"Transformation"

 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." (Hebrews 7:12 KJV)

  "Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. So the persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us." At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel's." (Acts 6:8-15 NLT)

 I know it might seem odd, but there is something to this that requires a little examination. For the most part, I believe all of us that have been born again are given the ability to share God's word and have the Spirit speak to us and through us. It is not that we have this ability all of the time, but in certain times and in certain settings, the Holy Spirit will stir up our hearts and use us from His purposes.  

 Not that everyone does this, because there are some that choose not to speak out and don't really think that they can or should. But I am absolutely convinced that even the quietest believer, if they are given the opportunity, can and will boldly declare God's word, because the Spirit of God will speak through them! 

 Last night I was watching "Overcomer," which is about a girl with a breathing condition that runs in a race. After accepting Jesus into her heart, she is told to read the first couple of chapters of Ephesians, and to write down all the things the pertain to her new relationship with God. 

 As it was, she came by a classroom that students were giving testimonies and such, so she decided to go in and ask her couch, "Do you know who I am?" Do you know who you are...

"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT) 

"Of Uncertain Affinity" - Too

"If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" (Hebrews 7:11 KJV) 

  "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from spiritual powers of this world, rather from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fulness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority." (Colossians 2:6-10 NLT)

 Just so you know, we do have a KING, and His name is JESUS! I witnessed the ravings of Bernie, who said this: "I will have no King over me!" Little does he know, he will bow down one day, worshipping the KING of KINGS! Won't that be a sight to see; as well as every other man or woman that didn't believe in Christ Jesus; they will fall down and worship, along with every other principality and power. 

 As I was listening to the news this morning, about the breaking of the sese-fire in Gaza, I couldn't help but think that the "No Kings" protest that was going on here, might have make those monsters feel embolden to break their promise. If so many people in this country did not respect their President, why should they feel the need to respect their promise to him?

 I don't see the President's picture in the Post Office, as there use to be. Maybe it's because there didn't get one issued; or maybe they just didn't want to put it on the wall, as if it offends some people. These are very interesting days we are living in, and I am really looking forward to the Lord's return! 

 Now, about this title, "Of Uncertain Affinity," this is the root of "another," as in the statement, "what further need was there that 'another' priest should rise." Basically, it means, 'that there is doubt or uncertainty about the natural or involuntary relationship between that thing or something else.' We can look at this in relation to what goes on here on this earth, as we might be uncertain about what is going on, either in this world, or in our personal lives. 

 There are certain things that happen which cause us to feel as though we are being judged; much like there was in several churches, after 9/11, as many of the pastors were saying the God was judging the United States because of all the wicked things we were allowing to take place. 

 For the sake of time, I must wrap this up: There is nothing uncertain about God's love! If there are certain things that take place in our lives, as for us who Believe, then whatever it is, we can be surely certain that we are being protected! No matter what this world might do to us, we will be totally fine, and that is absolutely certain! 

 We might not understand it, but we can surely believe and understand His promises...

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5 NLT)

"Of Uncertain Affinity"

 "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" (Hebrews 7:11 KJV)

  "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:7-11 NLT) 

 Looking at this, so called "Rally" that is taking place, I am convinced that there is a very sinister power that is behind it. With all the huge crowds that have been gathering after the killing of Charlie, there had to be something that might try to throw a little water on the fire. I am praying that it turns out to be gas, and that those who are serious about representing Christ, will stand up and shout: 'Christ Jesus Lives!'

 I saw a small clip of Russel Brand, who stood up and shared his Christian beliefs to a crowd of people at an Oklahoma Turning Point gathering. Then Rachel, who is usually on Fox and Friends weekend mornings, starting to say that this "No Kings" rally isn't really all about President Trump, but is a protest against the growing number of Christians; besides the fact that several very evil things in this country that have been going on, for decades, are starting to be exposed for what they are: Evil!

 Whether you like it or not, there is a "New Sheriff in Town", and he is cleaning house! It reminds me of something from what my mother told me as a kid, that Jesus sinned when He cleansed out the Temple. It is something the J.W.'s use to say that Jesus was not completely sinless, therefore He wasn't really God. If only they could see what I see: Only God can be able to cleanse the sins of the entire world...

