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I prayed that you would place peace love joy, prosperity, and healing in sister Michelle's life. In the name of Jesus joy comes in the morning and your word promises that you would never leave nor forsake her. We give you praise in advance for the blessings Michelle is about to receive. AMEN
"Who is my mother, or my brethren?"
The question is all the more striking since Jesus does not include his father. Jesus never had doubt as to where he came from or was going to. St Luke informs us, "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"( Luke 2:49). His Father was in heaven and he knew his deity was still entwined in his Father's bosom. So the words that he spoke as he heard while in heaven and what he put in his mouth. So the conclusion? Man can only be part of their relationship by acknowledging that he has to fulfill the will of the Father which art in heaven while in flesh and blood. No other shortcuts.
"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
God breathed in the nostrils of man so everyone of us is represented in Adam. The spirit of God breathed into us must be for entering into the rest of God. The kingdom of God rules over all so His sovereignty is what makes His creation bask in his power and glory.(Ps.103:19). We shall understand the power of the Spirit in controlling movements. Murmuring of starling is fascinating to watch. As they sway en masse and form clouds no one can be identified in the multitude. One may be any where and yet nowhere. They flit and float without any mishap. How do they do it? There is a skill the spirit of God has given them, the wherewithal so they prosper.
The same power of God and glory and the fall of man shows where he differs from the birds of the air. Instead of being sustained by the grace from the throne of God he speaks of culture as Jews would wave 'the traditions of their fathers' that brought condemnation from Jesus. Without acknowledging God as the Father and doing his will perfectly no nations shall survive.
Jesus was ever dutiful Son who would while hanging on the cross entrusted the care of his mother to John, "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!/Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."( John 19:26-27). By literal approach how false teachers consistently strip passages of their pith and serve the husks instead. This is one example. Covenant between God and Man entrusts man with His creation and does he care?
God had prepared a worm as he a great fish to instruct Prophet Jonah. At the end of the book He tells Jonah,"And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"( Jonah 4:11) Family of man is incomplete without this same care for His creation. The Four beasts in heaven is a memorial.
Pilgrims in 1630 settled in the Americas to make a New Canaan. However it was like sewing old garment to the new in the manner the divine Will was shortchanged. Salt crystal is made up of chlorine and sodium which by themselves have their distinctive characteristics. Sodium is metal, and corrosive while chlorine is a gas and poisonous. How billions of these atoms are precisely arranged by force keeping the formation gives the table salt its savor. In the manner culture wars have dogged the country tells making a family or nation without fulfilling the will of the Father is a non-starter. "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."(2:22)
"Who is my mother, or my brethren?"
In this passage the Spirit is setting two sets of families each representing the world of the Spirit and of the body. In the former world familial relationship is pendent to the covenant between God and Man, The latter is symbolic of heaven but in keeping with the body formed of the dust, it is the union of dust to dust and ashes to ashes. "For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven."(12:25; Matt.22:30). Resurrection of the dead is restoration of the covenant to its former glory where Power and glory of God renders the Man his throne so "and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."(Re.21:3)
Thus the saying of Jesus refers to the world of the Spirit,"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren./And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."(Matt.23:8-9)
In marriage man and woman leave their parents and they shall be one flesh, "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?"( Luke 16:12; Ge.2:23)
This was provisioned for in the covenant. In Ge.1:28-29 we are shown what our Father in heaven had entrusted them with His creation. "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." This was entrusted with man in his Son. It is to this God willed and the covenant exists, and as a proof sent his only begotten Son to the world in fulness of time.
As the key verse states there is no gender difference. Only those who do the will of God.
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. ( John 8:35).
When we consider the state of the human soul as well as the angelic realm we realize that access to the heavenly abode is only for those who kept their first estate; as opposed to those mentioned in Jude 6 who fell away after Lucifer's deception. Such is the case as well for men; unregenerate men are truly slaves to sin ( Romans 6:20). We find that our freedom indeed puts us into bondage while being a servant of Christ brings victory.
