bible – Living Words of Encouragement

What are the N.E.E.D.S. of the Hour?

Whether or not you immerse yourself in the headline news, national podcasts, cable news networks, conversations at the office water-cooler, family discussion regarding our surrounding world events, you do have a inkling, a knowledge, a knowing, that things are not right in the world in which we live.

The previous post ended with this: Seismic Spiritual Shaking.

The context of those words have been discussed in several of the previous posts.

These words were first shared in December 2025.

The development of the importance of these three words have been brewing, from my perspective, in the past decade, since the 2016 election.

Even before the election of 2016, there was a formidable animosity growing against Donald Trump and the realization that he was going to seek the Presidency of the United States.

The truth is that his political desire to be President became a driving force for what has turned into uncovering a political agenda that had been developing for many years in our nation.

Unfortunately, the public and private conflict that has evolved because of his desire to be President and to seek to ‘Make America Great Again’ has been like the discovery of a ‘kidney stone ‘stuck in this nation’s ‘political bile duct’; and the certain political physicians in our nation have wrestled over how to remove ‘him’, not the ‘stone’, so that things can ‘flow’ again in the same way that things were flowing before he became President.

The problem is that Mr. Trump is not the ‘kidney stone’.

The ‘kidney stone’ has been enlarging for many years in our nation because of the diet of politics this nation has been fed; and now with its painful realization, we are experiencing its effects due to its size and its difficulty to remove.

Q: Is there a doctor in the house?

The focus on removing the President, keeps the nation’s attention on him, and diverts the attention away from the ‘blockages’ in our governmental system.

The two political parties are like opposing doctors prescribing their diagnosis and treatment needed to remedy this nation and make it well.

As President of the United States, Mr. Trump becomes the ‘physician in chief’.

“We the people” make up the body of this nation.

We are the ones suffering because of our political doctors.

The pain is real, the complications are severe, the potential consequences can be devastating.

A ‘kidney stone’ that is not properly taken care can be terminal if not properly treated.

Just recall the demise of the nations of this world throughout history.

People of this nation are concerned about the political well-being of our nation.

Will our political ‘kidney stone’ pass on its own?

Will it pass out of our system with political medications?

Or will it require an extensive surgery to remove our political ‘kidney stone’?

Many are ‘waiting’ it out.

Meaning what?

This ‘stone’ will become more tolerable to live with and with its pain when Mr. Trump’s presidency is over.

Then we can consider what ‘surgery’ is needed to remove the ‘stone’.

Maybe.

Others are seeking to expedite the removal of this ‘stone’ surgically.

This type of ‘surgery’ is called ‘the political process’.

How do I know this?

It is not hard; consider the intense battle over voter identification.

The problem is that throughout Mr. Trump’s terms as President, many have not been in favor of him as the ‘physician-in-chief’ to perform the operation(s) needed to remove the ‘stone’.

Mr. Trump is characterized as a President (resident physician) with a very poor ‘bedside’ manner.

He has exhibited many positive ‘operating skills’ as ‘physician-in-chief’; but in ways that often offends his listeners.

Unfortunately, Mr. Trump’s ‘bedside’ manners make the headlines; but many of his positive results performing a successful ‘operation’ have been ignored and/or purposely overlooked.

Please understand I, too, am grieved by his ‘bedside’ manners; but I am grateful for the ‘successful operations’ he has performed seeking to restore this nation to make it well again.

It is a daunting task; especially when you are constantly being accused of and sued for ‘malpractice’.

So, here we are, in the second year, of Mr. Trump’s second term of being President, and the political diagnosis, the political gamesmanship, the political wrangling continues.

Is anyone else weary of the political rhetoric; the media’s daily pontificating; and/or the self proclaiming critics that see it as their duty to keep the public informed of the ‘wrongs’ that daily beset this nation?

I choose not to watch or listen to the hysterical headline news.

I do read headlines and choose which ones to pursue so as to have an understanding of what is going on in our nation and the world.

I have assumed a personal wait period of 48-72 hours before jumping to conclusions.

I have found that this is a more reliable way to find out what the truth of a reported news story is really about.

Most of the time this works; but not in every case.

I have allowed myself to be ‘sucked’ in, only to find out, I was not patient enough.

I have even had people tell me, that I have missed it.

That’s ok.

Then how do we, as believers, keep in touch?

Refocus our attention.

Be disciplined in our walk with the Lord.

Read the Word of God.

Listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is saying.

Consider this: The three words: Seismic Spiritual Shaking will bring change.

The greatest Seismic Spiritual Shaking happened at the CROSS.

Please read Matthew 27:45-55.

Did you notice that an earthquake occurred?

The Lamb of God had died to take away the sin of the world.

That event was a cataclysmic Seismic Spiritual Shaking!

In The Revelation of Jesus Christ, there are 5 key earthquakes (shakings) spoken of: Revelation 6:12-14; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 11:19; and Revelation 16:18-21.

Is there an earthquake (shaking) that takes place when Christ returns?

Yes!

Please read Zechariah 14:4.

Jesus, Himself, speaks of earthquakes being a sign of the end times.

Please read Matthew 24:1-8.

Things being ‘shaken’ are not foreign in the Word of God.

On the Day of Pentecost, what transpired in the upper room is ‘symbolic’ of a ‘shaking’ from heaven. Acts 2:1-4.

(See also, Acts 4:13-31; Acts 16:16-34)

God uses ‘shaking’ to get peoples’ attention.

The Seismic Spiritual Shaking that is coming will get people’s attention.

Buckle Up!

What makes this Seismic Spiritual Shaking possible?

The ‘stone’ was removed that had sealed the tomb in which Jesus, who was crucified, was laid.

The ‘stone’ did not prevent His resurrection.

The removal of the ‘stone’ allowed His followers to see the empty tomb.

The Lord Jesus Christ is Risen, just as He said.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead brings newness of life and our blessed hope.

Why is there a Seismic Spiritual Shaking ?

Because God is moving by His Spirit throughout the earth.

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming to perform His surgery upon this nation and in the lives of His children individually, and the Church, collectively, which is His Body.

The Word of God is being preached; people are getting saved; water baptized; filled with the Spirit; healed, and delivered evil spiritual bondage.

The Book of Acts is unfolding before us in this hour, just like it happened when the Church began as Luke recorded it.

What is happening today has happened throughout the history of mankind.

What the nations of this world are witnessing is the grace, mercy, and love of God being made available to those who will receive the Gospel of truth about the person of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s word is being confirmed with signs and wonders following.

This is happening throughout the world and will continue to grow, and then the end will come.

What will be witnessed is the reality of the Seismic Spiritual Shaking that took place on the CROSS where Jesus, the Begotten Son of God, was crucified.

There on the cross, a collision took place, a Seismic Spiritual Shaking.

A collision between the love of God and the wrath of God.

I call it, The L.A.W. of the Cross.

The Love And Wrath of the Cross.

The CROSS is the focal point of the spiritual battle between God and Satan.

It is the place where God, Who is Life, took on human flesh, chose to die in that body, satisfying His wrath against sin; defeating Satan; and being raised from the dead conquered sin and death.

It is hard to comprehend that God, Who is Life, chose to die, that we might live; but that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The good news is that He is Risen.

The conflict of the CROSS was God, the Father’s, idea before the foundation of the world.

The victory of the CROSS is ours to enter into, enjoy, and to live forever with our heavenly Father who loves us.

The title of this post was: What are the N.E.E.D.S. of the Hour?

A question that NEEDS to be answered.

The ‘N’ stands for Nehemiah. We need to work together and stand against the world, the flesh, and the devil, as the Lord builds His Church.

See Nehemiah 1-13.

The first ‘E’ stands for Ezra. We need to read, to study, to meditate upon, and obey the Word of God.

See Ezra 7-10.

The second ‘E’ is for Esther. We need to fast and pray, intercede for those in authority over us, and take a stand against evil.

See Esther 4.

The ‘D’ stands for Daniel. We need to pray. We need to confess the sins of our nation, fast, and intercede for our nation, and wrestle against the principalities and powers of darkness in the heavenlies.

See Daniel 9-10.

The letter ‘S’ represents the need to take a stand.

Each of these individuals were used sovereignly by the Lord to ‘be’ an instrument of need in the ‘hour’ in which they lived.

They took a STAND.

Today, the Lord is looking for individuals that will ‘stand in the gap’ and be available to Him to be an instrument of need (significance) in the ‘hour’ in which we are living.

Hebrews 12: 25-28 NKJV, says, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying,”Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more”, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (boldness mine)

I encourage you by the grace of God to serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

I encourage you to seek the Lord, and ask Him, “Lord how can You use me to serve you in this hour?”

Please read Titus 2:8-10.

Please read James 5:17-18.

Just as the Lord used Nehemiah, Ezra, Esther, Daniel, and Elijah, He can use you, too.

The Lord knows you.

Allow Him to ‘call you’, and give you the task of His choice to meet a NEED.

Be an instrument of difference, taking a ‘stand‘, in this hour of Seismic Spiritual Shaking.

a brother in Christ, deo

The Time to STAND!

Franklin Graham has spoken the Word of the Lord to this nation.

On January 14, 2026, he said, “I would like to call for a time of prayer and repentance today, Jan. 14, at noon.

Why did he call us to prayer?

“As a nation, our sins are so great. We have increasingly turned our back on God and His commands, embracing godless secularism. We need to ask His forgiveness and seek His face.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

He went on to say, “Pray for our leaders, and pray that God would bring calm to our streets.” ( 1 Timothy 2:1-7)

He continued, “There are many who would like to stir things up-there are even those who would like to destroy this great country. Pray that these efforts would be thwarted and their plans would be brought into confusion.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Addressing the Church he said to “Ask God to use His Church to be His instruments of peace in this time of great uncertainty.”

Concluding, he reminded us to “…give God the glory for this great nation and thank Him for His hand of blessing, protection, and mercy.”

He has expressed clearly and emphatically what God sees!

Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-27.

God’s heart longs to forgive our sin.

God is telling us to turn from our wicked ways.

God wants to heal our land.

What is my response?

What is your response?

What will be the response of the Church?

What will be the response of this nation?

This is not a political issue!

This is an issue of the heart of our nation.

And because it is an issue of the heart not everyone in our nation will humble themselves and pray.

Some have severely criticized Graham’s call to prayer.

That is not surprising.

Why?

Because their heart seeks to take care of the things of life, and this nation, apart from God.

The fact is that we cannot separate ourselves from God and His Sovereign reign over the nations of the world.

See Psalm 22:28; Psalm 47:8; Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 21:1; Matthew 28:18; Revelation 11:15.

This nation is in spiritual conflict; and we are witnessing, daily, in our nation, through the natural lives of humans, what is taking place in the angelic realm in the heavenlies. Ephesians 6:10-18.

There is conflict.

What does this conflict look like?

Please Read Matthew 24-25; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Peter 3:1-18; Jude 14-19.

I also encourage you to read or re-read the previous post entitled, ‘Arise, Shine For Your Light Has Come’.

Why?

Because, before we can arise and shine as believers, we must repent of our sins; turn from our wicked ways;and live a life set apart unto the Lord; In short we are “… turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This is not about what we know intellectually, doctrinally ,or how many are the works that we are doing for the Lord.

This is not about our political opinions, preferences, or people in places of authority in our nation’s government.

This is about realizing that apart from God, there will be no change.

That is the emphasis of Franklin Graham’s call to prayer.

The people of this nation must come to the understanding that the government is not going to save us.

Our hope as a nation is dependent upon God intervening and bringing about change in our hearts.

Therefore, we need to call out to God; seek Him; ask Him to forgive us for turning our backs on Him; ask Him to intervene in the affairs of this nation; and bring healing to this nation.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are not exempt from this calling out to God.

