Freedom to follow The Lord Most High or Are we merely Slaves of Christ Jesus?

* additional Bible verses added on 3rd June 2011


Jeremiah 2:14
"Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?"


The Book of Ezekiel chapter 16 spoke of the parable of Israel, a child born and thrown into an open field with the naval cord still uncut and all covered in blood. How the Lord took the Child in and covered Her nakedness and gave her all the finest garments and fairest jewels. Yet she was not contented and played the harlot and committed adultery with strangers and committed many other sins. But the ending as in verse :60 the Lord said "Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant."

All human beings are basically born free in the eyes of God; however, when we are born into a social system in the days of our parents, which determine the degree of our freedom or born into slavery. Some of us fight our way out slavery. Some are born into a dfferent type of slavery; slavery to the falsehood of money and position, which are able to tie a person down just as firmly as indentured servitude. Either way and in any society, a person in this world is a slave to what he covets.


A servant covets freedom a life without a master. If that servant were to be granted freedom, he would most probably end up being a slave to something else; because he still needs to find work. The servant has not left the Babylon system, as such he will never be free. That is why we need The Lord to set us free. To be spiritually free and the wisdom to choose our path in the light of the Lord.

A spoiled rich man covets more riches and power and position. He may eventually end up sacrificing his own freedom and the people he loves if he does not know how to draw the line.


The Kingdom of Babylon is most coveted by the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, its people; the people who subscribe to the Kingdom of Babylon and think that they have built this Kingdom and it is theirs for the keeping; and these are the people who give honour and power to themselves and NONE to the Lord who created them.


Daniel 4:30
"The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?"


Daniel 4:31
"While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee."


To destroy the Kingdom of Babylon is merely to detach yourselves from the rudiments of this world. When you stop subscribing to the falsehood and material world of Babylon, it will cease to exist. Babylon feeds on the human soul to expand its power. Come out of Babylon and start to live and walk the path of righteousness of the Lord is all it takes to bring the Kingdom of Babylon down.



Acts 22:28
"And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born."



Psalms 82:6
"I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."


Throughout the Bible, we see narratives and parables about slaves/servants and their masters.
Not all servants are slaves; most are just contract workers. While some are freed slaves who chose to stay on to help their masters because of love and loyalty.

Why do people shun at the word "obedience" to God?
To Willingly follow the will of the Lord and to accomplish His work.
Is it so hard to follow?
As if it is a monumental impossible task that will demand great self sacrifice.
If you truly love the Lord your God thy creator, then the task to follow Him is easy and the sacrifice is nothing compared to a living a life without the Lord Most High.

As Children of God, the Lord said that "we are gods" as in Psalms 82:6.
What caused our godliness to disappear? and Our favour in the sight of the Lord to diminish.
Dare we go to courts and palaces (where gold are worthless and are used as flooring) of the Lord and reclaim our favour and love of the Most High?
Have we become beasts of the field scratching out a meal or two for survival?
In this beastly world, people kill over a small gold nugget.

Since we are "gods" what we do most definately have its repercussions. Adam and Eve chose to be disobedient, its repercussion its DEATH. Whatever we choose to do will either bring us further or closer to GOD.
Sin of course drives a wedge between our own happiness and godliness.

When you cross the road, we generally look around and to the left and right for on coming traffic before we cross the road because it could mean life or death for you, if you step infront of an on coming bus. Such ordinary day to day small efforts that we do to ensure survival, what more of major decisions that people with money and power make?

It is good to find strength to overcome a bad situation. It is also good to be able to find contentment in our lives as there will always be something higher to achieve, something more beautiful to admire, something more expensive to buy.

Life is not about the endless chase. If you already have a beautiful wife, do you go after the next person that comes along whom you think is more beautiful? Where does it stop? How many lives will get hurt?

Some people think that they can destroy this earth and move along to find another planet that can sustain life. What if you cannot find any other planet like earth? And at the edge of the universe is exactly what it is, the edge where everything stops - like in the movie The Thirteenth Floor. What would you do? Where would you go?

1st Timothy 6:5-11
:5 "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."


:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain."


:7 "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."


:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."


:9 "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."


:10 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."


