Divine Sugar Sticks for December 1999

The Christian way of life!

Matt 9:2 on the mountain top:
Spiritual communion
Occupied with Jesus Christ.

Matt 9:9 in the plains:
Practical
Conflict
Occupied “for” Jesus Christ.

Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and give His life a ransom for many.”

Jesus Christ gave Himself for the church, Eph 5:25
Jesus Christ gave Himself for me, Gal 3:26

Mark 16:7, “My disciples and Peter”

And Peter said he was not a disciple.

Luke 1:20, “And behold thou shalt be dumb and not be able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed because thou believest not My Words which shall be fulfilled in their season.”

That is why there are so many dumb Christians they are waiting for sign, a token — because they “believe not My Words.”

Luke 1:53, “He hath filled the hungry with good things. And the rich He hath sent away empty.”

Christ sends none empty away only those who are full of themselves.

Luke 2:1, “And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Agustus, that all the world should be taxed.”

When the time came for the prophecy concerning Christ's birth to be fulfilled God put the whole world in motion to bring Mary to Bethlehem.

“The Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to every man.”

Contrast the giving of the Law Exodus 19:20 and the day of Grace:

Luke 2:10, “And the angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.”

The Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles typify a completed redemption.

By the Passover, the Cross, suffering. Passover
By the coming of the Holy Spirit, Grace. Pentecost
By the final triumph of the coming King, Glory. Tabernacles

Deut 21:22, “And if a man hath commited a sin worthy of death and he be put out to death and thou shalt hang him on a tree.”

Only two instances of the observance of this law are recorded:
Joshua 8:29, “And the king of Ai was hanged on the tree till eventide.”
And the other is in John 19:31, another King, the King of glory and Lord of lords.

Deut 28:2, “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shall hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.”

“If goodness and mercy follow us,” Psa 23:6, blessings are sure to overtake us.

Deut 28:25, “The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies. Thou shalt go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them and shall be removed unto all the kingdoms of the Earth.”

Over the entrance to a cemetery in New Orleans are these words in Hebrew, “The dispersed of Judah.”

Psa 150, the most complete directory of praise.

Where shall we praise?
Psa 150:1, “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in the firmament of His power.”

Why?
Psa 150:2, “Praise Him for His mighty acts. Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.”

Wherewith?
Psa 150:3, “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet praise Him with the psaltry and the harp.”
Psa 150:4, “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance, praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.”
Psa 150:5, “Praise Him upon the loud cymbals, praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals.”

Whatever is most helpful.

Who should praise?
Psa 150:6, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord, praise ye the Lord.”

The book of Psalms begins with, “Blessed be the man” and the book of Psalms ends with
“Praise ye the Lord.”

Sounds like a relationship to me.

Lifting up and looking up

Psa 145:14, “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all that be bowed down.”
Lifting up!

Psa 145:15, “The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season.”
Looking up!

We are lifted up in order to look up. “Look unto Me all ye ends of the Earth, and be saved.” “If I be lifted up.”

What the Lord is. Where the Lord is. What the Lord will do!

Psa 145:17, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.”
Psa 145:18, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon His Name, to all that call upon His Name in Truth.”
Psa 145:19, “He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him. He also eill hear their cry and will save them.”

What the Lord is, where the Lord is, what the Lord will do.
“Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Psa 143:5, “I remember the days of old.”
“I meditate on all Thy Works.”
“I muse on the Works of Thy hands.”
Remembrance, meditation, and musing upon.

The Works of God’s hand cause eager desire and thirst.
“Meditate in the Word day and night neither turning to the left or the right, and thou shalt prosper withsoever thou goest.”

And the Lord has pleasure in your prosperity. Psa 35:17.

The Scripture says that God opens His hand and feeds every living creature.
He feeds us and he also feeds the animals.

But the animals can’t thank Him.
The animals can’t trust Him.
The animals can’t call Him Father.

But we can thank Him and we can trust Him and we can call Him Father.

So if we don’t thank Him and don’t trust Him and don’t call Him our Father,
Well, have we evoluted, or devoluted?

He feeds animals only in time, but He feeds us for all eternity.

He feeds us physically and spiritually and the animals only get temporal needs met.

Our needs are met eternally. “Our Father which art in Heaven…”

Christ was foretold to:

Adam as a man, Gen 3:15
Abraham as to His nation, Gen 22:18
Jacob as to His tribe, Gen 49:10
Isaiah as to His family, Isa 11:1-5
Micah as to His town, Micah 5:2
Daniel as to His time, Dan 11:25
Mary as to His person, Luke 1:35
By angels as to His date, Luke 2:11
By a star as to His birthplace, Matt 2:9

Luke 1:46, “And Mary said my soul doth magnify my Lord.”
Infidelity has no songs. Luke 1:42, “And she spake out with a loud voice and said blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”

Luke 2:7, Christ was born in a common manger where all might come to Him.

And He died with His arms outstretched to receive all.

Luke 2:7, He was born in a borrowed manger and died in a borrowed grave.

No place to lay His head
He took my place instead.

Luke 2:9, “And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord round about them and they were sore afraid.”

When Christ was born, midnight gloom heightened into midday brightness.

When Christ died, noonday darkened into midnight.

Luke 23:44, “And it was about the sixth hour and there was a darkness over all the Earth until the ninth hour.”

Luke 2:14, Heaven’s choir came down to sing when Heaven’s King came down to save.

Luke 2:15, “Go and see!” A sure cure for doubt.

“Come and see. We have found the Messiah.”

Luke 2:25, “Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and the same man was just and devout.” “Waiting for the Consolation of Israel.”

They also serve who only stand and wait.
Those also who tarry by the stuff share and share alike.

Most people think that if a believer is rich that it is a sin. This is from shades of the Catholic doctrine of taking a vow of poverty.

But contrary to most thinking, God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.

Psa 35:27, “Let them shout for joy and be glad that favor My righteous cause. Yea, let them say continually, let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

God is pleased with your prosperity. Why not make Him more pleased?

Mark 2:5, “When Christ saw their faith.”

Christ’s coming:
Awakens hope, so there is effort.
Brings pardon, so there is power.
Calls forth praise.

Mark 2:9, the true character of a miracle: the outward manifestation of the power of God.
In order that we might believe in the power of God in things that are invisible.

An atheist has no invisible means of support.

Mark 6:27, John the Baptist, the last of the prophets, died as a martyr for the Law of Moses. Not because of his testimony concerning the Messiah.

