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CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW~ KEYS TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE OLD FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT.

Julia — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:40:00 GMT

2012 ©

All scripture taken from the KJV unless otherwise stated

Because of importance some scriptures are underlined, bold type or brackets added for clarity.

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW~ KEYS TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE OLD FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the law but under grace, Romans 6:14

This is one of the most difficult bible teachings I have ever done. Difficult because I am trying to simplify and condense a complex subject as well as get enough information in a bible teaching to help the reader understand. There is so much in the New Testament about this topic, that I could have more easily written a book about it.

In the early church, Christians were being deceived and allowing themselves to be put under the Old Testament Law, it was a serious problem as it still is today. As I carefully studied this subject in the New Testament, I saw it being addressed over and over again by the writers. Paul poured out his heart to the church at Galatia which had fallen prey to another gospel, Galations 1:6-10 This false gospel said : Yes, you are saved by faith in Christ , but you are still under the Old Testament Law and must obey it. Having embraced this deceptive teaching Paul warned them that if they placed themselves under the law that they were obligated to obey all of the Law.

Galations 3:10 ~

“ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

My intent is to try to help those trapped in this deception as well as help others so that they can avoid getting trapped into it. Under the New Covenant we are now under the Law of Christ, ~ the law of liberty . Take a look ~

Galations 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

James 2: 8, 10 – 12, NAS

“Howbeit if ye fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by the law of liberty.”

Paul writing to the church at Corinth explains his position concerning the Law, as well as his ministry approach ~

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 NAS

“ To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.”

This is how our brother Paul approached the unsaved with the message of the gospel. Now, I want to mention something before we go further. Am I now saying we have no use for reading the Old Testament? By no means! I love the Old Testament and have used portions of it in many of my bible teachings. The Old Testament has many wonderful lessons in it we can learn from but …………… what I am saying is, it must always be interpreted in light of the New Testament. So many Christians do not realize the Old Testament is not our covenant, it is God’s covenant with Israel.

FIRST THE OLD

I do realize that many non -Jewish Christians know very little about the Old Testament Law. As gentiles when we think of the Law, many of us get a picture in our minds of Charlton Heston as Moses in the Cecil B. De Mille’s rendition of the Ten Commandments and draw our conclusions of the Old Testament Law from that. But the truth of the matter is, there is much much more to it than what you see in the movie. Today we refer to it as Judaism.

The first five books of the Bible are actually considered “The Law”. Within those books there are about 613 Laws. Before we begin this study I would like to share some of those laws with you so you will better understand what the New Testament is speaking of when they refer to the Old Testament Law. I will also show you in the New Testament how the law has been changed through the appearance of Christ the Messiah. Under the Old Testament Law only the physical outward aspect of things were dealt with, where under the New, Jesus took it straight to the heart. In order to help simplify this study for you, I will number a few laws below and refer to the ones I use by the number and show you how they have been changed under the New Testament. Here is a list of 17 of those 613 Laws~

# 1 ~ In Deuteronomy 21:18-21 under the law, if you had a rebellious child he was to be stoned to death and the parent was the one to cast the first stone.

# 2 ~ If you cursed your father or mother you were to be put to death, Leviticus 20:9.

#3 ~ If you committed adultery you were to be put to death, Leviticus 20:10

# 4 ~ On a yearly basis, sacrifice must be offered by a priest for your sins, and the sins of the priest as well. Leviticus 4:35, 5:10, 17:11, 16:30, 15, & 20-22.

# 5 ~ In Leviticus 19:27 men are told not to cut the hair off the sides of their head. “ Gesenius Lexicon tells us what this is referring to - The corner or extremity of the beard , The hairs upon the cheeks and before the ears, Bageenbart, wiskers, as the Jewish doctors rightly explain, Levit. 19:27:21:5. It was prohibited to shave them; and the Arabian nations shaving them ( like the Eqyptians), are called reproach, (men) with the wiskers cut off, Jeramiah 9:25,25:23,49:32 “. (You can see this practiced among orthodox Jewish men)

# 6 ~ The law of an eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth- means what you did wrong to another was repaid back to you, Leviticus 24:19-21

# 7~ All males must be physically circumcised, Genesis 17:10,12, Leviticus 12:3

# 8 ~ Men must put fringes on the corners of their clothing , Numbers. 15:38.

# 9 ~ Everyone must affix the mezuzah to the door posts and gates of their house Deuteronomy 6:9 . (this trinket has scripture inscribed upon it)

# 10 ~ All feast days must be observed exactly according to the Law, Leviticus 23, Exodus 23:14.

# 11 ~ This law Forbids the eating of pork, shellfish and many others, Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14:1-20.

# 12 ~Not permitted to plant different kinds of seed together in one field, Lev.19:19. (Today, this would include hybrid seeds in the garden)

# 13 ~Not permitted to wear garments having a mixture of wool and linen, Deuteronomy 22:11

# 14 ~ Not permitted to do any kind work on Sabbath (Saturday) including no cooking, Exodus16:23, 20:10. One could not even leave the house, Exodus 16:29-30. The only thing you are to do on the Sabbath is rest, Exodus 12:16, 23:12, 34:21. Also on the Sabbath you could not have any bread in your home which contained yeast in it, Exodus 12:14-16. Anyone breaking the Sabbath could be put to death, Exodus 31:14-15, 16:29-30.

# 15 ~ Anyone who obeyed Gods Laws received many wonderful blessings, but anyone who broke these Laws were put under some terrible curses. Deuteronomy 28 lists all the blessings as well as the curses.

# 16 ~All Tattoo’s were also forbidden under the Law, Leviticus 19:28

#17 ~ Thou shalt not commit adultery, Exodus 20:14

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT

Before we begin the comparisons I want you to grasp two very important keys to understanding the New Testament and its difference from the Old.

Under the Old Testament the priesthood under the Law, always came out of the tribe of Levi after the order of Aaron, Hebrew 7:11.

Under the New Testament Jesus is now our Great High priest, who came out of the tribe of Judah after the order of Melchesidec, Hebrews 7:14

This had never happened before in all the history of the priesthood.

So what does this have to do with anything you might ask? A lot; In Hebrews it shows us the result of this change in the priesthood ~

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law.” This verse is telling us that the Law has now been changed.

Let’s take a look at a few of the Old Testament laws that I listed previously by number, and contrast them to what is spoken in the New Testament on that same subject and how it has changed.

LAW #3~ Under the Old Testament Law, a person was to be stoned if they committed adultery, Leviticus 20:10.

New Testament we see the change by Jesus ~

John 8:3-11

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

LAW # 7~ All males must be physically circumcised, Genesis 17:10,12, Lev. 12:3

Under the New Testament we see the change ~

Galatians 6:15 NLT

It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.

Galatians 5:5-6 NLT

But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love

Colossians 3:10-11 NLT

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

LAW # 17 ~ Thou shalt not commit adultery, Exodus 20:14

New Testament, the change ~

Matthew 5:27-28

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Jesus made this law far more binding than did the letter of the Law under the Old Testament. Thus, every individual is held accountable for his or her adulterous thoughts, even if no physical act is committed.

The Old Testament Law dealt only with the physical aspects of things, where New Testament Christianity goes right to the heart as well.

LAW # 4~ Under Old Testament Law at certain times each year, animal sacrifices must be offered by a priest for the cleansing and forgiveness of the sins of the people, as well as his own sins, Leviticus 4:35, 17:11,16:30,15, 20-22.

New Testament, the Change ~

Under the New Covenant we see the complete change, Christ Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, John 1:29. As with the Old, so is the New, without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, Hebrews 9:22. Jesus was that Lamb slain, Revelation 5:12. Through his life and death he satisfied all requirements that once put a dividing wall between God and man. He did all of this by fulfilling the writings of the Old Testament prophets, the Law, thereby ushering in a New Covenant of peace between God and all those who would believe.

Matthew 5:17-18

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled

There are approximately 330 prophecies concerning the Christ found in the Law and the prophets . Let’s begin first with looking at a few scriptures showing how Jesus fulfilled what was written by the Old Testament prophets ~

The prophet Isaiah foretold ~

49:6 ~-Salvation would be brought to people all over the world, fulfilled ~ Romans 10:9-19

7:13 ~ Jesus would be born of a virgin, fulfilled ~ Luke 1:26-28,30-31

61:1-3 ~ would bind and heal the brokenhearted , fulfilled ~ Luke 4:17-21

53:1-12 ~ describes the suffering Messiah ,the redeemer, who would be rejected and not believed, especially by the Jews, fulfilled ~ Matthew 20:19, 27:31, Mark 15:19-21 , John 19:6

The prophet Micah foretold ~

Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, Micah 5:1-2, fulfilled ~ Luke 2:4-7

The prophet Jeremiah foretold ~

23:5 ~ The Messiah would be a descendant of King David, fulfilled~ Matthew 1:1,

The prophet Zechariah foretold ~

11:12 ~ The price paid to betray Jesus, fulfilled ~ Matthew 26:14-15

11:13 ~ What would be done with the betrayal money, fulfilled ~ Matthew 27:3, 5-7

There and many many more prophecies concerning Christ, these were only a few examples of how Jesus fulfilled what the prophets had written of him.

Let’s now take a look at scriptures telling us how Jesus fulfilled the Law ~

Let me begin by explaining it in this way; In order for anyone to be in right standing with God one must be righteous. The only way we could stand before a holy God as righteous is if we kept all of Gods laws. That’s where Christ comes into the picture, scripture tells us there is none righteous, no not one, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:10,23.That is why we needed a Savior, one who could fulfill all of the requirements of the Law for us, without one single failure; Because scripture tells us, if you break one of Gods Laws you are guilty of all ,James 2:10-11.

God sent his own beloved son Jesus Christ who was born “under the Law” and fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law for us, Galatians 4:4. The scriptures tell us he was tempted in all points just as we are, yet without sin, Hebrews 4:15. Christ did, what we could never do. Having done this, Christ Jesus now becomes our righteousness. And that righteousness is only received by simple faith in what he has accomplished in our place.

Take a look ~

Philippians 3:9 NAS

“ and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith”

Romans 3:20-22 NAS

“ because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction”

Romans 4:5

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Jesus truly came to fulfill all that was written of him in the Old Testament Law and the prophets . Jesus himself said, not one jot or tittle of the Law shall pass away till all be fulfilled, Matthew 5:18.

Who in this world would be able to fulfill it all? There is no one that could have fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Law but him!

There are some people who have been misinformed on this subject. Some are teaching today that the scripture found in Matthew 8:17 is saying that Jesus actually came to “ uphold or enforce ” the Old Testament Law upon us instead of he himself fulfilling it in our place. Yes, they do teach that he came to save us, but they also say that Christians are still under the Old Testament Law, and need to follow it. They misinterpret Matthew 8:17 to read that Jesus said, "I did not come to destroy the Law" period ~ then they leave it at that. Somehow in their minds they fail to catch the rest of that verse which says Jesus came to fulfill it.

Good heavens brethren! If we could obey the Law ourselves, then what in the world do we need Jesus for?Remember, the word of God tells us that if we break even one of those Laws we are guilty of breaking them all and under a curse, Galatians 3:10, James 2:10-11, Deuteronomy 28:14-68. No one except Jesus ever has, or ever will fulfill all of the Law.

Possibly some have not studied the covenants carefully enough to discern which one to live under. They seem to live with one foot in the Old Testament, and the other in the New and call it Christianity. Brethren this is not Christianity. As I said earlier we must interpret the Old Testament in light of the New.

Let me try to explain ~

An good example is found in the four gospels, we cannot take every single word Jesus said and did in those gospels and apply it as New Testament Christianity. An example of this is Jesus never told his disciples to stop partaking of animal sacrifices during the time that he was with them here on earth. Why? Because they were all ,including Jesus, still under the Old Testament Law ,Galatians 4:4 . Many do not understand that the Old Testament Law was the very backbone of the Old Covenant that God had with the people of Israel, and that the New Testament did not go into effect until after the death of Jesus, Hebrews 9:15-17. We are now on the other side of Jesus's death, burial,and resurrection and the New Testament is now in force, therefore we do not offer animal sacrifices today for our sins because under the New Covenant Jesus already dealt with that having become the living sacrifice for our sins once for all by his death upon the cross.

Another example is the healing of a man with leprosy ~ After Jesus healed this dear soul he told him to “go show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded”, Luke 5:13-15.

First, let me ask you a question ~ Do we do this under the New Testament when someone is healed? Of course not. We don’t even have or need the ministry of priest anymore. Why? Because Jesus became our Great High Priest, Hebrews 4:14 and we as the body of Christ are all made priests unto God, Revelation 1:6. So, in light of this, we need not follow what Jesus said in that particular instance. Can you understand this? I do hope so.

Almost everything that Jesus taught and did in the four gospels still applies to us today under the New Testament, but there are some things that do not apply, such as the above examples.

The ministry of Jesus bringing in the New Covenant ~

Hebrews 10:5-12

5-Wherefore when he ( Jesus) cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6-In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7-Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God. 8-Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9-Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, (Old Covenant) that he may establish the second, (the New Covenant). 10-By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11-And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12-But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

We see in doing this, Jesus has now brought in the New Covenant Take a look ~

Hebrews 8:6-7,13

6-But now hath he (Jesus) obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

7-For if that first (Old) covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.( New Covenant)

13-In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”

These verses are saying that the Old Covenant is now behind us and done away with.

Friends; When Jesus said, it is finished he meant exactly that! John 19:30.

LAW # 6~ An eye for an eye and tooth for tooth - Under the Old Testament Law, what you did wrong to another, was repaid back to you, Leviticus 24:19-21.

The Old Testament Law - Leviticus 24:19-21 , NLT

“Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted— a fracture for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Whatever anyone does to injure another person must be paid back in kind. “Whoever kills an animal must pay for it in full, but whoever kills another person must be put to death.

The New Testament , the change~

Matthew 5:38-42, NLT

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

LAW # 11 ~ Under the Old Testament Law it was forbidden to eat pork, shellfish and many other things , Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14:1-20.

It is interesting to note that Noah was the first family that God ever told to eat meat, and God gave him liberty to eat any type of meat he desired, he put no restrictions on him whatsoever. Before that, mankind ate only vegetation. Take a look ~

Genesis 9:2-4

“And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.”

Now, when the Law came in under the Old Testament, certain food were considered unclean and never to be eaten by those under the Old Covenant Law. You would never find these people dining with a gentile (non-Jew) because gentiles would eat all kinds of foods that were considered unclean to the Jew, Acts 10:28.

In the New Testament we see the change in this Law as well. Take a look~

Romans 14 ,NLT

1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.

12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. 14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. 17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. 23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

SPECIAL IMPORTANT NOTE ~ - In verse 14 in the KJV it reads ~ "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. "

This word unclean in this verse is #2839 in the Greek~ it is referring to what is unclean by Jewish law, unhallowed, profane, Levitically unclean,

This chapter is not only addressing eating meats or vegetables only but is most assuredly talking about eating clean and unclean meats under the Old Testament Law as well. It is important to remember that the church is made up of both Jew and gentile, people from two entirely different cultures. God is giving us all individual freedom to eat whatever we feel comfortable with, as well as worship Him when and where our hearts desire.

1 Corinthians 10:25-26 NLT

So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.”

