jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on May 24, 2006 13:30:17 GMT -5
The book of Ephesians is actually a letter written by Paul to the church at Ephesus. Some believe that Paul was not the writer, but I tend to believe he was. This letter was written somewhere around 60 to 64 A.D. This letter is a call for the Jewish converts to Christianity and the Christians to be united. The key to the whole letter is unity in Christ. Each church had its own little peculiarities. Paul's special thrust, here, is the unity of the believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile.
Ephesus was a thriving city. It was on the coast of Asia Minor. The people were a mixture of Greek and Asiatic. Diana, a false goddess, was worshipped here. The temple built for Diana had been 220 years in the building, and was thought of as one of the wonders of the world. All sorts of sorcery were practiced here. There were many Jews here, as well.
On one of Paul's visits to Ephesus, he stayed 2 years and 3 months. Aquila and Priscilla helped Paul here at Ephesus. In Revelation chapter 1 verse 11, we see that Ephesus was one of the 7 churches mentioned. Ephesus was visited several times by Paul. He was very interested in Ephesus. On one of his visits many received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He fought against great odds here. The silversmith fought him over the false goddess Diana. The Jews fought him, and he even speaks of fighting wild beasts.
We will now begin in Ephesians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:"
We immediately see a declaration that this letter is from Paul. He explains that his authority to be an apostle is from Jesus Christ. This is written to the church at Ephesus. Paul explains that he is an apostle of Christ. Paul did not choose to be an apostle, God called Paul to this office. The saints and the faithful in Christ Jesus are the same. "Saints", in this instance, means those who have been set aside for God. "Faithful" means believers in Christ.
Ephesians 1:2 "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ."
Just as grace was the key word in Galatians, it is prominent in all of Paul's letters. He does want the blessings and favor of God to fall upon these people. True peace, just like true grace, comes from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:"
In this verse, we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our way to the Father is through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. The spiritual blessings for the believer are applied through the Holy Spirit. Perhaps in this third verse here, Paul wants us to see the unity of the Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Christians are in Jesus, and Jesus is in the Christian. He is seated in heavenly places, and we are sitting with Him in heavenly places. Notice, the involvement of them all in the blessings for the believer. Take a look, also, the word "all" in the spiritual blessings. Ephesians 2:6 "And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" John 14:20 "At that day ye shall know that I [am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."
Ephesians 1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"
I believe that this is explaining that God {who knows everything for all time}, prepared a plan for the fall of man before He made man. Many call this predestination, I prefer to call it foreknowledge. It is really the omniscient of God. "Omniscient" means knowing all things. It is one of the descriptions of God alone, no human has this attribute. We do know that the desire of God was to fellowship with us. It is His desire for all to be saved. He even provided a Way for that to be possible in His Son Jesus. Mankind is not holy within itself. We are righteous in Jesus Christ. He has clothed us in His righteousness. The righteousness that Jesus has clothed us in, makes us acceptable in the sight of the Father. We are chosen of God. I Peter 2:9 "But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" You do not read anywhere that God has chosen anyone to be lost. His desire is that all would be saved. We, of our own free will, accept the salvation He offered us, or reject it.
Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
His plan from the beginning was to make us His adopted children. We see from the beginning, the plan to save the very elect. God did not choose who the very elect would be, He just knew ahead of time who would choose to follow Him. The plan, all along, was for Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:" Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" Romans 8:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together."
Ephesians 1:6 "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." We must admit that it is to His praise, and not ours. Salvation through grace is none of our doing, it is His. "Grace", as we have said before, is unmerited favor. Even the fact that we are acceptable to the Father, is because we have taken on the righteousness of Christ. Our righteousness was as filthy rags. It is His righteousness that puts us in right standing with the Father. The Beloved, here, is Jesus Christ. It is only in Him, that we are acceptable. Jeremiah 23:6 "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Ephesians 1:7 " In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
On day of atonement in the Old Testament when the blood was carried into the Holy of Holies for the sins of the people, the sins were covered over with the blood. This did not do away with the sin, it only covered it up. It did not clear the conscience of the sinner. In the case of the Lord Jesus Christ, His blood does away with the sin. It blots the sin out. It leaves us free of sin. Jesus' precious blood clears our conscience. He not only takes away our sin, but He gives us His righteousness in return. We do absolutely nothing, except repent of our sins and have faith in Jesus as our Redeemer. He redeemed us from the curse of the law. Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:" While we were yet in sin, Jesus shed His blood to save us from sin, self, and the devil.
Ephesians 1:8 "Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;"
"Wisdom", in this particular instance, is speaking of worldly or spiritual wisdom. Jesus was full of both. Prudence means mental action or activity. This was not just something that happened, He had given it plenty of thought. We must think on these things, also.
Ephesians 1:9 "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:"
The mystery is how a just God of law could ever justify a sinner, such as you and me. He revealed to us the plan. It is up to us to act upon it. The word "according" here, tells us a lot. With man's reasoning, there would have been no reason for God to give His Son on the cross that we might live. He did it not because it was the logical thing by our reasoning to do it, but because it brought Him pleasure for us to be saved. Notice, also, that this was not someone else's plan, it was His plan. It was not on advice from others, but was His plan from the foundation of the world. All of this is true, because God willed it.
Ephesians 1:10 "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:"
We are all one in Christ, whether we be Jew or Greek, whether we be male or female. Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." In man's scheme of things, this would be an impossibility. In God's plan, it is not only possible, but will happen. Acts 17:28 "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." I John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. We Christians are His church, we are His bride, we are His building. He is the head of the church, we are the body. He is the chief Cornerstone, and we are the lively stones which are held together by Him. We are, also, His inheritance. He is Creator God, we belong to Him. We are His creation. Read the first chapter of John to know that not anything was made without Him. The heavens are His and the earth, as well. At the name of Jesus all will bow. Philippians 2:10 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;" Philippians 2:11 "And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
We will continue with this in the next lesson.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on May 25, 2006 11:07:30 GMT -5
EPHESIANS LESSON 2
We will begin this lesson in Ephesians 1:11 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"
In the last lesson, we were looking into the mystery of why God would even want to save us. We found that He did not talk it over with anyone. This was His decision and was not up for discussion. Galatians 3:29 "And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Our inheritance is in Jesus. We are heirs of the Father, because we are sons of the Father. We are sons of the Father, because we have received Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. The inheritance belonged to Jesus, but when we decided to belong to Jesus, His inheritance became our inheritance, as well. This inheritance was predestinated to those who become Christ's. We belong to Christ. He bought us and paid for us with His precious blood.
