Podcasts about lord heb

The Lord is holy! And because He is holy, He expects His sons and daughters to also be holy. But what exactly is holiness? What does it mean to be holy like Him? Join us as we explore this intriguing aspect of our Father. A aspect that each of us are called to. Let's pursue holiness for without it none of us will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).

     Almost anyone can be used by the Lord to communicate divine revelation. Even a jackass can be the mouthpiece of God (Num 22:28-30). Biblically, Christians are directed to “teach and admonish one another” (Col 3:16), which shows that all believers can teach and counsel one another with the Word of God. Of course, this assumes they've been “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine” (1 Tim 4:6), are spiritually mature in their walk with the Lord (Heb 5:14), and can “speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Tit 2:1). New believers are to “long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet 2:2).      Throughout Scripture, God has used various persons to communicate His Word to others for their instruction and edification. God used mothers and fathers (Deut 6:6-7; Eph 6:4; 2 Tim 1:5; 3:15),[1] wise men (Prov 13:14), noble women (Prov 31:26), older mature women (Tit 2:3), prophets (Deut 4:1; 4:5; Eph 4:11), ruling officials and Levites (2 Ch 17:7-9; Neh 8:7-8), and priests (Lev 10:11; Mal 2:7; Ezra 7:10). In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul listed several communication gifts that Christ gave to His church, saying, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers” (Eph 4:11). This is a list of gifted men who are tasked by the Lord to provide education to Christians. Jesus gave these men to His church “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:12-13). Christ gave these gifted men to His church to help Christians advance spiritually so that they, in turn, can serve others in their walk with the Lord.      In the New Testament, the apostles were entrusted not only with preaching and evangelism but also with instructing the early church in doctrine and Christian living. For example, the apostle Paul explicitly refers to himself as “a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Tim 2:7). Paul's ministry involved extensive teaching, as he wrote letters to churches (e.g., Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians) explaining theological doctrines, correcting misunderstandings, and guiding the believers on how to live in accordance with God's will. According to Hoehner: "The apostles include the Twelve, who had the office of apostleship by virtue of being with Christ (Acts 1:21–22) and having been appointed by Him (which would also include Paul; 1 Cor 15:8–9; Gal 1:1; 2:6–9). But “apostles” also included others who were recognized as apostles, such as James (1 Cor 15:7; Gal 1:19), Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Cor 9:6), Andronicus and Junias (Rom. 16:7), possibly Silas and Timothy (1 Th 1:1; 2:7), and Apollos (1 Cor 4:6, 9). This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic “office” as did the Twelve and Paul. Apostles, then, were those who carried the gospel message with God's authority. “Apostle” means “one sent as an authoritative delegate.”[2]      In the New Testament, prophets were not only those who received direct revelation from God but also served as teachers of His Word. Their role involved both the foretelling of future events (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11) and the forth-telling or proclamation of God's truth, which included explaining and applying existing Scripture. This dual function meant that prophets acted as teachers in the early church, helping believers understand doctrine and the teachings of Christ. The role of prophets as teachers is seen in passages like 1 Corinthians, where Paul said, “One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation” (1 Cor 14:3), which were all aspects of instruction and spiritual growth. According to Chafer, “The message of the New Testament prophet is more one of forthtelling than of foretelling. He declares the message of God with exhortation and unto edification and comfort.”[3]      Prophets, by God's guidance, helped to build up the church, teaching what had already been revealed in Scripture while also giving inspired messages. Their role was critical before the completion of the New Testament, as they served as communicators of God's will and truth, similar to how teachers expound upon Scripture today. Hoehner notes, “New Testament prophets were gifts to the church to provide edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor 14:3). They probably revealed God's will to the church when the biblical canon was incomplete. Since the apostles and prophets were foundational, they did not exist after the first generation of believers.”[4] Wiersbe states: "A New Testament prophet is one who proclaims the Word of God (Acts 11:28; Eph 3:5). Believers in the New Testament churches did not possess Bibles, nor was the New Testament written and completed. How, then, would these local assemblies discover God's will? His Spirit would share God's truth with those possessing the gift of prophecy. Paul suggests that the gift of prophecy had to do with understanding “all mysteries and all knowledge” (1 Cor 13:2), meaning, of course, spiritual truths. The purpose of prophecy is “edification, encouragement, and consolation” (1 Cor 14:3). Christians today do not get their spiritual knowledge immediately from the Holy Spirit, but mediately through the Spirit teaching the Word. With the Apostles, the prophets had a foundational ministry in the early church and they are not needed today (Eph 2:20)."[5]      Evangelists in the Bible were primarily focused on proclaiming the gospel and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, but their role also included teaching. Evangelists were responsible for bringing the message of salvation to unbelievers and helping new converts understand the basics of the Christian faith. In Ephesians 4:11, evangelists are among the list of communication gifts—or gifted persons—God has provided to His church. This shows that their role, like the others listed, was to build up and strengthen the church (Eph 4:12). Evangelists did not just preach a simple message of salvation; they would have needed to teach the foundational truths of the gospel and explain what it meant to live as a disciple of Christ. Philip the evangelist is a good example. In Acts 8, he not only preached the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch but also explained the meaning of Isaiah 53 and taught about Jesus (Acts 8:26-34). When the eunuch asked Philip about Isaiah 53:7-8, we're told, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35). Philip's role in that encounter included teaching, since he had to guide the eunuch in understanding Scripture.      Pastors and teachers, as listed in Ephesians 4:11, likely refer to one person who functions in two ways.[6] Hoehner believes “they refer to two characteristics of the same person who is pastoring believers (by comforting and guiding) while at the same time instructing them in God's ways (overseers or elders are to be able to teach; 1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:9).”[7] Daniel Wallace is correct when he states that “all pastors were to be teachers, though not all teachers were to be pastors.”[8] Concerning pastors, Wiersbe states: "Pastor means “shepherd,” indicating that the local church is a flock of sheep (Acts 20:28), and it is his responsibility to feed and lead the flock (1 Pet 5:1–4, where “elder” is another name for “pastor”). He does this by means of the Word of God, the food that nourishes the sheep. The Word is the staff that guides and disciplines the sheep. The Word of God is the local church's protection and provision, and no amount of entertainment, good fellowship, or other religious substitutes can take its place."[9] Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] The Mosaic Law instructed the parents, saying, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up (Deut 6:6-7). The phrase, teach them diligently, translates the Hebrew verb שָׁנָן shanan, which means to engrave or chisel on stone. The verb is in the Piel stem, which makes it intensive (i.e., teach diligently). Here, the tongue of the parents is likened to a chisel they keep applying to their children's minds in order to engrave God's Word into their thinking (cf. Prov 6:20-23). Where and when was this activity of training to take place? Moses says, you “shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut 6:7b). Sitting suggests times of rest, and walking speaks of activity. When you lie down suggests evening time, and when you rise up suggests the morning hours. These form a double merism which encompass of all of life. In this way, Deuteronomy is aimed at subsequent generations, that they might learn God's will and faithfully transmit it to their children, who will pass it along to their children, and so on. [2] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 634–635. [3] Lewis Sperry Chafer, The Ephesian Letter (New York: Loizeaux Brothers, 1935), 131. [4] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 635. [5] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 38. [6] The Granville Sharp rule, which is a Greek grammatical rule, states that when two singular nouns are joined by “kai” and share one article, they refer to the same person or thing. It is not likely that the Granville Sharp rule applies to this passage, since the nouns “pastors” (ποιμένας) and “teachers” (διδασκάλους) are both plural. However, it's possible that the “kai” (and) in Ephesians 4:11 could function as a hendiadys, which is a rhetorical device where two terms are used to express a single idea or a closely connected concept. In this case, “pastors and teachers” (ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους) could be understood as describing one group of people with dual functions. If this is the case, “pastors” and “teachers” would be expressing two aspects of the same role. This interpretation aligns with the idea that the primary responsibility of pastors (or shepherds) involves teaching and instructing the flock. This is reinforced by passages such as 1 Timothy 3:2, which states that an overseer (which would include a pastoral role) must be “able to teach” (διδακτικός), and Titus 1:9, which says that an elder must hold “fast the faithful word” so that he can “exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict.” [7] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 635. [8] Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 284. [9] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2, 38.

Believers Must Meditate on Scripture      The Lord instructed Joshua, saying, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Josh 1:8). This command involves a deep, reflective engagement with Scripture, allowing its truths to shape one's thoughts, actions, and decisions. The word “meditate” translates the Hebrew verb hagah (הָגָה), which means “to growl…to moan…to read in an undertone…to mutter while meditating.”[1] According to Warren Wiersbe, “It was the practice of the Jews to read Scripture aloud (Acts 8:26–40) and talk about it to themselves and to one another (Deut 6:6–9). This explains why God warned Joshua that the Book of the Law was not to depart out of his mouth (Josh 1:8).”[2] The practice of speaking the text while reading it implies concentration, allowing the mind to process and absorb its content.      Similarly, David wrote of the righteous man, saying, “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:2; cf. Psa 119:148; Phil 4:8-13). The word “law” translates the Hebrew noun torah (תּוֹרָה), which means “direction, instruction, the law.”[3] Allen Ross states, “To be blessed and remain untarnished in the world, the faithful must live according to God's word. The word ‘law' (תּוֹרָה) can refer to instruction in general, or an individual teaching, or the commandments, or the books of the Law, or Scriptures as a whole.”[4] And the one who adheres to this pattern of meditating on God's Word “will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psa 1:3). The imagery of a tree firmly planted by streams of water vividly illustrates the stability, nourishment, and fruitfulness that comes from a life rooted in Scripture. Just as a tree by the water remains lush and productive regardless of external conditions, so too does the person who immerses themselves in God's Word remain spiritually vibrant and effective, no matter the challenges they face. Peter Craigie states: "A tree may flourish or fade, depending upon its location and access to water. A tree transplanted from some dry spot to a location beside an irrigation channel, where water never ceases to flow, would inevitably flourish. It would become a green and fruitful tree. The simile not only illustrates colorfully the prosperity of the righteous, but also makes a theological point. The state of blessedness or happiness is not a reward; rather, it is the result of a particular type of life. Just as a tree with a constant water supply naturally flourishes, so too the person who avoids evil and delights in Torah naturally prospers, for such a person is living within the guidelines set down by the Creator. Thus the prosperity of the righteous reflects the wisdom of a life lived according to the plan of the Giver of all life."[5]      James wrote, “The one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). The word “intently” translates the Greek verb parakuptō (παρακύπτω), which carries the idea of stooping down or bending over to take a closer look at something with careful attention. The aorist tense suggests a focused and intentional effort at one point to deeply examine the law of God. The active voice means the Christian is performing the action, showing that the believer must actively engage in this careful examination of God's Word. Once learned, the believer must be “an effectual doer” of what God commands, and the one who obeys the Lord “will be blessed in what he does.” Fruchtenbaum notes, “The blessing lies in the doing, and he will be blessed further in the future life as the future tense of the verb indicates. The voluntary doing of God's will, as revealed by Scripture, is the secret of true happiness.”[6] Christians who are “doers” of the Word are blessed not merely because they follow God's rules for life, but because living in harmony with God's truth brings divine favor.[7] This includes experiencing the benefits of God's wisdom and protection, a growing relationship with Him, and, ultimately, spiritual fruitfulness (Gal 5:22-23). By obeying God, the believer moves beyond theoretical faith into a transformative, lived experience of grace and divine blessing.      Master the doctrines you learn from God's Word. Let them consciously and constantly circulate in your thoughts. Saturate your mind with Bible doctrine, reviewing and reflecting until it becomes integrated into your thinking. The spiritual life is built by repeatedly studying, processing, and applying God's truth, not by racing through it. A slow, steady rain results in greater ground saturation than a flash flood, where most of the water runs across the surface. Likewise, slow reading with thoughtful meditation penetrates more deeply into the heart. Take in the Word deeply—study it, think about it, live it. God Uses Bible Teachers to Help Us Grow Spiritually      Almost anyone can be used by the Lord to communicate divine revelation. Even a jackass can be the mouthpiece of God (Num 22:28-30). Biblically, Christians are directed to “teach and admonish one another” (Col 3:16), which shows that all believers can teach and counsel one another with the Word of God. Of course, this assumes they've been “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine” (1 Tim 4:6), are spiritually mature in their walk with the Lord (Heb 5:14), and can “speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Tit 2:1). New believers are to “long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet 2:2).      Throughout Scripture, God has used various persons to communicate His Word to others for their instruction and edification. God used mothers and fathers (Deut 6:6-7; Eph 6:4; 2 Tim 1:5; 3:15),[8] wise men (Prov 13:14), noble women (Prov 31:26), older mature women (Tit 2:3), prophets (Deut 4:1; 4:5; Eph 4:11), ruling officials and Levites (2 Ch 17:7-9; Neh 8:7-8), and priests (Lev 10:11; Mal 2:7; Ezra 7:10). In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul listed several communication gifts that Christ gave to His church, saying, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers” (Eph 4:11). This is a list of gifted men who are tasked by the Lord to provide education to Christians. Jesus gave these men to His church “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:12-13). Christ gave these gifted men to His church to help Christians advance spiritually so that they, in turn, can serve others in their walk with the Lord. Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 237. [2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 27–28. [3] Willem VanGemeren, ed., New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 284. [4] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89: Commentary, vol. 1, Kregel Exegetical Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2011–2013), 188. [5] Peter C. Craigie, Psalms 1–50, vol. 19, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1983), 60–61. [6] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude, 1st ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2005), 237. [7] God's Word also strengthens the heart of the believer who regularly meditates on it. The psalmist wrote, “My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word” (Psa 119:25), and “My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word” (Psa 119:28), and “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me” (Psa 119:50), and “I am exceedingly afflicted; revive me, O LORD, according to Your word” (Psa 119:107), and “Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live” (Psa 119:116a), and “Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word” (Psa 119:154). The idea in these verses is that stressed-out-believers recharge their batteries by means of God's Word, which is “alive and powerful” (Heb 4:12). [8] The Mosaic Law instructed the parents, saying, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up (Deut 6:6-7). The phrase, teach them diligently, translates the Hebrew verb שָׁנָן shanan, which means to engrave or chisel on stone. The verb is in the Piel stem, which makes it intensive (i.e., teach diligently). Here, the tongue of the parents is likened to a chisel they keep applying to their children's minds in order to engrave God's Word into their thinking (cf. Prov 6:20-23). Where and when was this activity of training to take place? Moses says, you “shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut 6:7b). Sitting suggests times of rest, and walking speaks of activity. When you lie down suggests evening time, and when you rise up suggests the morning hours. These form a double merism which encompass of all of life. In this way, Deuteronomy is aimed at subsequent generations, that they might learn God's will and faithfully transmit it to their children, who will pass it along to their children, and so on.

In this parable that Jesus told in Luke 8, He makes it very clear that the proof of salvation is fruit and not merely hearing the Word or making a profession of faith in Christ. There might be many roads that “lead to Rome” but there is only one road that leads to heaven. Jesus claimed to be the only way. In John 14:6 He said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me”. We are either saved, or we are lost. We are on our way to heaven, or we are on our way to hell. That is pretty blunt, but it is the truth. Jesus also instructs us in Matthew 7:13, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”   That is why this parable is so important! We should make sure that we have experienced a genuine salvation and not a false emotional experience that made us feel good at that time. Jesus tells us that the “seed in the Word of God”. In every case this “seed” was sowed or scattered on these four different conditions of soil that of course represent the four types of hearts that “hear” the Word. There can be no salvation experience without the “Word of God”.   Jesus said in John 3:5, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”  The “water” is the Word of God, and the “Spirit” is the Holy Spirit. The seed is planted in our hearts by someone as they share God's Word with us. Peter put it this way in 1 Peter 1:23, “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” Then the Holy Spirit germinates that seed to bring conviction of sin and open our eyes to who Jesus really is and we see Him taking our place on the cross and dying for us!  The first soil or heart that Jesus describes is the hard soil or the hard heart (vv. 5, 12). This soil represents the person who hears the Word but immediately allows the devil to snatch the seed away. The second soil or heart He describes is the “rock” or “shallow ground” (vv. 6, 13). These people hear the Word and receive it mentally or intellectually and emotionally with joy. But that is as far as it goes. These people appear to be saved for a short while, but because they have no spiritual root, as soon as a trial or temptation comes they fall away. Remember Judas!   The third soil that Jesus describes is the in the midst of thorns but never produces fruit or grows to maturity (vv. 7, 14). These people are hard to figure out. I think that they probably are the ones who truly or genuinely get saved but no one disciples them and they remain baby, carnal Christians. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). The “cares of life” which are legitimate things like food, clothing, shelter and a job, “choke the Word” (Matthew 8:22) and they never bear any fruit. They never experience the abundant life available to them in Christ. They are too busy trying to “make a living”, or get caught up making “more” money and having “more” things, and enjoying the pleasures of this world instead of the one to come!   The fourth soil is the “good ground” that bears fruit. It illustrates the individual who hears the Word, understands it, receives it within, is truly saved, and proves it by patiently producing fruit (see 1 Thes. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:22-25). Not everybody produces the same amount of fruit (Matt. 13:8), but all true believers will produce some fruit as evidence of spiritual life. That fruit may include winning others to Christ (Rom. 1:13), money given to God's work (Rom. 15:25-28), good works (Col. 1:10), Christian character (Gal. 5:22-23), and praise to the Lord (Heb. 13:15).   Today, how does your life match up to this parable? Are you sure you are saved?

