Tag: bible

At The Cross, At The Cross…

A man was nailed to a cross between two other men on a hill called Golgotha, which is also known as Calvary.

That man was Jesus.

His death on the cross was His Father’s intended result for His Son who had been born of an earthly woman, named Mary, who was a virgin. (Galatians 4:4,5)

His birth began, no doubt, with a cry of ‘the breath of life’; and His death ended in a cry of anguish with the words “It is finished”. (John 19:30)

God in human flesh.

Who could of known?

Actually, it was no secret.

It is called the Incarnation of Christ.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publically to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her privately. But after he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus [The Lord is salvation], for He will save His people from their sins.” All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet [Isaiah]: “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL” — which translated , means, “GOD WITH US” [Is. 7:14] .” (Matthew 1:18-23,The Amplified Version)

The entirety of the Word of God is about Jesus Christ, Who is the Word of God. (John 1:1-5)

In the above passage in Matthew, the words, “…she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit” are the words that explain the miracle of the Incarnation.

Consider this passage found in Philippians 2:3. The Apostle Paul is encouraging the believers in Philippi to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.” (The Amplified Version)

To whom does the Apostle point the believers?

Christ.

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing, the fullness of all the divine attributes-the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human (*Incarnation) but was without sin, being fully God and fully man] (*Son of God/Son of Man). After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man[for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by being obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on the cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [Isaiah 45:23] and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.” {Philippians 2:4-11, The Amplified Version} (*inserts mine)

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS…

The Man, Christ Jesus, hangs there, nailed to a cross.

The fulfillment of the words that you just read.

The Apostle Matthew writing about Jesus, on the cross, says, in Matthew 27:45-51, The Amplified Version:

“Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.); [Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49] About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABCHTHANI?” this is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? [Psalm 22:1] When the bystanders there heard it, they began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, soaked it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. [Psalm 69:21; Mark 15:36f; Luke 23:36; John 19:29,30] But the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him [from death].” And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan. [John 10:18]”

John 10:17-18 (The Amplified Version), “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back. No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.”

His words caused a division among the Jews that heard what He said.

His words still cause division among many people who hear His words.

John 10:20-21 (The Amplified Version), “Many of them said, “He has a demon and He is mad[insane-He raves and rambles]. Why listen to Him?” Others were saying, “These are not the words and thoughts of one possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Q: What do you believe regarding the person of Jesus?

Q: Who is this person nailed on a cross?

Q: Is He truly the Son of God who took on human flesh for the specific purpose of dying on a cross?

Q: Why did He need to come and take on human flesh to die on the cross?

A: “Because 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.” (John 3:16-17, NKJV)

Q: Saved from what?

A. God’s wrath of judgment against sin.

Romans 1:18-19, (The Amplified Version), “For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, because that which is known about God is evident with them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them.” (emphasis mine)

Romans 3:21-26, (The Amplified Version), “But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law , though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] (*all humanity) who believe[and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction,[I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28] since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified[declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption[the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] (*AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS) as a [life giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood[to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness[which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus[and rely confidently on Him as Savior].” {emphasis mine} (*insert mine)

Here is something we must all understand.

Heaven and hell are real destination places. Heaven is the destination for those that accept Christ as their personal Savior. Hell is the destination for those who do not accept Christ as their personal Savior. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Tough words but true.

The Word of God has made it abundantly clear that there is nothing that an individual human being can do of his/her own merit that is acceptable to God because God is Holy. Each human being has a sin nature. Therefore, it is impossible for them to do anything to satisfy the righteousness of God that would appease His wrath against sin. He is Absolute Holiness.

What can be done to rectify this impossible situation?

God did it.

How?

2 Corinthians 5:21, The Amplified Bible, “He (*God) made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him (*Jesus) we would become the righteousness of God[that is, we would be made acceptable to Him (*God) and placed in a right relationship with Him (*God) by His (*God’s) gracious lovingkindness.”

This was done AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS….

God in His grace and mercy, demonstrated His love for all humanity, “that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed the message of reconciliation[that is , restoration to favor with God]. (2 Corinthians 5:19, The Amplified Version)

Ephesians 2:8-9, The Amplified Version, reminds us, “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved[actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not the result of [your] works [nor your attempt to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].”

The Bible says, Romans 10:13, (The Amplified Version), “For WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [in prayer] WILL BE SAVED.” [Joel 2:32]

A personal note: I am not criticizing the above verse; however, I would like to comment on the inserted words [in prayer]. I am confident that many people have cried out to God to be saved simply by asking Him to save them; and there was no formal prayer like you may be envisioning. The important thing is to say something–Lord, I need you, please save me; or it may be longer–I believe You are the Son of God, that you died on a cross for me, Your blood was shed for me, please forgive my sin, thank you for saving me. You may not even say all those words. Consider the thief hanging on a cross next to Jesus. He simply asked the Lord to “remember me when You come into His kingdom!” The Lord ‘sees’ the desire of your heart; He hears the words of your mouth; and He knows the truth of your sincerity. “Jesus said to him, Today, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-32, The Amplified Bible)

Act 4:12 (The Amplified Version), “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved[for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].

That name is Jesus.

Why must Jesus take on human flesh?

Let me share what I believe to be a very significant reason.

Romans 5, the Apostle Paul, clearly shows us two men; the first man Adam; the second man, Christ.

Sin came into the world through one man’s disobedience, Adam.

Through the obedience of one man, Jesus Christ, the results of Adams’s disobedience was completely annulled.

This is what is clearly explained in Romans 5.

I encourage you to read the entire chapter.

Adam sinned in a body, human flesh.

Christ obeyed in a body, human flesh.

What was brought into God’s creation through disobedience in a body; needed to be dealt with by obedience in a body.

That is how God planned for it to be dealt with.

The writer to the Hebrew Christians makes this point very poignantly.

Hebrews 10 is entitled, One Sacrifice of Christ is Sufficient. (The Amplified Version)

I encourage you to read the entire chapter.

[Quoting The Amplified Bible]

Hebrews 10:5, Therefore, when Christ enters into the world, He says, “SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, but [instead] YOU HAVE PREPARED A BODY FOR ME [to offer]; IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO DELIGHT. THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD-[TO FULFILL] WHAT IS WRITTEN OF ME IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK.’ ” [Psalm 40:6-8]

What does this imply?

Hebrews 10:10-14, “And in accordance with this will[of God] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified[that is set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ(the Messiah, the Anointed) once for all. Every priest stands [at his altar of service] ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over, which are never able to strip away sins[that develop and cover us];” (emphasis mine)

{Note: the reference to the priests is a representation of each one of us trying to do some ‘work’ to satisfy God to “strip away sins [that envelop and cover us]”. The priests could not do it; neither can we.}

(continuing), “whereas Christ, having offered the one sacrifice (Romans 5)[the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself] for sins for all time, (*in His body) SAT DOWN [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD[the position of honor], waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES ARE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.[Psalm 110:1]. For by one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified[bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity]. (*insert mine)

Hebrews 9:22, tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, Jesus was nailed there in a body.

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, Jesus shed His blood for sin of the world. (John 1:29)

His death was the One Sufficient Sacrifice that His Father required for sin to be dealt with.

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, justice and mercy collided. The wrath of God was completely satisfied, and new life in Christ was made possible.

Death died, sin can be forgiven, and life can be lived in a body by those who put their faith and trust and Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. (Galatians 2:20)

Not only did Christ die, but He was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

His Resurrection from the dead validates everything that is written about Him in the Word of God and everything that He said about His Father and Himself. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

It also assures us of living eternally with Him in heaven if we have placed out faith and trust in Him. This is our blessed hope. (Titus 2:11-14)

God the Father does not send any human being to hell.

Hell is a place God prepared for Satan and the angels who followed him. (Matthew 25:41)

Each individual human being must decide whether or not to believe that Jesus is God’s Son, who was sent as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

If a person does not make that confession of faith, then that individual will spend his/her eternal lifetime in hell separated from God.

2 Peter 3:9 (The Amplified Version), says, “The Lord does not delay (*His coming) [as though He was unable to act] and is not slow about His promise (*to return) as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (*insert mine)

What about you?

Have you come to Christ?

Have you asked Him to be your Savior?

I encourage you to call out to Him now.

He is waiting with anticipation for you to call upon His name and be saved.

1 Timothy 2:1,2 the Apostle Paul is urging believers to pray for all those in authority so that the Church “…may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:2b, The Amplified Version).

Paul continues, “This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the divine truth. For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom [a substitutionary sacrifice to atone ] for all, the testimony given at the right (*Galatians 4:4) and proper time. (1 Timothy 2:3-6, The Amplified Version)

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday hearing thunderous cheering and the proclamation, “Hosanna to the Son of David”; at the end of the week, He heard the crowds shouting, “crucify Him, crucify Him”. (Matthew 21:9; 27:22,23)

What was the result?

Jesus died AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS for you….

I am a sinner saved by grace, you can be too, deo

This is not a Post, it’s a Personal Journal Entry. Text: Isaiah 10

March 3, 2025

Reflecting upon Isaiah 10:20-34 from yesterday’s teaching sermon at North Creek Church, by Pastor Kent Dresdow.

