Category: Examining Biblical Scripture

Diving into the Word: Scripture applies practically to today, bringing spiritual growth and a deeper connection with GOD. How does the Word prepare us, the Bride, for His Call upon our lives and for the return of Jesus/Yeshua/Messiah?

Examining Biblical Scripture

Exploring your gifting: hearing from GOD

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 04/06/2020
4 Comments on Exploring your gifting: hearing from GOD

Exploring Your Gifting: Words during the Corona-season

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15)

I often hear from God personally

Recently, I took part in an Aglow prayer meeting originating from Canada. Some of the words that were shared by those running it were words I’d already received from GOD and had been praying about. My response was like that from Psalm 133…. ‘How good it is when we dwell together in unity.’ When we hear the Father’s voice and then have confirmation from others, it is encouraging to know others are receiving similar messages that we have received when alone in our prayer closet.

One word that was confirmed:

We are called to prepare as the Bride (Matthew 25).

So, what shall we do with that?

Another thing I sense which is echoed by fellow believers:

There is a longing that the church body be changed by this virus… Many like me are saying we need more of the Holy Spirit — more intimacy with GOD; more intimacy as a family of brothers and sisters in Christ.

Shall we connect these messages together? If so, I sense something like — when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are being prepared as His bride.

So, what do you hear GOD saying?

Do you know you hear can from GOD? Have you had words tested and discovered others confirm what you’ve heard? Do you realise He promises to hear us, and He speaks to us?

“And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:15)

It’s so important that we share with others and are ‘in community’ with others, so that we can relate with one another what we are receiving from GOD. Isn’t it so encouraging when there is confirmation: as we test — and discover His voice, and grow in community with Him and with one another?

“…. many were gathered together praying.” (Acts 12:12b)

Too often we take declarations from others rather than seek our own

I’m encouraging you to ask GOD what He wants to reveal to you, and whether He wants you to share it with others.

Start to pray expecting to hear from Him.
Pray and then wait, “be still” and listen.
Write down any picture, scripture or guidance you receive.
Check the Bible to see that the Word confirms your message.
Share with others. Ask what are they receiving in their prayer time?

All of us need to deepen our prayer life. With lockdowns around the globe, we have the time. Let’s make the most of it. Let’s hear GOD and move forward at our hearing.

Once He’s spoken to us

We are to trust Him, obey and take action as He convicts us.

Yes and Amen.

Tags hearing from God, testing the word of GOD, words from GOD

Examining Biblical Scripture

The Real Identity of Jesus: Is Jesus Man or God?

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 28/05/2020
4 Comments on The Real Identity of Jesus: Is Jesus Man or God?

What did Jesus do for us?

Jesus, God’s only begotten son, died on a cross, taking all our sin and shame, that we might believe in him and be saved.

That is the standard Evangelical stance on salvation by grace. There’s nothing wrong with it; it is absolutely true. But Jesus (the Greek translation of his Hebrew name, Yeshua) did more than die on a cross for us, not that that isn’t a monumental sacrifice already!

What Jesus did:

1. Jesus gave up his Godhead (Philippians 2:7-8)

2. Jesus came in human form (Matthew 1:8)

3. Jesus died on a cross, having never sinned (John 19:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

4. Jesus was resurrected but did not remain on earth. He returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit that all Believers might receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead, convict, empower and guide us (John 14:3; John 14:25-27).

When Jesus came as Messiah to his Jewish brethren, he came not only for them, but for Gentiles as well (Isaiah 49:6),

“Indeed, he [GOD] says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,

and to restore the preserved of Israel.

I will also give you as a light to the nations,

that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.”

Who Jesus is:

In the beginning was the Word of GOD (John 1:1) and it is that part of GOD that became flesh and was born of a virgin, Mary, being fathered not by sinful man, descended from Adam, but fathered by the Holy Spirit of GOD (Genesis 1:2). He was not Jesus when he was in heaven, but he was named Jesus — Emmanuel, God with us — at his birth.

Some believe Jesus is God-man. Others believe he remained as God for, as a man, he could not have had the authority to offer salvation to mankind; he took the form of a man but was not a man. Still others believe he gave up his Godly person and became man once and for all. Our finite minds can’t get our heads round all concerning his divine nature, though as Believers we believe it. But personally, I fit into this latter category, believing that, as Jesus, he was and always will be, a man. If you believe I’m a heretic*, I can offer you two suggestions: either stop reading or allow me to show you scripture that says the Word of GOD (John 1:1) surrendered his Godhead (Philippians 2:7-8) and became a man. Never does it say he regained his Godhead after ascension but it does say that he returned to heaven and is seated at the right hand of GOD (1 Peter 3:22) and is the lamb (Revelation 5:13b). I believe he was — and is still a man. This is important in order to recognise fully the extent of his sacrifice and what he has given to us through that sacrifice.

Jesus did not give up his divinity. He was, is, and always will be divine. But he gave up his deity — a huge sacrifice, significant, even greater than dying on the cross. This is one point perhaps where our human minds can’t grasp the difference, but I’m convinced that somehow, there is a distinct difference between deity and divinity, and in that difference lies the sacrifice of the Godhead and the reality of what our inheritance and responsibility is In Christ. Jesus was and is God and yet, he gave up being God in order for our salvation.

Why is it important to recognise a man overcame sin and the devil?

Jesus asks us to believe and follow him. He has overcome sin and the devil. But just as Adam, a man, brought sin into the world, so must a man defeat sin. It is a legal matter. A man sinned and therefore another man must defeat sin. If Jesus was not a man, then GOD simply trumped the devil and that is not legally just.

How is this possible – and not heretical?

GOD is outside of time. So when Jesus said, “before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58) it was completely true — but he was referring to a different time frame to the current time when he was addressing the Jewish leaders.

What was the consequence for the Word of GOD, known on earth as Jesus?

As the lamb of God — Father GOD being the God who sits on the throne — Jesus gave up his Godhead for our sake. Though the pain of the cross is a tremendous sacrifice, relinquishing his Godly authority to do only as the Father tells him, is even more huge! (John 5:19)

What is the consequence for us?

If Jesus walked the earth as a man, albeit sinless and perfect, what does that mean is possible for us?

Authority:

This is important because if we allow ourselves to believe Jesus became a man, we can recognise the authority he has given to us, his fellow men**, to overcome the evil one. We have the same authority that Jesus had while he walked the earth, when we believe and trust in him.

Responsibility:

“I’m only human” doesn’t wash any more as an excuse for our behaviour, when we realise GOD, through Jesus, has given us all that Jesus had. Just as Jesus has encouraged us to “be perfect” so it must be possible. This is not a reason to berate ourselves when we fail, but rather to encourage ourselves to carry on. Philippians 3:12-14 gives some of my favourite words from scripture,

“Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

We press on, not because we are failures, but because Jesus (and Paul in the letter) encourages us to persevere, to look forward, to ‘keep on keeping on’.

Possibility:

Jesus said, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Actually, we are without excuse: perfection is possible — albeit improbable as even Paul did not attain it (Philippians 3:12).

Only as Jesus is a man can he command us — with expectation — to be perfect.

Allow this to resonate:

If you can allow yourself to consider that Jesus was a man (divine – yes, son of GOD – yes, but a man as he walked the earth), you might begin to fathom more of the sacrifice he made for you, and more of the power and authority GOD has given you for good. This does not mean we are gods, but it means we are sons of GOD by inheritance, with all access to the power and authority given to Jesus, and access to the goodness that he was and is.

I find that inspiring and hopeful and amazing (and not heretical). Oh what love he has for us, what amazing love!

Our witness:

Jews and Muslims find it particular difficult, even offensive, to hear that God came to earth and died. But when we accurately explain GOD cannot die and did not die, but gave His son who was a man, that does not present the same stumbling block that the confused message that GOD or a GOD-man came and died.

John, Chapters 14 – 17:

As a final point, I urge you to read John 14 – 17 in contemplation. In this teaching and prayer, Jesus is both loving us and encouraging us as he speaks to his disciples before his arrest.

We are to abide in him as he abides in the Father. We are to receive the Holy Spirit as our Helper, who will glorify Jesus. As to his own identity, Jesus says, “I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20) and “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28b). By including us you may choose to contemplate how this is possible, if both Father and Son are GOD.

Scripture says in John 10, “I and the Father are one.” And yet in 1 Corinthians 15:28 it is written, “Now when all things are made subject to Him [GOD], then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that GOD may be all in all.” Does scripture contradict? No. As a man, Jesus was subject to the Father and yet, he had the inheritance from his father to be as the Father is.

