Unspoken – The Cure

See the eyes of a million faces
Lookin’ for it in a million places
Only one can save us, Jesus

 

Sanctus Real – Promises

Neither life, nor death
Could separate us
From the eternal love
Of our God who saves us

 

“Another Gospel”

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

—-Galatians 1:6-10

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

—–I Timothy 6:3-5

For if someone comes along and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or should you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you are all too willing to listen.

But I will go on doing what I’m doing in order to deny an opportunity to those people who want an opportunity to be recognized as our equals in the work they are boasting about.

Such people are false apostles, dishonest workers who are masquerading as apostles of the Messiah.

And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their doom will match their deeds!

—–2 Corinthians 11:4, 12-15 ISV

The Word of Faith movement – is this what Christ preached?

It is also interesting to look at wealth. The Bible never shows any of the preachers of the Bible getting wealthy by preaching — or even writing religious books. The wealthy followers of God such as Abraham and Job – obtained their money from secular activities such as the equivalent of ranching and other endeavors.

The principle and command to tithe is still in effect. That is not the point.

Many preachers urge their congregants to give to get or sometimes to give until it hurts. But the preachers themselves don’t seem to sacrificially give so doesn’t this seem hypocritical?

Let’s just take a look at the net worth of the top 10 “Christian” preachers. This does not even include Joyce Meyer’s net worth of $8 million, or Kenneth Hagin’s net worth (when he boasted of being a billionaire).

2015 – Top 10 Richest Pastors in the World

All we can do is warn people of these entrapments – maybe they will repent like Zacchaeus did. But getting rich preaching the “gospel” doesn’t have a ring of truth to it. It almost seems like “another gospel” from the one Jesus taught – and what Paul spoke about.

Remember the poor widow woman who Jesus commended? Jesus drew a comparison between the ostentatious Pharisees and the sincere and devoted widow. We can all benefit from this story. While the Pharisees “devour” widow’s houses, the widow acted with sincere love and true sacrifice.

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

–Mark 12:38-44

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(Video) Prophecy Parallels

As the video shows it is very interesting when you take in the Bible verse by verse, and line by line.

As one pertinent example, we have the “Cyrus” prophecy:

“I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight…” — Isaiah 45:2a

Speaking of crooked – what is going on with the Clinton foundation?

Here is Pastor Ben Heath’s message:

Will The Inauguration of Trump Mark The Downfall of The NWO?

 

Preach the Gospel – as Lambs among Wolves

The Wolf and the Lamb – by Jean-Baptiste Oudry

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.”

—Luke 10:1-12

 

A Time of Change – God’s Message to Joshua

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Be strong and of a good courage:

for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Only be thou strong and very courageous,

that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

—Joshua 1:1-9 KJV

 

Kari Jobe – Heal Our Land

 

Boasting vs. Honoring

In our modern lives we see a lot of boasting. Some is blatant, and other forms are more subtle. But what we don’t see as much of, is true honoring of another person.

People tend to gravitate toward people that are like themselves. This is how cliques are formed. There are a number of social divisions that are formed that are not often crossed. Young and old. Rich and poor. Popular team sport kids and more reserved intellectual kids. White collar and blue collar. But if you ‘honor’ someone who is like yourself, is that really honor? Or are you really honoring yourself because of the similarity?  For instance, if someone were to publish widely their kids’ accomplishments, isn’t that kind of like honoring yourself, for making them possible? Some of this is just normal human celebrating, but habits of boasting can definitely go too far.

What about parents and elders? Do we celebrate them the same way as we would our kids or certain peers that we want to build alliances with? After all, few people can take credit for their parents’ accomplishments. There are cases of terrible parents — but in many cases — we owe about everything to our parents who brought us into the world and brought us up.

