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  • “The Tunnel”

    Hey John,

         Tonight, I was looking back through some passages from The Great Apostasy book (Going to Jesus.com – The Great Apostasy” How believers’ rejection of Paul’s gospel led to the formation of Christianity).

        In the second paragraph from the end of “The Tunnel” portion, beginning with “In A.D. 70,” you wrote that believers entered the tunnel a charismatic community with some ceremonial aspects, glorifying Moses and rejecting Paul. But they emerged from the tunnel a ceremonial community with some charismatic aspects, glorifying Paul and rejecting Moses.

         Please clarify this for me, as I thought they would now be rejecting Paul and glorifying Moses, because they became more of a ceremonial community with some charismatic aspects when emerging from the tunnel.  Thank you

    Jim K.

    ===========

    Hi Jim.

       Good question, Jim; thank you for sending it in.

        The NT record clearly shows that the body of Christ, as a whole, rejected Paul’s gospel, being convinced of their need to submit to circumcision, that is, to the law of Moses.  The references for that biblical fact are too many to mention, but Paul’s statement to Timothy, “All they [believers] in Asia have forsaken me” (2Tim. 1:!5) represents what was happening everywhere.  Part 5 of my book, The Jerusalem Council (Going to Jesus.com – The Jerusalem Council ), goes into great detail on that from NT books.

         In the second century, what we find in the documents which Christians have allowed to survive is an exaltation of Paul (but not the same gospel he preached) and a complete rejection of the law of Moses, and in some cases, virulent anti-Semitism.

         That is the historical record.  Anyone can look it up.  For examples of the anti-Semitism of some second-century leaders of Christians, one can go to The Apostate Fathers at GoingtoJesus.com (Going to Jesus.com – The Apostate Fathers).

         The fact that those second-century Apostates were still practicing rituals is really a different subject from the specific one I was discussing in The Great Apostasy book.  You are correct in saying that second century believers were still a ceremonial community with some charismatic elements, but the ceremonies they were practicing then were new and had nothing to do with Moses’ law.  In fact, those new ceremonies had – and still have – nothing to do with the real Jesus or Paul.  Christians made up those rituals to replace the ones from the law that they had stopped practicing.  God was not in it.

         I hope this explains the section on The Tunnel that you mentioned.  Thank you again for asking.

    Pastor John

    ===========

       Jim’s question was perceptive and earnestly inquisitive, and I instantly empathized with him, as it seemed confusing to me, too.  

       Your answer really clarified that situation about Paul, his true doctrine, and the “Church’s” introduction of new rituals in place of the Law of Moses. 

       We’ve been so immersed in your books this past year that I need a drone’s view of them all, to truly see the history in chronological order.  A visual timeline would be helpful, I think.  Whew! 

    Brad

    ===========

     Give me a white board and some markers, and we will do it!

     

     

  • The Wisdom and Goodness of God Concerning Marriage

    Pastor John,

         Beth and I were talking about kings, David and, in particular, Solomon, and the wisdom and love of God for man in his instructions to His children on marriage.

         God told Solomon and all the nation of Israel not to intermarry because God had created marriage to join two hearts into one.  It isn’t an option for them to become one; it is God’s creation and what marriage is.

         So, it wasn’t because Solomon was evil that he turned to the gods of his foreign wives, but rather the result of what marriage is: the meshing or unifying of two hearts into one.  Solomon had no choice but to become a man who would serve other gods because he didn’t guard his heart from those who would behave that way.

         I think it is like pouring ink into water.  It becomes one color, a different color.  There is no stopping that union once the two are joined.  And likewise, we have no control over the one heart we will become when we marry, but we have full control over the heart we join ourselves to.  That is glorious.  It is love and wisdom from God.  He has told us how to do it, how to be happy.

         So, the purest of hearts, if it marries a dissimilar heart, will become like that heart, because that is marriage: two becoming one.

         Beth said it made her feel more love and mercy toward Solomon and any of God’s people who end up like him.  I agree.  I think we both feel more love and pity for Solomon, who started out so well.

    Years ago.