It is tempting to include some verses from secular songs which at least admit to the dazzling display that Satan appearing as an angel of light uses to delude the masses. ( 2 Cor. 11:14). Since he can no longer magnify God's name; Satan and his minions can only appeal to the nature of man; as he did when influencing Peter to speak as he did about Christ ( Matthew 16:23). Men's thoughts are on self preservation; not sacrificial love. We want to keep close those who are closest to us; which isn't necessarily wrong in itself but is if God is subservient; thus we hate our lives and keep it ( John 12:25). Hence is the paradox of living in Christ and it will come to it's fullest realization during the fires of the Tribulation. It is hard to comprehend just how powerful the delusion will be mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:11. GOD sends the strong delusion! As stated previously; the trumpet judgments still won't deter the world of it's sins; and in Revelation 9:14-21 after the 200,000,000 demon horde kill one third of all of the earth people STILL won't stop their abominable acts. Keep in mind this is well after the sixth SEAL where people at that time are still hiding in caves and fully aware of God and Christ on their thrones beginning judgment ( Rev. 6:16-17).
This of course will lead to the delusion mentioned in Psalm 2 and Revelation 19 where men come together at Armageddon and eventually try to fight God.
Try not to read this if you are ready to eat. The World Health Organization states that about 73 MILLION abortions occur worldwide PER YEAR.
That would in little over 100 years be equivalent to the entire population of those living on the earth today.
Nothing more to say here.
John 5:43 seems to allude of the Antichrist who comes "in his own name". This substitute or opposing Christ to the genuine Savior will; as Revelation states be worshipped ultimately by ALL whose names are NOT written in the book of life from before the foundation of the world ( Rev. 13:8). Whatever "quality" of life will be enjoyed by those taking the infamous mark of the beast it certainly won't be worth it considering eternal torment in hell to follow. I can envision it being much like a drug addict who is little more than skin and bones because they are so intoxicated with their "fix" that their whole self has turned from natural bahaviors taking care of themselves. The Tribulation may begin for those enjoying the benefits of the Babylon system for the first half of the event as what seems like a long party. Hence we see fornications; murders; idol worship and other abominations endure until the fifth trumpet judgment. At that point the wicked get a foretaste of sufferings to come; which I suspect Antichrist who arises immediately after will say he has put to an end after the 5 months; and also he will demonstrate immortality by the apparently miraculous revival from a deadly wound (see Zech. 11:17; ( Rev. 13:3). He also will give himself credit no doubt for killing the 2 witnesses which the world will celebrate; but their Resurrection will clue those in who are of God that the game is soon up and to run for their lives.
God has demonstrated throughout scripture that he has an end game in mind once sin reaches a certain level. We can see this as early as Genesis 15;16 with the iniquity of the Amorites. God has dealt with the United States for hundreds of years and for us to think we are exempt from the fate of everyone else is folly. When we consider how many hundreds of millions of abortions and other killings occur with the principle of Genesis 9:5; it is no wonder billions will die.
The Laodicean church is what many consider to typify the last stages or phase of church history. It is clear from that passage that only a few there are worthy; as we see in Revelation 3:4 with the church of Sardis as well. The general state is one of a pitiful state of spiritual poverty which the outer adornment; much like the Pharisees cleaning the outer parts of their vessels which appear to be showing opulence. Matthew 25:9 reminds me of those who need to pay the price for receiving the refreshing of the Holy Spirit as it will be with the fiery trial and mass martyrdom of the Tribulation. I see this as an example of those who have patiently waited for the Lord and now receive their reward because of enduring much as Lot did until the Lord rescued him from the disaster to come (see 2 Tim. 4:8). Those who are in a Laodicean church aren't putting themselves or anyone else into persecution as all those who are godly in Christ Jesus suffer ( 2 Tim. 3:12). Whether they are truly saved or not ultimately will be determined by God; I tend to see the Rapture as a reward issue but if I'm wrong then rewards will be lost for those backslidden ( Rev. 3:11); and it is certain many aren't truly saved now but many will wake up on the other side of the rapture; whether left behind people who professed Christ beforehand or new converts.
