Some REMARKABLE things

 Psalm 100:5

King James Version

5 For the Lord is good; 

his mercy is everlasting; 

and his truth endureth to all generations.

It is truly a remarkable thing.

I, who had not read the Bible before.

Somehow knew a thing, or two.

Saying something profound decades ago.

Even before GOD made me born again.

All come from GOD.

All go back to GOD.

That's Who I felt GOD was.

As SOURCE of everything.

And I felt it, with conviction.

But I had nothing to back it up with.

Just a feeling that it was true.

And now I'm born again, I've got proof.

SPIRIT led me to Scripture.

Another strange thing happened.

I searched online and this particular version came up.

Right on target, too!

Embodying BOTH declarations:

Romans 11:36

Worldwide English (New Testament)

36 All things come from God, 

through God, 

and return to God. 

Praise him for ever! 

Yes, it is so!

Apparently, I was right on both statements.

Even before I knew what being born again meant.

Just missed the "through God" part.

That was the "missing" piece.

Really astounding -- at least, to me.

I needed to be born again, to know that missing part.

Now, for the rest -- 

"All come from GOD."

Psalm 100:3

King James Version

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: 

it is he that hath made us, 

and not we ourselves; 

we are his people, 

and the sheep of his pasture.

James 1:17

King James Version

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift 

is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights, 

with whom is no variableness, 

neither shadow of turning.

1 John 4:7

King James Version

7 Beloved, let us love one another: 

for love is of God; 

and every one that loveth is born of God, 

and knoweth God.

"All go back to GOD."

Ecclesiastes 12:7

King James Version

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: 

and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

How could I have known those two statements?

Surely, only through the SPIRIT of GOD.

Which looked down from heaven.

Waiting patiently for me to wake up.

From my sleep, from my stupor, from my sins.

He knew what I was about.

What I was to do.

What He created me for.

Certain it was just a matter of time, and I'd wake up.

Knowing all my research was in my search for the LORD.

He knew I had been searching for ABSOLUTE truth all my life.

Thus, GOD gave me clues.

He gave me frequent prompts.

He knew I'd follow the "trail".

He knew I'd follow through.

He knew I was on to "something".

He knew I was on to Him.

In a good way, of course.

That's why He allowed the process.

No matter the painstaking path I took.

And when was GOD ever wrong?

Keep at it, wherever you are.

Keep at the path of truth.

And you shall find it.

Jeremiah 29:13

King James Version

13 And ye shall seek me, 

and find me, 

when ye shall search for me 

with all your heart.

And that truth is the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

John 1:17

King James Version

17 For the law was given by Moses, 

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 17:16-19

King James Version

16 They are not of the world, 

even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: 

thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, 

even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, 

that they also might be sanctified 

through the truth.

And you will marvel at another thing.

When you've come to know JESUS, the struggle stops.

PEACE reigns.

1 John 2:27

King James Version

27 But the anointing 

which ye have received of him abideth in you, 

and ye need not that any man teach you:

but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, 

and is truth, and is no lie, 

and even as it hath taught you, 

ye shall abide in him.

Related material:

WORD of GOD

The HOLY SPIRIT

BORN AGAIN classics

GOD's GLORY blogs

All verses from Bible Gateway

CLUES to JESUS

 

Hebrews 13:8

King James Version

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, 

and to day, and for ever.

How much do you know JESUS?

How much to you know His ways?

Is it easy to understand the LORD?

This much I know, as born again -- 

The more I study Scripture, the more I discover astounding stuff.

The more SPIRIT teaches me, the more "clues" and "patterns" I see.

As if, the LORD's leaving clues.

To make things easy for us to remember.

And to show continuity, and consistency, in His ways.

Consider these observations:

JESUS and John the Baptist.

John the Baptist was tasked to prepare the way for the LORD, by baptizing people, and commanding them to repent.

Mark 1:2-4

King James Version

2 As it is written in the prophets, 

Behold, 

I send my messenger before thy face, 

which shall prepare thy way before thee.

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, 

make his paths straight.

4 John did baptize in the wilderness, 

and preach the baptism of repentance 

for the remission of sins.

When John was imprisoned, JESUS went to Galilee, and started His ministry, and commanded people to repent.

