Eyes of the LORD Run To and Fro

Nwsltr-062710-The Eyes of the LORD Run To and Fro in the Earth
“As the Eyes of the LORD run to and fro in the earth is one scripture among others that form this latest Watchman newsletter. These are few of my favorite scriptures to stand on and to walk in.”

By the Watchman Dana G Smith
Keywords: LORD, earth, Eyes, disciple, believer, follow, faith, Yeshua, Jesus Christ

2 Chronicles 16:9a  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

2 Chronicles 16:9a For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

As I write this the sun beats down from a blue sky. The days of rain are a memory but the high water still exists as the river runs the highest in decades. The lakes are full today, some dams running over as the drought of yesterday is now over. I took time to check the garden out and it is growing and doing very nicely. But even as I say this, on our news show, we cover heart and gut wrenching events that surely put the worry in many. As the world turns and tosses in its end time madness, I thank God for his goodness to me and my family. I praise him for his provision and protection. I see so much trouble and heartache as a Watchman I both feel it and am troubled by it, but to add to this, I also intercede on the behalf of those who need help. It is impossible not to be affected in some way by these events. These times are stressful to many and for these it will only get even more so. There is absolutely no way to step from where we are today to the time of the arrival of our Messiah Yeshua [Jesus Christ] with faith and hope in the Lord. That is why I write this today, as the sun hits the desk on which I write, the trees gently sway in the breeze. Life goes on, but in the end, all life is subject to the LORD. It is peaceful, but peace in life is not the same as peace in the soul.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Moreover, that peace, which the LORD has given to me, is unique, one of a kind. It is a peace that flows out of the inner sanctum where the LORD has placed his Spirit. This stream of life quenches the thoughts, events, and stressful times with a supernatural rest and peace that only those who have it can understand. It takes the man or the woman who is caught up in today’s world and says, “Look, the LORD has everything under control, and what’s even more important, His Eyes are upon you!” The LORD’s Eyes run to and fro in the entire earth and gives quarter only to those whose heart is perfect towards him! Those whose heart, is perfect, true, following him in Spirit and in Truth. Keeping his Word, walking in his ways, and seeking his face. These are those who don’t claim to be perfect, but know who is! They seek him, but more than just that, they Trust in the LORD with all their heart. This trust in the Only LORD God who has delivered them through his only begotten son Yeshua Ha Massiach, Jesus Christ keeps them from leaning to their own understanding. They are to walk by faith, in the LORD Period. He will direct! If these who call themselves his disciples really do trust him, then they will acknowledge him in all their ways. In this, the LORD will direct their steps. These verses found in Proverbs are followed by three warnings. The first is “be not wise in thine own eyes”, the LORD is our wisdom, his word is our guide, and his Spirit will lead us. The second is “fear the LORD”, this is the beginning of wisdom. A healthy ‘fear’ of this God, as Paul says, “knowing the terror of the LORD we persuade men.” Today, this fear is and should be that fuel to persuade us to keep our end of the agreement with the LORD. We believe, follow, and keep trusting Him, He becomes our LORD and takes cares of us as his Son’s and daughters. The final warning is “depart from evil”, stay away from it, don’t flirt with danger, stay away from the hot flames of it. You will get burned if you do not do so. Many Christians today have ignored this and in the process end up being on the receiving end of correction by the LORD. They end up walking in rebellion and stubbornness, refusing to heed what God is telling them to correct in their life. So they spend years in the rod of discipline.

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7  ¶Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

I find it a solid promise and comforting to know the LORD’s Eyes are running to and fro in the earth looking for those whose heart is perfect towards him! If I do what I am supposed to do, stay away from evil, obey his word, seek his face, then I won’t be walking alone, his Eyes will be on me and his hand there to keep me. Now I know to some this is simplified, but I rest in the fact that God is in charge, no matter what. I also rest in this knowledge that the God who has brought me out of sin not only has kept me thus far, but he shall continue to keep me in the future. I have seen him time and again bring me forth out of trouble. I have sought his face in prayer and he has answered me. I know the God who has done this, will keep my family and I in him, as we travel the road before us. Even though, many people in the days to come may “walk in the valley of the shadow of death”, we are not alone!