As to the second part of my study on the Jews suffering Tribulation first; we can of course see that pattern in many Old Testament passages as well as the many wars in history; the most obvious recent one of worldwide significance being World War two. This current Hamas battle also started with an attack causing suffering to Jews. These verses would show the military campaigns that will occur prior to Armageddon as well when God finally defends His people ( Zech. 14:2) and then the nations are dealt with. The various judgments will be centered on Israel as well.
(NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).
Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).
Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
" No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house."
Of whose house are we? " But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (He.3:6).One whose hope is firm to the end and works are done in faith cannot be a weak vessel. He is instead an overcomer" Jesus Christ has overcome the world and abiding in him all things are possible because he has promised and we know all promiseds of God are yea in his Son. If we have the Son we have the Father as well.
The verse speaks of anyone who serves God and mammon; like Samson there comes a point in his life that he gets taken like the dumb beast for the slaughter-house. "And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him."(Ju.16:20)
Parable of Jesus tells how the unclean spirit spoils his house.
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none./ Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished./Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." (Matt.12:43-45)
When Jesus sent his disciples he authorized them to cast out demons. "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."(Matt.10:1) Jesus was among them as a sign; so are believers whose lives identify with it. "And these signs shall follow them,"(16:17). 'In my name'
"But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation./ Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."
Jesus was in a synagogue when he cast out the man with the unclean spirit. He called Jesus," Let us alone; what have we to do with thee". He was using the spirit of man so uses the plural form and tells "I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."(1:24-25). St Paul warned us that no one with indwelling Spirit shall say Jesus is accursed. ("Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."-1 Co.12:3). The unclean spirit in the man having taken over his life would not curse Jesus but only want him to leave him in peace. He showed faith in his speech, did he not, testifying,' I know thee who thou art, the Holy one of God'. This is what faith without works mean. In our times some of the so-called believers deny the deity of Jesus while not leaving it altogether, ought to warn not to have any trek with them. They are besides themselves to hold on to their belief. Their heresies and holding on to them, does not remain on a single point but becomes entangled with great many other errors. If one says, resurrection of the body is a lie, he is likely to cover it by the glory of this world. It is what the devil offered Jesus before he would preach the gospel. Christian nationalism, white evangelicalism are similarly are telltale signs of believers who simply appropriate Jesus, and their faith is the truncated tail of a lizard without the body of Christ."And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him."(1:25)
While we groan in this vile body we have a building of God eternal in heavens. So do we live both worlds as one or not? "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." In thy light we see the light.
I am so grateful for the folks that have worked so hard and continue to labor in providing this Good Work.
Thank you and may God Abundantly Bless You All !!
Jesus formally chose the twelve "And they went into an house." Here we a curious passage,"And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread./And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself."(vv.20-21).
Fame of the new prophet we read earlier in the Gospel of Mark was no different than of John the Baptist. "And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."(1:28) Jesus having seen the masses who were as sheep without a shepherd.(Matt.9:36) began to preach of the gospel while his cousin before him aroused much speculation and curiosity. "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan." to hear his message.(Matt.3:5) " And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?"( John 1:19). His testimony was received and they saw him as well. "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Here we have an unvarnished look at fame or celebrity status. The ear hears so much as eye sees so often yet Jesus was an unknown quantity to his friends. "He is possessed!" summed up their report. The Spirit gives us the instance of his mother, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."( Luke 2:19).
Hearing without faith is a dumb thing to do and it is how Jesus became so many things to so many. She heard with her ear of faith and digested over it. What many have witnessed or heard are good seed sown into the heard but it poves to be no man's land."When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."(Matt.13:19). Is it strange to hear that some believers do not believe in trinity?
"And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him."
