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pamphletstoinspire · 6 years ago

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Understanding the Mysterious Sword of St. Michael

I’ve read a couple of articles on the mysterious Sword of St. Michael — a straight line across Europe of churches and shrines dedicated to the archangel. I first heard about the sword from Gelsomino Del Guercio’s piece from May 31, 2017, “7 Sanctuaries linked by a straight line: The legendary Sword of St. Michael.” [According to legend, the line represents the blow with which St. Michael sent the devil to hell. A mysterious imaginary line links seven monasteries, from Ireland to Israel. Is it just a coincidence? These seven sanctuaries are very far from each other, and yet they are perfectly aligned (siviaggia.it). The Sacred Line of Saint Michael the Archangel represents, according to legend, the blow the Saint inflicted the Devil, sending him to hell. In any case, it is surprising how well these sanctuaries are, in fact, aligned. But the details of such alignment are also astonishing: the three most important sites, Mont Saint Michel in France; the Sacra of San Miguel in Val de Susa; and the Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo in the Gargano are all the same distance one from the other. Some say this is a reminder from the Holy Archangel: the faithful are expected to be righteous, walking the straight path. If all this was not surprising enough, the Sacred Line also is perfectly aligned with the sunset on the day of the Northern Hemisphere’s Summer Solstice (viagginews.com).] Not only are the shrines, centered around monasteries, in a straight line, three of them are evenly spaced from one another. Del Guercio lists the shrines as follows, most of them in high places and many of them on islands:

1. Skellig Michael, an island of the coast of Ireland, settled by Celtic monks. 2. Saint Michael’s Mount, an island off the coast of Cornwall, England. 3. Mont Saint Michel, an island off the coast of Normandy, France. 4. Sacra di San Michele, an abbey built on top of Mount Pirchiriano, Italy. 5. Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo sul Gargano, on top of another mountain in Italy. 6. Monastery of the Taxiarchis, Symi Island, Greece. 7. Stella Maris Monastery, Mount Carmel, Israel.

Del Guercio gives on key clue that may help explain the direct line: “The Sacred Line also is perfectly aligned with the sunset on the day of the Northern Hemisphere’s Summer Solstice.” Del Guercio thinks this makes the coincidence more remarkable, but I think this may be the key fact that helps us to unpack the significance of the sword — rightly named as a sword to signal Christendom’s spiritual combat against paganism.

What is the significance of the summer solstice? Many pagan shrines, most famously Stonehenge, were built to highlight the movement of the sun and moon, and were designed to harness the sun on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. Were the shrines along the sword of St. Michael, then, originally pagan sites of worship? In fact, the answer is yes. The island in Cornwall was dedicated to Celtic god Lugh (who was also a fighter) and Mont. St. Michel was dedicated to Mithras (a cult of Roman soldiers) and named Tomb Mount. The Greek monastery was built over the site of a temple to Apollo, who was connected to the sun and therefore to the solstice. It seems he also had sanctuaries along the sword of St. Michael. Pagans would have sought out distinctive “high places” that followed the track of the sun on its peak day.

How did each monastery become dedicated to St. Michael? Some of the sites claim an apparition from Michael. He appeared at Monte San Angelo in 490 and 663 and at Mont St. Michel to the Bishop Aubert in 708, instructing him to the build the shrine. Sacra di San Michele is half way between Mon St. Michel and Monte San Angelo and was also built at the request of the Archangel in 983, appearing to the hermit, St. Giovanni Vincenzo. Philip Kosloski relates how St. Patrick saw St. Michael over the island of Skellig Michael as he was exorcizing Ireland. Taxiarchis is home to a miraculous icon of Michael, which is said to have protected the monastery from Muslim invasion (with the archangel even appearing before the enemy).

Other sites may have gained an association to the fighting archangel in the Christian imagination to guard against the influence of the pagan worship previously associated with the sites. The seventh site is the only one that does not connect to Michael (to my knowledge), but Mt. Carmel likewise was a place of spiritual battle where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. There may be some connection between Elijah and St. Michael as I found a Ukrainian folk legend [Saint Michael the Archangel (Архангел Михаїл; Arkhanhel Mykhail). The supreme angel in Christian belief. Ukrainians shared many of the Christian beliefs about Saint Michael, particularly about his leading role in the struggle against Satan—hence, the name Arkhystratyh Mykhail ‘the Supreme Commander Michael.’ He was believed to have taken thunder away from Satan and handed it over to Saint Elijah. Ukrainians adopted Saint Michael as the patron saint of hunters and the city of Kyiv.] claiming that St. Michael had given Elijah the thunder he took away from Satan.

There is also a connection between the summer solstice and St. John the Baptist. In the ancient world the solstices were June 24th and December 25th, John’s and Jesus’ birthdays of course. The Church Fathers connected these dates to John’s words that Jesus must increase while he decreases, as these are the days that mark the increasing and decreasing sunlight. And indeed, John the Baptist, like Michael, was associated with combating paganism in the early Church. We see one example of this at Monte Cassino.

In St. Gregory the Great’s biography of St. Benedict, he describes how the abbot set up a shrine to John the Baptist to replace one dedicated to Apollo, which had been set in a high place (and probably also connected to the sun):

In this place there was an ancient chapel in which the foolish and simple country people, according to the custom of the old gentiles, worshipped the god Apollo. Round about it likewise on all sides, there were woods for the service of the devils, in which even to that very time, the mad multitude of infidels offered most wicked sacrifice. The man of God coming there, beat the idol into pieces, overthrew the altar, set fire to the woods, and in the temple of Apollo, he built the oratory of St. Martin, and where the altar of the same Apollo was, he made an oratory of St. John. By his continual preaching, he brought the people dwelling in those parts to embrace the faith of Christ. (Dialogues, Bk 2, ch. 8).

Explaining the sword of St. Michael in conjunction with the line of the summer solstice does not explain away the sword’s significance. Rather, it shows its significance as part of the way in which the Church reclaimed important sites and dedicated them to the worship of the one true God. The sun and stars proclaim the glory of God and should not lead to idolatrous worship and human sacrifice (a custom of the solstice).

St. Michael clearly had a role in reclaiming the solstice for the glory of God and removing its connection to the enemy as he himself appeared at many of these sites. In our own fight to reclaim our own country, we should turn to St. Michael (and recite his prayer often) and to St. John the Baptist to guard and protect and to help us in the battle for souls.

By: R. JARED STAUDT __________

O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..

From: www.pamphletstoinspire.com

#sword of st michael

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pooma-bible · 3 years ago

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Pas. Johnraj Lamech

🍁

Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Topic: God’s Pattern for Deliverance & Protection of Church from Persecution!

Rhema Word: Acts 12:11 (NKJV) “And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

Let’s pray. Our Gracious Loving Father, thank You for giving us an opportunity to meditate Your Word today along with Your children who have been called to live a holy life Father. I commit everyone who are all meditating this message into Your mighty hand Father. Bless them and give them the oneness of Spirit and make their heart as a good land to receive each and every Word which is living and active Father. Thank You Holy Spirit for helping us to understand the in-depth treasure of Your Word and helping us to live a life as per Your Word Lord. We give all the Glory and Honour to You only Father. We pray in the mighty Name of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

This event was during the Passover season. We see here that God does not always keep His people from suffering. James, the brother of John, had been killed by Herod. James was one of the inner-circle, one of the three that we see together so much during the days of Christ on the earth. So, we see that God is not always going to keep His children from suffering. Apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Now is the age for crosses, not for crowns.

Also, we see that God’s servants cannot be put to death until it is God’s will for it to be done. No man of God, in the will of God, can die until God wants him to die. Herod supposed that these two, Peter and James, were pillars on which the church rested; and that, if these were removed, the building must necessarily come down. He didn’t understand neither the power of ever living God nor a praying local Church.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18-19 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Yes, God always delivers His people either through or from the trials of this life, including persecution and martyrdom. This passage, in Acts chapter 12, gives a picture of God’s pattern for deliverance through persecution.

Let us try to learn “How the Jerusalem church was miraculously protected – God’s pattern for deliverance and protection of church from persecution” with the help of Holy Spirit today:

1] First Political attack against the church:

2] God’s pattern for Deliverance:

3] God’s sovereign wrath, His vindication of the church:

4] Church marching on triumphantly:

1] First Political attack against the church:

The Bible says in Acts 12:1-4 “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.”

Yes, there was the first political attack against the church. It has been about eight years since Stephen’s death and the first persecution against the church. The persecution had been squelched by the hand of God converting the arch-persecutor himself, Saul of Tarsus. However, throughout the eight years, feelings against the church had been growing until they reached the present peak. The people were filled with animosity toward believers. There were two primary reasons for their hatred as they did not understand:

(i) The teachings of Jesus and His followers - how the teachings fulfilled the law; how they could be reconciled with Jewish religion.

(ii) The evangelistic outbreak of the church - that the Jewish believers would be so full of fervour for Christ that they would reach out to convert the whole world. Apparently, the conversion of Cornelius and the founding of churches throughout the Gentile world upset some of the Jews to no end.

Herod, being the shrewd politician he was, saw an opportunity to please the Jews by persecuting and seeking to destroy the church. Why? Because, if he could please the Jews, it would help (i) keep the Jews quiet, keep them supporting Rome’s policies and (ii) solidify this own prestige and power with the authorities back in Rome.

Yes, Herod launched the government’s attack against the leaders of the church:

(a) Persecution: The word “persecute” (kakosai) means to oppress, to torment, to harm, to do evil against. Certain leaders in the church were arrested and imprisoned and apparently tortured. A person can just imagine the believers being man-handled and molested as the persecuted of every generation so often are, their homes and property being destroyed and confiscated or stolen.

(b) Murder: One of the persons killed was James, the brother of John, one of the three leading apostles of the Lord. Nothing is said about James in the book of Acts except that he was martyred. But the fact that Herod would attempt to silence him is clear evidence that James was very active in serving Christ. Christ had told James he would suffer martyrdom (Matthew 20:23). God makes a glorious promise to the believer who is persecuted.

Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

(c) Imprisonment: The persecution of the church’s leaders pleased the Jews, especially the murder of one of the Lord’s leading apostles. Herod’s plan seemed to be working. Note three things here:

(i) It was the Passover season, the days of unleavened bread. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims had flooded into the city of Jerusalem. As on any festive occasion, there was a party-like atmosphere hovering over the city. The people were filled with a festive, merry spirit. Herod had a unique chance to really gain popularity among multitudes of people.

(ii) Herod was so elated with the response of the Jews, he lurched forward with the boldest plot imaginable: the arrest and jailing of the leader himself, Peter the apostle. Note: Herod was planning to execute Peter after the Passover. Jewish law did not allow executions during the Passover Feast. Also, note that this was Peter’s third imprisonment for the sake of the Lord ( Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4-5).

(iii) Herod had Peter heavily guarded as we see in Acts 12:3-4 “And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.”

Yes, Peter was probably guarded by sixteen different soldiers. Four soldiers at a time served two separate three-hour watches within a twenty-four hour stretch. One wrist of the prisoner was usually chained to the wrist of a guard. Note the extra security with Peter – his both wrists were chained (Acts 12:6). The reason for the extra security with Peter was the huge throne of pilgrims visiting the city during the Passover. In the midst of the mass confusion within the city, Herod felt some of Peter’s friends might attempt a rescue.

Remember what Jesus said in John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

Jesus also said in Matthew 24:9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”

Jesus further said in John 16:1-3 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.”

The Bible says in Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Psalmist David says in Psalm 7:1 “O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me.”

2] God’s pattern for Deliverance:

The Bible says in Acts 12:5-10 “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So, he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.”

There was God’s pattern for deliverance. Note a significant point: God’s providence saved Peter but not James. Why? Very simply, it was time for James to join the Lord and receive the fruit of his labour for work done here on earth. Peter’s work was not yet done. Believers must always remember, the day when they are to go to their Lord does come. God’s will may be for the believer to suffer and bear martyrdom for His name’s sake. God’s plan may be to use the persecuted believer’s faithfulness as a testimony to reach others.

God’s pattern for delivering believers through or from persecution is fourfold:

(i) There is the pattern of prayer. Church-wide prayer delivered Peter (V.5). Note three points here: (a) the whole church was praying; (b) the church was doing all it could do, praying specifically for Peter’s deliverance; (c) the word “earnestly” (ektenes) means fervently and earnestly continuing in prayer. The idea is intense prayer, prayer that captivates and focuses a person’s concentration. The root meaning of the word is “to stretch out”.

The picture is that the church was stretched out, prostrate before God, earnestly and fervently crying out to Him for God’s sovereign deliverance of Peter. The church could do nothing and they knew it. Yes, Peter’s only hope was God.

(ii) There is the pattern of confidence. Confidence in God’s will and care delivered Peter (v.6). Note that Peter was asleep and it was the very night before his trial. Christ was meeting His dear servant’s need, infusing him with His very special grace and peace. Peter sensed the very special trust and care of his Lord.

Lesson to remember: “The Lord infuses His strength, peace, care, understanding, and marvellous grace to go through whatever trial confronts His dear servant.”

Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Paul further said while writing to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:18 “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

That is why Apostle Peter confidently said in 2 Peter 2:9 “Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.”

Psalmist David says in Psalm 34:22 “The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.”

David further said in Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.”

Prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 26:3-4 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.”