This is a part of the mystery, the unfathomable by the finite human mind. And yet, I am convinced, that recognising Jesus as a man does not contradict but in fact magnifies his sacrifice and our responsibility and authority in and through his salvation.

My prayer:

Every blessing to you as you contemplate, study scripture, and grow in the grace of GOD and the power of His Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

* Nowhere in scripture does it say, “GOD the Father, GOD the Son, GOD the Holy Spirit”. It is a nice parallel structure that has been inserted into the doctrine of some churches. So I am not contradicting scripture when I say Jesus is a man.

** Men, man and mankind are all generic terms which include all humankind. This is not to exclude women nor to denigrate them to a lower status. It is simply linguistic custom, and I mean nothing further in using it.

Tags authority of Jesus, identity of Jesus, Jesus god, Jesus man

Examining Biblical Scripture

Expectancy

We must believe, as we wait for the Lord to bring His presence to us, that He will come.

He loves faith. He wants intimacy with us. We must believe He will come, and we must make room for him.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”(Hebrews 11:6)

Hallelujah. Today, I made room and He came. Oh, what wonderful peace His presence brings.

Those with faith, bless you. Those who know the presence, wonderful. To those with faith who have never experienced His presence, how amazing the faith you have:

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

“The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me…” (Isaiah 61:1) He calls us now to follow Him, to love Him, to experience the divine presence of Him. Will we make room?

“Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart and lean not on your understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5) He will come, He will abide when we abide. Give Him time, give him room and give Him your faith. He will come.

Romans 8

Exodus —

“He who waits upon the LORD will renew his strength… He will mount up with wings like eagles, he will run and not grow weary, he will walk and not faint.”

Hallelujah. Believe, Trust, Wait. He longs to be with you. Do you long to be with Him?

We who love Jesus and follow him, follow in faith. But he came that we might have life and more abundantly. Then he left us, to allow his power to rest within us. If we have faith but not the presence of the Lord, then we have faith in Jesus without his power. We need him: we need his presence. Oh long, how we yearn for you. Hallelujah, you come.

Tags faithfulness, wait upon the Lord

Examining Biblical Scripture

Why Jesus Prayed Three Times

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 05/03/2020
No Comments on Why Jesus Prayed Three Times

Not my will but Thine be done: Why did Jesus pray three times?

Matthew 26:39-44 states,

“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

“Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”

Why did Jesus pray three times? Didn’t GOD hear him the first time? Didn’t Jesus have faith enough to trust Yehovah? Was he trying to persuade his father?

No. It was none of these things which prompted Jesus to repeat his prayer. I don’t believe so. Rather, he needed to work through the pain, and praying allowed him to do that until he was satisfied, at peace with the inevitable that was to come.

How many times do we need to pray?

When we earnestly seek the Father’s will, He gives us the heart and He gives us the words. Prayer is asking, pleading, praising, praying; prayer is coming to that place of peace, that place where “Thy will be done on earth as in heaven” is completed within us. That can require repeating.

It is not for Yehovah that we repeat, but for ourselves. We can take comfort that, even in the darkest hour, Jesus came through. But he, the Son of GOD and the Son of Man, had to work through — beyond temptation and fear –GOD’s will. He knew it, acknowledged it, believed it, accepted it from the start. But he worked it through until Shalom.

Bless each of us as we work through the difficult times. Paul said we are to pray without ceasing.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Tags prayer for healing, prayer for peace, prayer without ceasing

Examining Biblical Scripture

Who is Lukewarm?

Who is Lukewarm?

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:16)

No one ever thinks the harsh word of exhortation is for them… Surely, it is for some other person or some other church. But recently, my pastor spoke from the pulpit to our sincere and GOD-fearing church that we are luke warm.

And he is right. For if we do not fully surrender our lives, our prayers, our time, our hopes: to the fullness of GOD’s blessed Holy Spirit, then surely we are luke warm.

Where does the warmth come from?

Passion lies within us; the power and presence of Yehovah spring from the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to save sinners, but he left so that his Holy Spirit would come and indwell those same sinners who were repentant and faithful (John 14:25-27). Tongues of fire came upon those who were waiting for “something” to happen in the Upper Room after Jesus ascended to Heaven (see Acts 2:3).

The Presence of GOD

The Holy Spirit dwells within those who follow Jesus. But the Holy Spirit is not a passive “it”. He is a person, albeit without form, who is available to us to teach, comfort, convict, empower His children. He comes via His spirit to fill ours. As we surrender to the Father, He enables the Holy Spirit to fill us with His presence. It isn’t a one-off at Salvation. It isn’t once and only. But we need to keep going back to the Father for infilling, just as we need water to drink, food to eat, rest for revitalisation.

More of Him; less of me!

As I ask, yield, surrender, wait up on the LORD, He renews my strength (Isaiah 40:31) and fills me with His glorious, peaceful, and powerful presence.

But only if I allow will there be room for Him. So I rest in Him, I be still in Him, I trust in Him; I make time and space for Him.

Am I luke warm?

I don’t want to be luke warm. I would prefer to love Jesus and behave as though I do. So, I am choosing to move forward and I am choosing to take my call to speak to you dear reader:

May I encourage you to go beyond luke warm to hot for GOD’s Word, for His son and for His truth. The Holy Spirit will come as we submit fully to Him. Then, when we reach out to all those people who are within our sphere of influence, they will see a transformation; they will know that we take our faith very seriously, not only in word but also in deed.

We are called to fulfil our purpose in Christ Jesus — Messiah Yeshua. Hallelujah! But we cannot do it without Him, and so, as we rely on Him, so He will come.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32)

“I indeed baptised you with water, but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)

“… but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation” (Mark 3:29)

“But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11)

“John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptise you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)

Amen.

Tags baptism of Holy Spirit, indwelling of Holy Spirit, luke warm followers, presence of Holy Spirit

Examining Biblical Scripture

Let’s Get the Dates Right

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 05/03/2020
No Comments on Let’s Get the Dates Right

Christianity, Christmas and Easter

Many of us who follow Jesus closely have turned away from calling ourselves Christians because we recognise that is a turn-off to a lot of people. The label was given by unbelievers in the first place (Acts 11:26) and brings to mind the Crusade slaughters of Muslims and Jews during the Medieval Ages.

If you follow your calendar and history closely, you’ve also begun to say, “Happy Resurrection Day” rather than refer to Easter, because you know that the possibly well-meaning but definitely anti-Semitic founding fathers took a pre-existing pagan festival and, drawing it away from the Jewish Passover (hence Jesus recognised as the Passover Lamb), they transformed it into the day to mark Jesus’ death and resurrection. It was intended to celebrate Jesus’ powerful testimony and ultimate sacrifice, much the way Constantin turned a pagan festival into a day to mark Jesus’ birth (aka Christmas) to get the pagans to turn to the Christian faith. But it wasn’t GOD’s calendar and the root was pagan.

Wow, that’s a mouthful of thought to turn culture and tradition onto its head.

So, let’s begin to get this right.

We don’t know the day of Jesus’ birth, except that it was most likely in the autumn, September or October, in line with the Feast of Tabernacles on the Jewish calendar. An analysis of Roman history would also assist in discovering when the taxes were issued for Judea in those years surrounding Jesus’ birth.

Jesus was Jewish. He, his family and his culture, celebrated all the festivals and practices of Judaism, based on GOD’s (aka Yehovah’s) Laws given to Moses in the desert. The Jewish calendar would be relevant to them as Jesus was growing up. It is relevant to GOD even now. Jesus categorically stated he did not come to replace but to fulfil the Law of Judaism (Matthew 5:17).

As for the day Jesus (aka Yeshua) was crucified, we know it was on the Passover (Matthew ) and then he rose 3 days (including that Passover night) later. Therefore, the day he was resurrected has nothing to do with Sunday. Ah, if that’s the case then the Lord’s day is not Sunday? Then why do we call Sunday the Lord’s Day? …. but we’ll come to that momentarily.

So, how do we follow the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus if it isn’t hinged to the Friday to Sunday timespan? We follow the Jewish calendar, if you think they are accurate.

Are the Jews accurate?

Yes. For passover, they count based on the setting of the sun and when the new moon comes into its place.

So, to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus accurately, based on a given date, we need to link it to Passover. Why? Because that’s Biblical.

What is Biblical?

