Character- exact representation!

The denominational churches have as many interpretations of the Word of God and who God really is, as their multitudes of doctrines.

... but it is really very uncomplicated!

Pseudomai liar versus the Anointing

"Whosoever believes in the name of Jesus has eternal life" This is the central theme and message of John in his first circular epistle. 

He writes in reaction to false teachers bringing false doctrine against the Gospel of Grace to the early church. He preaches against intellectual and perverse interpretation of the Truth.

His message is for the church and is real and relevant even today.

Elevated to life!

It is easy to pervert a perfectly good and beautiful encouraging prophetic song, a poem like no other.

Psalm 133 has only 3 verses and is called "a song of elevation" written by the man God Himself chose to be king, to rule - the Beloved (David).

The sole purpose of this short Psalm is to lift up, to encourage and speak life into those chosen by God. 

The best is that it is prophetic.

Eating with the sinners AGAIN! - Mercy rather than sacrifice

There is this thing of intimate relationship and eating ... 

... mixing with the wrong people for the right reasons ...

Jesus, your Filter ...

I love how Paul encourages the Philippians towards the end of his letter to them.

Very appropriately, this is a letter of triumphant joy in Christ and his finished work. 

Paul ends the letter in 4:23 saying: The grace of our Master יהושע Messiah be with you all. Amĕn.

God's grace - Jesus!

The Shepherd bowing down to the rebellious

The Old Covenant is deeply intertwined with the prophecies that speak of the glorious reality of Jesus Christ.

Today, I’m diving into Psalm 78, a powerful reflection by Asaph, whose very name means "gatherer" or "receiver." Asaph, the psalmist, gathers and receives divine truth, then delivers it to us.

This isn't just an ancient poem; it’s a living word that speaks directly to us, revealing God’s unwavering kindness even in the face of human rebellion. It recounts the turbulent history of Israel, from their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, highlighting how, time and again, they "did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation [Yah’shû‛âh]" (verse 22). In the same sense it speaks to us today.

NO law for you, madam. None for you, sir!

Sometimes we find that those caught up in the law, the law-preachers themselves would see it as their duty and mission to convince those who are free in Christ to do the law and keep the law.

First century church challenge?

Sadly, it is true even today.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. Act 15:5 

The age-old thorn-in-the-flesh scenario

Understanding Faith as co-heir

Need more Faith?

Have enough Faith?

Lost your Faith?

Grow in Faith?

If ever we wanted to understand Faith the book of Hebrews is the one we need to consult thoroughly.

... enters the wolf in sheep clothing...

I tend to be very focused on what the Holy Spirit teaches me during my early morning or late afternoon jogging - alone time ... One-to-one. 

And so, I was asked about the wolf in sheep's clothing ... 

I thought I was through with teachings about the sheep ... and that I knew this thing about wolves dressing up as sheep ...

... wonderful surprise!

Mindful of the Shepherd and sheep ... again!

Just as I thought I had the whole idea of the Shepherd and the sheep (see here and here), the Holy Spirit serves up a fresh message that totally lines up with the first two ...

Once again I am stunned!

Sheep - hook onto the power of life

In my post on "The Highest Reveals Grace - רעה Shepherd," I promised to say something about the sheep (the flock)? Surely, if the revelation regarding the Good Shepherd is so powerful and awesome, there must be something equally profound about the sheep as well?

Well, here goes...

Some will know the Mystery ... others not ...

There is a Mystery.

When Jesus spoke to the multitudes He always spoke in parables. 

Even today when reading what Jesus said to the multitudes, we are reading a parable.

Matthew 13:34 says: All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them

We need to search, read and comprehend with a holy understanding that is freely available from the Holy Spirit, the One Jesus sent to teach us all things.

Again ... there is a  Mystery and It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Pro 25:2 Remember this post?

Better translated this proverb says that Father God hides (conceal or sathar) carefully a matter (dabar -His Word) [also to hide one self] in order that kings (us) may seek out (chaqar - to examine intimately) that matter (dabar - his Word, Jesus) - in the new testament we are kings, prophets and priests. We can seek it (Him) out.