Mark 1:14-15

King James Version

14 Now after that John was put in prison, 

Jesus came into Galilee, 

preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

JESUS and Peter at Galilee.

While in Galilee, JESUS called Peter, and Andrew, as His first disciples.

Mark 1:16-18

King James Version

16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, 

he saw Simon and Andrew his brother 

casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

17 And Jesus said unto them, 

Come ye after me, 

and I will make you to become fishers of men.

18 And straightway they forsook their nets, 

and followed him.

After His Resurrection, JESUS gives Peter His last instructions.

John 21:14-17

King James Version

14 This is now the third time 

that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, 

after that he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined, 

Jesus saith to Simon Peter, 

Simon, son of Jonas, 

lovest thou me more than these? 

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; 

thou knowest that I love thee. 

He saith unto him, 

Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, 

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? 

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; 

thou knowest that I love thee. 

He saith unto him, 

Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, 

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? 

Peter was grieved because he said unto him 

the third time, Lovest thou me? 

And he said unto him, 

Lord, thou knowest all things; 

thou knowest that I love thee. 

Jesus saith unto him, 

Feed my sheep.

JESUS leaving, and coming back.

How He was taken up into heaven.

Mark 16:19

King James Version

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, 

he was received up into heaven, 

and sat on the right hand of God.

How JESUS will return.

Acts 1:11

King James Version

11 Which also said, 

Ye men of Galilee, 

why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 

this same Jesus, 

which is taken up from you into heaven, 

shall so come in like manner 

as ye have seen him go into heaven.

JESUS and the Feast of Tabernacles.

JESUS speaks in the temple during the middle of the feast.

John 7:8-18

King James Version

8 Go ye up unto this feast: 

I go not up yet unto this feast: 

for my time is not yet full come.

9 When he had said these words unto them, 

he abode still in Galilee.

10 But when his brethren were gone up, 

then went he also up unto the feast, 

not openly, but as it were in secret.

11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, 

and said, Where is he?

12 And there was much murmuring

among the people concerning him: 

for some said, He is a good man: 

others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him

 for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the midst of the feast 

Jesus went up into the temple, 

and taught.

15 And the Jews marvelled, 

saying, 

How knoweth this man letters, 

having never learned?

16 Jesus answered them, 

and said, 

My doctrine is not mine, 

but his that sent me.

17 If any man will do his will, 

he shall know of the doctrine, 

whether it be of God, 

or whether I speak of myself.

18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: 

but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, 

the same is true, 

and no unrighteousness is in him.

In the end times, all nations will honor the Feast of Tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:16-19

King James Version

16 And it shall come to pass, 

that every one that is left of all the nations 

which came against Jerusalem 

shall even go up from year to year 

to worship the King, 

the Lord of hosts, 

and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

17 And it shall be, 

that whoso will not come up 

of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem 

to worship the King, 

the Lord of hosts, 

even upon them shall be no rain.

18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, 

and come not, that have no rain; 

there shall be the plague, 

wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen 

that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, 

and the punishment of all nations that come not up 

to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Why is the FEAST of TABERNACLES so important?

We shall explore that in a future post.

Just know this -- 

The LORD is kind, and merciful.

Ever-patient with us.

He makes things easy for us.

Dropping clues, here and there.

Which a childlike heart delights in finding.

Is it any wonder JESUS commanded:

Matthew 18:1-7

King James Version

18 At the same time 

came the disciples unto Jesus, 

saying, 

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, 

and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself 

as this little child, 

the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child 

in my name receiveth me.

6 But whoso shall offend 

one of these little ones which believe in me, 

it were better for him that a millstone 

were hanged about his neck, 

and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! 

for it must needs be that offences come; 

but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Matthew 19:13-15

King James Version

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, 

that he should put his hands on them, and pray: 

and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, 

Suffer little children, 

and forbid them not, to come unto me: 

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them, 

and departed thence.

That's another clue, actually.

That we become "childlike" with JESUS.

He loves enquiring minds, and curious souls.

Those eager to learn.

Those hungry for His TRUTH.

Those trusting in Him.

Those delighted in His stories.