Psalms 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

It is in this, that is the time to come, in which, the ‘death’ and its ‘valley’ may seem large. For this is the time of judgment and shaking, wars, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and much more. The believer is called to be wise, as the gospel of Matthew records in chapter seven and verse twenty four and five saying “therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock, And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” The wisdom here is to not only read the Word of God, but do it! It is that doing, with faith, that will bring you to this promise. The wise in Christ Jesus will build their house on a rock, hearing and doing what the Word of the Lord says to do! Make no mistake about it, the end time snare upon all the world is a filter. It sifts out them that do and them that don’t! Don’t what? Don’t listen to the LORD, nor follow what he says. As John says to the believers, if you say you abide in the LORD, then you need to be walking as Jesus Christ himself walked!

1 John 2:5  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Many today will come to this understanding. However, alternatively, ‘Loose grace and loose morals, along with the proud do it your own way’ Christian will find out the hard way during these times, that it is Gods way, not their own way! David Wilkerson in his latest devotional quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I have read Bonhoeffer’s story and book on his life. During Hitler’s reign, he stood up against the dictator and his ways. He stood for truth when most of the church went along with Hitler. In the end he was martyred for what he believed in. What he believed in was Jesus Christ, his truth, and Hitler did not. For his faith, he died shortly before liberation by the allies. Dietrich Bonhoeffer as Wilkerson points out said that the “Christian is like someone trying to cross a sea of floating pieces of ice. He cannot rest anywhere but must keep moving and stepping or he will sink. The Christian can only allow that his faith in his God will see him through.” The journey though hard, can still find the weary traveler at peace. This road has a place for the Christian to find rest in the LORD, if they will wait upon him!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, pictured the Christian like someone trying to cross a sea of floating pieces of ice. The Christian cannot rest anywhere while crossing, except in his faith that God will see him through. He cannot stand anywhere too long, otherwise he sinks. After taking a step, he must watch out for the next. Beneath him is the abyss and before him is uncertainty—but always ahead is the Lord—firm and sure! He doesn’t see the land yet, but it is there—a promise in his heart. So the Christian traveler keeps his eyes fixed upon his final place! [Wilkerson devotions-www.worldchallenge.org/en/devotions/2010/wilderness-journey]

Now by this time you have seen a number of scriptures. To give you a hint as today’s newsletter, it is a ‘prose’ written in the form of my favorite scriptures. Now this is not all of them, but just a few. As with you, I have favorite gospel hymns and scriptures. Both of these are inspirational, give truth, but the scripture, the Word of God is truly eternal as our Lord said of the words he spoke. He said, these words “I speak unto you are ‘spirit and are life.’”

John 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

There are many words written in the world. But there is only one written, one spoken, and one that has ‘eternal’ value with ‘life’. It is a ‘word’ that when spoken and sent out, will not return unless and until God has determined it has fulfilled its course and destiny. The word is an eternal source of power and one that when it comes, will try those to whom it is sent, the example here is Joseph. Joseph was not released from prison and bondage until the word had tried him to its fullest course. When that was finished, Joseph was released, raised up in power, and saw Gods hand fulfilled towards him. It was finished trying Joseph!

Psalms 105:17  He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
18  Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
19  Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Just like Joseph, Christians today will have the word try them as well. God’s word tries, tests, and moves in the believers lives. It is alive and will do that which God sends it to do.

Isaiah 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

As you read the word, walk in it, and believe. Your walk as a Christian will find the word trying you! For God is working in you to do of his good pleasure. To bring you into the likeness and image of his Son, Jesus Christ. Again, the LORD’s Eyes run to and fro in the earth! Is it not comforting to know this? He works in you, he has predestinated you to be conformed or made like or in the express image of his Son! There is hope, God is alive, awake, and watching. You are not alone, have faith therefore, trust, and believe this!

