Amazima is Amazing!!!

YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THIS SITE



and her blog

kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com.

In December of 2006, Katie Davis traveled to Uganda. She was immediately captivated and fell in love with the people and the culture. While in Uganda, Katie met Pastor Isaac Wagaba who implored her to come teach Kindergarten at his orphanage in Buziika, Uganda, called Canaan Children's Transit Center.

In the summer of 2007, Katie returned to Uganda to teach Kindergarten at Canaan. As she walked the children home from class each day, she was shocked to see the sheer number of school-aged children sitting idly on the side of the road or working in the fields. It was then that it came to Katie's attention that there were very few government-run public schools in Uganda, and none in the area where she was working. Most schools in Uganda are privately run and therefore require school fees for attendance. Due to the extreme poverty in this region of Uganda, many children are unable to afford schooling.

God laid it on Katie's heart to start a child sponsorship program, matching orphaned children who are unable to afford schooling with sponsors in the US. Sponsors pay$300.00 per year to send these children to school and provide school supplies, 2 hot meals each day, and all needed minor medical care. Originally planning to have 40 children in the program, Katie had signed up 150 by January 2008. By the grace of God,in December 2008 the sponsorship program had successfully sent all 150 children to school for a full year and provided them will all life's essentials.

This incredible woman of God is only 20 years old! She left everything she knew in America, traveled to Uganda and adopted 13 children!!! She strives everyday to bring Christ's love into the lives of Uganda's "unwanted" children!

"I Thirst"

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” I think that it is very interesting that Christ chooses to express a condition so uniquely human at this point on the cross, a point in which he had fully taken our place, and it always manages to remind me of the fact that He experienced this world exactly the way that we do. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities” Hebrews 4:15 It is also worth mentioning that Christ’s thirst likely goes far beyond a physical need for water. As we just stated, at this point on the cross Christ was in our place and had fully taken on all of our sin. This is why Christ cried out “My God My God, why hast though forsaken me?” It was the only time that He did not call Him Father. He couldn’t because he was in our shoes. For the first time in all eternity God the Son was separated from God the Father and He longed for the righteousness that up until this point He had always known. Two simple words “I thirst”: He balanced the clouds, and filled the mighty deep. He who guided every river in its course, who commands the rain to fall and water the parched earth, who caused water to flow from the smitten rock in the wilderness, who calmed the roaring seas, who turned the water into wine and said to the Woman of Samaria: “Give me to drink.” who promised all, that should they follow Him, they would never again thirst. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, before whom hell trembles and the earth is filled with dismay; endures matchless condescension from the infinite power of the Almighty God to the weakness of a thirsty, dying man! We must always remember just how much it cost Him so that we might be free. 1st Corinthians 6:20 reminds us that we, “are bought with a price” and we should never lose sight of how great that price was! How then should we live? 1st Corinthians 6:20 goes on to tell us that we should glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, each of which belong to God. We should thank Him and glorify His name continually for all that He has done on our behalf!!

The First Marriage and The Last Adam

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Gen. 2:24

This verse is quoted by Jesus in Matt 10:6-9 and Mark 19:4-6. Why is the idea of marriage, particularly marriage between one man and one woman in a lasting union so important to God? Let's look at the first union of man and woman in the Bible and see what we can glean.

My understanding and insight into the scriptures was hindered my whole life until God brought me to the realization that every word, every place, every name, every number, every letter, every story points to Jesus Christ.

That being said, it is puzzling how Paul could say in Romans 5:14 that " death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come" When Paul says that Adam is “similitude” or foreshadowing of "him that was to come” who is he talking about? Well “him that was to come” is of course none other than Jesus Christ. This verse in fact gives us one of the many names we use for Christ, that being the "Last Adam" 1st Corinthians 15:45. So how is it that Adam, who sinned by taking the forbidden fruit, be a figure or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ?

The most important part of this story is to realize what caused Adam to sin. We can find the answer to this in1st Timothy 2:14 "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." If Adam was not deceived, then we can conclude that Adam knew what he was doing. He knew the consequences that this sin entailed and yet he knowingly and willingly took this sin upon himself. So again we ask how could Adam be a figure or a Jesus Christ? The answer is really quite touching.

Let’s look at what had taken place up to the point in which Adam was offered the fruit. Eve had been deceived and she had sinned; her eternal salvation had been forfeited. She was doomed to be eternally separated from God due to her sin. She would now have to face the world and death completely alone, for there were none who shared her predicament.

