WORD OF LIFE, PART 22: "CONSUMING FIRE AND ZEAL - MY DELIGHT"

Psalm 119 is an epic in the entire God-given, God-breathed Scriptures. It is not only the longest chapter in the Bible (176 verses) but one of the few chapters of Books of Scripture which covers every range of the Human Condition imaginable.  All sections of each portion of eight verses are sub-headed by a letter of each of the twenty two letters in the Hebrew Alphabet.  Now that we are at the end of our incredible journey through the entire 176 verses, which served up a cornucopia of such rich goodness, we can see the Person of Jesus Christ from beginning to end! 

THE ORIGINAL HEBREW FROM GOD TO MOSES, GENESIS 1:1

In fact, one of the Name of the Lord of Hosts is “Alpha and Omega” or “The Beginning and the End” in the biblical Greek language. The original paleo Hebrew of the Creator of all things is “Aleph Tav” . In theology terms, it is known as the Signature of God and is immediately evident in the very first verse of the Bible – Genesis 1:1, where the Holy Spirit says "In the Beginning created God Heavens and Earth". The English translation does not do it justice, but nevertheless, the “Aleph Tav” – the Great I am, the Beginning and the End because He is Eternal – is right there. "Aleph Tav" is circled in RED and cannot be translated.

"They will look on Me whom they
 have pierced "- Zechariah 12:10

In case there is any doubt, the SIGNATURE of God is found again in Zechariah 12:10, where He says "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn". Here the un-translatable Aleph Tav is found AGAIN to emphasize that Scripture is talking about Jesus (the red arrow).

There was never any doubt that the entire Bible is all about Jesus, even without His bold signatures seen here as examples. However, Jesus Christ is not just a letter of the Alphabet. The two letters, represented here in Psalm 119 as the Aleph (first eight verses) and Tav (these final verses) are a reflection of one of His Mightiest Attributes. John 1:1 tells us Jesus is the WORD Who became flesh.  1 John 1, Jesus is called the “Word of Life”. On the way back to earth in Judgment and Victory in Revelation 19:13,  He is called “The Word of God”. When we read the Scriptures, we are reading BOTH the Word of Life, the Words of Life AND the Word of God. When we study the Law, we are studying Life, as the Law giveth Life. It is not a bunch of legalistic jargon but the parameters to keep us from hurting others, ourselves and the Holy Name of God. So when we see the Laws of God and His statutes magnified in the verses of Psalm 119, we have the explicit power words from Heaven right before us. It should behoove us to take them, well, as “Gospel”!

Psalm 119:169-176

Tav.

169  Let my cry come before You, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your word.

170  Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word.

171  Let my lips utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes.

172  Let my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.

173  Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.

174  I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight.

175  Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your ordinances help me.

176  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.

When Yahweh spoke to Solomon at the dedication of the incredible First Temple in Jerusalem around 832 BC, Almighty God gave Solomon and option of ANYTHING he could wish for, and God would grant it. Solomon prayed for nothing else but “BIYN” – a discerning (wisdom with feet) mind. At the start of his life as King, Solomon also had the major component of wisdom – the Fear of the Lord. Verse 169 is an significant acknowledgement of the Power of God (read “respect, awe, fear”) from one who is wise enough to seek the counsel, love, protection and Grace from the Lord, for in this case – discernment. In a world where true wisdom is so rare, the there is a huge caveat to the dispensation of Discernment by the Holy One of Israel. This caveat is the umbrella under which the attributes of such a recipient of this special portion of Grace stand.

A full comprehension brings us to a large and awesome view of the One True God. Job 42:2a recognizes the omnipotence of Almighty God when Job says “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted". In light of this, we look at the final eight verses of Psalm 119 and what they light up in the lamps of our very souls. This can only occur due to the confirmed Power, Majesty and Grace of God Himself.  

