A LESSON FROM THE LIFE OF THE CICADA

The KUMA-ZEMI or red muscle cicada (pronounced si ka da) is now singing all over Japan. The hotter it gets the louder and more spirited they will sing. These are some interesting creatures from whose skin-shedding life the Ninja technique utsusemi (cicada decoy) was created. I thought I saw one until I tried to get a picture of it and quickly realized that it was the skin of a larva that had already moulted. I was a victim of the utsusemi technique! See my picture below.

Cicada spend most of their lives (some 13 years and some 17 years) at about 1 foot underground feeding off xylem, a fluid found in the roots of plants. The larvae emerge in summer and climb the trees or plants. Some feed on tree or plant sap, shed their skins and the males do their mating calls. Once they mate, the females lay hundreds of eggs in the bark of the trees. The adults die within several weeks. The eggs eventually hatch and fall to the ground where the cycle starts all over again.

Oh, and yes, in China people do eat them deep fried, especially the females which are meatier than the males.

As usual I was looking for a message in the life of the cicada. While the cicada spends all its life under the earth and emerges to live above ground for only a few weeks, humans live all their lives above ground only for their bodies to be placed in it when they die. I know this sounds morbid.

The Apostle Paul was talking to the Corinthians about the resurrection of the dead born again believers. He used Christ as the example.

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." (1 Corinthians 15:20)

The Apostle Paul went on to say that when we are born again, if we die and our bodies are placed in the earth, our bodies will be resurrected without corruption, in glory and in power.

"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:" (1 Corinthians 15:42-43)

He said there are natural bodies like the ones we have now and there are spiritual bodies like the one that Christ has.

"It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." (1 Corinthians 15:44)

He said born again believers will put on the spiritual body.

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthians 15:49)

This is a complete transformation.

"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:52-53)

The cicada fulfils its purpose and ensures the continuation of its species on earth before it dies forever and is forgotten.

For the born again believer it is not morbid and hopeless. Born again believers are not separated from God and will see the resurrection. We have hope and we expect that God who is faithful to us through Christ Jesus, will raise the bodies of those born again believers who have died and reunite them with their eternal spirits.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Praises Father! Thank God for Jesus. Amen.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT SALVATION? (Part 3)

Here is an excerpt from the August 2011 newsletter. Hope you find it refreshing.

JESUS

I. WHO WAS JESUS?
II. WHO IS JESUS?
III. WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?

All references will be taken from the Holy Bible, King James version (KJV).

I. Who Was JESUS?

Jesus was the Word
Let us go first to the book of St. John, chapter 1 verse 1. The scripture says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

‘Word’ (Logos, pronounced lo'-gos) refers to speech uttered by a living voice. Generally, ‘Word’ is also reason or the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning and calculating. However, in the book of St. John it denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God. Look at what verse 3 says:

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Something very interesting happens in verse 3. A personal pronoun ‘him’ is given to the Word establishing that the Word was a person. It also says that He made everything. Let us now go to the book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 26 to find Him.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Remember, we are looking for the ‘Word’ in Genesis. Since we know that He made all things, if He is to be found here, He must be one of the ‘US’ and ‘OUR’ mentioned here as Elohiym (pronounced el•ō•hēm'). The name Elohiym is a plural Hebrew word used throughout the Holy Bible and is translated as God.

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Jesus was man
All mankind became separated from God because of Adam’s disobedience. This is the reason why 'the Word' gave up Heaven temporarily to become a man. He was to become the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind to reunite us with Yehovah the father.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Prior to Jesus becoming flesh or human He was in the form of God. In Philippians 2 verse 6, the English word ‘form’ is translated from the Greek—MORPHE, pronounced mor-fā'. It refers to the external appearance or the form by which a thing strikes the vision.

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

The Word, JESUS, became a man and experienced the things that mankind experienced. He then gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind so that through Him all would have the opportunity to be reconnected to God.

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:7-8

“For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26

When He died on the cross, the man Jesus was separated from God just like us. This is because He took the sin of the world upon Himself.

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Mark 15:34

The Holy Bible tells us that sin separates man from God.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2


Click THIS LINK to read, download or print the entire study.

TO KNOW OR NOT TO KNOW

I have been frustrated for weeks now because of what is happening in the world. I become thoroughly disgusted every time I read and listen to the headlines of the long list of international media houses that I follow. It has been disheartening to see people wax worse, delude themselves and pretend there is no Almighty God.

The thought "Am I making a difference with my minuscule ministry?" even crossed my mind but I quickly rebuked the adversary because I knew that that was a fiery dart from him. I am hurt, heartbroken and wounded within because of all the [still have not found a word to describe it] in the news yet I will continue to proclaim the Epignosis of the Word of God and continue to say: "Get thee behind me satan, for it is written...

In the book of 2 Peter, chapter 2:

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (v. 20-23)

The scripture says we ‘escaped’ (Greek—APOPHEUGO, pronounced ä-po-fyü'-gō) or fled from the pollutions of the world through the ‘knowledge’ (Greek—EPIGNOSIS, pronounced e-pē'-gnō-sēs), that is, through the ‘precise and correct knowledge’ of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The ‘pollutions’ (Greek—MIASMA, pronounced mē'-ä-smä) are those things which defile or contaminate us. This may happen when we walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way with sinners and sit in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1). ‘World’ (Greek—KOSMOS, pronounced ko'-smos) refers here to the world as well as to the universe as a harmonious arrangement, constitution or order.

