Tag Archives: Christianity

Bible study, Christian Living, Salvation

C & C: Your Reasonable Service

April 27, 2018 cpministries Leave a comment

Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

Quick Jump Menu

View or Download as a .pdf file

Your Reasonable Service

Matthew 25:14-19, 24-30
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Question. Are you the profitable servant doing the will of our Father in heaven? Or are you the unprofitable servant who went and hid the truth in unrighteousness? “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

You must be born again to inherit the kingdom of God it is your reasonable service!

John 3:1-6
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:14-17
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” However, this did not negate the fact that you were told in the beginning of the chapter “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

It is your reasonable service to find out what this means!

2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Are you the profitable servant or are you the unprofitable servant who went and hid the truth in unrighteousness?

Luke 13:1-5
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

It is your reasonable service to repent of your sins!

Luke 9:23-25
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

It is your reasonable service to take up your cross daily and follow after Jesus the Christ!

Mark 16:15-18
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

It is your reasonable service to go and share the gospel with everybody! It is your reasonable service to baptized as a believer in Jesus the Christ!

Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Are you the profitable servant or are you the unprofitable servant who went and hid the truth in unrighteousness? It is your reasonable service to be baptized correctly and to teach everybody else to do the same!

Luke 24:45-49
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

It is your reasonable service to understand what the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is! Jesus just said that “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem”.

Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It is your reasonable service to understand that the Holy Ghost was the promise of the Father that the disciples were waiting for in the city of Jerusalem!

Acts 2:36-39
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

It is your reasonable service to understand that the correct way to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost was revealed both by Jesus saying, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” and the Apostle Peter and the rest of the Apostles being present understood the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is Jesus the Christ! It is your reasonable service to “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost“!

Are you the profitable servant who will keep the commandments of his Lord or the unprofitable servant who went and hid the truth in unrighteousness?

John 17:19-20
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

It is your reasonable service to follow after the teaching of Jesus the Christ and that of those “which shall believe on me through their word”!

Ephesians 2:18-22
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

It is your reasonable service to understand that the Holy Spirit is not automatically received just because you believe in Jesus, have faith in Jesus, repented of your sins, and even were baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins!

Acts 8:12-17
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Are you the profitable servant or are you the unprofitable servant who went and hid the truth in unrighteousness? It is your reasonable service to understand the Holy Ghost was not yet given even after the believers with faith in Jesus Christ who “were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” had not yet received the Holy Spirit “For as yet he was fallen upon none of them”! What makes you any different than these believers in Jesus Christ that you are convinced you have received the Holy Spirit some other way? “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Acts 19:1-6
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

It is your reasonable service to understand that the receiving of the Holy Spirit came after the Apostle Paul laid his hands upon them just like the receiving of the Holy Spirit came after the Apostle Peter and Apostle John laid hands upon the believers “and they received the Holy Ghost”!

Romans 8:9
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

It is your reasonable service to understand that “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”! Are you the profitable servant doing the will of our Father in heaven? Or are you the unprofitable servant who went and hid the truth in unrighteousness? “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

Quick Jump Menu

Bible study, Medicine, wine

Come let us Grow Together: The Bible, the Wine, and the Medicine

April 21, 2018 cpministries Leave a comment

Come let us Grow Together is a weekly series that deals with the many topical categories that exist within the Word of God. The purpose of this series is to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in things pertaining to God.

1 Timothy 5:23
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

Wine and Infirmities

View or Download as a .pdf file

This particular verse of scripture is many times over looked or even ignored. There are a couple of points that one should take notice of in this verse of scripture. 1) The Apostle Paul has told Timothy to use a little wine 2) The Apostle Paul explains why he should do so 3) It was for his stomach’s sake and his OFTEN INFIRMITIES. Notice the plural form. There was more than one infirmity. 4) And GOD DID NOT HEAL THEM NOR MIRACULOUSLY REMOVE THEM. 5) This shows that it is not God’s will to heal everyone even if they have enough faith to be healed 6) It shows us that God allows the use of medication to be used in our life 7) This including alcohol.

To believe that this wine was non-alcoholic does not align up with other scriptures. Such as Jesus turning water into wine. Notice what the governor of the feast says in the following:

John 2:7-11
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The meaning of the word drunk from verse 10 that the governor of the feast spoke of from the Greek means:

<G3178> (methe); to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk :- drink well, make (be) drunk (-en).—Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

So we can clearly see that the water that Jesus turned into wine was fermented or intoxicating. So does this make Jesus to be in sin? The answer is obviously no. As the scriptures says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Yet Jesus created the best wine at a feast that people who were already drinking were going to be continuing to drink.

I am not advocating the use of alcohol as the scripture says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18) but rather I am bringing to light some things we ought to bear in mind. Such as 1) Jesus turning water into wine that was intoxicating was not considered a sin that was put forth for people to drink. 2) That it was not an offense that caused the weak to fall into alcoholism or Jesus would have been found in sin 3) That Paul told Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach’s sake and often infirmities 4) That God did not miraculously heal Timothy of his infirmities 5) That the Apostle Paul endorsed the use of alcohol for medicine which indicates that the use of medicines for the body is acceptable before God and that this does not indicate a lack of faith on our part for a miracle or healing to our bodies.

This same Apostle Paul tells us in Romans “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” (Romans 14:21) But the same Apostle told Timothy who was his “own son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2) to use a little wine for his stomach’s sake and often infirmities while also telling him “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

From this we learn that God is not against the use of medication in your life nor does it show a lack of faith on your part when you use medication to help you in your infirmities. This includes narcotic medication of which those who have been injured or those suffering chronic pain or who are suffering while dying may use. Is God not the master physician? Was not Luke the beloved physician? Did God not provide the herbs of which many medications are derived from which the physician uses?