(iii) There is the pattern of God’s miraculous work and the believer’s obedience. Both were involved in delivering Peter (v.7-10). Note the Scripture and outline:

a) The angel did not do for Peter what Peter could do for himself. Peter had to act; he had to obey the commands of the angel.

b) Once Peter was safely delivered out of danger, he was left on his own, left to work out his own deliverance. He was to continue his “walk by faith” (1) to return to the church and to the believers on his own; (2) to seek the Lord about remaining or leaving Jerusalem and in making any other decisions that needed to be made.

The point is this: God’s miraculous deliverance involved only what Peter could not do for himself. When Peter was helpless, God then took over. This is the point of miracles. Miracles are acts of God, acts which men cannot do for themselves. They are worked by God and by Him alone; therefore, He and He alone gets the praise and honour.

(iv) There is the pattern of God’s sovereign will (v.11). It was God’s sovereign will for Peter to be delivered. It was not His will for James to be delivered. The true believer rests in God’s sovereign will, knowing that God’s will results in the greatest blessings. Peter thought he was having a vision (v.9), that he was in some semi-conscious state, dreaming of God delivering him. Peter was startled; it took a moment to collect his thoughts and grasp what had happened. When he did, he realized:

That God had delivered him by His sovereign will.

That God still had a purpose for him on earth.

That he still had a ministry to perform for the Lord.

He quickly sized up the situation and fled the city, for he knew Herod would have the soldiers searching for him as soon as his escape was discovered. But before fleeing, Peter decided to quickly visit the house of Mary (the mother of John Mark), hoping some of the believers were gathered there. He needed to let them know God had delivered him and where he was fleeing.

Lesson to learn: Again, note here, how God expects His people to work out their own salvation (deliverance) when it is in their power to do so. Now, note the result of God delivering His dear servant. The Scripture and outline points are sufficient to see the results. Every miracle performed by God causes the same results – of course, all to varying degrees.

Note how the church had been praying ever so fervently, yet not really expecting a miracle. We must not be too critical, however. They had already witnessed the death of some outstanding leaders, two of which are named, Stephen the deacon and James the apostle.

Jesus said in Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Jesus said in Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.”

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

Apostle John says in 1 John 3:23 “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

3] God’s sovereign wrath, His vindication of the church:

The Bible says in Acts 12:18-23 “Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there. Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. So, on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.”

There was God’s sovereign wrath, His vindication of the church. God never has and never will allow the persecution of His followers to go on and on. God is patient, wanting all to repent and to turn to Him, but He tolerates evil for only so long. Every man has to give an account for his evil deeds. Herod’s time had now come. The judgment of God fell and fell swiftly.

(i) The sins of Herod were very serious. He was guilty:

a) Of opposing God: He violently persecuted God’s church, which was equal to persecuting the Lord Himself. He was determined to wipe the church off the face of the earth (v.1-4; Acts 9:4; 1 Cor 8:12).

b) Of murder: killing the servants of God, apparently plotting to kill them all (v.2-4).

c) Of loving the world: its power, position and influence (v.3).

d) Of hypocrisy and deception: pretending to be religious – all for power and position.

e) Of wrath and lack of compassion (v.19): it was Roman law that the keepers of escaped prisoners were subject to bear the same punishment as the prisoner.

f) Of pride: the pride of office, position and person (v.21).

g) Of self-glory and self-exaltation (v.22): he willingly received the declaration that he was a god (v.22).

(ii) The death of Herod was under the sovereign will of God. Herod’s time had run out; his sin could not be allowed anymore. The day of God’s wrath against a heart so hardened in sin had arrived. Sitting there on the throne, Herod was immediately stricken down with a severe stroke of an angel. His body was being “eaten by worms”. The word “skolex” was used by the Greeks to refer to intestinal worms. Josephus, the renown historian of that day, reported that Herod lingered for five days, suffering great pain in the area of stomach.

That is why apostle Paul says in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 11:19 “As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.”

God says in Ezekiel 18:4 “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.”

4] Church marching on triumphantly:

The Bible says in Acts 12:24-25 “But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.”

(i) The words “increase and spread” (euxanen kai eplethuneto) mean that the church kept on growing and multiplying. The progress of God’s Word could not be stopped. Men and governments might try to stop it. They might persecute, imprison, and kill those who proclaim God’s Word; but their efforts to silence the Word will always be to no avail. God overrules all always will.

Yes, He has ordained His Word to be proclaimed, and it shall be by all those who are truly His.

Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Yes, He has ordained His Word to bear fruit, to increased and spread, never to return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).

Prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

Psalmist says in Psalm 126:6 “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed or sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

(ii) A young man was discipled, a young man destined for greatness. Barnabas and Saul had brought relief goods from Antioch to the famine-stricken churches throughout Judea and Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30). They were now returning to Antioch, and note what happened. John Mark, a young disciple, had joined them. This was a young man who was destined by God (a) to be discipled by three of God’s greatest servant: Paul, Barnabas and Peter; (b) to write one of the four gospels of the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark.

John Mark had a godly mother (Acts 12:12). It seems that her home was the center of the Christian church (Acts 12:12). In fact, her home may have been the Upper Room which Jesus used for the Last Supper (Luke 22:10) and for Pentecost (Acts 1:13). Also, John Mark was related to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) and was a disciple of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25). Mark apparently joined Peter on his missionary journeys. This is significant, for it means that much of what is in Mark’s gospel probably comes from what Peter had told him. The Gospel of Mark, which Mark wrote, was probably the preaching material of Peter.

Our Lord Jesus while giving us the Great Commission said in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

Apostle Paul while writing to Timothy says in 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Lessons Learned:

• God honours the fervent, faithful prayers of His followers.

• God will do whatever is necessary to make it possible for the gospel to be proclaimed.

• God can change our circumstances so that we might be His witnesses.

• God can remove an enemy of the gospel so that the gospel can be freely proclaimed.

• God will not share His glory with anyone.

• God does not guarantee that every faithful follower will be physically delivered from the enemies of the gospel.

• Prayer is the right response to the impossible situations we face as Christ followers in the proclamation of the gospel and the protection of those who proclaim the gospel.

Uniting in prayer with others is powerful.

• Pray to be strong in troubles, and deliverance will be a wonderful surprise.

• Thinking about miracles after they occur and realizing what parts were miraculous helps us learn about the Lord’s power.

• By sharing with others what the Lord has done for you, others can learn about the Lord’s power too.

• The Lord can deliver from maximum-security prisons and from maximum-security sins. Not even hostile government leaders can stop the Lord’s work from going forward.

Let us introspect ourselves.

Shall we put our trust on God completely when we are being persecuted by the world?

Shall we face our sufferings boldly without any fear as our Lord is always with us?

Shall we be faithful till the end when we have tribulations?

Shall we remember that God’s plan might be to use our faithfulness in our tribulations as a testimony to reach others?

Shall we pray earnestly for the people who are undergoing such tribulations and persecutions to be delivered by God miraculously?

Shall we keep in mind that our Lord will surely infuse His very special grace, strength, care, understanding and peace when we undergo such trials and persecutions?

Shall we keep in mind that our Lord will do the miracles only when we could not do ourselves anything further on the problem we face?

Shall we keep in mind that we should do our part obeying God and walk in faith while undergoing such situations in our life?

Shall we remember that miracles are acts of God which are worked by God and by Him alone and He alone gets the praise and honour?

Shall we rest in God’s sovereign will, knowing that God’s will results in the greatest blessings?

Shall we always remember that God has a purpose for us and a ministry to perform for HIM on this earth whatever situations we undergo?

Shall we remember that God never will allow the persecution of His followers to go on and on?

Shall we remember that the efforts of men and governments to silence the Word will always be overruled by God?

Let us Pray: Our Heavenly Gracious Father, we thank You for helping us to understand about “God’s Pattern for Deliverance and Protection of Church from Persecution” Father. Father, please help us to put our trust on You Father completely and face our sufferings boldly without any fear as You are always with us, help us to be faithful till the end remembering Your plan of using our faithfulness in our tribulations as a testimony to reach others Father. Father, please help us to pray earnestly for the people who are undergoing such tribulations and persecutions to be delivered by You Father miraculously, please help us to believe that You will surely infuse us with Your very special grace, strength, care, understanding and peace when we undergo such trials Father. Please help us to do our part obeying You Father and walk in faith and help us to rest on Your sovereign will as we know that Your will result always in the greatest blessings Father. Please help us to remember that You have a purpose for us and a ministry to perform for You Father while living in this world besides understanding that the efforts of men and governments can not silence Your Word Father. Father, please help us to understand Your wisdom, will and mercy while preaching Your Word Father. We give all praise, glory and honour to Your Holy Name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God bless you all

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princeofgod-2021 · 3 years ago

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LIGHT OF LIFE 62

John 1:4

LIGHT TO THE GENTILES 10 – MANDATE PRESERVED

Act 16:1-3 And he came to Derbe and Lystra: and there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, whose mother was one of the Jews of the faith, BUT HIS FATHER WAS A GREEK; Of whom the brothers at Lystra and Iconium had a high opinion. Paul had a desire for him to go with him, and he gave him circumcision because of the Jews who were in those parts: FOR THEY ALL HAD KNOWLEDGE THAT HIS FATHER WAS A GREEK. BBE

Apostle Paul, who commonly, defiantly and boldly, contended over the issue of circumcision (Php 3:1-3; Gal 5;10-13), now succumbs to it, especially seeming to please the Jews in that Area.

That definitely looks like the hypocrisy he had accused Apostle Peter of in Gal 2:11-14, but we must inspect the elements of the opening scripture carefully to avoid misconceptions.

Paul met a well-refined young believer (Timothy – Vs1), well-spoken of (Vs2) and whom he saw could be of immense benefit to him on his Christian journey (Vs3).

So, because he was well known to the Jews there to be Gentile, Paul needed to eliminate the ripple effect of that factor to the Preaching of the Gospel, so He circumcised Timothy.

Sometimes, to protect the greater good, we must put aside schisms over weightless contentions, even over the Gospel, which indeed, is necessary but can be prioritized.

Jud 1:3 Dear friends, I wanted very much to write to you about the salvation we all share together. But I felt the need to write to you about something else: I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that God gave his holy people. God gave this faith once, and it is good for all time. ERV

Paul saw that the Jews, who thought they were protecting the integrity of God’s “religion” by preventing the Gentiles from salvation, were actually, ignorantly working against themselves.

Paul needed to preach to these Jews too and he needed to use their Tabernacle, but because of Timothy, they won’t listen and they will follow him around to persecute him.

Act 14:19 Some Jews came from Antioch in Pisidia and from Iconium; they won the crowds over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. GNB

Even after doing great miracles (Vs 8-11), these Jews were yet able to convince the same recipients to stone Paul.

That is the SIZE of contention against the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Therefore, in understanding the devil’s plot, Paul had to assume Strategic Compliance.

1Co 9:20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might GAIN the Jews. To those who are under the Law, I became as under the Law, so that I might GAIN those who are under the Law. MKJV

Even though other versions use the word SAVE, I love the way KJV uses GAIN.

Everything must be done to occupy till Jesus comes and we must present PROFIT to Him, so we PRESERVE THE MANDATE by all means.

But did you realize, beloved, that it had to take Foreign believers to INITIATE that mandate to the Gentiles, even though Peter and all, were clearly told God’s mind by Jesus (Acts 1:8)?

Act 11:19-10 Some of the Lord's followers had been scattered because of the terrible trouble that started when Stephen was killed. They went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and ANTIOCH, but they told the message only to the Jews. Some of the FOLLOWERS FROM CYPRUS AND CYRENE went to ANTIOCH and started telling Gentiles the good news about the Lord Jesus. CEV

In the same Antioch, left to the Jews alone, the purpose of the Gospel could have failed, but God raised Gentile believers to preach to Gentiles. The Mandate is divinely preserved and honoured.

These Gentile believers themselves were not converted deliberately by Jews, but God positioned some of them to hear Peter on Pentecost Day and they just couldn’t be excommunicated.

Have you not imagined that it wasn’t Jews but English, Portuguese, German missionaries that spread the Gospel all over the world; Do you also imagine why Paul was selected for this mission?

Act 22:3 I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia by birth, but I had my education in this town at the feet of Gamaliel, being trained in the keeping of every detail of the law of our fathers; given up to the cause of God with all my heart, as you are today. BBE

This is how strategic God can be: he raised Paul, born in a prominent Gentile city but educated under Jewish Law and Customs. He was also a Roman by birthplace.

Act 22:25 So the soldiers were tying Paul, preparing to beat him. But he said to an army officer there, "Do you have the right to beat a ROMAN CITIZEN who has not been proven guilty?" ERV

So God used a man who had stake, both in the Jewish and Gentile Worlds. Beautiful, isn’t it?

May our Locations and Positions, bring benefits to the Gospel of our Lord in Jesus name, Amen.

Be back on Friday to further explore this subtopic.

Keep Shinning!

Brother Prince

Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

08055125517; 08023904307

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dfroza · 4 years ago

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the closing of a Letter

as well as a simple “hello” is seen by Paul with Today’s reading of First Corinthians:

The churches here in western Asia send greetings.

Aquila, Priscilla, and the church that meets in their house say hello.

All the friends here say hello.

Pass the greetings around with holy embraces!

And I, Paul—in my own handwriting!—send you my regards.

The Letter of 1st Corinthians, Chapter 16:19-21 (The Message)

and the whole chapter in The Voice:

Now I call you, just as I did the churches gathering in Galatia, to collect funds to support God’s people in Jerusalem. On Sunday, the first day of the week, I want each of you to set aside an amount, as God has blessed you, so the funds will be collected by the time I come. When I get there, I will send those you recommend by your own letters to carry your generous and gracious donation to Jerusalem. If you think it seems appropriate for me to travel with them, then we’ll go together.