The Tongue Conquers Enemies  (Audio) David Eells 9/22/24   A shaking is on the way. War appears to be breaking out on the surface.  The Covert war between the Alliance and the DS is likely to break out in larger overt operations. The DS has invaded the cities with terrorists and military-aged men and CCP Chinese along with others that are expanding the voter rolls within, in order to overthrow President Trump and the Alliance. They are preparing for terrorist acts because of the Brunson case has gone to the Supreme Court which will overthrow the DS government.  This from Operation Disclosure: The Brunson Brothers Voter Fraud Case before the Supreme Court asked a simple question: Did Congress investigate 50 formally filed allegations of voter fraud before certifying the 2020 Election? Obviously not, and rumor was that the Supreme Court had already ruled such on the case. We awaited an announcement likely in favor of Brunson that would dissolve the Biden Administration and all of Congress, plus bring in Martial Law until a new election was held.  Five separate assassination teams actively targeting President Trump. Three are foreign, two domestic. Three Assassination Attempts have come in the last few weeks. Your prayers and faith have cast down all five of these teams. President Trump is insulated.  Congressman Tim Burchett exposed the CIA's Sinister MK ULTRA plot to assassinate Trump! amg-news.com.  As we will see below your prayers and confession will cast most of the lawlessness down.  The DS anarchists plan on mass anarchy and destruction of cities and the Alliance military is being spread coast to coast before the announcement of the Supreme Court ruling in order to defend the cities and liberty from the lawless left who will not accept democracy. We cast down their weapons of warfare.     A New War Is Coming   Michael Boldea Jr. - 04/06/2007   Jeremiah 50:22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction. James 5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.   I dreamt I was hearing what were at first faint hoof beats, but the closer they got, the louder they grew, until it was a thundering roar of not one or two horses but what seemed like hundreds. I felt as though the ground beneath me was shaking from the onrushing horses, and the sound of them became so loud, that I suddenly awoke in my bed. As I blinked a few times, adjusting to the darkness in my room, I noticed a shadow at the foot of my bed. I blinked again, and there stood the same man I have seen on previous occasions, dressed in battle armor, his hands resting atop each other before him, on the hilt of his sword.   “What is the meaning of what I just dreamt?” I asked, somehow knowing he had come to give me the interpretation.   “What you heard”, he began, “were the chariots of war, and they are swiftly approaching. A new war is coming, but it will be unlike this present one. Speak as you have spoken, pray as you have prayed, and walk as you have walked for dark days will soon come upon the land to which you are returning. Even now their enemies plot, even now their enemies unite under one banner, and soon they will make their intentions known to the world. There is no refuge but in the Father, and He will guide and protect those who know His voice”. (And confess His promises.)  I blinked again, and the man was gone, and I was left to ponder the words I had heard. I struggled with whether I should make this dream public, for I know the reaction that some will have to it, and the last thing I desire is to stir fear in the heart of any man. After much prayer I felt I was supposed to publish the dream, and though some may receive it as a reason to fear, the true children of God will receive it for what it was, the forewarning of a loving Father, preparing His children for what is to come. God's desire for us is not ignorance, but rather knowledge, that we may prepare our hearts, in prayer and fasting, that we may draw closer to Him, that we make Him our place of refuge long before hardship forces us to seek one. The wise man prepares, while the foolhardy is caught unaware.   Jeremiah 19:15 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.       Terrorists Hiding in the States   Michael Boldea Jr. - May 5, 2003  I dreamt I was on a very high ridge, with a great valley spanning out beneath me. The night was calm, the moon and stars shining brightly in the sky. As I looked around trying to get my bearings, I was stunned to see my grandfather (Dumitru Duduman) standing next to me. He looked young and vibrant, his hands in his pockets, and a smile on his face.   “Interesting times ahead my boy, interesting times ahead”, he said. For a minute I was so shocked I couldn't say anything. Finally I blurted out the only thing that came to mind, “They have been interesting ever since you left. Trial after trial, hardship after hardship”.   “Now you know how Jesus felt when He walked the earth”, he answered, “always doing good, always in the Father's will, yet always mocked and rejected, always misunderstood and despised. Besides, it was all a test anyway”.  “A test of what?” I asked.   “For you personally, God wanted to see if you would stay true to your calling even when all seemed lost. He was preparing you and purging you, refining you, for the time when He will use you, and speak to you as He spoke to me”.   Before I could say anything, he lifted his hand to stop me. His fingers were no longer crooked from his arthritis, they were straight, and normal.   “I know what you're going to say my boy, it's not what you want, it's not what you asked for. But you should know by now it is the task you were chosen for. In this you have no choice, besides where can you hide from the face of God? Men have tried before, look how it turned out in the end. To reject what God has planned for you is to deny God. You know what the consequences are”. Unable to find the words to answer, I simply nodded my understanding and allowed him to continue speaking.   “As for why the ministry had to go through what it went through, God has already spoken that to your heart. You already know the answer. God wants all that know of this work, to be certain of one thing. It is He who sustains it; it is He who blesses it, and not the hands of men or their gimmicks. Do you think any of it would still be here after all that has happened if not for God? Never doubt Gods promises concerning this work, or His ability to fulfill them. Hope in God never disappoints; hope in man always leads to disillusionment.” (Amen. God has been preparing and sanctifying His Reformers to be leaders for the soon coming tribulation.)   “Now for the reason I am here. I was sent to show you something. Look and see”, he said, pointing down to the valley below. As I looked, I saw the outline of a map of America then the outlines of states began taking shape. As I continued to watch this map solidify, small lights began to flicker on and off in some of the states. I recognized California, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona, Washington State, Florida, and New York, among the states that lit up. The light was rhythmic, almost like a homing beacon, constant in its progression. I continued watching the lights go on and off, waiting for something else to happen, but nothing did. Finally I said, “I don't understand. What does this mean?”   “These are the places where those who were sent here long ago, to bring fear and cause chaos, have situated themselves. They lay in waiting, planning and plotting destruction. They are as coiled serpents, looking forward to the hour when they will be loosed upon this nation. If God's children pray, once more will He delay the season of sorrow that is yet to come”. (I believe He has done this.)   We stood on the ridge in silence for a long time. After a while the lights stopped flickering in the valley below, and the map began to fade away. Suddenly my grandfather turned his head toward the east, and began to sniff the air as he used to do. “Storms coming my boy, and it's a bad one”, he said. “Now give an old man a hug and let me be on my way. Be vigilant and work while you still can, it's all God asks of any of His servants. If the Father wills it, we will speak again”.   As I hugged my grandfather, I began to hear the rumbling of a great storm. The sky darkened overhead, and the booming of thunder was now audible. In my dream I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I was in my bed, awake. I wiped at my cheeks with the back of my hand, and realized I had been crying. As my eyes began to adjust to the dark, I saw that my wife was sitting up in bed, staring at me. When I asked her why she wasn't sleeping, she said I'd been talking in my sleep for over thirty minutes. I tried going back to sleep but sleep would not come. Finally I gave up trying, went into the kitchen and prayed until morning.   Over the past few days, I have spent much time in prayer as to whether I should share this dream or not. I believe that I am supposed to. My prayer is that no one would perceive it as a reason for fear, but rather a reason to hope. God hears the prayers of His children, and as long as He encourages us to pray, we must do so without reservation. The day will come, a day I anticipate with great dread, when God will speak to His children as He spoke to Jeremiah, and say do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry for them any longer. For now, while we still can, may we ceaselessly bring our petitions before the Lord.       Our Secret Place of Safety   David Eells   Everyone is looking for the place of safety in the tribulations to come. One man says the safe place is to be with the Ark of the Covenant, which is said to be in a Chapel next to St Mary of Zion, Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Axum, Ethiopia. I believe that Solomon gave a copy of the Ark to the Queen of Sheba who carried it there.   Be that as it may; God no longer dwells in houses made by men, so the ark is a relic. (Acts 7:47) But Solomon built him (God) a house. (48) Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in [houses] made with hands. That just tells us that the ark in the temple was just a type and shadow of Jesus in His body. As He said, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one” (Jn.17:23). God now dwells in the ark of Christ and Christ now dwells in the Body of Christ. In us He is the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] a golden pot holding the manna (of the Word in us), and Aaron's rod that budded (a sign of the authority of the High Priest in us), and the tables of the covenant (of the law written on our heart) (Heb.9:4).   The presence of the Ark ensured Israel of victory and protection. When the Philistines captured the Ark it brought a curse on them so terrible that they sent it home with an offering. On the other hand Jesus said in (Mat.5:13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.   Another brother asked me if I thought the Christians will flee for safety to the city of Petra in Jordan. I told him that I thought Petra would be far too small to accommodate them and it would be a natural trap where they could be wiped out. I do believe that some natural Jews will find shelter in Petra, which is the Greek word for “rock”. However, spiritual Jews who are circumcised in heart, have the spiritual Rock of Jesus as a place of safety. Jesus said that standing on Him was the place where Hell had no power over us. (Mat.16:18) And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter (Gr: “Petros”, meaning a piece of the rock), and upon this rock (Greek: Petra) I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Jesus is our rock of safety.   Peter himself said that Jesus was the Rock that we are to be founded on. (1Pet.2:5) ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6) Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. (7) For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; (8) and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. The disobedient stumble through unbelief in the Word and so are not founded on the Rock. Judgment will take them away wherever they hide.   Those who are obedient to the Word through faith are on the safety of the Rock. (Mat.7:24) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: (25) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. (26) And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: (27) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. The apostate churches belittle obedience to the Word because of their unbelief.  We don't stand on the Rock in our own strength but our faith gives us God's strength. My wife had a dream of me after we first became Christians. She saw me standing on a Rock in the middle of the ocean. I had leg braces on like crippled people wear to strengthen their legs. I perceived that the Rock was Christ or the Word and the ocean was the curse as was the flood. In our own strength we are crippled and not able to stand on the Word, but the filling of His Spirit and faith in His promises empowers us to be what we normally are not.   It has come to me that only the rich in a time of economic collapse and wrath would be able to fly to the city of Petra, but salvation is for the poor. No amount of money can buy us safety, because it is not a place but a state of being. (Pr.11:4) Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death. (6) The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.   Faith in the Lord makes Him our secret refuge. (Psa.91:1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Notice the confession that puts us on the Rock. (2) I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. The secret place of safety will be hidden to many who are only called “Christian” but the righteous are safe right in the middle of judgment. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; [But] it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked. (The good confession that puts us in safety.)  9 For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation; 10  There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent. God's angels will protect the righteous wherever they are. (11) For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. They do this for the righteous who believe. (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus.   A friend of mine had a very clear dream about the coming invasion of America. He said everyone in the Gulf States was fleeing toward the north to get as far away from the invading army as possible. He was going to get on a shuttle and go too, but the Lord told him to give his place to someone else and sent him and his family into a local city that had been nuked. He had no fear of the radiation or the enemy. It is obvious that God's people will not need to follow the world's example. Paul was not hiding but sharing the Gospel in the most effective time to do so. He said, “[in] journeyings often, [in] perils of rivers, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils from [my] countrymen, [in] perils from the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren” (2 Cor.11:26).   The Lord told me that this time represented the second 3½ years of the tribulation period. Paul also said, “what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2Tim.3:11). He also said, “But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom” (2Tim.4:17,18).   If one is called to be a martyr, they will have the protection of God until their testimony is finished and even then only their flesh will be given up for a sacrifice. (Rev.11:7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.      Agree with the Blessed Provisions   David  We are in a battle which can be won by those who will speak the Word of the Lord and confess His promises for safety and provision. The Bible tells us that Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Pro.18:21). Let's look at how we can cooperate with God in the process of sanctification so that we are those who speak life and partake of the benefits of the Kingdom and able to give them to others. (Jas.3:8) But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison. (9) Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: (10) out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (11) Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening [sweet water] and bitter? (12) can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither [can] salt water yield sweet. We want to learn by the grace of God to bring forth those “sweet waters” so that we will not suffer with the wicked.  When Moses and the children of Israel came up to Marah, meaning “bitterness” (Exo 15:22-25), they couldn't drink the water. God commanded that a tree be cast into the waters so that they would be made sweet. Marah represents the bitter waters of the fountain, or mouth, which were cured by the tree, representing the Cross. The Cross has conquered our tongue and has given us this gift of the sweet waters so we can bring forth blessings, instead of the cursings, out of this spring of our mouth. Believe this.  The Bible also tells us, The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips (Pro.16:23). So we want to educate ourselves to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (Jas.1:19). We need to think about what we are saying and disagree with the devil because he tempts us to speak the things under the curse and not the things of the Kingdom. The Lord is helping us and He has already conquered the tongue, which no man can tame, but the Lord can through His Word and promises. Jesus was the sacrifice Who gave us a new tongue through the reconciliation.   It says in (Jos.1:6) Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their father to give them. (7) Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. Notice that God said that Joshua (Hebrew: “Jesus”) was going to cause His people to be brought into their inherited Promised Land. This land belongs to us, not every Pagen alien they can invade us with and we will win this battle with them.  We know that the Promised Land is also us. Heb 6:7-8 For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: 8 but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned. Jesus bore this curse let us confess Him before men.  The Son of God is being manifested in His people. (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is a product of the Word of God being assimilated in our life and mouth; Christ is the Word of God (John 1:14). He saved us from our enemies. (Luk.1:70-74) (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old), 71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; ...74 To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear,  You crucify the spiritual man when you walk and talk in the flesh and for those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and enlightened, who have tasted of the heavenly gift, this will become a curse unto them. (Heb.6:7) For the land which hath drunk the rain (Those who have partaken of the Word from heaven.) that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: (8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned. The word “rejected” is adokimos, meaning, specifically, “reprobated.” The apostle Paul said that he kept his body under control if, perhaps, after he had preached to others, he himself would be “rejected” or “reprobated” (1Co 9:27). This has been demonstrated to us.   God doesn't reprobate land; He reprobates people. The Bible is very plain; in the original Greek, we are God's “tilled land” (1Co.3:9). God wants to plow this earth, our natural life, and plant His seed in the midst of it, bringing forth the fruit of Jesus Christ in us. The land that Joshua wants to cause us to inherit is referring to our new fruit and life. Part of that is our bold faith. The spiritual man, the Israelite, is to conquer this land with the edge of the Sword, the Word of God. The spiritual man is to take the land from the enemy, the Canaanite and live in his house, our body, and plant his crop and bear the fruit of the spiritual man.   (Jos.1:7) Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. Notice that turning to the right or left would cause failure to take our Promised Land from the enemies.   I had a dream many years ago where I was standing on a mountain, looking down into a valley and a road that went down the side of this mountain. The road had a ditch or trench down the middle of it. I was in a car, with one set of tires on one side of the trench and the other set on the other side, going down this road to the bottom of the mountain. I realized I couldn't turn to the right or the left because, if I did, two wheels would fall into the trench and that would be the end of any progress; I wouldn't go any farther. I steered very carefully, not to the right and not to the left, as I went down this mountain. Let us speak what the Word says about us.  The Lord gave me the understanding afterward that this mountain represented the kingdom of the world – man, self or the old life. I was to navigate this road and not turn to the right or left, until I got off of this mountain. As soon as I was at the bottom, I immediately realized that there were enemies everywhere. To the extent that we humble ourselves to the Word of God, going down the mountain of “self,” the more enemies we will have, even religious enemies or so-called “Christian” enemies. (2Ti.3:12) … All that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But as we hold fast to the confession of our hope the enemies will be conquered as our faction was and the political faction shall be. (Luk10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.  Most of the persecution toward Jesus and the disciples came from the people who called themselves the “people of God” but were not. When I got to the bottom and knew that the enemy was everywhere, I went under a bush and there I found tools that I picked up, and treated them as if they were treasure. These tools were hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches and so on. The Lord later revealed to me that these tools represented the authority to bind and loose (Mat 18:18), as all of these tools do. The Lord made me to know I was coming to a time, when under the bush, I was going to manifest more of this authority. Let us bind our enemies in the name of Jesus.   At the time of the burning bush, Moses was given authority to go into Egypt to act for the Lord. I've been binding and loosing for many years but I believe that we're coming to a time of real power from God. It's only going to come to those who humble themselves and don't turn to the right or to the left, but stay on God's road, a self-crucifying path of obedience to the Word of God. When I picked up these tools, I went up another mountain, which represented Mount Zion. I went through the front doors of a great temple, which I believe represented the New Jerusalem on Mount Zion and I saw Jesus sitting on His throne. I went over and sat down next to Him, as He said that overcomers would do. (Rev.3:21) He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. This is the throne of dominion over our enemies.  As I was speaking with Jesus, I heard people trying to come into the throne room by a back way and not through the door that I had come through. Jesus is the door in John 10:1. Jesus saw these people and said, “Don't worry about them; they can't come in here.” So these were people looking for “throne room” authority but they wouldn't humble themselves to the Word of God personally. The Pharisees only had physical authority as in our day. God will give authority only to those who overcome according to Rev 2:26.   Back to (Jos.1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. The spiritual man speaks the Word so that as you walk, it will bring good success when conquering our Promised Land for the Lord. The first fruits are approaching this point. We must speak according to God's promises, even in the midst of the fiery trial. As Christians, we “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). We speak the things we have according to promise and not according to what we see in the world. This is how we change the things around us. This is God's plan. We let the Word, or our agreement with the Word in what we say, come from our mouth so that we may have good success in conquering our Promised Land.   Further on in Joshua, we see that he is still leading the people of God to conquer their Promised Land in order to put to death their enemies there. In this particular case, the head of God's people, Joshua, is conquering the Amorites. (Jos.10:12) Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon. I believe God is showing us here to what extent He would go to give our enemy into our hands, if we would speak the Word with boldness.   (Jos.10:8) And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thy hands; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. On a personal and spiritual level that “man” He was referring to was the old man who lived in the Promised Land of our life before the new man took possession. He represented the lusts of the flesh, which would not be able to stand. On a physical and political level it would be the DS and their invading army. Joshua and the children of Israel were having victory over the Amorites but they were running out of time. Remember, the Lord said that if we confess Him before men, He shall confess us before the Father in Mat 10:32.   Likewise, Joshua confessed in the sight of Israel. He was bold and full of faith and he spoke it right in front of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon (Jos.10:12). (13) And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.   Now at first, I thought God just stopped Earth from spinning, but I later realized that the moon stayed in the same relative position as the sun and Earth didn't spin. It's possible the whole solar system had stopped. This is a very dangerous thing to do, unless you also control the rest of the universe. Things would tend toward collision down the road somewhere. Can you imagine that God stopped the solar system and more, just so Israel could conquer their enemy? What kind of other big miracle can you imagine that God would do for us to give us victory over our enemy? God gave the Israelites an awesome victory over their enemies! Of course, they needed the time and, for a whole day, the system was frozen. We have all heard of NASA finding the missing day so they could calculate where things would be at a certain time.  People claim that God only did that back then and does not do that today, simply because of the verse right after it. (Jos.10:14) And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel. Well, the Lord still hearkens unto our voice, for many people speak miracles today and they come to pass as they did in the Bible long after Joshua. The key here is “voice of a man” The creation now hearkens to the voice of God through man.  Jesus said, the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life (Joh.6:63), meaning they are His Spirit and His life. In other words, it's the life of God living in us; it's the spiritual man who speaks in agreement with the Word of God. Also, it is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph.6:17). Therefore, it's not as if God is hearkening unto the voice of a man, but He is hearkening unto the voice of His sons. That spiritual man in us is not man, but God. The Son of God is manifesting in His people speaking His Words out of us. When we come into agreement with the Word, we can be trusted. The Lord said, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you (Joh.15:7). Why? The Word in you is trustworthy to God. If you fill yourself up with the Word and you desire earnestly to walk in agreement with it, God says you're trustworthy.   A long time after Joshua, the Lord wrote this: (Isa.45:11) Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask me of the things that are to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands, command ye me. Does God really do that? When you command something to be done, like when His disciples commanded healings, deliverances, provision and so on, God fulfilled it. God gave them the authority, which is the right to use power and it's what we do when we speak in agreement with the Word of God. In effect, what we are doing is commanding God, since He said that if we do, He will do it and Jesus said the same.   Psalm 8 was spoken concerning the natural Adam and his seed, but also in type to spiritual Adam, Jesus Christ, and His seed. (Psa.8:6) Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet. This was said of man and the Son of man. Jesus said that God had given Him authority because He is son of man (Joh.5:27). Man was given authority on the earth but when Adam sinned, he lost that authority to Satan. However, we gained it back through Jesus Christ because He was faithful. We now have this authority over the works of God's hands when we speak in agreement with the Word of God and He fulfills it. (Lam.3:37) Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?   The next thing we see in Joshua is that they went after the five kings who were ruling the Promised Land. (Jos.10:16) And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. (17) And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah. (18) And Joshua said, Roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep them: (19) but stay not ye; pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand. The first thing they did was trap the five kings in the cave and then they rolled great stones over the mouth of the cave.   Adam was created from the dust of the earth and this old man is earthly, but as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1Co.15:49). We are both earthly and heavenly, a spiritual man of the heavens and the carnal man of the earth represented by this cave in the earth. The carnal man of the earth has a mouth and here it's called “the mouth of the cave.” The Lord made the spiritual men roll these great stones over the mouth of the cave. The five kings represent the five senses and the spiritual man put stones, which represent the Word, over the mouth so the carnal senses are not permitted to speak and bring a curse.   The Bible says that senses must be exercised by the Word of God so that we understand the difference between good and evil. (Heb.5:13) For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. (14) But solid food is for fullgrown men, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. Born-again people have born-again senses. As spiritual men, we must have spiritual senses. Our carnal senses trap and rule over us and our land when we live according to what we see, hear and feel as the old man and the world does.   God teaches us how to spiritually see in (2Pe.1:3) Seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue. We see that God has already provided us everything that pertains unto life and godliness! Now you have the eyes of a dove (Son 1:15). You have the eyes of the Spirit when you begin to see that the promises are true, but the world is transitory. (2Pe.1:4) Whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises (the stones at the mouth of the cave); that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.   Having eyes to see, we can partake of God's nature. We will have spiritual eyes, ears, touch, spiritual smell (or discernment), spiritual taste and words. We've been given these spiritual gifts that enable the spiritual man to take over. The Israelites had captured the five kings who ruled the Promised Land in a cave and they closed up the mouth with great stones. And we know, Jesus is the Stone; He's the Rock which is the Word of God. These great stones represent the great promises of the Word of God. We're adding learning to our lips, which are the “mouth of the cave.”   When we study the Word of God, we learn and see what we are supposed to say and what we're not supposed to say. It gives us restraint to not say things that would permit a curse upon our life. The Israelites had to conquer the Promised Land, and conquer these kings that ruled over the carnal man and bring the curse upon him. And this is what the parable points to – rolling out those stones in front of the mouth. (Eph.4:29) Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying (building-up) as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.   We can see that we can apply many verses when speaking of conquering the DS with all their invaders who are getting ready to overthrow this land we live in. Just a couple come quickly to mind. (Mat.18:18-19) Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. And (Mar.11:23-24) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. These will come in useful when the invaders rise up.  If we see and walk in the Spirit, then we speak in agreement with the Spirit. (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Our nature is changed by the Word of God when …we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. (2Co 3:18) When we see a need, such as someone living under the curse, we should speak truth with grace to them to overcome, grace to meet that need, whatever it may be. When we speak according to the Kingdom, we are meeting someone's need for God and His benefits. Saving this country from the invaders to whatever extent God permits is a need.  They will be permitted to persecute the apostate Church for it is in rebellion to the Word of our covenant. (Col.3:17) And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, [do] all in the name (Greek: “nature, character and authority”) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Do everything as if you are representing Him because you are an ambassador of Christ (2Co 5:20), so speak His words to this world and His enemies. We're called to confess Him before men always and to speak in His name.   (1Pe.4:11) If any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, [ministering] as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. When we speak as an oracle of God, that is His Word coming out of us, we're letting the spiritual man, who is in communication with God through our spirit, do the speaking. We don't let the carnal man, the flesh, do the speaking.   To walk holy is to walk separate. The Greek word for “holy” is the same word for “sanctified” and it means “separate”; that is, separated from the world, from sin, separated unto God. We speak His words, think His thoughts and we do His works because He lives in us. The more we do that, the more we grow in holiness. It's the place of Holiness, preservation and provision. Without holiness, no man can see the Lord (Heb 12:14). Holiness is what we grow in when we bear the fruit of Jesus Christ. It is separation from the old man, who is moved and ruled by the carnal senses, unto the new man, who is ruled according to the spiritual senses.   Now let's go to (Isa.11:2) 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 of the fear of the Lord. (3) And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears; (4) but with righteousness shall he judge the poor (This is poor in the things of the Kingdom), and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (5) And righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.   He's talking about Christ in His first-fruits Man-child in the end-time who will not walk according to the carnal senses because he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears (Isa.11:3). Instead, we are to have our senses exercised to discern good from evil (Heb 5:14) by the Word of God, which is the washing of water with the word (Eph.5:26). As our senses are exercised, we begin to see and hear spiritually; we begin to hear and speak the Voice of the Spirit.   It's similar to when David went to slay Goliath, the giant in the land. He went to the brook and pulled out those five smooth stones that were exercised by the washing of the water, which represents the Word. He took only one of those stones and he felled Goliath (1Sa 17). David spoke it to him ahead of time, declaring that he would take off Goliath's head and feed him to the birds. That's very bold! And because David spoke it, that's exactly what he did. The stone, or sense, that David was using was the tongue. The tongue senses tastes but it also speaks the Word. David conquered Goliath because he had spiritual senses.   Now we can return to Joshua. He told the Israelites to go after their enemies, since the five kings were already trapped in the cave and closed off with the stones. Now they were able to conquer those whom the kings had ruled over. (Jos.10:20) And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, (21) that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.   (22) Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring forth those five kings unto me out of the cave. (23) And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon. (24) And it came to pass, when they brought forth those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the chiefs of the men of war that went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.   They let them out of the cave and they had to keep them from speaking, so they put their feet on their necks. It reminds me of the dream I've shared before about being in a war with a giant and not letting the old man speak. When he did, he said, “Bigger, bigger, bigger!” We have a lot of giants around us – a lot of big problems and a lot of big enemies. But we can't let the old man, whom I captured in the dream and who was in bondage to me, speak out of our mouth. I didn't want to let him speak because the old man has the authority to make the situation worse and make the enemy stronger and bigger. I refused him and demanded that the giant be reduced, saying, “No! Smaller, smaller, smaller.”   Similarly, the Israelites put their feet on the kings' necks, causing the five senses to not speak or to rule over the body. (Jos.10:25) And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. (Notice, you speak the Word and the Lord will do it. In Rev.12:11, the devil and his angels were cast down by the “word of their testimony” of the saints.)  (26) And afterward Joshua smote them, and put them to death, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. Notice that all of our enemies, firstly our old man, will be conquered in this way. Father said against Babylon in Jer.51:3 …Utterly destroy all her army. We are not permitted to wrestle with flesh nor use fleshly weapons but to “resist not” and if opportunity arises we are to preach Christ to them.  But we have authority over all their power and that includes the principalities and powers. (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. As an example to us, before Jesus' time of crucifixion, when the Jews sought to throw him off a cliff, he just passed through their midst unharmed. I was shot at by an assassin from close range and my angel made the bullet disappear. A tractor back blade was thrown straight at my head by a demon, while Michael watched, but all I felt was a finger on my nose pushing me to the ground with zero pain. That was just ahead of the blade. Michael was sure it had hit and killed me.  My tractor wheel fell into a hole and the tractor was flipping into a gully. I was looking straight down at the ground when the tractor uprighted with me stuck in the seat. It was a work of our satanists. Several other times I escaped them. (Luk.1:68) ...For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people... 71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us...74 To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear.  Jesus Christ was hanged upon a tree, or cross, and they wanted to take Him down before evening, too. Jesus also was buried in a cave. So why is God applying this to the senses of the old man? (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. That includes our five senses. The Lord has already taken care of this problem when He was crucified on that tree and you were crucified with Him. You have been given this gift of the new man, for by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Heb.10:14).  We walk in the spirit according to these divine senses that are attuned to the Kingdom of Heaven. These senses see how to walk in the Kingdom. It comes quite naturally to us to walk in the world but it comes supernaturally to us to walk in the Kingdom; that is, to have our senses exercised by the Word of God to see and hear the way God sees and hears, and to smell, or discern, the way God does. It is also to have our emotions in communication with God.   We have the victory over the old man and his senses because he's dead and the new man, Who is Jesus Christ, lives in you. Because of your faith and speaking that faith, God will bring it to pass. He will do it through our faith and not by our works. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory.   Father, we pray that You will (Psa.141:3) Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. Amen.  So we know that in the Kingdom of Heaven, there is singing, praise, worship and thanksgiving to the Lord our King. When we do this, we are bringing more of His Kingdom down here to earth. (Mat.6:10)  We have ‘authority over all the power of the enemy' (Luk.10:19). We have power in praise. When we praise the Lord, He gives us the victory!       Worship and Praise   Vines Expository Dictionary on the Greek word Worship: “to make obeisance, do reverence to” (from pros, “towards”, and kuneo, “to kiss”), is the most frequent word rendered “to worship”. It is used of an act of homage or reverence. In other words, worship is an act of love toward God.   Father is looking for those who worship Him with their all: (Joh.4:21) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. (22) Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. (23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. There is much fake worship -- words without heart and spirit.   Worship is the way to bring God's presence: (Psa.100:1) Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands. (2) Serve Jehovah with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. (3) Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name. (5) For Jehovah is good; His lovingkindness endureth forever, And his faithfulness unto all generations.   Worship reveals our love and admiration for God and He knows it: (1Ch.29:11) Thine, O Jehovah, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Jehovah, and thou art exalted as head above all.   Praise Him everywhere, with a new song that comes from your heart, and dancing and with all instruments and enemies will be conquered: (Psa.149:1) Praise ye Jehovah. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, And his praise in the assembly of the saints. (2) Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. (3) Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp. (4) For Jehovah taketh pleasure in his people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. (5) Let the saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds. (This will bind our enemies works against us.)  (7)  To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples;  (8)  To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;  (9)  To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah. (Children can conquer enemies in worship.) Psa 8:2  Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. (150:1) Praise ye Jehovah. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power. (2) Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness. (3) Praise him with trumpet sound: Praise him with psaltery and harp. (4) Praise him with timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe. (5) Praise him with loud cymbals: Praise him with high sounding cymbals. (6) Let everything that hath breath praise Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah. It is the will of the Lord to worship in songs and hymns: (Eph.5:17) Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (18) And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (20) giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; We give thanks to God; this is a secret of power because we believe we have already received what we asked, right?   Praise (meaning “brag on”) Him to everyone: (1Ch.16:23) Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth; Show forth his salvation from day to day. (24) Declare his glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples. (25) For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods. (26) For all the gods of the peoples are idols: But Jehovah made the heavens. (27) Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and gladness are in his place. (28) Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength; (29) Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him: Worship Jehovah in holy array. (30) Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved. (31) Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth.   We are taught to worship, praise and pray with hands lifted up to the Lord: (1Ti.2:8) I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. (Psa.63:4) So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Lam.3:41) Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. (Neh.8:6) and Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground.   Why lifting up hands? Offering our hands to the Lord for His works and to conquer His enemies: (Exo.17:9) And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. (10) So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (11) And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (13) And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.   Worship and praise will conquer overwhelming enemies: (2Ch.20:17) Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of Jehovah with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed: to-morrow go out against them: for Jehovah is with you. (18) And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshipping Jehovah. (19) And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.   (20) And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Jehovah your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (21) And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them that should sing unto Jehovah, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks unto Jehovah; for his lovingkindness endureth forever. (22) And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten. (The angels will smite the enemies in the land.)  Worship to bind the enemy and their kings: (Psa.149:6) Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand; (7) To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples; (The Lord is doing this.) (8) To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; (9) To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah.   Because judgment and enemies are near, fear God and worship Him: (Rev.14:7) and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters. (Dan.3:16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. (17) If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.   (2Ki.17:38) and the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods: (39) but Jehovah your God shall ye fear; and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.   We can clap and shout our triumph over our enemies. Triumph is celebrating the victory before we see it: (Psa.47:1) Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph. (Jos.6:20) So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets; and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.   Praise in Hebrew is “Hallal”, meaning brag on the Lord. Give credit or ascribe to the Lord: (Psa.29:1) Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength. (2) Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name; Worship Jehovah in holy array. (3) The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters: The God of glory thundereth, Even Jehovah upon many waters. (4) The voice of Jehovah is powerful; The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty. (5) The voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars; Yea, Jehovah breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. When we speak in agreement with the Word of God, we are giving “voice” to the Word and the angels hearken to His voice. (Psa.103:20) Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. Amen! 