So what's with the Mystery?

Jesus tells the parable of the sower in Mark 4 and how the Gospel would fall away amongst some who hear it, except where it falls in good (worthy or admirable) ground (occupants of land). 

He then explains to the disciples afterwards in Mark 4:11 that ... Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables, AND QUOTING ISAIAH 6:9 HE GOES ON FURTHER: so that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn (epistrephō - turn to God), and their sins be forgiven them (aphiēmi - actually means, in the intensive form, to accept that their sins had been totally annihilated or sent away). That's the Gospel!

Jesus then explains that the parable of the sower is a key-parable to understand other parables.

So, again what is all this about the Mystery?

Jesus is the Mystery!

The Word Mystery or mustērion (from the Greek root word muo, conveys the idea that those who experience a situation (True Grace - Jesus) will be left completely speechless,  dumbstruck and to be utterly astonished (over His goodness and kindness and love and mercy). The word mustērion occurs 27 times in the New Testament, the bulk of which refers to Jesus Himself.

Let's have a look at some mustērion:

Eph 3:3 - How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery ...

1Co 2:7 - But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory

Rom 16:25 - ... Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began

Eph 1:9 - Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself

Eph 5:32 - This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church

Col 1:26 - Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints

Col 4:3 - ... praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ

He is the Mystery Lover ready to be discovered by the beloved ...

He is the Mystery Pursuer of those who wander in lost condemnation ...

He is the Mystery Contact to those of double-minded confusion ...

He is the Mystery, very present Comfort in the time of need ...

... our Healer ...

... our Redeemer ...

... our Restorer ...

... our Perfect Gift ...

... our every Need ...

... our Friend and Lover ...

Indeed, it is the honour of kings to search out the King of kings, the Great Mystery, Who reveals Himself openly in His Word By His Spirit!

HalleluYAH!

... being stalked by the law ...

What happens to Paul when the Truth is revealed to the people of Lystra and someone cripple from the mother's womb is instantly healed?

What happens when everyone, as a result, is awestruck and amazed?

The Highest reveals Grace רעה Shepherd

Jesus makes a lot of effort when He explains Himself as being both the shepherd and the door.

What is this all about?

Why the analogy?

The whole of the old covenant is full of prophets an prophecies showing Israel as a nation (sheep) scattered upon the hills having no Shepherd (Numbers 27:17, 1 Kings 22:17, 2 Chronicles 18:16, etc.) 

... until David reveals:

 "יהוה is my shepherd; I do not lack." Psa 23:1

There are two key words here we should take note of. It is going to totally blow us away:

Job's quest ... God the same for all? DIY God?

I am amazed in my interaction with people in hospital and their explanation telling of how that (their) God brought them there to teach them something or to make them slow down or to teach their families something by using sickness, accidents, physical discomfort, pain, etc. 

What? 

... these are Christian people ... and I ask myself:

Are we worshiping the same God?

This is not the God I know!

My Abba is a loving Father, full of compassion, merciful, gracious, patient and overflowing with goodness and truth ... just like He declared Himself to be in Exodus 34:6 and numerous other times, and by the actions and works of Jesus!

So, the Holy Spirit teaches me again out of the book of Job ...

In this blog post you can join me in my journey through the age old story of Job as we pick up on the meanings of words and names within the context of the precious truth revealed there in.

And may I add? It is not what you were taught by the religious propagandist ...

Does Job have any relevance today?

The book of Job is essentially the story of the modern day self-righteous church and it's doctrinal deception (check out this post to understand my take on church). It is the story of the brain-washed Christian in despair.

It is the age-old story of the false teaching of who God is.

It is the legacy of doctrine and tradition of man-made-religion ... and it is very relevant TODAY!

Who was Job?

God describes Job as "... a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job 1:8

This is exactly how God sees Job ... how He sees man.

Yet, the works of self-righteousness of Job get the better of him in his own circumstances. In his mind Job did everything right. Just as is expected of him by God and those around him. Justified by self-doing - DIY!

