Need to Know Yesterday-Part TWO

If you missed the first part - Part ONE

The Narrow Path and the Sheep

None of what was previously written will steer me from the course upon which my feet must tread, in how the Lord directs and leads me. Yet, to come to the heart of the matter about false prophets, false teachers, divination and witchcraft, it must first be established that it is all about deception, where it began and where it leads.

It is the love of God within His people that moves them to sound a warning alarm when they see danger approaching.  How each one responds to the sound of the alarm will be an individual choice, but the responsibility of the watchmen is sure.

If we see danger along the way, it is our duty, our reasonable service, to warn others or else the blood of their destruction will be on our hands.  The course upon which our feet must tread is the narrow path [Mat7:14] that Jesus spoke, the path that is at times difficult, the one that all of us who are His must strive to stay upon.   

In times of weakness or weariness, the shepherd will carry his sheep, if we have faith enough to trust Him, and not resist. A good shepherd gives his life to save the lives of his sheep. He will lead them beside still waters and into quiet pastures where they can rest.

He knows all of His sheep. If there be one missing, he will seek and find the one that is lost. With rejoicing, he will bring it back and set it amongst the flock. We, His sheep are to tread along a path – not as the broad road that leads to destruction, but rather, the less-travelled (unpopular), narrow way. [Mat 7:13]

 It is a path that can ascend the treacherous mountains and spiral down into the deep valleys – sometimes the valleys seem very lonely and dark. Storms will rage. The winds and the rain will beat violently against the sheep.

It is a way where wolves lurk, watching from a vantage point…waiting to pounce upon their prey. Beasts of the field will hunt for the sheep, seeking to devour. Many are the enemies of the sheep; many are the thieves and robbers.

The double-minded, lukewarm, compromising, faithless, disobedient, insatiable, lascivious or the proud will not last upon the narrow road, if they dare to venture onto it at all, seeking to find an easier road, or seeking whatever they can get from the shepherd.

Such as these will quickly follow a different shepherd who will lead them astray. They will eventually fall away, preferring a different, broader path, having been deceived, and thereby sealing their fate of damnation.

How can this be? How can those who taste of God’s goodness, and experience His grace, mercy and love end up falling away?  They no longer consider the blood of the sacrificial Lamb, wherein they were sanctified, to be a treasured gift or appreciate it for the beauty of holiness that it is. With ingratitude, they turn and trample upon it.

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  [Heb 10:29]

They will find the mountains too high, the valleys too low, the tests too hard and the tribulations too many.  The journey is hard and long; the path is narrow with many dangers lurking along the way. 

Satan can appear as an angel of light to lead them away from the right path and onto a broader one that will take them to their own destruction (physically, spiritually or both). He will lead you toward a false (artificial) light that is actually darkness. 

But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness!  [Mat 6:23]

He can appear to them as the (different) shepherd, speaking audibly or entering into their thoughts, mimicking the voice of the Lord, “This is the way, walk in it.” Such as these are either not His, or they have been horribly deceived, for they will follow after that voice, even though it is not the voice of their shepherd. Jesus said that His sheep know his voice and another they will not follow.

"Come, there is safety and peace if you follow me", says the false shepherd. In Jesus' day, the other voice was that of the Pharisees, or the worshippers of Diana and other false gods.

Today the various false shepherds that call out to you are Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, Sikhs, Indigenous, New Age, Satanists, Luciferians and the list goes on. Then there are the denominations and cults. It is surreal - deception abounds, calling out - ever calling out.

If they do not fall away, they shall be as tares amongst the wheat that will remain until the harvest time. They are likened to goats who are amidst the flock, and in due time, the shepherd shall separate the sheep from the goats. [Mat 13:27-30;25:32-33]

Yes indeed, many dangers are along the right path; many are the enemies of the cross. We must be sober and vigilant because the adversary, Satan, walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, a ferocious and ruthless hunter.

He comes as a thief, whose intention and purpose is to steal, to kill and to destroy. [1Pet 5:8; Jn 10:10] Satan attacks the sheep, looking for their weakest areas. One of his devices is to instill guilt, shame and fear of failure, in order to draw people away. Yet, for the sheep who do not walk after the flesh, there is no need for guilt or fear – there is no condemnation if they walk after the Spirit. 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [Rom 8:1]

Repentance is always the way back to God and to be forgiven, if one does fall into sin. Now this is a whole other topic, and I have covered it before. I will try to put it briefly, so I am not sidetracked.

There are those who believe that if you sin, it's a given (to be expected) because "we all fall short of His glory". They are deceived into believing that they can continue on because they are saved and God forgives. Being saved is not a license to keep on sinning, otherwise we are no different than before we came to Christ.

On the other hand, some people are laden with guilt and shame, feeling sick over their mistakes, or they are struggling with addictions, stuck in a sin and are crying out to God for help. Legalism would condemn them all to hell, but on the other hand, we must strike a balance and keep it in accordance with the Word.

There comes a time we have to make some tough decisions - this temporal life or eternal life. Choices, choices. As previously stated, this article is not about sins and repentance per say, but I must interject: repentance (change of heart; turning away) from sin is crucial and necessary. Over the years, this has been the message I have repeatedly presented, as led of my LORD.

The first two prophetic words I ever posted on the internet was in mid-2007 (May) on Piczo, a free website that has been defunct for some years now, [it] having been crowded out by MySpace and FaceBook.  I had also sent them to some online ministries; in '06 and '07, before I was introduced to Blogger in '08.

The titles were: 

(1) A Call to Repentance 

(2) Repent, Be Holy, A Warning 

The second one published may have been: 

(3) The Watchman Repented

I am unsure at the moment which was the second one at this time, but it is not important. They did not go viral; in fact, they barely were noticed at all [same as now, but I plug on for the joy of the Lord, and possibly someone will benefit - hopefully more than one], but I did my part and left (leave) the rest up to God. That is what we all must do.

