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Celebration and the Self-Righteous

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8

If you don’t like celebration – the right kind, as God defines it – you will not fit in in Heaven.

DO YOU LIKE TO CELEBRATE???? I SURE DO!!!!! Like it or not, the LORD invented and is all about celebration!!!! Read Revelation to begin to discover the eternal celebration that awaits those who die in the LORD. God is going to eternally and indescribably reward all of His children who remain/abide to the end with Him, for continuing to search out, believe, and obey His truth sister. This is our only safeguard (Prov. 30:5-6; Acts 20:20, 27-32, etc.). Jesus says “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)

Is Jesus Christ praise-worthy to you?

John Wesley wrote a book titled Man with the Dancing Heart. Don’t you love that title?! Does your heart leap, rejoice, and dance with joy in the magnificent LORD and Savior?

The Great Gap

HAVE YOU ever noticed how modern pharisees hate joy, real praise, worship, and dancing before the LORD? Why? Could it be due to the fact that GOD is getting the glory and not them? Did you realize that the Son of God was crucified due to the ENVY of the pharisees of His day? (Matthew 27:18) The depraved religionists of Christ’s day were fed up with Jesus stealing away the attention of those they preyed upon, so they handed Him over to be crucified.

Has anything changed? No. As the Word says, nothing has changed (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Oh, and by the way, we’re not talking about all the false worship going on in the so-called “prophetic” and charismatic movements. Much of that is man-centered and delusional.

“And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.” 1 Samuel 18:6

Anybody got a problem with singing, dancing, joy, and music?

What was going on when the prodigal (previously apostate) son returned home to his father?

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.” Luke 15:25

I love spurning religious devils so bear with me for a moment please.

Dancing is not always seen in Scripture as holy (Mark 6:22). There are unholy uses of dance just as there are unholy or perverted uses of most good things. YET, that does NOTHING to negate or diminish the holy use of dance. But that’s exactly what religious swine do – they capitalize on a small error by wiping out the whole of a good thing from God (Matthew 23:23-25).

Dancing and rejoicing are not always appropriate. Sometimes it’s time to mourn and weep for sin. – “The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.” (Jeremiah 5:15) And “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:9-10)

As seen throughout Scripture, there is certainly a time to dance, sing, shout, clap, and rejoice in the goodness of God.

“And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” 2 Samuel 6:14

“And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. … And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.” 2 Samuel 6:16, 19

The Divine Curse Upon the Religious who Mock those who Celebrate the LORD

“Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. 22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. 23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.” 2 Samuel 6:20-23

King David, a man after the LORD’s own heart, with righteous indignation, steam rolled the evil hearted Michal who mocked his praising God. He made it clear that he did not praise to be seen of men but rather declared that he danced “before the LORD.” (V21) David declared “I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight.” (v22) In other words, King David said “You ain’t seen nothing yet, devil!”

Like so many today, Michal, David’s wife (who was Saul’s daughter), had a bitter, self-righteous, pride-filled, and hell bound heart. She despised the joy of the LORD that was in David. As a result, Michael was cursed with barrenness just like all religionists are cursed and spiritual barren and will be unless they choose to repent and turn to the LORD and get right with Him before it’s too late.

Remember that Saul had been chosen as king of Israel and was humble in the beginning. Then, he became filled with pride and despised the fact that the women rejoiced and danced and celebrated King David. Saul was deeply envious because he did not daily die to self and therefore was full of self. Saul is a type of the self-righteous religious Pharisees and David is a type of Christ and His true, humble followers.

“Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?” 1 Samuel 29:5

1 Samuel 15:17 records the reason Saul was dethroned and why so many others in history and in our day have been unseated and cast down from a relationship with the LORD.

“And Samuel (prophet of the LORD) said, When thou wast little (humble) in thine own sightwast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17  

Today, many who were once broken and humble, are now lifted up in unwarranted religious pride, having their hearts darkened through sin and have completely forgotten from whence every good and every perfect gift came and comes (1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17). They are now stiff-armed or kept at a distance from and away from the LORD (James 4:6-10).