""How are these things possible?" Nicodemus asked. Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony. But if you don't believe when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."" (John 3:9-21 NLT)  

"PSALM 110"

 "So if the priesthood of Levi, which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron? And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe." (Hebrews 7:11-14 NLT)

  "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head." (PSALM 110 KJV)

 As I was contemplating the passion of Paul's reasoning to count all those things as dung, I couldn't help but think about my life before I met Christ, thinking of the severe contrast between the way I lived and his life. Yes, I was not that great of a citizen, to say the least; but I also don't remember hunting down any Christians; as a matter of fact, I tried hard to avoid them. 

 You must understand something, very important: Before we accepted Christ Jesus into our hearts, we were dead! Yes, dead means that we had no connection with our Heavenly Father, which is what we were, even in the mother's womb. In other words, we were born that way, until that day when God breath life back into us, we were a lost soul, on the way to hell!  

 That said, there is an incredible difference between what were and where we really were, because I truly believe that we who have been saved were always going to be saved, and our Heavenly Father already knew it! That doesn't mean we don't try to share the Good News, as if those who are saved don't need to hear it, because that is what they need to happen in order to be able to come alive...

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:12-17 KJV) 

"Even Yet!" - Again

 "For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedek met him." (Hebrews 7:10 KJV)

  "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered. I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" (PSALM 139:16-18 NLT)

 Okay, so I didn't give up on my job and get into the ministry or change the lifestyle we were starting to get into; but I have been consistent in staying faithful; going to church, being involved in ministry, making sure that I always give, faithfully and cheerfully. That said, I have always wished that I would have made a different choice! 

 Not that I have regrets, because I cannot do anything about the things I should have done; besides that, God can use us in all sorts of different ways; sometimes, even though we don't know we are doing it! If you look at the illustration Jesus gave about the sheep and the goats, the sheep were acknowledged for doing for the Lord, yet they asked, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?" (Matthew 25:37 NLT) 

 Without making any judgement or accusation about anyone, sometimes those who are in fulltime ministry are the ones who think they are owed something special. Those that don't look for recognition or great praise, are the ones that are just happy to be serving, just because they like helping others; while those who want to be praised for doing something, have received their reward. 

 Hopefully you can understand what that means, because if we want the praise of men, then that is the sum of our reward, which is temporal and will fade away. "Only what's done for Christ will last!" That is what I have come to understand, because if we do anything for our own recognition, then that is our reward, which really doesn't count, except to receive the glory for ourselves.

 From what I have understood, God gets the glory, always...

"I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin - a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done." (Philippians 3:5-7 NLT) 

"Even Yet!"

 "For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedek met him." (Hebrews 7:10 KJV)

  "So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession." (James 1:16-18 NLT)

 Maybe you questioned my finishing statement from yesterday's post, "God will do the rest," as if you might think that it is up to us? I am forever grateful that God is in control; whether I mess up or go off the path, He still guides and directs my way! When He promises that He will get us to the other side, He will, regardless of the choices we might make!

 I have struggled with thinking about the things I have done and did not do as if they were things that were hindering my walk or preventing me from serving the Lord as I should have. Yet the road I have been on, although it might seem winding back and forth, through thick and thin, there is absolutely nothing that is not in my journey that God did not see in me, when I received Christ Jesus into my life. 

 If you really want to get technical and specific, God has known you, even before you were born! He has called you and chosen you for the life that you have lived, both for the bad and the good; knowing full well that your life will make a difference, even if you might not realize what it is you have done!  

 We really don't have a clue what we are doing; and we surely don't know what or how our lives will turn out, in this life! This life is completely temporary and very unpredictable; but no matter what might be happening in our life here, on this earth, we have hope for what awaits us, when He is done...

""Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he." The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war. The idol makers encourage one another, saying to each other, "Be strong!" The carver encourages the goldsmith, and the molder helps at the anvil. "Good," they say. "It's coming along fine." Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the things in place so it won't fall over. "But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend. I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant.' For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."" (Isaiah 41:4-10 NLT)  

"For This Cause" - Too

 "And as I may so say, Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham." (Hebrews 7:9 KJV)

    "For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17 NLT)

 If you don't get it yet, this mind twisting reality of things we do not know, is somehow connected, based upon God's amazing ability to link everything together; even through many generations and centuries, He keeps His plan and purpose going forward. There are some that just don't understand, how Jesus can give us a right standing with God; yet the whole the truth is very simple: Because that is what the Father has made possible, we just need to receive it! 