The truth is that we, too, are responsible for the condition of despair in this nation.

Our crying out, our seeking God’s face, our asking for forgiveness, our acknowledgement of our wrong, our plea to heal our land, places upon us a greater responsibility.

How so?

It means being in the world; but not a part of the world. (John 17)

It means living a different lifestyle.

This is a personal decision for each one of us, who confesses the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior, must decide.

How am I going to live in the midst of this conflict?

When you make that decision, you will be taking a STAND.

Your STAND may be before one person, or many people.

Your STAND may be in your immediate family; or it may be at your place of employment.

When you STAND up for the Lord, you will always have an audience of One, Acts 7:54-57.

Stephen saw Jesus STANDING at the right hand of God.

Jesus went to cross for Stephen; when Stephen took a STAND for JESUS, JESUS took a STAND for him.

When you take that STAND, will you continue to STAND?

Or will you compromise?

What will STANDING look like?

Jesus told us what to expect. (Matthew 5:5-11; 1 Peter 3:13-4:19)

How severe can this ‘suffering’ get?

Ask Jesus, He went to the cross.

Q: What did Jesus tell Peter when they were walking on the shore of the lake after His resurrection? John 21:15-23.

There are other passages of scriptures that tell about the same types of outcome.

See Hebrews 11:32-40; Acts 7:1-60; read the history of the lives of the Apostles and how history records their dying; read the Book of Martyrs.

Q: What has it cost the followers of Jesus Christ, Who is the Way, throughout the history of the Church?

Q: What is it costing the persecuted Church today throughout the world?

[See Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), cbn.org; see Voice of Martyrs (VOM.org); see Open Doors( opendoorsus.org); or you can just: Google -persecution of Christians.]

Jesus said, If you want to follow Me, then you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.

Revelation 12:10-12 tells us of our potential cost. (Read Revelation 12 for the context.)

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of God, and the power of His Christ have come; for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” NKJV

The Spirit Filled Life Bible, KJV, pg. 1964 makes this commentary for Revelation 12:11. “They overcame him by appropriating the victory of the finished work of Christ, by the public confession of their faith and patient endurance (see note on 1:9) even in the face of martyrdom (13:10). The church’s constant posture under the authority of the cross’s victory by the blood of the Lamb and steadfastness to the promise and authority of God’s Word-the word of their testimony– is the key to their overcoming.”

The MacArthur Study Bible, pg 2008, notes for Revelation 12:11 NKJV, says, “blood of the Lamb. No accusation can stand against those whose sins have been forgiven because of Christ’s sacrificial death. (see Romans 8:33-39)”

Note the relationship of standing and the forgiveness of sins. We can stand because we have been forgiven. Therefore, we need to repent and receive forgiveness of our sins so that we can stand.

Continuing with Revelation 12:12, pg 1965,(Spirit Filled Life Bible) the commentary says, “The defeat of the devil causes rejoicing among God’s people but woe among people of the world. Note the intensification of evil workings of hell as the age progresses and adversary knows he has a short time.”

Q: Are we living on such a day where we are witnessing “the intensification of evil workings of hell as the age progresses” to its end; and our “adversary knows that he has a short time”?

Today there is ‘unprecedented unrest; increased lawlessness; rebellion against authority; chaos, confusion, insurrection; and as 2 Timothy 3:1, NKJV, records, “But know this that in the last days perilous (marginal note: times of stress) times will come.

Yes, we are living in stressful times.

We are living in the last days.

These days are increasingly perilous-extremely stressful.

Q: How are we to handle stress ?

We are encouraged to take refuge in the Lord.

Read Psalm 46.

In this hour, believers are told to STAND.

The Church is told to STAND.

But, remember, before you can STAND, you must REPENT .

In order to move ahead with God, WE MUST REPENT.

How do we know this?

Jesus instructed us to repent. Matthew 6:12, Amplified Version, “And forgive us our debts (note: sins, moral failures) as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].

Q: What is the implication if we do not ‘daily’ repent? (1 John 1:5-10)

[See Grace To You, gty.org, “What is Biblical Repentance?; See GotQuestions.org; “What does the Bible say about Repentance?”]

I will share AI’s, googled answer.

“In the Bible, repentance is a profound Spirit-led change of mind and heart that results in turning away from sin and towards God, involving sorrow for wrongdoing, a decisive shift in attitude, and a commitment to a new, obedient life under God’s sovereignty, of demonstrated through changed action like confession and restitution. It is more than just feeling sorry; it’s an active return (Hebrew: shuv) and transformation (Greek: Metanoia) of one’s entire life direction, leading to forgiveness and spiritual renewal.”

When you choose to ARISE,(STAND), your light will shine, and”the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.“

What does it mean to STAND?

The reality of the ‘ meaning’ to STAND will be understood when you make your confession that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, and you experience the reaction of the hearer(s) of your words.

For the Church, Ephesians 6:10-18 explains our ongoing spiritual conflict.

This conflict is also applicable to each believer in Christ.

Read Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus. See John 3:1-21.

At the close of the dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus explains the spiritual conflict regarding the depravity of the human heart.

Jesus knows what is in man’s heart. See John 2:23-25.

Look closely at John 3:16-21, and you will see the resistance that is in each human heart regarding being told that they are a sinner in need of a Savior.

STANDING against humanity’s sin nature is confrontational.

Confrontational does not mean being arrogant, presumptuous, haughty or unloving.

It means learning to speak the truth in love( Ephesians 4:15), seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).

It also means that it is ok to be” angry and sin not”; but, “not to let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

And added to this, Jesus in another context said these words, “… let your heart be troubled” (John 14:1).

I am not sure that I can STAND all of this! (pun intended)

STANDING is what the Lord Jesus Christ is saying in this hour to His Church by His Spirit according to the Word of God.

It is a clarion call.

Will you hear it?

How will you respond?

It’s time to STAND UP for the Lord!

Buckle Up!

There is a Seismic Spiritual Shaking coming!

In the midst of this shaking, our Father God will be there for His people.

“On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”***

[Wow! I just saw this, when you remove the letter ‘t’ from the word ‘stand’, you get the word ‘sand’. Consider this: if we assign the letter ‘t’ for TRUTH, then when you take your STAND based upon the TRUTH of the Word of God, you STAND on the solid Rock, Christ Jesus; but if your standing is not based upon the truth of the Word of God, then you are standing on sand (no letter ‘t’, no truth),and no firm foundation.”

(That reminds me of a song, “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord…”—I better stop, I am getting carried away)]

Be encouraged!

Isaiah 4:2-6; Psalm 91:1-16; Psalm 62:1-8.

a brother in Christ, deo

***AI comment: “The phrase “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand” comes from the hymn “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” by Edward Mote, inspired by the Biblical text passages like Matthew 7:24-27, where Jesus speaks of building a house on rock (obedience to His word) verses sand (hearing but not doing). Key Old Testament verses that use the “rock” imagery for God include Psalm 62:2 (“He only is my rock and my salvation”) and Psalm 18:2 (The LORD is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer”)

“In essence, the phrase points to the Biblical concept of Jesus Christ as the unshakeable foundation for faith, as described in passages like Matthew 7 and the Psalms.”

[Note: the capitalization of the word Biblical is my editing.]

GOD’S L.E.D.

As the nations of the world embark upon the beginning of a New Year, many of this world’s inhabitants are making personal New Year resolutions resolving to do this, do that, etc. looking optimistically to bring about a personal change in some habit, behavior, or lifestyle that they have identified as needing attention for their own well being.

If we will be honest with ourselves, most of us know that our New Year resolutions are short lived. We all start with good intentions; but our good intentions quickly fade unless we have the discipline to persevere.

One of the areas that we have no control over involves the nations of this world.

But is that absolutely true?

No, the Lord Jesus Christ uses the Body of Christ in spiritual warfare as He builds His Church.

See the letter to the Ephesian Church written by the Apostle Paul.

Over the past decades, the inhabitants of the nations of this world have witness with trembling as nation has risen against nation; famines occurring; devastating earthquakes happening throughout the world; horrific weather patterns transpiring bringing loss of homes, communities, flooding, complete ruin, and even death.

All these varied devastations, Jesus said were the “beginning of sorrows”-meaning birth pains. [See Matthew 24 for context]

In Isaiah 42:14-17, NKJV, this same picture, regarding ‘birth pains’, is spoken of by the prophet Isaiah.

“I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself [Isaiah is voicing what God is speaking to His nation Israel.]. Now I will cry like a woman in labor [margin-child birth], I will pant and grasp at once [exhibiting birth pains]. I will lay waste the mountains and hills, and dry up their vegetation [sounds like famine]; I will make their rivers coastlands, and I will dry up the pools [withhold the rain]. I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them. They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, who trust in carved images, who say to the molded images, you are our gods.” [Inserts mine] (boldness mine)

God’s people have forsaken Him. God brings an awakening. He comes and speaks to what His people need the most in the land in which they live. They are dependent upon water; and God chooses to withhold it to get their attention.

God loves His people. He intervenes to show them the error of their ways. He remembers His covenant; but despite His intervention, and their conviction of shame, will they turn to Him? (see Isaiah 42:18-25)

Q: Are we ass a nation in a similar place where God looks upon us, a nation, that He has blessed and says, I have waited in silence, now it is time for Me to arise and intervene in the affairs of this nation; it is time for Me to come and bring My personal visitation to this nation and the nations of the world.

The truth is God is doing this.

His Spirit is visiting this nation and the other nations of the world.

There is an awakening taking place.

There is the preaching of the Word of God.

Many are receiving Christ as their Savior; many are being water baptized; many are being filled with being the Spirit; and God is healing, and delivering people from their illnesses and bondage.

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. is being manifested throughout the nations of the world; even in this nation.

God’s Light is shining brightly.

It is shining in this nation on college campuses; in local communities; and places where people gather and call upon the Name of the Lord.

Q: Is this light shining brightly in the local churches in our nation?

The nations of the world dwell in great darkness, but they shall see a great light.

That light is now burning brightly throughout the world.

Isaiah 60:1-3, NKJV, the prophet Isaiah declares, “Arise shine for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold darkness shall cover the earth; and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will rise over you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (boldness mine)

Q: Is this happening in the local churches in the nation where you live?

In context, who is the light?

Israel, God’s people is to be the light to the nations.

Unfortunately, their light was ‘maybe’ flickering because of a very small remnant.

Let’s expand the thought of light.

Is it Messianic? Absolutlely.

John 1:1-5 NKJV, The Apostle John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word as with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended not.” (boldness mine)

In John 8:12, NKJV, Jesus said, “…I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (boldness mine)

Matthew 5:14-16, NKJV, Jesus taught, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and I giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (boldness mine)

Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul writing to the Church at Ephesus.

Ephesians 5:8-14, NKJV, “For you were sometimes darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light: for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore he saith, Awake you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”

It is important to see clearly that Paul is speaking to believers.

They are light in the Lord.

We are light in the Lord.

The Church is light in the Lord.

Christ is the Light that is in us.

It is His Light that shines through us in this darkened world.

Q: How bright is the Light of the Lord?

Q: Is His Light shining through His Church, the Body of Christ in the darkness of the world today?

Consider this: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, begins with these words regarding the purpose of the revelation of the exalted Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:1a, NKJV, says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, God gave Him to show His servants…”

God the Father has given to God the Son, the exalted Lord Jesus Christ, a revelation for Him to communicate to His followers, His Church, the Body of Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ chose the Apostle John, to be His instrument to write down what He wanted communicated to His Church.

I encourage you to read Revelation 1:4-20.

One of the things that John saw and said was that Jesus Christ held in His right hand “seven golden lampstands”.