Ephesians 1:12 "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ."
The key to this is that we first trusted Christ. We, who first trusted in Christ, should be the praise to His glory. The crucifixion of Jesus glorified the Father. Even the healings and raising of the dead glorified the Father. Over and over the Scriptures say, and they glorified God. The very greatest glory of all was the fact that Jesus fulfilled the will of the Father to save all who believed. The suffering on the cross glorified the Father and the Son. John 13:31 "Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him." John 13:32 "If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him." The greatest victory mankind has ever known was the victory of Jesus on the cross. Jesus defeated Satan and sin on the cross, and defeated death when He rose.
Ephesians 1:13 "In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
The victory for all mankind in this, is that now, all who believe will be saved. Salvation was not available to whosoever will, until the cross. The gospel {good news} of salvation is that all who believe in the Lord Jesus will be saved. It seems that there are two statements "after ye believed" "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise". The Holy Spirit, we Christians receive, is called the earnest of the Spirit. Look, with me, at a couple of Scriptures on this. II Corinthians 1:22 "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." II Corinthians 5:5 "Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." The Spirit is a small taste of what we will have in heaven with Jesus. The Spirit of the Risen Christ within us bears witness of our salvation.
Ephesians 1:14 "Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
The Spirit, that we receive, gives us power to be able to live a victorious life here on the earth. This strength, that we receive within ourselves, is the fact that the Spirit of the Risen Christ has taken up residence in us. It is His strength that we draw from. The Spirit not only verifies that we belong to Christ, but also helps us in our day to day walk. When we allow the Spirit to be our teacher and our guide, we are assured of the decisions we make. It is a knowing that all is well with our soul. It reassures us of our coming inheritance. Notice we are the purchased possession.
Ephesians 1:15 "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,"
Now, we see the glorious report. Love of the saints is automatic with faith in the Lord Jesus. We can not directly do anything for Christ. The way we give to Him is through His saints.
Ephesians 1:16 "Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;"
Paul immediately began to pray for them, when he realized they were believers. All leaders in the church should pray for all of those who come to Christ. The congregation should pray for their leader, as well. Pray ye, one for the other. We Christians all need each other, and should give thanks for the believers.
Ephesians 1:17 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:"
"Wisdom" is a gift from God. "Knowledge" is accumulated learning. The Spirit of wisdom would be a gift through the Holy Spirit of God. This would be above the natural ability of man. Revelation, here, is a revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ through the study of Him {Word of God}. Jesus called the Father, God, on several occasions. Jesus was also spoken of as God. 1st. John chapter 5 verse 7 covers both.
Ephesians 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,"
The eyes of your understanding enlightened, would mean that God has allowed your innermost being to understand. The Light has shined on you from within and revealed the meaning to you. This is approximately what had happened to Paul on the road to Damascus. It is a revealing from within. Jesus is the Light, so this means that His light has shone brightly within you revealing secrets. When the Light of Jesus shines within, there are no hidden corners left. His Light does away with darkness. Then you can see clearly what your calling is. You, also, can see clearly what your inheritance in Him is. This "knowing" is not with your mind, but with your heart.
Ephesians 1:19 "And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,"
The main thing it reveals, is the fact that it is not our own power that works within us, but His power. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." His power works in us, and through us, if we believe. John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." He has given us power of attorney to use His name. John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:14 "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]." The greatness is His power working in us and through us, as I said.
Ephesians 1:20 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],"
That very same power that was shown at the resurrection of Jesus, is the same power that we have when we pray for the sick, or do mighty miracles in His name. The power is in Christ. It is in His name. He healed in His own name when He was on the earth. We can now use that powerful name. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father because the work is finished. He is, also, The Right Hand of God. Read the little hand book I wrote on that. In a spiritual way, we believers are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1:21 "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:"
The following Scripture says it all. Philippians 2:10 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;" His name is exalted above all others.
Ephesians 1:22 "And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,"
He is our exalted Leader. He is our Lord, He is our Saviour, He is our King, He is our High Priest, He is our Life. Acts 17:28 "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." He is the head of the church, who we are. He is the Creator of everything and everyone, and we are His creation.
Ephesians 1:23 "Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
We, Christians, are the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are His bride, we are His habitation. He is the vine, and we are His branches. He is the Tree of Life and the Water of Life. He is the spiritual and the physical Light of the world. When we are in His presence, there is no night at all, just eternal day. The fullness of the church takes place in heaven. We are the maid child {the church of the Lord Jesus Christ}. We will be full of the Lord.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on May 26, 2006 12:01:27 GMT -5
EPHESIANS LESSON 3
We will begin this lesson in Ephesians 2:1 " And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;"
The wages of sin is death. When we are walking in our sin {unforgiven}, we are marking time to death. Each day becomes a little more hopeless, because it is one day closer to death. Trespasses and sin bring physical and spiritual death. Jesus took the punishment of death on His body on the cross and marked their bill paid in full, for all who would turn from their sin and accept Him as their Saviour. Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." John 5:21 "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will." Jesus is the Spirit of Life. Though I was dead, yet shall I live in Him.
Ephesians 2:2 "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:"
Before we come to Christ, we are living in sin. The life without Jesus is a life to please the flesh of man. Satan appeals to the flesh of man. All have sinned. We are first of the flesh. We live for pleasing our own self, before we come to Jesus. These Ephesians were no different. "The prince of the power of the air" is speaking of Satan. The world and its ways will send you to hell. To become Christians, we must repent of our sin, turn away from the world and receive new life in Jesus. I John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." I 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 is of the world." I John 2:17 "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
Ephesians 2:3 "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
Our body of flesh came from the earth and causes us to want to be of the earth. We must crucify our flesh and put the Spirit of God in control of our life. The carnal mind is an enemy of God. The battle that has been raging since Adam and Eve, is the battle for the soul of man. The flesh wants to control the soul of man. If the flesh wins, then you are not a Christian. The Spirit of God will come and dwell in you, if you become a spirit person. The breath of life is the spirit of mankind. The breath of life within us is of God. He breathed the breath of life into us, and we became a living soul. The soul is like the will of man. God will not force you to follow Him. We have a choice whom we will follow. The soul of man is the decision maker. The flesh of man, connected with the earth, desires to sin. The battle comes between the flesh and the spirit over the soul. Which will rule in your life, the spirit or the flesh? Flesh man brings death and hell. Spirit man brings life and that more abundantly. Is there really any choice?