1 Timothy 4:3-5

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is santified by the word of God and prayer

Special note ~This word meats in the Thayer’s Greek is #1033and is referring to any food. In context, this verse is warning us that in the latter days some will command you to abstain from eating certain meats, but the apostle reminds us that no food (creature) is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving by those of us who know the truth of God’s word under the New Covenant. That word santified means to be set apart or made holy. That is why we pray over our meals.

Colossians 2:16

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday , or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath day:

Let’s look at the Greek meaning of the word meat ~ Meat #1035,2228, 1722, ~ the act of eating.

This verse is telling us to let no man judge you on what to eat.

Acts 11:2-10 NLT

But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him saying . “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” Then Peter told them exactly what had happened. I was in the town of Joppa,” he said, “and while I was praying, I went into a trance and saw a vision. Something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners from the sky. And it came right down to me. When I looked inside the sheet, I saw all sorts of tame and wild animals, reptiles, and birds. And I heard a voice say, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.’

8- ‘No, Lord,’ I replied. ‘I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure or unclean. But the voice from heaven spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.’ This happened three times before the sheet and all it contained was pulled back up to heaven.”

SPECIAL NOTE~ In the KJV verse 8 reads this way ~ But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

This word common in the Greek is # 2839- it is referring to the common food eaten by the gentiles ( foods considered unclean by Jewish law ).

The word unclean in this verse is the Greek word #169 – it is referring to meats that were considered unclean according to Old Testament Levitical Law.

In the early days of the church there arose Jews who had been converted to Christianity from Old Testament Judaism , these Jewish Christians were misinformed and began to tell the gentiles Christians (non- Jewish ) that along with faith in Christ, they must also keep the Old Testament Law of Moses .Take a look how Peter and Barnabus handled this ~

Acts Chapter 15: 5, 24-25

5- But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 24- Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25- As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood ( from food) , and from ( eating food that was ) strangled, and from fornication

Law # 14 Sabbath keeping. ~ Anyone breaking the Sabbath must be put to death, Exodus 31:14-15, 16:29-30. In observing this law all were forbidden to do any kind work on the Sabbath (Saturday) including cooking, Exodus16:23, 20:10. One could not even leave the house, Exodus 16:29-30. The only thing you were to do on the Sabbath day is rest, Exodus 12:16, 23:12, 34:21. You could also not have any bread in your home, which contained yeast in it, Exodus 12:14-16.

The Bible tells us that the Sabbath was given as a sign to Israel ~

Exodus 31:13-17

“Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed”

Nowhere in the New Testament is it given as a sign to the church. To this very hour thousands of years after the commandment was given to Israel we can still see this sign in Israel , it separates Israel from the world, they continue to keep the Sabbath holy.

New Testament change ~

Romans 14:5-6 ~

“In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. “

Yes, Jesus did observed the Sabbath Law, but remember he had to keep the whole law to be the perfect sacrifice (as we saw earlier) and sabbath keeping was part of that Law. Remember, Jesus was born under the law, Galatians 4:4. He did what no man could ever do, he fulfilled it all to the last letter!

The reason Paul the apostle went to the synagogue each Sabbath day was not so he could keep the law, that would have been contrary to everything he taught in the New Testament, but rather he went to preach the gospel of the Kingdom to the Jews that were there . Paul was very zealous for the salvation of Israel, Romans. 10:1.

-To the Jew he became as a Jew that he might win the Jews… 1Corinthians 9:19-20

Paul simply made it a point to go where they gathered, and when they gathered.

The New Testament clearly shows this truth, Paul was greatly persecuted by the unbelieving Jews for preaching these truths which were contrary to their Old Testament laws, Acts 6:12-14, 21:27-36, 20:19, 18:12-13.

Colossians 2:16

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday , or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath day:

Let’s look at the Greek meaning of the word sabbath ~

Sabbath # 4521- the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work

In light of this Greek word , this verse is telling you not to allow anyone to judge you concerning keeping the sabbath as Romans 14 showed us earlier.

Galatians 4:9-11,16

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain…… 16- Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

LAW # 10 ~ All feast days must be observed exactly according to the Law, if you violate this law as well as the others you will be under a curse, Leviticus 23, Deuteronomy 28.

New Testament change ~

Christ has already fulfilled 5 of the 7 feasts of the Old Testament, the last two that are unfulfilled, will be fulfilled, at the return of Christ ~

Passover ~Leviticus 23:5, fulfilled ~ 1Corinthians 5:7,Luke 22:1-19, John 19:31

Unleaven Bread ~ Leviticus 23:6, fulfilled ~Luke 22:7-19, 1Corinthians 5:7-8

Firstfruits ~ Leviticus 23:9, fulfilled ~ 1Corinthians 15:20-23

Pentecost ~ Leviticus 23:10, fulfilled Acts 2:1

The Atonement Leviticus 16:30,23:27, fulfilled ~ Heb.9:11-28, Zechariah 12:10,14:4

TO BE FULFILLED BY CHRIST AT HIS RETURN ~

Trumpets ~ Leviticus. 23:24~

to be fulfilled see ~ 1Corinthians15:52, 1Thessalonians 4:16,17, Romans 8:11 ,Hebrews 12:19, Revelation1:10;10:7,14:14-19.

Tabernacles ( feast of booth's) ~ Leviticus 23:34 ~ To be fulfilled see ~ Zechariah 2:12, Revelation 15:5, 21:3

Here is an example of how the feast of Passover was fulfilled by Christ ~

Jesus was sacrificed on the fourteenth day of the first month of the Jewish year, this is the exact same day and time that the Passover lambs were being slain under the Old Covenant , John 19:14-16. Scripture tells us that Christ was our Passover that was sacrificed for us, 1Cointhians 5:7.This is why the Christian church does not celebrate the Jewish feast of Passover but has replaced it with the Lord's Supper, or some call it Communion. Jesus himself instituted this practice during the last part of this Passover meal , Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:19-20.

Again we will refer to Colossians 2:16 ~

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday , or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath day:

Let’s again look at the Greek meaning of the word holy day~

Holyday # 1859 ~ a Feast Day

This verse again tells us not to allow anyone to judge you on the keeping feast days.

As we saw earlier, one of the feast listed in Leviticus 23 is the feast of Booths or Tabernacles. To keep this feast one must begin by building a temporary shelter. This feast last for seven days and throughout these holy days the Sukkah (booth) is to become the primary living area of one’s home and all meals are to be eaten inside the Sukkah and many sleep there as well. Now according to the Old Testament Law, those who do not observe this feast are guilty of breaking the Law. And remember, the penalty for breaking the Law is a curse placed upon you ~

Galations 3:10

“Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

What are those curses? They are found in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.

Again the change under the New Testament, take a look~

Galatians 3:3

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”……….

The Law has been fulfilled for us through Christ! He did it all. He came to fulfill all the Law and the writings of the prophets about him , that is why we are redeemed from the curse of the Law, it is because we are no longer under that Law, Bless his holy Name!

Ephesians 2:8-10

“ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”.

New Testament Christianity came out of Old Testament Judaism . The first converts to Christ were all Jews so the early church was made up of both Jews and gentiles. Paul explains that he himself once followed zealously after the Old Testament law when in Judaism , Galations, 1:13-14, 23-24. When writing to the church at Galatia Paul spoke to them of false brethren in Judaism who were creeping into the church to “ spy out their liberty” which they had in Christ so as to put them in bondage back under the Old Testament law. Even Peter & Barnabus were being influenced with this hypocrisy so Paul openly rebuked Peter in front of them all and reminding them all that the grace of our lord working in us was sufficient, Galations 2:11-21

Every law that was broken under the Old Testament had consequences, we see these consequences listed in Deuteronomy 28.

James 2:10 tells us ~ “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” This is a sobering statement.

It is the grace of God that saved us and the grace of God that helps us lead a holy separated life unto God. See my bible teaching titled ~ Holiness, By Way of Grace. The grace of God is a powerful thing when received by faith ~ Sin shall not be master over you for you are not under the Law but under grace ,Romans 6:14. We are not told in the New Testament to preach the Law as some are doing today, we are told to go forth and preach the kingdom of God just as Christ and his followers did, Luke 8:1,4:43, Acts 20:25,28:30-31.

It is the kindness of God that leads you to repentance ~ Romans 2:4 NAS

Concerning the Laws # 5,8,9,12,13,16 that I listed in the beginning of this study, I see no place in the New Testament where we are instructed to do these things.

Dear brethren please be on your guard for this for yourselves, for as Paul said, if you put yourself under the Law, you have fallen from grace, and Christ will be of no value to you, Galatians 5:4.

Blessings in Christ,

Julia Stanko

Special note ~ Many Jews are coming to have faith in Christ as their promised Messiah today, it is so wonderful! They are more commonly known as Messianic Jews. Some of these dear brothers and sisters in Christ practice worship on Saturday, do not eat pork or shellfish, and some celebrate the feast and hold to other seemingly Jewish things but……..They are not doing it because they are under the Law, they will be the first to tell you that as believers we are not under the Law. They are doing it out of a “want to” not a “have to” mentality as we read in Romans 14 earlier and they do it in light of the New Testament teachings. These dear saints will never condemn you for not participating in these things because they understand the liberty we each have in Christ.We are a church made up of two entirely different cultures. Remember, New Testament Christianity came out of Old Testament Judaism. The very roots of our faith are Jewish, so many things will have a Jewish flavor to it. God desires both Jew and gentiles together, to become one new man in Christ, Ephesians 2: 14-16.

If any group, be it Jew or gentile tells you we are still under the Old Testament Law (the Torah) I counsel you to avoid them, romans 16:17.

This material may be printed out for personal reading but must not be altered in any way .

PS – To receive Bible teachings from Julia ,send your name and e mail address to - lovinthelord@bellsouth.net and request to be put on the mailing list. Bible teachings are sent out approx. every 8 weeks

GOD WANTS YOU WELL

Julia — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:54:28 GMT

Here are some really good bible teachings I wanted to share with others.

I also included a link below with 14 awesome healing testimonies, all of them are without the aid of the medical profession. Friends, God still does miracles today, just as he did in the bible.

Be Blessed!

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT LEARNING MORE ABOUT DIVINE HEALING ~

Click on the link below, Week # 14 to 20 is titled ~ GOD WANTS YOU WELL. Begin at week # 14 and just view each day of teachings

http://www.awmi.net/tv/2010

DIVINE HEALING TESTIMONIES

When you click on the link below there will be the first 3 weeks of videos titled Healing Journey's. There are a total of 14 healing testimonies there.

I'll point out my favorites in case you may want to view them first.

The first, is a story about a little girl named Hanna who was given up to die. had a week or two to live. She was wasting away to nothing . She was 3 1/2 years old & wore clothes for a 9 month old baby, Her story is told in two parts ~

part 1 & 2 of Hanna's story is on Vol. 1 January 6&7

The second favorite is of Mike Hoesh, he had a cancerous growth that got so big & so heavy he needed to wear a bra! Caution he has photos very graphic.

You can find Mikes story on Vol. 3 January 19, AWESOME!!!!

The third story is of a guy who had a massive stroke with no hope of recovery & was supposed to live out the rest of his life as an total invalid being fed with a straw. He walked out of the hospital in 9 days fully healed!

You can find his story on Vol. 3, January 17

They have lots of other awesome stories like MS completely healed , mother & daughter dying of serious breathing problems . You will need about 20 minutes to view each story except for Hanna's , her's is longer because it is in two parts. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

love & Many blessings julia

http://www.awmi.net/tv/2011

Examining the doctrine of the Sovereignty Of God

Julia — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:51:36 GMT

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Sovereignty Of God
By Andrew Wommack

My heart was really stirred this last month. I attended a meeting where an old friend of mine was ministering. He had been through some terrible things that nearly destroyed his faith. He became bitter and angry at God for the things that had happened. When I heard him, he had humbled himself and was again loving the Lord and excited about the future. Praise the Lord! However, in the process, he had come to believe that it was the Lord that caused all his problems. He had resigned himself to the "sovereignty of God."

I believe this is the worst doctrine in the church today. I know that this is a shocking statement and is near blasphemy to some people, but the way sovereignty" is taught today is a real faith killer. The belief that God controls everything that happens to us is one of the devil's biggest inroads into our lives. If this belief is true, then our actions are irrelevant, and our efforts are meaningless. What will be will be.

If we believe that God wills everything, good or bad, to happen to us, it gives us some temporary relief from confusion and condemnation, but in the long-term, it slanders God, hinders our trust in God, and leads to passiveness.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

The word "sovereign" is not used in the King James Version of the Bible. It is used 303 times in the Old Testament of the New International Version, but it is always used in association with the word "LORD" and is the equivalent of the King James Version's "LORD God." Not a single one of those times is the word "sovereign" used in the manner that it has come to be used in religion in our day and time.

Religion has resulted in the invention of a new meaning for the word "sovereign," which basically means God controls everything. Nothing can happen but what He wills or allows. However, there is nothing in the actual definition that states that. The dictionary defines "sovereign" as, "1. Paramount; supreme. 2. Having supreme rank or power. 3. Independent: a sovereign state. 4. Excellent." None of these definitions means that God controls everything.

It is assumed that since God is paramount or supreme that nothing can happen without His approval. That is not what the Scriptures teach. In 2 Peter 3:9, Peter said, "The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." This clearly states that it is not the Lord's will for anyone to perish, but people are perishing. Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matt. 7:13). Relatively few people are saved compared to the number that are lost. God's will for people concerning salvation is not being accomplished.

This is because the Lord gave us the freedom to choose. He doesn't will anyone into hell. He paid for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:10), but we must choose to put our faith in Christ and receive His salvation. People are the ones choosing hell by not choosing Jesus as their Savior. It is the free will of man that damns them, not God.

People virtually have to climb over the roadblocks that God puts in their way to continue on their course to hell. The cross of Christ and the drawing power of the Holy Spirit are obstacles that every sinner encounters. No one will ever stand before God and be able to fault Him for withholding the opportunity to be saved. The Lord woos every person to Him, but we have to cooperate. Ultimately, the Lord simply enforces the consequences of people's own choices.

God has a perfect plan for every person's life (Jer. 29:11), but He doesn't make us walk that path. We are free moral agents with the ability to choose. He has told us what the right choices are (Deut. 30:19), but He doesn't make those choices for us. God gave us the power to control our destinies.

Typical teaching on the sovereignty of God puts Jesus in the driver's seat with us as passengers. On the surface that looks good. All of us have encountered the disastrous results of doing our own thing. We desire to be led of the Lord, and teaching that nothing happens but what God wills fits that nicely. However, the Scriptures paint a picture of each of us being behind the wheel of our own lives. We are the one doing the driving. We are supposed to take directions from the Lord, but He doesn't do the driving for us.

Man has been given the authority over his own life, but he must have the Lord's direction to succeed. Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." God created us to be dependent upon Him and our independence is at the root of all our problems. As if it wasn't bad enough for man to try to run his affairs independently of God and His standards, it has been made even worse by religion teaching us that all our problems are actually blessings from God. That is a faith killer. It makes people totally passive.

James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This verse makes it clear that some things are from God, and some from the devil. We must submit to the things that are of God and resist the things that are from the devil. The word "resist" means, "Actively fight against." Saying "Whatever will be will be" is not actively fighting against the devil.