Adam on the other hand, before he took the fruit mind you, was perfect, he walked with God, he dwelt in paradise, he partook of all the blessings and joy that God offers one who is in perfect communion with Him. Adam, had he chosen, could have left Eve to her terrible fate. He had not sinned and was not subject to the punishment she would certainly endure. However that is not what Adam chose to do at all. Adam knew that Eve's fate was sealed and he knew exactly what partaking of her sin would ultimately cost him, yet he loved her so much that he chose to leave his Father’s side and made Eve's sin his own so that his bride would not have to face a world of sin and death alone with no hope of redemption. You could technically say that he "became sin" for her.

I don’t think it’s too difficult to realize that our Father is trying to show us is that this is exactly what Christ did for us "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." And just like Adam, Christ, out of the immense love He had for His beloved bride, left His Father’s side, stepped into a sinful world, took His bride’s sin upon Himself and ultimately gave His life so that she, His bride, would not have to face this world of sin alone with no hope of redemption. "God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Adam’s story is just the opening stanza of a love story, written in blood on a cross in Judea over 2,000 years ago.

So that brings us back to the original question. Why is the idea of marriage between one man and one woman in a lasting loving union so important to God? Because marriage offers us a way to experience if only in a small way the love that Christ, the groom, feels towards us, His bride, and the love and reverence that we, the bride, should have for Christ, our groom. Marriage provides a way for us to experience the relationship Christ desires with us in a way that is impossible by any other means.

It is also worth mentioning that because Adam took on this sin, it provided means by which offspring would be produced through which the God of Eternity would be born of a virgin in small Judean town and ultimately take that first sin and all that will ever be committed upon Himself and do exactly for us what Adam did for his bride.

“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:9

Note: I would like to point out that Adam did sin and betrayed God. No sin is justified, and God does not cause people to sin for his own purposes. However God in all his glory used what Adam had done to give an example in the earliest parts of the scriptures of the price Christ would ultimately pay for his beloved bride. Remember that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was not a tragedy, it was an accomplishment, it was a victory, it was the culmination of a plan laid down before the world began. Christ when speaking to the two men on the road to Emmaus about His suffering and death on the cross ask "Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Luke 24:26. Christ himself tells us that it happened exactly the way it was supposed to. What an amazing God we serve!!

For another story about marriage from the Bible see my post titled Christ's First Miracle
_

Under the Lamb

Over the year’s archeologist, anthropologist, theologians, missionaries and many others have found countless examples where certain elements of a certain people group's customs or traditions point directly to the God of the Bible and Christ’s finished work. Missionaries in turn have been able to use these elements, which appear to have been strategically placed, to win souls for Christ. An example of this was presented in the previous post regarding the custom of the Sawi tribe's offering of a "Peace Child". What follows is yet another example.

The Chinese system of writing is based on 214 signs, or “roots”. These 214 roots are combined to produce between 30,000 and 50,000 characters. Many missionaries who have had to learn the Chinese language have understandably met with great difficulty. However, one day certain missionary was studying the Chinese character for the word "righteous". The missionary noticed that the character is made up of three symbols which form two distinct parts, an upper and lower portion.



The upper portion consists of the Chinese symbol for a lamb.



The bottom portion is actually made up of two symbols.

The symbol for hand



and the symbol for spear or knife



When these two symbols are used together they form the first person pronoun I.



So in total the word "righteous" consisted of the symbol for the first person pronoun I underneath the symbl of a lamb.



The missionary had made an extraordinary discovery; here, hidden within the complex Chinese writing system was the heart of the Gospel:

I under the Lamb am righteous!

The Chinese were baffled when their attention was drawn to this hidden message. They had never noticed it before, but now they saw it very clearly. From that point forward missionaries would point out this message hidden within the Chinese’s very own writing system and ask them, "Under which lamb do we have to stand in order to be righteous and just?" When the Chinese could not provide an answer the missionaries would joyfully tell them about the "the Lamb which was slain" Rev. 5:12, the same "Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world" John 1:29, none other than The Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, God does not leave Himself without a witness! Acts 14:17

Note: It is very interesting that the symbols used to form the pronoun I are a hand and a spear/knife. Perhaps this points to the sacrifice which was required of this Lamb in order for us to be made righteous. In addition to that, this could also point to the fact that this Lamb would be pierced. Psalms 22:16, Zec 12:10, John 19:34, Rev. 1:7. There is no limit to the lengths our Father has gone to, to gather us back into His arms. We truly serve an Amazing God!

