Saturday, August 30, 2008

Come near and hear Isaiah 34:1-4

Come near and hear

Isa 34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Come near, ye nations, hear the word of the LORD. Most nations have turned from God and do not please God. How do we please God? By faith in his Son Jesus and serving through him. As the nations foresake God and turn to the antichrist Beast, those who still are serving God will be persecuted and killed. The LORD will take vengeance; this is the time of the tribulation, when he pours out his wrath upon the ungodly nations. God will not send wrath upon his own people.

Isa 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
Isa 34:3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

It was the time of the second coming of Jesus Christ as king of the earth for a thousand years. There would be a great battle as the angels destroy the evil nations and their armies.

Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Isa 34:4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

2 Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Pet 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2 Pet 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2 Pet 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Satan shall be chained in the bottomless pit, so that Jesus the King of peace will reign for a thousand years on a restored earth. You know how satan's servants try to destroy our peace. Satan's fallen angels will be in hell.

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

God said it, I believe it. Do not pray for satan, pray for the unsaved, so that they will not follow satan into everlasting torment. Come near and hear this message and take heed.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Righteous Judge and Savior - Genesis 33:20-24

The Righteous Judge and Savior

Isa 33:20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

Looking to Jerusalem, a city of peace.

Psa 122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psa 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
Psa 122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Psa 122:9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

The tabernacle that shall not be taken down is the risen Savior, the returning King. He shall rule in righteousness and His enemies shall be destroyed.

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.

Isa 33:21 But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

Psa 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

The presence of the Lord brings rivers of living water; the presence of His Holy Spirit.

Psa 78:15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
Psa 78:16 He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

Psa 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

Isa 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

2 Tim 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Cor 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Isa 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

No ship shall sail on these rivers, no invading army to take spoil. The lame, the broken and the humble shall take of the goodness of the Lord.

1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Isa 33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

His death and resurrection brought healing, body and soul to those who received Jesus by faith.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We are children of God who walk in the light of his truth.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

What a blessing to be saved from sins, to be chosen and forgiven and lifted up to dwell with the Lord. We are his children who walk in truth doing good works. No religious spirit can touch us in the hand of God. We belong to him and will dwell with him in Zion, in earth and in heaven, forever his. Rejoice in this Saints of God and pray for the lost, so that they may escape the judgement of God on sin.

LORD GOD, strengthen your children to be lights in a dark world. The return of Jesus is near, may we keep our faith burning bright. He shall rule and reign and we will be his forever. We thank you in Jesus name, amen

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Joy or Terror? Isaiah 33:14-19

Joy or Terror?

Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

When Jesus the Messiah returns to Jerusalem, it will be good news for those seeking him by faith, but bad news for the stiff necked religious hypocrites. These are the false teachers and the Jesus haters, the antichrist people. Antichrist, the beast will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Isa 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isa 33:16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

The righteous are those who have trusted in the blood of Jesus and are forgiven of sins. They are known by their good works. They are not as the hypocrites who claim to be of God, but are enemies in their spirit and their work only brings strife and debate. The saved of Jesus shall be known by their work; they will welcome his return. They shall abide in the rock of ages, (Mat 7:25) eat of the bread of life ( John 6:35) and out of their innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

Isa 33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

The righteous shall see the king when he returns and shall see heaven. First the millennial kingdom and then the celestial city. The New Jerusalem, descending from heaven.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Isa 33:18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?
Isa 33:19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.

The religious hypocrite will be in terror. He cannot trust in the scribes, or the treasurers money or the towers for refuge or help.They will not see a fierce people, like the Assyrians, with stammering unknown tongues. They shall meet the righteous Lord, the judge of sinners and the salvation of those who trust in him.

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.

Will you be glad when Jesus comes or will you cry out in terror?

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Going to Egypt - Gen 45:16-Gen 46

 

Great Blessings

Joseph had reconciled himself to his brothers, now he is sharing his family with his friends in Egypt. No longer are there secrets and hidden shame and lies. Once received they are received of all. Like when we receive Jesus, we receive a family with it, Gods family and all our sins are removed. The Egyptians were friends of Joseph, but they were not really God's family.

Gen 45:16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

Joseph had blessed Pharaoh and he had a good reputation. Because of his relationship to the King his family was welcomed. As a Christian we are blessed of King Jesus and through us all our family may be saved as well.