Ephesians 2:4 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,"
I want to cry, when I see this. Why did He love us? We did not deserve to be loved. His mercy endureth forever. This love {agape} is that unconditional love. It is above human love. He loved us in spite of all the wrong in our life. The following familiar verse is the greatest proclamation of love that I know of. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." While we were yet in sin, God loved us enough to save us. We were headed for total destruction, and God blocked the way, and turned us to life everlasting in His precious Son. God is love. This, that Jesus did for all of Christendom, is love in action.
Ephesians 2:5 "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
In Adam all die, In Jesus Christ all live. Jesus is the Quickening Spirit which brings life everlasting. He is the Resurrection and the Life. Because He lives, We live also. Jesus took our sin upon His body on the cross. Our sin died on the cross. In the place of our sin, Jesus clothed us in His righteousness washed in His precious blood. We are saved in Jesus, not because we deserve to be saved, but because He loved us. Grace is unmerited favor. Jesus offers this to everyone. It is up to us to accept this free gift from Jesus. I Corinthians 15:45 "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit." In Jesus, we live and breath and have my being.
Ephesians 2:6 "And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:"
It is finished. Jesus did it all for all who believe in Him. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. If I am in Him, I am seated there too. My spirit soars to heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I can easily relate to John, when he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The door to heaven {Jesus} is open to all who will enter in. Colossians 3:1 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Colossians 3:2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:3 "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Ephesians 2:7 "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
Jesus Christ is the mediator. I Timothy 2:5 "For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" Notice in the next verse, that the covenant He mediates is not of the law, but of grace. Hebrews 8:6 "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." Hebrews 8:7 "For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." Our covenant with God {Christians} is one that Jesus sealed with His own blood. It is the free gift of grace.
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:"
You can not earn your way to heaven. Just as any gift, to have it, you must reach out and receive it unto yourself. Faith was counted unto Abraham as righteousness. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is what gives us our righteousness in God's sight. Jesus put us in right standing with God, when He paid our debt in full with His blood at Calvary. We must say, thank you Jesus for dying for me. That is why we are saved. Jesus is our Saviour. The gift of God, to all mankind who will accept it, is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Ephesians 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
There is no room for boasting. The only thing we might consider boasting of is the greatness of God and His plan of salvation. Work will not get you to heaven. If we love God, and appreciate what He has done for us, we probably will work for Him, but our work does not save us. It just tells Him we love Him.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
This is the picture then. We are saved by grace and grace alone. The fruit of our salvation shows in our actions after we are saved. As I have said so many times, we must walk in the salvation Jesus provided for us. These works are in Christ Jesus. In the works that you do, the world should be able to see Jesus. Even Jesus Himself said, John 14:11 "Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." He also said, John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Do you believe in Jesus? Are you fulfilling this Scripture in His own Words? Matthew 5:16 " Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Titus 3:8 "[This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." There are many more Scriptures on this. Look up good works in your Strong's Concordance.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on May 28, 2006 20:46:41 GMT -5
Genesis 2:10 "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads."
You know, in all of these lessons we have been trying to see the spiritual, as well as the literal word. The Word of God in many instances is spoken of as a river of water. It could be symbolic of the Word of God represented in the four gospels (four heads). Four also means universal, so this message was for the whole world. Are we part of that stream of truth that flows from person to person carrying the salvation message?
This river spoken of here is in Revelation as well. In Revelation 22:1 "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."
You see, there is a physical river, and there is a spiritual river.
Genesis 2:11 "The name of the first [is] Pison: that [is] it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where [there is] gold;" Genesis 2:12 "And the gold of that land [is] good: there [is] bdellium and the onyx stone." Genesis 2:13 "And the name of the second river [is] Gihon: the same [is] it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia."
There is very little known about Havilah except that it was near Eden and that there was good gold there. It is interesting to note that the first mention of gold in the Bible said that it is good.
Genesis 2:14 "And the name of the third river [is] Hiddekel: that [is] it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river [is] Euphrates."
The Euphrates is a river still known today, and many people try to locate the Garden of Eden by these few locations mentioned above. No one has ever decided for sure where Eden was located. Of course, this happened before the continents broke apart in the days of Peleg, so the locations have probably moved somewhat. It really doesn't matter where the garden was, or even is today. The garden that should concern us is in heaven.
Genesis 2:15 "And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."
The literal translation of "took the man" in the Scripture above is made him to rest in the garden. We are led into a life of happiness through the liberty we receive through Jesus. Not liberty to do evil, but liberty to do good. In the garden of Eden, (we have been reading about), there was a Tree of Life and a tree of death. In Heaven the tree of death has been left out; completely conquered by Jesus.
Genesis 2:16 "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:" Genesis 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
So many false religions base their belief on the few words above. Adam truly brought physical death upon all of mankind when he ate of this Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam's peace died, Adam's hopes died, and Adam's innocency died. His mind was troubled because he now knew that his body would return to the dust. The error is in believing that the spirit of Adam died. The spirit never died. The spirit never dies. It is eternal. It will live either in heaven or hell. It is eternal. It did not mean that our bodies in their present condition will live forever. It meant Jesus had purchased our eternity for us.
This day, then, that you shall surely die just means that Adam brought physical death to all mankind, and Jesus brought life eternal. The wages of sin is death. Jesus paid the wages and bought everlasting life for each of us if we believe. Read 1 Corinthians chapter 15 from verse 44 on.
Some people do not believe that God ever threatens punishment, but that is exactly what He did in the Scripture above.
With God, a day is not necessarily 24 hours. It could mean 1000 years or anytime between the two as a lifetime.
Genesis 2:18 "And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
Notice why God made the woman, as an help mate for the man. The wedding vows say, they two shall become one flesh.
You see, they (husband and wife) are one. They are to be in one accord. Notice they are not one spirit; they are one flesh. This order of man and woman is pertaining to the flesh. Woman's flesh was flesh made for man; her spirit is for God, if she wills it.
Genesis 2:19 " And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof."
You see, Adam was to rule over all the animals, and he named them for what their usefulness to him would be.
Genesis 2:20 "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him."
Man can not communicate with animals. Animals are not on the same level as man. They do not have souls or reasoning power as man does. The man was lonesome.
Genesis 2:21 "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;"
God operated on Adam under God's anesthetic and removed one of his ribs.
