DONT BELIEVE A WORD OF IT

 

DON’T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT

There has been an announcement that a tomb containing ten ossuary boxes has been found in Jerusalem.

The story being told is that there is some confidence that in one of the boxes are (were) the bone fragments of a man who likely was Jesus the Christ.

In another box was the remains of one named Judah son of Jesus, and two more boxes were inscribed with the name of Mary.

The boxes were found in the 1980s and the bones were buried according to Jewish antiquity laws and the boxes were identified and stored until the appropriate time.

No matter what story the world tells, the fact is that Jesus Christ the Son of God, was dead, buried, and resurrected to life after three days, He was seen of many for 40 days and then in full view of many witness ascended to the Throne of the Father.

 Luke 24:50-53

Jesus told us in

Matthew 24: 25-26 “Behold I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold he is in the secret chamber; believe it not.”

The word for secret chambers in Hebrew is (naqah) and in Greek it is (tameion) they both can be read as chamber or storehouse.

Common understanding of a tomb.

Jesus knew it and warned us.

Don’t believe a lie, He is risen indeed. Matthew 28:6-7

 

 

SELF DISTINGUISHMENT OR GODLY EXTINGUISHMENT

Have you ever abhorred yourself? Then you will sympathize with the man in our text.

This mans self-abhorrence, however is astonishing, because of who he was.

He was “perfect and upright.” He “feared God.” He “eschewed evil.” He was the “greatest of all men of the East.” He “offered burnt offering continually.” And to top it all off, there was “none like him in all the earth.” (Job 1:1,3, 5, 8)

It is difficult to think of any higher testimony that could be borne to a man.

The most that the majority dare hope for is to be distinguished among a few, but to be distinguished above all the dwellers of the earth, as Job was, is beyond any mans wildest dreams.

And to think that this testimony was not given, by man, it was God who testified of Job!

In the presence of the most baffling enigma, he held fast his confidence and sincerely maintained his integrity.

Amid his desolating calamities he was able with clear conscience to rebut the charge of hypocrisy.

When the first wave of destruction swept away all of the possessions and even his family, he “fell down upon the ground and worshipped.” (Job 1:20)

His God, Jehovah had given and Jehovah had taken away. “Blessed be the name of Jehovah.” (Job 1:21)

When his wife demanded that Job renounce his God.

Job replied, “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10)

And this is the man who exclaims, “I abhor myself in dust and ashes”!

We might well have expected self-congratulation rather than such utter self-abhorrence.

If any man ever had a right to use the Pharisees words, Job had- “God I thank thee than I am not as other men are”; ( Luke 18:11) yet instead there is the groan, “ I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes”!

Why? It was because Job had seen God in a new way; and when he did so, he saw himself in a new way. “I had heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)

 

That is always what happens when we see ourselves in the sight of God.

We can talk no more of our supposed goodness.

The loathsome leprosy of our innate sinfulness stands out stark and ugly, we see that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6)

Job was by no means a hypocrite. He had sincerely lived the best he knew how.

But he had been self-righteous. He now was able to see his true condition, and his need for redemption, not only in the sense of atonement and forgiveness, but of inward cleansing.

Do you know anything of self-abhorrence? Do you ever feel a need for cleansing?

Or do you meet those questions with just a shrug of unconcern or perhaps the flush of indignation?

Perhaps then you may be better even than Job?

If we repent of self-righteousness as Job did, we can know this:

The blood of Jesus Christ, Gods Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7)

AN EXTRA THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Here is wisdom::::

I saw a road sign yesterday,

It read this, and I quote “Save your money, and one day it will return the favor.”

The word tells us that there is only one name that has been given the power to save and that name is not wealth or money, the name that saves is Jesus. Acts 4:11-12

How far have we wandered from truth when we believe that wealth, is associated with Godliness?

Search it out for yourselves. 1 Timothy ch 6: 5-10

Not the words of man, but of the Holy spirit.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND THE MEEK HAVE IT

Whenever a desert stallion is captured, he must be broken to learn to yield to the masters touch and will.