Quick Jump Menu

Doctrine, Elect, Grace

Who is The Elect of God?

April 11, 2018 cpministries Leave a comment

Quick Jump Menu

Let us for begin our study with the definitions of the words “Elect” and “Election.”

ELECT
e-lekt’:
That is, “chosen,” “selected.”

Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/elect.html

ELECTION
e-lek’-shun (ekloge, “choice,” “selection”):
The word is absent from the Old Testament, where the related Hebrew verb (bachar) is frequent. In the New Testament it occurs 6 times (Romans 9:11; 11:5,7,28; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Peter 1:10). In all these places it appears to denote an act of Divine selection taking effect upon human objects so as to bring them into special and saving relations with God:

Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/election.html

So, we see by definition, that to be the elect, you have to be chosen by God.

Many Christians today believe that the Elect of God are the natural Jews. On the opposite side the rest of the Christians believe the elect is the Church. However, we see that by definition, to be the Elect, you must be chosen by God.

Elect According to Foreknowledge

View or Download as a .pdf file

According to the Old Testament, was Noah chosen by God? Yes. So by definition Noah was part of the Elect. Was the nation of Israel chosen by God? Yes it was. So then, we know that the people of God, or the Elect was also the Nation of Israel, because they were chosen by God. What about the people of the New Testament today, better known as the Church? Are they chosen by God? Yes. So then the Church is also the Elect.

With this establishment of the understanding of who the Elect is, we now can see, the question is not who is the Elect of God, as if it is either the Church or the Old Testament Jew, but rather, when the New Testament speaks of the Elect or the Election, to which dispensational time period was in reference?

For educational purposes, before we begin examining the New Testament references to the Elect or to the Election, I would first like to show through the scriptures, why the Elect of God changed and the New Covenant that came due to this change.

Scripture teaches us, that the nation of Israel was disobedient to God over and over again. So, God turned to a people that was not a people. That being the Gentiles. Let’s read it in scripture.

Deuteronomy 32:16-21
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

Here we see that the Children of Israel were froward, or (perverse; deceitful; false—King James Dictionary.) They began sacrificing and worshiping other gods, and this God hated and moved by jealousy for His people became angry and let it be known that He would move them also to jealousy with those who were not a people, and provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. This being a reference to the Gentile people, or those who are not of Israel.

Isaiah 42:1-8 {The prophet Isaiah is speaking of Jesus Christ that was to come}
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

This prophecy has foretold that Jesus Christ will come and will bring in a New Covenant and will become a light unto the Gentiles.

Luke 2:25-33
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Here again we see that Jesus Christ will be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and also will be the glory of the people of Israel.

Romans 10:19-21
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Apostle Paul now speaking poses the question, Did not Israel know? However he later explains to us in Romans chapter 11 that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

So what we have learned up to this point, is that the Elect of God, the people of Israel, disobeyed God, so to provoke Israel to anger by jealousy, he turned to another people, that being the Gentiles. We have learned that this light to the Gentiles, came through Jesus Christ who was commissioned to bring forth a new covenant. At this time, I would also like to show some scriptures that speak of the Covenant that was to come.

Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

What a beautiful promise the Lord has given!! I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Isaiah 28:9-13
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

In this prophecy we learn that the promise of the Spirit that was to come by stammering lips and another tongue, which is the rest in the New Testament, that it became unto the natural Jew a snare and this was because of their disobedience, which provoked the Lord to anger, and would be the fulfilling of the Lord’s turning away unto another people who were not a people.

Joel 2:28-29
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Here again we see that the prophet Joel also speaks of the promise of the Spirit that was to come.

Luke 22:20
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

In this scripture we learn from Jesus that He has come to establish a New covenant or a New Testament in the shedding of His blood.

Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This was the fulfilling of what the prophet Isaiah has told us, with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Acts 2:14-16
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

This not only fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, but also the prophet Joel, and the prophet Jeremiah.

Hebrews 8:7-13
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

What we have now learned is that this promise of the Spirit that was to come, and the fulfilling of the law by Jesus Christ the righteous, was accomplished through the New Covenant, which was, I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And that I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more, and this New Covenant was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost with the out pouring of the Holy Ghost which was prophesied by the prophet Joel as well as several other prophets in the Old Testament.

So now that we understand through the scriptures why the Elect of God changed as well as understanding the New Covenant that came due to this change, it is also important to understand that when the Elect of God, was the physical nation of Israel or the Jewish people, this was only a type and a shadow of that which was to come in the Spiritual. Which are the members of the body of Christ, not one that is circumcised of the flesh outwardly, but one that is inwardly circumcised of the heart. This is the Elect of God in the New Covenant.

Romans 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Galatians 3:7-14
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

So with the changing of the Law, came a changing of the Elect of God. Now to be the Elect of God, one must partake of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and by the receiving of His Spirit, we through faith, now circumcised of the heart, become the seed of Abraham, and the Sons of God.

At this time we are going to talk about every scripture in the New Testament that refers to the Elect or to the Election of God, and discuss, to which dispensational time period was in reference, so we can conclude whether or not the New Testament scripture was in reference to the natural Jew or whether or not it was in reference to the Church.

Romans 8:31-39
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

The first thing to take note of here is that after we see God’s elect mentioned. It tells us that it is God that justifies. This is one of the clues we need.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

From the context of this passage of scriptures, if we substituted the Natural Jew in for God’s Elect, it would not make any sense. Why? Because the entire passage is speaking of God’s Elect who give His son Jesus to make intercession for us, so then who shall separate us from the love of Christ? He then tells us through example nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The natural Jew rejected Jesus, so again the context of these scriptures tell us that he is referring to those that Live after Christ Jesus our Lord, and that would be the Church, because the natural Jew does not live after Christ, they do not believe their Messiah has come yet.