Saturday, 21 September 2024   Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:11   “Then the Traducer, he leaves Him. And behold! Messengers, they came, and they ministered to Him” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told Satan to withdraw from Him, noting that only the Lord God was to be worshiped. Having said that, it next says, “Then the Traducer, he leaves Him.”   Luke's narrative leaves out the fact that Jesus commanded Satan's departure and adds in another thought –   “And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘It has been said, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”' 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”   There is no contradiction in this. Jesus commanded Satan to depart, and he did, but he also would look for an opportunity to frustrate Jesus' ministry. At one point, he will try to do it through Peter –   “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!' 23 But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'” Matthew 16:21-23   The Traducer was on the lookout for a suitable opportunity to vex the work of the Messiah. For now, however, Jesus proved His ability to overcome the temptations placed before Him. He also proved His authority over Satan by telling him to withdraw. Once gone, it next says, “And behold! Messengers, they came, and they ministered to Him.”   This is the first use of the verb diakoneó in the Bible. It signifies to be an attendant and thus serving. The word is connected to the cognate noun, diakonos, an attendant. That comes from dia (through or thoroughly) and konis, dust. Hence, it is one who scurries through the dust, kicking it up as he attends to others. It is where our modern word deacon is derived from.   As such, these messengers came and served the Lord, meeting His needs, certainly including the food He hungered for in verse 2. Who these messengers are is not stated. A strong possibility, however, is that they are those referred to in Zechariah 4 –   “Then I answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?' 12 And I further answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?' 13 Then he answered me and said, ‘Do you not know what these are?' And I said, ‘No, my lord.' 14 So he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.'” Zechariah 4:11-14   In that passage, those who stand beside the Lord (Heb: ha'omdim – the standing) are those who serve the Lord. The same term is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to indicate this. These two, then, have been designated to serve the Lord in a particular fashion. As the same terminology (olive trees and lampstands) is used in Revelation 11:4, it is likely they will be the two witnesses noted in Revelation 11.   As such, these are probably not angels who are attending to Jesus in Matthew 4 but rather these two (even though no number of messengers is stated). These two have been selected to serve the Lord (stand beside Him). There being only two people who reasonably fit this description, Enoch and Elijah, it is a good possibility it is them.   Both were taken in Old Testament times and so they qualify for being those in Zechariah 4. They will die in Revelation 11, thus qualifying as humans, not angels (see Luke 20:36). As such, it would explain why these two men were singled out thousands of years ago to serve the Lord, not dying before being carried to be with the Lord.   Of course, this is all speculation, but it fits well with such passages that are seen in many places in Scripture.   Life application: In Albert Barnes' Commentary on this passage, as he often does, he gives several logical points concerning temptation and how it applies to our lives. The first point contains an error that must be addressed. He says, “That no one is so holy as to be free from temptation, for even the Son of God was sorely tempted.”   This is incorrect. Jesus is so holy that He did not succumb to temptation, but he is not “so holy as to be free from temptation.” In this we must be careful to accurately define what has happened. In His humanity, Jesus could be tempted, but He did not fall prey to its effects. It may seem like semantics, but it is an important point.   We too, through the knowledge of Christ, may be tempted, but we can avoid falling prey to its effects. It takes active consideration and a total alliance on our understanding of who Jesus is to avoid its effects, but it can be done.   As we learn the word, given through God's Spirit, we can apply it to our lives. Jesus, being the focus of the word, is the One we are to emulate. However, in our fallen human selves, we are also bound to fail from time to time. When we do, we just need to redirect and gather ourselves together for the continued march to glory.   Jesus is with us because He has gone before us. We have the word that testifies to His victory, and so let us press on in His strength. Onward in Christ! Eyes on Jesus!   Lord God, it is often a difficult life filled with many trials and temptations, but we know that even in our human weakness and failings, we can and will ultimately prevail through our faith in Jesus. Thank You for doing what we could not do. Thank You for the glory You have revealed in the giving of Your Son. Amen.