Mark 6:31, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile.”

There is progress in the Christian way of life when we may not seem to be going ahead.
Like a canal boat that is in a lock, which must take time to rise to a higher level before it can advance upstream.

It is not what you do as a Christian, it is where you are at the time – either in fellowship or out of fellowship.
Doing nothing in fellowship is rewarded. Time spent in fellowship is rewarding.

God the Father, full of compassion. Psa 114:8
God the Son, was moved with compassion, Luke 7:19, Mark 1:41

Like Father, like Son.

Mark 6:37, “Give ye them to eat.”

Christ uses us and our resources.

Mark 6:41, “Christ gave them to His disciples to set before them.”
Go and distribute.

“God gave the Word and great was the company that published it.”

Mark 7:24, He could not be hid.
As it is with the Head, so it is with its members.

Matt 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”
Don’t hide your light under a bushel!

Mark 8:36, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul.”

He who sins for profit shall not profit by his sins.
The wages that sin pays is always death — temporal and eternal.

Mark 8:38, “Who therefore shall be ashamed of Me and My Words.”

On the occasions when we are most ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, He has the most cause to be ashamed of us.

“Of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed.”
He will match you shame for shame.

The Lord’s coming described in Greek words:

Parousia, to be present, 2 Cor 10:10
Apokalupsis, to be manifest, 1 Cor 1:7
Epiphaneia, appearing, 2 Thes 2:8
Phaneroo, to appear, Col 3:4

The Lord is coming!

The word “repentance” has been abused by so many that it is good to look at the book of John, and 1st and 2nd and 3rd John and never see the word “repent.”

Can you get saved in the book of John, 1, 2, and 3 John?

Yes. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

Repentance means a change of mind. Metanoia in the Greek.

Take a walk in Ephesians

2:2, In times past ye walked
2:10, Walk in good works
4:1, Walk worthy of your vocation
4:17, Walk not as other gentiles walk
5:2, Walk in love
5:8, Walk as children of light
5:15, Walk circumspectfully

Eph 1:6, “The praise of His glory” referring to the work of the Father. Blessed.
Eph 1:12, “The praise of His glory” referring to the work of the Son. Beloved.
Eph 1:14, “The praise of His glory” referring to the work of the Holy Spirit. Help.

Eph 2:2, “Those who once walked according to the prince of the power of the air” ... Eph 2:22, “Are now built together into a habitation of God.”

We go from Eph 2:2 to Eph 2:22.

Micah 6:8: A trinity of precepts

Do justly ... Love mercy ... Walk humbly with thy God.

A New Year’s Eve resolution

Zeph 3:9, “For then will I turn to the people a pure language that they all may call upon the Name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.”

There were only two newspapers published in Jerusalem in 1894. Both of them were in Hebrew.
The importance and the uniqueness of the Hebrew language.

Matt 1:23, “Thou shalt call His Name Emmanuel, meaning God with us.”

The Gospel closes with the promise, “Lo, I am with you always ...”  Emmanuel!

Matt 2:1, Bethlehem means “house of bread.”
Out of Bethlehem came the “Bread of life.”

Matt 3:16 states the first time the Holy Spirit abode upon man.
A dove, the emblem of peace.
Of harmlessness, Matt 10:16
Of purity, SOS 6:9
Of beauty, Psa 68:13

Matt 4:5, “Then the devil taketh Him up into the Holy City and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple.”

The devil sets most of us on a pinnacle of self confidence, so that we fall.
“Pride goeth before a fall.”

Matt 4:7, “It is written,” again.

Do not blot out one passage of Scripture but set another alongside of it.
The Bible is self interpreting.

John 19:37, “And another saith they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced.”

Matt 4:11, The first Adam was tested in a Garden and fell. That was in perfect environment. So much for perfect environment!
The Second Adam was tested in the wilderness, desert, and He came off victorious.

Environment is not the answer to man’s problems but regeneration is. There will be another perfect environment in the true Millennium and man will fail again.

Matt 5, the Law was given on a mountain to a man of God.

The Law was expounded on a mountain by the Son of God.
A Greater than Moses is here.

“The Law came by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What about Heaven? What will it be like?

The soul:
You will know as you are known. In other words, full knowledge.

The body:
It will be raised in power and it will be incorruptible.

The place:
Called a city, called Heaven, called a house, called a kingdom, called glory, called paradise, called everlasting, called a habitation.

The company:
God the Father, the Lamb of God, angels, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, etc.

The rainment:
Garment of salvation. The garment will be white. The garment will be glory.

The condition:
See God's face, everlasting life, eternal, without end.

“No more sorrows, no more tears, no more pain, no more death.”

Matt 15:28, “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, Great is thy faith. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

Christ capitulates to a conquering faith. He surrenders at discretion to a soul that vanquishes by believing.

A comforting word
A commending word
A commanding word
A creating word
A complying word
A completing word

“Be it unto thee according to thy faith.”

Matt 17:5, “This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; Hear ye Him.”

God the Father here quotes three Old Testament passages:

“This is My Beloved Son,” Psa 2:7
“In whom I am well pleased,” Isa 42:1
“Hear ye him,” Duet 18:15

These were the last words that God the Father spoke to man.

He who refuses to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ shall never see the Father’s face.

Matt 17:8, “And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.”

Suppose when the disciples lifted up their eyes they saw no man at all, Jesus Christ having disappeared with the others.

Why would we wish to keep Moses? The Law was honoured and filled in Jesus Christ.
Why would we wish to retain Elijah? The prophecy was justified and their words fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let both go. Christ is all.

Matt 13:7 Thorns …

Four definitions of thorns in Scripture:

Cares of this world.
Deceitfulness of riches.
The lust of other things.
The pleasures of this life.

Matt 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14

Matt 13:45, “The pearl of great price.”

Jesus Christ is the Merchantman and He gave His all to purchase the pearl.
He could not pay a higher price.

Not “pearls” but “the pearl.”
Brought from great depths into changed surroundings, at risk of the diver's life.

The body of Christ is the pearl. Believers are pearls.
He calls His bride, “Pearl.”

Matt 15:22, “The woman's faith overcame.”

Christ’s silence, verse 23
Christ’s sovereignty, verse 24
Christ’s severity, verse 26

This is the victory, the faith, the overcometh the world.

Christmas comes but once a year
And when it comes, it brings great cheer.
Every day is Christmas because Christ is near
Who all our sins He did bear.

Here is wishing you a happy new year!

