Month: August 2008

Hurricane Prayer

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

I don’t believe that I have ever asked for people to join me in prayer for such a need.  I believe we failed three years ago.  We failed to pray as the storm was approaching, and failed to pray as needs were or were not seen and established.

We must pray for our Lord and God to either change the path of the storm into a less populated area, and where there will be less property damage, or for Him to cause the storm to dissapate.  I know many of the people are leaving as the fear of the past seems to be coming back at them.

Let’s pray for God’s will for the city of New Orleans, and other coastal towns and cities, and the people who are in the path of Gustave.  Our God is a good, gracious, and loving God.  Let’s pray, and may the path of our prayers into the throne room of God cause the storm of fear to cease first of all, then the winds, rains, and damages of the storm Gustave be limited by God’s own hand.

Father be glorified in the storm and the storms that will come.  Glorify Your Son Jesus through the prayers of Your people.  Amen.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Please Join Me In Prayer

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Only God can turn the storm off, or turn it in a new direction…

I don’t believe that I have ever asked for people to join me in prayer for such a need. I believe we failed three years ago. We failed to pray as the storm was approaching, and failed to pray as needs were or were not seen and established.

We must pray for our Lord and God to either change the path of the storm into a less populated area, sparing human life, and where there will be less property damage, or for Him to cause the storm to dissapate. I know many of the people are leaving as the fear of the past seems to be coming back at them.

Let’s pray for God’s will for the city of New Orleans, and other coastal towns and cities, and the people who are in the path of Gustave. Our God is a good, gracious, and loving God. Let’s pray, and may the path of our prayers into the throne room of God cause the storm of fear to cease first of all, then the winds, rains, and damages of the storm Gustave be limited by God’s own hand.

Father be glorified in the storm and the storms that will come. Glorify Your Son Jesus through the prayers of Your people. Amen.

Will you join me in the next few crucial hours of this approaching storm. With the voices of the redeemed pleading God’s mercy, His will be done, God can turn it off, or redirect its path.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Liberal and Conservative

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Here is a little more humor.  I need it once in awhile, and I know you do too.

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below.

She shouted to him, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.”

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, “You’re in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.

She rolled her eyes and said, “You must be a Conservative.” “I am,” replied the man. “How did you know?” “Well,” answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I’m still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help to me.” The man smiled and responded, “You must be a Liberal.”
“I am,” replied the balloonist. “How did you know?”

“Well,” said the man, “you don’t know where you are or where you’re going. You’ve risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You’re in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now somehow, it’s all my fault.”

Have a great and godly weekend.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Preserved Through the Fire

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” –1 Peter 1:3-5

There is certainly assurance in these words of God’s ability to keep us for Himself and His own glory. That assurance has been called “Blessed assurance”. It truly is a blessed assurance when you know that Jesus died for your sins, that He was buried – carrying all our sins away; and that He arose from death. Not only was sin conquered, and carried away, but it was defeated. It can no longer condemn the redeemed.

By the mercy of God He has given us a new birth, and that birth is by a heavenly see. His mercy is an abundant mercy which is based on His everlasting love. The love of Jesus Christ is seen for us, in that he allowed vile, evil and wicked men to beat, whip, mutilate, and nail Him to a wooden cross for our sins. It is by grace through faith in Jesus that we are “Born again” to spiritual renewal and life.

It is a “Lively hope” or ‘living hope’ given by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I was once asked the question, “If Jesus’ life was a gift given on the cross for death; how can that continue to be a gift if He rose bodily from the grave?” My answer to that is – He gave His life as an atonement for sin; He died and in His death He took sin with Him; in rising again, bodily, from the grave He shows that sin is done (sin’s bondage, condemnation, death is done), but life continues through Him. I do not know it that is clear enough, and it most likely involves much, much more; but I think that gives us a good message. Without the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave there is absolutely no hope for anyone – as Paul the apostle said, “We are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19). It is because of Jesus’s resurrection that we are assured of eternal life; and eternal life begins with faith in His finished work – by His grace.

This resurrection life in Christ has an eternal inheritance. The inheritance is massive. It is this – what ever Jesus has is ours. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” Romans 8:16-17 (KJV). You will notice that in these verses of Romans that we inherit His suffering and that is the only thing mentioned with the exception of, “Also glorified together”. Suffering with Him and His glory are very closely related.

We often think of “Inheritance” as great wealth, riches, comfort, etc., but that is not the case when it comes to Jesus. The so called “Word of Faith” people would have us believe we are to inherit it all right here and almost right now. The Word of God tells us suffering is part of our inheritance, then glorification with Him. The inheritance we have in Jesus is “incorruptible” meaning that it will not rust, rot, mildew, or decay; and it is forever. We are also told that it is “undefiled” – it is clean, holy, pure – nothing can defile it. Also it “fadeth not away” – this inheritance is never wasted, spent up, or bankrupt. It is reserved in heaven for all who belong to Jesus. It is reserved in your name, by God, and that makes it the most sure thing you or I have going for us. It is more sure than your next breath of air.

Those who follow Jesus are “kept by the power of God” for the salvation we have to be revealed in that latter day. By the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit we are moving closer to the completion of our/His salvation. That work of His on the cross is complete, there can no more be done for our atonement, but the sanctifying of the Spirit is at work, right now, fitting us for His Kingdom, and His presence. Even when we sin and our fellowship with Him is broken He still holds on to us, and by His Spirit and His Word He moves us back into His will. By the sanctifying work and the power of the Spirit of God we are PRESERVED THORUGH THE FIRE.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Rebellion’s Consequences

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The prophet hears and knows that judgment is coming. His heart is for his people, for God’s people. One of the sad things about God’s judgment that many find unjust is that the “innocent” suffer the consequences along with the “guilty”. Think of the flood of Noah’s day; there were babies who had never sinned, though they were born sinners, like all of us; yet these died in the flood. Another point is the faith of Caleb and Joshua when they had viewed the Promised Land their faith said, “God is able. Let’s take the land”. The unbelieving said, “There are giants in the land” and the majority ruled. Then Caleb and Joshua suffered the punishment along with the unbelieving. They too wandered in the wilderness for forty years.

One of the things you and I can learn from that is; our sins do not just hurt us, they affect others too.

Jeremiah writes:

O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you? For a voice declares from Dan and proclaims affliction from Mount Ephraim: ‘Make mention to the nations, Yes, proclaim against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country and raise their voice against the cities of Judah. Like keepers of a field they are against her all around. Because she has been rebellious against Me,’ says the LORD. ‘Your ways and your doings have procured these things for you. This is your wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reaches your heart.’ Jeremiah 4:15-18 (NKJV)

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21), and it was obvious to the prophet Jeremiah, that the heart of the people of the Southern kingdom of Judah was in the same condition as that of the Northern kingdom when the armies of king Nebuchadnezzar came swooping down with the speed of the leopard upon them, carrying them away captive. This is what the prophet saw happening to Judah as well.

We must know that a divided heart is a sinful, rebellious, self-absorbed, godless heart. The lips which proclaim a faith in God while giving allegiance to things; material gain, family, government dependence, self dependence, etc.; is a full hypocrite, pretentious, and gives no allegiance to God, who alone deserves our undivided faith, and allegiance. There will be occasions when the genuine believer will doubt, fear, and not believe; however they do not dwell there for long. The heart of the genuine believer will come back to the place of faith, return to the Lord and glorify His name, glory and grace.

The voice coming from Dan and from Ephraim are the events which has happened to them concerning their judgment. They have been conquered because their evil hearts. Jerusalem and all of Judah cannot continue to live in sin and rebellion against God, thinking we have the temple, it is God’s temple, He won’t allow anything happen to His temple. Such arrogance and pride is doomed to fall. Thinking; “I am a child of God, therefore God will not cause the judgment that falls on the immoral unbeliever, to fall on me” is a dreadfully deceptive notion.

Hear the voices that come from others. The Christians who are imprisoned because of their crimes against another, they are paying for their sins. Christians who have disease because of a sinful lifestyle they once lived; which could have been prior to or following salvation. There are consequences to sin; for the Christian and the non-Christian.

Because of rebellion and a continued refusal to repent these judgments are coming on the children of God. The wickedness of the heart is known by the All-Knowing God. He will not hold guiltless those who are guilty. The sin of the guilty will also fall on the guiltless and the innocent.

Why is it that there are some people who think, “Well, it is my sin, my action, I will take responsibility for it,” by going ahead and doing it, and say, “It won’t hurt anyone but me”. My how deceived we can become when we get into sinful living. Our sins affect everyone around us. Even the “innocent” pay for our sins.

The sin of the heart is a bitter thing. The heart is where we gain the capacity of love, mercy and grace. It is the place we hold those things and people who are dear to us. The heart given to God holds Him dearest, closest, and trust solely in Him for life, living and eternity. The heart given to God loves all that is godly and good. Loves all there is to know about God, His Son Jesus Christ. If you do not know His Son and love Him; you do not know God and/or love Him (John 5:22-23; 8:42).

How is your heart today? Is there any pretension or hypocrisy which is directing your heart away from God? Is there desire in your heart turning you away from God, redirecting the main focus to something, someone other than God and His Son? Jesus also said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). When your heart is full of evil thoughts, and imaginations it will be speaking and doing and thinking those evil deeds. When your heart is full of God will you not be speaking the things of God? Most certainly.

Fill your heart with God, and God will come out in your speech and your life. Even when you end up in the judgment of God due to the sins of others, you will still grow in faith, love and knowledge and wisdom.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Curtain Rods

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You may have already read this or heard it somewhere, but I thought it might be good to laugh today.

CURTAIN RODS—- PRICELESS

She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases.

 

On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.

