Manger

Before leaving the Christmas season, there is a thought that I wanted to consider. I heard a teacher say, "If we want to have Jesus in us, sometimes that means we have to be a manger."
A manger is an insignificant piece of furniture in a stable, or barn. It's only purpose is to hold the grain or feed for livestock. Our English word comes from a French/Latin root, "manger", which means to eat. The Hebrew word can mean a crib, or a stall for an animal.
None of us likes to consider ourselves an insignificant piece of farm furniture, but it is just this kind of container that held the glory of the Son of God:
"And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."   Lk. 2:7
If we are this humble food trough, the Lord Jesus can inhabit us in all His glory, and the world can come to us to feed upon the living Word of God. From this humble farm furniture, the provision of life can be given and sustained. Jesus described Himself as this provision:
"Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world...I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."   Jn. 6:32-35
The prophet Amos warned:
"Behold the days are coming", says the LORD God, "That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD...They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it."   Amos 8:11-12
The famine for the Bread of Life, the Word of God, came upon Israel because they cared more about their own pride, wealth and worldly provision, even praying upon the weak and poor, than they cared for the true provision of God (v.5-6). This suggests to us that perhaps one reason the famine came was because no one was interested in being a manger. Do we in the church have this same mindset today? Do we despise being a manger?
Jesus prayed that we would receive the same glory that He has. One way to have that glory is to contain His glory, and not our own. He worded it this way:
"And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one, just as We are one...Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."  Jn. 17:22, 24
We share the glory, because we share the place of glory. The glory that we have is because of the Glory we contain.
The manger of our Christmas story, had no importance of its own. It had no name, nor reputation. Men didn't come to see this manger because it was the most "special" manger ever made. Lowly animals had eaten from it unaware of any extraordinary quality of that manger. However, the world sings of that nameless, utilitarian manger, and men journeyed from distances to that manger, because of what it contained: the Glory of God, and the Bread of life come down from heaven.

Our Father has called us to be mangers, that His Son may be laid within us.

"Child in a Manger Born"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZkrBC0SZek

"He Made a Way in a Manger"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwe7GDl9-04

Simple

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all..." 
                                                                                1 Tim. 2:3-6

It is a very good thing to study scripture. Paul tells us to study to show ourselves approved. However, sometimes, it seems I can get caught up and carried away, even a little weighed down in the details, and it takes a special moment to bring all of it into a simple focus.
During a recent conversation, it was mentioned that someone had converted from Christianity to a faith that did not accept Jesus as the Savior. One of the people in this conversation asked sincerely, "How do you go from knowing Jesus is the Savior, to going back to being without that knowledge? How is that possible?" The question was directed toward me, but I never did get to answer it because the conversation went to something else.
More than even thinking of an answer to this, I was struck by the beautifully simple faith expressed by the question. Once we know this truth, how is it possible to "not know"?
The simple faith of this question says that Jesus is so part of reality, how can He then be erased from it? How this simple statement of faith expressed by the question, must touch and please the heart of God, who gave His precious Son for just this inescapable truth.
Sometimes as serious, studying Christians, we forget the many souls who know this simple truth, stated so plainly. Yet, this IS the Gospel. This IS the faith that saves. This IS the faith the size of a mustard seed, yet hidden within it is the great tree of the Kingdom of God.
At Christmas time, our Father invites us to a simple place of faith. He brings us to a stable to look at a baby. He prophesied this baby (Isa. 9:6-7), and He brought this baby, who is the Savior, Christ the Lord, to birth. Perhaps one reason why the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords was born as a baby was so all people, from all walks of life, could come and smile at the little baby born in such circumstances. The lowly animals were invited to come and see the baby. The humble, forgotten shepherds, who worked at night while all others were sleeping, were invited to come and see. The exalted and the wise from foreign lands were invited, even compelled, to come and see Him, and bring Him gifts. The old, devout servant of God, Simeon, was brought by the Spirit to see and hold the baby Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem. He rejoiced that he was allowed to see Him before he died (Lk. 2:24-35). Anna, the old prophetess, likewise was allowed to see and discern the Lordship of this little baby (Lk. 2:36-38).
An evil king of this world also sought to find the child for an evil purpose, but God would not allow the king to find Him. He was not invited to the event. However, we are invited.
A famous radio DJ would say frequently that he wasn't sure he understood or believed all of the details of Christianity, but he l-o-v-e-d the baby Jesus. He didn't just acknowledge the baby Jesus, he loved Him. Even if you do not understand it all, God has a simple starting point. Even if you have turned and walked away from knowing Jesus, this is the perfect time of year to come back to that simple starting point. Come to the stable, and see the little baby born, and laid in a manger. Smile at Him, and welcome Him into the world, and into your heart.

During this Christmas season, we can study so many wonderful things pertaining to it. Let's not forget the beauty of the simple, elegant, truth which it brings to man:
"Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord."    Lk. 2:10-11

Our Father sent a child, a Son, to be born unto us.


"What Child Is This?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqf5ha_GEA

"Charlie Brown Christmas" Scene: The True Meaning of Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn10FF-FQfs