 I really don't know how else to explain it, other than it was the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, which was powerful enough to pay the price for the sins of everyone, because the price needed to be paid, and that is all it took to make it happen; the Father's Son coming down to pay the price for our sins! And, because it has been paid, we who are alive thousands of years later, just need to reach out a grab hold of this amazing, wonderful, gift; a gift we don't deserve, but get to receive because God loves us! 

 Yes, it seems too simple to be true; but that is the whole purpose of why God made it that way. We don't need to evaluate it or try to figure out how it all works; we just need to accept it and believe that it works! God will do the rest...

"For I am not ashamed of the Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes - the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."" (Romans 1:16-17 NLT)

"For This Cause"

 "And as I may so say, Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham." (Hebrews 7:9 KJV)

  "When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died - from the time of Adam to the time of Moses - even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. But there is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man's sin. For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but God's free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins." (Romans 5:12-16 NLT)

 As I was listening to the message yesterday, there was one more lie that wasn't spoken of, at least not before I left and started back home to take care of my wife. That one more lie, is those who think going to church saves them; as if just sitting in church, will make them worthy enough to say that they are a Christian! I believe someone once put that into a better perspective, saying, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, just like going to McDonalds doesn't make you a hamburger!" 

 That said, if we are going to a church that teaches the Word and makes opportunities for people to give their lives to Christ, then your chances of actually being a Christian are greater than staying at home. It is a little different though, in this current time; but I am praying that it will change very soon! It used to be that there were Alter Calls, when people would actually come forward to receive Christ into their hearts; where now, many churches just have you raise your hand, or say what they say, even by saying it to yourself...

"For Moses writes that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of it's commandments. But faith's way of getting right with God says, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven?' (to bring Christ down to earth). And don't say, 'Who will go down to the place of the dead?' (to bring Christ back to life again.)" In fact, it says, "The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart." And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."" (Romans 10:5-11 NLT) 

"Making it Real"

 "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth." (Hebrews 7:8 KJV)

  "Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again." "Yes," Martha said, "he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?" "Yes, Lord," she told him. "I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God."" (John 11:21-27 NLT)

 Happy to be done with that, as it was hard to express something that seems difficult to understand; much like the phrase I expressed, "without all contradiction." which basically means dispute or opposition. As we have several things which cause strife within the church, some of which are very hard to argue, while others, like the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, many will not agree; that is, until it happens! 

 I heard a rumor that Dr. Martin changed his mind before his death, believing that there would be a Mid-Tribulation Rapture. Not sure if that is true or not, because I had several of his books, and had quite a lot of respect for his writings against cults and false teachings. 

 As we see today, Martha has a little contradiction going on in her own heart; having felt as though Jesus should have been there, it was not really right that things went the way they turned out. How often do we think that? How often do we worry about things that already have happened! 

 I took my wife to the movies yesterday and watched "Soul on Fire." The best part of that movie was the question asked, "Would you do it differently, if you had a chance?" If you are really sure that God makes all things work towards the good, then all things must include those things that seem very bad and hurtful! Sometimes we must get broken before we can get healed: as if we aren't already broken, from the time that we were born! 

 We know from the story, Jesus knew all alone what He was doing; yet everyone, including His disciples had no clue of what was going on. God has a plan for every one of us, some of which will happen based upon very difficult times and accuracies, while others will go down an easy road, without much trouble at all. 

 Which one will have the greatest adventure? I guess we just wait and find out in the end...

"Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer. How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude "You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him." (PSALM 4:1-3 NLT) 

"Blessed by the Best" - 2

 "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." (Hebrews 7:7 KJV)

  ""And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them." (Luke 24:49-50 NLT)

 With all that, 'without all contradiction,' let me try and show how we might fit into that character, which only can happen with a new heart! Yes, there is no other way that we have the ability to do any of those things Jesus spoke about in those parables; much like, "The Cost of Following Jesus," those who will walk away in order to serve Him, will most likely lose their way! 

 To put it in a different way: If and when we find Christ, it will be because we were led to Him by the Father! We could be in any sort of condition: looking or giving up or doing something that is totally wrong; you name it, there really is no certain condition for us to be in, but whatever it is, it is where you needed to be, and it is what God will use to cause you to listen!

 If you don't remember what or when, then I am sorry you can't recall when He changed your heart, which is something that happens rather instantly; we don't grow into a new heart on our own! That said, we can rather easily harden our hearts and even cause it to be calloused, which basically means that we grow spiritually dull. 