Taken from Don Richardson's book: Eternity In Thier Hearts

The Agony of Love

"He creates the universe, already foreseeing—or should we say “seeing”? There are no tenses in God—the buzzing cloud of flies about the cross, the flayed back pressed against the uneven stake, the nails driven through the medial nerves, the repeated incipient suffocation as the body droops, the repeated torture of back and arms as it is time after time, for breath’s sake hitched up. If I may dare the biological image, God is a “host” who deliberately creates His own parasites; causes us to be that we may exploit and “take advantage” of Him. Herein is love. This is the diagram of Love Himself, the inventor of all loves." - C.S. Lewis

Crucifixion was invented by the Persians between 300-400 b.c. It was "perfected" by the Romans in the first century b.c. It is arguably the most painful death ever invented by man and is where we get our term "excruciating." It was reserved primarily for the most vicious of criminals.

The most common device used for crucifixion was a wooden cross, which consisted of an upright pole permanently fixed in the ground with a removable crossbar, usually weighing between 75-100 lbs. Victims of crucifixion were typically stripped naked and their clothing divided by the Roman guards. In Jesus' case this was done in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, "They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots."

As a gesture of "Roman kindness" the prisoner was offered a mixture of vinegar (gall) and wine as a mild anesthetic. This anesthetic was refused by Jesus. Consequently, He bore it all! The Apostle Peter stated of Jesus:

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

The victim was then placed on his back, arms stretched out and nailed to the cross bar. The nails, which were generally about 7-9 inches long, were placed between the bones of the forearm (the radius and ulna) and the small bones of the hands (the carpal bones). (Figure 1.)

The placement of the nail at this point had several effects. First it ensured that the victim would indeed hang there until dead. Secondly, a nail placed at this point would sever the largest nerve in the hand called the median nerve.


The severing of this nerve is a medical catastrophe. In addition to severe burning pain the destruction of this nerve causes permanent paralysis of the hand. Furthermore, by nailing the victim at this point in the wrist, there would be minimal bleeding and there would be no bones broken! Thus scriptures were fulfilled:

I can count all my bones: they look and stare upon me. Psalm 22:17

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:20

The positioning of the feet is probably the most critical part of the mechanics of crucifixion. First the knees were flexed about 45 degrees and the feet were flexed (bent downward) an additional 45 degrees until they were parallel the vertical pole. An iron nail about 7-9 inches long was driven through the feet between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones. In this position the nail would sever the dorsal pedal artery of the foot, but the resultant bleeding would be insufficient to cause death. (Figure 2)


The Catastrophic Result

The resulting position on the cross sets up a horrific sequence of events which results in a slow, painful death. Having been pinned to the cross, the victim now has an impossible position to maintain. (Figure 3)


With the knees flexed at about 45 degrees, the victim must bear his weight with the muscles of the thigh. However, this is an almost impossible task-try to stand with your knees flexed at 45 degrees for 5 minutes. As the strength of the legs gives out, the weight of the body must now be borne by the arms and shoulders. The result is that within a few minutes of being placed on the cross, the shoulders will become dislocated. Minutes later the elbows and wrists become dislocated. The result of these dislocations is that the arms are as much as 6-9 inches longer than normal.

With the arms dislocated, considerable body weight is transferred to the chest, causing the rib cage to be elevated in a state of perpetual inhalation. Consequently, in order to exhale the victim must push down on his feet to allow the rib muscles to relax. The problem is that the victim cannot push very long because the legs are extremely fatigued. As time goes on, the victim is less and less able to bear weight on the legs, causing further dislocation of the arms and further raising of the chest wall, making breathing more and more difficult.

The result of this process is a series of catastrophic physiological effects. Because the victim cannot maintain adequate ventilation of the lungs, the blood oxygen level begins to diminish and the blood carbon dioxide (CO2) level begins to rise. This rising CO2 level stimulates the heart to beat faster in order to increase the delivery of oxygen and the removal of CO2. (Figure 4)


However, due to the pinning of the victim and the limitations of oxygen delivery, the victim cannot deliver more oxygen and the rising heart rate only increases oxygen demand. So this process sets up a vicious cycle of increasing oxygen demand-which cannot be met-followed by an ever increasing heart rate. After several hours the heart begins to fail, the lungs collapse and fill up with fluid, which further decreases oxygen delivery to the tissues. The blood loss and hyperventilation combines to cause severe dehydration. This is almost certainly why Jesus said, "I thirst."