Gen 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
Gen 45:18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
Gen 45:19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
Gen 45:20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
Gen 45:21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

The King had richly blessed Joseph's family; all their needs were to be met. All the fears of hunger or lack of safety were removed. Salvation had come to the Family of Israel through the castaway son Joseph. Because Joseph had saved Egypt, The King of Egypt would save Joseph and his family.

Gen 45:22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

Benjamin again as the closest brother is favored.

Gen 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

The aged father who had suffered loss at Joseph's disappearance now will receive an abundance of provisions. This would bring him security in his old age. But what would be the greatest gift? Would it not be seeing Joseph who he had thought was dead alive again?

Gen 45:24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

Could the brothers be trusted to deliver the blessings? Would they divide or argue over the ownership of the provisions? Would they get lost?

We have been given much with the gift of receiving a new life in Christ Jesus. Will we deliver to others the blessings of the gospel message? Will we stay true and not have divided hearts? Will we be covetous of the worlds things and lose sight of who we are in Jesus? NO, we will be faithful, but what of the brothers? This is grace once again. We receive Grace by a relationship; with them it was through Joseph, with us it is through Jesus. Praise God.

Into Egypt

Gen 45:25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
Gen 45:26 And told him,saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

Joseph is alive! That was a miracle, but being the governor over all the land of Egypt? Perhaps he was thinking,” They mock me and my hopes". "What have they been drinking?" Wait, is this not similar to the news that Jesus who was dead, now has risen? And he is King of Kings! Who has believed our report? (John 12:38)

Gen 45:27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

The evidence is in the many blessings brought to him, animals, and carts; food and provisions. The evidence supported the words that Joseph was indeed alive and the Lord of Egypt.

Jesus proved he was Lord by his evidence.

John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Gen 45:28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Israel's faith was made strong by the evidence. Israel, "God prevails", not Jacob the schemer. There is enough evidence. Our own faith is made strong by the evidence of Gods word.

Beersheba

Gen 46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.

Beersheba was the place where God met Abraham and Jacob. The Most high God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). In whom covenant promises were made, including the promise of a great nation. He returned to the place where he had met God.

Gen 46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

Yes God does speak at times, in visions and in dreams and at times in a voice that you can hear. Jacob wanted to hear God's will and receive his blessings.

Gen 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Gen 46:4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

The covenant of a great nation and Gods plan for them to go into Egypt was revealed. Also, that the aged father would die there and Joseph would close his father’s eyes.

Gen 46:5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

There is no mention of Jacob's wives; he had outlived them all.

Gen 46:6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
Gen 46:7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.

These were the descendants of Jacob. There were probably servants as well, but they were not in the genealogy.

Gen 46:8 And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.
Gen 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
Gen 46:10 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.

Simeon married a Caananite woman after his wife died, and bore Shaul.

Gen 46:11 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

From these came the priests and the Levites. Moses was born of a Levite family.

Gen 46:12 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.

Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan, and were included in the genealogy, but did not go to Egypt.

Gen 46:13 And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
Gen 46:14 And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
Gen 46:15 These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.

Leah bore six sons and Dinah. Altogether with the grandsons there were 33.

Gen 46:16 And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
Gen 46:17 And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
Gen 46:18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
Gen 46:19 The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.

The sons of his favored wife; the wife of his choice.

Gen 46:20 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

The son's of Joseph born in Egypt are mentioned and would be included in the 12 tribes of Israel.

Gen 46:21 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.

Young Benjamin had ten sons! This would make Benjamin at least 32 years of age. Joseph his older brother was about 39.

Gen 46:22 These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.

Sons and Grandsons of Rachel totaled fourteen.

Gen 46:23 And the sons of Dan; Hushim.

Dan had only one son.

Gen 46:24 And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
Gen 46:25 These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.

They brought all they owned both from Canaan and the gifts from Egypt. They would settle in the land of Goshen. There they would dwell in peace, for a time, and the nation of Israel would flourish. Gods loving care had brought them into a beautiful land, but this is not the land promised to them in the Abrahamic covenant.

Not Shepherds

There was no way that Egypt would have invited the families of Israel into Egypt's fertile land apart from Joseph. Joseph had an excellent spirit and was greatly favored by the King of Egypt and that favor covered all of his family in blessings.

Gen 46:26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
Gen 46:27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.

Only seventy people of the house of Jacob entered Egypt. When they would come out four hundred years later there would be over three million people.