To follow Christ to the end, one must first repent, believe, and be born again and remain “little in thine own sight.” (1 Samuel 15:17; Matthew 18:3-4)

Rejoicing is never seen in the self-righteous. Religionists are never happy, glad, or full of joy. Joy and celebration are mutually exclusive from modern, prudish Pharisees.

Why?

Religious devils hate competition. They want to own the attention, accolades, and revenues of the people. They are the most vile power-hungry, controlling, evil-hearty, and greedy dogs on the planet and a sure shot for hell – “Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31) Did you just catch what Jesus said to all religionists of every generation? Read His words again. He said they have no possibility to be in Heaven unless they repent and get saved.

The religionists want to control and therefore don’t want the LORD to be in control. It’s a control struggle to see who’s going to lead – Christ or the evil workers posing as His servants while being His sworn enemies. Paul says they completely self-serving and are the very enemies of Christ and His cross:

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19  

Nothing has changed. In Isaiah’s day, the religious leaders were the same:

“His watchmen (apostate men in leadership) are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Isaiah 56:10-12  

Dancing before the LORD

Dance, danced, and dancing appear 27 times in Holy Scripture. Anybody have a problem with that? If so, you have a problem with God Himself.  There is great and perpetual celebration in His holy Heaven. Here’s a taste – “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10)  Does God dance? He just might – read the verse above again and notice that it doesn’t say that the angels danced but rather that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God.” WHO is in the presence of His angels?  The LORD Himself!

The Son of God made it clear that no religionist would be in Heaven (Matthew 21:31).  Why? Because they refuse to truly abandon the love of self and celebrate Christ the Messiah.

While the wicked fry, the righteous will be celebrating with loud praise the King of all that is:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11  

“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:10-14

Preparation

The LORD says for us to “Be sober” in this life and to “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. “ (Philippians 4:4-5 ; 1 Peter 5:8)    For now, it’s best to mourn than to be overmuch involved in celebration (Ecclesiastes 7:1-5).  Yet, great, unending celebration awaits the righteous! Nothing could be more evident a truth in God’s Holy Word to us!

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Abiding

“Fervent in Spirit” [podcast]


“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11

Concerning being “fervent in spirit,” one commentator notes that this means to:

“Maintain zeal to the boiling point.” Dake

“Fervent” – A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): – be fervent.

“Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” Adam Clarke

“Never let your zeal flag (lag, drop, tank), maintain the spiritual glow, serve the Lord.” Here we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 48:10: ‘Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,'” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Apollos was “fervent in the spirit.”

“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being FERVENT in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25 

In all things Christ’s saints are to be “fervent in spirit”:

“Not slothful in business; FERVENT in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11

Disciples of Jesus are to have a “fervent mind” toward all saints and ministers of His blessed Gospel:

“And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your FERVENT mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:7 

“Fervent prayer” is to be offered to God for other of His saints:

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James_5:16

Jesus’ people are to have “fervent charity among” ourselves:

“And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

“Fervent heat” will soon consume the wicked who refused the salvation that comes from Christ alone:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10 

“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:12 

On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:

“2 Peter 3:

To be ‘fervent in spirit’ means to have intense, burning passion, zeal, and enthusiasm for spiritual matters, often linked to serving God, rather than being lukewarm or apathetic. It implies being ‘boiled’ with spiritual energy, actively engaged, and diligent in faith, as described in Romans 12:11, (‘not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’). It’s a passionate, fiery commitment, distinct from fanaticism, involving earnest application and a deep love for God. 