Verse 169 - I believe. I call on God. He answers me. I fear Him. He opens the eyes of my heart.
Verse 170 - I believe. I pray with persistence and faith in the hearing of those prayers. God will deliver, according to His Plan, Purpose and Timing.
Verse 171 - I believe. Therefore, I worship, praise, lift up the Name of Jesus as Lord and bow down before Him, to the glory of His Name. For His Name is a strong and mighty Tower and His Name brings me wisdom.
Verse 172 - I believe. I sing because Your Spoken Word, through the Scriptures always proclaim directly from Heaven, that which is pure, fair, righteous, honorable and good - because God is Good. He is Sovereign.
Verse 173 - I believe. Therefore I know He will be with me. His ministering angels are at the ready, when we call and even when we do not even know we are in need of divine protection. This is easily confirmed in the testimony of every true follower of Christ. He watches over us, because we chose to obey when He called us to Salvation, Transformation and Sanctification.
Verse 174 - I believe. Therefore I must draw closer to the Flame. Our God is a consuming Fire and zeal for His House, His Truth, His Word, His Way should, would and will always invade and reside in every part, portion and fiber of my being.
Verse 175 - I believe. Therefore my soul is alive with life and hope and faith and power and fearlessness. But my soul also resides in the eternal realm right now! In addition, the laws and commands of the Lord, which are for my protection and for a good life, have now become a delight to keep and walk in daily! Our consciences are clear and hearts testify to this truth.
Verse 176 - I believe. Even when under duress, stress and my life is a mess...or need to confess, God shows up and gives His best. When I stumble, He keeps me from falling. When I fall, He reminds me of my calling. When I hurt, He sends a healing balm. When I try to run from Him, He pursues me as His law is written in my heart. This is WHY I can never walk away from Him, nor do I want to, deep down inside. This is WHY I love His law. This is why I will never forget His Law, His Commands and His Word of Life - because they are embedded in my very spirit and I will testify to Him, until my final breath, to the Praise and Glory of His Name. Amen and amen. 

WORD OF LIFE, PART 17: "SEEING, THEREFORE - PROCLAIM"

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Something very intriguing has been developing all through our study and deeper look throughout Psalm 119. As initially mentioned, each portion has a subhead with a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It is no accident that Verses 1-8, for instances are headed by A (Aleph) which is one of the Names of the Word Who became flesh - Aleph (Alpha in Greek). In the previous portion from Psalm 119:121-128, the subheading is AYIN, which means Eye.

Through this "Eye", we observe the verses calling for the Lord to return to not just instruct, illuminate and inspire us with His Words, Commands and Statutes, but we observe that the insight gained therein, leads to a call for final Divine Intervention against God's enemies. This is also coming, one day soon. However, in the past, God has also judged those who hate Him and His people. We see this in the judgment of famine, drought and pestilence.

Now in the next portion of Psalm 119 today, we see the heading with the letter "PE" which means Mouth. The verses are proclaiming several things we are well served, if we observe:
Psalm 119:129-136
PE
129   Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul observes them.
130   The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131   I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.
132   Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Your manner with those who love Your name.
133   Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134   Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.
135   Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
136   My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your law.

Verse 129: What are the testimonies of the Lord and why are they wonderful? Anyone who has truly been born-again and plunged all into the Bible, will know not just the story of Creation (Genesis chapters 1 and 2; Job chapters 38-41) but the many direct, dramatic and even deadly actions from the Heavens which showed God's Power, Presence, Provision and more. From the Parting of the Red Sea for millions to cross on dry land to the immediate destruction of the Egyptian army...from the provision of all manner of quail to feed these same people in the desert to water from rocks....from God withholding rain from rebel Israel in the days of Ahab and Jezebel to Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem....from Jesus being raised from the dead after being killed on a Cross and buried to Peter and Paul raising the dead and healing many...and so much more. From all of this, we see why the Bible is not just the Oracles of God, but the Chronicles of God's Mighty Hand in Action. If all the actions, instructions and events surrounding God were all written down, there would not be enough libraries to contain all the books under heaven.

For this reason, by staying FOCUSED on Who the Word of God reveals and teaches about, we cannot avoid understanding it once our minds are lit up by it (verse 130)! The Eyes of our Hearts have been opened as the song by Paul Baloche goes (Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord), hence the letter Ayin (Part 16). But the true man, woman or child of God cannot and SHOULD not stop there!