The whole of the Evangelical faith in Jesus is based on the Bible, the Old and New Testaments (aka Covenants) believed to be given to Mankind through designated and anointed people who wrote the history, laws, poetry, prophetic words and anointing as given to them by Yehovah. For example, Moses, who wrote the first five books (collectively known as the Pentateuch), was not present “In the Beginning” and so the Father, Yehovah, dictated it to him.

If we want to be accurate and follow our Faith seriously, we need to strip out culture and tradition of fifteen hundred years and go back to what Jesus practiced and taught. If we want to reach people with the Truth of GOD then we need to be truthful and accurate ourselves. If we expect to reach Muslims and Jews, we need to return to the teaching Yehovah gave to us through the promises of Father Abraham, who is the founding Father of Jesus’ followers (including Gentiles, by adoption) as well as the Jews (both faithful and secular) and the Arabs. Abraham is father of both Muslims and Jews — they are cousins!

This is accurate and gives Believers’ testimony credibility. To be credible is to be powerful, anointed by the Holy Spirit.

So, let’s be accurate rather than sentimental

Sentiment practices Christmas and Easter as indoctrinated by the Church long after Jesus’ ministry, and long after the original Apostles and the Early Church members had died.

Accuracy respects GOD’s calendar and carries a weight and power that is incontestable.

Let’s look to the Father and follow His plan

Finally, as to the LORD’s day, it is man-made.

“On the seventh day, God rested from all his works.” (Genesis 2:2)

From the beginning of time, God created His Sabbath. The Jews called it Saturday. The Church turned it into Sunday to extract itself from the Christ-killing Jews. But the Jews started Christianity in the first place. If it hadn’t been for the disciples whom Jesus chose and for the early church He founded, there would be no Christianity. So calling the Jews Christ-killers is absurd. And extracting ourselves from the calendar of feasts and celebrations that GOD ordained is also stupid.

Let’s use the Sabbath that GOD created at the beginning of the world, and keep it holy, celebrating as He encourages, not as keeping of the Law, if you argue or resent that, but as an offering to the Father whom we love and as a blessing He intended for us.

Let’s completely rid ourselves of the inaccuracies of the man-made Church some fifteen hundred years ago, rather than pick and choose what we like and don’t like.

Let us represent the Truth of the Full Gospel message, to gentiles, to muslims and to Jews.

to the glory of Yehovah, for the sake of the Gospel message, and for mankind.

Tags Label Christian, Pagan roots of Christianity, Roots of Christmas, Roots of Easter

Examining Biblical Scripture

When comes the 1000 Years?

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 26/01/2020
No Comments on When comes the 1000 Years?

Satan Bound

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:1-2)

A close reading/re-reading of Revelation 20 gives me the notion of the following:

The 1000 year binding has already been, I believe, from approximately 500 to 1500 AD. Since then, the devil has been free to deceive the nations.

After the Romans made Christianity the state religion, there was much that went wrong within the Church of Jesus Christ. But the nation states — of the West at least — were all kingdoms ruled by God-fearing kings.

The Reformation, which made available the Word of GOD to non-clergy, gave a freedom not experienced previously and a Truth hitherto hidden from the time of Christendom. The truth could be studied, digested, practised, no longer necessarily under the interpretation or influence of scholars in power. It was a time of revelation, enlightenment, study and truth.

Satan Loosed

But as the Word of GOD became available to the common man, so too did Satan become free to confuse and confound.

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 20:7)

Although there has always been war, it is since 1500 that war has become more sophisticated: nation state against nation state, conflict arising across vast distances and with increased levels of violence and destruction. War culminated in World War I (the Great War to end all wars — such a major deception) and World War II (the epitome of anti-Semitism with the most sophisticated attempt to exterminate the Jews). To this day, Satan continues to confuse, divert, oppress and destroy humanity, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

End of the Church Age

And so, I believe we are now at the end of the Church Age. Faith has dwindled. Man is waiting, whether he knows it or not, for the final war: the fire that destroys.

“And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:9b-10)

Once Satan is cast out forevermore, a new heaven and a new earth will be instated. I consider they are not necessarily new physical places, but our heaven and earth refreshed, free of evil, and with one king in the character of Jesus. He rules and reigns, and Satan, the beast and false prophet are no more.

Judgment

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” (Revelation 20:12)

There will be a judgment toward those who have never accepted Jesus. It will, I believe, include those who attest to know him but whom he does not recognise (Matthew 7:23). There are wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24); there are ones who have heard the Word but who’s “soil” fell on shallow or rocky ground (Mark 4:3-8).

Reigning with Jesus

And yet, “Hallelujah,” there will be those who have already been ruling and reigning with him for a thousand years. These are they who are the first resurrection, who were once martyred for Jesus’ name and who have been raised from the dead: “Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4b)

And there are also those who’s names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, who have known Jesus but who either died naturally, not as martyrs. This is the Second Resurrection.

And what of those who are alive at the Second Coming of Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah? I believe those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will join the host. There will be no more grief or evil in the new Age as, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

And all who live will attest to the name of the Prince of Peace. Hallelujah and Amen.

Tags End of Church Age, End Times, first resurrection, satan bound, Second Coming

Hebraic Roots: Israel and Jewish Culture

Oh, How Little we Gentiles Know

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 26/01/2020
5 Comments on Oh, How Little we Gentiles Know

Gentiles have lost so much by not embracing the G-D of the Hebrews. I am including Christian Gentiles. When we Christians threw out the Jews and their traditions from the Early Church, we also discarded their Yehovah-given wisdom and insights.

The Church of Yeshua began with 12 Jews, then 70, then 120 and many more. Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel and he came to fulfil — not to replace — the Law. Generously, the GOD of the Hebrews invited Gentiles into the Fold after the resurrection. The Gentiles, such as the woman who was willing to settle for Jesus’ crumbs, and later those who were welcomed by Peter (through Simon the Tanner at Joppa), embraced Jewish people and culture. In fact, Paul had to instruct Galatians not to go beyond what was necessary to follow Jesus: faith and holy conduct.

But foolishly, the Gentiles eventually took over the Church of Jesus; the pendulum swung to over-rule Jewish input completely. Consequently, we lost truths, the alignment with GOD’s time table, and ultimately, the Jews themselves. The Gentiles — in their anti-semitic bias, lost wisdom. Not only through Catholicism was this lost, for if only through that we’d have regained it at the Reformation (1500’s). But we have not regained it, not at all, not even after all these centuries.

Rousseau grappled with this in 1762 in Emile:

“Oh Man! Seek no further for the author of evil; thou art he. There is no evil but the evil you do or the evil you suffer, and both come from yourself. Evil in general can only spring from disorder, and in the order of the world, I find a never-failing system. Evil in particular exists only in the end of those who experience it; and this feeling is not the gift of nature, but the work of man himself….”

How alike is this to Paul in Romans 7:18:

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good, I do not find.”

Praise GOD that through faith and with the help of the Holy Spirit, all things are possible. Evil can be overcome. Paul encourages in Ephesians 3:17-19,

“… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of GOD.”

All the fullness of GOD, I purport, rests in the knowledge given to the Jewish people from the times of Abraham and Moses. All the fullness of GOD comes through the worship of Him at His feasts times and in His holy ways.

Oh, but how much have we Gentiles lost? The Jews still have that which we lost when we separated from the Jewish Believers. We can’t pinch it from them now; but we can reclaim a great deal if we recognise their traditions hold many keys for us, just as we hold keys for them as they await their Messiah.

We are not called to revert or convert to Judaism, but we are called to,“Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…”

When, in obedience and love, we remember that Jesus was crucified, not at Easter but during the holy festival of Passover, which GOD designed from centuries before to mark what would be the death and resurrection of His son, Saviour and Messiah, when we acknowledge and celebrate the truth of who the Creator of the Universe is, then we gain an insight and wisdom that He gave to the Jewish people, His chosen ones, all that time ago.

It’s all good for our learning

Irrespective of what we’ve lost we can regain. Nevertheless, we “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God….” (Philippians 4:4)

GOD loves us, comforts us, heals and delivers us.

My prayer today is, “May the Gentile Believers begin to embrace the truths of our Jewish roots, and may the Jewish people forgive our ignorance and trust those who follow Yeshua to love them and regard them as our big brothers. And one day, may all those who seek — both Jew and Gentile — find the Messiah promised by Jehovah G-D so long ago, Amen.”

Tags early church, Jewish Roots

Examining Biblical Scripture

Living in the FULLNESS of GOD

Post author By Sarah Tun
Post date 09/01/2020
No Comments on Living in the FULLNESS of GOD

There’s SO MUCH More!

