Articles of Faith - Gerusalem

Are we lost?

10/17/2023

Many, times we have come to the place, where we have found ourselves debating whether to go on or stop serving God. This shows us that we have lost the love we once had for God. God never said it was going to be easy, so don’t look for an easy way out.

When man fell in the garden, he lost everything he had except his life. He was the one who hid from God; being ashamed of his nakedness. He knew right from wrong. That’s when we lost the image of God, and what God stands for. Now it’s time for us to grab a hold of the Tree of Life and eat of that tree to bring us back to God’s image.

You have got to eat and drink of the Lord Jesus to become one with him again. Just because you go to church doesn’t mean you are right in God eyes. Read it in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” There is only one way we can get a hold of God, and that is with a broken heart and contrite spirit and eating and drinking of the Lord Jesus. The only way to find him is to seek for him with your whole heart.

If we try coming in any other way, we are the same as a thief and robber.

Can we see the future of our children if we turn this down?

God bless you,

Robert Blanton

Labor Day

10/17/2023

We just celebrated Labor Day this past weekend.

Without labor or work, this country would not be what it is today. Hard work and sacrifice is the foundation this country was built on.

The same holds true for our salvation. Our salvation comes by hard work and sacrifice. Are you laboring (working) to enter into the rest of God.

Hebrews 4:9-11, There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Philippians 2:12-13, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

John 6:26-27, Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

2 Corinthians 5:9, Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

If anyone is telling you that you do not have to labor or work in God, they are not telling you the truth.

Look at what Jesus, John, and Paul are telling us. Look at the work and sacrifices these men put in to ensure their salvation.

Look at what nature teaches us.

We must work for our own spiritual meat, our own salvation, to enter into the rest of God, so that we may be accepted of Him.

If you have any questions, contact us via our contact page or write to us at Box 271, Willard, OH 44890.

We Cry Abba Father

10/17/2023

Romans 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

As adopted children, God does not treat us any differently than He does His own children.

Romans 11:21, For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly will not spare you, either.

The power of love is so great for a child, whether born to you or adopted. In a parent’s eyes there is no difference. A great example of this in our time is the movie titled Breakthrough, based on a true event. This movie shows the love of a parent towards their adopted child and the love of our Heavenly Father towards His adopted child. This parent cried out to the father that adopted her, to save her son that she adopted. Wow!

Our Father does not treat one child above another, whether born to Him or adopted into His family. He is no respecter of persons. What He expects from one child, He expects from all His children.

Galatians 4:4-7, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The Truth That Can Get You In Trouble

10/17/2023

Genesis 9:18-27, …And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren…

Ham went to his brothers and told them what he had seen. What was wrong with that?

Exodus 20:12, says, Honour thy father and thy mother…

When Ham told his brothers what he had seen, he dishonored his father. When we tell others what is wrong with our parents, even though true, we dishonor our parents.

How do we know that this is a huge thing with God? Look at the punishment that Ham received. Ham’s punishment should carry more weight than we give it. Our children should be given better instruction.

God does like this kind of behavior. Ham’s son was to be a servant to his family for the rest of his life. Showing Ham, the importance of honor.

What should we do?

1 Peter 4:8, …have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Charity will cover a multitude of sins. So instead of telling everything we know to others, show love. Show respect. God loves that behavior!

~~D. Beverly

Limbs

10/17/2023

As I was walking outside this morning, I picked up some limbs that had fallen out of my trees to start a fire in the stove. As I was picking up these sticks, I noticed something special about these limbs. These limbs had buds on them. What does that mean? What makes the buds special. Why does it matter those limbs had buds?

We know that limbs fall from trees because they are not strong enough to remain on the tree. The revelation states that the limbs are the ones that will not bear God’s fruit. They are the ones that are thrown into the fire. The limbs that had fallen to the ground had budded. They had begun to bear fruit but had still fallen from the tree. They were not strong enough. They needed to be thrown into the fire.

Even though they had begun to bear fruit, they would not be strong enough. There are people that have heard the word, and begin to bear fruit, and then the devil steps in and adds doubt. This doubt that the devil adds can be strong enough to disallow anything that God shows them.

~~D. Beverly

When Does Order Begin

10/17/2023

When Does Order Begin? - From the moment you are born!

The first fruits of you are brought forth, breaking forth new life; you are cleansed, wrapped in a blanket, given unto your mother to be fed, who gives you nourishment to satisfy your soul, to enable you to grow, receiving much love from your mother and father.

They know that in the beginning you can only have milk, for feeding you meat when you are first born would be out of order. Your system couldn't handle it. Your body would be in confusion not knowing how to handle it. You would become sick, even unto death. So first comes the milk which is given to you until you're able to digest the meat. There is an order by which you are brought into maturity, through love, sorrow, discipline, protection, correction, teachings of right and wrong, until you are able to stand on your own. God set in this natural order, so you may know and understand spiritual order.

This is your guide spiritually when you are first born unto God by His Holy Spirit. Following His order of the milk, meat, His love, His correction and discipline; you shall be under His protection while teaching you wisdom and knowledge for He is truth.

By the Spirit of Truth you shall know His voice and be able to follow His commandments unto the Spirit of Perfection. God set His order in when He created and formed all things beginning in Genesis through Revelations.

~~ Ester Compton

Think On These Things

10/16/2023

Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, think on these things: Things that are true. Things that are honest. Things are just. Things that are pure. Things that are lovely. Things that are of good report. Any virtue. Any praise. Philippians 4:8 KJV.

If we are thinking on these things, then where is there room for: doubt, division, unforgiveness, rebellion, stubbornness, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying’s, murders, drunkenness, revelings, evil thoughts against your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus?

If any of these things are working in you, then today is the day of repentance. Don't allow the enemy to rule over you Any longer. Don't Allow these things to continue to control your life.

The place you assemble is not your problem. The people you assemble with are not your problem. Your family or relatives are not your problem. Your past is not your problem.
Offenses caused by others is not your problem. Sin is the problem and our willingness to allow it to rule over our lives.

Ask God to grant you the baptism of repentance? Ask Him to help you to forgive yourself and others. Ask Him to change your heart of stone for a heart of flesh. Ask him to teach you how to love others as yourself.

JUST ASK HIM.

Building the House

10/16/2023

For many years I have struggle to serve God, and help my family. But I see now where I have fallen. My biggest down fall was I tried to build the house, instead of me going to God for answers. I took it up on myself to be the judge and the builder of my family in God. That was not right. God builds the house. Not man. For man’s way of building will be tore down unless it’s built by God. I am talking about God taking a natural man and creating a spiritual man inside him. The whole thing rests in God hands, so whatever we say to someone it better be what God tells us to say. Why, because we walk by faith not by sight. If we have been baptized with the Holy Ghost, He will reveal to you what to say to the people so they will get involved, so God can start talking to them.

When God starts talking to us we had better stay involved in Him, or we will miss out on eternal life. No one will be able to make it unless they eat and drink of the Lord. And make every effort to be personally involved in God their creator. So what steps have you taken to make yourself ready to meet your maker? I hope with all my heart that you have taken the right steps.

~~ R. Blanton

A Preacher of Righteousness

10/16/2023

Noah was a preacher of righteousness, warning the people of that time to flee from the wrath to come. But the people would not hear. 2 Peter 2:5, And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Jesus, also a preacher of righteousness, warning us, in Luke 17:26-30, And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Matthew 24:36-39, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 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, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

How many, do you think, of those who died in the flood, would have liked to have change their lives and repent when they seen the flood waters fast approaching?

So, it is in this day. God has sent forth His Son in the likeness of man to warn you to flee from the wrath to come. 1 Corinthians 1:21, For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

How many more of our own family and friends do we have to bury before we get the revelation that our time is short and the door to our escape is soon coming to an end? When we take our last breath, our life is over, our race is finished.

1 Corinthians 1:18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Bondage

10/16/2023

By Dee S Baker

Do you know you are in bondage and the only way out is through the Holy Ghost?

Titus 3:3-5, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Galatians 4:3, Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Hebrews 2:14-15, 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.

So what is bondage? The state of being enslaved.

2 Peter 2:19, While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Are you enslaved in this world? Are you a partaker of this world and if so what are you partaking of? There are many things to partake in.

I could go down a list of all the things that we partake of in this world and still find something that we partake in.

So, how do we get out of this bondage.

Romans 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Through the Holy Ghost, for without the Holy Ghost we are none of his.

Galatians 5:1 KJV Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Hebrews 3:7-8 KJV 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

So, start partaking in the Holy Ghost and be free from bondage.

Why Do We Assemble?

10/16/2023

FAITH LIKE DANIEL II

10/16/2023

In the last segment we discussed how Daniel had faith to not eat the food that the king wanted him to eat. We are going to look deeper into how God was working in his life.

Dan 1:17, As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Here we see that Daniel was given a gift of understanding visions and dreams. This was going to be very important.

In the second chapter of Daniel the king had a dream that he could not remember.

Dan 2:2, Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

Once they were all assembled before him, he told them to tell him his dream and the interpretation. They told him to tell them the dream, then they would interpret it. Then the king speaks to them:

Dan 2:9, But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

The king knew that if he told them the dream that they could come up with something. Anyone could do that. They were supposed to be astrologers, sorcerers, even a Chaldean, which was known for astrology and witchcraft. These people were supposed to know things. The king was calling them out.

Dan 2:10, The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

The Chaldeans answered correctly. Only God can reveal what is not known. They could only say what they thought, felt, or believed.

Dan 2:15-16, He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

Look, once again, at the boldness of Daniel. He stood tall.

Dan 2:17-23, (17) Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
(18) That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
(19) Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
(20) Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
(21) And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
(22) He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
(23) I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

Daniel, and his companions went to God with the matter. The king had decided to kill all the wise men due to their inability to tell him his dream and give him the interpretation. Daniel and his companions were among those to be killed. If it were in God’s will for them to live, God had to show Daniel the dream and the interpretation.

Once again. Daniel knew God. He knew because he had that thing. He knew because God was in him. God was part of him. God gave Daniel a boldness. The thing is God has given that to me and you too. The exercising of that boldness makes us stronger and more bold.

Deu 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

1Ch 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

2Ti 1:7
(7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Isa 41:10-13
(10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
(11) Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
(12) Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
(13) For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Daniel had this knowledge inside of him. He held it fast and did what God said. He told the king his dream and the interpretation.In the last segment we discussed how Daniel had faith to not eat the food that the king wanted him to eat. We are going to look deeper into how God was working in his life.

Dan 1:17, As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Here we see that Daniel was given a gift of understanding visions and dreams. This was going to be very important.

In the second chapter of Daniel the king had a dream that he could not remember.

Dan 2:2, Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

Once they were all assembled before him, he told them to tell him his dream and the interpretation. They told him to tell them the dream, then they would interpret it. Then the king speaks to them:

Dan 2:9, But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

The king knew that if he told them the dream that they could come up with something. Anyone could do that. They were supposed to be astrologers, sorcerers, even a Chaldean, which was known for astrology and witchcraft. These people were supposed to know things. The king was calling them out.

Dan 2:10, The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

The Chaldeans answered correctly. Only God can reveal what is not known. They could only say what they thought, felt, or believed.

Dan 2:15-16, He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

Look, once again, at the boldness of Daniel. He stood tall.

Dan 2:17-23, (17) Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
(18) That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
(19) Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
(20) Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
(21) And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
(22) He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
(23) I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

Daniel, and his companions went to God with the matter. The king had decided to kill all the wise men due to their inability to tell him his dream and give him the interpretation. Daniel and his companions were among those to be killed. If it were in God’s will for them to live, God had to show Daniel the dream and the interpretation.

Once again. Daniel knew God. He knew because he had that thing. He knew because God was in him. God was part of him. God gave Daniel a boldness. The thing is God has given that to me and you too. The exercising of that boldness makes us stronger and more bold.

Deu 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

1Ch 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

2Ti 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Isa 41:10-13
(10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
(11) Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
(12) Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
(13) For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Daniel had this knowledge inside of him. He held it fast and did what God said. He told the king his dream and the interpretation.

Daniel

10/16/2023

Making God Smile

10/16/2023

So, making God smile is easier than you think. All you need to do is in three simple steps. Repent, get filled with the Holy Ghost and let Him guide you. That's right, you only have to follow these steps and boom you make God smile! :] I mean WOW making God, the same God that created us, the same God that parted the Red Sea you're making that same God smile. I mean WOW just WOW! Read the scripture verses below.

Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Proverbs 15:13-14
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

-Emmett Baker May 22, 2022
=^._.^=

10 Years Old

Passover/Communion 2023

10/16/2023

Passover\Communion – The greatest Holiday (Holy Day) recorded in the scriptures is Passover. This year Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 5th at sundown. The First Passover was in Egypt.

The children of Israel did not want to leave their home, but the time of deliverance was at hand. God had to drive them from their home, through the hardness of Pharaoh's heart.

Jesus kept the Passover and magnified it for the New Testament church.

Luke 22:14-20, And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

The importance to these two events represents the deliverance of mankind from the bondage of Egypt (sin). Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, that whether we take communion naturally or spiritually, that we do not eat and drink of the Lord Jesus Christ unworthily.

Tell Me More

10/16/2023

As citizens of a heavenly country established by God, we are told in Exodus the 12th chapter Abib month would be the beginning of months, the first month of the year to us. In Exodus the 13th chapter He calls it the month of Abib (ear of grain, the month of newly-ripened grain). Abib is also mentioned as the first month of the year in Exodus 23:15, Exodus 34:18, and Deuteronomy 16:1. After their captivity in Babylon it was called Nisan (meaning ‘their flight’), read it in Nehemiah 2:1 and Esther 3:7. This year, according to the Hebrew calendar, the New Year started in the evening at sundown on Sunday, March 22nd, 2023 on the US calendar.

There tends to be some confusion around the beginning of each calendar day starting in the evening at sundown. This comes from Genesis. In Genesis chapter 1 verse 5, after God called the light day and the darkness night, He finished that verse with ...”And the evening and the morning were the first day.” After that God states that each day begins in the evening and ends with the morning. Some may ask, why did God set it up this way? Everything that God has created or set in place testifies to His ways and His plan of salvation. God continues to reveal His truth by His Holy Spirit to those who can see and hear and understand. And so we share this revelation with you to encourage you to seek Him out that you may find Him.