Get ready. I will come your way after traveling through Macedonia. For I’m just passing through Macedonia and will probably stay with you through the winter so that you may provide for my next journey (wherever that may be). I want to reconnect with you, not just pass through; if the Lord is willing, I hope to stay awhile. But until Pentecost, I plan to stay in Ephesus because, not only has God opened a significant door here for me to serve, but also there is a lot of opposition against me.

If Timothy comes, see that he is comfortable and untroubled; his work is the Lord’s, as is mine. No one should treat him badly. Send him on to meet me in peace because the brothers and sisters here and I are looking for him. You shouldn’t expect to see our brother Apollos, although I tried to persuade him to come to you with the rest of the brothers and sisters, because now is not the best time for him to come. When it’s his time, he will come.

Listen, stay alert, stand tall in the faith, be courageous, and be strong. Let love prevail in your life, words, and actions.

Finally, brothers and sisters, I call on you to follow your leaders. People like those in the house of Stephanas—you know they were among the first believers in Achaia, and they have devoted their lives to serving God’s people—I urge you to submit to the authority of such leaders, to every coworker, and to those who offer their backs and shoulders for the work. I celebrate the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, as they have supplied me with what you could not. They have been a breath of fresh air for me as I know they are for you, so respect and honor those like them.

The churches in Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca send a heartfelt greeting in the Lord along with those who gather at their house. The entire family in faith here sends their greetings. Be sure you greet one another by a holy kiss.

This closing greeting is written by my own hand—Paul’s: May those who have no love for the Lord be cursed. Maranatha, “Our Lord, come!” May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to you all in the name of the Anointed One, Jesus. [Amen.]

The Letter of 1st Corinthians, Chapter 16 (The Voice)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is chapter 22 of 2nd Samuel that contains the words of a song (and prayer) by King David:

David prayed to God the words of this song after God saved him from all his enemies and from Saul.

God is bedrock under my feet,

the castle in which I live,

my rescuing knight.

My God—the high crag

where I run for dear life,

hiding behind the boulders,

safe in the granite hideout;

My mountaintop refuge,

he saves me from ruthless men.

I sing to God the Praise-Lofty,

and find myself safe and saved.

The waves of death crashed over me,

devil waters rushed over me.

Hell’s ropes cinched me tight;

death traps barred every exit.

A hostile world! I called to God,

to my God I cried out.

From his palace he heard me call;

my cry brought me right into his presence—

a private audience!

Earth wobbled and lurched;

the very heavens shook like leaves,

Quaked like aspen leaves

because of his rage.

His nostrils flared, billowing smoke;

his mouth spit fire.

Tongues of fire darted in and out;

he lowered the sky.

He stepped down;

under his feet an abyss opened up.

He rode a winged creature,

swift on wind-wings.

He wrapped himself

in a trenchcoat of black rain-cloud darkness.

But his cloud-brightness burst through,

a grand comet of fireworks.

Then God thundered out of heaven;

the High God gave a great shout.

God shot his arrows—pandemonium!

He hurled his lightnings—a rout!

The secret sources of ocean were exposed,

the hidden depths of earth lay uncovered

The moment God roared in protest,

let loose his hurricane anger.

But me he caught—reached all the way

from sky to sea; he pulled me out

Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,

the void in which I was drowning.

They hit me when I was down,

but God stuck by me.

He stood me up on a wide-open field;

I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

God made my life complete

when I placed all the pieces before him.

When I cleaned up my act,

he gave me a fresh start.

Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways;

I haven’t taken God for granted.

Every day I review the ways he works,

I try not to miss a trick.

I feel put back together,

and I’m watching my step.

God rewrote the text of my life

when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

You stick by people who stick with you,

you’re straight with people who’re straight with you,

You’re good to good people,

you shrewdly work around the bad ones.

You take the side of the down-and-out,

but the stuck-up you take down a peg.

Suddenly, God, your light floods my path,

God drives out the darkness.

I smash the bands of marauders,

I vault the high fences.

What a God! His road

stretches straight and smooth.

Every God-direction is road-tested.

Everyone who runs toward him

Makes it.

Is there any god like God?

Are we not at bedrock?

Is not this the God who armed me well,

then aimed me in the right direction?

Now I run like a deer;

I’m king of the mountain.

He shows me how to fight;

I can bend a bronze bow!

You protect me with salvation-armor;

you touch me and I feel ten feet tall.

You cleared the ground under me

so my footing was firm.

When I chased my enemies I caught them;

I didn’t let go till they were dead men.

I nailed them; they were down for good;

then I walked all over them.

You armed me well for this fight;

you smashed the upstarts.

You made my enemies turn tail,

and I wiped out the haters.

They cried “uncle”

but Uncle didn’t come;

They yelled for God

and got no for an answer.

I ground them to dust; they gusted in the wind.

I threw them out, like garbage in the gutter.

You rescued me from a squabbling people;

you made me a leader of nations.

People I’d never heard of served me;

the moment they got wind of me they submitted.

They gave up; they came trembling from their hideouts.

Live, God! Blessing to my Rock,

my towering Salvation-God!

This God set things right for me

and shut up the people who talked back.

He rescued me from enemy anger.

You pulled me from the grip of upstarts,

You saved me from the bullies.

That’s why I’m thanking you, God,

all over the world.

That’s why I’m singing songs

that rhyme your name.

God’s king takes the trophy;

God’s chosen is beloved.

I mean David and all his children—

always.

The Book of 2nd Samuel, Chapter 22 (The Message)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Wednesday, november 11 of 2020 with a paired chapter from each Testament along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

A post by John Parsons about our time in this world and the hope we need to cling to:

It is written in our Scriptures: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit (i.e., ruach nishbarah: רוח נשברה); a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). We are "in" but not "of" the world, so that means that we share in the common hardships and sorrows of this world. However, the difference is this: We do not suffer alone, for God's love surrounds us with comfort. For those who know Yeshua, suffering does not demand an intellectual answer to "why" we suffer as much as it evokes the heart's cry for God's presence... In the midst of our troubles the Spirit groans within us: "My soul clings to you and your right hand upholds me" (Psalm 63:8). We come to God in our brokenness, holding fast to his promise of comfort, and God upholds us with his hand. "This is my comfort in my affliction, that your word gives me life" (Psalm 119:50).

God is not indifferent to our plight, chaverim, and indeed, that is the basic message of the cross... Indeed how can we believe in God's love apart from the cross? How can we know the truth of his heart? God knows those who are broken and contrite (Isa. 57:15). The LORD is full of comfort; he loves the afflicted, he has grace for the humble, he forgives the fallen, and he revives the heart. Compassion is his nature - as the cross of Yeshua reveals - and therefore we can come to him in our need, in our affliction, as those who are "poor in spirit" (Matt. 5:3). God loves us even when we feel forsaken, all alone in our private struggles. The Spirit impels us to cry out for deliverance and experience consolation in our distress. This is a common experience in God's people: in our sorrows we seek him, and then we rediscover his mercies and great compassion. Great is his faithfulness (Lam. 3:23). [Hebrew for Christians]

https://hebrew4christians.com

11.10.20 • Facebook

Today’s message from the Institute for Creation Research:

November 11, 2020

The Good Fight

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

The beautiful National World War II Memorial in the nation’s capital was dedicated in 2004, honoring the more than 400,000 who gave their lives in that conflict (including the writer’s younger brother). This particular holiday, of course, originally known as Armistice Day, had been established many years before to commemorate the end of World War I and to honor the veterans of that war.

There have been many other wars in our nation’s history and many who have served and many who have died. They all “have fought a good fight” and “kept the faith” of our nation’s commitment to establish “liberty and justice for all” and to maintain this ideal in every generation. They fully merit our honor and heartfelt gratitude.

There is another good fight going on, of course, every day in the life of each believing Christian. The apostle Paul never served as a soldier in any human army, but he was often called on to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). As a matter of fact, each of us must remember that “unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).

That suffering may be actual persecution, or even injury or death on a battlefield, but it could also be poverty or sickness or some other “messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7) sent to test us and alienate us from the Lord. But then we can hear the Lord say, as with Paul: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Whatever comes, may God help us to be able to say in that day: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” HMM

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dalyunministry · 4 years ago

Text

Sister. Savita Manwani

💎

Praise the Lord! I welcome you all to hear the word of God. Stay tuned and be blessed.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I thank you for this day and this hour you gave us to hear from your word. Lord, bless everyone on this platform, teach us and direct us to live according to your word. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

TOPIC: WHEN YOU NO LONGER BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Scripture Reading: Judges 6:1-40

The whole of Judges chapter 6, 7 and 8 talks of Gideon who was commissioned by the Lord to deliver Israel from the hand of Midianites just like Moses who was commissioned to deliver Israelites from the hands of Egyptians.

Judges 2:16 – Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

There were six major judges namely Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson. There were six minor ones – Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon and Abdon.

God raised up judges which delivered Israelites from the hands of those who spoiled them. Gideon was one of the judge. Today we will learn some lessons from the life of Gideon.

Judges 6:1-5(NKJV) Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, 2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains. 3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it.

Midianites were the ones who took everything from the land of Israel. They were apparently not large group to make war against the Israelites so they would join up the surrounding people – the Moabites and Amalekites and some other tribes of the East. They were the first ones to use camel for domestic purpose. They were very mobile.

The Israelites were not able to enjoy the labor of their hands. This was the oppression of the Midianites. The Midianites would come and devour like the locust leaving behind bare land. They would destroy the land and not leave sustenance for Israel. They destroyed their crops, cattle, etc. they would loot and massacre. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel left their land and went to live in the caves and in mountains.

Verse 6: So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.

The Israelites remained broken, beaten, cornered. They suffered oppression for seven years. Again the Israelites hit rock bottom before turning to God. And because of the oppression of the Midianites the children of Israel cried to the Lord. They became so poor and helpless that there was no other choice than turning to God.

Verse7, 8 and 9 – And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of the Midianites that the Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel who said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land.

When the Israelites cried unto the Lord, He sent them a prophet who rebuked them for not obeying the Lord. He urged the people to turn away from their sins and back to God.

Why was this oppression?

Verse 10: Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.

The 2nd part of the 10th verse clearly indicates that the oppression was because they did not obey the voice of the Lord.

They could have avoided this suffering if they had trusted the Lord. But turning to God was their last resort.

Many a times we go through similar situations like the Israelites and wonder why such things are happening to us. We ask, Lord! Why this oppression.

We fail to understand that the oppression is because of our own mistakes. It is because we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord. It is because we have done exactly what the Lord told us not to do. We are often responsible for such oppressive situations.

But when situations like these arise and when we look unto the Lord and cry out to Him surely He delivers us out of the oppression. He never leaves us not forsakes us. Turning to God should not be our last resort. We should look to him for help each day. There will be struggles but God will give us the strength to live through them.

Many a times we say that we are oppressed by the devil. But sometimes God allows the devil to oppress so as to correct us, discipline us and draw us closer to him. Just like it happened in the life of Job.

Verse 11- Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.

The angel of the Lord confronted Gideon as he tried to salvage a little grain from the invaders by threshing in an unconventional and secret place – a winepress.

Gideon was resourceful. He put a winepress to double duty by turning it into a sunken threshing floor. It was hidden from the Midianites. God sent him a messenger with a challenge

Verse 12 - And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

We know that initially Gideon was frightened, isolated and a cynical man. God knew the potentials Gideon had and how he would use him to deliver Israelites. Gideon would never have known the potential he had in him until the time God revealed it to him. God turned him into a warrior. He calls him a mighty man of valor, a mighty hero.

Similarly, God knows your potential. Every one of us on this platform is a man/woman of valor in a mighty manner. Believe it or not!

When oppressions come it breaks the strongest of the spirits and that was what Gideon went through.

Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress. He was in a dirty place and that is where God met him. When God can appear to Gideon in a dirty place He will come for you and me also.

When we are pressed, squeezed from all sides, God meets us. Gideon had not seen God before but he had only heard of God. He thought God was joking with him.

Verse 13 - Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

Gideon questioned the Lord about the problems he and his nation faced and about God’s apparent lack of help. He did not realize that it were the people who had brought calamity upon themselves because they disobeyed and neglected God.

How easy it is to blame God and others. Unfortunately this does not solve our problems. By blaming God we rebel against God and we even backslide. Therefore instead of blaming God be personally accountable for the situations you face.

Gideon wrongly assumed that God had given up on his people. But it was the people who had given up on God. They knew what God expected out of them. They had his laws, but they chose to disobey them. God’s blessings come only when we are obedient to Him.

Verse 14 - Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”

What happened to Gideon can happen to you and me also. If you have questioned God before you have done it naturally.

God was in the process of giving him a vision. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the inside. And that’s what happened to Gideon. God was not intending to make Gideon something or someone great. He knew the potentials Gideon had in him.

God has already made deposits within you. In times of adverse situations, your potentials will come out.

Verse 15: So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

Gideon makes excuses when God calls him to serve in a specific way. He says that how can he save Israel. He comes from a poor family and is the least in his father’s house. Gideon was seeing only his limitations and weakness and he failed to see how God could work through him.

We often make excuses even when God promises to give us the tools and strength we need. Remember God knows all about us. Therefore don’t spend time making excuses but instead spend time doing what God wants.