... but, when tested by the devil ... is he?

And does he escheweth (turn aside) evil?

Let's check out the meanings some names first

The man is named Job (or Hated) (what women names her child like this anyway?) and he is from a place called Uz (wooden) ... By analogy in the Bible, he is like in the wood, hay and stubble mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:12 - this wrong belief (self-righteousness), it is tested (by the devil) and burned to ashes.

What is Job's position?

Job knows there is a God. He knows that He is a good God. He even knows His Name -YHVH.

However, he mostly refers to his God as El or Elohim, a generic term for ... God, any God ... a God of any nation or any origin, a true or false God ...

But Job seeks advice ...

During his quest to find out who his God really is, Job is advised by his three doctrinal friends. They are:

Eliphaz the Teminite - whose name means "my God is fine gold", that is a molten image of who He thinks his God is. Eliphaz is from a place in the south, Teminite meaning "He comes from elsewhere";

Bildad the Shuhite - whose name means "confusing love" from a place meaning "sunken in wealth"; and

Zophar the Naamathite - whose name means "early departure" from "vanity" or "loveliness".

Can they be trusted?

These friends of dubious character all advise Job in accordance with their own twisted understanding of who (their) God is. I mean, just look at their names! They all speak elaborately. And Job listens to them attentively most of the time.

They philosophy and advise and come up with all sorts of clever explanations of who (their) God is. But these Gods ...

None can satisfy Job.

None can help Job out of the ditch.

None can heal him.

None can restore him ...

Enters the One Who says He sticks closer than a brother ...

... God Himself intervenes in chapter 32. 

Elihu (meaning "God of him" or "Who God is") the son of Barachel (God blessed) from Buzite (being despised. The Free Gift being despised. Didn't Jesus say this?) of the family of Ram (risen one) [doesn't this just describe the Gospel of Jesus?] then speaks up against Job who, in all his quest justified himself instead of God. Go on. Read the beginning of chapter 32 for yourself.

Amazingly, Elihu (the Revealer of Who God is) initially starts by referring to Himself in the third person (verse 6), but as the truth is revealed He gets ever the more intimate and refers to Himself in the first person. This is the author of the book Himself speaking now!

Elihu sets things straight.

He declares the goodness of God, the very character of God, the core being of the one and only Almighty God.

In the altercation the very name of God, YHVH is used for the first time. Now it is not just some generic reference to (a) "God"!

Elihu is the only friend who condemns self-righteousness and declares the majesty of the One True God, YHVH ... the one Jesus fully revealed as Abba, our Good Father! HalleluYAH!

What is the outcome?

Now, only when the Spirit of Truth reveals the Truth, can Job finally repent and admit:

"... therefore have I uttered that (that) I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee." Job 42:3-5

This is the very core message of the book of Job. If you plan to read the book of Job, DO NOT stop until you have read this verse. The whole of the book works towards Job's revelation.

Paul says it well: "let God be true, but every man a liar; ..." Rom 3:4

God is not who we think He is ... God is who He says He is!

HalleluYAH!

Understanding - to put it all togegher!

Being brainwashed reduces man to a helpless, limited and restricted being ... pitiful and powerless in this world. 

Jesus said it so many times. The problem is our unbelief.

Our unbelief is the direct result of our so-called doctrinal heritage - the stuff we hang onto. 

The law incapable of justification

A rookie Paul preaches in a synagogue in Antioch. 

After the law was read he says: 

If you are dead you are dead. 

But if you are raised to live, you are wonderfully alive!

Healing - lifting up ultimate Grace

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine

Sometimes a word is used only once or twice in the Word of God, usually for a reason. 

Right there, we must expect to find a hidden treasure (see here), a very special message.

This time around the word has to do with healing, to be set free! Your medicine.

Immersed in Life!

I just love the verse that Peter quotes in Acts 11:16 that explains 'Emanuel' God with us all, Jew and Gentile, fool and freak, mister-cool and mister-not-so-cool, well-composed and exuberant extrovert, learned academic and unskilled worker, able-bodied and incapable, accomplished and needy, lovely and loveless, sober and drunk, ... clean and unclean ...

