NAME 16 of 16: YEHOVAH-TSUWR

Who is Yehovah-Tsuwr and what does this name mean to us?

“Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:” Psalm 144:1 (KJV)

Yĕhovah Tsuwr, pronounced yeh hō vä' tsür, is translated in the scripture above as the LORD my strength but the word TSUWR is also translated as strong, mighty one, stone, rock, beauty and God. The Hebrew word TSUWR is translated as GOD in both Isaiah 44:8 and Habakkuk 1:12.

“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” Isaiah

“Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.” Habakkuk

In Isaiah above God (Elowahh) likens Himself to a rock, stone, mighty one and to strength (Tsuwr). In Habakkuk He is called all of these with the added adjective ‘mighty’. Yehovah Tsuwr comes to life in these two scriptures as the ultimate, mighty, strong, rock of refuge and protection.

The Psalmist blessed Yehovah his Tsuwr, who disciplined his hands and his fingers to war and fight. Verse 2 of Psalm 144 is critical to a better understanding of this Yehovah name.

“My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.”

In the Hebrew text (I'm explaining in English) the Psalmist describes Yehovah Tsuwr as his goodness, kindness or faithfulness. He also says that He is his fortress or stronghold on top of a mountain; his high place of refuge that is at a secure height; and, his deliverer, saviour or way of escape and way into safety. He also describes Yehovah as his shield and one in whom he trusts; he lastly says that Yehovah subdues his people under him.

I know who Yĕhovah Tsuwr is to me so I ask: who is He to you?

NAME 15 of 16: YEHOVAH-SHAMMAH

Who is Yehovah-Shammah and what does this name mean to us?

“It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.” Ezekiel 48:35 (KJV)

Yĕhovah shammah, pronounced yeh hō vä' shäm' mä, simply means THE LORD IS THERE.

This name is mentioned in only one place in the Hebrew concordance of the KJV of the Holy Bible. It is a symbolic name for Jerusalem. It is a combination of the name YEHOVAH and the Hebrew word SHAMMAH, which is derived from the Hebrew word SHAM. SHAM has its roots in the Hebrew word ASHER and literally refers to ‘there’ in that place, in that time and in that thing.

In the scripture above Yehovah is there in Jerusalem; however, if you are born-again in spirit then Yehovah is there in you too. Jesus said:

“I and [my] father are one.” John 10:30 (KJV)

“At that day ye shall know that I [am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” John 14:20 (KJV)

Since Jesus and Yehovah are one, and since Jesus is in the Father and we are in Jesus, and since Jesus is in us then God is in us as well as around us. This is a wonderful depiction of the name Yĕhovah shammah. The LORD is there.

Thank God for Jesus. Praises Father!

NAME 14 of 16: YEHOVAH-TSIDQENUW

Who is Yehovah-Tsidqenuw and what does this name mean to us?

“In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:6 (KJV)

“In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.” Jeremiah 33:16 (KJV)

Yĕhovah tsidqenuw, pronounced ye•hō•vä' tsid•kā'•nü, is much more than just THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Let us examine the name to find out more.

This name is mentioned in only two places in the Hebrew concordance of the KJV of the Holy Bible. It is a sacred name. It is a combination of the name YEHOVAH and the Hebrew word TSIDQENUW, which is derived from the Hebrew word TSEDEQ. TSEDEQ has its roots in the Hebrew word TSADAQ and literally refers to justice, straightness, rightness, rectitude and righteousness. TSADAQ, TSEDEQ and TSIDQENUW refer to various aspects of righteousness that become absolute when YEHOVAH and TSIDQENUW are combined.

As children of God He is our righteousness because He vindicates us, justifies us and saves us. He gave us His righteousness because the righteousness that we possessed naturally was filthy. In fact, we are compared to an unclean thing and our righteousness is compared to a filthy rag.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)

God is just in that He gives us straight Justice as opposed to crooked justice. He is righteous in His governance of His people; He delivers Justice in each of our individual lives; He is the epitome of rightness in speech; He is supreme in ethical righteousness, and in righteousness associated with vindication and justification in every controversy.

Yĕhovah tsidqenuw: God literally acquits and absolves us of every sin and makes us thoroughly innocent, as if sin never existed to us. All of this is by God’s grace through Christ Jesus.

Praises Father!

NAME 13 of 16: YEHOVAH-QADOWSH

Who is Yehovah-Qadowsh and what does this name mean to us? Psalm 99 is a Psalm which declares that God is Holy and commands us to:

“Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.” Psalm 99:5, 9 (KJV)

In this Psalm we are urged to worship God in two places. We are to worship Him at the lowest of places: His footstool; and we are to worship Him at the highest of places: His Holy Hill.

