Tag Archives: light

The Coming Kingdom

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The Coming Kingdom

and the Saints of Light

‘The War of Truth in the Time of Darkness’

 

By the Watchman Dana G Smith

Keywords: saints, America, Lord, God, Yeshua, Ha Massiach, Jesus Christ, Kingdom, Light

 

world turmoil

‘We are waiting for the Lord to literally return to this earth’

 Proverbs 14:34  ¶Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Summer is past here in this country. Leaves reveal their golden aura and are dropping to the ground like snow in winter, being gathered by the fall wind and blown about. Everyone is preparing for the coming cold months. For us, a heavy snow this time of year is nothing. Although, many times the worst snows come in the spring, usually before the real outbreak of warm weather.

October in it’s essence for the nation we live in; called America is one of enjoying summer’s harvest and preparing for the coming holiday seasons. Wal-Mart by this time has the collection of Christmas items already out, along with their sacred Halloween teasers. For us, though, October is not about these things at all. It is and has been about the fall feasts of the Lord. They signify the harvest feasts and prophetically point to that which is coming. These feasts signify the completion of our salvation in Yeshua [Jesus Christ] Ha Massiach, His kingdom on the earth, and our coming together in Him on this earth. This years fall feasts are about over, with only one day left of Sukkot, called the Feast of Tabernacles. It is one feast mentioned in Zechariah. It is important and also tells us, in the new kingdom that Yeshua brings; the feasts will play an important role. Tabernacles, for one, will be kept by all the nations at the time.

Zechariah 14:16  ¶And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:18  And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:19  This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

we are waiting for the Lord

‘we are waiting and watching according to Mtt 24′

October has seen the rise and fall [unsteadiness] of the market economies of the world. The oil trouble and high gas prices have given way to the pressure of recession and possible depression. The real wave of trouble hit on the first eve of Rosh Hashanah with the Stock market crashing losing 777 points. It then regained momentum on the eve of Sukkot producing the biggest gain in stock market history. Both of these events occurred during the fall feasts and are a signal to those who will listen. The Lord is shaking all things, including the money, stocks, Dow, and the security most people and nations look too. They also signify that the kingdom is coming and it is a voice to the people of God to look, watch, and be ready. For the unbeliever, however, these mean little or nothing at all. For those who ignore the signs of the events during these fall feasts, well, they are pleasingly ignorant.

To get caught up in the secular and worldly spirit that affords many today, is not an option to a believer. They are to be in the world and not of it. They are not to love this world, or the things in it. Just as the Jews spent their time in the wilderness in a Sukka, and just as Abraham went out ‘looking for a city whose builder and maker is God’, so too, believers are to be temporary in this life. We are to fix our gaze upon Calvary and the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, Yeshua [Jesus Christ] and not upon things or money. We are to be ‘blameless and harmless’ the Apostle Paul says. Paul further telling the Philippians that they are to live as such amidst a ‘crooked and perverse’ nation. They were to be lights, shining out amidst the darkness of the world. The scripture tells believers pointedly they are to be a Standard for others to see and follow, at no time were we to be like the world, look like the world, or be like the world. We live in America; other believers live in other nations. All of these nations are ‘crooked and perverse’. There are many today in this nation that walk in their own version of righteousness and living as they see fit.

Philippians 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

The real truth for Christian believers today is they do represent a holy priesthood and belong to a holy nation. They are and God expects them to be a peculiar people. They are different. They do not walk in darkness, but shine forth as lights. It is this difference that we should establish in our Christian walk in this day and age. They are different, as I said earlier, Christians are peculiar [strange, weird, unusual, abnormal] as far as relating to the world. Many unbelievers see this strangeness as being ‘religious’, being a ‘religious nut.’ The truth is the real believers are adverse to religious ways and religion. This is not about doctrines, followers of men, denomination titles, or diatribes of men. This is a living breathing relationship with the King of Kings himself. His Spirit is in each believer, who has been born again by the Spirit of God, not by the will of man. Each one is not following the Lord because he or she has too. They were not coerced, forced fed, baptized as babies, nor led through a maze of man made religious exercises to be accepted to man’s idea of religiousness. No, these believers can hear the voice of the Lord. For them, his will is paramount. These are literally waiting for the King to arrive. They fully expect to see Him on this earth. They read his word, listen to his Spirit, follow his voice, and walk according to His commandments. Indeed, they are lights that shine out amidst the perverse nature of the people in America today. For Americans have no qualms about eating too much, drinking too much, marrying and divorcing as they see fit, nor do they have trouble with sex and enjoying it to its literal perversion. Perversion for Americans is accepted, so too, it is likewise seen as favorable in many nations today. Even greed, pride, and following any number of Idol Gods are enjoyed around the world. For many people today, man is the ultimate number here. His ability to think, create, and build will bring in a New World Order and the abyss of happiness they all long for. The only rule in this New World will be there is no law. Anything goes, there are no absolute truths, and there is no heaven or hell. The moment you live in is all that matters, so enjoy it to its fullest.

1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

It is into this generation that believers in the last days are hurled forth. Fulfilling prophecy, the scripture warns us that the Lord will ‘shake’ the nations. We are told that there will be deceptions, deceivers, wars, rumors of war, and that men’s hearts will fail them for fear of those things coming upon the earth. This is the time when the believer can be light and salt. They can give hope to the hopeless, a cure for the anguish of heart, and let people know the Lord will forgive those who come to him and repent. He will give peace to replace the heart of fear, with the assurance and presence that only the Lord himself can and does give.