:11 "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

 
Movie of the week - The Thirteenth Floor (1999)




This Book by Michael Card - "A Better Freedom" made me feel rather depressing. After reading this book I do not feel the "actual" & "better" freedom that we are suppose to experience. Instead I felt as if I was brought encircling the lives of slaves; I was at some point beginning to feel like a tired old vulture. It does however have very good point of refeerences and examples.


http://store.michaelcard.com/abetterfreedom.aspx

Detailed Description extracted from Michael Card's website:

When Michael Card first started attending an African American church, he was struck by how the congregation worshiped Jesus as "Master." He soon learned that during slavery, calling Jesus "Master" was a subtle way of saying that their earthly masters were not their true Master. This insight led Card on a journey of discovery, as he wondered, "What did it mean for African American slaves to acknowledge Jesus as Master? What did Paul, Peter, Jude and James mean when they acknowledged themselves as Christ's slaves? What would it mean for you and me to take upon ourselves the title 'slave of Christ'?" A Better Freedom explores the biblical imagery of slavery as a metaphor for Christian discipleship. Michael Card shows how the early church saw Greco-Roman slavery as a window into understanding Jesus both as the Savior who took on the form of a slave, but also the true Lord and Master who sets us free from our own slavery to sin. Come, let yourself be captured by the Master. And discover how you can be truly set free.



2 Peter 1:20
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."

2 Peter 1:20 are For example, when the Bible mentions the "Son of Man" it does not only refer to Jesus Christ but it also refers to every true Prophet of God to Israel.
Jesus like every other Prophet of God from Moses to Ezekiel to Isaiah to John the Baptist, are CALLED as the Son of Man in terms of them giving up their own lives to minister after the Word of God and all Prophets of God gave their own life to follow the will and work of the Lord to the detail so that the message of the Lord gets across to His people and causing many people to be saved.

Matthew 20:28
"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Another example of 2 Peter 1:20 are Isaiah 52:14 & 15.
Many people popularly associate it with Jesus's crucifixion and you are not wrong. But do you know that it is also associated with the Jewish Holocaust. Whose visage was so marred more than any man, than the skeletal form of a Jewish prisoner during World War 2.
Many nations and kings shut their mouths at him and many of them could hardly believe what they saw. Do you see it now?

Isaiah 52:14
"As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:"

Isaiah 52:15
"So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider."



There are many religious people of who think that they are saved and can do no wrong. They do not weep nor do they think that they need repentance.


They are like the brother of the prodigal son.


Well keep up the good work for all that the Father has is already yours but there are some questions that i need to ask that self righteous brother.


Why did you not attempt to talk some sense into your brother when he was a rebellious against his own father? Are you happy to get rid of your brother?


Why are you so full of discontentment (of not having enough to eat and enjoy with friends) while working for your Father?


As God's little children, we inherit not only all that belongs to Him but also we inherited His wisdom and power. Learn to use it wisely, with prudence and obedience towards the will of the Lord. The power of the gods is safely locked within us until our Father sees it fit to unleash them, otherwise we might do much harm not only to other people but mainly to ourselves as well. It is this power that the evil spirits desperately covet and hope to seek control over us the human being.

Like they say, with great power comes great responsibility.


Being a god is "who" we are and created by, mankind is "what" we are made of.

(For example, if anyone asks you, "What are you?  If you are human, you would say, "I am a man" or woman or mankind. 
If anyone ask you, "Who are you? 
Some people would say their name.
Some would even mention their profession or work.  But the kind of job that you do are not WHO you are.
Who are you? 
You are your father's son or daughter.
You carry your father's surname do you not?
You carry your father's DNA and our original parents' DNA Adam and Eve's were called sons of God having the first holy spirit of life given by GOD. 
You carry or inherited your creator's Heavenly Father's Holy Spirit - His breath of LIFE - that gave you your soul and spirit - your life.)



Luke 15:7
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."


THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON
LUKE chapter 15:15-20
:15 "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."
:16 "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."
:17 "And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!"
:18 "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,"
:19 "And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."
:20 "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
:31 "And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."
:32 "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."


To the self righteous brother, do not be afraid or think negatively about obedience towards the Lord Most High. Obedience towards God does not mean that we loose our freedom of choice, but rather think of it as learning to avoid pitfalls and death traps that the Lord did foresee and that there are still many things we do not know and have yet to learn. Until we are fully grown up - not only in terms of our earthly years but also in God years, let us just for now follow what Daddy says, shall we?

Does Silver and Gold make you Happy?

Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:14
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Proverbs 16:20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.




Can Money Buy Happiness?