It’s 2020. It’s a new decade. Let’s live it with full vision….

Recently, I was sitting in a Bible School session which my hubby runs. We were investigating Ephesians Chapter 3 (after two previous sessions looked at Ephesians Chapters 1, 2).

The session ran for 80 minutes so I won’t capture it all here. And anyway, it was exploratory and interactive, so the dynamics would be lost. But here in a nutshell is the point Alan led the group to…

We are not tapping into the fullness — in any way, shape or form — of what GOD has for us.

The Powerful Sun

The Jewish/Hebrew people have characteristically given so much innovation, creativity, technology, scientific discover to the world. Some has been for good, some destructive, but all based on genius. Their contribution and award is disproportionate to their relatively tiny population, and yet, they keep investigating, exploring, inventing, creating and giving. That is part of the covenanted promise of GOD to His people of Israel, both historically and currently.

And we too, as followers of Jesus, have that same inheritance, albeit only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We aren’t even scraping the surface of the ingenuity and blessing GOD has given to us. And we need to acquire it, now, for these end days and times.

…. “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of GOD…” (Ephesians 3:19)

The Father has given to us and yet we are not acquiring the fullness. It comes through the Holy Spirit and yet many of us reject the move of the Holy Spirit in these days because they do not see it.

Yet, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

In Genesis, the Father promises to Abraham as many heirs as the stars in the sky. And in Genesis 27, Isaac passes on all the blessing of Abraham and Isaac to Jacob.

We have inherited the blessings of GOD’s people the Jews. We are a part of the heirs of Abraham. We have received the Holy Spirit as we confessed our sins and committed our lives to Jesus. He is our helper, our comforter. Without him, we are not saved. But with him, we can do so much more, discover so much more, understand so much more, invent so much more, contribute so much more than we are currently.

At the end of the study of Ephesians Chapter 3, I suddenly had an “ah ha” moment. It isn’t provable but it is profound, if it is correct….

Jesus, the head of the church, is waiting for his bride, the church. We are nowhere near ready. What if, he is simply waiting for us… some of us, any of us, to be ready: Clothed in the Spirit and living and working in his power, might, authority, wisdom and gifting… before he can return.

It isn’t by power or might that we learn, grown and give, but by his Spirit. Let us put on the Spirit of Christ then, let us be his bride, clothed in his righteousness but fully surrendered, fully serving, living in the total and complete fullness of GOD.

Hallelujah, come LORD Jesus.

But first, there is so much more we need to receive. Let us be willing to lay down our lives totally and completely, to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, to walk in his way, and to “be filled with all the fullness of GOD.”

Amen

Tags bride of Christ, fullness of GOD, infilling of Holy Spirit, Power of the Holy Spirit, remnant, Second Coming

Examining Biblical Scripture

PRAYER: Our Only Answer

PRAYER IS THE ONLY ANSWER

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(1 Chron 7:14)

We who are concerned for our nations — any including the UK, Canada or the USA — need to be praying. We have just completed an election in Canada with a weak minority Liberal government being elected; the UK will go to the polls again on the 12th December, and the US is only a year away from their next presidential election (with the current president facing the threat of Impeachment). Nations around the world are in turmoil, and many are divided between one extreme and another.

There are those who are GOD’s chosen leaders; yet, there are those who speak good promises but will reap a storm.

If you watch this video, you can take encouragement:

BUT just as this prophetic voice says we are to pray, so does GOD’s Word. We cannot and must not take for granted the results of our elections. For though GOD is sovereign, He calls us to pray.

Father, deliver us from evil and give us the government not that we may deserve, but that will preserve freedom to express our faith in Jesus, that will ensure Your Chosen People the Jews are supported, and that Your will be done so that our nations will be sheep nations and not goat nations, when Jesus comes to judge. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. (Revelations 11:18)

May the earth will be sprinkled with the joy of the LORD.

“For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)

Examining Biblical Scripture

Law and Grace

Law and Grace – not law versus grace

“They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” Galatians 2:10

What are we Gentiles to do with the history we receive from the Jews and the freedom we gain in Yeshua/Jesus?

Law versus Grace has reared its head in recent days, as Hebraic Roots are (re)discovered for those of us who walk in the light of Jesus’/Yeshua’s salvation.

The principle of Faith without Works is dead (James) competes with We are Saved by Grace, not of Works lest any man should boast (Ephesians). Both are true! But how?

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:16-18 has many facets. Recently, I wrote about fasting as regards the flesh and Spirit. Now, I’ll address the aspect of the Law of GOD — named Yehovah* — versus Grace of GOD.

It is my understanding and experience, that Gentiles are saved by the grace of GOD and not by walking in the Law of Moses. Jesus came to fulfil the law, and as the sacrificial lamb of GOD that takes away the sins of the world through faith in him (John 1:29), he delivers all who believe and follow him, just as the Hebrews were delivered from Egypt the night they put the blood of the sacrificial lamb on their door posts so that the angel of death would pass over them (Exodus 12:21).

BUT it is also my belief that GOD gave us the feasts to celebrate Him. And He gave us the unconditional love and blessings of the covenants of Adam, Noah and Abraham before the conditional covenant with Moses, the latter of which Jesus fulfils (Matthew 5:17). No, we do not need to keep any law except that which is written on our hearts (Romans 2:15) in love for one another (John 13:34), but in love for GOD I choose to honour His Sabbath and I recognise his feasts, not in order to receive salvation, but in order to give back to Him a fraction of what he’s given me.

We are saved by GOD’s grace and mercy through the work of Jesus/Yeshua. But we can honour Him by celebrating in the ways that He has provided for us, whether we are Jew or Gentile, for there is neither in the Kingdom of GOD (Galatians 3:28).

If you meditate on what I’ve written above, and give due consideration to it, I’m certain you will find your way forward by the Spirit of GOD, to balance tradition (which is empty) with revelation (which is Yehovah’s way of leading and guiding us).

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10)

*See Nehemiah Gordon’s research into the various texts which give us the obscure vowels to the YHVH name we are familiar with in Biblical text, to complete His name correctly.

Tags truth of salvation

Examining Biblical Scripture

Malachi

Malachi

The son of Righteousness shall

arise

with healing

in His wings.

And so the prophets finish

But your pain is not resolved

and still you do not surrender.

Your pain of decades — centuries

resounds

through your messengers

your anger, rebuke,

forgiveness

goes on and on

— and on.

And so you give

and forgive

again

yet wait for

my return

and wait

again.

And still you send one more

to warn

and still you send

one more

and still you send

your son

to cover.

Grief begets grief

grief begets grief

and still you send

forgive

and still —

Asking only

faithfulness.

Tags searching for truth

Examining Biblical Scripture

Fasting and its Purpose: A look at Isaiah 58

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 08/08/2019
No Comments on Fasting and its Purpose: A look at Isaiah 58

FSome people fast for health: to detox or to lose weight. Those who follow Jesus fast, from time to time, to support and empower their prayer lives, using Bible text as a foundation:

“… this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21)

An epileptic boy could not be healed by the disciples; yet Jesus removed a demon and the boy was healed. When asked why they could not heal the boy, Jesus said it was only through prayer and fasting that he could have been healed. There is power in prayer, and there is power in fasting. But is our key reason for fasting to do miracles or to see prophetically?

References to the Holy Spirit

The chief purpose for and result of fasting is to stop indulging the flesh and to give over to the Spirit. To be filled with the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit is the goal of any born again believer, just as Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15)

Galatians 5: 16-18 says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts* against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Another time I’ll address the topic of GOD’s Law versus the Grace of GOD. But for now, let us dwell for a moment on the flesh versus the Spirit as related to fasting. *Lust is not only sexual but any desire that puts attention on the fleshly desires we seek to fulfil, including food. The act of fasting from food puts on hold the practice of stuffing our bodies full of edible foodstuffs. I sometimes become aware when I fast of just how food suppresses my connection to or my awareness of the Spirit within me.

The book of Acts is full of accounts of people becoming born again, baptised and filled with the Spirit. At Pentecost they appeared drunk to outsiders, so full of GOD’s Spirit were they (Acts 2). Saul became filled with the Spirit according to GOD’s plan for his life,

“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

So we know that to be filled with the Spirit is of GOD. But is fasting an automatic way of becoming filled with the Spirit.

Isaiah 58

The examples in Isaiah 58:6-9 are examples, in essence, of what happens when we choose to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The result is a flourish of our character growing in the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). In its essence, the fast the LORD has chosen is not works-based, though it could be read as such, but rather demonstrates acts of selflessness instead of fleshly self-centredness.