It is into this future that the believers will move forward. Not as conquered, but as conquerors. Not killing and bringing blood for blood, but with the Love of Christ. As they are met by hatred, they give love. When met with danger and death, they meet it with faith and patience. These are people who know the Lord, trust in him, doing as he commands, by walking in Love. These are those who have been redeemed to God by the blood of the Lamb. These are those who overcame by that same blood, the very word of their own testimony, and they love not their lives unto death. They are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who saved them and brought them unto himself. They know the LORD and his voice. They walk in his power, peace, assurance, and by the presence of his Spirit in them. Yes, they are the lights that will give hope, and even though the world tries to stomp their lights out, yet they will shine ever more bright than before. For if the Lord is for us, than who can be against us. Greater is he that is in us, Jesus Christ [Yeshua Ha Massiach], than he [the devil and his minions] who are against us and provokes other men against the saints of Light.

Revelation 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

 

Originally posted 2008-10-15 09:54:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

I Saw and Bore Record

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Nwsltr122709-I Saw and Bore Record,This is the Son of God
By the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: John baptist, Jesus, Yeshua, Lamb of God, Son of God, Spirit of God, God, light, Word, logos, life, light, man
Words: 2061

The Messiah

“A dynamic testimony for anyone would be able to say, ‘I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God,’ but for us today, we live by faith and have not seen personally this Son of God, but we still believe, based on this testimony and others like it. For with this testimony, and the work of the Spirit of God, the anointing breaks open the darkness in our hearts to let in the light of the Gospel, the good news of salvation. That good news is, God sent forth his Son to save sinners, of which, I am; but thanks to God, through the ‘Lamb of God, I now have been rescued by the ‘blood of the covenant’.  God has also given us his Spirit, which bears witness in our hearts, that we are the children of God! ”

John 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Romans 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1 John 5:6  ¶This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

There are so many passages in the Word of God that stand out to me. The Word of God, reveals to us the very heart of God. Through His Spirit, it is made real, with the anointing that the Word has in itself.  One passage, or should I say section of scripture stands out today as I write this. I read this, say this, and meditate on it. It is the first thirty four verses of John.

We find that John writes of the ‘logos’, the eternal Word made flesh. Jesus, Yeshua, the Son of God was in the Word or ‘logos’ in the beginning, the Word or ‘logos’ with God, and the Word or ‘logos’ was God. John points out in these verses that the Word here, used three times in the first sentence was ‘in the beginning with God’. He uses that thought twice in two verses. He makes sure, led by the Holy Spirit to pin point what the whole ‘testimony’ will be about that he is writing. He is not just writing about a carpenters son born in Israel at the time of the Roman occupation. He is writing about the ‘Word or Logos’, the only begotten Son of God. The Man, and he uses the delineation of “by him”, “without him”, “In him”, was life and this life was the light of men!

The One who was God, was with God and all things were made by him. He created in the beginning as the ‘Son of God’, who God the Father worked with calling all things into existence.  Now the very One in the beginning was coming as ‘the only begotten of the Father’, full of ‘grace and truth’, revealing his glory to all. Now coming to Man whom he created, man received him not. Now coming to Israel whom God chose, his own rejected him But here John puts in a caveat Those who did receive, believe on, trust in, and follow, to these, “he gave the power and right to become the children or sons of God.”  It is a process where human efforts fail. Human religious expression fail. Human exercises in good will and works fail. All fail, for man was under the law condemned. Man was in sin, missing the mark, now the Son of God, the ‘lamb of God’, would take away that sin. He was on a mission for his Father, directed by the fullness of the Spirit, anointing, and the Father himself, Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the ‘life’ which gives ‘light’. Note here that in him was ‘life’, that is, to bring to ‘life’ that which is decaying, going to die, and under penalty of death. To redeem them from a curse, from the devil, from themselves. He had ‘life’ in himself to do this. To give life, bring life, establish life, and to allow that life to shed ‘light’ on the darkened hearts of men and women so they would see the heavenly truth of Love. The love of the truth that the Father, our God, so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe on him [trust in , rely on, cling too] would not perish but have everlasting life [read whole context of John 3]. So important is this ‘love of the truth’ that in the last days the whole delusion upon the earth is a ‘society that has rejected the love of the truth’ and therefore God will send them a delusion so they will believe a lie [read 2 Thess 2] .

This testimony of John called the Gospel of John, or the good news of John, is meant to bring forth the ‘testimony’ of John and those things he saw, heard, and experienced with the Word or ‘logos’, the ‘Lamb of God’, the ‘Son of God’, the carpenters son of Joseph and Mary, the Son of God, the Son of Joseph, the line of David, the Branch of Judah. What especially points us to who this One is and always will be is the testimony of John the Baptist.

The Prophets of God spent time with the Lord God. Many times their messages were tough and hard, meant to bring Revelation truth to those they were sent. This truth as in the case of Israel was to bring them to repentance before God, so they would not see his wrath. They were in personal contact with the Lord God. They knew his presence, his voice, and the power of His Spirit.  Thus, what they received, came not by man, but from God himself in direct revelation. So too, did John the Baptist. John was the cousin of Jesus, Yeshua, but the God who had sent him to baptize did not tell him it would be your cousin who is the Son of God, the one who Baptizes in the Holy Spirit. He told him the one whom you see the Spirit of God descending like a Dove from heaven and resting upon, staying there, is he who Baptizes with the Holy Spirit, the Son of God.

On two fronts God moved. Upon John the Baptist to be baptizing in Jordan directed by God to be a witness to what God was doing. By doing so, Men and women, boys and girls could see and hear first hand of what God was going. Israel, the religious Jews, and all others would have a solid testimony of two or three  witnesses according to law. Meanwhile, Jesus directed by His Father and the Spirit, went also to Jordan to be baptized, fulfilling all righteous requirements before God at this time. He appeared as Jesus, Yeshua, the carpenters Son, who preaches and left with a solid witness of being the “Lamb of God” that taketh away the sins of the World and “the beloved Son of God”. Here we find the voice of the Father saying “thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”, plus the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and the Son of God himself. This is a picture of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, along with the testimony of John the Baptist, the Father, and the visible testimonial sign of the Spirit of God. All of these plus the witness of the crowd around them who saw and heard these things form an undeniable testimonial as to veracity of the Father whom sent the ‘Son of God’.

