Threshing and Winnowing

 

I have started reading through 2 Chronicles in my continuing journey through the Bible.  I got to the third chapter, read verse 1, and could go no further.  Here is the verse that stopped me (2 Chronicles 3:1): "Now Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite".  After reading this verse I began to seek the Lord of its meaning, and of the 'why's.

As I pondered the importance of this location for the building of God's temple, I learned that Mount Moriah is the place where God told Abraham to take his son, Isaac, and sacrifice him.  Abraham obeyed, but God stopped Abraham and sent a lamb to sacrifice in Isaac's place.

The threshing floor of Chiding is the place where Uzza reached out his hand to hold the ark of God when the oxen stumbled in 1 Chronicles 13:9-10: [9] When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it. [10] The anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

Additionally, the account of King David and the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite was fresh on my mind.  I had just read the story in 1 Chronicles 21: 

1-Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel...  ⁷ And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel. ⁸ So David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly." ⁹ And the Lord spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying, ¹⁰ "Go and tell David, saying, 'Thus says the Lord: "I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you." ' "¹¹ So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the Lord: 'Choose for yourself, ¹² either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the Lord--the plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me." ¹³ And David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man." ¹⁴ So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. ¹⁵ And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, the Lord looked and relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, "It is enough; now restrain your hand." And the angel of the Lord stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ¹⁶ Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. ¹⁷ And David said to God, "Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O Lord my God, be against me and my father's house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued." ¹⁸ Therefore, the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David that David should go and erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ¹⁹ So David went up at the word of Gad, which he had spoken in the name of the Lord. ²⁰ Now Ornan turned and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves, but Ornan continued threshing wheat. ²¹ Then David came to Ornan, and Ornan looked and saw David. And he went out from the threshing floor, and bowed before David with his face to the ground. ²² Then David said to Ornan, "Grant me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to the Lord. You shall grant it to me at the full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people." ²³ And Ornan said to David, "Take it to yourself, and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. Look, I also give you the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing implements for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering; I give it all." ²⁴ Then King David said to Ornan, "No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing." ²⁵ So David gave Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. ²⁶ And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the Lord; and He answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering. ²⁷ So the Lord commanded the angel, and he returned his sword to its sheath. ²⁸ At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.

Finally, in the Book of Ruth, Ruth presents herself to her Kinsman Redeemer, Boaz, on his threshing floor.  Boaz ultimately accepted her offer, marrying her, and taking on the responsibility of her welfare. 

As for the meaning of the name 'Moriah', I learned that Moriah means 'teaching place', or 'place of worship'.

Threshing is the work of separating grain from the stalks and husks.  The stalks and husks are considered waste, and is called 'chaff'.  Threshing is an agressive practice which can be done by flailing, beating, or trampling.  In some countries grain is spread on the threshing floor and is threshed by an animal pulling a heavy sled over the grain.  After the grain is threshed, it is tossed into the air - often with a winnowing fork - to separate it from the chaff.  As it is tossed into the air the grain falls to the threshing floor and the wind carries the chaff away.  This is known as winnowing.

The Temple of God has as its foundation a place of threshing and winnowing - separating the wheat from the chaff.  This is the place where teaching and worship take place!  It is a destructive and redemptive place.  Its foundation is a place of not only God's judgement, but also of repentance.  Its foundation is a place of God's provision for the sacrifice required for sin - God's great mercy as demonstrated in the sacrifice of the Holy Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world. It is a place of redemption by the Kinsman Redeemer - Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

In Matthew 3:11-12 John the Baptist tells the listener, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.". John the Baptist is telling us of Jesus, here.

1 Corinthians 3:11-17 tells the reader: "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

In these contemplations I see there is, indeed, a threshing of God's people.  We are God's temple, and our foundation is built upon the threshing floor.  There is a purification and a refining, and all that will not withstand the fire of God's judgement will be loss.  God will remove the chaff from the life of his Child, and this can be experienced as painful and difficult. Heaven and earth are passing away, so must our attachments and reliance upon these pass away.  Seek, first, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  One must love God with all their heart, soul, and mind. Our foundation must be Jesus Christ, the Holy Lamb of God, who was threshed...

Isaiah 53:4-12: "Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked-- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."

Appropriate

 Much is made these days of the word 'appropriate'.  To be appropriate is to be suitable, or proper, in the circumstances.  Yet, too, much is made of the pursuit of happiness in the world.  We flee from feelings of shame, guilt, sorrow, and sadness, and develop pseudo psychologies in our flight - psychologies that can be touted in memes on social media - psychologies that leave us ever more empty inside.  This wayward pursuit in the dark is unending, because it is a pursuit to no where except a true place called hell.  Hell is the final destination of this dark and wayward pursuit of happiness.  What does the Bible say about the appropriate way to be?  The way of liberty and true freedom inside?  First, the Bible tells us that the truth will set us free.

James 4:1-10 says, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

In the United States Declaration of Independence it tells of 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness' in regard to human rights.  Yet here in this scripture we see that if we want to be 'lifted up' by God from this endless struggle in the pursuit of happiness, and self fulfillment, it is appropriate to lament, mourn, and weep!  God cannot lift us up until we humble ourselves before Him.  This is appropriate, and much needed in the human psyche.  Do you feel sorrow in your heart?  Do not be ashamed to feel sorrow!  It is appropriate!  God loves the broken hearted.  Psalms 34:18 says, "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit."

Jesus said, in Matthew 5:3-4, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted."