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

To loose the bonds of wickedness,

And undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

When you see the naked, that you cover him,

And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the morning,

Your healing shall spring forth speedily,

And your righteousness shall go before you;

And the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;

You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’”

When we do what is loving and kind, we not only fulfil the Ten Commandments, but also the Great Commandment which Jesus uttered,

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

And in so doing the fast of Isaiah 58:6-9, we put our fleshly self-centredness aside and give way to the Spirit of GOD. The earlier references in Isaiah 58 are the fleshly attempts to achieve the same result, which of course fail.

As being like Jesus is our goal, and being Spirit-led is a significant part of that, we can discern that the benchmarks of the Spirit operating in our lives are the fruit of the spirit (our visible growth in character) and our lifestyle (spirit-filled rather than carnal). From Isaiah 58, we discover that to fast GOD’s way — which may not have anything to do with food at all — is a way forward towards walking in the Spirit.

There are many kinds of fasts and many reasons for fasting, but the key is to desire more of GOD and less of ourselves; fasting can be a manifestation of either. Isaiah 58 outlines a way of fasting that encourages us to grow spiritually, which is our key witness and desire. If it follows from that, that we become anointed and empowered for miracles or prophetic insight in our prayers, so be it. But that is not our purpose. Our purpose is to be filled with the Spirt as Jesus was filled with the Spirit. What happens after that is GOD’s will as to how He chooses to use us to reveal Himself.

Tags being filled with the Holy Spirit, fasting, filled with Spirit, Is being filled with the Holy Spirit Biblical

Hebraic Roots: Israel and Jewish Culture

Keeping and Losing Faith

Stand fast in the Faith

It’s so important to get the grounding in the Word of GOD to hold onto our faith through all eventualities. Christians make up 80% of the religious persons currently being persecuted worldwide. We cannot take for granted that we will hold on to our faith for even Jesus said,

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24)

While many of you reading this post will be rock solid in your Biblical foundations, some close to you may not be.

I am so saddened

A friend of some 20 years has moved away from Jesus as the son of GOD and Saviour. She still loves him and enjoys him, but no longer recognises he is the Truth or that he died and conquered death through resurrection for the sake of others. He has become for her, a way and is her way to peace and joy on earth, but salvation is no longer necessary, and he is no longer the only way to the GOD of mankind.

How sad.

And if I grieve, how much more does he, who died for her, even as she undermines — albeit without intent — his work.

How we can stay sure

The world is shrinking, not in mass but in time. We can cross nations and continents in hours. As we have become familiar with different cultures, we have learned about the different religions. From those not directly involved, all religions that seek peace have, over decades, become lumped together. People claim there are many roads to GOD and that all religions are the same.
But we who understand who Jesus is, and what he did, recognise there is no one else with the authority to defeat sin, and to bring us into relationship with the Father. We must be sure our foundations are solid and based on Truth… how we do that is to study the Bible for ourselves and see what is actually inside the book.

Father, Creator, One True GOD

Who is the Father? His name is Yehovah. YHWH. Some say Yaweh, Elohim, Adonia, Abba, “I AM”. This one GOD is the father who describes himself as:
“the father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Genesis 50:24; Exodus 3:6; Deuteronomy 6:10) and as the GOD of the Israel (1Kings 8:22-27)

“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said: “Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. Therefore, Lord God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’ And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father.
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!”
There is only one GOD who fits this category. And Jesus only pointed to one GOD.
He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Importance of the Name of Yehovah

If you open Google search engine and look up Nehemia Gordon or Rood Awakening (Michael Rood), you can dig up aspects of a fascinating story of how Bible Scholar Nehemia discovered the missing letters of YWHW on 11th September 2001, best known as “9/11”.

Aspects of proof of the Name of G-D: Hebrew Manuscripts

Nehemia Gordon with Michael Rood

Value in knowing our Hebraic Roots

Over the last decade or so, there has been an increasing international move amongst Christians to discover more of their Hebraic Roots. Jesus was Jewish and many Gentile followers of Jesus are thinking, “Why not learn more about Jesus’ culture and the Law of GOD that Jesus fulfilled?”
 For some it is curiosity that draws them toward investigating the Hebraic roots of Jesus, but for others it is much more. Some people experience a pull from grace towards a reversal to legalism as they study the Law, festivals and roots of Jesus. They reject the necessity for them. Others experience more of GOD, a deepening of understanding and relationship through their investigation, and they embrace the Hebraic roots.

I am interested and I value the discoveries. Learning how different the Hebrew texts are from the Greek translations of the New Testament for example, is fascinating and helpful to my growth.

Hebraic Roots and Knowledge offer some spiritual protection

But there is further reason to know our Hebraic roots. It is not necessarily in practising the law or even the feasts that we grow in our faith, although the feasts are very enjoyable. But it can be as simple as having an awareness of these feasts which prevents us looking at our GOD as though He is common to all religions.

It is not in practising the law, nor in the study of Hebrew, but simply in the recognition of GOD’s name and identity, and how He identifies himself, that we can arm ourselves against the wave of atheism and globalism which seeks to erase the uniqueness of our Judeo-Christian faith and values, and erase the power and truth of the Gospel of Jesus, Messiah and Saviour of the world.

Over and over again in Biblical scripture, GOD calls Himself the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the GOD of Israel. I believe He’s done so for such a time as this.

He is not the GOD of Buddha or Thailand, of Confucius or China, or of Mecca and Mohammed. He is the GOD of Israel. He is the Creator of the Universe, and the lover of all Mankind. He is the One True GOD. Allah may be One. But Yehovah is the One True GOD and like Him there is no other.

When Pilot asked Jesus, “Are you a king then?” this was our lord’s response,

“You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37)

Oh, let us pray that those who have heard his voice will hold fast, knowing and not becoming confused. For some, that will mean digging into the Hebraic ways, to understand more of Jesus. For others, it will be tracing the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham, even back to Adam, to solidify understanding and confidence in the identity of our Saviour. Let us all be sure to hold onto the unique identity of Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew), and hold onto the knowledge that we have been adopted by his Father, the One True GOD and Creator of the Universe, by the power of His Holy Spirit; this is so that we might continue to live in the Spirit, and not in the flesh as other mortals do, for this life and forever.

Amen.

God is Love, God is Peace, but the reverse is not true

The New Age and One New Religion seek peace. They find it through love. But while GOD is love, they make their search for peace and love their focus and their god; that is not the same as finding GOD. Just as loving thy neighbour before loving GOD is a shaky foundation, so too is searching for love or peace for its own sake. That will lead us astray.

Be not tricked nor confused

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

GOD does not test or trick us and is not the author of confusion. So, if you find yourself with a lack of clarity, the confusion is not of GOD. And if you find yourself tested beyond your faith, that is not GOD either. Whatever draws you to GOD is true, whatever draws you away is not of Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you. If you seem far away from GOD, guess who moved?

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:22a) Be assured. He will never leave you nor forsake you. And as you dwell in the Word and remain in fellowship with other Believers, neither will you depart from him. But be aware: the enemy is prowling around like a lion, (1 Peter 5:8) seeking to lead you away. So, do not take your faith for granted in these days of increasing peril, temptation and lies. Dwell in the LORD, abide in Him (John 15) so that you cannot be led astray.

Tags Hebraic Roots, maintaining Christian Faith

Examining Biblical Scripture

What is Praise?

Praise is not singing

Praise may include singing, but that is not what it IS. Praise is expressing thanks, adoration and worship to GOD.

If it were only singing, many would not be very equipped to praise.

If it were only words, many who feel their passion throughout their bodies, would feel limited.

Praise is thanksgiving, expressed in worship to the King. It comes from our hearts and focuses on Him whom we cherish.

When Cain offered a sacrifice, it was not accepted (Genesis 4:5). We aren’t told specifically why. All we can do is offer our hearts in adoration to the LORD Yehovah, King of Kings, Creator of the Universe, and ask Him to accept that act of sincere worship.

Here is an expression of praise I am blessed by

Paul Wilbur “Nobody Like You”

Does this touch GOD’s heart? I don’t know. But it is focused on Him, and on blessing Him, thanking Him, adoring Him, and represents Him as our glorious Master of the Universe.

The by-product of true praise

When we praise, our attention is taken from us, pointed towards the One who is Worthy. In that, we are released from care, worry, or stress, and we receive His Shalom.

“Father GOD, may my praise be acceptable in Your Sight. Amen.”