Mark 1:9  ¶And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

One poignant verse in this, although, there are many; is verse 34 of John 1, which says “ And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” This man, a prophet of God, says he saw all this, he saw the Son of God, he further puts it on record that the one whom he baptized that day was in fact the one and only, ‘Begotten Son of God.’ This man, again a prophet, one in whom is the Spirit of God, who receives direct revelation from God, was told whom it was that God had sent!  I mean can you even think about this for a moment. He stood there, knee or waist deep in water flowing, called the Jordan. He had been baptizing people, after they heeded his call for ‘repentance’. He looks up and see’s his cousin standing there, then suddenly a dove descends and lights upon his head, but this was not a bird, but the Holy Spirit. Then a voice booms out of nowhere, “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” He was literally baptizing the One who was in the beginning with God, and was God, and all things were created through Him. This is awesome and a powerful picture. This is an outstanding testimony as well!

One day, we too shall see this one whom John baptized and testified that “this is the Son of God.” We also will say on that day, “this is the Son of God, I have been waiting for Him, he will save us”, for we will see him as he is! In all his glory! Just the thought of all of it should give us hope. For many of us, we have more work to do for him. We overcame by the ‘blood of the Lamb’, and also by our own ‘Testimony of Jesus’, but added to that is the fact as his followers, we in love keep his Word, obeying his instructions to us, his commandments, loving not our lives to the death.