Father, these past two weeks, I have been shown from Your Word by Pastor Kent that those whom you have raised up for Your sovereign purpose to judge Your people, because of their unfaithfulness to You, (because they were sharing their love with others and rejecting Your love, and covenant care for them), will be judged themselves, especially because they have arrogantly asserted themselves, beyond Your intended purposes. Therefore, they will be judged accordingly-Thank you Father for a promise of a remnant-those who focus on You, overcome, and remain faithful, listening to what you are speaking by Your prophet, hearing the Word of the Lord, inspired by You/the Holy Spirit. This is the same intent you have always had for Your people-to hear Your Word, inspired by the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-18), to be Your Church-Your called out ones-Father, give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to Your Church today.

This journal entry is roughly written, but that is ok.

Isaiah 10:10-34, the king of Assyria, boasts arrogantly.

Some additional thoughts.

God raises up individuals and/or nations for a specific task.

God has a specific assignment for them to do.

The reality is that most of the time such individuals and/or nations do not realize that they are being directed by the sovereignty of God.

A problem comes, when that individual and/or nation becomes proud in their heart-and acts arrogantly believing that they are invincible.

That arrogance of the heart is Satan driven.

God hates arrogance. That is saying it mildly.

God will judge all such arrogance.

In the context of Isaiah 10, this very dynamic is taking place.

God raises up Assyria to judge His people; the king of Assyria becomes arrogant; After God used Assyria to judge His people; God judges Assyria; God also promises His people that there will be a remnant; God intervenes mightily for His people; and in Isaiah 11 speaks of the coming of the Messiah.

As I shared in my previous post, I am concerned for President Trump and his administrative team that they will not become ‘arrogant’ and assert themselves beyond the assignment that God wills for them to do.

Remember the Church is in the world; but the Church is not to be part of the world. (John 17)

The Church must pray and intercede for President Trump and all those in authority over us. ( 1 Timothy 2: 1-15)

The Church must rest in the sovereignty of God regarding the leaders of the governments of the nations in this world. (Romans 13:1-14)

The Church must acknowledge the Authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Head of the Body, and the King of the Kingdom. (Ephesians 1:15-23)

The Church must abide in the Lord Jesus Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit, and live obediently to the Word of God. (John 15:4-8; Romans 8:5-28; John 14:15)

As Jesus said, if you want to be My disciple, then this is what you need to do daily: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27; Luke 14:27-35.)

Read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

I recommend that you read Isaiah 10, especially in the Amplified Version if it is available.

Rooted in Christ’s Kingship, a brother in Christ, deo

Words of Caution to the Church, An Immediate Prayer Request

This post was originally published last March, 2025. I have been reminded of the need to pray for our administration. It is always important.

But its importance has been elevated because of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, September 10, 2025.

Our nation is being awakened to the real spiritual battle that it faces every day of its existence.

‘Unprecedented unrest’,’ the spirit of antichrist’, ‘unrestrained lawlessness’, ‘increased violence’ ‘virulent rhetoric’comes to mind to characterize our nation’s atmosphere.

Today is September 20, 2025, the day before Charlie Kirks memorial service.

I encourage you to read this re-post.

____________________________________

Words of Caution to the Church, An Immediate Prayer Request

In the previous post (Another Heavenly Coming , 3/4/25), the Church was reminded of its position before the Lord functioning in the world. The Church must remember that God is Sovereign.

All the leaders of the nations are in their places of leadership because of God’s will and purpose.

Each leader is individually responsible to God .

God will judge and reward each national leader’s performance carrying out their duty.

The Church is responsible to pray for the administrative leadership of their nation and submit ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently ‘to their authority.

The members of the Church are first citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Each individual member of the Church lives his/her life in the world but not a part of the world.

In Christ, we are separated from the world, the flesh, and the devil. (I John 2:15-17)

We are being conformed to the image of Christ.

We are functioning as members of the Body of Christ, fulfilling our assigned spiritual vocation, using the spiritual gifts given to us to build up the Body in love; and fulfilling the work that God Himself has designated for every believer before the foundation for the world. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Why?

If we focus on the venom of the verbal rhetoric that is being spewed forth daily in our nation that rhetoric can infiltrate into our heart and mind, and darken our soul.

What happens within us if we focus on such negative rhetoric?

We will find ourselves coming into alignment with the ‘spirit of the world’ and not in alignment with the Spirit of God.

How do I know this?

I have been there; and I must constantly guard myself against listening to the offensive political rhetoric and subtly embracing the mindset of the world.

I confess to you that is very easy to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; believing that you are strong enough to listen to the world’s rantings and assume that it will not affect you.

Wrong!

I have been there believing that I can handle this; that I can criticize those in authority over me; and not become affected in my personal attitude.

I am not strong enough.

The Lord showed me my fallacy; and He helped me to overcome my weakness.

In the midst of the administrative upheaval since the re-election of President Trump, our nation has been experiencing a political earthquake that has resulted in a daily shaking of the political landscape that has unsettled many people.

I support the re-election of President Trump.

I am aware there are many people in this nation, and probably around the world that do not support his re-election.

Many despise and hate him; yet, there are many who support the changes he is bringing to our nation.

Many citizens of this nation voted for him because of what he promised he would change.

Others supported him, because they did not support the Democratic platform and their agenda to govern their administration of this nation.

In my previous posts, I have explained my personal struggle and my conclusion as to why I chose to vote for the Republican party platform.

I have been confronted by members of my own family that do not agree with me.

That is ok.

The bottom line for me was a matter of personal conscience before the Lord.

Each individual believer will one day stand alone before the Lord to give an account of their life as a follower of Jesus Christ.

My eternal salvation is not dependent upon who I voted for in each election during my lifetime.

My desire is to please my heavenly Father.

The choices that I make, the words that I speak, the works that I do, either glorify the Lord or they do not bear witness to His life in me.

We are told to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

If the Church is going to live up to its calling and walk as children of light in this world of darkness, then it must learn and practice the teaching of Ephesians 4-6. (especially Ephesians 5:20-26.)

Please read these verses in the context of what I have been sharing.

As previous posts have explained, I believe Psalm 64 will be fulfilled.

( I recommend that you read the post: A Time To Read it Again)

God has shot His A.R.R.O.W.

Adonai’s Righteous Revelation Of Wrongdoing is being exposed.

There are many who are being wounded, and will be wounded by the revelation of their own malicious words that they have spewed out upon others that will ‘boomerang’ and come back and wound them. (Psalm 64:7-10)

What will be revealed will not be pleasant.

God doesn’t take sides politically.

He is no ‘respecter of persons’. (Romans 2:11-16)

God will judge righteously.

God is not mocked; individuals will reap what they have sown.

(Galatians 6:7-8)

I offer the following as a word of caution.

The Church must pray for President Trump and his administrative team as they implement changes in this nation.

Why?

If you recall my previous posts about the nation of Israel, and God’s intended purpose to bring them out of the bondage of Egypt and into the Promised Land, then you will recall that the original leadership of Moses and Aaron were not allowed to go into the land.

Why?

Because they disobeyed what God had told them to do.

God had told Moses to speak to the rock.

God said that He would bring out water from the rock to provide ‘drink’ for His people that were ‘grumbling and complaining’ about the lack of water.

Ironically, this is what happened 3 days after God had brought His people through the Red Sea and drowned Pharaoh and his army in that same Red Sea. (Exodus 15:22-26) At this time God had Moses strike the rock. Moses struck the rock and the water came forth.

In Numbers 20, Moses did not speak to the rock as God had instructed him; he struck the rock twice out of frustration and anger.

Moses, throughout his entire lifetime of leadership had listened to the people he was leading ‘grumble and complain’.

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, at the very precipice of entering the land of promise, when he was confronted once more with the people’s ‘grumbling and complaining’, Moses seeks God about how to handle the situation.

God tells him what to do; and He tells him what He will do.

Moses and Aaron, carrying out their administrative appointment, as the governmental leaders of the nation of Israel, do not follow God’s directive.

I, submit, that Moses and Aaron, listened to the ‘grumbling and complaining’ of the people, allowing the spirit of the people, entrance into their own spirit disobeying God’s word to them.

The consequences was that Moses did not execute his office of leadership according to the Spirit of God through obedience to God’s directive; but he exercised his leadership, influenced by the lawless spirit of the people of Israel that ‘grumbled and complained’ and he struck the rock twice (Numbers 20).

Moses struck the rock out of anger (his personal rebellion and lawlessness) ‘governed’ by his own spirit.

God graciously met the need of His people.

The water came out of the rock.

The people received what they had ‘grumbled and complained’ about.

In Exodus 15:25, God made the bitter waters sweet; and then directed them to Elim where there were 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees.

[Many believe the 12 wells represent the 12 tribes of Israel, and the 70 palm trees represent the original 70 descendants of the nation of Israel that entered Egypt in the time of famine.]

Moses and Aaron’s disobedience misrepresented the character of God.

God’s Spirit is gracious and merciful, because He loves His people.

That does not mean He approves of their sinfulness.

God judges His people for their sinfulness.

Moses and Aaron’s disobedience went beyond what God had told them to do.

This is my concern for President Trump and his administrative team and all whom God is using at this time to bring about change in our nation.

I pray, and ‘beseech’ the Church to pray that those in the places of authority, raised up by the sovereignty of God, will stay within their appointed leadership boundaries, asking and doing what God directs them to do; and not allow themselves to be influenced by the opposing rhetoric that is shouting, grumbling, complaining, and hurling venomous rhetoric at them.