So, we see that in order to achieve the comfort we so desperately crave it is first appropriate to recognize and experience our great sorrow.  Where does this sorrow come from?  The heavy weight and destruction of sin in our lives, and on the world.  So many are going to spend eternity in hell.  is this not cause for great lamentation, weeping, and mourning?  Why should we not mourn?  This is sorrowful news!  Why should we not feel shame rather than squelch our God given conscience?  We are guilty!  In Ezekiel we see that God says He will save His people, yet He will not allow them to forget where they came from - their sinfulness.  God even says they will loathe their selves for their former sinfulness.

Ezekiel 36:25-32 says, 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgements and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

Do you feel feelings of shame?  Do you feel guilt?  Are you sad within, and don't know why?  Do you believe you should feel differently than you do?  I ask you to please trust in the Lord.  You can come to God, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, at any time and tell Him the truth of how you feel.  Do not ignore your burning conscience.  Humble yourself before God so He may lift you up, through Christ Jesus our Righteousness.  Do not deny your feelings as incorrect.  Recognize them as appropriate.  The only incorrect feelings are those of pride and disdain.  These cannot be remedied except a person repent of them, and loathe their self in the sight of God for such errant hubris - unless this prideful one repent, and be ashamed and confounded for their own ways.  Such a one places their self beyond God's grasp, as a Prodigal Son, until they return home in appropriate sorrow and defeat.

Finally, there is great hope for all!  Ezekiel 18:20-32 tells us: 20 "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 21 “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?24 “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. 25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”

God desires no one to perish.  Repent.  Turn to God, and live.  Herein you will find peace and rest for your soul.  Jesus said, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Don't Judge; Judge

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
Matthew 7:1-6

Kicking Against the Pricks, pt 2 (a Testimony)

"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  Acts 9:1-6

Yesterday I wrote a blog about kicking against the pricks.  The goad (prick) is a traditional farming implement, used to spur or guide livestock, usually oxen, which are pulling a plough or a cart; used also to round up cattle.  It is a type of long stick with a pointed end, also known as the cattle prod.  To kick against the pricks is to resist, protest, or fight against those in positions of authority.  To kick against the pricks is to kick back from being goaded - prodded.

My blog, yesterday, dealt with the evil pricks (authorities) of the world, goading the Christian in ways against their conscience.  I encouraged us to remember that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.  I wrote of the importance of keeping our face toward our Heavenly Father, from whence comes our help.  In this world we will have trouble, yet Jesus told us to take heart.  He has overcome the world!

I believe the words of Jesus to Saul in these verses, however, were about Saul's response to the pricks of God on his life.  It is painful to ignore the pricks, prods, and goads of the Spirit of Christ Jesus!  In the end, it is dangerous to ignore them, and finally to become calloused - no longer able to feel, or respond to the call of God upon our lives.

1 Timothy 4:1,2 tells us, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron."  What a sad and scary commentary - to have rebelled against God's call upon our life, God's correction, God's words, until we have seared our conscience to the point of being unfeeling toward the pricks of God upon our life.  It is here, in this seared condition, that we make up our own take on truth - one that is acommodating, self elevating, and self serving.  Let us call it what it is - witchcraft.

1 Samuel 15:23(a) tells us, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."  Oh what sorrows this rebellion and stubbornness leads to.

God put His mark on me at a young age.  Why?  I don't know, yet I am beyond grateful.  As a little girl God gave me dreams and personal encouragements.  On the same turn I was also subject to demonic attacks.  The devil wants to destroy God's children, and have them blame God for it.  At the age of 12 I was baptised in the Snake River by our local Pastor, Amos Shenk.  When I came up from the water I was filled with the Holy Spirit - it was transcendent - and my voice was taken from me for a while.  I could not speak.

Also, at the age of 12, I was on the fence of the world (hell), and Heaven.  I was in rebellion, and anger was taking its hold on me.  I had a fascination for Astrology, which I eventually gave in to.  It came to seem harmless, although I had been warned against it.  I was on my path to disbelief - a journey of many years.  My deliberate sin and rebellion, indeed, became witchcraft.  I became an instrument of the deceiver.  Eventually I studied Occult knowledge, sought out Occult experience, and was arrogant and accusing toward God and His people.

Yet, in all this time, while I engaged in abominations in practice and belief (of which Universalism was one), I had come to a conclusion.  I was bent on finding out what love is, and what this meant, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18  All I knew was lonliness, anger, and fear.  I made it my life goal to find out what love is, and how it would dispel fear.  In all my studies of gods, and pantheons, there was only one God who came to earth and gave His life for humanity for the sake of His love toward us.  This God was Christ Jesus.  So, as I did my studies and practices Jesus was my focus.  He was my example and ultimate Teacher.

Finally, a year ago last February, I had an encounter with God that was hellish and terrifying.  Some are brought to God by His overwhelming love.  Yet, I needed to be taught to fear.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!  (Proverbs 9:10)  Society teaches us that fear is bad.  Well, fear of the Lord is downright smart!  Christ Jesus tells us, in Matthew 10:28, "...fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

In my spiritual journey, over the years, I had come to believe that a loving God would not destroy people in hell (Universalism), for eternity, as the Bible says - as Jesus said.  God showed me, however, that hell is REAL, and that apart from faith in Christ Jesus - in the path I was on - I was headed directly for hell.  To be shown God's holiness up against my corruption was terrifying.  I could not stand before Him.