Christian Maturity (audio) David Eells 1/7/24 (Heb.10:18) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. That is, through the offering up of Christ, all of those who were separated from their sins were sanctified. So, in this we see what we have by faith, what we have by position in Christ. Now God is expecting us to bear the fruit of what we have in Christ. He's given it to us as a gift. We have to reach out and take it by faith, and accept it, and confess it! We have to believe with our heart and confess with our mouth unto this salvation that we're speaking about.   We can see that sanctification has already been given and that's our position. But look at 1 Thessalonians 3:11, where it speaks about the manifestation of sanctification, or holiness. In most places in the Bible, “sanctification” and “holiness” come from the same word – hagiasmos. (1Th.3:11) Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: (12) and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also [do] toward you; (1Th.3:13) to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness….   “Holiness” here is one of the words for “sanctification.” Well, if there's an “end” that we're coming to and it is to be established in holiness, or sanctification, then this is not the same thing he was just talking about in Hebrews 10. There he says we “have been sanctified.” Here he is saying that we're looking forward to being sanctified. This is talking about the manifestation of sanctification, or the manifestation of holiness. As a matter of fact, this particular word for “holiness” is hagiosune and it means “sanctification manifested” in our actions, in our works. That's what God desires, not just sanctification in heavenly places, which was given to us as a gift from Christ, but manifested in our works.     So He has commanded us to partake of what He's already provided, as our position in Christ. This is hagiosune. (1Th.3:13) To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. What he's saying is, “You have to be ready for that time, when the Lord comes with all of His saints.” He's talking about those who have passed on before, the dead in Christ. He's saying, “You have to be unblameable and in holiness at that time, sanctified to the purpose that God has for His Church, that spotless, blemishless Church.” We have to be ready for the Lord when He comes. Now we're seeing that this happens through the manifestation of sanctification, this word hagiosune, which is a derivative of hagiasmos. It specifically addresses the manifestation of the works of sanctification in a person's life.     Let's look at another place where hagiosune is used: (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This verse uses the same word hagiosune. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord…. Holiness, sanctification: this is something that God has given us to do. We exercise our faith in the promises and through this we perfect sanctification.  So we see that there is a way in which we've been given sanctification and holiness by position, and there is a way in which God is telling us, “Okay, since I've given this to you, now take it by faith.” The only way we can apprehend what God has given unto us is to take it by faith.     1 Thessalonians agrees with this: (1Th.4:1) Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, that ye abound more and more. (2) For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification…. But we just read in Hebrews 10 that this has already been given to us as a gift. We need to understand that God is proving who the true believers are. Many people are religious and quite content to say, “Okay, I'm holy.” That's simple. But they don't realize that God wants that holiness of Christ, that hagiosune that we just read about to be manifested in our life, in our heart and in our works.    God has called us in sanctification and He wants us to apprehend all of what sanctification is. (1Th.5:23) And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly … (or “completely” or “perfectly”). It's the same word. This is what perfection is, friends. (23) … May your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire (in other words, no garment spotted by the flesh), without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you (that is, invites you to partake of this), who will also do it. In other words, the Lord will manifest it. He expects us to walk by faith, but He will manifest this in us. He will manifest the gift that He has given us through Jesus Christ.     This same truth is “manifested” in quite a few other places, for instance, where Paul speaks of our Passover, Who is Christ. (1Co.5:7) Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our Passover also hath been sacrificed, [even] Christ: (8) wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.   He goes on to question, “What are we to do if we're to be unleavened and leaven comes into our midst?” Malice and wickedness come into our midst, which he was talking about in the previous text, when he spoke of a man who had his father's wife. Paul turned him over to the devil for the destruction of his flesh so that the spirit might be saved in the Day of the Lord, so he's telling us to cast out these people.    In other words, God is expecting a manifestation of sanctification for those who have faith. He's making these people responsible. (9) I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; (10) not at all [meaning] with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: (11) but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. He's talking about eating the Passover. He's talking about partaking of the Word of God.   People who are coming to God, who repent, who change their mind and believe the Gospel, walk away from immorality. His warning is here: (1Co.6:9) Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. He's talking to Christians; he's not talking about the people in the world. He said the church judges those who are within.    I'd like to point out another Scripture, as well: (2Th.2:13) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation (Here it is again!) in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. This is the way to manifest our salvation. We've been saved by faith, but now it has to be manifested. Salvation is Jesus Christ. If we want to know what it looks like, it looks like Jesus Christ. (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. The only hope of glory is “Christ in you,” 30-, 60- and 100-fold.   He says here, He “chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” This is part of it. We can't have sanctification by the Spirit unless we believe the truth. Believing the truth is what gives us grace. Grace is what gives us sanctification.     Grace is God's unmerited favor. We don't take one step toward God without His favor, and that comes by exercising faith in the truth. It's very important whom we sit under, whom we believe, whom we let sit next to us. The Bible is very plain that [a] little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Gal.5:9). If you're sitting in a church where they permit the grossest of sinners in there, and they call it grace, what they're doing is “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jud.1:4), a license to do what you want to do. ‘If it's okay for the next guy to do it, it's okay for me to do it.' And everything that comes out his mouth, and everything that witnesses to me of his life is going into me. He says, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Gal.5:9). So He's warning us.     (2Th.2:14) Whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We've been given this glory from the sacrifice of Christ, but He wants us to obtain the glory, or, in other words, for it to be manifested in this realm. “Manifestation” means “becoming seen; becoming visible” in this realm. The Lord is demanding that we obtain His glory. It can only come through the truth and our faith in the truth, which brings us sanctification. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification (or “holiness,” hagiasmos) without which no man shall see the Lord.     So now he speaks to Christians, to whom he just got through telling, “By which will we have been sanctified” (Heb.10:10). (14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Sanctification is this process of perfection. He's saying that this has been given to us freely, and now we are to follow after this, to Follow after … the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb.12:14).     It's not good enough for us to just believe in the position that we have in Christ, although that position affords us great benefits, and without that, we have no way to obtain sanctification. (15) Looking carefully lest [there be] any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you,] and thereby the many be defiled; (16) lest [there be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright.   What was his birthright? Well, obviously, according to the text, sanctification, but because of following after the flesh, or meat, he sold his birthright. He was a son of Abraham, he had birthright, but he lost it. That's what Esau represents, a Christian who lost his birthright. Some don't believe that can happen, but they're wrong. (17) For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father], though he sought it diligently with tears. He found no place for a change of mind. He desired it, he knew that he needed it. He wanted fire insurance, but God wouldn't give it to him.   In the Parable of the Sower, it was the seed, which was the Word, that brought forth the fruit. (17) Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. Not man's theology, nothing other than His pure Word is truth. (18) As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. (19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. What is Jesus saying? He was saying that He was sanctifying Himself so that His disciples could be sanctified in the truth that was manifested through Him.     We can't get sanctification from someone who doesn't speak the truth, or someone who's not walking in sanctification themselves. They're just leaven and they're going to leaven you. Don't sit underneath them and don't fellowship with those who are walking in sin. Fellowship is giving and receiving, and you don't want to receive things from these people. It's like partaking of unclean beasts. We're forbidden to do this. So Jesus said, “I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in the truth.” While walking with Jesus, it sanctified those disciples pretty quickly.  We have a method given to us by God to help us be able to imagine sanctification, to imagine that it is our gift and that we can walk in it. (Rom.6:1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? I tell you, a lot of people believe that. They believe, “Oh, it's the grace of God. I'm a sinner saved by grace and my sins just magnify His grace.” But He says, not so. If you were sanctified, you'd better walk in it. (2) God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? (3) Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?   That's for the death of the old man. When you went down in that water, the old “you” died. The One that came up was Jesus Christ. (4) We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. So when you come up, you should be able to walk in newness of life. You have the authority over sin that you didn't have before, by this act of faith.     Baptism is an act of faith. It's a way in which our imagination can connect our faith with what God has given. It's the faith that does the work, not the water. The water represents the washing with the Word of God, but it's not the water that cleanses you physically. It's your faith that does it, you see, (Rom.6:4) … so we also might walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death (the likeness being baptism, buried in water, the Word of God, which puts to death the old man), we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection.     We're accepting this gift by faith when we're baptized. (6) Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin. Notice that he said it “might be done away.” It's not a surety that it will be done, even though this gift has been given to all of the saints. All of God's people have received this gift, but we have to fight to grasp it. (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.     (Rom.6:7) [F]or he that hath died is justified from sin. (8) But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; (9) knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him. (and neither does it with us) (10) For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin (in other words, consider it done, accept it by faith), but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof. So we see we have the authority to say no to sin; and notice that it's through our faith because we “reckon” that we're “dead unto sin” and “alive unto God.”    Are you a believer? Do you believe that Jesus took away the sin that you're struggling with right now? Do you believe that you can cast this thing down by faith in Jesus Christ? (18) And being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. You don't have to “any longer live therein” (Rom.6:2). You can cast it down. (19) … Present your members [as] servants to righteousness unto sanctification. … (22) But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification…. You have it already. It's been given to you. Glory be to God!    Usually I study the Parable of the Sower out of Matthew 13, but I would like us to look at Luke this time. (Luk.8:4) And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable: (5) The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it. (6) And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. (7) And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.   (8) And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (9) And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. (10) And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. (11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.   (12) And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. (13) And those on the rock [are] they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.   So obviously, we're talking about the manifestation of perfection, which is to bring fruit to perfection. Notice, even though they were receiving the seed, they didn't bring the fruit to perfection. (15) And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience. These bring forth fruit unto perfection. Glory to God! That's our hope, that the Lord Himself will manifest His fruit in us.   It's the seed that brings forth the fruit unto perfection; it's not us. It's the seed, the Word of God in us, that has power. One of the points is that we have to hold it fast, hold fast the seed. We see that the seed is being sown in the heart (verse 11) and the seed is the Word of God. If the heart holds it fast, it will bring forth fruit unto perfection. (12) And those by the wayside are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. Here the Word is not held fast so that it bears fruit; this is a miscarrying womb.   The heart is the womb that brings forth the fruit, just like the womb of a woman has to hold fast the seed in order for that seed to come to birth. (1Jn.3:9) Whosoever is begotten (the word “begotten” here is the same word for “born”) of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him…. In other words, it stays, it's being held fast, it “abideth in him.” He cannot sin because he is born of God. So, when the seed abides, it can come to birth, it can bring the fruit to perfection. And we know, since the seed is the Word of God, and Jesus is the Word of God, that the fruit that is born in us is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.1:27); that is, Christ manifested in His people.     We know that we were perfected at the cross, that His life was given for ours, and that we don't live anymore – Christ lives in us by faith. But as we hold fast the promise in the midst of the many trials of riches, temptations, and so on, as we hold on to the Word, that Word will bear fruit. Many times in the trial, our mind wants to revert back to the things of the world. Our mind wants to walk by sight instead of by faith, but in the trial, we have opportunity to hold on to the Word and not turn it loose, so that it bears the same fruit of Jesus Christ in us, the same faith, the same miraculous power, the same sanctifying power, manifested through His saints.     When we're in the midst of the trial, we are tempted to go back to our old thinking, but what we have to do is hold fast to the Word and cast down everything else. (2Co.10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That's the whole point: we are to hold fast to the Word and cast down everything else. Cast down the seed of the devil, which is his word. Cast it down, cast it out of our mind. We only want the one seed that can bring forth the fruit of Christ. That's the only seed we want to accept and we have to hold fast to it, because the devil is seeking to take away the seed that's been sown in our heart. He desperately has to do that, or we will bear fruit and it will be too late.     When you're in the fiery trial and you know what the promise is, remember, that promise is the seed that you have to hold to in order to bear the fruit. We don't want to have a spiritually-miscarrying womb. Remember, Jesus said, The words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life (Joh.6:63). Any other word besides the Word of God is also spirit and is also life, but not the spirit and life of Christ. We don't want another life.   We don't want to have “strange children,” as the prophet spoke: (Hos.5:7) “They have borne strange children”. We read the Scriptures in order to become familiar with the Father, Jesus said, He that hath seen me hath seen the Father (Joh.14:9). In other words, He Himself manifested His Father. He was a seed which was in line with His Father, and we have to also be a seed. The fruit in us has to also be a seed which is in line with our Father.   Remember the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? The word there for “seed” is the word sperma, letting us know this is not just talking about plants here. The Word, sperma, is what's going to bring forth this wheat. When a person sows good seed in their field, the Lord's sperma is there. Who sowed those tares among the wheat? Jesus said, “an enemy hath done this” (Mat.13:28). Two seeds sown in the same field is not supposed to be. The field He is talking about is in the Kingdom of God on this earth. But in our life, it's up to us to make sure we cast down the bad seed, which is, “imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God” (2Co.10:5). Receive only and hold fast to the good seed because the good seed will bring forth the birth.    Belief gives fertile ground to the seed, which will bear fruit when a person agrees with it, accepts it and walks in it by faith. We fight a battle with the devil, who has an ally, the old carnal nature, working with him and against us. The devil can steal the seed because he has agreement in the carnal nature, which washes the seed away. The carnal nature won't let that seed be held fast, so that it can bear fruit. We must hold to the Word of God, as 2 Thessalonians says: (1:10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. Why? “Our testimony unto you was believed.” Jesus is coming to be glorified in His people because that testimony of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” will be believed “in that day.”     When was this spoken? This is talking about the time immediately before the coming of the Lord; look at the text. So, right before the coming of the Lord, God's people are once again going to believe in the Gospel that has been spoken to the “woman” church. Remember what Jesus said: (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. (Mat.8:13) … As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. Do you believe that the seed of the promise of the Word of God can bring forth Jesus Christ in you? If you do, it will happen.     Also, we have this word: (Luk.8:14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. The word “perfection” here is a strange word not used anywhere else in the Bible. It's the word telesphoreo. There's a common word for “perfection” – teleios – but this word is telesphoreo and it means “to bring to perfection” or “end in view.” In other words, we have to see the end from the beginning. We have to call these things that be not as though they were.   We're “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord” (to look in the mirror and see Jesus; that's having farsightedness) and “are transformed into” that “same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” And Paul prefaces that with, “But we all, with unveiled face,” so this telesphoreo we see from the beginning. We're seeing it, accepting it and we're walking toward it, and we're going to receive it by faith. Cast down the words of man.  This revelation of perfection will be restored. (Luk.8:14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (15) And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.    This phrase, “They … bring no fruit to perfection,” obviously implies that that's the end result, this bringing forth “fruit to perfection.” The common word in Greek for “perfection” is teleios, which means “having reached its end; finished; complete; perfect.” But the particular word here in this passage is the only word in the Bible like this (and this is the “perfect” place for it, by the way). It's the word telesphoreo and it means “to bring to completion, or perfection, with an end in view.” This is the key to manifesting God's perfection. It's nothing that we in ourselves have any possibility of doing, but the Father is giving us the key to take hold of His power, so that He Himself is the One Who perfects us.     This key has been hidden for many generations, as it was, according to Paul, before him for many generations. In these days, it's being revealed again, not that it ever was snuffed out, but in large communities of God's people, it has been snuffed out for the last 2000 years. The key is “the end in view,” seeing the end as something that God already provided for you. You are accepting as a free gift the finished work of Christ.  Now let's look again at: (Heb.10:10) By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. We have sanctification both by faith and by manifestation. The Scriptures speak of both things: (14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. So He sanctified us and perfected us by that one offering up of the body of Christ. The Lord wants us to accept His free gift that we've been delivered from sin, that we've been separated from the world and that we've been perfected. That's what the Bible says. To deny that is to deny the Gospel.     What is perfection? What is maturity? What is salvation? What is the end in view? (Luk.6:40) The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when (notice that “when,” not “if”) he is perfected shall be as his teacher. Who was the teacher here? Obviously, the teacher was Jesus. He really means “when he is perfected shall be as his teacher,” so we have something to look forward to, don't we? (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. God is the One Who's going to do this through our faith (and even that's a gift from Him).     We have to renew our mind first and see the gift of Jesus Christ that God has given to us. We're accepting His free gift, not on the grounds that we've earned it or have any ability or power to partake of it, but on the grounds that God has promised to give it to us, as a gift. And now Jesus is telling us that when we are perfected, we'll be as our Teacher. This tells us that it's very important who our teacher is.    If we make religion our teacher, we're going to be far short. If we make a certain denomination our teacher, we're only going to go to that level and we're going to stop, because they won't let us go beyond them. They'll judge us pretty harshly if we try. But if we make the Word of God our Teacher, and “Word of God” is just another name for Jesus Christ, then we can come into that image. So the best thing to do, of course, is to dig and study the Word, to find out exactly what it is to be like Him and to be a disciple.     The disciple is not above his Teacher. He promised that a disciple, when he is perfected, shall be as his Teacher. Not all people called Christians will ever be perfected, but disciples will, because they're learners and followers, mathetes. They study the master. They want to walk as the Master walked. Notice the promise is “when.” But that's for a disciple. There are many, many Christians, but not many disciples. Jesus made conditions for discipleship and we need to study those conditions, too.    Here's a similar verse: (Mat.10:24) A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. (25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. Wow! Again, an awesome word that the Lord has given unto us. Many people would call that blasphemy, but the Lord Himself is the One Who spoke it. It's not our power.     See, Jesus is “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom.8:29). We, too, are being “born” into His image: spirit, soul and, ultimately, body. But while we're here, we're called to come into His image in spirit and soul. (Mat.10:25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. To abide in Christ means to be coming into that place where you are walking as He walked, more and more. You're growing in the image and stature of Christ and you're coming into that place.     Let me also point out another verse: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever…. So there are some people who are considered bondservants who will not enter the Kingdom; they will not be “in the house forever.” They will not have eternal life because they're also bondservants of sin; only “the son abideth forever.”     There's a difference between a bondservant and a son. Let me explain something to you that the Lord explained to me. Every son is a bondservant and every son serves his lord diligently, but not every bondservant is a son. A son is a special relationship. This is the heir we're talking about; they're not just a slave. Servants serve for one reason; sons serve for quite another reason. Sons want to promote their father's kingdom because they're also heirs of that kingdom, and they want to please their father. He's their father!    Bondservants serve, many times, because they have to. Sometimes it might be just fire insurance to them. But to a son, it's different; it's personal when you're a son. And there are far fewer sons than there are bondservants.     I'd like to further point out the difference between a servant and a son: (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all. Let's say that all who are called Christians are heirs. Some are children and some are more and more manifesting sonship. Right now, he says, so long as the heir is a child, he's no different than a bondservant, even though, in reality and according to position, he's lord of everything.     God has given us perfection at the very beginning of our walk. It's a free gift He's given unto us and because we accept it by faith, we walk more and more in that position. What is perfection? It's Christ, it's sonship, it's the manifestation of the Son in you. This is God's plan. Reconciliation is an exchange of Christ's life on the cross for your life. “Reconciliation” means “an exchange.” God has given you His life and His blessings and taken your curse and your sin and put it upon the cross. Now we are entering into this because we believe in this. (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. The Lord is manifesting this in us freely because we believe that we've been given sonship and not just the position of a servant.  Here's another confirmation: (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. Servants and children are equal, but the end result, which we're looking in the mirror to see, is sonship. (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; (2) but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. That's true; we all start out in kindergarten, which is a lot of religions out there, friends. They are just kindergarten.   The Lord told me one time that religions are like playpens that are meant to be outgrown – we're supposed to climb over the bars. They build all kinds of bars around you to keep you in, but you can outgrow them. You can be mature, but in the meantime, there are “guardians and stewards” who keep the baby from getting in trouble. (3) So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world. “Rudiments” here means “elements.” The Greek word stoicheion means “first principles in a series.” Many people are really hung up under the “first principles.” They're staying right there; they're not moving from the “first principles.” But if you stay there, you're not going to bear fruit. Some people are going around in little religious circles with the same old things, not stretching forth to grow in the fullness of the Word of God.     (Gal.4:4) But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Heb.7:19) (For the law made nothing perfect)….If you're under the Law, you'll never come to perfection. We're all in a relationship with God, brethren. Grace is the right relationship. We need His grace and His power to work in us.    The Law is actuated by our own works, but we receive grace through faith and then God works the work in us. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. We need to get out from under the Law, otherwise, we'll always stay a child and bondservant. (Gal.4:6) And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Now, what does “because ye are sons” mean?   The answer is here: (Gal.3:25) But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. (26) For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. (Rom.8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. That's the manifestation of the sons of God. This is the son of God by faith. We're sons of God by faith because now, in the New Testament, out from under the Law, we're justified by faith in believing that we don't live anymore – Christ lives in us.   (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Remember, He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last (Pro.29:21).    This comes from both the Jews and the Romans. They had a procedure whereby they would adopt servants in whom they had particular pleasure, maybe if they didn't have a child of their own. They would adopt them as sons, the point being that the word for “child,” teknon, only emphasizes a birth, but the word “son,” huios, emphasizes a particular relationship with the father. There are many people born into the Kingdom, but they never manifest sonship. They remain children all their lives. They never mature and don't bear fruit.     One thing that keeps us from bearing fruit is the Law, living under legalism. This is illustrated here: (Gal.4:7) So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. So we see that, by faith, we are no longer bondservants; we're no longer children. We're sons because we come out from under the Law and into grace to enter into this.   (8) Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: (9) but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments (there's “first principles” again), whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.    They were going back under the Law and seeking to be justified by the Law, through their own self-efforts to keep the Law, instead of by faith. (Gal.3:11) Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith. So our life comes from faith. The Law is just our tutor to bring us to Christ. He has to take us from that point on.   (Gal.4:19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you (in other words, until sonship is formed in you). You're a child if you're under the Law in any form. If your religion is putting you under legalism, whether it's the legalism of the Old Testament Law or their own laws, rather than being able to follow the Spirit, you're going to stay a child. You're never going to grow up.     He goes on to talk about the “son of the handmaid” and the “son of the freewoman”: (21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. Now that's clear. If you're under legalism, you're not free to hear the voice of Christ and follow Him, and to submit to all that Scripture has to say – not just the little box that your religion has made. It doesn't matter whether it's man's legalism or of your own church rules, or even as far as going back under the Old Testament Law. You're not free and you're not justified by faith like that.    Sons of the handmaid are servants; sons of the freewoman are sons. He warns us in the next verse, (30) Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. Yes, they were both children of Abraham, but Paul is making a type and a shadow here to show us that the bondservant who is not a son will not have the eternal life like the son will.     The devil has a lot of people walking in bondage, thinking that they're justified by their works, thinking nobody else is obeying this particular part of the Law but them and they're seeking to be justified by that. They're not free and it's sad. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit of God is not going to lead you back under the law, a covenant that God never made with you. The Spirit of God is going to lead you under grace.     (Gal.4:31) Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. Yes, that's exactly right by faith, not necessarily by manifestation, but by faith. So we need to repent. If you are listening to men who are dragging you back under the Law, you need to repent because this is going to stunt your growth. You will be called a son of the handmaid and not of the freewoman. You'll be a bondservant, but you'll never be a son. A bondservant is a child, the Bible says.    We're waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. The whole of creation waits. The whole purpose of God is to create His children into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. That's the manifestation of the sons of God. There are false doctrines about the manifestation out there and some are scaring away people from the very words “manifestation of the sons of God,” but it's in the Book. It was taught by the Lord and taught by the apostle Paul. We need an understanding of what “manifestation of the sons of God” means, which is what we're entering into.     I'd like to remind you that John says exactly what we read in Galatians: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth forever. Ishmaels do not have eternal life; Isaacs do. We are the seed of promise, through Isaac. Ishmael wasn't; that was a work of Abraham. By type and shadow, we understand what this means.    The Parable of the Talents is very clear: (Mat.25:14) For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants (these are not the people of the world; these are the people of the Kingdom), and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. So he gave forth his talents, and he expected them to bear the fruit of this.     (16) Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. (17) In like manner he also that [received] the two gained other two. (18) But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth (in the flesh), and hid his lord's money. (19) Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. (20) And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.   (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) And he also that [received] the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.   (24) And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; (25) and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. (26) But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; (27) thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. So when the lord returned, he judged the two who brought forth fruit and they entered into the kingdom and were blessed abundantly.     But he also judged the servant who had only one talent and didn't bear any fruit: (28) Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. (Mat.25:30) And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.     The unprofitable servant who doesn't bear the fruit, the servant who doesn't manifest sonship 30-, 60- and 100- fold, is cast forth into the outer darkness. They took the one talent away from that person and gave it to the servant who had 10 talents. Remember that because we're going to see it again. In other words, if you have fruit, you'll get more. If you have less, you'll get less.    If we go to Ezekiel, we see a revelation concerning the rewards given to the sons, not to the servants: (Eze.46:16) Thus saith the Lord God: If the prince (“Prince” was the name given to the High Priest and we know that's Jesus Christ) give a gift unto any of his sons, it is his inheritance (whatever the Lord gives to a son here, it's theirs and they will keep it forever), it shall belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance. (17) But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants…. Some people think that because they have the gift, they're a shoe-in: “I'm going to be in the Kingdom. I got these gifts. I got the Holy Spirit. I got this; I got that.” No, it doesn't mean any such thing.    A person has to bear the fruit of sonship; Jesus said 30-, 60- and 100-fold. Just because a person has the gift means nothing. There are actual religions out there that believe a person is a shoe-in if they speak in tongues, but there are a lot of tongue-talkers who are going to split hell wide open because they're not bearing the fruit of Jesus Christ. Whatever God has given to them, He can take it back just as easily as He gave it to them. It's because they're a servant, a perpetual child.     Of course, one thing that makes you a servant and a child is being under the Law and not faith. You see, faith is accounted as righteousness. Even as young in the faith as you are, you walk in that righteousness because you walk by faith. In other words, faith “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). Faith receives the end from the beginning. God calls you “righteous” because of your faith. There's a blood covering on you because of your faith.     But some will be perpetual children – bondservants and never sons, because of religion, because of a wrong relationship with God. (Eze.46:17) But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; (So you see, God can take back every gift that He's given to you, if you're not going to bear fruit, if you're not going to walk by faith.) but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.   Remember that the one talent was given to the bondservant with the 10 talents. It was taken away from the unprofitable bondservant who had the one talent, and who was then cast forth into outer darkness where there's weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. His talent, his reward, his gift, was given to the one who had 10, the one who had manifested sonship.   I believe the 10 talents in that parable represents those who have come completely into the image of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that the servant will become as his lord (Matthew 10:25) and Jesus promises 30-, 60- and 100-fold fruit. Paul also talks about the star glory, the moon glory and the sun glory. He speaks about the three different kinds of bodies that will be given to the saints because of the fruit that they've manifested on the earth (1 Corinthians 15).   What we see in Ezekiel 46 is the same thing we just read in Matthew, chapters 22 and 25. There are differences of reward, depending upon whether you are a child as a bondservant, or whether you are as a son. (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. So we're seeing the end from the beginning, seeing sonship, seeing in a mirror and, guess what? You're believing it's yours, you're continuing to walk in this faith and, if you consider it to be yours, God considers it to be yours.     Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Mat.9:29). In other words, He was adding His faith to your faith. If you're believing something, He added His faith to your faith and it was done! It's the same today. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. If you're walking by faith in a free gift, not something you could earn by your own self-righteousness, He's going to add His faith to your faith and it'll be yours. You don't have to worry about losing it. Don't worry about the time we have left. Don't worry about anything. The only thing you're supposed to do is behold “in a mirror the glory of the Lord,” so that you're transformed into that same image, “from glory to glory.”   According to Leviticus 25, this all happens at the year of liberty, the Jubilee, when the inheritance is divided up. This is when all the land goes back to the original owner, meaning when “The kingdom of the world is become [the kingdom] of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev.11:15). At the end of the Tribulation period, this is all going to be divided up and those who walk as servants and not as sons are not going to abide in the house forever, because they're bondservants of sin.   There's only one thing that keeps a person from partaking of this gift of God: it's to continue to walk in their sins when they don't have to because Jesus was the Lamb of God Who took away the sins of the world. Believe that you don't have any sin anymore because Jesus took it away. You can say no to the devil because Jesus delivered you out of the power of darkness. You can say no now because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Look at this verse: (Isa.65:9) And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains (out of Jacob – not all of Jacob, just a seed out of Jacob); and my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. There's a difference between dwelling there for a time and inheriting it. “My chosen.” “Many are called, but few chosen” (Mat.22:14). The chosen were the ones in Matthew chapters 22 and 25 who inherited.    Let me show you something from Psalms: (Psa.37:9) For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for the Lord, they shall inherit the land. We see the Bible says evildoers from among God's people will be cut off from the land, too. (10) For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. (11) But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.    This is also repeated further on down: (29) The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell there forever. (34) Wait for the Lord, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (37) Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; For there is a [happy] end to the man of peace. (38) As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off.   Let me bring this passage to your attention: (Rom.8:12) So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Notice it's “by the Spirit” of God and not our power. When a person has faith they have the power of the Spirit of God. Faith is just believing that God is true to His Word. It's just believing and reforming our mind to believe that what God says is true and what He's given us is ours. It's believing you are who He says you are.     (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. We can be led by the Spirit of God. We can love the truth. We can renounce evil. It's all a gift from God and we accept it freely, by faith.    The Spirit of God is the Spirit of adoption and He is the One Who brings us to the adoption of sons. (15) For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Many of you probably read or watched Ben-Hur and know how he was adopted by the Roman centurion. He's a good example and the Jews did the same thing. (16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: (17) and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him].    Many don't want to suffer. They just walk by faith but they don't want to suffer the death of the old man. (2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. You walk by faith for the new man and that's correct and right, but you have to be willing to give up the old man, to deny yourself and bear your cross, or there's no new man who can take his place in the Kingdom.     The Bible says that the outer man is decaying while the inner man is being renewed. As the old man is dying, the new man is taking his place. There's no other way. So, we have to cooperate with God in the death, as well. We accept and we believe in the death. That's why we're baptized – for the death, burial and resurrection. If you don't cooperate with God in the death, how are you going to get to the resurrection? The death is still God's gift.    (Rom.8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. These are the days for which God has put this earth here to begin with, to manifest His sons. He knows that this is a small portion of humanity on planet Earth, but He considers it worth it to have these manifested sons. Jesus was “the firstborn among many brethren” (29). These brethren are growing up in His likeness, by the grace of God.     (20) For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected, in hope (21) that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for [our] adoption (That will be a wonderful day!), [to wit,] the redemption of our body. The full manifestation of our adoption is when we get our new body. I want to tell you, however, that only those who bear the fruit in spirit and soul will get that new body.    The manifestation, of course, is not children, but sons. (1Jn.3:2) Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested (manifested in us is what he's talking about), we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. The person who sees the true Jesus in the mirror is the one who will be manifested in His likeness, who will come into manifesting Him from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).   Then we're told in the next verse, (3) And every one that hath this hope [set] on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. There it is again – sonship, “even as he is pure.” You may say, “That's not a possibility,” but think again. It's the Word of God. Take this free gift of Jesus, the life of Christ, the sonship that the Lord has given unto you. Accept it freely. Give up your old life, your sinful ways and turn to God. Amen.     This is so awesome! This is God's promise to us! Get in the Word for it is the only thing that brings forth Jesus! 