Genesis 2:22 "And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man." Genesis 2:23 "And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
You see, again the flesh and bones of woman are of man, not the spirit. God took the woman from man's side next to his heart, not from his heel bone for him to walk on, not from his head to rule over man, but from his side to walk with him. A man and woman should walk together side by side, not divided. They two against the whole world, if necessary. Her name was woman (taken from man).
Genesis 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:25 "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."
So many problems in young marriages today are caused by interference from parents who are not willing to cut the apron strings and let their children form families of their own. I believe this happened a lot because the parents are disappointed in the lives they have made for themselves, and are trying to live again in their children. The order we should put our lives in is: God first, husband or wife next, and then other members of the family.
This "nakedness" spoken of here was probably literal and figurative. Adam and Eve were bathed in innocence. They were not aware that they were naked, because they had not eaten of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Husbands and wives even today should be so close that there will be no secrets. We should truly try to walk without deceit.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
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Post by jazzlover on May 31, 2006 6:50:02 GMT -5
Who Are You? Have you ever experienced an identity crisis – a time when you asked yourself who you really were, and why you were here? Thee are three specific times when this crisis is most common. Teens often go through a period of wondering who they are – trying to fit into their circle of friends, while trying to learn the meaning of life. During middle age some people struggle with identity, perhaps out of disappointment for not having achieved all they had hoped. In later years people realize that life is approaching its final stages, and they wonder what kind of person they have become. Because Christians are not immune to such questions, it’s good to review who God says we are. This can be encouraging as we remember what Christ did when He redeemed us. The Bible tells us that because of our relationship to Christ, we are forgiven (Acts 10:43), reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18 – 19), new creations in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16 – 17), God’s adopted children (Gal. 4:4 – 7), and god’s witnesses and ambassadors (Mt. 28:19 – 20; 2 Cor. 5:20). Best of all, we are destined to be like His Son (Rom. 8:29). Such wonderful truths should leave no doubt about who we really are and why we are here! Written by J. David Branon New life in Christ – miraculous That we’re not bound by sin! The power of God – how glorious That we’ve been changed within! Sper WHEN WE KNOW WE ARE IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST, WE WILL HAVE NO IDENTITY CRISIS.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 5, 2006 19:20:38 GMT -5
Esther 2:1 "After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her."
The indication, here, is that he was sorry he had listened to his advisors and put Vashti away. None of this would have happened, had he not been drinking. After he settled down and thought about what had happened, he had to realize that this was his fault, and not hers. He cannot change her punishment, however, because he had made it a law.
Esther 2:2 "Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:" Esther 2:3 "And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given [them]:"
The king's servants had discovered the sadness of the king at the loss of his queen. In an oriental palace, there are separate apartments for the women away from the men. We saw that, in the Palace of king David. These young, beautiful virgins were to be gathered from the many provinces that Xerxes ruled. They would be brought to the women's quarters at the palace, and prepared to meet the king. Most of these young women would not have fine clothes to wear, so they would be provided for them to wear before the king. Even though they were virgins, they would be purified in some way. This took approximately a year for the purification. This, possibly, meant that they were bathed and clothed in the garments provided. It, also, meant they were perfumed and rubbed with ointment in the purification.
Esther 2:4 "And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so."
The king was lonesome, and by his own edict he could not get Vashti back, so he agreed to the suggestion. He sent for the maidens to be brought. In the next few verses, we can see that the hand of the LORD was in all that had happened.
Esther 2:5 "[Now] in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name [was] Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;"
During the Babylonian captivity, Mordecai had been taken to Shushan. This is the first mention of a Jew in this book. We read of a Mordecai in Ezra and in Nehemiah, It is, probably, not the same person. The Mordecai, here, was a Benjamite.
Esther 2:6 "Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away." There were a number of captivities that took place. This one seems to have been fairly early on. This was, probably, the second captivity, because of the capture of Jeconiah. Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon at the time.
Esther 2:7 "And he brought up Hadassah, that [is], Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid [was] fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter."
Hadassah is another name for Esther. It appears, that her mother and father were dead, and Mordecai had raised her. It was Mordecai that brought Esther up to be shown to the king for a possible wife. She was a virgin, and she was very beautiful.
Esther 2:8 "So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women."
It seems, that many beautiful maidens from throughout the provinces were brought to the women's apartments to be prepared to be viewed by the king. Hegai was the eunuch that was in charge of the women, who would be viewed by the king.
Esther 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, [which were] meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best [place] of the house of the women.
It seems, that when Hegai saw Esther, he was pleased with her, and he wanted every advantage shown her. He assigned 7 maidservants to her and gave her the nicest of the women's apartments. He saw that all of her needs were met, while she was waiting. We may safely assume that the LORD caused the king to be pleased with Esther.
Esther 2:10 "Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew [it]."
This just means that she did not reveal to the king that she was a Hebrew. Mordecai did not even allow her to tell the king that he had raised her.
Esther 2:11 "And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her."
Mordecai was very interested in Esther, since she was like a daughter to him. He was allowed to walk before the court of the women, because he had been made a eunuch to serve the king.
Esther 2:12 "Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, [to wit], six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with [other] things for the purifying of the women;)"
Some of them had, probably, been out in the sun, and rough skin would not be becoming to a queen. After the twelve months in the apartments of the women, they would appear before the king to be selected. This oil of myrrh was perfume that was generally for the wedding bed. This was something to make her smell nice. During this time, she would have her skin rubbed with oil, so she would be soft to touch. She was groomed to appear as a queen. During this time, she was, probably, taught the duties of the queen as well.
Esther 2:13 "Then thus came [every] maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house."
This is just saying, that every one of these maidens, individually, were given whatever clothes and ornaments they wanted to wear.
Esther 2:14 "In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name."
The second house was for the king's concubines. It appears, that each of them stayed the night with the king and the next morning was carried to the house for his concubines. Shaashgaz was, also, a eunuch who took care of the king's concubines. They would never go again to the king, unless he called for them. If he called for one, she would be called by name, because he was pleased with her.
Esther 2:15 "Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her."
Esther's father was Mordecai's uncle. It seemed, each of these maidens went to see the king, and spent the night with him. When Esther's turn came, it was interesting that she did not demand any ornaments, or extra clothes. She just took what Hegai, the king's chamberlain gave her. They all loved her, because this proved she was not greedy, or demanding.
Esther 2:16 "So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which [is] the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign."
The month Tebeth is, probably, speaking of the month of January on our calendar. Four years had passed since Vashti had been put away for disobeying the king. Esther would be accepted, or rejected, of the king on this night.