I am still not 'recovered'.  I fear the Lord God with a reverent fear.  This is appropriate.  Yet, I have fallen in love with Him, and His words.  I love His commands.  I have chosen to love what God loves, and hate what God hates.  By His terrible prick - goading - and great mercy, I have placed myself firmly in His camp, through Christ Jesus.  Christ Jesus is the ONLY way to God - to be a Child of God.  We must die to the Old Man, and be born again in Christ Jesus.  He holds the keys to Heaven and Hell.  It is not God's will that any should perish in Hell.  Yet, man, in his rebellion, has chosen Hell over eternal life in Christ Jesus.

There is the briefest of stories in the Old Testiment that speaks so profoundly to me.  It is a story of a man who walked with God - and best of all, God walked with him!  He was a friend of God.  God and him were FRIENDS!  This man was Enoch.  "And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.  And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (Genesis 5:18-24)

I cry when I read this.  I want, more than anything in my life, to be friends with God - to walk with Him, and have Him walk with me.  I grieve, profoundly, over the years I spent in enmity against God, and the spiritual damage I caused in those years.  Kicking against the pricks is painful, and causes deep regrets.  Yet, here enters God's merciful plan of salvation found in Christ Jesus.  This plan was founded in God's great goodness, mercy, and LOVE!  "Glory to God in the Highest!  Peace on Earth, Goodwill to man!"

When God brought me back to Himself it was devastating - I was devastated.  God let me know, at that time, that a broken and a contrite heart He will not despise, and that if I wanted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven I must become as a child.  I put away the pursuit of knowledge that had puffed me up so severely - knowledge that was pure sin, futility, and vanity.  No one can stand before a Holy God.  All our righteousness is as filthy rags before Him.  The ONLY way we will one day stand is by the gift of Jesus' sacrifice, His faithfulness to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him, and the Power of His Blood.  It is only Jesus who will cause us to stand - "and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness."  Christ, alone, is our righteousness.  Spurn Him and there is no sacrifice left for you to keep you from the torment and fires of Hell.

Do not kick against the pricks of God.  To do so is painful and regretful.  Come to Christ Jesus and be saved.  I leave you with the truth of this old hymn.

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

(John H. Sammis, 1887)

Kicking Against the Pricks

"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."  Acts:9:1-6

The goad (prick) is a traditional farming implement, used to spur or guide livestock, usually oxen, which are pulling a plough or a cart; used also to round up cattle.  It is a type of long stick with a pointed end, also known as the cattle prod.  To kick against the pricks is to resist, protest, or fight against those in positions of authority.

When Paul was Saul his claim to fame was to persecute and murder Christians.  At the stoning of Stephen - the first Martyr of Christ Jesus - there was Saul, an observer in the crowd.  Saul consented to the murder of Stephen.  He was a Pharisee of Pharisees.  A Pharisee was a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by a strict observance of the traditional and written Biblical Law.  Pharisees were recognized to have pretensions to superior sanctity - militantly so.  Saul tormented, imprisoned, and murdered Christians in an effort to quash their uprising, and he believed himself justified in doing so.  He, most likely, felt as if he was endearing himself more favorably to God.  Saul had a zeal for the Law, and its implementation.  His zeal was even, most likely, a matter of pride for him.  Certainly he found his identity most strongly with the Sect of Pharisees.

Yet, the Christians were peaceable.  They did not fight back.  They did not kick against the pricks.  Rather, they chose the Path of the Cross of Christ Jesus, their Savior. They believed in, and followed, the words, and example, of Christ Jesus.  They believed Jesus when He said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:24,25)  The Christians had been 'born again' - having died to the Old Man who was cursed under the Law, and having been born anew, a New Man born into the righteousness of Christ.  They were committed to sharing in Jesus' death, so they could share in His resurrection.  Theirs was a life of joy in Christ, and suffering in the World.

Having received permission to bind any Christians he encountered on his way to Damascus, with the intent of imprisoning them, Saul set out on his journey.  As he neared Damascus, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.  Saul fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"  Saul said, "Who art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." 

Following his encounter with the living, resurrected, Jesus, Saul was blind.  Jesus left Saul with specific instructions, which Saul followed, then regaining his sight.  Somewhere between Acts 9, and Acts 13, Saul became Paul.  As a New Man, in Christ Jesus, he was given a new name.  The life he now lived he lived in Christ Jesus.  Paul quit kicking against the pricks - the Power, and Authority, of Christ Jesus.

How many Christians, today, are kicking against the pricks - those authorities that are most often nefarious in nature?  How many are kicking against abortion, politicians, socialism, witches and warlocks, Hollywood, the Music Industry, etc?  Are we kicking against false prophets and false churches?  Whatever it is we are kicking against - that which goes against God's 'Laws' - even in Christ Jesus - that thing becomes our focus.  We take our eyes off God, in Christ Jesus, and behave as a Pharisee.  If there is any fight in the Christian, at all, it is this: "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

At times I have been guilty of kicking against the pricks.  God has taken me out of that fight lately.  I am to keep my eyes upon Him, which means that my back is to the world and its troubles.  My solution is found in God!  I seek to obey Him as He gives me power to live for Him by His Holy Spirit.  My confidence is in God.  Isaiah 30:15 says, "...in returning (repentance, or turning to God) and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence (in God) shall be your strength..."  Then God says the saddest phrase, "but ye would not."  Daily I choose that I will return/turn my face to God, and rest in Him - quietly and confidently.  I do not want to be one of those who would not.  God have mercy upon me.

Yet, I do like to post informative articles, or videos, at times, telling of the signs of the times.  I do not mean for this to be my focus, and ask forgiveness if it is a distraction from encouraging us to firmly keep our eyes upon the Glory of God.  I am intrigued to be living in these times - watching prophecy unfold.  We are witnessing end time prophecies being fulfilled at break neck speed. 