The other clue was, it is God that justifies.

Galatians 3:11-13
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Since we are told that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God but rather by faith, we know that it could not have been referring to the physical Jew because they were under the Law.

In our first example we see the Elect of God was referring to the Church.

Colossians 3:1-17
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

In this example, we again see the context of this entire passage was addressing people who were followers of Christ. Starting by telling us, if you be risen with Christ seek that which is above because you are dead and your life is hid in Christ. He then continues and tells us to mortify our members since we put on the new man where Christ is all and in all. We are then told to put on therefore as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, kindness, etc. finishing with doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The natural Jew rejected Christ as their Messiah and under the Law there is no mercy, but it is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

In our Second example we see that the Elect of God is also referring to the Church.

Titus 1:1-3
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

In this example again the context of the Elect being the Natural Jew does not fit, because the natural Jew rejected Jesus as their Messiah. These scriptures speak of the Truth of Jesus being our hope of eternal life, which God promised to us and is now manifested through preaching, which was given unto the Apostles. Paul being one of them.

In our Third example we again see that the Elect of God is in reference to the Church, those who are looking for eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Peter 1:1-5
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Here again, we see that the context of these scriptures would not fit if applied to the natural Jew. The Letter was by an Apostle addressing those that were scattered and he called them the Elect through sanctification of the Spirit and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. This is the New Testament Covenant given unto the Church.

In our Fourth example we again see that the Elect of God is in reference to the Church because it speaks of the plan of Salvation given to us by the New Testament Covenant.

2 John 1:1-3
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

In our Fifth example we again see that the Elect of God is referring to the Church. We can gather that information because it states that “I love the truth” and “also all they that have known the truth.” For the Truth’s sake, which dwells in us and will be in us for ever. That would be the Spirit of Christ that dwells in us and will be with us for ever. Also notice the phrase Grace be with you, mercy, and peace.

Ephesians 2:14
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

So Jesus Christ is our peace and Jesus Christ is the truth and it is Jesus Christ the Comforter that dwells within us.

Matthew 24:24-44
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Before we answer who the elect would be in reference to, the first thing we need to ask ourselves is what event is the Lord describing to us? Is this the catching away of the Saints or what the Church refers to as the Rapture? Some people have said that this is in reference to the 144,000 Jews that have been sealed from the book of Revelation.

However, take notice from verses 30 and 31. We are told Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This describes Jesus Christ coming in the clouds with His angels and a great sound of a trumpet to gather together His elect. If this elect is not the church, then the question would be, How many times is Jesus coming in the clouds to gather together His Elect? But if you continue reading we are given a parable of a fig tree. This parable describes that the people who see the signs that were spoken throughout the entire chapter of Matthew 24, will be the generation in which all things are fulfilled. We are then told what event this is in reference to.

The parable describes that no man, nor the angels of heaven, but only the Father knows of this day and hour. This day is then described as being an evil day such as the days of Noah and that life went on as normal until Noah got into the Ark. Then an illustration is given to us as, two shall be in the field, and one shall be taken, and the other left. And then finally in verse 43 we are told in no uncertain terms, that this day is referring to the rapture, and it reads, But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

The Lord coming as a thief in the night is taught throughout scripture and is in reference to the Calling away of the Saints or what is more commonly called the Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-5
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Revelation 16:15
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

In our Sixth example we see again that the Church is the Elect that is in reference. We know this because it is speaking of the gathering away of the Church, in which the Lord will come as a thief in the night to all them that are in darkness.

At this time let’s also look at the other Gospel accounts of the same event.

Mark 13:22-37
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

This example is very much like the previous example, depicting the same event. That event being the rapture of the Church, the Church being referred to as the Elect.

Luke 17:33-37; Luke 18:1-8
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.

As we read in Matthew we again read of the illustration of two being in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. However more descriptively than we read from Matthew 24:28, we read from Luke 17:37 that the Disciples asked Jesus a question. The question was, Where, Lord? Jesus answered this question as Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

We then are given to us a parable by the Lord in chapter 18 concerning an unrighteous judge.

18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Here we see again by verse eight that Jesus is referring to the Son of man coming again to the earth and had previously been speaking of the catching away of the saints, so this was a parable about the Lord Avenging His elect. We are told they cry out day and night to Him. So the Elect of God again would be the Church that cries out to Him, since the Natural Jew does not even believe that Jesus is the Messiah and also we have linked together these three Gospel accounts as pertaining unto the Rapture of the Church.

At this time we will now be examining the scriptures in the New Testament that refer to the Election of God.

Romans 9:6-12
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth😉
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

In our first example of the Election of God, we see that it tells us, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works. That the children of the promise are counted for the seed not the children of the flesh. This again identifies that the Church is the Election of God in reference and not the natural Jew as the children of the promise are counted for the seed and that seed is Christ.

Galatians 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:16-18
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-6
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Here again we see the Election of God is also in reference to the Church. We see this because it was addressed to one of the Churches, it spoke of grace, peace, the works of faith, and their patience of hope. This hope being eternal salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We can also see from verse five that the Election of God is in reference to the Church because Paul refers to “our gospel”, which we know is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as concluding the verse with the Holy Ghost which was poured out on the day of Pentecost.

2 Peter 1:1-11
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In this example of the Election of God, we again see that the Election is in reference to the Church. We gather this information from the words spoken. Obtained like precious faith, through righteousness of our Saviour Jesus Christ, grace and peace be multiplied unto you, and from verse four which speaks of the exceeding great and precious promises that have been given to us, and that by these exceeding great and precious promises we can be partakers of the divine nature of Christ. We are then given the illustration of how if we add to our faith the things Peter has mentioned we will not only never fall, but we also will be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are told to make our calling and our Election sure. So we can see again this would be in reference to the Church.