In the Hebrew text there are two Hebrew words translated to English as footstool. REGEL in Hebrew refers to the literal foot of God and has the added implication of walking in His footprints at His pace or gait. Following this is the Hebrew word HADOM meaning stool. Also, in the Hebrew text the word HAR literally means mountain, therefore Holy Hill refers to the mount of God where His throne is. These two places: footstool and Holy Hill remind me of Isaiah 66:1 which states:

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:”

We are to worship Him in these two places because Yehovah the self-existent one, our Elohiym, is Qadowsh. This Hebrew word QADOWSH, pronounced kä dōshe', is translated as ‘holy’ in our Holy Bibles. It literally means sacred and derives from the Hebrew root QADASH (←click to see the reference) which means to be separated. The scripture where God is directly listed as being Yehovah Qadowsh says:

“And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” Leviticus 20:26 (KJV)

In this scripture God was talking to the Israelites about certain practices under the law. This scripture also speaks to us today as born-again believers because we are also separated from unbelievers unto God. This scripture below refers to fellowshipping with unbelievers and does not mean we should not minister to them.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)

Leviticus 20:26 says: “…for I Yehovah am Qadowsh!” Here we see that God is Holy and that we are his people who have been severed from other people so that we become His. This word severed comes from the Hebrew word BADAL. It literally refers to separating, dividing or disjoining two things by a veil, fence or wall so that they are distinguished, severed or set apart from one another. We have a command from Yehovah Qadowsh to be Holy unto Him because He has severed us from the world system and has set us apart to Himself. We are bought with a price (Christ) and belong personally to the Holy God. We MUST represent Him in holiness.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)

Be Holy as you Worship God. God bless you!

NAME 12 of 16: YEHOVAH-ASAH

Who is Yehovah-Asah? Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise, worship, thanksgiving and exaltation directed toward Father God our maker. In this Psalm we are taught to bow down on our knees to worship God.

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” Psalm 95:6 (KJV)

There are three significant Hebrew words here. The word ‘worship’ is translated from the Hebrew word SHACHAH meaning to sink down and to prostrate oneself in worship. The words ‘bow down’ are translated from the Hebrew word KARA meaning to kneel down. The word 'kneel' is translated from the Hebrew word BARAK meaning to bless, praise and salute. What is interesting here is that the scripture is saying we should bow down, bow down, bow down before our maker the self-existent one. Let us analyze this further.

In this scripture BARAK refers to invoking, celebrating and adoring God. KARA refers simply to falling down upon the knees or kneeling down, but SHACHAH refers to prostrating or falling upon the face physically (and I must remark, with the back of the neck becoming vulnerable), and implies doing homage or sinking down from the inner being as well. The scripture says:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 (KJV)

We are to use this prostrate position to demonstrate our total and complete submission to God our maker. The word ‘maker’ is translated from the Hebrew word ASAH, which refers directly to fashioning and making something by pressing and squeezing it. ASAH also refers to producing or fabricating something using labor, but, producing, preparing and completing that thing from one’s own personal labor. This is a perfect picture of God the potter and us the clay.

Yehovah Asah is the self existent one our maker. We are to kneel down on our knees, adore God, put our faces to the ground and lower our inner being in reverence to Him. This is the ultimate sign of humility and submission, sacrifice and contrition before God our maker.

God Bless You!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP?

The Holy Bible details the qualifications of a true Bishop in 1 Timothy 3 and in Titus 1.

"This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)

"If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." Titus 1:6-9 (KJV)

The scripture is very clear about true Bishops. All of us as Christians are urged to prove all things, hold fast to the good, to ABSTAIN from EVIL and to ABSTAIN even from the APPEARANCE of evil.

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23 (KJV)

SEXUAL SIN is a sin against the body. In born-again people the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Sexual sin is therefore a defilement of the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is a judge and exposes the sin of the unrighteous. Let these things be a lesson to us all. Let us all pray fervently and hold fast to the profession of our faith as good stewards. I urge you all to hold fast to the faithful Word as you have been taught.

God Bless You!

NAME 11 of 16: YEHOVAH-RA`AH

This name, Yehovah Ra`ah, is a most interesting name and attribute of God because it embodies God as our shepherd and much more. The name is found in the following scripture that most of us know so well.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (KJV)

Yehovah (the self existent one) is our shepherd. The word ‘shepherd’ is translated from the Hebrew word RA`AH, pronounced rä ä'. It is found 173 times in 144 verses in the Hebrew concordance of the KJV and is translated: feed, shepherd, pastor, herdmen, keep and companion throughout.

This image comes from the Catacombs of San Callisto, which date to the mid-second century AD.

The Hebrew context implies that God pastures, tends and feeds us like a shepherd feeding a flock of sheep. It also implies that He associates with us as with a special friend. Yehovah Ra`ah governs, nourishes, feeds and delights in us to the extent that He has personal interaction and association with us. How awesome is that!

Praise God now. Hallelujah!

RECENT EARTHQUAKES & A COMET ?

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD?

Here is a list of all the major earthquakes since January 1, 2011 from the USGS (click the link) website.

At 00:30:10 UTC it was reported by the USGS (click the link) that there were approximately 20 earthquakes within 1 day in the conterminous 48 states of the USA, about the same number in Alaska, 1 in Hawaii and 1 in Puerto Rico.

(USGS PHOTO)

At the time of the writing of this post (01:00:00 UTC) there were at least 2 quakes in 2 states in the USA and 1 off the East coast of Japan, within an hour.

There is also a report by NASA (click the link) that a comet will pass through earth's orbit and go around our sun on or about September or October of 2011. NASA says the comet will not be a threat to us.

