it is in humility and gentleness today; I boast of the authority Yahweh has given me for building up rather than tearing down, and I will not be ashamed of it. I do not to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say my letters are weighty and forceful but in person she is unimpressive and her speaking amount to nothing such people would realize that I am in my letters when I’m absent, I will be in my action when I am present.
I will not boast beyond proper limits, I will confine my boasting to the sphere of service of that which Yahweh assigns to me himself, a sphere that includes you. I am not going too far in boasting, as would be the case if I had not come to you, for I did not get as far as you with the gospel Christ.
neither do I go beyond my limits by boasting of work done by other(s). Our hope in Christ Jesus is that, as faith continues to expand; so that we preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.
For I do not want to boast about work already done in someone’s territory. Let the one who boast, boast in Christ. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved but the one whom the lord commends.
I once heard Dr. Myles Munroe say doubt is normal for every human being. Today reading John 20 with Thomas I realized it is true. no matter how many times Thomas saw Jesus during the Passover where he predicted his death and how he would rise on the 3rd day, or where he healed the sick. Thomas would still doubt, doubt allows us raise question about our believes but it is doubt that leads to unbelief that we want to avoid because this brings death. That which leads to life brings belief in Christ Jesus and in his life at work in us is ok.
Job went through affliction but never doubt but said that God should take his life. That is the perseverance of a servant who is sold out. Job did doubt but he didn’t waiver in his trust in God. no matter the amount of times we see Jesus, a heart that will doubt will doubt.
Don Moen sang we want to see your glory (to see God face), we want to know your grace (to hear what God has to say about our life) but it requires humility to bow before him and listen for his voice. Before God is welcomed in us. Moses could not see Gods face at Mount Sinai but walked with God still, Jabez didn’t see God’s glory in his life but sought the lord in humility. It boils down to faith/ trust in God.
David says as I say even in when I feel secure, I shall never be shaken. Psalm 30: 6.
Jesus mentioned this thrice as he appeared to Mary Magdalene, his disciples and Thomas Didymus. In this chapter we see the disciples coming to Thomas telling him they had seen Jesus but Thomas vehemently said “Unless, I see the nailed hands, and put my fingers where the nails were and put my my hands into his side, He would not believe Jesus was risen and the disciples had seen him.
His hands show his suffering for us, the battle he had on the cross for our soul. He forgave and he spoke about forgiving us not withholding forgiveness. Its funny how we are Christians but we act in unbelief, some say I want to see you suffering to believe, you are Christ’s. I even act it out sometimes, It tells me we will battle unbelief in certain aspects of our lives, because Thomas walked with Jesus, he ate with Jesus, he saw miracles from Jesus , the disciples (not just 1 or 2 told him they had seen Jesus) and still doubted Jesus was raised. Thomas would not believe unless he saw the evidence of Jesus suffering, he not just wanted to:
see the nails, he wanted to:
put his finger inside and
put his hands into his side.
It sounds funny to me, but in all seriousness aren’t we all the same both believers and non believers. Two things dawn on me while reading this passage: In verse 19, that for FEAR of the Jewish leaders the disciples were together and locked their door. It seems we battle fear and doubt (as with Gideon) and in Christ righteousness can we be bold in the spirit. 2 Timothy 1:7, Proverbs 28: 1.
So 8 days later, some version says a week later, Jesus showed himself to Thomas and asked to Thomas to put his finger in his hands and touch his sides. Its interesting for me that Mary Magdalene couldn’t touch Jesus, because he hadn’t ascended at the time to the father, so it took Jesus approximately one week to ascend to the father and be back so Thomas could touch him and believe.
now Jesus wasn’t there when Thomas made this proclamation that he wouldn’t believe but he heard. Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; but blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”.
We see evidence from Israel, that the crucifixation took place, the tomb were his body lay still exist until today. Yet because we have not seen Jesus we doubt he exist. This passage is written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of Elohim, and by believing you may have life in his name.
