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The Secret of the LORD

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The Secret of the LORD

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secret Lord

  •  Isaiah 24:23  Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed,
  •  when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion,
  • and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

By the Watchman Dana G Smith

Keywords: LORD, YHWH, Covenant, Love, commandments

Words: 11,992

Psalms 91:1  ¶He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty <H7706>.

One of the most loved Psalms is ninety one. It has been used by believers in the LORD God since written. Paramount within the church today, the modern movement we know of uses at least or believes this is one Psalm of protection the believer can stand upon. In the first verse alone we find that there are those who dwell, reside in, and live in the secret place, that hidden compartment within the God we know. It is reaching to the level where the Most High dwells. In verse one, Most High, is ‘elyon’ a title distinction name of God which puts the characteristic of God in the name itself. Elyon brings to us the paramount focus of the ‘supremacy of God in Status and Power’.

Download the Latest and Newest E-book by the Watchman Dana G Smith, called the “Secret of the LORD”, it brings you to the place of what Psalm 91 says, “because he has set his LOVE upon me”.  Here laid out is dwelling in and finding that sheltered place in the LORD for all the troubled times, you will be in Him.

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He is above all Gods. He is not just any God, but he is before all Gods and shall be after all Gods. His power, glory, and supremacy are unmatched. It is a power that when witnessed by mortal men will literally scare them to death. He is simply unmatched with no equal anywhere in the known world. He is God, Most High, ‘elyon’ above all there is, period. Nothing matches with his glory or Godhood. Not just any mortal man can dwell in the secret place. We see this with Israel as the presence of the LORD caused the people to remove themselves from close to the mount where the LORD descended and they all stood afar off. The people then, a frightened told Moses to “speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

Exodus 20:18  ¶And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

19  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

We see, therefore, indeed our God is a consuming fire. The Apostle Paul makes a statement about this, for he said “knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”

Their mission was to persuade men to repent and seek the Lord, knowing full well this terror of the Lord which moved them to bring this message to men. A terror that if a person was in the presence of God, the sheer magnitude of his Glory, might, and power would astound any mortal, leaving them petrified.

2 Corinthians 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;

Download the Latest and Newest E-book by the Watchman Dana G Smith, called the “Secret of the LORD”, it brings you to the place of what Psalm 91 says, “because he has set his LOVE upon me”.  Here laid out is dwelling in and finding that sheltered place in the LORD for all the troubled times, you will be in Him.

The Watchman E-Books from the
WIBR/WARN Radio, Websites, & Online Ministry

Note: E-Books take time to load, high quality images, color magazine style layouts

Cool Newest and Latest is “The Secret of the Lord”

The WIBR/WARN Radio Resources: Other download PDF”s

Originally posted 2008-08-22 09:04:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

First shall be Last

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The First shall be last and the last shall be first!
“A lesson in Kingdom Priorities”
By the Watchman Dana G Smith
words:4226
keywords: first shall be last, last shall be first, LORD, Y’Shua, God, kingdom, vineyard, world

The other day as I came to stop at the local tire dealer thoughts of finishing this tire repair were utmost. It had been another day, one that began early, very early. The night before our tire went flat and the businesses were closed that repaired them. I always have a tire repair kit with ‘vaporized glue’ that goes into the tire via glue and air. This stops the hole nicely, but the tire needs repaired. So the next morning here I was. I walked into the dealership and a guy was reading the paper, no one was at the counter to take my job order. I stood there a minute or so and nothing. The guy reading the paper finally came behind the counter and smiled saying “I will find someone to help you.” “That’s Good, I thought to myself” as I looked around the showroom filled with tires and rims.

A guy came up and started to take my order. As I stood there watching the man try to find our account in his database, he looked up and said, “I’m in the M’s now.” This referred to the accounts, of course, and I waited for him to get to the S’s. Finally in the group where our account was to be located, he could not find it. I went out to the car and found the last receipt from this dealer when they did work for us, on the corner was the number. I went in and gave it to the counterman who had given up taking our order and now, though I went in first and was first to be waited on, now I was second. But the last of two. So here I was, the last, though I was first. I waited, getting a little troubled that this guy so quickly shoved my business to the side and took another customer, but as I waited the Lord gave me this, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” I smiled to myself as I pondered this quote from scripture.

Finally my order was taken and the other guy’s truck was the first in the bay to be fixed. Then our car was taken next to the bay where the other customer’s truck was. Thus here I was last in the bay. Again I thought of this “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.” It would be a 45 minute wait so I went down to the river to take pictures, pray, and possibly write. After the time was up I stood in the showroom waiting for the car to be done, nothing yet. I went outside and within a few minutes our car was done. Yes, that’s right. Even though I was last in the bay, our car was first to be done. So although I was first, yet I was last, and while I was last, still I was first. What a lesson for me today, thanks LORD!

