Which Christ Do You Believe?

5 May

image“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Today the world paints many different pictures of our Messiah, Jesus. While the world acknowledges His existence, there are many debates as to who Jesus truly was. Though many ideas and teachings are true, the fact of Jesus as the Messiah is not debatable.

Some titles from other religions and groups categorize Jesus as only a Prophet, others a teacher or miracle worker. Though these are all good labels, a missing component of who Jesus truly is needs to be inserted for our salvation.

Let’s examine a few titles given to Jesus and relate them to scripture. Was our Lord a Prophet according to the Quran in Surah 2:136? Yes, Matthew 21:11 states, “So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

A Prophet is defined as a teacher or proclaimer to the will if God. To a extent we as Christians hold this title. In preaching the good news of The Lord to the world, we declare the good news of salvation.

The world says he was a good teacher. Yes, He was! The scripture states in John 3:2, “This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” By way of the Holy Spirit of God, we teach the scriptures to those who have ears to hear. Instructing those of the salvation found in the Cross.

Jesus Christ was all these things, but none compare to the fact of His deity. Their have been many great prophets and teachers but none have paid the price for our sins. The sin nature in man cannot be covered by good deeds or positive words. The wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23. But in Jesus that debt is paid by his perfect sacrifice on the Cross, Romans 3:25.

So which Christ do you believe? I believe Jesus is the Christ as stated in Mark 14:62, “Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Shalom

Who was Melchizedek?

1 Feb

Melchizedek-of-Salem Hebrews 7:1-3 18:21, “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”  without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” Who was Melchizedek? This mysterious Priest who appears in the book of Hebrews is in actuality not so mysterious. In the Holy Scriptures God is always giving examples to those who are lost to the redemption found in Jesus Christ. Melchizedek is a “type,” of Christ to given as an example or to foreshadow the Messiah. In this same breath we as Believers are examples of Jesus in the modern day displaying love, kindnes and truth to the world. John the Baptist was also a foreshadower of Jesus Christ in the wilderness baptizing by water to give a example of the baptism of the Holy Spirit Jesus would present. Melchizedek is presented in a higher spiritual state state by blessing Abraham in verse 1. The tithe paid represents the “sin,” debt in which we are so honored the Lord took from us. In the same way today, we pay tithes in giving our lives totally over to the Holy Spirit of God. To be used by God for His purpose. Verse 3 says Melchizedek was “without Father or Mother,” this is not meant He did not have a natural father and Mother but that the lineage of Melchizedek was hidden by way of the Holy Spirit to furthur present him as a type of Christ. The Mechizedek Priest was needed to enlighthen the people of that day, who did not have the Holy Bible written for them at that time. With the use of computers and technology we have the ability to read a interpret the Word of God, but still have powerful men and women who guide us as examples. Martin Luther King presents a type of Moses who began the Civil Rights movement by way of God. As stated before John the Baptist was a type of Christ, as well as the Disciples. Displaying miracles, signs and wonders after the resurrection of Jesus. Most importantly we are important examples of Jesus in the modern age in being a light unto the world. Satan in the end times will elevate the Anti-Christ who will be a demonic type of Christ to deceive the world. I praise the Most High, for giving each and every man and women not only Jesus but also examples to lead us to him for redemption. Shalom…

The Power of the Tongue…

23 Nov

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Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

The power of the human tongue is one of the most misunderstood gifts from God. The Lord above not only equipped those who believe with the Holy Spirit, but also with the creative ability to create and also destroy, with the power of their tongue. In being made in the image of the living God (Genesis 1:27) we as his sons and daughters have this capability given to us. Hebrews 11:3 states, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” This is a very important teaching that is commonly avoided, due to the enemy capitalizing on our own ability to destroy ourselves. Satan only has the power to destroy the things that we allow him to.

Remember Faith works by receiving, believing and then speaking the Word of God over our life. It is always mindful to speak love, hope, blessings over the lives and situations to release the positive energy within us given by God. The tongue is a activation switch that allows the Holy Spirit to go to work in our lives. If you believe that health is in your future speak it. If you believe your child will go to college speak it. If you desire a loved one to get saved, speak it into existence. Receiving and believing is a requirement but the release of energy is in your tongue. In the same breath the tongue can be used to curse us as well.

When we speak negative words they have the same ramifications over our lives. If we ever are down we should never say negative thoughts developed in our minds. This is why Proverbs 18:21 says DEATH as well is in the tongue. We can curse ourselves by way of negative words even if at the time we speak them we really do not mean them. The spiritual realm does not know what sarcasm is. What we speak is what will happen. Ephesians 4:29 states, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Release the positive energy of your words today to bless others! So that they too can come into the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Shalom…

Pseudo Christians…

17 Jul

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Matthew 15:8, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”

The term pseudo is defined as someone or something that is perceived to be real, when in actuality is a fake. In today’s day and age of the modern Christian world, the rise of the Pseudo Christian is ever prevalent. The Holy Bible defines Christina Disciples, as those who follow the life and teachings of the Messiah Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is standing fast on the Word of God, the Holy Bible and being Holy (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not being perfect; holiness is being true to where you are in your walk with God (Romans 6:12-14).