Happy New Year to the Church of Jesus Christ ~~

Happy New Year

10/16/2023

Happy New Year! children of God. Didn’t we just celebrate the New Year in January? Yes indeed. The world did acknowledge and celebrate man’s New Year, but this was not established by God. So, the question then is, when is God's New Year? This can be found in Exodus 12:1-2, And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Nisan/Abib is the month of the "barley ripening", or "spring.” This year, the first day of God’s New Year will begin in the evening on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023.

Why would God establish His New Year in the spring? If we look at nature, we see that everything begins to come alive in the Spring. We see flowers bloom, trees get their leaves, daylight is longer, and animals wake up from hibernation. The earth that was once asleep is now awake. Newness of life has begun.

God said in Deuteronomy 16:1, Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

As all nature celebrates the new year, let us also meditate and rejoice. How that during this time of the year, God delivered His children from Egypt; and how Jesus, our lamb, by his sacrifice, delivers us from the bondage of this world.

So, at sundown on March 22nd, 2023, gather your family together and shout Happy New Year and thank you Jesus for your sacrifice.

In The Race

10/16/2023

Our brother Paul compared our salvation as a race. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Paul tells us that all may run in a race but only one receives the prize. How important is this race to you, this race for eternal life? Do you know the qualifications to enter this race? Are you willing to do what it takes to enter this race, and run it with all your heart?

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Are you qualified to run this race? Are you even in this race?

Who Corrects the Children of God

10/16/2023

What do the scriptures say about correction?

Those that are a part of the family of God are corrected by our Father, the God of all creation, for we are His creation.

Hebrews 12:5-14 (ISV) You have forgotten the encouragement that is addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline or give up when you are corrected by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he punishes every son he accepts."

What you endure disciplines you: God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline? Now if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not God's sons.

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. We should submit even more to the Father of our spirits and live, shouldn't we? For a short time they disciplined us as they thought best, but God does it for our good, so that we may share in his holiness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.

Therefore, strengthen your tired arms and your weak knees, and straighten the paths of your life, so that your lameness may not become worse, but instead may be healed.

Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

As you see here, God corrects us just as our natural parents corrects us, in love.

Unpopular Statement

10/16/2023

The most unpopular statement that turns the religious world upside down is that Jesus didn’t die as your substitute.

Why? Because who wants to obey the Apostle Paul and do what he told the Church they needed to do. Philippians 2:12, …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Or what the Apostles preached to the church in Acts 14:22, …and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Or what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

We are told we must work out our salvation. That through much tribulation we enter into the Kingdom of God, and we must pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

James 2:14, What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Lost Identity

10/16/2023

Have you lost your identity - your individualism?

We each have our own identity when we are born into this world, the same holds true for our spiritual identity. That identity is who we are, the attributes by which we are known. There are those who do not want you to have your own identity, they want you to be just like them.

The question is - who is leading you, God or man? Is there someone trying to change your attributes? When you receive something from God do you receive it from someone else or by what is passed down from someone else? If this is the case then you need to examine yourself to see if you are truly in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5).

Where did our forefathers receive the information which they passed down to us? Daniel 12:4 states, "Men shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased." Where does all this increase of knowledge come from? Somebody somewhere had to receive it firsthand.

John 14:26 says, the Comforter will bring all things to our remembrance that Jesus has spoken to us. Your natural identity has been formed by society (your surroundings).

Romans the 12th chapter says we are many members (individuals) in one body, and have not the same office (or purpose).

Now that you realize this you need to know that you are unique and have the authority as a child of God to receive directly from your Father, read it: Job 32:8.

How do you receive direct inspiration from God? Read Proverbs 2:1-11.

Rightly Dividing Substitution

10/16/2023

After reading an article on the gerusalem.org web site, I wonder can anyone rightly divide the Substitution Doctrine?

There are volumes of tracts that have been written, countless books, and many messages that come across the pulpits in America today. All stating Jesus Christ died in our place as our substitute. The question that comes to mind for me is, if He died in our place as our substitute, then why do we still have to stand judgement for our sins?

Why did Jesus tell us to pick up our cross and follow Him, if our sins have already been paid for? Why must we work out our own salvation? Millions of people are sitting idle, complacent, and just biding time. Not a care in the world. No sin nature to deal with and nothing to overcome. They are at ease. Everything has been done for them. They have been told that they are justified.

Where did our sin nature go? Are we sure we are not still having a problem with the force of sin? If we sin, are we going to say Jesus took my place at judgement? I am not accountable?

Come on you Bible scholars, millions of people are confused about the substitution doctrine. Will you look into it and see if you can rightly divide this?

Any sound responses you may have to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff Litt