I pray that the ‘words’ of the world wisdom will not influence the minds and hearts of those in authority over us, so that they are negatively influenced in their souls.

We must not be ‘governed’ by individuals who ‘govern’ out of their own ‘self-government’ and not the government of God, ‘governed’ by the Spirit of God.

Remember, the Church is called to stand against the principalities, power, and evil rulers that seek to influence our lives. (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

These past two weeks (March 2025), Pastor Kent Dresdow, Senior Pastor at North Creek Church, has made it very clear what happens to individuals, who God has sovereignly chosen to use for His purposes, take matters into their own hands, and go beyond the boundaries that God had originally planned for them to accomplish.

I recommend that you read Isaiah 10.

To summarize Pastor Kent’s teaching, when a person goes beyond what God intends, that person becomes arrogant and boastful.

God hates arrogance and boasting.

As mentioned before, God will judge such individuals with righteous justice

Why?

The source of pride and arrogance is Satan, himself, who said that he will be like God. (Isaiah 14:12-17)

Our task as the Church, is to pray that President Trump and his administrative team will not become arrogant and prideful; that President Trump and his administrative team will stay within the sovereign purposes of God that He has ordained for this nation and the nations of the world, as he exercises his office as the President of the United States of America.

As the Lord taught us to pray, our prayer is that the Lord will not lead them (President Trump and his team ) into temptation, but to deliver them from the evil (evil one[Satan]), because the kingdom is God’s “and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13, as paraphrased by myself)

Thank you for praying for our leadership as I Timothy 2:1-7 directs us to do it daily.

Remember, that the enemy, Satan himself, is relentless, constantly fighting against the work of God.

Therefore, the Church must pray. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

The Church must humble itself before the Lord, resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7-10) [Read the context in James 4:1-17]

Our battle is daily, until ‘that Day’ when God ‘ends’ it; however, until ‘that Day’, our refuge is in Christ.

(See rpmministries.org, 36 Scripture Passages on Safety and Refuge in God: Home, Safe, and Sound)

I am sure that you have your own personal scriptures that you seek out for refuge.

What is your personal favorite?

I encourage you to seek out your personal passage of scripture that is yours when you seek refuge in the Lord.

blessings, your brother in Christ, who, too, takes refuge in our Lord, Deo

(Psalms 62, Psalm 46, Psalm 37)

Another Heavenly Coming.

Moses, the chosen leader by God Himself to lead His people out of the land of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land, has died.

The nation of Israel was at the doorstep of entering the Promised Land roughly 40 years after they had been miraculously delivered from the land of Egypt.

Israel’s deliverance was a ‘Heavenly Coming’. (See Exodus 1-15)

The Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy document the history of the nation of Israel and their relationship to their God.

God’s intent was to fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,the fathers of the nation of Israel; however, the nation of Israel, did not really know the God of their fathers; therefore, God, because of His love for His people sought to make Himself known to them and to establish His ‘government’ in their hearts.

If you would like in depth understanding what God was doing, I recommend that you read Deuteronomy 8.

Again, Moses has died, and God has buried him. (Deuteronomy 34:1-8)

Deuteronomy 34:9-12 relates to us the transference of leadership from Moses to his servant, Joshua.

“Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses. Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord know face to face, [none equal to him] in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and in all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” (Amplified Version)

Joshua has assumed his new responsibility

The Book of Joshua continues the history of the nation of Israel under his leadership.

Joshua 1:1-9, the Lord comes to Joshua, and engages him, as He had engaged Moses, his predecessor.

I would like to encourage you to envision what the Lord said to Joshua as words you, can personally receive as you walk with the Lord; words that will encourage and strengthen you by the Holy Spirit; and instructs you to daily meditate upon the Word of God, knowing that the Lord Who spoke to Joshua, is the same Lord that speaks to you daily, and says,”I will never leave you nor forsake you”.(Joshua 1:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5)

Also, I would like to encourage you to envision these same words spoken to Joshua as words that Jesus would say to His Church, the Body of Christ, the Israel of God to encourage and instruct it serves Him who is the Head of the Church.

Let us now read this passage of scripture for our edification.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you observe to do according to all that is written in til For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The Person of Jesus Christ, Who is our Lord and Savior, we have in ‘Him’ the complete fulfillment of these words to Joshua.

The name Joshua means, “Jehovah saves” or “the Lord is salvation”, and corresponds to the NT name “Jesus”. (Introduction to ‘The Book of Joshua’, MacArthur Study Bible)

Many years prior to this moment, Joshua had been selected by Moses to be one the 12 men that were sent out to ‘spy out’ the Promised Land.

The spies reported that there were giants in the land and by comparison the people of Israel were grasshoppers. (Numbers 13:33)

The land they ‘scouted out’ was a good land and plentiful with food; but there were these ‘giant’ obstacles.

10 of the spies said that the people of the land were stronger than they were, and gave a bad report about the land; however, 2 of the spies, Joshua and Caleb ,gave a good report and said that the nation of Israel should go up and ‘take the land’ of promise. (Numbers 13)

It is interesting that in Numbers 13:30, it says that Joshua “quieted the people before Moses” and said that the nation should go up and capture the land.

This is the same Joshua that has taken Moses’ place of leadership after his death.

Unfortunately, the people’s ‘grumbling and complaining’ before Moses and Aaron throughout the night, and their desire to stone Moses and Aaron really infuriated God . (Read Numbers 14)

The people’s verbal rebellion against Moses and Aaron’s leadership in God’s sight was ‘grumbling and complaining’ against God Himself.

The result of their rebellious hearts precipitated God’s judgment for them to wander for 40 years in the wilderness until the adult generation that ‘grumbled and complained’ completely had died in the wilderness.

God’s judgment is a ‘Heavenly Coming’.

And the ‘Heavenly Coming’ keeps coming.

[A note of transition: In the wilderness there was a tent of meeting for God and Moses to talk. The ‘Heavenly Coming’ wasn’t very far away in the natural world. This tent was outside the camp, where God and Moses met(Exodus 33:7), and Joshua was sometimes there too. (Exodus 33:11)]

I would encourage you to read Numbers 15 to see God’s heart for His people and the future He had for them in spite of the disobedience.

This has been my introduction to the next POST.

Let’s stop here, take a deep breath, and then continue.

Blessings, deo

A Thoughtful Consideration

On Tuesday, March 4, President Trump will be addressing a joint session of Congress giving a State of the Union address.

It is no stretch of the imagination to believe that all of the people who ‘watch’ this address in our nation and throughout the world will have their own ‘prejudicial mindset’ of President Trump, me included.

To believe otherwise is simply not true.

(Yes, I know it is possible for someone not to know about President Trump, but that probability is small, and nit picking that mindset, is absurd.)

No matter, how personally righteous, one may feel about themselves, the reality is that each one of us has our own personal feelings, mindset, and opinion of President Trump.

As such, when one watches his address, hears it later, reads it later, or listens to those who evaluate and discuss what he said and propose what the truth of his intentions mean, are influenced by their mindset.

Some have the mind-set of ‘never Trump’; some have the mind-set of ‘hatred’; some have the mind-set of ‘dictator’ and/or destroyer of democracy; some have the mind-set of believing everything he says is ‘true’; and some have the mind-set of a ‘MAGA mentality’, and some have a quieter mindset of hope being restored nation in our nation.

For me personally, I take solace in the mindset of people who voted for hope being restored in our nation.

Actually, the demographics of the populace vote is varied with regard to their mindset.

That is what a Constitutional Republic is all about.

The reality is that all of the above are true spread throughout the populace of this nation and throughout the world; and there are various ‘shades of gray mentally’ that are the result of the intersection of the above mentioned mentalities.

There are even some who honestly believe in themselves insisting that they have a more ‘balanced mentality’ approach to President Trump.

I do not despise that; but I know that we are all afflicted with a ‘prejudicial mentality’ toward any subject, whether it’s President Trump or something else.

Some of these mindsets are positive; some of these mindsets are negative; and some of those mindsets are , like I said, gray.

When his address is completed; and his words have been heard, then the ‘prejudicial mindsets’ juices will start to flow and there will be an plethora of words that will be vocalized and written interpreting the meaning and purpose of his agenda.

Some people will be totally approving; some people will be totally critical; some will be polite and hesitant; some people will be unsure.

One’s response is ‘governed’ by one’s mindset.

Whatever category of mindset you fit into, your opinion, written or spoken will be apparent according to your words.

How do we know this?

“The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and moral out of the good treasure[stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved our of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.” Luke 6:45 Amplified Version.

Why am I saying this?

Your words reveal your heart.

This is what I, we, have all seen and heard since 2015.

The scenario is not new.

Most of the reported rhetoric regarding Mr. Trump has been accusatory, defaming, and deceitful.

I am not exonerating him of his own responsibility for the words he has spoken.

I am making an observation of reality.

Positive words directed toward Mr. Trump have been sparse since 2015; but they have been on an increase since his re-election; and now more positive words are being shared more openly than before.

Unfortunately, the converse is also true since his re-election.

The Church must remember I Peter 5:8, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

This tactic has been going on since the Garden of Eden.

This is Satan’s strategy against God.

We are in a spiritual warfare, please read Ephesians 6: 10-20.

Believers in Christ, be careful what you focus on after the State of the Union address.

Many words will be spoken and written.

There will be many opinions, ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’.