First, we are duty bound to proclaim with our mouth (verse 131). In fact Salvation comes when we "confess with our MOUTHS and believe in our HEARTS, that Jesus IS Lord! So we already have to proclaim Him to be in His Kingdom for eternity. Secondly, many Christians do not know the gospel nough to clearly share the Truth and Love of God with others and those neglect this command to proclaim. If the Christian's desire and heart truly seeks after the Lord and His Goodness, we would not just know and see all His Attributes and Testimonies in His Word, but would have at least a modicum of spiritual wisdom to share and teach. Francis of Assisi is misquoted as saying "preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words". Although he did not actually say that, many Christians now use this to mean "Lifestyle Evangelism" is "the stuff". Francis actually said something to the effect of "let your deeds match your words", but even so, he was implying you have to use words!

So-called "Lifestyle Evangelism" never brought anyone to Christ or to their salvation! All that does is show "what a good person you and I are, compared to the other guy. They can SEE Christ in us by our actions. But what we really should wish the world to see in us is Transformation. It should be obvious to everyone, who have even come into contact with us for ten seconds, that there is something about us, which they should know. This something needs to be a life changed by the Holy Spirit, the Evidence of a life saved by Jesus Christ.

There are action points listed in this passage which will help lead us toward this end, so that we can accomplish what we are called to - teach/disciple/tell the world about Jesus. Here the are: 
- Verse 132 (turn, regard, look with favor and look my way, even for a brief moment that Your Glory will light up my life and Your Love for me will shine through me, oh Lord).
- Verse 133 (let me remain firmly grounded in Truth, so that no lie of the enemy will sway me, even for one second....and even if we get blind-sided as often happens, the sin and corruption of the dying world, will be swiftly swatted away).
- Verse 134 (deliver/protect/get me out of the way of evil men and women who not only do not have my interest at heart, but seek the destruction of the testimonies of the people of God - Christians).
- Verse 135 (continue to regard Your people with favor, oh God even as You correct/discipline/instruct and guide us to the Wisdom of Your Holy Word).

These four verses will lead to an ongoing dynamic and sweet relational abiding in Truth and the Wonder of Holy God. They also are a plea which places the responsibility on the Holy Spirit to light up the inner being of the Christian so that our spiritual eyes will be wide open, and remain this way. It is only when the Eyes of our Hearts are open, that we can then proclaim what we know to be true - the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

WORD OF LIFE, PART 1 - THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

A 22 PART 21st CENTURY LOOK @ #PSALM 119

While the Psalms can be most definitely called the “Prayer Book of the Bible”, there is one huge Psalm (in content and size) which is so chockful of application, promises and basic Truth that should a person attempt to study or pray through it, it will require a minimum of two months. I speak from experience about Psalm 119. This amazing and longest chapter in the Bible, is not just  a “HOW-TO" but “WHAT-TO” do document on Life, Liberty in Christ and Sanctification.

Set in perfectly arranged portions, by the Holy Spirit, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is divided into twenty two parts of eight verses each. Each portion of Scripture is subtitled with each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It is appropriate that this portion of such powerful psalm is under the title “ALEPH”. “Aleph” is our “A” in English. Jesus also is the “Aleph and the Tav”, or as is mentioned in Biblical Greek – The Alpha and Omega! Psalm 119 starts with eight verses under Alpha and ENDS with eight verses under Tav. Therefore following this Truth, that our Lord and Savior is the beginning and the end, let us begin this amazing journey through Psalm 119 with a complete spiritual physical, using the Word of God as our Physician, our X-Ray machine and more. 

With this in mind, we set forth on an amazing journey of Psalm 119. For the 21st century Christian, there are many ways we may approach this amazing volume of verifiable Truth. God has given us multi-faceted directions with a multi-purpose functions, to fulfill His purpose and will for our lives. However, what the Lord desires, for this current time and season, is for us to align our lives with the messages of this Psalm and then do some “home improvement”. Let us begin:
Psalm 119:1-8:
Gimel
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!