Sometimes, we may not see him but he hears us, sometimes we may mistaken him to be some gardener or some god but he is near us, sometime we need evidence to believe and it is said that even Jesus physical body isn’t here or no physical evidence is there but his spiritual body (the church is here) to help you understand the scriptures that he is risen from the dead. John 20: 9
I opened the book of chronicles and saw how God first appeared to Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Shem, Ham, Japheth until the descendant of Israel materialized in Chapter 2. I said to myself truly Adonai is a God for all ages, his footprints are in the sands of times and is seen from Generation to Generation.
In John 20, we see the disciples went to see the body of Jesus, so they went home only Mary Magdalene was still weeping at the tomb. In verse 14-15 Mary said “they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him”. It is said in the same scripture that Mary clung to the lord (not knowing he was there) because she couldn’t find his body because all she could see where linen clothes and an empty tomb. whilst Jesus stood near her and she didn’t know. God is right where we are standing near us but we may not see him. It is said in verse 15-16, Mary wept and sought the Lord and he appeared to her.
Jeremiah 29: 13 you will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL your heart. 2 Chronicles 26: 5 says King Hezekiah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success. David said I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4). Psalm 63: 1 David says “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsted for thee, my flesh longed for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;”.
Jesus said to (Mary) woman why are you weeping? whom do you seek? Mary thinking he was the gardener said, Sir, they have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him. In verse 18 Mary Magdalene announced to the disciples as I announce to you that ‘I have seen the lord’ – and he said this things to me
So, I pray our eyes be open to see him as Mary Magdalene as we search for him wholeheartedly as Mary. Job said my ears have heard of you but now my eyes see you. Through Mary broken heartedness to see the lord she saw him. Anytime, I see the face of Jesus we the love he has for his sheep, how he stays at the gate when we invite him in, when he says beware! for our safety… when he says beware not to do your prayers in public… as he appeared to marry he tells her ‘Do not hold on to me, for i am yet to ascend to the father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ” I am ascending to my father and you father, to my Elohim and your Elohim”. He watches over us.
A savior that loves his sheep will appear to you when you are weeping and broken hearted if you seek him today! Be determined to seek him with ALL your heart.
Thinking out LOUD
Its always a wonder for me that Mary means mar close to mara the name Ruth had akin to sorrow but the actual meaning of Mary in Hebrew is bitter or a drop of the sea. So even still Jesus is close to the bitter people. As similar situation with Ruth, Naomi, Joab and Jabez… it was in bitterness job spoke as well as Naomi, I guess in the broken places of our life God is near to the broken hearted and poor. Proverbs 34: 18. Ruth 1: 13
Psalm 30: 6 says unto your hands, I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O lord, faithfully. These were the exact words of Jesus in Luke 23:46, it was his last words before he gave up his spirit. -> the statement of submission of God’s will.
In the battle of life its the submission to God’s will that is important. Yes, his promises are sure, true, ye and amen but it is the purpose of the Lord (his will) that stand. (Proverb 19: 21, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.). We pray with for our hearts the desires using God’s promises but it is the purpose of God that stands. One of my major fascination with David is his ability to be in Gods will and keep his command (sure he erred) but he went to fight for his people, battle for lands, ward of his enemies, He was a shepherd to Israel in his time.
Jesus is our Great Shepherd because David said the lord is my shepherd, the shepherd of all shepherd is a great Shepherd. As David tended to sheep’s he shows a picture of Jehovah appearing as a chief shepherd of the sheep to save us from our battle against sin (Jehovah tsidkenu). He battles for us when we are in need (physical or spiritual) Psalm 107: 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (spiritual), Psalm 103: 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Jesus says in John 4: 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” (Jehovah Jireh). He battles over us in our adversity, he is the same Jehovah who battles for our soul at the point of life and death, so we may have newness of life in him. he is the same God who battles for us to keep us from falling, its Jehovah who gave manna to the Israelite in the wilderness that fed the 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. When one of his sheep’s loses his way he goes back to look for that sheep. HE is the one who gives us our identity and has become Jehovah Nissi ( the lord my banner).