Q: What is the purpose of a lampstand?

In the Old Testament, this referred to the ‘menorah’ in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle in the wilderness. It was the light of the Holy Place. It was one piece with seven branches.

Here in the New Testament, John sees seven lampstands, or lamps.

Revelation 1:19-20 NKJV, John is told to “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.”

I want us to focus on this fact: Jesus said “the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.”

Q: What is the purpose of a lampstand? (see Got Questions: What is the significance of the lampstand in the Bible?)

A. To shine forth light.

Q: What light? Whose light? (see John 1:6-9)

A. The Light of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe Revelation 2:1, sets the spiritual tone for all the seven letters that John composed.

“To the angel (the elder, pastor) of the church at Ephesus write, [this letter is addressed to the leadership of this church], These things says He (the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church) who hold the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know…” (NKJV) (inserts mine)

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, the Body of Christ. The leadership of each local church is the undershepherd of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. (I Peter 5:1-4)

In short, the Chief Shepherd is addressing His Church.

Much has been said, written, and discussed about the meaning of these letters.

Let us focus on this.

The One who is the Light, is concerned about the light that is being manifested through His Church that exists in a world of darkness.

Q: How bright does the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ shine through you?

Q: How bright is the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ shining in the community in which you live? (the nation in which you live?)

Why is this important?

Jesus, knows their works and commends them; He knows their failings and seeks to correct them. He does the same thing in each of the other six churches.

Writing to the first Church, the Church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) a church that John is significantly related too*, Jesus says, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else (emphasis mine) I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent…” [*diu.edu, How Do We Know the Apostle John Ministered in Ephesus?]

Jesus is NOT questioning their salvation. He is saying that He will remove their spiritual influence in the community where they exist.

“The loss of love was no trivial matter; it is treated as though it involved a fall from the Christian life. The Ephesians are warned to remember the fervor of their first Christian experience, to repent because they have fallen into sin, and to do the works they did at first, i.e., works of love. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, all good works done in the name of Christ are empty if they are not motivated by love (I Cor. 13:1-3) Unless the Ephesians repent, Christ will come to them and remove their lampstand from its place. Some interpreters see here a reference to the judgment inflicted by Christ at his second coming, but it is more likely that these words refer to some kind of visitation which will bring a historical judgment upon the church so that destruction will befall it and it will cease to exist as a church.”

I concur with Ladd’s understanding.

Q: How many churches have closed since 1900?

Q: How many churches have closed in the last decade in the United States?

I googled a question regarding how many churches have closed since 1990.question.

I received the following bullet points: (AI answer)

U.S. Statistics (Recent) In 2024, over 4000 U.S. Protestant churches closes verses fewer openings. A decade ago, openings slightly outnumbers closures in the U.S.

UK Statistics (Recent): Over 3500 churches closes in the UK in the past decade.

Reason for Closure: Demograpahics (fewer young people, rise of “nones”), dwindling funds, changing neighborhoods, and neglect to contribute. [I recommend that you Google the term “nones” for further understanding]

Global perspective: While data is sparse, trends suggest waning attendance in Western nations, contrasting with potential growth elsewhere.

AI Summary statement: In essence, while a total figure for the last 125+ years is elusive, recent decades clearly show a significant trend of closures, particularly in traditionally Christian Western nations, driven by broader societal shifts away from organized religion.

Accepting at face value the statistical analysis, I see the world’s point of view why there have been church closures.

But the world’s point of view does not understand and therefore does not reflect the reality of spiritual warfare.

Jesus said, “…I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (see Matthew 16:18)

The crux of His statement is spiritual warfare.

The Kingdom of Light wrestles against the kingdom of darkness.

This is not new ‘news’. (See Ephesians 6:10-18)

Therefore, the calendar says, we have embarked upon a New Year.

Q: What will the tenor of this New Year?

B.U.T. (Believer Understand This) the New Year is fraught with battle, unprecedented unrest, chaos, confusion, rebellion, disobedience, insurrection, ungoverned lifestyle, murder, persecution, death of Christians, betrayal, deception, false teaching………[see I Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Matthew 24:1-14].

Is there darkness in the world,?

Absolutely.

I refer you to the daily headline news, media, daily newspaper articles, political talk shows, etc.

They report verbally what I have just outlined with words that characterize what the Bible describes as signs of the end times.

I recommend that you seek out Christian headline news, ministry sources, Christian commentators who share what God is doing throughout the world.

If you only focus on the agenda of the mainstream media, you will dwell in darkness; however, if you seek out what God is accomplishing by His Spirit, you will dwell in light.

There is a simple chorus that the Body of Christ needs to embrace.

“God is moving by His Spirit, moving in all the earth, signs and wonders, when God moveth, Move oh, Lord in me.” (Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir)

This is happening today throughout the nations of the world.

The Glory of God, His Presence, His Light is dispelling darkness in the earth.

This is God’s L.E.D.

God’s Light Exposing,[engaging, eliminating] Darkness.

The Light is the Light of Life, found in the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world.

This Light is going to shine brighter and brighter.

I close with this passage of scripture.

“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:7a, NKJV

Proverbs 4:14-19 NKJV, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is like the shining sun (light), that shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” (insert, boldness mine)

Church!

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1,2 NKJV) (boldness mine)

Meditate on this last sentence: “But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”

His Light will be manifested through you in a darkened world, to your family members, neighbors, co-workers….

It’s here; it’s increasing; and it will be seen as a witness in this darkened world.

Our God reigns, a brother in Christ, deo

Who Is In Charge?

Over the past year, maybe longer, the issue of “Who Is In Charge?” has been the central thought in many posts.

This question is also paramount in our everyday lives in our nation; in fact, it is an issue in many nations throughout the world.

It is easy to be ‘politically active’ in our outlook, mindset, and rhetoric at this time.

One result of the past mid-term election on November 5, 2025 was this personal resolve.

It is time for me to set aside the ‘rhetoric of politics’, not ignore what is going on, but step back from the ‘sensational headlines’ that want to grab my attention, and involve me in their directed ‘thinking’.

This is something that I have encouraged people to do in past posts; and it is something that I too have been doing; but there seems to be a new ‘restraint‘ in my spirit not to be involved.

Many may see this as cowardness.

Actually, it is not cowardness, it is wisdom.

The question before each one of us is who or what is governing our lives?

It is not what?

It is who?

The ‘who’ is the Holy Spirit.

Q: What was forfeited in the Garden of Eden?

A: Being lovingly governed by God, the Father.

Adam’s choice to disobey God’s command resulted in him being cut off from God’s personal, loving, governing presence and becoming an entity unto himself.

Adam was now self-governing.

Adam has forfeited his position and place to grow into becoming what God, the Father had originally purposed for him.

Adam is living in the kingdom of darkness, governed by Satan.

His father is Satan.

Strong words, but true, according to the Word of God.

We, too, outside of Christ, are children of the devil because of our Adamic lineage through natural birth. (I John 3:4-10)

The message of the Gospel is that Christ came to redeem us from sin;to break the power of sin; and completely defeat Satan.

This is what took place at the Cross.

Therefore, we can become heirs and joint heirs (Romans 8:17) with Christ; because He who knew no sin became sin for us that we become the righteousness of God. (I Corinthians 1:13,14; I Peter 2:9)

This is the grace, mercy, and love of God that He showed to the world by sending His own Son to redeem from us our sinful state and provide for us the gift of salvation through Christ’s death on the cross. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-10)

The grace of God is that, ‘in Christ’, we are no longer governed by sin; we are no longer in the kingdom of darkness; we have been transferred into the kingdom of light of His dear Son. (Ephesians 5:8-11; Romans 6:1,1; Romans 6:12,13; I Peter 2:9,10)

So, Who Is In Charge?

The Lord Jesus Christ.

The message of Pentecost is the formal statement that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The coming of the Holy Spirit confirmed and authenticated that fact.

How?

At the risk of sounding heretical, the coming of the Holy Spirit is important; but it is not as important as the realization that Jesus Christ is Lord; and that He is seated at the right hand of His Father.

The coming of the Holy Spirit birthed the Ekklesia, the Church, the Body of Christ.

Jesus Christ the Lord is the Head of the Church, the Body of Christ. (Colossians 1:17-18a; Ephesians 5:22-25)

Q: Who governs the Church, the Body of Christ?

A. The Holy Spirit governs the Church, the Body of Christ.

The Holy Spirit governs because the Church, the Body of Christ, is the Temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the C.E.O. of the Church, the Body of Christ; meaning that since the Holy Spirit is the Chief Executive Officer of the Church,the Body of Christ; then the function of the Holy Spirit is to govern the Church, the Body of Christ.

Q: Is it possible that the Church, the Body of Christ, that is made up of born again believers ‘in Christ’, lives not governed by the Holy Spirit?

A: Yes

Read I, II Corinthians written by Paul to the believers in Corinth.

The believers in Corinth were self-governing themselves relying upon the wisdom of the world.

The result was chaos and confusion.

Consider this: The Church in Corinth relied upon AI, Artificial Intelligence-the wisdom of the world. They set aside the real AI, Adonai’s Intelligence-the wisdom of God.

Paul, writing to the Church in Corinth, sought to correct them, in two ways.

The first was expressing his Father’s concern for them; secondly, he confronted them as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9; I Peter 1:11), who governs the Church, the Body of Christ, in ‘orderliness’ and ‘obedience’, according to the Word of God.

The believers in Corinth ignored the Holy Spirit; embraced the wisdom of the world; left the teaching of being ‘in Christ’; and were self-governing.

The Holy Spirit is the living presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Church, the Body of Christ. (Romans 8:9; John 14:23; John 16:14)

At this time I want to ask you to read John 14:1-31.

In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples that He is leaving them and going back to the Father.(John 14:28)

The disciples are confused.

Thomas voices his unsettledness.

Thomas says to Him, (John 14:5, NKJV)) “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

At this point, Thomas’ words are true.

Jesus’ answer doesn’t directly tell Thomas where He was going; but His answer is an emphatic statement regarding who He is-the only One through whom one may come into the presence of the Father. (Acts 4:8-12)

Jesus’ answer to Thomas (and us) is very important.

Jesus answered (John 14:6 NKJV) Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

A second disciple, Philip, hearing Jesus’ response to Thomas, ask Jesus for clarification of what He just said regarding His Father.

“Philip said to Him, , “Lord show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”(John 14:8, NKJV)

This is very important.

Why?

Because Jesus’ response is what the Church, the Body of Christ must understand regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9 NKJV)

Now, a third disciple speaks up.

“Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, How is that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22 NKJV)

Jesus answers(see John 14:23-24) his question; but His answer would more appropriate for another post.

After answering Judas’ (not Iscariot) question, Jesus tells them why He is speaking this way.

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,[Note: did you ‘see’ the fullness of the God-head mentioned-Father, Son, Holy Spirit] He (Holy Spirit) will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world give do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, I am going away and coming back to you. If you love Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father’, for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.” (John 14:25-28 NKJV) (inserts mine) [Note, boldness mine]

{Jesus has now directly answered Thomas’ original question-John 14:5a(NKJV): “Lord we do not know where You are going?”}

Jesus had said to Philip, in John 14:9, NKJV, “He who has Me has seen the Father.” (see also Hebrews 1:1-4)

Jesus is the manifested Presence of God the Father incarnated in a human body. (John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-8, Galatians 4:4)

Knowing that statement is infallibly true, then does it not logically follow that we can conclude that the Church, the Body of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, is to reveal the manifested presence of the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost world.

Consider this: if a person approached a pastor, a member of a congregation, an elder, a deacon, a deaconess, or any believer and asked to show them the Lord Jesus Christ (as Philip had asked Jesus to show them the Father), how do you think would they respond?

