“Roll the Stone Away” part 4

For many who have been walking with Christ for sometime, yet can not seem to settle it in their minds that they ARE truly His Child because they have stumbled a time or two, or come short of the mark which some mainstream religious communities impose on them, I would like to start this section of the study with just a few verses: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Of course many will say that this verse only applies to those who have not yet come to Jesus and asked forgiveness of their sins, and therefore was written by Paul in explanation of how we all need a savior. This is true in context, I will admit for that specific application. However, and I wont spend time showing how I believe it also applies to those of us who have already come to Jesus with a contrite heart, and have already been forgiven. Instead, I’ll just use another verse in which most scholars, and anyone else who takes the time to read the first chapter of 1st John will agree that the message was written to the Children of God. In fact, the chapter even begins by saying: 1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
While we are on this same line of thought let me also add this verse:
Proverbs 24:16
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Note that the emphasis of that verse is upon the “Just” person…or one who is “Righteous” under the blood of Christ and “His” righteousness.
No one is alone in the walk with Christ to begin with, because He tells us in so many ways that He will never leave us or forsake us. Hence, just because one has fallen, and gone back to their worldly ways for a time doesn’t mean that they are not still a child of God. Just because we make a mistake, or take a little longer to come to the saving knowledge of JESUS Christ than some others do, does not make us any less saved. Let me make this clear. I am in no way condoning backsliding, I am only stating what I have found in my own life, while posting the scriptures to back it up. Albeit, if we fall away from God, and we do not have the still small voice in our conscience telling us that what we are doing is wrong, then we have a problem. Also, if you walk away from God out of confusion, or what ever the reason, and find yourself in some sort of dilemma which causes you to realize that either there is no hope, or He is our only hope, rest assured, it was God who allowed the dilemma, to get your attention. I think of it as “He made us” ” He knows what it takes to break us.” I strongly recommend reading all of “Psalm 107,” not only for validation of my last claim, but also just …well, Just because you should. Also, Hebrews 12 will let you know that if you are a Child of God, He will let you know that He knows when you have done wrong, and He will deal with you accordingly. Not by judgment, or condemnation, but by some form of discipline. If you have ever wondered where the phrase: “God loves us just the way we are, but too much to let us remain that way” Well, now you know.

Hebrews 12:5 (King James Version)
5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 12:6 (King James Version)
6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth

As I stated at the end of Part 3 of this study, we will get into Hebrews Chapter 11, which, many call the “Hall of Faith” before we end Part 4. Meanwhile, let me take a moment to expound just a little on some things these verses have brought back to my own memory as we are going through them.
At times when I myself was struggling, and falling, and confused, I cried out to God, (After experiencing some of those dilemmas I spoke of) and, that’s putting it mildly Anyway, I cried out to God, as I had come to the end of me. And that’s when God shows up most of all, because when we think about it, and study and walk with Him and learn, that’s really all He is trying to get us to do. “Trust in Him”

There is as big a difference in conviction, and condemnation as there is in life and death!!!

Many mixed messages However, coming from the all too many voices and views, ( yes, unfortunately, even from some pulpits and churches ) will certainly confuse us to the point of not knowing which is which if we are not in the Word of God for ourselves. Sadly, this is because those who are speaking these mixed messages are themselves thus confused between the truth that could set them free, and the traps of the powers that be.

Now that I have gotten that off of my chest, let’s take a look at faith.

What is faith? It’s not a feeling ..is it? Of course not. We sometimes go through spiritual droughts or spiritual battles, and storms wherein we just can’t FEEL God. We are wanting to do something, or hear something from God that we are certain is of great magnitude in His revelation to, or in His usefulness for us, and we just want to know; what is the message in all of this God? You know what I’m talking about. I am sure we’ve all been there. And what do we keep praying for? “God, please show me your self. Let me feel you. Let me know that you are there.” Speaking from my own experiences in such spiritual storms the immediate answer from such prayers are more times than not, silence. No answer. No lightning bolts from the sky, no shooting stars of recognition, and not even a change in my feelings. Well, other than a little added frustration. But, in most, if not all of these “Stormy Sea Ship Rides” Once I come to the end of me and stop asking Him what He wants “Me” to do, and just begin to “Rest” in Him, knowing in my soul that He is in control of all the outcomes of everything. Then, He opens a certain “Rhema” scripture to me, or in some way uses someone else to show me what He was trying to get through to me the whole stormy ride. And it’s as if the seas stop rocking, and winds in my head no longer roar, the storm clouds lift, and I see Him standing beside me in the boat, smiling..and I whisper with a tear falling from my eye, Lord, you were with me the whole time? And He smiles and says; “Trust me child”

You see, If we went around feeling God all of the time… How would we ever use our Faith?

Which brings me back to the earlier question. What is Faith?
The Bible answers that question this way.(Among many other ways)
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Martin Luther says it like this: “Faith is a Living, bold, trust in Gods Grace, so certain of Gods favor, that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.”

Faith is not a half hearted belief that there exist some higher power out there somewhere that created us. Faith is trusting the one who created you and wants you to know He loves you enough to walk with you through all the things that come into your life. They may not all be good things, but He is in control of the outcome of all things. More assuredly, He even said in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. ALL THINGS, not just the good things.
But, as Romans 8:31 tells us:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Now I will post just a few of the seemingly heroic people who made the “Grade’ of being highly esteemed on the walls of the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews Chapter 11. I ask you to go further and read about these people in the entire chapter of Hebrews 11, and if you haven’t already, or you just need a refresher, I implore you to also get into the Love letter that God sent to you, Which His Son JESUS signed, sealed, and delivered on that faithful Cross 2000 years ago.. and you will see that none of those people began as anything more than what you and I may have come from. and yet, through Faith..just Like Jesus, they became sons of God.
GOD BLESS
paul

Hebrews 11

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

King James Version (KJV)

“Roll the Stone Away” part 3

When Jesus spoke with the woman at the well in John chapter four, He admonished her of a coming time (and was speaking of when He Himself had ascended to the Father and the Holy Spirit had descended into our hearts) when man would not go into Jerusalem, a mountain, or even a church for that matter to worship God, for God seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sadly, this revelation is as misunderstood and over looked in many church settings today as it was in the 1500’s when Martin Luther began the reformation movement that revealed things that the Roman Catholic Church of his time did not want the common lay people to know. Such things as; it had already been established within the Church law that there could surely be salvation outside of the Church, yet, not outside of Jesus Christ. The saddest difference in the lack of understanding of Gods word today from back when the Church controlled what the people believed is that we have no excuse to not know what the Word of God truly says to us because it was written for us; Get the book already. And here’s just one thing that God Himself has to say about that:2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

In light of this, and knowing deep down that all you really want is to know God a little better, and to know what you need to do next to be walking in obedience to His will in your life, there’s really nothing more one can do, nor any other readily available means of doing so than His Holy unconditional love letter written specifically for you. Therefore, above all make talking to, and listening to God the number one thing in your life. Study His word emphatically : ( John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.) The more that you begin to see that the Way, the Truth, and the Life is for you and not against you, the less any accusing words from the devil, regardless of whose voice they are being spoken through can affect you. Negative words that may otherwise cause you to feel condemned, doubting your salvation, will begin to roll off of your back like water on a duck. This is quite simply because: John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.)

Now, of course there are things that we should feel bad about and as we continue to grow and become more like Christ, the Holy Spirit will convict us when we are harsh toward others, or whatever the areas in our individual personalities may be that need admonishing, but, resting secure in His salvation is not one of them. I firmly believe that for anyone to EVER begin to produce the good fruits that the Bible tells us is the evidence of a truly born again person they must first “Rest Secure in “His” Finished Works on the Cross” for them as an individual. John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

If there is one central message that God wants us all to get from His fellowship and love I truly believe that it is to rest secure in Him, (Philippians 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:) Knowing that Jesus’ own words in John 5:24 say that those who hear His word, and believe in the one who sent Him, will never come into condemnation, but have already passed from death into life should really be all that we would ever need to rest secure in His free gift of salvation, yet, there are still the all too many voices and views that continue to cause us to stumble and doubt at times. So, how do we deal with those voices? Here’s a few things that have helped me to stop listening to them. (Hebrews 2:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.) Now if He’s the “Author and the Finisher” and it pleased Him to be able to die for us, then who are we to doubt that we are saved ? Or, who are we to think that WE can do anything at all concerning salvation for that matter, for the Bible clearly states in John 15:5 ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” How do we abide in Him you may ask? Simply, “Rest Secure in “His’ Finished Works for You @ the Cross”
Join us next time when our study will take us into the infamous”Hebrew Hall of Faith” or as some call the “Bible Hall of Fame” in Hebrews Chapter 11.
And Remember Jesus also said this: John 6:37
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

” Roll the Stone Away” part 2

This burden of love was born as a direct result of a sincere personal relationship with God, and the careful study of Gods word, desperately seeking Gods peace that exceeds all understanding (Philippians 4:7) to ease the trembling malaise of my own fear struck mind. Thankfully, just as He said that He would, God removed the guilt shackled clutches that this lying little devil had put into my heart, and replaced it with the love filled, forgiving knowledge of the sweetest man who ever lived, Jesus the son of God. Jesus, who was completely innocent of any sin was condemned to bear all sin of all mankind from the beginning of the world to that faithful day on the Cross at Calvary, and even until this very moment in time and history. Jesus was condemned to death in the natural world after living a completely sinless life on earth for thirty-three years, while teaching the true ways of God for the last three of those years under much religious persecution. Yet, He was risen from the dead by our omnipotent, supernatural Father.

I suppose it is easy to see why Satan is so peeved over the whole plan of salvation, as it was he who thought he had destroyed Jesus, the Savior of the world on the cross, only to find out later that God had it all planned from before the foundation of the earth anyway. Still, apparently confused Satan tries all that he can do to try and keep others from entering into Gods rest thinking that it will somehow show God that he was not unlike all of Gods created beings, and given the chance, all would refuse to submit to God their creator. Of course, he is wrong.