Repentance is not a hot topic. Nevertheless, we each do our part, God does His. I should perhaps read them again myself, as I had only been committed to the Lord a short time when the Lord gave me the messages.

I've learned a lot since 2005; we all have, but it would be interesting to read them again. That being said, I must post a couple of scriptures, and a few references a person can check out, before I move on with the article at hand.

Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. [2Pet 2:15]

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. [2Pet 2:18-19]

Reading the whole chapter is a good idea, also I suggest: [Heb12:15-17]

Peter gives a serious warning to fellow believers and a strong rebuke. His sobering words of truth are still snatching people out of Satan's grip and away from the lake of fire. We all do well to pay heed!

I would like to add two verses: The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.  [Ps 34:18;Ps 51:17]

Now to continue on...

The counterfeiter is clever, cunning and crafty.  Satan may confront them as an angel of light, or he may send others (in person, or on social platforms, news media, radio, TV or internet), by any means that will be most powerful to impress.

Many will be overwhelmed by the enticement of Satan and shall be drawn away into the very temptation that will satisfy their passions, particularly if they are laden with guilt, shame or fear of failure Once it is conceived, it will cause them to sin, and when it is finished, it brings forth death. [Jam 1:14, 15]

We must believe in the kind of love that Jesus had as He willingly offered up His life on the cross. Not only must we believe it, we must receive it. It requires faith to receive God’s perfect [agape] love. Otherwise, fear will reside and fear has torment. It condemns a person with guilt and lies, and the fearful will fall into sin.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. [1Jn 4:18]

With the subtlety of the serpent, he will attempt to seduce even the most dedicated believers, in an effort to lead them into temptation and great deception. Satan may lure them to a place rampant with the doctrines of devils and the traditions of men, with the reassurance that they can make a difference in the world. A better way for them and others...

Upon the base of guilt, Satan will place fear. He will convince you that it will take a great effort and mighty works of doing good in order to get right with God and make up for all the wrong you did. With beguiling words or thoughts, he will tell you that the doors of heaven will swing open for all the good you do.

Then finally, you will be free of guilt, shame and fear, he insists. For every good work, you can make your boast, until finally pride will be the capstone on your pyramid of works. (Look what I did! Does it not make up for all my wrong?) Lies, lies! 

Who else but Satan would take our eyes away from the bloodstained cross and the suffering of Jesus for the sins of man, only to bring the focus back on 'self'? He poured out His life as a way for us to be forgiven of our sins! 

The bloodstained cross, the pierced hands, feet and side, the crown of thorns pressed upon his head, the brutal stripes upon his back. He endured it all for us! And Satan wants us to believe that 'our' good works will make the difference? Forsooth, the devil is father of lies!

The way to heaven is faith in Christ. Yes, faith will produces good works, but works has nothing to do with salvation. It is a gift of God by grace of faith, not something that can be earned!

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  [Eph2:8-9]

In the times of the greatest testing, when God is silently watching, the tempter will do all he can to convince the sheep that the Shepherd has forsaken them, not caring about their lives or their outcome. In his conniving way, he will suggest that they can be something much better than a mere sheep.

That the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: [1Pet 1:7]

With great cunning and craftiness, his temptations will appeal to their individual and fleshly ambitions, needs, desires and passions. He will coax them into utilizing their wisdom, gifts and skills to make a big difference in this world of evil. He will bring a new revelation - a way that leads you off the narrow path and away from Jesus Christ, whether it is realized or not.

He may even lead them to the separate folds, where goats graze, so that they will intermingle. Would it not be better to be a goat than a sheep, he suggests? "You can be so much more than you are right now! You can have purpose - for this reason, you were born!" 

How clever are his lies and his evil ways to cause one to rebel against their Maker. When the separating of the sheep and goats comes, what becomes of the goats?

And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [Mat 25:32-34] 

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: [vs41]

Satan will convince them that their purpose in a different fold would be to help the weak, to show them the way, for the greater good, to save them from destruction, saying that the power is in their hands to do so. 

“The sheep and goats can become as one”, the serpent hisses as he lies. They will be blinded and in their guilt-laden sorrow and confusion, they will accept his lies, forgetting that such mixture is unnatural and not of God.

"Butterfly" is a 'geep', a sheep-goat hybrid
living in Scottsdale Arizona.
Photo credit: My Petting Zoo

They will never suspect that they are following after other gods or sacrificing lives of others, believing they are doing God and man a service. Satan will never remind them that all gifts (all good things) come from God in order to bring others the good news of Jesus Christ; to lead them to repentance; to bring them into the kingdom of God by receiving forgiveness for sins.

Instead, he will persuade them in a subtle and alluring way is that it is: ‘Better to please man than God’ - an outright lie of the devil. His messages will possess the powers of persuasion to appeal to their senses and passions. The temptation will be seductive, pleasing to the mind and soul, promising to satisfy the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and pride of life.

The most persuasive is that which amplifies/inflates pride, especially if it promises to alleviate all guilt or fear of failure. After all, pride was the first sin of Lucifer before he added rebellion against God to it. 

"You shall be as gods, remembered for your humility and good works..." – but their memorial will be eternally lost, in the lake of fire, along with their works of wood, hay and stubble. 

 

Satan is a murderer from the beginning - the father of lies. The counterfeiter insists that he is...still the same yesterday today and forever. His lies always contain a portion of truth.

Many are called, but few are chosen. [Mat 22:14] Those with ears to hear will know the voice of the Shepherd. Those with eyes to see will recognize the enemy, no matter what way he appears. They will not listen and give in to his seductions.