While meant to be informative, for those who may be interested, with this comes some hysteria from those who may be afraid, or misunderstand.  From some there comes uncomfortable suspicion, or denial.  Some feel it is their duty to fight the uprising of evils upon us.  We clamor about the evils, according to each perception of what is right - and why - and what is wrong.  We even fight against one another.  Some head for the gun closet...  Our eyes, and focus, have strayed from God.

Yet, the fruit of God's Holy Spirit is not that of hysteria, but of a sound mind, self control, and temperance.  The only fear that is wise is the fear of God.  There is no wisdom in fearing that which we perceive to be our enemy, or those who manifest against God's Laws.  I do not insist on, and fight for, the Bible, and prayer, in public schools.  I do not see this as necessarily good.  I am not for a one world religion, even under the name of 'Christianity'.  I do not want the government interfering in my prayer life, or that of children.  There is much that claims to be Christian, which is not.  As a Christian I am not a supporter of Donald Trump, by default.  As a Christian I do not join the fight against abortion, while insisting on my right to own a gun.  I do not insist on my right to self defense.
God is my defense.  I wait upon His deliverance.  While I do not fight the rising of digital identity and currency (the Mark of the Beast), I will not accept it foisted upon my person.  I am willing to participate in the death of Christ (martyrdom), so that I may share in His resurrection.  I do not fear these things.  I do not fight against these things.  I fear, only, God.  He is my Strength and my Shield, my Glory, and the Lifter of My Head.

"For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, "Say ye not, a confederacy (conspiracy), to all them to whom this people shall say, "A confederacy (conspiracy); neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.  Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread."  Isaiah 8:11-13

For the Christian this world, and its governments, is not our world!  Our Kingdom, and government, is that of Heaven.  Our fight is against the principalities and powers of the air - the evil one, and his minions.  And, in this they are defeated, already, in Christ Jesus.  When we come under demonic attack we have every authority in Christ Jesus, and by His Name, to drive them away.  Yet, here is where our focus should lie...

"...seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  Matthew 6:33

"...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  Philippians 4:8

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."  Colossians 3:2

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.'"  Romans 8:5-8

Finally, "And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.  And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"  Matthew 8:23-27

Peace, be still.

Turning and Returning

Humanity is plagued with feelings of guilt and shame.  We go to great lengths to rid ourselves of these uncomfortable feelings.  We go to the Psychiatrist, take pills, suffer addictions, practice various self help methods, explore religious philosophies, try to be 'good', ad infinitum…  How often do we consider that these feelings of guilt and shame are from a truth telling, God given, conscience?  We are conditioned to believe these feelings are 'bad', and can even come to believe they are undeserved, or that we have an 'over-active' conscience.

Jesus Christ came with a Gospel – a sacrificial gift – of peace between God and man.  This Gospel includes the practice of ‘repentance’.  Much of today's Christianity has removed the message of the need for repentance, and the guilt of man.  The truth of God's holiness, and Jesus' call to holiness, is most often shunned from the pulpit today.  The focus is on love, and feel good beliefs and practices.  We have come to love having our ears tickled.  In fact, it can be surprising how a normally kind and loving individual can become quite indignant when approached with the idea of the need for repentance.  Terms such as ‘judgmental’ and ‘legalistic' get tossed around.  Yet, Jesus said, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.”  1 John 1:8.  Everyone is guilty!  Everyone bears shame.  It is entirely appropriate to feel the difficult feelings of guilt and shame.  We, each one, are guilty.

Repentance – the idea of repenting – seems to have come to have negative connotations.  We often seem to have the impression that one need only repent once, and generally, for sin, for all time… if we are ever even given the idea of the need for repentance from a pulpit at all!  We can easily adopt a haughty attitude toward God's mandate of repentance.  It assaults our increasingly important ego – sense of pride.  We are even taught that it is good to have pride and confidence in one's Self – capital 'S'.

Yet, God knows that repentance is the only way to alleviate the consequences of our guilt and shame – those dreadful feelings!  Every single time we feel shame and guilt – even over the same issue – we can repent.  We do not cease until God removes the feelings of guilt and shame, and assures us of our peace with Him.  As often as one feels these awful feelings they can repent!  It helps us in dealing with the feelings of guilt and shame – to bring relief, and even deliverance.
God has harsh words for those Shepherds of His flock which rob His people of His words.  God's words are Life!  They are for help and healing!  Here is some of what God has to say of His words, and the Pastors who refuse to teach them:

“Thus says the Lord of hosts,
“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you.  They are leading you into futility; they speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the Lord.  “They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You will have peace”’; And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, they say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’”  Jeremiah 23:16-17

“I did not send these prophets, but they ran.  I did not speak to them, but they prophesied.  “But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.”  Jeremiah 23:21-22

“Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock? Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who steal My words from each other. Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who use their tongues and declare, ‘The Lord declares.’ Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,” declares the Lord, “and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 23:29-32

To repent is a benefit.  Repentance is not just a confession, and to say, “I'm sorry”.  To repent is to turn.  To repent is also to return.  Repentance is a continual turning, and returning, to God!  Two Bible versions of Isaiah 30:15 give us several examples of the one word:

“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved; In quietness and trust is your strength.”  But you were not willing.”  (NASB)

“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”  (KJV)

Here is how the Hebrew/Greek Interlinear Bible defines this same word ‘repentance/returning' in this verse:
Lexical: שׁוּבָה
Transliteration: shubah
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: shoo-baw'
Definition: retirement, withdrawal.
Origin: From shuwb; a return.
Usage: returning.
Translated as (count): in returning (1). - Lexical: שׁוּבָה
Transliteration: shubah
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: shoo-baw'
Definition: retirement, withdrawal.
Origin: From shuwb; a return.
Usage: returning.
Translated as (count): in returning (1).

