Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: April 2011 Page 2 of 3

Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise

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On April 18, 2011

In Christian, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ second saying from the Cross, to the penitent sinner was “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Deeper inspection of this saying reveals certain hidden treasures in this saying.

This was a true statement of assurance to a dying man from a dying Man. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, He went about in his  ministry by preaching “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand [near].” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17) But now on the Cross, as one of the malefactors, who was crucified along side Christ Jesus, recognized the Innocence (Lamb), divinity (Lord), and Kingship (Lion) of Jesus Christ, Jesus assured him that on that very day (Today), he would be with Jesus Christ in paradise. The malefactor recognized Jesus to be the King that shall come and requested that he be remembered upon the return of The King. To this, Jesus replied by saying “Today, you shall be with me in paradise”. In other words, Jesus was asserting that the Kingdom of heaven was no longer at hand, but had come into fruition, with the completion of his work of Salvation, on the Cross. From that day onwards, man who was banished from having a direct communion with God in the paradisiacal garden (of Eden), could now have access to the throne of God and Christ Jesus. “Today” was not only the day of salvation for the repenting malefactor on the cross, but it was the appointed (accepted) time of the Lord for the salvation of all who believe in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 6:2) as the slain and worthy Lamb of God (Revelation 5) and as the Lord and King (just as the malefactor did) .

Points to ponder:
If Christ was to return today as the King in His kingdom, would he remember you and me? Can He tell of you and me, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”?
Have you recognized Jesus Christ as THE Lamb, THE Lord and THE Lion (King)? If so, you can be assured of being part of His kingdom, when He returns. He has assured us of this by His true saying – “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:39-43 (KJV)
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss [INNOCENCE].
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord [DIVINITY],  remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom [KINGSHIP].
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do

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On April 17, 2011

In Christian, Seven Sayings

The first saying of Jesus on the Cross is commonly referred to as the word of Forgiveness and has been expanded upon in many good Friday sermons. It has several hidden treasures that can be missed if careful attention is not given.

When Jesus said “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”, he was establishing three facts –
1. The character of God the Father
2. The character of God the Son
3. The character of man

He was establishing the fact that the God of heaven is first a Father who would listen to the intercessory requests of His Son [and to that of his sons and daughter]. He was establishing the fact that God the Father was a forgiving God. This shows us the character of God the Father, as Father and as a Forgiving God.

But have you wondered, why Jesus did not forgive the ones he prayed for himself, but instead asked God the Father to forgive? Did he not have the right to forgive? From the gospel according to Matthew, from the account of the man with palsy being healed (not just physically, but spiritually as well, with the forgiveness of his sins), we learn that Jesus had the power (authority/right) to forgive sins on earth. Jesus had the right to forgive but he did not want to grab on to his rights as God, but instead He  humbled himself  as a servant, totally surrendering unto the plan of God the Father, unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2). This shows us the character of God the Son (Jesus) as a humble servant, accomplishing the work of God the Father.

Finally, Jesus’ first saying on the Cross, shows us the character of man. That man does not know. But what is it that man does not know? Many do not know of God’s righteousness, and try hard to establish their own righteousness, without totally submitting to God (Romans 10:3). Many are still ignorant that the only means to salvation is by believing in God the son, for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe (Romans 10:4) and it is the knowledge of this Truth that sets one free (John 8:32) from the penalty of sin (because God the Father forgives) and the power of death (which Jesus conquered by his humility and total surrender).  Him/her whom the Son of God sets free, is free indeed (John 8:36).

Points to ponder:
1. Are you willing to totally submit to God?
2. Are you willing to be freed from the wages of sin, which is death? If so, believe in Jesus.

Luke 23:33-34 (KJV)
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Matthew 9:6 (KJV)
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man [Jesus] hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Romans 10: 1-4 (KJV)
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

See and Speak

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On April 15, 2011

In Christian

Interestingly, the Gospel of Matthew, in chapter 9, records two miracles of restoration. The first account is about the restoration of the sight of two blind men who believed (Matthew 9:27-31) and the second account is about the restoration of a dumb man’s speech (Matthew 9:32-33).

Jesus healed the blind men so they could see and He healed the dumb man so he could speak.