I called the wife and let her know of a lesson today the LORD showed me in practical terms. Terms I could definitely get the point. I further looked over the gospels, one part in particular comes alongside what the lesson learned was. It was here as I read how the Lord stunned the disciples when they heard Jesus say “Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven – Mtt 19:23.” This statement was made even clearer in the context of the Rich young ruler had kept the commandments. All good young Jews at this time would indeed observe the commandments and consider themselves to be of Abraham. This young rich ruler, which, scripture would later say ‘went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions’ Matt 19:22. Why was this young man so sorry? Was it just because he had great wealth, possessions, and thought that if he just kept the commandments it would be okay? If we look further into this section we see that he called Jesus ‘Good Master’ and wanted to know what good thing he could do to inherit eternal life! Of course, today we know that in the flesh, there is no good thing, but although Jesus was God’s son, He put the Father first as usual by refusing to be called good and saying that only “God is good, vs 16″. Here the context brings to light a ‘rich young ruler who in appearance had it all’. He had wealth, possessions, and did good, but on top of all that he kept the commandments. The point here is what many today miss, you cannot buy your way into heaven. You cannot do one single good thing to inherit heaven. For this young man to keep all the commandments and yet not know the Son of God who now stood before him was blindness. This young man would keep all the commandments but not follow one single commandment from the Son of God. The Lord had called this young man, but this rich young man did not heed the call. The call to give up everything you had, money, wealth, possessions, and even your religious upbringing to follow the LORD was too much. Therefore he went away sorrowful. This young man would never realize that to know God truly, he had to come to the Son of God, Y’Shua and believe [trust in, rely on, cling too] in this Messiah.

Moreover this whole section speaks of those who indeed would give all to follow the LORD. It speaks of those who are part of the kingdom of God because they have come as little children and believed what the Son of God told them. But even though the group of followers who were Y’Shua’s disciples saw and heard this, they were stunned to say the least. This sounded to them as if no one could be saved. But in the call from God all things were possible Jesus said to them.

Matthew 19:13  ¶Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16  ¶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23  ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

One in particular, Peter saw this and wanted to know “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? Matt 19:27″. It was still in the mind of the disciples that Y’Shua had come to bring in the kingdom on earth. If that was so they thought, as his first disciples then they would have seats of power, judgment, wealth, and be at the side of God himself. They still did not understand the full scope of the suffering servant Isaiah wrote about. This was the backdrop as Peter wanted to know what about us!

Jesus spoke to them all, even though it was Peter who asked the question. This must of been in the minds of all of them as they watched in horror at the thought of someone not being able to enter the heaven if he kept the commandments. The Jews at this time knew how to be righteous and work their way to heaven, or so they thought, Jesus had come to bring the full measure of salvation and understanding to them all. But he would have staunch enemies in the religious camp of the Pharisee’s and Sadducee. Jesus told them that in the ‘kingdom to come’, those that have followed him, would ”sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel Matt 19:28″. Further he also said that “every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life vs 19″. Mark’s gospel says in chapter 10 and verse 30 that this would be “now in this time” and “with persecutions” plus in the “world to come eternal life.” In both sections speaking on this the LORD puts the phrase, “The first shall be last and the last first”.

Mark 10:28  Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
31  But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Matthew 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Luke chapter 18, verses 18-34 also speaks to the Rich young ruler as well. In Luke’s account it says in verse 22 that the LORD knew he lacked one thing. He had to give that thing he treasured most, i.e. ‘his possessions, wealth, pride, and his religion’. Y’Shua was turning on its head, the religious perception and teaching that the Jewish religious leaders had been teaching. This was not about a ‘kingdom of God’ you could see. Jesus came to bring salvation to all men and the ‘kingdom of God’. But this kingdom would be within men until that time when God would live with men on earth, in the ‘regeneration or the millennial kingdom’. Jesus told them what he was doing, he came to be delivered up to the Gentiles, mocked, entreated spitefully, spit on, scourged, put to death and on the third day he would be resurrected. But in all this they did not understand that the LORD came to fulfill all things written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man.

Luke 18:31  ¶Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32  For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33  And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34  And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

It was a kingdom Jesus brought that would not come with observation at this time. The kingdom, Y’Shua said is ‘within you Lk 17:20-21′. The kingdom indeed would come someday, but in the future. When this kingdom would come Y’Shua [Jesus] would light up the heavens as lightening does from one part of the heaven to the other so all see it, so all will see when he comes to bring in the kingdom of ‘regeneration.’ Until that time, there would be deceptions, deceivers, false Christ’s, false messiah’s, and people would desire to see the ‘kingdom’ and many would be deceived. A whole generation would face this someday, a time as in the days of ‘Noah’ and likened unto the ‘days of Lot’.

Luke 17:20  ¶And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
22  And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23  And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
24  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
25  But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
26  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32  Remember Lot’s wife.
33  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37  And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

The call to the rich young ruler and many today has gone out. But in this, ‘the first shall be last and last shall be first’ is directed at what the Son of God came to do and why. He came to ‘seek and save’ those who are lost. Today, the call still goes out. Many have had as the young rich man did, i.e. received God’s call! God’s first call to men is that ‘all men everywhere repent. Acts 17:30′ Just look to those things he had. He kept his religious ideas, his money, his possessions, and rejected following the LORD, for the cost was too high. The same today. The Lord is saying to us as he did to the young rich man who had an idea of religion and getting to heaven, don’t trust in what you can do or what you see. Trust in me, give up all you have and follow me. Again, the cost was too high and for many still is.