         I watched a movie years ago, a fictional take on a tragedy that occurred long ago in a different country.  It troubled my spirit as I watch – I felt it – and I felt to turn it off.  I didn’t, however, because I was so engrossed in the story that I wanted to see how it would end.  When I went to bed that evening, as I was drifting off,  I saw horrific images in my mind, unrelated to what I saw in the movie.  Still awake but nearing sleep, I heard my heart cry out, “Jesus, I don’t want to see this!”  The Spirit spoke back to me and said, “You don’t have control over that; you only have control over keeping the door shut.  Once you open the door, you don’t know what goes in.”

          Almost brings me to tears, thinking about His goodness and watchful eye over our hearts.  Praise Him (and bless Him!), He is right and good.

    P.S.

          Beth said I missed something we had talked about, and that is, “Marriage is marriage for better or for worse.”

         God meant it for good, but the union or “marriage” of hearts occurs even when it is bad.

         Men and women recite vows in marriage, stating the union is “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.” That applies spiritually as much or more so than physically.

    Jerry

    ==========

         Excellent point, Jerry.  We have no say-so in the result of our choices; that is God’s part.  He alone is Judge.  We only have control over our choices.  And thank God for that!

         Throughout Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, Solomon was pleading with his children to make wise choices – and then, as he got older, he himself did not.  And the result, that is, the judgment for his choices, was up to God alone.

    Pastor John

     

     

     

  • The parable of Talents

    Hi pastor John,

    It’s been a while since I messaged here.  I just wanted to share these verses in Matthew 25: 14-30.  It is the parable of the talents.  In this parable, there was a man who gave talents to three servants and rewarded them according to their works and said this “well done good and faithful servant” to the two faithful servants, which is the goal of every believer.  There was one servant who was afraid (perhaps of the judgment of others) and hid his talent and didn’t work.  The Man who gave him the talent said “you wicked and lazy servant” then he was cast into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    I believe God gives talents to His children.  If I say to my friends and family that I have the Holy Spirit, but they don’t see my life transformed by God would they believe?  We identify the people who have the Spirit of God by their fruits ( how they live).  If I say I have the Spirit of God but I don’t work, then how God can say “well done”?  I believe we live in a wicked world, but if we are child of God, then who can be against us?  And if the Spirit living in us is greater than who is in the world, then why would we hide or silence the talents that God has given?  Because in the end, it is God who will judge us according to the works we’ve done. 

    Matthew 25:29

    For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

    Thank you for all your work. I hope you all are well.

    Thank you

    Leika

    ==========

    Thank you, Leika.

    We don’t ever want to forget the sum of the whole matter.  Solomon said this:

    1. The conclusion of the matter, when all has been heard, is this: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
    2. 14. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.

    Pastor John

     

  •  Looking at it all wrong!

    Hi Pastor John,

    I had the best morning with Jesus, and I wanted to share it. I was fixing my coffee and thinking about a recent situation at work, and I really felt like I could have handled it better. As I poured my coffee, I started beating myself up a bit, and that’s when I felt Jesus correct me. I felt Him show me that I was looking at the whole thing the wrong way.

    I heard the Spirit pose a question: “If you were in school and you failed a test, what would you do?”  I answered, “I’d try to do better on the next test.”  You don’t dwell on your last test score; you just keep going and aim for a better one.  That completely shifted and changed my mindset and my attitude.

    As I walked out the door, I told Jesus, “That is such a better way to look at it.  I like Your way so much better.”  It was exciting to see it from His perspective.

    Then I got in the car, and Brother Gary’s song “I’m Exciting” came on.  That felt so good.  As I listened to the words, I thought about God sending down fire and burning up the wood when Elijah waited for Him to show up (1 Kings 18).  I was overwhelmed thinking about that, overwhelmed with excitement about how exciting God really is.

    When we face a trial, let’s pile up the wood and wait for God to show up.

    I sent this to Rebekah today because I kept thinking about Faith and the healing we’re waiting on.  I don’t know what God is going to do, but I’m going to carry my wood to the altar and wait for Him to show up.  And it’s even better picturing all of us carrying the wood up together. 

    I love when Jesus says I am looking at something all wrong. 

