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  • Good Paragraph!

    Hey, I stumbled across this yesterday as I was working on the Corinthian study.  This paragraph stood out to me because of what we have been talking about lately concerning healing and faith in God.  Here, you are stating a question about the Corinthian saints and their faith:

    “Why will it be only when their faith is increased that they will be able to see who Paul is?  Because nothing, even the most obvious truths, can be believed without faith.  The Corinthian’s are struggling because of a lack of faith, not a lack of attention and care from either Paul or God, not from a lack of spiritual gifts, not from a lack of real experiences in the holy Ghost, but a lack of faith.  Worldliness had crept in and robbed them of faith.  Paul is continually pointing them to spiritual purity (unmixed worship and doctrine) so that their faith can be restored and increased.  It is by faith that we understand anything that is from God (Heb. 11:3); it is not by intelligence that any man knows Him or His ways.” (Pastor John)

    It made me think of you, your efforts, and your admonishments to us on how to stay pure and holy before the Lord.  And how each time the Lord gives you something, you pass it on to us, to tweak, clean us up, or pass on truth for us to believe in – to increase our faith, and to keep worldliness unmixed with our worship.  Paul was always working.  And because of the Corinthians lack of faith, they could not see who Paul was for them.

    I thought about the conveniences of life that we have and how those things can creep in unawares.  You can see how those things can dull your faith and you can become satisfied or complacent with things (in the sense of becoming unaware of or unwilling to address potential dangers to your spirit, deficiencies (things lacking spiritually), or the need for further effort or improvement (being lazy spiritually or puffed up).  It seems that you can believe in miracles, have experiences and spiritual gifts, but if you don’t put aside worldliness, you won’t increase in faith.

    We watched your message last night about not being a part of the “Gentile religion” [Christianity], where you were talking about gleaning faith from others in Christ but not taking on their doctrine – even the Gentile religion is a form of worldliness.  We’ve seen the evidence of that.  There are so many things that can dull your faith, even if we are like the Corinthians.  They had spiritual gifts and experiences and were not lacking much.  But their faith being dulled meant, in the Corinthians future, falling away from the truth Paul taught them. Whew!

    It got my attention yesterday.  You wrote this over 30+ years ago, and it still stands today, just as Paul was dealing with it centuries ago.  I have a thankfulness in my heart to know these things and also a prayer to not let my/our faith fail and be overcome with worldliness of any sort.  So that our faith will be increased! 

    Amy B.

    ==========

    Pastor John,

    I give this paragraph a big amen.  I have been searching my heart and soul, and praying for godly sincerity and godly humility – something this world knows nothing about at all!  MY heart has been hurting, longing for what Jesus has for us!  There are no frills or thrills in this world for me, nothing like Jesus!  I feel like I’m just going thought the motions, longing to be consumed with HIS LIFE HE HAS GIVEN ME.

    Jimmy T.

     

     

  • The Israelis time in Egypt as slaves

    Hello Pastor John!

    I hope you’ve had a productive week full of blessings!

    I have been listening to “The Kings” study on line. (Old Testament Course Materials – John Clark, Sr. ) As I was listening to the quizzing before the class the thought hit me.  Yes the Israelis were made rich when they left, but they left with much more.  When they arrived in Egypt they were herders.  When they left they were masons, wood workers, metal wrights, doctors.  They learned the Egyptian’s skills and knowledge in those 430 years.  So they were able to build, make fine linens, brass and gold articles for the tabernacle and the temple.  They, even to this day, make and build many things that are remarkable. A blessing for the world.

    I love having thoughts I have never had before.  Especially when listening to, or reading something, or just thinking about things of God which I thought I knew.  No matter what I read anymore I try to read it with wonder of what will I be taught today.  Give me a fuller understanding of the things of God is always what I try to keep in my heart.  Especially when reading something I think I know.  It’s easy to be open when reading something new, but reading, or watching something 10 or 20 times it’s not as easy.  I am grateful to God for giving me this heart.  

    Miss you all,

    Mark W.

    ==========

    Thank you, Mark. I had never thought about what skills the Israelites might have picked up in Egypt during the years they were in slavery.  Excellent observation!

    Pastor John

     

  • The Resurrection and Cremation

    Pastor John,

    I have a question, mostly to clear out some of the Christianity crumbs that still linger in my mind.  I loved today’s Random Thought and the clear answer it gave to a question in my heart, but it brought up another one for me.

    What does it really mean when we say, “get us out of the grave”?  If we are in Heaven or Paradise, why would we ever say that?