Does Silver and Gold make you happy?

Sure, why not?

The smell and touch of crisp newly printed money and Glittering stuff are always fun and so do toys, pets, chocolate and cut flowers can make any person feel happy.

Why do you think they sell these things during Valentine's day??

Money can buy us material things that makes us happy but "happiness" is not a tangible thing.

It is a stirring up of emotions that may not necessarily be everlasting.

Maybe that is why people constantly find ways to pursue happiness.
In the Declaration of Independence of USA - Thomas Jefferson - "our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."


But what is "Happiness" ??? This is the main question.


For we know what "money" is. It is a means to exchange for goods.


Is happiness a commodity to you?





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In Ipoh, Perak, West Malaysia, and several other places, "money" used to be called "Kupang" in Malay language or literal "Clam shell".

Today, people in Perak still refer to ten cents as "satu kupang".

Thousands of years ago, if you have millions of clam, you are probably a millionaire in those days.

The Northern states especially Perak, where fishing were the main livelihood in those days and so is bartering.

One goat in exchange for 5 thousand clams, anyone???


***********************************************************

The definition of happiness or our "Happiness Index" changes as we age.


What made us feel happy when we were 3 years old may not necessarily do so again when we are 33 years old, or maybe and most likely it still can make us happy, depending on what it was.

Find out what makes people happy and then try to see if there is a price tag on it.


It may cost somebody to buy what makes you happy and it may cost you nothing to receive it.


We may receive something happily for free but the cost of giving you that something may have fallen on somebody else who bought for you that bit of happiness and paradise.

In this world, nothing is ever "really" and "totally" free is it?

A wedding ring most probably require money to buy but can you really put a price tag on something that brings joy and eternal happiness? (or at least until you get divorced that is.... ???)



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Have you ever seen someone pretentious, trying to look like a million dollars but you can tell he has nothing?


Have you ever seen someone who looked like a poor roadside cleaner even though he is wearing designer clothes and has millions of dollars in his bank account?


I guess sometimes, money cannot buy us substance and style; neither can it bring about confidence and trust.

In Isaiah 64:6 mentioned that "in all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags".


Without our Heavenly Father's light of life support and true riches, our own works no matter how good are as filty rags.

Without light shining on a piece of cut diamond, it is useless and has no beauty in darkness.



Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 36:9
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Proverbs 16:15
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.


John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.


2 Timothy 1:10
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and
hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:





Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 64:7
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Isaiah 64:9
Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.

No Milk Today?

Is it safe for a poor man to live in a money based world?


Does ALL these mean that No Money No "Live"?

It is as if in this world, if a person does not have money, he will not be allowed to "Live" because he will die of hunger.  

It is not that a person has no "Life" if he does not have money because a person's "life" aka "spirit" is not bound to material monetary means. 

But how a person lives is somewhat directly related to the system of commerce of his day / era and depending on his ability to exchange goods and the good graces of the people around him.

My mother's fifth uncle once downtroddenly said, "Life, I have, but money I do not have" - sometime later, he was murdered.


Is our world a money based world governed by “Mammon and Lucifer”   or a Love and Compassion based world governed by the God of Israel (Jesus Christ)?


Jude 1:22
"And of some have compassion, making a difference:"

Matthew 6:26
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”


Is it not better to be an animal than a man living in a money based kingdom?


The animals live in this same planet but the animals do not live in our “money based kingdom”; but ever so often, our kingdoms do collide, bringing devastating destruction to the animal kingdom.


Mankind created their own web and trappings in this world and therefore are somewhat forced to live bound and chained to the complications of the money web and its trappings.


The Lord has placed upon His Servants the Jews to repair the world.


Are you up to the task to do the Lord’s bidding to go forth and repair the world?


If we do not change our former ways, there would be nothing left to repair.


Tikkun Olam !!! my friends. (“Tikkun Olam” in short means Repairing the World)


Matthew 6:32
“(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”


Matthew 6:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”


Matthew 6:34
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”


And to the poor man who has no roof over his head today, do not think of tomorrow…….. for tomorrow will probably be the same…….. still sleeping on the park bench under the starry skies on an empty stomach …………..


It is already too much EVIL for us to handle in one day, why pile onto ourselves tomorrow’s evil as well?


Live one day at a time, for who knows what tomorrow will bring???

Birth of The Saviour, Christ our Lord God of Israel

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour.


Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.