There will be those that will say ” ‘words’ looking they may ‘devour’ “

Remember, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6), therefore, we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift us up, and in Him, we can resist the devil and he will flee. (see James 4:7-8).

Therefore, be careful who and what you listen to too.

Remembering, you, too, have a ‘prejudicial mindset’ regarding President Trump.

As do, I.

Focus your attention on the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Be aware of what is going on around you; but do not be deceived or consumed by it.

Here is wisdom from the Lord.

Hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church in the last days,the ‘days of evil’.

blessings, a sojourner in Christ, deo

An Addendum To The Election

Reflecting back to when these posts began, they were given ‘birth’ by a poster carried by a protester after Donald Trump was elected President in 2016.

I believe it was in January 2017.

That’s a long time ago.

The sign said, ‘be ungoverned’.

What does ‘be ungoverned’ mean: lawlessness.

Quoting Got Questions, What does the Bible say about lawlessness?, the opening paragraph says, “To be lawless is to be contrary to the law or to act without regard to the law. Laws are necessary in a sinful world (I Timothy 1:9), and those who choose to act lawlessly further sin in the world. The word for “lawlessness” in the Bible is often translated “iniquity”. According to the Bible, the root of all lawlessness is rebellion.”

What have we witnessed in our nation as a result of his election in 2016?

The growth lawlessness that has borne the ‘fruit’ of those ‘two words’ written on that cardboard sign.

Those ‘two words’ are still resounding loud and clear today in 2025.

Their boisterousness has enlarged since the 2016 Presidential election.

The growth of lawlessness has resulted in chaos, confusion, corruption, and consternation in our nation.

What took place in 2016 at the election polls in 2016 repeated itself at the election polls in 2024.

Donald Trump was elected to be the President of the United States.

I know this is redundant; but the rhetoric against his re-election is still loud, disruptive, and irrational.

Mr. Trump promised change, if elected.

He was elected because he promised change; and now having been re-elected, he is following through with his promises of change.

There has been, literal, ‘screaming’ coming from those who oppose him; vehemently voicing their disapproval.

What will be the outcome of this political earthquake?

Only time will tell?

What I see happening, and many others also see happening , is the uncovering of the ‘deeds of darkness’ that have been overshadowing and influencing our nation for many years.

This uncovering of ‘darkness’ is the result of many praying for our nation.

I believe that the Lord will fulfill the words of Psalm 64.

Please read Psalm 64.

[If you are interested, please read the post, THE A.R.R.O.W. OF GOD]

God has shot His Arrow. (Psalm 64:7)

There will be ‘Adonai’s Righteous Revelation Of Wrongdoing.’

The evil words that have been spewed out over our nation (Psalm 64: 1-4) will come back upon those that spoke them, and they will be wounded by their own words. (Psalm 64:7-8)

Humanity will witness God’s uncovering; the effect of the wounding that occurs; and will know that it is a Heavenly Coming of God. (Psalm 64:8-9)

God ‘comes down’ in His own way;He sees the evil that prevails; and He exercises judgment and salvation according to His will and purpose. (Psalm 64:9)

[God ‘sought out’ Adam and Eve; God ‘came down’ in the days of Noah; God ‘came down’ in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah; God ‘came down’ in the days of Israel in Egypt… and we can follow this pattern throughout the Bible.]

God is a Righteous Judge.

He rules and reigns.

He is in complete control.

He is Sovereign.

In the context of Psalm 64:

Psalm 64:10 (Amplified Version) says, “The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; All the upright in heart will glory and offer praise.”

In our ‘days of evil’ (Ephesians 5:16), what is the Church responsible to do?

1. Remember Romans 13:1-7.

It’s all about who has the authority and why.

2. Remember I Timothy 2:1-7.

It’s all about praying for those in authority.

3. Remember Ephesians 6:5-9

It’s all about being submissive and obedient to authority.

4. Remember John 17:14-16

It’s all about Jesus’ prayer for us.

We are to be responsible citizens in the nation we live in; however, our primary responsibility is to our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are, first, the citizens of another kingdom, the Kingdom of God; then we are citizens of the nation in which we live.

Paul instructs the Church in Ephesus about how to live.

Read Ephesians 4-6

As followers of Christ, we are to be governed by Christ, obedient to His Word, guided and taught by the Holy Spirit, pleasing our God and our Father, to Whom, all praise, glory, and honor is due.

Remember, the ‘days are evil’ (Ephesians 5:16, 2 Timothy 3:1-17)

This is not something new.

Nevertheless, in our walk with the Lord, we need to be mindful to Whom our ultimate loyalty belongs.

When opposition comes, when an opposing ‘government’ asserts itself, or when we are faced with persecution for Christ’s sake, we must follow the example of Peter and John.

Please read, Acts 4:1-31.

What do we need to be willing to embrace, to endure, and not avoid?

Opposition for the name of Christ.

One of the most intriguing verses about Jesus, Who is the Son of God/Son of Man is found in Hebrews 5:8.

The context discusses His position as our eternal High Priest.

Hebrews 5:4-11, Amplified Version, “So too Christ did not glorify Himself so as to be made a high priest, but He [was exalted and appointed by One] who said to Him, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN (fathered) YOU [declared Your authority and rule over the nations]”; just as He also says in another place, YOU ARE A PRIEST [appointed] FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIEDEK.” In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both [specific] petitions and [urgent] supplications [for that which He needed] with fervent crying and tears to the One who was [always] able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God [His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will]. Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father] He learned [active and special] obedience through what He suffered. And having been made perfect[uniquely equipped and prepared as Savior and retaining His integrity amid opposition] He became the source of eternal salvation [an eternal inheritance] to all those who obey Him, being designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become *dull and sluggish in [your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen.” (emphasis mine) [*insert mine]

His willingness to obediently suffer, as the Lamb of God, becomes the source of salvation to those who obey Him. (emphasis mine)

We must not be “dull and sluggish in [ (our) your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen.” (insert mine)

How is your hearing?

What are you hearing?

To what are you attuned?

Do you know what the Spirit is saying to the Church today?

To each of the seven churches, listed in The Revelation, a letter was written to each church.

Toward the close of each letter the following was said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Why?

Christ, the Head of the Church, was correcting His Church.

What was the purpose of His correction?

Please read Hebrews 12:1-13.

So that the Church may ‘overcome’, be ready, steadfast and victorious in the Day of the Lord.

Please read Revelation 12.

Revelation 12 describes the spiritual battle between God and Satan.

There is constant angelic warfare.

The Church, by virtue of being in the world, lives in the reality of the constant spiritual warfare. (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

Revelation 12:11, says, “And they [the followers of Christ] overcame him [Satan] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.” (Amplified Version) [inserts mine]

Quoting the Spirit Filled Study Bible, KJV, (copyright 2020, commentary, page 1964),

Revelation 12:11 says:

“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). The church’s constant posture under the authority the authority of the cross’s victory by the blood of the Lamb and the steadfastness to the promise of God’s Word-the word of their testimony-is the key to their overcoming.”

[* commentary note regarding 1:9–“John experiences with his readers tribulation, or persecution on account of their faith, with patient endurance, which is steadfast courage under unjust suffering. However, attendant to the trials involved in the Christian life of the glory of the kingdom.”]

They were willing to suffer for Christ’s sake, even unto death.

Revelation 12:11, quoting George Eldon Ladd, a ‘Commentary on the Revelation of John’, copyright 1972, pages 172-173; he writes,

“And they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb. This shows clearly that the victory over Satan which John described in mythological terms actually was accomplished in history at the cross. The shed blood of Christ is the real means of victory over Satan. The secondary means is the word of their testimony; their witness to the saving power of the blood of Christ. The background of martyrdom stands on these words. They loved their Lord more than life itself and willingly suffered death rather than deny Christ. Jesus had said, “He who endures to the end [i.e., to the point of death] will be saved. (Matt. 24:13). Victory over Satan is not not physical victory to be found in the preservation of life or escape from the persecution he wages against the saints. They stood fast in their testimony to Christ and loved not their lives even unto death. Their very martyrdom was their victory over Satan; it proved that his accusations against the brethren were empty. It is clear that victory over Satan is a spiritual victory which is even won in the terrible experience of martyrdom.”

It is no secret that there are believers throughout the world that live in the ‘certitude’ of this verse (Revelation 12:11) everyday of their lives because of the spiritual opposition they face.

The western church in North America has not faced the fullness of this type of persecution described in Revelation 12:11.

However, that does not mean we are exempt from such opposition.

The Word of God does not exempt the followers of Christ from suffering.

Please read 1 Peter 2:11-25; 4:1-19.

In closing,

The ‘Epistle to the Hebrews’ was written “to wavering Jewish believers, encouraging them to stand fast in their faith. The writer points out the overwhelming superiority of Christ over all that they had experienced under the law. Jewish believers should never consider turning back because what Christ offers them is so much better than what the law had promised under the Mosaic economy. The author dwells on the incomparable glory of the Person and work of Christ, showing His supremacy over, prophets…angels…Moses…Joshua…Aaron…and the whole ritual of Judaism.” (Introduction to the ‘Epistle to the Hebrews’, Spirit Filled Life Bible, copyright 2020, page 1844, KJV)

Therefore, let us consider these words,

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the father’s 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 then they…Therefore we must give the 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 to be 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?” (Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-4 NKJV)

God, has Personally ‘come down’ in the Person of His Son, Jesus.