    One reason this matters to me is that I intend to be cremated, but I still have a tiny, lingering fear that somehow it might be wrong.  I know it sounds silly because I understand that this physical body isn’t going to rise up out of the ground and be used again, but that phrase “get us out of the grave” always pricks my heart when I hear it.

    I asked Sister Willie how she felt about cremation, and she said it wasn’t something she came up with, and she is going to be buried.  My mother drilled into us that cremation was a sin against God and that we would go to Hell if we did it.  I just want to be free from worrying about that.

    How does God feel about cremation, Pastor John? Are there any verses about it? 

    https://www.goingtojesus.com/gtj_thoughts.html?tname=rdt01-14

    Beth

    ===========

    Hi Beth.

    First of all, cremation is NOT a sin against God.  You can just lay that to rest.  Actually, cremation is a shortcut to where a corpse is going anyway – to dirt.  The Bible has nothing to say about cremation because there is nothing to say about it.

    As for coming up out of the grave, that is a question many of us have had.  It is puzzling, as you say, how we could be with the Lord after we die, as Paul said, and yet, he also said that dead saints will be caught up to meet the Lord when he comes.  My father told us that when we die, we go to Paradise, as the Bible states, but that it is just our spirit that goes, not our body.  That may explain the seeming contradiction.

    Thanks for the questions.  I hope that clears things up, at least a little.

    Pastor John 

     

  • “Hiding Yourself”

    Good morning!

    I was listening to one of the Deuteronomy readings this morning and the phrase “hide yourself” caught my attention in Deuteronomy 22.  It’s the same phrase used in Isaiah 58 concerning the true fast, which I haven’t really understood what it meant there.  Anyway, in the attached screenshot, these are the verses in Deuteronomy and in Isaiah 58.  So what it seems like to me is that in Isaiah 58, part of the true fast is basically to help your brother when you see he is in real need and you have the ability to help him, and not to “hide yourself”, or ignore/turn a blind eye to his need.  Of course, that is right to do anyway, but do you think that is what Isaiah 58 is saying?

    Thanks!

    Lyn

    ==========

    Yes, Lyn, I think you are on the right track there.  It is a biblical phrase that is not that clear in its meaning, but what you are thinking cannot be far off the right track.

    Pastor John

     

  • Three types of law

    Pastor John,

    Hey!  I have a question.  I’m talking back and forth with this guy on fb about the 3 kinds of laws and explained the difference.  He asked where it mentions those in the Bible, and I can’t remember if it’s specifically in there or if it’s just implied.  I know others know about it (I’ve heard Christians talk about it), just don’t know where it’s mentioned in pieces.

    L. W.

    =========

    Hi L. W.

    Neither Moses nor Israel ever thought that there were three kinds of laws; to them, it was all one law.  Understanding Paul’s gospel helps to see it, but it can be understood without that.  Years ago, I found it in something John Locke ( I think it was) wrote.   Really, it’s just common sense to acknowledge that there are three types of laws within the law of Moses: moral, ceremonial, and civil.   If someone argues about that, it is best just to move on to another conversation.  They have an agenda.

    Pastor John

     

  • Conversation Tuesday morning!

    Hey, I love the thoughts you told us Tuesday morning about tapping into the love of God and believing that Jesus WANTS to heal us!  I immediately thought about your translation of the story in Matthew 8:

    1. And behold, a leper came and bowed before him, saying, “Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean.”
    2. And Jesus stretched forth his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to. Be clean!” And his leprosy was immediately cleansed.

    I’ve always loved that story, especially the way you translated here because it relays the love of Jesus so well.

    The feelings were so good, that afterwards, I was praying and talking to the Lord.  I started off by saying “Lord, help us get to where you are.”  And then, he started talking to me.  He said, “Don’t get accustomed to ‘bad things’ in your house.  Get accustomed to good things in your house.” And then….he paused, and sweetly said, “Like me. :).  If you have your mind on Me, there are no ‘bad things’ because I am good.”  That immediately turned my thoughts to “all things” and the message that “all things work together for good to those who love God.”  If we are living our everyday life with Jesus in the forefront, the good things override the “bad things” we deal with in this life.  It doesn’t mean we don’t go through things or have concerns, but his goodness carries us through.  There was a lot of love in that.  I spoke right back to him and said “That is good” 🙂  It was a sweet conversation….well, actually, he was talking, I was just listening.

    Reminds me of this scripture: “It is our Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom.”  Because He WANTS to!

    Sweet!

    Amy B

     

     

  • Contentment versus complaining

    Hi Pastor John,

    The Spirit woke me up this morning.  This is what was said, “Don’t complain about anything that I have given to you.”

