“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.” ~Jesus (John 14:12-14)
Monday
Condemned if He Does; Condemned if He Don’t
“But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, ‘We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He hath a devil.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.’ But wisdom is justified of her children.” ~Jesus (Matthew 11:16-19)
To Glorify the Father
“‘The hour is come, that the Son of Man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour. Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name.’ Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, ‘An angel spake to Him.’ Jesus answered and said, ‘This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.’ This He said, signifying what death He should die.” John 12:23-33
Go Your Way Faith
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying, ‘Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.’ And Jesus saith unto him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, ‘Go,’ and he goeth; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he cometh; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he doeth it.’ When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to them that followed, ‘Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And Jesus said unto the centurion, ‘Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.’ And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” (Matthew 8:4-13)
Healing a Withered Hand
“And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse Him. And He saith unto the man which had the withered hand, ‘Stand forth.’ And He saith unto them, ‘Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?’, but they held their peace. And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man, ‘Stretch forth thine hand.’ And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.” Mark 3:1-5
Jesus, The Good Shepherd
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.” ~Jesus (John 10:7-18)
When the Son of Man is Lifted Up
“…I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. ‘…Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I Am, ye shall die in your sins. ‘…Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him. ‘…When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I Am, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” ~Jesus (John 8:21-30)
No One Can Come… Except…
“Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where He was before? It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not.’
‘Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father.’
‘Will ye also go away?’
‘Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ ~Jesus (John 6:60-71)
Everlasting Sustenance
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed.” ~Jesus (John 6:26-27)
Heaven’s News – Requests in the Kingdom
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” ~Jesus (Matthew 7:7-11)
Heaven’s News – Giving in the Kingdom
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, ‘They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.” ~Jesus (Matthew 6:1-4)
Glory in the Kingdom
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” ~Jesus (Matthew 5:13-16)
The Popular Myth That Will Sabotage Your Spiritual Growth | T E Hanna
Every follower of Jesus Christ needs to read and heed this message. Please follow the link and read. T.A. Blankenship
The Popular Myth That Will Sabotage Your Spiritual Growth | T E Hanna.
Through the Bible in a Year – 090113
A Token of God’s Righteous Judgment
2 Thessalonians 1:3-10
1. THANKFULNESS FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS (v. 3).
2. A GROWING FAITH (v. 3).
3. PATIENT FAITH IN PERSECUTION AND TRIALS (vv. 4-5).
4. THE VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS (vv. 6-10).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Through the Bible in a Year – evening 082513
Fear the LORD
Proverbs 1 – 12
1. THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE (Proverbs 1:7-9).
2. KEEPS THE INSTRUCTION GIVEN AND TRUST THE LORD (3:1-6; 7:1-5).
3. IS AWARE OF THE THINGS WHICH THE LORD HATES (6:12-10).
4. LOVES KNOWLEDGE AND INSTRUCTION (12:1-4).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Leaky gods Vs. Living Water
The men who were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of Judah had forsaken the LORD. They did not even realize their spiritual condition. That is a horrible thing for the “man of God” not to even notice that God is not present. The false prophets were prophesying by Baal, a false god, of pleasure. He was the god that took the place of the LORD in the hearts of Jerusalem.
Are things any different in the day in which we live (2013)? With Oprah’s “Secret”, a god that is not “Jealous”, and television commercials which make gods and godesses out of men and women with their products, we are becoming more and more of a pagan people. We are a vain people. In my mind there does not seem to be any difference; with the exception of clothing, and location.
In the text we look at today we see the LORD is bringing charges against the children of Jacob (v. 4).
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD –
“Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead. For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:9-13 (KJV)
The charge brought against them is forsaking Him. What does it take to forsake the Living God? The answer to that is: Just by diliberately turning to another source of encouragement, and strength one forsakes the Living God.
Notice this charge. What other nation has forsaken their gods? None. Earlier in the Nation’s life they wanted to be like other nations by wanting a king. Read First Samuel, and you will see their request for a king. How is it that now they could not be like these other nations, and trust only in their God. The God of gods, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
When a follower of Christ Jesus follows someone or anything else they lose the Glory that was theirs in Christ. The Psalmist wrote –
“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, ‘Where is now their God?’ But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.” Psalm 115:1-8 (KJV)
Why would someone want to drink water from a cistern, when you can have flowing fresh clean water? That is what had happened to the people of God. They had left the glory of the LORD to pattern their lives after that of death and darkness. Any time God’s people follow the world, the flesh and the devil we get out of His glory, ie., the Glory of God.
These cisterns God tells us of, are even leaky cisterns. They cannot even hold water. These cisterns would catch the water from what little rainfall they might receive, and dew falling from the roof of the mornings, then go out of the morning and find only a wet well, but no water to drink.