Then remembered I the word of Yahushua, how that he said,

Men of uncertainty are without identity.

Is it possible to be without identity?

Paul shows how someone can be truely without identity ... 

That is ... without understanding (click here), knowing nothing ... lonely ... lost ...

Clueless!

Satiated with Grace! bebaioō

There is another condition of those in Christ Jesus called bebaioō.

It is an unavoidable condition brought about because of the given situation we find ourselves in ... something we didn't ask for ... something we didn't work for ... something not brought about by ourselves.

Dwelling Place בּית

There is a most beautiful prayer one can pray that finds its origin in the days of David, the Beloved.

... and it has to do with a house, a dwelling place for God ...

Fruit of the Righteous - pârâh

How often, how easy is it to preach condemnation from scripture whilst the very scripture we preach is in fact intended to exhort us, lift us up and make us sing with joy.

Psalm 58 is such a scripture.

Eklektos - hand-picked with care!

Democracy in God's economy looks a bit different than ours. We all go to the election booths and vote for a person. In God's realm He went to the sacrificing booth (cross) to elect all of us.

Yet, you get to choose ...

Let's see how this works.

What few know ... Joel Adifon

“Many crucify their flesh daily. 

Does God strike the earth with a curse?

What is so significant about the last three verses of the book of Malachi?

Is God warning his people that unless they obey His laws and statutes and commandments, He would bring destruction to the earth?

Or does He really say something else?

Living sacrifice ... or available vesel?

I was recently shocked. 

A grace minister taught how that you have to give your body as an offer to God in order for Him use you - for Him to be able to work in and through you.

Is that not what the law says?

IF you would give your body fully ... THEN I will ...? All laws are based on a a principle of "If this ... Then that ...".

It is an old covenant prerequisite.

Why then did Jesus die on a cross?

Because ... why?

Want to hear a really great promise concerning you?

It comes from an old covenant judge with the name Joshua (Yah'shua) and it shows God's heart towards his people - you. 

To seek and not find - pinō

There are those who will seek Jesus and not find Him, those who cannot find Him even if they tried.

Hopelessly ... and sadly these are those tormented by a spirit-of-self-righteousness-by-obeying-the-law ... or rather, those who allow that spirit to possess them.

Exhibit A - the Vine

When reading God's Word, how do we read it?

To find the laws of do's and dont's (that is to find myself)?

... or am I reading, engaging to find Jesus?

Someone once said that ALL of God's Word is about Jesus - not about me. When I read the Bible I make sure to find Him, hear straight from Him and encounter His finished work. It is arrogant to try and find myself in scriptures and apply rules and laws for myself to follow in order to become and work my own righteousness. No. I find Him first. He is my righteousness. He finds me. 

The scriptures says all of creation is not big enough to contain the greatness of God (will Elohim in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee 2Ch 6:18). Yet, in one Man - the Man Jesus, enough space was found to contain God in His entirety, to reveal ALL of God. And now He lives in me. Truely, All of God's Word is about Jesus, but all of Jesus is about me.  

Can you see the difference in approach?

... which brings us to the vine in Ezekiel 15:

And the word of יהוה came unto me, saying,

Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?

Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?

Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned? Eze 15:1-5

This scripture essentially talks about God becoming fully fleshed and in doing so, was subdued to earthy and manly circumstances and trails and tribulations, living as man in every sense. As a Vine, He was not any different than any other man. These passages even graphically describe how He went to the cross and yes, descended into the depths of hell so that the other trees in the forest do not have to. It also describes the nature of man where God, in his original design never intended for man to work his own righteousness. How much more so following the perfect work of the cross, the descending into hell and the glorious resurrection of the One who did it all on your behalf.

... but the vine ...

Jesus said: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Joh 15:1

Jesus is the Word of God. He is the True Vine. The word here in Ezekiel 15 is for Jesus, it is about Jesus and it is concerning Jesus. It even addresses Him as 'Son of man'. 