    Love,

    Beth

     

  • Being the Light of the World, 2 & 3

    Man, this is good, pastor John.  Good lessons. 

    I remember seeing a young man once, in a factory break-room where I was doing electrical work.  I noticed him reading a book, and suddenly a feeling came over me – Jesus came over me – and I had to push through that crowded room to reach him.  Nothing else was more important, and I would have been back-slidden at that moment if I didn’t reach him.  As I approached, I came down low enough to see the cover of his book, and the title was something like, “How to find God.”  I wasn’t the least bit surprised because that boy’s Answer, Jesus, had just sent him his help.  In those two minutes before his break was up, I told him all about having to be born again of the Spirit, and every holy thing on my heart that went with it.

    When I walked away, I knew if I had not done that, I would have backslid from the Lord, right then and there.  Going to him was like taking my next breathe; I had to do it.

    That experience let me know that Jesus can and does send his people to help others.  And the experience rescued me so that I now know all the times when he ISN’T sending me, and I don’t have to devise something I think I should be doing to help God out.  I think it’s kind of like a healing.  If God heals you just one time, it will save you from being a liar about it the rest of your life because you’ll know when He HASN’T done it, and you don’t have to act like He did.

    It’s like brother Oral Roberts (or was it Preacher Clark?) told the man who acted like he was healed after being prayed for, when he wasn’t: “God doesn’t need any help. Now get over here so God can heal you.”

    If we are shining, we are a refuge for everyone God calls.  We are the Truth, and their very best chance in this world.  And if He hasn’t called them, there isn’t a thing in the world we can do for them.  All we can do is invent ways to help.

    Love this.

    Jerry

    ==========

    I am so glad that Jonathan asked his questions, and I loved your answers, pastor John. This sentence especially stood out to me: “The light of Christ is not shining to change society; it shines so that God’s lost sheep can find it.” I also loved brother Jerry’s response.

    Worrying over whether I do everything I’m supposed to do to be the light of the world is something I have been wrestling with as well, but a few months ago I had a very sweet experience that helped me in learning to discern what it is like when Jesus sends me versus some other spirit or just my own ideas about serving God. 

    One day, I was working in close proximity to one of my co-workers, and I just had the thought that I should initiate a conversation with him about God. I was thinking about asking him if he believed in God, but something about it just felt off. So I started talking to Jesus, and told him: “I really want to share something from you with Dávid, but I want to feel that it is you sending me, and not just me doing it.” Only a few minutes later another colleague of ours walked up to Dávid, and started talking to him, but from the first moment I could tell that she really wanted to include me in their conversation. Her intention was so obvious that it felt like God, as an immediate answer to my prayer, literally made her come over there and ask me questions, so I have an opportunity to speak. She ended up asking me how me and my wife had met, so I was able to share my whole testimony, and talk about how God worked in the midst of all that – and Dávid looked deeply invested in it. After I finished, he said, Wow that’s amazing, sounds like a Hollywood movie. 

    Like I said, it was a very encouraging experience, because I knew without a doubt that God did it, and it helped me see that even when you have good intentions, or a good thought, you still need to be led by the Spirit. And God showed me that when he sends me, it feels just right, and I don’t have to wonder if it was Him or not. If we have a heart to serve Jesus and be a light, he will create the opportunities to do good, and it will be perfect. 

    I just want to emphasize how good your response to Jonathan’s questions and Jerry’s e-mail both felt. Thank you to both of you.

    Zoli

     

  • Being the Light of the World

    Hello Pastor John,

    This email is a little long, so sorry in advance. 

    I have been thinking about several quotes and stories in the Bible. One, how Jesus talked about turning the other cheek in Luke 6:27-29:

    “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.”

    Another, where he said if you have a cloak but no sword, to sell it to buy one, Luke 22:36 

    “He said to them, ‘But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.’”

    Another place, Matthew 26:52, he says that those who live by the sword die by the sword, 

    “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.’”

    And here, Paul tells us that our weapons are not carnal in 2Corinthians 10:4-5,

    “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..”

    But then in another place, Jesus says we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world/city on a hill (Matthew 5:13-14).