Key aspects:

  • Intensity: A deep, glowing, or boiling heat of emotion and dedication. 
  • Diligence: Not being lazy or half-hearted, but actively applying oneself to spiritual duties. 
  • Spiritual Zeal: A strong desire and excitement for God’s will, the Gospel, and spiritual growth. 
  • Source: Often described as being moved by the Holy Spirit, a fire within. 
  • Biblical Example: Apollos was described as ‘fervent in the spirit’ as he taught diligently about the Lord (Acts 18:25). 
How it’s expressed:
  • Passionate prayer
  • Diligent study of God’s Word
  • Active, loving service to others
  • Bold witnessing for faith
  • Being ‘on fire’ for God, not lukewarm” 

Jesus says that those in His church who are “lukewarm” will be spued or rejected (Revelation 3:15-16). What’s the opposite of being “lukewarm”? – being “fervent in spirit.”

“Amen! Don’t let your fire die as the church in Laodicea did! They were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm. Comfortable! Indifferent! Their fire for the Lord had gone out. God’s not looking for people who play it safe but people who burn with fire for Him!!!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER: LORD, make me Yours. Please keep me close to You, NO MATTER what it takes. Break me dear LORD. Let the holy light of Your presence permeate and shine through my inner man. I am Your temple Jesus. Shine Your light on all darkness. I love You my LORD. In Jesus’ name.

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Abiding

It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]


“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3

One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2

“Hated”

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

“Ye shall Laugh”

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21  Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22

“Through  much Tribulation”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

“To Make them White”

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35  And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35

“Made white … the wise shall understand”

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10

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Articles

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]


What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean?

Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). Do you know Him?

1. “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Ps. 22:1).

This concerned those who hung Him on the cross and how He became the sin bearer, the sin sacrifice and how the Father could not look on sin, so temporarily turned His head. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven (Isaiah 53).

Application to us: Job 19:6-10; Psalms 139:8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-12; Hebrews 13:5-6

2. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

He asked the Father to forgive them – a token of what His shed blood would pay for and facilitate – forgiveness of sin for all who come to Him on His terms to be saved. The sacrificial death of the Son of God satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to justify mankind (Isaiah 53:11).

Application to us: As God forgave us due to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, He mandates, without exception, that we freely forgive all others, from our hearts. Matthew 5:44; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Ezekiel 36:24-26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14

3. “Verily, I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).

This promise of forgiveness and eternal comfort given to the thief who believed on Christ in his final moments is the same promise for all who come to Him and are saved (John 6:47).

Application to us: Immediate glory, comfort, and bliss with our LORD at the moment of death. Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:4; Luke 21:28

4. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).

Jesus closes with the prophetic words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see His complete trust in the Father (John 5:30, etc.). Jesus entered death in the same way He lived each day of His life on earth, offering up His life as the perfect sacrifice and placing Himself into the Father’s hands (Luke 22:42).

Application to us: This is a great prayer! Stephen emulated his Savior when being stoned to death for Christ (Acts 7:51-60). “Commend” means to submit. Personally I find these words, while in prayer, rolling off my lips – submitting afresh, daily, and asking the LORD to take full control.

5. “Woman, behold thy son … Behold thy mother” (Jn. 19:26-27).

Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother. None of his half brothers or sisters were there to care for her, so He gave this task to the apostle John (Mark 6:3). Here we see Christ’s humanity.

Application to us:  We must take care of earthly responsibilities according to the counsel of the written Word of our God (Psalms 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

6. “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28)

Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall, and myrrh offered to alleviate his suffering (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23). But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21. By saying He was thirsty, Jesus prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which showed that everything was happening according to God’s plan.

Application to us: We must endure hardness, bitter sufferings and seasons (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:3; James 1:2-4, 12, etc.).

7. “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30).

This means “paid in full.” The sin debt for all was fully satisfied in the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ, the ultimate price was paid to satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind (Isaiah 53:11). He is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Application to us: Jesus accomplished our salvation single handedly, satisfying the claims of divine justice to redeem fallen mankind. He died to abolish law-keeping for righteousness and so we must “walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19; Hebrews, etc.) Read Romans 3-5; Galatians.

Making Peace with God | It is Finished! | DiscipleshipThe Gospel Centers Upon Christ’s Blood | Christology | The Gospel: What is It?

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