Isaiah 45:15
Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

Isaiah 45:16
They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.

Isaiah 45:17
But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Isaiah 45:18
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:20
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.


Isaiah 45:21
Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.




Our Saviour has spoken TRUTH and righteousness openly to his Disciples and the peoples of the world and He has NOT spoken anything in secret.


Isaiah 45:19
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

John 18:19
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

John 18:20
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

John 18:21
Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.



(Romans 14:7, 8)
Whether we live or die, in life or death, in living or dying, in belief or disbelief, in acceptance or denial, we still belong to the Lord our CREATOR, even when the whole world forsakes us. We are never truly totally alone in this world or in the next. For all of mankind belongs to the Lord (even the good and the evil) for He is the Lord of the living and the dead.



Romans 14:13
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”

Therefore let us not judge each other with an evil eye or self reasoning or contempt for whatever reason. But instead, be ever more on our guard not to put a stumbling block / obstacle / some action or event that hinders progress of our fellow men.

What is able to hinder progress of our fellow mankind, brothers and sisters?
Depravation / morally corrupt – leading away from what is right.
Deprivation perhaps? – denial of some basic material essential benefits.
Repression, be it in society, ethnic differences, governmental repression of its subjects (forcing people to live in confined areas and refugee camps), religious repression (forced to convert by the sword) and gender repression.

These stumblingblocks that some people place before other people that continues to hinder another man’s progress or freedom to choose or freedom to live or believe.

When someone who claims to do what is right for his government when he kills a religious extremist or “terrorist”, he has provided the so called “terrorist” an occasion to fall. He has placed before his fellow man a stumblingblock. Did the “righteous man” look into the future and have seen that the terrorist is beyond redemption and that he can NEVER repent even though being placed in neutral conditions and after being taught the truth. For who can tell the “TIMING” of a person’s repentance?

It is better to put a sinner / unrepentant person in solitary confinement / life imprisonment than putting him to death.  For the terrorist will give his account to God when it is time and he will be judged accordingly.

But the person who placed the stumblingblock in the terrorist’s path shall also give his account to God when it is time, for the Lord will ask the terrorist, who caused you to fall?

Blessed is he who does not put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way.



Isaiah 45:23 “………....That unto me [ “me” is referring to the God of Israel Himself and He was also called our Saviour Jesus son of Joseph and Mary ] every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

Romans 14:5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Romans 14:6
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Romans 14:7
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Romans 14:8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:9
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Romans 14:10
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:11
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:13
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Isaiah 45:22
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:23
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:24
Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

Isaiah 45:25
In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.


Among the many reasons why THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER IN HEAVEN, THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTHY, chose to be born into His own creation is to save us, He is our SAVIOUR, to obtain right to judge over the living and the dead (Romans 14:9). 
If God has never tasted death, the dead will not suffer or allow themselves to be judged over by someone who has never tasted death.  This is how insufferable, proud and conceited mankind is. 

What is Faith?

"Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

- Hebrews 11:1

"That your faith should NOT stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

- 1 Corinthians 2:5

Faith as described in Hebrews 11:1 may sound like "fantasy" or "wishful thinking" to many people and it might as well be if we place our trust & faith in the wrong person.  Such error might just bring your whole world come crashing down in trembling and fear.

We may have some degree of faith and trust in the people we know and perhaps a child or baby may have 100% faith on his parents to take care of him/her, but even these may fail when a parent abandons a child at the orphanage or some odd place.

Can a child muster enough faith in his lifetime to trust anyone again, after experiencing abandonment?

Does that child need somebody else to show him kindness and loyalty before he respond with the same OR is it inbuilt within a person that ability to love and trust regardless of the adverse surroundings or bad experiences. 

Is it all about "EVIDENCE" again, that a person may need to know that trust and faith among mankind is possible based on what he sees first before responding?

What about trust and faith in a GOD that we nave NEVER SEEN? What kind of evidence do we need from GOD?

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

- 1 John 4:20

So, from 1st John 4:20, does our faith in God stem UNCONSCIOUSLY or subconsciously from our own ability to love and trust someone else?

In a way, it is true. as in John 3:6, we were all born from our original pair of ancestors "Adam and Eve" (of whom were Sons of God before their fall from grace) through the ORIGINAL / INITIAL life giving "Spirit of God" upon their CREATION.

Just like when we can trace the evidence of our biological parents through DNA (the flesh), we can trace our Creator through the Holy Spirit of GOD.

