There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling him. And the multitude sat about Him, and they said unto him, ‘Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee.’ And He answered them, saying, ‘Who is My mother, or My brethren?’ And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, ‘Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.'” Mark 3:31-35
Wednesday
The Works of the Son of God
“…Many good works have I shewed you from My Father; for which of those works do ye stone Me? …Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, Ye are gods?’ If He called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, ‘Thou blasphemest;’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” ~Jesus (John 10:31-38)
Knowing GOD is Knowing Jesus
“I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. …If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. …If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do ye not understand My speech? Even because ye cannot hear My word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not.” ~Jesus (John 8:38-45)
Judging Righteous Judgment
“My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but He that seeketh His glory that sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill Me?’…
…’I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at Me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” ~Jesus (John 7:16-24)
Bread of Life
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world….’
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen Me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” ~Jesus (John 6:32-33, 35-40)
Heaven’s News – Wolves in the Kingdom
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” ~Jesus (Matthew 7:15-20)
Heaven’s News – Forgiveness in the Kingdom
“After this manner therefore pray ye: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.’ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ~Jesus (Matthew 6:9-15)
Hearts in the Kingdom
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:’ but I say unto you, ‘That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council:’ but whosoever shall say, ‘Thou fool,’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, ‘Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.'” ~Jesus (Matthew 21-26)
Heaven’s News 100213
“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Jesus (Matthew 4:7)
Through the Bible in a Year – 081113
Fellowship With GOD
Ephesians 3 – 6
1. WE HAVE THE POWER OF GOD WITHIN (Ephesians 3:20-21).
2. WALKING WORTHY OF OUR VOCATION (4:1-3)
3. UNDERSTANDING THE WILL OF THE LORD (5:11-17).
4. LIVING OBEDIENTLY AND EXPECTANTLY (6:1-4)
EVENING MESSAGE-
Christians Blessing the LORD
Psalms 89 – 108
1. CHRISTIANS KNOW THE JOYFUL SOUND (Psalm 89:15-18).
2. CHRISTIANS KNOW THE SOVEREIGN POWER OF THE LORD (Psalm 93:1-5; 97:1-7).
3. CHRISTIANS KNOW THE FUTURE OF OUR GOD (Psalm 102:12-17; 103:1-5).
4. CHRISTIANS KNOW THE POWER, MERCY AND GRACE OF THE ALMIGHTY (Psalm 106:6-12).
5. CHRISTIANS BLESS THE LORD WITH THEIR LIVES OF PRAISE (Psalm 108:1-6).
The Preacher and His Preaching
I am thankful for the pastors/preachers who faithfully stand in their places of preaching and deliver the word of God to the people God has placed in their charge. Elijah felt he was all alone, that there was no one else who was faithful in all of Israel. Man of God never feel that way. You are not alone.
However, there are pastors who want to leave their people feeling good, encouraged, and entertained. Most of the “feeling good” is about themselves; and the preacher neglects to preach for the glory of the Lord, the correction of sin. We must preach the word of the LORD. There is nothing else to preach.
Jeremiah was evidently called as a young man, and from a family of priests. When God came to him he was uncertain, calls himself a child, and unable to speak. However, notice what GOD says to him…
“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.’ But the LORD said unto me, ‘Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee,’ saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, ‘Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:6-10 (KJV)
The preacher must be faithful to preach the word. Rightly divide or interpret the word, and according to the whole of the word of God. No verse of Scripture stands alone; it must me interpreted in the light of all other Scripture. We cannot interpret Scripture according culture; culture must be understood and interpreted by Scripture. When culture, society, government, human law, or science contradict Scripture; Scripture is right and true. If the preacher does not believe that or practice that then repent, or get out of the pulpit, and quit deceiving the people with your lies.
The prophet/preacher is a messenger of God. Called by God we must speak what God says. We must preach it without fear or favor of men or women. We must preach it if it means our lives, our homes, friends, our employment or acceptance of other people.
The main message of the Word of God is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ died for ours sins, was buried, and He bodily arose from the grave three days later. He took the wrath of sin that was deserved by us, suffered the judgment of our sin from His Father, becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. The Righteous Son of God was made unrighteous; that the unrighteous might be made Righteous. In His resurrection Jesus overcame the power of sin, death (which is the penalty for sin) and hell (eternal condemnation). When you preach Jesus and the cross, the burial and bodily resurrection you preach the word of God.
Where is the prophet to preach? Where ever God opens the door of opportunity. If that means a church with small number of people to the sidewalk in front of the White House, or the steps of the United Nations building on the U.S. Supreme Court; or front of an idol in a foreign land. God gives the words when the man of God is faithful to His Word. Preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
W4CL – Restore
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galations 6:1 (KJV)
How many times have you without any fault of your own found yourself dealing with a sin? You found yourself, deceived, believing wrongly, doing wrongly. You were “overtaken in a fault”. You have grieved over it. Then a “Spiritual” brother/sister who is bearing all those fruit of the Spirit comes and ministers to your need. By the love, compassion, and meekness you are restored to fellowship with God and the Body of Christ.