Esther 2:17 "And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti."
The king loved Esther above all the other women. She was his choice of all the beautiful virgins of the provinces. He loved her so much, that he chose her to be his queen. He crowned her queen immediately.
Esther 2:18 "Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, [even] Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king."
All joyful occasions were accompanied by a feast. The king announced this feast to celebrate Esther's becoming queen. He sent gifts and released the provinces from taxes and fighting in war, for a time to celebrate his queen.
Esther 2:19 "And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate."
These had to be the maidens that had been chosen from the provinces. Mordecai sitting in the king's gate, showed that he was one of the king's servants.
Esther 2:20 "Esther had not [yet] shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him."
Esther showed great respect to Mordecai, as she would a father. She had not told the king, or anyone else, that she was a Hebrew, or that she was raised by Mordecai. Mordecai thought it best that she not tell, and she obeyed his wishes.
Esther 2:21 "In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus."
These two men were highly regarded by the king. They were eunuchs that guarded the door to his sleeping chamber. They would have had an advantage, if they decided to kill the king, because they were trusted and could surprise him in his sleep.
Esther 2:22 "And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told [it] unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king [thereof] in Mordecai's name."
Somehow Mordecai got word to Esther of their plan to kill the king. Esther told the king of their plot against his life. She, also, told him that it was Mordecai that sent the warning to him. She still did not reveal that she was related to Mordecai.
Esther 2:23 "And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king."
The king had this checked out, and found it to be true. He had them both hung in punishment. This is a matter of historical record.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 14, 2006 11:07:01 GMT -5
The reason there are different denominations within Christianity is because the Bible allows for us to have differences of opinions. Within Christianity there are very few essential doctrines that define what it means to be a Christian. These essential doctrines are,
Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (See Trinity) Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (nature of incarnation) As long as a church believes in these essential doctrines, then it is Christian. However, there are many things in the scriptures that have been interpreted in different ways. For example, what day of the week should be worship on, Saturday or Sunday? Should we baptized by sprinkling or baptized by immersion? Do we take communion every Sunday, once a month, or once a year? The answers to these questions do not affect whether or not someone is a Christian or not. It is in these issues, and others like them, that denominations are formed. It does not mean that one denomination contradicts another. It means that though they agree in the essentials, they differ in some nonessentials. This is permitted in Scripture:
"Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind," (Rom. 14:1-5).
Sadly, there is another reason for denominational differences and that is the failure of Christians to live according to the will of God. The truth is that we are all sinners and we do not see things eye to eye. It is an unfortunate truth that denominational differences are due to our shortsightedness and lack of love. But, the good thing is that God loves us so much that He puts up with our failures. There waits for us, in spite of our differences, a great reward in heaven. Neither salvation nor damnation is dependent upon our differences. Our salvation is based on our relationship with Christ.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 14, 2006 20:00:13 GMT -5
II Samuel 11:2 "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon."
Possibly, David was unable to sleep. The roof of the house was a common place for these people to go, and cool off in the heat. There would be a breeze on the roof. It appears, this woman's house was very near the king's house. She was bathing herself. She was a very beautiful woman, and David looked upon her. She was the wife of one of his officers in the army.
II Samuel 11:3 "And David sent and inquired after the woman. And [one] said, [Is] not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
This should settle the whole matter. She is a married woman. Her husband is off fighting a war, that David has sent him to. Her name is Bath-sheba, which means daughter of an oath.
II Samuel 11:4 "And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house."
David had a weakness, and it was women. He already had a large number of wives and 10 concubines. His lust for this woman has caused him to commit adultery. She had no choice in this matter. She would not dare disobey the king. It appears that, this sin left him out of God's good graces, and many sins took place between his children. This was the beginning of the downfall of David.
II Samuel 11:5 "And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I [am] with child."
The sin of adultery, for a woman, was punishable by stoning to death. She is pregnant, and there is no way to conceal that very long. The only thing she could do was get word to David, and perhaps, he could save her life. We must remember that, she did not instigate this thing. He did. II Samuel 11:6 "And David sent to Joab, [saying], Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David."
David is supreme ruler of the land. The head of the army, Joab, would not dare refuse to send Uriah home, if the king ordered it.
II Samuel 11:7 "And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded [of him] how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered."
David pretended that his reason for calling Uriah home, was to see how the war was going.
II Samuel 11:8 "And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess [of meat] from the king."
David's plan was for Uriah to sleep with Bath-sheba, and everyone would believe the baby was his. David, in a sense, is sending him home to relax, before going back to the battleground. The mess of meat is a present from the king for Uriah and his wife. Uriah was one of David's highest ranking officers. Some believe he was one of the 37 heroes of David.
II Samuel 11:9 "But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house."
The trick has not worked. he did not go home to be with Bath- sheba. He stayed in the soldiers quarters at the door of the king's house.
II Samuel 11:10 "And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from [thy] journey? why [then] didst thou not go down unto thine house?"
David could not understand, why Uriah would not go to visit so beautiful a wife as Bath-sheba? He calls him, to explain that he had given him a day off to be with his wife, before going back into battle.
II Samuel 11:11 "And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? [as] thou livest, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing."
Uriah was a man who believed in fairness. He did not believe it fair for him to be with his wife, when his men were still on the battlefield. The ark, at this time, was housed in a tent. It had no permanent building. The tent was a tabernacle, where the people could worship. It was not in a permanent building. What he is really saying, is that he feels bad about being home having a good time, when his men are facing death on the battlefront.
II Samuel 11:12 "And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow." II Samuel 11:13 "And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house."
David thought surely, if he could get him drunk, he would go home to his wife. Even while he was drunk, he was a man of honor. He did not go home, but slept with the king's guards.
II Samuel 11:14 "And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent [it] by the hand of Uriah."
Not everyone could write, but David had been taught in the school of the prophets. Uriah was such a man of honor, that he would not look at the message David sent to Joab by him.
II Samuel 11:15 "And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die."
Now, David has added premeditated murder to his sin of adultery. Be sure, one sin leads to another. David is not only committing this sin himself, but is including his nephew Joab in it, as well. The worst thing of all this, is the fact that the doomed man took the message, as a good soldier would, to Joab.
II Samuel 11:16 "And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men [were]."
This is just saying, he put him in the most dangerous part of the battle. They were stationed outside the city, but the place he sent Uriah was a very vulnerable place.
II Samuel 11:17 "And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell [some] of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also."