 

On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water.

 

When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods.

 

She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days.

 

Then slowly, the house began to smell.

 

They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out.

 

Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned.

 

Air fresheners were hung everywhere.

 

Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked

 

People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house.

 

The maid quit.

 

Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.

 

A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house.

 

Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls.

 

Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.

 

The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going.

 

He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back.

 

Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day.

 

She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.

 

A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home…….. .

 

And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the curtain rods!!!!!!

We all need a good laugh occasionally.  God bless you and have a great day in the Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

A People Being Prepared

/ Tim A. / 7 Comments

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:9-14 (KJV)

The birth pangs coming on the world are small in comparison to what is going to come. There will be an unprecedented increase in storms, earthquakes, other weather related catastrophes; unlike anything the world has ever seen. This all for the purpose of God’s redemption of His people, His nation called Israel. It is my belief that we are seeing these birth pangs this very day.

The nation of Israel is being attacked daily by cowardly terrorist who believe their only sure way to eternal blessing is by the taking of the infidel – Jews, Christians and pagans – if they cannot convert them to Islam. Jesus said, “see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” 24:6. The world over is seeing these things take place, and we should see them as God’s invitation to repent of our sins and trust His Son as our personal Lord and Savior.

We must realize that these words are being spoken to the Jewish people; particularly to the disciples at this time to make them aware that He has not come to set up His earthly kingdom just yet. That the people of Israel have a time coming for cleansing and repentance. Let me give you three things for now that let me know that this is a message for the Jew: 1) When we look at the text of Matthew we see the genealogy of a King – the King of the Jews; 2) the mention of the “Abomination of desolation” in verse 15; and 3) “Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” verse 16. These are clearly references to Jewish people.

There will be a point before the judgment proceeds with the nation of Israel where the Church will be taken out of this world. For some reason some want to call it a “Secret Rapture” or some other word such as that. There will be nothing secret about millions of people missing. That is why Jesus has cautioned us, warned us many times “I am coming again”, “No one knows the day or the hour”, “In such an hour as ye think not; the Son of Man cometh”. His coming for His bride is imminent, ie. sudden, and without further notice. What is secret about that? What worldly thief announces his coming? None. If any home owner knew a thief was coming they would be ready and prepared. We know Jesus is coming again for His bride; we need to be ready for His appearing, and for His call, “Come up here”.

On that day when millions disappear then, there is going to come a time of persecution on the nation of Israel. There will be a time of peace for about 3.5 years. Then that peace will be broken by the false peace maker, and that is when they will need to flee to the mountains.

THERE IS COMING A PERIOD OF TIME, AROUND THE WORLD, WHEN THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS, WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION (vv. 9-10). It seems that this will be a period of time after which a world ruler has come on the scene, and will establish peace with Israel, and between Israel and other nations. Anyone who refuses to accept this new world ruler, and has chosen to believe the Word of God, the exclusivity of faith in Jesus Christ alone, and refuses the work and ministry of this world ruler will be the one’s who suffer.

We know according to the Revelation that there will be 144,000 Jewish men (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5) who will become believers in Jesus Christ, carry the message of Christ to the world, and will be hated and despised. These will probably be called and set apart very near the beginning of the rule of the world leader.

Right now in our day when we speak of persecution we think of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, parts of Africa, and other parts of the world. This day that is coming will mean that believer around the world are going to be hated, despised. There will also be many who once professed faith in Jesus Christ who will turn away from the faith, and turn on their family and friends, exposing their faith to the authorities who will have them killed. Those “departing from the faith” will really, only be showing that they never really knew Jesus; nor has He known them – in His own words, “I never knew you”. John the apostle said, “They went out from us because they were not of us” (1 John 2:19).

The Christians in the USA can yell and protest when we feel we are being treated wrongly. For years now there has been a powerful influence from Christian groups who espouse moral beliefs and convictions, and relied upon politics and political machines and machinery to accomplish their purposes. I sometimes refer to this as “the woman riding the beast” (Revelation 17:1-5), which refers to a religious influence with seeming control over a political government. Our trust must be in Christ alone. No political machine; whether it be Republican, Democrat, Independent, Constitutional is the answer to the ills of the USA government; or of the governments of the world. What that will get us is a One World Ruler, the Bible has called Antichrist. This leader hates Christ, and His followers, and he will be filled with the devil, seeking to destroy the very work of God; and seek to take the place of God. He will seek to destroy the 144,000 as well as all who convert and believe in Christ. As a matter of fact it appears that all 144,000 will be martyrs for the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:1-5).

Those who depart from their professed faith will turn on their mothers and fathers who have believed, and report them to authorities of the world ruler. The “Offended” ones of whom Jesus speaks are those who because of the persecution, and maybe the popularity of the world ruler, and his chrisma will turn from their “faith”, and follow the lie. They are more intrigued by antichrist and his seeming power, than they are Christ and His real power. This can take us back to the parable of the sower which Jesus teaches in Matthew 13. There are two types of soil presented which does seem to receive the seed, but then one is burned up from heat or persecution from the sun, so bears no fruit. The second soil which receives the seed is thorny, brushy, weedy, thus is choked out because it gets no light from the sun, showing a heart that is caught up in the worldliness of wealth, power, prestige, politics, popularity, and even technology. This bears no fruit for the glory of Jesus either, thus does not know Him.

DURING THE TIME THAT IS COMING, THERE WILL BE FALSE PROPHETS OF UNPRECEDENTED PROPORTIONS (v. 11). These false prophets will tell the world to believe the world ruler. Trust him. He knows the way through our wars, tribulation and trials. Just trust him. Jesus has warned us just a few verses previous to “Take heed that no one deceive you”, and that “All these are the beginning of sorrows”.

That time will be a time of great deception. Paul the apostle writing to the Church of Thessolonica writes, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (KJV). There will not be one word of truth spoken about, truth of, or truth spoken by this individual and/or his government, yet he will be given the power and ability to deceive multitudes of people and nations with their leaders.

There are multitudes of people of our day who will flock to an individual leader because he/she may have a very influential personality, charismatic, powerful speaker, or good looks, and yet speaks whatever people want to hear. Because of the image he presents many will be moved to him, despite the contradictory words he speaks in different cultures and societies. That can be clearly seen in the USA’s political arena right now for the elections of 2008, concerning one very popular, young, and fast moving candidate for President of the United States. He has came into the political scene with a vigilance unlike any I have ever seen. I am just saying that this candidate is a good example of what is coming.

The false prophets will point to this coming one wold leader as the epitome of goodness, righteousness, and the answer to all the world’s problems. They will endeavor to make him appear as though he were Jesus Christ Himself, or a likeness of Him. Anti-christ does not just mean “against Christ” it can mean, “In place of Christ” or “Instead of Christ”. Because God has sent a “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie”, then these will be able to easily convince the deluded.

Why would God allow or send a “strong delusion”? The answer is given – “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” The people having seen the power and heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, rejected Christ, and chose their own way, their own destiny; therefore God sends them the “strong delusion” and they cannot then believe. They will continue in their state of condemnation. By their own choice.

THOUGH LAWLESSNESS SHALL ABOUND THE FAITHFUL WILL ENDURE TO THE END (vv. 12-13). The Spirit of God has always been at work in the world, but not as He has been working since the departure of Jesus in the clouds (Acts 1:9-11). Jesus had promised that He would send the Comforter (John 14:16; 16:5-16) when He returned to the Father. We read in the Old Testament of the Holy Spirit coming on certain individuals, however, the Spirit of God doesn’t seem to abide with them, or continue with them, it is for occasional needs that arise. The Spirit came on Saul who had just been chosen as the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 10:9-12), and it is seen in Samson one of the judges of Israel (Judges 14:5-6), and there are other Biblical examples of the appearances of the Spirit of God upon His chosen people. The Spirit of God came on these individuals as the need arose, and to put away evil from Israel.

There has been evil in this world since the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the garden. The Spirit of God has kept that evil in check, though not violating the will of man. We can see the power of God throughout the Old Testament in the flood, in the call of Abraham and Sarah, the bondage of Joseph to Egypt, and eventually the bondage of Israel in Egypt as slaves. We definitely see God’s delivering power as the Pharoah is confronted to let God’s people go, and by his will he refuses, thus opening a floodgate of judgment upon Egypt; until finally after the death of his son Pharoah breaks, lets the children of Israel go, only to then change his mind, sending his army after them to kill them or bring them back; and the army of Egypt perishes in the Red Sea.

There has been lawlessness, evil, and sin since the fall, and it has always been kept to a minimum by the work of the Spirit of God. That may be hard for some to see and understand, however, when we realize that human beings are totally depraved – not meaning that we are as sinful as we could be, but that if we were left to ourselves, without God, we grow increasingly worse in wickedness – we might get better understanding of the hindering of evil by the work of the Spirit of God. It is almost horrifying to think what the world would be like without God’s intervention in human affairs. Those who want that will one day see what the world will be like without God. Atheists cry for a world without God, evidently thinking the world would be a better place, without Him. Thinking mankind is getting better, progressing in knowledge [science], technology, and medicine the non-theist mind believes that mankind can solve his own ills and problems and have peace on earth. But first, in the thinking of the non-theist, there must be no God.

During the time for which Jesus is speaking of there will be such lawlessness as has never been seen before. We think that things are bad now with men killing their wives, wives killing their husbands, mothers and fathers killing their children, children killing their parents, parents and step-parents raping, molesting and killing their children; yet, with all of this the Spirit of God reigns, rules and overrules for now. We are only seeing the introduction of what is to come, a prelude, a very small sample of the horror which will come on the world. Maybe using some exaggeration; that day will make this day look like the millennial reign of Christ in comparison.