The Bible states that the god of this age (the devil) had blinded the minds of unbelievers lest they see the image of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). Many of us were blind before we believed in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But now that we have believed and seen, what next? The blind men saw and then they spoke. Likewise, we must also speak and share about Him and His fame in all the country (Matthew 9:31).

Point(s) to ponder:
Are you/I blind? Are you/I dumb? or Have you/I seen THE LIGHT (of the world) and if so, are we speaking about and of Him?

Matthew 9: 27-31 (KJV)
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Matthew 9:32-33 (KJV)
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Christian Recycling – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

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On April 14, 2011

In Christian

With so much of focus being given to going Green in our world today, programs which aim at reducing, reusing and recycling are ever on the rise and for good reason. I once caught sight of a beautiful wall hanging decor in the Lifeway store that expressed this going Green concept as it applied to a Christian. The words in that art piece read as follows: Reduce Sin; Reuse Faith; Recycle Love.

Sin wants to master over us, we must give it no foothold. We must rule over (reduce) sin (Genesis 4:7).
By Faith, we are saved from death to life, and by Faith we must live until death, for the just shall live by Faith (Habakkuk 2:4). And while we are alive on earth, we must fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).
Verily, verily we received the love of God and verily, verily, we must give the love of God to one another (a.k.a. recycle / share). We must keep on loving one another (Hebrews 13:1)

As Christians, we need to Reduce Sin (Genesis 4:7), Reuse Faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and Recycle Love (Hebrews 13:1).

Genesis 4:7 (KJV)
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Hebrews 13:1 (KJV)
1Let brotherly love continue!.

Christian Acronym :: Z.I.P

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On April 13, 2011

In Christian, Christian Acronyms

The Zone Improvement Program (ZIP) code is used to demarcate and improve a particular area,

Jesus Christ is the only Person by which the Zest of our lives can be Increased. Jesus said, I have come to give life and to give it more abundantly, i.e., the zest of our lives will be increased when we accept and believe in Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus Christ is the Zest (Life) Increasing Person (Z.I.P).

John 10:10 (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Christian Acronym :: Y.M.C.A

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On April 12, 2011

In Christian, Christian Acronyms

Many are familiar that the acronym YMCA stands for Young Men’s Christian Association, which was founded in 1844 by twenty-two year old George Williams and 11 other friends as a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets. Sadly today the far reaching objective of the founding fathers, has been replaced by one that is myopic to help people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with no reference published in their objective to the Bible as the original fathers intended. Social responsibility over soul responsibility seems to be the focus.

As a Christian acronym, what could Y.M.C.A stand for? To be inclusive of the elderly and the non-male gender, Y.M.C.A as a Christian acronym could stand for YHWH’s Missionary Christian Association (Y.M.C.A). First, we are YHWH (pronounced Yahweh’s) i.e., we belong to the Almighty Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God (Exodus 20:3). Second, we are all Missionaries on a mission, both men and women, young and old (Matthew 28:19-20). Third, we are Christians. To be a Christian is to belong to Christ i.e., Christ-Ones (1 Corinthians 3:23). And Finally, we are an Association. We are to be grafted (associated) with Christ first (John 15:1-8) and second with all others who are believers, united in one accord (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Are you and I in YHWH’s Missionary Christian Association?

Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1 Corinthians 3:23 (KJV)
23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s [YHWH’s].

1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Christian Acronym :: X.X.X.L

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On April 11, 2011

In Christian

In clothing lines, the acronym XXXL (or sometimes written as 3XL) stands for Extra Extra Extra Large or Extremely Extra Extra Large. In Christianity, does this acronym have any weight at all? Yes, it does, the extent of God’s love for us can be said to be X.X.X.L meaning Extravagant, Extreme, and Encumbering Love.

The love of God the Father toward us is Extravagant, for he bestowed/lavished it on us so that we could be called his children (1 John 3:1a).
Greater love has no man than this, that one who lays done his life for his friend; but Extreme love is of and by One who laid done his life for not just his friends, but his enemies.
The love of Jesus Christ, God’s Only begotten Son is Extreme, for while we were still sinners (and enemies of God), Jesus died for us.
The love of the Holy Spirit is Encumbering, for the Holy Spirit seals (encumbers) us unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30).