If a person really believed that God is the one who put sickness on them because He is trying to work something for good in their life, then they should not go to the doctor or take any medicine. That would be resisting God's plans. They should let the sickness run its course and thereby get the full benefit of God's correction. Of course, no one advocates that. That is absurd. It is even more absurd to believe that God is the one behind the tragedy.

Acts 10:38 says that Jesus healed all those who were oppressed OF THE DEVIL. It was not God who oppressed them with sickness. It was the devil. It's the same today. Sickness is from the devil, not from God. We need to resist sickness and, by faith, submit ourselves to healing, which is from God through the atonement of Christ.

I know someone is thinking, What about the Old Testament instances where God smote people with sickness and plagues? There is a lot I could say about that if I had the space, but a simplified answer to that question is that none of those instances were blessings. They were curses. God did use sickness in the Old Testament as punishment, but in the New Testament, Jesus bore our curse for us (Gal. 3:13). The Lord would no more put sickness on a New Testament believer than He would make us commit a sin. Both forgiveness of sin and healing are a part of the atonement Jesus provided for us.

Deuteronomy, chapter 28, should forever settle this question for all who believe the Word of God. The first 14 verses of Deuteronomy 28 list the blessings of God and the last 53 verses list the curses of God. Healing is listed as a blessing (Deut. 28:4). Sickness is listed as a curse (Deut. 28:22, 27-28, 35, 59-61). God called sickness a curse. We should not call it a blessing.

Knowing that God is not the author of my problems is one of the most important revelations the Lord has ever given me. If I thought it was God who killed my father when I was twelve, and some of my best friends before I was 20, if it was God who had people kidnap me, slander me, threaten to kill me, and turn loved ones against me, then I would have a hard time trusting God, if He was like that.

On the contrary, it is very comforting to know that God only has good things in store for me. Any problems in my life are from the devil, of my own making, or just the results of life on a fallen planet. My heavenly Father has never done me any harm and never will. I KNOW that.

I am not saying that there is nothing to learn from hardships. Most of you reading this article have come to the Lord because of something in your life that overwhelmed you and caused you to turn to the Lord for help. That situation was not from God regardless of the results. It was you turning to the Lord and the faith you placed in Him that turned your life around, not the hardship.

If hardships and problems made us better, then everyone who has had problems would be better for them. Those who have the most trouble would be the best. That simply is not so.

Let me illustrate this with a story about my son, Joshua. When he was only a year old, I was loading lumber on a large truck in the heat of a Texas summer. I had Joshua with me, and he was having a big time playing in the lumber yard. By mid-afternoon, he was tired and sleepy and started to lie down in the dirt for a nap. I knew his mother wouldn't like that, so I put him in the cab of the truck to lie down and take his nap.

He had been wanting to get into that truck all day, and when I put him in there, he revived. I had to roll the windows down because it was hot, and Joshua was leaning out the windows and waving at me in the side view mirrors. I told him to lie down and even gave him a spanking, but he didn't take heed. He leaned out the window too far, fell out of the cab, hit his eye on the running board and landed on his head.

I ran up to him, prayed over him, and held him until he quit crying. Then I told him that was why I told him to lie down and go to sleep and not lean out the window. I used that situation which caused him pain, to teach him, but if Joshua would have been like the sovereignty teachers of today, he would have gone out and told all his friends that his father made him fall out of that truck to teach him to obey. That's not so. I did what I could to restrain him. I would be very hurt if that's the way Joshua thought I was.

Likewise, I don't believe it blesses our heavenly Father for us to blame Him for all the problems that come into our lives. Sure, He will comfort us when we turn to Him in the midst of our problems, but He doesn't create the negative circumstances that hurt our lives.

God is sovereign in the sense that He is paramount and supreme. There is no one higher in authority or power, but that does not mean He exercises His power by controlling everything in our lives. God has given us the freedom to choose. He has a plan for us. He seeks to reveal that plan to us and urge us in that direction, but we choose. He doesn't make our choices for us.

In many instances, it is our wrong choices that bring disaster upon us. In other cases, our problems are nothing but an attack from the devil. In some cases, natural forces of an imperfect world cause us pain. Our tragedies are never the judgment or correction of God. Jesus came to give us abundant life. The devil came to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Don't ever get that confused. If it's good, it's God. If it's bad, it's the devil.

This is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity that must be understood properly if you want victory in your life. Believing that God controls everything renders a person passive. Why pray and believe for something better? Whatever God wants will come to pass. That simply is not true.

The Lord is the answer to all our problems. He is not the problem.

If you would like more ministry on this pivotal point, please order my teaching entitled, "The Sovereignty of God." There is much more detail on the teaching than I was able to put into this article. This teaching will change your life.

I suggest that after you listen to it that you share it with someone else. I really believe that confusion on this subject is how Satan pushes his will off on most people. This teaching could change someone's life.

ISRAEL AND THE U.S. MILITARY

Julia — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:28:05 GMT

2012©

All scripture taken from the KJV unless otherwise stated

I have highlighted ,underlined, or paraphased portions to condence and clarify some important scriptures

ISRAEL AND THE U.S. MILITARY

As a born again Christian I deeply love Israel and the Jewish people; after all, our blessed Redeemer came out from among these dear people.

For some time now I have had my focus on Israel from a biblical standpoint and what the scriptures have to say about her concerning fighting her enemies. The more I study the Bible about this particular subject , the more questions have arisen in my mind concerning her dependance on U.S. money and military.

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Please do not misunderstand what I am going to talk about here , I dearly love Israel and have no problem with our country supporting Israel in battles against her enemies. But what does the scriptures say how Israel is to deal with those who hate her and want to destroy her?

In the scriptures we never once see God bringing in worldly armies of great might and multitude to deliver them when they are faced with a battle, Not once.

In fact, the scriptures show us the exact opposite~

Here are a few soul searching scriptures that comes to mind concerning Israels dependence on the U.S. military for its safety .

Isaiah. 31: 1 & 3

Woe to them that go down to Egypt (the world) for help and stay (rely) on horses and chariots because they are many and in horseman because they are very strong ( U.S. military) but they look not to the Holy One of Israel and neither seek the Lord.

Now, the Egyptians (worlds people) are men & not God and their horses are flesh ( carnal weapons) and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out His hand, both he that helps ( U.S. military) shall fall and he ( Israel) that is helped shall fall down and they both shall fail together.

Isaiah 30: 1-2

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel (advice) , but not of me; and that cover with a covering ( protection) , but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

That walk to go down into Egypt (the world) , and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt (the worlds manpower) !

Judges chapters 6-7

In these chapters we see Israel in a battle with the Mideonites. The army of the Mideonites was huge, Judges 7:12. Now God used a man named Gideon and had him choose an army to go against the Mideonites. God wanted to be sure they knew beyond a show of a doubt that it was Him who delivered them so he told Gideon to cut the number of men down in the army.

So Gideon cut the number of men down to 10,000. God then said ; No, there are still to many, cut it down even more , lest they think they won this war by their own strength.

And under the direction of God the number again was cut all the way down to 300 men . By 300 men going against a huge army without number, God alone got the victory and the glory for delivering Israel.

1Samuel 17

In this chapter we see the much beloved story of David facing Goliath.

The Israelites had been confronted with the army of the Philistines. Goliath of Gath was the champion of this Philistine army standing nine and a half feet tall, wearing armor that weighed one hundred and twenty five pounds, and his spear weighed in at fifteen pounds. To complete his battle attire, his armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield before him.

King Saul and the Israelites stood terrified as they gazed upon this awesome figure before them. Day after day for forty consecutive days Goliath continually taunted them with the challenge to “send him out a man that would dare do battle against him”!

Now David was a shepherd boy who tended his father’s sheep. He was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons and had no experience or training whatsoever for war . He was simply a keeper of the flock.

Now, Jesse was concerned for the care of his three older sons who were in the army of Israelites that were to be engaged in this battle at the valley of Elah. So Jesse packed up various foods and sent his youngest son David (who was looked upon as being too young to go to battle) on a mission to bring his brothers nourishment and to find out if all his brothers were alive and well.

When David finally arrived at the camp, he heard Goliath’s defiant challenge being roared out repeatedly again and again before the army of Israelites. All of the Israelites fled in fear as they saw and heard Goliath come forward for battle.

It was young David who tried to encourage them not to fear saying; Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God !?

Now Eliab his elder brother heard this and began to revile and insult him, but others in the army who heard this went before the King and repeated David’s words before him.

After hearing of this, the King sent for David to be brought before him. As David entered into the presence of King Saul he said; Oh King, let no man’s heart fail because of this Philistine, but your servant will go and fight with him.

The King upon hearing such words replied; David, you are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth. But David began to tell the King of God’s supernatural help in his life in times past and said; The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine! So convincing was David, that the King consented to his request.

Saul then began to clothe David with his armor; he put a helmet of bronze on his head, and clothed him in a coat of mail (a metal material used as armor covering the body). And David girded his sword over his armor. But David tried in vain to move but he could not, because he had never worn the heavy battle attire before. So he took all of it off, and in simple faith and reliance upon his God chose five smooth stones from a nearby stream.

When Goliath walked out toward young David, he could not believe his eyes and began to laugh and mock and curse David by the names of his gods.

Yelling to him; Am I a dog that you come at me with a stick? Come here to me boy so that I can tear you to pieces and give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!

David then looked him dead in the face and proclaimed; You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord my God!

Today, the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head! And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds of the air and wild animals!

And all will know that there is a God in Israel who saves not with sword or spear; for the battle is the Lords, and He will give all of you into our hands!

There was no faltering in David’s step; his heart was strong with a confidence born of his faith in Gods faithfulness and almightiness.

As David set his smooth stone in the sling and drew it back, the God directed stone buried itself in the forehead of the giant.

In a moment the miracle took place and Goliath went down!

David used Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head and returned to Israel’s camp bearing his grim trophy of a divine victory. It was his faith and complete dependance in the power and faithfulness of God, rather than the skill of his own arm that brought Goliath to his end.

What a story! I see the same thing repeated over and over again all throughout the entire Old Testament battles of Israel.

As a christian I am so sad to see the church not making our top priority and putting our efforts into supporting some good Messianic ministries in Israel to help get those dear Jewish people to hear the great message of their Messiah Jesus.

Here in the states, Christian ministries and churches are giving thousands and thousands if possibly millions to an unsaved rabbi to help bring unsaved Jewish people back to Israel. Many Christians are also pushing our military might as their only hope of safety. This is not what the Bible teaches.

Moaz Israel ministries www.maozisrael.org is an awesome faithful Messianic ministry over in Israel. For years these dear people have been working hard sharing the gospel with the Jewish people . They as well as other Jewish ministries have informed us that this rabbi whom is receiving large amounts of money from Christian churches is actually supporting the Orthodox Jews in Israel. These Orthodox Jews are causing Messianic saved Jews who are preaching the gospel all kinds of problems, including death threats. The church needs to awaken and begin to put some of our resourses into bringing salvation to the Jews. The scriptures tell us the gospel is to be preached to the Jews first....., Romans 1:16.

I do hope that many who read this will pray about it and search the scriptures for yourselves.

Remember dear brethren, the word of God, is the will of God.

Many Blessings, Julia Stanko

This material may be printed out for personal reading only but must not be altered in any way

PS – To receive Bible teachings from Julia ,send your name and e mail address to - lovinthelord@bellsouth.net and request to be put on the mailing list. Bible teachings are sent out approx. every 6 -8 weeks

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GROUNDED IN THE WORD OF GOD

Julia — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 17:57:31 GMT

2011©

All scripture is from the KJV unless otherwise stated

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GROUNDED

IN THE WORD OF GOD

2 Timothy 3:16-17

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

Should there be any question that the word of God should be held as the highest standard for our life, to be looked upon as our roadmap in life? This wonderful book is the book of books, a book of love designed to help us avoid and conquer the snares set before us at every turn by none other than Satan himself.

The bible warns us to be sober or serious minded, to be vigilant which means very watchful, for your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour….., 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Have you ever been to the zoo and heard the roar of a lion up close? Growing up in Philadelphia we often visited the Philadelphia zoo. At that time they had a large building called the Lion House that you could go inside and get a real close up of all the lions. You could see these lions in individual barred cells as close as 4 or 5 feet away. A special highlight for me at the zoo was feeding time for the lions. Oh, what a sight to behold!

These lions always seemed to know when feeding time was close and would begin carefully looking over the crowd watching for the caretaker. Once they spotted him, the frenzy would begin, they would then aggressively find their way into the building where the feeding took place and diligently watch and wait for him to come in. Back and forth they would pace with eyes intensely searching the crowd looking for the caretaker. Once spotted, the chilling roars began as if calling for him, and the pacing intensified. The look I saw in the eyes of those lions as they fastened their gaze upon the caretaker was a fearful sight, but the roar, oh the roar was paralyzing! Talk about fear, I was full of it, that lion was so close to me that I could smell his breath as he roared! I, standing there just a few feet from these lions found myself mesmerized and overwhelmed at the power of these majestic creatures, hoping those strong bars that stood between them and me would hold out.

I truly believe the Lord purposely used the figure of a roaring in this scripture for a reason. When the crisis of life come upon us, oftentimes it is accompanied by great fear. You will especially find this in the area sickness, disease and a doctors report. People are given a grim report from their doctor and oftentimes find themselves overwhelmed with fear.

Brethren, this very fear is the lion’s roar. It is meant to cripple and paralyze you, to put you in a position of hopelessness and despair. As we look closely again at that scripture we discover we are not to run from the roar, but to run to the roar and face him!

1 Peter 5:8-9

⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹Whom resist steadfast in the faith…….

Notice verse 9 tells us to “ resist steadfast in faith’…. That word resist means to actively fight against, steadfast means to stand stiff, unmovable, strong. We are to take a strong stand against the adversary in faith by standing steadfast upon the promises of God in the written word. The devil will do everything in his power to get you to let go of the promises of God or distract you away from them because he knows that that is the only way you will ever be able to defeat him. If he can get you to believe and embrace something opposite to the word of God, then and only then, will he have you in his power.

Jesus warned us to be careful what we listen to because what we believe would be measured to us, Mark 4:24. The Old Testament puts it this way; As a man thinks in his heart so is he, Proverbs 23:7.

As Lazarus lay in the cold stone tomb of death and Martha & Mary at the appearance of Jesus came weeping and said; Lord, if you would have been here my brother would not have died; Take note of the reply of Jesus ~If you will believe you shall see the glory of God, John 11: 30-43. His reply was not one of agreeing in sympathy with Martha & Mary that their brother was dead but admonished them to believe God to raise him up!

Read the four gospels and you will find that when people came to Jesus he always gave them what they would believe for, Matthew 9:29. Likewise, God will do the same with us. Our foundation for what we believe must only come based upon the written word of God. The word of God must become high priority in our lives if we are to live victorious lives. It is our only source of guidance and protection against the evils of our adversary and we would be wise to study it, 2Timothy 2:15.