In repentance – or returning – we retire, or withdraw, from one thing in favor of the other.  We turn from our sin in favor of God's holiness… and we keep returning.  To repent, then, becomes a continual motion!  We keep turning to God, and waiting (resting) upon His salvation – His deliverance.  “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.”  Zechariah:1:3

Some insight into the word ‘repent', or 'repentance' found online:  “The word repent comes from the Old French word repentir, which means, "to feel regret for sins or crimes." If you cheat on an exam in school, and feel guilty afterwards, you might repent for your bad behavior by confessing to your teacher.”

And, “Literally, it is a Greek word meaning “change of mind”. ... In the New Testament, the word metanoia is often translated as “repentance”. But this kind of repentance is not about regret or guilt or shame; it implies making a decision to turn around, to face a new direction.”

So, the solution to the nasty feelings of guilt and shame is a continual turning to God, as we rest and wait upon His salvation and deliverance, in quiet trust and confidence in Him.  We turn to our Father through the peace made between God and man offered in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. Here is this Gospel – this grace – offered through Christ Jesus, and His sacrifice:

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”  1 John 1:5-2:6

Turn to Jesus.  Take up your cross and follow Him.  Turn, and walk as He walked.

Haman and Queen Esther

Haman was a political adviser to the King of Persia.  He very much enjoyed his status and power - and all the pomp and wealth it afforded him.  Yet, he had a vendetta against a Jew, named Mordecai, who would not bow to him.  Ultimately resentment toward Mordecai, and the Jews, escalated in Haman's heart and mind until he built a hanging gallows for the Jew.  Haman's intention was to persuade the King, through deceit, to eliminate not only Mordecai, yet to eliminate all the Jews.  Neither Haman, nor the King, yet realized that the King's beautiful Queen Esther was Jewish.

As the story goes along, Haman's plan turns on him - the King was exposed to the truth of Haman's conivings and intentions, which would include the demise of even the Queen, Esther.  Esther was complicit in this exposure of Haman to the King.  She was desperate to save her people from this impending monstrosity of doom being inflicted by the proud and hateful Haman.  Haman's deeds, and true nature, became apparent to the King.

In desperation, a terrified Haman realized that he was found out, and was in dire trouble as a result of a now angry King.  Haman, in a moment alone with the Queen Esther, fell upon her to beg for his life.  The King walked in to find Haman upon his wife.  His anger turned to fury.  A eunuch, in attendance to the event, pointed out to the King the gallows Haman had built for the Jew, Mordecai.  The King told his attendees, "Hang him on that!"  So, Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for another.

Live by the sword.  Die by the sword.  Reap what you sow.  Build a prison for others, and find yourself in that same prison.  We are victims of the judgments we inflict on another.  Invoke a curse, live under the same curse.  THIS is why Christ Jesus came... God come to earth, in His Son, Jesus, to take upon himself the curse mankind brought upon himself, and in this way fulfill the terms of the curse so we may be made right in relationship to our Father God.

Christ Jesus resurrected from his death, unto life.  He paid the cost of the curse upon humanity.  In Him, judgment is no longer a curse, and there is no more comdemnation.  So must His follower, too, take up their cross, die (to the old man), so we may rise - transformed (reborn) - with Him. There is no more curse, except that which one brings upon their self in rejection of this gift of salvation.  We end up on the hanging gallows we create for another.  We are bound to the same law, and consequence, we create for the other.  Even then, there is Mercy for the ignorant when we acknowledge our fallen state (sin nature), repent (turn from our fallen way in favor of the way Jesus set before us), daily take up our Cross, and follow Him.

(picture: Jewish Artist, Arthur Szyk)

King Jesus

How was Jesus involved, directly, in politics?  He wasn't.  Yet, He was brought before political leaders, as were many Prophets and Disciples.  He was murdered by the political leaders working in cooperation with the religious leaders.  That said, does God have anything to do with world politics?  Absolutely.  Even if He has given them over to the powers of the air in order to accomplish His purpose.  God's Word will not return void.

Jesus did tell His Disciples to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's when they asked Him about paying taxes.  Then He gave the Disciples coin to do so.  Otherwise, Jesus' primary involvement on the earth, with humanity, was His Gospel.  Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of Heaven to be our ultimate pursuit - to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness above all things!  Then He demonstrated for us how through His living and teaching.  Jesus simply never had political discussions!  That wasn't the direction He was taking people.

Jesus never instructed or directed His Disciples into political involvements for the betterment of mankind, or for moral influence.  Rather, they were to be 'Fishers of Men' for the Kingdom of God.  Their mission was very personal, in bringing Christ Jesus to the individual.  Jesus instructed His Follower to personally care for the poor and disenfranchised.  In the book of Acts those of the early church individually sold what they could, put all the money in a common pot, and distributed it as there was need within the Body.

Capitalism and Patriotism were not venerated, or even mentioned in the Holy Bible.  The only Holy Nation in the Bible was God's Nation - His Kingdom.  The people of Israel, who are God's own, were entirely idolatrous and rebellious toward their Heavenly Father.  The Kings of Israel and Judah did consult God about whether they should go to war, or not, and what the outcome would be...  Yet, there is no such thing as a 'Christian Nation' on this earth - and there never has been.  There are only the Kingdoms of this earth, and the Kingdom of Heaven - and only one of these is Holy.  There is only One King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  Only One.  I sure wish I could find a church to attend that isn't sporting an American flag, among other flags...