More appropriately, how would you respond?

Do you remember Paul’s declaration regarding himself?

I Corinthians 11:1 NKJV, Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow Christ.”

Q: Do individual believers (in their earthly body) reflect the presence of the Lord in their life? Does the corporate life of the Church locally or universally reflect the living presence of the Lord Jesus Christ as His earthly body?

Since September, 2025, I have been reading about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the Body of Christ.

I recommend two books by A.J. Gordon, How Christ Came to Church: The Pastor’s Dream-A Spiritual Autobiography; and The Ministry of the Spirit.

I have also been reading works by T. Austin Sparks emphasizing the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the Body of Christ.

Recently, the Holy Spirit, its purpose and importance, has also been shared by Dutch Sheets, in his Give Him 15 posts.

The overriding emphasis has been who or what governs the Church, the Body of Christ?

The obvious scriptural answer is that the Lord Jesus Christ governs His Church, the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God.

This is a good place to STOP and reflect upon what has been shared.

Q: Am I living my life, in my earthly body, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God?

Q: Are you living your life, in your earthly body, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God?

Q: Is the Body of Christ, a true reflection of the earthly body of the Lord Jesus Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God?

Penetrating questions; not meant to bring guilt or shame, but to see if we are truly walking in faith.

Paul said, Galatians 2:17-21 NKJV, “But, if, while we seek to be justified Christ, we ourselves also are found to be sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me [in my human body]; and the life which I know live in the flesh[in my human body], I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and give Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” [inserts mine]

In Hebrews 4:1-13, the writer exhorts us to enter into the rest of God. Hebrews 4:10 gives us this principle to live by. “For he who has entered His (God’s) rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” (NKJV). When I consider these words, I envision not being self-governed, but abiding ‘in Christ’. (inserts mine)

This brings closure to the first portion of the post.

My dilemma is whether to just end the post here; or to continue with the second part of the post.

I am going to continue.

Thank you for journeying with me.

____________________________________

The emphasis of this second part of the post is to consider this question.

Q: Can Jesus say, If you have seen My Church, then you have seen Me?

To begin, I want to share with you what I observe is a logical spiritual progression of revelation in the Word of God.

The substance of this spiritual progression has been the subject of my previous posts, since June, 2025.

Q: What is the implication of being governed by the Holy Spirit?

A: The answer is found in the teaching of the New Testament.

It is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit descended upon those who were “with one accord” in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). Compare that with Acts 2:46-47(NKJV), where it says that the Church continued “daily ‘with one accord’ in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.”

Q: Are the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ “with one accord” in our local communities, and throughout the world?

Is it too tough a question to ask, if not, why not?

What might need to take place to bring the universal Body of Christ to be “with one accord”?

I Peter 4:17-19 NKJV says, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God? “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

God will start with His people.

Hebrews 12:25-29 NKJV, says, “See to it you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, must more shall we not escape if turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised saying,“Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” Now this, Yet once more, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”

I believe that there is going to be a Seismic Spirit Shaking move of God that is going to shake the earth in 2026.

There are Holy Spirit’ tremors’ already shaking throughout the earth.

The Lord is moving by His Spirit.

The Word of God is being preached.

Lives are being changed.

People are seeking the Lord.

People are being healed and delivered.

The Holy Spirit is being poured out on members of the Body of Christ.

But…

Some of you may be asking yourself, I am not seeing this; nor am I aware of it?

That does not mean it is not taking place.

I assure it is happening.

It is being reported; but you have to search it out.

A good place to begin is CBN.

As we look forward to 2026, how can I summarize 2025.

Let me assume you have read my previous post, End of the Year Summary Reflection.

Consider the following:

A. God’s P.H.D. is His Prophetic. Historical. Document., is the written Word of God. (Genesis – Revelation)

B. The written Word of God is a Prophetic. Historical. Document., of the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God, who is the Word of God. (John 1:1-5)

C. Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man, who came and lived in human flesh fulfilled completely God’s P.H.D. (Matthew 5:17-20)

D. Jesus’ ministry was governed by the Holy Spirit, and He did everything ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’ to please His Father. (See Matthew 4:1, 14; Luke 4:14-20; John 12:49; John 5:19-20)

E. Jesus’ ministry manifested His own P.H.D.

Jesus Preached. Healed. Delivered.

He lived in a human body; He was governed by the Holy Spirit; He preached the Kingdom of God ,calling the lost to repentance; He healed the sick and diseased; He delivered those in bondage to demons. [His ministry was confirmed by signs and wonders flowing in the power of the Holy Spirit.]

F. Jesus sent out His 12 disciples/apostles with authority to do the same ministry.

They preached repentance; they healed the sick and diseased; and they delivered those captive to demons. (Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1-3)

G. Jesus sent out 70(72[Matthew 10:2-4]) disciples to go to the lost.

They preached the word of repentance; they healed the sick; and they delivered the demon afflicted. (Luke 10:1,9,17)

[Note: One thing we must understand. We must be careful not to think of ourselves more highly than you ought to think. See Jesus’ response to the 70 when they returned rejoicing in demons that were “subject to us in Your name”. (See Luke 10:17-20)]

H. The glorified Lord Jesus Christ, now seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven, has sent the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon all flesh. This began in an upper room in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:16-21)

I. The Church, the Body of Christ, was ‘born’ that day. The Holy Spirit governs the Church. (Acts 2:42-47)

J. The Church, the Body of Christ, ministry is to preach repentance; heal the sick and diseased; and to deliver those oppressed by demons (Mark 16:19,20; Hebrews 2:3,4). The Book of Acts also records this ministry. (Acts 3:6-10, 4:4; Acts 5:12-16; Acts 8:5-7,9,13)

K. The Acts of the Apostles, bears witness that the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D.Preach. Heal. Deliver., was conferred upon His Church, the Body of Christ; and is to be exercised by His authority, governed by the Holy Spirit (just like the 12 and the 70).

Q: Has this ministry been removed from the Church, the Body of Christ?

A. That depends on your theological interpretation of the Word of God.

I am not here to criticize another’s doctrinal understanding.

Consider the following:

A. Malachi 3:6 NKJV, “I am the Lord, I do not change.”

B. Hebrews 13:8 NKJV, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

C. Psalms 119:89 NKJV, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”

D. 2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness’, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

E. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NKJV, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy, never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

F. John 15:26 NKJV, “But when the Helper comes, whom I send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you will also bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”

G. 2 Peter 1:16-21 NKJV, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of men, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” [bold emphasis mine]

Therefore:

It seems apparent to me that all of these scriptures substantiate the conclusion that resident in the Church, the Body of Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit: the Church, is to preach the Word of God, emphasizing the need to repent, and to believe by faith the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the Church is also to pray for and see the healing of the sick and the diseased; and the Church is to minister and see those afflicted by demons to be delivered and set free.

The Church is the Body of Christ composed of many members ( I Corinthians 12:12-27) that have been born again by the Spirit (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:9-11); each member is individually a temple of the living God. (I Corinthians 3:16); and ‘in Christ’ we are living stones (I Peter 2:4-8. 9,10); ‘living stones’ that manifests “the excellency of the power of God” (II Corinthians 4:7 NKJV) that is not of us, but of the power of God, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (boldness mine)

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon a gathering of (born again) believers that were the first ‘stone’ pile.

The coming of the Holy Spirit verified and authenticated that Jesus had fulfilled completely ( John 19:28) what the Word of God testified about Him.

The coming of the Holy Spirit was poured out from heaven upon the believers in an upper room declaring that Jesus, the Son of God/Son of Man is the Lord Jesus Christ Glorified sitting at the right hand of God, His Father.

*Do not forget that each member of the Church the Body of Christ, born of the Spirit, living in a human body, is a temple of the living God.*

Each believer is a vessel that can be filled with the Holy Spirit in like manner as Jesus was filled, living in a human body, when the Holy Spirit came upon Him at the Jordan River.

The purpose of being Anointed with the Holy Spirit is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, and minister as a member of the Body of Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God; doing the works of the Father. ( see Ephesians 2:4-10)

Returning to the Upper Room , the night of Jesus’ betrayal–

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity that Jesus told His disciples He would send. He told them that He would not leave them as orphans. He also told them that the Holy Spirit would be their Helper, Comforter, Guide, and Teacher (the Spirit of Truth).**

On November 23, 2025, Pastor Kent, at North Creek Church, in Walnut Creek, California, sharing from Isaiah 41, closed his teaching with this thought.

** “John 14:16 tells us that the Holy Spirit comes as our Helper. The coming of the Spirit to indwell, is the person of the Trinity who is called the Helper-you just don’t have God’s help, you have Him (Jesus); and He is your Helper. Jesus comes to you in the person of the Holy Spirit and He is your Helper-you have Him and He is your Helper, He is inside of you.”

Knowing that I am being redundant, let me say it again, (in a similar way that Pastor Kent explained), Jesus was no longer with His followers in a physical human body here on earth in their midst. He had ascended bodily into heaven. When the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus Christ returned to His (born again) followers not in a bodily physical form, but in Spirit. He was now an inward Spiritual reality because of the presence of the Person of the Holy Spirit in His disciples.

So, Who Is In Charge?

The Lord Jesus Christ Glorified.

How does He ‘govern’?

By His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God.

At this time, I want to make something clear.

It is possible that you have not ‘seen’ a manifestation of Christ’s P.H.D. as it has been outlined in this post?

However, that does NOT mean that the Holy Spirit is not in the midst of the community of believers, where you worship, work, and witness for the Lord.

Q:How do we know that the Holy Spirit is in our midst?

A. Ask yourself the following questions?

a. Is the Lord Jesus Christ glorified in your midst?

b. Is the Word of God faithfully preached exalting the centrality of the Lord Jesus Christ?

c. Is honoring the Lord Jesus Christ the focus of the ministry of the Body of Christ, where you fellowship? [I encourage you to read John 16:5-15.]

If this is taking place in the affirmative, then you can be assured that the Holy Spirit is in your midst.

Here is what the Church needs to understand.

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. is there; it is present, but latent.

The Lord’s P.H.D. has been manifested and witnessed throughout Church history; yet they have not always been well received; many times they have been been greatly maligned and silenced ; and the objection to their manifestation has caused controversy and confusion over their presence in the Church because of theological differences of the interpretation of the Word of God..

I have no doubt that the same holds true today .

It is only logical that if a community of believers is not taught about the Lord’s P.H.D., then the fullness of the ministry, that includes the Preaching of the Word of God, Healing ,and Deliverance, will probably not be manifested.

Again, that does not negate its presence; it is there, but latent.

Nor does it preclude that the Lord cannot or will not intervene Sovereignly and/or Providentially minister according to His will and purpose in the life of an individual, or His Church.

I have witnessed the manifestation of the Lord’s P.H.D.

The truth is that the Lord’s P.H.D. are occurring in nations throughout the world today.

I am reminded of two choruses.

The first one is “God is moving by His Spirit, moving in all the earth, signs and wonders when God moveth, move oh, Lord in me.”

The second chorus is a balance to the first chorus.

“Show me Thy ways, oh Lord, reveal Thyself to me. I’ve seen Your signs and wonders, but Lord I would know Thee.

This was the ministry of the Apostle Paul. He had seen the Lord’s ‘signs and wonders’; but the deep cry of his heart was to ‘know’ Him. (Philippians 3)

Preaching, Healing, and Deliverance are used by the Lord to confirm His Word. He makes Himself known by signs and wonders that confirm the preaching of the Word of God, with signs and wonders. (Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3)

God’s gracious ‘signs and wonders’ are to make Himself known to the world; and to make Himself known to us.

Jesus said, John 17:3 NKJV, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

The Apostle John concluding his Gospel account of Jesus Christ said, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31, NKJV)

I am a Spirit filled believer in Jesus Christ.