Today many non-believers claim to know Christ based on the necessity of social acceptance, in order to sway true believers. Pseudo Christian’s cause dismay in the Church and give false hope to the world, by keeping one foot on both sides. As a believer in the Most High you cannot walk a fine line of being saved and being a sinner. For instance, if you claim to know God you cannot be cursing with your friends one minute and then preaching the Gospel the next. You cannot be sleeping with different women in and out of the Church and say you care about your fellow man the next. The Lord is looking for not only believers but doers of His word, James 1:22-25, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

Pseudo-Christianity is a false religion many celebrities, world known pastors and others believe in. In thinking you know God and knowingly sinning will cause unbelievers to question the Holy Bible. Never forget that you are a direct ambassador of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are the light unto the world, and need to show exactly how Christ can change their life for the better through the righteousness of His sacrifice. Not through being worldly, but like Christ. I pray that we all stand on the Word of the Lord in private and in public, that true Christianity can be shown. Shalom…

Entertaining Angels…

28 Apr

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“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13: 2

The testing of our faith will always be prevalent in our daily Christian lives. The scripture found in Hebrew 13: 2 describes Angels taking human form to test us at times. This testing is at the authority of God to see just how well we are operating in the finished work of Jesus Christ. In not only claiming to know Jesus but to act upon our belief in order to help others, spread the Gospel and allow the Holy Spirit to convict those who do not know Christ.

2 Peter 1: 3-8 describes what every Christian should adhere to as stated “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Lord never wants us to become complacent in our Faith and act upon it whenever it is needed. The rewarded is being fruitful in the kingdom of God, along with growth in the Spirit and more revelation revealed. Take the time to help a strange in need the next time you are out by making a donation to the homeless, or giving directions to someone lost or a simple “hello.” You never know who spiritually you are really helping out. Shalom…

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Comforting those Dealing with the Suicide of a Loved One.

8 Feb

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Psalm 139:1-2, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.”

I recently heard the unfortunate news of a friend’s loved one passing due to a suicidal death. The word suicide defines the intentional act of taking one’s own life. While in these times of crises the automatic reaction is to try and console your friend and let them know that their loved one is in a better place. But what about a Christian, one who knows that God does not tolerate sin or disobedience? We all know that intentionally taking a life is a sin and punishable unto death, but what about a redeemed believer who does the same?

The Bible records many suicides in its scriptures as in Judas, Matthew 27:5, Zimri in 1 Kings 16:18, Samson in Judges 16:29-31 to name a few. The case can be argued for Samson who was doing the Lord’s work and sacrificed his life to show his honor. These unfortunate individuals took their lives based on many factors such as guilt and ended their existence. Now while these events (with the exception of Samson) I believe will be judged in accordance to their disobedience. Samson showed favor to God and for that I trust He will be rewarded with entry into Paradise.

Though suicide is a horrible act, I do not believe that born again Christians who commits suicide will be condemned. John 10:28 states, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall NEVER perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” All sin is covered by grace as long as we are in Christ and remain. Romans 8:38-39 also reads, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In being baptized in the Blood of Christ the unlawful becomes lawful. The Apostle Paul spoke of the grace of God through Jesus giving Christians a safety net for and when we do fall into sin. 1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Under the Blood all things are good but not expedite for our Christian lifestyle, which may lead to sin and death in this natural life but not separation from God. The Lord knows our heart, and I believe that all sinful actions made are not good, it will not cost us total separation from God.

A large portion of suicides today have to do with mental illnesses as well. If one is not capable of truly being saved by grace in Jesus Christ, I trust God will not condemn them. As their reasoning is no longer that of their true self. A case of this is recorded in 1 Samuel 31:3-6, “The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.”But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.”

We can see in the case of the irrational behavior of King Saul ending his life. This can be related to PTSD and other mental disorders that many people deal with in our society. As Christian believers we are not perfect by a long shot. The blood of Jesus will see us through any situation, which in this life may cost us and our loved ones dearly, but will never take away His love from us. Shalom…

Vegetarianism…

7 Feb

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Genesis 1:29, “And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.”

A little known fact of the Holy Bible is of God’s original mandate for man to eat from the fruits and vegetables of the land. This provided man and woman their daily needed nutrients our human bodies need. This information has led many to believe that Adam and Eve were originally vegetarians. This is very possible giving that sin and death had not yet entered into the world, suggesting no animals were killed for food. A healthy dose of daily vegetables in anyone’s diet can be a very powerful blessing! A vegetarian diet can produce very positive effects in a person’s life.

Vegetarians always have a lower body weight than non vegetarians, have better cholesterol levels, and generally live longer than those who take in meat. Vegetarians also have a lower risk of developing cancer and other diseases. This is all due to vegetables and fruits being lower in fat, and high in fiber. A good rule of thumb to remember is the food we put in our bodies have characteristics of its original form. Today’s foods have chemical additives for processing which we take in when consuming. These additives affect our bodies chemically and produce adverse effects within us.