Today the TV and movie screen have a tremendous influence in the lives of both Christians and non- Christians. Even trying to watch the nightly news one is inundated with commercials about sickness and disease as being the inevitable. We must stop and ask ourselves; Is this what the bible teaches for the believer? No, it is not. We do not have to be sick to die as the world tells us. Moses himself, at the age of a hundred and twenty years and was under an inferior covenant than we, died, without sickness or disease, he just went to the top of Mt. Nebo and God took him. The bible says his eyesight was not even dim or his natural forces abated, Deuteronomy 34:7. We, under the New Covenant have healing provided for us in the atonement of Christ. (Read the bible teaching ~ Healing in the Atonement for Every Believer. It has lots of scriptures).

If you choose to believe what the world tells you rather than what the word of God says, that’s exactly what you are going to have, Matthew 8:13.Your faith can work in two ways, it can work to bring the positive to you or the negative into your life. You make the choice ~

Deuteronomy 30:19

¹⁹I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

There is a question we must all ask ourselves ~ Who are we going to believe?

Today there are woman, who at the approval of their medical doctor are having their healthy breast cut off simply because their mother had breast cancer and they are afraid they might get it. This is insanity! God says in his word that the wisdom of man is foolishness, 1Corinthians 3:19.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 gives us a strong word about trusting in the wisdom of man ~

⁵Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

⁶For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

⁷Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. ⁸For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

If you have been born again, John 3:3, the word of God tells us that we are now new creations in Christ Jesus, that old things pass away and all things become new, 2Corinthians 5:17.The Bible tells me that I am now a citizen of another kingdom.

Colossians 1:12-14 says it this way ~

¹²Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

¹⁴In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

For me, it does not matter what my mother, father, grandmother, aunts, uncles or sisters had in their life, according to these verses, that has nothing to do with me, I have been made a new creation and all things have become new, God said ALL! I am now part of the family of God where God is now my father, Romans 8:15.Jesus is my redeemer, Galations 3:13 and because of this I am now an heir of God and joint heirs with my beloved savior Jesus Christ, Romans 8:17. As far as I’m concerned my bloodline no longer has its roots in my physical family but my heritage is in the Lord.

Let me share a few important tid bits with you from God’s word, ~

In Genesis it tells us that we were born the offspring of Adam. Through his fall and disobedience back in the Garden a terrible curse came upon all of mankind as well as the earth itself, see Genesis.

But God did not leave us there, our wonderful Father had a plan ~

He sent his son Jesus to us whom he called the last “Adam”, 1Corinthians 15:45. This precious son was sent to bring about a new race of people, or as we saw earlier a new creation. This new race of people are unlike the descendants of the first Adam, 2Corinthians 5:17.

Now something had to happen in order to bring this new race of people into existence. The bible gives us the answer, it tells us that the offspring of the first Adam, must be re-born through this second Adam, John 3:1-8. This is where the change takes place. We are re-born by simply receiving Christ and making him Lord of our lives, Romans 10:9-10. We are nourished in this spiritual rebirth by feeding upon the written word of God on a daily basis, Luke 4:4,John 8:31-32.

Having been re-born through this second Adam, sin no longer has its grip of power over us that we should obey it. With the first Adam we were born sinners with the sin nature, Romans 6:14, 6:6, 8:14. Through the second Adam our re-born nature is now in the order of the divine nature, 2Peter 1:4.

This new race was not re-born back into the world, but was now re-born into the Kingdom of God, and the king of this kingdom is the Lord Jesus Christ, Colossians 1:12-14.We are now citizens of another kingdom, and not of this world, John 15:19.

Through the first Adam we became heirs of sickness and disease, through the last Adam we became heirs to health, 1Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:14-17. Can you see why it is so important that we be grounded in the written word of God. We must know what belongs to us in Christ before it will ever materialize. Satan is a thief and he works by deception, John 10:10. If we take the bait of his lies then and only then can he rob us of the blessings of God.

The Bible is as a great treasure chest, Psalm 119:162. But we must dig into it to find all the treasures that belong to us and then by simple faith take them to ourselves. We must allow our minds to be transformed by the word of God so that our very lives can be transformed.

Jesus summed it up in this way ~

Matthew 7:24-28

²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: ²⁵And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

²⁶And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: ²⁷And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Whether we realize it or not we are building our own habitation. The storms of life will come but the outcome will be determined by what we do in the midst of the storm. Will we choose to stand upon the rock of Christ and his word or shall we turn to the our own wisdom or the wisdom of other men?

God says~ Proverbs 3:5-6

“ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Brethren God wants you to win, never forget that!

Blessings, Julia Stanko

This teaching may be printed out for personal reading, but must not be altered in any way

Patience

Donald — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:12:13 GMT

PATIENCE

I remember a few years back, that a friend of mine would often say don’t pray for patience, cause the Lord will give it to you. She said it in a sense as if it was a bad thing to ask for it. Well I didn’t know that much about the bible then, but I knew something didn’t sound right about that statement. so I began asking myself “Why not ask for patience, I would think we need it?” This question just kept floating around in my mind and wouldn’t go away until a few weeks ago, when I read a short story about a man who raised a special type of bamboo, that painted a perfect picture of patience, and this is the story.

So, This man decides to plant a special type of bamboo. He goes to his yard and measures an area 20 feet by 20 feet. Over several days, he digs down two feet to break up the clay earth, sifts the dirt, adds manure to fertilize the soil, carefully plants the bamboo, covers it, and marks off the boundaries. Every morning, before breakfast, he carries water from the stream to his plot. He weeds and waters and waits. Every day.

After a year, no shoots have appeared. A neighbor who has observed the man’s daily efforts stops as the man works away and asks, “Why are you working so hard for nothing? “It takes time,” the man replies.

The next year, the man does exactly the same thing. Every day, he walks to the stream at dawn, carries the water, carefully soaks and weeds his plot. At the end of the year, still nothing has broken the surface. The same neighbor walks by. “Why are you wasting your time?” he asks. “I have some good seeds I’d give you.” “It takes time,” the man replies.

The third year, the man builds a small fence around the plot to keep out animals. Each morning he walks to the stream and carries water to his plot. He continues to tend it with care. At the end of the third year, when still no shoots have appeared, his neighbor asks, “Are you crazy? Why do you keep doing that?” “It takes time, the man replies. Three weeks later, the first small, green shoots push through the soil. They grow, and grow, and grow! Six weeks later, the man’s bamboo towers over 60 feet high.

According to the Webster’s Dictionary the word patience means: Demonstrating uncomplaining endurance under distress. This guy worked everyday for 3 years tending his bamboo plot while enduring the distress he got from his neighbor. Not once did he complain, but simply answered him and said it takes time. How many of us would have had the patience to do that? We would have probably given up after six months especially if we had a neighbor that distressed us. But this guy had patience because he had knowledge about bamboo, and knew if he endured to the end he would reap the rewards. God says his people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, so I hope tonight that I can impart to you some knowledge about patience. After I read the definition of patience, I also thought about Jesus and what he endured for you and I. Isaiah 53:7 “ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, (another words he was distressed) yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her Shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

Jesus demonstrated uncomplaining endurance under distress. He endured all the way to the point of death, which is the end. The bible tells us in 1John2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked. Another words Christ set the example for us and we are to follow his example. What if we were oppressed and afflicted or should I say under distress, would we have patience to endure to the end? Christ said it would come.

Matthew 24:9-13 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

He didn’t say he that endures ¼, ½, or ¾ of the way would be saved, but he that endures unto the end shall be saved. (John 15:18-21) Jesus told us if the world hates us, we know that it hated him before it hated us. (Matthew 10:34-39) Jesus said, “ Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worth of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls. The word souls means (breath/spirit). Remember God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life; and he became a living soul. In your patience posses ye your life.

What’s interesting in the definition of patience is the word uncomplaining, it says demonstrating uncomplaining endurance. Another words when we start complaining, we quit enduring. Let me explain. Have you ever started a diet and after you endured it for a while, you started feeling the distresses of being deprived of all the junk food and sodas, and so you began complaining about how hard it is to keep this diet, and how much you miss the junk food and sodas, then the next thing you realize your no longer on your diet? When we start complaining we quit enduring. If we start complaining when the trials, tribulations, and persecutions of being a Christian come on us, we quit enduring. Man! Being a Christian is harder than I thought it was going to be. This cross sure is getting heavy. I feel like I’m all alone in this. I sure do miss my old buddies, a case of beer sure sounds good right now. The next thing we know we’ve quit enduring and backslid right back into our sinful lifestyle. Patience is demonstrating uncomplaining endurance under distress.

Apostle Paul said in Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: (if they’re glorying then they’re not complaining) knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Acts 5:40-42 We see where Peter and some of the other apostles were brought before the counsel and were beaten and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus. Notice what they did. It says, “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Brethren we are going to have distress in our lives when we serve our Lord and Savior, and a lot of that distress is going to come from our family and friends because our enemies are going to be they of our own household. He says we shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of us shall they cause to be put death. And we shall be hated of all men for his name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of our head perish. In your patience posses ye your souls. Brethren let us glory and rejoice when we are persecuted, betrayed, or put to death by family, friends, and kinsfolk. Let us glory and rejoice because God has counted us worthy to suffer shame for his name. If you ever hear somebody say don’t pray for patience, I encourage you to tell them they better dig a little deeper in their bible, because in our patience posses we our souls. And if we lose patience, we lose our souls we lose our salvation.

There is coming a great tribulation upon mankind brethren, and we must have patience to endure it. Matthew 24:15-21 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. It says great tribulation is coming, so we must be ready. Notice Verses 29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Notice it said Jesus is coming after the tribulation

I brought this verse out because there are many Christians who are believing in a pre tribulation rapture, and I’m sorry to burst that bubble but there’s not going to be one as we just read. Jesus said he isn’t coming until afterwards. Think about this, If there was a pre tribulation rapture, then we wouldn’t even need to have patience because we wouldn’t be here to go through the great tribulation.

Revelation 2:10 Jesus says, “ Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, (another words endure unto the end) and I will give thee a crown of life.

The bible talks about a falling away in 2^nd Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; people are going to fall away from the faith because they have no patience. They have no root in themselves, but endure for a while for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by they are offended. In your patience posses ye your souls.

Hebrews 6:11-15 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be no slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. If Abraham had to patiently endure to receive the promise, then we have to patiently endure to receive it. He that endures unto the end shall be saved.

What’s the promise? 1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. In your patience posses ye your souls. Think about this, Abraham patiently endured and received eternal life. Remember what Jesus said to the Sadducees about the resurrection? He said, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Abraham is live right now because he patiently endured, in fact Jesus even said that Abraham rejoiced to see His day. Paul calls it a race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. When our cross gets heavy, when our body gets weak, and just when we think that we can’t go any further, Let’s remember what Christ went through for us, let us remember that he says I will never leave you nor forsake you, when can do all things through Christ which strengthens us, because his grace is sufficient for us for his strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore let us glory in our infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon us.

Paul goes on to say in 1Corinthians 9:24 They which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Imagine the training Olympic gold medallists endure to prepare themselves for the race that is set before them. Imagine how they feel when they win the race and receive the prize. God has such a far better reward for us who endure unto the end. He promises us eternal life. Imagine no more sickness and disease, no more death, joy uncomprehendable, a place in paradise. That’s what God wants to give us. But we have to finish the race. You know when I first discovered that the book of psalms had 150 chapters in it I didn’t read it, until I quit complaining about how many chapters it had.

Maybe there’s someone in here that’s dropped out of the race, or someone who hasn’t even joined the race. Well, we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but what’s amazing is God’s grace gives us the opportunity to get back in the race if we repent. He says in Ezekiel 18:21-23 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

God doesn’t want any of us to perish, but we are dealing with a fair and just God, and since he is faithful and just not to mention our sins when we repent and turn from them, then he is faithful and just in not mentioning our righteousness if we turn away from it and die in our sins. Verses 24-26 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, the way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, o House of Israel; Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

Unless a seed dies, it can’t bear any fruit. We all die, but what kind of seed did we plant? What so ever a man sows that shall he reap. If we die in our sins, we planted the seed of sin, and therefore we shall reap the fruit of death. If we die in righteousness we planted the seed of righteousness, and therefore we reap eternal life. Because God will resurrect us when he returns and bring us to himself, so that where he is there we may be also.

Love in Yeshua, aka Jesus Christ

Donald

WHAT REALLY WAS PAUL'S THORN IN THE FLESH?

Julia — Fri, 27 May 2011 23:19:20 GMT

2011©

All scripture taken from the KJV unless otherwise specified

PAUL’S THORN IN THE FLESH

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The longest day I live I will never be able to understand why some Christian ministries fight so vehemently against the idea that God wants us well. They seem to do every thing possible to try to convince others that sickness is just a part of life that must be accepted and endured and God is not really concerned about our health at all.

Many go to the Old Testament story of Job to try to make their point and always fail to mention that in the 42^nd chapter of Job God not only healed Job, but restored to him twice what he had before!

I can only guess that these people live with one foot in the Old Testament and the other in the New and fail to realize we are now under a New and better covenant established on better promises, Hebrews 8:6. In light of this fact, Job really has nothing to do with a New Testament Christian.

Please do not misunderstand what I am saying; yes, the Old Testament has great value as well as wonderful things we can learn from, but always be mindful that we are no longer under that covenant. We must always interpret the Old Testament in light of the New or we will get into heresy.

Many ministries teach that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was some terrible eye disease that God simply refused to heal and instead told him to endure it. Yes, we see in scripture that Paul had an eye problem at one point in his life but our loving God sent Anninias to Paul to lay his hands on him and heal him, Galations 4:13.

Brethren, the Bible clearly shows us that the thorn was not from God but was a messenger from Satan, verse 7. In scripture Jesus gives us a clear contrast of the work of the devil and the work of God. In John 10:10 he says the devil has come to steal, kill and destroy. Then he clearly states what he came to do ~ I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.

PAUL’S INFIRMATIES

Many people upon hearing the word infirmities immediately think it is referring only to some kind of sickness or disease. Not so, we see in the Thayers lexicon of Greek Bible words that the word infirmities (#769) also refers to bearing trials or troubles, or want of strength or capabilities. It also could refer to a weakness in us.

Lets take a look at a few scriptures that use the word infirmities and I want you to take special note they have nothing to do with sickness or disease at all.

Romans 8:26

²⁶Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Hebrews 4:15

¹⁵For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Romans 6:19

¹⁹I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness

2 Corinthians 13:4

⁴For though he (Jesus) was crucified through weakness (#769), yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak (#769) in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. ( These word here #769, is the same Greek word infirmities #769.)

Now, lets take a look at a few verses in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30.

Again take special note that these things Paul lists here have nothing to do with sickness and disease and yet Paul refers to them as “mine infirmities” ~

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. ²⁴Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

²⁵Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

²⁷In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. ²⁸Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. ²⁹Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? ³⁰If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

“Take special note that he says the same thing here in verse 30, as he said in our opening verses in 2Corinthians 12.

2Corn,12: 9 ~ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 13 :30 ~If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

We can see clearly from these scriptures that the word infirmities in the Bible has wide applications.

Now, I’d like to touch on something else here; In light of all these things you are reading which Paul suffered for the sake of the furtherance of the kingdom of God and its message, how can anyone even in the natural believe that God himself decided to add sickness and disease to Paul’s burdens? It would only serve to hinder the progress of the work of the gospel. I sit here and ask myself ; What sort of image do these people have of God that they buy into this doctrine?

