citionahill
Love of the World – a downward perilous death trap
Love not the world: message from 2 witnesses:
Please read 1 John 2 ~
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
see also Genesis 3:6 – the tipping point for the fall of man ( read the rest of the scripture to find out what happened next)
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
The Bible is very consistent about this message. The love of the world leads to death…a lot of people have proven this fact over and over again. Go and turn on the TV and the news to see people killing themselves with bad habits, self inflicted abuse, various addictions, love of material goods and wealth and so with the stresses of everyday life.
Ephesians 4 explains how born again believers live and should put off the lusts of this world…
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.
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.
Need I say more…loving the world is all delusion folks, no one who had them ever came close to perfect peace nor perfect joy in fact its the opposite. And this deceitful trap brings corruption, not even a Christian would survive its downward perilous path. Stay away from these thorns…read article The Essential Parable
The Essential Parable
I have the red letter bible edition where it shows everything Jesus said in red letters. In one of the passages these words were red and it seem to not only stress out this was important since Jesus said it, but because it indicates that the understanding of the other parables depend on your understanding of this specific one.
The essential parable is this Parable of the Sower: read Mark 4:13:
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Jesus said in Matthew 18:16 “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”. So I took Matthew’s and John’s accounts to join with Mark’s. Its remarkable how these 3 are a jigsaw puzzle trio that ties seamlessly with each other (talk about precept upon precept, line upon line). Take note of the use of ‘hear’, ‘receive’, ‘understand’ and ‘keep’ in all accounts. I did a little comparative study of these accounts to see the whole message…and more.
a.) What is the seed sown?: It’s God’s word, the true preserved inerrant Bible.
Mark 4:14 “The sower soweth the word.”
Matthew 13 – embedded ‘word’ in next verses
Luke 8:11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.”
b.) Receiving seed by the wayside: heard it, didn’t understand it, devil sweeps down and takes the word away
Mark 4:15 “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.”
Matthew 13:19 “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”
Luke 8:12 “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
c.) Receiving seed on stony/ rocky ground: heard it, joyful about it, but lack root, affliction, persecution, temptation against the word arise causes the falling away
Mark 4:16 -17 “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; | And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.”
Matthew 13:20-21 “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; | Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”
Luke 8:13 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”
d.) Receiving seed among thorns: heard it, but worldly cares, riches, pleasures and lusts choke the word, no fruit
Mark 4:18-19 “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, |And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Note: Thorns from both accounts can be summarized as: a.) Cares of this world, b.) deceitfulness of riches and c.) lusts of other things. All of which describes the Love of the World-see this related message. This also relates to Abiding in the Lord – see this related message
e.) Receiving seed on Good Ground: in an honest and good heart…hearing it, keeping it, enduring the fight and bearing good fruit
Mark 4:20 “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”
Matthew 13:23 “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
The crux of the matter:
The essential parable…the parable of the sower is really a lesson on hearing…Luke writes Jesus’ words in Luke 8:18..
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
As a summary to the whole parable, the verse explains that though its important to be able to hear God’s word, the keeping of them (His Words) in our hearts, even hiding it to prevent it from being snatched away is VERY important. David says in Psalms 119:11 …
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
…its far more important for if we do this, patiently we shall bear fruit with it. And much more will be added. Not worldly things but precious heavenly things that were promised by the Lord – Matthew says in his book Chapter 6 verse 33…
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
…otherwise, those things that you didn’t keep and may just have heard would be taken away so you wont have anything at all (nada!).
Luke 8 verse 15 confirms we are in good ground if you realize this…
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
The real Jesus Christ identified…
In the last days, according to the scriptures, there will be false christs, and teachers of false religion…
We are nearing those very days, it may even be at the door.
Matthew 24:23
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mark 13:21
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Luke 21:8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
For one, the true Jesus Christ came with a pedigree, a bloodline…
John 7:42
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
He was the crucified one…and who died…and whom God rose from the dead, and now He lives…
Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Acts 4:10
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.
This Jesus Christ is the one that the kings and rulers of the earth will declare war with. He wont be the popular superstar figure that everyone from all over the world would be lining up to have their faces autographed by…
Acts 4:26
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Isaiah narrates God’s description of the real Jesus Christ…see Isaiah 53 below:
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
Falling away of the Church – lacking sound doctrine
In my word search for the word ‘Doctrine’, I was overwhelmed with the scripture verses that dealt with the exact word as they came 51 times in the King James bible. I saw something in these verses and I understood it had something to do with modern day Christianity. It had something to do with the rise of distaste for the truth, rising false preachers, it paints a picture of the falling away of the church. Reading Titus, I saw how a true follower of Christ should be and though it describes how separate we should be from the world, this serves as a warning about how things will become. Truly a prophetic message coming true when you look at whats going on in churches today…
Read Titus 1:
Introduction and instruction to appoint elders:
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;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Description of Christ’s Bishop:
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
There are from among the congregation deceivers:
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Warning about Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth:
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
There’s alot of people using God’s name but He cant be mocked, He knows who are His. Lets go back to the truth, lets go back to the bible, God’s inerrant word, and stick to the scriptures, the faith in which we were taught since we were babies in Christ and so be right with the Lord today.