The enemies are the men of the city, who came out trying to break the blockade against their city. During the battle, Uriah was killed along with some of the other servants of David.
II Samuel 11:18 "Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;" II Samuel 11:19 "And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,"
This is a report of the disaster in which Uriah was killed. It appears, the men of Israel had come too close to the wall of the city, and some of the soldiers were killed with Uriah. Perhaps, Joab thought this would be less conspicuous, than doing exactly what David had said. The sad thing is that more innocent people were killed, because of this.
II Samuel 11:20 "And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?"
Joab knew that David would not approve of this move, until he hears that Uriah is killed. David would, generally, be angry with Joab for making such a poor decision. It appears, from this, that Uriah was killed with an arrow from someone shooting from the wall.
II Samuel 11:21 "Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also."
Joab, and all the mighty men of Israel, had been taught of mistakes made in battles in the past, so they would not make them again. "Jerubbesheth" is speaking of Gideon, who was known as Jerubbaal. When David heard that Uriah was killed, he would understand why Joab made such a foolish decision.
II Samuel 11:22 "So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for." II Samuel 11:23 "And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate." II Samuel 11:24 "And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and [some] of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also."
This is an even more detailed description of what happened here. The servant, that Joab sent, is relating this, as if he were involved in the battle, and therefore knew the details.
II Samuel 11:25 "Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him."
This messenger is unaware of what is going on. He is to carry a message of encouragement back to Joab. David, also, insists on them going ahead and taking the city. It appears the blockade is not working, and they must go on in and take the city.
II Samuel 11:26 "And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband."
One thing, we must remember, about Bath-sheba, is that she was not in on the plan to kill her husband. She, probably, loved her husband. She mourned for the appropriate number of days. Some people were mourned for thirty days. We do not know for sure how long her period of mourning was.
II Samuel 11:27 "And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD."
We know that David had been a man, who pleased the LORD. This act of adultery, and then, murder was displeasing to the LORD. It caused a tear in the relationship of David with the LORD. This child that David and Bath-sheba had, from this adulterous affair, was a son. The sad thing in this, is that we see no confession of this sin of David, nor do we see David repent of this. It is as if he feels he is above sin. He has, probably, become calloused, and thinks the king can do whatever he wants to. He has forgotten, that even kings have to answer to God.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 20, 2006 11:36:41 GMT -5
Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
How easy it is to be moved by circumstances and problems in life. We start out with great enthusiasm in our spiritual walk, and we make up our minds to walk with the Lord in all things. But then suddenly out of the blue, an unexpected problem arises. And what is the first thing we do? We panic and try to decide what to do. We rack our brains for solutions, or look to the arm of flesh. Our faith seems to go out the window.
The Psalmist faced perhaps more problems than most of us. He knew what it was like to be opposed, rejected and attacked. Even his own wife turned against him and scorned him when he tried to worship the Lord in a public dance. But he learned to do something that later earned him the title, 'A Man After God's Heart.' He refused to see anything but the Lord. When problems came his way, he saw first the Lord and then the problem.
What is it that moves you in your everyday experience? Is it the state of your finances, your state of health, your popularity or your security? Paul, like the Psalmist, had learned the important lesson of not being moved by circumstances. He stated that none of these things moved him. He was moved only by the Lord and by His Word. With the Lord at your right hand, you need not panic. The right hand is the place of power. Having the Lord at your right hand means that He is in control of your life.
Why not set the Lord before you at all times. How? By keeping His Word before you at all times. Then when problems arise in your life, the first thing you see will be the Word. And then you can say with great boldness, "I will not be moved by what I see and I will not be moved by what I feel. I will be moved only by the Word of God!"
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 22, 2006 14:04:50 GMT -5
Habakkuk 2:2 "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
There really is no reprove in this. God does answer Habakkuk though. This is telling Habakkuk to write the very book we are reading here. The reason God wanted Habakkuk to write it down, was so future generations could draw from it. Habakkuk is a book that many scholars have drawn from. In the earlier lesson, we mentioned the fact that Paul quoted from Habakkuk. We, also, mentioned that Martin Luther started the Protestant reformation after studying Habakkuk. Many have been so moved by this little book, that it encouraged them to be workers for God. I, myself, was shown this very Scripture {and the one following} by inspiration of God, just before I began writing these Bible studies.
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Every person who has a vision of a work God would have him do, could be inspired by these Words. God does things in His time, and not when we think it is time. Notice, in all of this, God does not scold him about the vision, or even the questions he has asked God. He explains that, sometimes, they do not come to pass at the time of the vision. They may happen weeks, months, or even years later. The vision is for a time God appointed. God reminds Habakkuk that he is to patiently wait on the answers to come. When the appointed time comes, they will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:4 "Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."
This statement is not just for Habakkuk, but for all of God's people. Our faith in God should not be determined by things we see with our eyes. Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Our faith in God is what separates us from the world. The world has no hope. We have hope of the resurrection. Those who have confidence in themselves, are not depending on their faith in God to see them through. Habakkuk 2:5 "Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, [he is] a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:"
This is speaking of a man who is lacking in moral character. He drinks heavily. He runs around. He is living for the desires of the flesh, and his flesh will die. The sad thing is this type of person winds up in hell for all of eternity. In this particular instance, this is speaking of the Babylonians {Chaldeans}. They, as a nation, are headed for total destruction in hell.
Habakkuk 2:6 "Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth [that which is] not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!"
All of the nations, who have been captured, and their people killed by these ruthless Babylonians, have taken up a parable against them. They know that God will bring condemnation upon these evil people, they just do not know when. They have taken countries and people that do not belong to them. They are really asking God how long will He wait to punish these evil men? The "clay" in the Scripture above speaks of things that are earthly. The things they have piled up and called wealth will pass away. They are things of this earth. We Christians should lay up our treasures in heaven, where nothing can destroy them.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 24, 2006 15:52:57 GMT -5
As you love the way Jesus loves, your life will change. There is no bond Satan can bind you with, that love does not overcome. As you pour out in love to others, it will set your spirit free in a way you never imagined. You will be set free to take a step up in the Kingdom to be more effective in your ministry and more powerful in prophecy, tongues and revelation.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Divine love endures patiently, [and] is kind; divine love does not envy; divine love does not brag, is not arrogant, 5 Does not behave improperly, does not try to have its own way, is not easily provoked, does not take evil into account; 6 Does not rejoice in sinfulness, but rejoices in the truth; 7 Always covers up, always has faith, always has a positive expectation, always perseveres.