As Christians before this day comes we must be ever vigilant in proclaiming the gospel message of Jesus Christ. We don’t want any of our loved ones; family, friends, or close relatives, or even those who may have made us their enemies to go through the event that is going to try those who “dwell on the earth” and be the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). We are to love the appearing of the Lord (2 Timothy 4:8). It seems that the appearing of the Lord is getting to be the farthest thing from many professing Christian’s hearts and minds. We want to see Jesus, and to see Him face to face.

There will be a multitude who will believe in Jesus Christ after the disappearance of the Church. It will probably be the largest number of people believing in such a short period of time, that has ever happened in the history of salvation. This time will not be peaceful for those who believe. Their live’s will be in constant jeopardy; any property they own will probably be lost – taken by the hater of Christ; and any business(es) owned by believers will be confiscated and given to the estate of the Christ hater. In order to live many will flee to remote areas, to the mountains and the hills, and will be trusting their lives to the hands of God. They will be unable to buy or sell, therefore groceries, and goods will be hard to come by (Revelation 13:16-17). However, no matter what comes their way, they will endure to the end. They will endure to the end of their lives. They will endure to the end of the tribulation. They will endure till Christ comes again.

Let me pose this thought or question for the Christians who are citizens of the USA and other free nations, of 2008: If I will not stand for Christ today when I have freedom, why should I believe I would stand and speak for Him when those freedoms are gone? If I am ashamed to speak for Him today, I will certainly be ashamed of Him when I have no freedom. In fact Jesus said, “If you are ashamed of Me I will be ashamed of you before My Father in heaven.” (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26)

The apostle Paul writes, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV).

Surely the Christian of 2008 can see that we are in perilous times for sure. We too must endure though the times be evil. Jesus is coming soon, and we need to be ready.

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE PROCLAIMED TO THE WHOLE WORLD (v.14). There are many who believe and teach that Jesus cannot come again until the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and received all over the world. There are only a few places on the earth where the gospel has not been preached. During the time of suffering, the time of tribulation, the gospel message may contain the message of the coming of Christ’s rule and reign upon the earth. It would be a means of preparing the believers for that day.

The “gospel of the kingdom” does need to be spoken today (2008), but it is not heard much from the pulpits of our churches. May God have mercy toward those pastors/preachers who neglect to tell of the glorious kingdom of Christ on earth.

Pastors and preachers are saying, “I want to preach practical messages that people can use for their everyday life. I don’t see any practicality to preaching of ‘pie in the sky by and by'”. How could anything be any more practical than getting people ready for Christ’s coming? Preacher, one day they are going to look you in the eye and say, “Why didn’t you tell us? Why didn’t you tell us that Jesus was coming again? Why didn’t you tell us we needed to be ready?”, then what will your answer be? “Well, it wasn’t practical to preach”. The truth is friend, YOU DON’T BELIEVE IT. What are you doing behind that sacred desk where you are supposed to be proclaiming the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27-28).

The message of the kingdom of Christ as continued to be proclaimed since Jesus gave the commission to go into the world. Where one has failed or fallen, God raises another to continue. God has always had a remnant of people. The message will continue right up until the end of the time of trouble that is coming on the earth, and possibly right through the Millennial reign of Christ on earth.

-Tim A. Blankenship

God’s Servant, The Branch

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

The visions of Zechariah are directed toward the future restoration of Israel following their full chastisement from the LORD.

In chapter three we have seen the priest Joshua in dirty garments. These garments are of the Aaronic priesthood of the people of Israel. They have been dirtied by their gross departure from the living God, to include the worship of manmade images which imitate created beings. They have dirtied by their participation in the cultures surrounding them. Despite this God, the LORD of hosts in all His grace provides them and all people a way to Himself.

We find in the verses of this study that God in grace does offer the privilege of the priesthood back to Israel/Judah as a people of priests, and it is not because of their greatness or great lives, but because of the wonderful grace of God.

“And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. 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. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.” Zechariah 3:5-10 (KJV)

This “mitre” or “turban” was part of the High Priest dress, and was inscribed with the words, “Holiness to the LORD (Exodus 28:36-37; 39:30-31). This turban was a symbol of the return of the priesthood to the people. Remember this is something that is yet future. It has not happened yet because Israel is still in a state of rebellion against God. When they return to Him He will then return to them their correct status with Him. In His grace He has been moving, sovereignly moving, in other nations and people; through their trials, suffering and tribulations to bring them back to Himself.

How can this happen? We see in the verse above, “And the angel of the LORD stood by”. It has been stated before that this “angel of the LORD” is quite possibly the pre-incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ. We have Him protesting, or admonishing which means, “reprove with warning”. The Word from our Lord is that they need to walk in the ways of the LORD, keep His commands, and then they shall be “judge in My house”. That point makes me think of the apostle Peter’s inspired words, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel”.

As Christians, we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), given a responsibility to others to show them the way to God. If our witness is not what will magnify the Lord Jesus, then we shame His name. Paul said, “If we would judge ourselves we would not be judged”, so let’s begin at our own house to deal with sin, our own sin. When we are given too much to our culture and society, then we have no testimony; we have no conviction; we have no fire for cleansing, and we have no power for the gospel to affect and change lives. Maybe this is what is meant too, by the words, “They are men wondered at…”. We may have people who preach against us, who seem to hate who we are and what we stand for; but they respect us when we do not behave as they behave, and show love toward them.

Upon the death of Jerry Falwell there were words spoken by men who had had battles with our brother, yet they showed respect for him in their final words for him. Because of a man who stood by his convictions and faith. Can that be said of you and I? I pray so.

“My servant the BRANCH.” This is a prophetic word for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Actually there are two prophetic words or phrases used here. The first one “My servant” comes from the prophet Isaiah. See Isaiah 42 – 53 and Ezekiel 34:23-24. This term speaks of the submissive, obedient heart of the Savior who became man. Jesus, as a man, yielded to the Father, and fulfilled the Father’s will. The BRANCH shows His rise from a poor and humble beginning to receive “All things placed under His feet” from the Father.

“The stone…” is also Messianic and speaks of the stone which was rejected becoming the headstone or cornerstone.

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” Psalms 118:22-23 (KJV)

“Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” Isaiah 8:13-15 (KJV)

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isaiah 28:16 (KJV)

“Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:35 (KJV)

“Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Daniel 2:45 (KJV)

There are several New Testament references to this as well. The stone here is seen as revered and having “seven eyes” which speaks of His Omniscience (All-Knowing), and that not one thing, even the falling of a sparrow from the sky or one of the hairs falling from our head passes His attention. He knows every deed we have done, or left undone.

The people of the Nation have a promise from God that in one day all these things will be accomplished, ie., all these promises which He has spoken and given them through His grace. It is God who says, “I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day”; not the prophet, not me; but the LORD Himself.

Has anyone seen any of this take place of this day – August 13, 2008? I don’t think so. As a matter of fact there is nothing in history which has recorded such an event for the Nation of Israel or the world. It is coming; and we can in fact rest peacefully in the knowledge that God will not let one of His words be voided by the complications of our human lives.

The hope of Israel can be found only in their Messiah Jesus Christ. The only hope for you and I, can only be found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The only hope for the world, is found only in the one the “earth dwellers” love to hate, and His name is Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Think Of Isaiah’s Thoughts

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Prophet’s Possible Perspective

Being a member of a noble family I sometimes become frustrated by having other people waiting on me and doing things, which I know I could do. Nevertheless, I have a good life, really it is too good. I am truly blessed

As I was walking by one of our fields yesterday, I noticed a familiar site. One I had seen many times before; one of our servants walking behind an ox, prodding him with a goad, guiding his direction, and that ox did exactly what this man directed him to do. If the man tapped the ox on the left side of the neck the ox turned right. If the man tapped him on the right side he turned left. When the ox was tapped on the rump he would increase his speed. The ox gave no sign of hesitating to any tap of the goad.

This became of great interest in my heart. God, holy God; began speaking to me through this ox working in the field. If the ox does not hesitate to obey its master and turns wherever he is directed, then why does God’s people not obey Him? This was the question which came to my mind.

As I was going back to the house I went by the stables, and I noticed a donkey which had just been brought back from carrying a heavy load of trade goods. This donkey just went right to the trough, knowing that his owner had put feed there for him. Once again the Spirit of God showed me how rebellious the people of God had become.

O, how terrible, that the people of God forget the merciful, providential, gracious, loving, hand of God. They go on their way, but do not consider. It is as if, they do not even know God.

“The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib: but Israel does not know, my people does not consider” (Isaiah 1:3).

O, that the people of God would only “Consider” these matters.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Isaiah’s Prayer of Woe

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From previous chapters we see that Isaiah had seen the sin of the people of Israel. It was a time of trial for the nation; the king Uzziah was dead, and he had been a godly leader for the most part.

Because of the death of Uzziah; Isaiah was evidently mourning the death of the king, and he was greatly troubled by the death. It becomes apparent, though, that Isaiah had not seen the Lord of glory. Now things are about to change. Isaiah is about to change. When you see the Lord, exalted, on His throne and that He is holy, holy, holy you too will change for His glory.

When Isaiah saw these angelic beings it seems logical that he fell on his face, and cried these words, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (6:5). When someone sees Jesus for the first time as the suffering Savior dying on the cross for their sins, their heart cries, ‘Woe is me! I am undone…”. “Undone” simply means sinful, without hope of one’s self. God is holy, holy, holy, and you and I are unholy; yet God seeks to reconcile us to Himself. He could only do this through the death of His righteous, sinless Son.

When you become right with God your desire will be to go for His glory. God asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Isaiah’s answer was, “Here am I; send me”. that is the answer of a truly grateful heart. That is the answer for the saved, changed, made new heart.