Related material:

MINISTRY in GALILEE

MIRACLES in GALILEE

The GALILEAN chronicles

Image: Free Bible Images

When JESUS returns

 

Zechariah 14:4

King James Version

4 And his feet shall stand in that day 

upon the mount of Olives, 

which is before Jerusalem on the east, 

and the mount of Olives shall cleave 

in the midst thereof 

toward the east and toward the west, 

and there shall be a very great valley; 

and half of the mountain shall remove 

toward the north, 

and half of it toward the south.

When will JESUS return?

How shall He return?

What happens when He does?

Scripture tells us what we need to know.

Like, when JESUS will come back:

Matthew 24:36

King James Version

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, 

no, not the angels of heaven, 

but my Father only.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4

King James Version

5 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, 

ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly 

that the day of the Lord so cometh 

as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; 

then sudden destruction cometh upon them, 

as travail upon a woman with child; 

and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, 

that that day should overtake you as a thief.

We know that JESUS was taken up to heaven this way:

Mark 16:19

King James Version

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, 

he was received up into heaven, 

and sat on the right hand of God.

We also know JESUS will return this way:

Acts 1:11

King James Version

11 Which also said, 

Ye men of Galilee, 

why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 

this same Jesus, 

which is taken up from you into heaven, 

shall so come in like manner 

as ye have seen him go into heaven.

And when the LORD returns, expect this:

Zechariah 14:1

King James Version

14 Behold, 

the day of the Lord cometh, 

nd thy spoil shall be divided

 in the midst of thee.

Zechariah 14:2

King James Version

2 For I will gather all nations 

against Jerusalem to battle; 

and the city shall be taken, 

and the houses rifled, 

and the women ravished; 

and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, 

and the residue of the people 

shall not be cut off from the city.

Zechariah 14:3

King James Version

3 Then shall the Lord go forth, 

and fight against those nations, 

as when he fought in the day of battle.

Zechariah 14:4

King James Version

4 And his feet shall stand in that day 

upon the mount of Olives, 

which is before Jerusalem on the east, 

and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof 

toward the east and toward the west, 

and there shall be a very great valley; 

and half of the mountain shall remove 

toward the north, 

and half of it toward the south.

Zechariah 14:5

King James Version

5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; 

for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: 

yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled 

from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah 

king of Judah: 

and the Lord my God shall come, 

and all the saints with thee.

Zechariah 14:6-7

King James Version

6 And it shall come to pass in that day, 

that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, 

not day, nor night: 

but it shall come to pass, 

that at evening time it shall be light.

Zechariah 14:8

King James Version

8 And it shall be in that day,

 that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; 

half of them toward the former sea, 

and half of them toward the hinder sea: 

in summer and in winter shall it be.

Zechariah 14:9

King James Version

9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: 

in that day shall there be one Lord, 

and his name one.

Zechariah 14:10

King James Version

10 All the land shall be turned as a plain 

from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: 

and it shall be lifted up, 

and inhabited in her place, 

from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, 

unto the corner gate, 

and from the tower of Hananeel 

unto the king's winepresses.

Zechariah 14:11

King James Version

11 And men shall dwell in it, 

and there shall be no more utter destruction; 

but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

Zechariah 14:12

King James Version

12 And this shall be the plague 

wherewith the Lord will smite all the people 

that have fought against Jerusalem; 

Their flesh shall consume away 

while they stand upon their feet, 

and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, 

and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

Zechariah 14:13

King James Version

13 And it shall come to pass in that day, 

that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; 

and they shall lay hold every one 

on the hand of his neighbour, 

and his hand shall rise up 

against the hand of his neighbour.

Zechariah 14:14

King James Version

14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; 

and the wealth of all the heathen round about 

shall be gathered together, 

gold, and silver, and apparel, 

in great abundance.

Zechariah 14:15

King James Version

15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, 

of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, 

and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, 

as this plague.

Zechariah 14:16

King James Version

16 And it shall come to pass, 

that every one that is left of all the nations 

which came against Jerusalem 

shall even go up from year to year 

to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, 

and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:17

King James Version

17 And it shall be, 

that whoso will not come up 

of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem 

to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, 

even upon them shall be no rain.

Zechariah 14:18-19

King James Version

18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, 

and come not, that have no rain; 

there shall be the plague, 

wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen 

that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, 

and the punishment of all nations that come not up 

to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:20

King James Version

20 In that day shall there be 

upon the bells of the horses, 

Holiness Unto The Lord; 

and the pots in the Lord's house 

shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Zechariah 14:21

King James Version

21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah 

shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: 

and all they that sacrifice 

shall come and take of them, 

and seethe therein: 

and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite* 

in the house of the Lord of hosts.

Related material:

RETURN of JESUS

*Canaanite religion

Image: Generation Word

Caption: "The third summit (southern most summit) of the Mount of Olives looking east from Jerusalem over the Kidron Valley."

 

GOD's endearing ways

 

Romans 11:33-34

King James Version

33 O the depth of the riches 

both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

how unsearchable are his judgments, 

and his ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? 

or who hath been his counsellor?

If you want to understand GOD, witness His ways.

We cannot map out GOD, but we can understand His ways.

Scripture will tell us all we need to know.

Here are a few things that help us understand GOD better.

And surely, it's in total contrast to man's ways.

THREE examples come to mind:

GOD chose Israel, no matter how few they were.

Deuteronomy 7:7

King James Version

7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, 

nor choose you, 

because ye were more in number than any people; 

for ye were the fewest of all people:

GOD chose Bethlehem, no matter how little it was.

Micah 5:2

King James Version

2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, 

though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, 

yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me 

that is to be ruler in Israel; 

whose goings forth have been from of old, 

from everlasting.

GOD brought JESUS into the world, in all His Son's humility.

Isaiah 53:2

King James Version

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, 

and as a root out of a dry ground: 

he hath no form nor comeliness; 

and when we shall see him, 

there is no beauty 

that we should desire him.

Do you see a pattern yet?

Have you detected an aspect of GOD's ways?

As childlike, born again workman, I have.

To make a statement, GOD goes for small.

The least becomes GREATEST.

That we may know His power.

1 Kings 8:60

King James Version

60 That all the people of the earth may know 

that the Lord is God, 

and that there is none else.

GOD abhors pride; He goes for humility.

By His obedience to the cross, JESUS taught us humility.

He gave us a pattern for how to live, and worship GOD.

Is it any wonder Scripture tells us:

Proverbs 16:5

King James Version

5 Every one that is proud in heart 

is an abomination to the Lord: 

though hand join in hand, 

he shall not be unpunished.

Man likes to think BIG.

Or so he thinks.

GOD thinks BIGGER.

And yet He creates small.

Why is that?

It tests man.

Would we pay attention to the "small"?

Would we pay attention to the humble?

Would we pay attention to the downtrodden?

Would we pay attention to JESUS at all?

Now, you see the BEAUTY of GOD's heart.

Man's heart cannot compare.

GOD is LOVE.

GOD is TRUTH.

GOD is WISDOM.

He makes us love.

He makes us see.

He makes us pay attention.

He makes us see with our hearts.

After all, if you're so full of yourself, would you pay attention to those you think are lesser than you are?

Would you even notice them?

GOD doesn't have such arrogance.

In GOD's wisdom, least is better.

Matthew 20:16

King James Version

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: 

for many be called, but few chosen.

Even as GOD is the GREATEST, He wants you to find Him in the least.

He is full of surprises, and unpredictability.

GOD confounds us all.

But believers have an edge.

We understand His ways.

Because He gave us the BEST Teacher.

JESUS taught us GOD's ways:

Matthew 18:1-7

King James Version

18 At the same time 

came the disciples unto Jesus, 

saying, 

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, 

and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself 

as this little child, 

the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive 

one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6 But whoso shall offend 

one of these little ones which believe in me, 

it were better for him that a millstone 

were hanged about his neck, 

and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! 

for it must needs be that offences come; 

but woe to that man 

by whom the offence cometh!

Matthew 25:40

King James Version

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye have done it 

unto one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me.

Thus, Israel, Bethlehem, JESUS, and children.

The least are the greatest, in GOD's eyes.

How I LOVE the LORD's ways!

Don't you?

Related material:

GOD's WAYS

GOD's WISDOM

GOD's TRUTH

GOD's HUMOR

Paradoxes

Image: Clipart Library