Although the Gospel of Christ is simplistic in its atoning and redemptive plan many do not grasp it as such, as it has been so overly complicated by those who either do not accept the simplicity of it’s complete redemptive value, or they just quite simply believe a lie. What ever the reasons, even in the church world there are conflicting doctrinal beliefs and differences of opinions which only continue to confuse many who haven’t learned the importance of reading and learning the message that God has sent to them for themselves rather than to take someone elses word for it. And for that reason, this blog is for you.

I do realize that everyone can read any given scripture to have an entirely different meaning than someone else may find. This is precisely why I ask that you all pray that you be not mislead, not by this or any other interpretation or explanation of the word of God, but that you are lead into the one and only true meaning that was given from God Himself. Notwithstanding the reality that there are infinite applications to each verse or message in the word of God to each of our lives and circumstances, there is still but one absolute meaning to each verse. That is why I am writing this entry, and exactly why I am placing each and every verse address used within its confines right there on the page. I pray that you will take the time to go to the Bible verses themselves, and read from the place where the subject has begun, and follow it through seeing the ultimate meaning of the verse or verses in context, just as God intended for us to do to get the absolute truth that He intended for each of us to receive. I truly hope that the readers of this work will use its few scriptural outlined verses to their own benefit, as a study guide to the spiritual freedom that has so many times throughout scripture been the covering promise of God. Once we become grounded in His irrevocable truth, standing firm in trusting Him becomes our norm, beyond second nature if you will, into first Spirit assurance where we must walk to unequivocally worship in truth the one true loving God.
Hebrews 4:10 (King James Version) (Join us for Part 3 of “Roll the stone away, coming soon)

10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

“Roll the stone away” part 1

For those who have never asked Jesus into your life, or have never experienced what the spirit of this blog invokes, this blog is for you. You will probably soon be bowing your head, saying I’m sorry God for what I was before. You will probably say then, Lord, they say that you sent your only Son to die on a Cross to wash away the blame that rest upon the lives of all who are born into this world because of certain Universal laws that we as humans can never fully understand. But Lord, I am sorry for doing anything , and being anything that would cause you, my creator, to go as far as to have to send your only Son to die such a shameful humiliating, painful death to atone for.

Please do not misunderstand what I am saying here. I am by NO MEANS saying that this article has anything to do with causing you to become saved by the Grace of an all loving God. I,m only saying that you will probably , if you haven’t already asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, soon have an unmistakable experience with God the Father which will cause you to realize that you are a sinner, and that you can in no way ever atone for the Sin nature that you were born with. I say this not because of anything that is written on this page, but because if one is even looking at a blog entitled “Roll the Stone Away” then there’s a good possibility that certain circumstances have come into your life that God has allowed to help you to see your need, that He is calling you to Himself to fill.

That all being said, I now move along to the true heart-felt reason of this article, and that being to hopefully help roll away the stones of false guilt, shame and condemnation that are hindering many of the already saved, but new in the faith believers from entering into His peace that He has promised and does give.
The false guilt, and shame etc, that I have mentioned are certainly not from God, hence, the falseness of the guilt. In other words, Jesus paid dearly for those sins to be washed away, they are forgiven, never to be thought about by God again. Although, I did say new believers, I should add that I myself was well into my walk with God before ever seeking the truth from His word in this particular area of entering into His peace I had read and even studied the Bible for at least seven years prior to realizing one day that something was missing, and that from all the views and voices, and opinions out there, I was thoroughly confused. Well, what do you do when you realize that you are confused about Gods Word? You start seeking “His Word” and His words only. The one thing that clearly kept ringing in my spiritual ears was this: 1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints

Unfortunately,there is however an adversary who would love to keep us from ever entering into the Peace of God that exceeds all earthly understanding. ( Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus ) And just as unfortunately, , he, the adversary is alive and well not only in the unsaved world , but also within the Church world it’s self. The Bible tells us that the adversary is an accuser, or actually,that he is “The Accuser” of the brethren. However, he can speak through the mouth of anyone at any given time should ones heart not be guarded by the word of God. This is the first of many points that I surely hope to not only make in this entry, but also pray that will find its way deep into the longing worried hearts of those who are new, and are hearing the all too many voices and views that can cloud ones thinking , and confuse us on certain things that have already been instilled into our hearts and minds from the word of God which is the only absolute truth that exist.

What Jesus told His disciples in the love filled book of John, Chapter and verse 8:31 tells us that if we continue in His word then we truly are His disciples, as much as those He was speaking to first hand. The hope and desire to help roll away the stones of false guilt, shame and condemnation is our only prayer here folks, so please make notes of the scriptures as we go along.

Regardless of whether one is already into Gods word on a regular basis or not, I think it’s safe to assume that all who are reading this article already know that false guilt is a form of fear, and false shame also is a type of fear. Prior to becoming washed in the blood of JESUS, the shame, and guilt were absolutely NOT false, and hopefully were a large factor in helping us to realize how needful of His love and forgiveness we truly are. Afterward , however, the guilt and shameful feelings that may be keeping one from understanding, and accepting Gods full forgiveness, are just that ..False, and a form of fear placed into ones mind by the accuser of the brethren. Thankfully though, in Gods word we are told with no ” if’s,” “and’s”, or ” but’s”, that :2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:6-8 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter) And as far as the condemnation that this accusing liar from hell continues to use as a scare tactic against unsuspecting sheep who are awkwardly trying to enter Gods Kingdom of Peace, relax, it died with Jesus:

John 5:24 (King James Version)
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Yes, “Already Passed From Death into Life”
God Bless you all, tune in later for Part 2 of “Roll the Stone Away”

Who is Jesus?

Why is it so very important for us to accept Jesus as the loving, forgiving, eternal life giving son of God that He tells us through His word that He is ? Why is it important to know Jesus and to take Him at His word, rather than to listen and accept Him as only the wise, gentle, good man that many lost wonderer’s would have us to believe ? “I believe that Jesus was one of the best men to ever walk on the earth” I’ve heard many say, “But the son of God?” “No way” They profess. “He was just a great man who walked a straight line, loved everyone and told the truth” Wait! If we believe, as many profess, that Jesus was the greatest most honorable man to walk the face of the earth in His own physical life span, and was about truth, then how can we overlook the fact that if it were true that this is all that He was .. then He was also a liar?

I’ve heard many similar opinions expressed about Jesus being the greatest man to ever walk the earth, implicating that the Bible and His name have been eternalized down through the years only for that reason. I am overwhelmingly inclined to agree that Jesus was the greatest man to ever have walked the face of this earth, but to envision Him only as some preeminent glorified Jesus freak or motivational speaker of His time is totally absurd. How could He even be thought of, or referred to as a man of truth, if He himself was nothing more than a liar?

If we do not take ALL of His word as the True Knowledge of God.. then how can we call Him a good man? When Jesus Himself says things like: ” I am the way the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by me” How do we say that He is not telling the truth, yet still say He was a man of truth? Jesus said many times, in many ways in no uncertain terms that He is the Son of God. If we do not accept this as truth, then we also can not say that He was the greatest man to ever live, nor a prophet, nor a pacifist, or a gentle man of truth at all. In deed if we did we would only be basing our opinion of who He is, or was on part of the evidence and information that is already freely given to us throughout His Word. In fact what reason would anyone in the twenty-first century have to believe in anything that this man would have said two thousand years ago, if we do not believe that all the things that were recorded by eye witnesses, and those who actually heard Him speak were words of Truth from the Father?

I pose this thought for all those out there, who (like myself for way too long), have listended to the many confusing voices and opinions and just can’t quite get past the what if’s and the if so’s to realize the all so liberating truth that either Jesus is who He tells us in His word that He is, or He’s just .. a man, and not a very good one at that. At least no better than any of us. Anyone who has any doubt in their minds as to who Jesus was , and who He is in our lives, should find much awakening, and liberation of the soul in the reality that Jesus has been written about, and esteemed through thousands of years of time as the greatest person to have ever lived.

It is no suprise that even those who do not accept ALL of Jesus’ words as being truth even look at His ministry on earth in His day as being one of superb spiritual, and life changing greatness. Sadly, those who do not base what they know of Him on a sincere personal relationship begining with a faith filled study of His word overlook the fact that all that we have in writing that He said was recorded by eye witnesses, and hearers of His words (all of whom did so at great risk to their own personal lives and well being,) and certainly must hold true, or else none of it should even be remembered, let alone preserved and kept religiously for two thousand years.

What other person in the history of the world was written about more? Who else in the history of the world is esteemed as any greater man? What other religion has spanned the vastness of time in such a way that the entire world is either drawn together in it’s promises of love and salvation, or offended to the point of murder, war and hatred at the mention of the name Jesus?

Incidentally, who does the Bible tell us that Jesus is?

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Of course that verse alone doesn’t tell us that Jesus is the Word. Which is why ALL of His Word is so very important for us to read and to listen for HIS Spirit’s expiatory end.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:17

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Sadly, although the truth about who Jesus is has been spelled out for us throughout scripture and that by Him alone can we ever be reconciled to the Father, many still can not see, or accept the redemption of His Finished Works on the Cross for them because of the simplicity of the Truth therein. In other words, many can not see the “Forrest” of Salvation, for the simplicity of the “Tree”

Paul put it this way: Of course, my excerpts from his writings are by no means exhaustive, and should be searched out by the readers themselves:

2 Corinthians 1:12 (New Living Translation)

12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.

2 Corinthians 11:3 (King James Version)

3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:1-3 (Amplified Bible)1 Corinthians 21 AS FOR myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom;

2For I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

There has never been anything more simple and freely given to mankind than the redemptive plan of God through the “Final ” Atonement” and offer of eternal life and love through His Son Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us:

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

( Man can not save himself, through any amount of self righteousness, religion, rituals or self sanctification methods)

It would be a sad eternal mistake to be blinded by the very truth that can save one from eternal death simply because they refuse to accept the simplicity that God has put before us as a free gift of his grace unto eternal life wouldn’t it?

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is nothing we can do to be saved, beyond believing in JESUS, as being the Son of God, and His Finished Works on the Cross for us as individuals.