Gold

We have seen in recent headlines that the world has begun to question supporting Israel. Throughout the nations, anti-Semitic activity is also on the increase. Anti-Semitic marches were held in France with marchers shouting, "Juif, la France n'est pas a toi!", meaning, "Jew, France is not yours." Because of the increase in Anti-Semitism in France, many French Jews are leaving the country. The number of French Jews who have emigrated to Israel has increased by 63%. This increase in anti-Semitic/anti-Israel sentiment is not limited to France.
Scripture warns us that the nations will turn against Israel in the Last Days.
One of the most graphic examples of anti-Semitism in scripture is found in the Book of Esther. The main protagonist, Haman, is a counselor to the king, and deeply resents the Jews sojourning in his nation (Est. 3:6). He particularly despises the Jew, Mordecai ("little man"), who refuses to bow when Haman passes. Even though Haman has been promoted to a position of great honor, even above the princes of the land, he resents the Jew, Mordecai. Haman eventually convinces the king to issue a decree that would mean the murder of all of the Jews in the land (Est. 3:8-10). He even offers to finance the operation from his own funds.
The meaning of Haman's name is "magnificent", and it is related to the planet Mercury. The root meaning, however, refers to "rage, tumult, commotion". Like the planet Mercury of his name, Haman was closest to the sun (king), but full of volcanic fire of rage that twisted and marred his surface. He focused all of that rage toward the Jews of his land.
This kind of hate, like all other racial hatreds, is completely irrational, and baseless. Why should Haman, who had everything, and every honor, who was a confidant of the king, focus all of his resentment and covetousness upon this "little man", who posed no threat to him in the least.
At one point in the story of Esther, Mordecai is honored by the king for the faithful service he provided in exposing a plot against the king. His good deed had been recorded in the historical records, and the king came across it when reading those records one evening.
Haman is enraged at the honor given to Mordecai by the king. All of this irrational, resentful rage against the "little man", Mordecai, would lead to Haman's destruction.
As Haman heads home, after Mordecai's honor by the king, he bitterly complains to his wife, and all of his friends about the unfairness of the honor paid to Mordecai-honor he felt should have been paid to himself. However, it is here that his wife, and his wise advisors tell him a truth that we are amazed that they should know:
"If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him."  Est. 6:13
Haman's wife and his sage advisors were not Jewish, and yet they knew by revelation the relationship the Jews have with God. If they knew this powerful truth as unbelieving Gentiles, what excuse is there for us, and for the nations of the world, who refuse to acknowledge this covenant relationship?
Scripture says that while his wife and advisors were yet saying this to Haman, the king's servants came to bring him to the fateful banquet where Haman's plot against the Jews would be exposed, and subsequently, Haman would be taken and hanged.
Haman's wife, who gave him the truthful prophetic word, was named Zeresh, which means "gold". She, and the sages who counseled Haman knew a truth that it would do well for the world to remember: If you set your hand upon the Jew, you will fall. The LORD has a covenant relationship with Israel, and with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which He will never forget, nor from which will He ever walk away.
"I will bles those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."   Gen. 12:3
This is a truth my own nation had better not forget, and it is a truth to ALL nations in the earth. I have also provided the French translation:
"Je bénirai ceux qui te béniront, et Je maudirai ceux qui te maudiront."

Our Father remembers His covenants.

"Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61R9YpxWjOY

Handwriting

Judah was carried into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the most powerful king of his time. God exiled His people from the land in order to cleanse the land from the defilement of the shedding of innocent blood. Judah's king, Manasseh had defiled the land by worshipping false gods with the sacrifice of children in fire, even his own son. So the land would be cleansed with 70 years of Sabbath rest (2 Ki. 24:3-4, 2 Chron. 33:9-11, 36:20-21, Jer. 25:11-12).
The mighty king, Nebuchadnezzar, learned the hard way that the people of God had not been placed into his care for his abuse. This king addresses all people and generations in Daniel 4, telling his testimony of how the Hebrew God taught him humility. Immediately following this powerful, unprecedented testimony by one of history's greatest figures, we are given a very sobering account of Nebuchadnezzar's son in Dan. 5.
Nebuchadnezzar's son was named Belshazzar, and he was now king of Babylon. His name has a root meaning, "lord of the straitened's treasure". The "straitened" in this case, were the exiled people of God. Their treasure included the vessels of the Temple of Jerusalem that were captured along with them and brought to Babylon. The king's very name told him that these vessels (both human and worship utensils) were placed in his care.
This king held a great feast and invited a thousand of the elite of the land. Drinking was done, and in the middle of this great celebration the king decided to send for the golden vessels of the Temple of Jerusalem, and use them for drinking. As they drank from these holy vessels, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone (Dan. 5:4, Rev. 9:20).
At this moment, the king saw a man's hand writing words on the wall by the candlestick. His countenance changed, and his body grew weak with fear. He could not understand the words written by the hand, so he called in all of the astrologers, wise men, and soothsayers who served him and offered a great reward, even a third of his kingdom, if they could interpret the words on the wall for him. None could interpret. His wife then reminded him of a man who had served his father, Nebuchadnezzar. She told him that this man, Daniel, a captive from Judah, was filled with the Spirit of the Holy God. The king sent for Daniel.
Daniel told the king that he would interpret the words on the wall. He began telling the king how God had exalted his father, Nebuchadnezzar, and when Nebuchadnezzar became hardened in pride, God humbled him. Daniel told this king that, unlike his father, he had not humbled himself:
"But you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven...the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified." (v. 22-23)
Daniel told the king that God sent the hand to write on the wall:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN

 

The interpretation word by word means "God has numbered your kingdom and finished it; you have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians." (v. 26-28)

The king knew he had received the correct interpretation, even though Babylon's great wall was believed to be unbreachable by enemies. He rewarded Daniel as he had promised.

That very night Babylon fell, and the king was killed.



We should never forget the lesson of Belshazzar, neither as a nation, nor as individuals. The Father has given the care of His people and His vessels of honor into the hands of the governing leaders of this nation, into the hands of the spiritual leaders, and into each one of our hands. When we exalt ourselves in pride, and knowingly defile these precious things for our profane use, or for the praise of men, God will humble us. This is a very serious time for our nation at this time. We are being weighed in the balances.

Our Father is not mocked (Gal. 6:7, Job 12:4).


" Humble Thyself in the Sight of the LORD"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8MAQKSbEI

"Bow Down"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ii6a5PW04w

Forgive

These are the days between the Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The other day, I heard the question in my spirit, "What does "forgive" mean?"

When I am asked a question by the Asker, I know it is something I am supposed to look into and learn. Because the question was asked of me in the first place, I know I'm going to be in for a surprise, and I was.

In English, the origin of the word from the Old English/German has the meaning of "give before". From this, I can learn that forgiveness is something given before a wrong is even committed, or a debt incurred. When I think of scripture, this makes sense because Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). Before man ever committed the sin, the provision for forgiveness and atonement was already in place.

Sometimes I feel very noble and "Jesus-like" when I say to myself that I have forgiven this person, or that incident. However, if I really want to be true to the real meaning of the word both in fact and in Spirit, then the forgiveness should have existed before the wrong act against me. There would be no need for me to have to stir up my "holy" attitude after the fact. If I am to forgive others as I have been forgiven (Mt. 6:12, Lk. 11:4), then it must be "given before".