God tells Isaiah, that no one will hear, no one will obey. Isaiah’s answered by asking, “How long do I keep preaching?” God’s answer was, “Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate…” (6:11ff.).

Loving this thrice holy God is a call to faithfulness, not recruiting of numbers. God will give the people. You and I are to keep praying, going, and being faithful.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Stem Cell Research – Changing???

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Here is an interesting article from FAITH AND FAMILY VALUES:

LIFE DIGEST: Researchers moving to reprogrammed cells from embryonic ones

By Tom Strode – Aug 19, 2008

Prominent scientists previously committed to stem cell research that destroys human embryos apparently are shifting their allegiance to reprogrammed stem cells that do no harm.

Harvard Stem Cell Institute’s George Daley, a former president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, is talking up reprogrammed, or induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), the online newsletter BioEdge reported Aug. 14. Only three years ago, Daley testified before a U.S. Senate committee that reprogramming was “extremely high-risk” and cloning for destructive embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) was preferred, according to BioEdge.

Daley and fellow researchers have used reprogrammed stem cells to produce cell lines for 10 diseases, including muscular dystrophy, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Down syndrome, according to a report in the journal Cell, Bio Edge reported.

“We wanted to produce a large number of disease models for ourselves, our collaborators and the stem cell research community to accelerate research,” Daley said. “The original embryonic stem cell lines are generic, and allow you to ask only basic questions. But these new lines are valuable tools for attacking the root causes of disease. Our work is just the beginning for studying thousands of diseases in a Petri dish.”

As a result, Daley and other scientists have progressed further using reprogrammed cells “in six months than he had in years toiling over embryonic stem cells,” BioEdge observed.

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) appears to be moving toward IPS cell research as well, according to BioEdge. In an Aug. 13 news release, CIRM described itself as “the largest source of funding for embryonic and pluripotent stem cell research in the world” after long calling itself a funding source only for ESCR, according to the newsletter.

“It appears that the CIRM’s love affair with slow, inefficient, expensive, ethically fraught and legally complex human embryonic stem cells may be drawing to a close,” BioEdge commented.

Bioethics specialist Wesley Smith wrote of the developments on his weblog, “It may not yet be a full fledged exodus, but it would appear that the tide has changed dramatically.

“If this continues, and it becomes clear that the tide is irreversibly flowing toward IPSCs, the political ability to create an international ban on human cloning with the catcalls of CURES! CURES! CURES! to distract leaders from doing the right thing will increase. We may actually be able to throttle human cloning before it gets too far out of the test tube.”

Reprogrammed cells, or IPSCs, gained worldwide attention in November when research teams in Japan and Wisconsin reported they converted normal human skin cells into stem cells that were, in effect, embryonic in nature.

Embryonic stem cells are considered “pluripotent,” meaning they can develop into all of the different cell types in the body. Adult stem cells, also referred to as non-embryonic stem cells, typically have been regarded as “multipotent,” meaning they can form many, though not all, of the body’s cell types. The 2007 study results showed adult cells can become “pluripotent.”

The stunning reports were issued only days after cloning pioneer Ian Wilmut startled the scientific world by announcing he had abandoned research, or therapeutic, cloning in favor of the reprogramming method.

Stem cells are the body’s master cells that can develop into other cells and tissues, giving hope for the development of cures for a variety of diseases and other ailments.

BioEdge says its seeks to promote ethics and compassion in medicine.

You can find this article and more at this link.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Slavery In Two Thousand Eight

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There is not much said about it.  Maybe it is because we don’t believe that it is going on around us.  Maybe it is because we can’t believe that there are people who would do that to other people.  Maybe we don’t care enough.

With Abraham Lincoln’s signing, slavery was supposed to be ended nearly 150 years ago here in the United States of America.  Yet, it goes on.  Some may wonder what I am talking about.  There are hundreds of thousands of men, women, boys and girls throughout the world who are bought and sold, and often through kidnapping for the purpose of slavery, or as it is called now “Human Trafficking” not as informed on this topic as I should be, however it makes my blood boil to think that right here in the “land of the free” that there are women and children who are in bondage as sex slaves.  Some of these are foreigners who came here with a promise of great reward, but find themselves, “Paying off a debt”.

The problem of slavery is worldwide.  Some are slaves for farm labor in some nations.  There are some who are enslaved to work in factories, and also as slaves to the pimps of prostitution; who have absolutely no care except to fill their own pockets with all they can.  It is quite possible; at least in my mind; that many kidnap victims who have not been found, and some of those missing were probably taken and sold for auction in or to another country, or hidden away in this one as who knows what. 

To be very honest with you I don’t even feel right asking God to be merciful to the guilty human slavers who would hold another human being as a slave.  I do pray, however, that God will be merciful and open their eyes that they may find Christ Jesus,  that God will also be merciful to their captives.

It is true that there is nothing in the Bible which forbids slavery, but there is everything in  it that shows that we are to treat our fellow man with love and respect.  When you have a chance read the short Letter of Philemon.  Written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon concerning his  runaway servant Onesimus.  You will find it interesting and encouraging.

The Justice Department of the USA does not want to pass too strong a law to where they will need to jail those women who are prostitutes earning a living.  It is sad that many are looking at these women as earning an honest wage.  It is their means.  What has gone wrong with America?  By the way, prostitution is not the oldest profession in the world.  It is not a profession as in the sense of Medicine, Law, Farming, Business, Technology, Science, etc..  It is a possession; and maybe an obsession.  It should be illegal in every State of our Nation, and in the world.  The men and women who indulge in the abhorrent behavior, should be taught a new way of life and living.

Christian, we need to pray and fight slavery wherever we see it; wherever we find it.  Every Christian was at one time a slave to sin; but thank the Lord Jesus Christ we have been set free, and that freedom is available to all who will believe.  Let us keep our eyes and ears open to the children and adults we converse with, work with, shop around, and hear what is going on in this world that is so quickly perishing.  Let us not be so quick assume that all is well with everyone.  It is not.  Let us not fear getting involved where we see a need.

To be honest with you I am not sure what we could do if we saw a real case of slavery, except to report it to the officials of law.  Let us be ever vigilant to pray for wisdom, and the guidance of the Spirit of God.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Beginning of Sorrows

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In looking at the Olivet Discourse we see that the disciples are still without understanding concerning the death, burial and resurrection; and they are still looking for Him to set up an earthly kingdom at that present time. The thought of the temple being destroyed was beyond their thinking and curious minds. The temple; to the people of Israel represented a security, and the presence of God.

As I study this portion of Scripture a question comes to my mind. What of the ark of the covenant? Historians have told us that the ark of the covenant was hidden by Jeremiah in Egypt, or other such stories. In Jerusalem, in the time of Jesus, however, there is a temple, and there is a Holy of Holies within the temple. There is a “veil” which was torn during the crucifixion of Jesus (27:51). The ark of the covenant always represented the presence, power and glory of God. During the time of Jesus was the ark of the covenant behind the veil that was torn from the top to the bottom? Does it matter?

For the temple to be destroyed would be catastrophic for the Jewish people. In the hearts of most of the leaders of Israel, the presence, power, and glory of God seemed to be of little significance; after all, they had their temple, their sacrifices, feast days, Sabbaths, and special days.

“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:1-8 (KJV)

In verse one as we saw in the last study/message Jesus departs from the temple. Again, this is Matthew’s last mention of Jesus in the temple, and now he has Him departing from it. Even if the ark of the covenant is present behind the veil, the real glory of God has left. The ark of the covenant was only a shadow of the Lord Christ. Made of wood, representing man. Covered in gold representing the purity and deity of God; and within was the law of God – the Ten Commandments – given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, Aaron’s rod that blossomed (Numbers 17:10), and a sample of the manna (Exodus 16:33). Many probably do not, nor will they want to see it; but this event of Jesus departing the temple is a very sad event; but one which speaks loudly of a coming judgment upon those who rejected Him.

Without God in the temple it was being left desolate (23:28), just as Jesus had said. Being left desolate the temple, then, would become subject to defilement, desecration, and destruction. Always evidence of God’s displeasure and departure.

In A.D. 70 the destruction of the temple was fulfilled. There was not one stone left upon another. These gleaming white marble stones were cut with precision, where each one fit perfectly as the building was being erected. The largest stone which was cut out measured 40 feet in length, by 12 feet wide, by 12 feet high, and weighed up to 100 tons. The East side of the temple was plated with gold, and as the morning sun rose it could be seen from many miles away. The temple had been forty years in the building and it was not completed at the time it was destroyed.

To see these massive stones, and hear the words of Jesus, it would be hard to imagine that that temple could be destroyed, and not one stone be left upon another. However when the temple fell, almost forty years later, it was just as Jesus said. Not one stone was left upon another.

A Study Bible note says,

“24:2. not one stone shall be left here. These words were literally fulfilled in A.D. 70. Titus, the Roman general, built lare wooden scaffords around the walls of the temple buildings, piled them high with wood and other flammable items, and set them ablaze. The heat from the fires was so intense that the stones crumbled. The rubble was then sifted to retrieve the melted gold, and the remaining ruins were ‘thrown down’ into the Kidron Valley. See notes on 22:7; Luke 19:43.” THE MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE, NKJV, p. 1438.

It goes to show, when God says something is going to happen; it will happen; and just as He has said.

We are all somewhat curious about the future. We have that curiosity and the only way we know the future, or at least a part of it is by God’s revelation. The disciples were curious, and so asked Jesus, “When will these things be?”, and this was after they were the one’s showing Jesus the temple (v. 2); probably because they were in awe of its beauty and size. I am somewhat amazed by the architecture of the old European variety. There is an old church building in France which was started in its construction in 1100 A.D., and was completed around 1500. It is a massive piece of art, and craftsmanship. It still stands today, but for how much longer only God really knows. It is much greater to be in awe of the One who has shaped and formed and built all things from nothing.