God usually calls the lowly rather than the mighty to act for Him. So doesn’t matter who you are, which family you belong to, where you came from, whether you are eldest or youngest, rich or poor. When God calls you to do something just obey His voice and follow Him. Say, “Here I am, Lord! Do with me as you please.

Verse 16: And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

God told Gideon that He will surely be with him. He promised to give Gideon the strength he needed to overcome the opposition.

Verse 17: Then he said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me.

Gideon asked for a sign as reassurance of his call and we too do the same. There was a need to establish faith at that time that is why the angel responded to confirm the sign. We can read that from verse 18-24.When he brought an offering to the angel, the angel touched it with his staff and the offering was consumed by fire.

Verse 25-32 The Lord told Gideon to tear down the pagan fertility altars belonging to his father Joash, and build in their place an altar to the Lord. This was an act that would test Gideon’s faith and commitment. When Gideon did this, his neighbors were enraged and asked Joash to turn his son over for execution. Joash retorted that if Baal was indeed a god, they should let him defend himself. In honor of this occasion, Joash gave Gideon the name Jerubbaal.

When you begin to accomplish something for God, you may be criticized by the very people who should support you.

His first task was to destroy the altar of Baal. He destroyed the altar not in the day but by night because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city (vs 27)

In vs 29, we read that when the people enquired who had destroyed the altar of Baal they came to know that it was Gideon the son of Joash. The things Gideon did in the darkness of the night was exposed in the light of the day and Gideon was caught.

Many a times like Gideon we also do many things in the dark so that no one else will come to know but sooner or later we get caught. God exposes things done in the darkness. It is good to do so because our situation will help bridge others situation.

Baal was an idol. When God wants you to do something, he asks you first to remove the idol in your life.

Verse 33-35: Then all the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered together; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him. 35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, who also gathered behind him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

As the armies of Midian and Amalek gathered against Israel, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. He blew the trumpet to muster an army, and his father’s family responded. Messengers went to neighboring tribes to recruit additional men.

Verse 36- 40 : Gideon is asking for two more signs to confirm that God will save Israel by his hands as he had said earlier.

It is always good/wise to ask for a sign, to ask for a confirmation. Gideon had all the facts but still he hesitated. He delayed obeying God because he wanted even more proof.

God again assured Gideon that he would deliver Israel through him.

In chapter 7 and 8 we read that there was a mighty battle and Gideon himself turned out to be a miracle. Like Gideon you can also become a warrior.

Today pray, Lord help me to believe in myself. Help me to identify my potential. It is not good to ask God questions. We need to believe in the word of God and take it as it is. We cannot deduct anything from God’s word nor can we add anything to it.

Today if you are that group of people who no longer believe in themselves, remember this story of Gideon. Gideon feared his limitations would prevent God from working. But remember God uses us in spite of our limitations and failures.

God often calls the least likely person to perform mighty acts for him. God calls in the middle of our present obedience. As we are faithful, he gives us more responsibility.

Like Gideon you may be slow to be convinced but like him you need to act on your convictions.

It is never wise to second-guess God’s will after it has been clearly revealed. The outcome of our spiritual battles is often dependent upon the overthrow of the “Baals” (false gods) in our lives.

Hebrews 11:32 mentions Gideon among the Old Testaments saints who experienced great victories by faith. We too can experience victory through faith in Christ. Our victories over oppressors may be like those of the Old Testament saints but more likely, our victories will be directly related to the role God wants us to play.

So believe in yourself and endure the unendurable. May God bless you all.

Let us Pray: Thank you Lord for your word. Lord we thank you for using us in spite of our weaknesses and limitations. Lord you are the one who knows the potentials we have in us even though we fail to recognize it. You give us the strength to use those potentials to serve you in the best way we can. Like Gideon many a times we might have questioned you, doubted you or even asked for signs of reassurance. Forgive us Lord. Help us to believe in ourselves and in you. Enable us to trust in everything that you say and want us to do. We thank you for the victories you have given us and will give us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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greehnery · 5 years ago

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“Back to your holy holes”: Right Where the Devil Wants Us

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:13-16

“Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law.”

Galatians 5:1-3

•••

For the Christian, this fallen world we live in is fraught with difficulties, persecutions and sufferings. Much of this hits very close to home—that is, within our own flesh, as it wars against the capital-S Spirit. We are simul justus et peccator, after all. Simultaneously justified in Christ (completely outside of ourselves) and sinful (completely within).

In the sense that we are justified, then, we are strangers and pilgrims in the here and now, waiting for the coming Kingdom in all its glory. Still yet, we are sinners to the core. As long as we live in these corruptible bodies of flesh this will be so, and to a much greater degree than we’re all aware. Never this side of heaven are we not desperately wicked, seeking to justify ourselves by the Law apart from our Justifier and Savior, Jesus, who gave His life to free us from this very endeavor, and the ruthless self-awareness and scrutiny that flows from our inherent sin nature, by His Word of promise alone: Your sin is forgiven.

He has indeed forgiven our sin, set us free in Himself from the righteous requirement and obligation of the Law, reconciled all things to Himself, and entrusted us with this message of reconciliation, which Paul calls in Romans 1 the very power of God unto salvation. The letter (Law) kills, and the Spirit (Gospel) gives life (2 Cor. 3:6). God’s Word is both destructive and creative.

He has sent us out as sheep among wolves and prepared good works for us by His Word; that is, it is His Word that does the work, first in us, then in others, as we freely give what we have been freely given; and in this, He Himself has declared us both salt and light! He has given us a message, a living and active Word, not of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7...and again, Romans 1:16-17!).

Persecutions and disagreements will happen; sinners will be sinners, quite heinously in fact, but we ought not think too highly of ourselves, lest we too fall (1 Cor. 10:12).

And what is the most dangerous spot for God’s people to stumble into? It’s what I like to call our holy holes. Those pitfalls of pure moralism, self-righteousness and frustration with our fellow man, such that we find ourselves retreating entirely from, or in a sense falling back into, the world we are called--and even gifted--to be in, rather than of. We become another Jonah, refusing to proclaim God’s mercy to those we personally feel don’t deserve it (forgetting the miserable, wretched state we ourselves are very much still in apart from it)! We say, on the basis or our perceived merit and their lack thereof, “you need what I have, but until you clean up your act there’s no way I’m handing it over.”

This is not how our Father works salvation in us. But if the enemy can isolate and curve us inward in such a way, he not only silences the Word of Christ, but quenches the Spirit, and by extension, our freedom in Christ, by bringing us back into self-imposed and self-centered bondage (effectively keeping others in theirs as well). And if we are to live by our own righteousness, we had better be ready to see it through to perfection. For the Law demands no less; the wages of sin, any sin, is death.

Which, graciously, is just what the Law will do to us if we are indeed intent on living this way. It must, if we are to decrease so that Christ may increase. God is not mocked; one way or another, we must die to ourselves, and our so-called “free will” where God is concerned, so that Christ may live in us…freely! For the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

We must remember that it is not our job to fix this world (or even ourselves). Both such endeavors are not only a lost cause, they are not the gospel. The Good News, rather, is that our sin is forgiven for Jesus’ sake. All of it—past, present and future. And that through this very word of His death, burial and resurrection, and His finished atoning and justifying work on our behalf, He is making all things new! What a blessing that we filthy, lowly and stubborn sinners should be made to partake of!

Don’t just do something, then…stand there, in the freedom of that forgiveness. Rest. It is finished!

Grace and peace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

#greehnthumb #theology #writing #thoughts #devotional #LawAndGospel #Jesus #christian #luther #freedom

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walkswithmyfather · 5 years ago

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Psalm 114:14-15

"Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord." (NLT)

"Here is my description of a truly happy land where Jehovah is God: Sons vigorous and tall as growing plants. Daughters of graceful beauty like the pillars of a palace wall. Barns full to the brim with crops of every kind. Sheep by the thousands out in our fields. Oxen loaded down with produce. No enemy attacking the walls, but peace everywhere. No crime in our streets. Yes, happy are those whose God is Jehovah." (TLB)

The Living Bible is such a lovely description of what life will be like when the devil has been defeated and God is back where He should have always been: a truly happy land where He is God. When Adam sold his birthright of Eden, that let sin in and the Earth is now ruled by Satan. When people ask me why God allows bad things to happen, this is the only answer I can give them. God gave Man the Earth, the actions of Man (Adam) made Satan ruler and “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.” (2 Cor 4:4) He whispers into the minds of people and he really targets believers! God works constantly towards reclaiming the Earth -that is why Jesus came: to save US from Satan’s power and kick him out once and for all. God works through His Church (every believer is a brick in God’s Church). Our prayers help God and us, so please don’t ever think your prayers don’t matter, because EVERY prayer matters! The power against the forces of evil is ours -in every word we say, in every word we read from the Bible. Friend, do you sometimes feel attacked from all sides? That life sucks? Those are lies of the enemy and you can use God’s Word to rebuke the devil and allow God to change your situation. “The archangel Michael said: "The Lord rebuke you" in Jude 1:9. That’s a good one. “Then God said to the Accuser, “I, God, rebuke you, Accuser!” (Zech 3:2) "Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord." We have a mighty loving God and that is something to be joyful about and one day we will have the Earth of Psalm 114:14-15. Let’s help God kick the devil out, because we have the power - in Jesus’ name. Amen!

#Psalm 114:14-15 #Bible #bibletranslations #bibleverseoftheday #dailybibleverse #2 Corinthians 4:4 #Jude 1:9

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dailyaudiobible · 5 years ago

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08/03/2019 DAB Transcript

2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33, Romans 16:10-27, Palms 26:1-12, Proverbs 20:19

Today is the 3rd day of the month of August. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian. It is wonderful to be here with you today as we take the next step forward and get ourselves fully moved into this new month that we have before us. And we need to start preparing for some new territory in the Scriptures. Today when we read from the New Testament, we will be concluding Paul's letter to the Romans and then tomorrow when we read from the Old Testament, we’ll be concluding the book of second Chronicles. So, as we move into this new month we’ll also be moving into new territory in the Bible but were not quite there yet. So, from the Old Testament second Chronicles chapter 33 verse 14 through 34 verse 33 and we’re reading from the Common English Bible this week.

Commentary:

Alright. So, we gotta talk about the Proverb today. And it's a buckle up moment, it’s like a brace yourself and take it like a man or take it like a woman kind of moment. “Gossip goes around telling secrets.” That’s what the proverb says. So, if you're the kind of person that here's a secret, like a little juicy morsel of something, a little private information that you can't wait to share and if you take that hot little juicy morsel and you share it to make yourself look concerned and in the know and connected, here's where you need to brace yourself - then you're a gossip. Yeah…I know…I mean…I know that's harsh, but I'm not the…I didn't make this up, I just read it. You might even take offense to the idea that you might be a gossip but believe me, your offense is not as offensive as gossip is. I've been in ministry long time. I hate gossip because I have watched gossip gain the power to destroy people's relationships. And when that begins to happen then erosion begins to happen and communities can be profoundly affected. And this is why it's a regular theme, it’s why we’re counseled to completely avoid it in the Scriptures. We’re just reading this proverb again. “Gossip’s reveal secrets; don't associate with those who talk too much.” So, what we realize in this just very, very brief proverb, a lot is being said because it's not only about the gossip-per. It's also about the one who’d willing to listen to the gossip that carries the burden in this proverb. We’re not supposed to be in that environment according to the Bible, but let's just take a step back from the Bible, and I would rarely say something like that, but let’s just take a step back from the Bible and look at our lives because we have all probably experienced the effects of gossip. And, so, we just have to ask, like has anything ever good happened because you gossiped or because you consumed gossip? Like in what way you enriched? How did you fall deeper in love with Jesus and find clarity from the Holy Spirit through gossip? Actually, it's gossip that is driving us underground because we do not think we can confess our sins to each other, that we can pray for each other so we can be healed, which is what the book of James tells us. So, if we’re people that gossip a lot or we’re participating by listening to it than we’re part of the problem. And that's it's hard to take sometimes, but it's stifling growth in our communities. It's stifling our own growth in our hearts because it's forcing us to make all kinds of assumptions that may or may not be true, but false realities are created and then when it's turned back on us were driven underground and isolated. So, we may not realize it in the moment because it's juicy, but the voice of wisdom found in the Proverbs invites us to be part of a healing rather than part of a problem. And, so…and, so, yeah, I don't know what else to say.

Prayer:

Jesus, come. We’ve all participated. We've all been on the receiving end. And yet, as painful as that has been, we still do it and it's so unhealthy and it's so unhelpful. Forgive us. Forgive us for the ways that we use our words and why we use our words the way that we do. We’re only revealing our own shortcomings. And, so, Holy Spirit come. May this be the beginning day that we stopped carrying around these little pieces of information that we just have to share with each other and have long conversations about people who are not even present making all kinds of assumptions that we cannot know creating all kinds of false realities that we live in as true, and then we crash and burn and shake our fist at the sky and ask You why You let this happen to us. We need to see things as they are. And things are as they are because they begin with our words. Come Holy Spirit we pray. In the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, it is indeed where you find out what's going on around here.

The Daily Audio Bible shop is there where a number of resources exist to aid in the journey that we’re on, this adventure through the Scriptures in a year in community. So, be sure to check out the shop. The Prayer Wall, of course, lives at dailyaudiobible.com as well, where people are praying for one another, asking for prayer. And it's a great place to be in community.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, thank you, thank you, thank you humbly as we move through these summer months for your partnership. There’s a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment 877-942-4253 is number to dial.