Jesus is still speaking to His Church today.

In fact, He is speaking loud and clear.

A ‘Heavenly Coming‘ has begun.

His voice is sounding forth with intensity and visibility throughout the earth.

It is even speaking in our nation, especially on college campuses.

Lord, as You said to Your seven churches, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

Thank you Lord for giving us ears to hear.

We praise You and glorify Thy name.

blessings, ‘Resting In Christ’s Kingship’, deo

His Comings Keep Coming! Part 4

2 Timothy 3:1-17 has different headings depending upon the translation used.

For example, the MacArthur Study Bible says, “Perilous Times, and Perilous Men”; The Spirit Filled Life Bible (KJV) says, “Perilous Times Shall Come”; Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible has no chapter title breaks; Master Study Bible says, “Difficult Times Will Come”; The Tree of Life Version says, “Opposition in the Last Days”; English Standard Version (ESV) says, “Godlessness in the Last Days”; The Message says, “Difficult Times Ahead”; “Kings James Version says, “Difficult Times Will Come”.

Question: What is the heading in your personal Bible?

‘Heaven is Coming‘ to confront ‘the evil days’.

God came down in the days of Noah. God came down in the days of the Tower of Babel. God came down in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Why did God come down ?

He came down to ‘see’ the evil.

The result of what He ‘saw’ was a Heavenly Coming.

Using the Exodus of Israel from Egypt as a template a second time, God came in response to His people crying out to Him for deliverance.

God keeps His covenant with His people.

He revealed Himself to Egypt (a type of the world), and specifically to Pharaoh, who boasted before Moses:

“Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2, NKJV)

That kind of arrogance will get God’s attention.

God made Himself known to Pharaoh( who represents the authority of Satan and his total opposition to the authority of God); to the nation of Egypt( a picture of the world); and to the nation of Israel (God’s people).

The process of God that He sent to set His people Israel free from the bondage of Egypt is a representation of the conflict that is in the universe between God and Satan.

It was God’s ‘Heavenly Coming’.

It is also a picture of God’s people who are in the world but not a part of the world. A world that is governed by the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2 NKJV)

The conflict is over who is in charge?

God or Satan.

The answer is God.

His opposition is Satan.

Is there a conflict?

Is there an ongoing battle?

Is God threatened by this conflict?

Absolutely not!

How has Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Creator of the world, the One and Only True God responded to this uprising by Satan?

His response actually took place before the foundation of the world in eternity.(Ephesians 1-3)

The explanation of His response is found from cover to cover within God’s written Word, the Bible.

God’s people today, the Church, the Ekklesia, like those who have gone before them, must take its stand in the Word of God.

Reflect on these words: “For you were once in darkness [Egypt, the world], but now you are light [out of the world, and ‘in Christ, Who is the Light of the world] in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [Egypt, the world], but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things which are exposed are made manifest by the light [Q: when you turn a light on, what leaves?)] for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” “. [Paul’s call to the Church is to remind them that they, too, were once not saved, in darkness, and they came to the light, now live like it.] Continuing, “See then that you walk circumspectly (carefully, [a marginal note]), not as fools [a fool is one who says there is no God,Psalms 14:1], but as wise (Proverbs 9:8-10) redeeming the time because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:8-16, NKJV) [inserts mine]

In context, Paul, speaking to the Church at Ephesus, is reminding them of their responsibility as Christians to be sure that their lifestyle does not reflect the lifestyle of the world but reflects the life of Christ to which they are being conformed.

Using Proverbs 9:8-10 Amplified Version, to help us focus,

“Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he that hates you; correct a wise man [who learns from his error] and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.”

This, I believe, is the teaching spirit of Paul, as he addresses the Ephesian Church in their midst of struggles to persevere and continue in faithfulness to the Lord.

If you have been a follower of my posts, then you know, and it is no surprise to you that the “days are evil”(Ephesians 5:16).

Am I sharing anything that the Body of Christ is not already aware of?

I sincerely doubt it.

Then, why, the posts?

I want you, Church, to see what Paul is teaching through encouragement and admonition to the Church at Ephesus.

He begins showing them that they are ‘seated in Christ’, “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name, that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.” (Ephesians 1:21, NKJV)

i.e.: seated above the “prince of the power of the air”.

Because of the finished work of the cross (Ephesians 2:1-10), “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… ” (Ephesians 2:4-6, NKJV)

Next, Paul (Ephesians 4-5) focuses their attention on ‘walking out’ what God has birthed within them, “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called”(Ephesians 4:1 NKJV); Ephesians 5:2, NKJV, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

Paul shares how Christ has loved us and how we should love one another.

Then in Ephesians 6:1-9, Paul focuses upon the importance of obedience in our earthly relationships, which is paramount to walking in love as Christ has loved us.

Finally, in Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul brings their attention to the importance of spiritual warfare.

Why? because the ‘days are evil’.

Read Ephesian 6:10-18.

Paul’s emphasis is to stand.

Why the emphasis on standing?

Because we, believers in Christ, the Body of Christ, the called out ones, are in the midst of a spiritual conflict, doing spiritual warfare, because the ‘days are evil’.

Let me say emphatically, the Church must awake to this realization in this hour of its existence.

In every generation, the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has realized its generational spiritual warfare.

There are many in the Body of Christ today that are fighting this ‘conflict’ daily, by praying and interceding for their loved ones, this nation, and the ‘slumbering church’ that does not understand where it sits; how it is to walk; and for what it is to stand.

Please look up Psalm 1 and read it carefully.

Many years ago, it was pointed out to me that the three words Paul structured his letter to the Ephesian Church-sit,walk, and stand-is the teaching of Psalm 1.

What is the blessing, admonition, and result of heeding the words of Psalm 1?

It is dependent upon your personal answers to the following questions.

Q: How is your relationship to the Lord?

Q: Does it reflect the characteristics and fruit of the world?

Q: Or, does it reflect the characteristics and fruit of Christ?

Remember-the ‘days are evil’.

This was emphasized at the beginning of this post.

Please read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

Question: Will your lifestyle as a believer in Christ Jesus withstand the evil influence and pressure of Ephesians 6:12, Amplified Version?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending with only physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly [supernatural] places.” (personal insert-this is another way of describing the ‘prince of the power of the air’ and his demons)

Remembering Ephesians 1:21 Amplified Version, who did Jesus conquer at the cross? “…all rule and all authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human]…”

Combine this with Colossians 2:15, Amplified Version, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession] having triumphed over them through the cross.”

I am not forgetting that Jesus is the Lamb of God that died as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

What the Church needs, is to be re-awakened, to the truth that there is an adversary-Satan, and the angels that rebelled with him.

The warfare between the Church and Satan will continue until Christ returns.

B.U.T. – But Understand This – Church!

The ‘work of the Cross’ won.

The power of Satan has been conquered.

One of the mysteries of the Sovereignty of God is His permission allowing Satan to continue to have the influence he exerts in the world today.

I Peter 5:8-9, Amplified Version, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined, be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry] seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack-rooted, established, immovable] {may I insert this thought? this is a picture of Ephesian 6:12, stand}, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone].

God’s Heavenly Comings are dramatic, bringing judgment and salvation.

God’s Heavenly Coming to His people, the nation of Israel, was manifested through 10 plagues.

God brought a Personal ‘saving’ revelation of Himself to His people and Personal revelation of ‘judgment’ to Pharaoh and to the nation of Egypt.

The night of the 10th plague, the nation of Israel, in obedience to God’s Word, stayed in their dwelling places, under the blood of a lamb. (Exodus 12)

They were saved.

Saved from what?

Those in the land of Egypt whose dwelling places did not have blood applied over the entrance to their household experienced judgment of the death of their first born. (Exodus 12:29-30)

The purpose of taking Israel ‘out’ of Egypt (type of the world, the kingdom of darkness) was so that He could bring them ‘into’ the land (type of the Kingdom of God) that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God is keeping His covenant with His people.

When we respond in faith to the message of the Gospel, He saves us, and brings out of sin and death and brings us into Christ in Whom we have the forgiveness of sin, and we are born again by the Spirit of God.

We are brought out of the kingdom of darkness(Egypt, world) and into the glorious Kingdom of Light(Kingdom of God).

We have passed from death unto life, because of the blood of Christ.

The nation of Israel came out ‘under the blood’ and went through the Red Sea on dry land.

We, too, come out of death because of the Blood of the Lamb and then our old nature is buried in the water (Red Sea) of baptism identifying with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We come up out of the water into the newness of life. The old has passed away and all things have become new in Christ Jesus. (insert mine)

I recommend that you read I Corinthians 10:1-13.

Just as the nation of Israel had to journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, so we, too, are on a spiritual journey with the Lord until He brings us into His Presence.

We must understand that we are walking with the Lord daily.

Our life’s journey is out from the world of darkness that has been left behind; and walking with Him through the wilderness chosen by Him to conform us to Himself and be a mature son or daughter of God, now.

God has brought out His people from under the government of the world, and led them into the wilderness to teach them about His rule and reign for their lives.

Guess what?

‘That’ is exactly the same journey we are on after we come to Christ and are saved; and then learn to live out our life with Him.

Our story is a story of learning the rule and reigning of God in our life.

So, who is in charge?

‘That’ is Paul’s heart for the Churches that h has founded.