Gen 46:28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.

The land of Goshen was a fertile land, ideal for livestock. Send Judah first is a song title. Judah means praise. Judah was the tribe that Messiah Jesus would come from. Legally Mary came through the tribe of Judah, but Jesus always existed in heaven. Being born a man from the virgin Mary , God is his father.

Gen 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
Gen 46:30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.

At last the joyful reunion; Is it not beautiful? They had been separated 22 years. The son that was no more has returned; a picture of the messiah who was dead, despised and forgotten by the Jews. In God's time Israel will see the son who was no more, with much weeping and rejoicing.

Gen 46:31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and show Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

Joseph loved his family but Egypt is not so accepting of all that they are. They were in Egypt, a type of the world, and Joseph must caution them.

Gen 46:32 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
Gen 46:33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
Gen 46:34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

Every shepherd is an abomination to an Egyptian; be careful to not claim that title. Remember also that the Egyptians are racists; they consider themselves as gods and the foreigners as abominations. So Israel in the natural had two strikes against them. What would happen when Joseph died or the Pharaoh? Sounds like trouble could come in the future.

Once we too were outcasts and sinners; we should not claim that title, we are chosen saints in Christ Jesus. God’s people are in the world (Egypt) but not of it. We must stay close to Jesus, who unlike Josephwould not die, but lives forever interceding for us. Thank You Jesus.

 

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Darkness before the Dawn - Isaiah 33:7-13

Darkness before the Dawn

Isa 33:7 Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.

If this is the end times, the time of the man of peace who sets himself up in Jerusalem, who all the world looks to for peace, the Antichrist shall make war on the people of God; those who preach the good news of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, shall be silenced and martyrd. These are the valiant ones; those who deliver the gospel of peace.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

A man of God weeps for the lost.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Isa 33:8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.

Antichrist in power, shall break the covenant of peace and begin destroying the people of God.

Isa 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.

Those who preach the gospel are persecuted and martyrd.

Isa 33:10 Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; nowwill I lift up myself.

The LORD moves against the antichrist bringing forth His wrath.

2 Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2 Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Isa 33:11 Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you.

The efforts of the evil ruler shall burn up, his arrogant voice, will bring about his destruction. All who are in Jesus shall not be under wrath. Those of the Antichrist Spirit shall be tried in the fire of God.

John the Baptist spoke of the work of Jesus

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Jesus is our Spiritual foundation

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.

Isa 33:12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.

Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Isa 33:13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.

Rev 19:1 Andafter these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Rev 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

The spirit of antichrist is in the world and eventually it will seek to silence the word of God. The word of God spoken takes back that which satan has stolen and he will try to silence it. For a short time antichrist shall have his time, but Jesus will return destroying him and his work. Work now the work of God while you are able, the time is short. Bring those who can hear the good news to Jesus Christ. Jesus shall build his church and he has chosen to use us as his witnesses.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Exalt the LORD - Isa 33:5-6

Exalt the LORD

Isa 33:5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.

If we exalt ourselves, God is brought down in our thoughts. This is not good, in fact it is of the devil. The devil sought to exalt himself above God, and he was cast down. Learn from this, be humble and see God as exalted. Humble yourself and seek not help from the worlds might. Pray and he will hear and be your strength. For He dwelleth on high, his ways are higher than ours; exalt the LORD.

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.

His presence is greatly desired by His people. In his presence is judgement; knowing good from evil and righteousness. We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, not our own righteousness. Some say, just trust your heart. The word of God says our hearts are evil, so we trust in the LORD.

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:

Isa 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Wisdom and knowledge of the LORD in our hearts, shall be the stability of thy times, faith in God is the strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. The fear of the LORD will keep us from sin and our hearts focused on serving him. His love flows through us. He is all good and it is a pleasure to serve the one true God. The world is in turmoil, but those who serve the LORD shall have peace.

Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psa 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Exalt the LORD and praise the LORD!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Power of Prayer - Isaiah 33:2-4

Power of Prayer

Isa 33:2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

This is the prayer of God's people to the LORD. No longer are they trusting in the might of Egypt to save them. Egypt is a type of the world. As the people of God we pray to Him, we take our needs to him.

Psa 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
Psa 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Psa 33:22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Isa 33:3 At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered.