 Without getting too carried away, let me just come out and say it: The Holy Spirit is what gives us the power to give up all we have and surrender our lives to follow Jesus; it is by the Spirit that we have the ability to love as we ought to; something that is almost impossible for us to do, without failing, as must do as the Spirit leads us.

 In other words, it is not that we would sell all that we have, in order to gain Christ; Christ comes into our heart first, and then we are equip with the desire to follow Him! We don't work or buy our way to the cross of Christ, but we do have to pick up our cross and follow Him...

"As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head." He said to another person, "Come follow me." The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God." Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say goodbye to my family." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."" (Luke 9:57-62 NLT) 

"Blessed by the Best"

 "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." (Hebrews 7:7 KJV)

  "For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." (Colossians 1:19-22 NLT)

 Before I go any further, I must confirm that anyone reading this understands the point of God being the character in the parable of the buried treasure and the great pearl. Besides the fact that it is God who saves us, we have no ability to save ourselves, it is God's grace that causes Him to reach down and wake us up from the dead! He is the one that finds us! Oh, He knows where we are, all the time; but He is the one that waits for us to be in just the right place, at just the right time, and He uses that moment to save us!

 You might have a different understanding of how you were saved; as we all can try to believe it was our choice to look for Him; but when we really take an honest evaluation of what we were like and what we really were looking for, we will discover that it was God that choose us, not us that choose Him!

 Anywho, if we can start to get real about the unstoppable love that God has for us, we can really start to understand why we owe Him so much. We can never outgive God; nor can we ever serve Him enough! Nothing we do can ever repay the price that God paid for us...

""That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don't see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand."" (Matthew 13:13 NLT) 

"The Heart of Gold"

 "But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises." (Hebrews 7:6 KJV)

  "Dear brothers and sisters, here's an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn't say "to his children," as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says "to his child" - and that, of course, means Christ. This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made to Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God's promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise." (Galatians 3:15-18 NLT)

 Having been doing this for almost 15 years, you would think by now I would have better control on the things I might write about; as it is, I sometimes just go with whatever I feel that God is showing or telling me to type. Sometimes I don't even know what it means, at least not until I hear or see something happen that explains what God was saying or showing me. 

 This might seem a little bit complicated, but I am sure that there will be some that totally understand what it is that I have been trying to say. When we have accepted the promise, in the case of eternal life in Christ, we have been given something that cannot be revoked; it is irrevocable! As it was, with the parable of the buried treasure and the great pearl, it was God who was the one that gave all that He had to make this all happen! 

 We might not totally understand that, just because everything belongs to God in the first place; but when the Father gave His one and only Son, to suffer and die on the cross for our sins, He was giving His all to make us His treasure! Without Christ's death on that cross, we were unholy and incomplete; but by the Father's love to see us holy and complete, He gave the most precious thing He had, in order to have us live in His presence...

"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God themself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega - the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children."" (Revelation 21:3-7 NLT)  

"From the Heart" - Too

 "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:" (Hebrews 7:5 KJV)

  "God has ascended with a mighty shout. The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm. God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne. The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all of the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere." (PSALM 47:5-9 NLT)

 Forgetting all of the things that might cause us to have doubt, we must trust in God to do whatever it is that He is speaking into our hearts; even if it might not seem possible, that is when we must realize that God works in ways that we can't or won't! Eventually, God will have His way in our lives; if you really are His child, He will make a way for you to surrender. 

 There are several different examples of that in the Bible; many of them to look at, if you just open up your heart and see the wonders of the way He works. I know that it might seem strange to think that God makes us do anything, as if we are puppets; but there really is difference between those who are called and those who are chosen. 

 With that, I do really believe that God is doing a special work in our world, one where lines and being drawn, in several different directions. Some of the things that are going on right now, both in this land and throughout the earth, are the things which separate the good from the bad, and the evil from the wicked. This is real enough to start paying attention and start praying for the ones you love that they don't go in the wrong direction.  

 Need I say more? No, I don't think so, because God is already speaking to hearts all around the world, saying, "Will you open the door and let me in"...

""I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot or cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, 'I am rich, I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me - gold that has been purified in the fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference."

 ""Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne."

""Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches."" (REVELATION 3:15-22 NLT) 

"From the Heart"

 "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:" (Hebrews 7:5 KJV)

  "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." (James 4:17 NLT)

 Making this take on something a little more interesting, thanks to everything God has done in order to make us His precious treasure, we have an obligation to shine as if we really are His treasure; not so much because we must, but because we should. There are two parables that Jesus spoke about, the one about the buried treasure, and the other about the great pearl: both of which have been shown by some to be us, finding God, and then giving up all we have to have Him. 

 Well, as Pastor Bryan said Sunday, "Let's see, The Rest of the Story!" In Matthew 13:37 - 51, Jesus is sharing about three specific things, that all show the Kingdom of Heaven, as to what it is like; primarily, it is showing us what God makes it to be, based upon those of us who make up His Kingdom. Right in the middle of the wheat and the weeds, and sorting of the fish, Jesus describes the buried treasure and great pearl. 

 Something to think about, because there is a powerful point to what Jesus is showing us, about how much the Father loves us...

"All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all."   

"Obligatory" - To

"Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." (Hebrews 7:4 KJV)

  "The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." (PSALM 121:5-8 NLT)

 Just to keep this real, if we really trust God will do everything that He has promised, then we need to be very sure that we trust in Him, with all our heart, not forgetting that He more than able! As it is, doubt is only something that causes us to surrender all and trust Him even more!  

 Right now, I am reading the Book of Job. I have probably read that Book at least two-dozen times or more, but now I am reading out loud, because I am reading it to my wife. We are currently going through the whole Bible, a chapter at a time, and reading it out loud has brought out certain things that I really never saw before.

 Chapters 13 & 14 are a bit much, as those are the ones where Job wants to argue his case with God! As much as I might have something to complain about, I don't think I have enough to argue about it with God; but then again, I also feel sorry for Job, knowing full well that he was being tested. 

 There are several times in the Bible when we see God testing someone; Abraham is one in particular, as God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Yet, God told Abraham very specifically that Isaac was the child through whom his descendants would be counted. (Genesis 21:12) So either Abraham believed that God would change His mind, or that God would raise Isaac back to life again; either way, God was testing Abraham's belief in Him and His promises.

 Not that I think God was testing me, because I have been the one who made the choice to give what I give; besides that, in Job's case, it was the devil that caused this to happen to Job; God allowed it to happen, because God knows how it turns out! Do you believe that? Can you receive that? More than anything else, I believe God knows everything we are going to do, even before we think about doing it, He has it all planned out, as to what to do about it!

 In that case, this new word, "Obligatory," has another meaning, which is, "to give to someone as his own." If that doesn't make you think about it, how about: "to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return." Oh my, the things we think are ours, really don't belong to us...

"The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him." (PSALM 24:1 NLT)   

"Obligatory"

 "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." (Hebrews 7:4 KJV)

  "I look up to the mountains - does my help come from them? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!" (PSALM 121:1-2 NLT)

 Yes, we are learning a new word today; or at least I am! Seems to be that I have been having some sort of doubt about my tithing, as if there might be a chance that I am giving too much. But in reality, my issue is something more, as it is, there is something or someone else that matters much more than any amount of money! 

 Now about this word, "Obligatory," which is taken from one of the meanings of the word, "gave," in the verse that I am sharing on today. Basically, the word is one that means '"to give what is due" much like if you owe someone wages or a reward. In other words, there is an obligation involved in this giving, not that you are forced or have been given a command, but that it is what you have said in your heart that you would do! 

 Looking at it that way, it is more of a promise, than it is a requirement; although, a requirement is still the reason that you can overrule the doubt...

"Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever." For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you." (2 Corinthians 9:6-10 NLT)

"Worship in Giving"

  "Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Isreal, who are descendants of Abraham. But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

 " The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. In addition, we might even say that these Levites - the ones who collect the tithe - paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. For although Levi wasn't born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham's body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him." (Hebrews 7:4-10 NLT)

  "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1:17-21 KJV)

 Having said those things yesterday morning, I had to wonder if I might have said too much, having no real knowledge of most of what was said. Then again, I really do believe that our God is much bigger than we might think! Hopefully that doesn't make anyone concerned over the certain characteristics of God they might have imagined, because from what I have been told, God is over all and in all! 

 With that, I just need to remember that He has the power to take, just as He has the power to give! We shouldn't think that our giving goes for the church or to any particular people, because what we give is sign of worship to God. As a matter of fact, when God said that He was cheated, as it says in Malachi 3:8, it wasn't for the money that He was cheated, because everything is already His! 