I urge each of you, if you have not already accepted this simple offer from God as truth, to stop worrying about the all too many voices and views of what is required of us unto salvation, and let Him save you.

Matthew 6:33 says: seek ye first the Kingdom of God and “His” righteousness, and all these other things shall be added unto you.
With a more indepth study we easily find that the “Righteousness” of God spoken of here is none other than Jesus, and the Kingdom of God which He usherd onto earth upon His resurrection.

Jesus said ..Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

Well ? You may ask. Where can I find this truth?

Jesus also said “I am the way the truth and the Life” and no man cometh to the Father except by me”

The one thing that all of us who either are believers , or are seeking to cut through all the “What If’s” and “If So’s’ to find truth should remember is this:

John 3:16 (King James Version)

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

And also :

Philippians 1:6 (King James Version)

6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
It is truly not what we believe we must do to be saved, it is about who we believe He, who already did it is.

Would you like to Rest Secure in the Finished Works of Jesus?(surveys)

We can all have victory: His Name is Jesus.

GOD BLESS

sonsothunder

“Peace of God”

The daylight was falling, the sun slumbered low, there was no way out, it seemed there was no where to go. Hope seemed so distant, there was nothing to look toward, all was just sinking so quickly, and the waters to high to ford. Suddenly from out of no where, beamed a light so wonderfuly bright, when Jesus reached His hand out , I knew hope and peace in the darkest still night. My sins were now behind me, quickly errased and forgiven, and all things ahead filled with love and blessed abundant living. Not all things have been easy , not as if all are without pain, Jesus put his arms round me, and I walk through stormy darkness, with no fear of going in sane. Times when all Hell seems to come against me, and even the times I’ve invited it in, I am reminded, nothing is greater than Jesus my God, and I cast my cares on Him. He has promised to never leave me, never my life to forsake, and as I rest secure in His Finished Works, I also rest secure that my soul, He will surely take.

http://jerusable.webs.com

Son of Encouragement “be a Barnabas”

6/17/2009 http://jerusable.webs.com

Are we being Barnabas to our sisters and brothers in the family of the Lord called the body of Christ or the Church?

Are we being Barnabas even to our families when they are in need of encouragement? Maybe they did wrong, maybe they have made bad decisions which bring on shame even to the whole family. But will constant chastisement and nagging on how bad one has lived their life ever help to change a person or help them to see the err of their ways? Or , does it take love and gentle directive nudging?

Of course there is a need for confrontation and speaking the truth to a person in love, but then comes a time for encouraging and disciplining that person in ways that are not accusative or condemning . Paul of Tarsus for example was a very astute man of his day in the religious eyes of the law, and was like many of today who are over zealous for what they see to be God and His work. Many extremist of the far east, and even those in this country will take a persons life in a second, and even take their own life thinking they are doing God a great service. Of course the Bible tells us this type of behavior will come about in the last days. John 16:2

(They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.)

This behavior is not limited to the Muslim religious extremist, it’s right here, even among some so called Christians. Even as far back as the Crusades men went out for the wrong reasons taking lives and thinking they were doing God some great service. Here in America People have bombed abortion Clinics thinking they were doing God a favor. And it’s not just the Abortion Clinics by any means, just last week a Dr. who was well known as an Abortion, or right to Choice advocate was gunned down and wiped from the face of the earth completely by one who thought he was doing God a favor, NOT IN HIS CLINIC, But, in His CHURCH!!!!!

Now, getting back to Saul, who was so overly Zealous in believing that the things he was doing against the Christians was all for the Glory of God, that he even went unto the high priest asking to be deputized as it were to be legally sanctioned to go out and beat and tie up any Christian he came across on the way to Damascus. But , as we read from Acts Chapter 9: Saul met with a much greater authority, the “True High Priest,” and was given a much higher appointment than that of being a deputy to the “Religious Laws of Man”. Saul met his divine appointment when , he met JESUS Christ! Acts Chapter 9:

1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

( in other words, Jesus was saying, Saul, you are defeating your own purpose, and persecuting those you should be encouraging)

6And he (Paul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Now we know this was a very humbling experience to say the least for Saul. He was blinded by the Light of Jesus’ manifestation to him, he was lead by the hand to Damascus, where all he did for 3 days and nights was to pray. He wouldn’t eat , he didn’t sleep he only prayed.

This was no covert operation that Saul of Tarsus had been on in the taking and imprisoning the Saints of the Lord either. Saul of Tarsus was a dreaded and greatly feared name to be heard or even mentioned among the disciples of the Lord as we see in Acts 9:13, after Jesus had told Ananias in a vision to go unto straight street and lay thou hands on and anoint one Saul of Tarsus, Ananias retorted : ( PARAPHRASED ) Lord, I’ve heard so much of what this man has been doing among our brethren. Are you sure this is what you want me to do Lord, this man may just cut off my head.

Yet, the Lord assured him it was what He desired for him to do, as Saul was a chosen vessel for the work of the Lord.

Now, we know this was a born again, filled with the Holy Spirit of God, new man in Christ, (Now called Paul, ) and we know that he went out almost immediately after Ananias laid his hands on him, and the scales fell from his eyes and began preaching in the synagogues that Christ was the son of God. However, just because we know all of this, do we think that he no longer had guilt to deal with over the things he had done? Of course he did. In fact many believe this guilt and lack of self forgiveness to be the very thorn in Paul’s side which the Bible tells us clearly in Paul’s own words buffeted him right up until his last letter of second Timothy before he was to be killed. The Bible tells us, of this particular thorn in Paul’s side, that he asked the Lord three times to remove it, yet Gods response was only: “My Grace Is Sufficient” But seeing as we know that Paul was known to pray for three days at a time, those three times could have been three different sets of days and prayer equaling nine days or more. Now, if the Great man of God, Paul, who wrote 13, and some say 14 books of the Bible needed an encourager to help keep him from falling into despair at times, even after seeing Jesus the Christ on the road to Damascus, then who are we to not be an encourager unto our brethren knowing that we ourselves need an encourager many times our selves. Even if a person has fallen and caused shame and been less than perfect in his or her walk with the Lord, if God says my Grace is sufficient, then who are we to cast stones of discouragement and doubt to that person?

I have personally heard several different sermons preached by several different preachers saying that the Church has taken this Grace thing just a little too far, and both times, in both services I said to myself, (and wanted to stand in the middle of those services and shout out , maybe you’ve taken it too far preacher,) but brothers and sisters if God says ye are saved by His Grace then the only thing I’m taking from the Grace that God has given unto another person is my hands off. The Church needs more Barnabas’

We need to be edifying our sisters and our brothers, we need to bring them up when they are down. The Bible tells us that we are to glory with one another in our mountain top experiences, and we need to mourn together in our valleys. I believe for a man or a woman to be truly born again we are to see a change in the way we feel toward other people in their hardships and pain even in the midst of our own mud bogged pain filled situations of life. We need a Barnabas, and we need to be a Barnabas . The only way the Church I believe will ever come together again in one accord is to learn this lesson from the great book of Acts and to learn to apply it into our daily interactions with our sisters and brothers in the Lord.

Now Paul wasn’t the only one who had doubts. Can you imagine the thoughts of the disciples of the Lord the first time Paul showed back up in Jerusalem? Can you imagine the fear, and hatred, and total distrust the disciples must have felt toward a man who stood firm as he held the coats of those other Pharisees who cast the stones that killed Steven? And only the Lord knows what other things he had done…In the Name of the Lord of course, or at least that he thought was a great service to the Lord, (according to his Religious schooling of the time.) These things could have not been easy for even Paul to forget, and no doubt were on the minds of all the other disciples.

Paul needed someone, Paul needed a Barnabas. We need a Barnabas, we need to be Barnabas.

Now, Barnabas had a divine calling as well. He was born on the Greek Island of Cyprus to a Jewish family, and the Bible tells us if we go back a little further in the book of Acts, to: Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (NIV) we see that Barnabas was already being prepped to help encourage the Jew who God had chosen to be the “Minister of Salvation” unto the Gentiles. The Church Needs More Barnabas :

Here’s what the Bible says about the thing that Barnabas first did , among many other things concerning Paul. ( Acts 9:20 straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.) 21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. )

Here was a man hunted to be killed by his own people, whom he was once in the same mind set with, of the same erroneous belief of who God was, now willing to die for what Jesus had now shown him to be the opposite cause. He knew however, that he wouldn’t die this day, as God had already told him of the things that he would have to suffer for Jesus’ name sake before he would make with the message of the Gospel to Rome. No, the time was not come and he knew what he was supposed to do, and whom he was supposed to be with. But, they did not trust Paul at all, and Paul understood that. Paul really suffered in his mind and heart over the things that he had done in his past to people he wished now he could bring back and edify and encourage, and love. But, that was as impossible as becoming one of the close knit disciples of the Lord must have seemed to him at that moment. But, then , Gods wonderful plan continued to unveil it’s self right before his eyes when: ( Acts 9:27 ) But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.) 28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. ( After this the Bible tells us ) 31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Without Barnabas standing up for Paul, the likelihood of him becoming accepted among the disciples was not good at all. In fact, one could have just as easily torn him down, assassinating the possibility of a changed character, as many times today we are prone to see. Peter was not even about to come around such a man as this had it not been for Barnabas.

So, the same choice is ours also to make. God already ordained us to be encourager’s, yet He also has given us a choice. Ruth had Naomi, David had Jonathan, Job, should have had three close friends who sat at his side, and suffered along with him as he was so painfully scourged physically and spiritually, but, instead they accused him, and pointed a discerning finger and made his pain even worse. And what did God have to say about it?

JOB 42: 7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

10And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Who will we be? ..an Eliphaz, a Bildad, a Zophar? Or will we be a Barnabas?