Over a period of several hours the combination of collapsing lungs, a failing heart, dehydration, and the inability to get adequate oxygen supplies to the tissues cause the eventual death of the victim. The victim, in effect, cannot breath properly and slowly suffocates to death. In cases of severe cardiac stress, such as crucifixion, a victim's heart can even burst. This process is called "Cardiac Rupture."

To slow the process of death the executioners put a small wooden seat on the cross, which would allow the victim the privilege of bearing his weight on his buttocks. The effect of this was that it could take up to nine days to die on a cross.

When the Romans wanted to expedite death they would simply break the legs of the victim, causing him to suffocate in a matter of minutes. At three o'clock in the afternoon Jesus said, "Tetelastai," meaning "it is finished." Then He gave up the ghost. When the soldiers came to Jesus to break His legs, He was already dead. Not a bone of Him was broken!

How Should We Then Live?

I realize that it is difficult to read of the details of Jesus' physical sufferings. And yet, when we realize that He looked forward, on our behalf, to the cross, we are overwhelmed with His practical demonstration of love and, hopefully, a personal realization of our unworthiness. How should we then live? I believe that the Apostle Paul said it best:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

I would also like to point out that Christ does not wish for you to feel guilty about what He had to endured on the cross. Remember what he told the 2 men on the road to Emmaus "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" Luke 24:25-26

Christ is telling them that it had to happen the way that it did, and we should always remeber that. We couldn't accomplish what He did ourselves, He had to do it and He was happy to.

However it is important for us to realize just how much it cost Him. If this post does nothing else I hope that it helps you realize that first of all, you were indeed "bought with a price" 1st Corinthians 6:20 & 7:23 and second, you were not cheap!!

It is also worth noting that we were purchased individually, It was not a package deal. Christ suffered and died for each individual sin of every human being who has ever walked this Earth. That's right, your sins have already been dealt with on the cross and forgiveness is now offered as a free gift. Whether or not you choose to accept or deny that gift is your personal choice, and it is a choice which will determine where you spend your eternity. As I said Christ has dealt with your sin, therefore no one will be denied entry into heaven and thus banished to eternal punishment because of their sin. Rather they will be excluded based solely on their refusal to accept the reconciliation that God provided for that sin through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. In order for a gift to become your possession, you must first accept it. Also remember that, "he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him." Thank Christ today for what He has accomplished for us and ask Him to grant you the free gift of forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Him through belief in His death and resurrection.

http://khouse.org/articles/1998/113/

We Are Barabbas!!

Given the time of year, this topic seemed appropriate.

Matthew 27:15 – 26

15] Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17] Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19] When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21] The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22] Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23] And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24] When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25] Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26] Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

First of all, who is Barabbas

We learn a from Mark 15:7 that Barabbas was a murderer

“And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made
insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.”

and we know from John 18:40 that he was a thief.

Barabbas stood under the righteous condemnation of the law. He knew the One who was to take his cross and take his place was innocent. He knew that Jesus Christ was for him a true substitute. He knew that he had done nothing to merit going free while another took his place.

However;

The murderer’s bonds, curse, disgrace, and mortal agony were transferred to the righteous Jesus, while the liberty, innocence, safety, and well-being of the Nazarene became the lot of the murderer. Barabbas is installed in all the rights and privileges of Jesus Christ; while the innocent Christ enters upon all the infamy and horror of the rebel’s position. The delinquent’s guilt and cross become the lot of the Just One, and all the civil rights and immunities of the later are now the property of the delinquent. Where are you and I? …in Barabbas’ shoes! We are Barabbas!

By the way, Barabbas means “Son of the Father” Very Interesting!!

Christ's First Miracle

(Note: Like so many other studies I put together, this didn't come out anywhere near as clearly or concisely as I had hoped. There is just so much depth to this stuff that it is hard to know what to include and what to leave out since in my eyes it is all equally important. I can only hope that you will see it through the lens of the Holy Spirit and will able to glean some useful things from it. That being said, if you have any questions about any of my post feel free to e-mail me. I will try my best to clear things up.)

I have recently studied Christ’s first miracle and how it relates to our lives both before and after we come to know Christ.

