Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Month: August 2012 Page 2 of 3

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The King (of kings)

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On August 17, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

A monarchy is a form of government in which a single person has sovereign authority and undivided rule over a nation or state. The head of a monarchy is a monarch and a male monarch is conferred the title of a king. The last song in the album, “We cry out: Worship project” by Jeremy Camp is a powerful song entitled “King Jesus”. So is Jesus The King?

It is interesting to note that in the birth of Jesus, he was referred to as a king when the wise men from the east asked, “Where is he [Jesus], who is born, KING of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). Also in his death, the inscription in Latin above his head, on the Cross, read INRI which stands for IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM, which means Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (John 19:19). In his life and in his death, Jesus is King, but because he willingly offered to lay down his life for the Salvation of mankind,  God the Father, conferred on him a name above all names; a title of the KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS  which is written on his thigh (Revelation 19:16), and to this KING of kings, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, that He [Jesus] is LORD.  Jesus is The King (of kings).

Points to ponder:
A king has sovereign authority and undivided rule over his kingdom and if you and I are part of God’s kingdom, have we allowed Jesus to have Sovereign authority and undivided rule over our lives? In the presence of a King, the best posture for us to be in, is on our knees, confessing that He is Lord. Are/Am you/I before Jesus, The King.

Revelation 19:16 (KJV)
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 17:14 (KJV)
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Key Holder

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On August 16, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

I am assuming that it is equally surprising to you as it was to me, to find out that “Key Holder” is actually a professional job title, like a Doctor or Engineer or Lawyer. Kyle Glazier, eHow’s contributor writes in the ‘Money’ section of eHow.com, that a key holder is an employee (generally in a retail setting), who takes on additional responsibilities similar to those held by management with the main distinguishing feature of having the ability to open and close the store.

Now would we be able to consider Jesus to be The Key Holder? Absolutely. Isaiah 22:22 is prophetically referring to Jesus Christ, in describing the duties of Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, to whom it is stated that the key of the house of David will be laid upon his shoulder and what he shall open, none shall shut and what he shall shut, none shall open. Isaiah 9:6-7 refers prophetically to the coming of Jesus the Messiah, on whose shoulders shall rest the government. In the book of Revelation, it is said of Jesus, who is holy and true, to be the holder of this key of David (Revelation 3:7), which is God’s government in and through Jesus, a government of peace, of whose increase there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:7). The Gospel of Matthew (first book of the New Testament) establishes that Jesus holds the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19) and Revelation (last book of the New Testament) establishes that Jesus who was dead is now alive and alive forevermore and is the holder of the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18). Jesus is The Key Holder – holder of the keys of the kingdom of heaven and of hell.

Points to ponder:
Jesus is the Key to have access to God the Father, because no one can come to Father God, except by Him and this door that he has opened to heaven (Revelation 4:1) no one can shut. He is also the holder of the keys to hell and to death and when we believe in him and receive him, and repent of our wicked ways, he shuts the door to hell and to death, for we inherit eternal life, and that door which he shuts (to death) no one can open. The Bible says, “Behold, Jesus stands at the door (of your life) and knocks, if you hear him, and open your door, he will come in and dine with you and you with him.” (Revelation 3:20). Have you opened the door (of your life) to Jesus, The Key Holder, so that he can open the door to heaven and shut the door to hell and death for you?

Matthew 16:19 (KJV)
19 And I [Jesus] will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Revelation 3:7 (KJV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Revelation 1:18 (KJV)
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Judge

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On August 15, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

Well, you have probably heard of the phrase “God will judge you!” and never paused to wonder as to who this God is that will judge us? The Bible says, Jesus is the Judge that is ready to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) but can we be so certain?

The answer to the question”How to become a Judge? (in the US legal system)” in HowStuffWorks.com highlights that in order to become a Judge, one must first be a lawyer (having obtained the necessary credentials), get experience and when a Judge’s position becomes vacant, a Judge is appointed or elected. So is Jesus a lawyer? The past article, Jesus The Advocate established the fact that Jesus is The Lawyer/Advocate. Now, is Jesus appointed to be The Judge? The Bible states that the Father (God) judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 5:22). In other words, Jesus, God’s elect, is appointed by God the Father to be the Judge over all (living and dead). But does Jesus have the experience? John 5:27 states that God has given Jesus the authority, because he is the Son of man. What is interesting to note, is that Jesus is appointed to be the Judge over all men, because he is the only one in the Triune Godhead who has the experience of being a man (John 5:27) and being made in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:7-8), he was tempted as we are, yet without sin and so he can be our advocate, executing righteous judgments (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus is The Judge.

Points to ponder:
Hebrews 9:27 states, that it is appointed unto man to die once and then the judgment. When Jesus, The Judge judges you/me in righteous judgment, is he going to find you/me innocent (having his own righteousness imputed on us for having believed in him) or guilty (rejecting to accept his grace and not believing in him)? We are all guilty until proven innocent. How will you/I face Jesus, The Judge?

John 5:22-30 (KJV)
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Janitor

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On August 14, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

While the title of this article may seem demeaning of Jesus, the God of the universe, I pray you read the entire article before drawing any conclusions. Unfortunately, Janitors are considered to be a sub-class of society because of the nature of work that they perform, but early in my career, I came to learn that we ought to respect everyone within our corporate world, for who they are in life and not necessarily for what they do for their livelihood. Infact, I would argue that a janitor is equally important, if not more, than the President of a company, because if the President does not show up to work for a day, the company may be able to still operate optimally, which cannot be said of a janitor whose absence can have some serious repercussions (soiled toilets, unclean workspaces, stench, etc.), decreasing the productivity of the workers.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘Janitor’ as someone keeps the premises of a building clean and makes repairs. When a Janitor is done with cleaning the mess in the building, there is no remanence of any mess and the building is in a state as if it was never unclean. When things don’t function properly, the Janitor fixes the broken things to make them function again. Can we consider Jesus Christ to be a Janitor then? Absolutely.

The Bible tells us that we are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9) and Jesus keeps our lives clean. No matter how messy our lives are or have been, Jesus’ blood washes all sin (1 John 1:7) and makes us clean. If you have had a totally messed up life and you think that you don’t stand a chance, think again (i.e., repent) for the Lord says, “Come NOW, let us reason together; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though your sins are red as crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Even adulterers, those in addictions, cheats, fornicators, the immoral, the impure, idolators, liars, murderers, and for that matter any kind of sinner (the chief of whom is me), has a chance with Jesus Christ, if they repent. Not only does Jesus, The Janitor, clean us, but he makes repairs of our life, so that we are no longer broken and no longer slaves under bondage to the former ways of our sinful lives. He mays us function again. Jesus is The Janitor.

Points to ponder:
Have you reasoned with the Lord, for he says, though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, when you believe in Jesus, for by faith (belief) and repentance is one saved and made to function again. In other words, have you been cleaned and repaired by Jesus, The Janitor?

1 Corinthians 3:9 (KJV)
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

1 John 1:7-9 (KJV)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Inventor

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On August 13, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘Inventor’ as someone who produces something (useful) for the first time. In other words, an inventor is someone who makes something new that is useful. Can we consider Jesus Christ to be an inventor then? Absolutely.

Jesus is The Inventor of all times. The LIGHT of the world, not only created (made new) the world out of darkness (Genesis 1; Colossians 1:16-18) but he also makes his light to shine the darkness of sin out of our lives when we believe in him (2 Corinthians 4:6). When one believes and abides in Christ Jesus, he/she is a new creature (an invention); the old has passed are passed away; behold all things are made (invented to be) new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Not only is the person made new, but the person is made useful (or profitable) unto God, just as we see in the transformation of the runaway slave Philemon, who in times past was useless to Onesimus his master, but is made useful to both Onesimus and to Paul in the work of God (Philemon 1:11).

Points to ponder:
Are you an invention of Jesus? In other words, have you been made new and useful by and for Jesus Christ, The Inventor (of all things). If not, believe in him today, because now is the day to be invented (made new) (2 Corinthians 6:2). Tarry no further. And for those have been made new for having believed in Jesus, are you/I useful (profitable) unto God as his invention?

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Philemon 1:11 (KJV)
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Hacker

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On August 10, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

The 3rd edition of the New Hacker’s Dictionary by Eric. S. Raymond, defines a hacker as an intelligent programmer and defines hacking as the act of coming up with a clever solutions to a programming problem. During the late 90’s, the term “hacker” erroneously became synonymous with the term “cracker” which refers to a person/group who is malicious in intent when using their skills to sabotage (computer) systems, but security professionals in my hacking community, understand this difference. In fact, there are peers of mine, who are pristine in their Spirit, because of their faith, that bring to question the very negative stigma associated with the term “hackers”. Johnny Long, who needs little to no introduction in the security community (the ihackstuff guy who is now the ihackcharities guy and founder of the Hackers For Charity organization) uses his skills to help others who serve Christ, with his family in Uganda; Gervase Markham (known as Gerv), a well known security professional at Mozilla uses his hacking skills for Jesus Christ,  as he believes in using the gift God has given him as a means to glorify God (ref: Why “Hacking for Christ”?). The HackFormers organization (www.hackformers.org) serves the Information Technology (IT) community in the Austin area by staying true to their mission which is to “Teach Security; Teach Christ; Teach Security In Christ”. I could go on and on, with many more who can help us understand that the term “hacker” is in and of itself not to be negatively understood as one who is nefarious, but instead, it simply refers to someone who is noble with skills and expertise to figure out how computer systems are architected and identify any weaknesses or controls in them. “Whitehat” hackers are noble and use what they find, to help better implement security in the organization that they provide their services to.

In September 2011, the Economist published an article entitled “What Would Jesus Hack?” which spoke about how the Christian community has a lot in common with the open-source software movement. So What Would Jesus Hack? or can we consider Jesus to be a Hacker? A hacker is an expert who can look into how systems are architected and identify any weaknesses or controls within. Information Systems (and Software) are usually architected with weaknesses in them and they need controls to be implemented in them so that they are protected against breaches. The Bible teaches us that “Jesus knew what was in man.” (John 2:25). In other words, Jesus, The Hacker can look into his creation (man) and he knows what is in man; man’s weaknesses to temptations and man’s propensity to sin and continue in sin (whose wages is death), or The Control of the Holy Spirit in man (whose gift is security of our soul and eternal salvation).

Points to ponder:
If Jesus The Hacker was to look into your life and mine today, what would he find? Will he find us secure in God with the Holy Spirit of God within us, for having believed in him or would he find us weak as a slave to sin? Let Jesus The Hacker hack us, for he knows what is in us. Let him become THE CONTROL in us and secure our souls from getting eternally breached in hell.

John 2:22-25 (KJV)
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Psalm 51:5-7 (KJV)
5 Behold, I was shapen [architected] in iniquity [weakness]; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

1 Peter 1:7-14 (KJV)
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Guide

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On August 9, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

With Scientiology, Psychic and New Age movements gaining a lot of traction, these days, there is an yearning by many to seek answers and direction, from within or from other external sources, many of whom are farce. John Edwards, Ophray Winfrey, Dr. Phil etc. are just a few in that list. When they are sought for spiritual guidance, some of these people speak about god, but not about Jesus Christ, the one true God and guide.

Jesus Christ is The Guide. The Bible teaches us that God is our God for ever and ever and he will be our guide even unto death (Psalm 48:14). Jesus said that he is the good Shepherd and his sheep hear his voice and follows him (John 10:11,27). In other words, he is the Good and Guiding Shepherd, who leads his followers beside still (peaceful) waters and in paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:2-3).

Points to ponder:
Are you/I being guided by Jesus, The Guide? In other words, are we hearing Jesus’ voice and following him in paths of righteousness, that can bring about a peace that passeth all understanding?

Psalm 48:14 (KJV)
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

John 10:27 (KJV)
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Guard

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On August 8, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

We often hear about “guarding angels” that stems from the reference to the Scripture quoted during the temptation of Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:6; Psalm 91:11-12) and the very words of Jesus that warns us not to despise little children (Matthew 18:10). But have you ever wondered about Jesus to be The Guard. John 10:11-13 teaches us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who will fight to guard and protect his sheep, when the wolf attacks, voluntarily willing to and sacrificing his very own life (John 11:17).

Points to ponder:
Jesus is The Guard and when he guards us, there is absolutely no one or nothing that can snatch us away from his protection. Are you under the protection of Jesus, the Guard (1 Peter 2:25)? 

1 Peter 2:25 (NLT)
25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Firefighter

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On August 7, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annually fires take any lives and destroy billions of dollars worth of property and a fire fighter helps to protect people and property. The firefighters, go into burning buildings to rescue the ones caught within the fire, many a times, at risk to their very own life. On the heels of the infamous and vile September 11, 2001 attack on the twin towers, author Martin Coleman, wrote a book entitled “What If Jesus Were a New York City Firefighter?” We often don’t consider Jesus to be a firefighter. Is he?

The Bible gives the account of three Hebrew men (Hannaiah, Mishael and Azariah) who are commonly known by their Babylonian names as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, being thrown into a furnace that was heated seven times over; a fire so exceedingly hot that it burned up the mighty men that bound  these three faithful followers of God, even as they approached the furnace. But then, in the midst of the fire, the King who had ordered the decree to burn these Hebrew men, was astonished to see whom he refers to as the Son of God, and he beckoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to come out of the fire. Jesus is The Firefighter, who protects his people and all who belong to God (God’s property/his people).

Points to ponder:
In the midst of the fires of life, we can count on Jesus Christ, the Firefighter to be with us. To all who believe in his name and have received him, the fire of hell has no power over them, for Jesus is The Firefighter, who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. 

Daniel 3:25 (KJV)
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Farmer

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On August 6, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

In the article, “How does a farmer spend a workday?”, eHow.com’s contributor, Lea Ann Fessenden-Joseph highlights three things that the farmer mainly does, once he wakes up early to face a hard day of work. These three things are (1) Morning watering and assessment (2) Soil and bed preparation and (3) Harvesting.

Watering is done in the morning to soak the roots of the plants so that they do not wilt in the afternoon sun. The Bible teaches us that great is God’s faithfulness and his mercies are new EVERY MORNING. Every morning, God showers his mercies on us so that our lives can be soaked with his mercies and we can withstand the heat and onslaughts (fiery darts), brought about by the evil one (Lamentations 3:22-23; Ephesians 6:16). Jesus said, if you ask of me, I would give you living water; and whoever drinks of this living water shall never thirst again (John 4:10,13-14). Jesus, the Farmer, waters our lives afresh each morning with his mercy (not giving us what we deserve) since he is full of grace (giving us what we don’t deserve), giving us life; eternal (John 3:16) and abundant (John 10:10).

The farmer also prepares the soil and bed on which the seed that the farmer sows must fall. He will dig holes for the plants and prepare the banks in the soil for drainage. He places the seed/plant in those holes, firmly packs the soil and waters them. The seed/plant that responds is the one the germinates/grows to be a sapling and eventually grows into an established plant/tree. The farmer also closely monitors the plant so that insects, fungus and mold doest not destroy his plants and when he sees any sign of these harmful elements, he applies protection (such as spraying medications) to keep the plants healthy and disease free. In a similar way, Jesus, the Farmer, allows downtimes (holes) in our lives but never places us in a place that is too hard for us, no matter how packed the circumstances around us may seem, always giving us a way out just as the farmer prepares the necessary banks to drain the things that are harmful to the seed/plant. We are Jesus’ husbandry (1 Corinthians 3:9; 3:6-7). When destructive elements of this world (addiction, depravities, immorality, etc. and all manner of sin) tries to infect and kill us, the very blood of Jesus The Farmer, protects, just us as the blood of the passover lamb did during the time of the Exodus (Exodus 12:13).

Finally a farmer harvests the crops that he grows in a timely manner, when the time is right. He sows good seed, but invariably the seed is to take root and grow and when God’s appointed time comes, Jesus The Farmer, will come with his holy angels to harvest us (Matthew 13:41).

Points to ponder:
Jesus waters our lives with his mercy, for he is The Faithful Farmer. The question that remains then is “Are we growing in his knowledge?” (2 Peter 3:18) or are we stunted?
Are you protected by the blood of Jesus The Farmer? In other words, have you believed in Him as your personal Lord and Savior and King?
When Jesus, the Farmer, sends forth his angels to harvest us, will we be in a harvestable state as wheat and not the weeds (tares)?

Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Exodus 12:13 (KJV)
13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt

Matthew 13:41-43 (KJV)
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

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