    I sat on it a while today while I was reading in Kings/Chronicles during the time of the divided kingdom.  A few thoughts came to me about how important it is for each of us to be happy and live the truth that God has given to our hearts. 

    There were two stories that stood out to me: 

    • In Numbers 20, the Israelites grumbling about wanting to go back to Egypt because it had better resources (food, water, etc.). After all that God had done for them: all the miracles, the food, the water…they were complaining! They had forgotten where they had come from and didn’t believe God for where He was taking them. 
      • This generation hurt themselves by complaining. Because of their complaints, God cursed them and they were never allowed to see Canaan’s land. 
      • But also, they provoked Moses’ anger so much that he struck the rock for water instead of speaking to it asGod had   So, the beloved prophet of God could not enter into Canaan’s land, either.  
    • In 2 Kings 5, the story about Naaman and Gehazi, Elisha’s servant. Naaman was a humble man with great power in Syria but still willing to receive counsel when he was hesitant to obey Elisha after Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jorden River to heal his leprosy. 
      • When Gehazi went to Naaman and lied to him about Elisha wanting money for the sons of the prophets, he was effectively complaining about not having enough earthly wealth. 
      • Ultimately, Gehazi wasn’t happy with the life that God had given him with Elisha. Elisha!  A doubly blessed prophet of God who followed in Elijah’s footsteps and God had blessed him for it (with earthly and heavenly riches).
      • Because of this, Gehazihurt God and Elisha’s hearts. Elisha lost someone who was close to him and Gehazi (along with his lineage) was cursed with leprosy. 

    So, the negative impact of complaining about what God has given us is always about more than only you and your circumstances.  If you’re complaining – either through deeds and/or in your heart – you’re hurting more than yourself.  You’re saying to God, “I’m not happy with the life you’ve given to me.”  The people around you can feel your discontentment, so why would they want to be like you?  You’re unhappy!  I don’t think I would have followed Jesus if he was constantly grumbling about why God had sent him down to earth to die for our sins!  And Jesus went through the worst of it for us; so, ask God to help you be content in the situations He has given you as opposed to complaining about what you want instead.  It makes me think of that verse from 1Timothy 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is an exceptional means of gain.”  The gain here is happiness, peace and joy in the holy Ghost!  The heavenly gains!  I don’t want to desire earthly silver and gold when I can support and encourage the Elishas of God’s kingdom instead.  We want our Christ contentment light to shine to support each other!

    I don’t know how to end this email, exactly.  I knew what God was showing me about my own life and what to change, so I was thankful for that knowledge.  But, the bigger realization of this made me cry out to God to help me understand Him more and ask Him to please keep us humble to accept/see where God is in all situations.  Life can be tough sometimes; we really go through things in this life that hurt deeply and are confusing.  But, we can be happy and content in knowing that God has been and always will be God to us…and for us.

    Wendy

    =========

    Hi John,

    I was reading Deuteronomy this morning, and thought the same thing as Wendy.  It cost Israel greatly to grumble in the wilderness. I believe the old man (our flesh) seeks to have something to complain about.  Reminds me of what the Spirit has been talking to me about too (which I sang about recently):  “I’m fine, you’re fine, everything is fine.”  I want to be careful to put that into action. We have so much….. Thank you Wendy for the reminder.

    Gary

     

  • The Day of Atonements and the two sin offerings

    Hi,

    I have a few questions related to Leviticus 16 pertaining to the sin offerings:

    • Aaron completes the two atonements via the blood of the sin offerings for himself and his house (a bullock), and then for the congregation of the children of Israel in the Most Holy Room (blood of a goat; Lev. 16:5-6, 11-12)
      • Aaron offers the blood of the sin offering for himself and his house in the Most Holy Room
        • What do the coals and incense of the bullock represent that were between Aaron and God? (16:11-12)
        • The incense would be the prayer of the saints, right? (Rev 8:3)
        • I expected this verse to say “ashes”, as in the purification rituals; but, since it is coals, the only verses I see related to atonement with coals is Isaiah 6:6-7.

    =========

    We know the incense in Revelation represents the prayers of the saints because the angel told John they did.  That was the daily incense Aaron offered on the gold alter before the veil in the tabernacle.  This incense may be different.  We would have to have another revelation to know if it, too, represents the prayers of saints.

    =========

      • Then, Aaron offers blood for atonement of the sins for the congregation of the house of Israel with a goat
        • The goat is slaughtered after the bullock, and there’s no ashes/incense requirement described in this offering on the mercy seat.

    =========

    No ashes/incense was mentioned in that part of the text, but God did tell Moses that Aaron was to do with the goat’s blood “just as he did with the blood of the bullock.”  So, I think it is safe to assume the same process was followed.