And that's it for today. I'm Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hey DAB family it’s Albanita from Kentucky, now in Maryland. I am so far behind in the DAB. I think I just listened to June 13th and I’ve been trying to catch up before calling in but today is the day __ to call in. So, we are, my husband David and I are, 8 ½ months pregnant with our baby girl. It is intense. It’s our first baby and I don’t feel ready at all. I know you can never feel really ready, but I’m just asking that you all please pray for us. Pray that we are the parents that God is calling us to be, that we can keep her alive, that I’m sure…I’m sure we can…and that we remain strong as a couple. My husband is also a pastor and so there are many stressors that he is currently dealing with on top of being a first-time father. For those of you that called in June, just know that you still have someone that is praying for you as I pray as I hear your requests. So, I love you all. I will keep you posted on her arrival. It’s supposed to be September 4th. We’ll see how it goes. Love you much. Bye.

Hello this is Jackie from __ Colorado. I’ve listened for years but this is the first time I’ve called. I’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer – liver, ovary and possibly colon. So, I would like prayers on that for healing and strength to take whatever is coming. Also, I have a sin in my life that I don’t seem to be able to get past no matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try. So, if you could pray for me to have victory on this, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

He Demetrius, how you doing? It’s the Prodigal. I heard your call. I heard a bunch of people call in to support you. I just wanted to add my two cents brother. I was where you are and am still. I’ve __ lost everything except my faith in Jesus. That’s the only reason that I keep going. And all I can do is encourage you brother because I’ll tell you, the bottom is an interesting place. You’re gonna find out who your friends are or more importantly who your friends aren’t. You also get a look over and see that when you’re at the bottom you look over and there’s another shovel there if you choose to pick it up and keep digging. So, I’d encourage you my friend stand up stand strong stand in the light of the Lord and let Him give you strength. I was gonna…I’ve been here six months beyond where I was planning to be here dude. So, he’s gotta give Him every day and He will give you…He will give you grace, He will give you love, He will give you __. Nobody said it was going to be perfect brother, but just want to tell you I’ve been there man. __ in my lap, the whole 9 yards, pills that would choke a horse. But just keep plowing, keepo plugging, that’s what he’s got you here for brother. He just wants you to have an impact on somebody else’s life. I think I was here because I was supposed to have an impact on your life but I don’t know. I won’t presume. Anyway, love you brother. Stay strong. God bless and take care.

Hi, good morning Daily Audio Bible, my name is Kay I’m calling from Los Angeles California. I’m a new listener and I’ve been meaning to call in but today my spirit was just feeling very very vext. I am experiencing trials on every side. My seven-year-old was just recently diagnosed with colitis and during that time in May when he was admitted into the hospital, I was also arrested in the emergency room and charged with battery due to a false claim made by one of the staff members. So, now I have a criminal case that I’m fighting. I am…I don’t have the resources to pay for an attorney but I do need legal representation to prove my innocence and for the attorneys to subpoena the hospital to get the surveillance so they can see that I never touched this staff member. The devil is a lie. I’m also dealing with a 16-year-old daughter who is not necessarily rebelling, but I just feel like our relationship is kind of going south. You know, she blames me for a lot of things. She kinda does what she wants. She’s not been very honest, and I just want my little girl back. Needless to say, I’m walking in this alone and sometimes it feels like God has forgotten about me. I know He is able, I know that He is a restorer. He’s a lawyer, He’s a father to the fatherless…

Well hello family, I sure love you all. This is Robert Learning to Serve, and I’d like to add something to that name - in Love with Love and through Love. I’m still having a hard time with that but since there’s Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I think it kind of fits together. I really am so proud of this program. I’ve been able to be with y’all for 12 years and was so sick before with rheumatoid arthritis and being so sick I was able to listen about 40 times and maybe a little more now but it’s something I’ve been with y’all every day and I’ve heard all your prayer requests and I just so humbled by what Brian and China and the rest of the family have done here and all the people behind the scene. I found out two days ago that I have cancer real bad in my liver and my adrenal glands and I’ve been through a lot. This last year’s been a real trial for me to deal with all the things I’ve been dealing with. And, you know, I would like all the honor and glory to go to God in what happens, but I am, you know, I’m dealing with this new thing and I’m…I’m positive that it’s all gonna, you know, be okay. I’m not worried about it, but my sister’s been on hospice. I’ve requested help for my sister Jeannie. And, you know, it’s getting hard with her…her organs are failing too and, she’s been on hospice now for about six months and continues to go and we’ve always been so close. I just love you all and I…

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gracedman · 6 years ago

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When Lust Patterns Become Strongholds

Isaiah 1:5–6 (ESV)

Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil.

2 Corinthians 10:2–6 (ESV)

I beg of you that when I am present, I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Ephesians 2:2–3 (ESV)

in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Rebellion is not a popular word these days. But we see it manifested all the time. Not only in the open and bold statements of some, but also in the quiet, secret actions of many, who claim to be living otherwise. And God strikes down the rebellious. Sometimes, by just leaving them alone to play out their rebellion to the end, but other times, like with the Apostle Paul, he actively, knocks the proud off their high horses, so to speak.

As believers in Christ, we have an obligation to ourselves and to God not to continue to live as the rebels we were before we were saved. We are not to walk according to the flesh, or our fallen nature. One which is so filled with this infectious evil that Isaiah spoke of it in these terms:

“The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil.”

Notice that this condition arises and continues not because we were created this way but because we continue to operate in independence from the God who saves and heals:

Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

In Ephesians 2. Paul speaks to the issue of the severance of our innate connection to the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit that promotes active rebellion against God. As believers we once were caught up in the flow of such a spirit. Now we can choose to walk a different way. We can begin to see our souls restored and renewed. In fact, later in Ephesians Paul challenges us to do so:

Ephesians 4:17–20 (ESV)

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!

Our lust patterns are to be brought to the cross and to the word of God so that the power of God can root them out and destroy the infection they bring to the soul. All the impurities that come from fallen desires and running soul sores can be healed and restored to their proper place by the Holy Spirit’s application of the word of God. As we become stronger and stronger, we can actively choose to participate and anticipate this process. We can get ahead of the game. We can bear the devil to the stick and control our soul, the content of it, and the direction of our lives. When we come to God and his word, he heals and saves us from our fallen selves. Try to deal with ourselves alone, we will fail. To win a supernatural victory, we need a supernatural source. Our natural resources are not enough for supernatural battles. Paul said this fact this way:

“the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

Satan would turn our fallen lust patterns into Satanic strongholds and fortresses against the work of God in our lives. He does not wish to give up his former playground. Where he once ruled and manipulated us through secret cords, he is now challenged and threatened by the presence of a new authority. But as believers, we have access to weapons that have divine power, mare than enough to level any argument and every opinion energized by Satanic rebellion against God, and his system of thinking. We can have thoughts of God and the active energy of his spirit on our side. The gates of hell cannot prevail against us, as we walk in the spirit. We, who were totally wasted and left as a wilderness by Satan and the world, can now be fully healed and saved by the Lord of glory. And that is worth pursuing and rejoicing in.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for the weapons that you have so graciously given to us to live in. Bulldozers are often needed to take down old buildings and walls. Help us to see these things removed and destroyed from our experience. To live free from pride, impurity, and bondage to sin is a great privilege indeed. Thank you seems so inadequate. Worship is more to the point. We worship you for what you have done in our lives. Amen!!!

#When Lust Patterns Become Strongholds #strongholds #lust #patterns #lust patterns

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agape-philo-sophia · 2 years ago

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➝ 33 🧩

There are 33 degrees of the spinal column, or the Tree Trunk, which must be climbed with the Sacred Seed of Alchemy and each ‘step’ or each ‘degree’ leads to higher states of illumination. The Alchemical ‘hero’ travels below into the abyss of Hell to steal fire from the devil and return it above to the Heavens; this represents our battles with sexual desire and the returning of the Sacred Seed above.

33 vertebrae exist in total, 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoraic, 5 lumbar in the small of the back, 5 fused vertebrae forming a solid bone, the sacrum (tail bone). Looks like an inverted pyramid and was also called “the seat of immortality.” In the coccyx, at the bottom of the sacrum are fused 4 bones. If you were to multiply the number of vertebrae, 33 by 2, counting both sides of the vertebrae on the spinal column we will find the number 66. (33 x 2=66) 6 is the number of man, for he was created on the 6th day, there are also 66 books of the Bible given to man. (66 + 6=72)

As for the Human Skull. It has 22 bones, it sits at the top of the spinal column. The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters, the 22nd letter, Tav, means Light. There is much to be said about t his which we will deal with in other writings. At the top of Jacob’s Ladder stood Yahweh, the Light of the world. The light of the body is the eye (mind-brain), says Jesus. 22 is the Number of Light.

If we lift up or raise the oil in the spinal cord, by the power of the seed, by saving it, it must be a physiological and chemical operation within the body of each of us. Such is the case. There is no mystery, no marvel in all the universe that is greater than man himself. “Man know thyself” confronts us, down through the ages, but only a few have paid attention to the voice of the Delphic oracle only a few have looked within.

There is a wonderful “Strait and narrow way,” a real strait, not straight, which extends from the upper brain, the cerebrum, to the end of the spinal cord, otherwise named Jordan, in the Bible. We find that the meaning of this in Hebrew is, descender or “River of God.” The “Strait and narrow way is, indeed, the River of God, for it leads to the Father the Most High the upper brain

“The same is true of the manna that descended to feed the Children of Israel in the wilderness , for this manna is a substance which comes down the Spinal cord from the brain. The Hindus symbolized the spine as the stem of the sacred lotus;therefore the skull and contents are symbolized by the flower. The spinal column is Jacob’s ladder connecting heaven and earth, while its 33 segments are the 33 degrees of Freemasonary and the 33 the number of years in the life of the Christ. Up these segments the candidate ascends in consciousness to reach the temple of initiation located on the top of the mountain. It is in this domed room with a hole in the floor (Foramen Magnum) that the great mystery initiations are given.”

— Manly P. Hall; The Occult Anatomy of Man

Ordo Ab Chao

Number 33 also relates to 3x3=9 which is the power of creation and the God of All or Truth. The Amon (AMEN).

33 is the numerical equivalent of AMEN: 1+13+5+14=33. Amen is the God of Truth.

33 represents Christ consciousness.

Jesus was crucified at Golgotha (place of the skull) at age 33 in the year 33 A.D.

God corresponds to 1/3 (33.3%) as seen in Revelation 12, where the great red dragon is sweeping 1/3 of the stars from heaven.

The number of turns in a complete sequence of human DNA equals 33.

Mount Hermon is at 33 degrees latitude and longitude.

(In the Book of Enoch, Mount Hermon is the place where the Grigori; “Watchers, Sons of God or the Nephilim,” a class of fallen angels descended to Earth.) The divine name Elohim appears 33 times in the story of creation in the opening chapters of Genesis.

The first Temple of Solomon stood for 33 years before being pillaged by King Shishak of Egypt.

King David ruled over Israel for 33 years in Jerusalem.

33 is the alleged age that Alexander the Great (Alexander of Macedonia) had died.

The Grand Orient de France of Freemasonry founded in 1733.

33 is the highest degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

Harry S. Truman, a 33 degree Mason, became 33rd President of the United States.

1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.

A normal human spine has 33 vertebrae.

Rare human spines have 34 vertebrae.

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Ezekiel 33:33 - And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