Sabbath day was designated as entering into the rest of God who testified, "This is my beloved Son". As a father takes delight in watching his infant takes control of his movements he doted on the Son. Jesus testified, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."( John 8:29). This rest is two -way street as God testified with a voice from heaven, the Son of man glorified his Father. The rest comes from the two worlds of the Spirit and of the flesh, as two beams of light on a single standard of obedience: of the body to God, a Spirit. This true worship kept both worlds in focus, and sharp. It is thus Satan, he may quote as many words from the Scripture but was to no avail. Jesus well knew his Father having heard from his bosom and he was not fooled..
As the Word become flesh he did everything that is pleasing in his sight.
Sabbath signified faith and as logical conclusion of one who was blessed by the Father in his Son (that was stipulated in day Six) would want to enter directly therein. Pharisees stalking every step of Jesus to accuse him breaking the Sabbath reveal that they were of bad seed. " Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it./ And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."( John 8:44-45)
Sabbath is for those who has the seed in itself, "And the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."(Ge.1:12) Day Three is also a command number for the Son. He is the tree of life, fruit of which for man to eat freely. Fall of man began in preferring the tree commended by the serpent.
I prayed for you. I don't know if you're looking for input or not, so if not I guess you can choose to not read what I'm about to write. If it was me, I would interpret her abuse as her not wanting me there. Actions speak louder than words.
If I were in that situation I would choose to spending less and less time there and see if the attitude or respect level changes at all. If not, I would keep increasing the time I spend elsewhere until that reaches long periods of time. That doesn't make you any less of a caring son to take care of yourself first and escape a toxic environment. You should not feel guilt for stepping away from a bad situation that is hurting you. It may not be up to you to "fix" her. You said she refuses to hire others to help her. I hate to suggest this about your parent who you love, but have you considered the possibility that she is taking advantage of you. You described an abusive relationship and that she has the capability of hiring help, but doesn't. And when you help, she abuses you. Watch out for tricks designed to make you feel guilty and stay around. And more than anything PRAY and cast your burden to the Lord. God bless.
You ask how can I say what I said about those who do not believe Jesus is God or in the Triune nature of God to a friend. i did not say that personally to you, but since you don't believe Jesus is God nor that God is Triune, then it does apply to you. I don't say anything like this lightly, especially when I know a friend will be offended. But, the reason I can say this to a friend is because of the love of Christ Jesus in me for you and others. It is difficult to take a stance like I have because I run the risk of losing friendships, like yours. I don't want that to happen. I am glad you will pray for me. And I have been and will continue to pray for you, my brother. May the Holy Spirit teach and guide us both in all truth. I hope to have more conversations with you in time. For now, perhaps it is good to take a break from one another and spend tie in prayer for one another instead. But my love for you and your friendship remains as it has been, strong and true. God bless you in all sincerity.
God is in need of nothing because He is all within Himself. There is nothing outside of Himself that can enhance His life or enjoyment of living, nothing that can add to His glory or majesty, nothing that can increase his power or knowledge, nothing that He can acquire to enhance His life experience. He is totally satisfied in Himself. the fellowship He has always had within the Godhead between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit fulfills Him to the unlimited maximum.
He is so Great and amazing. I can't wait to be resurrected and behold Him in Christ and learn of His greatness throughout eternity. And since He is self-sufficient, self-existent, and self-satisfied, then we will lack no good thing in Him.
Existence (LIFE) us what God is. He does not derive His life from outside of Himself. He has always existed and will exist forever. He cannot not Exist. And His life is life abundant, completely full without any room for more fullness, nor can His Life diminish in any way. He is changeless in His existence.
So, we, as chosen believers, are given the privilege of having life in God through the salvation of Christ Jesus our Lord. This is eternal life. To have live in the life of God. We have temporal life now that is not the best nor maximum life we can experience. But in the resurrection we will enter into His life fully when our mortalliy is removed and our earthly life is transformed.
In this life we do have eternal life in Christ, but there is a "yet to be realized" aspect of it that waits for the resurrection.
Jesus says to the Samaritan woman "God is Spirit" Jn. 4:24.