That is what it means to be a “Spiritual” Christian. The spiritual Christian does not condemn the fallen brethren, but seeks to restore the one who is grieving in their sin.
The next time you see a brother/sister in Christ overtaken in a fault seek his/her restoration. You could find yourself in that situation sometime later.
Words for Christian Living – Thanksgiving
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
A person’s attitude says a lot about who they are. Your attitude is not fixed by your surroundings, your friends, or your enemies. Your attitude is from your own heart. A good attitude is best attained by having a thankful spirit and heart.
When you are thankful; despite your circumstances, despite criticism, or cruelty from others; despite sickness, or economic situation; then you will have a good attitude through all those things. Whoever or what ever controls your attitude is your god or your idol.
When the Christian is thankful the great attitude you have shows that God’s will is being done in your life. Your thanksgiving to God shows He is Lord of your life.
The Psalmist wrote…
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 (KJV)
When bad circumstances, or “mean” people start getting under your skin; thank the Lord for your job, your family; or most of all just thank God for being God, and in control of your life; then do something nice for the perpetrator with a smile.
Words for Christian Living – Jealousy
“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 (KJV)
We would not in a normal sense think of “Jealousy” as being a good thing. However, the apostle is dealing with a people who are not strong on the doctrine of Jesus Christ alone for salvation. We are servants of the Jealous God (Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15). Jealousy from God should be expected. He created all that is. It is proper of Him to desire the worship and adoration of His creation.
Christians should be jealous for Him. Christian pastors and preachers ought always “defend the faith” because there is not other to worship. We ought to be jealous for God.
Contrary to what Oprah may have said concerning the jealousy of God. He is still a jealous God. He alone is worthy of worship, adoration and praise. He alone is worthy of our jealousy for His worship. When others proclaim “Another Jesus” which is not the Jesus who died on the cross, was buried and bodily arose from the grave; and is eternally seated at God the Fathers right hand; we must speak out vehemently against that “Jesus”. That “Jesus” is not the Jesus of grace and mercy, but another of deception.
Christian, be “Jealous” for Christ Jesus.
Words for Christian Living – Our Treasure
In January I posted a short article on this same topic. I awoke this morning with this topic on my mind; and it has been just about everyday I live. The topic of “Treasure”; in particular: what is my treasure. It is something for which I am ashamed to mention. First let us look at what Jesus said;
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
Jesus knew we would have treasure; however those treasures are not to be earthly treasure; and that is the first thing we think of when we think “Treasure”. Gold, silver, precious jewelry, houses, lands, boats, cars, and sometimes spouses and children. Jesus does not tell us these things are bad. They are, in fact, good to have; remembering from whom they have come.
My shame lays in the thought that I see in myself more affinity for speaking of things like a good movie, book, car, a football game; than I do of speaking of Christ Jesus. That tells me that Jesus Christ is not my Treasure. Why is it when the subject of those other things come up I can speak without fear; yet when the subject of God comes up I can get really quiet?
I have no excuse. Jesus is the greatest treasure. I am endeavoring today, by the power of the Holy Spirit to make Jesus Christ my Treasure.
Words for Christian Living – Why We Live
“Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (KJV)
There are those who do not believe that life comes from death. Think about this… A farmer plants an old dried seed in the ground, and a few weeks, or months later a stalk comes forth out of the ground, and produces a harvest of corn or wheat or barley… Life does come from death.
So how is it we can have such a hard time believing that God could raise His own dead, buried Son from death? We live because the holy, Righteous, Son of God shed His blood on the cross of Calvary, was buried, and arose bodily from the grave. He is alive forevermore.
God created human beings eternal beings. The death of the body is a result of sin; transgression of God’s laws. Yet, though the body dies the eternal being lives on, somewhere. Hell’s fire is what we deserve. However, God in His Holy, Righteous, Justice and Love sent His Son to die for our sins; taking the wrath that was mine and yours to bear; and bore it for us on His cross. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is evidence of the truth of the words Jesus spoke while He lived and dwelt among us. Trusting Jesus and His finished work on the cross is the only means of salvation.
Believe Him and live.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Words for Christian Living – Deal With It
“I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (KJV)
We hear much about love. “God is love” we hear; and we forget that there are things God hates. Yes! God is love. We are not to love “Love” but God. The Corinthian Christians above loved the fact that they were loving a man who was in an adulterous life with his “Father’s wife”; and doing nothing about it.