He is my Savior and Lord.

Being Spirit filled does not put me on some higher spiritual plane than any other believer who is saved.

Our Father is the potter (Jeremiah 18:1-11) and we are the clay.

He is making us into vessels fit for His use in the Body of Christ.

We are being conformed to the image of Christ.

The process is called sanctification.

Sanctification requires submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Submission results in being governed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God.

The potter cannot form a piece of clay that fights against the work of his hands exercising personal self-government, i.e.-you can’t form me that ‘way’, I want to be this ‘way’.

I have been exposed to and seen the Lord’s P.H.D.

To walk with the Lord, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God, seeking to please my Father, I have had to embrace the reality that just like the first Adam, I have enjoyed, and sought to be self-governed.

Learning to be governed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God is denying yourself to be self-governed.

Q: Have you submitted yourself to the authority of the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Q: What does that look like? (Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-26)

Jesus said that if we were going to follow Him, we are to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

I submit that this instruction ‘strikes’ the ‘heart’ of being self-governing.

What ‘strikes’ our heart is the Cross of Christ.

This is the substance of the teaching found in the New Testament epistles (letters).

Jesus did not come in human flesh to live, and live His life, relying on ‘self-governing‘ Himself.

Self-governing is the first Adam’s lifestyle because he sinned.

Jesus, the last Adam,(I Corinthians 15:45-47) came to live in human flesh, denying self (Philippians 2:5-11); living to please His Father; governed by the Holy Spirit.

Please re-read the last sentence and see that the Trinity is present to bring you to your Father’s destined endpoint. See Jude 24,25.

This is the lifestyle that we have been called to live “in Christ”.

The coming of the Holy Spirit has been given to enable us to live our life ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God, submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ, living a life of faith that pleases your Heavenly Father.

Let me close with the words of Peter, on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came and filled ‘all’ in the upper room in Jerusalem. Peter stood and preached Christ and Him crucified. Many of those, who were curious to know what had taken place in the upper room, and hearing Peter’s words were convicted in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, and cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off (that’s us), and as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:37-39) [Acts 2:41 tells us that about 3000 souls accepted Jesus Christ.] [boldness mine]

I want to encourage you to seek the Lord, and ask Him (Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Mathew 3:11; Luke 3:16) to come and fill you with the Holy Spirit. (see John 3:11, 12; Luke 11:11-13; John 14:25-28; Acts 19:1-7)

As we seek the Lord, and learn to be governed by the Holy Spirit, each individual believer, and the collective Body of Christ, the Church, will be changed from “glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) .

Remember, God, the Father’s goal, is for us to walk with Him, and allow His loving Presence to ‘govern’ our lives.

The result of this sanctifying work is the answer to the question that began in the second half of the post.

A. The world will look at the Church, and see the Lord Jesus Christ.

The day is coming when the Church, like Enoch, who walked with God, will be taken to be in God’s Presence. (Hebrews 11:5,6)

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you, encourage you, and grant unto you the desire of your heart to know Him deeply in spirit and in truth. (John 4:1-26)

a brother in Christ, deo

Thank you for journeying with me through 2025.

End of the Year Summary Reflection

As a former teacher, I want to prepare my readers for what is going to be published this week.

It is a very long post.

It dawned on me that if I was coming to the end of a semester class, this post would be the last lecture of a class that began in June, 2025.

Actually, from my point of view, it is the ending of a year long thought process involving our nation, and our personal walk with the Lord.

Therefore, if you are a regular reader of my posts, I trust that it will be a Summary Reflection for you and an encouragement for the upcoming year.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body of Christ, the Church, has said “I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”(Matthew 16:18 NKJV).

The Lord Jesus Christ will also have a Church without ‘spot or wrinkle’. (Ephesians 5:27)

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a body of believers who worship the Lord, their God.

The Lord Jesus Christ will remove all worldliness, man-centered programs, and Satanic influence that are in His Church. (See Revelation 2:1-3:22)

Just as the Lord, lovingly came to the seven churches in The Revelation, He still comes today, commending what is right, correcting what is wrong, and calling His Church to repentance.

The Lord is saying, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” He is looking for those who will ‘overcome’.

Church,it is time to ‘overcome’.

There is coming an intense time of ‘taking out the trash’ so to speak; sweeping out the dark recesses of our lives; and cleansing from every sin that so easily weighs us down, so that we may walk in freedom and truth with the Lord and worship God, the Father, in spirit and in truth.

What a blessing; but digging deep is necessary, and digging ‘hurts’. Speaking of Jesus, Hebrews 5:7-9 NKJV says, “though He was a Son, yet learned He obedience through the things that He suffered”.

Sanctification hurts.

This is the process that prepares us to meet the Father .

None of us, who know Christ, are exempt.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares for y0u. ” (I Peter 5: 7 NKJV)

We love you, Father.

Thank you Father for Your everlasting love.

Thank you Father that Your mercies are renewed every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

We bless Your Name, and exalt You.

You alone are God, the Holy One of Israel; Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

May the Lord rich bless you and your family as you celebrate the Incarnation and the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, the Father’s, One and only Begotten Son.

blessings, deo

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2

The Son of God, who has come into the world incarnated in human flesh by the Holy Spirit was: born of the virgin Mary; circumscribed the eighth day;revealed to Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) as the Lord’s Christ; witnessed by Anna, a prophetess (Luke 2:36-38), upon entering the Temple, being recognized in the Spirit, who this Child was, and “she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Luke 2:39-40, NKJV, continues, “So when they (Joseph, Mary, Jesus) had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God (His Father) was upon Him.” (inserts mine)

This is the Child that has grown into Manhood and presented Himself to John the Baptist to be water baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). This is the Child that when He came up out of the water “the heavens were opened to Him and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him (Matthew 3:16). This is the Child to whom a “…voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)”

This is the Child, “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry about thirty years of age…(Luke 3:23)”.

This is now no longer a Child, but Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man, who “being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the (Holy) Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2, NKJV), “Then the devil left Him, and behold angels came and ministered to Him. (Matthew 4:11 NKJV) “Then Jesus returned in the power of the (Holy) Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.” (Luke 4:14-15 NKJV) (inserts mine) [emphasis mine]

What is the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D.?

What do the synoptic Gospel writers record?

Mark 1:14 (NKJV), Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Matthew 4:23-24, (NKJV), ” And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went through all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.”

Mark 1:39, (NKJV), “And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”

Luke 4:31-37 (NKJV), “Then Jesus went down to Capernaum , a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? did You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and I’d not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.”[emphasis mine]

Luke 4:38-39 (NKJV), “Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.”

Luke 4:40-44 (NKJV), “When the sun was setting, all those who have any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.”

I want to ask you to re-read these verses, and see the following: Jesus preached the Gospel of the kingdom of God; Jesus healed the sick; Jesus delivered those with demons.

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. was Preaching, Healing, Deliverance.

Jesus, the Son of God/Son of Man in human flesh, anointed by the Holy Spirit, was governed by His relationship to His Father, doing only what His Father showed Him to do (John 5:18-19); and saying only what My Father commands Me to speak. (John 12:29)

Jesus walked ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’; therefore, everywhere He went His Father’s Kingdom came, and His Father’s will was done “on earth as it is in heaven”(Matthew 6:10) because Jesus was ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 10:1 NKJV, (Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1) Jesus sends out his disciples to minister.

“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out(deliverance), and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” [insert, emphasis mine]

Matthew 10:5-40, Jesus explains to them in detail what to expect and what they will encounter. Looking specifically at Matthew 10:7-8 NKJV, “And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out [deliverance]demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (See Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6) [insert, emphasis mine]

Q: What did Jesus confer upon His disciples? an honorary P.H.D.!

He told them to go and preach, heal the sick, and cast out [deliverance] demons.

In Luke 10:1-23, NKJV, Jesus sends out a group of 70 disciples, two by two.

Please read Luke 10:1-23.

Working through the text, note the following:

vs. 9 “heal the sick” [boldness mine]

vs. 17 the disciples had finished their assignment, and they tell Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (inference is deliverance, casting out of demons) [boldness mine] (insert mine)

vs.9-16, I suggest what Jesus says, imply that the disciples shared, taught, and preached the message of the gospel.

You may ask, how do you come to that conclusion?

vs. 13, Jesus pronounces “Woe” to two cities, Chorazin and Bethsaida. He says, “For if the mighty works which were done in you (healing and deliverances) had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” (Acts 14:3; Hebrews 2:4; Mark 16:20; John 4:48) (insert mine)

In I Thessalonians 1:5 Paul writes, “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

Studying the ministry of Paul, you will discover that he, too, had a P.H.D.

His ministry consisted of Preaching, Healing, and Deliverance.

What was Prophetic, Historical, and Documented in the Word of God about Jesus Christ was lived out in a ‘body’.

The ministry of Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God; He healed those who were sick and diseased; and He delivered those who were afflicted with demons.

He gave that authority and power to His disciples, and then to 70 others to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God; heal the sick and diseased; and deliver others from demonic power and influence.

Is it time to ask a question? I think it is.

Q: Has the Church, the Body of Christ, been given the authority and power to minister just as Jesus did?; as He instructed His 12 disciples to do?; and as He sent out the 70 to do?

He sent them out to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God; heal the sick and diseased; and deliver those afflicted with demons, just as He had been doing..

Continuing: The Lord Jesus Christ, now sits at the right hand of God, His Father.

His position in the heavenlies validates completely the life that He came to live flesh, in a human body, offering Himself as the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world and being crucified on a cross, dying a substitutionary* death for all mankind separated from God because of their sin nature.

The Word of God says, “For He {God}made Him{Jesus} who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him{Jesus} .” (2 Corinthians 5:21), [*See Got Questions: What is the substitutionary atonement?] {inserts mine}

The validation of the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice is contained in these words written in Hebrews 9:23-28 NKJV.

[There are things written in the Word of God that one can only read and accept by faith as the revelation of God made to mankind by the Holy Spirit, who inspired the inerrancy of the Bible.]

“Therefore it was (see Hebrews 9:16-22 for context) that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enter the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another–He then would have to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the end of the ages, He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

Jesus presented His blood. The Father’s wrath against sin has been fully satisfied. Our sins can now be forgiven, forgotten, and flung “into the depths of the sea”(Micah 7:19 NKJV), or “as far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”(Psalm 103:12 NKJV)

Since Jesus has completely fulfilled His Father’s will, and He is seated at the right hand of His Father, then the glory that He set aside (Philippians 2:5-8), His Father restored to Him. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Recount Jesus’s prayer to His Father prior to His arrest. John 17:1-5, NKJV.

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” [emphasis mine]

[Personal note: I would like to suggest that this was in part “…who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV)]

In consideration of ‘Putting It All Together‘, we have returned to an upper room in Jerusalem. (previous post)

In that upper room there are 120 followers of Christ, of whom 11 were originally chosen by Jesus, Himself.

They have obediently waited for 10 days that began when Jesus ascended back to heaven; and it is now 10 days later, 50 days since the Passover to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on the Jewish ‘religious calendar’.

The Biblical record written by Luke, called, THE ACTS, of the Apostles, tells the story.

The promise of the Father, the Third Person of the Trinity, was sent on the Day of Pentecost.

The believers in the upper room were endued with power just as Jesus has told them.

Luke 24:49 NKJV says, “Behold I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” [emphasis mine]

That is exactly what has taken place. (See Acts 1:1-2:4)

The Church, the Body of Christ, the Ekklesia, the Bride of Christ, was birthed into existence.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body of Christ, the Church. (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22)

Let us rest and reflect upon what has been said up to this point.

Blessings, a fellow member of the Body of Christ, deo

Putting It All Together!