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onyebuchiblog · 8 years ago

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What does IHS stand for? The meaning of the Holy Name of Jesus January 3rd, Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus In the Extraordinary Form, the feast of the Holy Name is of the “second class” (making it equal to Sundays throughout the year, complete with the recitation of the Gloria and the Credo), but in the Ordinary Form the memorial of the Holy Name was not even included in the calendar after 1970. Happily, the feast was re-instituted as an optional memorial by Bl. John Paul II – we should think that the Name deserves at least this much honor! In fact, the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is of comparatively recent origin, not having become popular until the Franciscan St. Bernadine of Siena preached this devotion in the 15th century. It has been celebrated in numerous ways in the Latin rite – at first the feast was kept on the Second Sunday after Epiphany, then it was moved to the Sunday after the Octave of Christmas (the Sunday between January 2nd and 5th). It is desirable that this feast be celebrated closer to the day in which Christ historically received his name, the day of his circumcision (eight days after his birth, January 1st), and thus the feast is kept on January 3rd in the Novus Ordo. The insignia “IHS" is associated with this feast, but what does IHS mean? Why is IHS a sign for the Name of Jesus? What IHS really means – Jesus The name “Jesus”, in Greek, is written ιησους which is transliterated as “ihsous” and pronounced iēsous. This is the Holy Name as it was written in the Gospels. However, in Hebrew, the name “Jesus” is written ישוע which is transliterated as “yeshu‘a” and pronounced yeshūa. Finally, in Latin, the Holy Name is written Iesus which gives us the English “Jesus”, since the “j” often replaces the “i” at the beginning of a word (as well as between vowels). Chi (x) and Rho (p), CHRist The insignia “IHS” comes from the Latinized version of the Greek ιησους, [UPDATE: In Greek capitals this would be ΙΗΣΟΥΣ or IHSOUS in Latin letters] taking the first three letters in capitals IHS(ous). Much as the popular “chi-rho” symbol (pictured right, X – P) comes from the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, χριστος(Christos) – XPistos. This is the true meaning of IHS, it is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of the Holy Name of Jesus. The insignia is nothing more (and nothing less) than the symbol of the Holy Name. Iesus Hominum Salvator – Jesus the Savior of men It is popular legend that the IHS stands for the Latin phrase Iesus Hominum Salvator, “Jesus the Savior of (all) Men”. While this is a fine devotion, it is not historically accurate. The IHS symbol was so popular that it is not uncommon to find the Latin Iesus misspelled as IHeSus (with the “H” added, though in Greek this “h” is equivalent to the Latin “e”). In fact, the first known use of the IHS abbreviation comes in the 8thcentury: “DN IHS CHS REX REGNANTIUM”, the first three words being abbreviated from “DomiNus IHeSus CHristuS” – “The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings”. For a further explanation of the history of the IHS, see the Catholic Encyclopedia article [here] and [here]. Still, although historically inaccurate, there is certainly nothing wrong with seeing in this insignia a testimony to the truth that there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Most certainly, Jesus alone is the Savior and without his grace we can neither attain nor even desire everlasting life. In Hoc Signo vinces – In this sign, you will conquer After three nails were added under the insignia (together with a cross above), some noticed that the inscription now contained a “V” below the IHS – so that we see IHSV. (see image on the side) In this form it was adopted by St. Ignatius as the symbol of the Jesuits. IHSV was interpreted to mean In Hoc Signo Vinces, “In this sign, you shall conquer”. It was taken as a reference to the victory which Constantine won against Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge on 28 October 312. Before the battle, the future Emperor saw a sign in the sky (probably the Greek chi-rho X-P, the symbol of “Christ”) and heard the words εν τουτω νικα, which is Greek for “In this [sign], you shall conquer”. The phrase was translated into Latin and it was noticed that the first letters of each word added up to IHSV – thus was born the legend that IHS stood for Constantine’s vision and the Christianization of Rome. Most certainly, in the Holy Name of Jesus we shall conquer every enemy – and the last enemy to be destroyed is death itself. Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus St. Bernardine of Siena popularized devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us. God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us (etc.) Jesus, Splendor of the Father, Jesus, Brightness of eternal Light, Jesus, King of Glory, Jesus, Sun of Justice, Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, most amiable, Jesus, most admirable, Jesus, the mighty God, Jesus, Father of the world to come, Jesus, angel of great counsel, Jesus, most powerful, Jesus, most patient, Jesus, most obedient, Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Jesus, Lover of Chastity, Jesus, our Lover, Jesus, God of Peace, Jesus, Author of Life, Jesus, Model of Virtues, Jesus, zealous for souls, Jesus, our God, Jesus, our Refuge, Jesus, Father of the Poor, Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful, Jesus, good Shepherd, Jesus, true Light, Jesus, eternal Wisdom, Jesus, infinite Goodness, Jesus, our Way and our Life, Jesus, joy of the Angels, Jesus, King of the Patriarchs, Jesus, Master of the Apostles, Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists, Jesus, Strength of Martyrs, Jesus, Light of Confessors, Jesus, Purity of Virgins, Jesus, Crown of all Saints, Be merciful unto us, spare us, O Jesus! Be merciful unto us, graciously hear us, O Jesus! From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus! From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus! From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Jesus! (etc.) From the snares of the devil, From the spirit of fornication, From everlasting death, From the neglect of Thine inspirations, Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Through Thy Nativity, Through Thine Infancy, Through Thy most divine Life, Through Thy Labors, Through Thy Agony and Passion, Through Thy Cross and Dereliction, Through Thy Sufferings, Through Thy Death and Burial, Through Thy Resurrection, Through Thine Ascension, Through Thine Institution of the Most Holy Eucharist, Through Thy Joys, Through Thy Glory, Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus! Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus! Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus! Jesus, hear us, Jesus, graciously hear us Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said: Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the grace of Thy most divine love, that we may love Thee with all our hearts, words and works, and never cease to praise Thee. Make us, O Lord, to have a continual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never ceasest to rule and govern those whom Thou doest solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. (Amen.) Posted by Father Ryan Erlenbush Labels: Devotion, The Sacred Liturgy 19 comments: Dr. Taylor Marshall said... I tell my students that they shouldn't say "Jeees!" because it is the abbreviated Sacred Name: IHS. Godspeed, Taylor January 3, 2012 at 6:30 AM Seth said... Dear Fr Erlenbush, If the interpretation of IHS as the first three letters of the Holy Name in Greek is correct, why is the last letter represented as a Roman "S" not as a Greek sigma? Are there examples attested that do use the sigma? Do you happen to know when this symbol is first attested (is it in the catacombs?)? Just a small (and somewhat trivial) note: "ihsous" is not a transliteration, since "h" is not the transliteration of Greek eta, but merely what the letter looks like. The spelling you give as the pronunciation really is a transliteration. +JMJ+ January 3, 2012 at 7:31 AM kelso said... Wonderful summation. The second letter, eta, in the capital form is H, hence IHS are all capitals and sound out the first half of the Holy Name January 3, 2012 at 9:26 AM Father Ryan Erlenbush said... @Taylor, I did the same in my religion classes today (grades 5-8) ... thanks for the tip! Peace always. + January 3, 2012 at 2:54 PM Father Ryan Erlenbush said... @Seth and kelso, Indeed, there is an oddity in the way that the letters are "transliterated" ... the "sigma" is put into the Latin "S", but the "eta" is rendered with the Latin "H" ... hence, it is not really a transliteration, but neither is it really "what the letters look like" (since the sigma was transliterated). "iota" is transliterated and "sigma" is transliterated ... but "eta" is rendered as "H". I would suppose that the fact that the lower-case greek sigma (in one form at least) looks like an "s" is part of the reason that the capital Latin "S" was used replace the capital Greek "sigma" ... though I don't know of any hard evidence to prove this. Peace. + January 3, 2012 at 3:00 PM Howard said... I think there's more to Iesus Hominum Salvator than a "popular legend" or "fine devotion". After all, I've been taught that the name Yeshu‘a literally means "Yahweh saves". It may have taken a roundabout way getting back to it, but that is precisely the same meaning as Iesus Hominum Salvator. January 3, 2012 at 3:08 PM Father Ryan Erlenbush said... Howard, I certainly do not mean to dismiss the Iesus Hominum Salvator tradition out of hand ... I think it is a wonderful devotion, though not historically accurate. Indeed, as I say, there is only one Name by which we must be saved -- and, as you rightly pointed out, the very name Yeshu'a means "YWHW saves". However, the simple fact is the IHS derives from Greek, not from Latin -- and it was used as short-hand for the Holy Name. Hence, "Jesus the Savior of Men" (from the Latin) is not the true historical roots of the IHS. Don't get me wrong -- I think it is great to meditate upon that (as well as the battle of the Milvian bridge), but it is not the literal sense of the IHS. But it is good to know that the IHS is verily the Holy Name itself -- and this should be the heart of our devotion. Peace and blessings! + January 3, 2012 at 3:18 PM Friend of Filumena said... Psalm 8 O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name in all the earth! You have exalted your majesty above the heavens. Out of the mouths of newborn babes and infants you have brought forth praise as a bulwark against your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look up at your heavens that have been formed by your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You have made him a little less than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands and placed everything under his feet: all sheep and oxen as well as beast of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the sea. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name in all the earth! And too... The Golden Arrow Prayer {An act of Praise and Reparation dictated by Our Lord to Sister Mary of St. Peter and the Holy Family} May the Most Holy, Most Sacred, Most Adorable, Most Incomprehensible and Unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. Amen. After receiving this prayer, Sister Mary was given a vision in which she saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus delightfully wounded by the "Golden Arrow" as torrents of graces streamed from It for the conversion of sinners. Peace & Prayers to you, Father, on this glorious feast day of our Dear Lord Jesus! January 3, 2012 at 3:27 PM Cyprian said... Good post. Another one of my favorites is the ΙΧΘΥΣ (ICHTHUS) acronym. Ichthus means 'fish' in Greek, but it also contains the first letters of the following phrase: ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΥΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡ Ιησοῦς χριστὸς θεοῦ υἱὸς σωτήρ Jesus Christ God's Son Savior! January 3, 2012 at 3:57 PM Father S. said... It is not uncommon to see this written as "ihc." In this variation, one can see the Latinized lowercase Greek. The lowercase sigma dips below the base line (I am sure that there is a proper name for this line, but I am not sure what it is.) of the written test, much like a cedilla that we often see with the French "c". In art, the part that dips below the base line is sometimes removed. Of course, this preserves and demonstrates that this is a reference to the Holy Name and not an acronym for something else. If you would like to see an example of this, the altar at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis has this on the front piece in stone. Here is a link: http://www.lifeisaprayer.com/photos/2010/1967 Kind Regards, Father S. January 3, 2012 at 4:54 PM Albert Nygren said... The name of Jesus in Hebrew is Jesus real name. The Greek transliteration, the Roman transliteration, and the English transliteration of Jesus real name, Yashua, all hide the real meaning of Jesus Holy Name.Yashua is a compound name made from 2 words. "Ya" Is the short form of the most Holy name of God our Father. The name that God gave to Moses at the burning bush. This Name used to be transliterated as Jehovah but there is no "J" sound in Hebrew so is now transliterated as Yahweh. No matter the pronunciation, the meaning is, "I Am That I Am". The second part of Jesus name is "shua" which means "savior", so that Jesus real name Yashua means "Yahweh Savior" or "Yahweh's Savior". I don't know why God's most Holy name of Yahweh is substituted in the Old testament translation as LORD with all Capital letters, but it causes some confuses things because this causes the real meaning of our Savior's name to be hidden also. Just so you know, I am not a Jehovah's Witness, I am just a Christian who cares about the real meaning of God's most Holy name and Jesus Most Holy name and suspect that God cares also. Albert Nygren January 3, 2012 at 6:59 PM Mrs. O'Riordan said... Great piece, this is just what the Doctor ordered to catechize the laity. Thanks. Just as an aside look at the Chi Rho page in the Book of Kells - how the ancient monks venerated the holy Name - and also this shows us the origins of the use of Xmas - http://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/arth/arth212/book_of_kells.html - Blessings - Rene January 4, 2012 at 5:57 AM Father S. said... @Albert, The reason why YHWH is substituted with so many other terms often translated to English as "Lord" is based on respect. The Jews use "Adonai," "Elohim," "El Shaddai," etc., in place of the Tetragrammaton in order to never be in danger of blasphemy. I have often heard people dismiss this practice of the Jews. I think that dismissal is foolish. Even modern Catholics have so little reverence for the Divine Name that they take it in vain as a simple matter of course. To respect the name of Almighty God out of true and virtuous fear of the Lord is a laudable practice. Kind Regards, Father S. January 4, 2012 at 1:39 PM Wonderer said... I really am no scholar but I do buy into Howard's comment. I can understand a deeper devotional origin to IHS by it's relation to the meaning of the most holy Name with the help of the Greek spelling. The roundabout approach explains, to me, the apparent difficulties between the Latin and Greek transliterations which explanations seem to lack without the devotional. - J January 6, 2012 at 3:43 PM Anonymous said... Isn't 'gosh' actually a euphemism for 'God'? 'Gee Wiz' for 'Jesus'? 'Golly gee' for 'God' and 'Jesus'? Shouldn't we avoid these and all similar euphemisms as minor encroachments on the 2nd commandment? I used to know someone that would exclaim 'oh my cookies!' I like that... Regards Yan September 18, 2012 at 2:03 PM Anonymous said... I H S I was always taught: In His Service Love to all Mankind Markus... January 11, 2013 at 9:44 AM Prabhakar Albert said... Thank You November 3, 2013 at 10:11 PM Anonymous said... Your transliteration of Iesous is actually incorrect when you put and "h" or "H" in place of the 7th Greek letter, "Eta". Small case or captital, it is the Greek letter for our "e/E" and can in no way be transliterated to an "h/H". There is no letter for H in Greek; only the breathing mark, which is a reverse of our comma, giving us the "rh' in many of our words. December 26, 2013 at 11:14 AM Father Ryan Erlenbush said... @Anonymous, You obviously don't know much about greek ... the letter "eta" in capitalized form is written like this: "H". I'm not giving a transliteration, I'm writing the letter in Greek form -- "IHS" (the sigma is giving in a modification of the Byzantine form). Did you even read the article?

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dalyunministry · 4 years ago

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God who speaks - Part 3

By. Bro. Paul Vincent Moses

💕

For Sunday the 13th September 2020

Dear brothers and sisters, while giving thanks to God, I take the privilege of greeting you all once again in the most precious name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

As we are all kept safe and healthy by our Lord despite all the health challenges that the world is confronting due to epidemic, we are bound to thank Him for all His goodness and mercy and grace upon us.

Though unworthy I am, I’m delighted with another opportunity to be used as God’s tool to share His word and I thank the Almighty for giving me this opportunity.

This day the 13th September 2020, I’m going to continue with the topic: GOD WHO SPEAKS -3 as a continuation from the one left last week. Let us pray for God’s leading and guidance before we start our meditation.

¶ PRAYER

Heavenly Father! Thank You for using me in Your ministry! Thank You for guiding me thus far and granting me Your grace! Even now Lord You know the purpose for which I have come to You. Lord, fill me with the grace, anointing and power today so that I can share Your word boldly and with joy for the revelation of the truth. Lord, I know that I'm unworthy! But make me worthy by cleansing me and filling me with Your Holy Spirit. I on my own, am an empty vessel Master. Let Your Holy Spirit take full control of me and let Him speak, not me. You know the needs of your people who are longing for Your word. I submit myself to You so that You can use me in whichever way You want to so that you alone be glorified. Thank You for guarding me with Your special grace power and strength Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

Dear ones, the whole topic GOD WHO SPEAKS has had many dimensions as far as we have observed so far. These dimensions keep us focused on learning several things about God’s communication with His people. In today’s meditation, we will observe the following: God Spoke of His Enemy, God Spoke of Judgment and God Spoke of His Mercy.