‘That’ is the substance of his letters.

Read Philippians 3, in the Amplified Version it is entitled The Goal of Life.

Philippians 3:12 Amplified Version, reads, “Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.”

TBC

Blessings, your brother in Christ, on His journey with the Lord, learning His rule and reign in my life, too-deo

Heavenly Comings! Part 3

As I was pondering this subject of ‘Heavenly Comings’, it occurred to me that the entirety of Scripture is a series of God’s Sovereign Interventions, that I have called A Heavenly Coming.

Where does one begin? The Book of Genesis is all about God’s Heavenly Interventions, or His, A.I.s–Adonai’s Interventions.

I have chosen to introduce this POST using the Book of Exodus.

The story of the Exodus regarding the children of Israel from the land of Egypt is an incredible continuation of the history of God’s people that originated with God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jacob’s family history, his name being changed to Israel, and the events surrounding his son, Joseph, are historical interventions of God that were the backdrop for the Exodus of Israel from Egypt.

According to Exodus 12:40, on the ‘very’ day, when the nation of Israel left the land of Egypt after the tenth plague, Israel had lived in the land for 430 years. (See Genesis 15:1-19) [I know some question the word ‘very’]

The Exodus of the nation of Israel represents the culmination of God’s A.C.T.I.O.N on behalf of His people that were crying out for deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

The nation of Egypt and the nation of Israel are going to experience God’s Heavenly Coming.

His coming will be orchestrated by Him through two people, Moses and Aaron.

God sent ten plagues upon the nation of Egypt.

Some of these plagues fell up on the nation of Egypt and the nation of Israel; however, beginning with the fourth plague, the plagues fell only upon the nation of Egypt.

God told Moses, Exodus 8:22-24 NKJV, “And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.”

These words were spoken by Moses to Pharaoh.

Plagues four through ten occurred in the land of Egypt; but in the land of Goshen, in Egypt, where God’s people lived, the plagues did not affect the nation of Israel.

God’s intervention was a ‘real and tangible’ difference.

This was the type of ACTION God took to deliver His people.

The word A.C.T.I.O.N. has an acronym. (I like acronyms)

Adonai’s Chosen Time In Our Nation.

Regarding Israel, this was Adonai’s Chosen Time In the Nation of Egypt.

God’s ACTION was His ‘Heavenly Coming’.

The nation of Israel was delivered from Egypt through a series of ten plagues. (Exodus 5-12:36)

The ten plagues caused a lot of ‘ten‘sion.

They were miraculously delivered from Egypt.

Pharaoh and his army pursued Israel soon after they left Egypt.

The nation of Israel found themselves between the Red Sea that was before them, and Pharaoh and his army that was behind them. (Exodus 14:1-12)

Let’ say, they were between a ‘rock and a hard place’.

Circumstantial or by design?

There is no doubt this is God’s sovereignty at work watching over His people.

What a wonderful opportunity for God to reveal Himself.

Does it surprise you that Adonai Intervened?

Absolutely not!

God divided the Red Sea so that Israel passed through on dry ground.

Pharaoh and His army attempting to do the same thing by pursuing them were drowned in that sea by ‘Adonai’s Intervention’ after Israel had safely passed through to the other side. (Exodus 14:13-31)

Israel’s Exodus from Egypt is the beginning of what becomes an arduous journey in the wilderness for Israel.

It was God’s plan to bring His people into the land promised to Israel’s patriarchs: Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. (Genesis 12-50)

Fast forward to Joshua 5:13-15.

Israel has ‘just crossed over’ the Jordan River into the promised land that God had promised to Israel for their homeland.

What does ‘just crossed over’ mean in the history of the nation of Israel?

Their ‘just crossing over’ was 40 years after their departure from Egypt.

Why the delay?

Their unbelief, had put on hold, an entire generation from inheriting the promise of God.

Everyone in the adult generation that had departed originally from Egypt died in the wilderness, except for Joshua, Caleb, and two others.

What happened?

Joshua and Caleb were two of twelve spies sent into the land to ‘check it out’ and report back.

The twelve spies returned.

Ten spies said ‘we can’t do this’; Joshua and Caleb, believed God, and said, ‘Yes, we can do this’.

The bad report prevailed and the result was a 40 year history of wandering in the wilderness until the unbelieving generation had completely died.

Because Joshua and Caleb believed God to fulfill His Word as promised, God was with them (as they waited in the wilderness) and they finally entered the promised land.

But they had to wait until all the previous people who did not believe died out.

The report of the spies said that there were ‘giants’ in the land. (Numbers 13-14)

Their report was true.

The nation of Israel ‘grumbled’ and ‘complained’

This was their normal response since they entered into the wilderness after leaving Egypt.

Initially, they rejoiced, having witnessed, God’s overthrow of Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.

Three days later, when a need arose, instead of realizing that the same God that had brought them out of Egypt was in their midst, they forget what God had done to Pharaoh and his army, and they grumbled and complained.

In fact, they thought it would be better to return to Egypt.

I would like to suggest that you stop here and take time to read Deuteronomy 8.

Deuteronomy 8 will give you a clear picture of the ‘heart’ of the nation of Israel and their relationship to God. It will also explain to you what God was doing in the ‘heart’ of His people.

Paul, addressing the believers in Corinth, recalling the history of the nation of Israel, specifically their grumbling and complaining in the wilderness, reminds them about their forefathers who died in the wilderness. (I Corinthians 10:1-11:1)

Quoting The MacAuthur Study Bible, page 1743, study notes: 10:1-13, “Ancient Israel’s 40-year journey between Egypt and Caanan (Exodus 13:21; 14:16; 16:15; 17:6) is a sobering illustration of the misuse of freedom and the dangers of overconfidence. The Israelites missed their new found freedom, fell into idolatry, immorality, and rebelliousness, disqualifying themselves from receiving the Lord’s blessing.”

Question: Is this possible today in the Church?

Answer: Absolutely.

I believe that Deuteronomy 8 shows us a progression of the ‘heart’ that can occur in the life of an individual, the Church, or in a nation.

It was mentioned earlier that there were two others who were denied entrance into the land of promise.

Those two were Moses and his brother Aaron.

Moses was the Lord’s hand picked leader to represent Him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt.

Aaron had been sent by the LORD to be a support to Moses because of Moses’ reluctance to be what God had chosen him to be. (Exodus 2-4)

Moses was not allowed to enter the land of promise because he disobeyed what God had instructed him to do.

Moses misrepresented the Spirit of the Lord, by ministering in his own spirit.

Numbers 20:1-13 is the context of Moses disobedience.

What’s the issue?

There was no water. (Not an unusual problem in the desert.)

Had this been an issue before? Yes (Exodus 15:22-27)

Ironically, as mentioned before that happened three days after their Red Sea miracle. (Exodus 14-15)

Let’s read what took place that disqualified Moses from entering the promised land.

Numbers 20:7-13 NKJV, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod, and from before the LORD as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted has hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.”

What’s wrong with this ‘picture’?

The ‘spirit of the people’ that Moses was leading had gained entrance into ‘his own spirit’ and he, too, spoke like the people, with a verbal rebellion.

His spirit is not being governed by God’s Spirit.

What’s gracious about this ‘picture’?

In spite of Moses’ disobedience, God graciously brought forth water from the rock.

The nation of Israel got what they wanted.

They were unaware of Moses’disobedience.

What happened next?

God confronts Moses and Aaron.

Why?

They spoke for God in the wrong spirit, their own.

(Numbers 20:12-13 NKJV) “Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He was hallowed among them.”

Before we exit Numbers 20, and the aforementioned incident, Numbers 20:22-29 records the death of Aaron, and the installation of Aaron’s son, Eleazar, as High-Priest.

The event of Aaron’s death is not morbid.

His death is for the same reason that an entire generation died out in the wilderness because he did not believe God’s Word spoken to him.

God tells Moses to “Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor; and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there….Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. Now when the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.” (Numbers 20:25, 28b, 29 NKJV)

Aaron did not get to enter into the promised land because of disobedience.

This is an account about Heaven Coming/Adonai’s Intervention.

Deuteronomy 35:48-52: God gives instruction to Moses about the end of his life before Him, and He reminds him why he cannot enter into the promised land.

Deuteronomy 34:1-8 records Moses’ last day here on earth.

Moses was shown the land by God .

Deuteronomy 34:4 NKJV: “Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’, I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not go over there.”

Moses’ death is a personal encounter between the two of them.

Think about how much time God and Moses had spent together throughout Moses lifetime.

In spite of Moses’ disobedience, I suggest, God honored their relationship personally overseeing Moses’ death.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6 NKJV says, “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.”

Many people believe that the promised land is a reference to heaven.

I personally do not hold that position.

If that were true, then logically, Moses is not in heaven because he did not get to enter into the land because of his disobedience.

Consider this, Matthew 17:1-8, tells us that Jesus went up onto a mountain top with Peter, James, and John.

On this mountain top, Jesus was transfigured, meaning there is a change in HIS appearance that affirmed “the essential glory of Jesus the Messiah.” (insert mine from the MacArthur Study Bible)

I bring this to our attention because standing on the mountain top, next to the ‘transfigured’ Jesus are two people, Moses and Elijah.

Commentators say that Moses represents the Law and that Elijah represents the prophets.

Moses is ok.

His disobedience is forgiven, and forgotten.

He has received God’s grace and mercy.