Philippians 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Romans 8:29  ¶For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

In conclusion this would not be complete without what I consider the ‘hall of fame’ of ‘bottom line faith’ scripture. Habakkuk knew trouble and chaos where he lived. He would also come to know the invading forces and all the evil they would bring with them. However, in one of the ‘apocalyptic’ faith statements, I say this because the nations will be shaken unlike at any time. Our worlds will be shaken as was Habakkuk’s. Our faith must be resolute as was his. His faith saw the LORD as the “God of my salvation”, Habakkuk proceeded that with “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD”. He would rejoice even though life as he saw it came to a horrific climax of trouble. For he speaks of the ‘fig tree not blossoming’, no ‘fruit shall be on the vines’, ‘the olive shall fail’, the ‘fields yield no meat’, the ‘flocks are cut off’, and there are ‘no herd in the stalls’. In short, these describe the olive oil, the wine, the fruit trees, the crops, the flocks are dead, and no herd in the stalls. This paints a picture of the end of all things, nothing to eat, starvation, and destitution. The apocalypse to say it another way! Today we in the world will face the ‘apocalypse of the end times’. But this is not the end of the matter. For where ‘faith’ is, and the “LORD” who is watching, then there is hope! Habakkuk saw this, envisioned this, and in his heart knew who the God of his salvation was. No matter what occurred, no matter how bad, he knew the LORD would take care of him!

Habakkuk 3:17  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The prophet also remembered the Lord told had him that many in society were as scripture records “his soul is not upright in him.” But also, the LORD said that the “just shall live by his faith.” As Habakkuk had to do this, so do we. The prophet knew what the writer of Hebrews says, which is “without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Further we would also have to understand another key point here which is the ‘just living today must live by his or her faith’. That faith must be in the LORD! But if any of the just draw back from that faith and become unbelieving, then as Hebrews says, “my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

Habakkuk 2:4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

My friends I hope and pray this finds you well and seeking him. There are many obstacles, but the Lord is surely watching out. His eye is on the sparrow, his eye and heart are on you as well. For you are of more value than the sparrow! So look up, have faith, and trust in him. Be obedient to his word and do not turn back. The path is ahead, troubles may come at you, but in the end, heaven is before you and so is the LORD of Glory!

This is your goal: Be an Overcomer in Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

1 John 5:5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Revelation 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Revelation 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelation 21:7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Taking-Kingdom-God-by-Force-Nwsltr-042510

Nwsltr-042510-Taking the Kingdom of God by Force
“counting the cost, throwing out dead traditions, taking up the Sword, walking in the fire of God’s Spirit as we take the kingdom of God by force”

by the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: count cost, disciple, john baptist, Jesus Christ, dead traditions, sword Lord, fire, Holy Spirit, Kingdom of God, force

Words: 290

kingdom of God

Today’s Idea of success in America for churches, congregations, and Christians is unlike what we see in scripture. For many of us close to this arena of Christendom in America the success is seen in church growth; i.e. big churches, glitzy campaigns for growth, pastors that act more like corporate heads than shepherds, and the issue of money is always close at hand. For many the relationship to church growth, success, and material things are usually interconnected. We have accepted the idea as did the Pharisee’s and scribes that material blessings means Gods blessing. This is not always not the case. We have co-opted Gods material provision into a full blown doctrine where we seek the doctrine of provision and wealth above what the Lord spoke to us to do. That is, “seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Howbeit, the stereo typical experience of  Christianity today is one that would of been foreign to the early “church and the Apostles”.