    “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

    I’m sure there are more passages that I’m not remembering which say similar messages regarding being the standard and being a light to the world, but this leads me to wonder. 

    In the world, there are a lot of evil and simply not holy people and actions.  If we are to do as Paul said and not be entangled in the affairs of this world, how can we also be the light of the world and effect good change in society?  I think of the cases where blatant immorality and evil are promulgated in society through music, politics, or pop culture. This made me wonder: If we only do our part in our homes and that which we are immediately responsible for, how does that fulfill Jesus’ commandment to be the light in the world if the world is not within the realm of our responsibilities? If a lamp is on in your home, adding another lamp helps shed more light, but it is not as necessary as it would be in a dark room without a lamp.

    Seeing terrorist attacks and rampant evil challenge the presence and acceptance of Christ in society makes me wonder what we should do? Are we only to be good and holy for ourselves? Regardless of what goes on around us? If Jesus told us that we were to be a light, how are we a light if we are not standing before others and being that outward example against those who would try to be wicked?

    We often see people doing evil in public or behaving inappropriately and just say, “They need Jesus,” and “That is disgusting.” But rarely do we ever seem to be the light other than just looking and praying about that situation from a distance. Given that the world has free will, we see morally wrong things happening to believers everywhere, but it feels as if we have our hands tied to help or support them, other than in prayer.

    When Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV), 

    “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

    How are we to do that if we are obeying Paul’s instructions to not be entangled? Is that verse not contradictory to Paul? How are we to go into the world proclaiming Christ to others and try to be the change in society without being involved in more than our own homes alone? I do not necessarily ask because I want to get involved in politics, but I don’t understand how we are to effect moral and societal change without being involved in the affairs as Paul advised us not to be. If everyone in the world interpreted not being entangled in earthly affairs the same way, evil would go unchecked, correct? I just want to understand more and be wise and follow the Spirit when it speaks to me. But that being said, some of the logistics of Christ’s calling to us to himself confuse me logically. I know the Bible will always have verses that may contradict each other in some ways. In some cases, what God tells one person may differ from what he tells another in the same scenario, and that we must obey the Spirit. Sometimes, when looking at a world where so much wrong goes unchecked or is only minimally challenged by good people, I feel like we are fighting a spiritual war with our hands tied behind our backs, unable to utilize our full capabilities. More often than not, the commandment to turn the other cheek seems to be referenced more than Jesus flipping tables and whipping wicked men in the temple square. Are we truly only to be docile and without fight? I do not see how good can win or a good stand be held without some action behind the prayers. It’s like if I as a firefighter prayed for the fire to go out but then failed to use the equipment in my hands to stop it. I realize that I sound like Peter, haha. I don’t mean to sound as if I am itching for a fight, but I am just seeking clarification on the “spiritual rules of engagement.” That being said, I know that the Spirit is our guide, but it just seems we observe much bad without taking a stand against it. I can’t help but think that if believers everywhere stood up and had outward standards, the world would be a better place. 

    The world feels so dangerous and volatile now; It all feels very unstable. I recall you had a dream where you in your dream shot a prison guard, but other dreams, such as my dad’s, we in the dream stood still while German soldiers walked past us.

    I feel the world changing and it does not feel as benevolent as I recall from childhood. I have felt a shift in the air, for lack of better wording, within the last couple of months that I hadn’t felt prior. Perhaps this is just a normal part of becoming an adult and growing up… I don’t know. But I am praying to be willing to do whatever the Lord wants me to do and to stay upright as much as I can.

    Your mentioning last night to ask questions and read your bibles made me think back to this email I had been working on for a few weeks now, and I wanted to ask my question. 

    Thank you for your time and the work you do for us.

    Jonathan S.

    ============

    Hi Jonathan.

    Thank you for your questions.  I underlined the parts that seemed to encapsulate your thoughts, and so, I will respond to those points, specifically.

    You said, “If we only do our part in our homes and that which we are immediately responsible for, how does that fulfill Jesus’ commandment to be the light in the world if the world is not within the realm of our responsibilities?”

