June 2, 2019

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DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH GOD LOVES YOU!!!

 

This week we began our first lesson on the topic of salvation. We began by exploring the following questions:

 

1. What Does it mean to be Saved by Christ? from Sin?

2. What must I do to be saved?

3. What sacrifices did Christ make for me and what sacrifices will I have to make for Him?

 

REMEMBER: SINCE THE DAYS OF MOSES THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES US THAT GOD REQUIRED ANIMAL SACRIFICES TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY COVERING OF SINS. MOSES WRITES: “THEN HE SHALL REMOVE ALL ITS FAT, JUST AS THE FAT OF THE LAMB IS REMOVED FROM THE SACRIFICE OF THE PEACE OFFERINGS, AND THE PRIEST SHALL OFFER IT UP IN SMOKE ON THE ALTAR, ON THE OFFERINGS BY FIRE TO THE LORD. IN THIS WAY THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE ATONEMENT FOR HIM IN REGARD TO THE SIN WHICH HE HAS COMMITTED, AND HE WILL BE FORGIVEN.” (Leviticus 4:35) IT IS HERE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BLOOD OF THE SACRIFICIAL OBJECT.  FOR THE LIFE OF THE FLESH IS IN THE BLOOD, AND I HAVE GIVEN IT TO YOU ON THE ALTAR TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR YOUR SOULS; FOR IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKES ATONEMENT, BY REASON OF THE LIFE [WHICH IT REPRESENTS]. (Leviticus 17:11) HEBREWS 9:22 SAYS, "IN FACT, THE LAW REQUIRES THAT NEARLY EVERYTHING BE CLEANSED WITH BLOOD, AND WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS."

 

THERE  BECAME A TIME WHEN MAN’S TEMPORARY ANIMAL SACRIFICES WERE FULFILLED AND THE PERMANENT SACRIFICE OF CHRIST NEEDED TO BE MADE FOR ALL OF HUMANITY TO ESTABLISH THE NEW TESTAMENT AND TABERNACLE. THE BOOK OF HEBREWS TEACHES US: “AFTER THIS WAS SET UP, THE PRIESTS WENT ABOUT THEIR DUTIES IN THE LARGE TENT. ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST ENTERED THE SMALLER, INSIDE TENT, AND THEN ONLY ONCE A YEAR, OFFERING A BLOOD SACRIFICE FOR HIS OWN SINS AND THE PEOPLE’S ACCUMULATED SINS. THIS WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WAY OF SHOWING WITH A VISIBLE PARABLE THAT AS LONG AS THE LARGE TENT STANDS, PEOPLE CAN’T JUST WALK IN ON GOD. UNDER THIS SYSTEM, THE GIFTS AND SACRIFICES CAN’T REALLY GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER, CAN’T ASSUAGE THE CONSCIENCE OF THE PEOPLE, BUT ARE LIMITED TO MATTERS OF RITUAL AND BEHAVIOR. IT’S ESSENTIALLY A TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT UNTIL A COMPLETE OVERHAUL COULD BE MADE. BUT WHEN THE MESSIAH ARRIVED, HIGH PRIEST OF THE SUPERIOR THINGS OF THIS NEW COVENANT, HE BYPASSED THE OLD TENT AND ITS TRAPPINGS IN THIS CREATED WORLD AND WENT STRAIGHT INTO HEAVEN’S “TENT”—THE TRUE HOLY PLACE—ONCE AND FOR ALL. HE ALSO BYPASSED THE SACRIFICES CONSISTING OF GOAT AND CALF BLOOD, INSTEAD USING HIS OWN BLOOD AS THE PRICE TO SET US FREE ONCE AND FOR ALL.” (Hewbrews 9:6-15)

 