Tags what is praise

Examining Biblical Scripture

Praise is Key to our Breakthrough

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 02/03/2019
No Comments on Praise is Key to our Breakthrough

At the heart of many of the Psalms — especially from Psalm 100 to 118 — is about Praise. Praise is for the LORD GOD, Yehovah, Creator, Father, merciful and gracious.

Why Praise Matters

“I will praise You,

For you have answered me,

And have become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:21)

This is conditional praise… because Yehovah has answered, the psalmist praises Him.

But praise itself is also an answer to life, to salvation,

“Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I will go through them,

And I will praise the LORD.

This* is the gate of the LORD,

Through which the righteous shall enter.” (Psalm 118:19-20)

There it is! Praise is not only a result of salvation, but it is the door to it as well.

Of course we need Jesus as Intercessor and Passover Lamb

Jesus is still the Way to the Father. A sacrifice for our human sinfulness had to be made and only Jesus, the only begotten son of GOD, the only person who did not inherit the sin of Adam through man, is the way to our spiritual salvation.

But a key to the peace, joy, love, mercy and end of suffering upon and within ourselves comes from the praises we lift up to Him.

Salvation from death comes from Jesus and only from Jesus. But salvation into Shalom, GOD’s perfect peace, is through praising Him.

Hallelujah, that even before Jesus, David and other Psalmists knew the value of Praise.

When we lift our praises to Yehovah, we are set free.

* This = Praise!

Tags Praise to God

Examining Biblical Scripture

What is REST?

What is Rest?

“For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3) and “For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:10 – aka on the Sabbath)

Rest is being with GOD. Rest is peace of mind. Rest is desirable. Rest is….

In terms of physics, “at rest” is stillness, having a potential of energy but not movement, not kinetic energy.

Rest in the sense of our spirituality, is being in the Will of the Father.

How do we find rest?

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

That means: focus in Jesus, obey Jesus, take Jesus’ advice, follow Jesus.

How do we focus on Jesus?

By the power of the Holy Spirit which he sent to us after his Ascension to be with the Father.

And this is my point:

Rest comes from Yehovah, Father GOD, Creator. It comes when we align with Him. Jesus shows us The Way — how to be “at rest” with our father, through obedience and trust. Being under the anointing facilitates it, and as we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), we can be at rest in Him; we are not full of our own agenda, angst and will, but alive in His will, by His grace and love and faithfulness.

Ultimately, rest comes when we walk in the Spirit and not in our flesh.

Sabbath Rest

In Hebrews 4:10 (above), the Father is telling us we need to keep His Sabbath in order to find rest. To keep the Sabbath means to rest in the Sabbath, but what IS the Sabbath?

In the 7th day of Creation, GOD rested. We know from the Hebrew that this day was the equivalent of our Saturday. So why do we go to church on Sunday? Why (historically) did shops used to be closed on Sundays? Why is our Sabbath considered by many followers of Jesus as Sunday?

Because Rome decided to do that as part of making the Church and State linked. Rome became “Christian” and so Rome dictated much change from The Way begun by Jesus’ immediate disciples. They based the new Sabbath on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead on the equivalent of Sunday. The establishment called this the LORD’s day and made it the Sabbath.

But speaking to the Hebrews, GOD says through the Word in Hebrews 13:5,

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

That doesn’t sound like a GOD who would change His Sabbath away from what He gave to the Hebrews centuries before.

What shall we do?

On the seventh day, GOD rested from all His work when He created the world.

In Exodus 20:8 He commands us to do the same.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Strictly speaking, Christians are keeping the wrong day!

Does which day we keep as Sabbath matter to GOD?

We each must seek the Father on this matter.

I believe so. He picked a day, He picked a people. He’s never unChosen the Jews and He’s never changed the Sabbath… not in His Word. In fact Hebrews 13:8 says,

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Since Jesus is GOD’s son, I reckon if he doesn’t change, then neither does the Father.

Now if we are in pursuit of total rest, then let us seek Shalom and wish Shalom for others…

You’ve probably heard others or perhaps you’ve said yourself, “Shalom,” as a greeting.

What is Shalom?

Is it rest – stop – potential?

In order for GOD to move, He may insist that we need to be in that state of ‘rest’, where we are walking not in the flesh but in the Spirit.

According to Jews for Jesus, Shalom is,

“The ancient Hebrew concept of peace, rooted in the word “shalom,” meant wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety and prosperity, carrying with it the implication of permanence.”

You can read much more about the Shalom of YHWH:

https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v01-n10/the-shalom-of-god-issues-shalom/

From me, today, I simply want to encourage us all to consider two things:

Let us live in the state of rest that Jesus encourages, only doing the will of the Father and
Let us consider deeply, whether the Father wants us to keep His Sabbath, not because it’s law but as an act of obedient love for Him.

And finally,

Rest is eternal. Eternal rest, not as death, but as forever, living peacefully within – having the peace of GOD, which surpasses understanding. (Philippians 4:7) And as we walk by His Spirit, we can have that, beginning today.

Tags Rest, Sabbath

Examining Biblical Scripture

Companionship with our Father

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 28/02/2019
No Comments on Companionship with our Father

I am growing as a companion to GOD.

Recently, I began to realise whilst in prayer, that the Father really wants intimacy with me. It isn’t a one way desire. I was seeking Him and He revealed to me, He wants me as His companion, as well.

How do I dare to say this?

Looking at Genesis, Enoch and Noah both walked with GOD.

“Enoch ….. walked with God” (Genesis 5:24)

“Noah …. walked with GOD (Genesis 6:9)

And as one who follows The Way of Jesus, I have accepted that friendship with the world is is contrary to GOD’s Way,

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Jesus said that he and the Father were one,

“… that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:21)

Jesus prayed for his disciples and for all who would one day follow him, that we might be one in Him.

Let us take GOD at His word…

He says he wants companionship. I trust Him and am learning from Him how to live that out.

Tags enoch, noah walked with GOD

Examining Biblical Scripture

Aliyah: a new discovery about the Father’s Heart

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 22/12/2018
No Comments on Aliyah: a new discovery about the Father’s Heart

A Life of Discovery

Life with Jesus, Yeshua, is a journey of constant discovery. I know that. I’ve known that for over thirty years.

A most recent discovery

Aliyah is for the Jews to return to the land AND also to the Father.

It is not only to return to Israel, but it is to return to Yehovah.

And quite possibly, the physical return is separate from the spiritual return, so that for some Jews, returning to the Father, turning from secularism and accepting by Faith that God exists, is Aliyah. This is actually for us all to study… and so I include the entire chapter of Joel 2 for your consideration.

Our prayer for Yehovah’s Will to be done:

Oh Father, may we pray… Joel 2 – the judgment and the return.

*The Day of the Lord

Joel 2

“Blow the [a]trumpet in Zion,
And sound an alarm in My holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble;
For the day of the Lord is coming,
For it is at hand:

A day of darkness and gloominess,
A day of clouds and thick darkness,
Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains.
A people come, great and strong,
The like of whom has never been;
Nor will there ever be any such after them,
Even for many successive generations.

A fire devours before them,
And behind them a flame burns;
The land is like the Garden of Eden before them,
And behind them a desolate wilderness;
Surely nothing shall escape them.

Their appearance is like the appearance of horses;
And like [b]swift steeds, so they run.

With a noise like chariots
Over mountaintops they leap,
Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble,
Like a strong people set in battle array.

Before them the people writhe in pain;
All faces [c]are drained of color.

They run like mighty men,
They climb the wall like men of war;
Every one marches in formation,
And they do not break ranks.

They do not push one another;
Every one marches in his own [d]column.
Though they lunge between the weapons,
They are not [e]cut down.

They run to and fro in the city,
They run on the wall;
They climb into the houses,
They enter at the windows like a thief.

The earth quakes before them,
The heavens tremble;
The sun and moon grow dark,
And the stars diminish their brightness.

The Lord gives voice before His army,
For His camp is very great;
For strong is the One who executes His word.
For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible;
Who can endure it?

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.

Who knows if He will turn and relent,
And leave a blessing behind Him—
A grain offering and a drink offering
For the Lord your God?

Blow the [f]trumpet in Zion,
Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;

Gather the people,
Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the children and nursing babes;
Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,
And the bride from her dressing room.

Let the priests, who minister to the Lord,
Weep between the porch and the altar;
Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,
And do not give Your heritage to reproach,
That the nations should [g]rule over them.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”

Then the Lord will be zealous for His land,
And pity His people.

