Share your insights and perspectives about the “uniqueness of God.”

When I look at what the uniqueness of God is about, the first think I have to know what does unique mean.  Unique means “existing as the only one of a kind” or “having no equal.”  This is what makes God unique, because He has no equal.  We know all the attributes of God from the Scriptures and in our lives.  The Psalms says “Who is like the LORD our God?”  There is none.

We are told that the "LORD God of Israel, there is no one like you, God in heaven above or on the earth below.”  Paul tells us there is one God and Father of all and there is one Lord (Jesus).  The Scriptures says there is “no other God.”  Isaiah tells us that

God says, there is no other (God) besides me and I am the Lord and there is no other.  Paul tells us there are only one God, the Father and only one Lord, Jesus the Messiah.  I find this interesting, that God refers to the Father and Lord refers to Jesus the Messiah.  Something to think about.  Yes, God is unique and means there is only one of His kind and have no equal, now or forever.  Blessings

Stephen

Psa 113:5  Who is like the LORD our God, enthroned on high,

1Ki 8:23  and said: "LORD God of Israel, there is no one like you, God in heaven above or on the earth below,

Eph 4:5  There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Eph 4:6  one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all.

Deu 4:39  "May you acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in the heavens above and over the earth below—there is no other God.

Isa 45:5  I am the LORD, and there is no other besides me: and there are no gods. I'm strengthening you, although you have not acknowledged me,

Isa 45:6  so that from the sun's rising to the west people may know that there is none besides me. "I am the LORD, and there is no other."

1Co 8:4  Now concerning eating food offered to idols: We know that no idol is real in this world and that there is only one God.

1Co 8:6  yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom everything came into being and for whom we live. And there is only one Lord, Jesus the Messiah, through whom everything came into being and through whom we live.

 

What do you believe God requires of you?

This is not what I believe God requires of me but what does Jesus say He requires of us.  Jesus, the Lord tells us through the Scriptures what is required of me.

(Micah 6:8 KJV)  He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but

1. To do justly, and

2. To love mercy, and

3. To walk humbly with thy God?

(Deu 23:21 KJV)  When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for

4. The LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

(Deu 10:12-13 KJV)  And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but

5. To fear the LORD thy God,

6. To walk in all his ways, and

7. To love him, and

8. To serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

9. To keep the commandments of the LORD, and

10. (To Keep) his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

(1 Cor 4:2 KJV)  Moreover it is required in stewards, that

11. A man be found faithful.

There are a minimum of 11 items that Jesus requires of me, just from the scriptures with the words of require and required.  I have not even looked at a direct command that Jesus gives us, for example:

(Mark 12:30-31 KJV)  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. {31} And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

The words, “thou shalt” in the KJV is listed 1250 in 1040 verses.  Something to think about what God requires of us.  Blessings

Stephen

 

 

 

 

 

Explain about “the way of Balaam;” “the error of Balaam” and “the doctrine of Balaam”

The way of Balaam:  The wages are the reward of wrongfulness of character or unrighteousness.  You look at the leaders of our nations and how they really love the unrighteous way they live their lives, the works of the flesh, not the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Means, hireling, making a market for his gift.

(2 Pet 2:15 KJV)  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;  After a period of time, the way of Balaam becomes part of the churches then it becomes the doctrine of Balaam.

The error of Balaam:  Which means fraudulence, straying from orthodoxy, to deceive, delusion.  Sacrificing eternal riches for temporal gain.  This to me applies to the leaders of our churches who are more interesting in money than the members spiritual growth. We are told to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  It is so much different today from then.

 (Jude 1:11 KJV)  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

(Jude 1:3 KJV)  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

The doctrine of Balaam:  Which means instruction, has been taught, Spiritual unchastely, marriage with the world.  This to me applies to the body of the Church of God which Satan is casting a stumbling block before Christians and going the way of the works of the flesh.  We are to know the scriptures and what are the doctrines of Jesus taught, for example, Heb 6: 1-2. These are the milk of the word that Jesus taught.  This is a major warning for us today.