When John the Baptist came on the scene, as Jesus later directly speaks about, saying this early man of God, was seen as a prophet, was in actuality much more than a prophet. Dressed in Camel hair with a leather belt around his waist, John came as the ‘voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the paths of the Lord.’ It was this voice that was heard in the early days before Christ was revealed in Jordan, Galilee, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and other areas that the Jews lived in. He came from the wilderness, scripture says of him that he ate ‘locusts and wild honey’. This man of God was told ‘upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost. It was testified by John that “I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God”.

John 1:33  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Now for the Pharisees, Sadducees, Lawyers, and Scribes of the day, John was a messenger that caused trouble. But even they came out to see what John was up to, they found themselves drawn to this messenger!  Of this time, Jesus spoke saying: “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.-Lk 16:16″. Here the Lord specifically speaks to the fact that from the time of John’s arrival and on, the “Kingdom of God is preached”. It was to John the crowds flocked to hear his message of repentance and to be baptized.  Further Jesus spoke saying that from the “days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”  He further says that the prophets and the law prophesied until John, and “if you will receive it, this is Elijah which was to come.”

Matthew 11:12  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

The comparison of John to Elijah in this context is what Jesus is speaking about. It was prophesied by Isaiah of John’s arrival. Elijah had a ministry that was miraculous, confrontational, and he took on the backslidden children of Abraham. John as well brought to the table a message that was confrontational, and in the same instance miraculous for it was when he Baptized Yeshua that the LORD God spoke saying “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.”.

Matthew 3:16  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased

As John arrived on the scene take note his anointing and message was not of men! He did not learn his message from the school of Prophets, from the Pharisee’s school of law, nor from the scribes themselves. He did not dress like those who professed and taught how to find God. He was not a professional religious type. He did not have a fancy looking synagogue to go to! He had been in the Wilderness feeding on the LORD, listening and being taught of God. Again, I repeat here for comparison sake; he ate “locusts and wild honey”, while the established branch of organized religion of that day ate well, lived well, and were thoroughly religious in their duties and activities. Yet they did not know God. In fact, John called them a “generation of vipers”, asking them “who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

Matthew 3:7  ¶But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Scripture says that the Pharisee’s and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves and they did not get baptized. But all the people and publicans who heard him, justified God and were baptized with the baptism of John. The people believed the word given by John who came preaching what God had given him. The Pharisee’s and Sadducees trusted in just being Sons of Abraham after the flesh and keeping the traditions of men. John though had Gods message and it was one that did not seek to appease the religious of his day through ‘entertainment’, i.e. as it says “we have piped and you did not dance.” Nor did he seek to appease their dead traditionalism. What he did was lay to the root the ax of God, with the fire of the Holy Ghost. It was meant to stir and awaken, not to entertain and conform to man. This was Gods business, Gods way, and John was preparing the path for the Son of God!

Luke 7:29  And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
31  And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
32  They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
33  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
34  The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35  But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Jesus said this issue of rejection by the religious establishment of his day and acceptance of his message by those who were considered publicans and sinners that “wisdom is justified of all her children.” Wisdom’s children in this instance were the ones the very religious Pharisees and Saducees rejected. The Lord put the wisdom of the religious of his day in disarray by his actions. It is the Foolishness of God which is wiser than men. Gods wisdom chooses the down and out, lowly, sinners, and those rejected. Not many wise, noble, or rich are called! The religious establishment would only accept people who looked, acted, and were as they. But John and Yeshua both were at odds with the religious establishment at that time.

It is here that we must understand that the “kingdom of heaven” suffers violence. For years and decades dead traditionalism, materialism, and the love of God had evaded those who brought the kingdom of God to the masses of Jews. It was to this same kingdom of God that John was sent, to wrench it from the hands of those who were destroying it.  The force used was the ‘anointing of God, the Spirit of God, and the word of God’. It is this that Jesus also came to do! The established traditions of men had made the word of God of none effect and in order to save people and bring them into Gods grace, the kingdom must be wrenched from and taken by force through the literal appearing of both Gods messenger John and Gods only Son Yeshua Ha Massiach.

