Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: September 2012 Page 1 of 2

God [Jesus] is yet to come [again]

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On September 28, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

When I asked our beloved 6 year old son, Reuben, to make a sentence using the word “yet”, for his school homework, he responded “God (referring to Jesus) is yet to come.” It dawned on me later that from the words of a 6 year old, we were reminded of a certain and sure promise that is yet to be fulfilled.

Jesus promised that “I am going to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive you, so that you may be where I am also.” (John 14:3) and we can take him at his word, for he is a promise keeping God (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Points to ponder:
God [Jesus] is yet to come [again] and when he comes, he wants to receive you and me. The question that remains is if we will be ready to be received by him. Those who have received him and believed in his name, he gave them the power to be called the children of God (John 1:12) and so when he returns, will you find him to be your father receiving you to take you home? In other words, have you received Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, for God is yet to come! Jesus can receive only those who have received him now.

John 14:3 (KJV)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Jesus and Justice

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On September 27, 2012

In Christian

If I was to ask you. “Can you think of one person in this world, who was wronged in life and who deserves Justice?”, who would you think of? Did you think of Jesus?

The judgment that we deserved was poured out on Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16). Jesus was wrongfully accused, mocked, beaten, bruised, and crucified. He was raised by the power of God (1 Corinthians 6:14) and he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9), and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). One day, he will come back again to receive all who believe in Him, so that they can be where he is (John 14:3). And when he comes, he will bring Judgement (aka Justice) and judge the world (John 16:11; Revelation 19:11-21).

Points to ponder:
Jesus – He is coming!
Justice – It is coming!
Are you/I ready to face Jesus, to face Justice?

Revelation 19:11-21 (KJV)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

John 16:11 (NLT)
11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

Jesus Impersonator :: Lord (Messiah)

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On September 26, 2012

In Christian, Jesus Impersonator

Satan uses the deception of impersonation to deceive many. We must therefore watch out and pray and be on the alert (sober and vigilant) so that we are not deceived (1 Peter 4:7).

For the redemption of mankind from their own sins, God had to manifest himself in the form of a messiah (the “anointed” Christ) and came to the world he created as a human (Philippians 2) and was named Jesus (Matthew 1:21). Jesus, the Only Christ came with a sword (Matthew 10:34) and left peace (John 14:27). When the tip of a sword is placed into the ground, it resembles the shape of a Cross and a sword can divide, just as the Cross divides the righteous (those who have believed in Jesus) and those who have not.
But Satan who has no original idea of his own will bring his own messiah, who is the antichrist. The antichrist will come with a deception of peace and leave behind a sword, destroying many (Daniel 8:25). The antichrist is the antimessiah.

Points to ponder:
We must be aware and beware the adversary (Satan), for Satan will bring the antichrist as the messiah of mankind, who will impersonate Jesus Christ, the Only Lord (Messiah of all mankind). Watch vigilantly and pray always, lest we are caught off-guard. 

Matthew 10:34 (KJV)
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

John 14:27 (KJV)
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Daniel 8:25 (KJV)
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Jesus Impersonator :: Lion

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On September 25, 2012

In Christian, Jesus Impersonator

Satan uses the deception of impersonation to deceive many. We must therefore watch out and pray and be on the alert (sober and vigilant) so that we are not deceived (1 Peter 4:7).

In Genesis 49:9-10, when Israel is blessing his sons, he blesses Judah by calling Judah a lion’s whelp (cub) and affirms that the sceptre (rule/government) shall not depart from Judah and the ruling staff from his descendants (from between his feet), until the coming of the one to whom it belongs (Shiloh) – the one whom all nations will honor. Prophesying the birth of Jesus, God’s prophet, Isaiah announced that the government (sceptre) shall be on the shoulder of Jesus Christ and the increase of his government (rule) and peace shall have no end (Isaiah 9:6-7). Revelation 5:5 affirms that the one that was prophesied as the one who is to come to whom the sceptre (kingdom) belongs is Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah – the True (Lion) King. All those who are under the protection of Jesus, the Lion King, who conquered (devoured) death and prevailed, have life – life eternal.
But Satan wants to be the king over all and impersonates Jesus by walking around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour and bring death in the end (1 Peter 5:8).

Points to ponder:
We must be aware and beware the adversary (Satan), for Satan walks about like a roaring lion seeking to devour and bring death. We must submit to the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus Christ, The True Lion King, who brings life!

Genesis 49:8-10 (KJV)
8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.
9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Revelation 5:5 (KJV)
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Jesus Impersonator :: Light

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On September 24, 2012

In Christian, Jesus Impersonator

When iniquity was found in Lucifer (Satan) who sought to take the place of God (Ezekiel 28:6,9,15), Satan was thrown out of heaven along with the angels whom he deceived to rebel against God, and since then Satan has been trying to take the place of God. He uses the deception of impersonation to deceive many. We must therefore watch out and pray and be on the alert (sober and vigilant) so that we are not deceived (1 Peter 4:7).

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world and whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). But Satan impersonates Jesus the Light of the world, by transforming himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Points to ponder:
If we follow Jesus, the LIGHT of the world, we will not live a life of sin, walking in darkness, and will have the light of life in us.
If we follow Satan, the Jesus Impersonator as the light of the world, we will continue to live a life of sin, walking in darkness and will have the darkness of death in us. Marvel not!
Do you/I have the light of life?

2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV)
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Why Give? :: Discipleship expression

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On September 21, 2012

In Christian, Giving

The first definition of the word “disciple” in the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is as follows: “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” But is this definition complete? According to Jesus, one must give up everything to be Jesus’ disciple (Luke 14:33). In other words, in addition to accepting and assisting in the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, one must abide by the words of Jesus Christ and abandon everything he or she owns, in order to be a disciple of Jesus. This means, that to give up (abandon) is an expression of discipleship.

Points to ponder:
Can you/I count ourselves as a disciple of Jesus Christ? In other words, have you/I given up everything we own? Giving up our life so that his life is lived in and through us is what discipleship is about.

Luke 14:33 (NLT)
33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

Why Give? :: Possession expression

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On September 20, 2012

In Christian, Giving

The lyrics of the song, Freely, Freely (God forgave my sin), that I learned in Sunday School during my youth is as follows:

God forgave my sin, in Jesus name
I’ve been born again, in Jesus name
And in Jesus name, I come to you,
To share his love, as he told me to
He said, “Freely, freely, you have received.
Freely, freely, give.
Go in my name and because you believe
Others will know that I live.”

Jesus told his discples, freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8). Giving is an expression of “possession”; of having received from God. What have we received from God? We have received not the spirit of this world, but the spirit which is of God (1 Corinthians 2:12). In other words, those who possess Jesus Christ are the one who can give him freely for the Salvation of others.

Points to ponder:
Only those who have received can give and so the question is, have you received the Spirit of God who is given to all who believe in Jesus Christ? If you have, are you giving freely whom you have received as you have received. Are you/I not only possessing Jesus Christ in us but is He possessing us, which would make us respond by “giving” him freely as we have received. 

Matthew 10:8 (KJV)
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (KJV)
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Why Give? :: Righteousness expression

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On September 19, 2012

In Christian, Giving

Proverbs 21:26 states that the righteous give and do not hold back. The New Living Translation renders this verse as “the godly love to give”. In fact, giving itself is an expression of righteousness, because the one who gives without sparing believes in God to be the supplier of all their needs. Jesus said, “Give and it will be given back to you” (Luke 6:38). Abraham knew this and he was willing to give his son, his only son, Isaac, whom he loved, as a sacrifice to God, because he believed that God will give his son back to him, even if that meant, that God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:9). Abraham believed God (and gave without holding back) and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Galatians 3:6).

Points to ponder:
Are you willing to give your ALL without holding back? Let us give our everything to Jesus Christ and believe in him so that we are accounted righteous in God’s sight. The righteous give and spares not in anything.

Proverbs 21:26 (KJV)
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

Galatians 3:6 (KJV)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Why Give? :: Cheerfulness expression

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On September 18, 2012

In Christian, Giving

While watching the Veggietales movie on St. Nocholas – A story of Joyful giving, with our beloved six year old son, Reuben, there was a dialog in the movie that caught our attention. The dialog was about the reason for giving and the character says “We give not because it makes us happy; We give because we ARE happy.” This in in fact supported Scripturally because Proverbs 22:9 (NLT) affirms that “Blessed (cheerful) are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.” God loves a cheerful (blessed) giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Points to ponder:
So are you cheerful? In other words, when you give to God for God, do you give out of the expression of your cheerfulness. God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 22:9 (NLT)
9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Why Give? :: Love expression

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On September 17, 2012

In Christian, Giving

We are counseled to give (offer) our bodies as a living sacrifice to God and not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. But why give? Giving is the true outward expression of inner love. God so loved the world the world that HE GAVE us his only begotten son, through whom came eternal life. When we love God, we will give as an expression of our love for him.

Points to ponder:
Do you/I truly express our love for God? In other words, do you/I give (offer) our bodies as a living service to God which is reasonable service.

John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

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