Religion and Spirituality

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God has Provided

God has never demanded anything from you that will allow you to provide salvation for yourself.

It is revealed that –

all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; Isa 64:6

So why would God demand a self-prescribed fix for you – a fix doomed to fail?
He wouldn’t!

Even the Law is not a cure for sin. Paul said,

I would not have known sin except through the law. Rom 7:7

So God’s demand for Abraham was not a sacrifice for sin. It was a method to increase the faith of Abraham.

A test is different from a temptation.
A temptation will entice you to sin.
A test will encourage you to do what is right.

A test will make you realize your dependence on God.

As Abraham said (and discovered) at his sacrifice of his own son, Isaac,

“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. Gen 22:8

God did this for Abraham and has done this for you. Jesus is the Lamb of God provided for you. (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19; Rev 5:6)

Abba, You have provided the way for me through Jesus! I am grateful! YES&AMEN

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The Sacrifice of a Child

And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. Gen 22:10

Child sacrifice has been part of many civilizations and cultures from the earliest of time.

It would have been part of Abraham’s world and a part of worship that he and Sarah were denied, since they were childless.

It may have been they wanted children so bad they could not comprehend how others could so carelessly toss away those innocent lives to a god.

God’s calling came to Abraham and it removed him from the land of the Chaldeans to the land of the Canaanites.

In time Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac. For me the test of Abraham and Isaac is perhaps about Abraham’s giving of Isaac because he loves God as compared to the devotion of those pagans he left behind all those years ago; pagans that willingly gave their children to a god of wood or stone.

Then again, Abraham’s faith is in the ability of what God can do.

He concluded that God was able to raise [Isaac] up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. Heb 11:19

As for God, He gave His only Son for us.

He became sin for us!
He became despised for us!
He was rejected for us!
He was cursed for us!

That we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Today children are still sacrificed but only for the god of selfishness. Abortion is a blight on our land and it is the demise of any civilization – when it’s citizens are destroyed even before they are born.

There is forgiveness, even after abortion!

If you know someone that has had an abortion, you could minister to them or at least pray for that person. Perhaps seek the council of a pregnancy help center for advice.

Abba, children are a blessing. Help me to touch the life of a child today or the life of someone that has loss one. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Your Ministry

I believe everyone has something to do in ministry.

The Bible says,

He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, Eph 4:11

And

God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Cor 12:28

Sometimes the ministry is not glamorous or giving much credit.

And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” Gen 22:5

Abraham and Isaac were going to worship and sacrifice to God. The young men with them were told to stay with the donkey.

On the surface it seems like Abraham is doing all the important ministry – the worshipping, the sacrifice, and the fellowship.

But the young men have just as important job. They had to watch the stuff. Perhaps Abraham set up camp and the young men are waiting on their return with a hot meal and drink.

When I was in elementary school I thought the coolest adult at school was the janitor. He got to handle all that neat trash, push garbage cans around, mop up messes, and he picked at us kids.

Now that I’m grown it’s just not as glamorous but I see how important it is.

Whatever God has you doing, whether it’s pastoring a church or handing out tracks on a sidewalk – be the best you can be at it. If it wasn’t important He wouldn’t have you doing it.

Abba, thank You for the ministry You have given me. I want to do my best in it. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Fear not the rear!

Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Deut 25:17-18

One of Satan’s favorite tactics is to attack you when you are tired and worn out. You are vulnerable. You aren’t watching. You aren’t vigilant.

Take heart and have hope when he attacks you from the rear.

The God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isa 52:12

The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isa 58:8

God is always vigilant for you. He knows when you are weak and will watch over you. He knows when you are down and out – full of despair.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isa 41:10

Praise God! When you’re not looking out for yourself – HE IS!

Abba, I trust You completely with my life today! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement

Lev 23:27 Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement.

It is the Day of Atonement, the second fall Feast Day of the Lord.

The instructions to the Hebrews this day are as such –

It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.
And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God.
For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people.
And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people.
You shall do no manner of work; Lev 23:27-31

There is no mention of the word ‘atonement’ in the New Testament using the NKJV. It is found only once in the KJV –

Rom 5:11 We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

This may be because Jesus has not fulfilled this Day as of yet. But He will.

Before you were born, Jesus fulfilled Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost.

I find it exciting to think that we will see the fulfillment of the three fall Feasts – Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. Luke 21:28

Abba, I praise the word of God for the salvation and atonement it offers to me. And I praise Your name for the promises that will be fulfilled for me, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Predicting Prophecy

Giving prophecy is not as difficult as predicting prophecy, which seems somewhat ironic – to predict what is predicted.

To give it properly you would just speak what God has given you to speak, just as the prophets of old did, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and so on.

What each gave can be a more difficult thing.

For instance in Rev 17:9 it says,

Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.

I know Rome sits on seven mountains (hills) but it is not the only city to do so.
Here are a few on that list.