This means that God is not just "a" spirit being, like angels. But He is pure Spirit. He is ALL Spirit, without components or parts.
Some say He is "simple" in this way, not made up of parts that He must derive outside of Himself. He is all of His attributes, they are not "things' that He possesses. He is Love, Power, Life, etc.
It is difficult for us who are material creatures to imagine what God is like in this, His "aseity" (what He is in essence)
How beautifully "OTHER" He is than any beings He created.
Also, the Holy Spirit is God, a distinct person in the Godhead along with the Father and the Spirit. He is spoken of as having a will, thoughts, can speak, pray, be grieved, be lied to, can regenerate, sanctify, and convict; teach, resurrect, and cause conception. He indwells, believers and the Father and the Son. He unites believers to God. He is not the Father, nor the Son, but has all the attributes of God and of a distinct person who has all of the divine nature fully.
God alone is the Savior of men.
Is. 19:20 says that God will send a savior and defender. ad God identifies the Savior as the Holy One of Israel ( a name of God) in Is. 43:3. In 43:11 God says that apart from Him there is NO Savior. Also Hos. 13:4
God calls Himself Savior in Is. 45:21; 49:26; 60:16. Jesus is called the Savior of the world John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23, 1 Tim. 4:10,
the Father sent the Son to as Savior ( 1 Jn. 4:14)
and Jude 1:25 says that Jesus our only God and Savior and He should be glorified and honored the SAME as the Father who is God ( Jn. 5:23) thus claiming equality with the Father. (also see Jn. 5:18; Jn. 10: 30-38; 8:58)
So, in light of these truths of Scripture, It is fact that God alone is our Savior, and the Father sent His Divine Son into the world to save sinners.
Hallelujah! Because every human that has ever lived needs to be saved from their sins, and Jesus, God the Son, is this Savior, and no mere man can save anyone.
I am sorry, we have just finished a discussion on the Trinity, and you say your post is not directed at me and you consider me as a friend, and we can have discussions on another subject. This is what you posted "If Jesus is not God, then there is no Christianity and those who worship Jesus are nothing but idolaters. But if He is God, then those who deny He is God are blasphemers in the worst sense of the word, because they believe in another Jesus".
How else can I take this, but you are telling me I am an idolater and a blasphemer of the worst sense of the word? I cannot even fathom saying that to a friend. How can you say I am a friend and say what you said, you said I am an idolater and a blasphemer. Why would you want to discuss anything with me if that is what you think I am?
Matthew 7:1 Luke 6:37 The truth will out, only if we are open to receiving it, my prayers are for you and your family this is my last reply to you.
God bless,
RLW
GOD IS SUPREME OVER ALL
The supremacy of God is unrivaled. All that is belongs to Him. " Ps. 24:1 the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and all that dwell therein".
1 Chr.29:11 "Thine O, Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, and thou art exalted as head above all."
God reigns as the supreme sovereign of all creation. He is the maker of heaven and earth, all that is seen and unseen, even the powers, principalities, dominions, rulers in high places are ruled by Him.
In the consummation when Jesus returns, ALL things will be given to Jesus and then Jesus will conquer the final enemy death, and then He will turn ALL things over to His Father for a reign that lasts forever. ( 1 Cor 15:24-28)
I love this doxology often added at the end of the Lord's prayer.
"For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen."
It is foolish for anyone to think they can or try to thwart God's will and purposes. Satan was foolish and continues in his folly forever because he did not wanted to be ruled by God. We should be careful not to fall into rebellion against God's rule in our lives. It is for our best that we submit to Him in everything in every way. We are really powerless in light of His greatness. And we know that He is the "only wise God" and the only one who is truly good.
So we can trust Him and not lose heart when things are allowed to happen in our lives that are painful, difficult, perplexing, or cause us to despair or doubt. We remember that Jesus is familiar with our weakness and infirmities and is our great High Priest, perfect in every way to not only mediate for us but is perfect and can help us in the best way in all circumstances.