Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Month: October 2012 Page 1 of 3

The Real Halloween (Hallowed Evening)

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On October 31, 2012

In Christian, Hallowe'en

The very word “Halloween” comes from contracting the words “Hallowed Evening” or “Hallowed Even” eliding the ‘v’ in the word ‘evening’. It has its roots in Christendom, referring to the Feast (Communion) of the Saints which came to be known as the eve of All Hallows (Saints). Although the last day of October is recognized, in many parts of the Western and European world as Halloween and the evening filled with trick- or treat-ing, celebrating the elements of death over life, the real Halloween (Hallowed Evening) was the evening when a Savior met with his disciples in a room and communed with them, which is commonly known as the “Lord’s supper” (Matthew 26:20). The devil wants to trick us into believing that a sinner like you and me cannot have communion with a Holy God but the treat of God is eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Points to ponder:
Those who have not yet believed or those who willfully refuse to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, I plead that you tarry no further, falling prey to the tricks of the devil who blinds the minds of many, lest you see the glorious light of the gospel of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4), but believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept his treat of eternal life (John 3:16). For those of us who are born again and of the elect, let us remember, this Halloween, to partake of the communion with our Savior Jesus Christ, remembering his death and resurrection, bringing life and life abundantly and eternally to all who believe. This is the Real Halloween.

Matthew 26:20-30 (KJV)
20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (KJV)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
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.

 

Worthy – The Savior’s, Sinner’s and Saint’s position

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On October 30, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

Recently, while listening on the radio, the song “When the stars burn down (Blessing and Honor)” by Philips, Craig & Dean, I started describing to Reuben, our beloved six year old son, that it is highly likely that the song is based on the events that transpire in heaven as described in book the Revelation in the Bible. Revelation chapter 5 records the account of how Jesus, the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei), who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29), was the only one, worthy to open the book that was sealed and in the hands of God who sat on the throne. Jesus takes the book from the hand of God and the 24 elders that sat around him fell down and worshiped him.

Points to ponder:
The Savior’s position before a Holy God is “Worthy; Only He is Worthy” (Revelation 5:9,12).
The sinner’s (our) position before a Holy God is “NOT Worthy” (Genesis 32:10).
And when we believe in the worthiness of Jesus Christ for he has prevailed in being the acceptable sacrifice of God (Hebrews 10:10-12), we are imputed his righteousness (Romans 4:24; James 2:23) and changed from sinners to saints.
The saint’s position before a Holy God is “To Walk Worthy” (Ephesians 4:1).
As saints, we are called to be ambassadors of him (2 Corinthians 5:20), declaring his worthiness and commanded to Walk Worthy of his calling.

Ascribing one’s worth by honoring and giving glory is to worship and we ought to ascribe to Jesus, The Savior, his worth.
In other words, we ought to worship Jesus because we are NOT worthy and only He is Worthy and we can worship him by our walking worthily, in Him (Ephesians 5:8).
Are we?

Revelation 5:1-14 (KJV)
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Genesis 32:10 (KJV)
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; …

Ephesians 4:1-3 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Jesus for us (Salvation); Jesus in us (Sanctification)

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On October 29, 2012

In Christian

To be saved is to believe that Jesus Christ died for us, in our place (Romans 5:8).
To be sanctified is to let Jesus Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20).

Jesus Christ FOR you and me is Salvation; Jesus Christ IN you and me is Sanctification.

Points to ponder:
Are you saved? In other words, have you believed in Jesus and acknowledged that he died for you?
And if you are saved, are you being sanctified (daily) and conforming into his perfect and holy image? In other words, do you allow Jesus to live in you?
My prayer is, “Lord sanctify me, by being in me so that I may be in you” (Ephesians 5:1); What is yours?

Romans 5:8-10 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Related post: Dead Jesus and Living Jesus

Dead Jesus and Living Jesus

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On October 26, 2012

In Christian

Since all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and the soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4,20) for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), each one of us as sinners NEED Jesus who died in our place – the dead Jesus.
And when we have acknowledged our need for the resurrected Jesus and when we believe in his Name as the only means to our salvation, our sins are remitted and we are transformed from sinners to saints, being sanctified by his blood, and as saints we NEED Jesus to live within us – the living Jesus.

It isPoints to ponder:
Sinners need the dying Jesus. Saints need the living Jesus.
Have you acknowledged your need for the Jesus who died in your place and believed in his Name? If not, delay no further.
If you have believed, can you say, truly say, that the resurrected and living Jesus lives within you? Can we say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ Jesus that lives in me?”

Romans 3:23 (KJV)
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ezekiel 18:20-24 (KJV)
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Romand 6:22-23 (KJV)
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Love Saves Our Souls (SOS)

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On October 25, 2012

In Christian

The Subject of Love is you and me (1 John 4:9)
The Object of Love is life for you and me. (1 John 4:9)
The Source of Love is God for love is of God and God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)

Points to Ponder:
The Symbol of love is Jesus Christ for he is the manifestation of God’s love for us and only in him is Salvation of Our Souls (SOS). Love Saves Our Souls (SOS). Is your soul saved? What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Embrace the love of God in Jesus Christ, so that you may live, live abundantly eternally.