¶ GOD HAS SPOKE OF HIS ENEMY

‘Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me”, he said. Jesus said to him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ Matthew 4:8-10.

In the same passage where Jesus speaks of worshipping god alone, we see a great spiritual struggle. There is a person who wants to have the worship that belongs to God. He is called ‘Satan’, which means ‘Enemy’. What sort of enemy is this? How does he work? And why does the all-powerful God even let such an enemy continue fighting against him?

¶ The Father of Lies

Though the Bible speaks often of this enemy, it does not say much about how he began. Since God created all things, Satan must also have been made by God. However, the Bible clearly shows that God is good (Mark 10:18). All that God makes is good as in Genesis 1:31 & James 1:17. Therefore, it would seem that Satan, like any other creation, had a good beginning. If so, he turned from good to bad, from truth to lies. Jesus said, ‘The devil…was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.’ John 8:44.

The description ‘father of lies’ suggests that Satan was the first to lie. He did not ‘hold’ to the truth. Satan tries to make himself look like an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). But he is the leader of the angels who rebelled against God (2 Peter 2:4 & Jude 6). They are a part of his kingdom (Matthew 12:26). Satan’s rebellion can be clearly seen when he tries to take God’s place, seeking worship that belongs to God alone (Matthew 4:9).

¶ War in Heaven…Woe to the Earth!

Satan, of course, cannot get God to make a mistake. “God”, according to Scripture, “cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.” (James 1:13). It has always been fully in God’s power to destroy Satan at any time. indeed, the complete defeat of Satan has been foretold in passages like Revelation 20:10. But God has allowed Satan to continue to rebel for a while. Why does God allow this struggle? The reasons are not all clearly revealed. However, God has revealed that the struggle is very serious. An example of this can be found in Revelation 12, which described ‘war in heaven’.

God’s angels, led by the angel Michael, fought against Satan and his angels. God’s angels were much stronger. They threw their enemies out of heaven. Then the struggle continued on the earth. ‘The great dragon was hurled down that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled down to the earth and his angels with him…But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! he is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.’ Revelation 12:9, 12. ‘Woe’ means ‘trouble’. This is a warning to us that the earth has become the battleground.

¶ A Struggle that Calls for Choices

Yet man does not have to be a victim, trapped and crushed between these two powerful armies of angels. For God has made us ‘in the image of God’ (Genesis 1:27 & James 3:9). Each of us has a spirit or soul which lives beyond the death of the body (Matthew 10:28). We can also make real choices about which side we serve. Joshua told his people that they had to make a choice between the true God and false gods. ‘Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve’. Joshua 24:25. Much later Jesus said, ‘If anyone chooses to do God’s sill, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God…’ John 7:17.

Mary was one person who chose the good thing (Luke 10:42). Pressure (called ‘temptation’) to do wrong is a necessary part of this world (Matthew 18:7). But, 1 Corinthians 10:13 shows that the follower of god doesn’t have to give in to temptations. These scriptures show that people must make a choice between god and Satan, good and evil. It is true that God commands us to worship Him. He demands our full love for Him and attention towards Him. But He doesn’t force this love from us. Notice how the book of Deuteronomy, which commanded love for God as in chapter 6 and verse 5 and awe also find it making it a part of the choice of our good as in Deuteronomy 30:19-20; ‘I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may lie and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.’

God is not interest in pretended love or in forced love from us. He could have made a machine for such kinds of love. Instead He made people with spirits and hearts that can love Him freely and willingly. Jesus said that God actually seeks such true worshippers who will worship the Father in spirit and truth as in John 4:23-24.

¶ A Struggle Over Worship

When we compare Matthew 4 with John 4, we understand that the struggle is about worship. Because our God is the true God, He deserves and rightfully seeks true worshippers (John 4:23-24). The enemy, Satan, seeks to take that worship away from God. Satan wants such worship for himself (Matthew 4:8-10). The Old Testament story of Job is about worship.

The devil could not accept the fact that Job was a true worshipper of God. The word devil means ‘accuser’. Satan again earned that name. He accused Job of false, selfish reasons for worshipping God. Satan also accused God of protecting Job from any hard tests. Because the struggle is a serious one, with real choices, God allowed Satan to test Job as we find this in 1:12 & 2: 6. However, God stayed in control, always limiting Satan’s power to do harm. Satan took away Job’s wealth and family. Yet still Job fell to the ground in worship, saying, ‘may the name of the LORD be praised (Job 1:20-21). Even pain could not change Job’s mind. Nothing could force him away from the choice to do right. Nothing could stop him from worshipping the true God.

¶ Satan Attacks the Word of God

Since Satan is not permitted to force us into wrong worship, he tries to fool us into it. He tries to deceive and mislead us. He knows that God is truly honored and loved when we obey Him (God), for obedience treats God as the King He is. So Satan first attacks the word of God. Notice how he lied to the first people. The snake told Eve that God was mistaken in saying that death would come to those eating the wrong fruit (Genesis 3:4). He also used Eve’s natural desires. The fruit looked good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom (Genesis 3: 6). Eve, and then Adam, followed Satan into disobedience.

As God had warned, their sin brought death into the good world, and with it much suffering (Genesis:17; 3:16-19). ‘Death’ for sin means more than the end of the body’s life. It means the end of the human spirit’s closeness and life with God. Thus Romans 5:12 says, ‘Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.’

¶ Why did death spread to all people?

Because all sinned! Clearly, Satan’s lies have done terrible damage to all of us. As Revelation 12:9 says, he ‘leads the whole world astray’. Among his many tools are leaders who claim to speak for truth or for God, but who mislead the people. 1 John 4:1 says, ‘Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.’

Though God has spoken very clearly, these false teachers turn people away from God’s word. Some try to stop the people from learning God’s word for themselves. Others pretend to teach it, but they distort or twist its meaning as in 2 Peter 3:16. They do this so that they can follow what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). This reminds us of the importance of testing every teaching by what the Bible actually says.

¶ Why would anyone teaching things that are against God’s word?

Some may do it selfishly – for money and power. Others may be holding onto the respected ‘tradition’ of their people. Whatever the reason may be, most do not fully realize the harm they are doing. As Proverbs 21:2 says, ‘All a man’s ways seem right to him’. Satan can so blind us that we think we are right, when we are quite wrong. Jesus warned His apostles of just how far Satan would go. ‘A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.’ John 16:2. This shows how completely Satan deceives, and how fierce the fight is.

¶ The Good News of Jesus Christ

What hope does man have against such a clever enemy? Our fleshly eyes cannot even see the devil and his armies. ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of darkness in the world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.’ Ephesians 6:12. Satan and his angels are powerful spirits. The truth of the matter is that, even with our power of choice, we would have no hope if God did not help us. In this same Scripture, Paul says that the way to win the fight is to ‘be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power’ (Philippians 4:10). In the same passage where the apostle John warned about false prophets, he went on to assure followers of Jesus, ‘The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.’ 1 John 4:4.

Satan cannot defeat God. If God’s Spirit is in us, using His great strength for us, then Satan cannot defeat us either! That is why Jesus Christ came. ‘The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.’ 1 John 3:8.

Moreover, Jesus sent his apostles as special messengers to tell this Good News. As He sent the apostle Paul, Jesus said to him, ‘I’m sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those that are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:17-18.

Our world has become the scene of a great spiritual war between God and Satan. Because man is made in God’s image, he may choose whom he will worship and serve. Satan uses lies, deception, and our own desires. Through these he gets us to choose his own evil way – rebellion against God. However, God’s power is far greater than Satan’s. Through Christ, God has made the way for us to join Him in victory over this enemy, Satan.

¶ GOD SPOKE OF JUDGEMENT

‘The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.’ Romans 1:18.

We remember that Romans 1:19-20 tells us that God reveals Himself through nature. We see in verse 18 that something else is also ‘being revealed’ – the wrath or anger of God. This anger is against all or man’s sinful ways. Some, of course, doubt that God really is angry. They do not see or feel His anger right now. Paul goes on in the second chapter of Romans to explain that there will come ‘the day of God’s wrath’ when God’s anger and judgement will be fully revealed. Until then, it is being stored up – ‘But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed’. (Romans 2:5).

¶ The Day of Judgement

This warning was given through many of God’s prophets and apostles. Jesus spoke often of ‘the day of judgement’ as found in Matthew 11:22, 24; 12:36. He spoke often of the unending pain and fire of ‘hell’ as in Matthew 5:22, 29; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-49. In fact, every time this ‘hell’ is mentioned in the New Testament except for James 3: 6 for it was from the lips of Jesus Himself. He knew that terrible punishment was waiting for sinful people. That is why He gave such strong warning, even to His own followers. He said, ‘I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear; Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.’ Luke 12:4-5.

Jesus Himself will have a part in judging us as found in John 5:22, 27; & 2 Corinthians 5:10. In Acts 17:31, it says, ‘God has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.’

¶ How can we be sure that the day of judgement is coming?

This verse says that the proof is Christ’s resurrection! The resurrection of Christ is well-known because there were many eye witnesses who saw Him alive after His death. Christ’s victory over death proves that death is not the end. All will one day be resurrected (John 5:29) and man will meet God and answer Him.

¶ Why is God Angry?

Looking closely again at Romans 1st chapter, we find these reasons for God’s anger: ‘For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him…’ Romans 1:21.

‘They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.’ Romans 1:23.

‘They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the creator – who is forever praised. Amen!.’ Romans 1:25.

We have treated the very things made by God as if they were gods! People worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator. So that which was meant to help us know and honor God (Romans 1:20), is used against knowing and honoring of God. Men try to suppress or cover up the truth about God (Romans 1:18). They turn away from God’s truth and accept the lie (Romans 1:25).

¶ Making a More Pleasing God

This lie, of course, comes from Satan. Remember that the spiritual struggle is about who should be worshipped as in Matthew 4 and John 4. People, following Satan’s lie, take their love away from God. They give their worship to His enemy, the devil. Consider what happened at Mount Sinai.

God Himself spoke His Ten Commandments to the whole nation. The second commandment was this: ’You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God.’ Exodus 20:4.

However, the people grew tired of waiting at Mount Sinai. A God who could not be seen, and who took as much time as He wanted, did not please them. So they made a statue in the shape of a calf. They called it the ‘god’ who brought them out of Egypt. Aaron made an altar for offering gifts to it. He then announced, ‘Tomorrow will be a festival to the LORD’. Exodus 32:5. It seems that they had the idea of worshipping the true God, but they wanted Him in a form that pleased them. So they made a god they could see and feel. Such a god would also let them worship and live as they pleased. They would worship the LORD through this image.

¶ The Worship of Demons

Look at the result. They showed disrespect for God by breaking His commandments. Though they had seen the awesome power of God on Sinai, they made the eternal Creator-Spirit like a brute beast. ‘They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass.’ Psalm 106:20.

Far from worshipping God, they dishonored Him and insulted Him! In His anger, He had 3000 of the rebels killed and to the rest He made this promise: ‘When the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.’ Exodus 32:34.

If their worship failed to honor the LORD, then who actually was honored by it? God gave the answer in the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32). ‘They made Him jealous with their foreign gods and angered Him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons, which are not God…They made Me jealous by what is no god.’ Deuteronomy 32:16-17, 21.

Here God showed what really happened in the worship of idols. The idol itself was ‘no god’ at all. It was a lie. Standing behind that lie was Satan and his helpers, the evil spirits called ‘demons’. Therefore, sacrifices given to the false gods actually went to the demons behind them. The New Testament also spoke of this fact 1 Corinthians 10:19-20, ‘Do I mean that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.’

It is wrong to think that all ways of worship are acceptable to God. Many have – without knowing it – become worshippers of demons, and partners of demons (participants with demons). 1 Timothy 4:1 reveals that those who leave true Christianity and follow false rules, are actually following teachings from demons. Peter foretold that many would be deceived by false leaders who had once been Christians (2 Peter 2:1-2). Sadly, much of this has already come true. It explains why there are so many differing teachings, and so many divided groups, among those who use the Lord’s name. jesus said that many use His name but disobey what He commanded. ‘On that day’ (the judgement day), He will have to say to them, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:15-23.

¶ Man As His Own God

Are we to think that the only idols Satan uses are carved images? Scripture uncovers the fact that he offers many other kinds of ‘gods’ to us. He will even put us and our desires into the place of God, if we let him! it is quite simple. Just get us to think mainly of what we can see. Man’s fleshly eye sees that, among all the animals, he is the highest and wisest. That seems to make man the most important. What can compare with man’s great mind? What is to hold man back from fulfilling his own desires? As Paul said of some, their god is their stomach (Philippians 3:19). They are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4. Who can doubt that the ‘idols’ of many today include pleasures, sex, money, careers, security, success and fame? They seek these things far more seriously than they seek the true God. ‘This person boasts of the cravings of his heart…In his pride the wicked doesn’t seek God; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.’ Psalm 10:3-4. These cravings or selfish desires and pride take the place God should have in their hearts. As Colossians 3:5, ‘Greed…is idolatry’. Selfish people want more for themselves, and do not care how they hurt others. They think there is no Judge to punish them, so they take advantage of others. They become like the Babylonians of old, ‘guilty men, whose own strength is their god’ (Habakkuk 1:11). To such proud people God says, ‘You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.’ Ezekiel 28:9.

