Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Revelation requires Reflection

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On November 5, 2012

In Christian

Jesus revealed to us that he is The Light of the world and whoever follows him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of Life (John 8:12). This revelation however requires us to respond by reflecting this light of Life, for Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world”, expecting us not to hide him, the light of Life. He commanded us to shine our light before men, in such a manner, that they may see our good works (of following him) and give glory to God, our Father who is in heaven.

Only those who believe in Jesus and who follow him shall have the light of Life (John 3:16; John 8:12). Jesus is the light of Life and our earthly bodies, which are mere jars of clay, has the hidden treasure of Jesus within us (2 Corinthians 4:6-7), only to be showcased and reflected out of our lives. The revelation of God’s expressed image in the person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:3) ought to be reflected from and by us. Let us not hide Jesus under a bushel.
Also, note that when we shine the light of Jesus onto the world, those who are blinded by the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4) are not going to be pleased as their works of darkness (of sin) will be exposed, and many will resort to persecuting us, wanting us to hide the light of glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us just consider such persecution/trials, pure joy for in the end it yields perfection/triumph (James 1:2-4) and continue to shine – Let us not hide Jesus under a bushel.

Points to ponder:
Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Am I a follower of Jesus Christ? We ought to be (Ephesians 5:1). Only if we follow him, shall we have the Light of Life within us that we must reflect.
If you and I are followers of Jesus Christ, Are we reflecting the revelation of God in Jesus Christ (despite any persecution that results from reflecting Jesus Christ? Let us not hide Jesus under a bushel! He is not meant to be.

John 8:12 (KJV)
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV)
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (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.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)
3 Who [Jesus] being the brightness [shining light] of his [God’s] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Dust on your Bible

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On November 2, 2012

In Christian

I once saw a pithy one-liner which read, “Dust on your Bible will lead to dirt in your life.” and this could not be far from the truth – scriptural truth. Many Christians read the Bible as if it was a “checkbox” activity, seldom taking time to meditate and memorize every inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16), as recorded in the Bible. Those who refrain from reading the Bible or who read it for the sake of reading it, often find their lives to be messy and dirty with sin, and then wonder why.

The Psalmist expresses, “Thy [God’s] word have I hidden in my heart, so that I may not sin against you [God].” (Psalm 119:11). The hiding of God’s word within oneself is inversely proportional to the degree of sinfulness within oneself. In other words, the more we hide God’s word within us, the less we sin and the less we hide God’s word within us, the more we sin.

To hide something is a conscious effort. Things get lost, but they don’t hide themselves. We hide things that we value (say jewelry)  in a location (say a safe) and remember where we have hidden the thing of value so that we can go back and get it when needed (say to wear it to a wedding). In like manner, we have to consciously take time to meditate (not just read) on God’s word and memorize (hide) it, so that we can use it when needed to combat temptation (Matthew 4) and not sin against God.

Points to ponder:
We must take the pledge to meditate and memorize the word of God, hiding it within ourselves, so that our lives are not messy or dirty – stained with sin. Dust on your Bible will lead to dirt in your life. In other words, an unused Bible will lead to an unusable life in the hands of God. Is your/my life unusable by God? It is written …

Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

To walk or not to walk

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On November 1, 2012

In Christian

The Bible commands us to walk in God’s ways and to fear him (Deuteronomy 8:6), but have we covenanted (made a pact or a contract with God) to walk in God’s ways as did king Josiah (2 Kings 23:3)? So what does it mean to walk in the Lord? Our walk ought to be as the walk of Jesus (1 John 2:6) – humble before God as Jesus was humble (Micah 6:8; Philippians 2:8). This is what the Lord requires of you and me (Micah 6:8).

Points to ponder:
God’s command is for us to walk in his ways – as Jesus did.
Our covenant should be to walk in his ways – humbly as Jesus did.
To walk or not to walk is the question, that demands an answer as this is what the Lord requires of you and me!
Have we made that covenant?

Deuteronomy 8:6 (KJV)
6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

2 Kings 23:3 (KJV)
3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

1 John 2:6 (KJV)
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked

Micah 6:8 (KJV)
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

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.

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