This probably refers to the Assyrians which were destroyed by an angel of God. A tumult means: murmur, roar, crowd, abundance, tumult, sound. The angel that protects Israel is Michael, no doubt there was great confusion amongst the Assyrians, and noise both from the voice of the angel and the cries of the enemy of God's people. (2 Ki 19:35-36)

The angels shall deliver God's people in the end times, the time of the antichrist ruler.

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Isa 33:4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpillar: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.

Israel would gather the spoil of the defeated Assyrian army but the greatest reward is to come; at the defeat of the antichrist and satan. Our reward will be eternal life in the love of God, being heirs with Jesus, the Son of God. We are called the sons of God, adopted into his family through faith. Will we look to the world? Or will we serve the LORD? Spoils of this life are temporary, the reward of faith in Jesus is eternal abundant life. It starts now by faith in the only way to God; faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Attacks - Isaiah 33

Attacks

Isa 33:1 Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

Woe to those who take from God's people, who afflict and persecute them with no real reason; you who deal treacherouly; faithlessly, deceitfully, offending, without cause. All this will be returned to you. Whether this be a bully in a playground, or Assyria coming into Israel, or finally the Antichrist; God will avenge, for they shall reap what is sown.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Taking this to a personal level. When we come against someone, taking away his or her reputation, trying to destroy their work for the Lord by gossip or public ridicule, God is watching. You shall not prosper spiritually.

Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

In the Internet chats, people come to destroy the work of God. When leading someone to the Lord, they interrupt in disagreement with style or method or their theology. We do not interfere with God's servants. When entering a room, watch, listen and discern what is going on. Do we enter a church service loudly once it is in progress? Some interrupt Bible studies, prayer or praise without considering that they may be hindering the work of God. Jesus met every need, we are to be sensitive to urgent needs. He would touch those seeking him; but he also saw the hypocrisy in false religious leaders and he rebuked them. What is the point here? We are to be honest before God and towards his people. If we attack his people, he takes it personally and he will not allow this to prosper. We are to work together the work of God, each as gifted in their way. Never are we to put another down so that we look good; God is looking too. All fail in the flesh; look for their good work and encourage them to continue in the Spirit of the Lord.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Evidence of the Holy Spirit - Isa 32:16

Evidence of the Holy Spirit

Isa 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Lev 26:12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
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.

Judgment and righteousness come to us when we are found in Christ Jesus.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Isa 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

The presence of the Holy Spirit comes to us after Jesus has received us and forgiven our sins, delivering us from darkness to His light of truth. We then receive the fruit of the Spirit.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

The presence of the Spirit at work in us: "the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

Isa 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

The Holy Spirit will allow God's people to dwell in peaceful secure dwellings, and in his rest. If we are not at rest or in peace, then we are in the flesh and not allowing God's spirit to bring forth fruit in our lives. It doesn't matter what storms or afflictions come to us; the Holy Spirit gives us peace and quiet rest, in Jesus.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Some claim to have a spirit, a light, and other things apart from Jesus, they are deceived and follow a false spirit. Do not let them sow strife and division, for they divide you from Jesus and God's word. The end of their work is separation from God and the destruction of lucifer, the angel of light, who comes to deceive.The light of God through Jesus is known by the fruit of the Spirit and the hearing from Jesus and the Father. The Holy Spirit will desire the word of God from the Holy Bible.

Isa 32:19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.

The hail, or judgement of God coming down on the forest, the unsaved of the world and on the low city, such as Babylon, or spiritual Babylon. Jerusalem, the city of God is high in the mountains. God's people shall not receive the wrath of God, but we shall be persecuted by evil men.

2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Isa 32:20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

You shall dwell in a fruitful place and bring forth good crops beside all waters, in every land, both of natural and spiritual things; bringing others to Jesus, because you are made free in Jesus and his Spirit dwells in you. The ox may refer to servants, the servants of God and the ass as a wild animal, perhaps the gentile nations who receive salvation. Both go out to witness of the salvation of the LORD.

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Women Please Listen - Isa 32:9

Women Please Listen

Isa 32:9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

Speaking to the women of Jerusalem who are at ease and self indulgent, not seeking God; Rise up! Hear my voice; give ear to my speech, this is important. What does God have to do to get their attention?

Isa 32:10 Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.

