Showing posts with label GOD's WISDOM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GOD's WISDOM. Show all posts

Saturday, April 6, 2024

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


Tuesday, December 26, 2023

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


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