This is the foremost idea you and I must grasp today.  This is about force! The force of God, to bring, tear away, and save those who will listen.  It is a force that will use the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and our faithfulness and prayer life which combined with the Lord God will make a difference. It is a force from God to awaken those in the church that are asleep. It is a force to the hungry to come to the ‘waters’, find the Son of God and find life! It is a force sent by God, directed by His Spirit in power, and fulfills the Word of God. It is a force sent to the nations! It is a force that meets head on the unbeliever.

But it is not a force to bring unity, world peace, but a force that will bring a sword.  Man’s dead traditions and his religious ideas want to create peace! It is mans dead church ideas, secularism, materialism, socialism, and more that wants to have peace and not a sword. It makes peace with debauchery, makes excuses for sin, and allows loose grace and immorality to rule in the house of God. Read Jesus own words on this matter:

Matthew 10:34  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40  He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward

The Twelve words Jesus spoke that meant this was not business as usual were these, “I am not come to send peace on earth, but a sword”. Jesus turned the world upside down, even today it is his name that is most hated! It is those who call themselves by his name that follow him . Many times his followers will remain faithful even unto the death, all the while loving those who destroy them.

Jesus warns that he is come to set at odds father against son, daughter against mother, daughter in law against mother in law. It is here that mere blood ties won’t be able to keep those who follow Jesus Christ from doing so. If your family doesn’t agree, you have a choice, follow the Lord or keep to your family. There is a cost to follow Jesus Christ. We are sternly warned, “a mans foes shall be those of his own household.” Many believers in foreign countries who accept the Lord Jesus Christ already know this fact, the cost of following him and leaving their family traditions and religion behind. Jesus Christ saves, religions kill!

Furthermore, “whoever loves father or mother, son or daughter more than me”, Jesus says, “is not worthy of me”. He also says “those who do not take their cross and follow me is not worthy of me he says”. And again he points out saying “He that loses his life for my sake shall find it”. In other words, this is ‘force’. Force to follow, a cost that is real, and a calling that is beyond all mere human reasoning. It is that which leads men and women to sacrifice all for this Savior and God!  The reward is as real as the cost.  Jesus gives examples of this and one that sums up what he is saying in this context of scripture is the fact that if you receive a prophet, righteous man, or gives to drink a cup of water in the name of the Lord, you will in no wise lose your reward. God is faithful, he is calling us to be faithful, and he will reward your faithfulness.

In conclusion Jesus said as well, “I am come to send fire on the earth”. In this statement he finishes by speaking to the fact that it is already kindled. This section follows Matthews account in Chapter ten. But Luke adds that there are those who are hypocrites for they do not discern the times! They can look to the sky and discern the weather, but although they see what is happening around them, they do not understand it.

They as well do not know that the Christ we serve has thrown out dead traditionalism with the Pharisees, Sadducees, lawyers, scribes, and is warning the church today. Christ has sent a fire, he has sent a sword, and he is rekindled the fire and resharpened the sword. It is let loose on America and the world. The Lord is coming soon, but before he arrives the Dark One will appear and make war against the Saints who keep his commandments and faith and testimony of Jesus Christ. You cannot make war against this Dark One with dead traditions that offer no power, and no force. It can only happen with the force of the Word of God, the force of the Holy Spirit, and the faith of the believers who are the fire of God in truth and carry the Sword of the Lords Word in their hearts. They are obedient to his Word, his call, and understand they are the force today! The are the called out ones to bring in the “kingdom of God by force” and watch for the “Son of God, the Son of David, Son of Joseph” to appear and sit upon the throne of Messiach, the throne of David.

Luke 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52  For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54  ¶And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55  And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

I warn you, though, if you do as John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the early church; you will find division and not peace, a fire and not dead traditionalism. They faced it and preached Gods message for the hour they lived in. Today we must follow suit. The fire is kindled. Let it spark your faith and vision.