So, while it is Biblical to give voice for the poor and disenfranchised, beyond that the true Follower of Christ Jesus does not try to exert political power and influence upon the governments of the world.  We are to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world - to individuals.  We are to be Fishers of Men, and feed Jesus' Sheep.  We must remember that it is God who will judge the world - not us.  We are to exercise judgement within the Body, and that not hypocritically.

Normally I would post scriptural references to support my assertions, yet this time I exhort you to test what I am saying against scripture and the Holy Spirit of God.  Seek and find these answers for yourself - prayerfully.  Then walk in obedience to God, and put away rebellion and idolatries.  Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness - not political influence.  Seek Jesus.  He is the ONLY Way into God's Holy Kingdom.  He holds the keys to Heaven and Hell.  He is the Narrow Way.  Amen.

Nothing

I pray in the middle of the night, when I awaken, and the vain noise of the day does not compete against my pursuit of God for my attentions.  I do pray all day long - without ceasing - yet there are so many disruptions that impatiently make demands on me.  Jesus did say, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33  So, I pray during the day in the vain clamoring, and at night when it is quiet.  My prayers often feel as a groping for God - His direction, protection, and favor.  Sometimes I am so fuzzy headed in the wee hours that I have trouble praying, but I will not let go.  I often visualize myself lying prostrate at the feet of Jesus, holding on to his ankle like a child getting pulled along by their daddy's leg as they refuse to let go.  He patiently lets me hold on, and sometimes I giggle - when I am not weeping.

As I have been praying recently, offering myself wholly to God, I have realized I have NOTHING to offer my Heavenly Father!  All I am, all that I have, and all I offer to give, is already His!  I am His - and I am but a vapor - a blade of grass that is here today and gone tomorrow.  My praise of Him already belongs to Him.  My praise is His, and it is owed Him!  It is right to praise my Heavenly Father, because praise already belongs to Him!  In my obedience I cannot bring God glory, because it is right to obey Him and the glory already belongs to Him!  I was created for His purpose and glory, even since I was but a thought.  God is not in place for my purpose and glory.  There is nothing I have to give my God - even in gratitude - that doesn't already belong to Him, and is owed Him.  My salvation and adoption into His family is all His doing, for His glory and His pleasure.  All of my salvation speaks of who He is - His absolute holiness, goodness, and mercy.  And, I cannot comprehend His affections and attentions to me - His gift of salvation.  To say I am grateful is so insufficient.  I am undone...  All of my capacity to worship Him is wholly His.  And I LONG to worship Him.  "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?"  Psalm 42:1-2

I identify with the Psalmist when he says, "My soul cleaves to the dust;

Revive me according to Your word. I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;

Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts,

So I will meditate on Your wonders. My soul weeps because of grief;

Strengthen me according to Your word. Remove the false way from me,

And graciously grant me Your law. I have chosen the faithful way;

I have placed Your ordinances before me. I cling to Your testimonies;

O Lord, do not put me to shame! I shall run the way of Your commandments,

For You will enlarge my heart. Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law

And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies

And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,

And revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant,

As that which produces reverence for You. Turn away my reproach which I dread,

For Your ordinances are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts;

Revive me through Your righteousness."

Psalm 119:25-40

It is only the Good Shepherd who leads me in paths of righteousness, and this for His Name's sake.  He ordains and keeps my steps.  I cannot.  He even causes me to stand, and keeps my feet from slipping!  I am in love...

Jesus Christ (Yeshua Hamashiach) even prayed for those who are His.  While "The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it." Psalm 24:1, not all people are children of God.  Only those who place their trust in Jesus, take up their cross, and follow Him.  One must die to the old man of sin, and be born again in Christ Jesus - made a New Creation!  Here is the prayer Jesus gave to the Father, in our behalf - those of us who are His: 

He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17

Let us sing along with the angels, "“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  Luke 2:14. All praise to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Don't Dump On The Banquet Table

There are scriptures in the Holy Bible which tell us of a Heavenly Banquet where we will be served by Christ Jesus, and sup with Him.  Here is one such scripture: “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Luke:12:37

I was a part of a ‘Christian’ social group called 'Truth Under Fire'.  I appreciated much of what they said, and were attempting to do.  The creator of the group was a sincere man, as was most of the participants it seemed to me.  Yet, the group creator, and members, began posting political, and condemning entire swaths of people that didn't fall in with their particular political party and position.  They felt proven right by a distortion of religious means and philosophy.  I attempted to bring the group focus back to Christ Jesus, and His Kingdom.  If one is a Christian their Kingdom is not of this world, and their political involvements in this earthly realm will be born of Heavenly source, resource, and residence.  For the follower of Christ Jesus, our focus and our residence is the Kingdom of Heaven.  God is our King, and there is no other.  He is the merciful and holy Ruler, and His Kingdom is neither Capitalist nor Democratic.  Furthermore, the Child of God can never be too Heavenly minded… we are to be entirely Heavenly minded.

The creator of the group posted a particular political post – an article that was written under the heading, ‘The Whole Truth of God'.  It was simply a base article decrying the sins of a political leader of the opposite political party.  The article was entirely gossip and slander, and declared as ‘God's Truth'.  This cut me to the quick.  This behavior is clearly decried in the Holy Bible.  It is entirely unholy.  The Bible tells us: “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”  Matthew:12:37.