    My answer: To be the light of the world means to walk in the Spirit, that is, to live in God’s will, both in our homes and wherever we go.  We are not, and cannot be, responsible for anything beyond that.  The best anyone can do in Christ is to “brighten the corner where you are,” as the old hymn goes.  We cannot determine how far His light in us shines; we can only do God’s will where we are, at any given time and place.  Jesus did not mean for all God’s children to travel the world over, or to buy time on TV to proclaim the good news.

    (2)  “Are we only to be good and holy for ourselves?”

    My answer: We are never to be good and holy for ourselves.

    (3) “How are we a light if we are not standing before others and being that outward example against those who would try to be wicked.”

    My answer: Living in the Spirit means to stand before others as a visible example of purity and peace.  But it is not against those lost in sin; it is for them, showing them the way to eternal life.

    (4) “Rarely do we ever seem to be the light, other than just looking and praying about that situation from a distance.”

    My answer: It is from a distance only to those who are distant from us, and we can do nothing about that.  But we are lights to everyone who is connected with us, whether at home, or at work, or in school, or just people we meet in the normal course of life.  The light of Christ is not shining to change society; it shines so that God’s lost sheep can find it.  Jesus said, “If you seek, you will find.”  He did not say that the light will make people seek it who have no heart for God.

    (5) “Given that the world has free will, we see morally wrong things happening to believers everywhere, but it feels as if we have our hands tied to help or support them, other than in prayer.”

    My answer: Paul said to do good to all men as we have the opportunity, but especially to those of God’s family (Gal. 6:10).  That is the very best we can do, and it is all that we can do.  If no opportunity presents itself, then whom can we do good for?  We cannot help believers on the other side of the world who are being persecuted, other than to pray for them.  The world as a whole will never be righteous, and to try to make it otherwise is to live in frustration and bitterness.  So, the only time our hands are tied, as I see it, is when sinners refuse the light they see in us.

    (6) Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

    You said, “How are we to do that if we are obeying Paul’s instructions to not be entangled [in the affairs of this life]?  Is that verse not contradictory to Paul?

    My answer: No, it is not.  If a believer travels around the world and becomes embroiled in man’s political and social controversies, he is not the light of the world; he has become part of the darkness.

    (6) “How are we to go into the world proclaiming Christ to others and try to be the change in society without being involved in more than our own homes alone?”

    My answer: I am puzzled as to why you keep saying that our light in Christ shines only in our homes.  Nobody I know lives only at home.  Even at that, Jesus has not called us to change society.  Societies of earth will never change, even though we are the light of the world.  The light of the world is for those looking for the light; it is not for society.

    (7) “How we are to effect moral and societal change without being involved in the affairs [of this life] as Paul advised us not to be?  If everyone in the world interpreted not being entangled in earthly affairs the same way, evil would go unchecked, correct??”

    My answer: Again, societal change is not the mission of the body of Christy.  Evil goes unchecked when the body of Christ becomes entangled in the worldly affairs of this life, not when we obey God and stay out them.  The only evils we can oppose are those that are around us, where we are.  And the most effective way to oppose them is to live the kind of life Jesus has given us, apart from those evils, as Jesus was.

    (8) “I feel like we are fighting a spiritual war with our hands tied behind our backs, unable to utilize our full capabilities. More often than not, the commandment to turn the other cheek seems to be referenced more than Jesus flipping tables and whipping wicked men in the temple square.”

    My answer:  Trying to imitate Jesus without being led by the Spirit can be a fatal error.  That is the very reason so many believers today believe in and practice water baptism – because Jesus was baptized in water by John the Baptizer.  I asked my father a similar question when I was young in the Lord, and he replied, “You’re not Jesus.”  Offering God any service without being led by the Spirit to do so is vain.

    Nobody’s hands are tied who is walking in the Spirit.  And our “full capability” is attained to only when we learn to use the spiritual weapons Jesus provides by the Spirit.

    (8) “Are we truly only to be docile and without fight? I do not see how good can win or a good standard be held without some action behind the prayers. It’s like if I as a firefighter prayed for the fire to go out but then failed to use the equipment in my hands to stop it. . . . I am just seeking clarification on the ‘spiritual rules of engagement.’”