God says in his word; If you being evil know how to give your children good things, how much more does your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him, Matthew 7:11. Which one of you would desire to see your child sick and diseased? Most of us would rather see ourselves sick than our children. Do you think the glorious loving Father from above desires any less for his children? Of course he doesn’t, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, John 3:16.

When you read the New Testament and see what was accomplished by Paul for the kingdoms sake and how far he traveled in his journeys, pure logic alone would tell you a sickly diseased man could not do this. He accomplished more in his lifetime on foot than the church has in 500 years! If Paul did all this sick then maybe we all need to get sick!

No brethren, Paul was not full of disease and sickness but was full of the life of the Lord Jesus flowing in his body by the stripes that Jesus bore for him!

Yes, there is suffering for the sake of the gospel, we are persecuted and scorned by much of the world and many of us endure hardships for the sake of the gospel, some have even been martyred and imprisoned for their faith in Christ and so much more, but I can assure you on the authority of Gods word that sickness and disease are not something that is part of those suffering for Christ. No, sickness and disease are the work of the devil, Acts 10:38, Luke 13:16, John 10:10.And Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, 1John 3:8.

From cover to cover we see them singing the praises of our great, wonderful, compassionate, and loving, God. Jesus came to give us abundant life and it is his pleasure to give us the kingdom, bless his holy name , John 10:10, Luke 12:32. These dear people seemed to have missed that New Testament life! I pray that some may read this and their eyes be opened, John 8:31-32.

( To read more on New Testament kingdom life read the bible teachings titled~ Training of the Twelve, Blueprint for the Church Part 1&2 and another teaching titled ~ Keys to the Kingdom Part 1&2. This will help you greatly and has lots of scriptures)

PAUL’S THORN

The question is now asked; If Paul’s thorn was not sickness or disease then what was it?

To answer this question correctly we must turn to scripture, comparing scripture with scripture. There we will find the Bible’s definition of a thorn in the flesh?

Take a look at these three following scriptures.

Numbers 33:55

⁵⁵But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Joshua 23:13

¹³Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Judges 2:3

³Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

These scriptures are in complete agreement with our opening scriptures verses. “ a messenger from Satan sent to buffet me” 2Corn.12:7. The word Messenger denotes that this was a personality, not a thing such as sickness or disease. Take a look at the word buffet in the Thayers Greek lexicon # 2852; Its meanings is ~ to strike with the fist, to maltreat, to treat with violence and contumely. Is this not what we see in the above scriptures?

There is no mystery what Paul’s thorn was, it was a source of aggravation coming from people inspired by the devil.

Paul held much influence and was very highly esteemed among the people (exalted above measure v 7) and because of this the enemy of our soul did not want Paul’s notoriety to be uncontested, so he sent in the harassment team in an attempt to hinder the message of the kingdom and weary brother Paul.

Paul asked God to remove the thorn and the Lord replied ; my grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness, 12:9.

That word strength in the Thayers Greek lexicon is referring to Gods supernatural miracle working power #1411 .

God was telling Paul that when he in himself was incapable of handling a situation that God’s supernatural miracle working power would come through for him.

That’s why Paul replied; Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong, 12:9-10

Paul then fully understood that only when he was weak in himself, could the power of Christ rest upon him, and work through him. When he was weak, then he was strong, for he would then have to draw on God’s power from on high! Glory to God!

This is a good lesson for us to learn as well. So often we go to the world’s experts or depend upon our own wisdom and ability when faced with difficult situations in life. As with Paul, that is the time we most need to look to the Master and draw on his power.

The term, thorn in the flesh was actually a term widely used and understood among the people of Bible days and that’s exactly why Paul used it, it was a familiar term to them.

Today we use the term, he or she is a pain in the neck. It’s the same type of terminology.

CONCLUSION

Satan has been robbing the church of its inheritance since it’s inception, John 10:10.

Brethren, divine healing is a part of every blood bought Christians inheritance. I previously did a Bible teaching titled; Healing in the Atonement for Every Believer. I suggest you get it out and take the time to carefully read it . You will find that beyond a shadow of a doubt that healing is part of the atonement of Christ for every born again believer. Brethren, hold tight to Gods truth, this is part of your birthright!

Satan knows full well that under the New Testament everything we receive from God comes by way of faith, and that includes your healing, so he will do anything to hinder that faith, Matthew 21:22, Mark 5:34,10:52.

Now, because we receive our inheritance from God by faith the major way that Satan robs the believer of healing is to cast doubt into his mind by attempting to convince him that God does not want to heal him. He will even use scripture if he can get away with it as he did with this Paul’s thorn doctrine and he even tried it on Jesus himself, Luke 4:9-12. That’s why it is so important that you know for sure that divine healing has been included in the atonement. If the devil can get you believing anything opposite of the word of God, then he has you in his power. Be on your guard!

1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us ~

⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹Whom resist stedfast in the faith……

We receive things by standing strong in faith for them, James 1:6-8. We must never give in to the lies of Satan. Stand strong on what Gods word says and no matter what happens, refuse to be moved from it.

Keep something else in mind; God never contradicts himself. People contradict themselves, but God never goes back on his word. His word is not going to show us that healing has been provided in the atonement and then in another place show us how he refused to heal Paul. Healing was in the atonement just as much for Paul as it was for us. If there is a contradiction in what you believe it means you have not properly interpreted that scripture. We must learn to rightly divide the word of truth, 2Timothy 2:15.

Some will argue that God is Sovereign and can change his mind. No friend, God does not change his mind when it comes to his written word, that would make God a liar and God is not a liar, he puts his word above his own name and watches over his word to perform it, Psalm 138:2, Numbers 23:19, Deuteronomy 9:5. Gods word is forever settled even in heaven, Psalm 119:89.You can stake your very life on his unchanging written word and never let anyone tell you anything different! Malachi 3:6.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2

BLESSINGS, Julia Stanko

This teaching may be printed out only for personal reading but must not be altered in any way.

THE PARABLE OF THE 10 VIRGINS

GARY — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:04:29 GMT

The Ten Virgins

The Ten Virgins

Have you heard the story of the Ten Virgins? Five were wise and five foolish. Virgins are symbolic for being pure and are symbolic for the Church. The Bridegroom is symbolic for Jesus. When you read the parable many think the oil here is symbolic for the Spirit Of God.

This has been used to say you need to get more, extra of the Spirit so you will be ready to be raptured before the Great Tribulation. If you have heard this, please read with me and see what you think it really says. The Bible says for us to study to show ourselves approved unto God a workman that needs not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. 2^nd Timothy 2:15

Matthew Ch 25 are the words of Jesus.

Verse 1 Then Shall the kingdom of Heaven is likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Here all were virgins a symbol of being pure. Also they all went to meet the bridegroom. So they were all Christians looking for Christ to come.

Verse 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Verse 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: The foolish only took their lamps and the oil that was in them. They didn’t take any extra oil.

Verse 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels (containers) with their lamps. Notice the wise took extra oil with them with their lamps. They were wise for taking extra supplies in case they would need it.

Verse 5 While the Bridegroom tarried (was late) they all slumbered (slept lightly) and slept. The Lord took a long time in his coming. Notice they all slept and slumbered.

Verse 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Verse 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. When you trim your Lamp you blow out the fire and cut off (trim) the burnt part of the wick and add fuel. Its called trimming your lamp. If the lamp and oil is symbolic for how much of the spirit we have, how could one get more of the spirit and blow out our light and relight it to let our light shine better all of a sudden.

Verse 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Their lamps had oil in them and had been burning but ran out of fuel and went out. Does this mean they have lost their salvation and they know it, so they ask the other Christians to give them some of their spirit? Or does it mean they have lost some of the spirit of God? If the oil is symbolic for God’s spirit in this parable then we can use up and run out of God’s spirit. If according to the out come of this parable, you have to have extra of the spirit of God to be saved. I guess the thief on the cross, had extra. The foolish were told by Jesus that he didn’t know them and the door was shut. Once it has been shut its over.

Verse 9 But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. We can’t go to a store and buy God’s spirit or get more of the Holy Spirit. It comes from God.

Verse 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Verse 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Verse 12 But he answered and said Verily (truly) I say unto you, I know you not.

Verse 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son Of Man Cometh. It could be that had they kept the faith just a little longer they would have overcame.

If the oil here were a symbol of the sprit of God how or why would they think another Christian could give them part of their spirit? I can pray with someone, but I can’t give part of my salvation or part of God’s spirit to them. And what would make the wise think the foolish could go and buy their salvation, spirit of God from those who sell it. But here they went to those who sell to buy oil and did buy it and came back to be with the Bridegroom (Jesus). Do you know where you can go and buy the spirit of God for your salvation? If so why did Jesus die? The oil here is not symbolic for the Spirit of God it just doesn’t work. Surely, Jesus, the author of the parable, would not include such inconsistencies as these. Jesus is much smarter than that. So what does the oil depict in this parable and what is Jesus telling us?

The Ten Virgins

If you have studied with us Matthew Chapter 24 as we have done, you know that Jesus had been talking about the end times and his return. We have studied and know that Christians must go through the Great Tribulation. And we know that the Mark Of The Beast will be in operation and you won’t be able to buy and sell unless you take the Mark Of The Beast. We also know that the Christians will be in hiding waiting for the Lord to return and get them. And they will try to get the Christians to come out from hiding. Read Matthew Ch 24 verses 23-26.

Oil is a source of both food and fuel. If the oil here is symbolic for food and fuel then the story works. If you notice the foolish did go and buy oil. But Jesus said he didn’t know them. So if the oil were the spirit of God, Jesus would have to know them. But if it means food and fuel, then in order for them to buy oil they had to have taken the Mark and then came and wanted Jesus to take them. Jesus did not know them after they took the Mark because once they chose to take the Mark they were not of God.

You can go to a store and buy oil (food & fuel). But if the Mark Of The Beast is in operation you couldn’t buy unless you took the Mark Of The Beast. And if you take the Mark you are not of God.

What this parable is showing us is the foolish didn’t prepare enough extra oil (supplies) to last them and their lamps had gone out. They were foolish not to prepare. We grow in the Lord we can’t go out and buy God’s Spirit.

But the wise were wise because they did prepare. They took extra oil (food & fuel). They took what they needed so they could overcome.

Revelation Chapter 21 Verse 7 says He that overcomes shall inherit all things;

Notice what the first verse says. Then shall the kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Notice he says then. Jesus in the 24^th chapter of Matthew had just told of the end times and how we would see it coming. What signs we should watch for. So when we see the Mark Of The Beast and the Abomination Of Desolation, that would be the time when the Kingdom Of God (The Church) is like the ten virgins parable. Back in that day a man would ask a girls father for her hand in marriage. He and the girl’s father would work out a price for the fathers lost of his daughter. And then they would be engaged, and the man would go build a house for them to live in. Meanwhile the bride would get ready for her groom to come and take her away. Sound familiar? Jesus said he goes away to prepare a place for us and we are to be ready for his return.

In this parable there were ten virgins, symbolic that all ten were Christians (pure), five wise and five foolish and they went to meet the bridegroom. The kingdom of heaven will have wise Christians and foolish Christians. Matthew chapter 24 tells us we will see and know the signs. We will see it coming and get ready. When the WISE Christians see the Mark Of The Beast and the Abomination Of Desolation, our lives, as we know it will change. We cannot take the Mark. We will leave our way of life and will wait for Jesus to come and get us. So in a sense you can say we go out to meet the Lord.

We cannot take the Mark and if we don’t take the Mark how will we survive? How will you overcome? We will no longer be able to run down to the store and buy supplies; we won’t be able to pay for anything. So we the bride of Christ (the Church) will go to meet the Lord, we are to wait for him to come and get us. (The Church) will be like the ten virgins that went to meet the bridegroom? The virgins are symbolic for (Christians The Church, Bride of Christ) Jesus is the Bridegroom. So now can you see how the kingdom of Heaven (The Church) is like the ten virgins parable?

When a Christian chooses to take the Mark so they can buy food and go on as they always did then they have chosen to serve Mammon (Money, Wealth). Matthew 6:24 Jesus said you cannot serve both God and Mammon. There is much more here in the 25^th Chapter of Matthew but I think this gives you a true understanding of this parable.

The Ten Virgins

If you notice Jesus was talking about Christians wise and foolish. He told why some were wise and why some were foolish.

It is clear to see, that many Christians who think they will be raptured out before the tribulation (pre tribers) will be in big trouble when the Mark Of The Beast comes. For they believe they will not be here and have no need to prepare for it. They go to church and are watching for Jesus to come and get them. They have more of the spirit of God in them and they are better than other Christians and they are worthy to escape the tribulation. Therefore they live their lives as always.

They are the foolish Christians.

If you read Luke chapter 21 verse34-36 Jesus just told the things that would come to pass for the end times.

Verse 34 Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (over eating) and drunkenness and cares of this life, so that day come upon you unawares (unexpectedly).

Verse 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Verse 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. This does not mean that we won’t be here, it means watch, be aware and pray that God will help us that our hearts won’t be over charged, not to get caught up in the cares of this life so we will see it coming so we can escape the snare.

1^st John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. When the Mark Of The Beast comes what will you do? Will you take it so you can live as always? Will you have to take it because you can’t overcome it? Where will you live? What will you eat? Did you see it coming?

I believe many will say its not the Mark Of The Beast and take it. Or they will say they can take the Mark and buy what they need and God will forgive them after they have taken it. This is not so. Once you choose to take the Mark of The Beast so you can live as you always have you are not of God. Watch and see if they don’t do this. Some of the Christians who will not hear the truth about the Christians being in the Great Tribulation will not be ready. All they will have is their lamp no extra oil.

If you have received the understanding of this parable then you know you should prepare for the coming Great Tribulation. Do the best you can and God will provide and keep you. You don’t have to be a foolish Christian.

Please be ready!

In his service

Gary E. Sturdivant

WILL CHRISTIAN GO THROUGH THE GREAT TRIBULATION?

GARY — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:43:02 GMT

WILL CHRISTIANS GO THROUGH THE GREAT TRIBULATION?

JESUS ANSWERS ARE IN RED.

Bible in Black.

My words in Blue.

As Christians we are to study God's word for ourselves.

2^nd Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.

Don’t just take what you have heard or what some preacher says about the Tribulation and the timing of the return of Jesus the Christ, The Lamb Of God, not even from me. Study it yourself.

Jesus is plain about it and says not to be deceived.

This will be an in depth study and will take some time. I will try to cover as much as I can about the Tribulation and the Lord's return and the Mark of the Beast. I would suggest that you read the 24^th chapter of Matthew and the 13^th chapter of Mark before you continue. Matthew and Mark are very plain and are the words of Jesus but study it carefully. Seek God for an understanding of the order of events, which the Lord gives.

Matthew and Mark only give the short story if you will. It all comes together about what Jesus says about the end and his coming and it is backed up with other scriptures in the Bible.

We know no man knows the hour or the day of his return but Jesus did tell us what the times would be like. He told us we would be able to recognize the signs of his return.

The place to begin any study of end time or last day’s prophecy is to see how Jesus answered His apostles when they asked Him about these things.

Matthew Ch 24:3

And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them. Take heed that no man deceive you. V 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Notice what Jesus says first. He says to not be deceived. Don’t you think that’s odd that he starts his answer about his coming and the end with (Take heed that no man deceive you.)?