The disciples asked Jesus three questions. Question 1: “When shall these things be?”; Question 2: “What shall be the sign of thy coming?”; and Question 3: “…of the end of the world?” When the disciples, awed by the glory of the building, saw that Jesus was not; they asked Him, “When shall these things be?” With psychics giving people false hope for the future just to gain a few dollars, people still reading their horoscopes, and some flocking to seminars where they can learn how to build their own future by building on themselves; we need a clear word from God on the matter of what the future holds. As has been said, “I don’t know what the future holds; but I know who holds the future.” We can trust and know; when we know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior; that anything that is in our future is in the hands of the Almighty God, our Creator.

The only reason people go to psychics, palm readers, fortune tellers, necromancers (People who claim to communicate with the dead), and witches is to keep control of their lives themselves. I am forever grateful that the power of the control of my future is not in my hands, but the hands of my heavenly Father. Now, don’t misunderstand me. That does not mean that I can sit down and do nothing. As a responsible man, and Christian man; I still must be vigilant to tend to my regular business affairs, spiritual life, and see that my family grows in the Lord as well. I must be a responsible steward of all that God has blessed me with, and God help me, and forgive me where I haven’t been. God will reveal as much of the future that I need to know, as He wants me to know. He most likely will not tell me when I will die; when my wife, or my children will die; or the death of anyone else for that matter. He can, and He has before with others, but there is nothing that tells us He must do so.

The disciples equate the destruction of the temple with the end of the world [age]. A question we might ask is “Why would God destroy the Temple?” It was the center of worship for the Jews. To the Jew, it was the place where God dwelt. The place where they could meet God, and for some they thought to contain Him only in the temple for themselves, leaving them free to live as they pleased.

Why would God destroy the temple? To save Israel. God will destroy buildings, houses, lands, livestock, even lives to save a soul. Jesus did not tell His disciples when the temple would be destroyed. The destruction spoken of here would take place some years in the near future; it was; and there will be another one built, sometime yet in our future. Instead of telling the disciples “When” these things would come to pass, Jesus mentioned to them some signs of things which would happen before the return of the Lord.

Then in verse four Jesus begins answering the questions when He says, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” With the world experiencing the many forms of catastrophe which we all have seen it is no wonder there are those proposing things which are really “Get rich quick” schemes and scams. Even worse though are the spiritual charlatans who propose the many ways to God; than any way is good as long as you believe. Some give you a promise: “When you send in your offerings to me, then, God will multiply for you, your offering a hundred fold”. None of these false prophets warn of sin, death, and judgment; and certainly none of them call for repentance, and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. There are many in the world out to deceive and to get what they want from anyone who will follow them.

Jesus’s words are, “Take heed that no man deceive you”. In this world there is only one hope and His name is Jesus Christ Son of the Living God; who died on the cross for the sins of the world, was buried carrying our sins away, and rose again as evidence that He is the God incarnate who created all that there is.

There are even some of them who say they are christs, and there are some who will tell you they have the christ spirit or something like that, but what they teach and say is contrary to the true Christ – there is only one – and His name is Jesus, Son of the Living God. The teaching of these male and female charismatic speakers are indeed fascinating, even captivating, but lies meant to lead you away from the truth. Even Oprah has her own gospel now, and it may include Jesus but not the Bible Jesus who died, was buried, and rose again. For if she really believed in Him she would not be promoting other ways to God. The kind of message she and others are proclaiming are leading many souls away from the truth of Jesus Christ right into the arms of Lucifer. Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” Matthew 24:6-7 (KJV)

If we take a look around the world of 2008 we find wars going on in many nations. Oun own nation the USA is at war with two nations – Iraq and Afghanistan – and working toward another with Iran, due to Iran’s arrogance, and their hatred for Israel and the United States, and their threat that nuclear power would bring to the world. The president of Iran has vowed to destroy Israel. We need not fear that happening; it won’t; because God has promised otherwise, and we have seen His Almighty hand of deliverance before.

Jesus tells us in the verse above, “See that ye be not troubled…”. There is a war going on in our own nation. It is not a war with guns, bullets, and bombs; but a war of thoughts and ideas; a war of right versus wrong – what is right and what is wrong – even getting where wrong is considered right, and right is considered as wrong. Let me give you a for instance; in the minds of some citizens of the USA same sex marriage is a good thing for those who want to practice that perversion of a sexual relationship, and if you are silent and will support it by your silence saying on occasion, “I see nothing wrong with it”, then you are good. On the other hand if you oppose this perversion of a sexual relationship, and warn people that it is against the norm, or against God and right, then you are bad. According to a number of these same sex marriage advocates to be against their marriage or union and speak against it is “Hate speech”. That is only one instance of wrong being right, and right being wrong. There are others. You could call it a “Culture war”, but I think it better called a “Spiritual war”.

-Tim A. Blankenship

 

Tips For Dealing With Life’s Burdens

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I found this in PreachingNow weekly e-newsletter.

Accept that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue.

Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

Drive carefully. It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.

It’s the second mouse that gets the cheese.

When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

We could learn a lot from crayons–some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, and some have weird names, but they all have to live in the same box.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have a great weekend, and especially on Sunday join with brothers and sisters in your local church and worship the Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Scientist Playing God

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It seems to me that in the 1940’s there was a man who was trying to perfect a certain race. According to him there were some people who were not worthy of living and thus, he proceeded to have 11,000,000 people murdered. Some were burned alive, some were gassed, and it seems that some may have been buried alive. There are people of our race [the human race] who want to deny these events ever happened, but what planet were they born on.?

Just recently I read the story of a British woman who selected a “cancer free” embryo, and destroyed the ones remaining. Are doctors and scientist playing like they are God now? Is this not what Hitler was trying to do as well. The only difference being it is being done earlier in the stage of human life.

Let me give you an excerpt from the article I read:

“A London woman is carrying Great Britain’s first baby guaranteed not to inherit breast cancer, but she had to eliminate several of her other embryonic offspring to do so.

Doctors used preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a controversial screening method, to determine which of the 11 embryos created by means of in vitro fertilization (IVF) had the gene that would have resulted in a female child having a 50 to 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer, according to The Times of London.

Six of the embryos tested positive for the gene and were rejected. Two embryos without the gene were implanted, producing a pregnancy of 14 weeks as of June 29, and two others were frozen, The Times reported.

The 27-year-old mother, who desires to remain unnamed, and her 28-year-old husband are fertile, but they chose IVF and PGD because of the prevalence of breast cancer on one side of the family. The husband had tested positive for the gene, known as BRCA-1.

“For the past three generations, every single woman in my husband’s family has had breast cancer, as early as 27 and 29,” the mother said, according to The Times. “We felt that, if there was a possibility of eliminating this for our children, then that was a route we had to go down.’”

If you would like to read the rest of the article you may go to Cancer free Child .

I can understand people not wanting to have children with diseases, but those things are out of our hands. Life and death are in God’s hands, and until we realize that and we continue on the path of selection for our children or others, this is going to lead to a destruction of human life far beyond that of the Jewish Holocaust. It already has through the abortion of the unborn babies of America and the rest of the world. Now, in the name of science and health, there will be another. Again, let’s stop playing God, and let God give the life and take the life, when He chooses.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Value of a Farmer

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There are people living in the large cities, even adult people, who have no idea where their food, milk, ice -cream treats, vegetables, and meat come from. At least that is the way many people act. “You go to the grocery store, WalMarts, Kroger, Ramey, Giant Foods, Piggly Wiggly, or whatever and you get what you want.”

While you can go to the grocery store, which is Oh, so convenient; there are farmers “breaking their backs”, and in many cases risking their lives in order that you might have food on your table, or in front of your television. Even many of the snacks that we eat today is food that has been prepared from crops, for you to have a ready to eat snack. Doritos, Potato chips, snack cakes – being made from flour, which requires wheat, and then there is the sugar in the cookies which is from farms as well. The Sugar farmer may prefer to call his place a Sugar Plantation, but it is none-the-less still a farm.

Many of the big farms may produce much milk, grain, and fruits and vegetables, and they make a good deal of money. Don’t dare think that farming is a lucrative business. Let me give you and idea of the money that is made in farming. A farmer may bring in a cash value of 200,000 dollars per year, but by the time they pay for the fuel of the tractor, farm labor costs, feed for the cattle, fuel for their other farm vehicles; the maintenance and upkeep of all farm machinery, etc.. After all the expenses and farm costs are paid the small farmer; if he is blessed; may have 20,000 dollars per year. And that would be a fairly good year.

After they have made that kind of profit [wow!!!:)], can you believe that, then the government wants to tax more than what they actually have in spendable income?

When farmers have a bad year with a drought all our government wants to offer them is a low interest loan. When farmers in the country of Columbia want to make a deal with the United States that’s a different situation. Our farmers can just suffer, but we can’t let foreigners farming suffer. We will take their meat, their crops, and pay them a great price for it; and at the expense of our own people.

I have heard in Hollywood productions and from people who don’t know much that the oldest profession in the world is prostitution. Well that is not true. The oldest and grandest profession and vocation is farming. There were farmers long before any woman or man ever thought of selling themselves for cash.