At this time, I would like to turn our focus to where the confusion really comes from concerning who is the Elect or Election of God. Or better stated, who is the Elect or the Election of God in reference to. That in itself is the main part of the confusion. Failing to realize that anyone chosen by God is the Elect, regardless of which dispensation they are from. This will cause a person to choose one group of people as the Elect and state it as if the others are not the Elect, instead of recognizing that by definition anyone chosen is the Elect.

Romans 10:1-5
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Apostle Paul has told us that Israel has a zeal of God, but that they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and went about to establish their own righteousness. In so doing they did not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every that believes.

Romans 11:1-14
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

Listen now to the comparison that is being made of the 7,000 men that God had reserved unto himself of the people of Israel..

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

The first thing we should take note of in this example is that Paul is speaking of Israel, the natural Jew. Secondly, there is a remnant to be saved by the Election of Grace. Here Paul already has given the answer. The natural Jew will be saved by the Election of Grace. He then expounds on it in verse six. If it be by grace then it is no more of works. Also in verse seven Apostle Paul asks, what then? Israel has not obtained what they have sought for but the Election has obtained it and the rest were blinded. That is exactly what happened as he continues on in verses nine and ten explaining that this was that which was spoken by the Prophet David in Psalms 69:21-28.

However the Election in reference is the natural Jew that is not blinded and has been Elected to be saved by Grace, which is why in verses thirteen and fourteen Apostle Paul tells us, that he is magnifying his office of being an Apostle of the Gentiles, in hopes to provoke to emulation those which are natural Jews so that some of them might be saved, by giving their hearts to Jesus Christ and becoming part of the Church. Again this lets us know that the Election of Grace is referring to the Church.

Romans 11:25-33
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

We now have learned from Apostle Paul that blindness in part is happened until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. What is the fulness of the Gentiles? This will be the end of the Church age in which the Church is raptured out to meet the Lord in the air.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Here at Romans 11:28 this Election of Grace is in reference to the Nation of Israel in which the Lord will fulfill a Covenant unto them and when He will take away their sins. We are told that this will happen at Mount Sion where the Deliverer shall come and turn away ungodliness from Jacob. This will take place after the fulness of the Gentiles has come in during the Battle of Armageddon.

Zechariah 12:9-11
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem,

So what we have learned from this teaching is that the Elect of God is anyone that is chosen by God and those that are chosen by God, are always saved by Grace. No man shall be justified by the law, but it is God that justifies.

This Justification of Grace is also known as the Election of Grace and came by faith in the Seed that was to come, being Jesus Christ, or through the Seed that has come, being Jesus Christ, and it is our obedience of faith that we are freely justified by God.

Quick Jump Menu

Bible study, Death, Jesus

Come let us Grow Together: The Spirit of Life to Escape the Pangs of Death

March 31, 2018 cpministries 3 Comments

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rm 8:1-4)

1 Peter 2_24

View or Download as a .pdf file

You must have the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus to Escape the Pangs of Death!

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 Jn 3:8)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (Heb 2:14-18)

Jesus came to take back the power that satan had over us and deliver us from the pangs of death!!

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev 1:18)

Once you have been freed from the law of Sin and Death, you must…..

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Lk 9:23)

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Rm 8:12-13)

You must walk after the Spirit of Life to Escape the Pangs of Death!!

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:14-15)

There may be pleasure in sin for a season, but the end thereof is the ways of Death!!

We must die daily and follow after the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus to Escape the Pangs of Death!!

Quick Jump Menu

Bible study, Christian Living, love

C & C: Mercy, Compassion, and Love

March 30, 2018 cpministries 2 Comments

Quick Jump Menu

01 Jesus Feeding the Multitude

View or Download as a .pdf file

Mercy

Psalms 68:19
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Psalms 33:4-5
4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

Psalms 33:21-22
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalms 106:1-3
1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.

Psalms 32:9-10
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.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Psalms 85:10-11
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Psalms 62:11-12
11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Psalms 103:11-12
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalms 103:15-17
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

Psalms 33:18-21
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

Psalms 89:14
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

Psalms 13:5
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalms 123:2
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

2 Chronicles 20:21
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 108:4-5
4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

Psalms 66:20
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Compassion

Psalms 8:3-6
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

Psalms 97:6-7
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Psalms 19:1-3
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Psalms 107:23-29
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Psalms 119:89-91
89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

Psalms 135:5-7
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

Psalms 147:15-18
15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

Psalms 148:1-6
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth:

John 14:21-24
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
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.

1 John 2:3-6
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
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.

1 John 4:7-21
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
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.
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.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
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.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
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.
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.
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.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
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?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Ephesians 4:1-3
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:12-14
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:32-33
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Colossians 3:5
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 13:4-6
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Philippians 4:11
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 2:1-5
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Galatians 6:2-5
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

1 Corinthians 13:13
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Quick Jump Menu

Christian, Christian Living, False Doctrine

Appearances can be Deceiving

March 28, 2018 cpministries Leave a comment

Quick Jump Menu

Matthew 23:25-28
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

View or Download as a .pdf file

The modern day Pharisees are the Christians that claim the name of Jesus Christ yet within they are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Claiming they are followers of Jesus Christ and refusing to repent of their sins, refusing to turn away from their sins, and refusing to deny themselves the partaking of the world. Their priests, teachers, and leaders make a pretense on the outside of wearing special robes, attire, and other clothing that set them apart yet within they are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Theses blind modern day Christian Pharisees have chosen to lead their flock of blind Christian Pharisees into the ditch. Full of ungodliness and worldly lusts they cling to this world and refuse to partake of the sufferings of Christ and to cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Beward of False Doctrine

2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

These false prophets and false teachers have brought in damnable heresies in regards to the teaching of the Godhead and how to be born again and truly many are following their path of ruin and loss while they speak evil of the truth. Through their extortion they deceive you with their false doctrines and teachings of men and make merchandise of you. Living off the gospel while they themselves are teaching you deceit, error, and with their merchandise they cost you your souls as you follow their path of ruin and that of the loss of your soul.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

These false apostles, prophets, and teachers of men that are making merchandise of you are following after their master for it is no marvel that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” These ministers who have by appearances transformed themselves into ministers of righteousness who were not called to preach this gospel of Jesus Christ and even many who were called chose rather to make merchandise of you so that they could live a life of being looked up too, praised by you, and live deliciously off of you whose end shall be according to their works.

