sacrifice through the Eternal Spirit.  This is where every believer hides under the shadow of El Shaddai.  What a wonderful place to hide and be secure from all the attacks of the enemy.  Hallelujah!

Christ’s Prosperity for All

 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

‭‭3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬

Gaius was a convert of John the beloved disciple of Jesus and a close brother to whom John writes, “Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.”  Church tradition states that Gaius was one of the seventy whom Jesus, our Lord, sent out and was later ordained as the bishop of Pergamum.  John prays that Gaius be brought along to a smooth and prosperous journey and continually have success in every way;  and that Gaius’ physical health would match his spiritual health.  God is concerned with both  our physical health (He gave our bodies an immune system) and our souls (our emotional well-being) as well as our spiritual prosperity.  God has given us the new covenant whereby we are urged to partake of the Lord’s Table with care. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.  Let’s learn to walk in prosperity - spirit, soul and body.  Amen!

God’s Wrath Fell Upon Jesus on the Cross

 “For we are consumed by thine anger, And by thy wrath are we troubled. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭7‬, ‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is a psalm of Moses, the prophet of God, “Terrified by your anger, confined beneath the curse, we live our lives knowing your wrath. Lord, who fully knows the power of your passion and the intensity of your emotions?”  Moses interceded for the children of Israel who through disobedience had become prey to curses and God’s wrath.  Jesus has come and broken the curse and lifted the unbearable burden of our sins as the rage and wrath of God fell upon Him on the Cross.  Yet Jesus was the One Who carried our sicknesses and endured the torment of our sufferings. We viewed Him as One Who was being punished for something He Himself had done, as One Who was struck down by God and brought low. But it was because of our rebellious deeds that He was pierced and because of our sins that He was crushed. He endured the punishment that made us completely whole, and in His wounding we found our healing.  Paul said it clearly, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  Hallelujah!

Meditate on the Word - Be Not Deceived

 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

‭‭2 John‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John, the beloved disciple, shows that love protects us, “Numerous deceivers have surfaced from among us and gone out into the world, people who will not acknowledge Jesus Christ coming as a Man. These deceivers are antichrists! Be on your guard so that you do not lose all that we have diligently worked for but receive a full reward.”  It is in the context of love that John mentions false teachers.  Love is the true safeguard against error.  The more that love flows through us as we honour God’s commands, the more we are protected from deception.  Our unity, produced by love, enables us to recognise and resist false teachers.  David, the psalmist, experienced this in the old covenant, that when we obey God’s commands, out of His love He is bound to protect us. “You bless those who obey You, LORD; Your love protects them like a shield.”  In the new covenant, in our day today, churches are become lukewarm or even cold, losing their first passion for what Christ has done.  The leaders of such churches are spouting false teaching.  Believers cannot see this because they don’t meditate on the Word of God through the eyes of what Christ did on the Cross for all of us.  So they are easily led into deception.  They ignore God, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”  Let’s meditate on the Word and be taught by the Holy Spirit so we can discern false teachers.  Amen!

Our God Jesus Christ, Faithful & True

 “Thou rulest the raging of the sea: When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭89‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Ethan the Ezrahite was a boy in king David’s court, and was well known for his wisdom. He wrote in this psalm, “You rule over oceans and the swelling seas. When their stormy waves rise, you speak, and they lie still.”  This is a prophecy of the Messiah Who would calm the stormy sea and even walk on the water.  As Jesus and the disciples were crossing the lake, suddenly a ferocious storm arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was nearly swamped. But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. So they shook Him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!” Fully awake, He rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Be still!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.  At another time, as night fell, the boat was in the middle of the lake and Jesus was alone on land. The wind was against the disciples and He could see that they were straining at the oars, trying to make headway. When it was almost morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the surface of the water, and He started to pass by them. When they all saw Him walking on the waves, they thought He was a ghost and screamed out in terror. But He said to them at once, “Don’t yield to fear. Have courage. It’s really Me - I Am!”  This is the living God Who created the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that lives within them; Who stays true and remains faithful forever, worthy of all worship.  Amen!