Revelation 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus

~~~~~~
Below is the Section out of John, I have included it for your reading and encouragement!

John 1:1
¶In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2
The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:5
¶And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:7
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

John 1:8
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John 1:9
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:10
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

John 1:11
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Originally posted 2009-12-27 10:09:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Nwsltr-041810-Walking as Jesus Walked

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Nwsltr-041810-Walking as Jesus Walked

By the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: light, walk, Jesus Christ, commandments, mitsvah, love, abide, Love, pure religion
Words: 2937

“Walking as Jesus Walked, in the light of God’s Word. Being in fellowship, abiding in love in Christ and the Father as we walk in this present World by faith and obedience.”

The church is so preoccupied with the legal ramifications of what they see in the English usage of the word “Commandments” that they cannot see the forest for the tree’s. They cannot understand fully the Hebrew roots of our faith nor the Apostles who followed Yeshua’s teachings. We get so excited when someone uses “commandments” or even “law” that many times the off button is pushed and they no longer hear anything you say.

We are so caught up in loose grace, free faith, and a religious experience that is devoid of true power and even belief that it is a far cry from the powerful early church found in scriptures. Add to that the countless denominations, pastors, teachers, and all the rest, most of which have varied doctrinal stances, all of which can make for a confusing mess!

If anything we need to get a grip on is the fact that our Savior is Jewish, our roots Hebrew, the first Apostles were Jewish, the first church was Jewish as well. Soon, however, the word got out to the Gentiles of the faith and power of God found in this Messiah Jesus. As a result it sprang up in power. In the course of time, however, as the Apostles died, vicious teachers and false prophets came in and brought with them detrimental teachings that destroyed the faith and truth of the gospel. In spite of this and warnings by the Apostles themselves, the “called out ones”, the ‘ecclesia’ survived.  Paul warned of these dangers coming upon the ‘ecclesia’.

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

An example of this is the Emperor Constantine who at the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 wanted to further his attempts at removing the vestiges of Jewish influence from the church. His goal was to change the Sabbaths, feasts, and more, while making new ones to fit the Gentile church and the pagan practices that had crept in. Regarding the Passover Constantine said:
“This irregularity [observing Passover] MUST be corrected!”

In their article ‘Why Passover’, Chuck D. Pierce and co-author Robert Heidler says this:
At the council of Nicea, Constantine outlawed Passover and directed that Christ’s death and resurrection be celebrated on “the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox,” which is a time associated with the spring festival of the pagan fertility goddess Ishtar also known as Eastre. (That’s why the Church today celebrates the resurrection at Easter instead of Passover.) Constantine’s goal was to remove Jesus from the context of Passover.

While going through Bible college one of our courses was Church History. I can tell you that while it is most interesting, challenging, moving, and one my favorite courses, they did not cover anything of this. As far as this goes, I believe they do not. We covered the councils, but never did these issues come up! Why? Because we all accepted it. We believed that these did not matter, that is what we were taught! Today, many follow this teaching because that is way we always have done it. But it was not always that way.  If one were to get into biblical Hebrew roots, they may touch on it, but to bring such things from history out, it was not done. But this article is not on the feasts nor the Sabbath etc. This is about “Walking as Jesus Walked”!
I have used the term ‘commandments’ many times. When I do, I refer you to the New testament itself and Jesus own words in John 15. In this first portion of scripture Jesus says that “if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you”. Now for the gentiles, the word abide is non threatening, we can handle it. But in the context of this word from scripture, Jesus links “loving him, abiding in him, and abiding in his love with “keeping my commandments.” That is the ouch factor for the gentile church in many parts of the world, especially American churches. The word “commandment” to them is associated with the violently hated word “law”. Which in Gentile lingo and their mislead scriptural interpretation means the ‘letter of the Law’. To this thinking if you keep the ‘law’ or ‘the commandments’, you will fall from grace. The church has trouble linking faith in Jesus Christ with his words to “keep my commandments”. Now the commandments Jesus knew and talked about were his Fathers commandments. In short the Torah!

John 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9  ¶As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Now this article is not on the Torah either, nor on the law, but it is on “Walking as Jesus Walked”. In order to focus on this, both the Torah and the Law are included.  John points out that if we “walk in the light” as he is the light, then we have fellowship one with another.” To the followers of Christ Jesus, the early Apostles for instance had no problem with the “commandments, the law, nor the faith they were to have in their Messiah.”

1 John 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The real point to this is what John said about those followers who say they “know him and do not keep his commandments, is that the person who does this is a liar and the truth is not in him.” We have been taught in this nation and the churches to ignore all these words “commandments”. We follow loose grace, and in the end get in trouble. All because we do not understand the Jewish idea of Torah, Law, and the other important word called ‘mitsvah’.

1 John 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
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.

James knew all about these words, being a Jew and knowing the Torah. He also knew in whom he believed. But he warned that those who do “look into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and does not forget it, but becomes a doer of it, he is blessed.” Now by modern American thinking we see this and think James is telling us to keep the law and fall from grace. No he is not, for this is not about being justified by grace through faith. It is about having the ‘faith of Jesus Christ’ and walking in his “commandments”. It is about Love, keeping his word, walking as he walked and putting this all together, James sums it up.

James 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

He asks “what does it profit if a man says he has faith and does not have works.” Can that faith save him? He goes on to say if you have faith, then that faith, if it is truly of Jesus Christ, will have Love, that love will prompt you to help people. To have works, based on faith, motivated by love, and revealed in Gods Word or his commandments.  James bluntly puts it, if you have faith and it does not have works, then your faith is dead, being alone.

James 2:14  ¶What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

This is where we as Gentiles get lost at times. That is understanding the biblical Hebrew concept of this teaching. Let me illustrate by referring you directly to ‘Ancient Hebrew Word meanings’. One of which is the ‘command’ or also known as ‘mitsvah.  The needy according to Gods word have a God given right to aid and the giver has an obligation to God to help. The Jews call this obligation a ‘mitsvah’ [command to us].  The rabbis held that as faithful worshipers of God, Jews should seek opportunities to perform mitsvot [plural of mitsvah]. These were acts of compassion. It was simply part of being Gods people in Gods world and therefore should be done with joy. [Source-www.crivoice.org/needy.html; The Needy In Jewish Tradition-Dennis Bratche]
Further on this point, Jeff A. Benner says this regarding the use of the word ‘mitsvah’ and ‘command’.

The word command, as well as commandment, is used to translate the Hebrew word mits’vah but does not properly convey the meaning of mits’vah. The word command implies words of force or power as a General commands his troops. The word mits’vah is better understood as a directive. To see the picture painted by this word it is helpful to look at a related word, tsiyon meaning a desert or a landmark. The Ancient Hebrews were a nomadic people who traveled the deserts in search of green pastures for their flocks. A nomad uses the various rivers, mountains, rock outcroppings, etc as landmarks to give them their direction. The verb form of mits’vah is tsavah meaning to direct one on a journey. The mits’vah of the Bible are not commands, or rules and regulations, they are directives or landmarks that we look for to guide us. The word tsiyon meaning landmark is also the word translated as Zion, the mountain of God but, not just a mountain, it is the landmark. [source-ancient hebrew word meanings, Jeff A Benner, ancient-hebrew.org/27_command.html]

When I speak of the Torah in this article I refer to the direct revelation of God to Moses, the Pentateuch [five books of Moses]. It is called the Torah, or law.  Because of our English roots in America we do not see the word law any other way than if we break it, we go to jail. The Hebrew ‘law’, however is instruction. It is a guide, given in love so that we may walk in it.

The word torah is literally the teachings of the teacher or parent. When a parent is teaching a child a new task and he demonstrates a willingness to learn but fails to grasp the teaching completely the parent does not punish the child but rather encourages and builds on the teaching. In contrast to this a law is a set of rules that if not observed correctly will result in punishment and there is no room for teaching. The torah of God are his teachings to his children which are given in love to encourage and strengthen. [source-ancient hebrew word meanings, Jeff A Benner]
Now again this article is not on the ‘law’, but on the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ called us to walk in him, abide in him, and love him. All this is demonstrated by us keeping his ‘commandments’. James knew this, so in his teachings, he reflects this knowledge of ‘mitsvah’ and the duty as a Jew to take care of Gods world and those in it, including the poor, needy, widows, orphans, etc. If a Jew did this out of ‘law’ and duty to God, how much more should the early church, apostles, disciples, and of us today do this out of love to Christ? James put it again, I repeat here, ‘faith without works is dead.’ You cannot say you love God, love Christ, and do not keep his ‘commands.’ As his followers, we are to do good, as James says “pure and undefiled religion before God is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

In Gods view, our churches, our success, our wealth, our denominations, our own teachings don’t do a thing, unless they follow, teach, and reflect the heart of God revealed in his teachings, his word, his commands. All of which, are given to us to guide us into his love and faith so that we truly walk as his people.

In conclusion, I suggest you read Psalm 119. Notice the following words that are used in this Psalm: precepts, judgments, commandments, and testimonies. Also notice the value of knowing what this author of Psalm 119 is talking about. Today as we walk by faith in our Messiah Yeshua, may God grant to us understanding of his call to walk in his commandments as well.

For example we I say ‘precepts’ what comes to mind? There are two Hebrew words used in this Psalm 119 for precepts. In English, we have one word ‘Precepts’, but in the Hebrew we have two. The first one is found throughout the 119th psalm, but look at verses 15 and 27.

This word Precepts, strongs, h6490 [piqqud, pik-kood; appointed, i.e. a mandate of God, plural only, used collectively for the law]
The second word is h4687, Mitsvah, mitswah, command ex Neh 9:14, Dan 9:5
commandments- [mitswah -aka- hebrew mitsvah], denotes a body of laws given by divine revelation. They are Gods word.  They mean order, prescription, and instruction.

It is this second word, Mitsvah that we talk about in connection with James on taking care of those who need help for instance. James knew the background, teaching, and understood that the Messiah came to bring ‘love, faith, deliverance, and hope to all men.’ He gave us ‘instructions, commandments’, but in them all he took them directly from the Torah. He did not have the Kings James bible! There was no New testament! Today we have both and thank God for it, because you cannot fully understand the New without the full understanding of the Torah the other books in what we call the Old testament. All of it combined is ‘instruction’, a ‘prescription’ from the Lord, and also ‘commandments’ to keep us in his path.

Below are other words from Psalm 119. Take a look at them and then read Psalm 119. Let the Lord fully relate how these all bind together to reveal the ‘divine witness of God to man’ and his ‘divine instructions’ on living in Gods world and pleasing him.  Remember, we are to ‘walk in the light, as he is the light.’ Walking as Jesus Walked!

Testimonies-
[edah/ay-daw, testimony, witness, always plural and always of laws as divine testimonies] These relate to the Witness of Gods laws, his divine witness to men, and also man’s testimony to the divine witness of the Law.

5713- Testimonies, ex Deu 4:45, 6:17 , Psalm 119:24
found in Psalm 119;
witness-testimonies

from: 5749-to bear witness,

5715- Testimonies, ex Psalm 119: 14, 36, 88, more
stipulation, regulation, can also mean “the testimony” as a formal written copy of the precepts and stipulations of a covenant-testimony.

from: 5749 as well [see above]

Judgments-
Mishpat- The word here we are focusing on is the word judgments used in Psalm 119 most, some examples found in this psalm are verses 7, 13, 20, 43; also Eccl 11:9, 12:14. This word sense in these verses deals with the act of sitting as a judge, hearing a case, and rendering a proper verdict1

4941-justice, judgment, law, regulation

from: 5880- “spring of judgment”

cf8199-to judge

Originally posted 2010-04-18 00:00:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

WW-052310-The Winds that Prevail

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WW-052310-The Winds that Prevail
By the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: winds, end times, signs, light, darkness, Jesus Christ, America, God, Lord
Words: 1407

Matthew 7:25  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

Matthew 7:25 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

‘gusts hurl themselves as prophecy unfolds, yet for the unwilling and unprepared the storm will rage and become unbearable’

Today the grey and cloudy skies overshadow the afternoon. It summons that which is coming and lets you know there is a change. The signs of the weather, the sky, and in the earth, can we read it? If we do, then can we understand it? I know many who can read the signs of weather and yet not understand the signs of the times that herald the end of days.

The afternoon is quiet except for the gusts of wind. This becomes a small tempest and the trees shake as the invisible power of the wind shows itself. We cannot see the wind, yet we can see its strength displayed. At this time, it is indeed revealing itself as the great trees that surround this place move in the wind.  Branches break off and fall to the ground. Loose paper, plastic, leaves, branches, and anything else not rooted are blown hither and yon. Yet as I survey it, I wonder can people understand the signs? As I ask it, I know the answer. Some will, through the revelation of God by His Spirit. We as believers are told that we are of the ‘light’. There are those that live in the same day and age, yet they are in the ‘night’. These do not see nor understand what lies ahead.

The storm persists outside, with quiet between large gusts. At these times the trees seem to take a moment to rest from their constant swaying to and fro. I too take it easy as I sip a cup of coffee beholding the torrent outside. As I do this, peace is in my heart. By the Lord’s grace, I have found his peace. This is a sure help to me and all those who do find it. I remember when first coming to this area. I knew it was windy here as I lived here many years ago. It is my area, I know it well. Yet being away for some time when I arrived back, the wind hit me.

For months I had trouble with the large gusts. The wind seemed like a restless wave of energy that never quit. As if the battle could not be stopped. It had to fight in order to win its permanent place in the war of wills. After a year, and then in coming days and months, all this ended. A time of calm would come. I learned to read the signs of the wind. I learned it did not always blow, even though, it seemed like it. But in all this, I learned patience amidst the storm.

I take lessons from this. We are living in perilous times. The signs of it are everywhere. Lawlessness, wickedness, wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, violent earth events, and more. Even here in America it is affecting the nation. This will continue to do so. We watch and wait as scripture tells us. In all this we find a nation as the one we live oblivious to what we know is coming. Like a giant sleeping amidst the turmoil of a cataclysmic event, so too is America. There seems to be so many that are in denial of current events.

I live one foot from disaster and one prophecy from the second coming of our Lord. Daily I believe this could be the day, yet I know more has to occur till that event.  I then look to these events and see that if they occur, much suffering will happen in the world and in this nation. Also it will come to this town, neighborhood, and affect those around me. In this the promise of scripture and the faithfulness of our God is paramount. But do we really comprehend the paramount importance of it all. That is the shaking of the nations, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the snare that is coming upon all the earth, as Jesus says in Luke 21.

If it comes and it will, life will become unreal. People will seem like they are in a dream. For all they have known will be wiped from the slate of what they know. It will be a new time, a different day. Entire populations will be affected for eternity. Yet as I write this, the wind continues as if saying “here I am, feel my strength, I will not die.” I look out and see a small brush blowing vigorously in the breeze. Small, yet it has its roots down in the ground, no worry for it, the foundation upon which it is rooted will hold it amidst this tempest on this day.

I ask the same thing of people I meet.  Sooner or later we talk about the days in which we live and what is happening. Many I meet don’t like what is happening and most of these are not prepared either physically to withstand a major life shaking event or spiritually to meet the Lord.  It is in this that we try to persuade people to be ready. To seek the Lord, to fast, pray and with all their might seek the One True God and Jesus Christ his son. It is in Him, our God that we must be found, rooted and grounded in Him. Sheltered in His grace, mercy, promises, and walking in his ways. Keeping our faith alive in Him through the Spirit of God and His Word, we can walk amidst the storm and stand.

Sadly many today that think they are ready and grounded for what is coming are not. They are misguided into thinking that either they will not be here or that somehow they will make it. The trouble is, spiritually they are anemic, lacking the Iron of the Word of God and the Power of the Spirit of God. I know of these that simply do not believe in all this end time prophecy stuff. They go to churches who have doctrinally cleaned it all from the shelves of their pulpits. How many of these churches and how many others have done something similar?  Today we are at the crossroads of getting ready to stand or being unable to withstand what is coming. The Lord said, “I will shake all things”. That he is doing and will continue to do. The question arises again as the wind whips up outside, “how many are really prepared?” The storm is here and growing in strength daily. The Lord told us pointedly to take heed to yourselves. We are not to be overcharged with the things of this life. Those things we get so caught up in. We are to watch and pray always, for the Lord says of this time, “as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.”

Luke 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

As the wind quiets down, you think it is almost over. Then suddenly a huge gust whips the landscape. It is at that time you know for certain, it is not over. It is as if you can hear the wind speaking in the tree’s, “take heed, watch, for I will come upon you suddenly.” For sure, this is true. A generation that is sleeping will find itself awakened suddenly by that which is coming. This I know for certain, If we watch, fast, and pray always, our God will be a refuge. I know that he will provide, even if we at times cannot provide for ourselves. I know that even amidst trouble, turmoil, and possibly even death, our victory is certain in the ‘blood of the covenant’, through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Son of God.

Revelation 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Nwsltr-041110-The Sixth Hour

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Nwsltr-041110-The Sixth Hour
by the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Words: 2032
Keywords: sixth hour, crucifixion, Jesus Christ, Yeshua, Son of God, light, darkness, Satan, evil

‘Amidst the hour of Darkness, A great light has shined. A light into the hearts of men amidst the darkness of the age and rebellion of men’ Yea, the Sixth hour is come, but it will be full of God’s light and power! For he is LORD of LORDS and KING of KINGS!



darkened sky

Accounts of the Crucifixion:
Mark 15:33 Matthew 27:44 Luke 23:44 John19:25

Mark 15:33  ¶And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
35  And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
36  And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
37  And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38  And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
39  And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
40  There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

The Sun was darkened on that day! From those who witnessed this, it was a sudden darkness that enveloped the whole of the land. Indeed, Luke writes that the ‘sun was darkened’ in chapter 23 and verse 45. Amos also prophesies of a day like this, when he says pointedly “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day-Amos 8:9″.

This leads off a startling array of events. The veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom as the earth shook and did quake, with rocks breaking and tearing away from the earth. In the midst of this, graves opened up. Here we have to take note that indeed ‘the bodies of those who slept arose and came out of the graves’, but says Matthew this occurred ‘after his resurrection and these saints went into the holy city and appeared unto many’!

It is in these last hours on earth, hung between heaven and hell that Christ the Passover Lamb, being crucified was making a new and better way through the ‘blood of the covenant’. He was crucified in the third hour or 9 am. On the Sixth hour or 12 O’clock, the darkness appeared. Sometime after the ninth hour or three PM, he died.  Matthew Henry takes note here of an important prophecy from Daniel. He writes “It was at that time of the day, that the angel Gabriel delivered to Daniel that glorious prediction of the Messiah, Dan. 9:26″. [Matthew Henry commentary].

Daniel 9:26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

It is in these dark hours that every demon in hell was rejoicing along with the religious Jews who wanted him to be put to death. In this, the scripture says “he came unto his own, and his own received him not-John 1:11″.

John 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

When all his enemies were ecstatic over his predicament, what they did not know was it had been all prophesied. He had not lost, but had won! He fulfilled the ‘law and the prophets’ and through this he made a way for all men to come to the Father through his sacrifice. At the time when the greed of men, sin of men, hatred of men, and lusts of men were under the grip of Satan and his demonic hordes, Christ died for all men that they would be free. When all became darkened, when all seemed to be lost, when there was no hope, then at last, a final sigh, with the words, “it is finished.” Hanging there, limply, on the cross, he was dead. The final party was just getting going. This was his going away party held by the demonic hordes in Satan’s honor, for they now knew he had lost and was dead, or so they thought. Little would they of known his resurrection would be forthcoming on ‘first fruits’.