(Rev 2:14 KJV)  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

(Heb 6:1-2 KJV)  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, {2} Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Blessings

Stephen

 

Why do you think Micah 6:8 is so often misunderstood?

These Scriptures tells me what it means. 

He: This is Jesus who showed us

What is good: means a good thing, best, beautiful, glad.  Paul tells us in (1 Th 5:21 KJV)  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  This good means honest, meet, well, and worthy.

What does the LORD require of you:  require means diligently, question, search, seek.  Deut 10 tells us that Jesus your God ask of you but to fear Jesus your God, to walk in all Jesus ways, to love Jesus, to serve Jesus your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe Jesus commands and decrees.

To do justly: means to do right, be truthful and honest

To love mercy: means kindness, merciful, loving to others

To walk humbly with Jesus:  means lowly, an humble spirit.

Jesus answers this directly in Mark 12.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

Jesus also tells us what love is directly: Love is to obey Jesus commands, obey Jesus teaching and follow Jesus Way of Life.

Remember, a Christian cannot do any type of activity for their salvation, but one who is a Christian will have the love of Jesus and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Blessings

Stephen

(1 John 5:3 NIV)  This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

(John 14:15 NIV)  "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

(John 14:23-24 NIV)  Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

(Mark 12:30 NIV)  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

(Micah 6:8 KJV)  He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

(Deu 10:12-13 NIV)  And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, {13} and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

 

What insights can you share about the significant of the gifts presented to Christ by the Magi?

The gift of the Magi, which was presented to our Lord, Creator, King and High Priest, Jesus, was gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The gold is for Jesus Deity, frankincense is for Jesus High Priesthood and myrrh is for Jesus burial.  As was brought out, the gifts was for Jesus as Prophet, Priest and King.

How many ministers really believe this and think this is all there is.  Is there a remez here?  I wonder.  People said he was a carpenter, that can mean many things. Let see, this is my view for many, many moons.  What happens to Joseph as soon as the Magi left?  An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.  "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. 

What could a family that left during the night and take with them.  This to me is interesting, how many carpenters has the funds to move his family without many things and move to another country, find a home, find work and all the others things that goes into it.  So what did God provide, but the funds for Joseph to do this for his family with the gifts they just received.  Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were able to have the fund to live on, for the time they were to stay away from Jerusalem.  We know from other sources that Joseph and family went to many places in Egypt and around and even went to see the future throne of Jesus. 

The Scriptures does not say what the gifts were used for, but it had to be spent on something and keeping the family alive is a good reason to spend it on.  There is so much more to this story.  Blessings

Stephen   

(Mat 2:13-14 NIV)  When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." {14} So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,

(Mat 2:11 NIV)  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

(Mark 6:3 KJV)  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

 

 

 

Describe what the concept of the “Sabbath” means to me

The concept of the Sabbath, where do one starts?  We know from the very beginning, the Sabbath was made for mankind because God (Jesus) rested on the 7^th day and made it Holy.  Jesus said these are “His feast days,” but “His only.”  The Sabbath is the first one mention in Lev 23.  It says it is the “Sabbath of the Lord.”  Think about it. 

The Sabbath is a Holy Convocation (meaning we are to meet together) and do no work (meaning do not work at our employment where we earn income).  It is a day we meet with fellow Believers, study the word with the family, service to others, and following the example of Jesus while He was on the earth.  We do not follow the example of the Jews, because they make the Sabbath a burden on people.

I have showed on other DQ’s presentations that the NT church observe (not keep – big difference) the Sabbath from John to his disciple, Polycarp and to his disciples.  The Eastern Church observed the Sabbath and Passover while the western church changed the day without scriptures approval to the 1^st day and Easter.  The Western Church killed or murder the Sabbath observers of the Eastern Church (Asia area).  We know that one of the things Jesus will restore is the Sabbath during the millennium.  The Temple will be closed on the 1^st day and only open on the 7th and the Feast Days and New Moon.  Blessings

Stephen

Learn what “Holy” really means from the study of Leviticus. 