Spiritual Maturity and Growing in Christ

 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John sees this, “If anyone observes a fellow believer habitually sinning in a way that doesn’t lead to death, you should keep interceding in prayer that God will give that person life. Now, there is a sin that leads to death, and I’m not encouraging you to pray for those who commit it.”  If the sinning is persisted in, it leads to death - the unforgivable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, or the sin that brings death in taking communion “unworthily”, or lying to the Holy Spirit.  John also speaks about the gross apostasy of those who turn away from the truth and depart from fellowship with believers and follow the teaching of antichrists.  That is why it is important to preach the Gospel and disciple people in their personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, based on the written Word of God and in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “All authority of the universe has been given to Me.  Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I Am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”  Let’s believe and obey our Lord Jesus.  Amen!

Second Death - Eternal Separation from God

“Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? And thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭88‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The sons of Korah sang, “How can those who are cut off from Your care even know that You are there? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Pause in His presence!  Who can give thanks for Your love in the graveyard? Who preaches Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Does death’s darkness declare Your miracles? How can anyone who’s in the grave, where all is forgotten, remember how You keep Your promises?”  Those in the old covenant did not know that through the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah, new life will come in the new covenant. This good news is about God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! As a human, He was from the family of David. But the Holy Spirit proved that Jesus is the powerful Son of God, because He was raised from death.  We praise Him for He conquered death.  Death is separation from God.  Through Christ’s resurrection, God has removed that separation and made us now in the family of God.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  But there is a second death.  Blessed and holy are those of us who have part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.  They will not praise God ever.  What joy that we have passed from death to life in Christ.  Amen!

God’s Love is the Greatest We Can Ever Know

 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John’s revelation, “This is love: He loved us long before we loved Him. It was His love, not ours. He proved it by sending His Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins.”  God’s love provides the answers for life’s greatest questions: Why was I created? To receive and experience God’s love.  Does God care about me?  God’s love is indiscriminate, He loves everyone and cares about every detail of our lives.  Am I really free to choose or reject God’s love?  Yes - love must be a choice, freely and without compulsion.  What is the way of salvation?  Love became a Man, Jesus Christ, Who died as our sacrificial offering and by believing in Him we receive the gift of salvation.  How can I really know that I’m saved?  When we respond with faith to God’s loving invitation and then demonstrate it by loving others, we have the assurance of our salvation.  How can I know that God loves me?  His love prompted Him to send His unique and beautiful Son to the earth to be our Saviour and Redeemer.  He offers to everyone the invitation to experience even deeper measures of His love; and He gives us His Holy Spirit as confirmation that He loves and cherishes us and gives us the power to love others.  Amen!

Mount Zion

 “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; This man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: And the highest himself shall establish her.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭87‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The sons of Korah said in this psalm, “For the Lord says, “Here are the nations who will acknowledge Me as God: Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and the Mediterranean people, even distant Ethiopia. They will all boast, ‘I was born in Zion!’  But over Zion it will be said, “The mighty Man was born there, and He will establish it.” For the God Most High will truly bless Jerusalem.”  This is in anticipation of the nations of the earth coming to know Christ as the Eternal King.  Rahab was the nickname given to Egypt by God for being proud and stubborn; Babylon which means “gate of God”; Philistia, which means “land of sojourners”; and Tyre, which means “a rock” - these nations will come to know Christ as Eternal King.  Coming to know Christ will enable them to be born in Zion and the Most High will make them secure.  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.  All those in Christ shall come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.    On mount Zion stands the Lamb of God Who took away the sin of the world.  Amen!

The Greatness of God’s Grace

 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John, the beloved disciple gives a revelation of God’s love through Christ’s Cross, “Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds. We know that the truth lives within us because we demonstrate love in action, which will reassure our hearts in His presence. Whenever our hearts make us feel guilty and remind us of our failures, we know that God is much greater and more merciful than our conscience, and He knows everything there is to know about us. My delightfully loved friends, when our hearts don’t condemn us, we have a bold freedom to speak face-to-face with God.”  Let’s not deceive ourselves by paying lip service to love while we can truly live the dynamic of love in our practical daily doing!  We belong to the Truth and that tranquilizes our hearts, so we are confident before Christ comes.  There is a higher courtroom for the human heart where grace is enthroned.  The very worst that is in us is known by God and He still showers mercy, love and acceptance upon us.  This is the greatness of God’s grace.  He sees beyond the sin of the moment and sees the holy affections of love in those who refuse to turn away from Him.  This gives us the bold utterance to manifest our innocence as we proclaim the glorious Gospel of Christ.  Amen!