Acts 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

The phrase ‘the first shall be last and the last shall be first’ has to do with the highest most noble effort man can make on the Lord’s behalf. What is that? It is the call of obedience, to follow what the LORD has said to do. You see in the world, if your first, you win. All the highest accolades, awards, money, fame, fortune, and wealth are yours if you are first. This is the worlds wisdom. If your last, well you lose! If your poor, you lose! If your ugly, you lose! If your fat, you lose! If your anything the world considers last, you lose. But this is the worlds wisdom based on the ‘lusts of the flesh’, the ‘pride of life’, and the ‘lust of the eyes’. God’s wisdom is higher, to the world, this wisdom cannot be understood nor attained!

Matthew 20:1  ¶For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2  And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3  And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4  And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5  Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6  And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7  They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8  So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

I have been on the worlds lose list! I have known defeat! I have known being last, without hope, lost, and in sin! To find hope, you must find despair! To find salvation you must find you need saving in the first place. Pride blinds us of that, lust robs us of what we have, and religion will kill us. Jesus came to bring to all, even to those who are afar off from the first time he walked this earth, salvation and knowing God! He came to bring the kingdom of heaven into our lives, hearts, and souls. To redeem man, to save them from sins, to allow them the blessings of the Father, to be delivered from the hopelessness and wickedness of the world.

1 Corinthians 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

This is why, Jesus said the ‘first shall be last and the last first’. The context of this statement follows the discourse we have been talking about in Matthew. God goes to the poor, downtrodden, the sickly, the sinner, the ungodly, and anyone else first. Although in this life they are last, yet many of these are the first to respond to Gods call and accept it. They recognize the need for God and hear his voice and feel his love for them. For many it is the first time anyone or anything cared deeply about them at all. But this is also about ‘workers in the Lords vineyard’! It is about those who are called to work. It is about the chosen! God has put out a call to those who say they love him and follow him. This call is ‘chosen’, it is for those who respond and say Yes, LORD, I will go, I will do, I will walk in your ways! It is about those who will respond to the LORD and follow him, taking their cross. When they first hear the call, this is where the ‘rich young man was.’ He had a form of religion and success in the world he knew. But in the world of the Savior, this was ‘gaining the whole world’ and not God! Many today are called, they refuse, choosing to follow the worlds idea of fame, religion, and even success. Many accept the call but refuse to be chosen, that is, taking up their cross and following the Lord. These are those who save their life, and the result is they will lose it! Others accept the call, then follow the LORD by taking up their cross and following him. These are the chosen.

Matthew 16:24  ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

In going out as the ‘chosen’ some are first to go into the vineyard, and others are the last to go. In the LORD’s system and righteousness, no matter when you go, you will receive the same reward, the reward is for obedience to go and work, not in the work itself.

Matt 20:9  And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10  But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11  And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12  Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13  But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14  Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

This is about you and me responding to lose our life, our pride, our own self will and do as the LORD says. Not worrying about the world, its idea of success nor reward. This is for those who are not yet in the field of the LORD working. This is for those who have not responded yet to go! This is not about going to China, India, or some foreign place. This is about going to the LORD’S field and taking up the position he wants you too. It is about finding a niche to work in for the LORD, a niche that he has called you too and chosen you for. Even if your late it won’t matter the reward is the same! The obedience is paramount, for he has called, you answered! Then you have to go and do! For the LORD himself said, ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.’ We all know about the beatitudes, the ten commandments, the fruits of the Spirit. But this one commandment is to ‘ignore your own life, don’t try to save it, give it to me and I will take care of you.’

In conclusion, the marching orders for the time we live in are found in Revelation. One verse stands out revealing the chosen for this era and age we live in. These are the ones who will take the LORD’S command and call to the limit of what he has said to do. These are exciting times and the message must get out! Time is short, the field is waiting, people are hurting, and someone has to go! Someone must love the LORD more than their own life! Someone must ignore the flesh, the pride, the call of the world and love the LORD even More. Who is that someone? Where will we find them? One things for sure, when you go, remember, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.”

The Marching order again is found in Revelation 12 and verse 11 which says: “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.”

The verse in Revelation 12 speaks volumes to those who want to overcome at this time. A time which is definitely not for half way this or that! It is all the way! It is here that I get back to the ‘practical lesson’, a way of showing me what to understand. The LORD is with us all the time. The field is wherever you go, the work is all the time, and the rewards will not come until the end of age. Even in the simple days, times, and events such as getting my tire repaired, the LORD reminded me of the Kingdom importance. That we are always in the vineyard, at all times, and we must walk in him, be in him, for he knows us and our every thought and motive. Nothing is hid from him and he knows us. More important he knows me and all those times I am living, working, and having a life. This life is and must be in Him, pleasing HIM. For eternal principles and priorities take over when your ‘chosen’ and have decided to be ‘chosen’ by following him, losing your life, taking up your cross, and losing totally yourself in Christ Jesus. Yes, the LORD was there that day! As the morning sun shone, as the man read the paper, as the other customer came in, as the man could not find our account, and as I stood there wanting to get it all over with. The LORD was there saying, remember the ‘kingdom priorities I have called you to!’ Yes, LORD I remember! I knew immediately you spoke to me, “the first shall be last and the last first.” But you did not just speak to me that day, you gave me a 100 % practical experience in the ‘kingdom’ that day. No one heard it but me. No one saw it but me. No one knew the lesson, but me, till now. Now you too, can learn the lesson with me. “Kingdom priorities 101, the first shall be last and the last shall be first.” No matter when you go, the reward is the same. The first ones shall reap the reward of the last ones, and the last one shall reap the reward of the first ones. It is about obedience and being chosen.