What makes a man or a woman want to be a farmer? Some grow up on the farm and don’t know much of anything else. They decide at an early age they want to take over the family farm, or have a farm of their own. There are some who grow up and go to Agricultural Schools/Colleges/Universities to learn more about farming, the soils, trees, and vegetables. They may come back to the farm to help make it more productive, and they may not. The outdoors, fresh air, fresh turned soil, and its fragrance, sunrises and sunsets, are all things that farmers enjoy. Not to mention the planting of the seed in that freshly worked soil, watching it come up through that dirt day later, then, weeks and months later it reaches its peak, and it bears fruit. From one little seed of grain comes thousands of seeds of grain. The farmer can look at that and thank the Lord for giving the increase, and thank Him also for giving him the strength to plant and harvest the crop. Farming is one vocation that gives a person a sense of worth, and accomplishment.

The next time you go through that grocery aisle, and you pick up a head of cabbage, or broccoli, or some Apples, Peaches, Oranges, or a can or frozen bag of peas; and a gallon of milk remember there were some farmers who rose early many mornings to get that milk and cheese to you; spent many hours plowing the ground preparing it for the seeds that produced that cabbage, broccoli and other veggies. Many Orchards spend hours protecting their trees from freezing in the seasons of their blooming in order that we might have fresh fruits. When you pick them up remember where it came from. It first of all came from God who gives the increase; and it came from hard working farmers who have given their lives to feed the American citizens and the world.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Sorrow of Heart

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We have all at one time or another, and maybe more times than not experienced SORROW OF HEART. What have we experience this for? Our financial condition? Our health? The health of a friend or relative? A family problem or situation, etc.? Have we ever really experienced SORROW OF HEART for the spiritual conditon of our nation, our family, or friends? Probably not as often as we should have.
Jeremiah experienced sorrow for his people. They had drifted away from God and in some things, just flat out rejected God, His Word, His prophets, and His law. They had decided that the Law of God was a reproach to them (See chapter 6). Have you ever heard anyone say something like this, “If it taste good, looks good, smells good, sounds good or feels good; its wrong”. That is really just a snide comment against God and His Word. God spells out clearly in His Word what is right and what is wrong, and these are based on His right and wrong. There are some things which are right or wrong in their time and place. For example; God has decreed that the “Marriage bed is undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4), so the right time for the marriage act is with one’s spouse following the wedding, and it is right and good. It is wrong, however, to assume the marriage bed without the benefit of marriage – one man and one woman; that too is clearly defined by Scriptures.
The only reason the word of God could be a “reproach” is because one wants to live their life free of any boundaries. You and yours and everyone around you will be the ones your actions will affect.
Hear the words of the prophet:

“For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Jeremiah 4:22 (NKJV)

When people begin departing from the LORD after they have received the knowledge of Him, their path is always downward. They may have a great education, a great job, a marvelous house in which to live. They may have all that is necessary for living in this life, but without God, they are perishing.
The prophet is grieved by the condition of the people’s hearts. God is grieved by the condition of the people’s hearts and lives. God even says, “My people are foolish…” How can anyone who has ever truly known God depart from God, never return? They are educated but not in God. God goes on and says, “They are silly children…”. God sees those who believe and trust Him as His children, and we are; however, we are silly children when we choose to do our own thing, and get away from our Father.
The prophet Hosea said,

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1 (KJV)

The prophet Hosea continues,

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hosea 4:6 (KJV)

Is it any wonder that people turn away from the LORD when they do not care to read, study, and apply His Word to their lives? The writer of Proverbs wrote, “Where there is no vision the people perish” Proverbs 29:18, or as the NKJV records it, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.” When the Word of God grows cold in your life, so will your love for God, righteousness, and holiness.

People who refuse God, His Word, and His revelation are “wise to do evil”, should we all not rather be wise to do that which is good and godly; and that is doing all that we do for the glory of the LORD. Personal attention, or popularity, or power, and/or prestige is out of the picture when all we are seeking is the glory of the LORD.

Being wise to do good will end a whole lot of mess in relationships. Families, churches, communities, countries, and the world will be a better place when the glory of the LORD is everyone’s goal.

-Tim A. Blankenship

A Neighborly Conflict

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“And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. And Abraham said, I will swear. And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day. And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them. Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days.” Genesis 21:22-34 (KJV)

The writer of Proverbs has written, “When a man’s ways please the LORD; he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). Abimelech would probably be considered and enemy. He does not believe like Abraham. He does not live like Abraham. He does not believe in the God of Abraham, therefore would be the enemy of God. However, Abraham is a faithful witness. We have previously with Abraham and Abimelech seen Abraham act without faith, when he lied concerning Sarah, and going back to the old lie of Sarah being only his sister. In this deed Abraham sinned, and could have very easily set up an account of hateful vengeance by Abimelech, but God is sovereign and overruled in the matter.

Abimelech notices that God is with Abraham, “…in all that thou doest”; and goes to Abraham seeking to keep a treaty between them. It seems that Abimelech is knowledgable concerning the land on which he and Abraham are living. He asked Abraham to “not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son” – only three generations – and to treat those generations with the kindness that he had shown Abraham. An agreement was reached by both men, and Abraham kept the agreement as did Abimelech.

Before the agreement was reached Abraham had a complaint to bring before Abimelech’s attention. Abraham tells Abimelech, “I will swear”, then proceeds to inform Abimelech of a combative action which Abimelech has known nothing about. Some of the servants of Abimelech had “violently” taken a well which Abraham’s servants had dug. Abimelech claims to not have known about the violent actions of his servants. We are not told why the servants did what they did. They may have believed their master was being cheated out of a good well of water by this foreigner who had just recently came into their land. Water was a very precious commodity in that land, as it still is. Therefore, they may have just seen it as an opportunity to gain the water, and their masters approval.

A gift was given by Abraham to Abimelech to seal the deal – the covenant. It is not said that Abimelech gave any gift in return; maybe because Abraham and his people were only pilgrims, visitors, traveling through the land. One day it would become the land of Abraham. The Promised Land that God would give to His people. This well, taken by the servants of Abimelech, was named “Beer Sheba” meaning the “Well of the oath”. Abraham named it. He had the right to do so. He and his servants had dug the well, they lived on that land, as Abimelech had given them right to it (20:14-15). By naming it that gave Abraham ongoing authority to the land. At least, in the context of the Bible, giving the name to an object, thing, and sometimes people gave dominion or authority over it or them. Adam named all the animals which came before him. God says, “…Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (1:26). With that dominion and authority he names them, when God causes all the animals to come before him (2:18-20).

Now, with Abimelech and Abraham anytime there was a potential for battles between them, anytime there was misunderstanding they could look at the well of “BeerSheba” and remember the oath they had both agreed upon.

It was here at this well that we are told once again, “Abraham…called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God”. “El Olam” speaking of God as being of an indefinite time or age; eternal, everlasting, never ending, without beginning and without end. Therefore, because God is everlasting, eternal, He can be trusted to carry out all His promises, in His time, in His way, and for His own glory.

We Christians, like Abraham, are only pilgrims, visitors in a foreign land. We are; as much as is possible; to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). Sometimes that is a chore, but if we keep our eyes on the cross, and remind ourselves that we are only strangers in a foreign land, that our home is with the King of kings, then, surely we can be at peace with our neighbors, and one another as brethren. When there is peace in our own hearts with God, and things are right with us and God, then, in most cases we will be at peace with others. It has nothing to do with agreeing doctrinally, spiritually, or morally; but mostly the neighbor seeing that you are a man or woman of your word, that you live what you believe, that you are a good neighbor, they see Christ in you, and they see the hand of God on you; though they may not realize that is what it is.

Christian stand for Christ, preach the word, believe and live the word, exalt Christ in your life, and your neighbors will be at peace with you. They will have no means of bringing a legitimate charge against you. God help us and forgive us when we don’t live for Him and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We too dwell in the land we are in for many days, but one day we will go home.

-Tim A. Blankenship

 

Jesus Leaves The Temple

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“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple:” Matthew 24:1 (KJV).

Beginning chapter 24 one must go back to view a little bit of chapter 23. Chapter 23 is a discourse Jesus had with the Scribes and Pharisees, condemning their legalistic, condemning practices of the people. Jesus refers to them as “Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites” seven times, and one of the “woes” pronounced Jesus calls them “blind guides” (v.16).

These were the ones who secured the temple and loved to be called “Rabbi” or in our area it would be similar to a PHD. or a doctorate in theology. Arrogance of their education, and wanting, desiring it above even, a right attitude with the Lord.

Chapter 23 ends with a lament from Jesus over the city of Jerusalem.

 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Matthew 23:37-39 (KJV)

 There are a few things we need to see concerning Jesus leaving the temple. This phrase “Jesus went out, and departed from the temple” seems almost permanent. In Matthew’s Gospel this would be the final time Jesus visited the temple, before His cross in Jerusalem. Luke’s account of Jesus’s lament over the city does not mention all that Matthew records; they are different (Luke 19:41-44). Following Matthew’s account Jesus leaves the temple not to return again until He comes in His glory as King of kings (23:39).

Let’s consider why Jesus left the temple. He departed because He, His life, His message, and His Father had been rejected by the one’s to whom He first came. “He came unto His own; and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). Two times Jesus had came to the temple and found it to be full of profiteers, who were gouging the people out of their mammon and means; and He drove them out. Matthew’s gospel (chapter 21), Mark’s gospel (chapter 11), and the gospel of Luke (chapter19) has Jesus driving the “money changers” out of the temple in the latter part of His ministry; the apostle John records Him driving out the money changers early in His earthly ministry. The only plausible explanation is that Jesus cleansed the temple twice, and they never received the message. He very strongly, without wavering, was saying to them, “My house is to be a house of prayer for all people, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

Jesus spoke very strongly to all who came to Him. He did not withhold what He should say for fear that someone might be offended. Some were, especially those who were guilty of the charges; those were mostly the religious leaders who were given to their systems of belief, and refused to hear the message of Jesus. These so called spiritual leaders were angered by the clear, simple, and direct teaching of Jesus. He spoke with authority; as though He knew what He was saying and that He had it on direct authority from heaven. He did.