With eyes and ears wide open, the sheep will soon learn that the Shepherd is with them, even in His silence. They will sense His presence. They come to know the will of the Shepherd and will respond (obey) only to His voice, following Him into eternal life with the Father. [Jn10:27, 28]

Faith Pleases God

We must keep believing and have the faith in and of Jesus Christ (Yeshua); we earnestly and diligently contend (fight) for the faith. [Jude1:3-4] 

Keep in mind that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. We wrestle (war) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. [2Cor 10:4; Eph6:12]  

Through Christ, we live and move and have our being. [Act 17:28]

As we humbly cleave to God, by willingly abiding in Christ, the Holy Spirit shall teach us and guide us in all things, that our faith may produce good fruit through righteous works.

Satan has hierarchies with legions of demons with different levels of authority and power, who work with him in deceiving the whole world. Although the tendency is to call the demonic realm as a whole, ‘Satan’, he is not omnipresent.

He has his watchers who scout out the lands, spy and report back to him. All of mankind is targeted, but their greatest hatred is against God’s people, those in Christ Jesus.

Satan and his armies will do all they can to cause a believer to give up their faith. Many are the ravenous beasts. However, the child of God has power over the enemy and the evil spirits in his rule, through the name of Jesus.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  [Lk 10:17-19]

It will take faith as a child, trust and obedience to stay your course upon the narrow path. Through Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit, we will persevere. We are required to love mercy, do justly and walk humbly before our God (the Good Shepherd). We must keep on our armour so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil. [Micah 6:8; Eph 6]

Many dangers, trials and tribulations are along the path; our faith is tried to prove us, but God will help those who trust in Him through it all. [Ps46] The road must be travelled in faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love – agape.

We hope in what we cannot see, waiting patiently, with faith that pleases the Father (it is written that without faith, we cannot please God – Heb 11:6). We aim to walk with love that not only casts out fear, but covers a multitude of sins (we are to forgive others). [1Cor 13; 1Pet 4:8]

Jesus knows every sheep and lamb that is His. There is a strait gate into that sheepfold whereby none can enter in, except by the shepherd. He will guide his sheep through. Any who enter in another way are considered thieves and robbers.

The watchman (porter) that guards and warns against any approaching danger also opens the door only for the shepherd.  His sheep will not heed the voice of a stranger. [Jn 10:1-5]

When I was about fifteen, we lived out in the country, next to a sheep farm. However, at the time, I was ignorant of the fact that sheep only came when called by their shepherd, and no other. They did come to visit me by the fence though, but I did not call them. It was I who went to them when I saw them by the fence. They had come to eat of the lush grass.

Here are two very short, but intriguing videos that prove that sheep know the shepherd’s voice. If you are like I was and do not know that sheep will only hear the shepherd, then the lesson learned is certainly worth five minutes of time.

In the first video, you will see that the sheep will not come to the calls of others, but will come to the sound of their shepherd’s voice.  In the second video, it reveals that even in the times when sheep cannot see their shepherd, they will respond to His call when they hear his voice.

1st: A Sheep Will Not Follow Strangers   

2nd: Sheep Know the Shepherds Voice

The Only Way

There is a road that must be traveled that leads to life (eternal), to live with our Creator throughout eternity, to be forgiven for every sin committed in the past (not past, present and future as some say, or else who would repent if they sin again after they were first forgiven?). The only way onto that road is thru Jesus Christ.

Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [Rom 3:25]

A surprising number of pastors today teach that there are many ways (to Jesus) and a good number of these are people who have become famous around the world. What steered them from the path they were on? What happened?

Were they tempted to please man rather than God and give into that temptation? Were they deceived somewhere along the line, or is it that the clothing they wore looked identical to the sheep’s clothing, deceiving the multitudes along the way?

When they speak they bring confusion, for they surely look like they belong. But those who know the Lord, the true shepherd, will see and hear. They will run from the wolves, warning others as they flee.

You cannot climb over walls (trying to find another “way”). If you do, you will be considered a thief or robber. There are not many other ways to the sheepfold.

The only way in is by the Shepherd Jesus.  He is the One who will tend to his sheep along the narrow path. There is only one way offered, and that way is Jesus (Yeshua) the Christ.  He is the strait gate into the sheepfold.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it. [Mat 7:13-14]

The narrow path is a blood-stained road, purchased (bought and paid for) by the precious blood of the Lamb, which was poured out upon the cross, a stake of wood that Jesus was nailed to.  He offered up His life as a willing and acceptable sin "offering" to God, on behalf of sinful mankind. He is the only way to be reconciled back to God.

No matter how hard the journey gets, stay close to the shepherd. Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts. Please do not be like the Israelites of old, who continually erred in their heart, refusing to believe or be obedient to His direction.

Come to know the Lord’s ways. Grieve not His Holy Spirit. Repent of your sins, so that you may enter into His rest. Let no evil heart of unbelief cause you to depart from the living God. [See this in Heb 3:8-12]

Jesus Warned about False Prophets

Nearing the end of His Sermon on the Mount of Olives, Jesus spoke of the strait gate and the narrow road. Immediately after those statements, he warned of false prophets, being as ravenous wolves.

Is it not interesting how he spoke of the way to salvation and the road that would be less traveled and then immediately warns of those who are as “wolves”?  He follows that by speaking of how you will know them by their fruit (I will go into more detail on this later).

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  [Mat 7:15]

His disciples asked Him, “What shall be the sign of Your coming, and the end of the world?”  Jesus was no alarmist or emotionalist. He was truth and spoke truth. (Remember when Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” and Jesus did not answer? Pilate was staring truth in the face and did not recognize Him. 

Jesus’ answer to His concerned disciples was very detailed.  Not only did He warn of false prophets, who would deceive many, but He also warned that the “day and hour (of His return) no man knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

He knew the wolves would come and that the sheep may not even recognize them, especially if they were lambs, or if the disguise was clever. He knew also that people would set dates, but He cautioned his people against such things.