There are many false doctrinal teachings in Christendom. Do you suppose that none of these so called ministers are not as their father satan who has transformed himself into an angel of light? Do you suppose that all these ministers are truly ministers of righteousness? Then who are those that we are warned of throughout scripture that are leading their followers to a devil’s hell? Who are these that are making merchandise of you? Who are these that are teaching doctrines of devils? Who are these that are teaching false doctrines, false traditions, and teachings of men? Appearances can be deceiving but by their fruits you will know them. That is if you know the truth yourself so that you can see that their fruit is corrupt, venomous, and the ways of death. Using portions of scriptures to deceive you while refusing to teach the full truth of the doctrine of which they speak. Blind teachers leading the blind unless it be that you yourself will ask the Lord for an honest and good heart that having heard the Word you keep it, and while studying the Word God opens your understanding to it, because you have hungered for righteousness and turned away from sin while repenting. Otherwise you will remain blind to the truth of the Godhead and that of how to truly be born again.

2 Timothy 4:1-4
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Many so called Christians have cried out to be deceived. No longer desiring to endure sound doctrine, but rather have deliberately chosen to find themselves teachers, who having itching ears desiring for them to be scratched by you, lie to you and deceive you with their false doctrines because that is what you are paying them for. Turning your ears away from the truth to follow after cunning fables and false traditions of men. Is this you? It’s time to repent of your sins and earnestly seek the Lord Jesus Christ and find out if this is you and ask Him to guide you to the truth that you might be saved.

Acts 20:28-31
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.

The Apostle Paul who himself lived with people that were trying to pervert the Christian faith of whom he rebuked throughout his teachings knew that after his death that grievous wolves would enter in not sparing the flock. Even of their own selves there would arise false apostles, false prophets, and false teachers of men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves so that they could make merchandise of you, be high and lifted up by you with praises of how great of teachers they are and how close they are to God, while you yourself have been deceived unwillingly or willingly by these wolves in sheep’s clothing who have came to devour the flock of God whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Timothy 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

We are told here by the Apostle Paul that in the last days dangerous times will come. Then he expounds upon this generation of people and their lifestyle while also describing that so called godly men will lead away captive silly or foolish women who are full of sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. The reason was given, they are led away with divers lusts and full of sins. These are men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof from such turn away.

Appearances can be Deceiving!

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

These are followers of the anti-christ because “they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” So “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.“

Revelation 13:1-3
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

This is a description of the endtime world governmental system upon the earth in the time of the anti-christ’s reign. Describing to us that it is satan or the dragon that gives the anti-christ “his power, and his seat, and great authority.“

Revelation 13:11-18
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

However, hope is given even in this worst of times!

Revelation 18:4-8
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Even so the Lord is calling you to “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” This is because God is referring to MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. This false Church is the mother of harlots thus she has daughters that have come out of her. Are you in one of these harlot churches who has compromised the truth? Are you in the mother church? If so it’s time to “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.“

Quick Jump Menu

Anxiety, Behavior, Depression

Learn of me

March 21, 2018 cpministries 1 Comment

Quick Jump Menu

As a continuation from the first part “The Key to the Shackles of Anxiety and Depression.” The main things we learned in that teaching was, How to obtain faith so that we would be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil, that the Devil is an oppressor of the mind, and that he is a LIAR. We also have learned to put our trust in the Lord Jesus, how to begin to start fighting Anxiety and Depression by surrendering ourselves to Jesus Christ and putting on the whole armour of God. Also Worshiping him from the bottom of our hearts that we may gain His strength and not the strength of we ourselves. We also learned that if we have fear, it does not mean we don’t love our Lord and Savior. It means that we have not perfected our Love to Him.

Finally, we have Learned two crucial things to add to our understanding. The first is that it is a sacrifice of praise many times to worship the Lord. That means, that your body does not want to do it, or your mind does not feel like doing it, or both are going on at the same time. We know from the Bible that Satan is a liar and the father of all lies. For this I’d like to give an account of a man that was a prisoner of his mind and tormented day and night by the devil and many other various demons that took lodge in his body.

01 Jesus Teaching

View or Download as a .pdf file

Mark 5:1-16
1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

This is a crucial thing to understand. Though this man was possessed of the Devil and tormented Day and Night, the devils could not stop him from running to the Lord Jesus Christ and offering up worship to Him. Though many mentally ill people today are not possessed, they are all oppressed by their thoughts directly being influenced by Satan. The access portal that Satan is using is our fears and lack of understanding of the Bible to cause us torment. Through these worries Satan then causes us to become confused, feelings of being disoriented, because there seems to be no answer to our problems, which produces more fear. This vicious cycle is what eventually overwhelms our minds and makes us feel like we are going crazy.

These feeling of going crazy can become so intense, that one will begin to cut at themselves or to feel as if they need to tear their own skin off of their own flesh as illustrated above by this man in the tombs who cut himself with stones.
(Continuing)

7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

In this verse, it is important to understand that this was the devils in him that asked the question to Jesus. This was not the man asking this question. Jesus came to this world for a Light unto men. He came to save man and not to destroy.