It is my view, that we have in our possession a collection of 66 books, penned by 40 different authors, over thousands of years and yet it is an integrated message system, given to us by supernatural means through the power of the Holy Spirit from beyond our time domain. It is in its total one book, devoted to one topic, that topic being of course Jesus Christ. One book, it’s all about Him.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2nd Timothy 3:16

What this verse is saying is that there are no wasted words. The Holy Spirit is both efficient and
effective. If a word or detail is there, it is there by His design and points to something deeper.

So let’s focus on Christ’s first miracle the turning of the water into wine at the wedding in Cana in John
chapter 2.

1] And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2] And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3] And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5] His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].
6] And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7] Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim

“Firkin”: A firkin is a goatskin measurement of 6-8 gallons; 2-3 firkins would equalbetween 12-24 gallons each. The Greek word translated as “containing” is chōreō which actually means “to have space or room for receiving or holding.” So the end of this verse could be more accurately translated “which could hold two or three firkins apiece”. The point is, the the pots were empty. That is why Christ tells the servants to fill them with water.

8] And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare [it].
9] When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10] And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: [but] thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11] This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

John tells us that this act is Christ’s first miracle. That being said it seems like a very strange way for Him to begin His ministry. No blind or deaf or lame are healed, no demons are cast out, no one is of great benefit from this miracle save a few drunken wedding guests. In fact John states in verse 9 that the wedding guest didn’t even know that Christ had done this work. Only the servants knew.

So Why would the Hoy Spirit mention this and why would Christ choose this to be the first miracle He would ever perform in His earthly body? Remember that every detail is there by design and is there for our learning. 2nd Timothy 3:16

Here is a list of details / occurrences regarding these waterpots that emerge from these verses.

1) There are 6 pots
2) They are made of stone
3) They are empty
4) The pots are the type used by the Jews for religious cleansing
5) By the word of Christ they were filled to the brim
6) The water turned to wine
7) People believed in Christ as a result of the miracle

What do these details tell us?

The first detail is that there were 6 pots. As you study scripture, you come to realize that certain numbers hold certain meanings. Throughout scripture the number 6typically points towards man and also suggests incompleteness. The number 7 on the other hand represents spiritual perfection or completeness.

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested
on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

Man on the other hand was created on the 6th day Genesis 1:26, he is resigned to his labor 6 days per
week Ex 24:31. 7-1=6, man falls short of God’s perfection Romans 3:23.

So the fact that there are 6 vessels suggest these waterpots are representing man or mankind

The other characteristics of these water pots are that they are

2) Made of stone
3) Empty
4) They represent empty religion (religion being man’s vain attempt to reconcile himself to God.)

Now, what happened to these water pots?

5) At the command of Christ they were filled with water to the brim
6) The water was turned to wine / fruit was produced.
7) Many believed in Christ as a result.

I believe one of the main reason’s Christ’s choose this to be His first miracle, is because it is in direct
correlation to the first miracle that He performed in our lives as believers.

Before we believed:

1) We are all of mankind therefore we were sinful and fallen. Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12

2) We had a heart of stone Ezekiel 36:26, Hebrews 3:15

3) We were empty. Void of love, compassion etc. There are no verses that allude to us being empty, but there are countless verses that speak of us being filled and in particular filled by the Holy Spirit. In order for something to be filled, it must first be empty. Matt 5:6, Acts 2:4, 4:8, 4:31, 9:17, 13:52

(Water is used many places in scripture to represent the Holy Spirit - John 4:1,John 7:37 - 39)

4) Our only hope of salvation was a vain attempt to cleanse ourselves through our own works or
traditions / empty religion (Hebrews 10:4, 10:11)

5) At the word of Christ we were filled to the brim with living water / Water = The Holy Spirit. (John 6:63)

6) That water is then turned to wine/manifest itself as fruit. Once we have been filled with the “living water” we too should begin to produce fruit. (John 15:4-5 ,15:8, 15:16, Rom 7:4)

(Wine at times is used to speak of joy (Psalms 4:7, Psalms 104:15) So once we are filled with this “living water” it is turned into joy)

7) Ideally, once we have been filled with water (The Holy Spirit) and it is turned to wine (produces fruit) others are led to believe in Christ as a result of the miracle Christ performed in our lives. (Matt 13:8, Acts 9:40-42)

(Disclaimer: I included Acts 9:40-42 in the last section as a means to back up the premise that once these men had been filled with the ”water” (Holy Spirit), they began to produce fruit and others believed in Christ as a result. It should be noted that being fruitful does not necessarily have to include healing the sick or raising the dead. It can include any number of things can be considered fruit so long as Christ is glorified. Anything you do that glorifies Chirst, helps others further their knowledge of Him or furthers His kingdom in any way can be considered fruit.)

More Interesting Facts About Noah's Ark

The ark of Noah was the ONLY way that one could be saved from the coming judgment due to sin. Christ is our ONLY way to be saved from the coming judgment due to sin. There was ONE ark, ONE way to be saved. There were not a number of different arks with varying sizes and accommodations of which you could choose the one that fit you best. Christ said Romans tells us that there is “ONE name given among men, by which it is appointed unto man to be saved”. In keeping with the one way theme, the Holy Spirit also makes a point to tell us that there was only one door, only one way into the security the ark provided. Christ said “I am the door of the sheep” and also again “I am the way the truth and the life no man may enter in unto the Father except by me.” And also “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” I would also point out that our Lord suggested that the one door leading into the Ark was relatively narrow. “Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life and few there are who find it.”

The ark was a shelter from the judgment handed down due to sin. Christ provides this same shelter for those who believe in Him. “For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” Psalms 61:3

Although some translations say that God said “Go” into the ark, the original text states that God said “Come” into the Ark. This is the same invitation that Christ gives today to all mankind. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you Rest” Do you know what the Hebrew word for rest is? “Noah”. Noah = Rest.

It is worth mentioning that the world outside of the ark was in turmoil. Huge waves were crashing against the bow, torrential rains were pouring down, but it was the Ark that bore the full brunt of the judgment while Noah and his family rested comfortably inside. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” Psalms 107:29 Also Isa. 4:6, 25:4. That can be an invaluable lesson, especially in these troubled times, as to what Christ did and is continuing to do for us. Christ says in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Christ continually speaks of His desire for us to dwell in Him. What is outside of the Ark? Judgment and Turmoil. What is inside the Ark? Noah. Remember Noah is the Hebrew word for Rest. If you enter into the ark, you will find Noah (Rest).

The Lord told Noah in Genesis 6:14 “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.” The Hebrew word translated as “pitch” in this verse is “Kaphar” (Strong’s # H3722). Every other time “kaphar” is used in scripture it is translated as atonement. Hummm, so The Ark of Noah was sealed by way of atonement!! That’s interesting! It is also interesting that the Ark was covered with “pitch” both inside and out. This seems like overkill, but could it be possible that this was done in order to preserve the Ark. Is it possible that sometime in the near future The Ark of Noah will actually be discovered and once again serve as a witness and a warning to a sinful world about a coming judgment? Stay tuned to find out!!

There were 3 types of people affected by the judgment of the flood,
1) those who were preserved through the judgment, Noah and his family
2) those who perished in the judgment, All who were not on the ark
3) those who were removed before the judgment, namely Enoch. “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” Genesis 5:24.

Many scholars believe that story of the flood points towards a future judgment which has yet to occur where there will be 3 distinct types of people.

1) The scholars believe that Noah and his family represent the nation of Israel who God will preserve through the coming judgment.
2) Those that perished in the flood represent those referred to as “Earth Dwellers” in Revelation who refuse to give glory to the Most High God and perish in God’s judgment of the Earth.
3) Enoch represents Christ’s Church who, like Enoch, will be removed before the coming judgment and sit down with our risen Savior at the marriage supper of the lamb.

There is an interesting Jewish tradition that states that Enoch was born on Pentecost, which is also the day the Church was born as recorded in the book of Acts. Tradition also states that Enoch was removed “taken out” on his birthday. Could it be possible that on some future Pentecost, the Church will be removed on its birthday before the Earth’s impending Judgment? Stay tuned and keep looking up, but remember that only the Father knows the hour.

Lastly, the text in Genesis states that God himself shut the door and sealed Noah and His family in the Ark Genesis 7:16. Once the door of the Ark was closed, all arguments over religion or theology were over. You were either within the safety of the Ark, or you were outside facing judgment. Remember that Christ said “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are” Luke 13:25 Today, the door to our Ark of security our shelter from the storm, Jesus Christ, is open to all and our Father calls us all to “Come”. A day will come however; when The Lord will shut this door as well, and the season of grace will be ended. Where will you be when the door is shut? Will you be within the security offered by the Lord Jesus Christ through belief in his sacrifice for forgiveness of your sin, or outside looking in, awaiting judgment?

DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE RAIN!!!

The Gospel In Genesis

In Genesis Chapter 5, we have the genealogy of Adam through Noah. This is one of those chapters which we often tend to skim over quickly as we pass through Genesis on our way to bigger and better things. But what if anything can we learn from this chapter. Remember 2nd Timothy 3:16 tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Even the parts of scripture we may feel are slightly less significant than others.

God of course always rewards the diligent student. Let's examine Genesis chapter 5 more closely.
In our Bible, we read the Hebrew names, but what do these names mean in English?

A Study of Original Roots:

The meaning of proper names can be a difficult pursuit since a direct translation is often not readily available. Even a conventional Hebrew lexicon can prove disappointing. A study of the original roots, however, can yield some fascinating insights.

(Please Note: many study aids, such as a conventional lexicon, can prove rather superficial when dealing with proper nouns. Furthermore, views concerning the meanings of original roots are not free of controversy and variant readings.)

So let’s just dive right in.

Adam:

Adam's name means man. As the first man, that seems straight forward enough.

Adam = Man

Seth:

Adam's son was named Seth, which means appointed. Eve said, "For God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew."

Seth = Appointed

Enosh:

Seth's son was called Enosh, which means mortal, frail, or miserable. It is from the root anash, which is used to speak of mankind as a whole and his mortality. It also suggest the idea of being incurable, used of a wound, grief, woe, sickness, or wickedness.

Enosh = Mortal

Kenan:

Enosh's son was named Kenan, which can mean sorrow, dirge, or elegy.

(The precise denotation is somewhat elusive; some study aids unfortunately presume that Kenan is synonymous with Cainan.) Balaam, looking down from the heights of Moab, uses a pun upon the name of the Kenites when he prophesies their destruction.

Kenan = Sorrow

We have no real idea (besides being part of God’s ultimate plan, as to why these names were chosen for their children. Often they may have referred to circumstances at birth, and so on. )

Mahalalel:

Kenan's son was Mahalalel from Mahalal which means blessed or praise; and El, the name for God. Thus, Mahalalel means the Blessed God. Often Hebrew names include El, the name of God, such as Dan-i-el, "God is my Judge", Beth-el “House of God” etc.

Mahalalel = The Blessed God

Jared:

Mahalalel's son was named Jared, from the verb yaradh; meaning shall come down or descend. This same word is used in Genesis 11:5 “And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded” as well as numerous other verses.

Jared = Shall Come Down

Enoch:

Jared's son was named Enoch, which means teaching, or commencement. He was the first of four generations of preachers. In fact, the earliest recorded prophecy was by Enoch, which amazingly enough deals with the Second Coming of Christ (although it is quoted in the Book of Jude in the New Testament):

“Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against." Jude 14, 15

Enoch was the father of Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah. Apparently, Enoch received the prophecy of the Great Flood, and was told that as long as his son was alive, the judgment of the flood would be withheld. And indeed the year that Methuselah died, the flood came. (See Section on Methuselah for explanation)

Enoch, of course, never died: he was translated (or, if you'll excuse the expression, raptured). That's how Methuselah can be the oldest man in the Bible, yet he died before his father!

Enoch = Teaching

Methuselah:

Methuselah comes from muth, a root that means "death"; and from shalach, which means to bring, or to send forth. The name Methuselah means, "his death shall bring". This apparently was a prophecy given to Enoch that the judgment of the flood would be withheld until the death of his son Methuselah. And just as his father Enoch had predicted, the year that Methuselah died, the flood came.

Methuselah was 187 when his son Lamech was born, and lived 782 more years after that for a total age of 969. Lamech had Noah when he was 182. 187 (Age of Methuselah when his son Lamech was born + 182 (Age of Lamech when Noah was born) = 369. So Methuselah was 369 years old when his grandson Noah was born. Scripture tells us that the flood came in Noah’s 600th year. 369 (Methuselah’s age when his grandson Noah was born) + 600 (Noah’s age when the flood came) = 969, Methuselah's age when he died.

It is interesting that Methuselah's life, in effect, was a symbol of God's mercy in forestalling the coming judgment of the flood. Therefore, it is fitting that his lifetime is the oldest recorded in the Bible, speaking of the extensiveness of God's mercy. Remember that 2nd Peter 3:9 tells us that “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Methuselah = His Death Shall Bring

Lamech:

Methuselah's son was named Lamech, a root still evident today in our own English word, lament or lamentation. Lamech suggests despairing. (This name is also linked to the Lamech in Cain's line who inadvertently killed his son Tubal-Cain in a hunting incident.) Lamech said in Genesis 4, “for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.” He is in despair over this young man’s death.

Lamech = Despair

Noah:

Lamech, of course, is the father of Noah, which is derived from nacham, to bring relief, rest, comfort, as Lamech himself explains in Genesis 5:29. When Noah was born Lamech, “called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.”

Noah = Comfort

The Composite List:

Hebrew --------------------English
Adam-----------------------Man
Seth-------------------------Appointed
Enosh-----------------------Mortal
Kenan----------------------Sorrow
Mahalalel------------------The Blessed God
Jared----------------------Shall come down
Enoch------------------------Teaching
Methuselah----------------His death shall bring
Lamech--------------------The despairing
Noah------------------------Rest, or comfort

So let’s put all of this together:

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest.

That is rather remarkable; Here is a summary of God's plan of redemption, hidden here within a genealogy in Genesis!

Evidences of Design:

The implications of this discovery are far more deeply significant than may be evident at first glance. It demonstrates that in the earliest chapters of the Book of Genesis, God had already laid out His plan of redemption for the predicament of mankind. It is the beginning of a love story, ultimately written in blood on a wooden cross which was erected in Judea almost 2,000 years ago.

Taken from: "A Hidden Message: The Gospel in Genesis" by Dr. Chuck Missler – http://www.khouse.org/articles/1996/44/

Be Like The Bereans!!

I would like to say before I begin, that you should always begin any study of scripture by asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment. What better way to find the answer to a question or to discern the “Word of Truth” than to go directly to the author Himself? I would also like to stress that you should not believe anything I say without verifying it on our own. If you take one word I say at face value, and simply believe it because I said then you fail the test!! Remember that the Holy Spirit through Paul urges us to be like the Bereans who, “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. What Paul is saying is do your homework. Don’t just believe something because I say it or your pastor says it or your friends or family or some guy on TV says it. We can’t afford to be led astray. You should “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2nd Timothy 2:15 Remember that our adversary, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” 1st Peter 5:8. Peter reminds us in the beginning of that same verse to always be sober and vigilant. So two things, One, Always approach the study of scripture by asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment and it’s also worth mentioning in that same breath, do not forget your armor (Ephesians 6:13)!! Second, don’t believe a word I or anyone else says unless you have searched the scriptures daily, to see whether those things are so!!!

How Do I Begin?

I have been contemplating for a while now just how exactly I wanted to start this off and I decided that I will begin by offering you the same challenge that I was presented with years ago. This challenge holds that we have in our possession a collection of 66 books, penned by 40 different authors over thousands of years, and yet it is an integrated message system, given to us through supernatural means by way of the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through God’s people. The Author has authenticated His message and demonstrated His mastery of time and space by writing out history for us in before it happens. It is in its total one book, devoted to one topic, that topic being of course Jesus Christ. It is ONE Book, and it is all about Him.

Jesus acknowledges this very idea while admonishing the Pharisees saying,

“You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life, and these are they which speak of me.”

Again in Psalms and reiterated in Hebrews, the Holy Spirit through David speaks of Christ when he says,

“Lo I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me.”

This concept is also presented to us in Luke 24:27, when Christ is conversing with the two believers on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection. The Holy Spirit tells us that

“beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded
unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

So we know from Christ’s own words that ALL scriptures refer to Him. I will suggest to you that every book, every story, every word, every letter, every number, every place name, every detail mentioned and in some truly fascinating ways every detailed which is not mentioned, point to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is, without fail, on every page in scripture and it is our utmost privilege to know Him.

I would also like to remind you that Paul says in 2nd Timothy 3:16,

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

What Paul is saying is that there are no wasted words. The Holy Spirit is both efficient and effective. If a word or detail is there, it is there by His design and points to something deeper.

Another verse worth remembering is Proverbs 25:2 which tells us that

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of Kings to search out a matter”

In other words, our Father through the Holy Spirit conceals treasures within the scriptures and it is our duty and privilege to search them out. This blog will be dedicated to revealing some of those treasures and it is my prayer that at some point someone will find its contents useful and above all else I hope that through the contents of these posts our Everlasting Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ WILL BE GLORIFIED!!! So, here goes nothing!