None of us know the precise time, and it will not be revealed likely until the hour is upon us – but only God knows. He did promise that He would do nothing but that He reveals His secret to His servants, the prophets. [Amos 3:7]

Nevertheless, Jesus gave a detailed list of what signs to watch for. If we watch as He said, we should be keenly aware that our Master is returning. Looking at the signs today, we know He is not far away. [Mat 24:2-39]

He (Yeshua) revealed how His people should behave, warning also about hypocrisy. We are to be faithful and wise servants who do keep watch, with each of us doing (serving) well in the individual duties He has given us.

Although we do not know the day or the hour of our Lord’s return, we know and see that the hour of His return is near, judging by the signs He gave and seeing so much unfolding before our very eyes (like no generation has before us, we see prophecies speedily being fulfilled).

Therefore, we watch and pray, bearing the good fruit of our faith by our works. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, faith will produce good works.

Yea, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [Jam 2:18]

Do you sense that with all the scripture references given, you are being challenged to check them out, to see if I indeed, kept them in context?  I only post a couple to each subject to reveal that they line up, yes, but also to encourage you to search the scriptures. It is very important to see that nothing new/strange is being introduced that is outside of God’s word, not even by me.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [2Tim 2:15]

Yet, there is one more thing I must add here as it occurs to me. We are not supposed to just read/know (hear) the Word, but we are to DO what it says.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.  [Jam 1:22-24]

Bad Love is Better than No Love

Those who know me know that for the greater portion of my life, I had a saying about love, which was ‘bad love is better than no love’. The odd thing is that I actually believed that lie. From the orphanage and through most of my life, the love I knew was cold, calculating, manipulative, controlling, dishonest, unfaithful, brutal, two-faced and untrustworthy.  That is what I understood love to be.

That is not said for sympathy, not at all. It is said to explain why I was convinced that God was surely a hard taskmaster. It meant that I thought that one had to walk on eggshells so as not to upset Him or trespass boundaries that, if crossed, brought swift, hard and merciless punishments or rejection and abandonment.

It meant striving for acceptance and doubting His full forgiveness. It also meant that I did not know how to trust Him, or if He could be trusted, in case He angered and turned on me unexpectedly.  

My view of God was distorted. After all, I did not know Him, but I had heard a little about Him in the orphanage. What I heard I cannot remember, for reasons of youth and reasons of trauma. It blocked.

I do not ever remember blaming God for what happened in my life or being angry at Him after I began to seek Him...I don’t, but that does not mean I never did those things? It simply means what it says; I do not remember. But frankly, in my mind, how can we blame God for what people do?

He created us, gave us a beautiful world to live in, provided everything we need, even things for our pleasure and enjoyment, and what have we done with it? Look around...we have not appreciated it. We have taken it for granted, all of us. On good days, we love being alive. On bad days, we complain.

With one word, He could wipe us all out and start fresh, but He does not. Why? That I cannot answer. We have all messed up horribly, each and every one of us, but Jesus! He is the way, the truth and the life - the truth is that He is the way to eternal life. This life is temporal, judgment was called and death was the verdict. But there is a way - Jesus - one way only - back to the Creator of all. 

Sometimes I wondered why horrific things happened to some people, if He truly cared or loved. It is so easy to put the blame elsewhere, isn't it? At the time that I toyed with such thoughts, I did not know God well enough to understand that He gave us all the power to choose, and people do terrible things to each other. 

Natural calamities are just that, natural. Yet how many times have we heard testimonies of miracles happening that diverted a calamity from an individual or individuals. Why some and not all? I do not know.  God knows. Many choose to live continually in evil and sin. Innumerable people have asked why God does not intervene. 

Yet, usually (not always) those who ask such questions are angry at God for some personal reason. If God moved us around like puppets; we would complain. If God interfered in all we do, we would complain. If God made all the decisions and left little up to us, we would complain. He gives us the freedom, the power to choose - we complain.

It does not much matter what God does, there will always be complaints. Satan has been the one interfering since the beginning. He caused the fall of mankind with his lies and temptation. Yet, the woman and the man (Eve and Adam) both had the freedom of choice also. 

One thing I believe...once this is all over, it is guaranteed that there will never be another rebellion again.  All the angels and all of creation has seen what happens when just ONE rebels, convincing others (one-third angels) to join in.

When everything and every one has been judged at the end of it all, that is when true peace shall reign, under a Sovereign holy God. We are very close to that time as one looks back down the corridors of history.

Tests and trials of the believer and their faith were not something I understood. Could God be trusted?  Who am I to even ask such a thing? I am like an ant hoping that your big foot doesn't squash me. Can I trust that foot? It is a good thing that God has better eyesight than we do. 

At least I have a chance to be saved by Him, as does anyone who will believe in Christ and repent. In truth, there were times in the past where I did have my doubts about His love. I did not know the height, breadth, depth of it so that I could be grounded in love. It was understood that there were different kinds of love on a human level.

Most of us understand various kinds of human love, but do we understand it from a Biblical perspective?  Do we truly understand?  I thought I did, but I came across one man who has done a great deal of studying. As a result, he was shocked, appalled even, at what he calls the heretical teaching in the churches regarding the different kinds of love and what they mean.

It is no wonder that people struggle with things like "love your enemies", "men love darkness", "You [Pharisees] love the front seats in the synagogues..." etc. He noticed the word 'agapeo' an 'agapee' were used a lot for both good and bad. You might be thinking, 'Well, that is because God is love and agape love is unconditional, sacrificial God-love.'

That is what I thought when I began this article as well (regarding agape), but I have also been praying for wisdom and truth. It has been stated by me often that as I begin to write (knowing some things), I end up learning more (profound) as I go along.