From the moment he told Abraham I will provide a lamb for you. Genesis 22: 8, all we are to do is provide the fire and wood to come into his presence. God has provided a lamb for us who is Jesus to take away our sins and in so doing he became our Great shepherd to guide us on the way or in the battle of life. God is fighting for you, he is battling for your bread, safety, indeed he fulfilled the law for us ( he did Yahweh’s will by hanging on the cross and saying to the father not my will but your will be done Luke 22: 42, and kept all God’s command as David a man after God’s heart to do his will and his command). Inorder, that in him we might live to do his will and keep his command.
Be strong and let your heart take courage in Yahweh, ALL who wait on the Lord God. Psalm 30, 31, 32
Dr. Chris E. Kwakpovwe is the writer of the daily manner I use for a years now. Its from him I curl this message. An excessive and impulsive desire to do what is wrong is lust. It could be immorality (fornication, adultery, masturbation, lesbianism, homosexuality, etc.). It could be excessive lust for money, for power , for position, for clothes, food (YOU CAnnOT FAST) or fame, etc. The list is endless. Any passion which drives us to do the wrong things should be watched.
The good news however is that you can control yourself! Job came to the point where he refused to even think about or look at a woman (Job 31: 1-2). Why should you even look at a woman or man twice he writes. Its that serious . He says if you give the devil your parlor, he will invade your bedroom. Lust is called Vanity (Job 31:5a), deceit (Job 31: 5b) and its always hasty (Job 31: 5b). Job 31:12 says that it is FIRE (strong desire) that consumes to destruction and destroys all your spiritual, financial, marital and even physical increase. Think! Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. James said, “Resist the devil and he will flee.” Again and finally , Paul said you and I can bring our bodies under control – 1 Corinthians 9: 27. Hear James Allen: ” Self control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power”. He says Joe Hyams “Anger doesn’t demand action. When you act in anger, you loose self-control. napoleon hill says if you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self. May lust/ immorality not root out all our increase! Fight it control/conquer self and resist it this year.
As the temple mount is being built at Jerusalem and the fight between Hamas and Israel escalates. I have no silver nor Gold but that which I do have I speak to you to rise UP and walk. Some situations we speak and some we speak and walk through.
It was during the rebuilding of the wall, Sanballat heard of the wall being rebuilt and was greatly incensed and angry. He discussed with his associates and the army of Samaria; about how the feeble Jews were trying to restore the wall. So, Tobiah the ammonite and Sanballat taunted the Jews that what they were building would break down and couldn’t bring stones back to life.
The Jews made a prayer to God to hear them because they were despised and turn insults back on their enemy’s head. The Jews rebuilt the wall until half its height was reached as it was said the people worked with all their heart.
Still Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard they had gone halfway and were angry. They plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
But Israel prayed to God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. The people of Judah in fret said the strength of the LABOURERS is given out and material was diminishing, so they couldn’t rebuild the wall. it’s interesting that Judah knew what their enemies said about them stating that ‘Before they knew it or see us, we will be right there among them, and we will kill them and put an end to the work’.
The Jews who lived around them came and told Judah 10 times over that wherever they turned they would be attacked.
Solution. verse 13
Therefore, I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember Hashem, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’
When their enemies knew that the Jews-Judah were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, they all returned to the wall each to their work. Half of their men did the work, and the other half were equipped with spears, shield, bows and Armour. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore sword at their side as they worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
So, I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, The work is extensive and spread out, we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Adonai will fight for us.
These are just simply pointers I highlight from Hebrew 12. While reading the passages: It’s interesting to know that:
God’s presence surrounds us as a cloud of witness, so we can throw everything that hinders us and sin that so easily entangles us out. with perseverance the race marked for us to run we can fix our eyes on Jesus; the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
His (Jesus) words of encouragement: 1) We can endure hardship as discipline, as God treats us as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? Everyone undergoes discipline (whether from our ways or by God). Then you are not legitimate, not the sons and daughters at all.