The Lord will answer and say to His people,
“Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil,
And you will be satisfied by them;
I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.

“But I will remove far from you the northern army,
And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land,
With his face toward the eastern sea
And his back toward the western sea;
His stench will come up,
And his foul odor will rise,
Because he has done [h]monstrous things.”

Fear not, O land;
Be glad and rejoice,
For the Lord has done [i]marvelous things!

Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field;
For the open pastures are springing up,
And the tree bears its fruit;
The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the Lord your God;
For He has given you the [j]former rain faithfully,
And He will cause the rain to come down for you—
The former rain,
And the latter rain in the first month.

The threshing floors shall be full of wheat,
And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming [k]locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.

Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.

“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.

And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.

The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be [l]saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be [m]deliverance,
As the Lord has said,
Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.”

Now, Father, bring your people back to you. In faith, in physical, or both.

Amen.

* Thank you to Bible Gateway for making the Word of GOD accessible and available for all to read and receive.

Tags Aliyah is, Jews recognising Messiah, Jews return to Israel, secular jews

Examining Biblical Scripture Watchman on Alert BLOG

The Name of our GOD

The name of the LORD

Joel 2 says, “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

I’ve quoted from the NKJV, an English translation of the Bible.

But LORD does not appear in the Hebrew scriptures; YHWH appears. When the Bible was translated into English, LORD was inserted where YHWH appeared.

For centuries, we’ve thought YHWH stood for Yahweh. The vowels are missing and so the full name had to be figured out. The popular conclusion has been that the name of GOD is Yahweh.

But in recent years (in fact in 2001, just as the New York Twin Towers were attacked and terrorists were shouting “Allah Aqbar”), a Jewish Biblical scholar named Nehemiah Gordon*, was in the vaults of the Vatican doing his research and uncovered the missing vowels. The full name of GOD is Yehovah. Yehovah is His name. (Note: v = w in translation, just as y = j)

Writing the Name of GOD

Historically, Jewish people have not written GOD but G-D. Why?

Another misunderstanding is that Jews are not meant to write GOD but G-D because we’re not meant to spell out the Creator’s name. This however, is superstition, or in fact, rooted in fear. Truly, the historical facts are that avoiding writing the name of GOD was to avoid persecution. Jews learned not to declare or even to write the One True God’s identity, for fear of being identified as Jew. Now, today, we are free to declare His name, and indeed, there is huge power in it.

The Power of a Name:

It’s been proven by psychologists that we all love the sound of our own names. Why would Yehovah be any different? In actual fact, the demons flee at His name, and so there is great power in it as well. So, why wouldn’t it be that, in these Last Days, we would discover, along with so much else, the full and true name of the Creator of the Universe, the One True God, who’s correct name is Yehovah.

Are we Saved?

The text from Joel 2 is powerful. Am I saying if you don’t know His name as Yehovah or don’t speak or write it as such, you are not saved? No, that is not what I’m saying. BUT His name is known – I AM, as he spoke of Himself to Moses at the burning bush, is Yehovah. The One True GOD, Creator of the heavens and the earth, is Yehovah, or Jehovah (in English translation).

Just as many have not known that Jesus is an anglicised name and his Jewish name is Yeshua, now we can also know GOD’s Jewish name, which is Yehovah.

Getting specific:

Further, the name LORD or GOD is very general, and open to ambiguity. History tells us that many gods were called God. Yehovah is not to be confused with any other god.This is not Allah, nor Buddah. He is not Saint Paul or Mary or even Jesus. His name is not even Abba — although Abba or “Daddy” as it translates, is one of His roles. His actual name, to be compared with my actual name as Sarah Tun, is Yehovah. It is He whom Jesus/Yeshua points to, and it is He who is the Creator of the Universe. Now we know He has asked us to learn it, know it, and call upon Him by name.

Let us learn and speak His name, because He has now revealed it to us.

*An examination of Nehemiah Gordon’s books and video teachings will disclose many wonderful “Ah ha’s!” as you delve with him into texts that have until recently been locked in the Vatican and unexamined, awaiting revelation.

He is a Jew, unsaved, but who works with Messianic and Non-Jewish believers to open up texts to the world, so that more can be known about the Father.

I recommend you go to Nehemiah’s Wall:

https://www.nehemiaswall.com/

to explore what he shares with us, so we can better know and understand the Creator, Father of Mankind, first and always, the G-D of the Hebrews.

Tags name of God, what is God's name, who is God, YWHW

Hebraic Roots: Israel and Jewish Culture

The Jewish Mindset: Capturing their hearts through Engagement

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 17/10/2018
2 Comments on The Jewish Mindset: Capturing their hearts through Engagement

What is the Jewish mindset? Oh, how it is different to that of any other culture’s.

I have been reading Ezekiel. I am a watchman and I find Ezekiel difficult to understand in places, but do comprehend the calling in a small way. Oh, how it must have grieved Ezekiel to have to say the things he did to the people. And oh, how the Word suggests they ignored him.

The Jewish mindset is superior in intellect, thinking way outside the box. If that’s accurate, that would explain how a <1% of the world’s population has won over 25% of Nobel Prizes. That’s just one example of their extraordinary creativity, ability, and genius.

In truth, I think the LORD our Father GOD made this nation of Jewish people gifted and hugely intelligent. But in their giftedness, they were self-sufficient (historically) and sought to blend in (Ezekiel 23). Oh what a price the Father has paid for His generosity.

And today, their giftedness blesses humanity; research and development in medicine, technology, military defence are second to none. I’d love to know how they think, so I can think and create too, as they do.

But how can I convince one who is vastly superior in capability and talent? How can I draw Jews to Jesus? I can’t, but I can learn their ways.

Or how can we win over to Yeshua those who have, for the majority, rejected the Father? How can we possibly draw Israelis and other Jews back to Truth unless they seek it? The truth is, we can’t. But Yehovah can. And in these Last Days, His Word says He will. We must prepare, study and befriend.

Prepare for Aliya: the return of Jewish people back to Israel; prepare for WWIII: Armageddon and the Mark of the Beast; prepare for the world to turn against Jews and we stand in the gap — practically, politically, and prayerfully. We intercede for their restoration to the Father and we intercede for His will on the earth as in heaven. His will includes the return of His chosen people to Israel and their acceptance of Yeshua as Messiah.

We can study: learn our Hebraic Roots so we can talk intelligently with those who know their Torah. We can learn Hebrew (I’m starting with the alphabet and customary songs and prayers). Learn about the feasts and festivals, enter into conversations and share their stories by listening and discussing. They like to question and to discuss.

Let us genuinely befriend our older brother, the Jewish nation, and the Jewish people. Let us learn our own roots to the Father. And let us provoke them to jealousy as necessary, by our faith in and relationship with Adonai.

How often has the Father said in His Word, “I shall….. and they will know I am the LORD.”

Oh, how He wants the Jewish people to acknowledge Him. So let us acknowledge them and Him to them, that they may be jealous (Romans 11:11) and turn back to Him.

Father has bequeathed His people with giftedness but they have a stubborn heart; He has given us faith and relationship as He’s grafted us into the vine. Let us engage with Jewish people to discover their personalities and thought processes, that they might learn of our blessings through Yeshua, and yearn for the same.

Tags Jewish mindset unique, Jewish self sufficiency, Jewish talent, learning hebraic roots

Examining Biblical Scripture

A Remnant: Ready to be Reached

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 07/06/2018
No Comments on A Remnant: Ready to be Reached

A Remnant: Ready to Reach….

In many churches all around the world you will find individuals who regularly attend Church meetings, enjoy the fellowship and receive the weekly message. In general they appreciate the ¨leaves¨ of the ¨Church Tree¨ if you will. But at the same time, they feel the need to go deeper. They have a sense that there is so much more to their faith and have an awakening hunger for Truth. They want to discover the ¨Roots¨ of their faith. Questioning, seeking, they often feel alone in this quest. Others on a similar journey don’t necessarily share their thoughts out of a fear of rejection or are themselves trying to avoid being seen as questioning of the church leadership and its teachings; after all they are the ones who have attended seminary, right? Many though, don’t realise that we are in a season where YHVH is restoring ALL things before Yeshua/Jesus returns, as Prophesied by the Prophets of old. (Acts 3:21) He is not tarrying nor is He delayed; what was Prophesied in the Scriptures needs to be fulfilled. All needs to be Restored. We are now living in these Prophetic days.

Yeshua/Jesus says in John 16:13,^¨But when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into ALL the truth¨.

This is exactly what is taking place. This is indeed what is being stirred up in the hearts and spirits of men today, who are truly filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, the Spirit of Elohim. Truth is wanting to be revealed.

But mention needs to be made of the fact that if this ¨Truth¨ is being rejected by Believers, then from what spirit does that rejection emanate? I believe the time has come for those with knowledge and understanding of the ¨Roots¨ to have opportunities to share in churches and so reach the Remnant that is ready to receive and to delve deeper, as well as for those hungry to realise that they are not alone. They are little lights scattered across the earth who, once united, will produce a strong necessary ¨light of Truth¨ in this ever-darkening world, where deception is ever-increasing. The Remnant is getting ready. Are you?!? Selah.

Antoinette du Plessis (toni)

Servant of YeHoVaH and

Founder of Beit Yehudah-Marbella /House of Judah-Marbella

Tags end times church, many called few chosen, remnant

Hebraic Roots: Israel and Jewish Culture

Volcanoes: Interesting Connection to Israel

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 05/06/2018
2 Comments on Volcanoes: Interesting Connection to Israel

What do Guatemala and the USA have in common?

Israeli Embassies in Jerusalem.

What else?

The destructive force of volcanic eruption.

Hawaii and Guatemala have, in the last couple of weeks, experienced the eruptions of local volcanoes. These have come shortly after the relocation of their respective Israeli embassies in Jerusalem. No other earthquakes have been reported, and no other countries have opened embassies in Jerusalem, so far.

What does this mean?

A friend recently said she’d heard of a teaching that states a volcanic eruption means hell is expanding. Well, when the enemy is active, it suggests it is feeling threatened.

Hallelujah!

It would seem hell is angry with these two nations who have come alongside Jerusalem. And so it is threatening, looming large, expanding its territory.

How can we respond?

I am led to pray 1 Chronicles 4:10, the prayer of Jabez:

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

Do Not Fear

So, should be stop moving embassies to Jerusalem to avoid volcanoes?

No. We should not give into the enemy. Instead, let’s know that the enemy doesn’t like embassies in Jerusalem, and therefore we must place more of them there.

As against the wishes of the terrorists, we must not give in to fear of the enemy.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10)

As we ask protection from the Creator and Father, we may or may not stop natural disasters, but we can be sure GOD’s “will is done on earth as in heaven”. And that is always a good and righteous thing.

Tags Guatemala volcano, Hawaii volcano, Jerusalem capital of Isreal, spiritual aspects to volcanoes

Examining Biblical Scripture

Jesus is not Popular

God is Love but we are called to Love God, not to dwell on His love for Us

If you’re in a huge crowd of Jesus worshippers, I would LOVE to think it is a sign of revival or at least of exponential growth. Instead I think sadly, that it does not necessarily mean Jesus is present or is even being worshipped. The truth of the matter is, Jesus is not, was not popular.

More and more, the love of GOD is being preached. But while that is comforting, reassuring, and true, it is also misleading because the Gospel is the Son of God coming to earth, out of love for us. He came for us, but he preached responsibility, holiness, and righteousness with the Father, which is not being preached in every church today. It should be.

It is true that self-righteousness has been rife in the Church, which has been condemning, often cruel. That needs to be amended. But as that is preached against, and rightly so, there must be righteousness, a standard to be reached in order to please GOD. Instead, we are being sold a popular Jesus, who is the Son of God in name only, but not in character or message.

Jesus said love God, and love your neighbour as yourself

As we love GOD the Father, Jehovah by name, we do not wish to sin or to cheapen his son’s sacrifice. As we dwell on the love of the Father, it is meant to reassure us and convict us of our sinfulness, so that we can ask for forgiveness and seek holiness.

Jesus said, “go and sin no more” to the woman caught in adultery. He did not say, “I love you and you are forgiven and you can fellowship with me with no responsibility at all.” He hated the Pharisees who were themselves self-righteous and put heavy yokes on the Jewish people. But instead, he died and stood in the gap for Sin so that we could be forgiven and walk in holiness. He even sent the Holy Spirit to equip us to walk in that holiness.

Loving GOD

As we recognise God’s love for us, we are called to love Him first. The love of the neighbour is to follow. If we only receive His love but do not honour Him, we cheapen the death and resurrection of His son, and cheapen His love for us.

We love Him because He first loved us, implies love. Not a mushy sort of verbal expression of love, but a love born of obedience and the desire to follow Him.

It’s all about Jesus; we’ve instead made the Gospel all about us. To quote a super Matt Redman song,

“It’s all about you, Jesus

And all this is for you,

For your glory and your fame

It’s not about me, as it you should do it my way

You alone are God* and I surrender to your will.”

*Splitting hairs as to the identity of Jesus, being God or the Son of God is for another time.

Tags holiness, righteousness, Standards of Holiness

Examining Biblical Scripture

Recognise Sin in the Church but Do Not Fear

Post author By Dr Sarah Tun
Post date 04/06/2018
No Comments on Recognise Sin in the Church but Do Not Fear

Fear not the world, “I have overcome the world”

I was in church on Sunday and the sermon preached was half a sermon. If it had contained the other half, it would have been fabulous. As it was, it reduced the Father’s identity to a GOD who wants his children to love one another and to be nice, inclusive and without standards of His righteousness. If this is the standard of the Anglican Church in Britain, the country — to quote the title of a book written by an earnest brother, Wale Babatunde — “Great Britain has Fallen”.

But we fear not

Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)

Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

We are not to stand in judgment of those who seek a lifestyle contrary to the LORD’s ways of righteousness, not if they are in the World. But those who enter church life, should be embraced and then, they as we all, need to remember as the woman caught in adultery was told, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

The pendulum swing from shame and abhorrence of a person of the world who lives in sin to acceptance of that person as a fellow human being who needs the love of GOD is timely, and right. However, the pendulum has swung to the other extreme, as my witness recognises, when a church leader tells his congregation to be inclusive of all, regardless of culture, colour or creed, including gays and others of the LGBTQ group, with no inclusion of Jesus’ standards. The church then is, quite simply, without Jesus.

Jesus, Prince of Peace, Holy One

Jesus has overcome the legalism and damage of the cruel judgemental nature of society. He has done it with love. But he has not stopped there. He has called us to the Father, who abhors sin. And sin includes sexual immorality, including incest, and homosexuality. Jesus without the Father to whom he points, is not Jesus at all, but a cardboard cutout of a saviour without a call to righteousness.

There is a right and loving way to call one to face their sin, and a wrong way. But not to do it at all reduces the sinner’s opportunity to gain the purity and forgiveness Jesus offers, and reduces Jesus to a “nice guy” who has some authority over “cruelty of humanity” inside a community.

Yes, we need to introduce people to Jesus, but to his full identity. It is ironic in accepting the identity of a gay person, we are being called to hide Jesus’ full identity, so that the individual might feel accepted. He is accepted by Jesus and should be by us. But if his behaviour is sinful, he needs to be made aware. The woman caught in adultery knew her shame and her sin. Jesus did not condone it, but neither did he condemn her. There is the person and there is the sin, and each needs to be addressed.

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

Oh Church! How fallen you are when you cannot purge the evil without also purging the good.

As a Watchman, I wonder, Do I speak to this vicar? My answer is no. While Ezekiel is my touch-prophet, and Ezekiel 3 and 33 tell me I must not hide Truth from a sinner, or I do so at my own peril, I am not called to preach to this “preacher”. Lately, I have been led to offer insight to others, in polite discourse. But not to this person. Why not? Because he already knows? Because he is too far gone in his thinking? I don’t know. I doubt either of these reasons. It is probably because I could not confront him in a way that would convict him. That is another person’s responsibility, whom GOD is calling. But I do pray, that he will see in himself, when he looks into his mirror, that Jesus is not the picture he is painting for people, and that he will acknowledge the Jesus of GOD’s Word, and lead his people rightly.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” (1 Peter 2:1)

Perhaps the reason GOD is not calling me to speak to this vicar at this time is because he knows his compromise and the Father is allowing him to live in that sin for a season. I pray there will come a time when he will turn from his wickedness and lead his flock into all Truth.

Tags God's standards, Jesus' Identity, Jesus' standards, LGBTQ and Church, Love thy neighbour but do not compromise, Love vs Compromise, Righteousness and Holiness in the Church, Teachers have a greater responsibility

© Toni Duplessis, 2018

Antoinette du Plessis (toni)

Servant of YeHoVaH and

Founder of Beit Yehudah-Marbella /House of Judah-Marbella