This time is no different. Most of us know or have heard about "agape" love. We are taught what I wrote up above - sacrificial, unconditional, but after reading the man's work, it opened my eyes of understanding wider.

His name is Robin Calamaio, an evangelical, Christian author. I will give you a few brief stats, but will provide the link for you to read about him for yourself. He has done a lot of research, years of study and great effort put into the subject of love. It began as his own personal search for truth regarding the love that the Bible speaks about, and the love we are to walk in.

It is an intriguing study, which certainly answered many of my questions. I think the reader will find his definitions and references quite interesting as well. Just as I did not get heavily into repentance and sins in this writing, neither will I get into the topic of love too deeply. 

However, it is important that I include a portion (as originally intended) because the motive behind exposing any kind of false teaching or false prophecies has to be a genuine concern for others. It is God's kind of love, the love that wants false teachers and prophets to repent; the kind of love that warns others; the kind of love that is a choice.

After I share some of what Calamairo teaches, I will provide a link where he offers a free E-book that he has written. It is a clean download as I have personally downloaded it myself. It is a PDF, worth keeping for future reference.

Briefly, Robin Calamairo has a BA (major in Business Administration - minor in Bible), and degrees in Associate of Divinity and Master of Divinity. Born in Kansas, he now lives in Kentucky. He has pastored, served at a street gospel mission and been staff at a drug rehabilitation center. About Robin Calamaio

What I post below may or may not surprise you, but for a proper and full explanation, downloading Robin's book would be advised.

Love

The Bible identifies different forms of love: (I hope I don't massacre Robin's work here, but the way he puts it in the book is not so cut and dry. It has to be read to be fully understood. That's a fact!)

- agapeo/agapee (to value or esteem, respect or honour, act of the will - not emotions)

Agapee is an act of the will; it requires (verb) agapeo; the two must go together. Example: You can choose to be patient without liking the person. You can choose to be kind without having an emotional bond to the person. There are varying degrees of agapee.

Note* - These definitions and explanations from Calamaio's book that I am presenting here are very brief. He has made every effort to explain it in simple layman terms, going into greater lengths of detail. He uses a considerable number of scriptures to make things perfectly clear.  Worth the read! The snippets of his work that I use barely do it justice, but it whets the whistle!

- phileo (to cherish, to like, to be fond of, to delight in, to kiss (some texts), warmth of love) noun: philos - friend, congenial associate This cherishing includes a genuine respect. Phileo is the more emotionally tense love.

Example: For the Father loves (phileo) the Son... Lord, he (Lazarus) whom You love (phileo) is sick...If anyone does not love (phileo) the Son, let him be accursed.

Agapeo and phileo love do not fail. They are true love, steadfast, not fickle.

Calamaio does not believe that "agapee" and "phileo" can be pitted against each other, as one being a higher form of love than the other. He says that "agapee, agapeo and phileo" are practiced daily around us constantly - by both saved and unsaved. 

It is difficult to put all his explanations into just a handful of sentences, which is why I would encourage you to either read it online or download the e-book in PDF free. One interesting example he gave had to do with "...men loved (phileo) darkness rather than light."

We might not have consider how the same word "love" could have the same meaning when speaking about two oppositions, such as to love "darkness, evil" as opposed to love "light, good". Below is an excerpt from the book.

Calamaio writes: 
"There is no doubt many murderous leaders have practiced agapao and phileo. Many outsiders have been amazed that extremely violent people often have a kind - even tender - side. But this is really simple to explain.

These “leaders” impute an intrinsic worth in some people, and therefore practiced agapao toward them - say, their hit men. And close family may be cherished (phileo). Great patience and attention is granted these individuals, but withheld from others - totally withheld.

Hitler practiced agapao towards darkness with great fervor, and probably had great phileo towards himself - and maybe lots of other things, like preeminence, his Third Reich, or his Aryan philosophy. Agapao and phileo both exist in large quantities all around us."

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. [Eph 3:17-19]

What was love really, anyway? Believing that He loved me was difficult at first because I did not know what love was. I thought I did. Yes, there were a couple of times I thought I loved, but looking back it was not truly love, and I surely never knew the love of parents. How could I love if I had never experienced it or had even known what real love meant?

Now, I know. Now, I understand. Now, I truly give God glory for all He has done for me because surely, it's undeserved.  Download Robin Calamairo’s E-book

The Glory of Real Love

Then a day came, most unexpectedly, when the power and glory of real love pierced the protective wall of my heart, just as a clean and sharp, hot knife penetrates through a chunk of cold butter. The suddenness caught me unawares.

The purity of it humbles; the intense strength overwhelms, and the penetration full and absolute. It is not a matter of feelings and emotions; it is a matter of all-consuming completeness. There is no fear; there is only quiet confidence and trust. It is a bond that cannot be broken and a freedom that knows no bounds.

This love, once received, needs to be shared, in which the joy of giving back is utterly profound. It is enveloped in a peace that passes all understanding, and is longsuffering. It abounds in humility, yet walks in the confidence that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.

It is not self-seeking, evil thinking, easily provoked or unruly. It is kind and tender; and bears no envy. It is a defender of righteousness and a shield that protects. It does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. This is agape love. God is love! [1Cor 13; 1Jn 4:7, 8]

Do you understand this kind of love? It is not based on emotions or feelings. It is a matter of choice, the power to choose these things. We can choose to do the things mentioned in 1Cor 13, or not. It is not automatic. Even those who are not saved can be humble, or kind, or patient, even with people they do not 'love' emotionally, or with feelings. Robin Calamaio is right on there!

Again, do we truly understand this love? The peace that comes is not due to some tyrant demanding obedience or else! It is the kind of love that goes beyond the physical senses, the power to choose is freedom and that freedom in and of itself is so pure and holy that it cannot be contained as a selfish thing.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

[Jn 3:16]

Now it is up to me to keep that love in balance, to never take it for granted, to make proper choices regarding it and to be ever grateful. I know such love is undeserved, but oh, now that I’ve tasted of it, I cannot even allow myself to think of what it would be like never to have known it!

All glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords, who looked upon this wretch and forgave me of all my trespasses, all of my shortcomings, quirks and flaws. I cannot let go, nor do I want to. The Holy Spirit teaches me to walk holy, submitted and surrendered, in willing obedience by faith.

We have an Advocate (Jesus) who intercedes on our behalf. There is a fear of God, knowing His power, a reverence for a holy and righteous Creator, the utmost respect, but mostly, an understanding of His great power. That is a fearful and magnificent thing that is hard to comprehend.

God has the power to command a storm (go!) or to command a volcano to erupt (release!) - or to stop the winds (be still!), or the flow of lava (cease!). The kind of power that holds the planets in space and commands the sun to give its light and heat. He holds all the stars, and knows how and why they fall or shoot across the horizon. He can give a body breath and He can take that breath away. 

Deep and true is my love for all that HE is, a consuming fire, far more than what a few words here can possibly or adequately express. It is His love in me; He is the one who placed it there. He is the one who taught me what pure love is!

The help of the Holy Spirit is necessary, in picking up my cross daily and dying to self. We are to be holy as He is holy - this means to be set apart, separate from the ways of the world. It is not holy such as in wearing a straight-laced corset that is tied so tightly that one can barely breathe, nor is it as wearing pants so tight that one can barely bend at the waist. It is not the kind of holy that the Pharisees were - religious evil spirit.

May our faith produce abundant good fruit, for He deserves the fruit of His labour as His reward. All glory is to Jesus alone, for I am aware of how I (and all of us) have sinned, and come short of God’s glory. [Rom 3:23]

It does require courage and boldness to stand strong and to speak truth, to go against the grain. How often must we ask God for the boldness to do so? Yes, but what I have become even more acutely aware of is that the love that comes from God alone will catapult courage powerfully, so that we can speak truth according to his Word, his will and his way (by His Spirit).

That, dear readers, is Christ in us because we are not capable of such love in and of ourselves. Agape and phileo love were personified in Jesus throughout His ministry. His love took Him to the cross and held Him upon it. He was obedient right up to the moment that He breathed his last upon the cross.

To warn of danger seems a natural thing to do when we care about anyone or anything. Yet, to give a stern warning when the majority are saying “peace, all is safe”, or when people refuse to take heed or notice of the warning of danger, then we must leave it be, unless instructed otherwise.  If people do not take heed, then there is nothing more we can do. We do our part and the rest is up to God. Amen

It takes courage that can literally mean “loving not your life unto the death” [Rev 12:11].  It takes courage to go against the main current, when that which is coming against you is strong.

It does ofttimes take a dying to self, to share truth at all cost. Astounding – the agape love of God, the love of our Saviour is too marvelous to fully comprehend. To be a servant for such a King is indeed an honour. He is worthy of all glory!  

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Wolf: "Why can't we all just get along, Missy?"

Why can't we all just get along? The Word of God tells us many reasons. Yes, it sounds right, doesn’t it…let’s all just get along?  When you hear someone say that does it not sound righteous, proper and pleasant? 

Do you think it is a kind soul that is saying these things?  You might think so, if it is spoken from the lips of someone you admire perhaps. Or it could be spoken by one who looks like a sheep outwardly, but inwardly is a ravenous wolf, or maybe they just look like a wolf...whose been converted. 

Ahh, that's it! The wolf converted. The smooth words can lead you off the path to life and onto the road of destruction.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel?  [2Cor 6:14, 15]

What a slippery slope it is when the icing is comprised of false humility compromise, people-pleasing, lukewarmness and white-washing. Sound harsh?

Those pushing for a one-world (new world) government, religion, bank and economy are inundating people globally with repetitive key words in messages.

These key words are being heard from every single source around the world.

This includes influential top levels in governmental and intergovernmental positions, international and supranational organizations, agencies and institutions to media, big business, small business, every religion, every faith and everything in-between.

Many of the key words being used to brainwash and program people (in preparation of the Antichrist) are scattered throughout the Bible, and why not? If God created man and woman, then obviously, He created language and gave the first couple the ability to understand and speak it.

What is more powerful than the Word of God? Satan is no fool and neither are his puppets and devotees.  Every word that a follower of Christ speaks, when spreading the gospel message, teachings, prophetic words and evangelizing has been mirrored in other religions.

This causes confusion and disharmony – this plan of deception has been in motion since the Garden of Eden, when God foretold of the coming Messiah – “it (seed) shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”  How fast did people begin to worship other gods?  It did not take long before the great deluge occurred.

The Bible is not specific, but we do know that Noah was born ten generations from Adam, but only six generations from the birth of Cain. In Noah’s day, God sent the flood as judgment upon the sins of man and the resulting corruption of all things.

Indeed, God had a plan of salvation from the beginning.  The reader has likely seen this before, but it really is stunning. It is a list of names and what the names mean, from Adam to the birth of Seth and upwards to the tenth generation, Noah’s birth, in whose generation the great flood occurred.

● Adam        Man

● Seth          Appointed

● Enosh        Mortal

● Kenan        Sorrow

● Mahalalel    The Blessed God

● Jared          Shall come down

● Enoch         Teaching

● Methuselah  His death shall bring

● Lamech       The despairing

● Noah           Rest, or comfort

Man appointed mortal sorrow, the blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring the despairing rest, or comfort.  
No wonder Satan panicked and began immediately to deceive the whole world, wreaking havoc (false gods/goddesses, false religions, cults, witchcraft, just for starters) and destruction.   

The NWO (New World Order) was renamed “Global” some time back, in order to blindside and fool the public. It just took the masses awhile to catch on; some still have not, but they soon will.

People are waking up, but not too many are arising to the warnings. It is more comfortable lying there with your eyes open – thinking about rising up than it is to actually rise up, put on your armour, grab your sword and shield and present yourself before the King to find out what He would have you do.

Beware of the hour. Watch and pray. Stay alert and listen for the key words that are being used for the intent and purpose of brainwashing, social control and programming of the masses.

Christ Jesus versus the Antichrist

From the beginning, there has been a preparation of the world to bring in the Antichrist and his world kingdom.  Satan initiated a plan for salvation with a ‘christ’ when God announced His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ/Yeshua.

Satan’s counterfeit plan of salvation is to save (unite) the world, not man. He will accomplish this through his ‘christ’ (Antichrist), who will have his own ‘False Prophet’. Who is this Antichrist who will promise to bring world peace (temporal, physical) through him alone, for the sake of humanity in the physical realm?

God’s plan of salvation is to save man, not the world. This is only accomplished through His Christ (Jesus), for through Him alone comes salvation.  He brings a peace (eternity, spiritual) that passes all understanding (rest in God through Messiah), for the sake of eternal life in the spiritual realm.

The one who magnifies himself will demand worship, for by him will the world be saved by peace (temporal, physical). A mark (mark of the beast) will be given to all who obey and worship him, whereby even the holy angels will be able to identify the followers of the Antichrist. 

In contrast, the regenerated soul chooses to worship Jesus, for by Him is a man saved (eternal, spiritual). The believer is sealed by the blood of the Lamb and the Holy Spirit, to all who have faith in Christ, overcome the world and obey God’s commandments. The holy angels will identify Christ’s followers by His seal. The battles of a believer are spiritual.

Antichrist (false christ, counterfeit) is the one whom Daniel said would magnify himself (as ‘god’) and destroy by peace. The implication is that by warfare, many will have to kill and be killed to achieve world ‘peace’. The world will worship the Antichrist, whose battles for the world are physical.

And through his policy also, he shall cause craft (witchcraft?) to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many.  [Dan 8:25]

The preparing (by Satan and his cohorts/agents) began immediately after the fall in the Garden of Eden upon hearing God’s promise and plan of salvation (this must be understood – it cannot be said enough). If you research and study, you will discover that deception, pride (love of self) and rebellion against God are all necessary in witchcraft (occult, sorcery, dark arts etc).

As the master, so the servant! Satan continues to work on people’s pride, corrupting their wisdom (minds) with vainglorious thoughts. Satan is not omnipresent, but he has a kingdom, a hierarchy, including upper echelons of his hierarchical system.

He has watchers (demons/spirit guides), who are sent out to spy. They learn about the God-given skills and gifts of an individual, their personalities, their weaknesses and their strengths, their ambitions, needs and passions. Then they report back to their leader.

Forearmed with that knowledge, Satan strategizes and implements the most effective way to lead each one into temptation. If he is successful, that one will take the bait and be led into sin, into guilt and fear, into unbelief and into rebellion.

The Cross and the Blood of the Lamb

Satan hates all of mankind, but his most challenging target is a disciple of Christ Jesus. He will attack them physically, mentally and spiritually, in different ways, at different times. It may come all at once, as an onslaught (as he did Job), or it may be step by step (as he did King Saul).

A true believer has to battle against flesh, Satan and his evil armies. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. [Phil 4:13] Ah, but Satan is no fool. He has been at this since the Garden, remember?

He will do whatever it takes to have you drop your shield (faith), and lay down your sword (Word of God). What good is your armour without a shield and weapon when facing a fierce adversary?  He will target their weaknesses to defeat their strengths.

If his seeds of doubt take root, they will begin to block out God’s love as surely as weeds block out the light of the sun. The Word of God is not only a mighty weapon, but it is bread (manna) and living water for the spirit man. Without it, the warrior will grow faint.

Without faith, food or drink, the weakened warrior falls into a state of hopeless despair. Satan will lay upon him guilt and shame. A spirit of fear will lie, saying that God has failed him and is punishing him, rather than forgiving him. He will be tempted by Satan to disobey God and fall into sin.

The cross of Christ becomes obscured and God’s promises are brought into question. Satan will offer another way, albeit an unrighteous way. He will deceive the warrior and appeal to his pride.

With no shield (faith) to quench the fiery darts of the enemy, and no sword (Word of God) in which to cut asunder, the ability to resist the devil is severed and he will not flee. He becomes vulnerable to Satan’s deception, tempted into unbelief and disobedience. It will be followed by rebellion in thought, word and deed against the Most High God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I caution any true believer who find themselves in such a weakened state, no matter what brought you to that condition, do not give up. I plead with you not to throw away your faith or hand it over to the adversary!

Cry out to Jesus. Even if you do not hear Him when you cry out, know that He is with you. He has promised never to leave or forsake you, and His promises are ever true! If this is a test of your faith, realize that He has considered you worthy enough to go through it (think of Job).

Consider that He has put limits on the enemy; he has not been able to take your life. Do not hand him your life. Jesus is with you, even if you cannot sense His presence. Go through, go through, go through!

In Christ, you are stronger than you think. You are well able to go through. God will make a way of escape. Trust Him. Do not give in to the lies and temptations of Satan. Give your life into God’s hands and you will gain your life. This is a truth!