In normal circumstances, as a child is so naturally drawn to his parents for love & trust and vice versa; so are we naturally drawn to the LORD for love and trust because the Holy Spirit of God is not empty and hollow but is a part of us that is of substance and reality that can be known and to learn from in a quiet manner because the Spirit is our lifeline link to God, just as the DNA is our link to our biological family, so is the Holy Spirit our link to our Heavenly Father, our creator. (And I am NOT talking about the Pentecostal / Charismatic type of "holy spirit")

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

- John 3:6

Who on earth would dare put their trust another person whom they have never seen or heard before - as it is neither proper nor safe in this day and age; but if we put our faith in the LORD Most High and when it is in accordance to the will of God, then fantasy sometimes becomes reality and wishful thinking can become miracles.

"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

- 1st John 3:24

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."

- 3 John 1:11

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

- Hebrews 11:3

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

- Hebrews 11:7

How is your faith in the LORD? 

 

Is it based on your constant relationship with the Lord through prayer and study; or is it based on your inbuilt subconscious capacity; or is it based on popular demand of the day - Monkey see, monkey do?

 

Can our faith in the LORD get swayed and we need to attach a spiritual Richter scale to measure our tremor and fear?   

Sometimes.....  probably...... but we constantly hope to build our faith upon the steady ROCK so that when the wind and the waves hit us or sudden earthquake......   we pray for the Lord's saving grace hoping to remain as steady as Daniel in the lion's den and that is to come out alive and in "one piece".  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Messiah"

A short note on what is a Messiah.

To the Christians, it is a common belief that Jesus Christ (The Messiah) who was born in the line of David and subsequently died on the Roman Cross and resurrected on the 3rd day after His death some two thousand years ago, will return again or so called second coming of Jesus Christ. The problem is there are so many factions in Christianity that there are those who did not believe that he died and rose again. Many more Christians dispute the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth and adhere to their view that He is not the God of Israel who created all of the Heavens and the Earth but merely a Prophet or a special created being who separate from God. Who then is Jesus of Nazareth?

The many stories in the New Testament itself are always somewhat contradicting and full of paradox in terms of what Jesus was doing and what He was “testifying” or preaching.

For one example, why did He say that no sign shall be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah, but in fact at the same time, He was doing so much healing the sick and “raising the dead” miracles, signs and wonders continuously for 3 and a half years?

The issue that Christians should be truly concerned with and struggle to understand is NOT whether Jesus is just the Messiah (Psalms 146:3) but whether Jesus is also the God of Israel, who is the Creator of the Universe (Psalms 146:5-6).

Psalms 146:3

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Psalms 146:5

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Psalms 146:6

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

For who is greater?

Is a Messiah greater than the God of Israel?

Does the Son come before the Father?

Does LIFE come from the Father or the Son?

Is your Salvation dependant upon the Father or the Son?

Where most Christians went wrong is when they worship the image of the Son (a Jewish man named Jesus of Nazareth) when God specifically tells us not to worship a graven image and they do not know the Father at all, thinking that the Father is unapproachable or a "cannot be seen" being.

Well, the Father is unapproachable to the vile and sinful man, not so much as you cannot go near God or that He cannot draw near to the sinful man, for even Satan/Lucifer always has an audience with the LORD to converse with God face to face, but because a normal man in his weakened fallen condition may feel too pressurized or pulverized by the awesome presence of the LORD, that for his own sake, he is banished from the sight of the LORD; But if you are Born-Again, you are made new in the spirit and you will be able to see the LORD face to face without being grind to powder.

Israel too is often referred to as the Son, so, do the Christians want to start worshipping every Jew that they see? In the book of Zechariah 12:8 mentions that the house of David shall be as God. Similar to the first generation of unfallen children of Adam are called sons of God and even so, Adam was called a Son of God.

Christians!!! Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. When the truth has been revealed, please do not refer to Jesus as the Son of God anymore for that was His mantle 2000 years ago, he came in the flesh to represent us as “Son of God” to reconcile Himself to us. So now worship the LORD as the Father for who He really is, as the God of Israel, the King of the Jews.  Call the LORD, Father, do not call the LORD "Son" because all Born Again Jews and Gentiles are called "Sons of God". 

John 4:22

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Zechariah 12:8

In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

Psalms 95:3

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalms 82:1

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Psalms 82:6

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Psalms 86:8

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Matthew 17:11

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Preceding Jesus of Nazareth’s first coming was John the Baptist (Luke 1:17).