Applying this first portion of Psalm 119 is primary in getting past Verses 1 and 2.  Personal matters of the soul and character MUST be addressed and therefore, in reading Psalm 119:1-8, please look into the remotest corner of  your soul and spirit and take inventory:
- Am I walking in Integrity? If there is a short-coming (confess it and repent and get it away from you) (Psalm 119:1)
- Am I really doing what God instinctively tells me to do through Holy Spirit and His Word? (Psalm 119:2)
- Am I seeking after Him daily in prayer, Bible reading and, when possible, fellowship with the saints, in small groups or the like ?(Psalm 119:3)
- Am I allowing the world to not so much gradually change my thinking, but to take the edge of my core beliefs, so that it comes across more and more like a compromise, when we stand firm and being immovable? (Psalm 119:4)
- Am I careful about not just trying to compartmentalize sin and conduct which God really disapproves of, but we think it’s okay because we have the wrong notion of Grace? (Psalm 119:5)
- Am I the man or woman I say that I am in testimony, in my circles or on the job but a different person when I look into the mirror of my soul, according to the plumb line of Truth? (Psalm 119:6)
- Am I living and leaning on the Truth, the Promise and the Grace, Love, Mercy and compassion of God by following Him with body, mind and soul in the Power of His Word? (Psalm 119:7)
- If all of the above is in the alignment, then we are within perfect parameters to present ourselves to Him and say to Abba Father, “Lord, here I am send me!” In that way, we know that He will never give up on  us (Psalm 119:8)

These are important matters of the soul which must be addressed before proceeding prayerfully through Psalm 119. Apply this, starting today, and we are off - hitting the ground running, traveling through the most amazing 176 verses of the Bible.

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LORD, I AM AMAZED BY YOU - CREATION

From Psalm 19:1-6 (ESV)

OUR INCREDIBLE CREATOR

Creator of the Universe:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 

3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 

5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 

THE INFALLIBILITY OF JESUS

Websters defines the word "INFALLIBLE" as follows:

-  incapable of error 

-  not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint 

-  incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals.

Does this sound like any man ever born or still alive, in the past 5774 years of Creation?  Yes and No!

Yes - the only Man ever born who fits this description is the Sinless Son of God -YaHWeH (Jesus the Messiah).

No - there is no mortal man since Adam who is infallible, incapable of sin. Since the lies of Satan to Eve in Genesis 3, there has been misinterpretation of God's Word and instructions....even when people have the Word right in front of their faces in the form of the Bible!

Recently, there has been an increasing controversy over the current Pope - Pope Francis's statements which were emblazoned across the worldwide media. The esteemed former bishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina said (according to media reports) "all atheists can go to heaven".....and other such headlines. 

Here is what he really said and it is directly from his own letter, not a sensational media report. Pope Francis responded to an Italian newspaper questions in a long letter (see here) and said this about atheists "First of all, you ask if the God of the Christians forgives those who do not believe and do not seek faith.  Given that  -  and this is fundamental  -  God's mercy has no limits if he who asks for mercy does so in contrition and with a sincere heart, the issue for those who do not believe in God is in obeying their own conscience.  In fact, listening and obeying it, means deciding about what is perceived to be good or to be evil.  The goodness or the wickedness of our behavior depends on this decision...." 

The main thing to note here is that he did not really say "all atheists" go to Heaven. He just did not preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ...thereby, misleading countless thousands. In his idea of outreach to the lost, he not only gave wrong advice (about "perceiving to be good") but incorrect Soteriology (The Doctrine of True Salvation). Holy Scriptures note "there is none good - not even one. All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23). God also said in Isaiah 64:6 ESV "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

The point is we can and WILL never "find what is good" and do it and expect to get to Heaven on our own. We could NOT and NEVER WILL do. This is the reason God had to pour Himself out from the Throne of Heaven to bring the Word DIRECTLY from The Father on how to restore our fallen relationship with Him (Philippians 2). This is the reason He gave Himself to be persecuted and to die on the Cross that ALL men, from eternity past to present, could be saved. That substitutionary atonement for ALL sin accomplished the work God the Father had sent Christ to do. Jesus not only did that well, but His obedience is noted as the example for us here in Hebrews 5:7.