The scriptures warn us against gossip and slander.  This is fresh for me because it is something the Holy Spirit has been correcting me on.  Gossips and slanderers will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, it is written in 1 Corinthians 6:10.  We must take great care in our words, and offer every one – written, or spoken – over to the control of the Holy Spirit.  When I expressed my concerns over the direction this post had taken the group, my concerns and scriptural references were met with only self defense and contempt – even some scoffing.

I cried and prayed before submitting my responses to the group regarding this article.  I did not want to simply react on the offense, and barge ahead with my words.  I asked Jesus, in my prayers, “Why does this article upset me so?”  Immediately I saw a picture in my mind of someone squatted over the Banquet Table of Jesus, and defecating on it – to be crude, as the picture in my mind was meant to be, this person was taking a dump (dumping) on the Banquet Table of Christ Jesus.

When we engage in slander and gossip against those with whom we disagree, or feel threatened by, we are taking a dump on the Banquet Table of Christ Jesus, and we must be warned, this behavior will not be allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Most of us would not allow anyone into our house who would insist on dumping so crudely upon our table of friendship and fellowship!  The true Christian believes, and heeds, the words of Christ Jesus – that judgement begins in the house of God!  “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter:4:17.  The Follower of Christ Jesus is instructed to PRAY for their perceived enemy – not malign them to others in gossip and slander under the umbrella of ‘defending God’, or exposing what is false.  Our fight is NOT against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.  Our prayer should be as Jesus' prayed, “Father forgive them.  They don't know what they're doing”.

I have asked forgiveness of the Father, through the shed blood of Christ Jesus, for the times I have dumped on His Banquet Table.  I offer my words over to the Lord God, daily.  I ask that He put a guard upon my mouth, and the words that I write.  I pray for the lost, and also for those who call their self by Christ's Name.  I am not surprised at the evil in the world, and the world political systems.  I am not surprised that Christians are being martyred in Muslim countries.  I do not fear the Muslim, nor do I hate them.  I do not fear, or despise, the Stranger (Immigrant) among us.  I am a bit surprised at the Christian who is scared, shocked, or indignant, over these.  It is as if they really do not believe what is written in the scriptures of the Holy Bible.

I will conclude with 2 Timothy 3, which I believe describes what we are witnessing today within the House of God, where judgement will begin… “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.   For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.   But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.   But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.   Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

The Greatest Love

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

Years ago I was sitting in an AA meeting, which I used to attend regularly, and I was crying.  I was in the pain of a recent breakup - another one - and lamenting that I just did not know what love is.  I quoted the scripture where Christ Jesus states that "perfect love casts out fear".  I said that I had no clue what that meant, and I truly did not.  During, and following, the meeting there were members of the group offer me words of wisdom, and consolations.  That was the day I determined to find out what love is.

I had been raised in a Christian home, and practiced as a Christian for many years.  I even had real encounters with the Lord God.  I knew the Bible really well, and even still read it regularly.  Yet, at that time I was living in rebellion to God.  There was nothing holy about my existence.  Still, I knew that Christ Jesus was the only true example and manifestation of love that had ever walked the planet.  I determined, that day, to follow Christ Jesus as my path to learn to come to know love.

Following that day, also, I grew very far apart from my Christian roots - and heavily into the Occult.  The scriptures say that the sin of rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft.  This is truth.  We can see, in many churches today, Occult behaviors and practices - and blindness against such by those deceived.  My rebellion was that of being unable to accept, and bring myself in accord with, the difficult words of God.  I was in rebellion against the idea of eternal hell for those who reject the gift of Christ Jesus.  It even got to the point where I did not believe in hell as a consequence for humans who are in rebellion to God.  I dismissed, and cherry picked from, the scriptures of the Holy Bible.  I challenged its authenticity, and argued against God's Words.  I designed my own belief system, and found a 'Christian' church which would support it - Universalism.

There is a sad scriptural account of the time when many of Jesus' Disciples left Him, and fell away, because they found Jesus' Words too difficult to accept.  John 6:60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve."

As I grew farther away from the Heavenly Father, I still followed Jesus in my expression and understanding of love as demonstrated by Christ Jesus.  He was my focus.  Love became my primary aim.  I went through years of struggles, disappointments in relationships, and a continual practice of working to align myself with the Christ, in love.  I never had much consideration for holiness.  No understanding, really, of holiness.  Love became all, for me.  And, I was so imperfect in the practice.  Yet, opportunities for this practice increased and abounded, as they will for the one sincere in their intent, whatever it may be.  Then, in the painful wake of another relationship going bad, I had a dream.

In this dream I was at a park, I believe, with the love interest of the time  We decided to go on a drive to take care of a matter.  As we were driving there appeared in the sky cloud 'mandalas'.  These clouds were encircling the entire horizon - the earth.  From each opening in the cloud mandalas came a pulsating, brilliant, light.  This light pulsated form the sky to the earth, non stop, as water from a falls.  It was intense.  The guy I was with drove the car directly into the light.  I couldn't' believe what he was doing.

Instantly, upon driving into the light, we were seated in a massive area lined with rows of metal folding chairs.  These chairs were full of humanity seated in the rows of chairs.  I looked behind me and there were people seated as far as the eye could see.  All those seated had entered through the pulsating light.  At the front stood a fit and slender man.  His eyes were blue as the shirt he was wearing, and his look was neither warm, nor cool.  He seemed unaffected emotionally - very even tempered and objective.  His blue shirt was neatly tucked into khaki slacks.  The man's hair was long and blonde and pulled back into a neat pony tail.  He was asking the people in the crowd, individually, a single question.  Depending on their answer, individuals either stayed in their seat, or were zapped away in an instant, by a light, up from the room.  I had no idea where they were zapped away to.