  • Kampala, Uganda
  • Albany, NY
  • Athens, Tx
  • Athens, Greece
  • Tehran, Iran
  • Amman, Jordan
  • Mecca, Saudi Arabia
  • Barcelona and Madrid, Spain
  • Moscow, Russia
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • And Jerusalem, Israel

Now does Rome seem likely? In my opinion so do Athens, Mecca, Moscow, Tehran, and Jerusalem.

Only time will tell how prophecy is fulfilled.

Keep the words of Jesus in your mind at all times,

“Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28

Abba, Your word will be fulfilled as You see fit. I await that fulfillment but until then I will be diligent to share the Gospel of Jesus. YES&AMEN

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Protect yourself!

Last time I wrote about false prophets and deceivers.

Those that propagate a false gospel are very popular. The preaching of erroneous gospel is very feel good – very pleasing to the ears.

There is no mention of a penalty of sin since there is no mention of sin.
No hell, just heaven.
Anything goes. You are told there are many ways to heaven but you must just be faith and diligent on the path you choose.

The congregation can be very large and the pastor is well off financially. He seems to exploit the wealth and poverty of his followers by promising things he can’t deliver.
His sermons may include secular and humanistic ideas. Even thoughts from non-Christian sources like Muslims, Hindu’s, and Buddhist.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 2 Tim 4:3

The best defense against false prophets and deceivers is to know the truth. Reading God’s word reveals the reality of what God desires for you to know about sin and salvation.

This is the reason the Bible says,

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:11

And,

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:13

The armor of God is designed to protect your heart and mind against the falsities of Satan.

Abba, I receive Your word into my heart and soul to protect me from the lies I will hear today. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Deceivers and False Christs

Paul, Barnabas, and Mark began traveling from town to town preaching the word of God. Many heard that message and were saved.

Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, Acts 13:6

Bar-Jesus can be translated son of Jesus. He may have claimed some kinship to Jesus Himself.

He was very belligerent towards Paul and Barnabas when it came to their presentation of the Gospel.

Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” Acts 13:9-11

Paul rebuked this false prophet and pronounced a curse upon him.

Jesus said,

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Matt 24:4-5

For someone to be convinced that a minister or prophet is Christ would mean the deceiver would perform Christ-like miracles and deceive many. His methods and mannerism’s are very convincing.

One thing you must remember – no matter how realistic a false prophet may seem to be, it is not Jesus the Savior.

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.” Matt 24:23-26

Jesus will not return here or there. He is coming back in the same way He left. (Acts 1:9-11)

Abba, I want to be closer to You and know so much about You that I may teach others Your and teach them to recognize deceivers and counterfeits. YES&AMEN

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You can’t escape the Word!

I remember one Sunday, not too long ago, I was preaching. Actually I was reading a lot of scripture and I had someone get up and walk out the door.

It happens. It happened to Jesus.

There was a time when some guys wanted to judge, convict, and execute someone that broke the Law of Moses.

Jesus said that if any of them were without sin they should go ahead and do it.

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. John 8:9

The spoken word of God is powerful.

The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12

The word of God convicts and there are those that cannot stand or sit in its presence.
The reading of the word conflicts with their life and so they must get up and leave.

I fear the day will come for the unrepentant when they shall hear the word and not be able to get away from it.

The Bible says the day is coming when the books will be opened and the dead will be judged by what is written in those books. (Rev 20:12)

I believe the books that are opened are the 66 books of the Bible. Each word is read and there is no escape.
The Law is read along with the penalties for disobedience and there is no escape.
The Prophets are read and tell of the coming Messiah and the re is no escape.
The Gospels are read and there is no place to run.
The letters of Paul are read and there is no place to hide.
When it’s over each person is convicted by their own conscience and by God Himself.

I pray that no one ever walks out again on God’s word. It is the word to change lives if they will listen and heed it.

Abba, I know there was a time I, too, did not listen to Your word. I ignored it. I mocked it. I ridiculed it. But now I live for Your word. It is the very air that I breathe. It is life to me. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Who will profit?

Ask yourself who stand to profit from the message?

That’s easy when it’s a TV commercial.

A commercial about a Whopper will profit Burger King. When the new Tundra is in an ad then Toyota and the local dealership will profit.

The manufacturer of weight loss pills will profit when you buy them but will promise that you will profit by using them by loss of weight!

You are bombarded with hundreds of messages everyday and someone stands to profit from each of them.

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. 2 Cor 4:5

There are many preachers and evangelists out there – and I’m one of them.

But is the message you hear benefit the preacher or the Lord Jesus.

Like the weight loss pills, each of us will say, “If you listen to what I’m saying – you will benefit from it!”
And that’s true. The message of the cross has the power to transform your life.

But there are also the charlatan’s that seek worldly profit from preaching and evangelism.

Though the message may be Biblically based or contain bits of scripture, does the message continually point to Christ or someone else.
Does the message end with the way of salvation or does it end with an encouragement to buy my book or send your money.

Who stands to profit.

What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him… Phil 3:7-9

Abba, let the words from my mouth always be the message from Your heart! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN