Tag: declare

53.m. Wilderness – 17.s. ““Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today”

 

 

Deu 32:45-47  And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

 Deuteronomy 6:6-7    And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

 Deuteronomy 11:18     “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

 1 Chronicles 22:19    Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God.

 Proverbs 3:1-4    My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,  for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.  So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

 Ezekiel 40:4    And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”

 Hebrews 2:1    Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

 1 Timothy 4:8     for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

And he said unto them,…. By way of exhortation: set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you this day; it was not enough to hear them, but they were to lay them up in their hearts, and retain them in their memories; and not only so, but reflect on them in their minds, and closely apply to the consideration of them, and get the true knowledge and sense of them, and put it in practice. (Gill)

Moses: “I am warning you today”. Mose’s time was about up. He was not going into the Promised Land. He had spent 40 years in the wilderness, leading and instructing them in the Word of God, the Things of God, and the intentional choice to obey and follow God.  Unbelief, grumbling, and disobedience were always at the door of their hearts and minds. The older generation of these unbelieving, grumbling, and disobedient people passed away in the wilderness. They were not allowed to enter into the promised land. This new generation was about to enter the promised land and Moses was instructing them on the importance of obeying and following after God; ““Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law.”

I sometimes think how easy it would be to follow after God if there wasn’t so much busyness and intrusion, things that grab hold of my time and concern. (which by the way are nothing more than excuses we use to become complacent) Think about the Israelites. They spent 40 years in the wilderness with very little outside influence. They weren’t building towns or homes or businesses. They were tending their flocks and when God indicated it was time to move they broke camp and moved on to another place. They would see firsthand the provisions of God in their water and food supply in the desert. They would see the could by day and fire by night of the presence of God leading them. They would have seen God’s blessings and judgments. They would have heard firsthand communication from God through Moses. They were taught temple worship, sacrifice, and the Law of God.  What happened? They would commit to the covenant of God and then, over time, forget and commit the very things they committed not to do and not do the things they said they would.

I have come to understand that it is not the busyness of life that distracts us into complacency and falling away.  Our heart, mind, and soul are not making an intentional choice, a life commitment choice, to follow, obey, trust, and rely upon God. Busyness is just an excuse we use to neglect God’s Word. 

Take a look at where you are spiritually. Do you hear the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life? Are you hungering, thirsting, and desiring the Word of God so that you can better honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all your thoughts, words, and actions? If the Word of God has become a dry well, and its fruits a dead and dying tree, then recognize it and repent of it, and seek after that which is holy and honorable. The world and its pleasures and lusts will consume the heart, mind, and soul if the Word of God is neglected and not desired.

51.j. Wilderness – 15.p. “If any case arises requiring decision”

 

 

Deu 17:8-11  “If any case arises requiring decision between one kind of homicide and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another, any case within your towns that is too difficult for you, then you shall arise and go up to the place that the LORD your God will choose. And you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision. Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place that the LORD will choose. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you. According to the instructions that they give you, and according to the decision which they pronounce to you, you shall do. You shall not turn aside from the verdict that they declare to you, either to the right hand or to the left.

God allowed for courts of appeal in Israel. These were higher courts where cases were taken beyond the local judges to the priests, the Levites – who were understood to be wiser judges because of their knowledge of God’s Word. The authority of the judges had to be respected, therefore contempt of court was a capital crime. God thought it essential that the courts and the judges be respected by the people of Israel. (Guzik)

Courts of judgment were to be set up in every city. Though their judgment had not the Divine authority of an oracle, it was the judgment of wise, prudent, experienced men, and had the advantage of a Divine promise. (Henry)

Note that cases that were hard to decide and complicated in how to rightly and justly minister judgments were to be moved up to a higher court of justice.  If you take a look at our form of legal justice system we have a similar form, Judges, Appellate, and Supreme Court. The difference between ours and what we read here is that the Law and its application was based on God’s Word.  Ours is not so much based on God’s Word but rather man’s ideas of right and wrong. We get it right sometimes and we get it wrong sometimes. For example; When emanate domain was being abused by states and cities it was finally brought before the Supreme Court to get clarity on its application. I think they got this right. When the Supreme Court declared abortion was a fundamental right of women and millions of pre-born babies were killed, I know they got it wrong. When pornography was deemed “expression of art” and people had a right to choose to look at it or not, I know they got it wrong. When the 10 commandments were deemed offensive and could not be in schools or Federal Buildings (like court rooms), I know they got it wrong. Such it is when God’s Word is removed from being the underlying foundation for judgment of right and wrong. 

The worldly system of justice is void of God. Now there are godly men and women in seats of the courts across this country, but they do have to follow the rule of law based on previous judgments handed down by other courts or by the Supreme Court. Their hands are tied so to speak. 

It is hard to know right from wrong when God’s Word and the Holy Spirit of God are denied time or space in our hearts and minds. Neglect of His Word leaves us to the whims of godless people who make convincing arguments for justice. Many Christian people are lost and they navigate life on baby food principles of God’s Word and have no relationship with the Holy Spirit of God. Churches spoon-feed them baby food to keep them comfortable and “Happy”. There is no conviction of personal sin or the sin of our country against God. There is no repentance, shame, or embarrassment. They are content wandering around lost and oblivious to God’s Word, things of God, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They could no more take a righteous stand for God than a stone. 

Far too many Christians are weak in knowledge of God’s Word, its application in their lives, and the need for both. 

When were you cut to the heart and convicted of sin by reading God’s Word? When were your eyes opened to see the sins of this country against God? When did the Holy Spirit lead and direct your thoughts, words, and actions? It surely will not happen when you neglect God’s Word. It will not happen when you are content living like the world around you. It will not happen when you give no thought to God’s holiness and the sinfulness of sin. It will not happen if you intentionally choose to live permanently as a baby. 

There has to be an intentional choice and desire to live wholly to God and for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. You can say this all you want but neglecting God’s Word will never bring growth and understanding between things of God and things of this world. Do not let this world entice you to what it deems as important or worthwhile. 

Let the Word of God richly indwell your heart, mind, and soul.

50.y. Wilderness – 15.d. “As you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God”

 

Deu 11:31-32  For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you. And when you possess it and live in it, you shall be careful to do all the statutes and the rules that I am setting before you today.

 Psalms 119:6  Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

 Matthew 7:21-27    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 Matthew 28:20     teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

 Luke 1:6    And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2   Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.  For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

A blessing, if we obey the call to repentance, to faith in Christ, and newness of heart and life through him; an awful curse, if we neglect so great salvation. Let us thankfully welcome these glad tidings of great joy; and let us not harden our hearts, but hear this voice of God while it is called to-day, and while he invites us to come to him upon a mercy-seat. Let us be diligent to make our calling and election sure. (Henry)

And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments,…. Take notice of them, and heed unto them, so as to practise them which I set before you this day. (Gill)

In Jesus we have blessings and curses. 

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

We intentionally choose to believe, trust, and rely in Jesus Christ’s atonement. Likewise we intentionally choose to live in a way that honors and glorifies Him. The problem is that much of the time we choose the blessings and forget the cost Jesus paid for our salvation and redemption. We live like we are free to live as we would as long as we claim the Blood of Christ. 

Choose today to live to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in every thought, word, and action. The price paid by Jesus and the blessing of eternal life deserves no less than all of our hearts and minds dedicated to honoring, glorifying, praising, and worshiping Him.

49.t. Wilderness – 13.z. “I speak in your hearing today”

 

Deu 5:1-5  And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and be careful to do them. The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. Not with our fathers did the LORD make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today. The LORD spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire, while I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD. For you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up into the mountain.

Psalms 106:23    Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

Moses demands attention. When we hear the word of God we must learn it; and what we have learned we must put in practice, for that is the end of hearing and learning; not to fill our heads with notions, or our mouths with talk, but to direct our affections and conduct. (Henry)

Israel was bound to the covenant they agreed to in Exodus 24:1-8, yet the covenant was made with the previous generation which perished in the wilderness. The present generation had to understand and embrace the covenant if they were to enjoy the blessings of the covenant. In fact, the covenant was originally made with the previous generation, and Moses did not deny this. But he drove the point home: This was their covenant; it is a covenant of the living, not of the dead. (Guzik)

“Hear, learn, and do them”. How many hear but never learn? How many learn but do not apply? The Bible is full of examples of those that did not and of those that did. Those who did not listen and learn were rejected and punished by God. God blessed those that did. These examples were given so that by them we would intentionally choose to believe, trust, follow, obey, and be reliant upon God. When it comes to learning there must be a desire or experience that roots this information in our minds. Without a desire to learn and grow in knowledge and understanding of the Word of God and the Things of God, there will be no learning or application in our lives. How often are we given the example of “Their hearts were like stone and their ears were deaf and there was no love for God or obedience to His Word? He sent angels, prophets, and finally His Son, and yet people still reject, deny, and turn away from God and the Things of God. 