The word used in Greek is ”PRAOS” it can mean submitted strength.

Meekness is not weakness or cowardice.

It is not being unconcerned or un-learned.

Meekness is strength under control.

And the meek will inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5

BLINDED MINDS CANNOT SEE

I hope the picture grabbed your attention. I first saw this picture about one year ago and was stunned to see the reality of what we have always referred to as a one world government displayed before the eyes of the whole world.

The people in the photograph are Ms. Condoleezza Rice, Mr. Koffi Annan and the man on the right is Mr. Javier Solana.

I cannot name with certainty the fourth person who is on the left.

I believe his name is Romano Pradi. If so then he is the man who is the Chief European Union Administrator.

Ms. Rice is Secretary of State of the United States.

Mr. Annan was at the time of the picture the President of the United Nations, and Mr. Solana is Director of Foreign Policy for the European Union.

The main purpose of a gathering like this is to promote the Road map to Peace which is a document that insists that there must be a Palestinian state along side of Israel.

It also, if confirmed will guarantee the peace of the nation of Israel, while as yet the length of the peace is negotiable.

There are other peace proposals, but the Road map to Peace is the one that seems to be preferred by the major powers of the earth.

There will be a time when the government of the world will be dictated by one man or entity which we refer to as anti-Christ.

It can happen quickly, the picture is proof of that.

We must be prepared and we must warn others, His immanent return is the great hope of Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Let us review a few of the signs of the times concerning the end of the gentile age and the rapture of the Church.

Look at the following verses of scripture and see if they do not ring true with the happenings of the world of today.

This first one is very evident, there are many of the Church of today who claim that His coming is not immanent or that there will be no secret rapture or calling away of His bride.

2 Peter 3:3-4 . Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.

There have always been wars, earthquakes and famines but never with the intensity and frequency that we see today.

The major war being fought at this time is not nation against nation, but a clash of cultures that oppose each other, one, which promises heaven if you murder others as you make yourself a martyr.

One which promises heaven only if you accept the blood atonement of one named Christ the Son of God.

Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Matthew 24:6 And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The major problem with any peace in the Middle East is the city of Jerusalem, it is the city of David, it is the city claimed by Muhammad, and one day the Christ will rule from His throne in that city.

All sides desire it. Only one will have it.

Zechariah 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

An army will soon gather to destroy the nation of Israel and to capture Jerusalem.

Psalms 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

It is the continual rhetoric spewed by the likes of the President of Iran, the Ayatollahs, and the Wahhabiists of Saudi Arabia.

They hate the very thought of Israel.

A form of government will soon arise that will attempt to force every human to accept it as sovereign above God Almighty.

Revelation 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and the number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The picture in this article says enough, it comes gradually, and then swallows the world suddenly.

 

 

WANNA BE RICH?

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE RICH ?

King Solomon the richest man of his day, declared that whenever God blesses people He makes them rich: The blessing of the Lord it makes rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it,” (Proverbs 10:22)

The Hebrew word for rich (ashar) means to “accumulate”; and God gives this wealth without excessive troubles.

When men of the world acquire wealth, they come with the sorrow of excessive toil, anxieties, conflicts, and often wrongdoing and guilt.

But when God makes a person wealthy, they are free from all this heavy and harmful baggage. His riches are given by grace and just labors.

The Bible repeatedly shows God blessing His people with worldly goods, and it persistently points us to a higher ground.

It could be said in this manner “The blessing of the Lord, it makes rich….” or “To be blessed by the Lord is to be truly rich and untroubled at heart.”

Indeed to have Gods personal favor and blessing on ones soul makes one truly, eternally wealthy, the enviable owner of a rare peace and sense of fulfillment that money cannot buy, people cannot steal, and time will not corrupt.

Jesus spoke to the church of Laodicea, who were very wealthy in the terms that the world understands, as being poor: “ thou art….poor” (Revelation 3:17).