He knew that many would be deceived. They will preach he was, and is Christ. They will be Christians; we know this because he says they will come in his name. He didn’t say they were wolves in sheep’s clothing, but that they would come in his name, and that they would deceive many. Deceive many in what way? About his coming and the end. After all that is what they had just asked him about, and that is how he started his answer.

Because many don’t study and seek God they will be deceived.

Because many don’t study and seek God they will be deceived about this. Perhaps some of you don’t know anything about the Tribulation or the Rapture you’ve never heard about it.

The Rapture means the catching away, gathering together, taking the Christians up in the air to be with Jesus.

There are three different preaching’s about the Tribulation, Pre Trib, Mid Trib, And Post Trib each using scripture to support their claim.

For many Christians (Pre Trib) has been preached that the rapture will come before the Tribulation and because they are Christians they won’t have to go through the Tribulation. Movies have been made about it. How bad it will be if you are left behind so you need to get saved so you won’t go through the Tribulation. They have good intentions but we don’t get saved from the Tribulation we get saved from sin, from death.

We receive everlasting life. Read John 3:16 and 3:17

Mid Trib preach Christians will go through part of the Tribulation and at the mid part of the Tribulation before the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast comes they will be taken out Raptured out.

Post Trib preach Christians will be here and have to live through all the Tribulation and at the end of the Tribulation the Lord comes.

I’ve also heard that there will be three Raptures that will take place Pre, Mid, and Post.

I must say the Pre and Mid Tribulation preaching totally ignore what Jesus says in Matthew the 24^th Chapter verses 29-31. In fact I know of one preacher who is very well known and has his own Bible you can buy from him and it has his commentary. I know this for a fact because my Mother has one. He starts with Matthew Ch 24 verse 3 where the disciples ask Jesus what the signs will be. Instead of using what Jesus says in verse 4 he skips the rest of the 24^th Chapter of Matthew. He goes somewhere else in the Bible to show you the rapture takes them out before the Tribulation starts.

That is not sound doctrine, you must include all scripture. I also know another preacher I asked him what he thought about Pre, Mid or Post. He said he found five scriptures he could use saying it was Pre Trib. I didn’t get to ask him at the time but does those five scriptures agree with what Jesus says or is it contradicting to what Jesus says. Sound doctrine is not contradicting. That’s why the Pre Trib and Mid Trib must skip what Jesus says in verse 29-31 in Matthew the 24^th Chapter.

So we can see there is no doubt Jesus knew what he was talking about and that is why he started his answer with that statement. He was very plain & tells about his return and what things would be like and said not to be deceived. Therefore, we must seek the truth so we won’t be deceived.

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

Verse 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Notice here he says Nation shall rise against Nation telling us that countries that don’t operate under the rule of a king will be against each other. And he says that Kingdom against Kingdom so no doubt the Middle East will be at war as well and perhaps all at the same time World War. Then he says: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Divers places) means different places.

Verse 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Verse 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. He is not saying they will be hated because they are Jews He is saying they will be hated because they are Christians for his name’s sake.

Verse 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Verse 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. This is the (Falling Away) spoken about in 2^nd Thessalonians Ch 2 1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (notice they say brethren they are talking to other Christians.)

Verse 2 That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Verse 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: Notice this warning again not to be deceived about this.

For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Verse 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

We will get to that man of sin later but notice here it says that the falling away and the man of sin must happen first before the Lord comes and gathers us unto him. Lets look at the falling away some more. I think Pre Trib uses this Falling away they take it to mean that the Church isn’t here any more so the world turns totally sinful. The ways of the world are sinful that’s why Jesus came and Christians are to be a light to the world.

1^st John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1^st John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world.

1^st John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

Lets look at the falling away:

2^nd Timothy Ch 3 This know also that in the last days perilous (dangerous) times shall come. Verse 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Verse 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Verse 4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Verse 5 having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof from such turn away.

Matthew Ch 24 Verse13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Verse 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Verse 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth let him understand:)

This is the time that the Beast and False Prophet take control for 42 months he makes war with the saints. I’ll show this later but first lets look at Daniel and see what he said about the abomination of desolation. If you want you can study The Book of Daniel Chapters 7 through Chapter 12.

Daniel Chapter 9 verse 27: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: (Covenant means agreement)

And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and offering to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, (a ruin)

Here we can conclude that a peace agreement with Israel and the use of the temple will be agreed to and they will share the temple and do the sacrifice and offerings. But then he will cause the sacrifice and offerings to cease.

Remember in 2^nd Thessalonians Ch 2 1-4 Where it talks about the man of sin being revealed.

2^nd Thessalonians Verse 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

This ties into Revelation Chapter 13 where it talks about the two beasts. The Beast and the False Prophet. It brings forth the Mark Of the Beast.

Now go to Revelation read chapter 13. You can find what Daniel chapter 7 says about the Beast in Revelation. Daniel Chapter 7 verse15-27 gives somewhat of a short story about this.

I’ll start with Revelation Ch 13 Verse 5

Revelation Ch 13 v5. And there was giving unto him a mouth speaking great things, and Blasphemies, and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

V6. And he opened his mouth in Blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven.

V7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and overcome them and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations.

V8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

If the Christians weren’t going to be here, he couldn't make war with them. And there would be no need to point out those whose names were written in the book of life wouldn’t worship him. It would just say all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him.

He also changes times and laws look at verse 12

V12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him and caused the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed.

V13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

V14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword and did live.

V15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Only the Christians will not worship the image of the beast.)

V16. And he causeth all both small and great, rich and poor free or bond to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads.

V17. And that no man might buy or sell unless he had the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

I believe many so-called Christians will take the Mark Of The Beast so they can buy and sell. If you don’t take the mark of the beast how are you going to pay your bills? Just think about it for a minute. How are you going to buy food, things you go to the store and buy each week? How long can you go without going to the store to buy food and other supplies? How will you pay your house taxes, water bill, electric bill, cable TV bill, car and house payments if you have them? How are you going to pay for school fees, trips, buy you and your children clothes? How will you buy gasoline for your car? Without gas you won't be able to go anywhere. How will you buy shoes for your children when they out grow the ones they have? How will you receive your paycheck or the many other things that we do to live life, as we know it? If you're not ready for it you won't make it. Many will seek to save their lives by taking the Mark but when they do they will lose it. Notice the wrath of God will be poured out upon those who take the Mark. Also you would have to be here to receive the Mark Of The Beast before God pours out his wrath. God's wrath comes after the Mark Of The Beast. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 you cannot serve God and mammon.

Look what happens when you take the Mark Of The Beast!

Revelation Ch 14 verse 10-11 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Verse 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day or night, who worship the Beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Now notice verse 8.

V8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 24 Verse 16-20 Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:

Verse 21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Verse 23-26 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

So here, no doubt the Christians will be in hiding and they will try to get the Christians to come out by saying that Christ is here or there come and see him. But here Jesus warns us not fall for these kinds of tricks. He explains how we’ll know his return.

Now he tells us how we’ll know when he comes.

Verse 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Now The Coming Of Jesus

Notice that Jesus says immediately after the tribulation:

Matthew Ch 24 verse 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Notice Now he shall appear: Verse 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Notice what he said next: Verse 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The four winds are at the four corners of the earth. Look at Mark Chapter 13 verse 24-27 Verse 27 says And then shall he send his angels and gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Remember this comes after the seventh seal is opened, All of this happens after the seventh trump. I'll show more later.

Our Gathering Together With The Lord

Let's look at 1^st Thessalonians Ch 4 verse 15-18 and see what it says about our gathering together with the Lord.

1^st Thessalonians Ch 4 Verse 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which sleep.

Notice it says we which are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord.

V 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

V 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

When does it say that the gathering together of his elect will take place? It says immediately after the Tribulation that’s when. Matthew Ch 24 verse 29-31

Opening of the seals Revelation Chapter 6

Verse 6. And I saw the Lamb open one of the seals,

These are four horses here in Revelation ch6 v 1-8 these horses are the 4 spirits of the heavens (You can find this in Zechariah ch.6 verse 5

V2. And I saw and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Many say that the first seal is the Antichrist, and because he only has a bow he will come in peace and the crown means he is successful. And he will conquer, after he makes peace with them and the crown means he is a leader. This is the first beast in Revelation Chapter 13 that comes out of the sea. (a sea of people)

2nd seal Rev.6V3&4 Takes away Peace from the earth, and they shall kill one another.

3rd seal Rev.6V5&6 This spirit causes prices to go up things will be very hard to get.

4th seal Rev.6V7&8 The Pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

(The Beast and the False Prophet) this fourth seal is the timeline that gives them power over the fourth of the earth, To kill with the sword (war) and with hunger and with death and the beast of the field. No doubt the Antichrist will have food if you want to eat you bow to him.

This is when the second beast the false prophet, the one that comes from the earth, makes war against the two witnesses and Christians for 42 months. He kills the two witnesses and leaves their dead bodies in the streets for all to see. Revelation Chapter 11 verse 7: And when they (the two witnesses) have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them. The second beast builds up the first beast and his wound is healed. And the Antichrist and the False Prophet make war against the saints (All Christians, those who follow Jesus) for 42 months. The people will then say who can make war with the beast.

Rev.6v9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and the testimony which they held.

Now lets look at the sixth seal.

Revelation Ch 6v12 When he had opened the sixth seal and lo there was a great earthquake and the sun became black and the moon became as blood.

V13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth. Jesus said in Matthew Ch 24 verse 29 the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven. You can see he is describing the opening of the seals.

V14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together. And every mountain and island was moved out of their places.

V15. And the kings of the earth and the rich men the mighty men hid themselves in the dens and the rocks of the mountains.

V16. And said to the mountains and rocks fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.

V17. For the great day of his wrath is come.

There is no doubt Christians will be here during the Tribulation. Jesus says he comes immediately after the tribulation. Remember the seventh seal brings the seven trumpets. Jesus comes after the seventh trumpet.

Some say Jesus comes back secretly as a thief and raptures out the church before the tribulation. Then he comes back again later at the end of the tribulation and that is the second coming. The bible doesn't say that at all. It does say he comes as a thief to the world not to the Christians. The Bible doesn’t say there will be a secret rapture. In fact it says we will see it coming.

1^st Thessalonians Ch 5 But of the times and seasons, brethren you have no need that I write you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night. See it does say the Lord comes as a thief in the night. This is where Pre-Trib teachers get that Jesus comes as a thief. But notice it doesn't stop there, keep reading and see if it should overtake you (the Christians) as a thief. Notice what verse 4 says.

3 For when they say, Peace and safety; sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape. Notice it says comes up on them and they shall not escape.

NOTICE verse 4 it says that day shall not overtake the Christians as a thief.

Verse 4 But you brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Notice he says brethren. He is talking to Christians and says that we are not in darkness and that day should not over take us as a thief. Are you in darkness or are you walking in the light?

Jesus tells us more.

Matthew 24 Verse32 -35 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So likewise when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. I believe Jesus is saying the generation that sees these things come to pass he will return in their life time. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Matthew 24 Verse 36-39 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The world will not realize that the Lords return is at hand. But we who know his words will know that his return is near. After Jesus comes and we meet him in the air great wrath is poured out on the earth and those who took the Mark Of The Beast.

This is another scripture that Pre Trib uses that the flood came after Noah entered the ark. Therefore the Tribulation comes after the Christians are taken out. The Great Tribulation is just that, Great Tribulation. That is what Jesus said it would be. God did destroy all people on the earth in Noah’s day but because God found Noah to be a righteous man God saved Noah and Noah’s family. God will destroy all after Jesus comes and get his family but that is after the Tribulation just like Jesus said. I hope this helps you understand what is to come, please seek God while he may be found. I’ll post more about the 144 thousand and the end times later!

In his service

Gary Sturdivant

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT

Julia — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:27:39 GMT

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

¹⁵Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

Many precious saints of God are confused on understanding how to rightly divide the Old Testament from the New Testament and so wind up in error by mixing the Old & the New together. This is not a good idea.

The Old and the New Testaments are two entirely different Covenants.

We must intrepet the Old Testament in light of the New. This is righty dividing Gods word.

The New Testament is Gods " last will and testament" to his creation. He sent his son Jesus Christ not to abolish the Old Testament Law but to fullfil it , Matthew 5:17. By fullfilling all that the Law require by God, we whom have received Christ as savior have been made righteous through him. It is as if we fulfilled all the Law.

Philippians 3:9 says it this way ~

Philippians 3:9 NAS

⁹and may be found in Him ( Jesus) , not having a righteousness of my own derived from ( keeping) the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, ( in Christ & what HE did in fullfilling all of the Law.)

Let me explain this in human terms concerning the difference between the Old & New Testament ~.

Like the last will and testament of someone used in our courts of law today. So also the New Testament is exactly the same thing .~

At the reading of a will, someone reads the last will and testament of the deceased person. A testament is a will, and the New Testament is the will of God for us today .It is His plan, his purpose and tells us all He has provided for us, through our redemption in Christ. This last will and testament as in our courts today only goes into effect upon the death of the one who wrote it. Likewise ,Gods last will and testament went into effect immediately upon the death of his son Jesus Christ who brought us the New Testament.

Hebrews 9:16-18 KJV says this ~

For where a Testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator [ Jesus ] for a testament is enforced “ after men are dead ; otherwise it is of no value at all while the testator [ Jesus ] is alive . Whereupon neither was the First [Old] Testament dedicated without blood.

You can see in Hebrews Chapters 9&10 that it goes into full detail on this topic.

Lets look at the same verse again in the Amplified Bible ;

For where there is a [ last ] will and testament involved, the death of the one [ Jesus ] who made it must be established , for a will and testament is valid and takes effect only at death , since it has no force or legal power as long as the one [ Jesus ] who made it is alive. This scripture is saying that while Jesus was alive, the New Testament was not yet in effect. It was after his death that it came into effect. After his death we are NOW under that New Testament. Take a look at what Hebrews 8:13 says about the Old Testament Law ~

Hebrews 8:13NAS

¹³When He said, "A new covenant," ( testament) He has made the first ( Old covenant) obsolete .But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

The Old Testament Law is a covenant God made with Isreal, these laws (613 of them) are found in the first 5 books of the bible . The New Testament is a Covenant God made with both Jew & gentile. Now do not think that I am saying there is no value in reading the Old Testament. Not so. There is much value in the Old. There are many things we can learn & apply that go right along with the New. As I said earlier, we must read the Old Testament in light of the New.

I finally finished a very important bible teaching I have wanted to do for a long time, the title is ; Christians Are Not Under The Old Testament Law, this teaching will help you understand how to rightly divide the Old Testament from the New.

Many blessings, Julia

HOLINESS ~ BY WAY OF GRACE

Julia — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:59:40 GMT

2011©

All scripture is from the KJV unless otherwise stated

HOLINESS ~BY WAY OF GRACE

To better help you I will highlight & underlined some key words in scripture.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord, Hebrews 12:14

The Bible is very clear, holiness is to be a part of the life of every one of us who proclaims the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are ambassadors for Christ, 2Corinthians 5:20. And to say that one can be a true Christian and yet not have the fruit of holiness is foolishness. The apple does not fall far from the tree. God says ; be ye holy for I am holy, 1Peter 1:16.Brethren, get hold of this truth, through the new birth we are his offspring and therefore made into his image and likeness as it was from the beginning. We are not as some old renovated patched up tire but we have been made a new creation, or we can call it a new race of people who have never before existed, 2 Corinthians 5:17.We are a royal priesthood, a holy people , a people that God called out of darkness into his marvelous light, 1Peter 2:9.