The believer's balance sheet in Philippians!

Trust in the Lord: Phil 2:19, 24
Rejoice in the Lord: Phil 3:1, 4:4, 10
Stand fast in the Lord: Phil 4

The Christmas Gospel in Philippians!

Fellowship in the Gospel: Phil 1:5
Furtherance of the Gospel: Phil 1:12
Defense of the Gospel: Phil 1:17
Faith in the Gospel, Phil 1:27
Service in the Gospel: Phil 2:22
Laboring in the Gospel: Phil 4:3

“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

They may take a life from us which we cannot keep, and bestow upon us a life that we cannot lose.

Phil 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.”

Strife is knocking another down. Vainglory is setting one's self up.

You can’t build your happiness on someone else's unhappiness.

A unique look at Christmas

Phil 2:8, “And being found in a fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.”

The steep steps down which Christ trod His lowly way, Christ twice passed the angels by.

He sank far beneath them in His humiliation and rose far above them in His exaltation.

That we which are born lower than angels may become higher than angels and judge them.

Phil 2:14, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”

When a horse begins to kick - he stops pulling.
The same thing happens with church members.

Murmuring is quarreling with God.
Disputing is quarreling with others.

Murmuring means I can handle this thing better than you can God!

Cicero complained of Homer that he taught the gods to live like men.
Grace teaches men to live like God.

“Be ye imitators of God as beloved children.”

Phil 4:6, “Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God.”

Our great matters are little in His power. Our little matters are great in His love.

Be careful for nothing,
Be prayerful for everything,
Be thankful for anything.

Let your riches consist not in the largeness of your possessions. But in the fewness of your wants

“Be content with such things as ye have.”

One of the weapons of the terrorists is to disarm the people and the primary way in which they go about it is to strike fear in the hearts of people.

So our primary function as Christians is just to appropriate, Psa 27:1-3, “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”

“When the wicked even mine enemies and my foes come upon me to eat up my flesh they stumbled and fell.”

“Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”

“When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.”

I know what you are going to get this Christmas

This is what Christ said He would give you:

I will give you rest. I will not cast you out.
I will confess you before My Father.
I will make you witnesses unto Me.
I will not leave you comfortless as orphans.
I will raise you up.
I will cleanse you.
I will have you be with Me.

Every day is Christmas.

We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Show me a sinner and I will show you a Saviour.

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound.”

In order for Grace to abound, there must be the abounding of sin. The worst sinner in the world was saved and he was religious.

Under the Law
Exodus 24:1, A far off.
Exodus 24:2, Not come nigh, neither go up.

Under Grace
Heb 4:16, Come boldly unto the throne of Grace.
Heb 10:22, Let us draw nigh.

“The Law came by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Exodus 26:14, “And they shall make a covering for the tent of ram’s skin, dyed red.”

This was to remind them of the ram caught in the thicket. “The Lord shall provide Himself a Lamb for the sacrifice.”

Note: “Shall provide Himself.”

Exodus 26:15, “And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of Shittim wood standing up.”

The boards were taken from nature, and were covered with gold, for the Lord’s house.
So unbelievers are prepared for Christ’s spiritual house.

The wood speaks of the humanity of Christ and the gold speaks of the Deity of Christ, the unique Member of the human race, equal with God and equal with man — the one Mediator.

Exodus 26:19, “And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver.”

The silver sockets on which the boards rested were made out of the ransom money. Ex 28:25-27

Christians stand on the redemption of Christ.
Gold is Deity. Silver is redemption. Wood is humanity. Brass is Christ being judged for us.

Exodus 28:12, 29, “The High Priest bears our names on the shoulder of His strength and the breast of His love.”
He shoulders our cares.
“Cast all your cares on Him for He careth for you,” which is based on His love for you. He loves and cares.

Restrained From Giving

Exodus 36:6, “And Moses gave the commandment and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.”

“So the people were restrained from bringing.” Many would be late and how they would be filled with remorse.
When were you ever restrained from giving?
When were you told to stop giving? Not today, it is dip and double dp. They pass around chicken buckets today. Tithe, double tithe, triple tithe.

Lev 1:4, “He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering …”

Which implies, conviction, substitution, atonement, satisfaction, forgiveness and identification.

Lev 1:9: The careful cleansing of the sacrifice before it was placed on the altar teaches God’s holiness and the righteous requirements of the Law.

What God accepts must be clean. Now ye are clean.
“God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity.”

One day if you walked down Pennsylvania Avenue, you could see our flag flying over every federal building, but one.
The one building the flag didn’t fly over was the Treasury Building. And they said it was because the Secretary of the Treasury died.

I wonder if we should not fly the flag over the Treasury Building today not because of the Secretary, but for the condition of our country at this time.

One of the titles for the Lord is "Adonai" exclusively.

The first time Adonai occurs is in Gen 15:2, “And Abram said Lord.”
Abram takes the place of humble inquiry when he asks the Lord how He will fulfill His promises to him to make him the head of a great nation.

That name, Adonai, expresses authority, power, Deity, reverence, ownership, relationship, responsibility.

There is not a language like the Hebrew language.

There are 13 different Greek prepositions connected with our relationship with God the Holy Spirit.

APO, DIA, EIS, EK, EN, EPI, KATA, META, PARA, PERI, PROS, HUPER, HUPO

Each one has its own specific meaning that does not occur in the English language. This gives us certainty. Security, accuracy, and assurance.

The preposition PROS means “face to face with.”

This is the coming of the Holy Spirit. John 16:7, “I will send Him unto you.” PROS, face-to-face with you.

Human things must be known to be loved.
Divine things must be loved in order to be known.

Hearts of love and souls that turn
Like sunflowers to the rate and best
To you the Truth is manifest.

For thy the mind of Christ discern
Who lean, like John, upon His breast.

The universal joy of Christmas is certainly wonderful. We ring the bell when princes are born. Or toll a mournful durge when great man pass away.

Nations value their red-letter days, their carnivals and festivals.

But once in the year and only once, the whole world stands still to celebrate the Advent of Life.

Only Jesus Christ of Nazareth claims this worldwide undying remembrance.

You cannot cut Christmas out of the calendar nor out of the heart of the world.

We celebrate Christmas once a year. We can celebrate every day for the Christ is Christmas is always here.

God said it was not good for man to live alone. So He created Eve for Adam to love and for Eve to love him.
It is impossible to live without love.

Everyone deserves to be loved, therefore,
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life.”

“We love because He first loved us.”

