I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, ‘Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.’ ”
“For I have not sent them,” saith the LORD, “yet they prophesy a lie in My name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.”
Jeremiah 27:12-15
perish
The Marvelous Work Of God
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
Acts 13:38-41
Who Is This Man?
And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them,
“Let us pass over unto the other side.”
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea,
“Peace, be still.”
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them,
“Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41
The Ninety Nine and the One
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:10-14
I am grateful that I was that one. He came seeking me and found me, and put me on His shoulder and carried me back to the fold.
You may be that one He has come seeking. Believe Him, and He will deliver you.
Put Away Your Sword
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him,
“Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes,
“Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take Me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on Me. But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Matthew 26:51-56
Words of Jesus; Son of God, God the Son – 090520
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them,
‘Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ ” Luke 13:1-5 (KJB)
Getting Wisdom Versus Speaking Lies
“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” Proverbs 19:8-9 (KJB)
Enduring Righteousness
“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.” Psalm 112:1-10 (KJB)
Great Need For Repentance
“There were present at that season some that told Him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answering said unto them,
‘Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’” Luke 13:1-5 (KJB)
The LORD, My Portion
“Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
The Portion of Jacob is not like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The LORD of Hosts is His name.” Jeremiah 10:14-16 (KJB)
The prophet lived among many people of Judah who were in pretense worshiping the LORD God, and yet they worshiped demons in the form of idolatry the other days of the week.
Some of these people may have even been the idol makers, and sold them for a profit. After all it is only business. Right? Wrong. It is forbidden by God Himself to make or to set up idols.
You may be thinking, “Well people do not worship idols today”. Really? Some of them roll around on four wheels. We call them automobiles. They are only a tool to serve us. What about those things you see attached to peoples hands and ears, called “Cell phones” are they not worshiped? Some worship their children and grandchildren. Anything can be an idol.
I have heard it said, “Man makes god in his own image”. You know kind of a slur on God’s word where He tells us “Let Us make man in our image”. The gods the race of Adam makes are things created by our own hands, by our own minds. These gods are weak. They can be burned. They can be destroyed. They can die.
The LORD, my Portion is not weak, but Mighty; Almighty, as a matter of fact. The LORD, my Portion can not be burned; He cannot be destroyed; and He cannot die. He is the One who made all things; the seen and the unseen; every planet, every star, every molecule that is in the Universe. He bows to no one.
He did come to earth as a Man, the God Man Jesus Christ, and gave His life to redeem Adam’s fallen race unto Himself.
Wisdom, Vision and Happiness
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:15-18 (KJV)
Wisdom gives instruction. Instruction many times will include correction, discipline, and what is called a “Good whipping”. I have heard many people say; at least those in my age bracket; that they would have rather had a whipping from their dad, than “A talking to”. I know what they meant.
Let me give a word of wisdom here concerning correcting a child. When correcting it should be done with vision. What do you desire the outcome of this discipline to be? Is that something to think about? I now, would like to have known that when I was raising my kids; but it is something I see is necessary now.
Look at the verses above.
Children need correction (v. 15). Correction, instruction with vision is the means of having a child who is a blessing in the home, the Church, the community and in our Country with we live. Without correction and discipline then there will be shame instead.
Wickedness is certainly noticed in our world today. As it multiplies transgression (the breaking of the laws of God and man) increases. Notice the outcome though – “…The righteous shall see their fall” v. 16).
Do you desire that your children will be a blessing and delight to your heart and soul? It must start at a very young age. You cannot wait until they are 13 years old to try and teach them right from wrong. By that age you will teach them nothing. If you have had no vision for where they need to be in life; especially in their relationship with God; then, you will have a child without life direction. Of course if you have no vision for yourself, then you will have no vision for your child. If you have come to your senses, or will come to your senses, then call on the Lord, and He will deliver you; then, pray for your children to turn as well (v. 17).
Verse 18 shows us that “Vision” or as the New King James says, “Revelation” is the means of being alive. Where there is no absolute right and/or wrong given to us from the word of God people will perish; or cast off all restraints; and live in abominable rebellion in their lives. They will perish. They will die in rebellion against God.
People want to be “Happy”, but refuse to hear how true happiness is available. Hear the vision of Jesus…
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:1-12
The greatest vision/revelation we can have is Jesus the crucified, buried, and risen Son of God who is God the Son. He will guide your life. He will guide your children’s lives. You first must submit to Him.
Christmas Day Two Hundred Twenty and Two
What do I want for Christmas?
I want Jesus Christ to be Christmas every day of the year, all year long; because He is the greatest Gift of Christmas.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)
Against the LORD’S Anointed
“And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.” 1 Samuel 26:9-12 (KJV)
For a second time David is merciful to the man, the king of Israel who is pursuing him; in order to kill him. David is merciful. One can only be merciful if they are forgiving.
David was merciful and forgiving because he himself had received much mercy and forgiveness.
David’s man Abishai wanted to kill the king, and be done with him. David saw a way to get the king’s attention instead, and make a clear point.
We have all received the mercy of God. We can see it everyday. The One who made us, keeps us, holds us, and offers us His glorious salvation. God in His mercy could destroy every evil man, or woman in an instant; but instead offers them grace; giving them yet more mercy with each moment they, or we live.
You are alive today because of God’s mercy. You can live in eternity with Him by His grace which is revealed in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection. Receive His forgiveness today.
Lift not your hand against God’s anointed.
The Fire and Hammer 