(NASA PHOTO: by STEREO spacecraft, Aug. 6, 2011)

What is going on in the world?

If you have read the scriptures and currently listen to preachers you know that Christ will return. In fact the scriptures tell us that many false prophets will arise and preach lies regarding Christ's return. We have seen one such doomsday false prophet recently.

With all the different catastrophic things happening in the world, most people will want some answers and some comfort. The scripture says no man knows the exact time or day of the coming of Christ (Matthew 24:36). However, even though we do not know the exact time or day, Jesus gave us some things to think about so we would not be caught off-guard or unawares. See for yourself what the scriptures say:

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3)

The disciples asked Jesus 2 questions:
1. When shall these things be?
2. What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?
Look at what Jesus told them.

"Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:4-8)

Firstly, Jesus said they should let no one deceive them. Jesus cautioned them and us in His first sentence. DO NOT LET ANYONE DECEIVE YOU! Jesus then clarified His caution by saying that MANY would come, they would even come in His name, calling themselves Christ, and shall deceive many. DO NOT LET ANYONE DECEIVE YOU.

Secondly, Jesus said we would hear of wars and rumours of wars, but that we should not be troubled because these things MUST happen; BUT THE END IS NOT YET.

Thirdly, Jesus said nation would rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom. He said there would be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in many places.

Fourthly, Jesus said: "All these are THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS."

If you are up on your current affairs, you will recognize that all of these things are happening in the world right now. I encourage you, DO NOT FEAR or WORRY; although, I urge you, BE PREPARED. There is so much more depth to this chapter but it cannot be covered in one post. Keep following this blog to see MORE about this in the upcoming weeks.

God Bless and Keep You!

[REPOST] SEXUAL SIN PORNEIA & PORNEUO (Greek)

The Holy Bible lists some examples of sin in Galatians 5 and calls them the works of the flesh. I have previously written about these in detail (See WHERE SIN ABOUNDED part 1.) and you may refer to that study for greater clarity on each one.

The flesh is mankind’s earthly nature, which is prone to sin. The works of the flesh are things that come naturally to mankind’s earthly nature. Mankind finds physical and mental pleasure in them because the fact of the matter is: they feel good! Some of these fleshly works are:

Adultery,
Fornication,
Uncleanness,
Lasciviousness,
Idolatry,
Witchcraft,
Hatred,
Variance,
Emulations,
Wrath,
Strife,
Seditions,
Heresies,
Envying,
Murders,
Drunkenness,
Revellings,
and anything that resembles these.

The scripture says:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (v. 19-21)

The Apostle Paul was not writing to non-Christian people, he wrote this epistle to the Christians in Galatia. He was showing them the difference between the fruit of the Spirit of obedient Christians and the works of the flesh of disobedient or carnal Christians. The scripture says that these sins prevent people, even Christians, from inheriting the kingdom of God.

The Holy Bible teaches that sin is sin and there is none that is worse than the other. The Bible also says that sin separates man from God.

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness." Isaiah 59:1-3 (KJV)

BUT what is so different about sexual sins why most people are weaker and give in easier to them than they give in to other things? Why do some married people lust after other persons? Why do many single people find it hard to abstain from sex until marriage? Why is it that some born-again Christians give in to the temptation to have sex even though they are unmarried?

Why do people love sex so much that they masturbate when they are alone, indulge in pornography and promiscuity, buy sex from other people, indulge in homosexuality, lesbianism and bestiality as well as paedophilia, sado-masochism and commit rape? Is there evidence to suggest that the urge and desire for sex increases or intensifies with each of these different practices?

Psychology Today says: "Different people enjoy and pursue sex in different forms—as the pioneering sex researcher Alfred Kinsey put it, the only universal in human sexuality is variability itself. But within the universe of intimacy and pleasure that sex affords is a lot of room for error. Most people are affected by sexual problems at some point in their lives."

The reality is that if you cheat on your spouse; if you are unmarried and are having sex; if you are lusting about having sex with someone of the opposite sex, the same sex, and/or animals; if you have gone past lusting and have actually had sex with them, or, if you are doing all of the above, then you have committed SEXUAL SIN.

Many Christians have fallen into the 'sexual sin' trap because either they are Biblically uneducated about its alluring power or they have knowingly given in to its seduction. The Bible says EVERY sin is outside the body but sexual sin is against the body. When a person is born-again, their body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the scripture tells us to flee fornication because it defiles this temple. 'Flee' comes from the Greek word PHEUGO referring to seeking safety by running away, escaping safely out of danger, and vanishing away from it.

"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (KJV)

The first word 'fornication' in this scripture is translated from the Greek word PORNEIA. It refers to illicit sexual intercourse (Acts 15:20, 29), which includes: idolatrous defilement that occurs when a person eats food that is sacrificed to idols, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals, intercourse with relatives (Leviticus 18) and people who divorce each other for any reason other than fornication (Matthew 5:32).