GOD BLESS you all.

http://jerusable.webs.com

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(polling)

“How Do You Rest”

I believe the first thing that a Christian must learn to do to enable Gods gifts within us to produce noticeable fruit is to learn to rest secure in “The Finished Works of Jesus” for us on the cross as individuals. I believe also according to scripture, (Many examples including Moses) that one can be saved and live a life of struggles and never reach the “Kingdom of God” until the day of Jesus’ return, although He has already given us life and Life more abundantly for the here and now. In other words, the Kingdom is at hand, and we must seek what ever it takes to receive and walk in that promise from Him. What is it that we must seek? How do we rest? For me it is to seek His face, which may sound cliche to many, so I’ll put it this way. It is basically impossible to think of Jesus and the things He went through for us, while thinking of Sinning at the same time. This of course is not to say that I am perfect or have reached the place of a completely sinless life. But the way I rest is in what He has already done for me. How do you rest?

Hebrews 4:10

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

GOD BLESS

sonsothunder

http://jerusable.webs.com

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(polling)

“Jesus is my Sabbath”

I believe it is a wonderful thing to set aside one day of extra special praise and worship for the Lord Jesus. This gives us a chance to fellowship with other members of Gods family, and to be a closer knit part of the body of Christ. The Bible, however, does not make this out to be an issue of salvation in my studied opinion, as some denominations and or Churches would have us to believe. No, indeed if it were, then 90% of the prodestant church as a whole would be condemned; Would it not? The Sabbath day is the 7th day of the week anyway you count it. Sunday is the first day of the week. Not to worry though, GOD is so good, He has sent His Son to be our Sabbath. I can never get enough of reading the book in Hebrews that explains this fact so plainly and lovingly. Although there are coherent scriptures elsewhere in the New Testament that help to verify this belief, the writer of Hebrews has done a wonderful job of explaining it perfectly clear to me. God Bless you all..And Read Hebrews Chapter 4 again tonight.. You’ll be glad you did. Hebrews 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. http://jerusable.webs.com Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(polling)

When did you last ignore Gods Voice?

I have been spending some time posting comments on an ongoing discussion site other than my own,  ( I can only wish my site had half the reader interaction as does that one) Although, I do not claim to have all the answers to all the questions, therefore, take this as much as a question from me as anything else.

 How does God speak, is the question of  discussion on the other site. And of course,we could go down 400 rabbit trails from that topic alone, and never find an identical carrot. Regardless, I am certain we have all heard the responses, and how they vary, depending on which church back ground one has. We have all heard the “Fundamental”response, “He Only Speaks to  Those  in Appointed Church Office” , and the ever so lovely song and dance of the “Pentecostal” He speaks in tongues, and the “Reformed” “He only Speaks To Us Through His Word” Yadi Yada Yada

But, then we all know that He also speaks to our hearts..I mean at least I feel certain that deep down we all really know this, else where did we hear the original call to begin with?

Ok, here’s the question I have to hopefully start this discussion:  Hypothetically, we have a question we are asking God:   Many say to hear His answer, through His word, it will come as the Rhema, the undeniable “Spot On ” answer if you will.. Others say.. The Answer Is The One That You Feel Most at Peace in Your Heart With… and so on..

I feel that we all have had at times  the problem of hearing Gods voice while seeking an answer to a question or  guidence from Him for a certain direction. Yet at the same time we are hearing the all too many other voices, or ..”Thoughts” that we just can’t put our finger on to which is truly the voice, or answer from God, and which are only our own thoughts, or “Collective Static and Interferences” as it were:

Now, all of that said, I know we all have heard that undeniable “Inner Voice” that has almost shouted to our Spirit mans ears,    “Don’t Do it”, or maybe  ”Do it”  and by undeniable I am speaking of the voice that we “Know” , either at the moment, or at least in retrospect, that it WAS the voice of GOD!!

When was the last time this has happened to you, and how did you react?

Did you listen and respond correctly, or did you try to shut it out, temporarily telling your self that it was ..only my own voice or thoughts speaking ..only to later suffer the consequences?

Please feel free to elaborate as much as you wish on this question, or just acknowledge in general.

GOD BLESS you

sonsothunder

http://jerusable.webs.com

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(polling)

Importance of Current News Events

    Christian blogs that have current news events posted on them, or make a stance against certain laws, and or movements are many times overlooked , or dubbed by readers as being politically motivated sites rather than being spiritual venues to help carry the good news of  the gospel of Christ.  I ask you to take a closer look, for this is not always the case.  I will admit,  however, that many of the ones I have viewed  in the past few weeks do tend to lean more to partisanship of one side of the political arena or the other.

 We as  Christians need to stay informed to the current happenings around us, particularly if we want  to know where we as the “Body” are in  Gods overall  time frame.  The end time events taking place on the world stage today are not only written about for us by God in the Bible to know the times and the season of His return, but are also recomended  by God for us to take notice of and  compare to to His word.  No other book in the entire Holy Bible does God promise us that we who read it and keep the words  in our hearts will be blessed but the Revelation of Jesus Christ. No where else does the Bible directly state that “This is a Prophecy,” a prophecy for those of us who are in His Kingdom to read and learn from it’s fore-telling of things that will come to pass, and in reality are taking place right now before our very eyes. What a wonderful privilege and blessing it is for us  to be the generation that is still alive here on earth while those things which were written about two thousand years ago are taking place around us, and to have every resource available at our fingertips and viewing pleasure for following them as they take place. We are a chosen generation,  the only  generation to not only witness first hand a revelation given by God, but ”The Revelation”  the Revelation of Jesus Christ. This does not mean this is a revelation about Jesus, ( Although it is to those of us who will read and watch) but, this means it is the “Revelation that God gave to JESUS!!!    

Revelation 1

 ¹The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

 ²Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

 ³Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

   In His mercy, God not only sent His only Son to bare all of the worlds sin, thereby defeating death, hell and the grave, but He also sent us a wonderful love letter through the prophets telling us how to receive the forgiveness and wisdom that it takes to be a part of His wonderful plan of salvation. We are supposed to be the light of the world, sharing His wonderful plan with others.  I can’t think of any better way of doing that , than by first knowing what the word of God really has to say about things pertaining to the world in which we live.    I know a lot of folks only want to share that Jesus is all love, and all tolerant, therefore, they do not want to be reminded of the hate and hurt in the world in which we live. Unfortunately, there is a dieing world around us out here, and if we do not share the reality of the current events, and the  pertinence of making the best of what time we have left, then who will?  I  heard a very profound statement once concerning going to heaven, although, I do not know who to credit for the words, but they do hold a sobering truth to them:   “We can not help to save anyone after we are in heaven”  Oh, and I feel I need to add also here, that Jesus, or God is not at all tolerant, in the worldly sense of the word, not when it comes to unrepentant  immorality anyway.    His love many times is tough love, and rarely the touchy feely, live and let live sort of love that the world thinks of love as being. This by no means is to say that He does not want us to feel securely loved by Him.  In fact the more I learn to appreciate His tough love that keeps causing me to grow, the more secure and loved I feel. And of course He does reach down and give us that occasional spiritual hug as well.   So, basicly  I am saying  as God has said, “My people suffer for a lack of knowledge.”  Spiritual wisdom comes from Gods word, and for those who do not want to read Revelation because they think it is all about Gods Wrath and not Gods love are only missing the entire point and message. It is the Revelation of  Jesus Christ, and therefore much about the “Wrath of the Lamb” which by the way, we as Christians are supposed to be warning the rest of the world about, and not hiding behind a theocratic belief that He will come and sweep us away from all harm and danger in a so called pre-trib rapture, which parenthetically, should we really study His word rather than take other peoples interpretation of as salt we will find to be more of a “Pre-Wrath” rapture, than a Pre-Tribulation rapture, (reference: see  ”Pre-Wrath” rapture on this site )

I encourage all Christians to try and see beyond the political parties that seem to be the dividing factor of many of the laws and current world events today enough to compare the news to the Prophetic words God has sent for us to know what takes place next. Politics has a lot to do with it, but, as we all are soon to realize, (or at least those who haven’t already figured it out)   the political/religious regime that will soon rule the world ,  until  Jesus returns, is, and has been ONE party, infiltrating both sides of the political arena, working behind the scenes, and making it’s way to this point and time  in History since the Tower of Babel written about in Genesis 11.

 

In closing I would like to say that I do not believe that making a stance against those who pervert Gods laws and principles of morality will change one thing in the over all world stage and final curtain  draw as it  has already been written as to how it will all end.  However, if we as the children of God would  take a closer look at the”Program” we have been given to enlighten us to the epic chronological events on the stage before us,  I know , that it will make a difference in the thing that we have been commissioned to do to begin with, and that making all the difference in the world, even if it changes the direction of but one lost soul.

http://jerusable.webs.com

“Useless Words”

If these words do not help someone, if these words can’t help  to console, then take them from this page Lord, and leave just an empty hole.

If these words do not reach out for you,  if these words are as  an empty song, then take them from my lips oh Lord, and fill my heart with your own.

If these words are only empty sentiments, of such I so long to avoid,  then  take them from my heart oh Lord, and fill that empty void.

I long so much to spread the news, of the amazing things you have done, but words seem so futile Lord, like trying to extinguish a fire on the face of the sun.

If  these words  of  mine are just that my Lord, and never really given from you, then erase them from these pages, and  fill them with a message of truth.

Nights I have spent listening, days I  have studied your word,   thank you  Lord,  for helping others with life you have spoken  into my heart, not just letters my mind has heard.

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(survey)

Pre-Wrath Rapture

I would like to say that my studies in this area are ongoing, and certainly not exaustive in it’s conclusion. There are many areas that I am certain God has not revealed to me yet and therefore, I ask that no one takes my words of this or any other post as to be dogmatic doctrine. God Bless: So much Bible, so little time.

Many have arrived in their studies, or belief on the rapture as
being a pre -trib rescue from the “Great Tribulation” which Jesus has called a time of trouble like has never been on earth since it’s beginning.  In my personal studies of the Bible I do not arrive at the same fly away before trouble comes rescue plan at all.  In fact it almost seems as if Jesus warns us in chapter 24 of  Matthew against any such thoughts by telling us that many will come in his name, and some even claiming to be Him. He then goes on to tell the disciples, (as if to say that some of us as Christians will still be here ) to not follow the teachings of those who claim such things, and to not bother going to see if they tell you “Christ” is in the desert or anywhere else. Why ?  Because Jesus’ return will not be that way at all.  (Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:)   (Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.)  Based on the fact that the Anti-Christ will deceive many in those days, and the signs and wonders that must first be seen before Christ’ return,  It would seem that looking for Jesus to rescue us from the great tribulation period could actually be a very dangerous way of thinking.

