Why should we pursue the accumulation of knowledge?

There is only one reason we should accumulate knowledge and we go back to Adam and Eve and the two different trees.  The two trees are tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Our first parents picked the wrong tree and on that day we were told we would die in this physical life. 

We know Proverbs tells us the discerning heart seeks knowledge and Peter tells us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  That is what knowledge is why we are to acquire true knowledge is to know and follow our Lord Creator Jesus.  Knowledge is also part of us to add to our faith from Peter.   Paul wants us to come to knowledge of the truth and growing in the knowledge of God, until we become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Jesus our Lord said )  "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge” and the keys is learning what Jesus taught, instructed, and way He live, teaching the Way of life all Christians are to live.

Blessings

Stephen

(Gen 2:9 NIV)  And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

(Prov 15:14 NIV)  The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

(2 Pet 3:18 NIV)  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

(2 Pet 1:5 NIV)  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

(2 Pet 1:6 NIV)  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

(2 Pet 1:2 NIV)  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

(1 Tim 2:4 NIV)  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

(Col 1:10 NIV)  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

(Eph 4:13 NIV)  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

(Luke 11:52 NIV)  "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."

 

True Wisdom versus False Wisdom

When I think of true wisdom versus false wisdom, what comes to mind is there are just two ways of living and only two ways of life. 

Jesus our Lord and Creator tells us that he sets before us two ways to live; one way is the way of Life that our Lord and Creator taught, instructed and by His example that we are His Bride are to live. 

The other way is way of death that Satan by his broadcasting wants us to live contrary to the way of life. 

Satan teaches the works of the flesh and the Holy Spirit shows us what the fruit of the Spirit is. 

Since we have free moral agency, we can follow what true wisdom is (our Lord and Creator, Jesus) or follow false wisdom (Satan and his demons).

Joshua had this choice between way of life and the way of death and he said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”. 

Blessings

Stephen

"You are to say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: "I'm about to set before you the way of life and the way of death.  (Jer 21:8 ISV)

If you think it's the wrong thing for you to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve—the gods whom your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose territories you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. (Jos 24:15 ISV)

 

 

 

The Three Enemies of Man

The three enemies of man are world, the flesh and the devil.

The World:  James tells us if we are friends with the world, is an enemy of God.  Why, because who is in charge of the world right now, is it not Satan and his demons. 

You adulterers! Don't you know that friendship with the world means hostility with God? So whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God.  (Jas 4:4 ISV)

The Flesh: We know when human nature (spirit in man) is not combined with the Holy Spirit, Paul tells us that human nature leads to death where Holy Spirit leads to life and peace.

Or do you think the Scripture means nothing when it says that the Spirit that God caused to live in us jealously yearns for us?  (Jas 4:5 ISV)

To focus our minds on the human nature leads to death, but to focus our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace. That is why the mind that focuses on human nature is hostile toward God. It refuses to submit to the authority of God's Law because it is powerless to do so. (Rom 8:6-7 ISV)

The Devil: As the devil broadcast his message he is trying to deceive the very elect but we are told not to give opportunity to the devil to work.  We know the devil is like a prowling and a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

But he gives all the more grace. And so he says, "God opposes the arrogant but gives grace to the humble." Therefore, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. (Jas 4:6-7 ISV)

and do not give the devil an opportunity to work. (Eph 4:27 ISV)

Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1Pe 5:8 ISV)

because false messiahs and false prophets will appear and display great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Mat 24:24 ISV)

Always remember, stay close to our Lord and Creator, Jesus.

Blessings

Stephen

You used to be dead because of your offenses and sins, that you once practiced as you lived according to the ways of this present world and according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now active in those who are disobedient. Indeed, all of us once behaved like them in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of our flesh and senses. By nature we were destined for wrath, just like everyone else.  (Eph 2:1-3 ISV)

 

 

 

James says that we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

 

I find this very interesting question about doers of the Word.   James just told us that if we are just hearers only, we deceive ourselves.  

Many say they are saved by grace (which is true) but then by their actions they are telling the world that they hate Jesus our Lord.  This is a Strong statement, but true.

Jesus our Lord tells us that the person who loves Him will: 

·      Keeps His commandments,

·      His Word,

·      Abide in His love

·      This demonstrates our love for God.