1 John 4:7-9 (KJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

God’s Mercy!

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On October 24, 2012

In Christian

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word mercy as “compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power.” It is also defined as one being lenient or showing compassionate treatment. Thus, mercy is not getting what one deserves.

God’s mercy is God giving us a pardon instead of the punishment we deserve for our willful sinful life.

God’s Mercy is for all who act ignorantly in unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13).
God’s Mercy is found in Jesus Christ alone (1 Timothy 1:14).
God’s Mercy is for everyone, no matter how sinful one has been or is (1 Timothy 1:15).
God’s Mercy is to show forth God’s patience (longsuffering) toward us (1 Timothy 1:16).
God’s Mercy is for a pattern to all who hear the message of God’s Mercy in Jesus Christ and believe on him to life everlasting (1 Timothy 1:16).

Points to ponder:
Have you obtained the mercy of God? In other word’s have you believed in the Name of Jesus Christ so you may live eternally. God’s Mercy is for you and me, no matter what we have done or who we are. No one is outside the reach of God’s Mercy!

1 Timothy 1:13-16 (KJV)
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

God’s perfect will

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On October 23, 2012

In Christian

Often we hear people saying, if it is the will of God, then I would do this or that. We pray for God’s will to be done in and through our life, seldom pausing to find out what that will of God is. Romans 12:2 commands us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that we may prove the perfect will of God. So what is this perfect will of God?

Jesus said, that he came to do the will of God (Hebrews 10:9). Paul, in his letter to Timothy writes that Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). So by using these two texts, we can extrapolate, that God’s perfect will is to save sinners through Jesus Christ.

Points to ponder:
Are you/I doing the perfect will of God? Proverbs 11:30 affirms that a soul winner is wise. So those who do the will of God, by presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to those who are unsaved, for the salvation of their souls, are wise. In other words, to do the perfect will of God, by pointing the sinner to the Savior Jesus Christ, who came to save, is to be wise. Are you/I doing the perfect will of God? Are you/I wise? 

Hebrews 10:9 (KJV)
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Proverbs 11:30 (KJV)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Entering by Christ and letting Christ Enter

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On October 22, 2012

In Christian

Jesus said, “I am the door and if any man enters by me shall be saved” (John 10:9), but we must recognize that for one to enter in by Jesus Christ, that person must allow Jesus Christ to enter into his/her life, for Jesus will come into the life of any man who hears his voice and opens the door to his life (Revelation 3:20).

Points to ponder:
Are you entering by Christ Jesus for your salvation? In other word’s have you let Christ Jesus enter into your life for your salvation? No one is excluded, for any man who hears the voice of God and responds by opening his life to God shall be saved.

John 10:9 (KJV)
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

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.

Everlasting kingdoms

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On October 19, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

One of Reuben’s (our beloved six year old son) favorite song is “Me without You” by TobyMac and a line in the song goes as “I’d be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away” expressing the temporary and futile state of our aspirations and efforts in the absence of God.

The chorus of the song “All in Life” by Gospel singer Carman goes as follows:
“… kingdoms come and kingdoms go
but through the Word of God, I know
when all in life is done and past
only what is done for Christ will last”

When we DO ALL that God commands us to do, we end up working in his kingdom business instead of trying to establish our very own and that Kingdom is one that last forever (Revelation 11:15; Luke 1:33) – one that is indestructible and indomitable (Daniel 2:44)

Points to ponder:
God’s promise to Solomon was “if you do all the things that I have commanded you, then I will establish your throne of your kingdom for ever.” In doing all things that God commands us to do, we can be assured of the Kingdom of God within us (Luke 17:21) to last forever. Only in Christ Jesus can all things last forever, for only in him is found eternal life (John 6:68; John 17:3).

When ALL in life is DONE and past , only what is DONE for Christ will last. There is no partial work with God.
Are you/me DOING ALL for Jesus Christ, as God has commanded us to?

1 Kings 9:3-5 (KJV)
3 And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:
5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

Daniel 2:44 (KJV)
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Doing is Believing

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On October 18, 2012

In Christian

When God commanded Noah to build an ark and bring into it, two of every sort of living thing of flesh, so that he, his family and God’s creation do not perish in the flood that God promised he would send, the Bible records that Noah did all that God commanded him (Genesis 6:22). Come to think of this, prior to this flood, there is no mention of any rain, during the days of Noah, let alone a flood. In other words, Noah believed that what God says he will do and thus obeys by doing what he was commanded.

Points to ponder:
To “do” what God commands us to do is an expression of believing. In other words, we do, when we trust that God will do what he tells us he would and to not do, is in essence an expression of not believing, in a promise keeping God, who cannot lie. Believing (Faith) without doing (action) is dead, for in doing, we express our belief. And when we do, let us be like Noah, who did all. We cannot do “partial” work for God – when we do, we must do “all” that he commands us to.

Genesis 6:13-22 (KJV)
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

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