This sure looks like a long list of do’s and don’ts that no man is capable of achieving! Lord, I know you told us to do this – but man! It sure is impossible, don’t you know how horrible those people are? Stop right there. I have a news flash. You are never going to do it. Try all your life if you like – you are not going to get there, you will fail on every count. Encouraging isn’t it? In this passage are the fruits of love. In other words, if you are walking in the agape love of God, these fruits will be showing in your life.
Forget about manifesting the fruits in your human strength, your starting point is on your knees at the feet of Jesus, He will plant in your heart that sapling that will in time bear these fruits. You need to spend time in the presence of one who knows how to love. A child learns by watching his parent, and so we need to watch the Lord. You need to be spending time with Him learning how He does things, asking Him to show you how He sees others. Asking Him questions, reading His thoughts in the Word. Soon, you will be building pictures in your heart. Positive pictures, you will not be able to help yourself, but to start feeling the love, you surround yourself in.
You see, there is no effort involved in loving. You do not need to ‘try’. You just need to follow the steps of the Master. Before you know it, you will be copying Him, as a child you will learn to do things the way his Father does them. You will be so soaked and watered by His love that it will start to show in your life. It will no longer be something you ‘hope to attain one day’ but something you are walking in all the time. The world will see what was planted in your heart and is now bearing ripe, rich fruit.
Romans 5:5 And hope does not make ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us.
I am sure that by now all of this seems so overwhelming. You have an idea now of what you need to do and what your responsibilities are, but you are wondering in your heart if you will ever be able to rise to this call. I heard a really good description of hope. It went something like this: Hope comes from endurance through trial. In other words, as you go through times of testing, hope is built in your heart. Each time the Lord calls you to a death to self, so do you grow and so does hope grow in you, next time you face trial.
The Lord will never call you to do anything without preparing you first. He has probably already been preparing your heart for this time. Every time you have faced trial, so has He prepared you. So now He is calling you to another death – He is calling you to a death in shame. To be prepared to uncover all shame for His sake. To expose your innermost parts for His use.
Once you are at that place of commitment, so will the Lord be able to cover your shame with His love. The endurance through trial you have achieved to be transparent, will not cause you shame, because the love of God clothes you, His grace adorns you. You will be made a beauty for the world to behold.
1 Corinthians 13:9 For our knowledge is limited, and our prophecy is limited. 10 But when maturity has come, then the limitations will be removed.
The Lord is right now chipping away at that wall you have built so neatly around you. And, I am sure that right now you are very scared. Maybe you would rather just hide from all this and carry on the way you were? But can’t you see that you have but a part of what He wants to give you? There is so much more!
As a prophet of God, you will never be able to have hiding places, you will never be allowed a place to conceal yourself. God will be your fortress, He alone will be your secret hiding place. Jesus revealed to each of us His shame, that he might cover ours. The Lord requires of you that Faith that pleases Him. Faith that says
"Father, I give you my most hidden place for you to show the world, knowing that you will cover me."
Everything you do as a prophet is in faith, but all words you speak as a prophet must always be in love. If you do not have love in your heart when you speak forth, then the words you speak will lack power. Test all you speak by that guideline. Even words of Judgment or correction should be in love – there is no getting away from it.
Can you see now why the Lord has to bring you to that point of transparency? Why it is so vital to being effective in the calling the Lord has on your life?
Just have a look at King David. He was a child when the Lord first called him. I can imagine his training started that very day. He spent time at the Lord’s feet and learned to love. While he was a little nobody watching the sheep, the Lord could break down walls and build new walls of love and tenderness. When he first spotted Goliath, his first impression was not "well what are my brothers going to think of me, I hope they don’t say nasty things" It was "How dare He speak against the God of Israel," the God he loved. Are you prepared to face Goliath today for the sake of your love for Jesus? Are you prepared to knock down that stone around your heart that the Lord may use you to a greater degree?
If you choose to, you can take from the hand of God right now not just a part of what He has for you, but the whole. If you are prepared to sacrifice yourself just like Jesus sacrificed Himself for you, will you be able to move into a unity with God you have never known. For now, you prophesy in part and you get revelation in part, but if you will submit to the gentle hand of the Lord you will know His thoughts at all times. For He is indeed a God of love and if you are walking in that love, so will you know His heart at all times, His will at all times and His power at all times.
You will have in full, what you have only a taste of now. But, it is going to cost you. It will cost you the price it cost Jesus. It means being prepared to open yourself to shame, to be persecuted without saying a word in your defense, to give and open your heart to others and face rejection. Do you have what it takes to become the prophet of God you are called to be?
I encourage you now to take that step into the presence of God. To let Him teach you, and to let Him make you into a diamond of magnificent beauty.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 25, 2006 7:16:33 GMT -5
Advice From Jesus
Rev 2:9 (Jer) "I know the trials you have had, and how poor you are--though you are rich!"
Rev 2:10 (NIV) "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Luke 12:4-5 (NIV) "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who can kill the body and that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after killing the body, has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."
Rev 3:10 (Jer) "Because you have kept my commandment to endure trials, I will keep you safe in the time of trial which is going to come for the whole world..."
WHEN TROUBLE COMES, WHAT KIND IS IT?
DISCIPLINE TEST/TRIAL TEMPTATION FROM The Lord God, World, Satan The Devil RESULT OF Disobedience Following God Pride or Exposure HOW TO DISCERN Fits Crime Proves Faith Leads Astray RIGHT RESPONSE Repent! Persevere Resist! DO NOT Make Light of Shrink Back Fall into GOD IS SAYING We are Sons His Name is in Us The Flesh is Weak ENDS WITH Fear and Holiness Death and Glory Sin or Victory
The Big Picture Rom 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:35,37-39 (Phi) Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, pain, or persecution? Can lack of clothes and food, danger to life and limb, the threat and force of arms?... No, in all these things we win an overwhelming victory through him who has proved his love for us. I have become absolutely convinced that neither death nor life, neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth, neither what happens today nor what may happen tomorrow, neither a power from on high nor a power from below, nor anything else in God's whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Believing The Gospel... 1 Cor 15:1-2 (Jer) Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel... because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you--believing anything else will not lead to anything.
1 Cor 15:3-4 (Phi) For I passed on to you,--as essential, the message I myself received--that Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures said he would; that he was buried and rose again on the third day, again as the scriptures foretold.