That is what Christmas is all about.

Did you ever notice the gracious invitations offered to us by the LORD?

Psa 95:1, “O come let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation.”
The rock is not Peter.

Psa 95:2, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and make joyful noise unto Him with psalms.”
Psa 95:6, “O come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before “the Lord our Maker.”
Now that is Christ.

Come, come, come. God never tells you to leave, or to get out as some parents do with their children.

Matt 28:19-20, “Go ye.” “I am with you.”

In other words, “Come with Me to the work.”

God only had one Son and He sent Him on a foreign mission.

Mark 3:3, “Stand forth” - as a confession of need.

Mark 3:5, “Stretch forth” - as a confession of faith.

Mark 3:5, “Stretch forth thine hand and he stretched it out.”

Every conversion is a miracle. The sinner can no longer believe that this man could raise his withered hand without power given to him from above.

Mark 4:28, “For the Earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”

Things we learn from corn:
Blade of thought; Green ear of conviction; full ear of faith. Corny?

Mark 5:2, “And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.”

Satan as a master is bad. His work worse. His wages worst of all.

Did you ever stop and think of all the people who were waiting patiently for Christ to be born and for Christmas to come?

Unconsciously or consciously they were hoping, wishing, and even praying for the birth of Christ, even though they may not have known it was Christ and Christmas they were praying for.

They all had some sort of infirmity and no one could relieve it and then came Christmas and Christ. The leper, the blind man, the lame, the dead, the woman with an incurable disease, the deaf, all longing for relief.

And then Christmas. No Christmas, no Christ, no cure, no Christianity.
And multitudes who were lost longing for eternal life and Christ came and He gave them eternal life. All anticipating Christmas and maybe not knowing it, but Christ knew it and He came.

“Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.”

Can there be a better description describing the difference between Christianity and religion than this?

“I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.”
“My Beloved is mine and I am my Beloved’s.”

God’s first utterance to man: “Thou shalt surely die,” Gen 2:17
His last utterance to man: “Surely I come quickly,” Rev 22:20

Man’s first recorded utterance to God: “I was afraid.” “I hid myself,” Gen 3:10
Man’s last utterance to God: “Even so come Lord Jesus,” Rev 22:20

Adam was asleep when the Lord built Eve for him.
So much is being done for us when we are unconscious!

The first “come” in the Bible is one of salvation.

Gen 7:1, “And the Lord said unto Noah come thou and all of thy house into the ark.”

There are good men in the worst of times.
Bad times test faith and virtue.

Gen 6:8, “But Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

The second dispensation was founded on the doctrine of atonement. With sacrifices Noah took possession of the new world order.

Gen 8:20, “And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord and took of every clean beast and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.”
He built an altar before he built a house!

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and then all things will be added unto you.”

Our business is to build upon a sure foundation and in a right spirit beware of atheistic building.

Gen 11:3, “And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.”

1 Cor 3:10, “According to the Grace of God which is given unto me as a wise masterbuilder I have laid the foundation another buildeth thereon but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”

Thought for the Day

John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath eternal life.”
John 6:66, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.”
John 6:67, “Then said Jesus unto the twelve will ye also go away?”
John 6:68, “Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”

To whom shall we go?

Did you ever come to grips with this taunt by the religious priests?

He saved others. Himself He “cannot” save!
Is that a taunt or a testimony ?

It should be better understood by instead of saying He “cannot” He “would not.”

We know that the Scriptures say that, “The Word of God is alive and powerful.”
Did you ever notice to what extent the Word of God is powerful?

Christ spoke to dead matter and it obeyed.
Christ’s calm word stilled the storm.
Christ hushed the winds with His Word.
Christ multiplied bread.
Christ transformed pale water into red wine.
Christ healed disturbed minds.
Christ healed diseased bodies.
Christ cast His Word into the darkness of death.

Did you think it is possible for Him to save your soul?

“Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Listen to these two confessions and see if you think that Peter would be the first pope.

Matt 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
John 6:68, “Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”
John 6:69, “And we believe and are sure that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

This is the same confession as before in Matthew.

With that confession, Peter could never ever allowed himself to be called Holy Father.

Protests have stopped NBC from showing Saturday Night Live, because the statement is made in the show that THE JEWS KILLED CHRIST.

This has been going on since I was a child (and that was when Christ was a child). I was taught that also. But how can we get to the Jews and get them off the hook by showing them from Scripture that they did not kill the Lord Jesus Christ because He laid down His life for them and that no one took it from Him. Because it looks like you are never going to straighten out the Catholics.

No wonder Jews won’t listen to Christians about salvation is only in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Jews didn’t kill Christ. The nails did not hold Him on that tree. The soldier’s spear did not cause His death. He died because He willed to die.

“I have power to lay down My life and I have power to take it up again.”
“Greater love hath no man than that he lay down his life for his friends.”
“He gave up the Spirit.” “He dismissed His spirit.”

Then thing that sent Him to the Cross and kept Him there was you ... and me.

He died for you and He died for me along with dying for the whole world.

666 What in the World is 666?

Well, here is a good Biblical explanation. You know the Bible does explain itself.

John 6:66, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.”
They are all gone!

Not a bad explanation.  Looks like 2000 A.D.

Was Judas demon possessed or Satan possessed?

We know a believer cannot be demon possessed or Satan possessed, although they can be influenced by demons and Satan.
What about Judas? Demon possessed or Satan possessed or both?

John 6:70, “Jesus answered them, have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a "demon?”
John 13:27, “And after the sop “Satan” entered into him, then Jesus said unto him, that which thou doest do quickly.”

When we Celebrate Christmas This Year:

We should have a loaf of bread underneath the tree. Christ said He was the Bread that came down from Heaven. Now, that is Christmas. Then He said, “This bread is My flesh which I shall give for the life of the world.” His flesh was the bread that was broken on the Cross.

Christmas won’t save you, it’s just “bread.”
However, the Cross will save you, it’s broken “bread.”

Never slice bread, only break it. “Taste and see that the Lord is gracious.”

Eating habits from Dano’s Restuarant.

The Lord has many names, and His names that are listed in Scripture emphasize who and what He is.

Jehovah Shammah: the Lord is our peace.
Jehovah Rohi: the Lord is my shepherd.
Jehovah El Shaddai: the Lord that nourishes thee.

And the one we bring to your attention today because a good friend and Christian needs our prayers for a physical infirmity, Mrs. H. And the title of the Lord that we call upon for her is Jehovah Rapha: I am the Lord that heals thee.