Psalm 54 – Save Me O God
This Psalm is a prayer for salvation and a cry for help. Here is a deep longing for deliverance from our enemies, oppressors seeking after our soul, strangers rising up against us. We don’t forget that God is our helper and He is with us and our brethren in our struggles so we comfort each other in faith. Later the song tells of our God rewarding evil to our enemies and cutting them off like wicked thorns with His truth. The psalmist continues to praise God’s name and tells of being delivered out of all these troubles. Our God has His desire upon our enemies. At the appointed time, they shall all be removed from our sight. So Christian, endure these times of trouble and persecution, it will not be for long…Praise the Lord!
play Psalm 54 ~ “Save Me O God”
@Sound Check> A newer recording is what you have here (May 05, 2014) however the song actually came to life in December of 2012. I cant believe it was that long ago as the song is ever so new to me and affects me as it did since the first day. I really enjoyed changing voices in a few older versions and tried to sound like some folk singer, but the way the message stands out from the melody itself amazes me and makes me realize this song is a deep heartfelt shout for redemption, such a longing for God’s mighty hand to pull one out of a deep pit where most of us have been, truly a song close to heart. I hope you enjoy this one.
The Whole duty of Man
Plainly, the conclusion of the whole matter: read Ecclesiastes 12:8-14~
8 ¶ Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Jesus’ fishermen never went to Bible college
“ye need not that anyone teach you…”
See the verse below from 1John 2;20~
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things“
Unction is the act of anointing. KJV has its own ‘self-help dictionary’ on verse 27~
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
Theologies and men’s doctrines may be worth looking into for several reasons, however let no one tell you that you need them to be able to understand God’s word. A lot of satan’s devising have infiltrated the congregation of God that even the bibles of the modern day are filled with lies, making them really ‘un-holy’ books. This is the very reason why we should stick with the real God’s word and His word alone (see which english bible?). With its purity and simplicity, there’s no excuse why we should pick up a commentary, a lexicon, or a bible dictionary let alone go off to study hermeneutics and the hebrew and greek as a prerequisite to fully understand what the Lord is saying.
But don’t get this wrong, I do believe we need preachers, but those that preach the gospel of peace by the word of God (not anything that’s added to it or a stripped version of it). Read Romans 10: 14-18~
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.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
From verse 18, we therefore understand that the sound and words of the preaching went into and unto the ends of the world. It may not be necessarily in english but it did reach the far corners. I believe that’s where all God-loving people who read english fit in the picture of the great work of the Lord, going out into the world and preaching the gospel to every creature. If you’re hearing this loud and clear, the call is on. God bless you.
Secret to True Peace revealed
True Peace revealed: read Philippians 4:3-13~
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
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.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Life notes: The Secret to true Peace…
- Rejoice if your name is in the book of Life! (am I there?)
- Dont be ashamed of living life in moderation
- Dont worry about anything
- Take all your requests to the Lord in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
- God’s promise: The peace of God shall keep your hearts and mind through Jesus Christ
- Think on these things: whatsoever are: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; any virtue, any praise
- Do things that you learned, and received, and heard, and seen in God’s people
- God’s promise: The God of peace shall be with you.
- Learning to be content in whatever state you may be in, knowing how to be on either seasons of life.
- Make this your motto: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Right Christians in the wrong Church!
A message to those under this church…read Revelation 2:12~17
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
While the ‘Mother church’ (as in mama mary) has been around for a long time with its false doctrines and heresies, we see new churches rising up in this modern time subtle and appealing: the Mega church, (curiously Pergamos’ name is defined as ‘elevation’-look it up)… a warning that though the church (people) has held fast God’s name and not denied the faith (a martyr even died while in this church), there are 2 doctrines here which the Lord warns about: the doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaitane. So-called leaders are causing the people to fall by a stumbling block and cause the others to commit sin and be turned to idols. Remember this doctrine of Balaam, we’re told that this is about wanting the rewards of wickedness rather than following or obeying God (read the story in Numbers 22-25 then 31). The leaders are casting a stumbling block for God’s people to fall away or worship in vain and sin, most commonly through vanities and temporal things, selfish things. These are very diversive doctrines, remember they’re at the seat of Satan…But the Lord tells us to ‘Repent’ and the Lord will fight against them (these in the church) with the sword of His mouth (the Bible-our only defensive weapon). He who has an ear let him hear, God has a wonderful gift to those who overcome. No one will know it except him who receives it! that’s the gift of salvation. Praise the Lord.