But, one may ask, where does it say that in the Bible?

I do not believe that it does; but it is certainly implied.

There is an interesting passage of scripture that I believe verifies Moses relationship to God has been reconciled.

Jude 9 (The Tree of Life Version), says, “But when Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, was arguing about the body of Moses, he did not dare to render a judgment against him to slander, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you.”

I bring this scripture to our attention not to consider the issues for its inclusion by the Holy Spirit, but to substantiate what I shred about the relationship between God and Moses personally.

And,

when you consider Hebrew 11:23-29, the testimony of Moses has a legacy of faith that motivated him.

Moses is a sinner just like you and me.

Moses is not a perfect man.

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23 NKJV (MacArthur Study Bible)

In fact, Moses was a murderer(Exodus 2:11-13) and he found forgiveness.

Moses spent 40 years in the desert from the time he had killed an Egyptian and the time God called and chose him to lead His nation, Israel.

I believe Moses confessed his sin and found forgiveness for his act of murder just as he found forgiveness by not speaking to the rock as he was told to do by God.

Why do I believe this?

As mentioned before, God took personal oversight in Moses’ burial.

In closing: ‘Heaven’ came to earth to intervene in the life of the nation of Israel.

They were taken ‘out of’ Egypt to be ‘brought into’ the land of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God keeps His Word.

Moses has died and God has buried him.

Now, there must be a change in leadership.

Who did God choose to replace Moses?

Moses’ understudy, Joshua.

Joshua means ‘Jesus Saves’ or ‘the LORD is salvation’.

TBC

Personal note: At the end of this day, I realized that in principle I, too, did the same thing Moses had done. I was instructed not to do something; yet I did what I was instructed not to do. Therefore, I have transgressed against one who is an authority in my life. I have asked the Lord to forgive me; and now I need to tell the one whose words I did not obey, about my disobedience, and ask his forgiveness.

your brother in Christ, deo

It’s Christmas Eve Day

This morning before I arose, a chorus came to mind and I found myself singing it.

“Thank you Lord for saving my soul; Thank you Lord for making me whole; Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

What makes the truth of these words to this chorus a reality?

Luke 2:8-15, NAS, “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger (feeding trough, marginal note). And suddenly there appears with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased. And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

What did they go to see?

Luke 2:1-7, NAS, “Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn.”

The reason, we, and multitudes of others, can sing the above chorus is because the message of the birth of Christ the Lord, is still being told by ‘shepherds’ proclaiming, “I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; …there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

That is the joy of remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ.

That is the joy of gathering with family and friends, sharing presents with one another, as God, the Father, shared the greatest gift that He personally could give, His very Own Son.

An unmarried young woman, being pregnant, and her betrothal to Joseph is a great burden to bear.

Ask Joseph and Mary about such a burden.

Yet that is what God asked of them regarding the birth of His Son.

Jesus was not not begotten naturally.

Jesus was Fathered miraculously.

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1 NAS)

The genealogy says that natural fathers, fathered, natural sons.

“To Abraham was born Isaac” (Matthew 1:2 NAS).

This same wording is used throughout the recorded genealogy.

In Matthew 1:16-17, NAS, it says, “…and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ (the Messiah, marginal note). Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation of Babylon fourteen generation; and from the deportation to Babylon to the time of Christ (the Messiah, marginal note) fourteen generations.”

Joseph is not identified as the father of Jesus.

In the third section of the fourteen generations, God, through the prophet Isaiah, speaking to the nation of Judah, and directly to King Ahaz, (Isaiah 7) is pouring out His heart to His people to turn to Him for reliance from the impending invasion that is being planned by “Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah… the king of Israel”, when they “…they went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but not conquer (fight against, marginal note) it.”

Isaiah, speaking for God, is directed to go and meet King Ahaz, and say to him, (vs 4), “Take care, and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, on account of their fierce anger…”(vs 5) because these two kings have “planned evil for you, saying, (vs 6) Let us go up against Judah and terrorize it, and make for ourselves a breach in its walls, and set the son of Tabeel, as king in the midst of it, (vs 7), thus says the Lord God (Yahweh, marginal note), It shall not come to pass. In verses 8, 9 God tells King Ahaz that the two countries that are seeking to overthrow him, will be overthrown in the fullness of God’s time. At the end of verse 9, the word of the Lord, through Isaiah, to King Ahaz is, “If you will not believe, you shall surely not last “(be established, marginal note).

God, through the prophet Isaiah, tries to encourage King Ahaz to take His word being given to him seriously.

God loves His people in spite of their turning away from Him.

In context, what is requested by God, for King Ahaz to avail himself of, is to ask Him for a sign to verify what He, God, is telling him (King Ahaz) is true.

God is leaving ‘no stone unturned’, so to speak, to show King Ahaz, and to the people of Judah, His covenantal love for them.

The nation, of Judah, God’s people, have turned away from Him, ignored Him, and His covenant with them, and looked to others for their help and livelihood.

Here the heart of God for His people.

Isaiah 7:10-14 NAS, “Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it (make the request deep or high, marginal note) deep as Sheol or high as heaven” (heights, marginal note). “But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!”

Q: is Ahaz’s response humble or hypocritical? A: most commentators agree that Ahaz’s response is hypocritical.

Continuing: (vs 13) “Then he (Isaiah) said, “Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of God as well? (vs 14) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son , and she will call his name Immanuel.”

In context, God is saying, based upon the present circumstances that King Ahaz and Judah are confronted with there will be a natural birth; a birth that will be a sign to King Ahaz. An unmarried woman will give birth to a son, and she will call the name of her son, Immanuel. This natural birth is a sign signifying to King Ahaz that God is with them.

(To understand the various positions regarding this event, you would need to read commentaries.)

I, personally find it interesting, that this virgin, in the days of King Ahaz called her son, Immanuel, which means, ‘God with us’. In the account to Christ’s birth, both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph(Matthew 1:21) were told to name the Child, Jesus.

The name Jesus (Word Wealth, NKJV Spirit Filled Life Bible) [Jesus, lesous; Strong’s #2424: The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Yeshua, “He Shall Save,” which is the shorter form of Yehoshua(Joshua), “Yahweh is Salvation”. It was a common male name. Ten men in the OT were named Yeshua, and three men in the NT, in addition to the Lord, were so named.]

Let’s compare:

To Joseph, the angel said, “And she (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”

To Mary, the angel said, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.” (verse 32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David.”

To the virgin in Judah, during the reign of King Ahaz, God said, through Isaiah, “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you (King Ahaz) a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

{Reflection: Last Sunday, Pastor Kent, at North Creek Church was sharing on Isaiah 7:14. Commenting on the verse, King Ahaz refused to ask for a sign; but God made His own sign. That sign was the birth of His Own Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God.}

There is no greater sign.

We are confronted with an incredible event that ‘boggles the mind’-the Incarnation of God in human flesh.

Previously, I composed a post(2022) entitled, Incarnation: Significant or Insignificant, I followed that post (2023) with an upgrade to Christmas: According to AI, and today on Christmas Eve day, 2024, we are, again, considering the miraculous intervention of God, Himself, in lives of His created humanity.

As Pastor Kent alluded to on Sunday past, the Incarnation is the greatest miracle in the entirety of the Word of God.

Galatians 3:4-7 NAS, Paul writes, “But when the fullness of the time came. God sent forth His Son, born of a woman (promise of Genesis 3:15), born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons (Ephesians 2:8-10), God has sent for the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying Abba Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir through (through the gracious act of Romans 8:17-marginal note) God.” (inserts mine)

Hebrews 10:5-7 NAS, the author says, quoting Psalm 40:6-8, “Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired, but a body thou hast prepared for Me; In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold I have come (In the roll of the book it is written of Me, To do Thy will O God.’ ” (emphasis mine)

Without a Divine Incarnation there is no body; there is no perfect Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world; there is no Savior for mankind.

In the first post, Incarnation: Significant or Insignificant, my wife Christine, came and shared with me a picture she had drawn, while she was reflecting upon the birth of Christ. The picture that see drew had these words, “Without Christmas and the manger, there is no Calvary, no Cross.”

She is absolutely correct. God, Himself, laid aside all His grandeur, and “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made (through the Incarnation) in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8 NAS) [insert mine]

That required a body.

The infant body was wrapped in swaddling cloths. I do not believe that it is wrong to assume that the baby Jesus was cleaned of the birth residue that was on His body before He was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger.

That baby grew into manhood, in an adult body that was stripped and hung on a cross, was crucified,bled and died, and was wrapped in cloths for burial.

Jewish custom was that “the body was washed with lukewarm water, anointed with fragrant oils, and wrapped in a linen shroud. This body was also covered in a linen robe.”

According to John 19:31 NAS, After the Jews had made their final requests regarding Jesus of Pilate, “because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath ( for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their leg might be broken and that they might be taken away.” The Jews didn’t want the bodies hanging on the crosses.

John 19:32-37,NAS, Pilate honored their request, and his soldiers fulfilled the request to break their legs; however, having broken the legs of the two thieves, when they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead and they did not need to break His legs; however one soldier did pierce His side, and “immediately there came out blood and water.”(vs.34)

This ending of the crucifixion moment is significant because vs. 35-37 tell us, “And he who has seen has borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knows that the is telling the truth, so that many may believe. For these things came to pass that the scriptures that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” “

These seemingly minor incidents are not insignificant. They fulfill the prophetic Word of God regarding He, Who is the Word of God, Jesus.