Hope you all will join us in prayer on her behalf. We come to the throne of God boldly.

Moses said, “Stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord.”
The Lord said “Go forward.”

No one can go forward in the strength of the Lord until he has stood still in his own helplessness.

Ex 14:20, “And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these, so that the one came not near the other all that night.”

It must amaze his majesty the devil, that he has not gotten us before now. When everything seems to be in his favor, and we seem to be delling ourselves to him, there is an invisible and impenetrable wall between us. And he has not gotten us yet.

An invisible means of support. An unbeliever has no invisible means of support but we do.

Ex 14:22, “And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground, and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left.”

Faith seems to be as feeble as a wall of water. But it is as strong as a wall of iron.

The Egyptians died in the sea. And the Israelites got dust in their eyes.

Ex 15:1, “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord and spake saying, I will sing unto the Lord for He hath triumphed gloriously, the horse and the rider hath He thrown into the sea.”

The redeemed sing the same song in Heaven.

Rev 15:3, “And they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvelous art Thy works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.”

The whole family of God sings the same song. Those in Heaven and those on Earth.

Ex 15:13, “Thou in Thy mercy has led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed. Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation.”

Led forth, redeemed, guided. In Thy strength.

A picture of Christianity, and Christians.

Ex 16:21, “And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating, and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.”

The daybreak blessing is a day-long gain. Seek the heavenly manna in the morning of your life.

Man cannot live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
“I have magnified My Word above My Name.”

Ex 16:32, “And Moses said this is the thing which the Lord commanded, fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.”

The way in which to enrich life is to keep a retentive memory in your mind.

“Do this in remembrance of Me. For as oft as ye do this, you evangelize the Lord's death till He come again.”

No room in the inn,
He died for my sin.

No place to lay His head,
He arose from the dead.

He is coming again
To take us to Him.

We will come with Him,
And the Millennium will begin.

Are you ready for all this traveling with Him?

Let’s have some traveling music, Sam …

Isa 41:13, “For I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying, fear not, I will help thee.”

The right hand of His righteousness clasps the right hand of our weakness.

Isa 41:10, “Fear thou not for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”

Isa 42:6, “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thy hand, and I will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles.”

Called ... Held ... Kept ... Used.

Holding hands with the Lord! Can you image what that feels like? The pierced, creative, saving hands! We are in good hands. And it is not Allstate.

Isa 53, Notice the paradox: Despised yet accepted and adored. Poor but rich. To die, but to live again.

The rabbis claim that there must be a double Messiah to fulfill this chapter.

God is angry with the wicked. Isa 55:7
God is unwilling to punish. 2 Pet 3:9
God is glad to forgive. Isa 1:18
God rejoices over the forgiven. Luke 15:6, 7:10, 23, 24, Isa 57:3-5

Our Amen to His Promise

Jer 11:5, “That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers to give them a land flowing with milk and honey as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, so be it. O Lord.”

His amen to our faith.

Matt 8:13, “And Jesus said unto the centurion, go thy way and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee and his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

The Lord’s formula: As thou hast believed. Or, according to thy faith, so be it.

“The just shall live by faith.”

Strong faith can live in any climate, even Y2K

Jer 17:8, “For He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”

Here is the victory, the power, and the triumph of faith. Faith that overcomes the world.

2 Tim 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

If iniquity is evil, why is it so much practiced?
If good, why so little professed?

2 Tim 2:21,”If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sancitifed and meet for the Master's use and prepared unto every good work.”

The Lord will only employ clean vessels to convey the water of life to thirsty souls.

2 Tim 2:24, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”

The master has slaves, slaves might have talents and skill, but they were all used for the master to bring profit to him.

2 Tim 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Scripture knowledge is the candle without which faith cannot see to do the work.

2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the Word, be instant, in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

What word? When? How? Why?

Present: the time is at hand, verse 6
Past: I have fought a good fight, verse 7
Future: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, verse 8

There is a Bible study, or a message, for the pastor on Sunday.
 
 

I just heard a preacher on TV says that if you tithe and fast it will enhance your marriage.

Well, tithing is taxation Old Testament style, the New Testament style of the I.R.S. They  paid 30 per cent of their income in the Old Testament and that is what the I.R.S. does.

Fasting is not abstaining from food. If you abstain from food, you will probably see some little people.

And then this preacher went on to say, well, we can tithe desserts. And sweets. It sounds like Catholic Lent and giving up bon bons.

I won’t give the preacher's name to protect the guilty.

Giving is Grace, giving is not gimmick giving.

James 4:6, “But He giveth more Grace; wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud but giveth Grace unto the humble.”

The humble vessel of humility, God will preserve and fill with the wine of His Grace. Rather than the varnished cup of pride which he will dash in pieces like a potter's vessel.

“We have this treasure in earthen vessels.”

Faith without works is dead.
Works without faith is dead.

James 4:6, God has assistance for the humble
                  God has resistance for the proud.

James 4:17, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

The sins of ignorance are most numerous.
But the sins of knowledge are most dangerous.

James 5:16, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Fervency in prayer by the power of the Holy Spirit is a good preservative against thoughts rushing in.

Flies never settle on a boiling pot.

James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law  and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

We divine up sin into sins and miss the gravity.

If you are hanging over a precipice by a chain and one link goes, you are lost.
The golden chain of obedience is broken if one link is missing.

God gave one law, consisting of ten commandments.

We will never see in our lifetime the principle being preached to us in all sides, the principle of “hegemony.”

It has been tried before and it will never work. Alexander the Great tried it and Caesar tried it and it failed.

This is what is written in history about their attempt to “hegemony.”

Rome has perished write the word
In the blood that she had spilt
Perished hopeless and abhorred
Deep in ruin, as in guilt.

There will never be a one world ruler or government until Jesus Christ comes back and rules and reigns. He is the only one who has the right.

Habakkuk, is an Old Testament prophet. His name in Hebrew means “to embrace.“

It is the message not the man, so we embrace his message. And what is his message? One of the greatest of all messages.

Hab 2:5, “The just shall live by faith.”

That is basically the Christian way of life.

If you notice there are 3Ks in his name, and there are two "a’s.” Three kings and two aces is a full house. Habakkuk embraced this full house.

There are basically two philosophies of life, and you have a choice between the two. One is pride and the other is faith.

They are found both in the Old and the New Testaments.

Hab 2:4, “Behold the soul which is lifted up is not upright in him.” That is pride.
“But the just shall live by faith." That is the other philosophy, which is faith.