·      Demonstrates love: that we live according to God's commandments  

How are we to know what Jesus commands are, but by studying His Word, the Scriptures, finding out what Jesus taught, following His example throughout the Scriptures, and living the Way of Life and not the way of death that Satan instructs in. 

We are told to endure until the end.  By grace we are saved and will be Kings and Priests under our Lord and King at the start of the millennium. 

Blessings 

Stephen 

Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves. (Jas 1:22 ISV) 

The person who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I, too, will love him and reveal myself to him." (Joh 14:21 ISV) 

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. Then my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home within him. The one who does not love me does not keep my words. The words that you're hearing me say are not mine, but come from the Father who sent me. (Joh 14:23-24 ISV) 

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. (Joh 15:10 ISV) 

This is how we know that we love God's children: we love God and keep his commandments. For this demonstrates our love for God: We keep his commandments, and his commandments are not difficult, (1Jn 5:2-3 ISV) 

And this is what demonstrates love: that we live according to God's commandments. Just as you have heard from the beginning what he commanded, you must live by it. (2Jn 1:6 ISV) 

But someone may say, "You have faith, and I have actions." Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions. (Jas 2:18 ISV) 

But the person who endures to the end will be saved. (Mat 24:13 ISV)

 

 

 

Double-Minded man

I found the term, double-minded man very interesting.  This term is the Greek word “dipsuchos” and means two-spirited, vacillating in opinion or purpose. 

We know of individuals who will research something to make a decision in life and just keep researching but never come to a final answer or what to do.  This is the same way in a Christian Walk of Life. 

We know there are only two Ways of Life for a individual to live and nothing in between.  The Way of Life and the Way of Death.  One is following the teachings, instruction and examples of our Lord and Creator, Jesus which is the Way of Life and the other Way of death is Satan way.  When we receive the Holy Spirit, the spirit in man combines with the Holy Spirit and we become a new creation. 

We then need to keep Jesus command and do what pleases him.  It is easy to know what to do, just look at what Jesus says he hates and not do it.  This is what a double-minded person does and then we become lukewarm. 

We all continue to make emotional choices to follow on what we desire, feel and think instead of the Words and commands from the Scriptures.  The only way we can show or demonstrate our love for God, we keep his commandments by the Way we live.

Blessings

Partners in fellowship

Stephen

He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he undertakes. (Jas 1:8 ISV)

Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (Jas 4:8 ISV)

I despise the double-minded, but I love your instruction. (Psa 119:113 ISV)

Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves. (Jas 1:22 ISV)

Whatever we request we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus the Messiah, and to love one another as he commanded us. The person who keeps his commandments abides in God, and God abides in him. This is how we can be sure that he remains in us: he has given us his Spirit. (1Jn 3:22-24 ISV)

1374. dipsuchos, dip'-soo-khos; from G1364 and G5590; two-spirited, i.e. vacillating (in opinion or purpose):--double minded.

"I call heaven and earth to testify against you today! I've set life and death before you today: both blessings and curses. Choose life, that it may be well with you—you and your children. (Deu 30:19 ISV)

This is how we know that we love God's children: we love God and keep his commandments. For this demonstrates our love for God: We keep his commandments, and his commandments are not difficult, (1Jn 5:2-3 ISV)

"You are to say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: "I'm about to set before you the way of life and the way of death. (Jer 21:8 ISV)

 

 

Discuss what James meant when he said, "Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations."

 

When I look at the verse where it says, count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations.  I like the way ISV use the last part, “when you are involved in various trials.” 

The Apostle James tells us that God does not tempt anyone.  Our Lord Jesus said “in the world, we will have trouble.”  Paul says if we walk after the manor of our Lord Creator Jesus, we will be persecuted. 

Our Lord Jesus tells us that He examines a righteous person and  a righteous person will have many troubles, but he will deliver us from them all.

Paul then tells us when we have temptation, the Lord Jesus “will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.” 

Trials we go through will make us better and stronger Christians for our service in this age and for the Kingdom of God when Jesus our Lord returns and sets up His Kingdom at the start of the millennium.

Blessings

Partners in fellowship

Stephen

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, (Jas 1:2 ISV)

I have told you this so that through me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble, but be courageous—I have overcome the world!" (Joh 16:33 ISV)

Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in union with the Messiah Jesus will be persecuted. (2Ti 3:12 ISV)

A righteous person will have many troubles, but the LORD will deliver him from them all. (Psa 34:19 ISV)

The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence, he hates. (Psa 11:5 ISV)

No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13 ISV)

When someone is tempted, he should not say, "I am being tempted by God," because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. (Jas 1:13 ISV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judah went into captivity because of their failure to observe the “Sabbath for the land.”