Originally posted 2009-05-24 07:33:43. 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

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by the Watchman Dana G Smith

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“Following the love of the truth, faith unfeigned, hope in Christ, ‘fiery trials’,‘multitude of temptations’, and the power of God to keep us by faith!”

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Originally posted 2010-05-02 07:50:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Faith, Action, and the Love of God
“The Example of Gods Faith in Action and his Word to us on this matter”
by the Watchman
Dana G Smith
keywords: faith, action, love, God, Son of God, calvary, brethren, commandments

1 John 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Agape love, God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts, coming to us free. Yet if God said he “loved us”, how would we really know it? I say “I love my wife or my kids”. I might say “I love ice cream”, and by that statement people would know that he really likes to eat ice cream. There are many things about ice cream to love I suppose. Yet if I never ate ice cream you would wonder how could I love Ice cream if I never tasted it? You might even come to understand that even though I said “I love ice cream”, really I did not. Why could you come to that conclusion? Because the words I spoke become meaningless. Action associated with words, bring the fruition of the idea spoken.

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6  ¶For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Again, God loves us. How do you know it? Well you could say “I read the bible and it says he does.” That’s true, but how do you really know it? Then you might say well it says that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.” Now you come to the point of action. Here God loves the world, meaning men and women who after the seed of the flesh, i.e. Adam are lost. They need redemption. So God gave his Son not just to be given to us, but to die in our place. This is action combined with the word of God. It is here God’s love for us, being Agape, is combined with an intent of Gods heart to do something about it. For in Gods love, it is meaningless to just say you love. It is meaningless to just convey you love. What makes it poignant is that God actually did something about that love in his heart. So from the foundation of the world, He had planned to give his Son as a token of that love for all those who would receive that love, which we call ‘love of the truth’. This combining of Gods love with the act of giving his Son to die for the sins of all mankind is called faith. We also call it redemption, calvary, and salvation. But these words describe the results of the act of God putting his faith in action with his love for the purpose of saving those who would repent and believe.

Hebrews 11:1  ¶Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

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.

It is that substance of Gods love, which we could not see, but became a reality when our Lord came and died on the cross for all the sins of mankind. It is this same substance that makes faith possible. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. When we come to him, we must believe that he is, i.e. he actually exists and will hear our plea. We know he exists because this God who loves us, sent his love, to prove he really did love us. He then commanded all men to repent so that they can receive this love. Now we just don’t blindly believe this! We have the supernatural power of Gods presence, his Spirit.

1 John 4:7  ¶Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1 John 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

It is the Spirit who sheds abroad in our hearts this love that God has for us. It is the result of that love flooding our hearts which gives us a love that passes all understanding. It is that love which will put in our soul true peace. It is that love which allows us to believe and have hope. Why? Because Gods love was put into action and came to us. Without Gods action of faith and love, we would of never known of calvary for he would just be sitting upon his throne being a tyrant. But the True and Living God is not that, he is full of mercy,love, and compassion. It is this same God who revealed to Moses who he was really!

Exodus 34:6  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation

Moreover, today Americans love many things. Americans truly love their cars. They love their houses. They love their savings, retirement, and their pleasure. Americans today love technology, knowledge, and all it has created. Americans love their cities, their armies, their abilities. They love their movie stars and starlets. Americans love their bodies for the most part. They worship the creature more than the creator who is blessed forevermore. We put up both sexes on pedestals to watch and gauk at, which becomes worship. We love in three areas, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. We believe today it is a God given right to enjoy all these things. Now Americans are not alone in this, for in many nations today the people in those countries have their own things they love. This is the natural man!

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

Furthermore, other nations and peoples have been jealous of our riches and wealth. There are many from all over the world that want a piece of the proverbial American life. There are many enemies of America who think if they can just get their hands on this nation they will have these blessings. Many of these enemies envision a time when they see this nation as their own. They see the White House flying their flag, and the armies of this land carrying their banner. Yet they fail to see that Americans did not make America great, for it was not by accident nor by mans effort. Indeed man was a tool in the founding of, building, and ongoing management of this place called America. But it was God’s blessings on this nation that made it great and for his purpose. Without God’s blessings, you have his curse. His curse becomes judgment and in the midst of judgment, the nation is no longer America, but one whose skirts has been raised because of her idolatries and sins. She is a Harlot. God says to his people why suffer her sins and receive of her plagues. John the Revelator says in Revelation 18:4 “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues”. Gods people are to be in the world but not of it. They are to affect the world by his light, not become infected by the world. Jesus said in a prayer to his Father, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

John 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17  ¶Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

In addition, men can say they believe in God. But if that belief has nothing connected to it in real action, then that belief is dead. The devils believe and know there is a True and Living God. Yes, they also tremble! Man does not tremble! Man worships man and mans ways. We have been given a brain to think, a heart to feel, a conscience to guide us. Yet for all this, we are worse than a mule in our stubbornness to believe, repent, and allow God to lead us in his ways.