Confident of God’s Provision

 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭86‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David was so confident of God providing for him, “Lord, You are so good to me, so kind in every way and ready to forgive, for Your grace-fountain keeps overflowing, drenching all Your devoted lovers who pray to You. God, won’t You pay attention to this urgent cry? Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer.”  God is always ready to forgive when we ask for forgiveness and then the provision flows.  Jesus taught us to pray, “We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day. Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.” God’s provision is linked to Him forgiving us and us forgiving those who have offended us.  David in the old covenant confidently asked God to hear his supplications and God attended to him.  We have the new covenant because our Lord Jesus, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him that was able to save Him from death, was heard in that He feared.  That’s why we are anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we let our requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Amen!

As We Love God, We Obey Him

 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John explains, “For all that the world can offer us—the gratification of our flesh, the allurement of the things of the world, and the obsession with status and importance —none of these things come from the Father but from the world. This world and its desires are in the process of passing away, but those who love to do the will of God live forever.”  These are the three temptations that the devil used with Adam and Eve to pull them away from the Father; and with Jesus, tempting Him in the wilderness.  The devil is an expert at using these cravings to dilute our love for the Father and cause us to turn our affections to the things of this life.  But the values of the Kingdom of God are setting our affections on things above, living in the fruit of the Spirit (self-control), and humility, which always waits for God’s timing for promotion.  The world system and the desire to be in a world system that leaves God out of the picture, is fast disappearing.  Planet earth is not disappearing, but the systems and structure of the world order are.  We, who are in Christ, and desire what God desires, we are living the life of Christ in us, and will abide forever.  Amen!

Mercy, Truth, Righteousness & Peace in the Person of Jesus Christ

 “Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; And righteousness shall look down from heaven.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭85‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A psalm by the sons of Korah as they prophesied about the coming Messiah, “Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; And righteousness shall look down from heaven.”  At the Cross of Calvary, mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace have kissed.  Why would anyone take the sins of the world and remove it?  Only the One Who came down as the Son of Man and identified Himself completely with mankind, could take away the sins of the world and become the Perfect Sacrifice as the Lamb of God.  Jesus said, “I Am the Truth” and God’s mercy met in Christ!  While we were yet sinners, He died for us.  The One Who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, thus making peace between God and mankind.  Righteousness and peace truly kissed each other.  By faith we receive His untold blessings.  Thank You, Jesus!

Christ is Faithful Forever

 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John the beloved disciple explains, “But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Confession of sin is the way to find restoration and unbroken fellowship with God.  It cleanses the conscience and removes every obstacle from communion with Christ.  Confession doesn’t gain God’s acceptance, for that was won for us forever by the sacrifice of Christ.  It is on the basis of being His dearly beloved children that we restore intimacy with God through our tenderhearted confession before Him.  God is always faithful to restore our first-love passion for Him.  There is no need to confess the same sins over and over, for that is ignoring the Blood of Jesus that cleanses us.  Unrighteousness here means the sins we’re not aware of.  Confession cleanses us from known sin and restores fellowship with God; but God’s faithfulness in seeing Christ as our Sin-Bearer, cleanses us from all unknown sin as well.  God continues a deeper work of cleansing from all aspects of sin’s defilement.  Let’s continuously be filled with gratitude to our God and our Lord. Amen!

Co-labouring with God Through the Ministry of Reconciliation

 “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: They will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; In whose heart are the ways of them.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭84‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The sons of Korah wrote this psalm, “What pleasure fills those who live every day in Your temple, enjoying You as they worship in Your Presence! Pause in His Presence.  How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord; within their hearts are the highways of holiness!”  The power of God through worship was evident in the old covenant worship.  Now in the new covenant, through the finished work of the Cross, God in His munificent wisdom has made us who believe in Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  His Presence is in us.  His strength is in us.  His wisdom is in us.  His power is in us.  Everything that He is, is in us.  His purpose is for us to co-labour with Him.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  This is how we co-labour with Him for the restoration of all things.  Amen!