The second word 'fornication' in this scripture is translated from the Greek word PORNEUO. It refers to prostituting the body to the lusts of another, having unlawful sexual intercourse, and to allowing oneself to be drawn into idolatry. Every meaning of the first word is summed up in the meaning of the second. Fornication is Prostitution. WOW!!!

When we become born-again we no longer belong to ourselves. We belong to and come under the authority and dominion of God Himself. The scripture also says we are to glorify God in our body as well as in our spirit because both body and spirit belong to God. Let us not sin against our body, God's Holy temple that houses His Holy Spirit!

Be holy, be blessed.

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD (Milk & Meat)

As we sat down for dinner this evening (Friday), my 5 year old daughter said grace. She prayed the prayer she always prays when we ask her to say grace: "God is good God is great, let us thank Him for our food, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen." When I began to eat, my wife took a picture. It wasn’t until several hours ago, when I was looking at the picture, that the Holy Spirit gave me a message.

In Japan there are five traditional ways of cooking food: boiling, grilling, deep-frying, steaming and raw. "Raw" is included as a cooking technique because of the preparation that is required. There are usually five colors represented in the meal: green, yellow, red, white and black, and there is a balance of six tastes: bitter, sour, sweet, hot, salty and mild.

The individual dishes are filled to two thirds of their capacity so that the patterns on the plates are not hidden. The Japanese are very meticulous when it comes to food preparation so it’s no wonder that, in 2007, Tokyo had a higher rating than Paris, Hong Kong, New York, LA and London combined.

I am much more excited about spiritual food than I am about physical food so that’s enough talk about that; let’s take this to the next level.

The Holy Bible is our food for the spirit. The Word of God is called milk (1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2) for the baby Christian and meat (1 Corinthians 10:3; Hebrews 5:11-14) for the mature Christian.

Spiritual food must be apportioned properly to completely satisfy and benefit our inner being. The scripture calls it studying (the Word) to be approved by God and rightly dividing the Word!

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Everyone who preaches and teaches the Word of God must study and be approved before God Himself and must rightly divide or share out the Word of Truth. The words "rightly dividing" are translated from the Greek word ORTHOTOMEO, pronounced or-tho-to-me'-ō. It derives from a combination of the word ORTHOS, meaning straight and not crooked, and TOMOS meaning sharper. ORTHOTOMEO refers to cutting it straight and to teaching the truth directly and correctly.

There is no sugar-coating or over-cooking and no going around in circles either. Its clear-cut, to the point, and laid out or displayed correctly. In this sense preachers and teachers are like chefs in a restaurant, carefully seasoning and serving up spiritual dishes and laying them out meticulously so that those who eat will be properly nourished.

The Japanese way of serving physical food is a great example of how preachers and teachers are supposed to serve spiritual food. I LOVE being God's chef for His people.

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Colossians 4:6 (KJV)

God Bless You!

FEAR vs FAITH

FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real
vs
FAITH: Forgetting All I Trust Him

Jesus had been teaching by the seaside with His disciples. When He finished speaking to the masses, He expounded on the teachings for His disciples. Afterwards, they sent the people away and Jesus decided to go to the other side of the sea. It was evening and, as He journeyed with His disciples in a ship surrounded by small boats, a great storm arose on the sea.

The storm was fierce and the waves splashed into the ship until it was full. The disciples were terrified and thought they were going to die. Jesus was sleeping on a pillow in the rear of the ship and they woke Him up asking if He did not care that they were going to die. I can just imagine how many things they mumbled before waking Him up.

These men had the creator (John 1:1-3) in the ship with them and they thought they were going to die! Unbelievable! All day He had been teaching them and prior to that He had done all kinds of miracles. He had healed multitudes of sick people (Mark 3:10). Even the demons had recognized Him as the Son of God (Mark 3:11). Despite all that the disciples had seen Jesus do, they still feared that they were going to die in the storm. They were standing there rooted and grounded in fear.

Jesus rose up immediately, rebuked the wind, and told the sea to be still. I can just imagine the look on all their faces. They must have felt relieved at first, shocked after thinking about what had just happened, and guilty after the realization hit them. Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Creator, was in the ship!

Christ gave us an awesome revelation in this scripture:
Fear is diametrically opposed to faith.

Look at what Jesus said to them after he had calmed the storm:

"And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Mark 4:40 (KJV)

The Greek word for fearful is DEILOS, pronounced dā-lo's. It is found in only three (3) places in the Bible and also means timid. It is used in Matthew 8:26, as well as in the book of Revelation. In Revelation it refers to Christians who give in to persecutions and turn away from Christ because of cowardice (Revelation 21:8). The scripture is saying that anyone who has this type of fear is a coward. Wow!

The Greek word for faith is PISTIS, pronounced pē'-stēs. Faith is conviction of the truth of anything. You use faith when you are completely convinced about the truth of something. You used faith when you believed in Jesus. You were completely convinced that Jesus died for your sins, was resurrected, and is seated at God’s right hand talking to Him about you. This how you became born-again, through faith. This means every born-again believer has faith.

As born-again believers, Jesus is much more than ‘in the ship with us during the storm’. JESUS IS IN US! We do not have to fear anything because the creator is in us (John 14:20). He represents us at the same level that we represent Him. The more faith you have the more He manifests Himself in you.