These words are very meaningful to me.

Why?

When I think back over the past 8 years, writing posts began with a ‘placard’ I saw on a news program held by a young woman that read ‘be ungoverned’.

Here, I am, here we are, in 2025, and the emphasis of the latest posts is that the Church needs to be ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, individually and corporately.

All around us, the world is reeling struggling with asserting to ‘be ungoverned’.

There have been a lot of words, a lot of subject matter, written about ‘politics’ concerning the state of our nation and how it is governed and the well-being of our citizenry as a voting entity.

The onslaught of the divisive verbal rhetoric that we as a nation has been exposed too, especially in the past 10 years, has been divisive and has led to a nation clamoring over how to be governed.

Previous posts speak for themselves.

Not everyone will agree with what has been written, but that is ok.

Unfortunately, the divisive verbal rhetoric continues.

But, over the past year or more, there has been an uncovering of what was verbalized in ‘darkness’ is now being brought to the ‘light’.

Verbal rhetoric that has been hailed as ’empirical truth’ has been shown in many instances to be the fabrication of lies spoken to advance a political agenda.

If you are interested in reading more of what I am referring too, I encourage you to read previous posts.

Now, I will move forward, Putting It All Together.

The last post was entitled The Lord Jesus Christ is Glorified!

Let me set the context for The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D., Part 2

If we are going to understand The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2, we must look into eternity past before the creation of the Lord.

The mystery of God.

The only reason we have any knowledge of God is because God has revealed Himself.

That is not a new profound thought; but it is absolute truth.

God’s revelation of Himself is in His P.H.D.

The Old Testament is replete with beginnings.

Genesis is a book of beginnings.

The beginnings in Genesis put into motion what unfolds throughout the Old Testament and throughout the New Testament.

The God of both testaments is the same. (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

God’s P.H.D. is His Prophetic. Historical. Document.

God’s Prophetic, Historical, Document is the Word of God.

The Word of God is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.

The knowledge of God was originally passed down by sharing verbally.

This is called oral tradition.

At an appointed time in the history of mankind, that oral tradition began to be written down.

That writing recorded God’s beginnings with creation; His interaction with mankind; the choosing of one man to father a nation to be His people; the history of His people; His covenants made with His people; the rise of nations; the institution of kings; significant ups and downs within His own personal nation; His nation’s rise and fall; God’s love for His people; God’s use of prophets to be His spokesmen (mouth piece) to call His people back to Himself.

The substance of this history is found reading the Old Testament in the Word of God.

And throughout all this prophetic, historical, documentary, there is what theologians have called a ‘scarlet thread’-a promised person who would come and make right what went wrong in the beginning as recorded in Genesis. (See Genesis 3:15; Go to Got Questions: What is the significance of a scarlet thread?)

Throughout the Word of God, there is a continual, unveiling of God-a triune God-God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

The Word of God represents the account of this triune God interacting with each other before the foundation for the world, purposing the creation, that included the creation of mankind, created in the image and likeness of God completely different from angelic beings, and the other animal life created during the days of creation.

Being repetitive, the Word of God provides the substance of God’s P.H.D. .

The Word of God is God’s written account of Himself for us to read, understand, and to personally experience the reality of God’s intent that was purposed in the Godhead before the creation of the world.

At this time, I encourage you to stop, and read Ephesians 1:3-14.

This passage of scripture encapsulates for us an incredible word picture of the intent of the Godhead that was residing in God, the Father’s heart; the purpose and plan of God; the Son’s coming out of eternity and into the existence of time that He, Himself, created; and the work of God the Holy Spirit in the creation process; and the plan of redemption.

Again at this time, I recommend that you consider reading or re-reading The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D., Part 1.

Quoting from The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 1,

“God’s P.H.D. is the written Word of God that has revealed to us God’s purpose that was in His heart before the foundation of the world…The written Word of God is the Father’s Prophetic. Historical. Document, authenticating the Son of God, (who is) the Second Person of the Trinity…God’s P.H.D. chronicles the Life of Christ, Jesus-Son of God/Son of Man; incarnated in a human body by the Holy Spirit; born of a virgin; perfectly fulfilling His Father’s P.H.D.as recorded in the Word of God; and completely doing His Father’s will ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’ without sinning. (See Philippians 1:1-2:11 for context) [emphasis mine].”

We now turn to the New Testament account of the continued revelation purposed in eternity past before the foundation of the world.

Fast forward, from Incarnation to Manhood and then to ministry.

The life of Jesus, the Son of God/Son of Man was ‘governed’ by the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit. (See Matthew 3:1-4:11)

Jesus comes to the Jordan river, where John the Baptist, is preaching repentance from a sinful lifestyle; and water baptizing those who respond to his preaching.

As John is fulfilling God’s appointed ministry, Jesus approaches and seeks to be water baptized. Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV says, “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for this it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.””

In the sequence of events, what has taken place, is the interaction of the foreordained ministry of John the Baptist (see Luke 1:39-45; Luke 1:57-80; Luke 3:1-7, 18,21-22), the arrival of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world(John 1:29); Jesus’ water baptism; the voice out of heaven of God, the Father’s affirmation of His Son; and the coming down out of heaven of the Holy Spirit that descended upon Him.

Coming up out of this muddy river, that has just witnessed the relational family of God, the Father; God the Son in human flesh; and God the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man (Matthew 4:1 NKJV) “was led up by the (Holy) Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (insert mine)

Why?

It is all part of the incredible plan of redemption. (See the Post-The Time to Continue)

All of the above is an introduction to reset the scene to continue The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2.

What has been written as God’s Prophetic, Historic, Document – the Word of God: Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man is now going to live out in human flesh.

This lifestyle is going to be transferred to the Body of Christ, the Church, that was began on the Day of Pentecost when “…suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they(the disciples) were sitting. Then there appeared to them(the disciples) divided tongues, as of a fire, and one sat upon each of them(the disciples). And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the (Holy) Spirit gave them utterance. [Acts 2:2-4, NKJV] (inserts mine).

Instead of making this post twice as long, I will stop here.

thank you for your patience,

your brother in Christ,

blessings, deo

tbc: The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2.

The Time to Continue…

What does that entail?

It has been a little more than a month since I posted The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 1.

That post was a continuation of the the post talking about God’s P.H.D., that emphasized that God’s Word was His Prophetic Historical Document of Jesus Christ who is the Word of God, made flesh.

Presently I am not prepared to continue with The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2.

Why?

Something else has been pressing on my heart.

That something is a topic that many believers in the Church understand; yet many other believers in the Church do not fully understand; and many believers do not want explained to them; or in some instances, I assume have discounted this teaching completely.

What has been on my heart?

Consider the following questions.

Q: What do you understand about spiritual warfare?

Q: What does your local church believe about spiritual warfare?

Q: What does your pastoral staff teach about spiritual warfare?

In short, is this important?

I affirm that it is absolutely important.

Therefore, I put forth this question.

Q: Why is there so much conflict in the world today in which we live?

I am not a scholar nor a theologian; but I would like to share some insights.

There is not a new spiritual conflict.

Let us go back to a beginning.

Can we even determine when the beginning was?

You can research many different theories regarding when this conflict began.

For me, I believe that it began in eternity before the foundation of the world; therefore before the creation of Adam and Eve.

The conflict is the result of one archangel*, Lucifer, a creation of God, who personally determined that his status and position as a created being by God was no longer something that he was satisfied with so he rebelled and made the decision to exalt himself to be higher than God. [*some scholars believe that he was an archangel; and many others do not. I will leave the resolve of that issue to your own study.] {emphasis mine}

Regardless, the fact remains that it was Lucifer (Satan), who made that decision.

It is recorded in Isaiah 14:12-14; and is paralleled in Ezekiel 28:1-19.

In both passages, there is a dual reference to the King of Tyre manifesting His pride and arrogance; and the pride and arrogance exhibited by Lucifer (Satan) (insert mine)

Lucifer decided that he would be exalted over God.

The consequences of that decision are stated in Isaiah 14:15, and Ezekiel 28:16-19.

In Isaiah 14:12-14, the five “I wills” of Lucifer are stated.

Lucifer said I will be exalted above God; the result of his five “I wills” is:

“Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.” (Isaiah 14:15, NKJV)

Lucifer who desired the highest point of exaltation received the absolute lowest place in God’s universe.

Lucifer(Satan) has not been assigned to Sheol yet. (insert mine)

Revelation 20: 10, NKJV, tells us where Lucifer is eternally assigned because of his rebellion against God. “The devil (Lucifer), who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (insert mine)

Note on Revelation 20:10, in the MacArthur Study Bible, page 2022, says, “Continuous, unrelieved torment will be the final state of Satan, fallen angels, and unredeemed men.” (emphasis mine)

Why does mankind need the Gospel?

So that mankind can be redeemed from Hell and not spend eternity in the same final state as Satan, and the fallen angels. (emphasis mine)

One of the great unknowns throughout the entirety of the Word of God is, why has God allowed Satan to be an influence in this world?

The answer to that quandary has been addressed by many authors and theologians.

My understanding is summarized in this conclusion.

God uses Satan for His own purposes.

Ask Job!

God allows Satan to have influence in the dealings of mankind.

As you read the Word of God, and you understand the Sovereignty of God, coupled with His eternal purpose formed before the foundation of the world, a believer in Christ, must come to understand that Satan does have an influence in this world, but that influence is governed by God; and that the Church has a responsibility in standing against that influence.

Therefore, the Church must be governed by God.

That is a truth that the Church must understand; as well as, every believer in Christ Jesus.

Paul writing to the Ephesian Church states in Ephesians 6: 10-18, reminds the Church that our adversary the devil is real, and that he (Satan) is the Church’s spiritual opposition.

We are to “…stand against the wiles (scheming) of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (humanity), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (insert mine)

Do you believe that?

Read Ephesians 6:10-18.

We must be willing to accept the truth of these words and rest by faith in His omniscience. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The following , too, is a foundational truth that the Church must understand; as well as, every believer in Christ Jesus.

Jesus didn’t just come to ‘save’ us.

The total work of the cross is much more inclusive than that.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came in human flesh, and became the Son of Man, totally and completely, satisfied the wrath of God against sin; provides for mankind’s salvation by grace through faith in Christ’s death; the shedding of His blood; and His broken body; resulting in Christ’s death, burial, and glorious resurrection where those who call upon the name of the Lord will receive eternal life where old things have passed away and all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Christ’s death on the cross, not only made the way for mankind to be reconciled unto God, the Father; but completely broke the power of sin, caused death to die, and made an open spectacle of defeating the power of Satan. (See Colossians 2:11-15; Hebrews 2:14-18; 1 John 3:7-8)

Satan’s authority and influence has been completely defeated.

Yet the final and ultimate consequence of that defeat because of the work of the cross, because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection has been held in abeyance by the Sovereignty of God until what God has said will happen does in fact take place. (See I Corithians 15:20-28; Ephesians 1:15-23; Hebrews 2:5-18)

Therefore, Jesus, prior to His ascension back into the presence of His Father, makes this declaration to His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18b, NKJV)

Paul writing to the Philippian Church about the coming, the person, and the ministry of Jesus Christ, clearly presents the humility of the Son of God, who took on human flesh to become the Son of Man. He also outlines the mind of Christ to fulfill this commission given to Him by His Father before the foundation of the world. (See Philippians 2:1-11).

Paul states unequivocally that what Christ accomplished through His death, “even death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8b NKJV), results in the following absolute truth.

“Therefore God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on the earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11, NKJV)

This post, The Time to Continue, points back to these previous posts: Pentecost-50 Days After Passover Part 1, and Part 2; The Lord Jesus Christ; and The Lord Jesus Christ is Glorified.