Returning to our thoughts about Christ’s burial.

John 19:38-42 NAS, tells us, “And after these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one, for fear of Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. He came therefore, and took away His body. And Nicodemus came also, who had first come to Him by night; bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. And so they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore on account of the Jewish Day of preparation, because the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” (my thought-the timing of His burial fulfilled the Law, just wondering?)

I, also, find it interesting that the life of Jesus began with a man named Joseph who assisted His birth, and a man named Joseph who assisted with His burial.

The story of the Incarnation is filled with wonder, majesty, and amazement.

The story of the life of Christ is equally filled with wonder, majesty, and amazement.

The conclusion of Christ’s life is, too, equally filled with wonder, majesty, and amazement, with it’s horrific events.

This year, I am amazed that the infant body was Christ was cleaned up and wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, a feeding trough. And the adult body of Christ was cleaned up and wrapped in burial cloths and laid in a tomb.

Q: How significant is it that God, Himself, came unto His own, being Incarnated in a virgin’s womb?

As Christine said, “Without Christmas and a manger, there is no Calvary, no Cross.”

It requires a body.

Rejoice a Child has been born, a Son has been given.

Blessings to all, Merry Christmas.

a follower of Christ, deo

The Battle Over Authority, Part 3

In January 2017, after Donald Trump became the President-Elect in the 2016 election, I was watching a news broadcast.

This news broadcast was covering a demonstration against Mr. Trump.

What arrested my attention was a sign being carried by a young woman.

On her placard were two words: ‘be ungoverned’.

I was shocked and concerned.

Those two words epitomized the prevailing attitude that was being expressed before Mr. Trump took office.

Throughout his Presidency, the philosophy of being ‘ungoverned’ grew and demonstrated itself against his term of office.

Those two words, ‘be ungoverned’ simply meant in its most negative sense to reject the authority of Mr. Trump as President of the United States.

Since 2017, this nation has witnessed the seeds of those two words, ‘be ungoverned’, grow-blossom-bear fruit-and reap its ‘spirit of lawlessness’.

I submit to you, that the electorate in our 2024 presidential election, was awakened to the philosophy of the current governing political party, both at the national and state levels; awakened them to some of our business leaders, awakened them to many of our educational institutions, awakened them to many in entertainment industry, and especially made it clear to them that the news media outlets thrived on thrusting their ‘lawlessness rhetoric’ upon the citizens of our nation.

That rhetoric reverberated the full weight of the two words, ‘be ungoverned’.

This awareness spread throughout all ethnicities and demographics that comprised the voting electorate, which many called, the silent majority.

But, there were many, that did not ‘awake’ to what millions of other voters were awakened too, and dictated how they were going to respond at the ballot box.

There is no doubt that millions of people simply hated Mr. Trump.

They were known as ‘never Trumpers’.

There is also no doubt that millions of people were angry against the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade.

The Democratic party strongly advocated abortion.

There were millions of people who had bought into the political philosophy of liberalism and were satisfied with the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ that prevailed in this nation’s culture and society.

A great unknown was how would the Christian community vote, or even not vote.

I know there are a lot of numbers that speak to the demographics of the voting electorate.

I’ll leave that search to you personally.

But let me focus upon what I consider to be the most important issue.

Question: What happens to authority when the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ prevails?

Proverbs 14:34, NASV, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Amplified Version reads, “Righteousness (moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character ) exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.”

I John 3:4, Amplified Version, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness (ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrong doing-being unrestrained by His commands and His will).”

Are we a nation that seeks to live morally, with spiritual integrity, and exhibiting a virtuous character?

Or, has our nation become a disgrace?

Our problem is that we are ‘lawless’; and ‘lawlessness’ is sin.

We neglect God’s Word.

We tolerate wrong doing.

Our nation has a heart issue.

How is that assessed?

Just listen to what people are saying!

What does God’s Word say?

Luke 6:45, Amplified Version, ” The (intrinsically) good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure (stored) in his heart; and the (intrinsically) evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil (in his heart), for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his mouth.”

Our nation has been listening to evil rhetoric for many years; and the people of his nation have finally ‘heard’ what has been really said.

Now back to the question highlighted above.

The answer to the question is that authority is questioned when the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ prevails.

It creates an undercurrent of ‘uncertainty’; a wrestling with ‘am I safe?’; a feeling of a ‘lack of protection’; a ‘gnawing’ that something is wrong.

“Gnawing is a feeling of persistent discomfort, often anxiety or worry, that can be difficult to ignore. It can make a person feel uneasy or restless.” (googled definition)

I submit to you that the voting electorate in the United States had a ‘gnawing’ feeling that had to be addressed.

I believe that the electorate wanted lawlessness to end and authority to be restored.

I am not so naive as to think that many voters did not consciously feel this way regarding the restoration of authority; but if one examines the politics, the culture, and our society, you will easily discern that there was a ‘gnawing’ of ‘unrest’, even ‘unprecedented unrest’ that was eating (not just the bill for groceries) away at our national identity.

The fruit of our lawlessness has been corruption, chaos, confusion, and daily consternation based upon lies, deception, hidden agendas, and a constant daily rhetoric of untruths collaborated by a tight-knit coalition of net-working a ‘verbal dialogue’ that covered up the destructive plans of those in authority that were running this nation.

As was noted earlier in this post a life of lawlessness is based upon the issues of the heart.

Man made laws are not going to change humanity.

Our Founding Fathers understood that explicitly.

As a nation, we were established with documents that the founders understood would work; but only if ‘we as a people’ sought to be ‘morally and ethically’ upright.

They understood that we, as a nation, need to abide by God’s ‘umbrella’ of Authority, guides by the Word of God.

As Benjamin Franklin said in essence, our Republic will work if we can keep it.

If we reject God’s ‘umbrella’ of Authority, another authority will assert itself and fill the vacuum of that influence of authority.

That is what has taken place.

What is implied is that human nature without lawful restraint would dismantle this nation’s freedom.

On November 5, 2024, the voting electorate sought to put a stop to unlawful restraint.

The people cried out for a return to order.

A return to order implies a return to a governmental system that benefits the nation as a whole; not just those in authority that desire to maintain control, establish their agenda that is antithetical to the Constitution of the United States; and promote a system that benefits them personally and not citizens of this nation.

The ultimate issue of the universe is who is in charge?

The Bible, the Word of God, tells us clearly, Who is in charge?

Almighty God.

When one observes a nation’s society, examines its values, pays attention to its daily rhetoric, it can discern whether or not it values the Word of God.

And if that nation ignores the Word of God, then it ignores God, Himself.

Many in this nation give lip service to God and do their own thing.

That lifestyle is recorded throughout the pages of the Word of God.

Unfortunately, it is most prevalent in the history of the nation of Israel.

Now, many believe that the Church is conducting itself just like the nation of Israel had in the past.

What is necessary to understand is that God is never tolerant of sin. God’s love is long-suffering toward the sinner.

The Word of God is God’s legacy of His long-suffering toward sinful mankind; and the story of His plan of salvation for sinful humanity.

That is the message of the Gospel.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, then you live out your redemption according to the Word of God and the Authority of Christ.

You are no longer under the government of sin and Satan’s influence.

You now live in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ is your King.

He is the King of the Kingdom.

You are under a new government.

A government whose headquarters are in heaven.

The young woman that I mentioned at the beginning of this post carrying the placard with the two words, ‘be ungoverned’ represents many in our nation today that do not want to be governed. They want to rule themselves; and they want a governing body of people who will support them in that lifestyle and live according to self-rule themselves.

We have seen that that philosophy is not shared by many of millions of people in this nation who desire to be governed morally and ethically and in justice and truth.

As this nation moves forward, removing the grave clothes of the previous administration bondage, the battle for authority will continue.

Satan has influenced this nation greatly.

His influence has been overturned at the Cross; and will continue to be overturned by a greater influence-the Authority of Christ and the Word of God.

The election results are the beginning of restoring authority in our nation.

Its impact will be determined by elected officials who seek to restore the guidelines of morality and ethics lived out by them personally.

Alongside this, God is working to restore Biblical authority in the Church and a renewed awareness of the Headship of Christ, as the Head of the Church, His Body. That Headship is governed by the Holy Spirit in and through the Church.

Moving forward requires the grace and mercy of God to exercise His Authority, in a demonstrative way, manifesting Himself by His Presence, confirming His Word and Person with signs and wonders, as is written in the New Testament, especially in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. This will awaken mankind to the reality of God in a dynamic way, bringing many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Change is coming-a change that only God can do-a change He desires to do-to bring about the salvation of many individuals-and a restoration of this nation to accomplish will and purpose as originally intended.

Satan will oppose this work.

That is a given.

That is no big deal to God.

Satan has lost.

But God uses him for His purposes.

You and I-believers in Jesus Christ-submit to the Headship of Christ-obey His Authority-walk according to His Word, and complete the works that He has assigned to each of us in these last days.

As Revelation 12:11, NASB, tells us, “And they (that’s us) overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony, and they (that’s us) did not love their (that’s us) even unto death.” (inserts mine)

The conflict over authority is always present; but we are victorious in Christ; because He (Jesus) disarmed Satan’s authority at the cross. (Colossians 2:1-15)

Resting in His Authority, blessings, deo