 

  Although, in a paraphrase,  if I may, we are not really to be occupied in the trying to figure out when He is coming back, as Jesus has said He himself did not know the hour or the day but only God the Father knew.  Instead of being occupied with when He is to return we are told to occupy and continue to work in the kingdom until His return.  Still we are admonished to continue to study the Bible, therefore I have found that a careful study, or even a casual reading of Matthew 24 where Jesus speaks to the disciples during His earthly ministry reveals much to us about this coming day known as “The Lords” day.   I would like to post some of Jesus’ words from Matthew 24 as we get further along in this study and or discussion, but first I’d like for us to go into 1st Thessalonians, from where I believe most of the Pre-trib rapture believers have made the hypothesis of the “Pre-Trib” rapture into a theory.  How this came about is quite understandable however,  as I also think that the Thessalonians were under the same impression possibly from misreading the first  letter to them from Paul.  I  also believe that is one of the reasons why Paul wrote them the second letter that we know as  2nd Thessalonians.  Lets have a look: 1 Thessalonians 4:13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. This is for the most part the main place Biblicaly speaking that the pre tribtheory came to be a hypothesis at all. Even so, as I have said I think the Thessalonians even believed it that way at least until Paul’s second letter got to them: 2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shakenin mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
As you see Paul mentions “A letter” from him.  I believe he had gotten word that they were teaching and preaching on this pre trib theory and he felt a need to send the second letter partly for that reason. Also we know that Jesus said in Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  As we recall the flood story it was the “wicked” who were carried away by the “Great Flood” waters, not the Children of God, also many other places and parables seem to be clear on the fact that the angels of God will come and pluck out the “Tares” from among the ”Wheat” and not until  the “END” of the Harvest will it be done. 

 

 

     Some will say, but, what about Enoch , for as we read in : Genesis 5:24And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. This is a good point as we do see the Old Testament stories mirroring the New Testament prophesies and fulfilment’s,  However, and it could very well be some of the Church will be taken away for walking and living such Holy Lives.  I do not see the Bible or Jesus telling us this is what we are to be expecting, however, nor do I know very many people who are walking in such perfect adherence to Gods word that God would just come and take them away. I do know a few pastors etc, that have been called home who were walking seemingly that close, yet , as a group, or a church I know of none.   

 

 

 None the less,  I do not believe it is any coincidence that Matthew 24, and 2nd Thessalonians both mention that  the “Man of Perdition”  (Daniel 11-12)   (Revelation 13)..”Must be revealed before Jesus’ return.”  Seemingly both Jesus and Paul were telling the disciples that some of the church, whomever is alive at that time, would be there to see the abomination of desolation.  (2nd Thessalonians 2: 3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: 

 

 Unless we have a Preterist view of the end times, and I do not,  we know this man of perdition to be revealed is the Anti-Christ, or in the Greek, the “Instead”of Christ, who is to be revealed after three and a half years of ruling the world from a “Peace” platform of political and religious hierarchy as it was prophesied by Daniel from a dream  given to him from God by way of the Angel Gabriel.  Jesus, as we will see later in this study also said that the man of perdition  would have to be revealed before He himself comes back, therefore, unless the “Preterist interpretation” of the 70 weeks being complete upon the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. is true, ( though I believe only 69, prophetic weeks, or 489 years were fulfilled at that time, therefore, the last year which equates to “7 years” in prophetic calculations  is the “7 year” reign of the anti Christ yet to come.) “Another topic for another time” Now, lets look at :  Acts 14:22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
 Now this of course was not referring to the Great Tribulation period, But, if the Disciples of Jesus’ earthly ministry were not saved from tribulations..and even death for most of them, how can we be expecting to be scooped out of harms way, to fly away from danger? 

 

 

 

Jesus put it all this way, and I will close after posting only some of Matthew 24 , and asking that you please, regardless of your own belief on this matter feel welcome and free to post your reasoning:     Matthew 24:1And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.  24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. ( Jesus was speaking of the destruction that was to come in 70A.D. by the Romans.)  (24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?  What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand)     24: 21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  24;22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24: 25 Behold, I have told you before. 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. ( This next one is a big clue)   24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  24: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, andtheyshall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

 

 

 

Now, before I close this post I would like to ask you all to think of the Old Testament as the reflection of the New Testament, as many of you already know that it really is just that, a reflection or a physical preface to the Spiritual things to come. Now with this fact in mind, lets look from the mirrored perspective of the Israelites in Egypt.

 

 

 Throughout the Bible Egypt is typified as “Bondage” or , as a type of  our “Worldly” habitation before we are born into the family of God.  Israel is the modern day church,  personified. ( This is not to say that physical Israel doesn’t still play a large role in Gods plan of the end time in my opinion they do.)

 

Now in light of this if we compare the Israelites deliverance from Egypt to our own deliverance as the church of Christ, we will see some striking  similarities:  In the book of Revelation “Jesus” is referred to as the “Lamb of God 29 times.

The Passover Lamb was the Lamb that the Israelites had to sacrifice, (Exodus 12) and then smear the blood of over their doors to be covered from the “Wrath” of God that was to come unto Egypt by way of the 10 plagues. (Keeping in mind that this was taking place just before Moses lead them out of Egypt)

In Exodus7:19 we find that one of the plagues was  “Rivers turned  to Blood”

In Revelation 16:4 we find that the waters of the earth will also be turned to blood just before the coming of the Lord.

In Exodus 9:23 we read of the hail storms of the ten plagues in Egypt.

In Revelation 16:21 we read of the hail storm in Megeddo (End Times).

Exodus 10:12, Locust

Revelation 9:3-4 Locust as well for the coming tribulation period. (And they were told to not harm those on earth with the Seal of God in their foreheads) The comparisons go on and on from here, but I will leave those for your personal studies. I believe the Church will be in the earth untill the last Trump has sounded, the 7th Trump.  1 Corinthians 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

What do all these comparisons of the Israelites Exodus from Egypt have to do with the “Exodus” of the church?

Well, it pretty much explains itself, however, you have to admit, the Israelites were still in Egypt during the time of  the “Great” Tribulation brought upon Egypt by God through Moses to convince Pharaoh to let  “My People Go”

Yet, they were covered in the Blood of the Lamb.

Not until  the Egyptians persued after the Israelites  (Compare to Satan’s last ditch effort of deception) did God part the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass through. Not till then did God’s wrath come crashing down onto the Egyptian Army. And not till then will we    “All see the Coming of Jesus” The sky will be parted, as the sea was parted.

Yes, I believe not in a Pre-Trib rapture, but certainly I believe in the “Pre-Wrath” rapture for His children.

GOD BLESS

sonsothunder

“Let the River Flow”

 (Psalm 1:1-3 )   Oh, the joys of those who do not

follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,

meditating on it day and night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do.       

 

 

A well cultivated field will grow what the farmer intended for the field to grow. If one is in the Word of God, who planted us to begin with, and keeping in good company of the fellow flowers and not the weeds, they will absorb the sustenance of living waters and grow as a tree planted by the waters of a river bank. This of course is not to say that we are not to be in the world living among those who are not yet in the light of Gods  love, for we are to be the light of the world, reflecting the goodness of what God’s love is doing  in our own lives.  All too often though, we as the children of God can allow our selves to become shaded from His light and love by becoming entangled with artificial intrigue and deceptive lures of the adversary.  Like a corn plant that otherwise would be producing goodness  for the world to seek for nourishment stooping to admire the beauty of a morning glory flower only to become wrapped up and smothered by it’s devouring , suffocating vine, such can be in the life of a child of God.  All hope is not lost if this happens however, for  just as the farmer can prepare the field before the wild flowers like the morning glory take over,  He can also plow, and chop the weeds away from the corn plant after they move in to steal the nourishment away.  The child of God is exactly like the corn plant in this situation however, without the love and caring actions of the farmer we will just wither away and die. The Word of God is what we all need to inhibit and or reverse the detrimental effects of such life stealing substances, and influences in our lives.  Although  you may be feeling that it may depress you if you read the wrong verse or area of the Word when you are feeling down, the truth is, maybe you have only drifted from the nourishment that keeps us from withering in our spirit to begin with and have not yet even become entangled . I have drifted at times and felt the same thing about getting back into His word, but thankfully, our Father God will not leave us to wither away.  If He finds even the slightest ray of hope in us like a tiny sprig reaching out from the dead crusty hardened trunk of a tree that was not planted on the banks of a flourishing river,  or that some bird has taken the seed and dropped it into non-productive ground, He will bring the water to us through His Word, and continue to shine His light onto us until the rivers of living waters are once again flowing from with in us out to the other needy plants and flowers in the Garden of the Lord.   Read His Word that was written only for you, and share the goodness it will produce with all the world.     GOD BLESS

sonsothunder

 http://jerusable.webs.com

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(survey)

“Jesus Knows”

It’s not easy sometimes to maintain in a hundred mile an hour world with a fifty mile an hour brain. He-he, ever feel that way? Well, I do, and I’m not ashamed to tell it. I think If I were still the person I was in grade school, without the assurance that everything will be fine in the end, I would probably have committed suicide, or given up completely by now. I just lost my job of five years about a month ago, and I have had minimal responses on my search and interviews. I helped someone rescue a pregnant mama cat a year ago and now I am overwhelmed with third generation offspring who make me itch and eat as much as I do. Not to mention along with my Cat allergies “I Am A Dawg Person”