You become like what you worship. So beware. The “Secret” which Oprah promotes is no secret at all. It began with the lies of the devil in the garden of Eden, “You shall be like God…”. And they died. Follow the Word of the Lord, and you shall live.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
Through the Bible in a Year – 081813
Life of Rejoicing
Philippians 1 – 4
1. SUFFERING FOR THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (Philippians 1:27-30).
2. HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST JESUS (2:5-11).
3. A LIFE OF AWAKENING (3:1-3).
4. DOING ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST (4:10-14).
Evening Message –
In Love with GOD, His Word
Psalm 119:129-136
1. HIS TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL (vv. 129-130).
A. It is the love of God in Christ which motivates our keeping them.
B. They give light and understanding.
2. THERE IS LONGING FOR HIS COMMANDMENTS (vv. 131-132).
A. It is not the will of the flesh to have the commandments of God; but the Spirit of God within us.
B. Because of His commandments we still seek His mercy.
3. OUR STEPS ARE ORDERED BY HIS WORD (vv. 133-134).
A. By the ordered steps of His Word we refrain from iniquity (v. 9).
B. We will remain undeterred by the oppression of men.
4. WE DESIRE TO LEARN HIS STATUTES (vv. 135-136).
A. Learning His statutes we know that His face shine on us.
B. We also mourn when we see others who will not heed the Law of God.
-T.A.
Words for Christian Living – Mind
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
The mind of the Christian is not empty of thought. According to Paul the apostle to the Corinthians “…We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). So having the mind of Christ we will think like Jesus thinks, act like Jesus acts; because that is His mind.
The mind of Christ was to submit Himself to the Father’s will, and glorify His name. That is the mind of the Christian too. Even unto death.
GOD Will Rise
PLEASE NOTE: The following article was posted January 18, 2008. My prayer is for God’s people to hear God’s Word and repent.
Can you imagine being born into a family of priests. Can you imagine even more, that after you have grown to be a man, that you receive a call from God to be His prophet. You are told that you will be a prophet to the people of God, that you will be a prophet to the nations. You are also told that you will speak whatever God puts in your mouth.
“The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.” Jeremiah 1:1-3 (KJV)
The name Jeremiah means, “Jah will rise” and “Jah” is short for “Jehovah”. That name is given to us in one of the Psalms. In Psalm 68:4 it is written, “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH [Jah], and rejoice before Him.” The use of the name Jeremiah and of JAH seems to be that even though the Nation has fallen into ill will with God, that He is raised, He is exalted, and He will be praised by His people.
Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry takes place during some of the roughest of times, especially for a prophet. The people were so secure in their beliefs, that they were living under falsehood. They were thinking that because the temple was present in Jerusalem, then they would never fall.
The task of a true prophet of God would have been quite difficult for Jeremiah, as he was also a priest, and being from a family of priests, that would mean confronting some of the sins and discrepancies of the priesthood. Because of this he would not be very popular. But then, no prophet is ever popular, or well thought of while they are living.
Jeremiah probably prophesied during the latter years of king Josiah’s rule in Judah. Josiah was a good king, who brought reform that could even be called a revival to the nation. It is said of king Josiah, “He did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD” 2 Chronicles 34:2; but it was only shortlived so it was only temporary reform, which grieved the heart of this prophet of God.
When the people only put on a temporary change, because it has been legislated, rather than having a personal relationship with God, and a change of heart, it should grieve the hearts of those who know God.
This heart for God from this prophet would bring much sorrow, pain, and persecution from his family, friends, and the people. There seems to be only one who is faithful to Jeremiah and the Lord throughout this prophecy, and his name is Baruch (Chapter 45). We are each called, as a child of God, to be faithful to God, and support all those who are also faithful to God in proclaiming His Word.
God will rise and be exalted.
Through the Bible in a Year 072813
To Be Called By His Grace…
I. …WE ARE DELIVERED FROM CONDEMNING RELIGION (Galations 1:13-14)
II. …WE ARE CALLED TO A NEW LIFE AND MINISTRY (1:15-17).
III. …WE ARE DEAD WITH CHRIST; YET RISEN WITH HIM (Galations 2:18-21).
EVENING MESSAGE –
When the LORD is Great in Our Lives…
I. …WE WILL GUARD OUR WAYS AND OUR TONGUE (Psalm 39:1-5).
II. …WE WILL BE COMPASSIONATE TO OTHERS (Psalm 41:1-4).
III. …WE WILL REJOICE IN HIS GREATNESS (Psalm 48:1-7; Psalm 54:1-7.
IV. …WE WILL KNOW AND RECOGNIZE THE HEARTS OF WICKEDNESS (Psalm 58:1-5).
V. …WE WILL THIRST FOR GOD DAILY, AND OFTEN (Psalm 63:1-2).
VI. …WE WILL SEEK THE LORD FOR OUR KEEPING (Psalm 64:1-6).
W4CL – Heirs
“Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father.’ Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galations 4:1-7 (KJV)
There has been much talk in our nation, and around the world of the new “Royal baby” which was born a week or so ago. “Third heir to the throne” we have heard. What is he heir to? The ceremonial, traditional position of the king of England. A small, and somewhat influential country in the world; an honor for this baby, and the ones which preceded him.