I have gone to several 50-year anniversary parties over the years. Two of them were thrown by adult children who weren’t even married at the time. One of the party throwers had never married his life partner following an initial divorce to the mother of his adult child. Similarly, the other had a grown son from a relationship, was divorced from a marriage to someone else, and didn’t have a great track record in dating selections. But even though they weren’t alike in this accomplishment with those they honored, each took the time to honor their beloved parents. The one man said he would never achieve what his parents’ achieved. He had taken them on a cruise and then the party was to be a surprise. It was sweet and touching. This recent anniversary party I went to was fun with food, celebrating memories, playing games, and old friends connecting and visiting. The tone was set in a perfect, natural way.

We should think about those things more. While reciprocity is important in friendship – do we do what we do for quid pro quo purposes and to gain advantage or admiration?  If I had been married 24 years, and ‘honored’ someone who had been married 25 – is that an amazing thing? Probably I would expect an equal honor the following year. Or if hypothetically I had 4 kids, and publicly ‘honored ‘someone with 5 — would that be some kind of a stretch for me? Really, it can be a kind of way of putting down people who aren’t in that situation for whatever reason.

I love picking up patterns of behavior in the Bible. What did Jesus do when it came to honoring others?

1. Jesus was morally pure and perfect — but he honored the sincere honor and true hospitality afforded by a woman of disrepute, and not the Pharisee who hosted him poorly. (Luke 7:44, Luke 10:42)
2. Jesus was a Israelite, a Jew and a descendant of David — but he chose to honor the faith of a Gentile – the Roman Centurion. (Luke 7:1-9)
3. Jesus was the Creator of the universe and of unlimited riches and power — but he pointed out and honored the generosity and pure devotion of a poor widow who no one else noticed. (Luke 21:1-4)

Jesus took the time to honor those who were not like himself. Jesus taught a different way. Jesus showed how to be truly perfect – perfect in love.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. –Matthew 5:43-48

On earth, Jesus modeled servanthood, specifically in following His example. Christ’s disciples certainly did do that – they learned this lesson both in living for Christ and the many who died for him as martyrs. Here Paul, who was later martyred himself, speaks to the young man Timothy that he mentored. Who did Paul honor? He put on personal humility and meekness, and he honored Christ.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

-I Timothy 6:11-19

 

 

Common Sinners and the Common Salvation

I have been noticing a lot of modern-day Pharisees lately. Who were the Pharisees of Jesus’ time? The Pharisees had artificial moral constructs, in which they added to God’s law. The Pharisees were anti-evangelical, they did not seek to save the lost. The Pharisees only did works to be seen of men, not private works to be seen by God. The Pharisees were prideful and hateful. And most significantly — the Pharisees rejected Jesus.

Pharisees are like cult leaders, they don’t want to help create converts to Jesus, they want to create followers of themselves. They want admirers and mini-clones of themselves.

Jesus’ harshest rebukes were for Pharisees — the ones who were likely to discourage his true followers.

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” –Matthew 23:13-14

Some people think it is a compliment if you compare them to a Pharisee, but as the passage indicates, the Pharisees were not saved! The Pharisees were prideful, having not the spirit of Christ. In trying to inflate themselves, they led people away from Christ.

Who does the Bible say is a sinner?

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” –Romans 3:23

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” – I John 1:18

“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” —
 –Proverbs 20:9

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;” –Romans 3:9

“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” –Galatians 3:22

The example of Jesus’ Brethren – what did they preach?

The brothers of Christ perhaps had some reason to feel special or privileged. But no, James and Jude were some of the humblest servants of Christ following their conversions. James and Jude continually pointed Christians back to the source of their salvation, to the Lord Jesus.

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

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,

it was needful for me to write unto you,and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares,who were before of old ordained to this condemnation,ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,and denying the only Lord God,and our Lord Jesus Christ”. –Jude 1:3-4

Justification and Salvation

The Justification of sins comes only through Christ. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles consistently pointed people to Christ.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. –Romans 3:21-26

 

Aaron Shust – Ever Be

Your praise will ever be on my lips