(Exo 20:8 NIV)  "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

(Exo 20:9-11 NIV)  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, {10} but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. {11} For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

(Lev 23:2-3 KJV)  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. {3} Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

(Gen 2:3 NIV)  And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

 

Share some examples of what you would consider false teachings, today.

Some of the examples of a false teaching today we find in the Scriptures will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires and they will divide us.

Peter tells us:

·      false prophets will secretly introduce destructive heresies;

·      even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them and these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up;

·      With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable;

·      they are experts in greed--an accursed brood; and left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam.   

Paul tells us that they teach contrary to the teaching we have learned.

Why would Jesus our Lord have to restore all things when He returns to the earth and sets up His Kingdom at the start of the Millennium, from Ezekiel?  Does that mean what we are doing today is not right?  Ezekiel says many things will be restored and it starts with the Temple will only be open on the Sabbath Say, feast days and New moon.  The feast of Tabernacles and the Passover on the night of the 14^th will also be restored. Something I have to think about.

Blessings

Stephen

(Jude 1:18-19 NIV)  They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." {19} These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

(Rom 16:17-18 NIV)  I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. {18} For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

 (2 Pet 2:1 NIV)  But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.

(2 Pet 2:3 NIV)  In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

 (2 Pet 2:14 NIV)  With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed--an accursed brood!

(2 Pet 2:15 NIV)  They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

(Acts 3:21 NIV)  He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

 

 

How would I define a “false teacher” and discern false teachings?

A false prophet or teacher or minister will teach false teachings for power, money, personal objectives, and things along this line.  We are told by Paul to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”  If we study the Scriptures and know and do what the Scriptures says, we can spot a counterfeit from the real thing.  A leader that does not teach the truth is a false teacher.

John tells us to test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets are here.  We are told that false Christ and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.  Peter tells us “They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them and in their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”  From Matthew says “false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect.” 

The bottom line is that there are only two “ways of life” a person will follow in their lives, the Way of Life and the way of death.  One way is following the teachings, examples, commands and the scriptures on the Way of Life we are to follow.  These are the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  The false teacher will teach parts of the way of death in little things that will then add up.  These will lead to the works of the flesh.

Blessings

Stephen

(1 Th 5:21 KJV)  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

(2 Pet 2:1-3 NIV)  But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. {3} In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

(Mat 24:24 NIV)  For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.

(1 Pet 3:15 NIV)  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

(1 John 4:1 NIV)  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 

How would you explain the implications of the phrase, “whenever the rights of God are lightly treated – the rights of men can fare no better?”

I find that this is a very interesting statement, when the rights of God are lightly treated, then the rights of men can fare no better.  I am going to look at this from a different point of view.  The rights of God are what Jesus our Lord taught, commanded and instructed for His people to do. Jesus is teaching a “Way of Life” for His people to live by and if we do not live by His “Way of Life”, then we treat lightly the rights of our High, Creator God.  These rights are the results of the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  If we as a people do these things then we will not treat lightly the rights of God.  Or, we know when we as a people to not live the “Way of Life”, we will live the Way of Death that Satan teaches.  Jeremiah tells us there are only two ways of life for God’s created beings.  If we live the “Way of Death,” we will have the works of the flesh is our lives and we will not recognize the rights of our High, Creator God.  So, which way are we living today.

Blessings

Stephen

(Gal 5:22-23 NIV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

(Jer 21:8 NIV)  "Furthermore, tell the people, 'This is what the LORD says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.

(Gal 5:19-21 KJV)  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, {20} Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, {21} Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

 

 

How would you characterize the leadership of failing nations?