Paul says they are to separate from him, “Not to keep company” and this is with one who calls themselves a “Brother”. “With such an one no not to eat.” How are folks who are wrapped up by sin going to get back into fellowship with God if they are not confronted about their sin.
Yes! We all have sin we must deal with. The case above is one that was not dealing with it. Sin in the Church will bring God’s judgment upon it. Deal with it.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Evangelism and Creationism
The following is an article from Kairos Journal…
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place. . .
Acts 17:23-26 (ESV)In 1799, the German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher published On Religion. His seemingly noble aim was to promote Christianity to its “cultured despisers,” people who had moved on from religion. Yet, to remove stumbling blocks, he eviscerated the gospel of many key truths. For similar reasons, in 1984, the then Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, denied the bodily resurrection of Jesus. In an effort to appeal to skeptics, it is all too tempting to downplay “incredible” biblical truths. Today, this temptation is nowhere more apparent than over the doctrine of creation.
Although Paul’s evangelism consistently centered on Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah, the precise way he presented the gospel varied from audience to audience. When evangelizing Jews, he emphasized the biblical text (e.g. Acts 13:13-41), but when preaching to pagan polytheists, he emphasized the doctrine of creation (Acts 14:15-17; 17:22-31). For Paul, the fact that God created everything is foundational to the gospel.
Amongst the Athenian altars to Zeus, Athena, and Demeter, Paul spotted one to the “unknown god” (v. 23); Athens kept its options open and tried to cover every base. Yet, in the midst of this plurality of idols, Paul went on the offensive, proclaiming that the God whom the Athenians did not know is the true Creator of all, the only God. Unlike their pathetic idols, He does not require housing or food (vv. 24-25). Rather, He gives life and a dwelling place to humans (vv. 25-26). In other words, He is not man’s debtor—He does not depend upon the religious devotion of humanity to provide His needs. Quite the reverse: all people depend on Him; all are indebted to Him. Only with this foundation in place could the Athenians have any hope of grasping their debt to their Creator; only then would they fear His coming judgment and repent (vv. 30-31).
The doctrine of creation is integral to the gospel. Modern men and women will never understand their need of Christ as a Savior from God’s wrath if they do not first have some comprehension that they owe their generous Creator everything. Nor will they grasp the wickedness of rejecting Him and running life their own way. Divorced from belief in a sovereign, holy, gracious Creator, the gospel makes no sense at all.
In the face of frequent public ridicule, holding on to the truths of creation requires clear-thinking courage. But, if the gospel is to grow and spread in the modern West, Christians dare not follow Schleiermacher and Jenkins by cutting and pasting the Bible to appeal to the modern mind. Embarrassed silence concerning creation will help no one; if God did not create, Christians have no gospel.
When we “Cut and paste the Bible to appeal to modern mind” we are actually making a god after our own image. Let us stick to the God of the Bible as He presents Himself.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Words for Christian Living 061213
“Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: when he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.” Esther 1:1-9 (KJV)
In the book of Esther we have a historical account of the events in the life of the children of God [Israel] while still in captivity following their being carried away by Babylon. The book of Esther never mentions the name of God; however you can see God working all through the book. There are many things about it I do not understand, nor can I explain some of the things concerning the law.
The above verses show the opposite of how the righteous and just are to live.
These posted verses show the extravagance and waste of an earthly king and kingdom. It shows the Christian that we are in the world, but we cannot live as the world. We must stand; always with wisdom.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Words for Christian Living 060513
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:17-20 (KJV)
We, as Christians are told to “Love one another”. As you can see in Paul’s writing above we are also to “Mark them which cause divisions… contrary to the doctrine”. This surely means the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyone, therefore, who would cause division and offenses or a departure from the gospel is to be marked. That would mean not to even fellowship with such an individual. Also see Galations 5:14-15.
The ones whom Paul speaks of is most certainly false teachers, teaching things which distract from the gospel of Christ. Are there false teachers teaching a false gospel today? Most certainly. Any teaching which distracts from the glory of God through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is a false gospel.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Words for Christian Living 052913
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:1-4 (KJV)
Ignorance is not a pleasant word to hear for anyone. Nevertheless, ignorance is no excuse for the sin of God’s people called Christian. There is far too much ignorance concerning the Righteousness of God, and what is required of God’s people.
As Christians we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ; and that righteousness comes out for all the world to see. It is not righteousness to overlook sin. Righteousness deals with sin; starting with our own, then confronting unrighteousness where we see it.
Do not be ignorant of the righteousness of God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Through the Bible in a Year – 022413
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Things That Really Count
Numbers 11 – 30
In our world today everything is digital. What does that mean. Some how the “experts”, at least those in the know about such things have figured out how we can have cell phones digitally; with their towers digitally; televisions are digital now; the computers are digital.
A “digit” is defined in the MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICITONARY as “any of the figures 1 to 9 inclusive and usually the symbol 0.”
Some how the numbers 1 and 0 are the link to it all. When you have the right equipment you can place those numbers in “cyber space”, pull them out with a CD player, DVD player, or HDTV picture, and you have music, movies in your home and over the air, sattelite TV.
We look in the Bible and we see Digital is nothing new with God. Numbers or Digits do count with God.
1. The People Count;
2. The Sacrifices Count;
3. Disobedience Counts toward Judgment (Chapters 11-16);
- We see complaining of hunger in the numbers (11);
- We see unbelief in the numbers (12-14);
- We see envy of leadership (16);
4. There is a Prophet who Counted for Profit (23-25);
5. The Rock in the Wilderness Counts (20:7-11; Exodus 17:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4);
6. The Inheritance Counts for All (26-30; Romans 8:16-17).
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Signs and Times
I read the Scriptures this morning, and the following verses were what have rested in my heart. So probably more for me; but I am pretty sure others will be able to hear God speak through them too.
“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.” Genesis 41:1-8 (KJV)
“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired Him that He would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, ‘When it is evening, ye say, ‘It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring.’ O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.’ And He left them, and departed.” Matthew 16:1-4 (KJV)
As you can see; one from the Old Testament book of Genesis, and the other from the Gospel of Matthew. Following Pharoah’s dream he could not find an interpreter of the dream until Joseph was revealed. In the Gospel of Matthew the Pharisees and Sadducees had the word of God, and had the Son of God standing in their presence; and they too were oblivious to the signs of the times they were in.
Pharoah received Joseph, and his interpretation, and Egypt was delivered from the famine that could have come on them all. Joseph is a shadow, type, or picture of Jesus Christ. Just as Pharoah received Joseph, though he had been rejected by his brothers; so to must the people of today receive the message of Jesus and Jesus Himself in order to be delivered from the slavery to sin.
One fear that I have is that many who profess Jesus as Saviour of their lives do not recognize the signs that tell us the time here is short. Let me give you a few; 1. Rampant sin and rebellion; 2. Universal approval of sinful behaviors; 3. Things which use to be wrong are now right, and things once right are now wrong. Is that enough? Lift up your heads your redemption draweth nigh. Put another way; Jesus is coming soon. No I am not talking about “The end of the world”. I am talking about a true change.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Once a Curse… Spurgeon
The following is from Bible Gateway daily,
Once a curse but now a blessing
‘And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.’ Zechariah 8:13
Suggested Further Reading: Romans 11:13–24
In the dark ages, to be a Jew was to be deserving of all scorn and cruelty, and of no pity or consideration. To what exactions, to what fines, to what imprisonments and tortures, have not the sons of Jacob been subjected by the professed followers of the Messiah? It is perhaps the greatest of all modern miracles, that there should be one Jew upon earth who is a Christian, for the treatment they have received from pretended Christians has been enough to make them hate the name of Jesus; it has not been simply villainous, but diabolical. Devils in hell could not be more cruel to their victims than professed Christians have been to the sons of Abraham. They have been a curse indeed. Among all nations they have been a hissing and a byword. But the day is coming, and is dawning already, when the whole world shall discern the true dignity of the chosen seed, and shall seek their company, because the Lord has blessed them. In that day when Israel shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and shall mourn for their sins, the Jew shall take his true rank among the nations as an elder brother and a prince. The covenant made with Abraham, to bless all nations by his seed, is not revoked; heaven and earth shall pass away, but the chosen nation shall not be blotted out from the book of remembrance. The Lord has not cast away his people; he has never given their mother a bill of divorcement; he has never put them away; in a little wrath he has hidden his face from them, but with great mercies will he gather them.
For meditation: We should thank God for the Jews; through them he gave us his Word (Romans 3:2; 9:4) and his Son (Romans 9:5); he still has blessings to give to the world through them (Romans 11:12). If you blame them for Christ’s death, remember that he died for sinners, and that you, as a sinner, were also responsible.
Sermon no. 543
6 December (1863)
O what a blessing the Jewish people have been to the Christian and the world. They have been used by God to provide us the Word of God, and our Lord and Saviour has come through them.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Blessed is the People…
The following is the sermon p0ints from the sermon I preached Sunday November 18, 2012.
Blessed is the People…
Psalm 89:15-18
1. The people who know the joyful sound;
2. The people who are in fellowship with the LORD;
3. The people who are in the light of His countenance;
4. The people rejoice all day;
5. The people are exalted in His Righteousness;
6. The people have the LORD as the glory of our strength and power;
7. The people have the LORD as King and Defender.
-tim
The Fire and Hammer 