Having a good conscience will never save anyone...it can deceive a person into thinking that all is well with your soul, but a convicted conscience is evidence that God has pierced a person's consciousness with the fact of his/her sin. This is then followed by the knowledge that such a person is in dire need of Repentance to make it right before God. Again, there is nothing good about any of this, from our human perspective.  This is evidence we sin constantly against Holy Father in Heaven.

The redeemed person, i.e., one who is really and truly saved, has been given the gift of Repentance....and it IS a gift. Anyone who rejects the word "Repentance" as is not of God, period. Among the first words by Jesus of the first Gospel ever written - Mark....we have what Jesus said in Chapter 1, verse 15 "Repent, believe the Gospel and be saved"! There is no other way to Salvation or Heaven. You can't work your way into heaven. You can't donate your way into heaven. You can't baptize your way into heaven....and NO amount of going to church or mass will get you there either. Only the true forgiveness of Sin and acceptance of Jesus Christ ALONE, as LORD and Savior, will get you there.

Jesus said "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE, no one can comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6) These are the declarations from Heaven from the Incomparable, Inerrant and Infallible Son of God. There is no man ever born who can claim to speak for God, who has never made a false or incorrect statement. Anyone or any group claiming that is guilty of sin, of assuming unto himself, the mantle of God. All men are sinners saved by Grace - if and when we are rescued from the pit of eternal damnation.

The Infallibility of Jesus Christ, the Aleph Tav, the Alpha and Omega, will be evident on Judgment Day and in the Millennial Kingdom when He will be ruling the Nations here on earth for 1000 years. He will be physically sitting on the Throne in Jerusalem in the not to distant future. The Words He spoke, as recorded via the inspired Word of God, in 66 books of the Bible, are Spirit, Truth and Life. If you doubt one jot, dot or tittle, you have doubted the Entire Scriptures and the Truth is not in you. There is no inconsistency in the Gospels or the ancient text. Secular archaeologists are constantly proving the accuracy of Biblical events, with more to come. The discovery of tissue in dinosaur bones in Montana proves the young age of the earth and on and on.

The point is, be careful of anyone who suddenly pronounces who can and cannot get into heaven. Seek ye for your own self the Word of Truth. That Truth can only be found in the Words of the Christ, the Word Who became Flesh and the Word from Christ - the Bible....Seek the counsel of an older and wiser Christian person. Seek direction on how to read the Scriptures for yourself, from the Spirit of God Who dwells in ALL true believers. He will show you the way of all infallible Truth, not a fellow mortal as ourselves.

But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you...Matthew 6:33 (Aramaic Bible)

SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST - PART 2 "THE I AM STATEMENTS"

THE ORIGINAL HEBREW FROM GOD TO MOSES, GENESIS 1:1

The signature of Jesus is not just all over Creation but in the Bible from beginning to End. Right off in the Book of Genesis 1:1, we have His Signature!!! Here is His actual Signature in the Original Hebrew which Moses wrote:
This is the Hebrew for "In the Beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth". 
The Hebrew in RED: אֵ֥ת  is not translated because it could not be. It is only two letters - Aleph and Tav - or as we say in English - THE BEGINNING AND THE END!!! (In the New Testament Book of Revelation 22:13, He says "I am the Alpha and the Omega" - Same translation! In the Greek it is "Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ". These facts are honey to those of us who love every jot and tittle of God's Word - ALL of it!!! Woohoo!!

They will look on Me whom they have pierced Zech 12:10

There are more statements from the Creator about Himself in the Scriptures! In this second and final part of the Superiority of Christ, we examine some of the I AM statements as well as some of the Gates of Jerusalem! Learn not just about those statements but the importance of the GATES of Jerusalem to the Believer TODAY: 
THE GATES: THE FISH GATE, THE VALLEY GATE ETC..

SOME OF JESUS' I AM STATEMENTS:

"I am the bread of life"  (John 6:35)

"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)

"I am the door of the sheep"(John 10:7)

"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)

"I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).

"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)

"I am the true vine" (John 15:1).

PART 1

PART 2

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