Immediately I was disturbed.  I knew this man up in the front of the room was judging the people based upon their answers.  Instantly I became upset.  Out of concern I put my arm around the guy I was with.  I knew how irreverent and mouthy he could become when he was indignant over something.  He had no belief in, or reverence for, God.  I was worried about what he would do when it came his time to be questioned.  I turned, again, to observe the crowd behind me.  I knew that in the crowd of humanity represented was a Hitler, and a Charles Manson, and all other manner of evil men who had passed to this side through the pulsating lights.  And, I knew of the darkness and ignorance of their Souls that led to the manifestation of their lives.  I knew how very lost each and every one was.  I knew, too, that I chose love for every one, and I would send NO ONE into hell.  I was angry with the judge.  I was afraid of the Judge.

At that moment an old man a few chairs down from us, and to our left, was just answering the Judge's question.  Our turn to be questioned was approaching quickly.  He was a gentle and unafraid old man.  He looked at peace and undisturbed.  He was pleasant in demeanor.  As the old man was finishing up his answer to the Judge's question he looked at me, smiled, and said with a type of assurance, "Ya know, sometimes life just reaches up and punches you right in the nose.  That's OK.  Everything is just opportunity".  And that concluded his answer to the Judge.  The Judge responded to the Old Man, and I heard a gentleness in his voice.  I was a bit surprised, and no longer afraid of the Judge - to look at him.  I looked up and the Judge was looking at me with nearly a hint of a smile.  Instantly I knew what my answer was - no matter what question the Judge asked me.  I knew that my answer was love.  I was going to ask that the Judge to give me the penalty for all those who had been 'zapped', or would be zapped.  Although I did not know what that would mean for me, personally - an eternity of hell, or redemption following the cost - I knew I was willing to be zapped so that every other one of humanity would not have to face the consequences of the ignorance and darkness of their tragic lives.  Upon my love for all of humanity I was going to offer my life and suffer their consequence, as well as mine, even though I was completely blind as to what that meant for me, personally.  I knew that was what love required of me.

That was when I awoke from the dream.  In that moment I understood the heart of Jesus - His love for mankind that prompted His sacrifice for the redemption of mankind - the forgiveness of their sins so they may be restored to relationship with the Creator of all Heaven and Earth.  This is the Gospel of "Peace on Earth, goodwill toward man", sang by the Angels in celebration of Jesus' birth.  Jesus paid the eternal penalty of our ignorance and darkness (sin), because He loves us.  Because the Father God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to pay our consequence for darkness, ignorance, and sin.  Even still, the majority of mankind chooses, and loves, their darkness over the gift of life in Christ Jesus.  That leaves the sad condition that there is no more sacrifice left for sin for those who reject the sacrifice made for every lost Soul through the King of Kings, the Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.  For those who reject the provision in Christ Jesus for eternity in the Kingdom of God - in eternal fellowship with God - all that is left is the eternal horror of hell.

This blog was prompted by the scripture I read yesterday morning - a scripture that has stayed with me through until today.  I relate to its sentiment, and rejoice when I find words that resonate so personally with me in the Holy Bible.  Romans 9:1 "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen."

I just say, in response to the sentiment of this scripture, "me too".  I would that all would come to Christ Jesus and be saved from the consequences of sin and death.  The sacrifice has been made, for the sake of love.  There is no more sacrifice left to be made.  If we repent, and ask Jesus to forgive us our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin.  He is not willing that anyone should perish.  Neither am I.  Are we willing not to perish in our sin?  Christ Jesus is the ONLY Way to right relationship to the God of our Creation.

Jesus left us with the story of the Prodigal's Son, revealing the Father's Heart toward us:
Luke 15:11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..."
Luke:23:34(a)

War and Signs

War is upon us, and signs of the end of times according to the ancient scriptures of the Holy Bible.  Fires are destroying important habitats all over the planet.  Flood waters are rising.  Storms are increasing.  Violence, and atrocities against human life, is escalating.  The hubris of man cleaves to the notion we will somehow save ourselves - that we are 'evolving', as a species, and learning lessons from History.  We have immersed ourselves in entertaining distractions, and allowed Hollywood dramas and players to design our truths - our belief systems.  Does this scripture, which I shall now submit, sound reasonable and akin to the times in which we now live?  If so, it would be prudent to repent and turn to Christ Jesus.  "But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
Luke:12:5

Here is some of what Jesus said about the end of times on planet earth:

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Matthew:24:3-51

While it is good to be cognizant of the times, they should not consume our attentions.  Our hope, alone, is in Christ Jesus.  We all shall meet our Maker at the end of our individual times.  The Heavenly Father lets us know that if we turn to Him He will turn to us.  We turn to the Father through Christ Jesus, the Savior.  When we become children of the Living God, through Christ Jesus, Jesus then tells us, "Do not fear... These things will take place..."

Jesus also warns us, after receiving Him and His Words, "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 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. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Matthew:13:18-23

Let us take care then, in our salvation, to keep our focus, attentions, and affections, upon Christ Jesus, His righteousness, and the Kingdom of God - our Eternal Home.  For those who are in Christ Jesus this world, and its governments, are not our home - not our own.  Let us not allow this world to overtake and distract us from our Eternal Home.  Let us not live in self defense and preservation.  Rather, let us surrender our lives, unto death, for the eternal consequence of participation in the life and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
1 Peter:4:12-19