    =========

    • If Aaron represents Jesus as our High Priest and Jesus made atonement for sins with the first sacrifice for himself and his house: 
      • What part of his kingdom is Jesus making atonement for specifically with each of these offerings? 
        • Is the first one for the new covenant saints and the second one for the old covenant saints (or is the the first one is for the Gentiles and the second one is for the Jews?)

    =========

    First, let me point out that although Jesus was without sin, that truth does not mean he had no need to offer blood for himself as well as his “house”.  As I show in God Had a Son before Mary Did, (Going to Jesus.com – God Had A Son Before Mary Did) the Son of God felt acutely the sinfulness of the flesh he had taken on.

    Secondly, Aaron had to sprinkle that blood for his house because he was going to die, and someone from his house would have to succeed him as high priest.  Jesus will never die, so in that case, the blood was offered before God entirely for himself.

    And lastly, “the people” would refer to everyone who belongs or has ever belonged to God’s people, whether in the Old Testament, or before it, like Melchizedek, or now, in this eternal covenant.

    =========

    Perhaps I have dug a hole that I need to jump out of immediately, or I’m completely misunderstanding the shadowing context here, please let me know!

    Thanks,

    Wendy

    =========

    Those are very good questions, Wendy.  Thank you for them.  Keep reading and thinking about the Scriptures; it is well worth the time and effort.  As God said through Isaiah (45:19), “I have not said in vain to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek me!’”  And through Jeremiah (33:3): “Call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will show you great, inaccessible things that you do not know.”  And, of course, Jesus (Mt. 7:7): “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.”

    Pastor John

     

  • Being still and being filled

    Good morning Pastor John,

    Happy New Year!

    I loved last Sunday’s meeting.  I was trying to get my mind to be still while walking my dog this morning.  As I was thinking, “I want my mind still so I can hear from the Holy Ghost,” a thought came to me:  “Why do you watch the same sermon over and over again?”  I thought, “It is because my memory is not what it used to be and I want to remember it.”  Then the thought came to me, “It is to get it into your heart.  Your heart is not that little thing in your chest; it is much bigger.”

    There are chambers inside of chambers where people hide pain, sin, and many other things.  Good things as well.  It makes up who we are.  So, if it is in our heart, we do not have to remember it because it has become us.  Bad things we have hidden in our heart, even things we do not remember, influence our decisions.  When you find yourself asking, “Why did I do that?  I don’t want to act like that,” it is because there is something in your heart that is quietly influencing your actions, and maybe you do not know what it is.

    So, God’s Spirit in me is having me fill all of those empty chambers that the bad was removed from and filling them with messages to love and live by.  And if I keep piling good things full of light in my heart there will be no place for the darkness and it will flee!  

    I wanted to share this before I get lost in the day and forget.

    Thank you so much for all the good food you feed us!

    Mark W.

     

     

     

  • Fixing us, not the world

    Morning Pastor John,

    I have been watching the meeting over again today, and it touched me so much.

    As I watched Johnny become overcome with feeling Jesus and being more than himself, I could feel the pull from heaven. I felt the verse:

    “Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterspouts; all Your waves and billows have swept over me.” – Ps. 42:7

    I listened to Jammie tell of Jesus laying stillness across her, and how when Jesus is there, you remember all he has done for you.  I listened to you tell of how, when Jesus gives you something and you digest it, it becomes you.  Truth upon truth, we are made more and more like Jesus.  Line upon line, truth upon truth.  That sings to my heart.

    Recently, in a quiet moment with Jesus, I was pleading for Him to fix some things.  I was telling Jesus, “If only you would fix this, it would be better. I could be happy.”  As I listed the things I wanted Him to fix, the Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “Then what?”  

    The interruption and the response startled me, but in a moment I understood what Jesus was saying to me: If I fix all those things, what will be the next thing that keeps you from being happy?  I want you to be happy in any condition.”

    That word happy didn’t mean what I had always known happy to mean.  It meant steady.  It meant peace.  It meant satisfied.  It meant looking up.

    I wish I had words to express what I felt inside. Jesus is not trying to fix the condition of the world around me — Jesus is fixing me.  Jesus is making me something other than myself. That stills my soul.

    Beth D.

    =========

    That’s so good, Beth!  Walking in the Spirit of Christ, the conditions around us do not determine the conditions within us.  Learning that wonderful lesson is what it means to grow in Christ and become established.

    Jesus did not suffer to fix the world; it will always be evil.  He suffered to fix us, and he will if we are willing.

    Thank you for that wonderful testimony.

    Pastor John

     

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