“FOR GOD SO LOVED AND DEARLY PRIZED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES AND TRUSTS IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, (John 3:16) WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A HUGE SACRIFICE WAS MADE BY GOD AND CHRIST. GOD OFFERED UP HIS OWN SON AS THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB THAT WAS HOLY IN HIS SIGHT (John 1:29) CHRIST OFFERED UP HIS OWN FLESH TO BE BEATEN AND SCOURGED. BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR WICKEDNESS [OUR SIN, OUR INJUSTICE, OUR WRONGDOING]; THE PUNISHMENT [REQUIRED] FOR OUR WELL-BEING FELL ON HIM, AND BY HIS STRIPES (WOUNDS) WE ARE HEALED. (Isaiah 53:5-7) WE MUST OPENLY ACCEPT THE SACRIFICE THAT CHRIST MADE FOR US ON THE CROSS IN ORDER TO BE SAVED SAVED!!! BECAUSE IF YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT JESUS IS LORD [RECOGNIZING HIS POWER, AUTHORITY, AND MAJESTY AS GOD], AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR WITH THE HEART A PERSON BELIEVES [IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR] RESULTING IN HIS JUSTIFICATION [THAT IS, BEING MADE RIGHTEOUS—BEING FREED OF THE GUILT OF SIN AND MADE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD]; AND WITH THE MOUTH HE ACKNOWLEDGES AND CONFESSES [HIS FAITH OPENLY], RESULTING IN AND CONFIRMING [HIS] SALVATION. FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM [WHOEVER ADHERES TO, TRUSTS IN, AND RELIES ON HIM] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [IN HIS EXPECTATIONS].” FOR THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN JEW AND GENTILE; FOR THE SAME LORD IS LORD OVER ALL [OF US], AND [HE IS] ABOUNDING IN RICHES (BLESSINGS) FOR ALL WHO CALL ON HIM [IN FAITH AND PRAYER]. FOR “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD[IN PRAYER] WILL BE SAVED. (Romans 10:9-13)

 

Please review the following scripture about you salvation.

(Isaiah 53) (John 1) (Romans 6, 10:9-13) (Gal 5:22-26) (Eph 5:1, 4:22-25) (Col 3)

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June 9, 2019

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We're Saved...now what? Getting Started on Your Journey of Spirituality

 

As many of us are truly beginning our SPIRITUAL journey with Jesus Christ (but may not admit it), this message is being delivered by the Lord through my personal spiritual experience and understanding for your personal spiritual health and edification.

 

Vocabulary.com states that “Spirituality has to do with the spirit, not as in ghosts, but as in the essence of being human — your soul or your inner life. Spirituality often has to do with religion, but it doesn't have to... Religions usually have defined beliefs, rituals, and guidelines; spirituality is more individual.” As a devout follower of Jesus Christ (not the white european jesus), my spirituality is directly connected to my relationship with God (Jesus). This relationship is based 100% on faith  in Him (complete trust or confidence in someone or something) rather than proof of His existence. It is equally important that I reiterate that I believe the Holy Bible is God’s word 100% true and without error.

 

You can find a snapshot of every book of the Holy Bible here: https://overviewbible.com/books-of-the-bible/

 

There are some foundational principles found in the Holy Bible for following the way of Jesus Christ that may help you to understand my irrational relationship with a God that I can’t see, feel, touch, or see in the physical:

 

• GOD IS A SPIRIT: AND THEY THAT WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. John 4:24 King James Version (KJV)

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• 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. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Bible, King James Version

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• FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT. 2 Corinthians 5:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

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• BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)

 

If you would like to get more context to these bible verses it is important to read the verses before and after verses that I highlight. There is also a good amount of bible verses dedicated to spiritual blindness, in unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 2:14 states: But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually appraised. You can find more bible verses on spiritual blindness here: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Spiritual-Blindness,-In-Unbelievers

ARE YOU LIVING A SPIRITUALLY BLIND LIFE???

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Sunday 6-30-19

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HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU SAID THAT YOU WILL DO WHAT GOD IS ASKING AS SOON AS HE CHANGES SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE. 

 

“I need to make money first so I will serve God with my gift as soon as I can get paid for it!”

“I will come to church more often when the lord gets me that car!”

“I will change the way I treat people when they change the way they treat me first!”