Before we begin lets take a look at what the word holiness means.

Thayers Greek dictionary of the Bible says this~

Consecration, purification,

the effect of consecration,

sanctification of the heart and life.

It is most unfortunate, but today we can hardly tell the difference between those of the world and those of the church. Worldliness has gotten such a grip on so many professing Christians who really do love God but find themselves trapped in the things of this world. I believe this is due simply because they have not spent enough time feeding upon the word of God. Do an experiment on yourself for 1 week. Mark down how much time you actually spend reading Gods word each day, then mark down how much time you spent watching TV, listening to music, reading magazines, gazing through catalogs, and other non essential things we do each day. You will then be able to see why worldliness has gotten such a grip upon your life. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, Luke 6:45.

What you feed upon each day will dominate your thoughts, words, and actions.

Jesus likened our Christian lives to building a house~

Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Without even realizing it everyone of us brick, by brick, are building our very own place of habitation. As the scriptures show in the above verses, those who build their habitation upon the word of God ( the rock) and do it shall be able to stand in the midst of the great storms in life, but those who build their lives upon the ways of this world (sand) will come tumbling down in the midst of it all. Let me ask you an honest question; Are you happy with what you are building?

Some dear Christians have the mistaken idea that if they listen to Christian music all day long that this somehow takes the place of reading the word of God. This is a very big mistake, Christian music is nice, but should never be counted as, or take the place of time reading. Also, there is an unbelievable amount of unscriptural songs out there that will lead you astray.

Now there are some in the church who are professing holiness but have actually gotten into legalistic foolishness. This is as bad as going in the other direction.

In speaking of worldliness Smith Wigglesworth made this interesting statement ; “Worldliness is anything that cools my affections towards God”. Wigglesworth was a man with an ever burning desire towards God.

When you think deeply on his statement its ramifications are far reaching.

Lets go on and take a look at a few powerful scriptures that talk about this separation from the world. We can then have an idea of the way in which God is leading us .

Romans 6:6 NLT - We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 -- Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty

Romans 6:13 - Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:19 -I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 8:6 NAS - For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

Galatians 6:8 NAS - For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ephesians 4:24 - And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness

1 Peter 1:14-16 - As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ( lifestyle) ; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 -Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

PERSONAL HOLINESS

Matthew 23:27

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness”.

Do you know it is possible to do all the seemly right things as the Pharisees did, and still be wrong in the sight of God? Our hearts are the key in all matters of life. The word of God tells us to : guard your heart with all diligence for out of it comes the issues of life, Proverbs 4:23.

What do I mean by this? IF we are giving to get, we are wrong. If we are giving to be seen, we are wrong. If we are doing to be praised, we are wrong. If we are speaking just to be seen, we are wrong. These are all matters of the heart. Motives must always be examined carefully. If the motive is wrong, the action is wrong. For God looks not on the outward appearance but directly upon the heart, 1 Samuel 16:7.

We must have a personal holiness before God, doing what is right when no one else is looking ? An good example of this is; Do we pay all taxes that the government requires us to pay as Jesus told us to do? Romans 13:6-7.Or do we pay the taxes that we agree with and think we should pay? Too many Christians live one way at church, and another way when out side of those church walls.

One dear saint of God referred to them as Chameleon Christians. Now for those of you who do not know much about Chameleons, they are a small lizard with an incredible ability to change color and blend right in with their surroundings. They can become almost invisible. Many Christians today who fear persecution or fear to be identified with Christ because others may not like them are doing as the Chameleon. When they get outside of the church walls they blend in with the rest of the world. Not a good thing !

We are not to be as the Chameleon but as a light to all those around us . Jesus said, you are the light of the world, you are the very salt of the earth but if the salt has lost its saltiness what good is it but to be thrown away in the dung pile, Matthew 5:13-15.

This personal holiness I speak of comes from within. It is birthed out of a close relationship with the Creator. An awareness that the Lord walks with us in the cool of the day as He once did with Adam. It is what we do, think, watch, say, and are, when others are no where to be found that is important. This, and this alone, is true biblical holiness. Can we attain it? Yes, read on.

THE ENABLER ~ GRACE BY FAITH

God has never asked us to do anything that he has not fully equipped us to do. He is a good God. The scriptures tell us that we are complete in Jesus, Colossians 2:10. And that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, 2Peter 1:3. Notice, this is all in the past tense. When our sweet Lord bowed his head upon that cross and said: It is finished, he meant just that. There is nothing more that needs to be done. All things have already been accomplished on our behalf, we need only to believe and receive them.

Lets take a look at a few scriptures that will help you better understand.

Romans 6:14 - Sin shall not be master over you for you are not under the law but under grace .

God’s grace is God’s ability working in you, He has supplied us with an abundance of grace. Whether you are aware of it or not the moment you were saved the power of sin was broken over your life. This grace I speak of accomplishes what you could never do under your own power and strength. It is God at work within you, Phillipians 2:13. Many Christians still live imprisoned and a slave to sin not realizing the prison door has already been opened, Isaiah 61:1.

Now, lets read a few more scriptures about this wonderful grace, and carefully ponder each message and then I will talk more about it.

Romans 5:19-21 NAS

For as through one man's (Adam) disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One (Jesus Christ ) the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. So that as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (that word reign in the Greek means to rule)

Romans 6:1-4

1- What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2- May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3- Or do you not know that all of us have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?

4- Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Now, I want to point out something that is very important. Notice in Romans 6:4 it says “ We have been buried with him….” Verse 2 of the same chapter says , “ we who died to sin”….. notice again that these verses are speaking in the past tense and telling you something that has happened to you.

Brethren, these verses are telling you what Christ has already done for you and to you. You will see these terms sprinkled throughout the entire New Testament again and again, telling us what Christ has already accomplished for us and what is already ours in Christ now.

God has told us that he has already given us everything we need that pertains to this life as well as godliness, 2Peter 1:3. Religion has reduced Christianity to being merely a heaven or hell issue. That is not what the bible teaches us. We should be living in and celebrating all that Christ has accomplished for us by his great sacrifice on the cross. This deliverance from the power of sin is only one aspect of it.

When Jesus said, It is finished, he meant it is truly all finished !!!! John 19:30. How many times have you heard someone say in church ; I’m just an old sinner saved by grace, or we cannot live without sinning we are only human? . Believing that lie will only set you up for defeat over and over again. Yes, we are still in a human body but we are not only human anymore, our nature was changed when we were born again, we became a new creation in Christ Jesus, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. We are now partakers of the divine nature, temples of the Spirit of God, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, delivered from the powers of darkness and translated into the kingdom of the son of God, 1Corinthians 6:19,Romans 8:17, 2 Peter 1:4, Colossians 1:12-14.

Now, thank God if we do fall into sin God has made provisions for it, we need to repent, confess it, and receive forgiveness by faith and then get back on course, 1John 1:9. But, to believe we are still shackled with the chains of sin that once bound you is a lie of the devil.

We should never look at sin as something that is inevitable because this is not what scripture tells us about ourselves, Romans 6:6, 6:14, 1John 3:6. We must put on the new man, Colossians 3:9-11.

Now, lets look at the last part of verse 4 ~ we too might walk in newness of life. This is referring to the day we received Christ and were born again. On that wonderful day we were made a new creation in Christ Jesus, old things passed away and behold all things become new,……..

We need to take God at his word , and walk out our lives believing that our old man has died and allow the new you to completely take the reigns of our entire life. As we take a step of faith believing that God cannot lie and has done for us what he said he has done for us, these Bible truths will materialize. Don’t go by your feelings, they will fight you every step of the way. Don’t go by what you see in yourself. Choose to believe the word of God in spite of what you see and feel. Rest in him dear one ! God will transform our lives as we renew our mind with the word of God and believe and lay hold of his truths within its pages, Romans 12:2. It is God who is at work within us doing his good pleasure, Philippians 2:13.

I want to inject something interesting here that may be quite a surprise to some of you. Do you know that worry is as much a sin as lying, stealing, and cheating? Philippians 4:6-7. Whatever is not of faith is sin, Romans 4:23.

We must always remember something of great importance in our faith walk: the believing comes first, then the having comes, Mark 11:24. Rest in his word, he won’t disappoint you.

Romans 6:18 - Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

A WORD TO WOMEN

We as woman are told in scripture to dress modestly as woman who are professing godliness, 1Timothy 2:9-10. Remember, God has called us to be a holy people.

Many woman do not realize that men are wired much differently than we are. They are easily stimulated by what they see. The pornography business feeds upon this weakness in men and has brought many marriages into divorce courts and countless lives into turmoil. As woman of God knowing this, we must be careful how we dress so as not to cause anyone especially our brothers in Christ to stumble, Romans 14:21. Much of the styles in clothing today leave very little to the imagination and are very seductive. Ladies, I like dressing in nice clothing too, but I am also aware that I represent the Lord and should hold that honor in high esteem and dress modestly. We can dress modestly and look nice at the same time. We are not to be conformed to this world, Romans 12:2.

You may ask, how can I tell if what I am wearing is appropriate and modest? The answer is quite simple, before you dress your self for the day look at the outfit you have chosen and ask yourself; Would I wear this outfit if I were going to visit Jesus at his home today? If the answer is no, then you should not be wearing it.

Another thing that we need is to be careful about and that is embracing men. A handshake or quick hug should not be a problem in greeting, but to embrace a man and then begin praying for him is inappropriate. Your motives may be good and pure in doing this but remember, men are wired differently, so we need to take this into consideration. A hand upon the shoulder or head is a good way to pray for anyone of the opposite sex.

Woman are also more prone than men to gossip.

Take a look at 1 Timothy 5:13 NLT as it speaks of women ~

And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.

Saints of God, gossip destroys other peoples lives. Gossip destroys whole churches! You never know how far what you have spoken will travel and get twisted more and more along the way. Why do some feel the need to drag skeletons out of the closet of another? For all we know they could have already repented of the thing and are trying desperately to make things right. Gossip could be the thing that brings them back into defeat. We need to clean our own closets before we examine the dust bunnies in another’s, Luke 6:42. If someone is taken down in sin, we need to do what the Bible says to do ~

Galatians 6:1 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

Saints of God, we must do things by the book, having compassion for others if we are to live holy before the Lord. If we are going to err, its best to err on the side of mercy.

A WORD TO MEN

Matthew 5:27-28

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Sex for the most part is in the mind ~ He that looks with lust has already committed adultery with her. As you know, pornography today is a flourishing business and has captured the minds of many men bringing them into bondage, sexual addiction, and destroying their entire lives. Many reformed sex offenders will tell you that pornography was their great downfall.

Pornography is not just something viewed outside of the church, this is going within our churches as well. I do not watch any secular TV but from what friends have shared with me the TV screen doesn’t seem far behind in pornographic material. In my opinion much of it is pornographic. Some of the things I’ve been told go on in just the Soap Opera’s, are revolting. 1Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to abstain from all appearances of evil. Knowing that you as men are wired differently than women, and are much more vulnerable to the problem of lust I do sympathize with you . You are continually bombarded with images of half naked women either by billboards, magazines at the checkout stand, even catalogs covers can send the mind wondering in the wrong direction. Just leaving the house can be a journey trying to maneuver through a minefield of immoral flesh images!

But remember brethren ~ Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more, Romans 5:20. Sin shall not be master over you , for you are not under law but grace, Romans 6:14.

You men must carefully guard what you view. When deciding what you are going to watch on TV ask yourself this question; If Jesus were to visit me today would I invite him to watch this program with me? If the answer is no, then you should not be watching it either.

There is a wonderful book out that I think every Christian man should read, its titled ~, Every Mans Battle, by Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker. This book has helped thousands of Christian men attain to sexual purity. It helps with good advice on the pitfalls.

Brethren, you must have the wisdom of God . Don’t allow yourself to be put into compromising situations with women. Think of all the ministers that you have heard about as well as everyday Christians who have gotten ensnared in adulterous affairs that have destroyed lives. They never dreamed they would be doing what they are doing.

Wisdom says, you should not be counseling, helping, or visiting other women for any reason without your wife being there with you. That goes for phone calls and emails as well.

Lester Sumrall is an old time minister who went home to be with the Lord quite a few years ago. Lester exercised great wisdom in dealing appropriately with those of the opposite sex and because of this his ministry remain pure right up to the end. He tells the story of a woman whose car broke down and she was stranded. She approached Lester as she needed a ride home. Lester said, fine, I’ll be glad to drive you home. He then proceeded to ask her to please sit in the back seat. You see Lester gave no opportunity to the devil while helping a sister in need, and at the same time he exercised wisdom, Ephesians 4:27.

I heard another Christian brother say that when he needed to hire a woman for his office, before he would hire her he would give her the once over with the eye. And if he couldn’t honestly say to himself , Nope, not on her best day, he would not hire her no matter how qualified she was for the job. It’s a big mistake to hire women you find the least bit attractive.

These two men were sharp on the cunning ways of the adversary and both avoided a pitfall.

Brethren, don’t underestimate the schemes of the devil to bring you down. Especially you men that are in the work of the Lord, you are a prime target on his hit list. The devil is a reality and works by cleaver deception.

I want to leave you all with this as my last word ~

It is time we see ourselves as the new creation that we are. We are children of the most high God, ambassadors for Christ in a world which is not our home, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. Seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. More than conquers through Christ, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against us !

It is time we come up higher where we belong. We are children of the Holy One, having come into his marvelous light!

Blessings, Julia Stanko

This teaching may be printed out for personal reading, but must not be altered in any way

CHECK OUT THIS MINISTRY !

Julia — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:54:45 GMT

Sometimes when I come across a good ministry I like to share it with fellow Christians so they may be blessed. Andrew Wommack ministries is one of those ministries. No, I do not agree with everything he teaches but he does have some awesome biblical messages. This mans ministry is changing many lives.

At the site there are hundreds of good Bible teachings you can download for free on your computer or IPOD. At the HOME page just click on AUDIO TEACHINGS to see the list.

Also, at the top of the screen it has TV BROADCAST, click on that to see hundreds of TV programs with good teachings up to the present year. You can download all of these onto your computer or IPOD as well.

Divine Healing – He has some dynamite teachings on divine healing at that TV BROADCAST section I mentioned above. Click on TV broadcast, then 2010 and you will see he has 6 weeks of Bible teaching called - God Wants You Well. This is one of the best teachings on divine healing that I’ve seen. There are also 15 awesome divine healing testimonies, just click on 2011 and you will see Vol. 1, 2, & 3 Healing Journeys, they are wonderful, all of them are without the aid of the medical profession. . One of my favorite testimonies is of Mike Hoesch who had a huge cancer growing on his chest . A photo of Mike is below ( caution very graphic) .

What an awesome testimony ! You can view this story by clicking on TV broadcast, then click on 2011, then click on week 3 Healing Journey. Mikes story is on January 19th. What a mighty God we serve !!!!

http://www.awmi.net/

ENJOY ! Many blessings Julia

A virgin Bride for Jesus Christ

Donnae — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:50:30 GMT

Each christian has to make a decision. Which choice will be yours? O virgin, choose wisely!