But, I’ve asked real nicely on several occasions if I could have a dog and , well the cats just say it’s absolutely out of the question. They did however agree that as long as I can somehow manage to come up with one more months worth of rent money that they will consider letting me stay. Life is not easy even when one does have a job and the bills are somewhat all payed up, but when things get so far behind that all you can think of is “I wonder what cat meat really taste like”? .. well, life can become a little discombobulating, or maybe with all the cats around a better word might be “Confuzzled.” Ok, someone made that last word up, but it does seem appropriate at the moment. Anyway, I think most of you have not only gotten the picture by now as to what my life is like currently, and many of you have probably lived through similar and worse situations. I feel certain also that some of you have guessed that things are much worse right now than I am disclosing, and if so, you are absolutely right, things are much worse. In another time I would not be able to make light of things as I am now however, in another time I was the biggest, most persistent worry wart on the entire planet I am sure. But, I didnt know Jesus back then, and though I can not say that I have completely cleaned up my life and have been walking a complete straight and narrow, I can say that Jesus knows. Jesus knows everything about my life. That may not mean much to those who are still lost without Jesus in their lives, but it means everything to me. Jesus knows about the things that really hurt and confuse and worry us, He’s lived it. When Jesus was praying to the Father just before His impending demise, He sweat great drops of blood. That can only be caused by the worst form of anxiety known to the medical world, and if memory serves correctly I believe is called Hemothydrosis. Hemothydrosis is a very real, and very serious condition brought on by anxiety great enough to cause every capillary in ones sweat glands to actually burst. There have been only 14 other documented cases of this phenomenal medical condition, but , it’s real, and Jesus knows first hand. (Luke 2:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. ) In a time like this one would surely need a friend, someone who would stand by you, maybe even wipe the drops of blood from your eyes. And Jesus is there in those times for us, He’s here with me now, and thats how I am able to weather this storm with a peace that exceeds all earthly understanding. I want to be there for Him. Although He will never have to go through the kind of turmoil, anguish and pain (that the bible defines as to the point of death) which He went through for us ever again, He did it for us once. How many people, family, and or friends do you know who would do that? Without even as much as a friend to stay awake and comfort Him. (Matthew 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? ) I would probably as was Peter at that time have been sleeping for sorrow as the bible says in one place, but, Jesus knows, Jesus knows what real painand anxiety and separation from God can do to us as humans. Thats why among many, many other promises that He has given us, He left us with these words of reassurance and truth. (John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.) And thats why I’m not worried about the outcome of this or any other situation that may arise, or will arise. Because Jesus knows.

“Has God Passed You By Today”

Did God just pass by you? Was that cool breeze we just felt blow by us, was that God? Did He only pass by because we did not call out to Him? Did He pass by at all? Or was it just the wind? Lets take a look @ ( Luke 24:13-28 RSV ) You may know it better as the story of the “Road to Emmaus” ( two disciples were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all the things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days:” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, “ I Can just see those two disciples eyes now.  They probably stopped dead in their tracks and looked at each other and said whoa…who is this guy?  So they decided,  (for obvious reasons)   that He was making more sense than either one of them and decided to listen to Him.  After all  since they saw Jesus die on the cross three days earlier leading them feeling as if that was it, there was no more hope it couldn’t hurt to have a new friend to talk to about their loss. They  had  forgotten that fast, they lost their faith and instead of  focusing on the things that Jesus had told them, taught them, and promissed them, they gave up.  But thank God, thats when He steps into our situations.  Not when we give up and say well, He was never real I guess, it was all just wishfull thinking. No, but when we realize that all is lost Unless, we cry out to Him.  So what did they do when He appeared as He was not going to  make the turn with them but instead was continuing  down the road alone?  The Bible says: ( but they constrained him), saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him;” (WHy did they suddenly recognize Him when He broke the Bread)? lets take a look @( Acts 2;42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and( fellowship, and in breaking of bread,) and in prayers. ( Because they came back into Fellowship with Him) and he vanished out of their sight.( But they still knew He was with them) They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. Now, I ask you again, has God passed us by today? Has He spoken ..or called out to us and when He walked on by as we stood dumbfounded shaking our heads saying..nah, that wasnt Him, that was only a coincidence, … Did He keep going? Or did we run to catch up with Him and say ..Please wait lord, I am here…Please Lord, let us fellowship a little more Lord…How are you doing today Lord? Really? You took me by suprise there Lord..LOL i …ahhh well to be honest..for a moment there… I really didnt believe it was you.. But. God would smile and say… You think I didnt know that?? LOL The Bible also tells us in one place where the disciples were in a very bad place in their personal lives, as the sea tossed and turned , and every wave nearly capsized the ship they were sailing through the storm in … and suddenly they saw JESUS walking on the Water… and the Bible says .. He acted then also …as He was going to walk on by …He was going to just keep going…Except… They Called out to Him. Have you called out to Him in your struggles? Have you said Lord … I don’t know Lord…But you knoweth… When the outlook of your personal life and situation is as dry as the Dry Bones in Ezekial.. have you answered Gods question with a “It’s Hopeless” …it can’t be done..or have you said as did Ezekial when God asked him if those dry bones could ever live again…I don’t know Lord…but you do… I’ve tryed everything God… I can’t do it.. But, we must always remember…All of Gods questions to us…are retorical questions..He already knows the answer..LOL .ONLY HE knows the answer.. Call out to Him when you are in trouble..regardless of how bad you think the out come will be, Imagine how bad it would be ..without God… When We fellowship with Him…He is already at work on our situation..When we call out to Him .. He is already working on the resolution.. Read Psalm 107 He may not make it all go away.. He may let the men who are after you ..the debt collectors ..the IRS , even in some cases the Police and the Jailer… But, He will only do it ..if it will be for our good..”After All” He made us..He knows what it will take to break us…But just remember..John 5:24…He will not condemn you…He will lift you up and be by your side..because we are already passed from death into Life.. regardless of what some legalist may tell you of how ..Oh you sinned,,God is not with you…forget that..God is with His children at all times..If we choose to call Him..He says If we choose Him, He also chooses us.. You know, this reminds me of something …I often wonder, although I also go once in a while to a place of debates… But, why do the Atheist all want so much to debate God? …. If they truly believe or know in thir hearts that He doesnt exist… Then WHo is it they keep arguing with? LOL I choose to proclaim God..Becasue He has already shown me “So Many Times” and ways that He is real.. He is Real,,and HE IS GOD!!!! pRofess it in your victories, profess God in your pain, profess God in your failures.  Call Him…Call Him and ask Him to …”Lord” please…stay with me tonight…. and He will, and when He breaks Bread…you wlll be at total peace again… Now please bow your heads in prayer..

“Why Does God Allow Us to Suffer Adversity”

Why does God allow us to suffer adversity ?  That’s a question that we all have asked at one time or another in our lives. We don’t even have to be a child of God to ask that question. In fact, it seems to be the number one most widely asked question of all times when it comes to the great quest for the meaning of life. It is also the most widely shared question among all groups of those who seek the answers of the meaning of life.  Atheist use it to try and prove their claims that there is no God.  Agnostics use it to try and keep a balance on the teeter tottering spilt rail fence rung in which their own middle of the road indecisive minds constantly spin from possibility to possibility, and we the children of God ask it many times from the midst of our own anguish filled tumults and tragedies. As hard as it is for us to accept and to even contemplate when we are experiencing such life altering circumstances, the answer boils down to one thing.  ”Faith”  How much do we believe Gods word? Can we actually believe God is allowing adversity to enter our lives to prepare us for something much better in life as His word has illustrated in many places?     ( Psalm 66:12)

Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Or, do we most times just  think that the Devil is behind all the adversity in our lives?  Although Satan may be used by God in the inflicting such adversities (which he has devised in one of his whiles against Gods children) it is never Satan who is behind the ultimate outcome.      (Romans 8:28 )

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. When we are facing adversity in our lives God may only be trying to get our attention. He may be trying to teach us something, or just strengthening our faith. One thing is for sure, if you are facing seemingly bad circumstances in your life as a child of God, then God is up to something good in your life. Once we come to realize this fact, and we begin to respond to those difficulties rather than to ask why, then Gods purpose behind our suffering will begin to show.  Parenthetically,  a friend said to me just last night as I was explaining to her that we had put what we could into building the jerusable ministry and now we are only maintaining it till God sends His chosen vessels of  members of the body to fill it in fellowship: (“Like Waiting For a Baby”)   and I responded exactly like waiting for a baby to arrive. We know that God has planted this seed, and therefore, the Baby will come.

Adversity is something none of us are immune to . The question however in our hearts and minds when adversity comes knocking should not be ..”Why does God allow this”? But, the question should be, how do I best respond to it. If we get so buried in the all too overwhelming questioning of why such a thing is taking place in our life, then we may just miss the answer. One great Biblical example that comes to mind would have to be Joseph’s life changing dilemma of being thrown into a pit by his brothers,and then sold into slavery only to become the Governor of Egypt as part of Gods ultimate plan to one day rescue all of Israel from impending famine. Joseph could never have fulfilled Gods plan in all of this had he only broke down into total despondency and defeat. But, Joseph never blamed God , though he may have had moments of wondering, and even asking God why, sooner or later, he used the adversity as a starting point to carry on what he knew (By Faith) had to be a plan devised by his God. How can that be you may ask? Because Joseph had long since succome  to the realization that God was with him, and therefore.. Joseph rest secure…In the Finished Works of God.

(Genesis 50:20)

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

http://jerusable.webs.com

 

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(polling)

“Whats Next On The Socialist Take Over Agenda”?

After taking over the Banks, the Auto makers, and the Housing markets without resistance and under false reasonings which have inevitably left the owners of  said organizations in rich retirement and the workers in shambles, the Obama administration will now move in on the Airways. Say good bye to freedom of speech. I have never been one to want to hear talk radio host, (Conservative, or Liberal) rant and rave about what they believe is the true and most accurate way of governing a country , and or  putting “Truth” as they understand it into words on the air. However, as an American I have always had the rite to reach up and turn the dial. In the next two years , if it takes anywhere near that long at the rate that the American country  sell out is moving,  I , nor you will have to worry about turning a dial. Once Obamas new “FCC” regulation committee takes effect what you say may get you busted.  Obama has ordered the FCC Chairman to create it’s first “Diversity Committee”  What will this mean. It will mean that if you do not agree with what he and his administration are saying or doing, you will not be allowed to own a radio station, and if you are allowed one, your hiring for talk show host will be censored as will your political views.  Radical you may say… Stay tuned to this same .’”Stat” channel,on this same “Stat” station, and see how long before it is silenced.