Unless there is a desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all of our thoughts, words, and actions, our hearing will dull to the Word of God. The application will be nothing more than doing what is right in our own eyes. We are often looking for and expecting God’s blessings, but give no thought to obedience because we lack a foundational desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. David’s desire should inspire us to be like-minded; Search me and know me, see if there is anything within my heart and mind that is offensive to You, and lead me on paths that honor and glorify You.

45.e. “Wilderness” – 9.k. “And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD”

 

Exodus 34:10 And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

 Deuteronomy 4:33-37     Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?  Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?  To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.

 Psalms 77:14  You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

 Psalms 66:3     Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.

 Psalms 66:5    Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

 Psalms 68:35   Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

 Psalms 76:12    who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.

 Psalms 145:6    They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

God’s plan was to glorify Himself to all the nations (all the people) through Israel, and to show His glory through the great things He did among them.  Israel had a choice regarding those great things. Either the great things would be blessings so impressive that every nation would know that God alone had blessed Israel (as was the case with Solomon). Or, the great things would be curses so horrible that every nation would know God had chastised Israel and yet kept them a nation. Either way, God would glorify Himself through Israel among the nations.  For their own good it was essential that they obey God (Observe what I command you this day) and enjoy the blessings of covenant obedience. (Guzik)

When the covenant was broken, it was Israel that broke it; now it comes to be renewed, it is God that makes it; if there be quarrels, we must bear all the blame; if there be peace, God must have all the glory. (Benson)

And he said, behold, I will make a covenant,…. Or renew the covenant before made the people had broke; which on his part was, that he would, as Moses had entreated, forgive the sin of the people, go along with them, and introduce them into the land of Canaan, and drive out the inhabitants of it before them; and, on their part, that they should avoid idolatry, and everything that led unto it, particularly making covenants, and entering into alliances with the idolatrous nations cast out before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; both in their passage through the wilderness, and entrance into Canaan’s land, and the conquest of that; such as the earth opening its mouth and swallowing alive Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and was a new thing God created; the smiting of the rock at Kadesh, from whence flowed waters abundantly; the healing of such as were bit by fiery serpents through looking at a serpent of brass; Balaam’s ass speaking, and reproving the madness of the prophet; the division of the waters of Jordan; the fall of the walls of Jericho at the sound of rams’ horns; the sun and moon standing still, until the Lord had avenged himself of his enemies, and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord; for it should be visible, as the above things were, and plainly appear to be the Lord’s doing, and not man’s, being above the power of any created being to perform. (Gill)

Jehovah declares His purpose of concluding a covenant with His people, to be confirmed by wonders of a character to convince all of His power and greatness. (Cambridge)

Oh that our eyes would be open to see the wonders of God. Each day, every moment, there are wonders to be seen. None so great as the grace, mercy, and love of God. All praise, honor, and glory are His alone, for there is no other God.

43.g. “Wilderness” – 7.n. Sinai – “Now when all the people saw”

Exodus 20:18  Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

 Psalms 139:7-8    Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

 Isaiah 41:10   fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Deuteronomy 13:3   For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

 Deuteronomy 8:2   And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.

 Job 28:28     And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

 Proverbs 1:7    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

 Proverbs 3:7   Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

 Joshua 24:14  “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.

 Deuteronomy 5:5    while I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD. For you were afraid because of the fire

 Psalms 97:2    Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

 1 Timothy 6:16   who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. 

Deuteronomy 5:23 explains why the mountain smoked; it says the mountain was burning with fire. The awe of all the phenomenon did nothing to draw the people closer to God; it only made them stand afar off. One might think that Israel loved the dramatic experience at Mount Sinai, and especially the honor of hearing God’s voice like a loudspeaker from heaven. Instead, because of the great awe and dread they felt, they wanted God to stop speaking to them directly. This is a typical reaction of those who came into the presence of God, such as Isaiah who felt undone before God (Isaiah 6:1-5) and John who fell as a dead man before the Lord (Revelation 1:17). The people promised to hear and (by implication) obey the word of God that came to them by Moses. In following generations, Israel interpreted the law downward, so it could be more easily obeyed, removing the heart and intent of the law. Jesus exposed this shallow understanding of the law in His Sermon on the Mount.

