Monday, February 25, 2008

Mockers Beware - Isaiah 28

Mockers Beware

Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

Israel under the Law

Lev 26:13 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
Lev 26:14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;
Lev 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
Lev 26:16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
Lev 26:17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
Lev 26:18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
Lev 26:19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
Lev 26:20 And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
Lev 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
Lev 26:22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.
Lev 26:23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;
Lev 26:24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.
Lev 26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.
Lev 26:26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.
Lev 26:27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;
Lev 26:28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.
Lev 26:29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.
Lev 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
Lev 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.
Lev 26:32 And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it.
Lev 26:33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
Lev 26:34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.
Lev 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
Lev 26:36 And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.
Lev 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
Lev 26:38 And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.
Lev 26:39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.
Lev 26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
Lev 26:41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
Lev 26:42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember;and I will remember the land.

Heathen and Grace

Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Psa 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Psa 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Be wise and do not mock the way of God. Obey him and seek the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Leah's Four Sons - Genesis 29

 

Leah's Four Sons

Gen 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

Reuben means "behold a son". Surely now Jacob will love me? We find out about Reuben from Jacob's blessing as an old man.

Gen 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Gen 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. Reuben went into one of Jacob's harlots.

Gen 29:33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

Simeon, hearing, God has heard and blessed Leah with another son.

Gen 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
Gen 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
Gen 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

Simeon with Levi instigated the killing of all the males of a tribe of people, after they made a treaty with them and the males were circumcised, so that one of their princes could marry Dinah, their sister who had been molested by him.

Gen 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

Levi, joined, surely now Jacob's affection shall be joined to me.

With Simeon Levi would be cruel. Many who are God's chosen fall because they associate with the unsaved and follow them.

Prov 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Prov 1:11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
Prov 1:12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave;and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
Prov 1:13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Prov 1:14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
Prov 1:15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
Prov 1:16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

God separated Levi's people to be servants of the temple of God. Their part was spiritual, and they had no land as their inheritance. Moses was born of Levite parents.

Num 3:6 Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

To serve God, we must be separated from the world and not run with people of anger and sin.

Gen 29:35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Judah, a confessor, one who acknowledges God; praise.

Gen 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
Gen 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Judah is the tribe that King David would come from and through and his descendents Mary and Joseph were chosen to be parents of Jesus, the Messiah.

Judah was the greatest of the tribe of Jacob, he would overcome his enemies and the brothers would bow to him.

Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Judah is as a lion, Jesus, the Lion of Judah.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The sceptre shall not depart from Judah.

2 Sam 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
2 Sam 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come.

Israel had a limited right to self-rule, until in 7 A.D. Under Herod and the Romans, their right to capital punishment was taken away. But Shiloh was come, although unrecognized and rejected.

Shiloh: he whose it is, that which belongs to him, tranquillity

The Prince of peace.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

No question to the popularity of Jesus. He drew crowds of people.

Mat 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strowed them in the way.
Mat 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Mat 21:10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
Mat 21:11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

He was only seen as a prophet or a teacher.

Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine;

Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Leah who was rejected by Jacob, bore him 4 son's to begin with. With each son she had hoped to gain his affection. Reuben, the first born, here he is a son for you Jacob. Simeon, hearing, God has heard and blessed me with another son. Levi, joined, surely now Jacob's affection shall be joined to me.

Judah, a confessor, one who acknowledges God. Four son's to take away Leah's reproach, but Jacob loved Rachel who was still without child.

Although Jacob had children by Leah, he still didn't love her. Some young girls give in to a boy friend, hoping to be loved. When a child developes in the womb, the boyfriend is gone. Maybe we will not gain the affection from a mate that is desired, but God knows our heart.

Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

He brought forth Judah, through which the Messiah would come. A woman's sorrow would turn into eternal joy, for through Jesus comes life and peace.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Master designer, have mercy - Isa 29

Master designer, have mercy

Isa 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Isa 29:16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

From the politicians I hear of change and reinventing America. Woe unto those who hide their counsel from the LORD. Woe to those who consider their thoughts higher then the foundation, which is based on God's word. Woe to those with dark hearts, seeking power for powers sake and who do not submit to God. Shall the creation replace the creator, the one who spoke life into being? Will you say, kill the life that God has placed in the womb? Will you say to the framer, that our constitution was based on, that he did not know what he was writing, when the word of God was written by inspired holy men of God? Will you embrace pseudo science and deny the LORD as creator of all?

Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

We must submit to the Potter, the master creator and sustainer of life.

Jer 18:2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Jer 18:3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Jer 18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Jer 18:7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
Jer 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
Jer 18:9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
Jer 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Our nation needs to repent. All nations need to repent and pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Each heart must turn to God and through the Lord Jesus Christ, all nations shall be blessed. Repent ye crooked politicians and repent you citizens. Pray ye people of God, pray that God will spare your nation. Pray for revival and rebirth to the ways of God and not the ways of sinful men and women. God hears the prayers of his people. God have mercy and bring forth your righteousness.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Jacob's wives - Genesis 29

Jacob's wives

Gen 29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
Gen 29:2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.

Why was the number of three flocks mentioned? A great stone covered the well. I think of the great stone that covered the tomb of Jesus and on the third day he arose. Jesus is the well of living water.

Gen 29:3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Gen 29:4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
Gen 29:5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
Gen 29:6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

Another meeting at the well. Rebekah met Isaac's servant at the well. Now Jacob meets Rachel at the well.

Gen 29:7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
Gen 29:8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Gen 29:9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
Gen 29:10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

When Isaac's servant came to the well, Rebekah watered all the camels. Jacob rolled the stone away and watered Rachel's sheep. Jacob was a servant and waterer, as was his mother Rebekah.

We are to be waterers of the word of God.

1 Cor 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Gen 29:11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

2 Cor 13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

Jacob was overjoyed to be with family. It was love at first sight with Rachel, Laban's younger sister.

Gen 29:12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.

He was the nephew, but as a brother. Lot was the nephew of Abraham, but he also was called brother.

Gen 14:12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Gen 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

Using these examples, was Mary a virgin or did she have children by Joseph?

The Catholic church uses these examples to say the brethren were actually nephews. Yet, in context it seems to be actual brothers and sisters.

Mat 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

They would not be referring to someone elses children, but one of the family of Mary and Joseph.

We are brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Knowing this, we have family most everywhere that we travel.

Gen 29:13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
Gen 29:14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

A month of working for room and board.

Gen 29:15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
Gen 29:16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.


Gen 29:17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

Leah was tender eyed; or bleary eyed.  I picture the eyes of a fawn, a gentle innocent look. Some translators say Leah means a wild cow, or wild gazelle, left alone and unloved.  I remember a girl in grammar school who had no beauty, but big eyes. The kids were cruel to her, calling her cow eyes.

Rachel was beautiful, well built in shape and looks. Rachel, means a ewe lamb. 

 Gen 29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

Now looks aren't everything, but sometimes men put more value in outward beauty, than inward virtue. Jacob is willing to work seven years for the hand of Rachel, as a dowry. He would only receive room and board.

Gen 29:19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

Laban agrees, or seemed to agree.

Gen 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

Seven years of labor, went by swiftly, because he had his eye on his first love. Jesus is to be our first love and our life should be lived in anticipation of our wedding day. We are the bride of Christ.

Gen 29:21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

Jacob was at least 47 years old, because his brother Esau had married two Hittite women when he was 40. Jewish commentators put his age as 84!

Gen 29:22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

A wedding feast. A peculiar girdle, called the attrie, was always worn by a bride; and over all the wedding finery a veil, the veil of betrothal, heavily embroidered, covered her so completely that she was practically invisible. This veil might not be lifted by her husband until after she had entered his house or tent as his wife; it was a symbol of the wife's subjection to her husband.

The most important figure in the celebration, the girl bride, never took part in the first day of the marriage feast. In a separate room, surrounded by her maidens, shrouded by her betrothal veil, she did not appear until it was time to conduct her to the tent of the bridegroom.

Gen 29:23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

Laban switched daughters with Jacob. It was after a feast and perhaps much wine. The light was very dim and like Isaac's eyes, Jacob could not see that the promised bride was switched, the older for the younger. Just as Jacob the younger had switched places with the first born deceiving his near blind father. It is pay back time.

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Gen 29:24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
Gen 29:25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

Laban was like Rebekah and Jacob, a deceiver. The deceiver had been deceived. Waking up and seeing his bride, he sees Leah, not Rachel.Thou hast beguiled me.