¶ God Made in Man’s Image

Of course, Satan finds it hard to trick most of us into thinking there is no God above us. Evidence for God is just too strong. So Satan works on changing truth about God. Satan wants God to be made into the image or likeness of man (instead of man being ‘in the image of God’). Some feel that God must be as weak as they are. They think God has little power to help them or make their lives better. Others, having been treated badly, view God as that kind of person. They think that God hates them and seeks their ruin. Others want a God who will never punish anyone. They make God out to be only soft and gentle, with no anger at all. Then there are those who think that God shares their dishonest ways. They do not keep promises, and they feel that God may not keep His word. Although He has promised terrible punishment for sins (Revelation 21:8), they think He may let them off. Many today escape justice by hiding or by using gifts and bribes. They think they can also hide from God or bargain with Him. To such people God has made these replies: ‘For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.’ Deuteronomy 10:17.

‘God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.’ Numbers 23:19.

‘You thought that I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.’ Psalm 50:21.

When we make God seem like us, we open the way for false worship. They ‘God’ we claim to worship may become quite different from the God who has revealed Himself. Our God becomes a lie, and the honor we give to this lie goes to the father of lies.

¶ Seriously Seeking God

The prophet Isaiah spoke out against the lies about God. He could do this because God had shown His true glory to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-4). I saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted… were calling to one another, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory’ (Isaiah 6:1,3). God is ‘holy’ – so pure that He is far above all that is false or sinful. God’s eyes are ‘too pure to look at evil’ (Habakkuk 1:13). Seeing God’s power and purity, Isaiah realized that he and his people would be destroyed (Isaiah 6:5). Isaiah himself stayed alive there only because God acted quickly to save him, taking his sins away (Isaiah 6:7). Only those whom God makes holy can live with Him. ‘Without holiness no one will see the Lord.’ Hebrews 12:14). All of us fall far short of God’s holiness and glory as in Romans 3:10, 23. So many tell lies, live lies and follow lies that the Bible now calls Satan ‘the god of this age’. 2 Corinthians 4:4.

‘The whole world is under the control of the evil one.’ 1 John 5:19. All who love worldly things above God make themselves enemies of God (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15). Thus most people – whether they realize it or not are on Satan’s side, and must share the defeat and punishment that God plans for all His enemies. That is why Jesus warns us: ‘Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’ Matthew 7:13-14. How foolish to think that we cannot be among the many on the wide road to ruin! How foolish to think that we may enter that small gate by chance or by accident! There must be ‘every effort’, that is, serious seeking for God’s way:

‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and not be able.’ Luke 13L24.

‘Make every effort to…be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.’ Hebrews 12:14. This explains why the Bereans eagerly searched the Scriptures every day to learn God’s truth (Acts 17:11). We too should just as seriously seek God’s way to holiness. For God has spoke, showing that each of us must answer to the true Judge of all. ‘Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement.’ Hebrews 9:27.

Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29; from Deuteronomy 4:24).

Our god is like a fire that can destroy. The Lord will judge His people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:30-31).

God cannot stand lies, for He is completely honest, pure and holy. God’s majesty rejects all false worship. False worship and service ends up going to demons. Gods’ firm justice cannot let rebellion go on unpunished. He has spoken clearly of His anger. He has given warning that there will be final and full judgement against all His enemies. This is not an empty threat. It is time for us to take the coming judgement very seriously.

¶ GOD SPOKE OF HIS MERCY

‘And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin…’ Exodus 34: 6-7.

God showed a part of His glory to Moses on the mountain of Sinai. While doing so, God spoke these words of love to describe Himself. According to Exodus 34:7. God then went on to speak about His just punishment for all who remained guilty. He was not denying the fact that He is angry with sin. But it is important for us to see what God, in revealing Himself, chose to speak of first. He spoke of His ‘love’ before He spoke of His anger. Is this love only for very good people? No. This love is ‘forgiving’ toward those who have rebelled against Him. here is hope for all of us who have fallen into sin. The God who spoke did speak first of how much His mercy and compassion reach out to us even in our sin!

¶ Love from the Beginning

It was not only in words that God spoke first of love. He has done so in actions from the very beginning. The creation itself was an act of pure love! When God saw all that He had made, He knew that it was ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31). God’s making of the world reminds us of a man building a home in preparation for the coming of his beloved family. Instead of leaving it in darkness, He gave it light. Instead of leaving it shapeless, He formed it with strong building materials. He gave it the firmness of dry land, and the lively freshness of water. Instead of emptiness, He filled it with all kinds of living things. Instead of dullness, He gave each thing its own beauty and wonder. Instead of want and hunger, He provided all that life needed, including enjoyable food. When all was ready, God created people to live in this beautiful home (Genesis 1:26-28). He gave to man breath and a fleshly body as He had given to animals. But the gift of life form man went far beyond animal life. The Creator made man in His own image or likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). Man’s heart can respond to God and to others in a far higher way than animals can. In keeping with this high position, God appointed man ruler over all the earth and its creatures (Genesis 1:26). God was not forced to do any of this. It was because of His own loving nature that He created people and ‘blessed them’ (Genesis 1:27-28).

Love’s Gifts of Family and Friendship

In all the creation of the world there was only one thing said to be not good. At first man was alone (Genesis 1:18) and God gave a loving reason for letting man live and know his loneliness. For man would then treasure his wife and family to come. in answer to the man’s need, God used a part from the side of the man to make a woman. She became his wife, his friend and his helper (Genesis 2:18-25). God made each as a living gift to the other! Added to that, God gave to the couple a share in giving new life. From the joy of their unity would come the gift of children. Say a special prayer of thanks to God the next time your heart is moved by a lovely wedding. When you next hold a new born baby in your arms, remember Who gave the priceless gift of life!

Adding blessing upon blessing, God gave to human family His own personal friendship. He spoke with them. He came to their garden in the cool of the day to be with them (Genesis 3:8). The universe and the earth are much larger than these tiny creatures – these humans. Yet god chose to give His special attention to them. Like king David, we can only wonder at such love for humans.’ What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.’ Psalm 8:4-5.

God’s Anger Could Not Hide His Love

Some might think that God’s love ended when man and woman sinned. It is true that sin has turned this world into a place of hardship and suffering. It is not true that these things ended God’s love. Think about each time when God showed His just anger against sin. You will find in each case that God made sure His continuing care for people was known.

In Genesis 3 God was about to punish Adam and Eve for their sin. First, though, He gave the promise of hope. He assured them that the woman’s offspring would crush their enemy (Vs. 15). Before the couple were driven out of the Garden of Eden, God Himself made clothes for them (Vs. 21). Later God helped Eve to give birth to her child (chapter 4:1). When that child had grown God spoke to him to help him overcome sin (4: 6).

The next great example of judgement was the flood found in chapter 6. Wickedness had almost completely taken over the earth. Only one God-fearing family was left! It became necessary to actually wash the earth clean. Yet even this was an act of love. It was a fresh start so that good could again be known on earth. God removed that evil generation to warn future generations (2 Peter 3). Even those wicked people of that time received warning. For years God used Noah as ‘a preacher of righteousness’ (2 Peter 2:5). They refused to listen. So, in the words of Jesus Christ, ‘the flood came and took them all away’ (Matthew 24:39). The rainbow that God set in the clouds immediately after this reminded the world of His mercy. It assured the earth that no such flood would happen again. The seasons would remain steady (Genesis 8:22; 9:8-17). Many centuries later the apostle Paul pointed at the dependable seasons and regular crops. He said that these were God’s testimony proving that He has shown kindness as found in Acts 14:17.

¶ Why Do We Suffer in this World?

There are times when crops do fail for a while. Jobs become hard to find. Families lack what they need. How are we to understand these in the light of God’s love? First, let us remember that the world god made was not a world of want, disease and death. He made it a place of plenty, health and life. Man’s sin, and Satan’s rule through that sin, brought into the world the suffering we see now. Even for God’s own people, this is a place of ‘groaning’ (Romans 8:22-23).

¶ The question this world should really be asking is this:

Why should we expect anything except pain and death?

For this world is full of rebellion against its Creator. To reject the Giver of all life should mean the loss of all life. Yet the LORD, God of great mercy keeps on letting people live on His earth giving them many blessings. ‘He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’ Matthew 5:45.

He gives us time to learn and to turn to Him, before it is too late. Yet many are so thoughtless and so thankless that they use this time to continue sinning. They show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience. They fail to see that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance (Romans 2:4).

¶ God Uses Good Times and Bad Times

When many blessings do not turn people back to God, He may try another way. He may use even the curses and sorrows that are already at work in the earth because of sin. An example of this was given by the prophet Jeremiah. His people enjoyed season of plenty. Yet these good times did not turn their hearts to God (Jeremiah 5:24). Later came their times of great trouble, war and famine. God tried through these to show His people the result of their sin. ‘Your sins have deprived you of good.’ Jeremiah 5:25. Still they would not listen. Finally their capital city, Jerusalem, was destroyed. Many of them were killed or made slave.

In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah tells of his tears as he watched his people stare and die in Jerusalem. Yet he knew how much God had tried to win them back. God had tried by means of both good times and bad times. So, even in great sorrow, Jeremiah could still say, ‘The LORD’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.’ Lamentations 3:22-23.

¶ The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves

The suffering in our earthly bodies is small compared to the fire of hell according to Matthew 5:22, 29-30 and Luke 12:4-5. Therefore God’s feelings of mercy may at times move Him to even use earthly pain to try to keep us from far greater eternal pain. God does not have to make up special pain just for us. In this world, which has left God, pain is already with us! But God can sometimes use that pain to help us. When a doctor cuts into the body to remove a diseased part, does this mean that the doctor is uncaring and unwise? Just the opposite is true. He cuts because he cares and wishes to heal. He knows that the pain of this cut is far better than the suffering and death of the spreading disease.

In the same way, God sends judgement/s even before the final judgement. Is this because He is uncaring? It is because He cares so much! As the prophet Isaiah said, ‘When Your judgements come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.’ Isaiah 26:9.

In fact, it can be said that the more God care, the more He corrects us. ‘The Lord disciplines those He loves …Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness’ (Hebrews 12: 6, 10). Life’s trials tend to make unbelievers more bitter, but believers keep trusting in the great truth that ‘His love endures forever’ Psalm 136. Therefore, they let themselves be ‘trained’ by the pain of correction. In this way, they reap the harvest of righteousness and peace as in Hebrews 12:11.

¶ Is Hell Part of God’s Plan of Love?

Hell is clearly described in the Bible. If we reject the teaching about hell, we must reject the teaching about heaven. For we learn of both from the same place – God’s word. However, we must also believe God’s word when it reveals that hell was not actually made for man. Matthew 25:41 calls it ‘the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’. It was made for the terrible and powerful enemies of God as in Revelation 20:10. The same passage show that condemned people will go there, but they will go there against God’s wish. God has spoken very clearly on this matter:

‘I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!’ Ezekiel 18:3.

'God our Savior…wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth.’ 1 Timothy 2:3-4.

‘He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ 2 Peter 3:9.

So, in a sense we may answer, ‘No, hell is not a part of God’s plan of love for man’. God’s love desires that all be saved from hell. Yes, God’s mercy has even planned for all to be able to come back to Him. the cost of that plan is greater than we can measure! But those who reject God’s plan have chosen God’s enemy. They must then go to the place God prepared for that enemy. So in another sense we may say that even hell comes from the loving God. Love for justice, love for truth, love for His own people – this is the love which causes God to finally remove all His enemies. If these enemies continue to have their way creation will forever remain a place of disorder, suffering and death. It is the God of love who has set hell as the end to all active rebellion. Ending all rebellion will allow the return of complete order, peace and goodness for saved humans. This is what God had planned form before the creation – that people should live with Him in the joy-filled, perfect, eternal Home (Ephesians 1; Revelation 21, 22).

¶ God’s Greatest Gift of Love

The most famous passage in the Bible is John 3:16, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ Jesus Christ is not only God’s best way of speaking to us, He is also God’s greatest gift of love! We have mentioned God’s plan of love for man. What is that plan? The Bible reveals that Jesus Christ is, Himself, the way to come back to God. Shortly before His death for all people, Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ John 14: 6.

Even in His prayer to the Father He (Jesus) said, ‘This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.’ John 17:2.

Dear brothers and sisters, I strongly believe that this meditation has led us very closer to knowing ‘the only true God’. The apostle John summed up God’s nature in the simplest and best way, ‘GOD IS LOVE’ as found in 1 John 4:8. The proof of God’s continuing love fills all the creation, all of history, and all of our lives. Yes, there is suffering in the world. But we should never forget that it came when man rejected the One who alone gives life, peace, joy and purpose. Because of the lies of His enemy, we left what God’s great love had planned for us. Yet that is not the end of the story, praise God! For God’s compassion still calls us back to enjoy all the fullest blessings of eternal life. God calls us through His prophets, and especially through His own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We take their warnings seriously and we turn to God in repentance (Acts 20:21). We know that the way to life is only through our faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 14:6; 17:2); and that there’s no salvation in any other name than Jesus (Acts 4:12).

In the next Sunday’s meditation we shall pursue the study on the One sent by God, our Lord Jesus Christ with title ‘KNOWING & UNDERSTANDING JESUS’.

May God bless and keep all of us in His loving care! Amen!

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