The same principle is found in the New Testament.

Heb 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith.”
“But if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
It is also found in Rom 1:17 and Gal 3:10-11.

It is also mentioned in John as the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and "pride as the pattern of life."

So, it is either pride or faith. And “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” “The just shall live by faith.”

Hosea 7:13-15, “God's seven-fold charge against Ephraim:
Ephraim is one of the 12 tribes of Israel and his name means "fruitful," which the tribe was not. Why not?

1. They fled from God, v 12
2. They transgressed against God, v 13
3. They spoke lies against God, v 13
4. They cried not unto God, v 14
5. They assembled for corn and wine, v 14
6. They rebelled against God, v 14
7. They imagined mischief against God, v 15

Hosea 11:3, “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms but they knew not that I healed them.”
Guidance step by step, or a step at a time.

Hosea 14:5-8, Seven "Shalls"

He shall grow as the lily.
His branches shall spread.
They shall revive as the corn.
The scent therefore shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
Ephraim shall say.
And he shall understand these things.
And the just shall walk in them.

Now that is "shall" not shelled!

Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”
Amos 3:7, “Surely the Lord will do noting but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.”

Enoch walked with God and learned His secrets as to the Lord's coming and as to the flood.

Jude 1:14, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam prophesied of these saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints.”

And see the meaning of Methuselah's name in Gen 5:25.

Jer 17:6-8, “For he shall be like the heath in the desert and shall not see when good cometh. But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as tree planted by the waters and that spreads out her roots by the river and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the year of drought neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”

Christians are depicted as trees in Scripture. And the principle behind it is growth and production. Most Christians stop at salvation and never mature.

The reason as seen in these verses is simply: they are trying to grow “in the wrong soil for the soul.”
We need to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ associated with the water of the Word of God. All other soil is dry ground.

Prov 10:7, “The memory of the just is blessed but the name of the wicked shall rot.”
The memory of the just is blessed. God remembers.

Prov 10:22, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.”

The blessings we enjoy are not the fruit of our own works, but the fruit of God's Grace.

Prov 12:24, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule. But the slothful shall be under tribute.”

Bearing rule over the body: 1 Cor 9:27
Bearing rule over the soul: 2 Cor 5:5
Bearing rule over the spirit: Prov 16:32

Prov 25:14, Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”

This is what Cain did. And therefore he is compared to clouds without water, carried about of winds.

Jude 1:12, “These are spots in your feasts of love, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear; clouds they are without water, carried about of winds: trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.”

God testified of Abel's gifts.

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heath cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the day of drought, neither shall cease from bearing fruit.”

Many people are still looking forward to the new year. And New Year's Eve parties will go completely wild this coming year. But there is coming a party of all parties.

I don’t know if you know it or not, but God can throw a great party and He will.

Rev 19:9, “And He said unto me, Write, Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And He said unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

It won’t be a black tie affair, but a white-robed affair. The bride of Christ will wear white. God really knows how to throw a party.
 
 

All of God's exhales are eternal!

He breathed into Adam the breath of lives, soul and spirit.
He breathed out the Word of God and nature came into existence.
He breathed upon men the Holy Spirit.

All believer's exhales are eternal.

We exhale faith in Christ, eternal salvation.
We exhale faith in His Word and possess the promises of His Word which are also eternal.

Inhale the word and exhale the Word with the “lungs” of the soul. Now that’s soul breathing.
 

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Lev 9:6, “And Moses said this is the thing which the Lord commanded that ye should do; and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you.”
Lev 6:23, “And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation and the people and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people.”

Moses by himself represents the claims of God. Aaron by himself represents Christ in sacrificial and intercessory work. Aaron and his sons represent Christ and His priestly house. Moses and Aaron together represent Christ as King and Priest.

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Lev 14:5, One bird killed: Christ dying on the Cross.
Lev 14:7, One bird loosed: Christ risen and ascended on high.

The Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Lev 23 – Seven Feasts

Sabbath: Rest. Passover, the death of Christ.
First fruits: Resurrection of christ.
Pentecost: The descent of the Holy Spirit.
Trumpets: The ingathering of Israel.
Atonement: Mourning for sin.
Tabernacles: Christ's reign on Earth, the true Millennium.

Get your booths ready …

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Num 12:1, “And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married, for he had married an Ethiopian woman.”
The Jew has always been jealous of the Gentile being received into the Covenant.

Eph 3:6, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the Gospel.”

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Num 12:15, “And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.”

The sin of God's people still hinder them from the purpose of His cause.

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Num 22:23, “And the ass saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand. And the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field. And Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.”

The dumb ass saw the Angel of the Lord, who Balaam did not see. Who was the dumb ass? Balaam's eyes were blinded by the dust of covetousness.

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Num 23:10, “Who can count the dust of Jacob and the number of the fourth part of Israel?”

Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his. Why not rather live the life of the righteous?

The just shall live by faith. You cannot live a victorious life and die a righteous death.
People want to die for Christ but they don’t want to live for Christ.

Psa 78:22, “Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in His salvation.”
No sin dishonors God like unbelief.

Prov 13:15, “Good understanding gives favour, but the way of transgression is hard.”

Hard because: Sin begets sin. It makes a guilty conscience, it always turns out hideous, it brings future punishment.

Psa 78:24, “And had rained down manna upon them to eat and had given them of the corn of Heaven.”
Manna to eat, not to analyze.

Psa 78:27, “He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.”

He provided fowls for food … And food for fowls.

Psa 79:2, “The dead bodies of the servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the Earth.”

Psa 78:31, “The wrath of God came upon them and slew the fattest of them and smote down the chosen men of Israel.”
Fat in body, lean in soul.

Psa 106:15, “And He gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul.”

Psa 83:3, “They have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thy hidden ones.”

1. We are hid with Christ in God for salvation and life.
    Col 2:2, 1 John 5:11

2. We are hidden under the shadow of His wing for shelter and safety.
    Psa 17:8

3. We are hid in the secret of His presence for communion with Him.
    Psa 31:20

4. We are hid in the pavilion for testing and proving.
    Psa 27:5, Psa 22:11

5. We are hid in His quiver. Ready for use.
    Isa 49:2

6. We are hid in the shadow of His hand for strength and service.
    Isa 49:2

The apple of His eye.

The Jews have been scattered all over the face of the Earth since 70 A.D. when the Romans sacked the city of Jerusalem. And, they are not back in the land in belief. There are more Jews in New York and Miami Beach than there are in Jerusalem.