The anointing is given to those with a humble spirit.  It is given not for ourselves but for the Lord's purposes in expanding His love and authority and sharing in carrying His burden for His people and purposes in expanding the Kingdom in the earth.  Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. Num 11:17 NKJVAnd when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave (Grk. DIDOMAI) them power (Grk. DUNAMIS) over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matt 10:1-2 NKJVPursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Heb 12:14 NKJVListen, leave a comment, and share with friends and family. 

You might have heard the saying, “The best teacher is experience”. No doubt in some ways this is true but honestly it is possible that an experience might get you killed, and you won't live to learn from it. I've concluded over the years that the best teacher is the Word of God! God in His Word teaches how to live and how to respond to the trials and suffering we might have to face in life. In His Word we also can learn from the experience of others. From Psalm 54 we can learn how to respond to the pain of betrayal of those we had hoped would help us in our time trouble. David was fleeing for his life from Saul and had been betrayed by the Ziphites, who were from the same tribe as he was, the tribe of Judah. You can read about how they betrayed David two different times in 1 Samuel 23:19-23 and 1 Samuel 26:1-4. Once was bad enough, but twice must have really hurt! What can we learn from David's experience? David was the rightful king of Israel, and the future of the nation and the dynasty lay with him. This included the promise of Messiah, who would come from David's line (2 Sam. 7). "Save me, O God, by your name" means "on the basis of your character," especially His strength (v. 1) and faithfulness (v. 5). We need to remember Psalm 9:10: “And those who know Your name put their trust in You. For you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” David promised to praise God's name after the great victory (v. 6). He used three different names of God in this brief psalm: Elohim (vv. 1, 2, 3, 4), Adonai (Lord, v. 4), and Jehovah (Lord, v. 6). "Hear my prayer" (v. 2) is a favorite approach with David (Psalms 4:1; 39:12; 143:1). "Strangers" (v. 3) doesn't suggest that his enemies were Gentiles. It can describe anybody who has turned his or her back on someone, which the Ziphites certainly did to David, their king. Why did they do it? Because they disregarded the Lord and His will for the nation of Israel. Unlike David (Ps. 16:8), “they did not set God before them” (v. 3).   David puts his confidence in the Lord (v. 4). This is the central verse of the psalm, and it records the turning point in David's experience. The word translated "help" or "helper" is related to "Ebenezer" in 1 Samuel 7:12, "Thus far the Lord has helped us" and is a word David often used in his prayers (Psalms 10:14; 30:10; 33:20; 79:9; 86:17; 115:9-11). It's worth noting that Jonathan visited David about this time, and the Lord used him to encourage His servant (1 Sam. 23:16-18). The Lord doesn't always send angels to encourage us; sometimes He uses other believers to minister to us (see Acts 9:26-28; 11:19-26). Every Christian ought to be a Barnabas, a "son of encouragement." David concludes this prayer by praising the LORD (vv. 5-7). Twice David had opportunity to slay Saul but refrained from doing so, for He knew that God would one day deal with the rebellious king (see 1 Sam. 26:8-11). "He will pay back evil to my enemies" (v. 5). (Also see Psalms 7:15-16, 35:7-8, Prov. 26:27, 28:10, 29:6.) David was away from the sanctuary, but he lifted his voice in praise to God, and his words were like a freewill offering to the Lord (Heb. 13:15). In verses 1-6, David spoke directly to the Lord, but in verse 7, he spoke to those around him and gave witness to the blessing of the Lord. His words revealed his faith, for he spoke of his deliverance as already completed as he looked calmly at his enemies (Psalms 22:17; 59:10; 92:11; 118:7). David had more suffering and peril to experience before he would ascend the throne, but he was confident that the Lord would see him through—and He did!  And the LORD will see us through too if we know His name and put our trust in Him! Today, let us learn from the “Best Teacher”. God Bless!

In this episode, Cliff finishes the study in the book of Hebrews and discusses the faithfulness of God to work His will in our lives through His grace in Jesus Christ our Lord (Heb. 13:20-25).

In this episode, Cliff focuses on the essence of our faith in relationship to life's challenges and difficulties as we choose to obey the Lord (Heb. 11:30-31).