    My answer:  Our rules of engagement are to trust the Lord, that what he supplies us is sufficient to please God and overcome the world.  Of course, there is more to it than praying.  There is living a holy life in the midst of a wicked world!  Not only are the weapons of our warfare spiritual, the warfare itself is spiritual.  Do NOT resort to carnal methods of fighting; if you do, you have already lost the battle.  You have been overcome by the world.

    If by “docile”, you mean submissive to the will of God, then yes, we are to be docile.  But if you mean unwilling to resist evil, I have to ask, Is that what you think I am teaching?

    (9) “It just seems we observe much bad without taking a stand against it. I can’t help but think that if believers everywhere stood up and had outward standards, the world would be a better place.”

    My answer:  You have stood up and had “outward standards” at your workplace, and you have been sneered at because of it by some of your fellow workers.  But your righteous example has been a testimony to all who know you, whether they receive it or not.  That is overcoming the world.  We overcome the world by overcoming the evils that are around us each day, not by forcing the world to change. 

    Finally, Jonathan, if Jesus is putting it on your heart to do something more or something other than what we are doing, please do as he says  I am all for it, and all for you.  But remember, you cannot effect change in the world for righteousness by resorting to tactics other than what the Spirit provides.

    “You have need of patience,” the man of God told the saints, for our testimonies are like the seeds of a tree.  One tree can release thousands of seeds in the fall, but many times, none of them take root.  A good year is when a few of them do.  “Let us not grow weary in well-doing,” Paul said, “for in due time, we will reap if we do not faint.”  Well-doing in God’s sight is the thing that overcomes the world, even if for the time being, we do not see any of our seeds taking root.

    Thank you for your questions.  I hope I have resolved at least some of your issues.  If not, it might help clear things up for me if you were more specific concerning what more you think we should be doing.

    Pastor John

     

     

     

  • Thoughts

    Hi Pastor John

    I loved what was said last night. I have been chewing on something for days now and last nights testimonies and what you said about the anointing we have leading us and our thoughts goes perfectly with it.

    There are 51 verses in our translation with the word “thoughts” in it.  Some of them read like a book.  At least, to my heart they did. 

    Pro. 16:3 Commit your works to Jehovah, and they will direct your thoughts.

    ( This is my favorite verse!))

    Isa. 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Jehovah.

    Isa. 55:9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

    Amen!

    1Ch. 29:18 O Jehovah, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel our fathers, preserve this forever, the intention of the thoughts of your people, and establish their heart with you.

    Psa. 33:11 The counsel of Jehovah will stand forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.

    Amen! 

    Psa. 40:5 Many are your wonders which you have done and your thoughts toward us, O Jehovah my God; there is none to compare with you. Let me declare it! Oh, let me say it! They are more than can be counted.

    Psa. 92:5 How great are your works, O Jehovah! Your thoughts are exceedingly deep!

    Psa. 94:11 Jehovah knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

    Psa. 94:19 In the multitude of my troubled thoughts within me, your consolations delight my soul.

    Psa. 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How great is the sum of them!

    Psa. 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts,

    Psa. 146:4 When his breath leaves, he returns to the ground. On that day, his thoughts perish.

    ( This one struck me. Man’s thoughts will die with him and only God’s thoughts will remain) 

    Pro. 15:26 The schemes of a wicked man are an abomination to Jehovah, but the pure have pleasant thoughts.

    Jer. 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Jehovah: thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

    Jer. 6:19 Hear, O earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not attended to my words, and they have rejected my law.

    Dan. 2:30 But as for me, this mystery was not revealed to me because I have more wisdom than all the living, but so that the interpretation may be made known to the King, and so, you might know the thoughts of your heart.

    ( made me think of what was said last night by Allison about trials being used to show us our hearts)

    Mic. 4:12 But they do not know Jehovah’s thoughts, and they do not understand His purpose, that He has gathered them like a sheaf to the threshing floor.

    Luke. 2:35 a sword shall pierce even your own soul! – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

    Rom. 2:15 who show the work of the law to be written on their hearts, their conscience bearing them witness, and all the while their thoughts either accusing or defending them

    Whew! 