Gen 29:26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Gen 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
Gen 29:28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

Seven days the feast would last. All preparations must be made in advance as no work, except the absolutely necessary, could be done during the week of the festival. The whole community, dressed in wedding garments, So, at the end of the wedding feast Jacob was again married, this time to the girl he loved. Two sisters married to the same man within a few days! He still must work another seven years, but he had Rachel and Leah as wives. Rachel after the 7 days with Leah. Jacob had two wives.

Gen 29:29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

Both daughters were given personal slaves to do there bidding. The daughters would no longer be laborers, having handmaids to do their choirs.

Gen 29:30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

Jacob had to work for Laban as he enjoyed his two wives. He favored Rachel, his first love. I can imagine the tears in his tender eyed other wife, Leah. God would favor Leah.

Gen 29:31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

God is the God of the neglected, the meek, the abused and the unloved. He favored Leah with children, which would take away her reproach in the eyes of the women.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Mockers will be consumed

Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

The mocking heads of Jerusalem must stop their rebellious thoughts and wagging tongues that oppose the truth of God. If not their bondage will come and be harder than they could imagine. Hard times are coming, a time of change where they would lose all that they had and trusted in.

Isa 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Isa 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Isa 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 5:25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isa 5:26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

I can see that happening in America; we need to pray. The antichrist will come out of nowhere, a man of charisma, promising peace and change. He will have no record but will inspire the people with his fair speeches and good looks. The world will be drawn to him in the hopes that he will take care of their needs, while staying away from God and his word of truth. Beware of deception and stay close to our LORD, do not be swayed by the things coming upon the earth. People will no longer be convicted of sins, but will mock the Word of God and his witnesses. The devil has many tactics, but all are lies for his purpose is to steal, kill and to destroy. Do not believe them and join with them. For then you will face the wrath of God.

Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servantas his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Mat 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Mat 10:28 And 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.
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Mat 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Fear God and obey him for in Jesus we are not under the wrath of God. Jesus is my Lord and savior and He is my peace.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

His Strange Work - Isaiah 28

His Strange Work

Isa 28:20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

This is as a proverb, the bed that was for rest and comfort, was too short. The covers, that they could hide under and gain warmth, were too narrow. All the devices of the rebellious in Israel and in Judah, brought no comfort. Only God could be their rest.

Psa 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Evildoers shall be cut off, yes, even those of God's covenant people who rebelled against him.

Isa 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

Perazim was the place of a military victory for David and Gibeon, was a place of victory for Joshua. These were servants of the LORD. The LORD fights for his servants who trust in HIM. It is a strange work when the LORD must punish a rebellious people, who he loves and who he calls his people.

Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Job 5:18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
Job 5:19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
Job 5:20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
Job 5:21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

Perhaps the strangest of all events was that God himself would come down to remove the sins of all people who would believe, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ for their sins. Sinners repent and turn to the strange and marvelous way of salvation, through the death and resurrection of the Messiah Yeshua; Jesus, my Lord and my savior.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Judgment and Righteousness - Isaiah 28

Judgment and Righteousness

Isa 28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

The foundation has been laid, which is Jesus. God's love brought Jesus to us.

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Love is the motivation for all that we do, yet many pretend love and forget other important things that God requires for his church to be built accurately according to his design and purpose. The blueprints are in the Holy Bible, his word. We cannot ignore his word to us. The first requirement to build on the foundation, of Jesus Christ who came to us as the love gift from God, is righteousness. Some teach Jehovah only, ignoring God's foundation. You must receive Jesus, the foundation of our faith, to be in the righteousness of God. Jesus is our righteousness.

Isa 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Righteousness comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; not by works, or by self righteousness, not by believing in Jehovah alone, righteousness comes from our connection to Jesus Christ, the living vine.

Righteous judgement comes from the Word of God.

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Judgment of sin and the devil comes through Jesus Christ, the living word of God.

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

"and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place"

The unrighteous who have built their lives by lies, shall be swept away by hail, the judgement of God and by the water of the word, overflowing the hiding places, of darkness. The light of the word is the sword of truth, cutting off the evil from our life.

Isa 28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
Isa 28:19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

The scourge of judgment will not touch them lightly. Their covenant with hell will not save them. Morning by morning and by day and by night they will feel the sting of God's correction.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Righteousness and judgement are built upon the foundation which is Christ. There is no other way but by being in the righteousness of Christ and obeying the living word.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Jacob at Bethel - Gen 28

Jacob at Bethel

Gen 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
Gen 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.