Preacher: Michael Beck Gracenet Community Church

Introduction      Moses, having delivered the song to the nation (Deut 32:1-43), now directs and encourages his audience to receive the message for themselves. If the people of Israel would accept the message, follow it, and teach it to their children, they would know blessing in the land of Canaan, to which they were about to enter and possess (Deut 32:44-47). God had placed before them everything they needed for a life of success and prosperity, both for them and their children, but they had to commit themselves to the Lord and follow His directives set forth in the Torah (Deut 11:26-28; 30:15-20). The last few verses of this chapter close out with God directing Moses to go up to Mount Nebo, where he will see the land of Canaan from a distance, and then die (Deut 32:48-52). Text      In the opening of this pericope, Moses reiterates what he'd said at the beginning of the song (Deut 31:30), saying, “Then Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he, with Joshua the son of Nun” (Deut 32:44). “When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, ‘Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law'” (Deut 32:45-46).        Moses, after speaking God's Word to all Israel, directs them to accept the revelation for themselves, saying, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today” (Deut 32:46a). The word take translates the Hebrew verb שׂוּם sum, which means to “put, set, place…deposit.”[1] The form of the verb is a Qal imperative, which means it's a command to be obeyed, as the believer intentionally deposits God's Word to their own heart (לֵבָב lebab). For the believer with positive volition, it means he/she is mentally focusing on something of importance and paying careful attention to it. And what Moses was telling his audience to pay careful attention to? Specifically, it's “all the words” he was communicating to them, adding the oft repeated reference to “all the words of this law” (Deut 32:46b; cf., Deut 17:19; 27:3, 8, 26; 28:58; 29:29; 31:12, 24). And after telling his audience that they are personally responsible to place God's Word into their own hearts, he gives them an added responsibility, saying, “you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law” (Deut 32:46b). According to Eugene Merrill, “Not only were his hearers to pledge themselves to its stipulations, but they were to command their descendants to do the same. Over and over again the people of Israel were reminded that the faith and commitment of any one generation were not sufficient for all the generations to come. Each must have its own time of covenant renewal (cf. Deut 4:9–10; 5:29; 6:2, 7; 11:19, 21; 12:25, 28; 30:19).”[2]Though the parents were directed to command their children to learn and observe God's directives, it was up to the children themselves to exercise their own volitions and accept God's Word and walk in it. The command from the parents to the children was the highest display of love for them, for to give them the Word of God was to give them the source of life and blessing, for “man does not live by bread alone, but lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deut 8:3).      Moses drives the point further, saying, “For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess” (Deut 32:47; cf. Deut 4:40). Here we see repeated words that Moses has been stressing throughout the book (cf., Deut 6:24-25; 11:26-28; 30:15-20). As stated previously, the faith of one generation does not guarantee the faith of the next. Still, Moses was concerned about his generation, and instructed them to teach their children—which was a display of love for them—that they might continue in obedience to the Lord and know His blessings as well (See Deut 4:9-10; 5:29; 6:2, 7; 11:19, 21; 12:25, 28; 30:19). Concerning this passage, Peter Craigie states, “The law did not bind men in a straitjacket of legalism, but pointed toward that life which God purposed for them. In the law lay the secret of Israel's longevity and prosperity in the promised land which they were soon to possess.”[3] Prediction of Moses' Death      In this closing section, the Lord spoke directly to Moses and directed him to ascend to Mount Nebo, where he would see the land of Canaan from a distance and then die. This discourse from God reiterates what Moses had said before about the Lord's punishment on him (see Deut 3:23-28; 31:2, 14). There are four commands given here to Moses: 1) go up to Mount Nebo (Deut 32:49a), 2) look at the land of Canaan (Deut 32:49b), 3) die on the mountain (Deut 32:50a), and 4) be gathered to your people (Deut 32:50b).      The pericope opens, telling us, “The LORD spoke to Moses that very same day, saying, 49 ‘Go up to this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel for a possession'” (Deut 32:48-49; cf., Num 27:12-14). The Abarim was a mountain range located in Moab, east of Canaan. According to Eugene Merrill, “The ‘Abarim Range' refers to the high plateau area east of the Jordan River and Dead Sea, the highest peak of which was Pisgah, a part of Mount Nebo (cf., Deut 34:1). This peak, with an elevation of over 2,600 feet, is about twenty miles from Jericho as the crow flies and affords an unobstructed view of nearly all the promised land (cf. Deut 34:1–3).”[4]      For Moses, being able to see the land of Canaan allowed him to know his mission of leading the people there had been accomplished. It was now up to Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan, which God was “giving to the sons of Israel for a possession” (Deut 32:49). God then told Moses, “Then die on the mountain where you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people” (Deut 32:50). And God reminded Moses of the reason he could not enter the land of Canaan, saying, “because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel” (Deut 32:51). God reminded Moses that he had disqualified himself from entering the land of Canaan because he: 1) “broke faith” with God, and 2) did not treat the Lord as “holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.” Concerning this passage, Daniel Block states: "In striking the rock Moses had misrepresented Yahweh publicly, violated his own representative role, and failed to respect Yahweh's unique and sacred status. To Yahweh, striking the rock reflected a cavalier disposition toward him, as though Moses could adapt Yahweh's commands as he wanted. Moreover, in relating directly to the rock rather than the Rock, he had committed an idolatrous act. Yahweh's present indictment highlights the communal implications of Moses' actions; he had publicly failed to uphold Yahweh's holiness. As leader of the people and representative of Yahweh, he had struck the rock when Yahweh had commanded him to speak to it. While his act may have been a gesture of frustration, to God it involved publicly usurping what is otherwise a divine agenda. Remarkably, it worked—water issued from the rock. Moses may have looked like a magician—but it cost him his life and his mission."[5]      The Lord tells Moses, “For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel” (Deut 32:52). These final words to Moses show that all who were under the covenant, even Moses, was not exempt from divine punishment if he broke faith with God and was disobedient. By his disobedience, Moses did not forfeit his salvation, but his reward of entering the promised land. However, we also see here a display of God's grace, as He allowed Moses to see the land from a distance, just east of the Jordan River.      Though Moses' failure to honor God had cost him his right to enter the land of Canaan, overall, Moses is remembered for his faithfulness to the Lord, as the writer of Hebrews tells is, “Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant” to the Lord (Heb 3:5). The Lord called Moses His “friend” (Ex 33:11), and described him as His servant, who “is faithful in all My household” (Num 12:7). To be a friend of God means one follows His directives. Jesus said something similar to His disciples, saying, “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). By the end of his life, Moses would die at the ripe age of one hundred and twenty years with vigor  of life (Deut 34:7), and would tower above the prophets of Scripture who would follow after him (Deut 34:10-12).      Though Moses was about to leave the company of Israel and go to the mountain, and there leave this world, he was leaving behind a powerful legacy that would serve as the foundation for all Israel's success and prosperity in the years ahead, if they would accept it. Just before going up to the top of Mount Nebo, Moses would pronounce blessings on the nation (Deut 33), and then he would ascend the mountain—to die (Deut 34). Summary      In Deuteronomy 32:44-47, Moses directs his people to take all the words of God's law to heart, for they are not meaningless words, but are the very source of life and blessing, both for them and their children, if they will follow the Lord and walk in righteousness. In Deuteronomy 32:48-52, the Lord calls Moses to ascend Mount Nebo to look upon the land of promise, informing him that he will not enter the land, because of an event in which he broke faith with God and did not treat Him as holy, informing Moses that he will die on the mountain and be gathered to his people. Present Application      God gives us His Word to light our paths (Psa 119:105; Prov 6:23), to revive our hearts (Psa 119:25, 107), and to direct us in the path of righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). Being plugged into God's Word is paramount to the believer's successful walk. Moses knew this, and he stressed it over and over to his audience. He told them, “Take to heart all these words I am giving as a warning to you today, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law. For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess” (Deut 32:46-47 CSB; cf. Deut 4:40). The Scriptural teaching is “that man does not live by bread alone, but lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD” (Deut 8:3). But only those with positive volition will accept God's Word, live by faith, and walk in righteousness.      Of the one with positive volition it is said, “his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:2). The benefit of such a lifelong meditation is that “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psa 1:3). Elsewhere, David said, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart” (Psa 40:8). And Jeremiah said, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer 15:16). To eat God's Word is a picture of positive volition, as Jeremiah welcomed the divine revelation into himself, and once received, it delighted his heart.      When the human heart is receptive to God's Word, it transforms that person from the inside out, and this is both cognitive and experiential. God says, “Is not My word like fire? declares the LORD, and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” (Jer 23:29). His Word is powerful and accomplishes what He desires (Isa 55:10-11; Heb 4:12), and it lights a fire in the heart of those who are positive. For example, after His resurrection, Jesus walked for several miles with two disciples and gave them a Bible lesson which lasted for several hours (Luke 24:14-35). This Bible lesson occurred as they traveled “to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:13). Luke reveals how Jesus taught them, “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). After His Bible lesson, the two disciples said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). The heart that is positive to God receives His Word and is excited by what is learned. But hearts that are negative suppress God's truth (Rom 1:18-32), and this to their own harm.      Learning Scripture must be followed by faith, as we become “doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude” ourselves” (Jam 1:22). This means learning and living His Word day by day (Psa 1:2; Ezra 7:10; 2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2), walking by faith (Heb 10:38; 11:1-6), advancing to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1), and living the righteous life He intends. Such a life glorifies God, edifies others, and creates in us a personal sense of destiny tied to the God of universe, Who is directing history to the return of Jesus and the establishment of His earthly kingdom.     [1] Willem VanGemeren, ed., New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 1237. [2] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 428. [3] Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 390. [4] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary, 429–430. [5] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, ed. Terry Muck (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 779.

Did you ever wonder why so many church members fail in their Christian walk? They seem to start out so well. They are so excited that their sins are forgiven. They have found a group of people that accept and love them unconditionally. They jump in with both feet to be involved with the “church life”. They show up every time the doors are open. They serve in any way they can. They sing on the praise team and in the choir. They teach in Sunday School. They become deacons and leaders in the church. They might even feel the call to ministry and go off to Bible College and become pastors, evangelist, and missionaries. But then something happens and the next thing you know they are sitting on the sidelines. They no longer serve, go to church, and they start hanging out with their old friends that care nothing for the Christian life. They might even get to the point where they don't even claim to be a believer anymore. How sad, but how true this is! I could name dozens of people that this has happened to in my years as a pastor. So, why does this happen? I believe we find the answer right here in the first three verses of Psalm 1! When the storms and challenges of life came their way and they got knocked down, they started listening to the lies of the devil through ungodly people. Anyone who is sincerely serving the Lord is a target for Satan and his devices. And usually, it comes from someone they thought was their Christian friend, or someone that they respected as a leader, that disappointed them or hurt them deeply. But the real reason they were not able to properly deal with the offence or disappointment and get back up, is because they failed to put down deep roots like a tree into the “Living Water” of God's Word and His Holy Spirit. There are far too many believers who are a mile wide in their Christian experience but only a half an inch deep in their walk with the Lord and His Word. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:47-49. The Psalmist tells us here that the godly person like a tree that is alive, beautiful, fruitful, useful, and enduring. The most important part of a tree is the hidden root system that draws up water and nourishment, and the most important part of the believer's life is the "spiritual root system" that draws on the hidden resources we have in Christ (Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:7). This is known as "abiding in Christ" (John 15:1-9). In Scripture, water for drinking is a picture of the Spirit of God (John 7:37-39; 1 Cor. 10:4), while water for washing pictures the Word of God (Ps. 119:9; John 15:3; Eph. 5:26). Thirst for water is an image of thirst for God (42:1; 63:1; 143:6; Matt. 5:6; Rev. 22:17), and the river is often a picture of God's provision of spiritual blessing and help for His people (36:8; 46:4; 78:16; 105:41; Ex. 17:5-6; Num. 20:9-11; Ezek. 47; and Rev. 22:1-2). We can't nourish and support ourselves; we need to be rooted in Christ and drawing upon His spiritual power. To meditate on the Word (v. 2) is one source of spiritual energy, as are prayer and fellowship with God's people. Trees may wither and die, but the believer who abides in Christ stays fresh, green, and fruitful (see 92:12-14). "Fruit" speaks of many different blessings: winning people to Christ (Rom. 1:13), godly character (Rom. 6:22, Gal. 5:22-23), money given to the Lord's work (Rom. 15:28), service and good works (Col. 1:10), and praise to the Lord (Heb. 13:15). It's a tragedy when a believer ignores the "root system" and begins to wither. We must remember that the tree doesn't eat the fruit; others eat it. We must also remember that fruit isn't the same as "results," because fruit has in it the seed for more fruit. Fruit comes from life, the life of God flowing in and through us. We must dig deep into God's Word and build the foundation of our life on the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ! God bless!

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.IntroductionThis is the fourth reanimation in the Bible. Actually, no single person is raised from the dead. Rather, it's a mass reanimation.There are two discussion into which we will not enter today:There is some disagreement among conservative Christians about whether we are required to interpret the phenomenon as an historical event. In today's podcast we will not join that discussion. (My friend and NT scholar Mike Licona has addressed this passage, for those who want more.)And, although it might be interesting to explore what life for the returnees was like, the true import of this passage lies in the theological and Christological areas. So be ready to learn about God, and to grow in our appreciation of Christ.Powerfully meaningful events attend the death of Christ, 3 in particular: the rending of the veil; the splitting of the earth; and the opening of tombs and reanimation of OT saints.Jesus' death affects even the realm of the dead.The blood of Christ saves not only us who live under the new covenant, but also those who followed the Lord under the old covenant.Keep in mind that Matthew's gospel is written for those from a Jewish background.The mass reanimation would have meant little to those from a Gentile background.Holy persons. Without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14).The impact on those who were watching was tremendous.This event signals that Jesus is the Messiah of the Jews, even those who have died—and who one day will be raised to life (Dan 12:1-2).Jesus' death makes new creation possible:New creation is changed, holy, pure, reverent, transformed lives.And the re-creation of the entire cosmos. 2 Cor 5:17 applies to both levels (personal and cosmic).For your considerationIn Matthew's gospel, the death of Christ was literally an earth-shattering event.Notice all the separations: the separation of Jesus' spirit from his body; the rending of the temple veil; the splitting of the earth; and even the division of faithful deceased Jews from those (seemingly the majority) who were not reanimated.There's no need to worry about those who died before the gospel message was preached. God will take care of them. The scope of the impact of the crucifixion and resurrection is enormous, touching every segment of humanity, in all generations.Thought question: If I had lived and died before the cross, would I have been included among those holy people who came back from the dead?John the Revelator speaks of Christians who have a reputation for being alive, but who are in fact dead. Jesus warned: “... I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God... If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you" (Rev 3:1b-3a).If we happen to fall into that lamentable category, let's put our trust in Jesus' renovating and revitalizing power!

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.Series Outline: Intro (1 lesson, "Podcast 0")Purity & Cleansing (5 lessons)Leprosy (7 lessons)Exorcism (7 lessons)Reanimation (10 lessons)Holiness: It's a Decision! (2 lessons)God calls us to bepure on 4 levels:ActionsWordsThoughtsConscience / Heart / MotivesScriptureLike Paul in 2 Tim 2:19-22, Jesus too spoke of the clean cup in Matt 23:25-26. Does the outside of our cup look good, while the inside is full of sin and corruption? Psalms 24:4; 73:1; 119:919:7-14: Purity at all levels, from actions (known and unknown) to words to the meditation of the heart.15:1-5: Purity means integrityNo shady dealings in the financial realm?Giving contribution even when disillusioned with the church?Torrent of profanityCare for our physical body (reject gluttony; smoking; drinking; sedentary lifestyle; etc)Being known as men and women of our word.Keeping promises, making deadlinesA life centered on GodLet's all strive for purity, for as the Hebrew writer reminds us, “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14).Further study:For more on the Psalms, listen to the series of 10 podcasts, or check out my book Thrive!Click to learn about Leviticus & Leprosy.

     The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of making good choices, especially as it relates to friends. Solomon wrote, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Prov 12:26 NIV). Elsewhere, Solomon said, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov 13:20). The word walk translates the Hebrew verb הָלַךְ halak, which here refers to “a lifestyle, [or] a pattern of conduct.”[1] Our lifestyle is influenced by our friends, who reinforce our path, either for good or harm. The one who chooses wise friends will gain wisdom and be blessed. A wise person—biblically speaking—is one who fears the Lord (Prov 1:7a), whereas, “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7b). The wise person receives “instruction in wise behavior, doing what is right, just, and fair” (Prov 1:3), and this according to the standard of God's Word. Simply stated, the biblically wise person is the one who learns and lives God's Word on a regular basis. Jesus said, “everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt 7:24).      There is a danger in choosing foolish friends, for the one who befriends a fool will end a fool, and this with injury. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matt 7:26). Dwight Pentecost states, “A fool is not necessarily one who is marked by a low iq but one who leaves God out of his consciousness…The fool is the man who does not take God into consideration in every area of his life.”[2] Merrill F. Unger adds, “The ‘fool' is not so much one lacking in mental powers, as one who misuses them; not one who does not reason, but reasons wrongly. In Scripture the ‘fool' primarily is the person who casts off the fear of God and thinks and acts as if he could safely disregard the eternal principles of God's righteousness (Psa 14:1; Prov 14:9; Jer 17:11; etc.).”[3]      As Christians, we choose what paths we follow. Biblically, there is a righteous path and a wicked path, and we must choose the former and avoid the latter. David wrote, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Psa 1:1; cf. Prov 4:14-17). David generally made good choices throughout his life, and this meant avoiding wicked people. He said, “I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked” (Psa 26:4-5). Elsewhere he said, “He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me” (Psa 101:7).      The psalmist also wrote, “I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts” (Psa 119:63). Allen Ross writes, “The psalmist's loyalty to the LORD also finds expression in his association with other believers—he is a companion (חָבֵר) to all who fear the LORD, meaning those who keep his commandments. The tie that binds the devout together is the commitment to keep God's commands.”[4] And Charles Spurgeon adds, “We can hardly hope to be right in the future unless we are right now. The holy man spent his nights with God and his days with God's people. Those who fear God love those who fear him, and they make small choice in their company so long as the men are truly God-fearing.”[5]      In the New Testament we learn about the good choices Christians were making as they “were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). The words continually devoting themselves translates the Greek word προσκαρτερέω proskartereo, which denotes steadfast commitment and constant devotion. The two things these Christians were constantly devoted to were: 1) the apostle's teaching, and 2) fellowship with other believers (which included a time of meals and prayer).      Christians are to live righteously, as this is consistent with our identity in Christ. The apostle Paul implores us “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love” (Eph 4:1-2). Here, our pattern of behavior should mirror our position in Christ. Paul uses similar language when he writes, “You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light; for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph 5:6-10). Since we are called to such a high standard of living, it's very important that we choose our friends carefully, to make sure there is mutual interest in walking with God and living as He directs.      For this reason, Paul directed the Christians at Corinth not to associate with people who are committed to live by worldly values. Of the unbeliever, Paul wrote, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14). Of the worldly Christian, Paul wrote, “not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?” (1 Cor 5:11-12; cf., Jam 4:4). The general reasoning behind these directives is that “bad associations corrupt good morals” (1 Cor 15:33).      Close relationships should be developed over time, only as we get to know others, hearing their words and watching their ways, and feeling confident they are among the faithful righteous. Some of the characteristics of a righteous person include: A commitment to learning God's Word (Psa 1:1-2; Acts 2:42; Rom 6:17). Submitting to God's will (Rom 12:1-2; Jam 1:22). Confessing sin to God daily (1 John 1:9). Displaying Christian love (John 13:34; Rom 13:8; 1 Th 4:9; 1 Cor 13:4-8a). Seeking to glorify God (1 Cor 10:31). Living by faith in order to please the Lord (Heb 10:38; 11:6; 2 Cor 5:9). Speaking biblical truth in love (Eph 4:15, 25). Modeling humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance and peace (Eph 4:1-3). Being forgiving (Matt 18:21-22). Doing good (Gal 6:10). Encouraging other believers to do good (Heb 10:24). Desiring fellowship with growing believers (Heb 10:25). Praying for others (1 Th 5:17; 2 Th 1:11; Jam 5:16). Building others up in the Lord (1 Th 5:11). Being devoted to fellow believers (Rom 12:10).   [1] William D. Mounce, Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 924. [2] J. Dwight Pentecost, Designed to Be Like Him: Understanding God's Plan for Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, and Maturity (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2001), 55. [3] Merrill Frederick Unger, R. K. Harrison, Howard Frederic Vos et al., “Fool”, The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988). [4] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms (90–150): Commentary, vol. 3, Kregel Exegetical Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2016), 519. [5] C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 111-119, vol. 5 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 257.