Jesus knowing that He had been rejected by His own and that the time of His crucifixion was drawing near; looked out over the city and pronounced this lament toward Jerusalem. The lamentation was from a broken heart, grieved that for many years and at many and various times they had rejected the prophets of God, even killing them. They were basically refusing the comforting, sheltering, loving of the Father. The warning preaching of the prophets were God’s call to gather under the sheltering wings of God, “but you would not”.

Very much unlike their favored, God annointed king of old, they would not flee to the wings of God, “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wing.” Psalms 17:8 (KJV). “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Psalms 57:1 (KJV). “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.” Psalms 61:4 (KJV). By these few verses from the heart of David we see that they were far from having the heart of king David, and far from the heart of God.

Jesus’s departure from the temple was very similar to the capture of the ark of the covenant in 1 Samuel 4. The ark of the covenant was a symbol of the power and presence of God. There was great and grave evil in the camp of Israel, and were foolish in sending the ark out to the battle in the first place, because they were attempting to use God in their evil. When the ark was taken, and did not come back with the defeated troops of Israel, as “his heart trembled for the ark of God” (1 Samuel 4:13), Eli died when he received the news of the captured ark. His sons Hophni and Phineas also died, and then Phineas’ wife had a son, and she died in child birth, naming the son “Ichabod” meaning “the glory is departed”. When Jesus left the temple that day; the Glory of God was departed from it, and would only return to it when they would look upon the One whom they pierced.

There are other places of Scripture which mention the departure of the glory of God from the temple. Ezekiel mentions the glory of God much in the closing chapters of his prophecy. Chapters 43-48 mention much about the return of the glory of God to the temple; speaking of the Millennial Temple; when Jesus returns in all His glory to set up His reign upon the earth. However, nearer the beginning of the prophecy, Ezekiel mentions the departure of the glory, because they have departed from God, as the nation, and gone into captivity. The prophet wrote, “Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.” Ezekiel 10:18 (KJV). Jesus Himself was the physical manisfestation of the Glory of the LORD, as the writer of Hebrews says, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:1-3 (KJV). The apostle John mentions Jesus being the glory when he wrote, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (KJV)

The glory incarnate was rejected by His own people. They crucified the Glory, buried the Glory, thinking the Glory was finished. The work was finished. The work which the Father had given His Son to do, was finished. He died to live again. He died that all who believe in Him might be saved. Jesus rose again. Now, the Glory of God lives in His temple; which temple we are, who profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

-Tim A. Blankenship
 

 

Prognosis By Fire

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In this study I will endeavor to show that through suffering we are prepared for glory.  In the life of Jesus He was preparing for the cross through the things which He suffered, and endured ever faithful to the Father.  It is hard to imagine suffering in order to endure more suffering, but that is what Jesus did; “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered;” Hebrews 5:8 (KJV).

To begin this it will be a review of First Peter, and on this article we begin with verses one and two. 

 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” 1 Peter 1:1-2

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ”.  This is one who spoke without thinking.  John MacArthur describes him as the apostle with “The foot-shaped mouth” in his book titled TWELVE ORDINARY MEN, and the title of that chapter is “Peter – The Man With The Footshaped Mouth”.

Now here is an epistle through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration written down by Peter himself.  Originally called Simon, Jesus changed his name to Peter/Cephas meaning ‘rock or stone’.  Peter is not the Rock upon which the Church is built (Matthew 16:18 – “And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”).  Peter is part of the foundation (Ephesians 2:20 – “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;), but is not the Rock, upon which it is founded and built.

This letter was written in troublous times for the Christian. According to authorities in this area; the time is around the time that Rome was burned in which Nero set the fire and blamed it on the Christians and set the people of Rome to hating them even worse than before.  In a time of great persecution Peter wrote this letter to comfort and encourage those believers who were in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.”  These Christians were “Strangers” and being that some were Jewish were dispossessed of their homeland.  The Gentiles and the Jews who had become Christians had also become “Strangers” to their families, friends, and work associates, because their home was now in Heaven.

Peter specifies to whom this letter is written.  The “Elect” or “Called” and as Paul wrote, “…Before the foundation of the world”.  This is an assuring thing – it is motivation to continue in faith.  Realizing you are the called of God has a strengthening effect on you.  To be chosen, called or the elect of God, and only so by the work of Jesus Christ on calvary’s cross.

“FOREKNOWLEDGE” is from the Greek word ‘prognosis’ which according to MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY is “a forecast esp. of the course of disease”, only God in His ‘prognosis’ is never wrong.  With God’s prognosis we know the outcome, and in Christ it is wonderful.

“Sanctification” is a process by which we are set apart, made holy in this life for the glory of God.  In sanctification the Spirit convicts us of sin, corrects us in our errors, and comforts us in our sorrows, and by and through the Word of God.  He puts us into “Obedience” and showing forth the sacrifice of Jesus in our lives.

“Grace” is Paul’s favorite word and filled his whole life.  It is also Peter’s.   He had experienced the grace of God extremely.  he denied the Lord three times, and was forgiven.  Where grace abounds there is peace. (Romans 5:1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”; and then in Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which passeth all undestanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.)  In the midst of the fires of trials and tribulation there is always ‘Peace’ in Jesus.  Through Jesus you can have peace in the midst of the storm.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Where Does Chocolate Milk Come From???

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I thought the readers of Fire and Hammer might find this interesting.  I wrote the article over at Life on the Farm.

I was looking through the magazine published by the Missouri Farm Bureau, and found something that I found humorous and in my thinking almost unimaginable.

There is an imbedded article on page 26 of the July/August 2008 issue of SHOW ME Missouri Farm Bureau which asked the above title question.  Who Makes Chocolate Milk?  There is a picture in the corner which has three different colored cows – all considered to be milk production cows – a Jersey, Gernsey, and a Holstien; along with a Brahma bull, and then two small boys.

They presented this or a similar picture to “8000 elementary students at a Farm Fest in a large city” and asked the students to select from “a solid brown cow, a black and white cow, a brown and white cow, a cream colored Brahma bull, a boy, and a girl holding a chocolate milk carton”.

Out of these 8000 elementary students only one child selected a human as the correct answer to the question.  This just seems obvious to a country boy, but it is a real problem to know that many children do not realize where food comes from.  To think that children could think that a cow produces chocolate milk is beyond me, but I do understand the plight of knowledge concerning farming, and the farmer.

Cows produce white milk.  There are no chocolate milk producing cows.  Chocolate comes from a tree and its fruit called cacao, and is from the tropics.  That is where our chocolate comes from.

Understand, I do not mean to lay blame on these children.  There may be some adults, the parents of these children even, who don’t know that cows don’t produce chocolate milk, or even where milk comes from.  There is nothing wrong with being ignorant of some things, which I am, but, it is foolish to remain ignorant.  I pray these 8000 students learned much on this day of the Farm Fest.

God is the giver of all good things; and some things not.

-Tim A. Blankenship

One Smart Kindergartner

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

On Sunday March 23, 2008 my brother in law was telling me the story of one of his grandsons, who would be my grand-nephew.  This brother-in-law is my sister’s husband.  Their daughter Tammy is a Kindergarten teacher in the same School for which I drive a School Bus.  Both her boys attend School there as well.

The youngest of the two boys is Kel, and the teacher of their class, not his mom, is having them bring something to class each day according to the alphabet, and the other day was the day for “J”.  Kel had decided to take his jet to school, and he had forgotten to do so, and his mom had forgotten to remind him too.  At the end of the day when mom was taking them home, she asked Kel, “What did you do for the “J” since you forgot your jet?”  Kel said to mom, “I always have Jesus with me; so I told them about Jesus”.

Tammy, said she went to his teacher the next day and asked her about it.  That teacher said, “I just thought that you probably had told him that.”  Tammy, however, didn’t know he had did that until he told her himself.

Now isn’t that a great kid to be proud of.  And, his grandparents were; as were we all.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Women and Intelligence

/ Tim A. / 8 Comments

It seems that there has been for many years a debate over the origins of the human race.  I have never made any secret of my personal belief that we are created in the image of God, both male and female.  I have also never made it a secret that I believe what the Bible says concerning the order, means, and days of creation.

When the Bible tells us God created the stars, planets, moons, the plants, the animals, then the man and woman in six days, then I believe that is what God meant.  I know some view me as being of lesser intelligence because of that, but the non-theist who holds to the theory of evolution seems to be of lesser intelligence in my mind.

I have written on the matter of Creation in previous articles on this blog.  If you desire to read them you may go to Fire and Hammer and click on the category Creation, or click on either of these links to find days 1-4 of Creation.

The reason I am writing this article is because I received the weekly email from Answers in Gensis (AiG), and they had read an article from “Answers” magazine dealing with the book by Darwin, “Origin of the Species”.  In the book he gives reference to the “Inferiority of women”.  Darwin, as many of you know supported the view of “Survival of the fittest” and women are not the fittest according to Darwin.  They have apparently survived because the men have always protected them.  From what I have read, that seems to be his implication. 

According to the article:

“According to Charles Darwin, the central mechanism of evolution is survival of the fittest. In this concept, inferior animals are more likely to become extinct while the superior ones are more likely to thrive.1 The racism that this idea has produced has now been both well-documented and widely publicized.2 Less widely known is the fact that many evolutionists, including Darwin, taught that women were both biologically and intellectually inferior to men.”

And the reason “women are inferior to men”?