    1Co. 3:20 And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”

    2Co. 11:3 But I fear, lest, as the serpent led Eve astray by his craftiness, so your thoughts likewise be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ.

    Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is alive, and powerful, and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and it is able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart.

    Love,

    Beth

     

  • Knowing What God Thinks Of Me

    Hey Pastor John!

         I wanted to share this thought I had today.

         We are doing a project in art class which consists of our silhouette and then we have a crown that says ‘my identity’, we then have spikes on the crown explaining what God says about us. My art teacher wrote some examples up on the board of what we could use such as Child of God, loved, ect. Well I was thinking, “What does God really think about me?” and it led me to being so thankful that I was able to grow up around such godly people with so many encouraging testimonies, and know that I can have experiences with God. I was thinking of things God has told me before (about what He thinks of me) and I was able to write those down on my crown. I was just so thankful that I could really know what God thought about me and also that I was able to have experiences with Him! Just thought I would share because it has been on my mind all day 🙂 and I’m looking forward to learning and having more experiences with Jesus!

    Grace C.

     

     

  • Jesus took my frustration

    Good Morning Pastor John,

    Last night’s meeting was so good to me. I love how Jesus comes around, grabs my hand, and loves me.

    I have been in the trenches with Jesus. The past week I have been downright frustrated. Not bitter, but just the feeling of ugh Jesus, I know you have a plan, but why has a specific journey for Alex and I been so hard and heartbreaking. I started condemning myself over my frustration and sadness. I started to have a feeling that it was not normal, and I should be just peachy with every circumstance. What you said last night broke everything I had been feeling. “Don’t pretend to love everything God does.” In my Spirit it was relief. I don’t have to fake it. I am not broken because I was frustrated. It didn’t mean I loved Jesus or the truth any less. The sadness and frustration were real feelings. Just as the happiness and joy are real along the way. I know one day I will rejoice completely and see every little thing Jesus did during this time in our lives. I am so grateful that we are allowed to have normal feelings as we walk through hard journeys in this life. That it is okay to tell God we don’t like something and question it. I love what was said about complaining up instead of out. That is where it matters. I am so thankful I complained up last night and Jesus sweetly took my frustration.

    I have been reading in 1st Samuel.* It stood out to me that Hannah did not complain during her journey. Not even to her husband, after Peninnah kept provoking her. She took her requests straight to God. She went up instead of out and God heard her requests. I pray that Jesus teaches me more of how to do that. To keep coming and showing up to Him. To keep doing the right thing even when the journey is hard. 

    I hope I got all of that out where it makes sense. 

    It feels so nice to have the Spirit refresh you. I feel a sigh of relief today and it makes me tear up that Jesus loves us that much. I feel like he has dusted me off, set me back upright and said come on you got this.

    I hope to see you soon!

    Love,

    Margo

    * https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_translation.html?tname=1samuel

     

  • Malachi 4:2

    Good morning Pastor John, 

    What a wonderful meeting last night!  Initially, I felt great sadness because it feels like the end of a thing.  But the Spirit moved me to great gladness because I am here and full of joy.  In the last few years I have learned much.

    I have a question for you.  Reading Malachi 4:2 this morning it says “But to you that fear my name will the Sun of righteouness rise with healings in his wings.”  Should that be Son?  It seems to be speaking of the Son of God, not the sun of the earth.  When I read Sun, I immediately thought of the sun god of the Roman’s.  It just feels wrong.  If I am wrong help me understand please.  It could be my version is not up to date maybe.

    Thank you for your dedicated service to the LORD.

    Mark W. 

    ===========

    Hi Mark.

    Obviously, that verse from Malachi was a prophecy of the coming Messiah, the Son of God.  The Hebrew words for “sun” and “son” are not similar at all, though they sound the same in English and are very close in spelling.  In that verse, “sun” is correct because the Hebrew word for “sun” is there.  Still, as you know, Malachi was speaking of the Son of God.

    None of the sun-gods of the Gentiles, and there were many of them, were suns of righteousness.  They were demons.  So, when reading that verse, just think of Jesus, and forget about what Pagans thought.  That’s our privilege in Christ, to keep our minds fixed on him and have peace.

    Pastor John

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