God warns his people. God loves the women, that is why he is warning them. I have many women friends that are precious sisters in the Lord. In my growth, it was the old Grandmothers of the church who spoke encouragment to me. Women are sensitive and express their feelings. It was two women who anointed the feet of Jesus with oil and tears and one wiped his feet with her hair. It was Mary Magdalene, who had demons cast from her by Jesus, that loved him so much that she was the first to be sent with the good news that Jesus lives, he is risen. Now the LORD is warning them of years of failed crops. They were careless in not being prepared, not seeking the LORD. Prosperity does that to us all, if we have all we need of material things, we often let our guard down, the enemy tempts and we are not aware. Rise up women, the LORD is speaking to you.

Isa 32:11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.

You careless ones, repent, humble yourself before the LORD; you should be troubled, you should be convicted of sins, repent and seek the LORD.

Isa 32:12 They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

Lament for the teats or breasts; could mean their would be little milk from the cows or to feed the babies. Lament for the pleasant fields of grain and hay for the animals and be sorrowful for the lack of fruit and vegetables.

Teats; shad, also refers to the breast and is a masculine word, which could lead us to the verse in Luke.

Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, Godbe merciful to me a sinner.

Put on sackcloth and beat your breast for the trouble and sorrow that shall come.

Isa 32:13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:

The enemy will come in and trample down the good things of the land of my people; crops and buildings. The weeds and thorns cover the city, the curse of Adam. This time probably refers to the Romans who would destroy Jerusalem after the time of the rejection of Jesus, their Messiah. A people that turns from the Lord, leaves no other way to God, but to allow correction; first through natural disasters and then from enemy nations that are allowed to destroy, because they refused God as their covering. We are about to this point in our own country. Repent America, men and women, for what is coming. Seek God now and his grace.

Isa 32:14 Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;
Isa 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

Desolation and foreign nations and gods will be in Jerusalem until Jesus Christ returns in his glory, removing evil and restoring the earth.

Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Men and women need to hear this and rise up; put away the unfruitful things, pray, be humble before the Lord. Arise and go out sharing the gospel in a darkened nation. Awake from idleness and repent; receive Jesus as Lord and follow him!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Seeing the Truth

Seeing the Truth

Isa 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.

When truth comes to Jerusalem the vile person shall no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful. This evil world rewards evil and vile people, like celebrities who do not marry and produce illegitimate children. They make money from their evil lifestyles. The misers, the rich politicians who give nothing of their own money, and they say we need to spend tax money on the poor, only to be reelected. They are not bountiful givers, but thieves. When truth comes these things will be seen as they are.

Isa 32:6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

The NLT Bible says it like this:

Isa 32:6 Everyone will recognize ungodly fools for what they are. They spread lies about the Lord; they deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty.

We see these kind in our Bible study rooms on the Internet. They are sent to spread lies and to deceive.

Isa 32:7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.

The ways of the miser are evil;

Isa 32:7 The smooth tricks of evil people will be exposed, including all the lies they use to oppress the poor in the courts. (NLT)

Psa 36:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Psa 36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
Psa 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
Psa 36:4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Isa 32:8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

Liberal here means generous. The generous do generous things; and by generous things he will stand. We are to be generous and to share the good things of the Lord. We are to speak the truth of God and expose the wicked for their wicked ways. We are to use our resources for good purposes.

3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

The world does not see clearly because of sin. We certainly do need to see clearly, especially when selecting a leader. Many are fooled by good looks and smooth talking; but they do not see the truth. The blind shall lead the blind, but we are children of truth. We should speak out against the evil in our land

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Awake

Awake

 

I awoke this morning, thinking we do not have much time. We must reach the lost for the Lord and we must awaken to righteousness, while it is still day.    

 

Psa 17:15  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.   

 

We must love God with all our heart and mind and this love we receive from him spills over to others. Rejoice in the LORD, learn of him and praise him. Worship must be in Spirit and in truth. We are not to worship with flesh, using songs of the flesh and moving in the flesh, we are to worship in holiness.                                    

 

Psa 57:7  My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
Psa 57:8  Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
Psa 57:9  I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
Psa 57:10  For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
Psa 57:11  Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.


 

We are created in His image to glorify our LORD.

 

Psa 139:14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Psa 139:17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

 

Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus is our peace; we shall walk in his peace. Our faith is in our Lord who gave himself to redeem us. We are his servants.

 

Mark 4:37  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mark 4:38  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mark 4:39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:40  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mark 4:41  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?