“women were less evolved than men, and because of their smaller brains, they were “eternally primitive,” childlike, less spiritual, more materialistic, and “a real danger to contemporary civilization.”3“

Why do many women support the idea of evolution when the “father of their faith” believed women to be inferior.  The Bible begins by putting the woman [Eve] on equal par with the man [Adam].  Both made in the image of God.  Adam was the head of the woman because he was created first, and that is what God ordained.  It in no way makes man superior, and the woman inferior no more than, as a man, the General is superior to the private.  Only in order of rank is the General superior.

Like men, there are many women who are very intelligent; and there are some men and women who need much help when it comes to intelligence.  When it comes to God and Creation, anyone who believes all we see, touch, hear, feel, smell and taste “just happened”, needs help.  Anyone who believes that those things which cannot be seen, touched, heard, felt, smelled and tasted, such as the atom, “just happened” needs help in the area of intelligence as well.

I am not the most intelligent man, but I have enough to know that anything that has order, design, and purpose had a designer.  I also know that Designer to be God when it comes to the Creation.  I also know that there are many women, most of them as a matter of fact, who can survive quite well without a man.  However, where would the world be without the two loving and caring for each other?  Especially as God has designed it.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Walking On Water

/ Tim A. / 4 Comments

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)

Some things we immediately see as we read this portion of Scripture:1) Jesus orders, commands, or made the disciples get into a boat to go to the other side; 2) After sending them away He went to a mountain to pray, and He was alone; 3) the boat the disciples are in is in the midst of Sea of Galilee tossed by the waves and the wind; 4) It was the “fourth watch” between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. when Jesus went walking to them on the water; 5) When the disciples saw Jesus they thought Him to be a “spirit”, and were afraid; 6) Jesus says to them, “It’s Me. Don’t be afraid”; 7) Peter asked Jesus to allow him to walk to Him on the water, and Jesus says, “Come”; 8 ) Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water, began walking to Jesus, but when he saw the boisterous wind he began to sink, and cried out to Jesus for help; 9) Jesus reached out His hand to Peter, and “caught him”, then says, “O thou of little faith…”; 10) back in the boat the wind ceased; 11) The disciples worshipped him confessing, “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.”. Quite a few interesting events are taking place here and some which Matthew does not mention as well; according to the other gospels. I will get to those later

Dealing with the matter of JESUS THE KING we can see by this that He is not only the King of men, but also the King of creation, and all created things. Only the sovereign King and God can walk on water, and command the winds and the waves.

Having fed at least 15,000 people with five loaves of bread and two small fish; Jesus has sent the multitudes away with their stomachs full, their hearts should also be full after having been in the presence of our Lord. Being fully God, yet also fully man, Jesus is probably weary, tired and needing some time of refreshment and rest. He needs to be alone. Yet He know that He is never alone; because the Father is always with Him. The multitude sent away and the disciples rowing across the Sea of Galilee he goes up to a mountain to pray, to speak to His Father.

They are on the East side of the Sea of Galilee, and were rowing toward the West side. Matthew says, “Other side”. Mark writes, “Bethsaida”. John says, “Capernaum” was the destination. Matthew’s destination could mean anywhere on the West side, but I think there is more than that meant. Mark’s destination was more definite, yet speaking of an area on the West side. John speaks of the place where Jesus headquartered His ministry. There is not a contradictory statement here in any of them. First of all they are all three mentioning the West side. Secondly, we do name things like this all the time. For instance; when my wife, our son and I lived in California, and we would come back to Missouri; we were sometimes asked where we were going when we were planning on traveling back home. We would say the Southwest Missouri area; and another time we might tell them Barry County in Missouri; and we might be a little more specific and say Jenkins, Missouri. Now, were we making contradicting statements? NO! Where we were coming was to the Southwest part of Missouri and into Barry County, to the community of Jenkins, Missouri. We have three different testimonies as to their destination, and they are all accurate.

It seems to me, that in this historical event in the life of the disciples and the life of Jesus Christ there is a picture of life, its troubles, and trials and our deliverance.

How many times have we heard the phrase, “Other side” concerning the death of someone we know; whether it be a family member, work associate, or a friend? “He/She has gone to the other side”. Could there be a lesson on life and our eternal destination in this event of history? I think we can see it if we look at the situation, and understand the truth that is presented here.

Capernaum is where the headquarters for Jesus’s ministry is, and possibly in Peter’s home. We can see in Matthew 4:12-16 that Jesus went to Galilee and “dwelt in Capernaum”, and did so that the Scripture might be fulfilled spoken by Isaiah the prophet. Then, in chapter 8 we find Jesus at Peter’s house healing his mother-in-Law (chapter 8:14-15). He dwelt in Capernaum, and when they were there stayed in Peter’s home. Capernaum was home for Jesus on earth. Capernaum, though did not realize who was living among them.

In this act, this miracle of Jesus,  He gives us a picture of His coming for those who are His, and our eternal deliverance.

As Christians go through life, it is sometimes likened to the “Sea of life”, and these seas get very troubled at times. Physically our Lord Jesus is not with us and we row, and struggle and grow fearful that the boat we are in is going to fill with these troubled waters and sink, capsize, and we will not make it. Then Jesus comes, our faith grows, and then, in an instant, we find ourselves on the other side. John writes, “Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going”. Where were they going? to the “other side”, writes Matthew. Where were they going? “Bethsaida”, says Mark (Mark 6:45). Where were they going? “Capernaum”, writes John (John 6:17). Where were they going? Headquarters. Home.

When Jesus comes again, as we struggle in this life we will immediately appear with Him in glory, where we shall forever live with Him. No more struggles with life; no more tears, no more fear, no more death or dying…” Home Sweet Home.

-Tim A. Blankenship

 

Rebellions Consequences

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment
The prophet hears and knows that judgment is coming. His heart is for his people, for God’s people. One of the sad things about God’s judgment that many find unjust is that the “innocent” suffer the consequences along with the “guilty”. Think of the flood of Noah’s day; there were babies who had never sinned, though they were born sinners, like all of us; yet these died in the flood. Another point is the faith of Caleb and Joshua when they had viewed the Promised Land their faith said, “God is able. Let’s take the land”. The unbelieving said, “There are giants in the land” and the majority ruled. Then Caleb and Joshua suffered the punishment along with the unbelieving. They too wandered in the wilderness for forty years.
One of the things you and I can learn from that is; our sins do not just hurt us, they affect others too.
Jeremiah writes:
O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you? For a voice declares from Dan and proclaims affliction from Mount Ephraim: ‘Make mention to the nations, Yes, proclaim against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country and raise their voice against the cities of Judah. Like keepers of a field they are against her all around. Because she has been rebellious against Me,’ says the LORD. ‘Your ways and your doings have procured these things for you. This is your wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reaches your heart.’ Jeremiah 4:15-18 (NKJV)

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21), and it was obvious to the prophet Jeremiah, that the heart of the people of the Southern kingdom of Judah was in the same condition as that of the Northern kingdom when the armies of king Nebuchadnezzar came swooping down with the speed of the leopard upon them, carrying them away captive. This is what the prophet saw happening to Judah as well.

We must know that a divided heart is a sinful, rebellious, self-absorbed, godless heart. The lips which proclaim a faith in God while giving allegiance to things; material gain, family, government dependence, self dependence, etc.; is a full hypocrite, pretentious, and gives no allegiance to God, who alone deserves our undivided faith, and allegiance. There will be occasions when the genuine believer will doubt, fear, and not believe; however they do not dwell there for long. The heart of the genuine believer will come back to the place of faith, return to the Lord and glorify His name, glory and grace.

The voice coming from Dan and from Ephraim are the events which has happened to them concerning their judgment. They have been conquered because their evil hearts. Jerusalem and all of Judah cannot continue to live in sin and rebellion against God, thinking we have the temple, it is God’s temple, He won’t allow anything happen to His temple. Such arrogance and pride is doomed to fall. Thinking; “I am a child of God, therefore God will not cause the judgment that falls on the immoral unbeliever, to fall on me” is a dreadfully deceptive notion.

Hear the voices that come from others. The Christians who are imprisoned because of their crimes against another, they are paying for their sins. Christians who have disease because of a sinful lifestyle they once lived; which could have been prior to or following salvation. There are consequences to sin; for the Christian and the non-Christian.

Because of rebellion and a continued refusal to repent these judgments are coming on the children of God. The wickedness of the heart is known by the All-Knowing God. He will not hold guiltless those who are guilty. The sin of the guilty will also fall on the guiltless and the innocent.

Why is it that there are some people who think, “Well, it is my sin, my action, I will take responsibility for it,” by going ahead and doing it, and say, “It won’t hurt anyone but me”. My how deceived we can become when we get into sinful living. Our sins affect everyone around us. Even the “innocent” pay for our sins.

The sin of the heart is a bitter thing. The heart is where we gain the capacity of love, mercy and grace. It is the place we hold those things and people who are dear to us. The heart given to God holds Him dearest, closest, and trust solely in Him for life, living and eternity. The heart given to God loves all that is godly and good. Loves all there is to know about God, His Son Jesus Christ. If you do not know His Son and love Him; you do not know God and/or love Him (John 5:22-23; 8:42).

How is your heart today? Is there any pretention or hypocrisy which is directing your heart away from God? Is there desire in your heart turning you away from God, redirecting the main focus to something, someone other than God and His Son? Jesus also said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). When your heart is full of evil thoughts, and imaginations it will be speaking and doing and thinking those evil deeds. When your heart is full of God will you not be speaking the things of God? Most certainly.

Fill your heart with God, and God will come out in your speech and your life. Even when you end up in the judgment of God due to the sins of others, you will still grow in faith, love and knowledge and wisdom.

-Tim A. Blankenship