The people of Israel wanted to separate themselves from the manifest presence of God, but God meant it for good to test them. The test revealed to them what kind of God they served: a God above nature, personal, good, and holy. The test revealed to them their own weakness and need for God’s grace, help, and rescue. The test revealed to them what God’s expectations were, that God is a moral God who expects moral behavior from His people. That His fear may be before you speaks of the attitude of honor and reverence that leads to respect and obedience. Though it is better to obey God out of fear than to disobey Him, God’s ultimate motivation for obedience is love. This is clear from 1 John 4:18-19: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. Moses had a relationship with God the common man in Israel did not have. Through the circumstances of his life and the direct revelation of God, Moses was aware of both God’s holy power and also of God’s glorious grace. (Guzik)

This law, which is so extensive that we cannot measure it, so spiritual that we cannot evade it, and so reasonable that we cannot find fault with it, will be the rule of the future judgment of God, as it is for the present conduct of man. If tried by this rule, we shall find our lives have been passed in transgressions. And with this holy law and an awful judgment before us, who can despise the gospel of Christ? And the knowledge of the law shows our need of repentance. In every believer’s heart sin is dethroned and crucified, the law of God is written, and the image of God renewed. The Holy Spirit enables him to hate sin and flee from it, to love and keep this law in sincerity and truth; nor will he cease to repent. (Henry)

The Israelites drew near to the mountain. They were intrigued by what they saw and heard when the 10 commandments were given. Now in closeness to God and the power and might of presence, they heard and saw and felt the holy awesomeness of God and feared for their lives. 

What would our lives be like if we would have a reverent, trusting, and reliant fear of God? Would it be different than it is now? Would we fear, hate, anger, and be anxious less? Would we rejoice, praise, and worship more? Would we be content? Would greed, pride, and unkindness be not found in our lives? Would we run to the mountain of God or would we retreat to what we believe is a safe distance? Would we desire to be in the continual presence of God? Would we want to hear His voice with a desire to obey it for His honor and glory? Would things of this earth become less distracting and things of God become more encompassing? Would we know joy and peace that passes all understanding? Would we be more generous? Would we discern the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit leading us? Would the Word of God be precious to us? Would our thoughts, words, and actions be in line with honor and glory to Jesus Christ? Would we hunger and thirst for His Word and leading so that this honor and glory would be pure?  Would we??????

31.t. “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works”

 

Matthew 7:21  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 Luke 6:46     “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

 Titus 1:16    They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

 James 1:22    But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

 Romans 12:2    Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 Malachi 3:17-18    “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.  Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

 2 Timothy 2:19    But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

This warning of Jesus applies to people who speak or say things to Jesus or about Jesus, but don’t really mean it. It isn’t that they believe Jesus is a devil; they simply say the words very superficially. Their mind is elsewhere, but they believe there is value in the bare words and fulfilling some kind of religious duty with no heart, no soul, not spirit – only bare words and passing thoughts. (Guzik)

 This warning of Jesus applies to people who say “Lord, Lord,” and yet their spiritual life has nothing to do with their daily life. They go to church, perhaps fulfill some daily religious duties, yet sin against God and man just as any other might. “There are those that speak like angels, live like devils; that have Jacob’s smooth tongue, but Esau’s rough hands.” (Trapp)

 By saying “in that day” Jesus drew our attention to a coming day of judgment for all men. “What is the chief object of your life? Will you think as much of it “in that day” as you do now? Will you then count yourself wise to have so earnestly pursued it? You fancy that you can defend it now, but will you be able to defend it then, when all things of earth and time will have melted into nothingness?” (Spurgeon)

In the end, there is one basis of salvation; it isn’t mere verbal confession, not “spiritual works,” but knowing Jesus and being known by Him. It is our connection to Him – by the gift of faith that He gives to us – that secures our salvation. Connected to Jesus we are secure; without connection to Him all the miracles and great works prove nothing.

Doing what God wants us to must come from instruction and guidance. Scripture tells us that we learn this precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little. How many of those that hear “Depart from Me” spent little to no time in His Word for their hearts and minds were captured by things of this world?  How many of these people attend church regularly? How many play church and are void of Jesus Christ in their life? 