The leadership of a failing nation is characterize by not following the Law of God, being ungodly in all of their ways.  They are not following the Way of Life that Jesus taught, lived, teachings, and judgments.  It is not just the leadership but the people themselves have become ungodly.  The leaders and people do not obey the commands of Jesus because they do not love Him.  The only way we can show our love for Jesus is to obey His commands and teachings.  The people and the leadership (definitely the churches today) “pick and choose” which commands and teachings they will observe.  When Jesus our Lord returns to set up His kingdom during the millennium, He will restore all things as they were supposed to be and then all people will observe His commands and teachings.  John explains it the best when he said this is love for God, to obey his commands.
Blessings

Stephen

(John 15:10 NIV)  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

(John 14:23-24 NIV)  Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

(1 John 5:3 NIV)  This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

 

What does it mean to you to be God-fearing?

There are so many ways and Scriptures that talks about God-fearing and what we are to do.  God fearing just means “reverence” to God.  Jesus tells us in Luke 12 to fear him.  We find that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and when we do this, we will hate evil.  What is evil, but works of the flesh and what is against the commands of our Lord, Jesus.  If we fear the LORD, then we will find great delight in his commands.  Oh, so difference from what the churches teaches today.  We need to learn to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  We need to let the Holy Spirit lead us in all understanding on the proper way to fear and become a real, God-fearing person.

Blessings

Stephen

(Prov 9:10 NIV)  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

(Prov 8:13 NIV)  To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

(Isa 33:6 NIV)  He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

fear:  3374. yir'ah, yir-aw'; fem. of H3373; fear (also used as infin.); mor. reverence:-- X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear (-fulness).

(Psa 111:10 NIV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

(Psa 112:1 NIV)  Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

(Heb 12:28 KJV)  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

(Rev 14:7 NIV)  He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

(Luke 12:5 KJV)  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

 

 

 

What does our culture condone today that God condemns?

Paul in Gal 5 covers this dq about the culture and what they condone that is different from what God condemns.  Why, because we as a nation do not follow the commands, teachings and the Law of God that Jesus our Lord gave us.  We as Christians in the New Testament says we do not have to follow the Law of God but Jesus says different, in Deut 28, the Blessings and Cursing Chapter, what happens to an individual and a nation that does not follow the commands of God.  Paul tells us the following that our culture embraces today that God condemns.  These are strong words.

·      sexual immorality

·      impurity

·      debauchery

·      idolatry

·      witchcraft

·      hatred

·      discord

·      jealousy

·      fits of rage

·      selfish ambition

·      dissensions

·      factions

·      envy

·      drunkenness

·      orgies

Paul then said, “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Think what Paul just said,  That to me is very strong words.  This is why there is a law, so we know what sin is and we can repent of the above sins.

Now, if we are a true Christian, then we would be living the “Way of Life” with the fruit of the Spirit.  Paul also explains this in Gal 5. The Christian who has the Holy Spirit living in them, the fruit of the Spirit is:

·      love

·      joy

·      peace

·      patience

·      kindness

·      goodness

·      faithfulness

·      gentleness

·      self-control

Oh so hard to do on my own, but our Lord, Jesus living in us through the Holy Spirit is the only way we can have this fruit of the Spirit in our lives. 

Blessings

Stephen

(Gal 5:19-21 NIV)  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; {20} idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {21} and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

(2 Th 2:9-10 NIV)  The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, {10} and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

(Gal 5:22-23 NIV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

 

Nations divide the land of Israel.

When I look at how our leaders are assisting other to divide the land of Israel.  Joel 3:2, last part says, “divided up my land.”  We look at what land was given to Israel as an inheritance. When other nations leaders are trying to take it away from the inheritance that God gave, there is a strong judgment upon these nations leaders and people.  The term, land for peace is heard around the world and also in Jerusalem.  The far left liberals are behind this because they do not believe what Jesus teaches from the Scriptures in the Old Testament and New Testament.  We pray that Jesus will come quickly to stop the suffering upon the individuals (war, famine and pestilence)  in the world because of the decisions that our leaders are making about dividing up the land that contain the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) inheritance.

ps:  I read the end of the Book and we “WIN” under the rule of Jesus, our Lord during the millennium and all future. 

Blessings

Stephen

(Joel 3:2 NIV)  I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.