But when the Lord Jesus Christ comes to this Earth the second time, they will be restored to Him and to their land.

Do you know how He will accomplish it? Now that is a question for the pulpit!

Well, God has a sense of humor even though believers do not. He laughs and He also cries. But in a unique way the Lord Jesus Christ will bring the Jews back to the land in belief.  Here it is:

Isa 5:26, “And He will lift up an ensign to the nations from far and will "hiss" unto them from the ends of the Earth, and behold they shall come with speed swiftly.”

Now the Hebrew word for "hiss" is not hiss in our sense of the word. It is the Hebrew word  "SHARAQ" which means, “to whistle, a shrill whistle.” I didn’t know the Lord knew how to whistle,
but He will whistle and they will come a-running.

The principle: “whistle while you work.”

Christ did not believe in gun control! But He did put a limit on how many you should buy.

Luke 22:36, “He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.”

Luke 22:38, “Lord, behold here are two swords, and He said unto him it is enough.”

Act 20:32, “And now brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of His Grace which is able  to build you up, "and to give you an inheritance" among all them that are sanctified.”

A sure  assured   assurance

Matt 16:13, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesera Phillipi, He asked His disciples saying,
Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?

It makes a great difference to men what they think of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matt 16:15, “But He said unto them, Whom say ye that I am?”

It makes less difference to a man what others think of the Lord Jesus Christ than what He thinks.

Matt 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

A great confession.

Matt 15:28, “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

A comforting word
A commending word
A commanding word
A creating word
A complying word
A completing word

The Word of God is alive and powerful!

Did you ever realize how that the Gospel …

… which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the power of salvation unto both Jew and Greek alike?

… is designed by God to fit all the facets of the soul perfectly? It supplies the needs of the soul: The mind, the will, the emotions, the norm and standards.

As man needs bread to sustain his body, so man needs the Word of the Gospel to sustain his soul.

Born in a manger no room in the inn
Christ my Saviour died for my sin.

Mark 8:24, Christ was asleep. That is His humanity.
Mark 8:26, He rebuked the winds. That is His deity.

Mark 8:25   “Lord save … we perish.”
When a man really wants the Saviour, he does not need any one to teach him how to pray, “Lord help me.”

Matt 10:8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.” "Freely ye have received, freely give."

The motive: free Grace
The measure: free giving

The Christian commission: raise the dead.
We are all dead.

Matt 10:7, “And as ye go preach, saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
That is how you raise the dead.

Who are the dead that have to be raised?

1 Cor 15:22, “For in Adam all die; even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Eph 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by Grace ye are saved).”

Why are we all dead?

Eph 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of Christ through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their mind.”

To what are we to be raised?

Eph 2:6, “And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Positionally in Christ, we are also seated in Heaven.
Sitting with Christ, we share His seat, His finished work.

Matt 10:9, “Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses.”
Faith is better than funds .... for the life that now is … and for the life that is to come.

“Silver and gold have I not, but that which I have, I give unto  thee,” said Peter.

What Christ marveled at:

Christ marveled at unbelief, Mark 6:6
Christ marveled at no faith, Mark 4:40
Christ marveled at little faith, Mark 14:21
Christ said great is thy faith, Mark 15:28
Christ marveled as so great faith, Mark 8:10

We are not told that Christ marveled at any of Earth’s wonders, only at belief and unbelief.

Num 13:30, “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses. And said Let us go out at once, and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Faith says, we are well able. “Faith overcometh the world.”

Num 13:31, “But the men up with him said, we be not able to go up against the people for people they are stronger than we.”
Unbelief says we are not able. No faith to overcome.
 

Num 13:32, “And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel saying, the land through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof. And all the people that we saw are men of a great stature.”

Israel said, “The land eateth up the inhabitants.”

God said, those nations were as a drop in a bucket, as the small dust of the balance, as grasshoppers.

Isa 40:15, Isa 40:22

Num 14:33, “And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years and bear your whoredoms until the carcasses be wasted in the wilderness.”

Christians wander about and call it Christian progress. Many die in the wilderness. Their souls are saved, but their lives are lost.

Num 21:7, “Therefore the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee, Pray unto the Lord that He take away the serpents from us, and Moses prayed for the people.”

God does not always answer in the letter, but in the spirit of prayer. He did not remove the fiery serpents, but provided a remedy.

We are among serpents still, and most look to the Lord for our deliverance.

The Hebrew word for “fiery serpents” is "SERAPHIM," for their burning heat and glow.

The healthiest way of living where serpents swarm Is never to take your eyes off the Brazen Serpent.

“Look unto Me all ye ends of the Earth and be saved.”

Prov 7:18-20, “Come let us take our fill of love until the morning; Let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home; he is gone a long journey. He hath taken a bag of money with him and will come home at the day appointed.”

Like a faithless wife, the world takes advantage of the Lord's absence to seek goodly pearls. But this can only last till He returns.

On the other hand, the Lord's return ends His peoples’ sorrow and brings them holy and everlasting joy.

One of the greatest of all Truths is hidden and that is that Christianity is not a religion. We have the Lord's report on that in Matt 23 and we have the apostle Paul's own testimony of how he was religious and then he became a Christian. In fact, in the name of religion Paul killed Christians.

Religion kills and it killed Christ and it will kill this nation. We are a religious nation. Look at all the altars you see. But we see no Crosses on the graves of brave men who have fought for their country. They are not allowed to display their faith.

But over seas in Germany, France, Belgium, and England they allow our dead soldiers to have Crosses on their graves.

I guess we have to look at old black and white westerns to remind us of a Cross on a grave.

Exodus 4:21, “Let My people go.”

Seven times it is said, “Let My people go.”
Ex 4:21, Ex 5:1, Ex 7:16, Ex 8:1, 8:20, 9:1, 9:13, 10:3

God's purpose for His children … to be free.
 

God's purpose for His children is to be free.

Therefore, John 8:36, “Christ shall set you free and you shall be free indeed.”

Therefore, Gal 5:1, “Stand fast in the freedom wherein Christ has set you free and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage.”

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Confession of sin doesn’t give us a license to sin, as some say.
Confession of sin gives us a license to serve. Because, Psa 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my mind God will not hear me.”

Exodus 12:7-8, “And they shall take of the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses wherein they shall eat of it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night roast with fire and unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”

The blood of the lamb was for safety. The flesh of the lamb was for sustenance, nourishment.