We do well to spend time in His Word with a singular purpose to live so that all we say, think, and do is for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.

26.i. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

 

Psalms 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

The foundation for a morally pure life is found in God’s word. God’s word shows us the standard of purity, so we know what is right and what is wrong. God’s word shows us the reasons for purity, so we understand the wisdom and goodness of God’s commands. God’s word shows us the difficulty of purity, and reminds us to be on guard. God’s word shows us the blessings of purity, and gives us an incentive to make the necessary sacrifices. God’s word shows us how to be born again – converted, so our inner man may be transformed after the pattern of ultimate purity, Jesus Christ. God’s word shows us the way to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, so that we have the spiritual resources to be pure. God’s word is a refuge against temptation, giving us a way of escape in the season of enticement. God’s word is a light that clears away the deceptive fog of seduction and temptation. God’s word is a mirror that helps us see our spiritual and moral condition, and thus walk in purity. God’s word gives us wise and simple commands, such as to “Flee youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22). God’s word washes us from impurity, and actually cleanses our life in a spiritual sense (Ephesians 5:26, John 15:3). God’s word is the key to the renewing of our minds, which in turn is the key to personal, moral, and spiritual transformation God’s word gives a refuge against condemnation when we have been impure, and shows us how to repent and come back to a pure life. God’s word shows us how to conduct our lives so that we are an encouragement to others in purity. (Guzik)

24.u. “In the twinkling of an eye”

1 Corinthians 15:51  Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17    For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

 2 Peter 3:10    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

 Matthew 24:31    And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

In the Biblical sense, a mystery is simply a thing to be understood by spiritual, rather than by merely human perception. Paul will tell the Corinthian Christians something they could not have known by reason or research. They could not have known this unless God revealed it to them.

 In a single moment, Jesus will gather His people (both dead and on the earth) to Himself, for resurrection. There will come a day when in God’s eternal plan, He gives those dead in the Lord their resurrection bodies, and then in an instant He gathers all His people to meet Jesus in the air. All the redeemed on the earth at that time will rise up to meet the Lord in the clouds, and will receive their resurrection bodies.  Ironside says that the last trumpet was a figure of speech that came from the Roman military, when they broke camp. The first trumpet meant, “strike the tents and prepare to leave”; the second trumpet meant, “fall into line”; the third and last trumpet meant “march away.”

Are you anticipating the last trumpet?  Are you ready to hear it?  Are you ready to face death and enter eternity?  Surrender your entire life to humbly serve, honor, follow, obey, trust, and rely in Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to enter eternity in heaven.  

18.f. “hough the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;”

Psalms 92:7    that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;

Psalms 37:38    But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalms 103:15-16    As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;  for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

Psalms 92:12  The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Isaiah 61:3    to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

“Sometimes we go through seasons of darkness, when our circumstances are not sunny and our spirits aren’t as bright as usual. But God works in our hearts during such times, and He can use these periods to increase our sturdiness and fruitfulness.

He also makes the sun arise right on time, replacing fear with joy and sadness with gladness. With Him near, we never need to fear the dark. It’s sometimes where negatives develop into pictures of grace.” (David Jeremiah)

With eyes of scripture opened to our heart by and through the leading of the Holy Spirit we can see evil.  We are able to see the lies that are proclaimed by those who are influenced by and through Satan’s persuasion.  We can see acts of this evil being proclaimed as good or justified by the many who agree.  There are so many things that come to mind when I think about Satan’s influence and persuasion.

Fear of the unknown when God’s Word says to cast out all fear.  He is in control, always has been and always will be.

Anger and hate against people who don’t agree with what is being done or said or allowed.  God’s Word tells us “if possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men.”  “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.”  Let our eyes be on Jesus Christ and let the hatred of the evil we see be allowed to be carried in His hands. “There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”  Hate and anger against evil are common but when it is allowed to take root in our heart rather than given over to Jesus Christ bad things happen.  Jesus is not glorified or honored this way.

Lies that are accepted as right and just.  Abortion, pornography, LGBTQ, etc… are culturally accepted but absolutely wrong in the eyes of God.  For certain we will see more and more of this type of life-style should the Lord Jesus tarry in His return. 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.