     In our current section on case laws (Deut 19:1—26:19), we are considering how the nation of ancient Israel was to practice righteous living after they entered the land of Canaan (Deut 16:20), and how righteousness was measured by conformity to God's laws (Deut 6:24-25). In the previous section, Moses encouraged his people to be strengthened mentally in times of conflict (Deut 20:1). He also gave instructions to the priests to encourage the people with divine viewpoint (Deut 20:2-4), and to the officers to exempt certain men from military service (Deut 20:5-9). In the current pericope, Moses provides instruction concerning war with cities outside Canaan (Deut 20:10-15), and cities inside Canaan (Deut 20:16-20).      In Moses' opening words, he directed Israel to offer terms of peace when approaching a city outside the land of Canaan, saying, “When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace” (Deut 20:10). Deuteronomy 20:15 makes it clear that Moses is referring to cities outside the promised land. This likely refers to cities that God would grant His people if their land was expanded beyond the Canaanite territory (Deut 19:8-9), which territory was originally promised to Abraham and his descendants (Gen 15:18; cf. Num 34:1-15).      If that expansion occurred, then the Israelites were to offer the residents of the city terms of peace (שָׁלוֹם shalom). However, terms of peace did not mean nonaggression, but rather, that the residents of the city could choose a vassal status rather than destruction. This is obvious from the following verse in which Moses said, “If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you” (Deut 20:11). Eugene Merrill states: "The formula here, “If you call out to it with respect to peace,” followed by the words “if they reply peace to you” (Deut 20:11), expresses the technical language of making treaty (cf. Judg 21:13). The idea was not that of a simple nonaggression pact in which both parties agreed to live in peace but a demand for capitulation. Only under such terms could the threatened city expect survival. To make peace was therefore tantamount to making a covenant, the kind in which the city under attack placed itself in subservience to the peoples demanding the terms of peace."[1]      But there was always the possibility that the residents of the city might prefer war to vassal status. Moses addressed this scenario, saying, “However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it” (Deut 20:12). Ancient cities commonly had fortified walls as well as food and water reserves in case they came under attack. When attacking a city, it was common to besiege it, which meant surrounding the city and cutting off its food and water supplies. In this way, an advancing army could starve the residents of the city into submission.      But such efforts of fortification could prevent God's people from advancing and gaining victory. Moses said, “When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword” (Deut 20:13). Victory in this context is given by the Lord. He is the One who will give the city and its inhabitants into the hands of His people, Israel; and this because the residents of the city refused the offer of peace. In such a situation, the Israelites, after defeating the city residents in battle, were to execute all the men of the city.      Moses said, “Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you” (Deut 20:14). Here was discriminate warfare that killed only the hostile and let the women, children, and animals live. The spoils of war from Israel's enemies were regarded as what “the LORD your God has given you.” Again, their military efforts were to be viewed from the divine perspective. But this did not mean that those taken captive were to be mistreated. Though it was common in the ancient world to rape and murder women who had been taken as captives, God did not permit this. In fact, some of the women could be taken as wives, and if this happened, they were granted legal protections (Deut 21:10-14). For clarity, Moses explains these military practices were to be followed only for cities outside the land of Canaan, saying, “Thus, you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby” (Deut 20:15).      Shifting policy, Moses offers a different directive concerning the residents of Canaan, saying, “Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes” (Deut 20:16). Remember, the land of Canaan belonged to Israel by divine right, for the Owner of the land (Lev 25:23) promised it to them as part of the Abrahamic contract (Gen 12:1-3; 15:18; 17:7-8; 26:3-4; 28:13-14). Therefore, the Canaanites were merely squatters who needed to be removed, and this because they had become grossly immoral and were under divine judgment.      Concerning the Canaanites, Moses said, “But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the LORD your God has commanded you” (Deut 20:17). The words “utterly destroy” translate the Hebrew חָרָם charam, which is found in a number of passages (Num 21:2-3; Deut 2:34; 3:6; 7:2; 13:15; 20:17; Josh 2:10; 6:21; 8:26; 10:1, 35, 37, 39, 40; 11:11-12, 20-21). Leon Wood states, “Usually ḥāram means a ban for utter destruction, the compulsory dedication of something which impedes or resists God's work, which is considered to be accursed before God.”[2] God made it very clear that the Canaanites were to be totally destroyed because of their extreme wickedness (Deut 9:4-5).      Remember, the Canaanites were an exceptionally wicked people whom God had marked out for judgment (Lev 18:25; Deut 9:5) after giving them four hundred years of grace (Gen 15:16). Some of the specific sins mentioned among the Canaanites included gross sexual immorality, such as incest (Lev 18:1-20; 20:10-12, 14, 17, 19-21), homosexuality (Lev 18:22; 20:13), and sex with animals (Lev 18:23; 20:15-16). They also engaged in the occult (Lev 20:6), were hostile toward parents (Lev 20:9), and offered their children as sacrifices to Molech (Lev 18:21; 20:1-5; cf. Deut 12:31; 18:10). God told Israel not to do these wicked things, for the Canaanites “did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them” (Lev 20:23; cf. Lev 18:25).      God gave a second reason why He wanted the Canaanites destroyed, namely, “so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God” (Deut 20:18; cf. Ex 23:33; Josh 23:12-13). Sadly, we know that Joshua and Israel failed to kill all the Canaanites, but sought to make them forced laborers (Josh 16:10; 17:13; Judg 1:28-35). Furthermore, Israel failed to obey the Lord (see the book of Judges), and the immoral culture of the Canaanites spread among God's people, who themselves began to practice all the evil things God hates (Deut 12:31), including idolatry and child sacrifice (2 Ki 3:27; 16:3; Psa 106:37-38; Isa 57:5; Jer 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; Ezek 16:20-21). Because Israel eventually became corrupt, God then destroyed and expelled them from the land by means of military defeat from their enemies. This happened when the ten northern tribes of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC and the two southern tribes of Judah fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC.      Moses then addressed matters of ecology in times of war, saying, “When you besiege a city a long time, to make war against it in order to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them; for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man, that it should be besieged by you?” (Deut 20:19). Trees do not commit evil, and should not be cut down indiscriminately like Israel's enemies. Because Israel would soon possess the land of Canaan, it was to their own interests to preserve the trees surrounding the cities. Moses then differentiated which trees could be cut down, saying, “Only the trees which you know are not fruit trees you shall destroy and cut down, that you may construct siegeworks against the city that is making war with you until it falls” (Deut 20:20). Daniel Block states, “In ancient warfare strategy, the trees of vanquished territories would be cut down for several reasons: (1) as wood for siege structures and fuel for the invaders; (2) as retribution for the enemy's resistance and defiance; (3) as a tactic in psychological warfare, to hasten submission.”[3] However, Israel was to demonstrate wise discrimination. Eugene Merrill states: "The “War Manual” ends with a most curious and, at first blush, irrelevant paragraph about the treatment of trees in a time of siege. It does provide practical information about the preservation of fruit trees for their nutritional value and allows the use of others to build siege works (māṣôr, lit., “enclosure,” perhaps encircling trenches or staging). The real thrust of the passage, however, is to contrast the tree with humankind (v. 19b). It is only humans, ironically the image of God and the crowning glory of creation, who sin against the Creator in such egregious ways as to call upon themselves divine judgment. The innocent tree, tainted as it is by the fall of humankind, is nevertheless not culpable and should therefore be spared."[4] Present Application      God's directive for Israel to destroy the Canaanites was twofold: 1) because the Canaanites were excessively wicked and under God's judgment (Deut 9:4-5), and 2) so they would not become a corrupting influence on His people (Deut 20:18). Similarly, those we allow into our lives will influence us, either in good or bad ways.      The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of making good choices, especially as it relates to friends. Solomon wrote, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Prov 12:26 NIV). Elsewhere, Solomon said, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov 13:20). The word walk translates the Hebrew verb הָלַךְ halak, which here refers to “a lifestyle, [or] a pattern of conduct.”[5] Our lifestyle is influenced by our friends, who reinforce our path, either for good or harm. The one who chooses wise friends will gain wisdom and be blessed. A wise person—biblically speaking—is one who fears the Lord (Prov 1:7a), whereas, “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7b). The wise person receives “instruction in wise behavior, doing what is right, just, and fair” (Prov 1:3), and this according to the standard of God's Word. Simply stated, the biblically wise person is the one who learns and lives God's Word on a regular basis. Jesus said, “everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt 7:24).      There is a danger in choosing foolish friends, for the one who befriends a fool will end a fool, and this with injury. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matt 7:26). Dwight Pentecost states, “A fool is not necessarily one who is marked by a low IQ but one who leaves God out of his consciousness…The fool is the man who does not take God into consideration in every area of his life.”[6] Merrill F. Unger adds, “The ‘fool' is not so much one lacking in mental powers, as one who misuses them; not one who does not reason, but reasons wrongly. In Scripture the ‘fool' primarily is the person who casts off the fear of God and thinks and acts as if he could safely disregard the eternal principles of God's righteousness (Psa 14:1; Prov 14:9; Jer 17:11; etc.).”[7]      As Christians, we choose what paths we follow. Biblically, there is a righteous path and a wicked path, and we must choose the former and avoid the latter. David wrote, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Psa 1:1; cf. Prov 4:14-17). David generally made good choices throughout his life, and this meant avoiding wicked people. He said, “I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked” (Psa 26:4-5). Elsewhere he said, “He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me” (Psa 101:7).      The psalmist also wrote, “I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts” (Psa 119:63). Allen Ross writes, “The psalmist's loyalty to the LORD also finds expression in his association with other believers—he is a companion (חָבֵר) to all who fear the LORD, meaning those who keep his commandments. The tie that binds the devout together is the commitment to keep God's commands.”[8] And Charles Spurgeon adds, “We can hardly hope to be right in the future unless we are right now. The holy man spent his nights with God and his days with God's people. Those who fear God love those who fear him, and they make small choice in their company so long as the men are truly God-fearing.”[9]      In the New Testament we learn about the good choices Christians were making as they “were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). The words continually devoting themselves translates the Greek word προσκαρτερέω proskartereo, which denotes steadfast commitment and constant devotion. The two things these Christians were constantly devoted to were: 1) the apostle's teaching, and 2) fellowship with other believers (which included a time of meals and prayer).      Christians are to live righteously, as this is consistent with our identity in Christ. The apostle Paul implores us “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love” (Eph 4:1-2). Here, our pattern of behavior should mirror our position in Christ. Paul uses similar language when he writes, “You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light; for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph 5:6-10). Since we are called to such a high standard of living, it's very important that we choose our friends carefully, to make sure there is mutual interest in walking with God and living as He directs.      For this reason, Paul directed the Christians at Corinth not to associate with people who are committed to live by worldly values. Of the unbeliever, Paul wrote, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14). Of the worldly Christian, Paul wrote, “not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?” (1 Cor 5:11-12; cf., Jam 4:4). The general reasoning behind these directives is that “bad associations corrupt good morals” (1 Cor 15:33).      Close relationships should be developed over time, only as we get to know others, hearing their words and watching their ways, and feeling confident they are among the faithful righteous. Some of the characteristics of a righteous person include:   A commitment to learning God's Word (Psa 1:1-2; Acts 2:42; Rom 6:17). Submitting to God's will (Rom 12:1-2; Jam 1:22). Confessing sin to God daily (1 John 1:9). Displaying Christian love (John 13:34; Rom 13:8; 1 Th 4:9; 1 Cor 13:4-8a). Seeking to glorify God (1 Cor 10:31). Living by faith in order to please the Lord (Heb 10:38; 11:6; 2 Cor 5:9). Speaking biblical truth in love (Eph 4:15, 25). Modeling humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance and peace (Eph 4:1-3). Being forgiving (Matt 18:21-22). Doing good (Gal 6:10). Encouraging other believers to do good (Heb 10:24). Desiring fellowship with growing believers (Heb 10:25). Praying for others (1 Th 5:17; 2 Th 1:11; Jam 5:16). Building others up in the Lord (1 Th 5:11). Being devoted to fellow believers (Rom 12:10).   [1] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 285. [2] Leon J. Wood, “744 חָרַם,” ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 324. [3] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, ed. Terry Muck (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 478–479. [4] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary, 287. [5] William D. Mounce, Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 924. [6] J. Dwight Pentecost, Designed to Be Like Him: Understanding God's Plan for Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, and Maturity (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2001), 55. [7] Merrill Frederick Unger, R. K. Harrison, Howard Frederic Vos et al., “Fool”, The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988). [8] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms (90–150): Commentary, vol. 3, Kregel Exegetical Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2016), 519. [9] C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 111-119, vol. 5 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 257.

     In our current section on case laws (Deut 19:1—26:19), we are considering how the nation of ancient Israel was to practice righteous living after they entered the land of Canaan (Deut 16:20), and how righteousness was measured by conformity to God's laws (Deut 6:24-25). Having discussed unjust killing in the previous section (Deut 19:11-12), Moses now addresses God's regulations for holy war—justified killing by divine mandate—and encourages his people to be strengthened mentally in times of conflict (Deut 20:1-4), and provides valid exemptions for military service (Deut 20:5-9). Moses will address the subject of war in later verses as well (Deut 21:10-14; 23:9-14; 24:5).      Moses opens this section, saying, “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you” (Deut 20:1). The pericope opens with a temporal clause, when (כִּי ki), which assumes a future reality orchestrated by God. It's not a question of if Israel would face military conflicts, but when. This verse implies offensive action against the Canaanites, whom God had already judged as worthy of death, and His judgment was to come by the hands of His people, Israel (see Deut 7:1-2). The enemy under consideration here is the Canaanites, who were extremely corrupt and under divine judgment. Eugene Merrill writes: "The wicked nations as a whole were viewed as under hostile and even demonic leadership and so they had to either capitulate to Yahweh's lordship or face his wrathful judgment. The peoples of Canaan in particular were to be eradicated, for they occupied the land of Israel's inheritance and, furthermore, constituted a never-ending threat to Israel's purity and separateness as a kingdom of priests. The biblical witness is unambiguous that the Canaanites were beyond hope of redemption and had to be placed under the merciless ḥērem of the Lord."[1]      War was inevitable and God's people needed to have courage. Naturally, when the Israelites saw “horses and chariots and people more numerous” than themselves, they would be tempted to feel overwhelmed in their souls, which would lead them to fear. However, Moses told them, “do not be afraid” of the enemy, and then provided them divine viewpoint to stabilize their souls, saying, “for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.” Moses had spoken previously to Israel about not fearing their enemies (cf., Deut 3:22; 7:17-24), and he would do so again (Deut 31:6-8). Repetition is necessary to learning, and also for strengthening one's faith in the Lord. To help strengthen their faith, Moses told them to recall God's faithfulness forty years earlier when He delivered them from Pharoah and his army, which was the greatest military superpower of their day. When standing at the edge of the Red Sea, Moses said to his people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (Ex 14:13-14). There were times when God called His people to do nothing, but watch Him fight their battles. And the Lord fought alone, killing the Egyptian soldiers who were pursuing His people (see Ex 14:22-31).[2]      However, there were times when God required His people to take up arms and engage their enemy, and in those moments, He would fight with them, ensuring their victory. For example, David, when standing against Goliath, said, “the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands” (1 Sam 17:47), and then picked up his sling and stone and struck his enemy with a blow that killed him (1 Sam 17:48-49). God's Word was intended to help His people frame the situation in such a way that they factored God into their circumstances, as He would be the One who would fight with them. Divine viewpoint always gives confidence when facing difficulties, whatever they may be (2 Ki 6:11-17). For example, when facing a conflict with an overwhelming Assyrian army (2 Ch 32:1), King Hezekiah “spoke encouragingly” to his people (2 Ch 32:6), telling them, “Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Ch 32:7-8a). If the people of God's kingdom were to be strengthened in their souls, they would need to place their focus on God rather than the overwhelming problem at hand. Apparently, the people had positive volition and received his words. And the result was, “Hezekiah's words greatly encouraged the people” (2 Ch 32:8b). Now they were ready to face the enemy. Now they were ready to win.      Moses continued, saying, “When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people” (Deut 20:2). When approaching their enemies, the army would naturally factor in what they saw, and this might lead them to fear. Enter the priest, who would to come near to the people and speak divine viewpoint thus offsetting any fears that would arise from what they saw. Futhermore, Moses provided the priests a script to follow, saying, “He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, 4 for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you'” (Deut 20:3-4). Fear was to be the mental attitude of God's enemies, not God's people. Faith in God was the antidote to fear. Of course, this also assumed that Israel was living righteously as God directed. If they were walking with God and adhering to His directives (Deut 28:1-2), they could expect victory in every situation (Deut 28:7). However, if they failed to walk with God and were living disobedient to His will (Deut 28:15), then they would experience military defeat (Deut 28:25-26). Success or failure was contingent on their daily walk with God.      It should be noted that Israel did not have a standing army, but called up citizens for war when needed. And, in some situations, there would be exemptions from military service. The exemptions removed men from military service who might be distracted from their duties in a time of war. Such distractions would not only be a danger to themselves, but also to their fellow soldiers. God was more concerned about the quality of the army rather than the quantity of numbers. After all, success depended on the Lord, not the size of His military force. In Deuteronomy 20:5-8, Moses provided four such exemptions.      First, Moses said, “The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it” (Deut 20:5). The reference to officers (שֹׁטֵר shoter) reveals a hierarchical structure within the military, perhaps referring to men who had combat experience. These officers were responsible for screening fellow Israelites to determine if they were eligible for short-term military service. Warren Wiersbe states: "The priest encouraged the soldiers to face the enemy without fear, but the officers told them to go back home if they had any unfinished business. No officer wants to lead distracted soldiers whose minds and hearts are elsewhere…Paul may have had this scene in mind when he wrote 2 Timothy 2:4, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”[3]      The first exemption was given to a man who had just built a house but not had time to live in it. God cares about property rights and establishing roots in one's own home. Therefore, He permitted a man time to live in his own house and secure his roots there before being called up to war.      Second, Moses said, “Who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit” (Deut 20:6). Israel was primarily an agrarian economy, and the production of crops was necessary for the family as well as the community. According to Leviticus 19:23-25, the average time to plant a crop and expect a fruitful yield was four to five years, which could be the duration for the exemption. If such a man were called to battle, he might be distracted by his unfinished vineyard and the possibility that another man might benefit from his labor. God cares about compensation for work, and this extends to the man who has planted his vineyard and labored for its production, but not had time to enjoy it. God wanted that man to enjoy the reward of his labor before being called to military service.      Third, Moses said, “And who is the man that is engaged to a woman and has not married her? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would marry her” (Deut 20:7). God is concerned about the institution of marriage, as its proper function is foundational for a stable society. If a man were engaged to be married, but then died before being united to his wife, then he would have no offspring to continue his family name or to care for his inheritance. Later, Moses would grant a one-year exemption to the newly married man, as this would allow him time enjoy his newlywed wife and strengthen his marriage (Deut 24:5).      The most likely reasons for these three exemptions include the necessity for keeping certain aspects a society undamaged and healthy—home, business, and marriage—as these provide national stability. Also, if a man were called to battle, he might be distracted from his service because of matters back at the home or the farm. Warren Wiersbe states: "These three exceptions suggest to us that God is more interested in our enjoying the common blessings of life—homes, harvests, and honeymoons—than devoting ourselves only to the battles of life. He didn't want any of the Jewish men to use their military responsibilities as an excuse to neglect their families, their vineyards, and their fiancées. Certainly, military service was important, but the Lord was more concerned that the men have the right priorities in life. What good was accomplished for the Jewish people if their army defeated the enemy on the field but things were falling apart back home?"[4]      Lastly, Moses said, “Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers' hearts melt like his heart'” (Deut 20:8). In this verse Moses returns to the topic of fear with which he started his discussion (Deut 20:1). If a person could not live by faith in the face of battle, such that fear of the situation was greater than his faith in God to deliver, he was excused from the conflict altogether, lest his fear negatively impact the mental attitude of other Israelites and thus weaken their souls in the face of conflict. There does not seem to be any condemnation given to those who are afraid. Though there is a sinful fear, it could also be that this fear is the result of spiritual immaturity, or that the person naturally had a psychologically timid disposition, and such men were not emotionally fit to face the pressures of war. Peter Craigie writes: "These people were not to be bullied into battle, scorned for their fear, or court-martialed; they were to be sent home along with the others who qualified for exemption. The reason is clear, for fear in an army is like an infectious plague, which can quickly cripple the ranks with its debilitating effect. The strength of the army, it is true, lay in God's presence; but to experience God's presence in battle, the people were to be wholly committed to him, and fear undermined the wholeness of commitment."[5]      Finally, Moses said, “When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people” (Deut 20:9). After exempting certain men from military service, Moses instructs the officers to assign commanders to serve as leaders of regiments. This verse further demonstrates the hierarchical structure necessary for a military to function properly, as authority is delegated from one person to another. Present Application      Israel was a theocracy, and God was their King (Isa 33:22). The Lord promised to give them physical land which was occupied at that time by the Canaanites. This was holy war, led by God Himself who was directing them into battle and promising victory over their enemies. God's command for holy war is not applicable for Christians, for God is not at this time working to establish a physical theocratic kingdom on earth as He was through Israel. For Christians, our battles are primarily spiritual, not physical. This is why the apostle Paul stated, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Cor 10:3-4), and “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).      Apart from justified self-defense, and the duty to serve one's country in military service, Christians are commanded to “pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14). The apostle Paul stated, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom 12:18). As Christians, we generally live in obedience to the government as good citizens of the land (Rom 13:1-5). However, this does not mean blind submission, as we may engage in acts of civil disobedience when necessary (Ex 1:15-17; Dan 3:1-18; 6:1-23; Acts 5:27-29). In cases of civil disobedience, we disobey human government when it commands us to disobey God.      The Christian who is advancing to spiritual maturity by faithfully learning and living God's Word will prove most useful to God (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2). But this takes time and commitment (Rom 12:1-2). The challenge for us as Christians is not to let the hostile people of this world intimidate us into silence or inaction. And, of course, we must be careful not to become bitter, fearful, or hateful like those who attack us. The Bible teaches us to love those who hate us (Matt 5:44-45; Rom 12:14, 17-21), and to be kind, patient, and gentle (2 Tim 2:24-26; cf. Eph 4:1-2; Col 3:13-14). This is accomplished by faith, not feelings. What we need is courage to share the gospel of grace and to speak biblical truth. The hope is that those who are positive to God will be rescued from Satan's domain of darkness (Col 1:13). We also live in the reality that God's plans will advance. He will win. His future kingdom on earth will come to pass. Christ will return. Jesus will put down all forms of rebellion—both satanic and human—and will rule this world with perfect righteousness and justice. But until then, we must continue to learn and live God's Word and fight the good fight. We are to live by faith (Heb 10:38; 11:6), share the gospel of grace (1 Cor 15:3-4), disciple others (Matt 28:19-20), be good and do good (Gal 6:9-10; Tit 2:11-14), and look forward to return of Christ (Tit 2:13).   [1] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 282. [2] The destruction of Pharaoh and his army caused Moses to sing a war song of victory, singing, “The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea” (Ex 15:3-4). Moses' sister, Miriam, led the women in song and dance, as she “took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing” (Ex 15:20). This victory song is a natural response to God for His mighty deliverance on behalf of His people. David wrote similar victory songs that extol God for His deliverance (Psalms 18 & 24). [3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Equipped, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1999), 135. [4] Ibid., 135–136. [5] Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 274–275.