Exodus 12:29, “And it came to pass that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. From the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on the throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon and all the firstborn of cattle.”

The two most strongly guarded houses, neither the prison nor the palace. Neither guards nor stone walls can keep God out.

Exodus 12:30, “And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants and all the Egyptians and there was a great cry in Egypt for there was not a house where there was not one dead.”

It is either the firstborn or the Lamb.

“Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Pharoah said at first, that the children of Israel shall not go out of Egypt. But God said they should.
Unbelief says no. Fear says no. The devil says no.

But God says “Yes, let My people go.”
 
 

Exodus 13:21, “And the Lord went before them by the day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light to go by day and night.

While you are in the wilderness the only way to walk is to follow the Cloud of glory.
“Thy Word is a light unto my path.”

Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.”

Christians awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born.

Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above.

With them the joyful tidings first began
Of God incarnate and the virgin's Son.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told
Who heard the angel's herald's voice, behold.

I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
To you and all the nations upon the Earth.

This day hath God fulfilled His promised Word
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.

God is going to ask you a question.

He is going to ask everyone of us the same question. I know what the question is, and I know what the answer is. Now if you don’t know the answer to this question, I will give you the answer. I don’t want you to fail.

The question; why should I let you into My Heaven?

P.S. Because You died for me on the Cross and I am thanking you for eternal life.

“One small step for man, One giant step for all mankind” lands us on the moon where there is no life.
"One taste of God's matchless Grace lands us in the third Heaven where there is eternal life."

Whatever environment man places himself in, he pollutes the environment, i.e., The Garden of Eden and the Millennium, perfect environment.
Environment is not the answer. Regeneration is the only answer.

Paul was caught up into the third Heaven and saw things there that were unspeakable. Man is driven up to the moon and there is nothing there to talk about.

Man by man's efforts can never solve man's problems.

Jonah 1:3, “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." And went down to Joppa and he found a ship going to Tarshish "so he paid the fare thereof and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish.”

“From the presence of the Lord.” It is impossible to flee from the presence of the Lord.

Psa 139:7, “Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit” Or whether shall I flee from Thy presence?”

Psa 139:8, “If I ascend up into Heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Hell, behold Thou art there.”

Psa 139:9, “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea.”

Psa 139:10, “Even there shall Thy hand lead me. And Thy right hand shall hold me.”

Notice "Jonah paid his fare"  and never got a refund.

Sin is expensive. Jonah took the wrong boat.

Jonah 1:4, “But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”

When you go negative to the Word of God, it always leads into troubled waters. Ask Jonah.

Jonah 1:11, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee that the sea may be calm unto us? For the sea wrought and was tempestuous.”

The old sin nature is like Jonah in the ship, it turns the smoothest waters into a tempestuous sea.

Jonah 1:5, “Then the mariners were afraid and cried every man unto his god and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea to lighten it of them but Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship and he lay and was fast asleep.”

The want of pardon is the only effective prayer for the unbeliever.

Jonah prays as their sailors do the pumps in the ship. Only when there is a storm. Or when they are fearful of sinking.

Jonah 1:13-14, “Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land "but they could not" for the sea was wrought and was tempetuous against them. Wherefore they cried unto the Lord and said, We beseech Thee, O Lord, We beseech thee, Let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood , for Thou O Lord, hast done as it pleaseth Thee.”

The unavailing efforts of the Mediterranean oarsmen have their counterparts:
in our efforts to convert others.
in our efforts to covert our families.
in our efforts to convert ourselves.

The cure is Christ.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

Angels from the realm of glory
Wing your flight over all the Earth
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.

Shepherds in the field abiding
Watching over your flocks at night
God with men is now dwelling
Yonder shines the infant light

Sages leave their contemplation
Brighter visions beam afar
Seek the great desire of nations
Ye have seen his natal star.

Saints before the altar bending
Watching long in hope and fear
Suddenly the Lord, descending
In His temple shall appear.

Though an infant now we view him
He shall fill his father's throne.
Gather all the nations to him
Every knee shall than bow down.

Born in a manger no room in the inn
Jesus Christ my Saviour died for my sin.

Phil 2:7, “But made of Himself no reputation and took upon Him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of men.”

Behold the great Creator makes
Himself a house of clay
A robe of human flesh He takes
Which He will wear today.

Hark! Hark! The wise eternal Word
Like a weak infant cries
In form of servant is the Lord
And God in cradle lies.

The wonder struck the world amazed
It shook the starry frame
Squadrons of spirits stood and gazed
Then down in troops they came

Glad shepherds ran to view this sight
A choir of angels sings
And eastern sages with delight
Adore the King of Kings.

Join them, all souls that are not stone
And all our voices prove
To celebrate this Holy One
The God of peace and love.

Thanks for all your support for me and my family
Thanks for seeing His Grace upon the tree.

Mark 1:22, “And they were astonished at His Doctrine for He taught them as One that had authority and not as a scribe.”

There is an awful possibility of being astonished, without being convicted, and persuaded, and saved.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”

Mark 1:23, “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit and he cried out.”

Even demons go to church. Going to church won’t save you, but Christ will.

Here is a demon in a synagogue and there is suffering everywhere even in the synagogue.
Demons go to church, v 23.
Demons go to homes, v 30.
Demons go to a city, v 32.

But Jesus Christ is there also. “Choose this day whom thou wilt serve.”

Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely, love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas
Stars and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead
Love incarnate, love Divine
Worship we our Saviour
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be out token
Love be yours and mine,
Love to God and all men
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Our God is wearing
Man's flesh and bearing
Man's cares, through caring
What men may be.

Our God is sharing
His light and daring
To help man's faring
And set men free.

All you in hearing
Assist our cheering
This soul unfearing
Who enters Earth.

On God relying
And death defying
He puts on dying
That life has birth.

Bethlehem of noblest cities
None can once with thee compare,
Thou alone the Lord from Heaven
Didst for us incarnate bear.

Fairer than the sun at morning
Was the star that told His birth,
To the lands their God announcing
Hid beneath a form of Earth.

By its lambent beauty guided
See the eastern kings appear,
See them bend, their gifts to offer
Gifts of incense, gold and myrrh.

Solemn things of mystic meaning
Incense doth the God disclose,
Gold a royal child proclaimeth
Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

Holy Christ in Thy brightness
To the Gentile world displayed,
With the Father and the Spirit
Endless praise to Thee be paid.

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Page updated 06/26/05 02:33 PM.