 

AND SO ON...WE HAVE ALL SAID SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND SOME OF US ARE STILL NOT SERVING THE LORD THE WAY HE CALLS US TO BECAUSE WE WANT SOMETHING FROM GOD BEFORE WE WILL WORK FOR GOD. JESUS TELLS US “DON’T THINK I’VE COME TO MAKE LIFE COZY. I’VE COME TO CUT—MAKE A SHARP KNIFE-CUT BETWEEN SON AND FATHER, DAUGHTER AND MOTHER, BRIDE AND MOTHER-IN-LAW—CUT THROUGH THESE COZY DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS AND FREE YOU FOR GOD. WELL-MEANING FAMILY MEMBERS CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMIES. IF YOU PREFER FATHER OR MOTHER OVER ME, YOU DON’T DESERVE ME. IF YOU PREFER SON OR DAUGHTER OVER ME, YOU DON’T DESERVE ME. “IF YOU DON’T GO ALL THE WAY WITH ME, THROUGH THICK AND THIN, YOU DON’T DESERVE ME. IF YOUR FIRST CONCERN IS TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, YOU’LL NEVER FIND YOURSELF. BUT IF YOU FORGET ABOUT YOURSELF AND LOOK TO ME, YOU’LL FIND BOTH YOURSELF AND ME.” Matthew 10:37-39 The Message (MSG). WHEN WE BEGIN TO WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE NEED WE MUST REMEMBER THAT JESUS PROMISED US THAT GOD KNOWS OUR NEEDS AND WILL SUPPLY THEM. HE TELLS US RATHER TO “FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SEEK (AIM AT, STRIVE AFTER) HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS [HIS WAY OF DOING AND BEING RIGHT—THE ATTITUDE AND CHARACTER OF GOD], AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU ALSO. “SO DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW; FOR TOMORROW WILL WORRY ABOUT ITSELF. EACH DAY HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE OF ITS OWN. Matthew 6:31-34 Amplified Bible (AMP).

 

LISTEN TO WHAT JESUS TELLS THE PEOPLE WHO WISH TO TAKE CARE OF WORLDLY THINGS BEFORE THEY FOLLOW HIM: LUKE 9:57-62 AMPLIFIED BIBLE (AMP) AS THEY WERE GOING ALONG THE ROAD, SOMEONE SAID TO HIM, “I WILL FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” AND JESUS TOLD HIM, “FOXES HAVE HOLES AND THE BIRDS OF THE AIR HAVE NESTS, BUT THE SON OF MAN HAS NO PLACE TO LAY HIS HEAD.” HE SAID TO ANOTHER, “FOLLOW ME [ACCEPTING ME AS MASTER AND TEACHER].” BUT HE SAID, “LORD, ALLOW ME FIRST TO GO AND BURY MY FATHER.” BUT HE SAID TO HIM, “ALLOW THE [SPIRITUALLY] DEAD TO BURY THEIR OWN DEAD; BUT AS FOR YOU, GO AND SPREAD THE NEWS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” ANOTHER ALSO SAID, “I WILL FOLLOW YOU, LORD [AS YOUR DISCIPLE]; BUT FIRST LET ME SAY GOODBYE TO THOSE AT MY HOME.” BUT JESUS SAID TO HIM, “NO ONE WHO PUTS HIS HAND TO THE PLOW AND LOOKS BACK [TO THE THINGS LEFT BEHIND] IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” 

 

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU HAVE NOT SOWN, NOR DOES IT SAY THAT YOU WILL REAP BEFORE YOU HAVE SOWN!!! REMEMBER: A STINGY PLANTER GETS A STINGY CROP; A LAVISH PLANTER GETS A LAVISH CROP. I WANT EACH OF YOU TO TAKE PLENTY OF TIME TO THINK IT OVER, AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND WHAT YOU WILL GIVE. THAT WILL PROTECT YOU AGAINST SOB STORIES AND ARM-TWISTING. GOD LOVES IT WHEN THE GIVER DELIGHTS IN THE GIVING. 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 The Message (MSG)

 

THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES US TO HONOUR THE LORD WITH THY SUBSTANCE, AND WITH THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL THINE INCREASE: SO SHALL THY BARNS BE FILLED WITH PLENTY, AND THY PRESSES SHALL BURST OUT WITH NEW WINE. THIS MEANS THAT WE MUST HONOR HIM WITH OUR GIFTS ALSO, NOT JUST WITH MONEY OR A FEW HOURS HERE AND THERE WHEN YOU HAVE SOME TIME TO SQUEEZE GOD INTO YOUR SCHEDULE. I WILL END BY POSING A QUESTION TO YOU: 

 

IF GOD ALREADY KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED, DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL IGNORE YOUR SITUATION AND LEAVE YOU IN NEED WHEN YOU SERVE HIM AND HIS HOUSE FIRST? 

 

Please review the following scripture about you salvation and post any questions you may have here.

(Matthew 6)(Luke 9)