Can you believe that the disciples were still in fear after all Jesus did (Mark 4:41)? It was a different type of fear (PHOBEO). This word refers to being startled by strange occurrences, to treat someone/something with reverential obedience, and to be struck with amazement. The scripture says they were wondering what type of man Jesus was. When anyone is in fear they Forget Everything And Run. When fear tries to get at you do not forget but remember who JESUS is to you. We are fearless in Christ when we stand in FAITH!

Be faithful, that is, be full of faith.

God Bless You!

WHAT IS GRACE?

I once heard someone say:

"GRACE is an acronym for G-od's R-iches A-t C-hrist's E-xpense."

This was a preaching along the lines of the prosperity gospel of today. The statement was a big turn-off for me when I heard it because I did NOT (and still do not) subscribe to that doctrine. (See I PRAY FOR YOUR PROSPERITY for THE REAL PROSPERITY GOSPEL.) The statement sent me to analyze what GRACE truly was. This is what my teacher (Holy Spirit) revealed.

GRACE IS UNMERITED FAVOR.
God was going to destroy mankind from the face of the earth using the great flood because mankind had been so wicked. God spoke to Noah and saved him and his household from the worldwide cleansing. They were all saved because Noah found GRACE in God's eyes.

"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." Genesis 6:8 (KJV)

THE GIFT OF CHRIST CAME BY GRACE.
Jesus Christ was the Word and was God. He created all things. He sacrificed himself for wicked, rebellious, undeserving people like us, and gave us the opportunity to choose to put away sin and rebellion. The law of Moses did not have the power to do this but Christ's GRACE did it.

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17 (KJV)

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD COMES BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE FREELY JUSTIFIED (JUST IF I'D never sinned) BY GOD'S GRACE, IN CHRIST JESUS.
The Apostle Paul said that the law could not justify us and it was only by the GRACE of God, through Jesus Christ that we are justified.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" Romans 3:20-24 (KJV)

GRACE IS GOD'S FREE GIFT.
Grace is undeserved. Mankind received grace when they were separated from God and living in sin and rebellion. Mankind received GRACE and could do nothing about it.

"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." Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

IT IS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT WE ARE TAUGHT TO DENY SIN, THAT IS, TO LIVE A LIFE SEPARATED FROM SIN AND CONNECTED TO GOD.
The GRACE of God brought salvation to us and taught us certain things.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)

Although a person could argue that the riches refer to Heavenly riches, the scriptures clearly tell us that GRACE is much more than any kind of riches. GRACE, the unmerited free favor of God, brought us salvation, justification, sanctification and glorification through Christ Jesus. I believe these can all be summed up as the righteousness of God.

I would say that GRACE is:

God's
Righteousness
At
Christ's
Expense

God Bless You!

NAME 10 of 16: YEHOVAH-ELYOWN

The post The Names of God lays the foundation for 01 through 16. Please read it first, thanks.

Have you ever been the victim of lies, deceit and slander? Did it hurt you so deeply that you cried out to God because you could go to no one else for justice? Well, this is what happened to David why he wrote Psalm 7. It is a song and a prayer because of some things that Cush the Benjamite had said about him.

The only fact we have about this Cush fellow is in the title of the Psalm. It says that he came from the tribe of Benjamin. It appears from the content of the Psalm that this Cush person was saying some injurious things against David.

Matthew Henry, in his Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710), gave his theory about this Cush.

“David not only penned it, but sang it himself in a devout religious manner unto the Lord, concerning the words or affairs of Cush the Benjamite, that is, of Saul himself, whose barbarous usage of David bespoke him rather a Cushite, or Ethiopian, than a true-born Israelite. Or, more likely, it was some kinsman of Saul named Cush, who was an inveterate enemy to David, misrepresented him to Saul as a traitor, and … exasperated Saul against him…” Commentary on Psalm 7:1

I know Henry’s first theory sounds almost racist and derogatory but let’s objectively look beyond that implication and think about this: IF in fact David was referring to Saul as Cushite, he was calling him an Israelite without God since at that time the Cushites (Ethiopians) did not call upon the one true God. David was saying that this accuser was not a true Israelite even though he was born of Israel.

We must also look at what Wilhelm Gesenius and the translator of his work, S.P. Tregelles (in square brackets), said about this Cush:

“A Benjamite in the court of Saul [if not a name applied to Saul himself, or to Shimei], Ps. 7:1.” Cush, Gesenius's Lexicon translated and edited by S. P. Tregelles in 1847, 1857

Gesenius asserts that Cush was a Benjamite in Saul’s court. S.P. Tregelles asserts specifically that David may have used the name Cush in reference to either Saul or Shimei. Shimei was a Benjamite who originated from Saul’s house and cursed David openly (2 Samuel 16:5).

If there was no man named Cush in Saul’s court then David was using the name Cush in a derogatory way. Either he was applying it to Saul because of how barbarously Saul used David or to Shimei because of how he abjectly cursed David. Was he applying the label to a Benjamite to show that the man was not a true Benjamite but an enemy of Israel and of God?