As such, preceding to Jesus a.k.a. God of Israel’s second coming, there must be also a Messenger in the similar office that of John the Baptist with the spirit and power of Elijah.

After a short while in the near future, as in (John 3:30) Israel will increase, but I must decrease. I must stand outside of Israel because now that I am a Gentile, I am just a friend of the bridegroom but my joy is complete when Israel is restored unto the LORD. 

(I hope Israel does not think of me as an enemy anymore but as a friend forevermore, I am so happy to be able to hear your voice again, I can finally decrease and go away in peace.)  

Gentiles who are "born again" are individual “spiritual Melchizedek”, kings and queens of righteousness and peace.

Israel is God’s inheritance, as sons of God and they shall serve Him forever in Jerusalem as representatives of God as salt of the earth and light unto this world.

Israel will prepare themselves as a Bride adorned to receive her Husband, the God of Israel, King of the Jews, Jesus of Nazareth. I do not know the hour of the return of Jesus but it will be anytime after the completion of the Third Temple in Jerusalem (Malachi 3:1), in accordance to the detailed description in the Book of Ezekiel. It is not a "Temple of Solomon" as mentioned by some people.  The Temple according to the vision of Ezekiel is many times larger than the first Temple of Solomon.  

Revelation 21:2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

John 3:27

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

John 3:28

Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

John 3:29
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:31

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

John 3:32

And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

John 3:33

He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

John 3:34

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

John 3:35

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

To the Jews, Jesus Christ is just a prophet. Many Jews did not see Him as The Messiah because he prophesied the destruction of the Temple instead of ushering in eternal peace and they believe that there is another one or two Messiahs coming to restore Jerusalem and to rebuild the 3rd Temple of Jerusalem as one of the credentials of “a” Messiah. But worse of all, many did not see Jesus as the God of Jacob.

The fact is that both the Christians and the Jews are correct in certain ways. It is of vital importance to always remember what Jesus said, that salvation is of the Jews.

Matthew 22:42

Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.

Matthew 22:43

He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

Matthew 22:44

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Matthew 22:45

If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

What ye think of Christ? How can Jesus be the Son of Man or Son of God when David called Him LORD? (Matthew 22:42-45) How can Jesus be the son of David when King David himself called Him LORD?

Gabriel declared Jesus to be “Called” the Son of God because of what He came to do; as a “Job Description” but not “Who” He really is, that He is the God of Israel = Creator of the Heavens and the earth. There is only ONE CREATOR and we the rest of the people are His servants, His spiritual children.

The LORD was to represent us as part of what He came to accomplish and that is to take Israel’s/Isaac’s place as the scapegoat (a male Ram) for Isaac (Luke 4:29) and a spotless lamb for a sin sacrifice (female Lamb – Leviticus 4:32) for all the children of God. Jesus of Nazareth was the spiritual Melchizedek “King of Righteousness”.

Luke 4:29

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

Leviticus 4:32

And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

The physical person “Melchizedek” also known as the first King of Salem (Jerusalem) was the Lamb of God, just one of the sons of Adam and Eve, (a daughter in this case, who was betrothed to Abel but he was murdered by Cain, so later she was married off to Seth, husband of one wife for over 900 years) a king and high priest of the Lord Most High, just like her brothers, the other sons of Adam and Eve, the sons of God born before the fall (12 sons and 1 daughter), this number is reflected in Jacob/Israel’s household of 12 sons and 1 daughter.

Hebrews 7:15

And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

Hebrews 7:16

Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Hebrews 7:17

For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Psalms 110:1

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psalms 110:2

The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Psalms 110:3

Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Psalms 110:4

The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Psalms 110:5

The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

Psalms 110:6

He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Psalms 110:7

He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

To keep in mind that the word “Messiah” or “Christ” or “Anointed” is not a word that is used exclusively to “THE” LORD MOST HIGH, creator of the Heavens and the Earth. This is where the Christians made a mistake when they try to match all the puzzles in the Bible to Jesus of Nazareth and thinking that the word Messiah is equaled to GOD.

Messiah = God?

A messiah is not equaled to God but is a person anointed by the LORD to do His work or carry out His assignments.