We must keep the faith and testimony of Jesus Christ and it is our path in this that will create the same opposition that our Lord met when faced by the dead ecumenical traditional religionists of his day. There are many that see themselves as “rich and in need of nothing, but do not know nor discern they are wretched, poor, blind and naked.”

The Abundant LIFE of Christ Jesus

The Abundant LIFE of Christ Jesus
“What does it mean to have an ‘abundant life’?
Here are pertinent truths on this saying that many misuse and misdirect Christians in their walk for Him!
By the Watchman Dana G Smith


I am writing this week about the ‘abundant life’, one that many in America seem to know so well. Or do they? When speaking to this issue will I take rank and file against those who promote the doctrine that many top Evangelical leaders teach? No, I shall not! They have their reward, I do quote here something for your first thought regarding this issue!

Psalms 50:16  ¶But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
17  Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
18  When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
19  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
20  Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
21  These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22  Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
23  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

In the Psalm above we find God saying to the wicked in essence the following: “what right do you have to declare my statutes and to speak my covenant in your mouth as if it was yours to take?” Further he says, “you hate instruction and cast my words behind you!” Now, of course this Psalmist was not talking to this generation, or was he? Who is the wicked he is speaking too! The wicked gentile nations that surrounded Israel would not of taken in their mouths the ‘covenant of the LORD’, not at all. Then the only one here that is addressed, is Israel herself, who would take the covenant of the Lord in their mouths, but would not receive instruction! Lets go further with this, Jesus spoke this to all those crowds around him:

Matthew 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

There will be many who say they know the Lord, but the Lord doesn’t know them. Why? They are workers of iniquity, or people who follow ‘lawlessness’. Well that pretty much describes American Christianity and most of the westernized world today. Lose grace, lawlessness, and professional religiosity gone amuck in the guise of real true discipleship! It is a sham, period! But who am I that you should listen to this? Well, I shall let you know this, by the Word of the Lord, these things shall not stand, nor shall they be regarded on the day of judgment. The warning is staunch here! The Psalmist says it like this, to him that will order his life, his conversation aright, that’s right, aright. Here the people who this psalmist addresses knows the right way of keeping the law, that is walking in the ordinances and statutes of God. Oh, brother, there I did it, I mentioned Law and ordinances, that will really kill your enthusiasm now won’t it? But it is the Lord who called those people workers of ‘lawlessness’. It is here that the words of the Psalmist come to ring true, this generation must repent and order their lives, the way they do things according to the Lord God and his commandments. Oh no, I did it again, this time I mentioned commandments! Get the picture here? Or maybe your one of the those who have thrown out the ten commandments, the feasts, the true sabbath, the beattitudes, the teachings of the Apostles, and also disregard the word ‘C OMMANDMENTS’in the New Testament? All of which the Lord himself kept, the Apostles kept, the early church kept, and your expected to do so also! But then, you don’t believe this do you? Or do you? Wait a minute you say, this was on the ‘abundant life’, where is that at in all this?

Psalms 50:23  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Now let us consider all this in the light of ‘abundant life’, okay? Lest you think I have fallen off the wagon of provincial discourse regarding Torah law and you see me standing beside Moses pushing you to keep over 600 commandments of God through the flesh! Now let me be perfectly clear here, perfectly clear okay! There is life, the life is in God’s only Begotten Son, whom we call Jesus Christ in the english, and Yeshua Ha Massiach ‘his Hebrew name’.

