Month: May 2018

Be Careful What You See and Hear

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11 NASB

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Luke 6:43-45 ESV

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 15:18-20 ESV

I have made a covenant with my eyes;
How then could I gaze at a virgin?
Job 31:1 NASB

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Psalm 101:3 KJV

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mark‬ ‭4:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Luke‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 19:27 KJV

Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Proverbs 14:7 ESV

The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15 ESV

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:6 ESV

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:9 ESV

“For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”
Jeremiah 4:22 ESV

For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
Romans 16:19 NASB

But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come.
Revelation 2:24-25 ESV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

Hebrews – Watch Out for Each Other

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 AMPC

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Hebrews 12:14-17 ESV

Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it– That no one may become guilty of sexual vice, or become a profane (godless and sacrilegious) person as Esau did, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. [Gen. 25:29-34.] For you understand that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected (disqualified and set aside), for he could find no opportunity to repair by repentance [what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], although he sought for it carefully with [bitter] tears. [Gen. 27:30-40.]
Hebrews 12:14-17 AMPC

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
Hebrews 13:1-3 ESV

LET LOVE for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail]. Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood–being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. [Gen. 18:1-8; 19:1-3.] Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are ill-treated, since you also are liable to bodily sufferings.
Hebrews 13:1-3 AMPC

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

Abortion: Judgment Is Coming

Over 60,000,000 abortions – murders – in the USA since 1973, the so-called “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” The innocent blood is crying out to God.

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.”
Genesis 4:8-10 ESV

God is not mocked. America will reap what it has sown.

Don’t be misled–you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
Galatians 6:7 NLT

God will repay.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19 KJV

Watch this video if you dare: fetus reacting to abortion

If you have been involved with abortion, repent! All of us should follow Daniel’s example and repent for the sins of our nation!

Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.”
Daniel 9:3-6 ESV

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

Hebrews – Earth Is Not Our Home

Sometimes the answers to our prayers don’t manifest in this life, but will in the life to come.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:13-16 ESV

Moses also had heaven in mind.

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
Hebrews 11:24-26 ESV

Heaven and earth will pass away, so set your mind on the permanent city to come.

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Hebrews 13:14 ESV

Do you have the right to enter that everlasting city?

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

Was the Apostle Paul a False Apostle?

Paul wrote a lot of the New Testament. Some people believe he was a false teacher, a false apostle, and the letters he wrote should not be read by Christians. Was Paul a wolf in sheep’s clothing, or was he a true man of God? Is he right now rejoicing in heaven or roasting in hell?

I don’t know, and I really don’t care.

Let me explain.

Several years ago an anti-Paul person showed me many scriptures in the New Testament that supported their view that Paul was an evil person, a false apostle. With some of the scriptures I could refute their interpretation with other scriptures, but with others I could not. On the surface, it appeared to me that Paul could indeed be evil, a false apostle, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I said thank you, and said I would consider what they had showed me.

I thought about it, off and on, for a few months. I decided I would continue to believe Paul’s letters are the inspired Word of God, that they are Scripture, that they should be in the Bible, and that I would continue to read and apply them. These are my reasons.

1) I decided it was a far too dangerous for me to decide what is the “Inspired Word of God” in the Bible, and what is not. If I start ripping pages out of my Bible, I feel it likely I would rip out something that would make me spend eternity in the lake of fire, the 2nd death, instead of spending eternity with God. I choose to believe that Almighty God was in charge of the creation of the entire Bible, and the whole book is for me to read, understand, and apply.

2) I decided that someday I will understand those very few scriptures that call Paul’s writings into question.

3) There are many ministers that I respect, whose lives are bearing fruit. Without exception, they all teach from Paul’s letters. I choose to imitate them.

4) When I have listened to or read anti-Paul information, my inner witness is that it is error.

I have inner peace with my decision to not rip Paul’s letters out of my Bibles.

I believe Paul is rejoicing in heaven. But if he is not, it doesn’t matter to my belief in the whole Bible being The Word of God. God made a donkey talk. He could have had anyone write books of the Bible. In my opinion God’s Word is not limited by imperfect human beings – or evil human beings.

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

Isaiah 24 – You Don’t Want To Be Here!