 

We shall see his glory; we shall see him as he is. Wake up and see the glory of the Lord.

 

Luke 9:28  And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luke 9:29  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
Luke 9:30  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Luke 9:31  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
Luke 9:32  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

 

He has power to raise the dead.

 

John 11:11  These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12  Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
John 11:13  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
John 11:14  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

 

He is coming again and the world is in darkness. We must be awake to our responsibilities.

 

Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Rom 13:13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

 

We are to walk in holiness and righteousness, the righteousness of Christ. If we are tormented, rebuke the flesh and the devil in the name of Jesus. Get with Jesus, wear your spiritual armor and walk careful, for we are in an evil world as soldiers of light. Time us running out.

 

1 Cor 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1 Cor 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Eph 5:11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph 5:12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Eph 5:13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

 

Only what is of the LORD will last, so we need to be about His purpose.

 

2 Pet 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Pet 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2 Pet 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2 Pet 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pet 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

 

Israel shall see their shepherd and a third will be saved.

 

Zec 13:6  And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Zec 13:7  Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Zec 13:8  And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
Zec 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

 

We shall be with him after this life and he will reward our faithfulness.

 

Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

 

Be awake, be responsible, if we are not faithful, who will be witnesses of his truth?

 

 

 

 

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Get You To Egypt - Genesis 42

Get You To Egypt

Gen 42:1 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

Egypt is where they had sold Joseph, twenty years in the past, now they were remembering in remorse. Buried sins surface in our minds. It is best to confess them and get them out so that they do not destroy God's direction in our lives.

Gen 42:2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

The corn was sheber, grain corn: wheat, barley, millet and even lentils and beans were under the label of corn, in the King James Bible. Other Bible versions translate it as grain.

Gen 42:3 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
Gen 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

Benjamin was the only brother left from Jacob's (Israel's) beloved Rachel. He had been grieved so at the lost of his favored Joseph, now he takes special care of Benjamin.

Gen 42:5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
Gen 42:6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

Here then is the fulfillment of Joseph's young dream from the Lord. What we see is God's purpose coming to pass. Our purpose should be his purpose for our lives. We should not oppose another's vision. We are not to mock or hinder Gods plans; they will come about with or without our help. In time of need there will be many seeking help from the Church. This will be our opportunity to share with them materially and spiritually. The message of Jesus forgiveness of sins, the gospel will be the salvation of those who seek.

LORD God, draw people to you by any means, may they find new life and new hope in your son Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen

Accused as Spies

Joseph's brothers had shown no remorse or repentance concerning their treatment of Joseph. Now Joseph is going to cause the brothers some remorse. They will have to search their souls and think of what they did to their brother Joseph.

Gen 42:7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

Joseph being a ruler of Egypt spoke through an interpreter. He was giving the brothers a bit of a scare and he was able to understand their words.

Gen 42:8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

His brothers are bowing before him, yet they did not know it was Joseph. They did not get the picture, at least not yet. Joseph, being a type of Christ; he was bowed down to but not known. They did not have the excellent spirit that Joseph had.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Gen 42:9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Joseph remembering the dreams and the way they were accused as spies, now plays on their brother's consciences, if they have any. He accuses them of being something they were not. Now what is their reaction, will they justify themselves?

Gen 42:10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
Gen 42:11 We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
Gen 42:12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Gen 42:13 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

We are true, we are honest men. Surely this made them search their conscience, and in there was the past treachery to their brother Joseph. Can any of us before we were saved say that we were honest and true people? God was using this to convict them of their sins and to bring restoration. We cannot be blessed if we disobey God and refuse to be made clean by him.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Gen 42:14 And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:
Gen 42:15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
Gen 42:16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

If you are honest show me the younger brother. They would have to take the last brother of Jacob's choice from him. They must go through his mourning one more time. They have hurt their father before, surely this would bring all of them sorrow.

Gen 42:17 And he put them all together into ward three days.

Like a jury they are left together to decide another's fate, and their own. Is this not like Jesus in the grave three days, or like Jonah in the fish, not his choice but it had to be endured. Sometimes we are put in bad places, but it is a chance to think. What have I done in the past and what is my future. This was a time to make plans and seek Gods face.

Simeon Bound

Gen 42:18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

Joseph doing a work in his brothers heart's gives them a plan, and says reassuringly "I fear God". It is reassuring to know that he who controls, also fears God, and is accountable to him. A foolish leader would mock God, whoa to the people whose leaders mock God and do not fear him for they serve satan and death.