If we are again ‘entangled’ (Greek—EMPLEKO, pronounced em-ple'-kō) then we are involved in and woven into the pollutions. If we are ‘overcome’ (Greek—GINOMAI, pronounced gē'-no-mī, and HETTAOMAI, pronounced hāt-tä'-o-mī) in our entanglement then we become less than or inferior and are made worst or conquered by the pollutions from which we had escaped.

The scripture rightly says that it would have been better not to know, than to know and turn away. It is clearly talking about people that had accepted Christ and then rejected Him. The scripture likens them to a dog eating its own vomit and a washed hog returning to the mud.

It is also written:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Transform your PROBLEMS into PEARLS

As born-again Christians we are the center of attention because we are in the world even though we are not of the world. Our individual lives are the subject of intense scrutiny by everyone. People observe and criticize everything we do just as the religious leaders did Christ Jesus when he lived among them. Sometimes, our most severe critics are often our fellow Christians who view our actions, catch our words, analyze and take them to pieces. What does the scripture say?

John 15:18-20
King James Version (KJV)
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

When we are under the microscope like this, being dissected with the proverbial scalpel, let us remember John 15:18-20 as well as take a lesson from the Pearl Oyster.

The pearl oyster is invaded by a hurtful particle, which it cannot get rid of by itself. What does it do? The oyster secretes a precious substance from its own essence, covers the unwanted intruder with it and over time turns the intrusive particle into a splendid pearl. The particle’s hurtful power over the oyster eventually ends.

Charles H. Spurgeon said: "Oh, that we could do so with the provocations we receive from our fellow Christians, so that pearls of patience, gentleness, and forgiveness might be bred within us by that which otherwise would have harmed us."

When these provocations come, when these challenges arise, let the love of Christ Jesus within your spirit be secreted around each problem. Let the essence of Christ's love ooze from you, seize each hurtful particle and transform it into a pearl of great value for all to see.

God Bless You!

DELUDED or DELIVERED (unsaved or saved)

"Beware, I pray thee, of presuming that thou art saved. If thy heart be renewed, if thou shalt hate the things that thou didst once love, and love the things that thou didst once hate; if thou hast really repented; if there be a thorough change of mind in thee; if thou be born again, then hast thou reason to rejoice: but if there be no vital change, no inward godliness; if there be no love to God, no prayer, no work of the Holy Spirit, then thy saying “I am saved” is but thine own assertion, and it may delude, but it will not deliver thee." —Charles H. Spurgeon
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Not Saved:
There is no vital change on the inside and no inward Godliness. There is no Holy Spirit working in you or through you.There is no special love for God, no prayer-life, no desire to know more about God and no desire to tell others about Christ.

Saved:
You believe Jesus died for you, rose from the dead and is seated beside God in Heaven. You've told someone that you believe Jesus. You've felt sorry about your past life that was not according to God's Word and you've decided to stop practicing the things that are contrary to God's Word. You've started to hate some things you once loved and love some things you once hated. You've had a complete change of mind about certain things in the world as well as certain things in the Word.
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Romans 10:9-11 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

Romans 12:1-3 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

Philippians 3:8 - "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"

Hebrews 10:39 - "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."

NAME 06 of 16: YEHOVAH EL-QANNA

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

We have heard it many times before that God is a jealous God. I searched the scriptures to see where the word ‘jealous’ is used in conjunction with God and I discovered that everywhere it is used with God it cautions mankind about worshipping something other than God Himself. Glorifying anything with greater reverence than that which is reserved for God Himself is worshipping whatever it is that we glorify.

MEN: the glory that some of us give to our degrees, our mansions, our cars, our wives, our bank accounts, the game, our swag, the club, our friends and even our free time rivals the glory we give to Yehovah. WOMEN: the glory that some of you give to your degrees, your looks, your husbands, to empowerment, your independence, your friends, your sex-appeal, your finances and your jobs rivals the glory you give to Yehovah. When this happens, we are in danger of letting these become our gods. Yehovah said:

“…I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…” Exodus 20:5 (KJV)

What does this mean? Well, it means what it says: “Yehovah thy Elohiym is El-qanna!” The Hebrew word QANNA occurs 6 times in 5 verses in the KJV and is translated as jealous. The context is that Yehovah is the most severe punisher when anyone departs from Him by worshipping anything else. He does not have a rival and will not tolerate one. His jealousy arises when we do not worship or glorify Him as we should or when we give worship or His glory to ourselves or to something other than Him.

Yes God is jealous but that is not all. The scripture tells us that His NAME IS Jealous. Yes! God is so jealous that His name is Jealous. In the Old Testament the English word ‘name’ comes from the Hebrew word SHEM, which occurs 864 times in 771 verses. It refers to ‘name’ in the sense of reputation, fame and glory as well as of memorial and monument. It refers to the present standing of a person or thing as well as to their legacy that is preserved in the memory of another. Notice how the KJV places emphasis on the word ‘Jealous’ when it says that Yehovah’s name is Jealous.

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14 (KJV)

The scripture above is literally saying: “you shall worship no other el because Yehovah whose name is QANNA, is El Qanna.” Yehovah’s reputation, fame and glory as well as His legacy is Jealous. Since Yehovah our Elohiym is El-Qanna, we MUST take diligent care to give Him ALL worship and to not give any worship to ourselves or to any other thing. I listed a few things above in paragraph 2, which have the potential to distract us from worshipping Yehovah completely. Be conscious of worshipping Yehovah alone and of giving Him His glory always.

Worship HIM with me now and praise Him too, Hallelujah!