A simple and yet clear understanding of the basics of the word “Messiah” is referring to a person or persons anointed with the Holy oil and Holy spirit of the LORD Most High from whom all blessings and anointing flow out to all His creations. All Kings of Israel and Judah and all High Priests and Prophets of the LORD in the entire Bible were referred to as the anointed of the LORD.

So it is even safe to say that ALL Kings of Israel, Judah / High Priests / Prophets / and ALL genuine Born Again Christians are anointed by the Holy Spirit of the Lord and hence = to “Messiah” or people anointed either with the Holy Oil or Holy Spirit of the LORD.

Even King Cyrus, King Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia. who followed the commandment of the God of Israel to allow and assist the Jews to rebuild the second temple in Jerusalem are so called Gentile Messiah.

Ezra 6:3

In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

Ezra 6:14

And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Haggai 2:2

Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,

Haggai 2:4

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

In order to build a Temple of the LORD, there must be both a Spiritual and a Political representative liken unto King David / King Solomon and Prophet Nathan or King Cyrus, Ezra and Haggai.

In the office of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest was to anoint a governor in the office of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel. In this case the office of Zerubbabel is Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, a man liken after King David whose name is the BRANCH (Zechariah 3:8, 4:9, 6:12, Jeremiah 33:15). His hands shall accomplish the will of the LORD and to complete the rebuilding of the Third Temple in Jerusalem and he shall serve the Lord in righteousness in the Land of Israel.

The original King of Salem (Jerusalem) Melchizedek was the pure olive tree while Israel is the wild olive tree. While Jesus represents the Spiritual pure olive tree and all His Children both Jews and Gentiles are His branches. Only the unfallen can be defined as “pure” olive tree.

Zechariah 3:8

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Zechariah 4:9

The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

Zechariah 6:12

And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

Jeremiah 33:15

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Zechariah 4:12

And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

Zechariah 4:14

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

The two olive branches are the present representatives of the LORD in the offices of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest and a governor of Israel in the office of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel. They are the same two olive trees in Revelation 11:4 standing before the LORD God of Israel, Jesus Christ.

Revelation 11:4

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Ezekiel 34:24

And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.

‎"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" - “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll

‎"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" I have been thinking about this riddle for the past few days after watching the latest Disney movie “Alice in Wonderland”. I suppose I have seen this riddle before when I first read the storybook during my schooling days but I never bothered to think about it or attempt to solve it.


Here is my attempt to solve this riddle.

Both are places where messages are written on. A desk is for us to write on, a raven is for God to write on. Not only in "mythology" but also in reality in the Bible, ravens are carriers of messages or warnings from God.

God wrote His commandment on the raven to feed Elijah and away the ravens flew following God's commandments to feed Elijah......

1 Kings 17:4
"And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there."

1 Kings 17:6
“And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”


Regarding this riddle from "Alice in Wonderland" - among some other people's attempt to solve the riddle, here are some samples (you can google it to see the rest of the samples): -

1) "Because the notes for which they are noted are not noted for being musical notes".
2) "Poe* wrote on both" ...
* ["The Raven" is a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, first published in January 1845.]




In the days of Lewis Carroll (1832 – 1898), the most common place to write something on is on a desk. Be it a short note, a message or to the elaborate drafting of legislation and etc. There might be somebody who may be seen writing on the floor / wall or some other place with a flat surface. Unlike today, you write using computers, mobile phones, on computer softwares, internet discussions forums, facebook “wall” and etc. How far has mankind progressed to a stage where we can play god writing on “Walls” in cyberspace…… But what exactly do we write about most of the time? Practically 99% of wonderland NONSENSE……


Let us read some Bible verses to see what other places that the Lord Most High, creator of the heavens and the earth wrote His Commandments upon. Among the many places, here are some samples; Wall of a king’s palace, tables of stone, in our hearts so that we may not to forget and of course, the raven. 



Exodus 34:1
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.”

Hebrews 8:10
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:"

Jeremiah 31:33
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."


Daniel 5:5
“In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”

Daniel 5:6
“Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.”

Daniel 5:25
“And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”

Daniel 5:26
“This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.”

Daniel 5:27
“TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”

Daniel 5:28
“PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”


Even animals such as the raven are able to follow God's commandments without fail, what about us who are sons and daughters of God?  Not only do we constantly seek NOT to follow our Heavenly Father's / God's commandments but also attempt to continuously vex the Lord with our nonsensical rebellion and empty words.   Shame on us.    


Malachi 2:17
"Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?"