Gen 42:19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

If you are true men, or honest men, let one of your brothers be bound in prison, a hostage for the rest of you.

Gen 42:20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

Corn (or grain) would be given but Benjamin must come, to supposedly show that the men were true and not spies. One of them must be bound, held hostage until Benjamin is brought forth to Joseph.

Gen 42:21 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in thatwe saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
Gen 42:22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

The brothers knew they were getting what was coming to them for having no mercy on young Joseph. God is not mocked.

Gen 42:23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
Gen 42:24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

Hearing his brothers own up to their sin made Joseph weep. How many have been mistreated by family, would not each shed tears if they heard the family members be remorseful? The greatest pain comes from close friends and family who have betrayed their position of trust to God. God will require much from them until they have learned the lesson. Simeon was chosen to be bound for a time; we don't know exactly why Simeon was chosen. Simeon was known for his hardness of heart in killing all the newly circumcised men of Shechem; perhaps this would do a work in his heart? There will be a lesson learned from this. The conscience will comvict them of sin. We learn from the hard times, it is God's way of teaching us. Each lesson learned is a step closer to being like Jesus.

Free Corn

Gen 42:25 Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

Joseph secretly restored their money in the sacks of grain corn. This appears as an act of kindness and grace, but there was more to this. Beware of free gifts from another, it may be a trap. Would they be accused as being thieves?

Gen 42:26 And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.
Gen 42:27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
Gen 42:28 And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

They had fear when they saw their money in the sacks. Fear often comes suddenly when we feel all is well. Fear is of satan, but it is also the result of unconfessed sin or a real danger. They thought that God surely was punishing them for their sin in some way. Well they might fear, for they had sinned greatly in selling young Joseph. In the Old Testament law that would come with Moses, God did punish sin swiftly.

Gen 42:29 And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
Gen 42:30 The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
Gen 42:31 And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:
Gen 42:32 We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
Gen 42:33 And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:
Gen 42:34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land.
Gen 42:35 And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

They still had not recognized Joseph, as the Lord of the land. Now the father too was fearful of what had happened. Simeon was held hostage and the "true men" the remaining brothers, would they be accused of stealing back their money?

Gen 42:36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
Gen 42:37 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
Gen 42:38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

The blessings of free grain had a price. Joseph is not; Simeon is not, now perhaps also Benjamin, their father's dear son from Rachel? What would this cost Reuben, would it mean his two sons would die? They had all this remorse because of the sin of selling Joseph. Would the old father die in sorrow, because of the sins of his vengeful sons? Sin has a price, all that is done will be tainted by it, you may get by but you want get away. Praise God for Jesus and grace. Our sins are forgiven; we no longer fear Gods judgment. Still satan reminds us of the past. But satan, why bother? You are a liar, we need not fear, we are the children of the most high God and we are forgiven and made free. Thank you Jesus.

Friday, August 1, 2008

The Castaway - 1 Cor 9

 
The Castaway
 
 
1 Cor 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1 Cor 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1 Cor 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
 
We must be convinced; be in Christ, know his word and promises, or we are faking it. The devil has clever people who will convince you to turn away from Christ Jesus, if we are not established on the Solid Rock. Can you spot a phony?
 
Isa 32:6   Everyone will recognize ungodly fools for what they are. They spread lies about the Lord; they deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty.
Isa 32:7   The smooth tricks of evil people will be exposed, including all the lies they use to oppress the poor in the courts.
 
Some are very smooth, so we must know what we believe.
 

1 Cor 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

We can be a castaway by having a double mind, seeking the lusts of this world instead of the things of God. We can be a castaway by listening to false teachers who are very clever and subtle.

2 Tim 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Tim 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Tim 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Tim 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Tim 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Tim 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Are you a disciple who has given up all for the high calling in Christ Jesus? Or are you setting your affections on worldly things and fleshly comforts? Keep your eyes on Jesus. Look to him, hear his voice and follow. Do not follow the forked tongue of a false teacher. Know who you believe and finish the race. The ultimate castaway is he who has rejected the Lord for another false Jesus. They will be castaway by Jesus at his coming. Hold fast to sound doctrine. Stand fast in the Lord and run to finish the race. If you have sin, confess it, forgive others and keep your eyes on Jesus who waits for you at the finish line.