The word for vine is from an unused Hebrew root word which means to bend - it is YHVH (יהוה) who in His amazing Love and Grace bent down to earth and manifested in the likeliness of human flesh, revealing ALL the fullness of who God is in the Man, Jesus.

The pictograph for the word vine (gephen or גּפן) is: to convey (or lift up or trans-locate) the message (or the Word or what God says) of life (or original start or beginning or original design or original plan) - Convey the message of life!

Wow!

God's original plan for us was that we have life. Death was never part of the equation. He came so that we may have abundance of life and so that no-one should fall away. Look at the picture: the Vine (blood) transfers the very Gospel Himself, Life Himself (Jesus) to man. The Word that was from the beginning, of Life, is conveyed in Human Flesh to man!

We see this even in the pictographs of God's Name and in the Jesus's Name:

Yahveh (יהוה) is Yahushua (יהושע):

יהוה - the Hand by Grace nailed by Grace IS יהושע - the Hand by Grace nailed consumed perceived (exhibited for all to see ... conveyed and lifted up!)

The story has a perfect result, because God is contained in man, even today. 

Now He works in me. For it is יהוה which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phi 2:13

Then Yahushua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood [receive the Vine], ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Joh 6:53-54

Even the old shadow confirms eloquently in Leviticus 17:11 and 14: 

For the life of the flesh is in the blood (vine) ...

Does the truth matter?

Why does John, who refers to himself as the beloved disciple of Jesus, place such great emphasis on Truth?

Because the truth matters.

Because the Truth matters.

Writing to his friend Gaius whom he "loves in truth" he says:

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 3Jn 1:2-3

Why?

... that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3Jn 1:2

So that all things prosper.

So that you may be in health.

So that all things you set your hand to, collectively and individually may be healthy and prosperous!

Because He is the Truth. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Joh 14:6

Because Jesus says ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Joh 8:32

Know here is the word ginōskō which means to have an intimate relationship, an acquaintance, an intimacy such as that which exists between a man and a woman, lovers with the Truth (Jesus).

Here's a bit of free logic we sometimes overlook. If the intimacy with Truth will set you free then it is only logical that intimacy with the lie and deception (works of the devil) will place you in bondage.

Jesus is the breaker of the bondage. He is the conqueror of the cancer in your life, the victorious One over desolate and desperate and hopeless situations and He is the One Who has completely and utterly dealt with those things on the cross. Our responsibility ... is to receive, appropriate, apply this great salvation into manifestation wherever we go.

This is the Truth.

This is our Jesus.

What is the Truth concerning you and me?

You are righteous, spotless, blameless.

You are fully restored in God's image.

You are an joint-heir in Abba Father's Kingdom to take authority over sickness, setback, lies, adversity ...

You are utterly blessed and entitled to each and every good and perfect Gift from Abba.

You are healed and healthy in Christ.

You are prosperous.

You are rich.

You have everything.

You are blessed.

You are made whole.

You are a new being. The old is gone.

You are beautiful.

Why does it matter?

It matters because in this life you can make application of It (Him) ... and prosper!

What should we do with this great Truth?

Apply it! Mix it with conviction (Heb 4:2) and have intimacy with It! - Stir It into your cup (being) and drink deep (appropriate)! Relax! Rest! Apply the done deal wherever and whenever necessary ... and claim your victory in Christ!

Because of your innocence - zakah!

Have you ever experienced a total non-believer praising the glory of Jesus ... even making a law that all should worship Him and Him alone?

Unthinkable ... even today. But this was true in the time of Daniel of a certain king ...

Emphutos Logos - All you need is the PLL!

Most law preachers have trouble discerning the words of James. 

No wonder some of the early 'church-fathers' moved for the removal of James from the Bible.

Corrupt translation?

The Sufferings of Paul (sic!)

Remember our previous post on the Damascus-road-experience?

Someone reads the subsequent part in Acts 9:29: and speaking boldly in the Name of the Master יהושע and disputed with the Hellenists, but they undertook to kill him and this someone says: "See, the words and prophecy of Jesus in verse 16 was coming true!"

... but was it?