The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

[Jn 10:10]

You can overcome him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. [Rev 12:11] Pick up your shield and sword, warrior! The shield (faith) protects you from Satan’s fiery darts, and the sword (Word of God) will defeat him! Only believe!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Eph 6:10-11; 16-17]

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [Eph 6:13]

Do not give into his lies. He seeks to kill and destroy you. Forsake not

righteousness for unrighteous ways for the sake of pride. Satan is a murderer from the beginning and truth is not in him. He speaks lies for he is a liar, and the father of it. [Jn 8:44]

Please heed the warning and do not let Satan lead you into damnation by causing you to fall away and disobey God in that rebellion (turning against Him). No matter what he offers you, it will prove to be a lie. It will blow up in your face, meaning that when all is said and done, it will destroy you, no matter how hard you work at it.

But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and my eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive. [Jer 13:17]

Again, When a righteous man does turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness (good works) which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand. [Ezek 3:20]

Pride Leads to Destruction

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. [Ps 10:4]

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 

[Prov 16:18]

So great was Lucifer’s beauty, wisdom, skills, power and strength that he began to think of himself more highly than he ought. In his mind, he exalted himself. His wisdom became corrupted by his pride.

In that exaltation of self, his own wickedness deceived him, which led him to rebel against God. He boldly began to proclaim that he would be as God.  Great was his loftiness, arrogance, exceeding pride and the haughtiness of his heart.

He turned compelled God’s heavenly host of angels to join him in his conspiracy of rebellion against their Creator, to disobey God and follow him.  How powerful is deception?  Yea, but it could not overpower God, for he could only convince one-third of the heavenly host to follow him.

Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you. [Ezek 28:17]

It began in heaven, but upon the earth, deception and the temptation to disobey and rebel against God truly began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Once they disobeyed God, rebelling against His commandment to them, they were cast out of the Garden.

Sin began to spread rapidly from that day and onward. Cain killed Abel, and his great, great, great grandson Lamech, murdered a man as well. The Bible does not give much of an account of it, except that it was a young man he killed.

However; Lamech told his two wives (first polygamist) that he had slain a young man.  He was a braggadocio, defying God with pride, stating that if Cain would be avenged sevenfold then he would be avenged seventy and sevenfold. [Gen 4:24]

In his prideful boast, he told his wives what God would do to avenge him. He killed a man, showing no remorse or repentance, only tyranny, pride and arrogance. He had become just as his forefather Cain, whose pride blinded him from seeing the murderous sin in his own heart. He had acted on the temptation to murder.

It is written that sin crouched at the door of Cain’s heart, which was full of envy and jealousy, angered that God preferred Abel’s offering (first born of his flock) more than his own (fruit from the land that was cursed). The rage that festered within him caused him to rebel against God, proven by the murder of Abel.

Sin was found in Lucifer, who also had the power and freedom to make choices.  Lucifer was impressed with himself, beauty, wisdom, strength, gifts (tabrets, pipes - “prepared in thee” - musical), yes, he had it all.

Lucifer became full of envy and jealousy toward God.  Desiring to be like Him, he made five proud boasts.  For you (Lucifer) have said in your heart,

(1) I will ascend into heaven,

(2) I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

(3) I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

(4) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

(5) I will be like the most High.  [Is 14:13-14]

Cain and Lamech both were filled with pride, just as Lucifer was. There is no evidence that Lamech had a relationship with God, let alone to obey Him. He declared a seventy plus sevenfold vengeance.

It would seem by Lamech’s arrogant boast, he thought rather highly of himself and his violent ambitions. He alludes to being greater than God in that he could command how God would avenge him.

   Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. [Mat 18:22]

Do you see the contrast in the very nature of God between the two statements?  Lamech boasts that if anyone harmed him for the killing of the young man (who had in some way wounded him, hurt him – Gen 4:23), God Himself would avenge Lamech seventy times seven fold.

Jesus said to Peter that if any should sin against him, he must forgive (no vengeance) seventy times seven fold.  Jude, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus mentioned Cain in his writings, so it is safe to say that Peter knew of him as well.

When Cain heard the judgment of God upon him for killing Abel, he feared for his life. He was concerned someone may kill him for what he did to his brother. He had concern only for himself, and was full of pride and arrogance.

Lamech was proud of his kill, even arrogant in that he had shown himself mightier than a younger man, prideful of his mastery over him. Like Cain before him [Gen 4:15], he was focused only on himself, further emphasizing his importance by stating that God’s vengeance on his behalf should any come against him would be even greater than that of Cain.

Is that why Peter asked if my brother sin against me, should I forgive him sevenfold?  That was the measure God would forgive Cain, even though He still passed judgment upon him. 

The Bible is silent about any judgment that may have been passed on Lamech. Understanding the reason behind Peter’s question, Jesus drove home the fact that forgiveness beyond measure (one would tire of counting) is man’s duty.

The burden of justice remains with the Sovereign God and is not upon man to seek revenge. From the time of the beginning, God made it clear that vengeance and recompense are His alone.

He has not changed; He remains the same yesterday, today and forever. In due time, He will judge righteous judgment and carry out both justice and recompense.

To Me belongs vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. [Deut 32:35]

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord. [Rom 12:19]

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever. [Heb 13:8] God’s nature had not, does not and will not change.

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you.  [Is 35:3, 4]

We need to hold fast to the promises of God and obey His leading. The importance of forgiveness, whilst leaving injustices and cruelties of sin in God’s hands is woven throughout the Holy Scriptures.

As surely as God has shown mercy and forgiven us, likewise we too must show mercy and forgive.  Keep your confidence in God. As hard as it is for us, we must hold fast to our faith and wait patiently for Him to carry out His promises. Selah

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  [Heb 10:35-37]

We walk by faith and not by sight, for it is written that without faith, it is impossible to please God. We know we must live and walk by faith.  So it is written, so it shall be.

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.  [Heb 10:38, 39]

for His glory

Bonita                         dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com