The hurt and feelings of offense that come when a wrong is committed against me, may come because I have not given this forgiveness gift before, as God has. Perhaps it's why we always go back again and again, remembering the wrongs done, even though we say we have "forgiven". They haunt us, and stir up feelings of hurt and anger all over again. Just the other day, a memory of a wrong from my childhood popped up. I hadn't thought of it in many years, but, evidently, it is still there. A small thing like that came back before my eyes again. Perhaps this is why the internal question about forgiveness came up to begin with. I am going back now and forgiving before it happened so long ago, not only for the sake of the child involved, but for my own sake as well. I am saying, "It was already forgiven before it happened."  If I can learn to "give before" in this little thing from the past, perhaps it will train me for those larger, more difficult things that have happened, and will happen in the future. Starting small is better than not starting at all!

The word "forgive" in Hebrew is also very interesting. It is the word nasa. It means "to lift, to bear up, to carry, to lift up, to bear, to support, to endure, to be lifted up, be exalted, to rise up, to be borne, to be carried, taken away, carried off, swept away, to bear continuously, to marry, to magnify, pardon, honorable, respect, armor-bearer (person who carries the armor or weapons of a warrior)". This awesome meaning has very little similarity to my previous understanding of forgiveness. However, it immediately stirs up a connection to something else.

The Hebrew meaning creates an image for me of Jesus carrying His own cross, and being lifted up upon it. This forgiveness was borne from the foundation, and carried, lifted up and exalted, at the cross. Jesus was the armor-bearer who carried His Father's armor and weapons of forgiveness, the cross. It is our armor and our weapon, as well. This forgiveness might have even been the power behind His resurrection (see nasa above: "to rise up").
The letters of nasa are nun (heir to the throne, son, faithfulness), shin (devour, consume, destroy, point of a rock), aleph (ox head, leader, power, authority, first, teach, Adonai). The Son has the power and the authority to forgive:
"But that you my know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" - He said to the man who was paralyzed- "I say to you arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."
                                                                       Mt, 9:6, Mk. 2:10, Lk. 5:24)

The gift of forgiveness was prepared and given to me before I was born, and I accepted it thankfully through Christ. Now I have to learn to prepare and give forgiveness the same way as my Father did for me - from the foundation.
The gift was already prepared and given, and needed only to be accepted. I will now try to give the gift to others in the same manner.

Our Father prepared and gave us forgiveness before we ever knew Him.

"Via Dolorosa"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67XrqXXTceM


 



 

Kingship

I heard something amazing this week. New York City has erected a re-creation of the Gate of Ba'al that stood before the Temple of Ba'al in Palmyra, Syria. Another replica will be in London. The original was destroyed by ISIS. Ba'al was a horrible counterfeit of the one true God. Ba'al worship mercilessly demanded the sacrifice of children burnt in fire. Israel was drawn away from the worship of God to the worship of this false god. Jezebel, the woman who married Ahab, a king of Israel, killed the prophets of God, and established the worship of Ba'al in Israel. Her name means "married to Ba'al". In modern times, her name has become synonymous with everything horrible that a woman might be.
When this replica of the Gate of Ba'al in New York City was announced as a warning by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn in an interview, the host asked in a fearful way, "If they did this stupid thing in New York City, the judgment of God would fall on New York, right? The rest of the country, like St. Louis, or Greenville, North Carolina wouldn't have to fear judgment because of something New York did, right?"
I wondered at this reaction to this sad day in the spiritual choices of NYC. Should our reaction really be that so long as the judgment hits and stays in NYC, the rest of us can relax?
When the Prophet Isaiah was sent by the LORD to King Hezekiah to tell the king that his days were numbered, the king turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly to God (Isa. 38:3). Before Isaiah even left the palace grounds, the LORD had him return to the king with the word that God had heard the king, and He was giving the king fifteen additional years of life. 
However, when God informed Hezekiah a short time later that Israel would be overthrown by its enemies after the king died, this same king thought, "So long as it happens after my death, it's OK."
This same king who had wept so bitterly before the LORD upon hearing of his own imminent death, basically shrugged his shoulders when hearing of the coming destruction of his nation at the hands of its enemies:
"So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "At least there will be peace and truth in my days."  Isa. 39:8
King Hezekiah said this after the LORD, through His prophet, gave a vivid description of the terror of the coming destruction:
"Behold the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated, until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left", says the LORD. "And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."  Isa. 39:6-7
This king had begged the LORD to let him live to have a son, and yet, he is unmoved by the pitiful future of those descendants.
Is that our attitude when hearing of the judgment of God? "Well, they deserved it." or "So long as it doesn't happen to my city, or in my time." Like Hezekiah, we are to be kings, and also priests to our God. God is a King. His Son, Jesus, is very much a King. What is God's reaction to coming judgment? What is Jesus' reaction?
When Hezekiah is indifferent to the coming judgment of God upon his nation, the LORD spends the next twenty-six chapters of Isaiah, from Ch. 40-66, interceding on behalf of His people, and His nation. He starts by saying, "Comfort, yes, comfort My people!", says your God. "Speak comfort (to the heart of) Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended...".   Isa. 40:1-2
The LORD starts crying out prophetically to Jerusalem before Hezekiah, its earthly king, can even finish shrugging his shoulders in indifference. The interceding prophetic word is so powerful, that not only is judgment spoken as part of it against these attacking enemies of Israel, but the LORD reveals the coming ministry of John the Baptist (Isa. 40:3-8), and the redeeming ministry of His Messiah (Isa. 52-53). In His intercession, the LORD even reveals His new heavens, and His new earth:
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy."  Isa. 65:17-18
Now that's a King! And those are the pronouncements and decrees of a King.
"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the LORD is the great God,
And the great King above all gods."      Ps. 95:2-3
The LORD is indeed a great King!
Jerusalem was about to kill its Messiah, its King, its Son of David, the One sent by the Father in heaven to save them. He was about to be killed in a ravenous, unspeakable way. They would show Him no mercy. They would leave none of Him untouched by their fierce hatred, resentment and anger. Yet, Jesus, her King, when He looked upon the city that would soon suffer in judgment, wept on its behalf (Lk. 19:41).
Something terrible has just happened in New York City, and also, in London. Something monstrous has defiantly and proudly been rebuilt. Yes, cry out, and weep St. Louis and Greenville, North Carolina. Don't shake your heads, or shrug your shoulders. Weep for yourselves (Lk. 23:28), your city, and your nation. Intercede on behalf of an arrogant New York City and London, because your sons and your daughters may also be carried away by an evil that knows and shows no mercy.

Our Father shows His Kingship.


"O, Come Let Us Sing for Joy"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IvTyGdR11o

Gate of Ba'al in NYC

Zephaniah

The Book of Zephaniah opens with terrible pronouncements of judgment by the LORD. It seems that all creation is being wiped out, all life swept off of the earth. The Book closes with great outpourings of God's love and comfort, even rejoicing. What could this be about?
When I read this Book, I see the hijacking of creation, and the rescue of it.
In the first verse, we are introduced to Zephaniah, and his previous generations. All of the names listed here are very interesting in the Hebrew meanings:
Zephaniah- "Jehovah has treasured",  treasure meaning: hide, store up, treasure, hide from discovery, protect, esteem, secret place.
This directs me to the thought that there is something valuable here hidden in the secret place of God, that we can search out, which I am eager to do.
Cushi- "black", associated with Ethiopia
Gedaliah- "Jehovah is Great" 
Amariah- "Yah (the LORD) has promised, Yah speaks"
Hezekiah- "Jehovah is my strength"

The king of Judah (praise) during this time is Josiah, "Whom Yah Heals", also meaning foundation, buttress, support, column, who is the son of Amon, "Architect, master, skilled workman, support, confirmation, faithful, pillar". Both names here take us to the beginning, the foundation, the support. To me this is the Creator, and His Son.
In the second verse, the word of the LORD to Zephaniah is that He will utterly consume everything from the face of the land. The phrase "utterly consume" can mean to remove, to perish, to destroy. However, the phrase can also mean "collect, gather, receive, gather in (as a harvest), bring up the rear, rearguard, to assemble, gather and take away, to be gathered to one's fathers, to make an end, to snatch away, to recover another from leprosy."
From these things, I see that some are gathered in for perishing, and some are gathered in for rescue:
"Let both (wheat and tares) grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn."   Mt. 13:30
So the phrase "utterly consume" used by the LORD is not limited to the idea of destroying, but involves much more than that.
In verse 3, while forms of life described as man and animals, are being "utterly consumed", so are "stumbling blocks" and the "wicked". "Stumbling block" refers to the stumbling block of idols, to bring decay and ruin. They cause people to stumble, bring injury or ruin to, to make feeble, to make weak, to bereave. The "wicked" are criminal, hostile to God, guilty of sin, condemned, vexed, to cause or declare wrong, violate, disturb.
The people mentioned in chapter one are the inhabitants who worship idols, and the counterfeit god, Ba'al, even Milcom, who is Molech, the god who demands child sacrifice by burning.
The LORD will punish those who are supposed to be the children of the king (King), but they wear the strange (foreign) apparel- adulterous, calamity, disaster, misfortune, disguise, dissemble, feign. From God's perspective, they don't belong to Him at all. They "leap over the threshold (serpent, snake)" of the master's house and fill that house with violence and lies (Zeph. 1:9). They should be serving the Master, and were born and purposed to serve Him, but instead, have chosen to be vessels of evil, wreaking havoc in the Master's house.
This is the condition of some today who consider themselves to be the people of God- would God recognize them as His own?

In Chapter 2, who are the ones told to "gather" together that they might be "hidden" before this terrible day of the LORD? Those who seek Him, who are meek, who seek righteousness and humility (v. 1-3):
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."  Mt. 5:5
"LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear: to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress."   Ps. 10:17
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."  Isa. 57:15
"Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  Mt. 18:4
It becomes evident that the qualities of humility and the seeking of righteousness are important considerations at this time of the gathering in. Do we humble ourselves under God, or do we exalt ourselves under the ways of evil? Are we real (wheat) or are we counterfeits (tares) like the serpents in strange apparel that leap across the threshold of the Master's house?
According to this chapter, on that day, the following will be dealt with by the Creator:
Gaza- strong, greedy, harsh, fierce
Ashkelon- : "Fire of Infamy: I shall be weighed"
Ashdod- powerful, spoiler, robber, to destroy, to violently despoil
Ekron-"turn up by the roots", eradicate, exterminate
Cherithites- executioners, cut off, cut down
Canaan- to bring low, to subdue, to humiliate, to vanquish
Philistines- sojourners, immigrants, to roll in ashes, to mourn. The Philistines were descendants of Mizraim, which is Egypt- besiege, siege works, siege enclosure, beset, assault, adversary, bind, distress, show hostility. They were originally from Caphtor: a crown, a circlet at the top of a column, a circlet of adornment on the golden candlestick.
So the Philistines are from  those who had been meant to rule, and adorn the golden candlestick of light, but became an adversary, an oppressor, an assaulter who beseiges.
In these names above, the LORD is dealing against some of the most ancient, darkest, most evil destroyers of man.
The LORD goes on to condemn Moab and Ammon in Ch. 2, likening them to Sodom and Gomorrah. Moab and Ammon were children produced from the incest of Lot and his daughters. While Lot had been delivered miraculously by the angels of God from the destruction of Sodom (Burning) and Gomorrah (A ruined heap, to treat tyrannically, to treat as a slave, to bind for merchandise), he entered right back into them spiritually with the incestuous acts with his daughters. What he produced became enemies of the people of God.
The LORD also condemns and judges Assyria and Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria. Assyria represents that which has been "blessed, prospered, advanced and progressed". It's city, Nineveh, was founded in antiquity by Ninus, its builder. Ninus was said to be the son of Bel (Ba'al). It is a spiritual counterfeit to the city whose builder is God, and comes down from heaven adorned as a bride for the Son (Heb. 11:10, Rev. 21:2). Why would the LORD have anything against this prosperous city and nation? It is because they represent the attitude that they are responsible for their own success, and they have no need of God:
"This is the rejoicing city that dwelt securely, that said in her heart, "I am it, and there is none besides me". How has she become a desolation..."    Zeph. 2:10
We can look back to an ancient city in the plain of Shinar, as they built and built in order to make a name for themselves, set up a defense against the will of God,  and to worship the stars, and the false gods of the earth (Gen. 11:1-9).
The earth, and all of creation upon it, are held captive by these evils described above, killing and destroying the life that YHWH spoke and breathed, and sustains in existence. However, God will not leave this so. The LORD, YHWH (Creator, Behold! Redeemer, Behold!) will not cede His sustaining place over creation to anyone, or anything:
The earth is the LORD's and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein."
                                                                                Ps. 24:1, 1 Cor. 10:26
"The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them."             Ps. 89:11
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  Jn. 1:1-4

Chapter three, the final chapter, brings us to two groups of people. Considering the conditions of man that the LORD has revealed above, and the evils that men have accepted and exalted over their lives, there are those who will receive His correction, and those who will not. Those are the two choices. If we think we do not need correction, or that correction is for other people, then we automatically fall into the group that will not receive correction, who will not humble themselves. This is how that group is described:
"Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressive city! She has not obeyed His voice, she has not received correction; she has not trusted in the LORD, she has not drawn near to her God....the unjust knows no shame...I said, "Surely, you will fear Me, you will receive instruction"- so that her dwelling would not be cut off, despite everything for which I punished her. But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds."   Zeph. 3:1-2, 5, 7)
The second group of people, those who will receive correction are described:
"In that day, you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds in which you transgress against Me;...I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Even the thought of receiving correction causes most of us to turn away from it. We will do great mental gymnastics to twist out of the responsibility or blame, and place it upon someone else. We feel angry and unfairly treated when correction comes our way. I can feel my neck stiffening, and my heart hardening at the idea of correction, and I can recall past corrections with the same resentment as I felt at the time. Though humility seems like a small thing, it would have been a balm to those feelings of anger and resentment. I can see my wrong that resulted in those corrections now, but it still rankles. I can attest that humility is not as easy as it sounds, and I can see why the LORD treasures it so much.
How do these people indicate that they have received His correction?:
"I will gather (this is the same word that is also interpreted as "consume" in Zeph. 1:2) those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, who are among you, to whom its reproach is a burden."
Those who will receive the correction of the LORD, have a feeling of sorrow at the sinful condition of the assembly, including themselves. The shame of the condition is a burden to their souls and spirits. Their hearts mourn for the assembly that is in this condition. God can work with that,  and He does. He removes the reproach from their hearts, as He also removes the judgment from them.
For this sorrow and heavy heart of repentance, God gives them joy:
"Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your judgments,
He has cast out your enemy.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
You shall see disaster no more...
The LORD your God in your midst,
the Mighty One will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."     Zeph. 3:14-15, 17

I think we can conclude that the Book of Zephaniah is not about the LORD destroying everything that moves. I think the "hidden treasure" here, that is revealed in Zephaniah's name, is a treasure to be found by those whose hearts are searching God. At the end of this search is the joy and beauty of His salvation and deliverance:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."   Mt. 13:44
 However, we know the story does not end there. The search for His ways, the repentant heart, and the teachable spirit is still an ongoing part of our lives. This desire and repentance in heart is the thing that separates the wheat from the tares, and those who will receive correction from those who won't. It is not about seeking the city of the son of Bel, but about seeking the City of the Son of God. It is about coming out from under the names of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and the like, and being gathered in under the name of the LORD.
The time of being "utterly consumed" is near, even upon us. Into which group do we desire to be gathered?

Our Father will gather us in.

Stature

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."      Eph. 4:11-16
Paul mentions more thoughts similar to those that he expressed in the above Ephesians verses:
"...that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words."   Col. 2:2-4

I am not the first to wonder what this "stature of the fullness of Christ" means in the above Ephesians verses, and how I get it. Whatever it is, the whole structure of the church has been established in order to achieve it. Whatever it is, it will keep us from acting like immature children running after every doctrine that a man can devise for his own benefit, and feeling of self-righteousness. Whatever it is, it achieves unity in its purest form, and the effective working, supplying and growth of the church. So whatever it is, it is important, even vital.
Is the "fullness" about spiritual authority? While spiritual authority is part of the Kingdom of God, Jesus didn't seem to think it was the most important thing. When His disciples came back from a road trip rejoicing because even the demons were subject to them (Lk. 10:17-20), Jesus said, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Is the "fullness" about the working of miracles? While this should definitely be a part of the life of each believer, along with signs and wonders, I don't think this is what is meant in regard to the "fullness". We tend to think that if people only see a miracle, it will change their hearts, but this is not always so. When Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplying of the fish and the loaves which fed thousands, people really didn't understand the significance of it. Even His own disciples didn't understand it because "their heart was hardened" (Mk. 6:52). Of the people in general, Jesus made the comment, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." Jn. 6:26.
Even the great miracle of raising the dead is not enough. Jesus said that if they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (Lk. 16:31). So miracles are not all of the fullness. In fact, to many who will claim to have prophesied, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works in Jesus' name, He will say, "...I never knew you, depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." (Mt. 7:21-23).
When the verses from Ephesians above, talk about "the knowledge of the Son of God", are they teaching about studying and knowing the Word? The Word is Jesus. I think that is part of it, but that study that washes and renews our minds is supposed to bring us to a certain result, or conclusion. How do we get to that expected result, or fruit, of the Word?
One teacher in the body of Christ has written that the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ can be found in the items of furniture in the tabernacle of Moses*. We are getting closer for sure, I think. All of those items of furnishing, from the Court to the Holy of Holies, have one thing in common: They are places of sacrifice of one kind, or another. They are places of a dying that gives rise to a living. So, similarly, is this "knowledge of the Son", and this "stature of the fullness of Christ":
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father."     Phil. 2:5-11
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."      Gal. 2:20
"And they overcame him (Satan, the Devil, the serpent of old, who deceives the world, and accuses the brethren) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."    Rev. 12:11
The knowledge of the Son, and the fullness of His stature are found in His dying. It includes not only His physical dying, but His dying to self which came first: He humbled Himself and became obedient even to the death. What impact would the church have on the world if it died to self? There would be unity in the purpose and being of Christ. There would be edifying of one part to another. Every joint has to give a part of itself in order to "supply". The work of the ministry would be accomplished as never before, in ways we can only imagine. There would be no childish chasing after every doctrine that exalts the efforts of men rather than God. There would be the ultimate expression of love, the nature of the Father, and the Son. There would be growth of the body. The seed of our life laid down grows into a harvest of many lives. God put that power into a seed-the power to regenerate and multiply, like unto like:
"Most assuredly, I say unto you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone;  but if it dies, it produces much grain (fruit). He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."  Jn. 12:24-25
"Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive until it dies."   1 Cor. 15:36
As we read further in Ephesians 4, Paul expresses that same death to self:
"...if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus, that you put off (put aside, put away, cast off, lay down), concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on (to sink into to as into clothing, be plunged into, go down into) the new man, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."    Eph. 4:21-24
If we think we have died to self, we are probably wrong. It seems that it must be a daily renewing of purpose that we impose against our natural thoughts, inclinations, and behaviors. Dying to self is probably like doing an exercise all day long, only to begin again the next day, until it becomes who we are. Once we determine that this is the Father's will for us, and therefore, our will for ourselves, we have the work of the Holy Spirit in us to lead us and teach us, and comfort us when we fail. Dying daily to self (1 Cor. 15:31), allows the Jesus inside of us to live.
If we want to multiply and be effective as believers and as the church, it will require that we determine to lay that seed of self down, and bury it. We do this with the faith of the Son of God that He will not leave us buried there, but that He will raise us up again, in His likeness, in His image, and in the measure of the stature of His fullness.
This is the mind of Christ. This is the knowledge of the Son, and this, I believe, is the measure of the stature of His fullness.


Our Father reveals the measure of the fullness of His Son.


"Wisdom Song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMnIVe4-QUY

"Crucified With Christ"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_1jazh454

*B.R. Hicks, "Precious Gem in the Tabernacle"

Abram

Before the LORD began to reveal Abram's future descendants and their inheritance to him in Gen. 15, the LORD allowed Abram to see a special covenant sacrifice. The types of animals used in this sacrifice would also be used as sacrifices by future generations in the Tabernacle, and Temple of God.
The wonderful thing about this revelation to Abram ("The Exalted One is My Father") is that it was the Gospel of Salvation that was revealed. No other man that we know of, ever witnessed this revelation in this awesome manner. It is one of the most amazing events in scripture.
This is the Gospel according to Abram:
"So He (the LORD) said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtle dove, and a young pigeon."    Gen. 15:9
The significance of some of these animals being three years old, is that they are the more valuable because at this age, they are grown, or nearly grown, becoming able to produce, or having been trained to work. The meanings of the Hebrew words used to describe the animals are also interesting:
heifer- circular, round, revolve
she goat- strong, prevail, make firm, make secure
ram- sacrifice, a leader, pillar, door frame, door posts
turtle dove- beloved, succession, order, plait or braid of hair or gold, circlet, an ornament
                   worn for the head
young pigeon (nestling)- wounded, flay, strip, to tear away, seize, take away by violence,
                                        galled (make sore) and wounded
In these animals I see the circular, revolving world. I see the strong and prevailing Father, who made the world firm and secure in Himself by offering His beloved successor, or Son, a Leader Himself, as a sacrifice upon a pillar, a frame, a support, a doorway. This Son's Kingship, mocked but declared to all, was seen in the plaited circlet (of thorns) He was given for His head. This beloved successor was taken by violence, wounded, flayed, stripped. I see John 3:16 all over this:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son....."

 

Let us continue with the experience of Abram:

"And when the vultures (fowl) came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him."      Gen. 15:11-12

fowls- ravenous, birds of prey, shrieking, screaming, greedy, swooping, rushing, pressing,

          indignant, wrath

carcass- dead body, exhausted, faint, void of strength

drove away- blow, disperse by blowing

sun- brilliance, battlements, pinnacles, shields

was going down- besiege, come against, stricken

deep sleep- very great inertness, stupefy with sleep or death

horror- terror, dread, terrible, frightful, formidable

great darkness- intense, powerful darkness, misery, withholding of light, hidden

 

As Jesus was losing strength on the cross, and had become exhausted and faint, I can almost hear the shrieking of the demons as they greedily came swooping in to devour in their great wrath. The breath of God, the Ruach ha Kodesh, blew them and dispersed them from touching the Son of God. His holy One would not see corruption (Ps. 16:10). This brilliant Pinnacle, Battlement of defense, and Shield of God was besieged and stricken.

As He was stricken, as this Son died on the cross, Abram experienced the terror, the profound and extremely powerful darkness and misery of death.

However, before we even got to this point, before Abram had even experienced this, the LORD had come in a vision to Abram in the first verse of this chapter, and had told him, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, and your exceedingly great reward (price, compensation, fare, prepared banquet)."

In the middle of this darkness, a smoking furnace, and a burning torch passed between the pieces of the sacrifice. In forming a covenant, men would pass between the divided pieces of the sacrifice together (Jer. 34:18-19). However, this covenant that Abram was witnessing was a covenant that had been made between Father and Son (Ex. 19:15, Jn. 1:4, Isa. 62:1, Ps. 119:105), that the Son was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Mt. 13:35, 25:34, Jn. 17:24, Eph. 1:4, Heb. 9:26, 1 Pet. 1:20, Rev. 13:8, 17:8). It was the covenant made to provide atonement, salvation, and everlasting life to man.These forms of smoke, light and fire,  "overflowed/impregnated" these "cut off, separated, destroyed" carcasses. No man, including Abram, who did not walk between the pieces, was involved in this covenant.

In a prophetic promise to Abram in this chapter (v. 13-14), in the same manner that the Gospel of Jesus takes us from a condition of bondage to sin, fear and death into the freedom of life, Spirit, and Truth, the LORD tells Abram that He will deliver Abram's descendants from the affliction of slavery. They would come out of this bondage with great possessions. This prophetic Word, this Light, had been spoken over these future descendants, and would deliver them.

Immediately following this revelation of the Gospel, on this same day, the LORD did make a covenant with Abram (v. 18-21) promising his not-yet-born descendants the physical land from the river of Egypt to the River Euphrates. Again, in this covenant, we can see the Gospel by looking at the Hebrew meanings of the words involved:

The spiritual land from the river of Egypt (besieged place, siege enclosure, entrenchment, distress, confine, adversary, foe)) to the River Euphrates (fruitfulness, to break forth, sweet water, fruit-bearing tree) extends from the waters of "death/misery" to the waters of "abundant life". This is the land of the Son.

"...that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

 

 

 

Our Father is our shield and our very great reward.

 

 



 



"Grace to Overcome"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gia4BYZnP-k

 

Dedicated to, and in remembrance of Jennifer C.



Genesis 1

My grandchildren and I have begun a Bible study. I think it is the most important thing for them to have a knowledge of scripture. We began our studies in The Beginning, Genesis Chapter 1. I started here because it is the beginning. I also started here because I have recently read opinions that we should not discuss or teach Genesis creation, because it is a stumbling block to belief for most people. However, the beginning chapters of Genesis give us a wonderful spiritual knowledge and foundation. So, I thumbed my nose at the Genesis silencers, and we forged ahead. The kids found it fascinating. They pointed out that the Book title is "The First Book of Moses". I was able to explain to them that as Moses entered God's presence on the mountain, he received this revelation. In fact, he spent so much time in the presence of God, that his face shone with the glory light of God.
The first foundational truth we discussed is that God, as revealed in this chapter, is "Elohim". We find out immediately that God is a plurality from this name. We are introduced to the Word, Jesus, which Elohim spoke in order to create (Jn. 1:1-3), and we meet the Spirit of Elohim, who hovered over the void and deeply dark condition of the earth. The meaning of "hovered" is to fold wings around, to lovingly embrace. The Spirit of Elohim embraced and loved this mass of nothingness with its fathoms of deep darkness into the creative power, the Word, of Elohim.
We discussed that Elohim spoke creation into being, and how we also create and destroy with our words, requiring a large responsibility from each of us. "Death and life is in the power (yad-hand) of the tongue (wedge, slander, accuse); they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."  (Prov. 18:21).
The fact that Elohim began His creation, or re-creation, by speaking light into being was also interesting to the kids and to me. As the created light (ore-light of life, light of a lamp, light of instruction, light of prosperity, light of day, lightning) of Elohim divided the darkness, we learned that light is always greater, more powerful, than darkness. We learned at this point that Jesus is the Light of the world, and He told us that we are also that same light. Darkness must retreat in the presence of light, and cannot overpower light (Jn. 1:1-5).
I also discovered and learned something from verses 11-18 as we read them. It was something I had not thought about before. I wondered why Elohim waited until the fourth day to create the sun, moon, and stars. In v. 11-13, on the third day, Elohim spoke vegetation into being on the earth. This vegetation must, by His command, contain the power of perpetual life. It must produce seed and fruit. This vegetation would eventually supply food for the animals and mankind that would be coming (v. 29-30).
Immediately thereafter, Elohim established the Light Cycle that would be needed to support the vegetation. One of the reasons He created the sun, moon, and stars in v. 14-18, was for the creation of seasons. Plants have a Vegetative Cycle, and a Flowering Cycle. For the Vegetative Cycle, the producing of stalks and leaves, a plant needs at least 16-18 hours of light, and 6-9 hours of darkness. This is the light required for photosynthesis to occur. This is the light/darkness that comes during spring and into summer. In order to switch from the Vegetative Cycle to the Flowering Cycle, to produce seeds and fruit, the hours of light and darkness must be balanced to about 12 hours each. This begins to happen as the summer season moves towards the fall. The hours of light and darkness needed for the growing cycle of plants must be regulated, and the sun and moon and stars provided this regulation of light. Various scientists did not discover the process of photosynthesis in plants until the 1600's-1700's, and it is still being studied and updated today (Calvin Cycle, UC, Berkeley). Elohim, of course, knew it all along, and showed it to Moses.
As interesting as this is from a scientific standpoint, I find it even more valuable from a spiritual standpoint. Elohim does nothing without also creating the perfect provision for it. He will create a sun, moon, and stars, in part, to support a blade of grass, or an apple tree. How much more, and how much more bountifully, will He make the perfect provision for each of us?
"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."   Mt. 6:28-33
If we are struggling through these times, it is good to remember the incredible wisdom, knowledge, understanding and provision of Elohim as taught to us in Genesis 1.

Our Father reveals His provision in Genesis 1.

High Praise (Song of Job)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeORL0ZThWA

Know

I remember very clearly the moment I was saved.
I was listening to a discussion on TV about prophecies in the Old Testament that were direct references to the Messiah, Jesus. I had never heard about Jesus being in the Old Testament.
So, being curious, I got my dusty Bible, given to me when I was 12, off the shelf, and tried to follow along with the verses being discussed. The final reference given was Isaiah 53. I found Isaiah, and began reading as the TV discussion continued, but faded away, in the background.
As I read this passage, something happened to me. I sat stunned. I think my mouth was hanging open. I had an experience, an encounter, that would be difficult for someone else to understand if they have never had a similar experience. After reading the chapter from Isaiah, there were three things I instantly "knew". In that moment, I knew these three things like I knew my name, and where I lived-with complete certainty. Those three things were:

• God is Who He says He is.
• Jesus is Who He says He is.
• Every word in this Book, the Bible, is true.

As important as it is that I now "knew" the first two things, I am so very happy that the Holy Spirit didn't stop there. It was very important, equally important, for me to know the third truth- that every word in the Bible is true. From that moment on, I was not satisfied until I had read every word of the Bible. I couldn't wait to find out all of this truth.
I know there are believers who have little interest in reading, or studying the scriptures. I don't understand that because of what I experienced. I'm glad that my Father in heaven made sure that I understood and received that third truth. My life has not been the same, and the depths and the riches of His written Word have meant everything to me. It has helped me, changed me, saved me, educated me, and the process continues.
It is too late for anyone to try to convince me that scripture is untrue, inaccurate, or outdated. I already "know" that these arguments are dismissable. Scripture does not need man to prove it true. It proves itself true over and over again. It has been proven true in my own personal experience, so I am not about to question its genuineness at this point. Scripture to me is not a fairy tale, nor a religious doctrine to be debated. It is something that I experienced. One cannot deny an experience. 
However, I am concerned for those of faith who do not read the scriptures, and do not study them. When even religious leaders begin to say and write* that passages in scripture are not to be believed, nor taught as truth, how can some Christians ever keep their faith in God, and in Jesus? What god are they believing in? One that has given them a book of lies? Are they saying, "Yes, I believe in God, but not in what He said or did", or "Yes, I believe in Jesus, but not in the miracles He performed, nor the prophecies He spoke"? Which God and Jesus are they believing in then?
In a time when faith is questioned and criticized at every turn, at least "know" the God, the Jesus, in whom we profess to believe. We're going to need Him.

"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name."
                                                              Psalm 138:2

Our Father has exalted His word even above His name.

Heavenly Father, God of Truth, teach us, lead us and guide us in Your Word. Your Son is Your Word become flesh. By Your word, the heavens and earth were created, and by Your Word, they are maintained in place. By Your Word, we know You, Your heart, Your will, Your promises. By the power and truth of Your Word, we are saved, healed, delivered. We are set free by the Word that we know. Give us a hunger, and thirst for Your Word, as well as for Your righteousness. Let our children be taught Your Word, so great will be their peace.
We thank You for the precious gift of Your Word to us, and teach us how to keep it in our hearts forever. In Jesus' name we ask, AMEN.


"This I Believe"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-m9sRRN9MA

"Your Love (I Have Been Touched, Changed, Healed)"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feHkL_zuUwc


*referenced article

Cities

To borrow an expression, this is a tale of two cities. It is also a tale of two men, both called "righteous" in Scripture, who are on two different journeys, with two very different destinations in mind, even though for part of the way, over 1,000 miles, they walked side by side. The fact that their destinations were different, affected their futures.
The two who walked together for a time were Abraham and his nephew, Lot.
As they walked together they prospered. Because each of their flocks and herds had increased so greatly, they could no longer graze and water the two flocks together. Disputes and arguments developed because of the close proximity of the flocks and shepherds (Gen. 13:6-7).
Abraham told Lot to separate himself from him and he offered his nephew first choice of where he would like to move and settle his flock. Perhaps Abraham began to suspect that he and Lot were not looking for the same thing. Lot saw the distant green valley which looked like the best location, and made his decision (Gen. 13:10-13). Abraham went in the opposite direction. Abraham did not depend on the greenness of a location in order to prosper. He depended upon God. Lot was looking for a place of increase, and Abraham was looking for a place where he could continue to hear and see God, continue to be in His presence, which also happens to be a place of increase.
In this green valley that Lot chose, stood the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Others coveted this valley, and these prosperous cities as well, and war between kings broke out over them. In this large war between multiple kings, Lot was taken captive with many others, and their possessions were taken as well (Gen. 14:11-12). Abraham, with the help of God, rescued Lot, and all of his possessions. After this miraculous deliverance, Abraham came face to face with the supernatural priest, Melchizedek ("King of Righteousness"), King of Salem ("Peace"), a manifestation before His birth as Christ, the King of Righteousness, and Prince of Peace, Himself. Lot, on the other hand, had returned to Sodom ("burning, conflagration").
We know what happened in God's judgment of sinful Sodom and Gomorrah ("ruined heap, treat as a slave, tyranny"). Angels had to physically pull Lot and his family out of Sodom, in order to rescue them out of the judgment that was about to fall (Gen. 19:16).
Lot begged the angels to let him go to nearby Zoar, rather than into the mountain as the angels had instructed. From Zoar, Lot's wife looked back at the destruction of Sodom, and became a pillar of salt. The word "Zoar" means insignificance, to grow small, to become despised, mean. This place was Lot's preference.
Abraham also looked upon the destruction of Sodom, but he looked from the place where he had previously stood before the LORD in intercession: the plain, or terebinths, of Mamre.
The word "plain" or "terebinth" means great tree, oak grove. The root meaning is the word for the ram of sacrifice, the ram from whose skin the tabernacle of God would be constructed in the future, the strength of the ram, chief, mighty man. The root word also means pillar, door post, door jambs (imagery of Passover). "Mamre" means strength, also, and fatness. It means to flap the wings in order to hasten, lift up, and rise.
Ultimately, the difference between the two men was that Lot was looking for Sodom and Zoar. Abraham was looking for a city built by God, the place of his inheritance:
"For he looked for a city which hath foundations ("principles, system of truth established, set forth, ordained"), whose builder ("founder, bring forth, travail, be born, produce fruit from seed") and maker ("author, work, undertaking for a mass of people knitted together") is God."    Heb. 11:10
Two righteous men, two cities, two outcomes. Abraham became the father of nations and the father of faith in God. Lot became the father of Moab ("seed of his father"), a son from incest (Gen. 19:36-37), and a nation that was a frequent opponent of Israel.
Though both men knew God, and were accounted righteous, their lives turned out very differently. Their lives were determined, in part, upon the spiritual city for which they searched. Lot's choices were based on the outward appearance of wealth and success. Perhaps he sought a life of comfort and convenience that these cities represented. Even though his choice resulted in his captivity, he went back to it. Although his soul was vexed deeply by the sin he saw daily in this city (2 Pet. 2:7-8), he remained until he was forced out by angels. His family, and his future generations, were threatened and ultimately destroyed by his choice. We look at Lot's life and we see the errors, and the fruit of the errors. We face the same choices everyday. We live in the midst of Sodom, ourselves. What will make our choices different from Lot's? Perhaps we need to keep Abraham in mind:
Abraham travelled to and remained in places where he stood before God, and interceded before God. His reliance was upon the covenant, provision, prophetic promises and strength of God. His generations were numbered as many as the stars in the sky, and the grains of sand by the sea. His life continues to teach us about faith, dedication, and obedience to God. Scripture tells us that he continually sought the City of God.
God allows us the ability to make choices, but once He has put the knowledge and direction of His City into our hearts, all of our choices should lead us there. All else is built upon sinking sand.
This is a tale of two men and two cities.

Our Father teaches us to look for His City.