At a time when the religious masters in Israel along with the gentile Roman guards were happy it was over with, the power of what had just occurred escaped them all. The power of the cross, the strength of deliverance in his blood that was shed.  As we see this scene let us notice that the supernatural occurrences we mention before that followed his crucifixion made an impression on the Gentile Roman Captain and his guards who were standing by the cross where Jesus had died.

Scripture records the centurion watching Jesus, seeing the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly saying “Truly this was the Son of God.”  Mark records it saying “Truly this man was the Son of God.” Luke, however records t his “certainly this was a righteous man.” Why did Luke say this instead of the ‘Son of God’?  Both Matthew and Mark record the centurion saying this was the “Son of God.”  Luke says “this was a righteous man” because the ‘Paschal Lamb’, had to be a perfect, unblemished, sacrificed. In short, Luke was testifying in the Spirit of God to all who reads this that the one who died on the cross that day was the ‘sinless, blameless, unblemished, perfect, righteous Lamb of God.’ Here we see that he was both God and Man, but also he was the “Passover lamb”, that had to be a perfect and blemish free sacrifice.  Only with this would the ‘blood of the lamb’ be accepted in this sacrifice.

It is here we see that this sacrifice of the Son of God touched the heart of the Gentile Centurion. While the hardened Jewish hearts did not receive the ‘Paschal Lamb sacrifice’, the Gentile’s did indeed see he was the ‘Son of God’. It was here, at this point the gospel began reaching out to Gentiles in all nations from the “love of the Father and the Son”. It is here the “times of the Gentiles” begin in earnest. A time when the grafting in of the Gentiles into the branch of Israel and being blessed with the ‘blessing’s of Abraham’ by faith while on the other hand the natural branches were blinded and rejected the very gift the Father had offered to the world in the death of his Son on the Cross.

It is in this Sixth hour that we see the gift of God given in fullest measure by the pouring out of blood. It is in this Sixth hour we see that before life can begin, death must occur. It is in the Sixth hour we see that in what appears as defeat, we find ultimate victory. It is in the Sixth hour we find untold darkness. In this darkness, we find life and light in the ‘Passover lamb’. It is in the Sixth hour that we understand what Christ meant when he said, “if you love your life you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake and the gospels you will find it.” That is what Christ did for the Father, he lost his life so that that the world of sinners may find theirs.  In the Sixth hour we see the rejoicing of darkness, the spread of evil, and the death of all men. It is this Sixth hour that relates to what is coming upon the world. A time of penetrating darkness is upon the earth and will get worse. The evil hordes of Satan are gathering for their time to deceive the nations. It is an evil time, a time when they will mock our God, our Savior, and seek to kill all who follow him. But in the midst of this darkness, when evil thinks they will have free total uninhibited rule, they are wrong!

For as in the Sixth hour where we find the Son of God on the cross, in this Sixth hour coming, the Son of God is now ‘coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He is in charge, amidst the darkness of the Sixth hour, Gods light will shine through and along with it, his hand of miracles signs and wonders. The sixth hour precludes the time of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ to the Father. The Sixth hour that is coming will introduce the coming of the Son of David, the Son of Joseph, the Son of God, to take the Throne of David. It precludes the light of Millennial reign of Jesus Christ. It is also the time when God will fully, finally, and completely bring his people into unity, power, and fellowship with Him.

The Sixth hour both at the time of the ‘Passover lamb’ on the cross and that time approaching when darkness will be upon the earth is a time of ultimate rebellion against God and his Son Jesus Christ. It is a time when evil seems to triumph and darkness spreads. Darkness here is the opposite to the truth of Light found in Gods word. The whole of the earth will experience this Sixth hour, a time when God is putting forth his hand to bring his plan of redemption to a final conclusion. It is a time when Satan and hell, demon and evil doer alike think they have won, but in fact, it is not known to them until the very end, that they have LOST! Finally, completely, and forever, the hour of darkness will be removed along with all those who love darkness. It is then that this scripture in its context found in John 3:16-21 will be fulfilled in its entirety.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Revelation 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Matt 27:54  Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God

Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Luke 23:47  Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

Light n Darkness

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Light and Darkness during the Day’s of Evil!
By the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: LORD, God, Jesus Christ, Light, Darkness

Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

light & darkness in days of evil

The other day I was speaking to a person, whom shall be nameless. He was worried, although, he tried to disguise it. On this day I had been doing something and the LORD spoke to me about this man. Thus it was I was standing in front of him and speaking with him. The conversation was one that turned immediately to what was going on in America. Now this man made very good money as did his wife. In fact, you could say very comfortable. We did some small talk concerning the President, his election, and related issues. It all made him even more uncomfortable. He spoke to me, “I read Worldnet daily, and get their magazine”. ” I get to the point I just can’t stand to talk about what is going on or read about it, it just upsets me too much.”

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Now this man is conservative, and as for his religious beliefs, he has them. Over the years I have talked to this man and many of his friends about what is coming. In short, they do not want to hear it or listen. I know that the Lord is dealing with him so there will be an opening one day to bring him to the Lord. I believe that! Now, he believes in the Lord, but he as far as I know has just a liberal head knowledge of it all and is definitely not Born again by the Spirit of God. America and many Americans have this belief. A head knowledge and an ability to quote John 3:16. “Yes, I believe”, this is their anthem. It may be their anthem, but it will not get them to heaven. The devils also believe and they tremble. It takes more than a trite knowledge and the ability to quote John 3:16 to truly know the LORD and follow him. To just do this, costs you nothing to serve him, there is no risk, except being wrong. Which is bad enough! The truth is, barn burning faith and discipleship is not popular today!

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Where does love lay?

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 Where does love lay?

By the Watchman Dana G Smith

Keywords: love, God, salt, light, Jesus Christ,


 small town america

"How Many Homeless in your Town? Do you Care?"

2 Corinthians 8:8  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

 

Where does love lay? It is deep in the heart of God for the trouble soul who has no help. For the one on the street who is facing the sting of death. Daily the lives pale away in infinite rhythm as the burial of those who pass on, do so with not even a nod of another human. Left alone, existing in a world of human reminders, yet having no help! Where is love he asks? If there is a God, why is this happening to me? Yet in the towers of the rich, the bottle of champagne is opened once again as the goals of success are met. Toasting to fame and fortune, far away from those below on the streets, who struggle to pass just one day in contentment. Joy is a word and peace is what you would like. A piece of meat, a piece of bread, a nibble of a crusty hamburger, left on the pits of garbage. Anything would suffice today, for you don’t know if tomorrow will come. So they ask, if there is a God, and if he is coming, let him come. For anything would be better than this, even the judgment of God. For if he does exist, his judgment is surely more fair than life has been to me on these streets.