Terrible times are ahead for the this world.

Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make it desolate,
and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest;
as with the slave, so with his master;
as with the maid, so with her mistress;
as with the buyer, so with the seller;
as with the lender, so with the borrower;
as with the creditor, so with the debtor.
The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered;
for the Lord has spoken this word.
The earth mourns and withers;
the world languishes and withers;
the highest people of the earth languish.
The earth lies defiled
under its inhabitants;
for they have transgressed the laws,
violated the statutes,
broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore a curse devours the earth,
and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;
therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,
and few men are left.
Isaiah 24:1-6 ESV

Mankind will be reaping what their sin has sown.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Galatians 6:7 ESV

God cuts the time, or no one will survive.

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Matthew 24:22 ESV

Have you prayed to escape? Will you be accounted worthy to escape?

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:36 KJV

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

The RUACH CHOKMAH V’ZAYON – The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

Sometime I’m going to do a comparative review of all three of my restored-name Bibles. One of them is the Eth-CEPHER. More than any other translation I have ever used, the Eth-CEPHER makes me stop and dig into the Word. It’s delightful! This passage is Paul’s prayer for the saints recorded in Ephesians 1.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your belief in ADONAI YAHUSHA, and love unto all the qodeshiym, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That YAHUAH of our ADONAI YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH, the Father of glory, may give unto you the RUACH CHOKMAH V’ZAYON in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the qodeshiym, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in MASHIACH, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the called out assembly, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.
EPHESIANS 1:15-23 Eth-CEPHER

In verse 17 there is a footnote to “RUACH CHOKMAH V’ZAYON” which says, “Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation“. The capital letters in the text and the footnote caught my attention. Could this be referring to an actual Spirit? I had not thought of that before. I’m not sure what I thought it meant, but it wasn’t a distinct, separate Spirit. As you can see on this BibleHub page, there are no translations that use “Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation”. For example, this is the King James:

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Ephesians 1:17 KJV

A few capitalize “Spirit”.

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.
Ephesians 1:17 CSB

This is of interest to me, because I have read the book of Revelation often in these last months, and one of the many things I don’t understand is the seven spirits of God. There are four references to them in Revelation.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
Revelation 1:4 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”‘”
Revelation 3:1 ESV

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
Revelation 4:5 ESV

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Revelation 5:6 ESV

Are these the seven spirits of God? The “Spirit of the Lord” plus the six?

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Isaiah 11:1-4 ESV

This is Isaiah 11:2 from the Eth-CEPHER.

And the RUACH YAHUAH shall rest upon him, the RUACH CHOKMAH and BIYNAH, the RUACH ESTAH and GEVURAH, the RUACH DA’ATH and of the YIR’AH of YAHUAH;
ISAIAH 11:2 Eth-CEPHER

Footnotes:

  • CHOKMAH – Spirit of Wisdom
  • BIYNAH – Spirit of Understanding
  • ETSAH – Spirit of Counsel
  • GEVURAH – Spirit of Might
  • DA’ATH – Spirit of Knowledge
  • YIR’AH – Spirit of Fear (Awesome Reverence)

Here is the passage in a more well-known translation.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV

Last week I think I would have said Paul prayed for 5 things.

  1. Receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation.
  2. Have the eyes of the heart enlightened.
  3. Know the hope of the calling.
  4. Know the riches of our inheritance.
  5. Know the greatness of His power towards us.

After thinking about “The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation,” I now think Paul may have only prayed for one thing – that God would give the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Him. The other 4 things are the result of that one gift.

  1. Have the eyes of the heart enlightened.
  2. Know the hope of the calling.
  3. Know the riches of our inheritance.
  4. Know the greatness of His power towards us.

What do you think?

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

Encouragement

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, here are a whole bunch of words! Free to use and share. If you haven’t read how I came to photography, I think this is worth reading. 😉 Learning To See Beauty

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

Meditation by Colored Pencils and Highlighters

After I have copied Bible passages from my daily reading into my notebook, I sometimes feel led to continue “mining” for insight. Time after time I have received insight while highlighting parts of verses, and looking for common thoughts among all the scriptures. If you haven’t done this, I urge you to try it!

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.