Jacob meets God in a dream, he sees a ladder with angels ascending and descending on it. I had a friend, who came from a bad family, who when saved was very close to God. In her struggling early life angels would minister to her. She said to me that in the sky, when the stars are clear, that she can see angels coming down from heaven, from a certain place in the stars. This was the dream of Jacob, a place where God's messengers would be coming down to earth. This was a holy place, a place where he personally met God. Jesus is the Spiritual ladder, the access to God, the meeting place and access to the Father above.

John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Jesus is the passage way to heaven, the door, or the ladder.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Our president has said there are many faiths, but the same God. A well known preacher said that Jesus was one way, to God. The angels found a way, but we will not go with them by any other way than through the name above all names: the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gen 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Gen 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 28:15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

God is repeating to Jacob the terms of the covenant He gave to both Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5).

"I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you "

We also have the promise of God being with us to complete his work through us.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Gen 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
Gen 28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Jacob understood that this was a holy place, a place where God met him.How awesome is his presence in this place. We often say this in our church. How awesome, how holy is the LORD in our presence. Abraham had built an alter to worship God, wherever he went and now God has met Jacob.

Gen 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
Gen 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. Was this the same place where Abraham met God?

Gen 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
Gen 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Isaac, Jacobs father, had built an altar where God met him at Beersheba.

Gen 26:23 And he went up from thence to Beersheba.
Gen 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
Gen 26:25 And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.

Now Jacob would make Bethel his place of worship.

Gen 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

The rock; spiritually Jesus is the rock, and the oil, of the Holy Spirit.

Gen 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

Jacob in Bethel, is 40 miles from home. Bethel, means house of God. Luz is the word meaning Almond tree.

Gen 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Gen 28:21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

God had made an unconditional covenant with Jacob, in spite of his crooked ways. Now Jacob puts his own conditions to God, before he will accept the covenant. Jacob was self centered in his conditions. He spoke to God as if he were doing God a favor by allowing him to be his God.

A lot of people approach God in this way; if you bless me I will believe in you. If you do what I want, then I will believe in you. If youprosper me, then you will be my God. Well, if not? will you leave him? Will you continue to manipulate people to get your way? Jacob has lessons to learn and he will learn them from uncle Laban.

Jacob put the conditions to accepting God and his promises, he had urgent needs of food and shelter. There was no faith in Jacob's vow, he was still in charge, the manipulator of God for his own selfish ends. God would prove himself faithful to Jacob.

Gen 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Jacob lays up a memorial stone, and calls it God's house, or dwelling place. He promises to tithe 10 percent of all that the LORD ives him, back to him. If you were supplying all of someones needs, would you think it a big favor if they gave you back a tenth? Not really, but it is an acknowledgment to God that he is there, and that he is the supplier of all good things.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

We are to acknowledge God by giving back to his service our income and our total life.

Prov 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Prov 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Jacob had met God for himself. He was not only the God of Abraham and Isaac, but now he was the God of Jacob.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Esau's Grief - Gen 27, 28

 Esau's Grief

Gen 27:30 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
Gen 27:31 And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.
Gen 27:32 And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
Gen 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

Isaac was shaken exceedingly, for he knew that God had chosen Jacob earlier, but wanted his favorite son to have the birthright. He knew it was God's will because he did not take the blessing back. "yea, and he shall be blessed." Isaac was a passive man and Esau was used to getting his own way. Rebekah got her own way in the house by manipulation.

Gen 27:34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

Why was Esau upset? He gave away his spiritual birthright earlier for a bowl of pottage. He probably was upset because he would have gotten a larger share of his father's posessions along with the power and authority of his family name as the firstborn heir.

Gen 27:35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtlety, and hath taken away thy blessing.

Isaac explained that Jacob came with subtlety,.and has taken away your blessings. Actually, Jacob was given the inheritance by God and Esau earlier had given it up to him.

Gen 27:36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

He took away both the spiritual birthright and the financial blessings, these two times. He was more interested in the material blessings, then the spiritual. Do you have anymore for me? Where is my share in this?

I think a lot of people in the church world are more interested in material blessings over the spiritual blessings. Is wealth a spiritual blessing? or a temptation, will it make you more spiritual?