8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand😉 and were choked in the sea.

Again it is important to see that even though this man had two thousand devils taking abode in him, they were not able to even slow this man down when he saw Jesus coming.

14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

The second crucial thing to understand from the first lesson is that it is through our sufferings, that we are strengthened and established. To God be the Glory. For this I will remind you of what Peter told us and make some notes.

I Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Notice that he tells us in due time. See God has a time for everything.

Isaiah tells us in chapter 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The key here is patience.

(Continuing from I Peter 5)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

It’s Important here to note that verse nine tells us that the same afflictions have been overcome by other Christian brethren in the world.

Affliction: to cause pain or suffering to.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Praise God!! This suffering is what perfects us. Through our sufferings, we learn to better Love our Redeemer that is soon to come.

Here is an illustration of this love spoken by Jesus to his disciple Simon.

Luke 7:40-43
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

The lesson learned here was that the one who was forgiven the most, developed the most love. The person who is suffering and falling, then praying and repenting, then pressing on, learns to better love the Lord, than the one who has little problems in life.

Paul give us the perfect example of handling suffering in Philippians 3:8

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Conformable: compliant; obedient; submissive

So at this time I’d Like to further open our understanding of how we should behave and conduct ourselves knowing the important lessons given to us in the previous first lesson. Starting with what gave birth to this second teaching.

Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Learn of Me

The key things to note here is: He will, not that He may or might, give you rest. But that He will give you rest. The condition however is after you take his yoke upon you, you must learn of Him. He gives you only two attributes of himself here.

Meek: quiet, gentle, and submissive.

Lowly: low in status or importance.
That means he isn’t puffed up, Better than you, or To good to be around you.

The Goal of Learning of Jesus is to mold yourself to follow after His footsteps that he laid out before us in the New Testament.

Since we have been addressing Fear and Depression, that is the Learning points we will discuss at this time.

So to begin to answer how to overcome this with the help of God, lets start with what I found to be:

Step 1 Gird up your mind

I Peter 1:13-16
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Gird: encircle or secure with a belt or band.
That means secure your mind and let not your wrongful thoughts consume you, by not allowing yourself to have those thoughts any longer.

How then do we do such a difficult task with all these fears still running rampant in our lives?

Remember the first lesson. Worship the Lord for strength. Remember to get your shield of Faith out. And now we will continue to sharpen your Sword (The Word of God.) So that you will be able to replace your thought process with scriptures, thus girding up the loins of your mind.

Step 2 Be Not of a Doubtful Mind

Luke 12:27-32
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

This is telling us that the wisest man that ever was, King Solomon and the kingdom he ruled over, was not even clothed like one of the lilies in the field.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Here we are told that if God takes that kind of time with a lily that is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will he array you? Then we are reminded that being of a worrisome or doubtful mind, that we are of little faith.

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Here we are told specifically, to be not of a doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Here we see that if we pursue the Kingdom of God, He will take care of us and the things we need will be added unto us. Then we are reminded to Fear not, and then reminded of the Promise of God, The Heavenly Kingdom we all are striving for.

So now we know to worship the Lord, to put our trust in Him, To gird up the loins of our mind, and not to be of a doubtful mind.

Step 3 Isaiah 54:4; two things not to allow yourself to do that generates fear.

54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded;

This is very important.

Shame: 1. a feeling of humiliation or distress caused by awareness of wrong or foolish behavior. 2. A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace

Confounded: 1. bewildered; confused; perplexed. 2. To make (something bad) worse: Do not confound the problem by losing your temper.

Notice that the instruction was Fear not, then explained what not to do. That is because both of these feelings, shame and being confounded, bring forth fear.

Step 4 Just Believe

Another Crucial Step, since all of this new found knowledge seems unobtainable.

What to pray for and seek for, to help get the job done of bringing your mind under subjection to Almighty God.

You will to need to pray and seek for Desire, Determination, Discipline, Courage, and Faith.

Let’s expound here some

Desire: a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.

Determination: 1. the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.
2. the information ascertained; solution. 3. a fixed purpose or intention.

Discipline: behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control. This would be applying what you have now learned.

Courage: 1 the ability to do something that frightens one. 2 strength in the face of pain or grief. Courage is very important. It will help you get up and move on when mistakes are made. It is the driving force that will bring you through fear.

Faith: 1. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion. 2. complete trust or confidence in God and the Word of God.

Step 5 Lean not on your own understanding.

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

Here we learn that if we trust in ourselves, we will not find the way. But, if we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, He shall direct our paths.

Psalms 119:104 says,
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

David is referring to the precepts of the Lord to get understanding of his way. He then describes it as a lamp unto his feet, and a light unto his path.

Psalms 40:4
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Step 6 Labour for the Kingdom

Proverbs 16:2-3
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

This is a very important step because not only are you being productive for the furthering of the Kingdom of God, but also we Learn that our thoughts will be established.

So, How do you labour for the kingdom?

Sing songs and praise to the Lord. Pray for those that are in need.
Pray for Salvation. Pray for others that Salvation will find them.
Pray that you will be sent unto them. Witness to your neighbors of Jesus.
Pray that the Lord will guide you and give you the words to speak.
Commit yourself to Church. Put God first in everything of your life.
Study to show thyself worthy. Ask the Lord what you can do for the Kingdom.

In the book of Matthew it says,

Matthew 9:35-38
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Step 7 Eliminate Self Guilt

This is achieved by forgiving yourself when you make a mistake.