OT & NT An interesting parallel

Donald — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 21:27:15 GMT

OLD TESTAMENT & NEW TESTAMENT

An Interesting Parallel

I came across an interesting parallel today 3-19-2011 during the Sabbath (Saturday). I was reading Jeremiah 6:16 and this is how it reads.

“ Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

This brought to my memory the verses that Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke (the word yoke here is the Greek #2218 in the Strong’s Concordance, and it means a coupling, servitude, a law or obligation.) upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

So, notice in Jeremiah 6:16 & Matthew 11:28-30 they both say Ye shall find rest for your souls. Now in Jeremiah 6:16 it mentions ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein. He is referring to the law/ or also known as the Torah of God. Then in Matthew 11:28-30 we see that the word yoke means law/Torah. Both of these scriptures are saying that God wants us to walk in his laws, to ask for his laws because they are the good way. This is how we learn about Jesus/God, and this completely backs up what Jesus said in Mathew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

In Christ Love,

The bible is so amazing and full of revelations like this one. It’s really neat to see how the OT and the NT intertwine with each other and go hand in hand. I hope this blesses you as much as it did me. May God bless each and every one of you.

Donald

TURNING TESTS INTO TESTIMONIES

Julia — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 19:04:52 GMT

2009©

All scripture taken from the KJV unless otherwise stated

TURNING TEST INTO TESTIMONIES

James 1:2-8,12

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations( trials) ; Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (12 ) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (testings): for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

We live in a world where Satan who is the enemy of our soul, rules. Scripture calls this master of deception “ the god of this world”, the deceiver, the thief , a liar ,2 Corinthians 4:4, John 10:10, John 8;44.

God has warned us again and again of this ruthless deceiver saying, “ Be sober, be vigilant for your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in faith, 1 Peter 5:8. His intention is to devour you, and everything that you hold dear to you, and he will do it if you allow him. And just how does he do this? His number one way is through deception! Your ignorance of the written word of God and what rightfully belongs to you as a blood bought Christian is how he will defeat you.

Far too many Christians do not realize that God has supplied us with everything we need to be victorious over this cunning foe, “We are complete in him” God says, Colossians 2:10. And yet, so many become casualties and lose the battle simply because of their ignorance of what God has already willingly supplied for them through Jesus Christ our lord, God says; my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6.

The Bible is full of the promises of God for any blood bought believer who will dare to believe them. But there are conditions. As James says; Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think he will receive anything of the Lord, a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. We must learn to get into agreement with the word of God if we are to see the promises of God being fulfilled in our lives.

Someone has said that there are over 3,000 promises in the Bible. No child of God need ever go down in defeat unless he consents to that defeat. Your inheritance is in the word, Acts 20:32. You must take the time to search the scriptures, and find “ where it is written” and then claim your inheritance and refuse to be moved !

SHOUT WHILE THE WALLS ARE STILL UP!

In Joshua 6 and 2 we see the miraculous account of the Israelites taking captive the great walled city of Jericho. This conquest was to be wrought independently of any conflict on Israel’s part. Under divine instructions given to Joshua, all of the armed host of Israel were instructed to march around those great walls which surrounded that great city for six successive days in complete silence.

On the seventh day they were to circle the walls again, but this day they were to circle the walls seven times with the priest bearing the ark of the Lord (which was the symbol of the presence of God) and instructed to sound the trumpets and give a shout at the end of the seventh round.

As the march neared its end and the last loud blast of trumpets was heard, then the mighty shout from all the peoples filled the air, and the great walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites went in and seized the city! What a sight that must have been to behold! I’d give almost anything to have been there!

The New Testament tells us it was their faith that brought down those great walls at Jericho , Hebrews 11:30.

Think about it, for six days this army of Israelites were told to silently march around this great walled city. If you have ever visited Israel you will quickly realize that the stone walls that were built around these cities were of incredible strength and very high. The size of the stones themselves are monumental. No doubt many of the Israelites battled with thoughts of unbelief as they encircled these great, thick, high, walls day after day. Reason screamed; This cannot happen! It is impossible! Look at these walls, not a crack to be found! But true faith keeps its eyes upon the promise of God and not the circumstances before them. “Looking not at the things which are seen ,but the things which are not seen”, 2 Corinthians 4:18. There is only one way to look at the things which are not seen and that is, through the eye of faith. This is the“ testing of faith” that James speaks of.

If we are to see victory we are to hold fast to his promises in the very midst of the trial we are facing. When all Hell breaks loose against you, and it looks as if there is no way out, that you are done for it, that is the very time to stand fast upon the promises of God and declare “ it is written”!, Matthew 4: 3-4. Just as through faith the walls of Jericho fell, so also we must have a shout of faith while the walls are still up!

God is not moved by mere lip service, “let him ask in faith, nothing wavering “says James. All of us will have times of testing. But believe and hold fast to the promises of God and He will surely bring it to pass, for He is faithful that promised, Hebrews 10:23.

We are called to walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5:7. Walking by sight will rob you of the blessings of God and Satan will do his best to keep you there. Scripture says; Faith, is the substance of things hoped for, it is the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1.

The Bible does not record these great stories to simply show us the greatness of our God, but scripture tells us that they were given to us as examples, 1 Corinthians 10;11, and we are told to follow in their footsteps of faith if we are to see victory, Hebrews 6:12.

In light of the word of God, we must begin to view trials from a proper perspective. They are merely an opportunity to prove the truth of God’s word to the world and those around us. What you do in that situation will determine the outcome of the situation for you. Jesus said, “ Behold I give you power ……… over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you, Luke 10:19. And again, Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loose in heaven, Matthew 18:18.And again,” If two of you agree as touching anything they shall ask it shall be done for you of my father, Matthew 18:19.

We must come to the place where we realize we are an heir of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, Romans 8;17. Everything Jesus did was not for himself but for us, that is what it means to be a joint heir. What Christ became heir to, we likewise are heir to. What a profound truth!

You may be facing a trial and need a physical healing, or have a financial problem , a wayward child , a physical addiction, troubled marriage, losing your job, or other serious matters that are weighing heavy upon your heart. No matter what your trouble is, find the place where” it and written “ and take hold of the promise by faith and don’t let go of it. God loves when we believe him and take Him at His word, Hebrews 11:6.

You may say, well how long do I have to stand believing ? As long as it takes. We are called to “ fight the good fight of faith, 1 Timothy 6:12. Great testimonies come out of great test! It is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises, Hebrews 6:12. Many receive nothing because they are looking to “see” something before they will believe it. Mark 11:24 says whatsoever things you desire when you pray believe you have received them and ye shall have them. The believing comes before the having. The having comes after the believing. Many Christians fail to receive things from God because they fail to follow instruction.

Emily Dotson was dying and in the last stages of Lupus, along with other physical problems when she found out about divine healing. She flooded her mind daily with the healing promises of God, day in, and day out, and claimed and confessed (declared) those healing scriptures (out loud in

private) all day long over her diseased body. She called herself healed on the authority of the written word of God that she stood upon in faith. What was this seemingly crazy lady doing? She was carrying out the instructions of Jesus in Mark 11:22-25. She was speaking to her mountain of disease and commanding it to leave her body in the Name of Jesus. She personalized all the healing scriptures she could find in the Bible and claimed them for herself, Proverbs 4:20-22 . Our inheritance is in the word, Acts 20;32. In 12 months time she was in perfect health.

Today, she is in her seventies and travels the world with the message of the full gospel and bringing healing to the sick. That’s the power of God’s word, Hebrews, 4:12. And this is the reward of persistent unwavering faith for anyone who will “ Only Believe” , Mark 9:23.

Great testimonies come out of great test.

1 Peter 4:12 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you……….

The Bible is full of wonderful stories of victories accomplished through faith in our all powerful God. But, there is always a fight to faith, 1 Timothy 6:12. We have to contend with Satan, the enemy of our soul who will do everything in his power to rob us of what rightfully belongs to us. These victories do not simply fall upon us as ripe cherries from a tree. I once heard someone put it this way; There is a dragon sitting atop every promises of God, but you must first remove the dragon! Speaking from experience, that about sums it up!

Evangelist Smith Wigglesworth was a faithful servant of God who went home to be with the Lord in 1948 full of health and vigor as he departed this world. You will hear me speak of him often as I have read all that has been written about him, and from him. I even had the privilege of speaking with someone who personally knew him. One of the many reasons I hold this man in such high esteem is because he lived what he preached. He was a man wholly given to the word of God as well as personal holiness. If God said it in his word, then Wigglesworth simply and unquestionably believed it. I am a firm believer that it is not how we start out in this Christian life that counts, but how we finish that really counts. Smith Wigglesworth finished his course bringing glory to God right up until the very end. He left this old world in a blaze of glory!

Wigglesworth had a powerful ministry traveling the world preaching the full gospel bringing salvation and divine healing to tens of thousands of people all over the world exactly like Jesus did. Miracles such as were wrought in the days of the apostles were seen everywhere at the hand of this faithful servant. Blind eyes open, deaf to hear, crippled to walk and even dead raised. Thousands who attended his meetings witnessed outstanding miracles under this man’s ministry.

This man carried an unusual degree of the presence of God upon him. I recall reading a profound incident that happened while Wigglesworth was riding a passenger train. He had boarded the train and was seated reading his New Testament . Often times he would pray in silence for those who traveled with him. At one point, Wigglesworth arose to go to the rest room to wash his hands. Upon returning to his seat a man across from him looked him in the face with fear and said; You convict me of sin, I feel like I’m going to die! What is this presence that surrounds you? All of the other passengers around him spoke out and said they had the same feeling come upon them too. Wigglesworth then stood up on the train and preached the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to them as they knelt and wept their way to Calvary.

Jesus taught us that Satan was the author of all sickness and disease, John 10:10, Acts 10:38, Luke 13:16, and Wigglesworth was no exception to facing physical trials of his own. He was once stuck with appendicitis and was instantly healed. On another occasion Wigglesworth was preaching on the platform when he was attacked with excruciating pain in his body that brought him to the floor. Others who were in attendance at the meeting called in a doctor. The out come was that Wigglesworth was full of kidney stones and the doctor told him he must have an operation if he were to survive. Wigglesworth refused the advice and stated “ no knife shall touch this body, God will operate”. It is one thing to say such things when in health, it is quite another to make such a statement when our bodies are wracked with pain.

Wiggleworth’s son in law James Salter tells the story of his father in law Smith, how he continued to travel preaching the gospel and bringing healing to the sick while suffering great pain when passing these stones. Salter who attended the meetings with him tells how Wigglesworth after preaching a meeting would himself get up in the middle of the night and roll on the floor in pain having blood stained undergarments as he passed huge sharp stones. Six years went by as Smith stood upon the promises of God for complete deliverance. Amazingly, in that time period he passed hundreds of large sharp stones which he collected and placed in a bottle to show proof of his testimony to all .

It is said that Wiggleworth came out of that trial with a faith that all of Hell could not shake! He went on to raise many from the dead and his books and ministry are still impacting the world today.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

I dare not close here without giving glory to God and testifying that I have personally seen the miraculous hand of God move on my behalf many times through the years. Years ago, my children growing up had been divinely healed of hernia, acute appendicitis, our youngest, who was a teenager at that time was stung by 27 yellow jackets and began to swell up and welts appeared all over his body, healing came within 20 minutes after prayer and believing God, a fractured skull healed, a growth under the chin healed, all healings were without any kind of medical assistance. Oh, how great our God is !

We’ve had so many more wonderful deliverances in many other different area’s of our lives. I have also had the privilege of praying for many others and seeing them healed and delivered as well.

I am eternally grateful for his love, mercy and faithfulness to His word.

When we are counting on God’s word with unwavering faith believing that what He promised he will do, we can then afford to “ Count it all Joy “ James 1:2

Blessings, Julia Stanko

SPECIAL NOTE ~ I want to give a word of caution. If you are going to believe God for the divine healing of a serious condition in your body, you must be certain that you are in contact with God personally for yourself. You cannot do something just because someone else did it, that will only bring failure.

Believing God for a miracle is something personal between you and God alone . Miracles require one to have true bible faith for the healing and only you and God can determine if that faith is present.

Don’t condemn yourself if you are not there yet, these things take time. It is a process of growth in that particular area. To develop strong faith in God for divine healing read the Bible regularly especially the New Testament and focus and meditate on lots of scriptures specifically about healing. Faith comes by hearing and hearing,…… Romans 10:17. I want to also include a strong word of caution concerning children .

On May 20 - 27 of this year I read several articles of a Minnesota mom Colleen Hauser who wanted to have her son Daniel treated by natural alternative medicine when they discovered he had cancer. To her surprise the authorities would not allow it but demanded the boy be treated with chemo. She tried desperately to flee the country with her son and a warrant for her arrest was issued. Having no money and no where to go she surrendered. The only way they would allow her to keep custody of her son was that she must consent to him taking chemotherapy.

This material may be printed out for personal reading only but must not be altered in any way

Religious

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW~ KEYS TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE OLD FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT.

GOD WANTS YOU WELL

Examining the doctrine of the Sovereignty Of God

ISRAEL AND THE U.S. MILITARY

Isaiah 30: 1-2

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GROUNDED IN THE WORD OF GOD

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Deuteronomy 30:19

Matthew 7:24-28

God says~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Patience

WHAT REALLY WAS PAUL'S THORN IN THE FLESH?

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Romans 8:26

26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Hebrews 4:15

Romans 6:19

19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness

2 Corinthians 13:4

Numbers 33:55

Joshua 23:13

Judges 2:3

1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us ~

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2

BLESSINGS, Julia Stanko

THE PARABLE OF THE 10 VIRGINS

WILL CHRISTIAN GO THROUGH THE GREAT TRIBULATION?

Matthew Ch 24:3

Opening of the seals Revelation Chapter 6

NOTICE verse 4 it says that day shall not overtake the Christians as a thief.

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Philippians 3:9 NAS

Hebrews 8:13NAS

HOLINESS ~ BY WAY OF GRACE

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord, Hebrews 12:14

Romans 6:6 NLT - We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 -- Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty

Romans 6:13 - Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:19 -I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 8:6 NAS - For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

Galatians 6:8 NAS - For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ephesians 4:24 - And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness

1 Peter 1:14-16 - As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ( lifestyle) ; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 -Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Matthew 23:27

THE ENABLER ~ GRACE BY FAITH

Now, lets read a few more scriptures about this wonderful grace, and carefully ponder each message and then I will talk more about it.

Romans 6:18 - Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Galatians 6:1 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

A WORD TO MEN

Matthew 5:27-28

But remember brethren ~ Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more, Romans 5:20. Sin shall not be master over you , for you are not under law but grace, Romans 6:14.

You men must carefully guard what you view. When deciding what you are going to watch on TV ask yourself this question; If Jesus were to visit me today would I invite him to watch this program with me? If the answer is no, then you should not be watching it either.

CHECK OUT THIS MINISTRY !

A virgin Bride for Jesus Christ

OT & NT An interesting parallel

TURNING TESTS INTO TESTIMONIES

James 1:2-8,12

Great testimonies come out of great test.

²⁶Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

¹⁹I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness