“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of Hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King, and my God.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O LORD God of Hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of Thine anointed.
For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.
O LORD of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” Psalm 84:1-12 (KJB)
God
Expressing Praise to The One Who Is Worthy
“Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the Everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” Romans 16:25-27 (KJB)
As I read the apostle’s doxology to the epistle to the Roman Christians I thought of the Doxology our Church sang to open every Sunday morning worship service when I was a child.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
We ought to always praise and worship the Lord Most High. He alone is worthy.
The Sword of the LORD
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (KJB)
The Holy Bible is the written word of God, verbally inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), penned down by common men chosen by God, and upon whom the LORD had poured His Spirit upon. Around 40 of these men from Job and Moses to the apostle John; and over a period of many hundreds of years; were called by God to write these words for the guidance, direction, conviction, inspiration, encouragement and comfort of His people.
With the word of God being questioned by so many it reminds me of the first question ever asked to turn a couple of people away from what God had said. That question was, “Yea, has God said…?” (Genesis 3:1). That tells me where the questions of doubt; and it is not honest doubt; but doubt which leads to the destruction of faith in God.
Honest doubt and questions of such are to gain knowledge and wisdom concerning God and His word. The enemy’s question was meant for destruction, not learning and growth.
Now, I will get to the above text for today.
- The word of God is living and that means it is set, it is settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89), it is immutable – never changing; it is God’s word, and is just as reliable as God Himself;
- It is powerful/active; through this living word God changes lives; He has sent His son who is the physical incarnation of His word, Jesus Christ, and is the Living Word of God, and cannot be separated from the written word; the word of God has power to give life and to take away life;
- Sharper than any two edged sword; the sword of the soldier of the day was one with a double edge; it cut which ever way it was swung; in a forward thrust it pierced with great fierceness; the word of God is likened to that, but is said to be sharper, and is a divider of the soul and spirit, on “the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,” John Gill’s Exposition says, “…the apostle’s meaning seems to be this, that whereas the soul and spirit are invisible, and the joints and marrow are covered and hid; so sharp and quick sighted, and so penetrating is the divine Word, that it reaches the most secret and hidden things of men: and this sense is confirmed by what follows,” John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible;
- The word of God is also a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart of men, women, and children; the psalmist prayed in Psalm 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts…”; O how wicked and vile the human heart and mind can be.
When we know God, and trust His word we can trust Him to reveal our wickedness to ourselves; and that leads the heart of the child of God to repentance, and forgiveness.
The word of God is living, and active, never changing. We must pattern our lives after the Book; not try changing the book to fit our lives.
Worship: It’s Not For God, It’s For Us….SAY WHAT????
This is the very first post I ever published, other than the one where I first introduced the blog. Ah, memories. I am actually rerunning a lot of my older stuff. Many have not read much of it, I have been crazy busy with work and church/ministry stuff and am also getting all of my posts into Word so I have them always. Thanks for your patience and consideration. It’s a bit longish, Back then I thought the more words the merrier.
This is my first “official” blog post, and it’s about a topic/person I will probably write about often. It’s about my “favorite” pastor, Joel Osteen.
Mr. Osteen’s name will probably appear in this blog often since he often says things which make me want to say other things. Hardly a word comes from his mouth that doesn’t make me want to respond in some way. Having said that…
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The Throne of God and of the Lamb
The blessings of being with God are wonderful, fantastic, and I do not know if any earthly word could describe it unless it would be AWESOME. His desire for us to know and understand the Revelation is clearly revealed to us, though the understanding may be difficult. Warnings and invitation to the unrepentant and warnings to those who might treat His prophecies with contempt are plentiful and quite clear in their description of the judgment which will follow for those with evil hearts and minds; and the declaration by Jesus of a quick coming sums up The Revelation of Jesus Christ. A marvelous word from God.
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5 (KJV)
We will be gathered around the throne of God; the Holy, Righteous, Glorious, One.
Around the throne, we find the “Water of life”. It reminds us of the refreshing purity of God. There was a time when King David was in battle and he desired water from the well of Bethlehem. The water from that certain well was known for its fresh, clean, clear and cool refreshment. Three of David’s men broke through enemy lines and brought him a drink (1 Chronicles 11:15-19). Even the water from the freshest of wells here on earth could not begin to match the satisfaction of that “water of life” which flows from the throne of God. Out of the belly of those who love Jesus shall flow rivers of living water.
John sees the “Tree of Life”. Driven from the garden by the wrath of God wrapped in grace, Adam and Eve would never see the tree in the garden of Eden again. By God’s grace, they will see it again when we all stand before the face of God. Mankind has been kept from this tree for thousands of years (Genesis 3:22-24). Where the book of Genesis drives Adamkind from the garden, in the Revelation we find access to the tree once again for all who came by way of Jesus Christ. Access is granted again. The Tree of Life bears twelve different kinds of fruit each month. Its leaves provide healing for the nations. What kind of healing this is speaking of I do not know, unless it would be speaking of ethnic groups who will find peace and grace, and mercy at the feet of Jesus.
There was a curse put on Adamkind in the garden of Eden due to Adam’s and Eve’s sin of disobedience and eating the forbidden fruit. The curse was sin, death, and hell. It has been the inclination of mankind to rebel against God and curse Him. There is an emptiness in man that causes him to search for someone greater than himself, but always, apart from God’s searching for him, looking elsewhere other than the Creator. Making gods in their own likeness, like creatures, and other men. According to the Psalmist these gods have hands, but cannot work; feet but cannot walk; eyes but cannot see, and they that make them are like unto them (Psalm 115, and 135). The curse is eternally lifted at the glorification of Jesus Christ, and obedience will be the inclination of all who enter that city, that is called Holy. God and the Lamb are present, and where God and the Lamb are, sin cannot be. PRAISE HIM!!!!
We are gathered around the throne as His children glorifying Him for all eternity. What a blessing to be before His face (Coram Deo is Latin for “Before the face of God”). That should be the heart of the child of God until we see Him face to face. One of the greatest blessings will be that we will be marked by His name in our foreheads.
God is the Light of that city. Scripture does not say there is no sun or moon. My mind tells me that the glory of God and the Lamb will be so bright and majestic that the light of the sun and moon will only fade behind the scene.
O, do you know Jesus the Glorious One who died, was buried, and rose again?
Christmas Day Thirty and Four
What do I want for Christmas today?
I want to always be thankful, a thankful person to all who do a kind deed or thought expressed, and especially to be thankful to my Lord and God to whom Thanks belongs most.
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 107:1 (KJV)
Christmas Day One Hundred Six
What do I want for Christmas today?
It is the Lord’s Day once again, so I want to go to worship our God and Savior Jesus Christ with brothers and sisters in Christ, and glorify His name together, then go into the community, and the world, equipped, and ready to live in a way that shows Him to the world; and do that seven days a week.
Thank You – Christmas Day One Hundred Twenty and Six
What do I want for Christmas today?
I want to thank my Lord and God first of all for His love, mercy and grace; and His many, many blessings; and I want to thank him for you the ones who come to this site and take the time to read these posts on Christmas Day.
There are many of you who come here day after day, and some ever since day one (December 26, 2015) for these Christmas daily wants.
We are well over halfway through the task, and it has been a blessing to me; but I do need to say I will be glad when Christmas Day actually arrives. I do not know that I would do it again. It has been a time of great thought, and provocation for me.
Again, to all of you THANK YOU.
Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Seventy and Eight
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want Jesus Christ to always be Master of my life, my heart, my mind, and my soul; and when I get distracted by worldly, material things, or insignificant things that may seem spiritual and right; I will trust you Lord to always get me on the right path, and right mind; I want Christ Jesus to be the light of my eye, and the treasure of my heart; always.
Christmas Day Two Hundred and Seventeen
What do I want for Christmas?
I want always when I have a feeling of fear to go to my Lord and Savior and find rest and peace in Him; and to no longer fear, anything but Him.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” Psalm 56:3 (KJV)
“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Psalm 56:11“But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.” [Jesus Christ] John 6:20
Day Three Hundred Forty and Three
What do I want for Christmas?
I want all races of people to be one in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior; there is truly only one race; the human race, and all of our blood flows red.
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them 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.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV)
Day Three hundred and Fifty
What do I want for Christmas?
I want a righteous man to be the President of the United States of America. One who loves God, loves God’s Word, loves God’s people called Christian, and loves righteousness, justice, and peace.
When we have a godly, righteous leader, through Christ Jesus we will be blessed again.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV)
What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 364
“Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
In the coming year I want to see many who are the enemy of God [Jehovah]; those who refuse the gift of God in His Son Jesus Christ; to have their eyes opened to the truth of who Jesus is; and that they will fall on their knees in repentance believing Him, trusting all that the Word of God says of Him, that He died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and that He rose from the dead, for our eternal salvation.
Through the Bible in a Year – e080413
GOD as Our Refuge
1. HE BRINGS HIS PEOPLE THROUGH TROUBLES TO A WEALTHY PLACE (Psalm 66:8-12).
2. HE HEARS THE PRAYERS OF HIS PEOPLE (Psalm 71:7-13; 80:1-7).
3. HE ESTABLISHES HIS TESTIMONY AND HIS LAW IN HIS PEOPLE (Psalm 78:1-8).
4. HE IS WORTHY OF THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE (Psalm 81:1-7).
5. HE IS MORE GLORIOUS THAN ZION OR HIS DWELLING PLACES (Psalm 87:1-3).
YAH is God
I have become fascinated with the prophet of Elijah in the past few years, and maybe so in the past few months. He is known as the prophet of fire, and the reason for that title becomes apparent as you read the Scriptural accounts of his ministry and life.
The name Elijah means, “My God is Jehovah [YHWH]” or “YAH is God”, and thus the title of this post. I want to spend some time looking more into the life of Elijah who seems to just appear on the scene in the days of the rule of Ahab and Jezebel over Israel; the Northern kingdom.
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.'” 1 Kings 17:1 (KJV)
The above verse is the first mention of Elijah in the Bible, but certainly not the last. According to my check, Elijah’s name is mentioned at least 108 more times through the New Testament with thirty in the New Testament. Being a “Tishbite” and since it seems that no one knows the location of a city by this name, then maybe the Strong’s application may be of service to us,
“tishbı̂y tish-bee’ Patrial from an unused name meaning recourse; a Tishbite or inhabitant of Tishbeh (in Gilead): – Tishbite.”
Notice the word “recourse”, and that could apply more to the person’s; the prophet in this case; interest and heart. Recourse meaning,
“1: a turning to someone or something for assistance or protection: Resort 2: a source of aid.” MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY
So could this not mean for us that Elijah was from Gilead, and had a burden for the children of Israel to turn to the One whom they were refusing for the protection and aid they really needed? I think it is a great possibility. The prophet was a man who had a heart for God and for the Northern kingdom to turn to God.
Elijah told the king Ahab that there would be no rain, or dew until he called on the LORD God to give it. We know from the epistle of James that was three and one half years without dew or rain (James 5:17). Oh, how the people of God today need a heart like Elijah who will spend time with the LORD, know His heart, preach His Word, even to the kings of the earth; and tell them what God is about to do.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Seven Things Which God Hates
Some want to think that God hates nothing. However, if there is not hate, then what is love, and the apostle John says that “God is love”. Since God is love there must of necessity be some things which He hates, and the Bible in Proverbs gives us seven of them; which seems to cover every gamut of evil in the world.
Hear the wisdom of the ages –
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
I do not believe I have ever seen a time in my life when there is such a pride and arrogance, especially among leaders. Leaders in the business world, leaders in politics, leaders of Nations; and even leaders in churches who profess to know God and His Son Jesus. With noses in the air they walk around defying God and His Word.
Lies, lies, and more lies are seen. A person can tell a lie until it becomes the truth in their own mind. The lying tongue has intent to deceive and defraud. “Lie” – any statement or act designed to deceive another person, and or harm them, their reputation or possibly even bodily.
There are hands shedding innocent blood. Mothers killing their own babies; before they are born and after they are born. Sons killing fathers; fathers killing sons – sometimes neither are not so innocent blood. Governments killing Christians for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Husbands and wives killing the innocent spouse for insurance money or to get another spouse.
With the heart of imagination men have designs against God, His Word, His people, His land, and His future. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” (Psalm 2:1). I have news for the ones imagining to overthrow Israel, and set up a quote “Palestinian Nation”. It will not succeed. God’s covenant stands forever. The United Nations will fail. Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, Libya, the United States of America, etc. will all fail and fall; but our God and His Word will stand forever.
There are feet that are swift for destruction. Evil feet are feet that move with haste without much thought as to its outcome and destruction of life to oneself or others. Mostly for acquiring material gain. Swift at running to mischief. Looking for the next party; the next drunken brawl; the next adulterous affair. Swift to move toward evil.
A false witness speaks lies in order, usually, to gain for ones self. There is usually a malicious – intent to do harm – cause behind a false witness. Jezebel lied about Naboth in order to gain his vineyard for king Ahab, and caused Naboth’s death (1 Kings 21). Does that happen in courts and politics today? Does that happen in families today? Has that happened to you? Have you been the one who committed the abomination?
Sowing seeds of discord is an act of “terrorism” among families. It does not do any good for churches neither. If it is no good for these then, why would it be good for Local governments, State governments, or federal governments? It is not.
If you will notice all of these are called an “Abomination unto Him”.
There is only forgiveness and eternal life through the One who died on the cross for our sins; was buried taking away our sin, guilt and condemnation; and rose bodily from the grave, and is one day soon returning to set things right in this world and the hearts of men. His name is Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Greatest Satisfaction
We are going to look at a verse today for Psalm 17. It is a Psalm and a particular verse that has been special to me for several years; upon the revelation of it to me. When the world and flesh of the world finds pleasure in things, material things, and things of others – dependence upon others for satisfaction – the greatest satisfaction for the Christian is in knowing Jesus.
“As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15 (KJV)
There is no way possible for the unrighteous to see the face of the Righteous. That is made possible only by His grace, and His gift. The gift is the cross of Christ. When we behold His face it will be because that the righteous Lamb of God took our place, died the death of separation from God the Father, becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21); and by God’s own declaration we are declared “Righteous”. When that has happened then we can say with the Psalmist, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness”.
The following is a note from the Treasury of David by Charles H. Spurgeon and a sermon he preached-
“I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” The saints in heaven have not yet awaked in God’s likeness. The bodies of the righteous still sleep, but they are to be satisfied on the resurrection morn, when they awake. When a Roman conqueror had been at war, and won great victories, he would return to Rome with his soldiers, enter privately into his house, and enjoy himself till the next day, when he would go out of the city to re-enter it publicly in triumph. Now, the saints, as it were, enter privately into heaven without their bodies; but on the last day, when their bodies wake up, they will enter into their triumphal chariots. Methinks I see that grand procession, when Jesus Christ first of all, with many crowns on his head, with his bright, glorious, immortal body, shall lead the way. Behind him come the saints, each of them clapping their hands, or pouring sweet melody from their golden harps; all entering in triumph. And when they come to heaven’s gates, and the doors are opened wide to let the King of glory in, how will the angels crowd at the windows and on the housetops, like the inhabitants in the Roman triumphs, to watch the pompous procession, and scatter heaven’s roses and lilies upon them, crying, “Hallelujah! hallelujah! hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” “I shall be satisfied” in that glorious day when all the angels of God shall come to see the triumphs of Jesus, and when his people shall be victorious with him. – Spurgeon’s Sermons.
John the apostle wrote,
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3
The Greatest Satisfaction for the Christian is in knowing Jesus.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Heart of Pretense
A Heart of Pretense
“Pretense” – a claim, not supported by fact; mere display or show. A false show. So is the meaning of the word. It would not be a pleasant or comfortable thing to be charged with. However, as we look into the book of Jeremiah we see that the nation of Judah, the Southern part of the divided kingdom since Rehoboam, is charged with this exact thing. “Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 3:10).
The Northern kingdom has been charged with adultery against God. God has called for their repentance (3:7), to return to the LORD. They had prostituted themselves against their faithful Husband and God, and become an immoral nation.
“…Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,’ says the LORD.” Jeremiah 3:8-10 (NKJV).
This was a prophecy given during the reign of Josiah (3:6), who was considered a godly king. Josiah became king at the age of eight years (Read 1 Chronicles 34 – 35). You will read of Josiah that he purged the land of Judah of the “high places”, of “carved images”, and of “molded images”, and that “He did what was right in the sight of the LORD…” However, it appears that much of what was done during Josiah’s reign was done with pretense. It does not seem to have been pretense on the kings part, but on the peoples hearts. Legislation, whether done by a monarch or a president cannot change the hearts of people. The hearts of the people of Judah were moved by Josiah, but not by God. Therefore, there was much pretense in the land of Judah.
Pretense or hypocrisy cannot be hid from the omniscient eye of the LORD. It is said quite often in Scriptures that “God looks on the heart”, and that seems to be something that all people tend to forget. Pretense and hypocrisy never fools, or deceives the Lord Almighty. It didn’t work in Judah or Israel, and it will not work in today’s world either.
If you will notice God even calls this act by Judah “treacherous”. Three times in verses seven through ten God calls Judah the “treacherous sister” of Israel. The word “Treacherous” is defined as ‘Characterized by treachery; untrustworthy, unreliable’ and “Treachery” is defined as ‘a violation of allegiance or trust’. According to Strong’s Concordance it is ‘to deal deceitfully’; and certainly the heart’s of the people of Judah were endeavoring to deal deceitfully with God.
At a time when our own nation is at war, and the hearts of people are growing more and more spiritual, but not according to the knowledge of God; there is much pretense and hypocrisy. There are religions on every corner that use the name of God, but know Him not. When religion denies Jesus Christ, they deny God. Jesus Himself said, “If you have seen Me you have seen the Father” (John 14:9). There is truly only one true worship of God, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ, by His death, burial and resurrection. Any other presumed worship is a treacherous and pretentious worship.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
Israel’s Backsliding
Israel’s Backsliding
God is loving, merciful and gracious. He has been with the northern kingdom of Israel, and with the southern kingdom of Judah. In His love, and His pursuit of His people, the rebellion, coldness, disobedience, and rebellion continue.
It is a shame that those who call themselves the people of God cannot see that they have departed from Him. They are a backsliden people. Hear the words of the prophet from God:
“The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: ‘Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.” Jeremiah 3:6-7 (NKJV).
The sin of Israel was their turning away from their worship of God alone, and they had started developing patterns consistent with pagan worshippers of false gods, even including their worship to false gods in their supposed worship to God. God has given very careful guidance in the true worship of Him. “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”, and that means the worship of God, YHWH [YaHWeH] alone. To include others is to destroy true worship of the one true God.
They in effect have worshipped demons, rather than God;
“They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot…” Leviticus 17:7 (NKJV).
Paul writing to the Corinthians says,
“Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:18-20 (NKJV).
Worship directed to a Jesus who is not God is a false worship. Worship directed to anyone or anything that is not God is false worship.
Israel has sinned in their worship. It appears that there is more and more people who call themselves Christian who are also sinning in their worship. Their rebellion, disobedience, and adultery toward God must be repented of, seeking God’s forgiveness.
God has said to Israel, “Return to Me”. His call to the Church is the same; “Return to Me”. Be backsliding no more and return to God, and the holy and right worship through the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
The True Source of the Power
The True Source of the Power
“But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:28-30 (KJV)
The prophet Zechariah wrote, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6). It is sad that the ones who were responsible for the spiritual leadership of Israel were blind to the power of God when He was walking in their midst. When Jesus was walking with us on this earth He was the source and giver of power to cast out demons. Jesus lived in the power of the Spirit of God. He was and is the bodily manifestation of the power and presence of God.
Jesus overpowered the influence of the devil in the fourth chapter of Matthew. He bound the strong man, and spoiled his house. Jesus would not yield nor seek shortcuts around the will of the Father for his life.
There are still people who cannot see God as being benevolent, all powerful, all knowing, and all present. They equate Him as being an evil tyrant. They are the ones who are calling good evil, and evil good. God cannot be truly benevolent unless He is also all powerful, all knowing and all present. These same people are the ones who continue to reject Jesus and equate His power to evil as well. If you are not with Him you are against Him. If you gather not with Him you are scattering abroad.
Anyone who claims to believe in a god who created the world, but this god is not omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, as well as immutable does not believe in the true God who created the world from nothing. The God who created all things spoke it into existence. With the power of His Word it all came to be. With the power of His Word all evil will be put to its end.
When we see the words and life of Jesus we see the life of the Father, the Creator in Him. Jesus demonstrated that He was/is the power of God on earth, among men, by His power to bind Satan and his demons. Some want to say, but He died by the hand of the devil on the cross. It was not by the hand of the devil that He died on the cross. It was by the hand of His own Father, and He laid His own life down, humbled before His Father and God.
The religious leaders rather then drawing people to God, and the Son were pushing people away with their hard heartedness, their cold indifference and legalism; and the blindness of the heart. Let us never allow our hearts to grow hard, coldly indifferent, becoming blind and legalistic in the teaching of regeneration and justification.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
Broken Pieces 