“Don’t tell yourself things like”,
Well I should have tried harder. I should’ve done better. It’s all my fault.
I don’t deserve forgiveness. I’m not worthy. I’m a loser.
Everyone else can do it. What good am I.

The bible tells us that Jesus came to set the captives free.

Luke 4:17-19
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Jesus tells us, ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:31-36
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

In Psalms 100:1-5 it tells us His Truth endureth to all generations.
1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalms 103:17-18 it says,
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

In II Corinthians 12:9-10 Apostle Paul tells us concerning what Jesus told him.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

This is the whole reason Jesus died on the cross for us. So that we could live life more abundantly, choosing Life rather than Death.

John 10:7-14
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

None of us are worthy.

Isaiah 64:6 says,
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

However our righteousness does not come from our works, but it does come from…

Philippians 3:8-9
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Step 8 Be Angry, but sin not

Though not easy to do sometimes. It is completely possible.

Ephesians 4:17-32
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Lasciviousness: feeling or showing an overt or offensive sexual desire.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Take a special note of verses 26-27.
Getting Angry is ok but give no place to the devil.

Proverbs 14:17
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly:

Proverbs 16:32
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 29:22-23
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Colossians 3:2-17
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Mortify: subdue (physical urges) by self-denial or discipline.
Idolatry: worship of idols

Colossians 3:8-17
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Forbearing: patient and restrained

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Admonishing: 1. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution.
2. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Step 9 Stop Judging and Condemning yourself and others

Judge: 1. a person qualified to pass a critical judgment 2. to pass legal judgment on; pass sentence on (a person) 3. to form a judgment or opinion of; decide upon critically

Condemn: 1. to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service. 2. to give grounds or reason for convicting. 3. To express strong disapproval of

Luke 6:35-37
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

I Corinthians 4:2-5
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Step 10 Apply Mercy/Forgiveness to everyone, ASAP. Instantly is the Goal

Isaiah 30:18-21
18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Matthew 5:44-45
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

As with any Learning Experience, it takes time to apply all that you have learned.
Do your Best!!! That is all you can do!!!

Luke 11:9-13 says
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Matthew 5:2-16
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
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.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Praise God!!! Holy, Righteous, and True!!!

Quick Jump Menu

Bible study, Death, Holy Ghost

Come let us Grow Together: He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men

March 17, 2018 cpministries 3 Comments

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Eph 4:8)

View or Download as a .pdf file

Jesus Ascension

This captivity that Jesus led captive was that of death!

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezek 18:20)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Heb 2:14-15)

Jesus freed those that are born again from the power of death by dying as our substitute!

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev 1:18)

Set free from the bondage of death!

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:55-57)

Set free from the condemnation of sin if you are a born again Christian not following after the flesh, but after the Spirit!

Jesus led death captive, and gave gifts unto men so that we could become born again and follow after the leading of the Spirit and not after the flesh!

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Eph 2:14-16)

Jesus made both the Jew and the Gentile one new man in the body of Christ. “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances” “that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby”.

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one {this referring to Adam}; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation {this referring to Adam}; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners {this referring to Adam}, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rm 5:17-21)

Some of the gifts Jesus gave unto men when he led death captive!

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Eph 4:11-13)

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Cor 12:1, 8-13)

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Eph 4:8)

Quick Jump Menu

Bible study, Holy Spirit, Salvation

C & C: Consuming Fire of Living Waters

March 16, 2018 cpministries 1 Comment

Quick Jump Menu

John 4:24
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

View or Download as a .pdf file

Hebrews 12:29
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

John 3:34
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

John 7:38-39
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Receiving the Holy Ghost

John 14:16-18
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Acts 2:29-33
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Colossians 2:9
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Consuming Fire of Living Waters

Salvation is of our God and of our God alone who is the only God thus the God of gods.

Isaiah 43:10-13
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

1 John 5:20
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.

Acts 4:10-12
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Jeremiah 10:10-12
10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Our God who was known to us in the Old Testament as Jehovah the true God as stated in Jeremiah verse 10 is God alone. One must remember that in our Old Testament that when you see the word Lord in all capital letters like this, LORD, that the Hebrew word that is in use behind our English translation is Jehovah. This was done because our translators followed Jewish tradition of not speaking the name of the Lord, because the Jews feared taking the Lord’s name in vain and quit speaking it, so instead of using the translation of Jehovah, over 6,000 times they substituted the word lord in all capital letters which the reader is supposed to understand that this is a substitution for Jehovah.

This same God who was known to us in the Old Testament as Jehovah the true God spoke and said, “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.” Then we learn in the New Testament that this same God has revealed his name to us as Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” “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.” This is the true God and the only God even as was stated in Jeremiah 10:10 above “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God“. This is the mystery of God manifest in the flesh yet still one God. God is a spirit and Jesus is the express image of his person for our God is one alone.

Hebrews 1:1-3
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

It was necessary for God to take upon him the seed of Abraham to destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. So that you and I could become born again of water and of the Spirit to escape sin through partaking of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ “the true God, and eternal life” for our God is one alone.

1 John 3:8
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Hebrews 2:14-17
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

1 John 5:8
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

These three agree in one. This being salvation. This can be seen in the Old Testament types and shadows to prepare us for the New Testament of how we partake of “the Spirit, and the water, and the blood“.

The children of Israel upon their Exodus was told by God to prepare a lamb without blemish, a male of the first year and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:1-28)

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Here we have a shadow of the New Testament Covenant of salvation of the killing of a lamb without blemish, the shedding of blood, the parting of the water of the Red Sea, and being under the cloud of which was the Spirit of the Lord. This we are told that we should not be ignorant of that they were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea! We see here that water baptism and Spiritual baptism took place!! Just like Jesus told Nicodemus “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3:5)

We also see the washing away of blood in the Old Testament Tabernacle when the Levitical priesthood performed animal sacrifices on the Brazen Altar which blood was then washed in the Brazen Laver. Thus the water and blood mingled together.