1 John 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 Lt. Col. S.C.

"This is the last known Picture of the L.T. Col S.C. that we have"

Where does love pass? Daily before tens of thousands upon the streets and dumping grounds of the worlds cities. Gatherings for humans to live, work, play, get rich, and then pass the time away in bliss; this is the place where many see the lowly and despised. These who cannot look up, nor look in the eye of the stranger. Whose action is to beg once here, then there, hoping for a crumb to live one more hour, one more day? Yet in the fast food places, in the high schools, and corridors of American shopping malls, we get fat. We eat, rejoice, play, and find ourselves gorged on the food of the richest nation on earth, while in the streets, the drugged, the abused, the prostitutes, the alcoholics, and depressed, along with other social outcasts gather to live another day.

Why should we care you ask? What is it to me that they live or die? Where is the government? Why don’t the churches do more? Is it my fault these people who are lazy do nothings find no place to lay their head? What is it to me that they should walk in such trouble day by day! How sad today in the richest nation on earth, that we have so many on the streets, homeless, in prisons, in state mental hospitals, and cannot find help.

For many, this day and age is one of advancement. It is technology at its finest, when time and space seem to shrink as we see the world in a microcosm. It is this new moment and era which will bring in the Global agenda to meet the ‘son of perdition’, also known as the beast of Revelation. A time when the number of men will be incalculable and used to furnish the man of sin with the tools to enslave an already lust filled society of selfish people bent on their own desires. It is into this that the Light and the Salt must come.

The Lord came and brought to us a new standard. One where the law passed on by Moses was fulfilled in Yeshua Ha Massiach [Jesus Christ]. Love came, from the Father, revealed in the only begotten Son of God, given to the Apostles, transferred to the church at Pentecost, and now we are the ‘salt of the earth’ and the ‘light’ which is to shine and bring hope to all men everywhere. It is through this ‘Salt and Light’, motivated by our Love, which we found in Christ, who gave of himself for our sins, that we came to know what Love is. For the Father Loved us so much he sent his son. It was for our cause, our sin, our salvation, and the Lord saw to it we were rescued.

Matthew 5:13  ¶Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It is through this love that we are saved. For by Grace motivated by Love which out of that love Gods mercy poured forth. It is that love flowing through us that we find the fulfillment of the law. This love is what the Father bestowed upon his children that we would walk as he walked, in love. This love is demonstrated in unfeigned [sincere, real, genuine] love for the brethren and for all men. It is beyond selfish desire and moves into the realm of the supernatural of the LORD God. For when men and women, who love God and follow him, truly love as God would have them do, then the gates of hell will not prevail nor will the supernatural doors of deliverance be able to stay shut. For with God all things are possible, and with his Love, this is assured.

1 John 3:1  ¶Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

1 Peter 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Galatians 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

So as I write this today I speak to you to love. The time has come to stop biting and devouring one another, especially those within God’s kingdom. Those who are his son’s and daughter’s need to repent of such foolishness and strive to enter in at the gate of Love. Love for the brethren and for your neighbor. Love for the poor and oppressed. Love for the stranger and the widow. Love for the sinner and the saint, hatred of sin, yes, but Love for those bound in darkness.

As I write to you today I also write of another one whom I know. This is a person who has known victory, home, hearth, and love. Yet today has no money. This is one who is so hungry that he ‘sometimes eats grasshoppers’. He also is of ill health, losing weight, and needs help. He says "praise the Lord for insects." They were able to sustain his life for another day. I cannot contact him except for an occasional text message he somehow finds a way to get to me. He has no resources, lost his home, and livelihood, yet in all this he is trying to survive. He lives in America, is homeless for all intents and purposes, and is hungry and needing help.

In this message he also writes that ‘things could be worse’, surly God is ‘going to give me a job’ he says. Further the wisdom of one who has found such suffering and anguish says to those who will listen "Help the poor and be grateful for even bad times." Why should you even be glad in such an instance? Because he says "if you are still alive, God still loves you." This is a person who now understands the depth of heartache in those who live with nothing and have lost it all. Life then becomes a gift of God. We are so satisfied that things make life for us, but with God life, makes it life. That is, our life lived for God and with God is what makes true happiness. Let me ask you, when was the last time you gave to the poor? When was the last time you went without dinner and prayed for the lost? When was the last time you thanked God for your life?

This one of whom I speak also says this "NOT THE DAY MY FRENDS! BUT THE HOUR OF THE LORD IS AT HAND!"

He also says this about living on the streets "I SEE RAPID DECAY BY THE HOUR. LOVE WAXING NOT COLD BUT FREEZING ICE COLD, DEATH IS THE NORM! I SEE A MAN KILL ANOTHER OVER THE LAST CIG. HATE, WITH CHILDREN 8 YR OLD SMOKING CRACK AND FIGHTING THERE OWN MOTHER OVER THE LAST PUFF!"

Then in a moment of despair he cries out "OH MY GOD HOW LONG WILL YOU PUT UP WITH ME! AND IM CRYING LIKE A BABY AS WE SPEAK BECAUSE IT’S A TRUE REALITY FOLKS! JUDGE ME I COMPLAINED WHEN I GOT KICKED OUT NOT KNOWING I HAD IT GOOD! YOU AND I ARE NO BETTER THAN THEM WHO ARE ASLEEP IN THE WORLD. WAKE UP FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND GET OUT OF HER, FOR SHE IS DIEING! YOU WILL DIE A PERPETUAL DEATH WITH HER!"

He then flatly states that the thing that separates you from the world is the only begotten Son of the LIVING God Jesus Christ. He puts it this way: "What separates you is my SON JESUS CHRIST! SAYS THE LORD MY GOD! THERE YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!"

The text ends with a message that he is tired, then signs it. Lt. Colonel S.C.

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The Lt. Colonel is a veteran, member of black ops, and other secret operations. He is a top notch welder and fabricator of steels. He has been on various radio shows, including mine in the past. Yet today, he is in need of help, love, and compassion.

The only known address or contact I have is this one! Please pray for him and write if you can. I don’t know if this will get to him, it is the only address I have, which was sent in the text message.

GREG RINCHICH c/o RICKY BROWN P.O. BOX 274 BOSTIC, N.C. 28018

I have contacted a local Missionary outreach church there. I have taken the information which includes help for him and text him with the details. In short, they will help him get back on his feet, shelter, food, and all he needs. I don’t know if he will get the text message or if he will utilize the help. I pray he does. May God have mercy on him, help him, and deliver him to a level that will bring him total victory.

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If you live in this area, we need to contact him and see what the trouble is and how to further help him.

He is just one story among millions world wide who need help. I urge you today to give money, prayers, and other help to those who are reaching out in Love, demonstrating the Love of Christ while bringing his message of deliverance.