Psalms 32:9  Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Simply put, if you say you believe, you must repent of your sins. In this you turn around from following man’s ways and follow God’s ways. It is here that in faith, turning around from your sins and believing in your heart in the Lord, that Salvation comes. Jesus went to his own and they did not receive him, but as many as did receive him he gave them the ‘power’ to become the sons of God, even to them that believe [Greek word here means trust in, rely upon, cling too] on his name. Paul says further if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe [same as other word] in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

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:

Romans 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

If we say we believe, How does God know it! If we say we follow the Lord how do people know it! If someone says they are a believer yet walks in darkness, is he still a believer? All of what we do brings us to this point, which is, faith is combined with action. If you say you believe and do nothing, it is still action. You may be doing nothing, but by doing that, in reality you are doing something. It is showing God and men that what you say you believe in, is in reality false. Why? Because you do not follow the one in faith and action. You call him Lord but do not do what he says!

Moreover, John connects ‘keeping Gods word’ with this being “the love of God perfected”. This is ‘faith’ combined with ‘action’. By this action of ‘keeping Gods word’ and saying in faith ‘we believe and love God’, this becomes proof, of which, we can say “hereby know that we are in him.” Further John says “he that abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.” Jesus simply said it this way in Matthew 7:24 “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.” This house did not fall because it was built upon the Rock of ages, Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. We find Jesus in John 14:24 saying further on this subject, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine but the Father which sent me.” All of what we know in scripture both faith and love is directly connected with action. Our actions, not just to say “we believe but to do.”

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.

Matthew 7:24  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:
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.

John 14:24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Yet for many Americans what we know is religious denominationalism. Our faith in America is filled with divers doctrines of men and people who say they have faith, but fail in the little things before God to be faithful in what he has called us to do. What we have developed in this nation and in many others for centuries is a religious experience. Now not all Christians are like that, nor have they been. But today we have seen the true evidence of going our own way. We are a divided house before God. We have failed to keep biblical ways of the early church. In all this, we make excuses and present before God and man the reasons why we do so. In the end, we still fail to keep and do as the Lord says. In short we are ‘rich and in need of nothing and do not know we are wretched, poor, blind, and naked.’

In conclusion, let me add we must repent and turn from our ways to Gods. We must evaluate before God our hearts and motives for judgment is near. This will start at Gods house and his people.

Here is a short reminder, Love! May God grant you wisdom and knowledge into this and direct your steps into the fullest of his purpose for you, your family, and brethren.

God’s Example, “He loved us first so that we would love one another”

1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
1 John 4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

If we love God because he first loved us, “yet if we hate our brother, we are liars”

1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:17  ¶Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.
1 John 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1 John 4:21  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

When we love God and keep his commandments, We know we love the children of God!

1 John 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Faithful in the Least of These-Nwsltr-050210

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“Taking a journey of faith, understanding, and a sober mind”
By The Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: faithful, least of these, wise servant, soberly, works, feed, clothe, shelter, brethren, love, Lord

gather the wheat into my barn-Matt 13:30

'gather the wheat into my barn-Matt 13:30'

Let me take you on a journey my friends. It is a pleasant one, but it has lessons, both for me and you. If you will allow me, this is a path that started some time ago. The Spirit had been speaking to me over time on certain aspects of what we needed to do with our websites and ministry. I personally work and am involved in the sites and have been since the beginning. It was the Lords grace that gave me strength to learn code, html, and many other aspects to do sites. It was frustrating, hard, and when you do thousands of lines of code just looking for a small slash / or something else to fix, it is time consuming. Just one little thing out of place can be a problem.

Nevertheless, with Gods help I persisted for it needed to be done and would be useful in our outreaches. I had tried to enlist others to do this job, but it always fizzled. The trouble was they did not have my vision nor burning call for this and they also did not follow through. As a result of this not being able to find a person on the planet to help with sites or our ministry, I started doing the websites.

From the beginning we had used Google ads. Getting a web presence, having the correct computers, software, anti spam, and other tools cost money. This was just part of the cost along with the websites themselves, domains, and domain names, ect. Even though  I did not like it using secular companies, the money was needed. Sometimes you need to milk the goats. That is what we did, using it for the Lords work. Over time I had tried many other ad suppliers, tools, sites, partnerships, and more. All of which we eventually graduated to something better that would work.

As far as ad revenue goes, of all the ad companies we used over time, some paid a little, but none paid consistent like Google. They know how to make money on the internet. The trouble is, I hated the ads they sent to my site. You can work to keep certain ads out, but overtime new companies come in to Google program and their sites are not on the list for your site. As a result new ads, new companies, and new messages come daily to tens of thousands of websites. Most are messages that webmasters and the companies do not care for. But they tolerate them for the income it generates as a whole.

In the beginning, the income was small. As our sites grew and the number of sites we had grew, so did our income from google. Now were not talking about mega bucks here. But the income was enough to cover the website expenses and nothing else. I worked for free and still do. It nothing I brag about, that is what I do. I serve the Lord and walk in him, he takes care of me, period. I don’t worry about it, I don’t think about it. I thank the Lord he is faithful to do it.  Now this article is also not an appeal for money or anything like it. This is a journey so hang in with me.

As I was working on doing all this and as the months and years passed I was more pressed by the Lord. It was nothing I was convicted about. It was something I wanted to do. I hated those ads and so did my wife. But being internet informed, these ads were all over the place anyway so whats the big deal?  The deal is, I am personally responsible for all on our sites, including ads. Today a major portion of what is on our site is directly from what the Lord gives me. I write, produce shows, and all of it goes on the sites. I put our ministry resources on the sites and what I put on them I have personally put there. So if anything is wrong, its my fault. If anything is a sin, it is my fault. If anything in an ad is in direct opposition to what I believe, even if I try to filter it out and it comes in accidently, it is my fault.  I stand before the Lord God in this matter. I take it personally and the Lord let me know what I needed to do. In this I was becoming convinced that now is the time to get rid of all ads along with any of the income they might bring in.

Now let me tell you we do not have a large money coffer to just throw away revenue. I also do not charge for our programs, teachings or anything else. It cost money to do it. Airtime, production costs, computer costs, phones, electric, and much more. But over the years, the Lord has provided for us. So in this matter, we do fine. Our goal is ministry and following the vision the Lord has given to us. Our goal is not mammon, money, or becoming rich evangelists ect.

As I was studying on this and related matters in the bible. The Lord spoke to me about a newsletter to write, as he usually does. This is how it works, he lets me know what to write and study, that’s what I do. Today “faithful in the least of these” is a study of being faithful in what God gives us. In Matthew chapter 25 and verse 46 it says: “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Now this verse is found in a context where the ‘faithful and wise servant’is waiting for his Lord to come. What people face in this matter is a heart attitude  which may declare “my Lord delays his coming.” This is a troublesome heart issue that leads the servant into obvious sin. This rebellion of heart turns the servant to do things that his Lord disapproves of.  Thus, the moral, be faithful and wise in what God gives you to do as you wait for him to come!

In Matthew 25 and verse 40 scripture says “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  Now the King here is a metaphor type for the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. This statement has to do with those who will hear and obey what they were told to do. Remember the moral above, which is to be, ‘a faithful and wise servant’? It is in this ‘faithfulness and being wise’ that the servant was obedient. As the King says, “I was hungry and you gave me food, vrs 35″, and “I was thirsty and you gave me drink, vrs 35″, and “I was a stranger and you took me in, vrs 35″.

The point here is the kingdom responsibility before the Lord you and I have! This is a duty as his servant to not just have faith, but have the works and ministry to care for those in need. Now let me direct here, everyone is a servant and a minister of Christ. This, of course, is in direct connection to our being ‘born again child of God!’  Some are called to do this in an office of the Lord, i.e. ‘deacon, teacher, preacher, apostle, or prophet’ ect. But all who are called as such have responsibilities to both the office [in relation to this specific calling] and as a servant [child of God in their personal life and relationships].

From the start of our ministry years ago, we worked and supported missions[home and abroad]. These were ministries and/or native pastors that directly brought the Gospel to the people along with taking care of the poor to feed, clothe, and shelter them.  Today, it is still important and the Lord is reminding all of us that we are to watch and wait for him. We are not to worry about our own lives, our own safety, and our own necks. It is not that we ignore all that, but we also must focus on those without! It is in this you personally must seek the Lord and put your family before him in prayer along with doing practical things to keep safe. Yet, for us, we are to also bring the Love of Christ in word and in deed.

Now in this journey today, lets take a short detour for a moment. We will tie it all in very soon. Today I received an email about a special drink called ‘sozo’. The email was an attempt to get me or whoever was at this email address to think about selling this stuff. It was a christian opportunity. Now I am not in anyway relating this to tell you to buy it or not to buy it. But what is important they mention in their ad email that ‘sozo’, meant to ‘save’.  Now keep this in your heart for a minute. Now lets take another step.

Meanwhile I continued my research as I had been doing and found myself studying Paul’s context to the Romans in Chapter 12, verses 3-21. In this we find Romans 12:13 where Paul says in a context of admonitions to do certain things, of which, was this one: “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Now this was part of my study, faithfulness, doing to the least of these my brethren. In studying this context I find verse three that warns those to whom Paul was addressing not to ‘think more highly of himself than he ought’, but ‘to think soberly’. Now this is important for the words ‘think soberly’ is the greek work ‘sophroneo’, meaning to be of sound mind, self controlled, sober minded, disciplined, and able to reason. All this is part of what we studied earlier to be a ‘faithful and wise servant’. Having a ‘sound or sober mind’ is related to being a ‘wise servant’. Now this word ‘sophoneo’ is from another greek word, ‘sozo’ meaning “to save”, and from ‘phron’ meaning “the mind”. Here in the midst of my study was the same word that I saw in the email. ‘Sozo’, meaning to save.  Therefore the quest and end of this path and journey is this:

We must ‘think soberly’ being ‘disciplined’, ‘able to reason’, as we are to be ‘faithful and wise’ servants, we are to be able to ‘reason’ in a godly manner and in a scriptural one. God has given to all members of the body a measure of faith.

We must take that which God has given to us, as we all have varied gifts and faith, but even so, we are all members in Christ, but still interdependent on each other. Even though the majority of Christians in America and the world may act like they are in their own ministry worlds, in reality, we are all connected.

We must be working for the Lord in ‘faithfulness’ and ‘wisdom’, according to his Word. As we
‘Watch and wait’ for the Lords return, we must be about working ‘to sozo’, or ‘to save’ as many as we can. This is not just by preaching, teaching, or witnessing. But by our efforts, in time, money, and provision.

It is here for us at the WIBR/WARN minstry and online sites that we have made another decision. We will take down the google ads and other secular ones. In their place we will put up ads to support, feed, clothe, and ministry to the homeless, hungry, and destitute. Among these will be the brethren in Christ who have needs.

We have contacted ministries before in an effort to do this. Most of the time we get no answer, nevertheless we will work to use what God has given us to further his kingdom as we endeavor to be ‘faithful and wise servants’ for the Lord.

Info on Ads:
We decide where it goes and when it comes down!
We reserve the right to pull it down at any time!
We are not responsible for the ministries
All Ministries are responsible before God and man to you!

Ad space on websites are expensive-we offer it for free
Ad banners to create with graphics are expensive to have done-it must be already created
Ad sizes are those which are open and fit the sites
Ads will run for a certain length of time
Ads are ones that feature gospel work, feeding, clothing, and sheltering.

The Ministries who want to place an ad:
1. The ministry must be faithful, proven, and be able to verify the missions work
2. The ad must be linked to information of the ministry, their work, and a donate button for that work.
3. The ad, its information, and its revenue will in no way be connected to our ministry for payment.
4. In other words, it is free! We want no credit! It is being ‘faithful and wise’ for the Lord.

Only those we approve, who are truly doing the work of God in this area. The ad will be connected directly to an info page and donation page where monies will go to the beneficial ministry of feeding, clothing, and housing etc.  This will be an ad and donation page for the ministry work detailed above. It is not linked to us. We will get no monetary funds from any of this. We do have paypal donation buttons, but these are visible and are stated as for our ministry and work. But the ads we are talking about will have no connection to us except they are on our sites. This will be for the Lord and his Glory, and his heart for the poor!

Read and study these short ‘One sentence Sermons’. They say it all in one sentence!

Have pity upon the poor and lend to the LORD!

Proverbs 19:17  ¶He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Faithfulness and those who are cursed are connected with ‘unto the least of these my brethren’!

Matthew 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Faith without Works is Dead!

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.
18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

The Flattering Vanity of Delusion

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The Flattering Vanity of Delusion
by the Watchman Dana G Smith
Keywords: Lord God, American, vanity, love, lifestyle, rich, kingdoms, wicked, Jesus Christ
Words: 2519

delusion

It is here we find this ‘flattering vanity of delusion’. We are so convinced by our own lies and deluded senses that we cannot see what is coming. What is real? What is truth? Yes, they have the worlds wisdom and knowledge, but to know real truth, well that cannot be done by the flesh.

From week to week I sit down, daily, to pursue what the Lord God has called me to do. Day’s pass by, weeks move on, and months on the calendar don’t stop running their course. Now it is almost 2010. On the theatre, the 2012 Epic is raking in millions. This doesn’t surprise me. Americans are so bored with their lives and humdrum work a day schedule, along with the bills, they need or so it seems such things. Americans love to be frightened, excited, saddened, and go through story lines in a movie as if it were real. All of it, though, from the sound stage, setting, lines of script, and the makeup on the actors is for one reason. To make a movie that sells. To sell you the public on the entertainment of it and make millions in the process. In a word, it is delusion. Sometimes based on fact, or part fact, written and produced by man, that brings forth a story line and message. As a result the actors, or many of them become more than an actor, they become idols and stars. They rake in millions portraying characters that the public becomes enthralled with.

This is the American way of life. It is all theatre, an act, many times with a goal of bringing a message. For instance, we have many disaster movies out, many of whom, are part of a ‘global warming’ message. Then we have the ‘aliens’ message that also never stops. In it all, the messages fly through all the media to the public and the public unaware many times, simply absorbs this stuff as if it were gospel. Which it is, the gospel of the wisdom of this world. This gospel is authored by the chief of liars, the devil himself.

I wonder how many Americans would love disaster so much if they lived in a nation that actually had epic disasters and killed millions? I wonder how many would watch such atrocious movies if they had friends murdered, butchered, raped, and killed randomly? I wonder how all these end time destroy it all movies would fare if America were in a depression, famine, pestilence, and half of this country fell into the sea? How many Americans would like such entertainment if the lives of their family were at risked and their own? If they did not know where their meals were coming from, would they still be so bored with life as to spend wasteful hours on tripe and nonsense?

Now I like a good movie like others, but the trouble is, 99% of movies out there, I cannot watch. No, we don’t do to movies! No, we don’t go and spend needless money on it! We have watched movies, and been entertained, but this article is not about the movies. It is about the bored American! It is about our lifestyle! It is about the waste of time that is simply called ‘vanity’. It is about the ‘flattering vanity of delusion’. It is something that makes us feel good even while speaking lies or in this case delusion to us. It is useless, it is the world’s wisdom! Yet, daily, we have a myriad of details played out in movies, newspapers, internet, television, and the likes of the stage.

I am also amazed at how many people are tired of the message of the bible. I am amazed at how many people simply do not believe it anymore! I am amazed at how wicked people are, how selfish they have become, and how lost the children are. I am amazed at the government and those running it, why can’t they see that the borrowing will destroy the nation? Well, the answer is, they are blinded and judgment is on the nation. The trouble even with that statement, people want proof. Ok, so I quote scripture, is that proof? No they say, they want real proof! Well, what is real proof? If America suddenly disappeared before your eyes would that be proof? Yes, they say! Adding, seeing is believing!

I then say, is seeing really believing? If it is, when the dark one comes as the true God and does signs and wonders, you will follow him and believe. The reason is, scripture says that because the world, and that is you if you don’t believe, ‘refuses the love of the truth, God will send a strong delusion so they will believe a lie’-2 Thess 2. Oh, I might believe he is but if he wants me to take the mark, I won’t do that, you know, its wrong, leads to hell. Really I say! You won’t take the mark! I say to you if you do not believe in the true Messiah Yeshua, Jesus Christ right now and follow him in truth as his disciple, you will be led astray and will indeed take the mark.

Well the conversation ends with them shaking their heads and looking at me as if I’m nuts. Over the years we here at the WIBR/WARN have been warning people, including Christians for years. Many, of whom, were and are our friends. Church friends and brothers, having known them for decades, yet they today won’t have much to do with us and me thinks they think were nutz!

Psalms 12:2  They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3  The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4  Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5  For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8  The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

It is here we find this ‘flattering vanity of delusion’. We are so convinced by our own lies and deluded senses that we cannot see what is coming. What is real? What is truth? Yes, they have the worlds wisdom and knowledge, but to know real truth, well that cannot be done by the flesh. Still there are others, in the church, led by men who themselves are deluded and they all go on in their delusion.

I meet these kind all the time. I see them everywhere. Naysayer, doubters, carnal, lovers of America, lovers of its fruit, lovers of its promises, lovers of everything except God. Of course, many nations and people also fall into this snare. People who need to be free, need to be full, need to have great food, fabulous doctors, live in big houses, drive a new car, have big bank accounts, and live as the government does, beyond their means. These people will torture themselves dieting, working out in gyms, and pushing for a workaholic perfection. All at the same time cannot find 15 minutes to an hour to read the bible, pray, or even fast a meal. These are people who have 10% body fat and are laden with sins. Rich, in need of nothing and love the most popular ear soothing evangelists and preachers, yet will not listen when told to repent or the danger of ‘lukewarmness’. This is what I call the “Flattering vanity of Delusion.”

Then there are those who are hurting. These are the down on their luck. Maybe all their lives, they have failed, yet in their being is a hunger. A deep void. Yes, it is there, in the empty reaches of your spirit that God wants to fill with his Spirit. These hear the call, so gently, “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest for your soul.” There is no delusion here, if you follow this path, seek the Lord, he will give you rest for your souls. It is his wisdom, in the fear of the Lord, turning from our own stubborn ways to seek his Ways. It is simple, yet many wise cannot find it. It is this path, that leads to our Savior. It is that Messiah, whom we call Jesus Christ, Yeshua Ha Massiah, whom can deliver you from the wrath to come. But be sure, you need to follow him, keep his commandments, and walk in faith.

Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

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The Lord today is calling those who will hear to himself. The others, however, will find out that the Lord will chose their delusions and bring their own fears upon themselves. It is these, who during the trouble that is coming, might think to wait until then to call upon the Lord for help. That’s right, let’s wait for the real trouble, we can always get serious with the Lord later. After all he is a God of love, if he loves us, he will then forgive us. So we have time, let’s party on dude! This is America and the church in America today. This is what I call the “Flattering vanity of Delusion”. Totally into themselves and their own agenda’s. Of course all this ignores and totally refuses to hear the Spirit calling to them! To this wisdom, I say it is foolishness. Beware of such ‘worldly wisdom’ for to do such is not considering who the Lord really is! Proverbs 1:28 gives insight into such vain wisdom.

I Will Choose their delusions and bring their fears upon them!

Isaiah 66:4  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer, they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me!

Proverbs 1:28  Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30  They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32  For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

America and the nations are themselves piloted by big money and the proud wicked. These are people, moved by the Dark one, in whom they will follow when he arises. He will lead them straight into perdition, fulfilling the word given in 2 Thess 2. It is here that you and I find ourselves today, on the verge of two kingdoms, one a dark one, brought to fruition to fulfill the Word of God in respect to all that is written of the kingdom of the beast to come. The other one, headed up by the true King, Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Word of God, the only begotten Son of the Father. He will bind the dark one and his companions, destroy his kingdom and set up a ‘kingdom of righteousness on earth.’ For now, we who are his, are to live by faith, keep hope, and follow our Lord in obedience.

The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ!

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.

For the Kingdom of the Lord is coming. This is no delusion or a lie, it is truth and will arrive, but we must, through all that is coming, walk in faith, with patience. For the race before us is to be run and we must finish our course that the Lord our God has called us to be in! If he has called us to this, he will take care of us, ensuring us of victory and the battle won over the enemy of our souls. We live in a wicked world, this is no fairy tale, but in this present world, you and I can know this True God and Eternal life, through his Son Jesus Christ. As the world lies in this darkness, we are in the light. As this world hates us, we are in the light. As this world rejects the Lord, his message, and his messengers, we are in the Lord. We know him, we are in him, and it is this faith, even our faith in him, that overcomes the world.

Here is the patience and the faith of the saints!

Revelation 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9  If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints

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Through much Tribulation do we enter into the kingdom of God!

Acts 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Our Faith, this is the victory that overcomes the world!

1 John 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

We have an understanding, in this wicked world, we are of God, we may know him, we are in him, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God, and eternal life!

1 John 5:19  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

My friends, I like this last line, after all John said, he reminds t hem “little children, keep yourselves from idols”. So must we, as God’s children, “let us keep ourselves from all idols and any snare [sin] that so easily besets us”

Shalom, blessings, much to you,
The Watchman
Dana G Smith
Is 21:6