Gems 2022Q1L02 The Message of Hebrews and Hebrews Chapter 2 Memory Verse: Heb 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, Sunday: Jesus is our king (Heb Ch 1 and 12:18-23) · Jesus as king is revealed mostly in Hebrews 1 which quotes mostly Psalms · Jesus is appointed by the LORD (Heb 1:5 and Psa 2:7) · To inherit the nations for His inheritance and the ends of the earth (Psa 2:7) · He will break the nations with a rod of iron and dash them like a potter's vessel (Psa 2:9) · Just like described at the end of time in Dan 2:41 · His throne will be forever and forever (Heb 1:8 2Sa 7:13) · He will be more than David because He will sit at God's right hand (Heb 1:13 and Psa 110:1) · Over a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb 1218-28) Monday: Jesus is Our Mediator (Heb Chapter 2) · Jesus is more than a mediator, he is a brother to us, a helper who has walked our walk · He tasted death as we do (Heb 2:9) · He was made a little lower than the angels as man was (Heb 2:7, 9) and psa 8:4-5) · And Why? So that he can release us from the fear of death (Heb 2:15), give us aid (Heb 2:16) and ultimately serve as our merciful high priest (Heb 2:17) *The Lesson Study is misleading when it mentions the “Mosaic covenant” and the “Davidic covenant” and how the covenant blessings come “through the faithfulness of one person”. Although our covenant relationship is made possible by the atonement of Jesus, we still need to seek the Lord with all our heart and all our soul and all our strength. Tuesday: Jesus is Our Champion · Leads us in battle and to the promised land like Joshua (Heb 4:1-14) · Will give us the real “rest”, the real “promised land” (Heb 4:8-11) · He charges us with the life and death choice with a sword “sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the division of soul and spirit...” like Joshua's and Moses' charge to the people (Heb 4:12, Josh 24:15, Deu 30:15) Wednesday: Jesus as our High Priest (ch 5, ch 7, Ch9 and smattered through Hebrews) · THIS IS THE MAIN POINT OF HEBREWS, THAT THE SANCTUARY ON EARTH IS GOING TO BE NO LONGER. THAT JESUS IS THE REAL HIGH PRIEST TO MINISTER IN THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY (OF WHICH THE EARTHLY WAS A TEMPORARY MODEL) · Jesus is appointed this role by God (Heb 5:5) · His role of high priest exceeds the Levitical, he is “according to the order of Melchizadek) (Heb 7:11+) · With the change of priesthood comes change of the law, THE LAW BEING EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY AND ITS SERVICE NOT THE WORDS THE LORD GOD SPOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN ON THE GREAT DAY OF THE ASSEMBLY OR ANYTHING HE SUBSEQUENTLY SPOKE TO MOSES TO THE PROPHETS AND TO OUR HEARTS! (Heb 7:12, Heb 7:27-18, Heb 8:1-2) Thursday: Jesus Mediates a better covenant (Ch 3 and Ch 8 some in Ch 9) · Jesus mediates a better covenant than Moses. · The new covenant is the one quoted in Jeremiah which is the same covenant but God will write His laws in our hearts. · The old vanishes away and the tabernacle and its ordinances are made obsolete. (Heb 8:13-9:3+) Friday: · Warnings are not just in Ch 11 and 12, but are throughout Hebrews (Ch 5:11-14, 6:6-12, 10:19-39) (realize that the sin offering was for UNINTENTIONAL sin only Lev. 4:2) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/from-the-top-ministries/message

Preacher: Michael Beck (17/10/2021) Gracenet Community Church

Cross TrainingSet Yourself Apart for God's PurposeRead or WatchWhen we got married, Sharilyn inherited one of her family's most prized possessions — a set of fine china. Yet, despite its beauty and sentimental connection, we've never once eaten with it. We've rarely even touched it since it's packed away safely in a box in the garage to avoid damage. Well, God has a set of fine dishes set apart for special use too! The difference is, he wants to use us! "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2 Tim. 2:21).We're Cross Training to develop our reverence, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Reverence comes when we know God, fear him, worship him, and live in holiness. So how do we live as God's special people, "set apart as holy"?What You Need to KnowThough God created humans to enjoy his presence (cf. Gen. 3:8), sin distanced us from God's holiness (Isaiah 59:2). We see it in the cherubim blocking the Garden gate (Gen. 3:24) and the command not to touch Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:12). We see it in the temple veil that kept people afar, and most all, the "blood of Jesus" that lets us enter "through the curtain" to "draw near" at last (Heb. 10:19-22)!Holy means different or unique — not in the sense that each person is unique or snowflakes are different — because each person is still a person. Each snowflake is still a lot like every other of its kind. But God is unlike anyone or anything else. "There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God" (1 Sam. 2:2). That's what we mean when we say God is holy. He is utterly apart, transcendent, and distinct by his very nature. That's why the heavenly creatures "never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'" (Rev. 4:8; cf. Isaiah 6:3). Full of goodness, righteousness, and creative power, God's eternal existence depends on no one. So what does God mean when he says for us to be holy as he is holy (1 Peter 1:16)?When God separates anyone or anything for himself, he sanctifies them — he makes them holy. What is holy is distinguished — not just from what is unholy — but from what is common (Lev. 10:10). Under the Levitical system, before Christ's new covenant (Heb. 7:21-24), nothing common was used in God's service; everything in the temple was set apart by God. He distinguished his priests from regular, righteous Israelites who didn't have that particular function (Ex. 28:1). The incense, the furnishings, and even the vessels used in the temple were set apart (Num. 4:16-20). That doesn't mean other vessels were evil; they were fine for common, everyday purposes. But what God sets apart for his service is holy. And we "are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession" (1 Peter 2:9).Yet when God decides to live in the midst of a special people, they must reflect his character. So, holiness also means moral purity and freedom from sin, through Christ's perfect sacrifice and our ongoing obedience (1 Peter 1:14-19).What You Need to DoCleanse your heart, your habits, and your house (1 Cor. 5:7). In order to be holy, we must be clean (2 Cor. 6:16-7:1). In the Old Testament, cleanness involved a whole host of ceremonial rules. But in the new covenant, we're not clean because of what we eat or what we touch, but because of what we think and what we do (Mark 7:18-23). Are there any dirty little secrets in your heart that make you unsuitable to serve before God? "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8). Examine the shows you watch, the sites you visit, the music you hear, the words you say, and the way you view people in your life. The Christian life is a continual process of searching ourselves and repenting when we find anything out of alignment with God's will. He will forgive, but we must repent (Rom. 2:4). Hold your thoughts and behavior to God's standard, not your own. Remembering the price Christ paid to make us holy, let his grace train you (Titus 2:12) inspiring greater heights of righteousness.Another word related to holiness is godliness. Godliness is our deep reverence for God that leads to piety and devotion. We make life choices that honor him because we live before a holy God. Instead of filling up the "in-between" bits of your day — the walk from a meeting to your office or the drive home after dropping off the kids — pause to remember that holy God is near. As his temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20), everywhere you go, you stand on "holy ground" (cf. Ex. 3:5). The more we realize and remember that truth, the more our lives will reflect his goodness.Go into each interaction with the intention of shining God's light (Matt. 5:14-16). Make a habit of praying for people before and after you meet with them (1 Tim. 2:1). "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 17:6-19; Phil. 2:12-18; 1 Tim. 2:15-22; 1 Peter 1:13-2:12; 1 John 3:6-10Reflect (Tue) — Have I set myself apart for God's purposes?Request (Wed) — "In your grace, Lord, train me to live a godly life" (cf. Titus 2:12).Respond (Thu) — Walk through your house, looking carefully for any signs of "leaven" that needs cleansed from your life (cf. 1 Cor. 5:7).Reach Out (Fri) — What do you find is the hardest part about being separate from the world while living in the world?Support the Show

Exodus 24:3 to 8 Moses reads aloud from the book of the covenant and offers sacrifice on an altar / Psalm 116: I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord/ Heb 9:11-15 He entered once and for all into the Sanctuary by His blood / Mark 14: This is my Body and Blood --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sofia-fonseca7/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sofia-fonseca7/support

You can have peace during confusing times. How? “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose confidence is in the Lord” (Heb 17:7). “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusts in You” (Is 26:3). Three things you need if you want this peace: concentration, information, and occupation. Concentration on the teaching of the Word of God will purify your soul. Information is God's 10 problem-solving devices and the unique assets He's given you. Occupation with Christ is where you want to be because there can be no peace without absolute truth and there is no absolute truth without Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Full Transcript: https://rhem.pub/year-confusion-cbc2b --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rick-hughes/message

Sometimes the suffering and difficult times we go through is God putting discipline in our lives to get us back on track. To get us back on the Thy Way Highway instead of the My Way Highway. Divine discipline is the total of God's punitive action taken by His justice, always done in grace and because He loves you. He wants the best for you. He doesn't want you to destroy yourself. “My son do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord” (Heb 12:5). Stage 1 is a warning discipline designed to get our attention. Stage 2 is intensive discipline, it hurts. Stage 3 is dying discipline, the Lord taking you home sooner than you should be going. The transcript of this episode is unavailable at this time. If you need a transcript to access the show leave us a message. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rick-hughes/message

SERMON TOPIC- The THANK-Challenge- -Pt. 2--SERMON TITLE- Transformed Through Thanksgiving--SERMON TEXT- Psalm 136-1-3-SERMON THESIS- For Christians, thanksgiving is supposed to be much more than TURKEY-TALK- Thanksgiving is not supposed to take place one day out of the year, but every day of the year- God's people are called to cultivate an attitude of gratitude by reading and responding to the challenges of the Word of God- This message challenges us to continue taking up the THANK-Challenge---I. The COMMAND of the Thank-Challenge - Ps. 136-1-3--A. The MOOD of the Verbal Notion-B. The MOTION of the Verbal Notion-C. The MOTIVATION of the Verbal Notion -Mercy--D. The MARK of the Verbal Notion--1. LORD -Heb. Yahweh- PERSONAL God of COVENANT-2. God -Heb. Elohim- POWERFUL God of CREATION-3. Lord -Heb. Adonai- PROVIDENTIAL GOD of CONTROL--II. The CHOICE of the Thank-Challenge - Jn. 2-9- Hab. 3-17-19--III. The CONSTANCY of the Thank-Challenge - Eph. 5-20--IV. The CHALLENGE of the Thank-Challenge - 1 Thess. 1-2--CHALLENGE- Taking up the -SPOUSE Challenge-- YES - - NO - -

Today, we continue our reading plan by looking at the Philippians generosity. Paul looked on their missionary gift as an investment that would pay them rich spiritual dividends. The church entered into an arrangement of “giving and receiving”; the church gave materially to Paul, and received spiritually from the Lord. The Lord keeps the books and will never fail to pay one spiritual dividend!Paul looked on their gift as a spiritual sacrifice, laid on the altar to the glory of God. There are such things as “spiritual sacrifices” in the Christian life (see 1 Peter 2:5). We are to yield our bodies as spiritual sacrifices (Rom. 12:1–2), as well as the praise of our lips (Heb. 13:15). Good works are a sacrifice to the Lord (Heb. 13:16), and so are the lost souls that we are privileged to win to Christ (Rom. 15:16; it is God doing the work, we are just a vessel He is using). Here, Paul sees the Philippian believers as priests, giving their offering as a sacrifice to the Lord. In the light of Malachi 1:6–14, we need to present the very finest that we have to the LordContentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God. These resources made Paul sufficient for every demand of life, and they can make us sufficient too.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Find contentment in Christ, not in material things.Trust God with your worries, trials, and tribulations. He will meet your needs.When God gives to His obedient children, He gives according to His infinite riches in gloryFor more information about this show, includes additional notes and details, please visit the show page here or visit our home page at SeekingourGod.comMusicLife of Riley by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3976-life-of-rileyLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As David was nearing the end of his life, he wrote a song for the younger generation as an overview of what it meant to know and live for God. Because the Jews were surrounded by polytheistic cultures and were one of the only monotheistic people that knew the true God, David based his song in knowing the LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent One’). Knowing about God is different than knowing God. Once people have knowledge of God, they are to exercise faith in God as Savior and Lord and are born into God’s family. Joining the family of God is the beginning of having confidence in God. You can’t live for God and be blessed by God if you don’t know God!

David wrote Psalm 8 as a song of praise to the amazingness of God as Creator and Sustainer (Col. 1:16, 17). The knowledge of God as Creator is so pervasive even animals and inanimate objects are pictured as praising God from their existence (Ps. 148:1-5; Rom. 8:18-22; Rev. 5:13). While humans can create things that haven’t existed before, they just reformulate existing material. However, God is the ultimate Creator who built all things by speaking it into existence from nothing (Gen. 1:3; John 1:3; Heb. 3:4; 11:3). The great Creator created a great creation! The true God—the LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent One’)—is spoken of as David’s Lord (Heb. 'âdôn, ‘master, sovereign’). It’s not enough to know about God without wanting to obey God!

Psalm 145 is the last Psalm by David. Being the composer of half of the Psalms (~75/150), David’s heart had been to follow God since his youth. David didn’t have a generic view of ‘god’. This last song is from an intimate knowledge of the true LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent, eternal’) and God. Being Creator, God is great (Heb. gâdôl, ‘exceeding large in magnitude, extent, or importance’) and His greatness is unsearchable (Heb. 'ayin chêqer, ‘unexaminable’). This greatness can’t be fully understood or explained by humans. What cannot be fully understood can still be fully appreciated! From God’s great power comes His mighty deeds in history, which should fill humans with awe and obedience (Ps. 33:8; Rev. 15:3, 4). What is great in your heart influences greatness from your hands!

Psalm 121 is one of fifteen ‘songs of ascents’ (Ps. 120-134) Jewish pilgrims would sing on their way to festivals at Jerusalem. As it is 2500 ft. above sea level and surrounded by valleys, a traveler always goes ‘up’ to Jerusalem. It is thought as they ascended, travelers would sing these Psalms as the city came into view and the Levites would sing them as they climbed the fifteen stairs to enter the Temple area. Meaningful times call for special songs (1 Chron. 13:8; Ps. 33:3; Rev. 5:9, 10)! As most roads followed the valleys, travelers would fear who or what was hiding at the top of hills or in caves (Ps. 23:4). Singers of this Psalm were reminded the LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent, eternal One’; Ex. 3:14) made the hills, valleys, and caves, and there is nothing in them He can’t guard from. The God who made all things, can help protect from all things!

Psalm 23 is arguably the most popular piece of literature ever written. It’s been read, spoken, and sung billions of times over 3000 years to bring comfort and encouragement to believers all over the world at all different times. While people think they’re strong, wise, and safe, the Bible views them as weak, ignorant, unable to help themselves and in need of a shepherd (Is. 53:6; John 10:11-16). We are built by God, for God, to have a relationship with the true God (Col. 1:15-20). David doesn’t view ‘God’ generically as Creator, but personally as his Savior, the ‘LORD’ (Heb. YHWH, ‘the one who is/will be’; Ex. 3:14). God is a Person who wants to get personal!

The goal is to stand before the people naked and unashamed (Gen. 2:25) because we are already naked and exposed before the Lord (Heb. 4:13) —yet, God can not heal what you can not see or you simply keep hiding. Who you are now may not be who He has called you to be!

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).

Passage: John 1:14 Speaker: Mitch Kim Series: God Dwells Among Us God Dwells Among Us How good is good enough for God? If we had a scale, then will God weigh our good works versus our bad works?  Is 70–30 okay?  51-49?  The Bible says, “Without holiness nobody can see the Lord” (Heb  12:14). We

Passage: John 1:14 Speaker: Steve Hands Series: God Dwells Among Us God Dwells Among Us How good is good enough for God? If we had a scale, then will God weigh our good works versus our bad works?  Is 70–30 okay?  51-49?  The Bible says, “Without holiness nobody can see the Lord” (Heb  12:14). We

Tonight  Elvi zapata will share with you what God has been showing him through dreams and visions regarding the end time,  what is about to happen in Israel and around the World. The Lord Jesus showed me in a vision that if people support this program  of'' The Lords Hour''  He would bless then abundantly , he showed me blessing coming to peoples life's from different directions it was amazing to see what our can do. not do you only support the this program, your support will help the poor in Israel with food, clothing and shelter, we also support the poor in Africa with food, clothing and shelter,  to support www.thelordshour.com shalom Judges 6:6 Midian made the people of Israel very poor. So they cried out to the LORD for help. Job 29:12 That's because I saved poor people who cried out for help. I saved helpless children whose fathers had died. Psalm 40:17 But I am poor and needy. May the Lord be concerned about me. You are the One who helps me and saves me. My God, please don't wait any longer. Isaiah 41:17 “Those who are poor and needy search for water. But there isn't any. Their tongues are dry because they are thirsty. But I will help them. I am the LORD. I will not desert them. I am Israel's God.