2) If human fathers discipline us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and Live!
They (Our parents) disciplined us for a little while they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his HOLInESS.
3) no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. So, we can produce a harvest of righteousness and peace, when we have been trained by it.
4) God strengthens our feeble arms and weak knees. He makes level path for our feet, so the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 5) we have the grace to live in peace with everyone and be holy as our heavenly father is.
6) we can fall short of the grace of God when bitterness or roots of it grows to cause trouble in us that may defile us.
7) Sexually immoral and Godless persons like Esau who for a single meal sold his inheritance exist.
I have come to God, the judge of all, to the spirit of righteousness made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than the blood of Abel over our lives.
We ought to see to it that we do not refute him/her who speaks. If they do not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?
Therefore, we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, so be thankful and worship God acceptably with Reverence and AWE, for our God is an All-Consuming FIRE.
Relief swept around me reading this chapter. How unchanging God is in his love towards us. Zechariah talks about ‘Talk about a Shepherd who was asked to Shepherd a group of flocks marked for slaughter by an Unknown Shepherd. There were those that bought these flocks marked for slaughter, who slaughtered them and go unpunished’. Those that sell them also say they are RICH! PRAISE THE LORD! So even their own shepherd do not spare them. God says to the deliverer of the flocks marked for slaughter or to be sold or to be bought that he will no longer have pity on the people of that land. So, this messenger shepherded flocks and in one month he got rid of 3 of the shepherds, who wanted to buy, slaughter and sell the flocks.
But the flocks detested him, and he grew weary of them and said to them ” I will not be your Shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s FLESH. So, I took my staff called favor and brake it, revoking the covenant, I had made with the nations. It is revoked, so the oppressed of the flock who were watching knew IT WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD, GOD. I said to them, if you think it best, give me my pay, but if not keep it. So, they paid me thirty pieces of silver. THE LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter – the ‘handsome price at which they valued me! So, I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw at them at the potters HOUSE OF THE LORD. Then, I took the second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel. Take again, the foolish shepherd’s equipment, as the lord will raise up a Shepherd over the land who will not case for the lost, or seek the young or heal the injured, or feed the healthy but will eat the meat of the choice sheep tearing off their hooves. Woe to the worthless shepherd who deserts the FLOCK. John 10: 11 – 13.
Living out scriptures is hard, so with soberness of mind I write as Paul: Food is for the stomach and stomach for food, but God will destroy both. 1 Cor 6:13.
Paul writes as a servant of God who is entrusted in the mysteries of God being reveled to us. we have to be faithful to the lord Jesus. In here, faith is seen as it attributed to a person it becomes faithful. we often attribute faith to things we need to get but rarely to people because for one to work faithfully it requires in integrity. Paul says indeed if I don’t judge myself, my conscience is clear, but it doesn’t make me innocent.
Innocent means free from guilt, bearing no responsibility for wrongful act. Meaning one may be free from guilt because of the stance we take in Christ Jesus, but we may not be clueless. So, I’d like to think of innocent as simple mindedness of a child as result of low knowledge or without motives. As Christians, we have motives for Christ to preach the gospel, to stand on the side of truth, righteousness and justice. And I guess this is what gives us a clear conscience before God that because we are saved, we can abide in truth. Paul goes on to say it is God who judges him, so he has to bring to light what is hidden in darkness around him. While he does this, he prays that he as we are not puffed-up followers of Christ because ALL we have received comes from Christ.\
I personally love the interplay of his words here: it says, and I quote “Already you have all you want, and you have become rich! You have begun to reign – and without us! so, there were a selected group of people who became rich and reigned without Paul. He goes on to say “How I wish that you had really begun to reign, so that we (Paul inclusive) may reign with you! If you understand you know why this interjector was made. As this column was on NIV was titled “The nature of true apostleship”.