A.W. Tozer: "As long as we remain in the body we shall be subject to a certain amount of that common suffering which we all share with the sons of men. But there is another kind of suffering, known only to the Christian: it is voluntary suffering deliberately and knowingly incurred for the sake of Christ.
"Such is a luxury, a treasure of fabulous value. And it is rare as well as precious, for there are few in this decadent age who will of their own choice go down into this dark mine looking for jewels. God will not force us into this kind of suffering; he will not lay this cross upon us nor embarrass us with riches we do not want. Such riches are reserved for those who apply to serve in the legion of the expendables, who love not their lives unto death, who volunteer to suffer for Christ's sake and who follow up their application with lives that challenge the devil and invite the fury of hell.
"Such as these have said good-bye to the world's toys; they have accepted toil and suffering as their earthly portion. The marks of the cross are upon them and they are known in heaven and in hell. But where are they? Has this breed of Christian died out of the earth?"
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jun 30, 2006 6:19:07 GMT -5
God's Unwavering Love
By Jennifer Archer
Romans 8:38 -39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
As we drove down the road in the darkness, there was a flashing light further down the road. What was it? Was it an outdoor light gone wrong? Was somebody signaling? What was the point of having a light that only shone intermittently? It was distracting too and became the focus of our attention as we drove down the road.
As we came closer we saw an interesting sight. It was a street lamp standing tall, and alight like all the others. But there was a flag in front of it that was blowing in the wind, and blocking the light, so that it appeared the light was flashing on and off.
Isn’t that a great picture of the problems we face in life? Don’t you have days where it feels everything stands between you and the Lord? You feel just generally blocked from Him and you don’t sense His nearness. You wonder where He has gone.
Or perhaps struggles and problems come suddenly, like a flood, one after the other, and you feel alone and disorientated. You feel overwhelmed with all you must handle, and the pressure seems to keep you from coming to the Lord for help. You feel He doesn’t really care. It seems His love is inconsistent, and changes with the winds.
But you need to realize all these things that come against you, are like that flag flying in the darkness. They make it look like the Lord’s love for you changes and wavers on and off as He feels like it.
But today’s scripture tells us the truth. His love is like that light. It shines steadfastly and strongly through the darkness. And if you will lift your eyes now from the problems, and flags blinding your view, and come close to Him once more, you will see the light of His love is still burning strongly and brightly towards you. You will suddenly see the obstacles and flags blocking you from Him, and these things will melt away in the light of His presence.
Draw near to the Lord today. Run into His arms, and let Him pour His love upon you like a great waterfall whose noise drowns out all other noises.
He will speak peace to your struggles, and those flags that are blowing in the wind will be removed, and your heart will be filled once more with strength and courage, to go forward boldly, armed and protected and filled with His love, to shake the world for Him!
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jul 9, 2006 10:26:23 GMT -5
WHAT WOULD YOU SEEK FIRST?
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33, NIV).
Can you imagine a person that wants to buy something in the market whose main concern is the additional thing the seller would give him for patronizing him? Or can you imagine a person that has more interest in the insignificant addition to a gift rather than the actual gift? This is what most people do in their approach to God. They would want God to do any other thing for them while they leave the main thing. Many people are ready to spend most of their time asking God for material and financial blessings while they neglect the most important spiritual blessings that He is ready to give those that ask for them. Many would do anything they can to get what they want from God while they refuse to do want God wants from them.
The above Bible verse sums it up: "But seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33, NIV). We are to firstly seek the kingdom of God. A Bible commentator puts it this way, "Seek first to be righteous, and to become interested in His favor, and all necessary things will be added to you. He has control over all things, and He can give you what you need. He WILL give you what HE deems best for you." When we firstly seek God and live according to His commands, He will give us even those earthly things that we do not ask for.
King Solomon is a good example here. God asked him to ask for anything from Him. Rather than asking for earthly things for his selfish gain, he asked for God’s wisdom, and God did not only give him unparalleled wisdom, He gave him even those earthly things that he did not requested for (see 1 Kings 3:1-15).
It is a good thing to ask God for material and financial blessings. Everybody needs them. However, the first thing to seek from God is the wisdom to do His will. The psalmist says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" and "He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them" (Psalms 37:4; 145:19, NIV. See also Psalms 34:9-10; 37:18, 19, 25; 84:11; Mark 10:29-30; 1 Timothy 4:8).
Many do not have or/and enjoy material and financial blessings because of their misplaced priority. What would you seek first?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Points: 1. Lord, help me to seek you and your righteousness first in all my endeavors. 2. As I am seeking you first Lord, add all these material and financial blessings to your spiritual blessings for me.
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jazzlover
B.E. Sergeant First Class
It Takes Pressure to Make a Diamond
Posts: 3,912
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Post by jazzlover on Jul 10, 2006 16:23:29 GMT -5
2 Tim 2:8 (NIV) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel.
The gospel is a message. It is also referred to in Scripture as a "word", a "doctrine", a "seed", the "good news", "the truth". Because God uses the message of the gospel to reconcile men to himself, it must be taught, heard, understood, believed, confessed and defended.
The Message is That Jesus is The Christ, that He Was Crucified, and Rose Again! 1 Cor 15:1-4 (NIV) Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you have received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
The Message Must Be Taught Rom 10:14 (NIV) How, then, can they call on one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
The Message Must Be Heard Rom 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
The Message Must Be Understood Mat 13:17-23 (Phi) "Believe me, a great many prophets and good men have longed to see what you are seeing, and they never saw it. Yes, and they longed to hear what you are hearing, and they never heard it. Now listen to the parable of the sower. When a man hears the message of the kingdom, and does not grasp it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is like the seed sown by the roadside. The seed sown on the stony patches represents the man who hears the message and eagerly accepts it. But it has not taken root in him and does not last long--the moment trouble or persecution arises through the message, he gives up his faith at once. The seed sown among the thorns represents the man who hears the message, and then worries of this life and the illusions of wealth choke it to death and so it produces no 'crop' in his life. But the seed sown on good soil is the man who both hears and understands the message..."
The Message Must Be Believed Heb 4:2 (Phi) For we too have had a gospel preached to us, as those men had. Yet the message proclaimed to them did them no good, because they only heard and did not believe as well.
The Message Must Be Confessed Rom 10:8-9 (NIV) But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The Message Is Foolishness To Some, Good News To Others 1 Cor 1:18,21-23 (NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.
1 Cor 2:2 (Phi) ...It was my determination to concentrate entirely on Jesus Christ. and the fact of his death upon the cross.
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