I encourage you to revisit these posts. It will renew the foundational thoughts for us to continue forward.

A final thought.

The perceived conflict in the world is real; yet it is not in question because our God alone is God; Our God is Sovereign; He is “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:6 NKJV)

See also, Psalms 103:19; Daniel 4:35; Lamentations 3:37-38; Psalms 46:8-10.

The origin of the conflict, the struggle, the wrestling we encounter is because Lucifer asserted his ‘I will be’ against the God who created him who is ‘ I am that I am’.

What Lucifer witnessed God receiving from His angelic beings, he desires for himself.

He did not want to be a ‘giver’ of worship unto God; he wanted to be a receiver of that worship. Therefore, he said within himself, I will be greater than God.

Consider this, the internal attitude that Lucifer asserted against his creator God is the exact same attitude that he (Satan) in the Garden of Eden presented to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. They were not God nor were they ever to be God.

What did Satan say to Eve?

Genesis 3:1-5, NKJV. “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you ear of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Lucifer, Satan, the serpent (all names of one and the same) who had said within himself that he want to be higher than God; now comes to the pinnacle of God’s creation, mankind, who has been created in His image and likeness, and puts forth the thought that they can be (if I may say it this way) greater than God’s original purpose of their creation.

This is the exact same thing that Lucifer asserted within himself.

He was totally rejected.

Now he asserts his personal pride and arrogance at God’s creation, Adam and Eve, proposing to them to leave their designated purpose as God created them; and to command their own destiny to be ‘like God, knowing good and evil’.

In short, Satan, wants Adam and Eve to redirect their attention away from God and give it to him.

The result of Adam and Eve’s decision to step out from their Creator’s purpose for their existence with Him, resulted in exactly what God said would happen.

They died internally.

Their fellowship with God by the spirit was severed (died) because of their disobedience.

The result of their disobedience can be read in Genesis 3:6-24.

B.U.T.(Believer Understand This) God, because of His grace, mercy, and loving kindness dealt judiciously and mercifully with Adam and Eve.

That is the message of the Cross.

However, before He dealt with Adam and Eve. He dealt with the serpent. (See Genesis 3:14-16.)

God’s dialogue with the serpent, Adam, and Eve put into motion the plan of salvation that was purposed before the foundation of the world.

Can we fully grasp that Christ, the Eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 NKJV). See also Ephesians 1:3-14.

Have you ever wondered why the scripture so adamantly tells us that God “opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”? (I Peter 5:5 NKJV)

I believe it is because it is rooted in Lucifer’s original pride, arrogance, haughtiness, lying, evil behavior, etc.

Pride represents Lucifer’s assertion that he will be greater than God.

Remember, Lucifer wanted what God received; therefore he sought to displace Him.

Lucifer’s pride resides in humanity’s ‘unregenerated’ heart.

Do you now clearly see why Christ came?

Christ, the second Adam, perfectly obeyed His Father, in a body.

There was no sin of pride in Him.

See Philippians 2:5-11.

Satan tried to penetrate Christ’s humanity, and get Him to sin; but Jesus did not succumb to the lies, the deceit, and the temptations of Satan to do evil.

In the wilderness, where Satan tempted Jesus, his third temptation (Matthew 4:8,9) was his attempt for Jesus (who is the Son of God/Son of Man) to do the very thing that Satan had pridefully desired to experience in eternity past.

Satan wanted to be in the place, where God would bow down and worship him.

Here is the dialogue, (Matthew 4:8-11 Amplified Version) “Again, the devil took Him up on a very nigh mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the the world, and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; and said to Him, “All these things I will give to You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan. For it is written and forever remains written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” [Deuteronomy 6:13] Then the devil left Him and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing food and serving Him].” (emphasis mine)

Did you see it? The very words spoken by Satan to Jesus “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” tells the complete story of Lucifer’s desire to displace God, and receive the worship and recognition of God for himself that he witnessed God receiving from His angelic beings, Lucifer included.

Satan’s tactic is the same today.

He still seeks worship and recognition.

As a believer in Christ, let us remember to humble ourselves in the presence of God, our Father. (See, James 4:10; I Peter 5:6; Matthew 18:4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 23:12; I Peter 5:5.)

James 4:7 instructs us to humble ourselves in the presence of God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. That is what Jesus did when confronted with Satan’s temptation to turn away from God, the Father.

Can you understand the intensity of the heart of God, the Father, for His creation, especially, His humanity?

For God-so loved-the world-that He gave-His only begotten Son-that whosoever believes in Him-should not perish-but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-19 NKJV (hyphens mine)

It is The Time to Continue, in humility before God our Father.

Q: Is the Church walking in humility before the Lord Jesus Christ?

Q: More importantly, am I walking in humility, content with the place that the Lord has ‘given by grace’ to me in the Body of Christ?

Am I abiding in Romans 12:3, Amplified Version, “For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and purpose designed for service].

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 1-the Introduction.

In the previous post, God’s P.H.D. was defined as the Word of God.

How so?

The Word of God is His Prophetic. Historical. Document.

The written Word of God reveals the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity.

Jesus is the Word of God.

The Apostle John introduces this truth as he begins the Gospel of John.

John 1:1-5, 14, NKJV, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend* it. *(comprehend = overcome) [marginal note]

Vs. 14, “And the Word became flesh, dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Just prior to the end of the John’s Gospel, he writes, (John 20:26-31, NKJV), about Christ appearing to His disciples, when Thomas is present (see John 20:19-25 for context.). It says, ...”And after eight days, His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand over here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, ” Thomas, because You have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but those are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Luke’s Gospel records an encounter between the risen Christ and two of His despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus the day that Jesus was raised from the dead. (Context is Luke 24:13-22)

During their journey together, Jesus observing their countenance and hearing their words inquired of them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad? (Luke 24:17, NKJV)

Jesus says to them. (Luke 24:25-27 NKJV)

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (emphasis mine)

Jesus didn’t just show up; bring understanding to the Scriptures about Himself; and then cut out.

Jesus continued walking with them; it became late; it was time to eat; they asked Him to dine with them; and the scripture says, “And He went in to stay with them.” (Luke 24:28b, NKJV)

In this place of quiet hospitality, the following takes place.

Luke 24:30-32 NKJV.

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us.” “

In Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV, Jesus is teaching a large multitude. This discourse is commonly referred to as the ‘Sermon on the Mount’.

He is very transparent about His coming regarding the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore, breaks one of these least of these commandments, and teaches men to do so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (emphasis of the word ‘all‘ is mine)

What is the importance of understanding the scriptures being referenced?

God’s P.H.D. is the written Word of God that has revealed to us God’s purpose that was in His heart before the foundation of the world.

The written Word of God is the Father’s, Prophetic. Historical. Document. authenticating the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.

God’s P.H.D. chronicles the Life of Christ, Jesus-Son of God/Son of Man, who was born of a virgin, incarnated in a human body, perfectly fulfilling His Father’s P.H.D. as recorded in the written Word of God about Him; and His completion of His Father’s will, ‘orderly and ‘obediently’, without sinning. (See Philippians 1:1-2:11 for context) [emphasis mine]

Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV, says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The conclusion of this passage of scripture, emphatically states, “…that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (emphasis mine)

Jesus hanging on the cross said ‘final words’.

In each of the four Gospels, the writers have different ‘final words’ recorded: Luke 23:46; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; John 19:30.

Each Gospel writer is emphasizing a specific redemptive aspect of Christ, dying on the cross.

There is a chronological order given to the ‘last seven utterances’ of Christ on the cross.

For the purposes of this post, I want to reflect upon the Apostle John’s entry in John 19:30 NKJV, “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit.”

The commentary in The MacArthur Study Bible, page 1625, about verse 30 says, ““It is finished!” The verb here carries the idea of fulfilling one’s task in religious contexts, has the idea of fulfilling one’s religious obligations (see 7:4). The entire work of redemption had been brought to a completion. The single Gr. word here (translated “it is finished”) has been found in the papyri being placed on receipts for taxes meaning “paid in full” (See Colossians 3:13-14).”

Reading this verse in context, John 19:28-30, NKJV, it says, “After this (see John 19:25-27), Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there, and they filled a sponge with sour sine, put it on hyssop;, and put it to His mouth. so when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Jesus knew that everything that was written about Himself in the Law and the Prophets up to this moment hanging on the cross was completely fulfilled, i.e.-(vs 28) that …”the Scripture might be fulfilled”.

Now what?

Hebrew 1:1-5, NKJV, “God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

What is that excellent Name?

Jesus Christ is Lord.

[Do you remember the chorus? He is Lord, He is Lord…]

Acts 2:36 NKJV, Peter on the Day of Pentecost, stood and preached
Christ, and said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Repeating Philippians 2:11, NKJV, “Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father.”

[Do you remember the song, Majesty, composed by Jack Hayford? His song encapsulates and clearly declares all that is being shared about the Lord Jesus Christ. (emphasis mine)]

[I would like to encourage you to read several of the previous posts regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. Please refer to livingwordsofencouragement.com. I recommend that you begin with Pentecost-50 Days After Passover Part 1, read that; and the next four posts up to this current post.]

The Church, the Body of Christ, and each individual believer needs to understand that the cross made a major change between God and humanity. The cross completely cancelled out the first covenant and established a new covenant through the body and blood of the Son of God.

God’s relationship to humanity has changed; but God, Himself, did not change.

God’s relationship with humanity through the first covenant is no longer existent. God’s relationship with humanity is now through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is the Gospel.

Malachi 3:6 NKJV, says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change”…

I am not minimizing the Gospel. (I Corinthians 15:1-58 context; see vs. 1-11 )

I am not forgetting that Jesus is the Son of God, the perfect sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. (Hebrews 10:11-14)

I am not forgetting John the Baptist’s crying, our “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

I am not forgetting that Jesus’ death on the cross completely satisfied the wrath of God against sin. God, Himself, was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. (Romans 5:9)

I am not forgetting that He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I am not forgetting that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:32)

I am not forgetting the words of John 3:16-18 NKJV, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

What is the Spirit of God saying to the Church today?

It is time to expand our understanding.

How so?

Remember the first covenant is no longer needed.

In the Upper Room, the night of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, Jesus was celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus instituted what the Church observes as Communion. (See Mark 26:26-28; Luke 22:11-20; Mark 14:22-25; John 13:21-30)

Jesus said that what He was doing was establishing a new covenant through His blood. (See Hebrews 8:1-10:18)

The Epistle to the Hebrews is an explanation of Father’s Prophetic. Historical. Document comparing the ministry of first covenant under Moses to the ministry of a better covenant governed by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body of Christ,the Church, and the King of the Kingdom of God. (emphasis mine)

The glory of the first covenant ‘pales’ in comparison to the GLORY of the second covenant established in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Understanding this truth is absolutely essential to move forward with God.

The understanding that lies before us is to ‘know and understand’ what this will look like?

Where is the Lord Jesus Christ now?

Mark 16:19 NKJV, says, “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.”

1 Peter 3-22, NKJV, says, “…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is all the right hand of God…” (context 1 Peter 3:18-22)

Knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God, we must focus our attention on where Christ is seated. (Colossians 3:1-4)

In full assurance of this fact, we can now seek to understand the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. which He fulfilled here on earth as the Son of God/Son of Man in human flesh.

Understanding the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. will awaken us and challenge us to move ahead with God, the Father, as He orchestrates the fulfillment of the desire of His heart that He purposed before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1)

Be blessed, a brother in Christ, Deo

TBC

God’s P.H.D. Parts 1-8+conclusion- taking a quiet look, slowly digesting God’s Word, and waiting upon God.

The Apostle Paul gives us a ‘look’ into eternity past in the first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians.