 No, my dear brothers and sisters, if we cheat God for anything, it is our ability to be blessed by Him...

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:17-24 KJV)  

"Beyond All of That!"

 "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." (Hebrews 7:3 KJV)

  "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son." (John 1:14 NLT)

 If we really think about it, there is really nothing in this world that has more value than the salvation we have in Christ. It really doesn't matter how rich or poor we are; whether we live or die; whatever state or condition we might living in, or how hard the road is that we travel. Nothing else is more important than the life we have been given Christ Jesus! 

 There are certain things that are hard to explain, one of which is all of the characters and manifestations of Jesus Christ. The simple way to try and understand it, is to follow John's lead, which is that Jesus is and was the Word of God! Which, for our simple and limited understanding is actually that, a manifestation, whether it be light, or word, or any other object of the presence or character of God.

 Not that He isn't God, because the Bible clearly says that He is, but that He will manifest Himself to be whatever He needs to be; whatever the Father requires, He can and will make it happen. That is really just what it appears to be; God is much more than anything we could ever imagine. I have shared on this before, about the magnification of brain cells, and how, if magnified enough, it has the appearance of what looks like the universe.

 Imagine that, if the universe was just a brain cell of God; and here we are, living inside His head! Okay, I know that sounds crazy and beyond all possibilities; but I do believe that we serve a very Big God; bigger and greater than we could ever imagine...

"John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming after me who is greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'" From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us." (John 1:15-18 NLT) 

"The Tithe" - Too

 "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;" (Hebrews 7:2 KJV) 

  "While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."" (Luke 21:1-4 NLT)

 I'm sure everyone is familiar with this, "The Widow's Mites," as it has been shared over and over, in just about every church, all around the world. It gives two very important illustrations, the fact that God really does bless a person that gives generously, and secondly, giving really is a form of worship! 

 As for that closing Scripture from yesterday's post, we really need to understand that God does give and take away! If we so arrogantly think that we make things happen on our own, as if our work is what makes us successful and prosperous, we really need to think again, because God is the source of all life and He blesses those who bless others, and He can take away from those that don't! 

 There was one lesson I learned from that book, "Your Money Matters," that God really does care how we give; that those who are cheerful givers, actually do get blessed, even if it isn't financially. Blessings come in several different ways, but giving cheerfully does more than just please God, it is a celebration in our heart to what God has given! 

 Should every Christian tithe? That would be wonderful if they did! You would be surprised by the percentage of Christian's that don't actually tithe. The largest percentage of giver's only give what they feel that they can afford, without even considering what they should give, they just give a small portion of what they make. 

 Surprisingly, if it doesn't go towards the church, it will be given to the devil! If you haven't heard that before, then you have not been paying attention to certain sermons on giving, which most people will do, as soon as hear the message is about tithes and offerings. 

 If you don't believe it, then consider the things that take away from you, like your car breaking down, or anything else that will waste your money. Take a moment to think about what you should have given, and compare that to what was wasted; chances are, they will most likely equal out...

""Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me, You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring your tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, and I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies."" (Malachi 3:8-11 NLT) 

"The Tithe"

 "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;" (Hebrews 7:2 KJV) 

  "Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT)

 I will try to be gentle in this, somewhat private message, about giving ten percent of your wages to God. As it is, there are some who say and believe that tithing is not necessary for a Christian, because we are not under the law of Moses. Well, as deep as that subject might be, it was Abraham that first established the tithe, as we can see here in this Scripture above. And why did he give ten percent of all that he had gained; because he knew that he was in the presence of the KING! 

 There are some things that I might fail to do, not on purpose, but just because I sometimes don't think before I speak. The one thing I am very serious about is tithing, which is something I learned about in our pre-marital counseling, back in 1982. We were given several books to read, one which was about money and giving. It was a book called, "Your Money Matters", which basically means, that your money really matters to God! 

 It's not that God needs your money, because He has everything already; everything belongs to God, even our very breath is His; nothing is ours, as we came into this world naked, and naked we will leave. That said, He loves to see us give, because it is giving honor and thanks to Him for what He has done! In other words, the money we have made, is money that He has allowed us to have.

 I know that there are some who think that they earned everything themselves, as if it was because they are so good at what they do, or as if they have built something from nothing. But the honest truth is plainly seen in the final result: You don't have a single cent when you leave...

"Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me." Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own." Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!" ' "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?' "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."" (Luke 12"13-21 NLT)