Yet He informed the Smyrnan believers who were materially destitute and were under intense persecution, that they were rich: “I know thy…poverty (but thou art rich) (Revelation 2:9.)

Why would He call these poor Christians rich ?

By being eternally wealthy Jesus knew true riches.

In His treasure chest He had accumulated riches such as this:

The accurate knowledge of Gods character, ways, and judgments: tested, proven faith in Gods faithfulness ; favor with God; sweet fellowship in and with Gods people; eyes to see the worlds deception; ears to hear the Holy Spirit speaking; senses that detect Gods guidance and warnings of satans diversions; penetrating insight into Gods Word; a revelation of Gods plan for Himself, Gods people, and the world; wisdom, or the ability to make right decisions; and a humble, God fearing heart.

Whenever bestowed, the true “blessings of the Lord” makes the believers “rich” in theses priceless treasures. They are true riches.

When God blessed men with large accumulations of wealth in the Old Testament, He never did so without making them spiritually rich.

He did this by testing them over every material possession (and relationship) that they had.

And test by test, choice by choice, they proved to Him in real life action that , unlike the rich young ruler of Jesus day, that they would choose to put their relationship with Him and a quest for eternal riches first.

In fiery trials God opened their eyes to see what real riches were.

And they never again idolized or clamored for material wealth, though in His generosity God delighted to “give them richly all things to enjoy”.

The only things they claimed as wealth was a right standing with God, and let their worldly riches come and go as God decreed.

What a great example these saints should be to us.

Do you want to be rich, as they were?

Good.

Jesus wants you to be rich also, in the blessings of the Lord.

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Revelation 3:18)

Understand true riches, seek after the One True God, desire only His will, let Him use you for His glory, and He will bestow them on you

TRUTH THAT WE DO NOT KNOW

TRUTH THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW CANNOT HELP YOU

Satan is a liar and he will sometimes use men to advance his lies.

One of the lies of satan uses man to propagate is “That you are just too busy to study the Word of God, which is your Bible.”

The liar knows this without doubt, “The more truth that you know, the more likely it is that the knowledge of the truth that you know, will work to set you free.”

The Word of God says this about itself thru the Psalmist: “I have more understanding than all of my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation.” Psalm 119:99

In the recorded Word is all that we need to know about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

In it is every detailed instruction that humanity needs to be successful in this life and in eternity.

It without fail describes what God declares to be true and faithful, there is no need for extra-biblical revelation.

The Holy Spirit will never speak into any man a revelation that is contrary to the word of God.

The Apostle Paul to Timothy,

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16

In it Gods plan of salvation is revealed.

In it are the stories of the struggles and success of others that will help us make sound decisions.

No, Pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, or bishop, can ever communicate to us all that we need to know.

That is one of the reasons that we need to study the word of God for ourselves, with total dependency upon the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we need for the moment.

1 Timothy 4 :13 “ Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

Jesus said that “ Thy word is truth…’ John 17:17

The Psalmist said “Thy word is a lamp..” Psalm 119:105

“Thy word have I hidden in my heart, so that I might not sin against you..” Psalm 119:11

And continues to say over and over about the Word of the Lord.

It is His precept (rule, instruction, or principal) that is considered as instruction, as proof and as doctrine.

Precepts: in Psalms 103:18 and Psalm 105:45 and Psalm 111:7-10 and in Psalms 119:4,5,27,40,45,56,63,69,78,87,93,94,100,110,128,134,141,159,168,173.

The great servant and Prophet Daniel said this concerning the times of his generation:

“We have sinned and committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments.” Daniel 9:5

Eyewitness accounts were recorded by the written word so that we can believe in the validity of scripture.

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16

When we know the word we can understand the intent of the inspiration given by the Holy Spirit to men who would record in the written word that which God has spoken into their hearts ,

“ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not  in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1: 20-21

It is Gods word given to man as instruction, it is not mans word about what man thinks in the vanity of his mind.

It is not what man thinks, it is what God says and will defend.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”