 

When the Lord Jesus was giving instruction to the Nation of Israel through Moses on Mount Sinai, He explained that the land was His and it belongs to Him, and we are just sojourners in the land.  He had certain things for the land and one of them was to rest the land every 7^th year.  6 years can grow crops, but the 7^th year, rest the Land.  The Nation of Judah did not do this by observing the 7 year land cycle and that is why they went into captivity.   If Israel followed the 7 year cycle, then they would know when the year of jubilee started.  So, the land Sabbath was important to Jesus otherwise he would not put Judah into captivity.

Blessings
Stephen

The LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai. "Tell the Israelis that when you enter the land that I'm about to give you, you are to let the land observe a Sabbath to the LORD. For six years you may plant your fields, and for six years you may prune your vineyard and gather its produce. "But the seventh year is to be a Sabbath of rest for the land—a Sabbath for the LORD. You are not to plant your field or prune your vineyard. You are not to gather what grows from the spilled kernels of your crops. You are not to pick the grapes of your untrimmed vines …"Count for yourselves seven years of Sabbaths, seven times seven years. This set of seven weeks of years total forty nine years for you. (Lev 25:1-8 ISV)

The fiftieth year is to be a year of jubilee for you. You are not to sow or harvest the spilled kernels that grow of itself or pick grapes from the untrimmed vines because it's jubilee. It's sacred for you. …. "During this year of jubilee, each person is to return to his own land that he has inherited. (Lev 25:11-13 ISV)

"The land is not to be sold with any finality, because the land belongs to me. You're sojourners and travelers with me. (Lev 25:23 ISV)

"Then the land will finally be pleased with its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate while you are in the land of your enemies. At that time the land will rest and take its Sabbaths. As long as it lies desolate, it will have rest that it will not have had during your Sabbaths when you were living in it. (Lev 26:34-35 ISV)

'Then when the seventy years have passed, I'll judge the king of Babylon and that nation, declares the LORD, …, all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah prophesied about the nations. (Jer 25:12-13 ISV)

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Why do Christians have sickness?

I am going to answer this from the Words of the Scripture on what our Lord and Savior taught the Apostle Paul about why Christians have sickness.  Paul said to the Corinthians:  “That's why so many of you are weak and sick and a considerable number are dying.”  This statement is to Christians, not Gentiles.  In a way, this is a very shocking statement. 

It says “many” are weak and sick.  Are there something these Christians did or not do to cause this.  Yes, in fact there is.  What were they doing to receive this type of instruction from Paul, but to celebrate the Lord’s Supper or as Jesus called it, Passover or Jesus Passover Service.  Jesus Passover was done with bread and cup on the night Jesus was betrayed, not on the night the Jews held their Passover.

This is what Paul was referring to, take the Passover in unworthy manner,  person must examine himself, because whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.  If we recognize we are unworthy and are sinners, then we need to take the Passover. If we really do not recognize this, then when we take the Passover, we bring judgment on ourselves.  Now, Paul tells us, that is why many of us are weak and sick and a considerable number are dying.  Jesus said the bread is His body.   Isaiah said by his stripes we are healed.  When we partake of the Passover each year, we are to examine ourselves.   

Blessings

Stephen

That's why so many of you are weak and sick and a considerable number are dying.  (1Co 11:30)

When you gather in the same place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper.  (1Co 11:20)

1Co 11:23-29  For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you—how the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread,  (24)  gave thanks for it, and broke it in pieces, saying, "This is my body that is for you. Keep doing this in memory of me."  (25)  He did the same with the cup after the supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. As often as you drink from it, keep doing this in memory of me."  (26)  For as often as you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.  (27)  Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks from the cup in an unworthy manner will be held responsible for the Lord's body and blood.  (28)  A person must examine himself and then eat the bread and drink from the cup,  (29)  because whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

(Isa 53:5 KJV)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

How the world today treats sin casually.

No individuals who have received the Holy Spirit should treat sin casually.  First, before we can really answer this, we have to ask, what is sin?  Whomever you ask, will give a different answer to what is sin.  Did you know, the Apostle John tells us what sin is, but nobody believes it and there is a, but, or some expression like this. 

John tells us in 1^st John 3 that sin is the transgression of the law.  Therefore, John tells us that sin is breaking the 10 commandments.  What happens to a person when they break any of the commandments?  Paul tells us they then are producing the works of the flesh in Gal 5.  Since we live by the Spirit, (those who have the Holy Spirit living in and through us) will produce the fruit of the Spirit. 

We find that the world today (Satan is the god of this world or age until Jesus our Lord returns to set up His Kingdom at the start of the Millennium) are saying evil is good and good is evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.  God said to those who do this “Woe.”  We have heard this all our life from schools, TV, movies and government and from the churches; this is how our society treats sin today by pushing and forcing the works of the flesh upon all people in all places.

Blessings

Stephen

(1 John 3:4 KJV)  Whosoever committed sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

(Gal 5:19-23 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.

(Gal 5:22-25 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. {24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. {25} Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Isa 5:20 NIV)  Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

 

Tent of Meeting

Dah, I guess I am not very observance about the difference between the tent of meeting and the actual Tabernacle.  Never really thought about it.  The word for tabernacle (tent of meeting) is “ohel” and is different from the word for the Tabernacle that the Lord had Moses to build “mishkan.”  I have not really notice a difference before.  Reading vs. 8, explain something about the communication between Moses and the Lord (Jesus Christ).  Moses went into the tent, outside the camp, and the pillar of cloud came down and stayed at the entrance of the tent.  The Tabernacle was inside the camp.  Very interesting.  It said, Lord spoke with Moses, not at Moses, but with Moses, not one way but a two way conversation. This is why it is called, a tent of meeting. A place where Moses could talk with Jesus.  Also, if anyone wanted to inquire of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting.  My guess is, they would tell Moses and Moses would ask the Lord for them.  Could this be one of the reason why Moses father in law said it was too much for Moses and to have Moses assign other to help him.  Who knows, but interesting.

Blessings

Stephen

tabernacle (tent of meeting) :  168. 'ohel, o'-hel; from H166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance):--covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.

Tabernacle: 4908. mishkan, mish-kawn'; from H7931; a residence (includ. a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, fig. the grave; also the Temple); spec. the Tabernacle (prop. its wooden walls):--dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent.

(Exo 33:7-9 NIV)  Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. {8} And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. {9} As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.

(Exo 33:7 KJV)  And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that everyone which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.

 

Follow up on the Sabbath Rest

You ask a very interesting question.  I could not go into any additional information because I was at the 500 word limit.  You ask what is my view and do I observe it with a pure worship attitude and thankful heart.  A thankful heart yes and a thankful heart for all our Heavenly Father has given me over the last few years of life as I should have died from the cancer that was eating away from me.  A pure worship attitude, I wish I could say yes, but from the heart, no.  Yes, I still have Satan playing games with me and sin when I do not want to and do the things I do not want to, but I also know that we all have a heavenly Father will forgive my sins that I commit again Him.  Yes, all the sin we commit is again the Father, not someone else and we need to ask for forgiveness.

My view of the Sabbath rest is looking at the life of our Lord, Jesus. How did He observe the Sabbath.  It seems like when the Jewish leadership were up in arms against Jesus, it was always about the Sabbath and what was He doing.  First we know from Scriptures that Jesus went to Sabbath services each week (no question here, it was on Saturday, not Sunday).  Second we know Jesus spent time and fellowship with His friends and family on the Sabbath.  Third, we know Jesus serve others by healing on the Sabbath and other things.  There are other things Jesus did on the Sabbath as for an example for us today.  Just read what upset the Jewish leadership about what Jesus was doing because it was contrary to the Jewish Sabbath.  We cannot go by what the Jewish leaders say about the Sabbath and feast day today because that is a religion of the Jewish people and not the religion that was given by Jesus in the OT.  Just by Scriptures, the Jewish leadership does not observe the Passover on the same night Jesus observes the Passover.  They do not observe Pentecost on the right day of the week (50 days) or the Last Great Day of the Feast. Yes, I try to see how Jesus lived His life and try to live my life as He did.  We are to be righteous as Jesus was righteous and do what we know is right from the Scriptures, and only when Jesus grabs my hand and carries me, will then salvation and change be done at His coming.  Hopes this answers your question. 

Blessings

Steve