The Brazen Altar, where the sacrifices were done, was a shadow of Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb of God, which was sacrificed as our atonement, to reconcile, which is to restore friendly relations, between us and God. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Tim 2:5)

The Brazen Laver, was a shadow of the water baptism in Jesus name, where our old man is buried with Christ, and His blood remits or washes away our sins.

The Mercy seat, where the Spirit of God met with the high priest once yearly now we have full access by a new and living way. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” (Heb 10:19-20) “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:” (Heb 9:8)

The blood, the water, and the Spirit which agree in one which is salvation.

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.

John 19:34-35
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

It was the Spirit that bare this record as we just read in 1 John 5:6 “And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

1 John 5:8
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Now we are told that there are three that bear witness in Earth. The Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. These three agree in how we are born again of water and of the Spirit. We know that the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost; and that when the soldier pierced Jesus’ side, there came out blood and water and the blood of Jesus is applied to us when we are baptized in Jesus name with full water submersion.

Blood, water, and Spirit = Death (repentance), burial (water baptism in Jesus name), and resurrection (being filled with the Holy Ghost.)

Even as the Apostle Peter tells us.

Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The Apostle Peter expressly tells us that it is in water baptism where we are saved!

1 Peter 3:20-21
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

This particular passage many times is used to try to justify that baptism is nothing more than the answer of a good conscience toward God. The Apostle Peter is the very one that told us, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Here, the Apostle Peter has again stressed, that just as Noah was saved by water, we also by like figure are saved by water through baptism in Jesus name. Then stating, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh. Meaning, we aren’t getting into the water to be baptized for the flesh but for our souls. It is the answer of a good conscience toward God, because of our faith of the operation of God, which was the circumcision of Christ, the circumcision made without hands. The cutting away or washing away of our sins!!!!

Colossians 2:10-14
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

This is how you are made free from sin. You are baptized in Jesus name that the body of sin may be destroyed by the circumcision of Christ.

Jesus told us we must repent.

Luke 13:3,5
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Jesus told us we must believe and be baptized.

Mark 16:16
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Matthew 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Jesus told his disciples what to do and revealed the name to them.

Luke 24:47
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The disciples were obedient and fulfilled both Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:47.

Colossians 3:17
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

This would include the baptism. Consuming Fire of Living Waters!!!

Quick Jump Menu

Anxiety, Behavior, Depression

The Key to the shackles of Anxiety and Depression

March 14, 2018 cpministries 2 Comments

Quick Jump Menu

I John 4:15-18
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
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.
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.
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.

00 Bible

View or Download as a .pdf file

Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Moderation: Not violent or subject to extremes; gentleness; temperate.
Virtue: Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness
Worship: An expression of Honor and Love to God.

Let’s break this down.
Depression: characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of pleasure, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness.

We see here that depression is extreme sadness and hopelessness.
Sadness: State of being Sad.
Sad: Affected or characterized by sorrow or unhappiness. A feeling of the “blues”
Antonym of sad, or the blues, is happiness, and joy.
Joy: Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness.

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

So we now see that by definition of depression that you have a feeling of hopelessness.
And we see from Hebrews that Faith is hope.

So then How do we get faith?

Romans 10:13-10
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I John 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

II Corinthians 5:5-10
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Another thing that the Bible tells us is in Galations 3:6

Galations 3:6
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

So now we see that by faith of God’s spoken Word that it also counts toward obtaining righteousness.

Now lets look at Anxiety.

Anxiety: A state of intense apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation, often to a degree that normal physical and psychological functioning is disrupted.

Synonyms: worry, care, concern

Luke 12:22-32
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
(Cubit: An ancient unit of linear measure, originally equal to the length of the forearm from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow, or about 17 to 22 inches.)
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

In the book of Matthew when Jesus is speaking of the end of time (which we believe we are living in today) he said…..

Matthew 24:6
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Also in the book of Matthew He tells us how to get rest for our souls.

Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Laden: 1. Weighed down with a load; heavy. 2. Oppressed; burdened

Burden: 1. Something that is emotionally difficult to bear.
2. A source of great worry or stress; weight

Worry: To feel uneasy or concerned about something; be troubled.

Troubled: To cause emotional strain or anxiety to; worry or distress.

What we know will happen when we worship:

Nehemiah 8:10
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Not your joy. But His joy is our strength.

Psalms 95:6
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalms 100:1-5
1: A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

II Samuel 6:14
14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might;

So we know that by following these examples and concentrating on the 6 things in verse 8 of Phillipians, when we worship the Lord, remembering to Pray in supplication (while being humble) and thanksgiving (a form of praise), we Will Obtain Peace. And we have now received Joy from the Lord in our worship to Him.

Phillipians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Peace is contentment. And by faith and love in Jesus we have gained Godliness.

I Timothy 6:6-10
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment (clothing) let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

So now we have obtained peace, joy, godliness with contentment…..

I John 4:18
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.

So Now by our worship we have also gained Love.

All of this has been achieved by Loving Jesus and Worshipping him in spirt and truth.

John 4:23-24
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Hebrews 13:15-17
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

What we know about the Devil.

He is a LIAR.

John 8:44
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

I Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Satan oppresses us with our thoughts.

But we have power over Satan.

James 4:7
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

To resist the Devil you need to put on the whole Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We also know that the Battle has already been Won!!!!!!

Revalation 20:10
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

WE also Can now see that the false message of prosperity, by sowing a seed of faith so that you can gain earthly possessions, that is on television and in many churches that misuse the scriptures are not what God intended.

Luke 12:33-34
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.