Before we go on, let me give you one Word here that is important regarding our Savior and the words he spoke, okay? It is this, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” Our Lord had just finished a discourse to his followers and others around him concerning ‘eating his flesh and drinking his blood.’ This is found in John 6:54-63 a partial context of it. This was abhorrent to the jews and to his disciples when they heard this and Jesus asked them “Doth this offend you?” Well it did, of course, this was nothing they expected to hear! In the course of this, Jesus told them that the “living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father, so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me-Jn 6:57″. This astounded t hem, offended them, and many went away because of it and followed him no more! Yet, our Lord did tell them in the same context what he was talking about! He said flatly in John six and verse fifty eight, “this is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead, he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.” He said to them, this is not like your fathers who [literally] ate manna in the wilderness and are dead, no this bread, myself am that manna from heaven, you must eat of me, devour me, but not like your fathers ate the manna, no! Then he says “my words are Spirit and are life.” They must devour what he says and do it. Eat of his words, eat of what he offers, and let the Spirit words come into your soul, devour them eat of them and let them bring you life. This was something they could not understand!

John 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Later on in John ten Jesus speaks on being the door to the sheepfold, he is the shepherd. It is in this context that we find one of the most misunderstood phrases today, especially in American Christianity! It is used and mostly misused to the advantage of those who are manipulating scripture to their own advantage. The trouble here is, many in the church like it so! The want to hear this, so they follow these men and women, falling headlong into this delusion that fits so well in America, that is, up till now!

Here is that phrase which today has come to mean that Christ came and died for you so you can be rich, at ease in Zion, living in the covenant of God [their version of it anyway], and never have a care.

John 10: 10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

When Jesus was on the cross he died for your house payments, your car payments, your retirement, your ability to be debt free, you freezer full, your plate filled with the finest foods, and your lifestyle rich and favored! WRONG! This is the carnal, Laodacian type of interpretation, because of this, the church is ‘wretched, poor, blind, and naked’! Now let me be clear, I am not saying your to be poor, nor am I saying you cannot be rich, I am saying we have totally lost our minds and hearts in this matter and the delusion has clouded the minds and hearts of millions of Christians today!

Here is the context of the scripture above! He relates being the door to enter in, be saved, and able to go in and out to find pasture! He also says he is the good shepherd and has given his life for the sheep. He warns of the thief who comes to kill, steal, and destroy, which he does, it is in this that he says “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” He is putting this in the same course as ‘shepherd’, speaking to the ‘sheep’. What would such an animal think would be great for them, that is, what would be an abundant life? For one would be safety, not to get eaten by wolves. Two would be not to have a shepherd lead you in a direction where there is no water or pasture. Three is have such a reliable shepherd that he would bring you to safe pastures so you can graze in the sun, be warm, be safe, and all the cares of your life eased! It would be heaven, for that sheep. No more worries about getting eaten either by wolves or men who like mutton!

John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus says it best here in Luke twelve! Take note of this context of verses 23 through 38! It is from our Saturday night study “What is life?” The poignant and to the point verse here is, “the LIFE is MORE than MEAT and the BODY is MORE than RAIMENT.” Yes the shepherd will take care of us, but our goal is not the end all of food, meat, clothes, houses, trucks, and all life has to offer. This is ‘covetousness’ and this is what preachers are causing when they misuse this verse and others to bring such carnal tripe to the teachings of Christ Jesus! No where does it say we are to take scripture and lay it out, pushing it before God that we will get rich in this life! The truth to all this is found in verses 29-31 which says in essence do not seek what you will eat, what you will drink, or what you will wear or worry, nor be doubtful. All these things the gentiles, the nations themselves seek after and your Father knows you have need of these things!
But rather, our Lord says “seek ye the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” The whole point is found in verse 34 which says “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Our hope, source, and Father is in heaven who loves us. Our hope or source is not the world nor its things! We are to be girded about, watching, waiting, working for Him, doing as Our LORD say too, read verses 36 to 38, here is the blessing! To be doing HIS will, when he comes, yea, that will be ‘abundant life’, that will be a ‘blessing’.

Luke 12:23  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
36  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

In conclusion, let me say that our LORD was about Life, redemptive power both to enable us to walk in him today and be free from the power of sin and darkness and to be His when he comes. Our fullest abundant life is and will be in the ‘next life’ with him! Today, this life can have purpose, and in itself can be abundant, but that abundance does not mean carnal abundance per se. For many believers around the world are suffering for the cause of and in the context of carrying their own crosses for Jesus Christ. Many have lost their lives, yet the carnal abundance was never theirs. But if we do have such abundance, let us draw near to God and do as he says, let our hearts truly be on Him and not on the abundance which has nearly cost the church in America her soul! If you truly want to have that ‘abundant life’ that Christ said, then ‘take up your cross and follow me, saith the LORD’. It is this road of carrying the cross that you will know Christ, as Paul said of this road:

Philippians 3:9  ¶And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

You must find that ‘abundant life’ in Christ. To walk this path you must have the purpose, calling, and faith in your Lord to lead you to that place of ‘his abundance’ for you! Our Eternal hope lays in what Christ did for us beyond this temporal world we now live in. For if in this life only, as Paul says, ‘we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.’ Take your eyes off the physical, for life is more than food and the body than raiment! Lift up and catch the vision today!

1 Corinthians 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Many Called Few Chosen

“FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN”
(Matthew 22:14)

the destroyer

the destroyer

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:24-32)

These verses, and what they say, are not easy to swallow – as Jesus’ followers already remarked back then. They go against what is often and generally preached today, even by so-called Christian preachers and revivalists.

Everyone wants to bring a positive, faith-building message and leave out the more negative passages with their serious warnings. This, at least, is what most preachers would rather do. How different, then, are these words from our Lord and the Apostle Paul, to the generally-accepted mode of preaching of today’s preachers.
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Know the Fruits

Know the Fruits of those who appear as Ministers of Righteousness!
:-) Download the PDF Know the Fruits

By the Watchman Dana G Smith
Keywords: Jesus Christ, Love, disciple, bless, Words: 3578
Download the PDF Know the Fruits

wolves
Ask yourself about the Fruits? Wolves or Sheep?

Where does the LORD teach it is okay for Christians to curse one another? Where does it teach that Christians are to curse anyone? On the contrary, we are to bless them which persecute us, we are to bless and curse not! We are not to recompense evil for evil!

Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Romans 12:14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

James 3:9  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

It was years ago and my family and I was in the audience that very night. Afterwards those in the church were alarmed at what had happened. It was a large city in the Midwestern state of Colorado, Denver to be exact. We had waited outside in line for hours while some protesters lined upon along the street against the famed evangelist. The time arrived for the meeting to start and we were all inside, in our seats, waiting with faith and hope that the Lord would move.

It was in that meeting, however, that this very famous and world renowned person decided the Lord told him to curse his enemies. His enemies in fact were the church, or to say, those in the church in certain leadership that saw his ministry and practices as somewhat misleading and false. To be precise, they were fervently opposed to this man. The results had been the cursing of the enemies he had come to understand that was trying to cut and undermine his ministry.

There was silence in the large crowd when he finished. Many, I suspect were stunned as to what had just happened. Here in a meeting for the Lord, we were looking for a move of God. What happened was unusual and unscriptural. We came from a solid fellowship of believers. We pastored in churches, had been youth pastors, and I had graduated from the bible college associated with our fellowship. In all that time, no one cursed his enemies, let alone other believers. There were others that probably did not fully understand the ramifications of what had just occurred. There before tens of thousands this man had just let out a tirade of curses against those who disagreed with his ministry and had apparently gotten him upset. Before all those people he stood up, as a man of God, a prophet, who had said a ‘thus saith the Lord’ then let it out, a barrage of curses against those he was vehemently fighting.

The question needs to be asked, “How does a person curse a Christian?” How does a brother or sister in Christ curse another brother or sister in the Lord? Then you need to ask again, “how does one curse an unbeliever or an enemy?” The answer, if you want a real biblical one is, ‘they do not.’ The meeting ended, the evangelist continues today, and everyone has forgotten this whole episode. That is except for those of us who still think it was unbiblical and of course the LORD, who does not forget what we do.

:-) Download the PDF Know the Fruits