GOD BLESS you all.

sonsothunder                                 http://jerusable.webs.com

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(survey)

“Be Still and Know He is GOD”

Many times we struggle to put into words for a blog, or even a chat, some profound revelation that God has shown us in His word without ever reaching our intended analogy.  Many times we try and reveal or relay the same realization that we ourselves experienced when we were enlightened by a certain remah word from God to no avail. In moments like these we must often realize and accept that maybe, just maybe this message or revelation was only meant for us as an individual child of God.  Maybe it is a message that God is trying to use to open our own eyes to  better shape and mold his vessel. And come to think of it,  we are only the vessel. Therefore, on many occasion instead of struggling to put into words what we feel sure God has layed upon our hearts to share and convey unto others who need to hear the message, we probably should only sit and listen and then just be the vessel . Just carry the word that He has already prepared.  This is one of those times, I can tell.  I am here to write of course, but why do I think I have to be the one who expounds and explains what God has already put down in an inerrent book which has existed for centuries and  survived so many vast expanses of generations and kingdoms.  Empires rose and fell after they enjoyed hundreds of years of ruling the world and yet Gods word still exist and is in most of our homes in a country  thousands of miles away from where the Bible was written, and  thousands of years after the fall of so many societies which did not follow the principles that were so readily layed out before them in this one book.  Unfortunatly for those who do not know of it’s wonderful truth and enlightening Words of  Spiritual sustenance, the Bible is only a dust collecting family heirloom, or in some cases has never even been seen before, let alone actually read. Therefore, it is my place to try and spread the word.  There are times when the word within us over boils and bubbles out every precise sentiment and admonishment that God wants to be placed on the page.  And then there are those times when we must pray and research and restudy to find the words.  Or do we?  I mean of course we need to pray and study continuosly but maybe as I am realizing even as I type, we only need to preach His word and leave the seed to fall onto what ever ground He has already cultivated. The times that we are trying to articulate Gods sentiments from our minds into our own words, maybe we should be spending being still, remembering that He is God, letting Him articulate the words from our minds to our hearts and the intended message will surely spring forth as “Living Waters.”  Still , God is a parodox in many ways to us and our finite understanding,  which of course is why there are all too many different denominations or “Faiths” as the Church world has rationalized the term for diversity of  the original and true Church of Christ  throughout the years.  It is so hard to imagine sometimes that we have this love letter from our God laying right in front of us, and thank God that we do. Could there be so many different interpretations of  the one Word of God which plainly states it is of no personal intepretation unless too many of us are struggling to understand what we should be sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus , at the foot of the cross, being perfectly still listening intentlly to hear from the one who truly is God ?  He is God:     Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.    http://jerusable.webs.com

Would you like to accept Jesus’ finished works on the cross for you, unto eternal life and internal peace?(survey)

“Apostasy Now”

Apostasy.”  That is the falling away from the faith, and the Church that Jesus said in Matthew 24, and Paul reiterated in 2nd Thessalonians must take place before the Great Tribulation of the World actually begins. For the church to realize all the obvious abominations taking place among us today in the traditional religious system known as the church and not realize that the apostasy is taking place right before our very eyes is just unfathomable to me.  Although many New Age Churches are falling, We must stand firm and speak out against the Worldly opinion that the New Age Church System is feeding into the ears and minds of the young people and potential converts today.  To stand  by and allow the Word of God and His moral standards be trampled by brazen abominations such as preachers behind the pulpit admitting they do not believe in God personified, but only as a concept is inexcusable for the true Church of Jesus Christ.  Many in the true Church do not even recognize what is really taking place around them today. Its almost as if we have been blinded by the light, or do not want to accept the reality of the signs of the times we are living in . I have to believe this can only be due to a lack of reading and knowing Gods Word. This is a very serious thing in Gods eyes I believe.  Many of course will say;       “Well”

Eschatology is not my area of study.”  I implore those with this mind set to pray and ask God if it is not  all of our responsibilities to study to show ourselves approved unto Him, whereby we may lead if but one mislead soul to His saving knowledge and truth. After all it was God Himself who said: (  Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.  )      There is no way that I can see, that a believer in Christ can idly sit back and allow the World to make a mockery of Gods Word by perverting the meaning of true love into a worldly view of  tolerance, and true morality into relativism without suffering some personal consequences from God in the end.  Will standing up and speaking out on Biblical truth keep the onset of the One World Religious System from continuing until the “Man of Perdition” has been revealed?  No, it will not stop the immanence of Gods ultimate plan which He has given to us in His Word.  However,  if it changes the perception in the heart and mind of even one mislead person as to what Gods true moral standards are, thereby bringing them into the light and the love of God,  then it has to be worth it .  James said this:  ( James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.)  It is time for us to awaken to what is taking place around us.   What a shame that so many of us as Christians sit and argue among ourselves on the trivial, and quite frankly selfish opinions of whether there will be a Pre-Trib, Mid -Trib, or Post -Trib rapture,  when people are being lead into an abyss of Satan’s deception all around us.    Paradoxically,  the usual unresolved synopsis between Christians in such useless debates inevitably end  with all parties shrugging their shoulders and saying, well, “it really doesn’t matter to me, I am ready when JESUS comes back anyway.”   I ask you all to take a closer look around you and look beyond the homosexual marriage issue constituents “obvious” agenda, and see what the real agenda behind it is.  We as Christians sit and talk together and say things like, “Well, when that time comes, I’ll never take the mark of the beast, so it doesn’t really concern me.”  But,  what if that time is now?  Are we surely ready?  Are we ready for the persecution that is about to take place against us as the True Church of JESUS Christ?  The homosexual rights movement is very aware of the vulnerability of the True Church of Christ right now. In fact , they are more aware of it than the Church as individuals are themselves .  The constituents of this movement know full well that the True Church is the only  remaining defender of Gods moral standard.  It is this very fact that they will use to bring the political persecution and cultural isolation against the Church.  It is rather ironic that the Christians are the ones who are being accused and persecuted under the erroneous guise of  “Hate” crimes, when the Liberalist , who are now assuming the position of the Church, are the ones obviously filled with hatred toward God is it not? Our children are being taught in school, and have been for years that homosexuality is not only an acceptable life style, but  even a desirable one if two parties love one another.  I ask you ,  if  64 percent of  Americans profess to be Christian, and yet many of those same Americans admit to signing up and participating in,  (and many accepting as truth)   Oprah’s online workshop promoting Ekhart Toller’s New Age Best selling book;  ”A New Earth,” While the true/original Church is being accused of intolerance and not loving or accepting those who choose to say they are the true church,( But are masquerading the worlds tolerance as the  Love of Jesus)  how many true disciples of Christ are they’re ? The authority and Validity of the Holy Bible has been undermined  for a lot longer than many of us can imagine, and the cultural revolution has corrupted  the hearts and minds of our youth and  children since early grade school. Make no mistake, we the True Church of God, have been declared public enemy #1 by the new church to come.  And , believe me, it is already here. I will end this for now and leave you with a small preface from Louisville Ky, Baptist Publication:                                                                                                                                                          (  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–The church’s engagement with the culture involves a host of issues, controversies and decisions — but no issue defines our current cultural crisis as clearly as homosexuality. Some churches and denominations have capitulated to the demands of the homosexual rights movement and now accept homosexuality as a fully valid lifestyle. Other denominations are teetering on the brink, and without a massive conservative resistance, they are almost certain to abandon biblical truth and bless what the Bible condemns.)

Note From Publisher: We as a ministry are not the Judge of individuals who may be struggling with Homosexuality, or any other sin in their lives, after they have accepted Christ. The constituents of the “Homosexuality” movement spoken of in this post are in our view the “Political Machine and Religious System” which Gods word has told us will govern the world in the end time just prior to the return of Jesus Christ to reign sovereign on Earth.  Let it be therefore understood that  our intentions for this Blog entry is to bring revelation and awareness to the Church of Jesus Christ and those who are seeking truth and absolutely not to point discerning fingers at individuals who are struggling. We believe that those who are truly behind the “Homosexual” agenda could care less about an individuals rites, homosexual or other wise, in fact their main objective or agenda is to remove the rites of the people of the world.  Most who are in Gods word enough to understand what current events are taking place around us as we speak understand whereof  I speak.  The days of the pre-powder puffed conditioning methods are over.  Come out of the “Liberal Media” Smoke Screen and compare Biblical Prophecy to the current news events taking place on the World stage today. At least know what God has said will take place, and know, it is happening now.   GOD BLESS

sonsothunder

“What is the World coming to”