It is Paul’s declaration that those who have been born of God are heirs with Christ Jesus. Now that is not a ceremonial, nor traditional thing; it is an eternal, very influential thing. According to Romans 8:17 those of us who have been born again through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, buried with Him in His baptism, and raised again to new life through His resurrection are “Joint heirs with Christ”. What does that mean?
It means that we will not be ruling a penniless, bankrupt nation (spiritually and economically); we will rule the earth with King Jesus on the throne. He is the one who “Owns the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). He also owns the stars in the deepest parts of space, and the earth is His footstool (Matthew 5:35).
If we are joint heirs with Christ, and we are; then, as heirs of Christ we should behave like heirs of Christ until He comes again.
In Christ you are heir to more than a fading kingdom; you are an heir to all that is God’s.
Words for Christian Living – Blessing the Poor
“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. I said, ‘LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.'” Psalm 41:1-4 (KJV)
In the United States of America we are richly blessed. We are blessed with the grace of God. We are blessed with riches. Yet in the midst of the blessing of riches we are cursed with some levels of poverty; and some of which cannot be avoided. People often find themselves without an income, due to loss of jobs; or sickness, and/or disease; which has robbed them of the strength to make a living. These are the poor that the Christian must not neglect.
It is the light of Christ Jesus that shines in our hearts that causes us to see others as being better than ourselves; and that includes the poor. Paul the apostle writing to the people of Philippi…
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3 (KJV)
As Christians the love of Christ will reign supremely in our hearts; and others will be blessed by our lives and our conduct: even though they may not always realize it. John the apostle wrote the following…
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:17 (KJV)
Be a blessing today.
Words for Christian Living – Grace
“And He said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
The apostle Paul was being afflicted by what he called “a thorn in the flesh”, and he had prayed to be delivered from it; to be healed maybe of the physical affliction. We are not told what it was, but we are told that the Lord’s answer is found above.
In the midst of affliction, our thorn in the flesh, whatever it is we can rest assured that God’s grace is sufficient for us. In our weakness God is strong. In our weakness, our illness, or disease God is glorified. None of us like afflictions. We can be like Paul, however and “Glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Remember the word “Grace”. God’s grace is sufficient.
Words for Christian Living – A Strong Heart
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (KJV)
There are many people walking around in this world who have been told by their physicians that they have weak or failing hearts. Some of us have had different types of surgery for their heart from stentz placed in arteries of their heart to what is called “Open heart” surgery. The “Strong heart” of which I title this does not refer to the physical heart, but to the inner individual.
“…We faint not” has much to do with having “A Strong Heart”. The man or woman of God; every Christian; must be committed to being faithful to God and His Word. That is what Paul the apostle is speaking of. From the time we become a follower of Jesus Christ we “Renounce the hidden things of dishonesty”; these are the sins of our past. We have repented, and our lives are changed.
It is a mark of the Christian, too, that we not use tricks, or deceit when it comes to the word of God. One of the things that angers me is the way I see many a Christian leader using emotion to entice “worship”; then people walk away thinking they have been in the presence of God; they go out the doors of the Church or the stadium, and their lives are left unchanged. Nothing wrong with emotion if it is not manipulated by deceit and the mishandling of God’s Word. Be careful Christian that you do not let wrong handling of the word of God lead you astray.
The truth will be all the commendation one needs. Know the truth. Keep your heart for God strong.
Words for Christian Living – Speech that Edifies
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (KJV)
Someone once said, “It is better to be thought a fool; than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
In Paul’s writing above he speaks of the spiritual gift of “Tongues” and “Prophecy”. One of the things I have noticed is that many of those who claim the “Gift of tongues” want to make it a requirement for the “Baptism of the Spirit”. Now I am not going to get into that; just saying. Those may have a bigger problem controlling the tongue, speaking for the glory of God, rather than cursing.
At any rate Paul says Prophesy or Preaching the Word of God for building up, calling for a decision, and comfort is something that will “Edify” the Church; while “Tongues” edifies self. That is plenty clear to me.
As Christians our speech – the use of our tongues – is to glorify God, build up and encourage, strengthen – by calling for commitment, decision, and trust in the Lord – and comfort the Body of Christ. Also see James 3:1-12.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 