Gen 27:37 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
Gen 27:38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

Esau's tears were the tears of frustrated selfishness.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Gen 27:39 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
Gen 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

They would dwell off the land, and be a warlike people, the Edomites. "When the sons of Jacob attend to the law and observe the precepts, they shall impose the yoke of servitude upon thy neck; but when they shall turn away themselves from studying the law and neglect the precepts, thou shalt break off the yoke of servitude from thy neck." (Jerusalem Targum)

Gen 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Esau vowed to kill Jacob, after his father's death.

Gen 27:42 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.
Gen 27:43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Rebekah's brother Laban, would have his sister's scheming character, a match for Jacob.

Gen 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
Gen 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

Rebekah was to send for Jacob in a little while, but it would be 20 years and some say 40 years, before his return. Rebekah would not see her favorite son again.

Gen 27:46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

These were Hitite women.

Gen 26:34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Gen 26:35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

Gen 28:1 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

As did Esau.

Gen 28:2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.
Gen 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
Gen 28:4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
Gen 28:5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
Gen 28:6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
Gen 28:7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
Gen 28:8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
Gen 28:9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

Ishmael is not the blessed tribe of Abraham that would bring forth the Messiah. The Ishmaelites and the Edomites would become the Arab nations, blessed in wealth from the land, but at war with their brothers and with a dislike for Jacob and his children. As Ishmael Hated Isaac, the hatred would continue from Esau and the Edomites, towards Jacob and his descendents.

Mal 1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
Mal 1:3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

From this story I see that choices must be made. It isn't enough to be passive and uninvolved in our service to God. Isaac, was not the man of faith and obedience that his father Abraham was. We must be active in knowing and obeying God's will.

Esau was about doing his own thing. He was quiet active in the pleasures of this life and did not give any value to spiritual things. He cried tears when he was deprived of the inheritance, which to him meant wealth, power and authority. He disobeyed God and his parents by marrying two Hitite women and then a daughter of Ishmael. His actions proved that he was unworthy.

Rebekah and Jacob were schemers, they knew God's will, but did not wait on God. They went after the promise by their own schemes and caused strife in the family. He did want the spiritual blessings of Abraham, to his favor.

We must learn to seek God's will and do things in his strength at his leading. The church cannot stay asleep, they must awaken to their responsibilities. We cannot do God's work in the flesh, by our cleverness. There is no spiritual power in manipulation, we must walk in truth. We should not allow Esau's to lead in the things of God. No matter how attractive or worldly wise, or successful in business. We are to study God's word and obey him.




Friday, February 1, 2008

Jesus, the Foundation and Chief Cornerstone - Isaiah 28

Jesus, the Foundation and Chief Cornerstone

Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Who or what is the foundation and the cornerstone that keeps the building true? The first two temples, had foundations of costly stones.

Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Jesus is the foundation of the church and the temple is our bodies. His dwelling place is in the believers.

1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The foundation of the church is Jesus. The apostles built upon it, for Jesus is the Living Word. The apostles added to the Living Word as they heard from God. We as members build on the foundation by rightly dividing the word of truth and making spiritual applications. Our works also help build the church, if they are of God.

2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Jesus had no sin, coming from the Father in heaven, born of a virgin and received by those of faith.

1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1 Pet 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1 Pet 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Beautiful words of truth: Jesus the foundation and chief cornerstone for a living temple, the church. We are the church through our revelation from God the father and our confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter was the first to see and confess, but salvation and the keys of the kingdom were for all who are sealed by God, not just Peter. The great evidence of God's word is that the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation and chief cornerstone. Peter himself made no claim of being the foundation or cornerstone, other than being one of the stones laid upon the foundation. He was an apostle, not the head of the church. Only Jesus is the head of the Church under the authority of the Father who sent him. The evidence of the church is the presence of the Holy Spirit of truth sent by Jesus, making us the "lively stones" that make up the church building.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Unless the LORD builds the church, it is not of God. Unless Jesus is the foundation and Chief cornerstone, they serve or labor in vain. Except the LORD build his kingdom, we watch in vain for His return. Because Jesus is the Lord and Savior, the Foundation and Chief Cornerstone we can watch in great joy and expectation of his return!

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

There is no other foundation and there is no other way to heaven. Ifthis seems intolerant, it is the word of God, not my word. I believe the Holy Bible.