What is the world coming to ? We’ve all heard this question asked in jest, or in a response to a recent news brief of some bad or even humorous sort. We as Christians already know the answer to this question of course. According to Gods word the world as we now know it is coming to an end. The world spoken of in the Bible is also usually referred to when God is speaking of the unsaved. In the light of that reality, the world is not only coming to an end, but the future for those who are not the children of God is not a pretty picture when we think about it.  Many say that there aren’t anymore places on earth which have not heard the Gospel of Christ, and therefore the need for missionary trips is a thing of the past, and that there are hardships enough here at home to address and attend to. It may be true that all countries have heard the Gospel, but the need for Christian missionaries world wide is not a thing of the past. When the average American Christian thinks or hears about the persecuted church they think about how peers and or the world treats them as an individual who claims to be a born again Christian. Unfortunately the the truth of the matter could not be more alarming when one realizes what is really taking place in other parts of the world. One example would be North Korea. Well, you may say, there arn’t any Christians in North Korea anyway. Wrong, they are there..If they have not been tortured to death or rotting away in some freezing cold dirt floor prison. There are secret missionary programs taking place in areas such as this where the missionaries are without a doubt knowingly, willingly putting their own lives on the line every day. Of course the media never shows us anything taking place in such areas, but God is at work in many third world countries in ways that we as Americans will never experience. If we honestly realized the God given privaledge to have Bibles on our shelves out in the open collecting dust for all who enter our homes to see, including the non Christians of whom of course, in this country rarely raise an eyebrow to or notice them lying there. I wonder if it would cause us to want to pick it up and read it more if we realized the sheer agony being inflicted on the Church of God in some of these places. Even the worst of Atheist and God haters rarely take notice to a family heirloom, or an ornamentle Bible laying on a table in an American home. Saddly this is because the Bible has been a part of the American culture so long, and all to often are nothing more than a generational diary, or a hand me down from grandma or mom. I ask you now to take a moment and think of yourselves being in the worst situation you can imagine in your life . For instance, if you were put in to prison, where you were allianated and frightened and lonely most of the time. Could you find comfort if you had a Bible to read? What if you lost a love one, the love one who you just do not know how you will ever live without. Would you seek the Bible, and would you not go to every length to acquire one knowing that in that love letter from God would be your only hope for coping and getting through the berievment of your loss? What if you were stranded on a desserted Island alone. An Island where noises from the dark of night kept you awake frightened and not knowing what may happen next, on edge constantly. Wouldn’t you want to have the consolation of Gods word ? Now, think about living in a muslim country and meeting Jesus in your heart. You would want to learn and know more and more about Him, you would want a Bible. Even when it means being imprisoned, and in many cases the imprisonment of three generations of their immediate family, and or even death to be found owning or reading a Bible on any given day in countries like India, North Korea, and even parts of the Philipines the “Persecuted Church” is still seeking Gods word. When this hard truth hit my heart I could not let my Bible stay dormant covered in shelf dust for another moment without feeling guilt in my heart. Yes there are people right here in America who need our love and help, and if we are giving it, then we can maybe find a little peace in our soul for being the arms and the legs of Jesus to a hurting world. Still, we must begin to at least pray for those of the family of God , everywhere . Those who are not reaching for a Bible because they have lost a loved one, but, also in way to many cases are loosing loved ones, because they are reaching for a Bible. What is the world coming to? I have a another question. What is the Church coming to? Lets get busy. Lets come together as a family, and begin to see beyond the treasures we are laying up for ourselves. The average Church goer in America thinks about “Receiving More God” getting closer to God, getting more blessings, when will the walls of the Church come down and Gods body reach out and hug the ones who need to meet Him? In the beautiful but saddly sobering words of truth in Mark Hall and “Casting Crowns” hit song: If we are the Body, Why arn’t His arms reaching?God Bless you all…. Think About It!!!

 http://jerusable.webs.com  

 

 

 

“Oprahdoxed Religion”

Whats up with Oprah and her new Anti-Christ book writing Guru , Eckart Toller ?  She began an online class for folks to study the new book by this new age preacher of self achieving conciseness of a so called guilt free soul.  According to he and Oprah there is no such thing as sin.  If that is truly the case there would never have been any guilt in any ones heart to begin with. This humanistic approach to reach a personal peace, and a guilt free mind without Jesus can be coming from no other source than the spirit of death himself.  Oprah has proclaimed herself to be a “free-thinking” Christian.  That alone should send red flags up in the minds of  the millions of Christians who are allowing them selves to be consumed by even one hour of this daily televised spirit of anti-Christ. The message Jesus and His disciples, as I’m sure we all can readily recollect from many individual scriptures, was to renew our minds and therefore not to continue to be free thinkers.  As Paul put it:    Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  It is a shame that not only are millions of Christians watching Oprah religiously but an even more saddening reality is that thousands of them are admittedly subscribing to not only Oprah’s on-line workshop promoting this book written by her latest New Age Guru, but also to it’s brain washing deceptive message.  One lady posted on the on-line message section in Oprah’s “Workshop” that she was taken to following the beliefs layed out in this book, but, she felt a deep concern in her heart for leaving or abandoning her religion. Of course we all know that Jesus himself was never about religion, so, maybe that is why this lady who claimed to be a Christian was not feeling any remorse for leaving her “Saviour”.     Oprah is intent on expounding on her beliefs, and the Lord knows she has a large enough audience.  He knew and said in many areas especially when speaking of the end times that many would come and scatter the flock.  I only  pray that we all stick to the one who feeds the flock, and  only eat of the food that He has given from His word so as not  to sway and swagger from every wind and doctrine that comes down the Nile. We do have a responsibility to expose the untruth  of such pluralistic humanisms to our brothers and sisters , However,  we have a greater responsibility to God and ourselves to stay in His Word so that we can test ,as the Bible tells us, all things. The test spoken of here in many cases would not be a test at all if we have enough truth of the word in us, for it would instantly send an “error” report across  the  monitor screen of our minds.  In closing I’ll just say in response to those who believe that all religions are worshiping the same God, and we are all going to heaven together in a little row boat, maybe they should read where Jesus was walking on the water in the midsth of a storm which was terifying to those who were on the boat:   Mark 6:48And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh untothem, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
Yes, He would have passed them by, had they not called out so that He could here them.                                  Mark 6:49
But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

Hear One Voice

“Hear One Voice”

In this world of the all too many voices and opinions ringing in our ears it’s hard  for some to know what the truth is,  from what is just another  persons version of truth. The thing is , there is only one voice that we should hear. There is only one voice who can tell us what we need to know, and He does as long as we listen.  We need the Word of God living within us, the Logos Word which is none other than Jesus Christ. We can listen to other sermons of course, or other’s points of view on salvation etc.. as long as the Holy Spirit is living within us to discern the actual truth from the false gospels and views that others are preaching or spreading on a daily bases. Here’s one thing that we should always consider. We are saved by Gods Grace through  faith  that He has given to us, and nothing else. If we try and be righteous in and of our own power we stand as much chance of entering His kingdom as did the Pharisees who thought they were doing it all themselves.

    I ask you, is there a difference in one believing that they are righteously living according to all 613 of Gods laws in the Torah enough to reach salvation than there is in one who believes that although God has saved them they must work to keep what God has already said was a done deal?  That way of believing is none other than legalism. Legalism does not save.  Jesus saves. It can never be by our works, either before we accept Him or after, it can never be.                                                                                                            Hebrews 4:10

For he that is entered into his (Gods) rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

    It is the absolute belief and faith in what Jesus has done for us, in which only His grace can instill in our hearts that will open the doors for us to enter  the righteousness of God which He then will teach us to live in. This true belief and love for Jesus can only come from one voice, only one source.  I say all of this only to say that  God has not given us the spirit of fear, therefore, how could one resort to teaching or preaching scare tactics to lead one to Christ?  For example, many claim that Jesus taught more about Hell in the Bible than He did about Heaven, but  from my studies I find that not to be true. Hell is spoken of throughout the Bible in many different words, or used in many metaphors to describe death. Jesus spoke much more about life than He ever did about death. In fact He has said I am the WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE… The only life, and according to His word those who have never received Christ as their savior are already dead.   I remember hearing a preacher once who was telling of how He had lead an old homeless man at a mission to Christ and how the old man who was dirty and whose face was full of dust began to cry.  He told of how the tears washed the mans face clean right before his eyes,and he himself was very touched and was suddenly struck at heart by a conviction from God. The Voice of God if you will, although many will argue that no one hears from God other than from His word, but, as I have said the Word must be in us.  His Spirit  must live within us.  Regardless, the preacher said that God spoke to him in his heart and said, “The same way that this man was just born into the Kingdom, was the same way you were born into the Kingdom. And the preacher said that it hit him hard, so hard that he also began to cry because he realized that God was telling him to come down off of the pedestal that he had placed himself on, and  at that very moment he realized that he also had just received Christ in his own heart, instead of twenty years earlier as he had thought. You see the preacher had all along been thinking that he himself had reached a place of not cussing, drinking, smoking and living worldly , because he was a chosen preacher of Gods Word, instead of from loving Jesus for who He was and for what He had done for him.  He said before the man began to cry and God spoke to his own heart he held the mans appearance and life style in contempt , looking upon the man as some how being beneath ever being able to reach the state or level of salvation that he himself had already reached. Yet, at that moment after 20 years of preaching the Word of the Lord the preacher realized, he was preaching Jesus to a filthy, grubby, hairy, bearded, hungry soul of a man whom , at the very same moment received the exact same level of a pure heart as did he.  What the message here is telling us is that we can only hear truth from the one who is the author and finisher of our Faith.     (Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God)   (Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this one thing that He who has begun a good work within us will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ.)   If God has said He is the Author and the finisher, then it is not I who has the power to become a son of God, but He who lives in me, who is the power. Jesus said in John 5:24 this> 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

“Already passed into eternal life” sounds clear enough to me, but then of course, I suppose it depends on whose voice one chooses to listen to.  I only pray that we will all spend more time in Gods word than listening to others interpretations of it’s content and meaning.   In the Old Testament going back as far as Genesis (as well as in  Hebrews Chapter 11 of course) we find an entire list of Gods chosen who were accounted as righteous by Faith in God alone. And I realize that many of you are thinking well, if God himself told me something I would certainly do it, I mean, in those days there was no mistaken the voice of God. That may be true,  but then of course Balem didnt really believe the donkey could speak ..did he? Or did he? He didn’t listen to what the donkey, or even God had to tell him, so ?  Who knows really?  I feel confident in saying that we do know this much.  We can continue to dance around our personal burning bushes all day long, but we cant deny it was the voice of God that set the bush on fire. In 1 Kings 19: God spoke to Elijah, and how did he speak to him? 1Kings 19:11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: (Where did Elijah Hear Gods Voice)

and after the fire a (still small voice). Sounds like we should be listening to God from within us, where He lives once we accept Him into our lives to be the one who changes us…from the inside out.

God Bless you all.

Hello world!

Hello World,

We @ jerusable Ministries wish you all a very blessed life from this moment on.

If you enjoy interactive blogging we incourage you to continue posting comments on our blogs so that we are more easily able to stay in touch with you, and to also be more able to begin an ongoing blog relationship with you. GOD Bless you all.

paul/sonsothunder