This section of scripture is a ‘mother lode’ of theology.

Ephesians 1:3-14, NKJV, reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence* (understanding), having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to the His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (*insert mine, marginal note) (emphasis mine)

What an incredible amount of understanding is found in the opening of this letter.

In this passage of scripture, the Five Solas of the Reformation can be found within the text: Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, God’s Glory Alone.

Also present in this passage is the eternal interaction of the Trinity: God the Father; God the Son, Jesus Christ; and God the Holy Spirit.

There are also many prominent theological words, i.e.: Blessed, ‘in Christ’, spiritual blessing, heavenly, chose, holy, without blame, love, predestined, accepted, redemption, blood, forgiveness, sins, grace, wisdom, prudence(understanding), mystery of His will, dispensation, inheritance, His will, word of truth, gospel, salvation, believed, Holy Spirit of promise, guarantee, purchased possession, praise of His glory. (insert mine)

What ‘nuggets’ of gold in this ‘mother lode’ of words ‘sparkled’ in your mind?

If I missed your ‘nugget’, I hope you understand my point.

I want to begin, focusing on this ‘nugget’, found in Ephesians 1:4, “before the foundation of the world”. (emphasis mine)

In the eternal past, before the creation of the world, there was something pulsating in the heart of the Father.

Is it too simple to say, that Father God desired a family.

I do not believe so.

END OF PART 1.

The Godhead, the eternal Trinity: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God the Holy Spirit is a ‘relational community’ of perfect agape love for one another.

Genesis 1,2 details for us what God created.

‘Creation’ is the interaction of all three Persons of the Godhead: God, the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit.

Creation is the beginning point of the revelation of the desire of the Father’s heart.

I submit that the Godhead’s desire to “let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26, NKJV) was to be in fellowship with a created humanity that would be in their ‘relational community’, not as God, or even gods, but in a living relationship with them.

Therefore, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” was that moment in time when God’s heart began to become reality.

In Ephesians chapter 1, Paul, explains what God knew before the creation of the world; that the first two humans, male and female, created in the ‘image and likeness’ of God would disobey His word saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you ear it you shall surely die.” and fall willfully short of His heart’s desire. (Genesis 2:17 NKJV)

Adam and Eve did partake of the fruit of the ‘tree of good and evil’. (Genesis 3:6)

They disobeyed God’s Word.

Their disobedience is called sin.

The result of sin is death.

Death is two-fold.

Death is both spiritual and physical.

Adam and Eve each died in their spiritual relationship to God because of their disobedience.

They were no longer in a right relationship with God spiritually because God is Holy, in Whom there is no sin.

Their internal death broke communion with God spiritually; and it initiated the physical death of their bodies.

However, their sin did not eliminate His love for them.

END OF PART 2.

Reading Ephesians 1 shows us explicitly that God’s love for humanity is strong; so strong, that before the creation of the world, “God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…”. Ephesians 1:4 NKJV. (emphasis mine)

How does that happen?

Paul continues in this text recounting Christ’s sacrifice, the shedding of His blood, the forgiveness of sins, all according to the riches of His grace.

Stop. Please re-read Ephesians 1:3-14.

All of this was foreknown before the creation of the world.

What love!

What grace!

What mercy!

To repeat…all of this was put into motion, when “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

There are numerous scriptures that speak of the redemptive plan and purpose of God.

There is one verse, that many believe clearly explains the heart of God for fallen humanity.

John 3:16 NKJV (Let me emphasize this verse progressively)

“For God – so loved – the world – that He gave – His Only Begotten Son – that whoever believes in Him – should not perish – but have everlasting life.”

(Stop! I encourage you to re-read these words as they are divided; and think about each set of words between the hyphens.)

I want to encourage you as a believer that in order to more fully understand God’s P.H.D., we must have it settled in our hearts and minds what God, the Father purposed in His heart before creation.

God’s P.H.D. is His Prophetic. Historical. Document.

END OF PART 3.

God’s P.H.D. is the Word of God.

The Word of God is God’s redemptive thoughts, expressing the fullness of Father’s heart.

It is an unfolding of His interaction with the human race, from the first ‘tick’ of the redemptive clock to the final ‘tick’ of the redemptive clock.

Throughout the history of mankind, God has made Himself known to His creation.

Psalm 19:1-6 tells us that “The heavens declare the glory of God…”

Psalm 19:3,4 NKJV says, “There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line (*tent) has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.” (*marginal note, insert mine)

Creation speaks to us.

Psalms 19:7-13 describes the unfathomable riches of the written Word of God.

Psalm 19:14, is David’s heart cry to be rightly related to God, his strength and his redeemer, based upon the written Word of God.

God’s Word speaks to us.

Paul, writing to the church in Rome, expresses God’s judgement that will come upon humanity who reject God and His Word.

Romans 1:18-21 NKJV, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

But God, Himself, came into this world and brought His Light to shine in the midst of this darkened world and upon the darkness of the human heart.

John 1:1-4, NKJV, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the life shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (*overcome) it.” (*marginal note, insert mine)

Jesus said of Himself, John 8:12, NKJV, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 1:14, NKJV, “And the Word became flesh dwelt among us, and beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The Word, the Son of God, became the Son of Man, who lived here in the midst of His creation and among His chosen people.

Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJV, says of the Son of God/Son of Man:

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the Father by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (emphasis mine)

This passage tells us forthrightly that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is the central message of God’s Prophetic.Historical.Document.

Three things have been emphasized: 1. Creation speaks to us. 2. The Word of God speaks to us. 3. The Son of God has spoken to us.

The writer of The Epistle to the Hebrews, gives us this warning:

Hebrews 2:1-4, NKJV “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

END OF PART 4.

Returning to The Epistle to the Ephesians, there is no question what is the central message of Paul’s letter?

The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us return to Ephesians 1:3-14.

I encourage you to go back to the beginning of this post and re-read these verses.

Notice in Ephesians 1:10, God has always purposed in Himself that at the right time, “He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on the earth–in Him.” (NKJV) (emphasis mine)

These words parallel what is written about Christ in Hebrews 1:1-4.

Jesus Christ is the One in whom all things are to be gathered. (emphasis mine)

Ephesians 4:10-13, NKJV, “He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (emphasis mine)

The centrality of this passage is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us that we are being matured (teleios-perfected) as sons and daughters of God, in the Lord Jesus Christ. (insert mine)

We are coming “to the unity of the faith” – a ‘oneness’ in the faith, as we grow in our ‘knowledge of the Son of God'( who is our standard of ‘perfection/maturity’) that Paul says, is “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (emphasis mine)

Paul is telling the Ekklesia to ‘grow up'( Ephesians 4:14-16 NKJV) “…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (emphasis mine)

To ‘grow up’ is to become mature.

END OF PART 5.

Would you believe that the words the ‘Lord Jesus Christ’ are used 42 times in the Ephesian Epistle?

When I first read that; my thought was, it that true?

It is true.

Not only did I read that information once; but twice.

However, the title, Son of God is used only once, and we read that in Ephesians 4:13.

Why are the words, ‘Lord Jesus Christ’ used so often by Paul in this letter?

AI overview gives a very concise and accurate answer; and it expands its answer to give a more detailed explanation.

[I am sure you understand that this is a ‘machine’s’ answer.]

Therefore,

I would like to share a Pastor’s comment.

This comment is from his blog dated February 8, 2014.

It was shared with his parishioners telling them that “Tomorrow morning I am preaching on Ephesians 4:29-30”.

His sermon topic was about the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

He also shared this. “The Son of God is used only once in 4:13. However, the title, Lord Jesus Christ, is used 42 times (Eph 1:1 ff, 5, 9, 12, 17, 20; 2:5 ff, 10, 12f, 20; 3:1, 4, 6, 8, 11,17,19, 21; 4:12f, 15,20, 32; 5:2, 5, 14, 20f, 23ff, 29, 32; 6:5f, 23f. Paul used this title more often than the Son of God to show the divine power of the God man, Jesus Christ (the resurrected man Jesus is God) and to distinguish the Son from the Father. Again, I am not counting all the pronouns referring to the Son.”

(note: I have been unable to find the name of the Pastor. The church is the Redeemer Church in the Champaign-Urbana Illinois area.)

END OF PART 6.

Recently, I was reading a devotional, by T. A. Sparks, and was challenged with this thought: ‘the Christ who was resurrected from the tomb was greater than the Christ who was buried in the tomb.’

Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man was buried in a human body in a tomb. (emphasis mine)

Hebrews 10:5-7, NKJV(quote from Psalm 40:6-8), “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–In the volume of the book it is written of Me–To do Your will, O God. ‘ ” ” (emphasis mine)

Jesus lived in the same type of body as we live in; but without sin. (Philippians 2:5-11; II Corinthians 5:17) (emphasis mine)

Therefore, He is the perfect sacrifice for sin.

God’s Sacrificial Lamb.

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29b, NKJV)

I Corinthians 15:42-49, Paul explains the reason why the resurrected Christ in His resurrected body is greater than the body of Jesus that was buried in the tomb. (emphasis mine)

The entirety of I Corinthians 15 addresses the message of the Gospel, the hope of the Gospel, the power of the resurrection, and what is the fullness of resurrection with respect to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. (boldness mine)

I recommend that you read I Corinthians 15.

I want to point out that Paul’s words explain God’s principle of resurrection.

verses 42-49, NKJV, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown in a natural body, it is raised in a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.“ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”

The principle is that ‘what is resurrected’ is greater than ‘what is buried’.

Q: Do you believe that?

That is what took place with Jesus’ bodily resurrection.

That is what Paul is talking about in the above passage.

END OF PART 7.

Paul also describes this in Romans 8:18-25.

I encourage you to read this passage.

Continuing in Chapter 15:53-56, NKJV, ” For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Simply put, Jesus was sown in a natural body, and He was raised in a spiritual body.

In I Corinthians 15:20-28, NKJV, Paul addresses the issues surrounding the validity of the resurrection.

He explains, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (died). For since by man came death, by Man also came resurrection from the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. the last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (insert mine)

Then the end of time will come; the last ‘tick’ of the redemptive clock will occur; and time will be no more; everything will have been carried out that was purposed in the heart of God, the Father, before the creation of the world. (emphasis mine)

The Word of God, God’s Prophetic.Historical.Document, in The Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapter 21, verses 1-8 NKJV, gives us this prophetic vision,

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John (Apostle John), saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, ” Behold I make all things new.” Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done!” I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be His God and he shall be my son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the Lake which burn with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”” (insert mine)

Paul said it this way, in II Corinthians 5:1-11 NKJV

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether, present or absent to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

Remembering the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that was shared earlier in this post:

John 3:16 says, “For God-so loved -the world-that He gave-His only Begotten Son-that whosoever believes in Him-should not perish-but have everlasting life.”

Paul reminds us, in II Corinthians 5:17, NKJV:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”

END OF PART 8.

Conclusion-W.R.A.P.-wrapping it up!

God’s P.H.D., the Word of God, tells us what was ‘purposed’ in Father’s heart before the creation of the world in eternity past. (emphasis mine)

Many believe that we are very close to the second coming of Christ of that we are certain.

Our task, now, is to be Watchful, be Ready, be Alert, and Praying-looking up for our redemption draws near (context Luke 21:20-28).

What God purposed in His heart before the foundation of the world will be fulfilled just as He desired it to be completed. (emphasis mine)

I trust that you have been encouraged with these passages.

Jesus said in Luke 21:25-28 NKJV, verse 28, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up you heads, because your redemption draws near.”

What things?

Please read, reflect, and recall Matthew 24, 25.

Until the moment of Christ’s return, we are to: be Watching; be Ready; be Alert; and be in Prayer.

blessings, your brother in Christ, deo

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