Going from meat eater to being a vegetarian can be a very tough trial. I have tried many times myself and have failed, as many vegetarians have. A gradual increase of fruits and vegetables over time in place of meat can help to offset many urges that one can get from needing meat in their diet. Even though the original creation of man did not involve a meat diet, I do believe that in the Garden this was not the only food consumed. In the Bible a meat diet is clearly ordained in the scriptures, Lev 6:24, Acts 10:9-16. I urge everyone to consult a health practitioner, and try more green in your diet. Your body will reap the benefits of a healthier life style. Shalom…

God’s Righteousness will save the Unknowing World…

27 Jan

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Romans 2:12-16, “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”

A familiar question arises about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is how will those who have never heard the Good News be saved? After all if you have never heard the story of redemption and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior how can you be called redeemed and Holy in God’s eye? The Bible simply states that those who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be judged based simply on their personal sense of right and wrong or conscience. We must remember that God is just in all that he does, (Revelations 19:1-2) especially with those who have never heard about Jesus.

The Lord is always prevailing on our behalf to become saved and spread the Gospel. Even in this modern information age at times the Christian message can be missed, by some in third world and communist countries. This news is very comforting, even for me at times who struggled with finding an answer for the rest of the world not fortunate enough to have been born in a free society. This can also be related to those in other religions, who have never heard the Gospel but follow a religion which teaches wholesome living. That goodness will be used to reveal Christ to the unsaved upon the Lord’s return. This is not to say those who have heard but rejected the Gospel will be saved but those who have NEVER heard and still have a still moral sense of being.

So if the question ever arises that there cannot be only one way to God. Let them know there are many roads for those who have never heard the Gospel, but they always lead to Jesus Christ the Messiah. Shalom…

The Sons of Cain, agents of the Anti-Christ…

15 Jan

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Revelation 13:7, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”

The Bible speaks of the Anti-Christ commanding an army in a war against the saints of God. There is little information who this army will consist of, or how exactly they will aid the false messiah during the Apocalypse. Though we are given little information, we can conclude that this group of people will be extremely rebellious free thinkers, seeking to do away with anyone who represents Jesus Christ. Though we can make assumptions, the scripture does provide us with a group of people who were rebellious in their day and sought to please themselves instead of YAH (God).

This group of people were the seed of Cain, the offspring of the Serpent and Eve (Genesis 3:13, read The Serpent Seed blog under The Unfamiliar Bible Facts tab). Upon the murder of Abel, Cain relocated to the land of Nod (long presumed to be Eastern Europe). In this land Cain started the first civilization, the City of Enoch, dedicated to his rebellious desires. Cain in his knowledge of who he was (a by-product of the Serpent) felt that he was equal to God, thus creating his own kingdom of Earthly pleasure. In the City of Enoch, the sons of Cain became the most rebellious people in the world. Cain rebelled against every law the Lord intended for his creation to obey. In Genesis 4:17, “And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.” The term “knew” used here has the connotation of cohabitation (1 King 1:4), meaning they did not marry they acted upon their lust and a child was born.

The Sons of Cain, produced the first polygamist in Lamech, Genesis 4:19, “And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.” The first person to create and manufacture weapons in Tubal Cain, Genesis 4:22, “And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.” The term here “Instructor” is Hebrew for “Latash,” meaning to sharpen (1 Samuel 13:20) and artifact is translated “Choresh” for metal arts. Cain’s sons also created music to glorify themselves, Genesis 4:21. The offspring of Cain represent the warmongers of today still promoting their sinful nature in rebellion against God. Through the knowledge of the Serpent they have always deemed themselves in the same high esteem as God, choosing their own will instead of His.

The Sons of Cain are alive and well today in secret organizations, politics, the weapons industrial complex and the music industry. Throughout the ages they have been gathering and promoting the agenda of the Anti-Christ to destroy all things of God and especially Christ. These people will be the men and women who align themselves with Satan in the end times and those who choose to follow them as well. Even though his army will be great he still will lose the war with God, Revelation 20:10, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” I pray this blog has been a blessing and for all to choose Jesus over self righteousness, and accept His righteousness, Shalom…

Are you ready to meet Him?

18 Dec

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1 Peter 1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

A personal question that we as Disciples of Christ should continually ask ourselves is, “Am I ready to meet the Father?” Sometimes in our walk with the Lord we have the tendency to put holiness on everything except our own lives. The sacred purification process no matter where you are in your walk with Christ whether amateur or veteran always rest on holiness. Biblical Holiness is defined as being set apart from the world, consecrated to the Word of God. Upon the Lord’s return He is looking for those without spot or wrinkle, stated in Ephesians 5:27, “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Even though while we are in the flesh no perfection can be found, in accepting Jesus Christ we are offered grace and mercy for when we do fall short. Even though we cannot attain this perfection we must still strive for it unless the Cross of Christ is made to no effect in our lives, 1 Corinthians 1:17. Holiness is not acting as if we are perfect but relying on the perfect sacrifice of the Messiah and thus reflecting it in our own personal lives.

A few standards to live by are recorded in Romans 13:11-14, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” I pray that by walking in the light and striving for perfection in the presence of our sinful nature, the true glory of God will be revealed. In return making all who believe worthy to meet the divine Savior, Shalom…

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