God’s love is an Extravagant, Extreme and Encumbering Love (X.X.X.L). Have you experienced this love in your life?

1 John 3:1a (KJV)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:

John 15:13 (KJV)
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 1:13 (KJV)
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Christian Acronym :: W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G

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On April 8, 2011

In Christian, Christian Acronyms

Those in the technology industry, must be acquainted with WYSIWYG (pronounced wiz-ee-wig) which is the acronym for What You See Is What You Get. This is used in computing to describe, that the content displayed (what you see) pre-production is the final output (is what you get) as well.

But in our Christian walk and war, is there an application of this acronym? Yes, there is. Ephesians 4:30 counsels us to grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. What does this mean? To grieve the Holy Spirit is to live an alienated life from God, in an ungodly sinful manner, with vain minds and blind hearts. In other words, to grieve the Holy Spirit is to sin, whether it be in thought, word or deed.

To sin is to indulge in any or all of the following lifestyle:
– be lustful/lewd (Ephesians 4:19),
– work uncleanness with greediness (Ephesians 4:19),
– be corrupt with deceitful lusts (Ephesians 4:22),
– lie (Ephesians 4:25),
– be angry with unreconciled issues (Ephesians 4:26),
– give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27),
– steal (Ephesians 4:28),
– speak in an unedifying and evil manner or curse (Ephesians 4:29, 31),
– be bitter (Ephesians 4:31)
– be malicious (with a desire to cause pain) (Ephesians 4:31)
– not forgive as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32)
– partake in immorality (Ephesians 5:3-5)

When You Sin Is When You Grieve (W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G) and so let us live in a godly manner so that we may not grieve the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:17-32 (KJV)
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-7 (KJV)
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Christian Acronym :: V.I.P

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On April 7, 2011

In Christian, Christian Acronyms

God: I want you to be a V.I.P.
Me: A Very Important Person?
God: (smiling) No, not a Very Important Person, but a V.I.P!
Me: I don’t understand!
God: Have you not read what I have told you through the Priests, the Kings and the Prophets?
Me: I am sorry Lord, I have not been too diligent in the study of your infallible Scripture, which gives us Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E)
God: Well, let me explain. I want you to be a Very Inclined Person (V.I.P)
Me: What does it mean to be a Very Inclined Person, Lord?
God: To incline is to bend as in the gesture of a bow or to lean! You must BOW to no other gods but to me for I am a jealous God. Incline your heart to me and me alone (Joshua 24:23): Incline to walk in all my ways and keep all my commandments (1 Kings 8:58); Incline not after your own evil ways, after the imaginations of your heart (Jeremiah 35:15; Jeremiah 11:8) and Trust only in me and LEAN not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) but incline your heart to my sayings and to wisdom and my understanding (Proverbs 2:2; Proverbs 4:20).
Me: Help me Lord, to be a V.I.P!

P.S: It is my brother, Ragland Remo Paul’s birthday today and as I wish him many more happy returns of this day, my prayer and wishes for him is that He is a V.I.P as God wants him to be as well.

Joshua 24:23 (KJV)
23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.

1 Kings 8:58 (KJV)
58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

Jeremiah 35:15 (KJV)
15 I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

Provers 3:5 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean [INCLINE] not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Christian Acronym :: U.N.A.S.H.A.M.E.D

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On April 6, 2011

In Christian, Christian Acronyms

To be UNASHAMED of the gospel of Christ, one must be Under New Authority Serving Humbly And Manifesting Eternal Deliverance (U.N.A.S.H.A.M.E.D). First we must be under the Authority (Lordship) of Jesus Christ for He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Second we must serve Him as He demonstrated it to us; for even God Himself did not come to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Third, we must manifest. To manifest is to make known. We must make known not just with our lips but with our lives as well i.e., we must not only be professing Christians but we must be practicing Christians. We must not profess with our lips and deny with our lives (Titus 1:16). We must make known the power of God unto Salvation to everyone (Jew and Gentile) who believes God’s Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for whoever believes in Jesus Christ shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Are you/I U.N.A.S.H.A.M.E.D of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Romans 1:16 (KJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

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