I accept that the scripture gives us no clue about who Cush was except that he was a Benjamite who was falsely accusing David. It hurt David so much that he wrote a song/prayer Psalm about it, asking God to give him justice.

In verses 1-2 of Psalm 7 David seeks grace from Yehovah Elohiym. In verses 3-5 David highlights the fact of his innocence. In verses 6-9 David asks Yehovah Elohiym to rise up for him to judgment, for the people’s sake and for his sake. He also asks Yehovah Elohiym to judge him based on his innocence (righteousness and integrity). In verses 10-16 David acknowledges that Elohiym is his defence, that He judges the righteous and that He is angry with the wicked every day. David also said that the wicked man’s dealings would return to him and fall upon his own head.

David appealed to Yehovah Elohiym to do eight (8) specific things:

1. Save me from my persecutors (v.1);
2. Deliver me from them (v.1);
3. Arise, LORD, in your anger (v.6);
4. Lift up yourself LORD because of the rage of my enemies (v.6);
5. Awake, LORD, and judge them for me (v.6);
6, Judge me, LORD, in my righteousness and integrity (v.8);
7. Let the wickedness of man end (v.9); and
8. Establish the just (v.9).

David appeals to Yehovah Elohiym (LORD God) and Elohiym (God) repeatedly throughout the Psalm. After all the appeals, prayers and lamenting, look at what David said in verse 17:

“I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”

David concludes his song/prayer with praise to Yehovah and to the name of Yehovah Elyown. What is so significant about Yehovah Elyown why, after calling on Yehovah Elohiym and Elohiym, David closes the Psalm in Praise to the name Yehovah Elyown?

ELYOWN refers to something high. In one context it is used of something set in a high and elevated position that is made an example of punishment to men (1 Kings 9:8). However, the name first appears in Genesis 14:18 together with the word EL or God, signifying God Most High. (See The Names of God.) In Psalm 7:17 it is used together with LORD or Yehovah and describes the LORD Most High or Yehovah Elyown.

The fact is, David had no higher authority to which he could appeal. After all the appeals, prayers and lamenting David exalted Yehovah Elyown, the LORD Most High, because HE was the highest authority he knew.

NAME 09 of 16: YEHOVAH-TSABA

The post The Names of God lays the foundation for 01 through 16. Please read it first, thanks.

This name first appears in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 1, verse 3; however, it seems only fitting to speak about HIM from 1 Samuel, chapter 17. The Philistines had gathered an army and occupied a territory of Judah called Shochoh. Now the word Philistine means immigrant and described the descendants of Mizraim who had migrated from Caphtor (Crete). They had pitched their tents in a place called Ephes Dammim, which means edge of blood (v.1).

Saul and the men of Israel readied themselves to fight and pitched their tents in a place called the valley of Elah, which means oak tree. Notice the King James Version (KJV) says the Philistines were ‘IN’ the edge of blood while Israel stood ‘BY’ the oak tree valley (v.2). Was this prophetic of what was about to happen? Each army was on a mountain and the valley was between them (v.3).

The Philistines had a champion called Goliath who was from Gath. The scripture says Goliath was six cubits and a span which calculates to about 10 feet or 3 meters (v.4). He was taller than the tallest living man today, who, according to the Guinness book of world records (February 2011), is Sultan Kosen from Turkey with a height of 8 feet 3 inches (251.4 cm).

Goliath was hurling insults at the entire Israelite army (v.8-10). Everyone was standing around in fear (v.11) while Goliath paraded himself for 40 days (v.16). Now let’s skip to David. David was talking to his brothers when Goliath approached and started cursing Israel again (v.23). David told King Saul that he wanted to kill Goliath. He said he had killed a lion and a bear and compared Goliath to them. He further said that God had delivered him from the lion and the bear and by God he would slay Goliath like he did the lion and the bear (v.34-37).

Saul gave him permission and David went out against Goliath with a staff, a sling and five smooth stones from the river (v.40). When Goliath saw David he became outraged and cursed him because he was young and had come to fight him with sticks (v.41-43). Goliath told David that he was going to feed him to the flesh eating birds and beasts (v.44). David answered and said:

“…Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.” (v.45-47)

David fearlessly ran towards the advancing Philistine army, wound up his sling, let the stone fly and hit Goliath in the center of his forehead. The stone sunk in and Goliath fell. David did not have a sword so he ran to Goliath, drew Goliath’s sword and cut off his head with it.

Photo credit: Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

The entire Philistine army began to run away because their champion had been killed (v.48-51). The Israelites chased the fleeing Philistine army to a place called Ekron, which means torn up by the roots. The Philistines were literally uprooted from Judah’s land.

The LORD of hosts is translated from the Hebrew Yĕhovah Tsaba pronounced tsä vä'. Some call the name Yehovah Saboath but I use the exact Hebrew term. TSABA literally refers to Yehovah, the leader or patron of the entire army of Heaven, actively going out to war. Notice in verse 47 David said: “…the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s…” God fights for us without conventional weapons and wins.

Yĕhovah Tsaba is our leader or patron in every battle so trust Him to fight and win for us everytime.

God Bless You!!!

THE FREE EBOOK IS HERE

I know, its here early!

Praise God.

I am really excited about giving this EBOOK away because it contains so much Biblical knowledge about a subject that everyone wants to know more about: HELL. Some people are afraid of what they might find out, but I encourage those people to not be afraid.

Some people want to know more about Hell, have tried to find out more, but have only received bits and pieces of vague information. Some people know enough about Hell from the Bible but need a refresher study. Some don't know anything about Hell but are curious to find out. If you are like me and don't want to rely completely on someone else's word about something, you will find that this book gives scripture in the correct context, to verify the teachings in it.

In this book you will find a wealth of life-changing information about Hell, such as, what it is and where it is located. You will read true Biblical stories of people who have gone there. You will also read about two men who went there and were taken out of there by God.

God has chosen you for this very special moment. Don't allow fear of the unknown to discourage or dissuade you from reading this FREE (It will Cost YOU Nothing) EBOOK.

SIMPLY CLICK THIS LINK: EPIGNOSIS - BOOK 1 - HELL IS A REAL PLACE .

If you would like to receive a PDF copy, please send me an email at: smorganministries@gmail.com. Simply ask for it and I will send it to you.

God Bless You! God Bless You! God Bless You!

S. Morgan

IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY AND FAST

I woke up at about 3:30 am because of the sound of the mailman's motorcycle coming through my open window. I got up, looked through the window and saw the motorcycle's headlight flashing with each turn through the neighbourhood. I was thinking: "The Japanese are such dutiful people!"

I know that when I wake up suddenly for whatever reason its always good to pray so I decided to do just that. I grabbed my cellphone, went to facebook and made a post. It said:

"Its 3:35 am Saturday. The mailman's motorcycle woke me up. its raining. I think I will get some praying done. Will pray for all my FB fam. Hit the like button if u want special prayers."

Let me tell you that I have more than 350 friends on my personal Facebook page. I immediately got 1 like and a comment from a very good friend of mine in Florida. That was three hours ago. Its now 7:00 am and there are 17 likes and 9 comments.

As Christians it is our duty to pray for others. Prayer is such a powerful tool. In fact, prayer and fasting together accomplish great things. Look at what the scripture says:

Isaiah 58
King James Version (KJV)

6. Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7. Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.

9. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10. And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:

11. And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

I don't have to preach on this. It is so clear. Let me just share a picture I took at about 5 am and say that in the midst of clouds in your life praying for others and fasting will let your light break forth as the morning and let your health spring forth speedily.

God bless you!

(COMING SOON) FREE EBOOK: HELL IS A REAL PLACE

Hi friends,

In one week from today I will GIVE AWAY FREE copies of my EBOOK. Here is a preview of the cover:

This book is 32 pages (short) and discusses the reality of HELL. I initially wrote this as a 2-page article in my newsletter published January 2010 but expanded the article in November of 2010. There are 36 books in 3 series. This series is called "The Reality Series" and 'HELL IS A REAL PLACE' is the first book in it. 'HEAVEN IS A REAL PLACE' is the next book in the series.

Like I said, this ebook is COMPLETELY FREE and the truths are all supported by scripture.

God Bless You!

S. Morgan

NAME 08 of 16: YEHAVAH-SHALOWM

The post The Names of God lays the foundation for 01 through 16. Please read it first, thanks.

The deeper I go into the study of the names of God the more I see that names are very significant. In the book of Judges, chapter 6, the children of Israel did evil in God’s sight and Yehovah delivered them into the hand of Midian (the Midianites) for 7 years (v.1). Scripture tells us that the Midianites prevailed over Israel and as a result the Israelites lived in dens and caves and strongholds in the mountains (v.2).

Midian was the son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:2-4). The name Midian (Hebrew MIDYAN) means ‘strife’ and these were his descendants. The scripture says that when the Israelites planted, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the East, came up against them and destroyed everything leaving nothing for Israel (v.3-5). As a result Israel was greatly impoverished and because of ‘strife’ they cried out to Yehovah (v.6).

The scripture says Israel cried out to God. The entire nation cried out to God (v.7). When Israel cried out to God the Lord sent an unnamed prophet to give them a message (v.9-10).

Now Gideon the son of Joash was threshing wheat by the winepress to hide it from the Midianites when an angel of Yehovah appeared unto him declaring that Yehovah was with him (v.12). Yehovah did not reveal Himself until after Gideon had made the declaration of his foreparents (v.13). The scripture says: “And the LORD looked upon him…” (v.14) and again: “And the LORD said unto him…” (v.16).

Yehovah told Gideon that He was sending him (Gideon) in his (Gideon’s) might and that he (Gideon) would save Israel from strife. Yehovah even told Gideon that He (Yehovah) would be with him for sure and that he (Gideon) would smite strife as one man. Yehovah talked to Gideon but Gideon was still in disbelief and asked for a sign that it was Yehovah himself who was talking to him (v.17).

It seems that the angel appeared to Gideon and announced Yehovah who spoke to audibly to Gideon. Gideon thought that he was going to die because he had seen an angel of God face to face (v.22). Gideon called out to YEHOVIH-ADONAY in fear (v.22) but Yehovah assured him that he would not die (v.23).

“Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” (v.24)

The Hebrew Yĕhavah Shalowm is translated as Jehovahshalom meaning Yehovah is peace but this is not all. Shalowm, pronounced shä lōm' refers to completeness in number, safety and soundness in body as well as welfare, health and prosperity. It also refers to peace with man and peace in a covenant relationship with God, as well as quiet tranquility and contentment. This was Yehovah’s reward to Israel through Gideon because of the strife (Midianites) that had afflicted them.

As I am writing this final paragraph, I am only now realizing that this message applies directly to me. This is such a comfort to know that in the midst of all the strife going on right now, my family and I have all of these things above.

Hallelujah Yĕhavah Shalowm!

NAME 07 of 16: YEHOVAH-QADASH

Yehovah told Israel to keep the Sabbaths forever because it was a sign between Him and them throughout their generations that they would know that He is Yehovah who sanctifies them. Keeping the Sabbath was a perpetual sign to Israel that Yehovah set them apart.

“Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.” Exodus 31:13 (KJV)

The Hebrew word for ‘sanctify’ is QADASH. It literally refers to consecrating, sanctifying, preparing and dedicating, hallowing or making holy and to separating or setting apart something or someone. In this instance the Israelites are urged to observe the Sabbaths because observing them was an eternal sign to them that Yehovah had separated them.

It is clear from scripture that the Sabbath is important to God and is also a reminder to the people and to their descendants that God had separated them. If it was not important to God then He would not have taken on the attribute Yehovah-Qadash. I will ask two questions below:

Question 1: Since this was a command to Israel, does observing the Jewish Sabbath apply to us as born-again believers under the new covenant? I like Matthew Henry’s commentary on Matthew 28, which I believe answers this question.

“He arose after the Jewish sabbath, and it was the passover-sabbath; all that day he lay in the grave, to signify the abolishing of the Jewish feasts and the other parts of the ceremonial law, and that his people must be dead to such observances, and take no more notice of them than he did when he lay in the grave. Christ on the sixth day finished his work; he said, It is finished; on the seventh day he rested, and then on the first day of the next week did as it were begin a new world, and enter upon new work. Let no man therefore judge us now in respect of the new moons, or of the Jewish sabbaths, which were indeed a shadow of good things to come, but the substance if of Christ. We may further observe, that the time of the saints' lying in the grave, is a sabbath to them (such as the Jewish sabbath was, which consisted chiefly in bodily rest), for there they rest from their labours (Job iii. 17); and it is owing to Christ.” Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1721)

Question 2: When should born-again believers observe a Sabbath, if at all? Again let us go to Matthew Henry’s commentary on Matthew 28.

“ He arose upon the first day of the week; on the first day of the first week God commanded the light to shine out of darkness; on this day therefore did he who was to be the Light of the world, shine out of the darkness of the grave; and the seventh-day sabbath being buried with Christ, it arose again in the first-day sabbath, called the Lord's day (Rev. i. 10), and no other day of the week is from henceforward mentioned in all the New Testament than this, and this often, as the day which Christians religiously observed in solemn assemblies, to the honour of Christ, John xx. 19, 26; Acts xx. 7; 1 Cor. xvi. 2. If the deliverance of Israel out of the land of the north superseded the remembrance of that out of Egypt (Jer. xxiii. 7, 8), much more doth our redemption by Christ eclipse the glory of God's former works. The sabbath was instituted in remembrance of the perfecting of the work of creation, Gen. ii. 1. Man by his revolt made a breach upon that perfect work, which was never perfectly repaired till Christ arose from the dead, and the heavens and the earth were again finished, and the disordered hosts of them modelled anew, and the day on which this was done was justly blessed and sanctified, and the seventh day from that. He who on that day arose from the dead, is the same by whom, and for whom, all things were at first created, and now anew created.” Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1721)

The scripture tells us that Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week. We know that the Jewish Sabbath was Saturday, the seventh day and that the first day was Sunday. This is often referred to as Resurrection Day. John calls it the Lord’s Day in Revelation 1:10.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”

Remember that as born-again believers we are also sanctified or set apart through Christ Jesus our Lord when He was raised from the dead.

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

If we are sanctified through Christ then we are set apart to Him and to the commemoration of the Lord’s Day as an example. We have scriptural examples of believers gathering on the Lord’s Day. The disciples assembled on the first day of the week two different times after Jesus had been raised:

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” John 20:19, 26

Paul preached to disciples who had gathered together on the first day of the week to break bread.

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Acts 20:7

There is evidence that the churches of Galatia and Corinth assembled on the first day of the week.

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Under the Old covenant, Yehovah-Qadash sanctified Israel and reminded them of their sanctification by their keeping of the Sabbath on Saturday. Under the New covenant Yehovah has sanctified us through Christ Jesus and we honor Christ on His Day, the first day of the week, the day he was resurrected, Sunday, by assembling together.

If Yehovah is also our Qadash, the Lord that sanctifies us, and sanctification is through Christ who rose from the dead on Sunday, then can it be said that Sunday is our Sabbath (seventh day), our day of rest, that is, our eternal sign of Christ’s resurrection and Yehovah’s sanctification?